"It's only heresy until it becomes orthodoxy, Rugatonn, and remember that you too will come to Hell in time."

"Enough of this.  You don't know the true stakes on this gameboard - and neither do I.  So let's negotiate about the parts our tiny minds can understand."

"Gorthoklek might have been destroyed by an ilani weapon, and upon my being resurrected I could have taken Cheliax from Hell, though with great strife and loss.  And then I'd give Cheliax into Sevar's hands, to rule in Hell's name again; and souls here who cry her name would be hers to own, in Hell after Her ascension.  Except," Abrogail turns now to look deliberately at the watching royal guards, "those already soul-sold to Hell, who are excluded from Sevar's compact with Asmodeus.  Whom Sevar has separately compacted with Dispater to be able to buy from their current owners in Dis, with the approval of Crown and Church."

"So as an alternative to the road that needlessly costs Hell - Cheliax could submit itself to Carissa Sevar as its Empress, with myself as her viceroy, styling myself Directrix.  The worship of Sevar, as a destined future goddess of Hell under Asmodeus, will be legalized and encouraged by the state if perhaps not the Church.  Those worthy in Cheliax will still go to Sevar in due time.  Perhaps through emigration to Wanshou; perhaps after She's taken three-quarters of Avistan in Hell's name, backed by an unweakened Cheliax.  The Church will give its approval to Sevar's buying of those who've already sold themselves to Hell, if they please her or seem to hold promise."

"Neither Church nor Hell shall try to interfere with Sevar's rulership of Cheliax for three years, so long as it stays within the bounds of reformed Asmodeanism; nor will the Church protest certain changes away from the more wasteful and self-destructive of Cheliax's current policies.  On Sevar's own oath that she expects all those changes together to increase the number of souls that come to Hell eventually, compared to what would have come about if she did nothing at all."

"It's an offer that works for everyone, really.  You should all be grateful that Sevar is the sort of Lawful Evil who'll give you the chance at it."

"It's only heresy until it becomes orthodoxy, Rugatonn, and remember that you too will come to Hell in time."

"Enough of this.  You don't know the true stakes on this gameboard - and neither do I.  So let's negotiate about the parts our lesser minds can understand."

"Gorthoklek might have been destroyed by an ilani weapon, and upon my being resurrected I could have taken Cheliax from Hell, though with great strife and loss.  And then I'd give Cheliax into Sevar's hands, to rule in Hell's name again; and souls here who cry her name would be hers to own, in Hell after Her ascension.  Except," Abrogail turns now to look deliberately at the watching royal guards, "those already soul-sold to Hell, who are excluded from Sevar's compact with Asmodeus.  Whom Sevar has separately compacted with Dispater to be able to buy from their current owners in Dis, with the approval of Crown and Church."

"So as an alternative to the road that needlessly costs Hell - Cheliax could submit itself to Carissa Sevar as its Empress, with myself as her viceroy, styling myself Directrix.  The worship of Sevar, as a destined future goddess of Hell under Asmodeus, will be legalized and encouraged by the state if perhaps not the Church.  Those worthy in Cheliax will still go to Sevar in due time.  Perhaps through emigration to Wanshou; perhaps after She's taken three-quarters of Avistan in Hell's name, backed by an unweakened Cheliax.  The Church will give its approval to Sevar's buying of those who've already sold themselves to Hell, if they please her or seem to hold promise."

"Neither Church nor Hell shall try to interfere with Sevar's rulership of Cheliax for three years, so long as it stays within the bounds of reformed Asmodeanism; nor will the Church protest certain changes away from the more wasteful and self-destructive of Cheliax's current policies.  On Sevar's own oath that she expects all those changes together to increase the number of souls that come to Hell eventually, compared to what would have come about if she did nothing at all."

"It's an offer that works for everyone, really.  You should all be grateful that Sevar is the sort of Lawful Evil who'll give you the chance at it."

"It's only heresy until it becomes orthodoxy, Rugatonn, and remember that you too will come to Hell in time."

"Enough of this.  You don't know the true stakes on this gameboard - and neither do I.  So let's negotiate about the parts our lesser minds can understand."

"Gorthoklek might have been destroyed by an ilani weapon, and upon my being resurrected I could have taken Cheliax from Hell, though with great strife and loss.  And then I'd give Cheliax into Sevar's hands, to rule in Hell's name again; and souls here who cry her name would be hers to own, in Hell after Her ascension.  Except," Abrogail turns now to look deliberately at the watching royal guards, "those already soul-sold to Hell, who are excluded from Sevar's compact with Asmodeus.  Whom Sevar has separately compacted with Dispater to be able to buy from their current owners in Dis, with the approval of Crown and Church."

