A neverending field

[Corwin]

"Can you get in contact with them discreetly to pass on the information I intend to give you? It would need to be in person."

[Anastasia]

"I'll see to it," Morniel agrees, "Go on."

[Corwin]

"What you may not be aware of is that Asmodeus ascended Bel and Gathgorian, so Afina's quest has acquired impossible difficulty. However, I plan on sharing this incredibly risky procedure with you before making the knowledge of the ritual anathemic in Creation, so those of you capable of the process could decide for yourself whether you use it. All I want is your discretion, once more. I don't intend to enforce it in any way, but I ask that if you feel your patrons should know that you direct them to me first."

[Anastasia]

Every expression becomes solemn here, as Hanna's eyes narrow and she adds, "Alright, we're listening."

The Master's expression is grim, "We will have to be aware of that, including Afina, before she rushes into a battle unprepared for its ferocity."

[Corwin]

"Ideally, she would have been here. But I think it would be more advantageous to you if I'm not obviously seen telling you all this, hence the diplomatic pretense of a state visit while Aurora pays a visit to Bytopia. In any case, you've tangled with the Beyond before. Certainly enough to forge a weapon, and gain a ridumentary understanding of the dangers that exist there? As you might have expected, opportunity exists to ascend outside the boundaries of Creation, and without submitting yourself to Lord Ao's judgement. There is a ritual, incredibly difficult and possible only for those possessing a powerful, charismatic personality. Through it, one might channel all that drive and ambition to forcibly ascend, and I intend to provide you with a bit of reading material that would make the attempt suicidally risky rather than flat out impossible to make."

Seira pauses to allow Aurora's leadership to absorb that, before saying, "The benefits are manifest, so let us go into the dangers. Merely being in the Beyond means you will attract its denizens, and those abominations fight with no reason or logic. You may be destroyed that way. Next, the person undergoing the ritual would be utterly defenseless, requiring those who accompany them to play guard for an indefinite amount of time. Next, the ritual may be merely lethal, but could also twist one's soul into one of those Far Realm abominations. In the least worst case, a halfway ascension like Baleruk's might be possible, but chances are that a failure would twist your body, warp your soul and break your mind. Even I may not be able to help in this situation, so undergoing it means accepting the very real possibility of final death."

[Anastasia]

"This is the root of the Godsrush?" Morniel speaks up here, as everyone soaks that in. "I would not do it, it sounds far too dangerous."

Ebony is quiet throughout all of this, but does not add anything do it. Her head is half bowed, as if lost in her own thoughts.

Kascha hums here. 'Seira,' she sends to you, 'Can you make information about the Far Realm anathemic? If it's by definition outside of Creation's rules, will that even work properly?'

As Kascha engages in some good, old fashioned philosophical speculation, Morniel continues. "How likely to you estimate our success if we were to try it?"

[Corwin]

"That's a stupid name," Seira mutters, grimacing. "The dangers are important, and you should all revisit them after perusing the material I have for aiding in the ritual. It is my estimate that Afina, Jaela and that Meillarberyl cutie have good odds of success. In fact, Afina should succeed barring exceptionally bad luck. You and Crystal could probably manage it, Morniel. Perhaps Goldanariux and you as well." Seira nods at the Master, before glancing over at Hanna. "Maybe your son. Naturally, the fiends you have, though I'd caution against ascending them so soon, if ever. Perceptions are important, sadly."

To Kascha, she responds with, The book we have with notes on the One ritual was made in Creation and can be turned anathemic. I don't want to eliminate knowledge of One, just of our shortcuts.

[Anastasia]

Something about that makes Ebony raise an eyebrow, but she does not comment.

"This is..." Morniel lets silence reign a moment, "A remarkable chance, but a remarkable danger."

"We'll do as you ask," Hanna agrees, "If they try or not, I know not."

'Ooooh,' Is Kascha's answer.

[Corwin]

"If you'd like to dispense with the smokescreen and rely on us directly, we'll provide security for the trip," Seira offers. "Also, I know how dry such reading material can get, so if anyone seeking to make a serious attempt wants to consult with me, that's perfectly fine. As for additional reasons for secrecy... we have enough monsters from the Beyond seeping through the cracks as it is. If demons decided to rush it and hope for the best, becoming abominations that seek to invade and destroy Creation as they lose themselves may well be their end goal rather than the risks involved."

[Anastasia]

"Like the obyriths?" Hanna asks there, "Is that what they are?"

[Corwin]

"There is a filter of sorts around Creation that protects it, and attempts to map any invading abominations to Creation's rules," Seira tells her. "Demons seem to be handy for that, given their propensity for mindless destruction. I don't believe the obyrinths are directly related, though, to answer your question. Are there any others?"

[Anastasia]

"No," Ebony says at last, "I will discuss this with the others."

[Corwin]

Seira nods, and then all that remains is providing the collected advice on the One ritual, as well as casting the spell making the knowledge in question anathemic.

Which is fine to do offscreen.

[Anastasia]

Sure. So that I'm clear, which parts of the info are you giving them?

[Corwin]

+15 to the attempt

Once their guests leave, Seira asks Kascha, "What do you think about recruiting Baleruk?"