By extending your influence, you have doomed yourself!
Prove to the horror-killer it is now time to slay Sarrak. 3 points + whatever Sarrak tries to use to counter.
Really? Then I counter you with the power of debate! I have not increased my influence at all. Just mixed up universe and Dreamspace on a grander scale (no change in influence), disallowed gods to meddle into it (no change), diversified control between myself and maintenance mind (decrease) and deprived hivemind from control (slight increase).
Since you have control over Dreamspace to some extent, no, making the universe mix with Dreamspace makes you stronger.
Disallowing the gods meddling specifically means that you have more influence then anyone else beyond the maintenance.
Securing the Maintenance and your positions, while not a flat out increase, means that you don't have any competition within Dreamspace for power, which is a overall boon to you.
And you admit the hivemind's control, once removed, made you stronger.
While it is true, you're omitting the fact that at the same time Dreamspace mixes back into universe, nullifuing the power gain altogether.
It is true. But control over Dreamspace does not mean power to any extent. Dreampace is more like a library of dreams both present and past (and future sometimes). While you may say that this is knowledge and knowledge equals power, dreams are quite innacurate to pry actual information from them. With my insanity powers somewhat decreased, contact with Dreamspace no more poses a danger to anyone.
Returning to the actual topic. You say that I increased my influence by omitting power struggle. To begin with, there was none. Both maintenance mind and I had the same control over the whole thing, so we meddled into each others plans and actions. To provide a clear scheme of things, we both lost control over 50% of Dreamspace, delegating it to the other. Not so much of an increase, eh?
The question about hivemind lies in the same spectrum as ones about gods and maintenance mind. Removing interference gives me nor power, nor influence directly. True, it is easier to operate with them removed, but one must not forget about absolutely chaotic nature of Dreamspace itself.
Along the lines of this discussion, I realized that it may be the best moment for me to be defeated - so I won't do anything to interfere. Still, my point in that I gained only a little influence and experienced a slight decrease in power, stands firm.
Oh, didn't expect help. Thanks.