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[ William appears on the feed looking quite chipper. He looks to be in a building made of stone. ]

Hello. I've decided to take it upon myself to help maintain the church in Aldrip since its minder has disappeared.

[ He steps slightly to one side to show off the background: it is indeed one of the places of worship for the local residents. ]

Although the people here seem to have grown less fond of us than before, I thought it might be nice to try and introduce them to some of the deities that we worship ourselves - as well as give people somewhere to pray or leave offerings to their patrons while we're in this new land. So I'm inviting anyone who follows some form of deity to create a small shrine for them in the church. I've set aside some space.

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Ah yes, practicing missionary duties will ingratiate them to us. What deity do you worship?

My patron is Gracefeel, goddess of flux and rebirth. Her worship waned over the past two hundred years in my world but She has allowed me to act in Her stead and spread Her name. I was ordained as a paladin a little over two years ago.

That's a wonderful idea. It could help us to understand each other better--to bridge the gulf that's arisen all of a sudden.

My family's god granted us paladin gifts. I'd like to add some tokens for that.

A paladin, you say? Interesting. If you have a goddess' blessing, how could you end up in a place like this?

Are you sure that's a good idea? What if their gods get upset?

I don't fault the good intentions. But... I've never known any religious people to be particularly fond of people worshipping other gods. There's even arguments back home between factions of the same religion, let alone different ones. Is there some kinda local priest you can talk to about this to see how it'll be received?

Of course! You're welcome to come and leave them here. I don't really have the money to do more than keep a table to display them on right now, but I think if I offer healing services to the people then I should be able to afford the building's upkeep at least.

Assuming they don't get angry at me for taking over...

I did consider that. But an odd thing I noticed when I arrived is that I'm still able to wield Gracefeel's benediction even though I haven't felt Her presence at all. I've been wondering if maybe one of the gods here has been acting in Her stead...

I mean, that's just conjecture of course! So far though I haven't had any problems. I offered a small prayer to them just in case, asking for permission, but I didn't get any answer.

Oh, no - I'm not expecting the local people to start worshipping our gods. I just thought that keeping some tokens of our faith on the side, so that they can see the different gods we follow, might open up discussion between us. It's been a little tense lately.

I did ask those who lived next to the church if it was alright that I take over care of the place though. Apparently the priest left to meet their gods and still hasn't come back.

I don't know...the gods I know wouldn't be happy. Or at least their worshipers wouldn't.

[He does not really know any gods well, but considering what he's seen done in their name they did not seem like nice people. The one he met sure wasn't.]

Good luck, I guess.

[ He chuckles sheepishly. ]

I'd like to know that myself... I was in the middle of a quest for Her when I found myself here. She had already accepted the resolve I'd made to fight and die in Her name, so I don't think this is a result of Her trying to save me from death.

Another mystery as to the arbitrary nature of our being brought here. So not even the so-called gods can prevent it. Or they are as subjected to this as we are.

[ He nods. ]

Thank you. I understand my doing this might court more anger, but I think it's better to make the effort to try than to do nothing out of fear of retribution. If the people decide that they don't want our icons or tokens of faith in their place of worship then I'll be sure to remove them and return them to their owners.

It would be nice to have a place to make offerings, too. [She's gotten back into the habit of praying, even though she doesn't know how long it will take her words to reach Svafrlami.] And if you're looking to do that, I can provide you with some medical supplies to supplement your magic.

They shouldn't, should they? It doesn't disrespect their gods to continue worshipping our own.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that another god other than Gracefeel could bring people to their world. Moreover, even if Gracefeel wanted to bring me back, She may be too weak to do so. It's only been two years since I began to spread Her name through the southern lands again after all.

But then, that's part of why I'm doing this I guess. It may not be wise to attract the gods' attention but it's better than actively doing harm.

