>>5996927>>5996933>>5997036>>5997039>>5997146>>5997191You'd like to put an end to human sacrifice, but you don't yet have the power base to challenge entrenched religious traditions. The death of a tyrant, you realize, isn't enough to magically fix everything. Corruption and depravity still linger, some rooted in Suial's reign, others stretching back further.
The kingdom teeters on the edge of civil war as a direct result of the tyrant's death. Suial the Third was a monster, but his cruelty and sadism kept the populace subdued. He ruled with an iron hand, but he was also the force that held the kingdom together. In killing him, you may have sown the seeds of a conflict that could kill hundreds of thousands more than he ever would have.
To prevent the kingdom from breaking apart, you might need to commit acts as monstrous as those of the old man. You may also need to turn a blind eye to evil practices because trying to change them could make things worse.
The greatest question you face is whether the man who succeeded the depraved tyrant can retain his humanity, or is he destined to become a depraved tyrant like his predecessor.
You don't share any of this with the sycophantic priest. Instead, you shift to a more practical matter. "Can the king take multiple wives?"
"Of course, your holiness," the priest replies obsequiously, "though it is more common among kings to have one legal wife and keep the others as concubines to avoid confusion over succession. After all, if two wives give birth on the same night, there may be doubts on which son would inherit the throne."
"I have heard that the old tyrant buried his newborn sons alive," you comment, recalling the tale Lana shared, pondering the depth of the old man's paranoia.
"Yes, your holiness," the priest nods, his voice tinged with a disturbing admiration, "It is considered a very noble act, to sacrifice one's own offspring."
"There was nothing noble about what he did," you grimace, feeling a churn in your stomach. "The old man was a coward, afraid his newborn sons would grow to challenge his tyrannical rule and perhaps even end his life."
"You are right, your holiness," the priest quickly agrees, adapting his stance like a reed in the wind. "It was indeed a vile and cowardly act!"
You snort in derision at his swift change of heart and turn away, leaving the temple. You return to the palace in your royal carriage, deep in thought about your next move in this game of power and morality.
> You meet with the palace's guard commander to get his bearing.> You inspect the palace treasury to understand the financial health of the kingdom.> You seek out the old tyrant’s neglected queen for a discussion about her future role in the kingdom. 