Example: I had an idea for an interesting spell, and when I asked about
it, was told in no uncertain terms, "Now that you've asked for it, you'll
get nothing."  Kind of a catch 22, isn't it?  In one case, we
need to voice our desires (Imming, Inductions, Lich quests), in another,
were damned if we so much hint at it.  Do the Immortals actually go
about seeking people out if they're 'special' enough (for unique powers/spells)? 
If so, what makes them special?  What made the Imm notice that in
the first place?

Empowerments and Inductions.  Some are insane, some are extremely
smooth.  All too often it seems that it depends on the mood of the
Imm/Leader at the time.  Perhaps there should be some sort of standard.
1. Does the person have a desc/role? 2. Does he/she appear to rp well?
If so, empower, if not, say so.  There is nothing more frustrating
than playing for dozens of hours with absolutely nothing to go on. 
I've had an incredible range of luck in this category, and I'm honestly
not sure if it was timing, luck, mood of myself/Imm, etc.  I know
this is a dynamic process...but I think at times it's too dynamic.

As for the rest of the 'mysterious' points of CF... I don't believe
favoritism occurs, in my experience.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen,
but I certainly don't think these guys lounge about writing areas for themselves,
where the rest of us are just nuisances or training bags.  At the
same time, I know I'd be much more interested if I felt the Imms were a
bit more willing to explain various aspects of the game.  After 3
prays for empowerment, let some kind of heavenly sign point someone in
the right direction.  Same goes for any of the above.  There's
a line between spoon feeding and helping, I'm aware.  But...with 37
Imms on board, and there are many times where there are less than 30 visible
people playing, I've tended to wonder, "Is this loaded dice?"  (And
I know that the player base is huge, and I also know that if only 30 people
are on, there's a chance that not one of them may be an Imm, nor even played
by an Imm.  I'm just spouting the occassional paranoid delusions that
bounce about in my skull.)  The Imm/Mob interaction is great here....why
not simply expand that to all facets of CF that aren't explicit? 
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone asked me about inductions,
empowerments, etc. in game.

I have to give massive Kudos to the Imms...CF is what I would consider
a near-perfect game.  I could go on and on about why this is so. 
However, in the great mysteries listed above, I think a little more Imm
input would go a LONG way.  I'm only piping in here trying to be supportive
and constructive...running a small S-Corp, I know the dangers of giving
in to demands vs. maintaining integrity of the operation.  I spout
off with the complete freedom of wanting the moon, but having to deliver
nothing.  I only hope the Imms here can and do recognize valid complaints
or frustrations, and may address them, even if they don't act.  CF
shouldn't give out these things to every jerky that logs in, but perhaps
if everyone who logged in knew more about them, the quality of RP and enthusiasm
would be higher even than it is now.  If anything, making it harder
to reach these things have made me a better player by far, but I've certainly
not achieved what I wanted to here 70% of the time.  Maybe next year
that will drop to 50%...and maybe I'll be a better player then.  Who
the hell knows...maybe Bill Gates will buy the Diku copyrights, CF, and
we'll be competing with 20,000 'kewl dudes' for that special place in the
Imms' hearts.

As I reread this,

1. 
   1.  I partially think, "I'm not saying anything new here. 
   This has been discussed before, better, and more intelligently."
2. 
   2.  I then think, "But perhaps it needs to be said again."
3. 
   3.  I then think, "But am I saying it correctly?  Am I voicing
   what's in my head, or just sounding whiny?"
4. 
   4.  Finally, I think, "I want a peanut."