[ Watch him get accused of heresy or something later... ]

If she is so weak, perhaps she will become subjected to the same treatment as we have been. Would that please you to meet her on such a level? As we don't know the full scope of mystical elements here, one might not want to put too much stalk on the idea of gods here. To each their own though.

I just know that there are some places where even celebrating other gods near them is seen as unacceptable at best, sacrilegious at worst.

[ He huffs out a quiet sigh. He has his own gods, but he's unwilling to go so far as to celebrate them publicly. ]

I know we've lost our shine to the people around here, these days. I worry about it worsening. But I spent my school days in a monastery, so maybe I'm a little too cautious on that front.

I'd welcome anything you're willing to share! Please only give what you can spare.

Someone else pointed out to me that worshipping our own gods in the temple of another may not be looked upon kindly. If that really is the case then I'll see if it's possible to have a separate building constructed next to this church instead. I think we could all benefit from somewhere quiet, even if someone doesn't follow a god.

I understand. If my gesture angers the local people even further, I'll consider the construction of a separate building for the Chosen to worship their own faiths. So far, I haven't had any pushback so I pray this fosters a better relationship between us rather than drives a wedge in further.

If I may ask, what was your life at the monastery like? My own upbringing was very...unique. I'd like to know what mistakes to avoid making for others.

What? No! [ He looks mildly offended by the mere suggestion. ] I don't plan to rely on Her power too much here but She's an important part of the balance of power with Stagnate back home. If She fades away completely, the undead will have no-one to send them on to their next lives.

Edited 2023-11-08 16:26 (UTC)

Are we certain of the effect our coming here has on our previous worlds? Does anyone know or has the ability to investigate?

I hope you're right. Maybe they're more open-minded than I suspect.

[ He doesn't share the optimism, not really... but he won't stand in his way either, even if he chooses to do his own meditations in the privacy of his own home. It's a noble goal, though. One that he wishes for his own home. ]

As for the monastery... well, I only spent a year of my life there, so I'm no expert. While it was a monastery, it just so happened to be the location of the military academy I attended. Religious services, choir, worship -- all of those things were mandatory alongside classes on leadership, academics, tactics, warfare. Kind of funny learning how to fight and rubbing elbows with nuns in the same place. Largely, though, it was pretty peaceful. Everyone had their place.

Not that I know of. It's not like we'd just be allowed to go back home and come back if this is supposed to be a prison, right?

If the gods here can bring our own over to be judged then... I don't know. I don't know if I'd feel comfortable with an entity or entities who think themselves above even another god.

Another matter to add to the list of investigation or at least to probe the Council with. Likely we'd have to start a petition. If one is arrogant enough, they can claim to be a god. Some will believe almost anything if the other is convincing enough.

[ William's brow furrows slightly. ]

The god you worship is a pacifist then? In my world, the gods' blessings are often sought for battle just as much as in peaceful life.

I could easily believe that. We've yet to see any of these gods ourselves so there's no evidence one way or another for their existence. I, at least, have seen a few of the gods of my own world.

Do you think a petition would really move the Council though? There are so few of us to begin with.

Of course not. The Council doesn't seem to be so reasonable as to entertain any kind of petition, but it provides grounds for escalation of insistent on our end.

[Yes, he's definitely talking coup.]

Oh, not at all, [ Claude says with a laugh, as though the very idea is comical. It is, in its own way. ] The goddess' blessings are used for battle, first and foremost. The monastery is a military school as well, after all. But that doesn't mean life within the monastery was anything but peaceful; we were taught to spar with one another, but never to the point of serious injury, and never with any heat. What we're taught is as leaders who may face warfare.

I guess the way I'd put it... the Church of Seiros advocates for peace, but prepares for war.

[ Does he believe what the Church says? Well, that's not what William asked. Even if he did, he wouldn't disclose his true thoughts anyway. Living in a theocratic nation has taught him more caution than that. ]

I'd be happy to help at the church. There's probably a lot of religions around here, right?

