Author Games: Path of the Guildpact

Task One: Into the Woods

"May you walk in the light of the World-Soul, mage of Azorius. What do you seek from Selesnya?"

Had Allard Sharikov been prone to discourtesy or emotional instability, his nerve would have snapped right there and the whole escapade would have dissolved into a shrieking rant. Given the identity of his host, he strongly suspected such an event would permanently damage his Guild's standing, as well as proven rapidly terminal for his own person.

As such, he pursed his lips in something that might be generously termed a smile. Of course, that assumed the one who named it such was both blind and an incredible imbecile.

"Yes, yes, may you...also walk, Guildmaster Trostani. Stroll, even. I'm here on business, however, so I hope you can spare a few moments to discuss the upcoming trials. Specifically, what Selesnya plans on using as theirs."

Trostani, currently one of the ten most powerful beings on Ravnica, smiled serenely at him. Come to think about it, he couldn't remember a time when (she? They? He didn't have the protocols for the preferred pronouns of a transcendent lignified tri-person) had not been smiling  serenely at him. It was downright unnerving, particularly given their habit of never blinking.

"Be welcome, Mage Allard," Trostani's head chorused in unison. "Speak your piece."

It would seem that this was as good a mood as he could hope for. He cleared his throat. "Several days ago, Azorius sent out several forms to the other Guilds. Within them, you were to detail the precise nature of your trial, when you planned to implement it, who was to oversee it--"

"We remember, mage," one of the heads told him. "Papers. Poor, dead things. We returned to them the life that had been stolen." 

They made an elegant gesture, and Ellard followed their finger to see six slender saplings rising in a neat row . So much for his carefully ordered and packaged forms.

Bloody dryads, he wanted to snarl. Instead, he contented himself with a raised eyebrow. "Very pretty, Guildmaster. However, that doesn't change the fact that Azorius needs to know your plans. And it is somewhat more difficult to send a tree before the Committee for Equitable Guildpact Appointments for approval. How can we be a neutral arbitrator if you will not cooperate with basic protocol?"

Trostani waved an arm in a gesture simultaneously grand and vague. "Be not troubled, mage of Azorius. Our trial will not violate your countless requirements. In fact, one might say it is barely a trial at all."

Allard's eye twitched. "No doubt you have no intention of doing so. However, it would be unreasonable to expect you to know every ordinance and factor involved in our consideration-"

"All we ask," Trostani continued over the top of him. "Is that they spend a day and a night here in Vitu-Ghazi. Whoever does so shall receive my signet, and thus Selesnya's blessing."

Allard blinked. Trostani smiled at him benignly.

"That's it? Surely you realize the other Guilds will be much more... partisan when it comes to their trials. I would have thought you might take the opportunity to weed out a candidate or two you found especially objectionable."

"That is not the way of the Conclave, mage of Azorius. We welcome any who might strive to leadership for the good of Ravnica. All we ask is they take to time to ponder their actions and reflect on the beauty and peace only Selesnya can promise. Surely that would be permitted?"

He suddenly felt deeply uncomfortable in a manner distinct from before. "I- I don't believe I have the authority to make that decision, Guildmaster. I will convey it to the Committee. It may be a couple of days before we can give you formal approval or not. If you will excuse me, I'd best be off." Having a touch of common sense, he waited for the approving nod before standing to go.

"Go in the peace of the World-Soul. And do tell your committee that their decision ought to be a touch more rapid than usual."

Something in Trostani's tone gave him pause.

"Why do you say that?"

"Simply because it begins tomorrow morning, and it would be a shame to have a trial without the all-important approval of Azorius."

Allard's curses disturbed every bird on his rapid sprint towards the Senate.

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Requirements

-Welcome to Author Games: Pact of the Guildpact! Let's get right to it.

-In order to become Guildpact, you must receive approval from every guild on Ravnica. This is done by obtaining a small symbol called a signet from each Guildmaster. However, they can set whatever terms they please in order to prove your worth before awarding it to you.

-In order to get Selesnya's approval, you must spend a day and a night in Vitu-Ghazi, Selesnya's capital. Things could be worse; Vitu-Ghazi is a citadel/garden grown from a truly colossal tree, and is arguably one of the loveliest places in Ravnica.

-However, what you don't know is that you will be approached by an elite evangelist, who will try to subtly convert you to the Selesnyan worldview. They have enormous experience speaking with those who treat the guild with doubt, and might might well be that you don't realize their aims until you already believe.

Deaths: Two ballot kills, which will determine the challenge next round. No one will be eliminated.

Due Date: Thursday, February 9 at 10 PM EST