Re: Temple Hill
Goran's face contorts into something between horror and incredulousness... It's obvious he's shocked, and almost as a reaction the words pour out of his mouth, even as he feels his heart clench in judgement:
"We would never allow a human being to be treated like this! That's how you treat animals! What you describe is barbaric!"
Goran catches himself after a moment. While his eyes remain wide with shock, he stops talking, although his mouth still moves for a few seconds. Almost visibly, he wills himself to regain his composure, and his face slowly regains his more customary discipline. In a more measured voice, he continues a moment later.
"The Shevnian religion does not allow this. We are very strict on our rituals and practices. It may be that you have death rituals, but we do not recognize them as valid. In fact my leadership would identify your ways as something more akin to Shamanism instead of a valid religion. It's a basic tenant of our religion, and not negotiable. These people must be buried according to the Shevnian way."
After saying this, Goran sighs. Then he pushes a gloved hand through his hair, pulling off his helmet as he does so. The gesture conveys conflict, as Goran feels an internal pull in many different directions. Religion has defined his whole life, and his connection to his god was strong. In this moment he was feeling tested, like he had a direct challenge to his religious beliefs. He could not help but react defensively to this, because it was something so close to his heart.
At the same time, these were the conversations he most hated to have. There were many good people who were misguided about religion and what it meant. They clung to pagan rituals, and the traditions of their past, without ever questioning whether they really meant anything. In most cases they never knew any better, but also had no interest in looking at the bigger picture.
Religion was one place where people were often the most resistant to change, and he guessed Urrun would be no different. Goran knew that religion would come between them, and he hated it. However, he had undergone rituals, and made oaths, and he was bound by the life he had chosen. Even beyond this, it was something he cared deeply about, and that wasn't something he was going to change.
Still, Urrun had proven honorable, even if he was a savage. Goran recognized this. It was hard for him to separate the person from the religion in many cases, but in this moment he could. Thus, he finishes off his comments with:
"Urrun, you have been honorable in fighting against the demons, and against the corruption we found here. I recognize that. We have a difference in religious beliefs, and I do not take that lightly. However, I can separate the two in this moment. As long as you can respect my ways with regards to these humans, I will not leave or ask you to leave. However, I cannot proceed in the way you would for your own kin. This has to be done my way."
[Private to Hograth Podkarmen; Narrator; Urrun: Very difficult situation for Goran. He has a lot of points invested in religious stuff, including an intolerance of "evil" religion. He's also overconfident and stubborn. I have been treating him like something of an inquisitor, and so he is going to pass judgement on Urrun and his 'savage' beliefs.
On the other side of the coin, Goran also has a sense of duty to his companions, so I judged Urrun's religion to be 'uneducated' rather than evil. That's how Goran can rationalize staying together as a group instead of pulling out the fiery morning star.
I know Goran is being a complete dick. That's how he was written, so I'll just apologize now. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Tue 22 Oct 2019.