"So as an alternative to the road that needlessly costs Hell - Cheliax could submit itself to Carissa Sevar as its Empress, with myself as her viceroy, styling myself Directrix.  The worship of Sevar, as a destined future goddess of Hell under Asmodeus, will be legalized and encouraged by the state if perhaps not the Church.  Those worthy in Cheliax will still go to Sevar in due time.  Perhaps through emigration to Wanshou; perhaps after She's taken three-quarters of Avistan in Hell's name, backed by an unweakened Cheliax.  The Church will give its approval to Sevar's buying of those who've already sold themselves to Hell, if they please her or seem to hold promise."

"Neither Church nor Hell shall try to interfere with Sevar's rulership of Cheliax for three years, so long as it stays within the bounds of reformed Asmodeanism; nor will the Church protest certain changes away from the more wasteful and self-destructive of Cheliax's current policies.  On Sevar's own oath that she expects all those changes together to increase the number of souls that come to Hell eventually, compared to what would have come about if she did nothing at all."

"You do not trust me, of course, and I do not trust you.  But we both aspire to Lawfulness, and Gorthoklek actually is Lawful, and neither of us wishes to spend Cheliax's strength in a fight.  Lawful beings need not waste their strength so, if they both prefer doing better, and I know that now; it is among the truths that have been given me.  That we do not trust one another, that we do not have the same goals, these are obstacles that can be overcome.  It isn't even hard, for us, being Lawful and knowing one another for Lawful.  We'll set up cutouts in Cheliax's command structure whereby I or Sevar cannot just give over the country to Good, or whatever it is you fear we'll do with it; and your and Gorthoklek's oaths, somewhat severer than those you've made before, will properly forbid the Church to use those cutouts to take away our country."

"It's an offer that works for everyone, really.  You should all be grateful that Sevar is the sort of Lawful Evil who'll give you the chance at it."

"It's only heresy until it becomes orthodoxy, Rugatonn, and remember that you too will come to Hell in time."

"Enough of this.  You don't know the true stakes on this gameboard - and neither do I.  So let's negotiate about the parts our lesser minds can understand."

"Gorthoklek might have been destroyed by an ilani weapon, and upon my being resurrected I could have taken Cheliax from Hell, though with great strife and loss.  And then I'd give Cheliax into Sevar's hands, to rule in Hell's name again; and souls here who cry her name would be hers to own, in Hell after Her ascension.  Except," Abrogail turns now to look deliberately at the watching royal guards, "those already soul-sold to Hell, who are excluded from Sevar's compact with Asmodeus.  Whom Sevar has separately compacted with Dispater to be able to buy from their current owners in Dis, with the approval of Crown and Church."

"So as an alternative to the road that needlessly costs Hell - Cheliax could submit itself to Carissa Sevar as its Empress, with myself as her viceroy, styling myself Directrix.  The worship of Sevar, as a destined future goddess of Hell under Asmodeus, will be legalized and encouraged by the state if perhaps not the Church.  Those worthy in Cheliax will still go to Sevar in due time.  Perhaps through emigration to Wanshou; perhaps after She's taken three-quarters of Avistan in Hell's name, backed by an unweakened Cheliax.  The Church will give its approval to Sevar's buying of those who've already sold themselves to Hell, if they please her or seem to hold promise."

"Neither Church nor Hell shall try to interfere with Sevar's rulership of Cheliax for three years, so long as it stays within the bounds of reformed Asmodeanism; nor will the Church protest certain changes away from the more wasteful and self-destructive of Cheliax's current policies.  On Sevar's own oath that she expects all those changes together to increase the number of souls that come to Hell eventually, compared to what would have come about if she did nothing at all."

"You do not trust me, of course, and I do not trust you.  But we both aspire to Lawfulness, and Gorthoklek actually is Lawful, and neither of us wishes to spend Cheliax's strength in a fight.  Lawful beings need not waste their strength so, if they both prefer doing something else.  I see that now, it is among the skills that have been given me.  That we do not trust one another, that we do not have the same goals, these are obstacles that we are both incentivized to pay some little costs to overcome.  It isn't even hard, for us, being Lawful and knowing one another for Lawful.  We'll set up cutouts in Cheliax's command structure whereby I or Sevar cannot just give over the country to Good, or whatever it is you fear we'll do with it; and your and Gorthoklek's oaths, somewhat severer than those you've made before, will properly forbid the Church to use those cutouts to take away our country."

"It's an offer that works for everyone, really.  You should all be grateful that Sevar is the sort of Lawful Evil who'll give you the chance at it."

"It's only heresy until it becomes orthodoxy, Rugatonn, and remember that you too will come to Hell in time."

"Enough of this.  You don't know the true stakes on this gameboard - and neither do I.  So let's negotiate about the parts our lesser minds can understand."

