Here I would point out, that Greyfort is free from Ranna too. I don’t know whether the 2 events happened parallel or after each other, but by now there are 2 major cities in good hands. 🙂
I am conflicted about leaving any Rannite alive. The level of evil they’ve displayed gives me deep concerns about the evil they will continue to inflict. Otherwise, I do loathe performing blanket executions. Each case should be decided upon its own merits. But. Rannites. Even capturing them is a dangerous option.
Perhaps, but we don’t know which ones willingly converted and which ones are brainwashed civilians and whether or not they can be saved. Granted, capture and containment is a better option than killing them wholesale.
I’ve been wondering about rehabilitation myself. I suspect it’s not possible while Ranna is connected to the Prime Material Plane, but if she can be banished or put back into a god-coma or something, what then?
I hope the ones who were tortured/brainwashed can be saved. The "turned evil/monstrous against one’s will and then killed by the good guys" thing always seemed like a particularly cruel fate to me.
I’d be fine with capture and imprisonment. I’m more worried about her running off to alert greater forces of this. These guys have pretty much become the Rebels to the Rannites’ Empire, there’s still plenty of them to come and stomp out this place.
Rereading the arc with this theory in mind paints a veritable Monet collection of vivid, colorful subtext throughout the qualia of their interactions, doesn’t it?
I also like the image of Torvid Mak and the guards praying in the temple (he’s not specifically identified, but I assume he’s there), and helping reconsecrate it. Considering Captain Mak’s initial reaction at the desecration of his city, it’s clear they were very devout when they were alive–it’s been so nice to see undead in a positive role for a change!
If you ever wondered how "will return in our hour of need" legends get started, well, this is a good in-world example our intrepid researchers from the far future can explore.
Another in-world thing to consider is how revenants can only find rest when they have completed their task. It seems their task now is to protect where once they failed.
By letting the one Rannite get away, they turn Elgost into what is commonly referred to as a "honeypot". A sort of trappers device for luring dangerous critters 8n for easier capture or killing.
As wide spread as the Rannites are, it’s both far easier and cost effective to draw them to you, rather than to try to track them all down and kill them. While you’ll still miss some in this clean up, you’ll miss far less of you draw them to you.
And until the Rannites are on the defensive (and thus more likely to gather into groups or hide in place), it’s a good starting strategy. You can start hunter/killer missions when you have the resources to spare.
That’s only a good idea if you can count on your enemy to come at you in dribs and drabs. If they take the time to assemble and coordinate, you’ve probably just slit your own throat.
I would imagine Princess Gaggia Shadowtalker would be just about the best place to start. What she doesn’t know, she probably knows where to find out. Even with the Black Mountain destroyed, along with all it’s archives, there are plenty of other locations where at least some records and other historians survive.
I'm curious what will happen to the undead soldiers. Normally revenants have a *purpose*, but they were created by a magical accident rather than the desecration of their graves. Even after taking revenge for that, they are still around. What motivates them now though?
Still a long way to go on the road back to what constitutes normal in Elegrost, but a good start.
Here I would point out, that Greyfort is free from Ranna too. I don’t know whether the 2 events happened parallel or after each other, but by now there are 2 major cities in good hands. 🙂
Little victories can turn into major ones
Hmm. Probably shouldn’t have let that one get away.
I am conflicted about leaving any Rannite alive. The level of evil they’ve displayed gives me deep concerns about the evil they will continue to inflict. Otherwise, I do loathe performing blanket executions. Each case should be decided upon its own merits. But. Rannites. Even capturing them is a dangerous option.
Perhaps, but we don’t know which ones willingly converted and which ones are brainwashed civilians and whether or not they can be saved. Granted, capture and containment is a better option than killing them wholesale.
I’ve been wondering about rehabilitation myself. I suspect it’s not possible while Ranna is connected to the Prime Material Plane, but if she can be banished or put back into a god-coma or something, what then?
I hope the ones who were tortured/brainwashed can be saved. The "turned evil/monstrous against one’s will and then killed by the good guys" thing always seemed like a particularly cruel fate to me.
Especially since it happens so often. Least we know death leads to do reversion.
I’d be fine with capture and imprisonment. I’m more worried about her running off to alert greater forces of this. These guys have pretty much become the Rebels to the Rannites’ Empire, there’s still plenty of them to come and stomp out this place.
Trevor and C’rhynne seem to have a VERY friendly relationship.
Didn’t see that one coming, I must admit.
C’rhynne-x-Trevor. Not a ship that was on my horizon. But, she looks like a seaworthy vessel. All the happiness to them, if it’s that serious.
Eh, Trevor also called Leland his "beloved" earlier. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the type to kiss just about everyone.
Well, now you’ve set my head canon that the three of them are happily in a polyamourous relationship. And nothing anyone says will dissuade me.
Welllllll. Maybe if Trevor kisses Glon like that, then I might be convinced. Because, the Rule of Funny.
🙂
‘kay, I’m sold on the poly headcanon!
Rereading the arc with this theory in mind paints a veritable Monet collection of vivid, colorful subtext throughout the qualia of their interactions, doesn’t it?
And people think libraries are boring… pah!
I know–at my place of work, we’d call that "Tuesday". 😀
Let me guess: elementary school teacher? 😉
I also like the image of Torvid Mak and the guards praying in the temple (he’s not specifically identified, but I assume he’s there), and helping reconsecrate it. Considering Captain Mak’s initial reaction at the desecration of his city, it’s clear they were very devout when they were alive–it’s been so nice to see undead in a positive role for a change!
If you ever wondered how "will return in our hour of need" legends get started, well, this is a good in-world example our intrepid researchers from the far future can explore.
Another in-world thing to consider is how revenants can only find rest when they have completed their task. It seems their task now is to protect where once they failed.
The wound in the torso, always look for this wound to find him
By letting the one Rannite get away, they turn Elgost into what is commonly referred to as a "honeypot". A sort of trappers device for luring dangerous critters 8n for easier capture or killing.
As wide spread as the Rannites are, it’s both far easier and cost effective to draw them to you, rather than to try to track them all down and kill them. While you’ll still miss some in this clean up, you’ll miss far less of you draw them to you.
And until the Rannites are on the defensive (and thus more likely to gather into groups or hide in place), it’s a good starting strategy. You can start hunter/killer missions when you have the resources to spare.
That’s only a good idea if you can count on your enemy to come at you in dribs and drabs. If they take the time to assemble and coordinate, you’ve probably just slit your own throat.
Hey, check it out: Glon Bloodhand, King Under The Mountain, has been instrumental in the liberation of Tempul. Not a bad start for a new monarch.
And while doing so he fought side-by-side with the former Honour Guard of Queen Glamor. Ahead of her time, she was.
I wonder if Torvid is going to try and trace what happened to her once she entered the Goblin Lands.
t!
I was expecting the next section of the story to be Glon recounting what happened once Queen Glamor reached the Goblin Lands.
Glon doesn’t know. He grew up in Elegrost and was educated in The Black Mountain.
I would imagine Princess Gaggia Shadowtalker would be just about the best place to start. What she doesn’t know, she probably knows where to find out. Even with the Black Mountain destroyed, along with all it’s archives, there are plenty of other locations where at least some records and other historians survive.
I wonder what, if anything, all these defeats is having on Ranna’s power. If worshipers = strength then she should be weakening.
I hope that’s the case. I dearly hope so.
I'm curious what will happen to the undead soldiers. Normally revenants have a *purpose*, but they were created by a magical accident rather than the desecration of their graves. Even after taking revenge for that, they are still around. What motivates them now though?