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<blockquote data-quote="Cheiromancer" data-source="post: 265771" data-attributes="member: 141">A truly brilliant story, tremendously thought-provoking.For what it's worth, here's my spin on things:Cynric of Morne did indeed lose Oronthon's grace.&nbsp; He was placed in a &quot;faith vs proof&quot; dilemma, and failed the test.&nbsp; After receiving Rintrah's revelation about what Eadric was up to, he waited for proof that it was Oronthon's will that an attempt be made to convert Nehael.&nbsp; Until this happened he could neither support nor oppose Eadric, but left him on his own.&nbsp; And thus Oronthon neither supported nor opposed him, but left the Prelate to his own devices.&nbsp; Without divine protection, he was easily assassinated by Feezuu.Which left the Curia to respond to the situation. They interpreted Cynric's unexpected, violent demise as a sign of Oronthon's disfavor (and I agree), and assumed (correctly) that Cynric should not have sat on the fence in this issue.&nbsp; So they chose a side.&nbsp; Good for them.&nbsp; Unfortunately, they chose the wrong side; they chose to steadfastly oppose Eadric.The Curia decided to have Eadric arrested and tried.&nbsp; I think that was OK, actually.&nbsp; A fair hearing and discussion of all the evidence is the best way for the truth to come out.&nbsp; But they too discovered what Cynric had discovered; not all was being revealed to them.&nbsp; Their requests for answers from Oronthon went unanswered.&nbsp; Again they had an opportunity to consult their conscience and, in the freedom granted by the silence of Oronthon, do what was right.Had Eadric stayed in the power of the Curia, he would have died.&nbsp; Either burnt at the stake as a recalcitrant heretic, or assassinated quietly during his year in seclusion.&nbsp; So Rintrah roared, and he was rescued.&nbsp; Actually, I believe that Tahl had already decided to follow his conscience and liberate Eadric, and thereby opened himself up to the Messenger.A strong theme of this story is the necessity to follow your conscience.&nbsp; Whether it is Nehael's repentence, Eadric's mercy to the succubus, Nwm's actions, Mostin's denial of the Great Injunction, they all repeat this motif.&nbsp; Eadric's victory must come not because everyone is impressed by the sight of a planetar, not because they are all conquered by the Trans-axiomatic armies, but because his opponents come to have faith in his goodness.Oronthon is giving the Curia lots of hints; the summoned Deva who refused to attack the &quot;heretics,&quot; the Eladrin who wept when forced to attack them.&nbsp; The defection of Tahl the Incorruptible.&nbsp; But they've dug themselves into a hole, and they keep digging it deeper.&nbsp; They are too sure of their infallibility.&nbsp; I think they hold too much confidence in that arsenal of theirs.Anyway, that is what I think.&nbsp; Rather than hijack the thread, I'll be happy to trim this post and start another, if folks think that is best.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Cheiromancer, post: 265771, member: 141"] A truly brilliant story, tremendously thought-provoking. For what it's worth, here's my spin on things: Cynric of Morne did indeed lose Oronthon's grace. He was placed in a "faith vs proof" dilemma, and failed the test. After receiving Rintrah's revelation about what Eadric was up to, he waited for proof that it was Oronthon's will that an attempt be made to convert Nehael. Until this happened he could neither support nor oppose Eadric, but left him on his own. And thus Oronthon neither supported nor opposed him, but left the Prelate to his own devices. Without divine protection, he was easily assassinated by Feezuu. Which left the Curia to respond to the situation. They interpreted Cynric's unexpected, violent demise as a sign of Oronthon's disfavor (and I agree), and assumed (correctly) that Cynric should not have sat on the fence in this issue. So they chose a side. Good for them. Unfortunately, they chose the wrong side; they chose to steadfastly oppose Eadric. The Curia decided to have Eadric arrested and tried. I think that was OK, actually. A fair hearing and discussion of all the evidence is the best way for the truth to come out. But they too discovered what Cynric had discovered; not all was being revealed to them. Their requests for answers from Oronthon went unanswered. Again they had an opportunity to consult their conscience and, in the freedom granted by the silence of Oronthon, do what was right. Had Eadric stayed in the power of the Curia, he would have died. Either burnt at the stake as a recalcitrant heretic, or assassinated quietly during his year in seclusion. So Rintrah roared, and he was rescued. Actually, I believe that Tahl had already decided to follow his conscience and liberate Eadric, and thereby opened himself up to the Messenger. A strong theme of this story is the necessity to follow your conscience. Whether it is Nehael's repentence, Eadric's mercy to the succubus, Nwm's actions, Mostin's denial of the Great Injunction, they all repeat this motif. Eadric's victory must come not because everyone is impressed by the sight of a planetar, not because they are all conquered by the Trans-axiomatic armies, but because his opponents come to have faith in his goodness. Oronthon is giving the Curia lots of hints; the summoned Deva who refused to attack the "heretics," the Eladrin who wept when forced to attack them. The defection of Tahl the Incorruptible. But they've dug themselves into a hole, and they keep digging it deeper. They are too sure of their infallibility. I think they hold too much confidence in that arsenal of theirs. Anyway, that is what I think. Rather than hijack the thread, I'll be happy to trim this post and start another, if folks think that is best. [/QUOTE]

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