As stated in the histories under "Coming of Estarra", when the Nine
Seals are weakened, there is only one way that they can be recharged:
through the ascension of a mortal to godhood!

Throughout the month of January, there will be nine challenges, each
representing the nine seals. The winner of a challenge will be marked by
that seal and permanently receive that seal's blessing. In other words,
the winner of the Seal of Beauty will permanently have the Karmic
Blessing of Beauty. An individual may only be marked by one seal.

At the end of the nine challenges, there will be a final challenge,
whereby the Nine Seals will merge together and form the Staff of
Ascension. The staff can only be held by the nine challenge winners who
are marked by one of the seals. When the staff is released onto the
astral plane, it cannot be taken off of the astral plane. Whichever of
the nine winners holds the staff for one full Lusternian day shall arise
to become the first Ascended God!

If you win a challenge and become one of the nine finalists, that does
not mean you have to participate in the final challenge. For those who
have won a preliminary challenge and have decided to actively pursue the
ultimate reward of ascending to godhood, you need not be a top
combatant. However, you will most likely need allies to protect you
while you hold the Staff of Ascension. Thus, the strongest contestants
will be those who can gather the heaviest support from other members of
the playerbase. This is important for everyone else to keep in mind when
throwing support behind a contestant: You should be choosing who to
support based on who you think will make the best god (not who is the
best fighter, etc.).

IMPORTANT: An ascended god is an rp-only god who has no administrative
duties, but rather is only focused on roleplaying a divine role. I have
always wanted to do this in Lusternia, but there have been many reasons
preventing us from trying this experiment. However, we are taking a leap
of faith with the playerbase and forging ahead! Please be aware that the
role of an ascended god is not a role for everyone. Whoever becomes an
ascended god will not be allowed to have any seconds in Lusternia and
only be able to play his or her god role. This person will be under
STRICT scrutiny at all times and under close guidance. Though there are
many rewarding roleplaying aspects of becoming a god, it is not a good
fit if you are a metagamer or enjoy OOC relationships with players. As
one example of such a limitation, an ascended god will not be allowed to
PK without prior approval.

See http://www.lusternia.com/ascension2007.php for more details and
updates.

Penned by My hand on the 16th of Kiani, in the year 165 CE.