Knowledge shall lead the...

[Corwin]

"To be fair, we find meaning and even enjoyment in our limits, namely in pushing them ever-further," Seira muses. "It's one of those things you will sadly not be able to experience unless you limit yourself one day." She pauses briefly, before asking, "If it's not one of your limitations, would you be willing to show us how to push past some of our limits? I'm interested in ways of defeating the near-total control other deities have in their divine realms, and in means of tracking down divine presences reliably even while shielded."

[Anastasia]

"I cannot," Is the answer, "My task is what I am allowed to do on Creation, not to serve as sage to gain power from."

[Corwin]

"You don't not have permission to help," Seira is all too happy to point out. "Perhaps once your task is complete, you would be willing to consider it?"

[Anastasia]

A sip of tea again, finished in a long slurp, "Once I am done, I am to leave Creation and never return," he explains, "The Incarnation of Balance allows us power over those who take our trials, but only in pursuit of that."

[Corwin]

"Ah, I see. So does this face to face meeting mean you've judged us worthy of the divine seed?"

[Anastasia]

"Not yet," The Guardian answers. "Give me one compelling reason to give you the seed."

[Corwin]

"It's the one way explicitely allowed by the Incarnation of Balance for you to interact with Creation and its fate," Seira says after considering the question for a bit. "You say you're not allowed to do anything here but administer the test and choose the divine seed's owner, but that's not quite true, is it? In broad strokes, if you give it to the side of Good, Good surges. If you support a so-called champion of Evil, Evil is the one to benefit. I believe, however, that while you are neutral to a great degree, your longtime acquaintance with Queen Morwel has shown you that our way is better. We try to help Creation and its inhabitants, and we'll never stop improving their lives."

She gestures about her, at the copy of the Cauldron they sit in. "On the macro scale, Creation is threatened by Evil. Shar grows in power ever-so-greatly, and you don't need me explaining this to you, not with the way you've used her to test us. My understanding of the Incarnation of Balance is very limited, admittedly, but it feels like evening the scales to support those who would counter Shar at every step would fit with his wishes. And finally, on a personal level, you've learned a lot more about us than we realize, I'd wager. You know who we are, what we've done and the things we have accomplished, and more importantly, you know why, just as you know what we will do next. And ascending Donald and Ranbar while advacing my own power will allow us to do more still. All of that is why I ask for you to give us the seed."

[Anastasia]

The Guardian meets your gaze, "All I wanted was a truthful answer," he says, "Tell me, do you know of the other Guardians?" As you speak the divine seed appears on the table, a faint but visible field of force shimmering around it, encasing it. "How have they turned out?"

Donald sits back throughout this and adds, "Well, I'll have you know I'm very good at telling the truth. It's other people who aren't good at hearing it."

Ranbar smiles ever so slightly at that as she silently exhales. "Have we passed then, Guardian?"

"Closely enough," The Guardian concurs to Ranbar, "It was well reasoned. I have found the Queen and hers to have a certain charm. Don't you agree?"

[Corwin]

"I like Queen Morwel," Seira affirms. She's certainly delivered a truthful answer, although like with most complicated things there were several facets to consider rather than a clearcut, black and white response. "As for the other Guardians, I've only heard of one other in passing. That's also why I figured you might be open to teaching us. Is there anything you would like us to pass on to others like you that we might come across?"

[Anastasia]

"Nothing," Is the answer, "Only curiosity."

[Corwin]

"Very well. It has been an experience," Seira says, before nodding at Donald. "You should have an idea of what you stand for, so you should go first."

[Anastasia]

Slowly the barrier rises from the seed and the Guardian says, "Take it and it is done."

Donald eyes it and touches it - and in that moment the Guardian is gone.

[Corwin]

Seira touches the divine seed herself to confirm it is one and this isn't one final test.

[Anastasia]

It is and there are three charges, awaiting use.

[Corwin]

"Go on, Donald. It feels legitimate."