I just wanted to make a quick comment about Ascendancy, and using magic/item passes.
I've used lots of custom item passes and magic passes on my characters. It's so easy, and sometimes it's nice for them to just 'have' magic (and not have to ask for it), because plotting-wise that makes more sense. And now with more and more babies being born with magic, actually going to the veins and completing a quest is more rare.
All of that is TOTALLY FINE, but I've had a few people ask me about being ascended. Remember, being ascended is a gift from the GODS. So if you've never gone to see them, you will literally never become ascended. Look at our Ascendeds: Midas, Gaucho, Ophelia, Mauja. The first three all did multiple quests with the Gods that ended up ascending them. Mauja? Not so much, which is why even though Mauja is absolutely amazeballs, because his only real tie to the Gods was through leadership, it took him longer.
SO. If becoming ascended is something you'd like for your characters, remember that building a relationship with a God is the most important thing that you can do (other than being badass, and active, and totally rad ;) )