Because I particularly enjoy the idea of adding to the pool of possible events and games that would determine a Seal holder, here are some of my ideas.

Harmony:
-Like the Life competition right now, but instead of diseased furrikin, you help mentally-fragile finks! Influence them with x-influence of three different types according to their crazy babble and you can talk them to some frame of sanity or do it wrong and push them over the edge!

Chaos:
-Like the Life competition right now, but instead of diseased furrikin, you help gnome gadget makers! Give them x-commodity according to their needs three times and if right, their machine works and you move on. Wrong, and the machine blows up and everyone in the room gets hurt!

Knowledge:
-Expand this from the quiz room and actively involve denizen leaders. At the start of the competition, much like a scavenger hunt to test geography know-how, challengers are given a token that they have to give to a leader to get told a question (tells, mind). Challenger replies, if right, they get the token back and who they have to go to next (specific one word answer would be good). If wrong, insert punishment here (get a time penalty before they can give the token again maybe?) and so on. To prevent griefing, while the challenge is active, denizen leaders are made invincible and uninfluencable.

Beauty:
-Drawn from a pool of 5 items (either existing or random), challengers will redesign one! Proceed as normal with the winner getting the seal, and the best item (or if the admin want, all of them) will get used! Imagine, redesigned aether dragons that aren't so vague or fancier health potions with an actual taste and smell (not consume or else that'd get spammy).

War:
-I personally quite like the Cankermore quest and kinda shows a different aspect to War than combat - by being a commander! Challengers would go into an arena (or area, that would prevent people developing a single path each competition) and, like the mold/undead quest, be able to order troops to move around to try and capture the other's base. The one who gets the other's wins, and their troops can fight and whatnot. Adding in a minute or two timer per side like battlechess will keep it moving and not take overly long either!

Justice:
-What if a quest was activated for the Justice competition that any denizen leader can start? Being involved with the concept of being slighted by x-organization, challengers race to complete the quest for the seal. Of course, actual components of the quest will be up to the admin (can all have the same form but different specifics, or maybe all different forms, but the first might be easier to code). To prevent griefing, while the challenge is active, denizen leaders are made invincible and uninfluencable.

...and I ran out of ideas for now for the other three seals. Really though, the quest mechanic of Justice can probably be swayed for things like Life, Death and Nature too with a different motive each but still a quest over all. I'd come up with specifics here, but I don't know if it'll be liked (or if liked, it might ruin it!).

-toddles away to think of Life/Death/Nature stuff-

Woah, I kinda like that beauty one. Maybe it'd make people keep things concise too. Even if not for Ascension maybe we should use that elsewhere.

I'd think it'd be dandy too.

No more scentless fragrances or boring karibideans!

I agree, that looks like it would get amazingly fun and creative!

The Beauty one sounds like a really cool idea, even if it isn't used for Ascension at all!

Well, we had a no-name place in Life this year. Of course, he only got a tenth of what Xenthos got, but it's nice to see that.

Perhaps make it so that the same person can't be touched by the same seal twice? You'd still have nine shots at getting Ascendant, but you couldn't be able to farm your specialty each and every year.

Or go for the ideas made of nifty and spiffy by Viynain. Perhaps instead of having the quests for Justice, move the quest to Life and have Justice use the stage or library. Best stageplay/book wins.

Having read all of what you have to say-

Malicia, I don't think that people should be able to compete year after year. Then they're just in it for the credits. I know most people get seals for the credits themselves... and while it'd be a tough decision, I'd keep my seal. I don't think they should be able to be traded in unless requested because the person has more than one of the same. Alternatively, they are not able to win the same seal, but can try for others. (I like this idea best)

Xiel, those are terrific ideas. I would love to see it switched up some each year because it keeps it fresh and more to chance, though for myself personally, I'd hate Beauty. It would, however, be a measure of the artistic skills of the player.

I disagree.

I am, for the third time (out of 3 Seal wins) going for the Staff.

I feel like the current restriction is fine; if I win this year, I won't be able to compete any more. Restricting people who have not won from continuing to try for it is uncalled for, imo. Everyone should have the same ability each year to give it a shot, until they manage to pull off the (nearly) impossible.

The one thing I have trouble understanding is why Vernals are allowed to compete. (Sorry Xenthos). They have already been raised to become a Vernal, albeit by Nexus rather than by Trial, so it doesn't make sense to get it again.

I'd like to see Existing Vernals be given tasks related to kicking Kethuru's butt.

Vernal ascendence isn't a permanent thing, they can be stripped. They also can't leave their org without losing. And True Ascendants get 3 powers for free.

It seems like most people are after it for the credits, or to place for credits, not to actually become a TA. That's all I was stating, there's always someone who will beg to differ.

I'm not convinced that is the case, but even if it was... should those of us who are not be 'punished' / restricted because of those who are?

Eh, it would make it more about the ascension than the credits, then. However, I suppose you're right.

From my side of things, I don't think most people are going for seals just for the credits. The credits are just a bonus.

Had two people who competed in some of the seal events earlier tell me they're not going for TA even if they get the chance so they have a better chance at credits!

Xenthos for Life next year! (jk...) Maybe it'll be another!

I'm pretty sure Solanis was joking. I was definitely joking. If I had a good shot at TA, I would go for it. But since I don't, I'm just going to keep competing until, eventually, everyone else has become a TA and I can finally get it!

Hey, I plan to be there!

(The Admin could always just force me into being a TA to get me out of the way if they really want, let's blame them for me continuing to compete!)

So when a VA becomes a TA, does that recalibrate the power costs for their nexus, thus creating a new "slot" for another TA to be raised?

If not, they should be descendable...for that 1 million power back. 'cause...yeah.