"Gorthoklek might have been destroyed by an ilani weapon, and upon my being resurrected I could have taken Cheliax from Hell, though with great strife and loss.  And then I'd give Cheliax into Sevar's hands, to rule in Hell's name again; and souls here who cry her name would be hers to own, in Hell after Her ascension.  Except," Abrogail turns now to look deliberately at the watching royal guards, "those already soul-sold to Hell, who are excluded from Sevar's compact with Asmodeus.  Whom Sevar has separately compacted with Dispater to be able to buy from their current owners in Dis, with the approval of Crown and Church."

"So as an alternative to the road that needlessly costs Hell - Cheliax could submit itself to Carissa Sevar as its Empress, with myself as her viceroy, styling myself Directrix.  The worship of Sevar, as a destined future goddess of Hell under Asmodeus, will be legalized and encouraged by the state if perhaps not the Church.  Those worthy in Cheliax will still go to Sevar in due time.  Perhaps through emigration to Wanshou; perhaps after She's taken three-quarters of Avistan in Hell's name, backed by an unweakened Cheliax.  The Church will give its approval to Sevar's buying of those who've already sold themselves to Hell, if they please her or seem to hold promise."

"Neither Church nor Hell shall try to interfere with Sevar's rulership of Cheliax for three years, so long as it stays within the bounds of reformed Asmodeanism; nor will the Church protest certain changes away from the more wasteful and self-destructive of Cheliax's current policies.  On Sevar's own oath that she expects all those changes together to increase the number of souls that come to Hell eventually, compared to what would have come about if she did nothing at all."

"You do not trust me, of course, and I do not trust you.  But we both aspire to Lawfulness, and Gorthoklek actually is Lawful, and neither of us wishes to expend Cheliax's strength in a conflict between us.  Lawful beings need not waste their strength so, if they both prefer doing something else.  I see that now, it is among the skills that have been given me.  That we do not trust one another, that we do not have the same goals, these are obstacles that we are both incentivized to pay some little costs to overcome.  It isn't even hard, for us, being Lawful and knowing one another for Lawful.  We'll set up cutouts in Cheliax's command structure whereby I or Sevar cannot just betray the country to Good, or whatever it is you fear we'll do with it; and your and Gorthoklek's oaths, somewhat severer than those you've made before, will properly forbid the Church to use those cutouts to take away our country."

"It's an offer that works for everyone, really.  You should all be grateful that Sevar is the sort of Lawful Evil who'll give you the chance at it."

"It's only heresy until it becomes orthodoxy, Rugatonn, and remember that you too will come to Hell in time."

"Enough of this.  You don't know the true stakes on this gameboard - and neither do I.  So let's negotiate about the parts our lesser minds can understand."

"Gorthoklek might have been destroyed by an ilani weapon, and upon my being resurrected I could have taken Cheliax from Hell, though with great strife and loss.  And then I'd give Cheliax into Sevar's hands, to rule in Hell's name again; and souls here who cry her name would be hers to own, in Hell after Her ascension.  Except," Abrogail turns now to look deliberately at the watching royal guards, "those already soul-sold to Hell, who are excluded from Sevar's compact with Asmodeus.  Whom Sevar has separately compacted with Dispater to be able to buy from their current owners in Dis, with the approval of Crown and Church."

"So as an alternative to the road that needlessly costs Hell - Cheliax could submit itself to Carissa Sevar as its Empress, with myself as her viceroy, styling myself Directrix.  The worship of Sevar, as a destined future goddess of Hell under Asmodeus, will be legalized and encouraged by the state if perhaps not the Church.  Those worthy in Cheliax will still go to Sevar in due time.  Perhaps through emigration to Wanshou; perhaps after She's taken three-quarters of Avistan in Hell's name, backed by an unweakened Cheliax.  The Church will give its approval to Sevar's buying of those who've already sold themselves to Hell, if they please her or seem to hold promise."

"Neither Church nor Hell shall try to interfere with Sevar's rulership of Cheliax for three years, so long as it stays within the bounds of reformed Asmodeanism; nor will the Church protest certain changes away from the more wasteful and self-destructive of Cheliax's current policies.  On Sevar's own oath that she expects all those changes together to increase the number of souls that come to Hell eventually, compared to what would have come about if she did nothing at all."

"You do not trust me, of course, and I do not trust you.  But we both aspire to Lawfulness, and Gorthoklek actually is Lawful, and neither of us wishes to expend Cheliax's strength in a conflict between us.  Lawful beings need not waste their strength so, if they both prefer doing something else.  That we do not trust one another, that we do not have the same goals, these are obstacles that we are both incentivized to pay some little costs to overcome.  It isn't even hard, for us, being Lawful and knowing one another for Lawful.  We'll set up cutouts in Cheliax's command structure whereby I or Sevar cannot just betray the country to Good, or whatever it is you fear we'll do with it; and your and Gorthoklek's oaths, somewhat severer than those you've made before, will properly forbid the Church to use those cutouts to take away our country."

"It's an offer that works for everyone, really.  You should all be grateful that Sevar is the sort of Lawful Evil who'll give you the chance at it."