>>5995929>>5995946>>5995985>>5995994>>5996027>>5996043>>5996193>>5996209After inspecting the royal harem, you visit the temple to understand the influence of the local religions on your reign. As king, you travel in the royal carriage, and arrive at the grandest temple in the capital, erected in Suial the Third's honor. A colossal statue of the old tyrant looms, depicting him as strong and noble—two qualities he never possessed in life.
The high priest, an aged sycophant, bows low before you, addressing you with reverence. "Your worship," he murmurs, "shall we tear down the statue of the old king and build one in your likeness? Or have you come to deflower the virgin priestesses or be attended by the beardless altar boys, as the old king often did?"
The priest's obsequiousness and readiness to indulge in the same depravity as the old tyrant serve as a reminder of the corruption that plague the kingdom. His devotion is hollow, driven by a desire to please whoever holds power. His offer hangs in the air, but you have no desire to emulate Suial's perversions. "No," you say firmly, scanning the temple's opulence. "I have come to understand the true teachings of the gods and how they can guide this kingdom."
The high priest appears taken aback but quickly masks his surprise with a nod. "Of course, your worship," he says, leading you deeper into the temple.
"In this kingdom, hundreds of gods are worshipped, each taking precedence in different regions," the high priest explains as he leads you through the temple, his tone dripping with sycophancy. "However, the most honored is Polemos, the god of battle, who blessed Sumdaq the Great in his quest to found our kingdom. Each year, a grand tournament is held in the name of Polemos, where slave gladiators fight to the death in his honor."
You know about the blood sports, where men are pitted against each other to the death while the crowd revels in the sight of blood. Religion is wielded as a tool to both entertain and suppress the populace—a tool wielded with ruthless efficiency by those in power.
The high priest gestures towards a series of murals depicting the gory tournaments and chants a prayer to Polemos. "May his blessing guide you, your worship," he says.
"I take it blood sport is considered the highest form of worship, then?" you ask the obsequious high priest.
"There are theological debates, your worship," the high priest replies. "House Daeus burns slaves at the stake to honor the sun god Khorshid, considering it the highest form of worship. House Thonius drowns maidens at sea to honor the moon goddess Selene, and for them, that's the ultimate act of devotion. Different regions, different practices, your worship."
> You assure the high priest that a grand tournament will soon be organized in Polemos's honor.> You inform him that such blood rituals must cease, signaling a change in religious practices.> You make no promises and head back to the palace, deep in thought. 