[ He crosses his arms, thinking. ]

I know I'm still young for a lord, but I'm not naive enough to believe that rulers can't be corrupt... If the Council won't give us answers then I would support a peaceful demand for answers.

I imagine there would be! We have many people from different worlds. Although that said, I think it would be interesting if multiple worlds shared the same or similar religions too.

That's an interesting philosophy. I can see the sense in it if you live somewhere dangerous. Although it would be nice if we could live in a world where true pacifism is possible, times of peace do eventually beget periods of upheaval.

It's pragmatic, is what it is. I'm not sure if it's philosophy so much as it is religion responding to what's going on around it, instead of the other way around. It's not the world itself that's dangerous, really. There's monsters here and there, sure, but nothing an experienced fighter can't deal with.

It's other people that are the dangerous ones.

[Oh you sweet boy. Corruption was part of the job description.]

A good productive activity would be to gather opinion of what our demands would be and prioritize them to present.

It's pragmatic, I agree. Does the Church of Seiros ever run into situations where it's accused of being hypocritical? I can imagine that some may say that you can't truly sue for peace when you approach someone with a weapon in your hand.

[ He refuses to be corrupted!! ]

It should be easy enough to poll others using these devices. I can do that if you like and summarise their responses. I'm used to handling that sort of thing.

[ Being the lord of a region and all that comes with the responsibility of managing the people. ]

Yes, it would. Would you be willing to take that task on? It would be beneficial to bring people together and give them a voice.

[And also find out what people wanted to potentially bring them to heel should it be necessary.]

Gladly. I'll think about how to put the question forward and let you know the results afterwards. I'm not sure if everyone does use these charms so I might also go around in person just to be thorough.

[ Poor guy doesn't suspect a single ulterior motive here. ]

If you need some assistance with that, I am available. Otherwise, it seems as though you have it well in hand. Your dedication to a proper audit of opinion is admirable.

[Excellent. This boy is a good find.]

A full-out war has been waged against the Church by the Adrestian Empire, so -- yeah, you'd be right about that. As far as I've been able to glean, it's more about its political power than it's necessarily about hypocrisy, but it'll end the same way. It's anybody's bet how that's going to turn out.

[ He huffs a resigned laugh. ]

Yes, in the end it doesn't matter why the war is happening. To the people caught up in it, all it means is danger and death. I've been lucky so far to have avoided it. My only war right now is fought against demons.

Are you guys truly at war with demons? Or is this your own personal war? The two are very different. I can't say I like the sounds of having to pit my own army against an army of demons.

Ah, it's...a little bit of both, I suppose. They're a constant danger in the Beast Woods, the region where I live. About two hundred years ago there was a great war between humans and the High King of demons. Although the High King was eventually sealed away and much of his army was routed, there are still survivors who live in the uninhabited parts of the forest and try constantly to undo the High King's seal.

Since I've been given the responsibility of looking after those who live in the Beast Woods, I'm responsible for making sure that the demons can't obtain a foothold in the area.

So... less of an active war, and more of a stalemate? That's its own difficulty for sure. [ He frowns in thought. ] What was the war about, anyway? There's been no way to try to create some sort of peace treaty?

The war was two hundred years ago, so unfortunately I don't know what exactly started it. All I know is that it began with a man who could create demons out of his own blood. He wielded a demon blade known as 'Overeater' which could take the life energy of those it cut and make it his own. With that blade, his blood, and the evil gods who flocked to support him, he created an army of demons which threatened to overrun the southern continent.

[ He crosses his arms and his expression grows...conflicted. His gaze averts a little. ]

It's not possible to form a treaty with demons from what I've seen. They're manipulative and cunning. They'll lure you in under pretence of being reasonable, but will immediately go for the kill once your guard is down. The gods who command them though... They're certainly able to be bargained with, but you have to be careful about it.

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woops I forgot he was speaking

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apologies for wait, rough week