Chronias

[Ebiris]

"Even leaving Hell's part aside, it's going to become very obvious very soon what we're finding and what we're doing with them," Alicia says. "Creation isn't populated by fools, do you think Bel and Gathgorian are all we have to worry about? Do you think other powers won't take note when we visit their planes and start poking around after a rash of sudden ascensions among us?"

[Corwin]

"I was already approached by an interested power," Seira voices in agreement with Alicia, turning her head towards Zaphkiel. "You answered earlier that it's fine if I elevate those close to me but not covered by your protection against Ao's knowledge, but are there limits to this? If I were to try and offer the chance of ascension to an old and well-qualified friend like Lady Honeydip of Queen Morwel's court, would that run counter to your plans?"

[Anastasia]

"There are even those who are our allies who would seek them," Zaphkiel agrees. "Cerulean Joy seeks Sylica for this exact reason, but I have intervened to hold her back." Here there's a shake of his head, "The seeds are yours, I put my trust and hope into my chosen champions. Use then wisely and for the purposes of our victories in this most important contest. If to give another access to a seed aids those plans, then so be it. But them with the utmost wisdom for this purpose, for each charge spent on one not part of this is one denied to us in the final battles."

"We're going to provoke a firestorm of reactions," Latha concurs, "We could store them with Io if we can afford to wait, but that feels self defeating, a chance lost to gain more ranks through the Competition in the meantime. I would not be surprised to learn our allies have helped stem a tide of interest."

"If we absolutely must, we can speak of One," Sylvie speaks up, "The problem is that the more learn of it, the more that will attempt to reach the Far Realm. One breach that gets out of control and Shar's pouting that someone beat her to the destruction of Creation." She lowers her head in thought for several moments amid the light, "There's no way this doesn't go out of control. I think I see why Asmodeus only has a few champions now. A few powerful champions, glutted on a few seeds and Competition, will attract far less attention than a plethora of ascendant demigods."

[Corwin]

"Is the situation as problematic as you suggest?" Seira muses out loud. "I firmly believe that anyone on the side of Good will not start an outright conflict over this. There will be interest and even jealousy, but in the end we're all allies. Those on the elemental planes have a different course for power, and to my knowledge none have tried to ascend. Few there even have interests beyond their planes. So that leaves... the forces of Evil? Which only means demons, as Asmodeus can ensure the devils don't grow out of control on this matter. But demons already can approach divine power by ruling one of the layers of the Abyss, so they won't go for it en masse. Just what sort of scenario are you worried about, here? Slaad? Mechanus? Mortal heroes from some Prime?

[Ebiris]

"Bane, Loviatar, Umberlee, Auril..." Alicia lists off just a few from the top of her head to add to Seira's optimistic thinking. "And a fellow 'good' power doesn't have to physically fight us to simply observe our movements and sneak in to steal something ahead of us. I think you're underestimating the pull here, Seira. Even if an elemental power has some other method of power doesn't mean they can't benefit from using a seed, or owning one to trade with."

[Anastasia]

"That's an if, and the problem with ifs is that they break when under pressure," Sylvie counters, "I'm not disparaging the paragons of righteousness, but things happen and mistakes are made. People do the wrong thing or even the right thing at the wrong time for reasons that feel right for them. I don't like letting it ride on hoping no one makes a mistake. We have enough riding on hope as it is, and adding another one with countless variables we can't predict is a layer of complication that hurts us more than it helps us. Besides," A look to Zaphkiel, as if a silent apology.

"Eblis fell too, and who would have predicted that?" Sylvie continues, "I hope we win, but I'm also going to help with as much as I can so we have less hope and more certainty."

[Anastasia]

Latha's quieter, "I side more with Seira, but there's a point that less complications serve us well. I fear this is a problem with no easy, correct choice."

[Corwin]

"All very good points," Seira acknowledges. "I'd posit reality will fall somewhere in between both extremes. And anyway, the Cauldron and Sylica had been growing in power more and more. We're presenting ourselves as pantheons, and plenty would accept that. Perhaps even Emily would not draw too much attention. It's only when the others follow suit that this narrative will truly collapse, and by then we should each secure a divine seed from the selection. Does that sound sensible?"

[Ebiris]

"There's no way to avoid it, I'm simply warning that we're going to have eyes on us, moreso as we employ more seeds. So going for ones in more hostile territory first could actually be advantageous," Alicia summarises the point she was driving at.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Why are we assuming that Shar isn't trying the same to elevate her champions? Ao might not be overly interested at the moment,  but he's also not the one specifically targeting us. Shar must have some idea of what's going on. The assassins and cultists that are trying for me prove she understands at least something of your requirements for champions and identified me as a potential one.

Her best assassin with a few divine charges would be horrific for us. And the more of these we find, the more attention as mentioned.  Chaos may be unfathomable,  but from what I understand from Aurora,  slaad are already involved. They're random, not stupid, and they can do things we can't. I can't help but imagine they'll find some way to ballroom dance into a few of these seeds, if they can focus that long.

We have a lot of potential parties involved here and no way to preempt them... so how about recruiting some, at least peripherally?"

[Ebiris]

"I don't recall making that sort of assumption about Shar. Don't speak to me about the danger she presents, I know it very well," Alicia says, an edge of coldness to her voice. "But if you want to recruit others into finding seeds, consider the price. No one would challenge a guardian for a divine seed and not expect a fair share as their reward. I was happy to share of the one I found at the bottom of the Infinite Staircase with one who I felt deserved it and had gotten there first. Boldly recruiting slaad and offering godhood for their help is a frivolous use of the information we're being privileged with here."

[Corwin]

"I want to say Shar won't do that," Seira says slowly. "She has elite minions, but...." She shakes her head, asking Zaphkiel, "What is your reasoning behind selecting us and only us? Behind effectively excluding all others from this knowledge of the true threat?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Then direct their efforts to warfare. If we can get them even barely involved,  it mounts up to significant distraction on all sides, and us freer to do what we need. Nobody likes Shar, but how many of those we're worrying about taking notice of us finding the seeds are actively fighting her?"

[Anastasia]

"At first," Zaphkiel begins, "You and Alicia were chosen for your roles in the matter of the God-King. You grew greatly there and involved yourself in these matters. You two have a potential that you have realized, the proof is that you stand before me."

Then to Moore, "I chose Moore because of his potential with the Words of Creation, as well as his own ability. He has lived up to these hopes as well."

To Alyssa he says, "You were Io's choice, but he sees in you potential and skill, as well as the ability to go far. He chose you for his reasons and I abided by this choice."

"Tryll was chosen because of his psionics and unusual nature. He will help serve certain roles others would struggle with, and should we have a great need for psionic ability." Zaphkiel finishes.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods his head quietly in thanks. It's still humbling to hear things like that!