Author Games: Path of the Guildpact

Finals: A Brighter Tomorrow

When Allard left the great Orzhov basilica, he could have sworn the gargoyles perched atop it dripped with something darker and thicker than rain. 

As the attendees of the grand funeral files filed out with him, the hulking shape of an ogre was not among them. 

~*~

"Guildmaster? If you don't mind, I think I ought to speak to you regarding the candidacy for Guildpact."

Isperia turned her great head to fix Allard with a gaze which was, predictably, inscrutable. He was beginning to detest the impossible ineffability that seemed to pervade her every motion. "Guildmage Sharikov. Has an unexpected issue arisen?" 

He shuffled in place like a naughty child. "Not quite. However, there's a discrepancy between the number of current candidates for Guildpact and those predicted by our clairvoyants. Four individuals remain: we anticipated that the Orzhov trial would claim a larger number. Though in all honesty, I'm not certain how "attend a funeral" qualifies as a meaningful trial; it's a wonder Calais managed to die in the process. We only have one more trial left, and a contested candidacy at this point is bound to prompt conflict. If you authorize it, I can begin paperwork appointing Azorius as a tie-breaker, but it'll require a clear majority of guilds agreeing, so it's best if we begin to move-"

"That," Isperia boomed. "Will not be necessary." 

Allard paused. "I beg your pardon, Guildmaster?"

"The Orzhov trial was not so gentle as it might first appear, guildmage. Much like the Syndicate itself, its goal was profit achieved through cunning law-magic. At the funeral, the tributes were offered two methods of paying for their signet: with their souls, and with a favorable judgement after ascendancy. After receiving the signet, they had to sign a contract magically compelling their compliance with one or the other."

"How thoroughly distasteful. I thought it seemed too easy. Nonetheless, how precisely will that narrow the selection?"

"Simple. Such contracts leave a magical imprint on the auras of those who sign it. Undetectable to most, but a being of sufficient power will be able to discern the touch of compulsion on their souls. I am such a being, as are the other guildmasters. Tell me, guildmage, what is the Boros trial?"

Allard frowned, mind racing. "To answer three questions honestly, with the hosts of Boros destroying you at the first lie. How would that-"

"Who will ask these questions?"

Something clicked inside his mind. "Guildmaster Aurelia..." He breathed, going pale as he drew the correct conclusions. "Who will no doubt be curious as to what sort of contract binds the future leader of Ravnica."

"Correct," Isperia pronounced with the solemnity of a eulogy. "She will ask what they have promised the Orzhov. And if I know anything at all about Aurelia, she will react...poorly to the discovery that they have agreed to pervert justice. An interesting test from the Obzedat, wouldn't you say? Who had the cunning to look ahead and see the dangers lurking just ahead?"

Allard stood in silence, trying to imagine the reaction of the archangel renowned for her passion for justice. It wasn't difficult.

"There's going to be collateral damage." It wasn't a question.

"Yes," she replied. "In all honesty, I think there is a good chance that, in her anger, Aurelia will kill all four candidates. I had rather hoped the Gruul individual would make it out of the cathedral; at the very least, ogres tend to be rather fire-retardant. You may wish to warn them of this fact; it will increase the odds of her wrath only consuming its proper target."

Allard was already running for the door. He had only just left, however, when he heard the first explosion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Requirements

-To get the Boros signet, you will present yourselves before the archangel Aurelia and answer honestly three questions of her choosing. Two of them may be whatever you like; however, one of them must inquire as to the nature of your contract with the Orzhov. Then:

If you sold your soul:

-Aurelia will consider this irrelevant to your suitability for leadership. You will ascend to Guildpact without major incident.

-What choices do you make? What sort of a leader are you?

-Moreover, how do you deal with the certainty of servitude in suffering after death?

If you promised an unfair judgment:

-Aurelia will react with outrage and do her best to eradicate you on the spot. If you escape, you will certainly not earn Boros's approval as long as she lives. It would be unwise to wait for her to die of natural causes.

-Should you manage to achieve the status of Guildpact, it will be to a Ravnica at war, wracked by  inter-guild warfare.

-What will do with such a situation? What choices do you make for the world and for yourself?

Due Date: Thursday, April 13 at 10 PM EST