Greetings, friends.

I must thank those that wrote in response to my post and clarified several confusions I had. I shall put here a few short responses to these few posts, addressed to various people for various reasons. Again, I like criticism, but it does not necissarily have to be in the public posts, for many tire of the shrine debate.

Echo - Mortals have free will, so naturally we can decide who we wish to follow, and what course of action we may take. You stated that "We of the Church do not force our beliefs on anyone." Then, in the same paragraph, "the Church is quick to punish those who are evil and defend the people of Sapience." To me, that is hypocritical. Punishing others for not following the Church is "forcing your beliefs on anyone" and in doing so, can be said to be denying free-will. Even though you do not dircetly deny this free-will, if we do not follow, we die. So the choice remains - Follow the Church or die. To me, this sounds like oppression, friend.

Dingo - Being hypocritical can mean to say one thing, but do the other. You criticized Laergon for his "hypocritical lambasting of shrines." I do not see him as being hypocritical. He is evil, and evil commits the acts you condemned Laergon of. Evil people commit evil acts, as well as oppress, so I do not think of him as hypocritical. Conversely, the Church commits oppression, as I supported in my previous post. Good people should not commit evil acts, friend. If I am wrong, feel free to inform me.

Deucalion and Echo - Again, I am not questioning your beliefs, but rather questioning about them. I do not think there is a standard for justice. As you put in your post, Echo, "the Church is to punish those who are evil and defend the people of Sapience *from injustice*. I have a sense of justice as well, which says that the weak are guilty of hindering the mortal races from becoming great, and therefore must be destroyed. I do not think that was the justice you were speaking of in your post. You should try to use different wording, such as "what the Church believes to be unjust." Deucalion, if I am wrong, just tell me.

Sinistar - Well put. Action must be taken. I am merely supposting my actions with words, since words are my gift. Also, I must commend you on your lyric. I shall never be able to understand what pain you feel since I have no emotions, but can only hope you may find the support you need.

May evil guide you on your path towards greatness.

Penned by my hand on the 25th of Scarlatan, in the year 231 AF.