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(inspired by a line that Oliver says in FEH about "gods" and 'em envying his beauty lol)

me: .... wait a minute, do other characters in Tellius believe in gods (eg a pantheon) even when technically there's only one/two goddesses (depending on which sanctioned religion you believe in?)

me: wait a sec just how many other characters are heretics? :D ;;;

ctrl+f'ing through PoR's script real quick: the only three times "gods" are mentioned (vs "the goddess") is Petrine, a random Daein soldier that defected with Shiharam, and ...Bastion?

Radiant Dawn's a little weirder because all the characters that mention "gods" do it more as a clear nod to Ashera/Yune as a level of divinity, not as something divine that's separate from Ashera/Yune.

This reminds me a lot of my spirit charmer research into Tellius and how many characters refer to demons ... mostly Soren, iirc, refering to Bertram.

Fascinating!

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fate works in interesting ways and I thought it was neat that I ran across this fantastic article about "Frederick Douglass's "Plea for Freedom of Speech in Boston"", given Black History Month and the current embattled state that "free speech" finds itself in.

The whole thing's worth a read but taking a few excerpts from his speech below: 

"No right was deemed by the fathers of the Government more sacred than the right of speech. It was in their eyes, as in the eyes of all thoughtful men, the great moral renovator of society and government. Daniel Webster called it a homebred right, a fireside privilege. Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist. That, of all rights, is the dread of tyrants. It is the right which they first of all strike down. They know its power. Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, founded in injustice and wrong, are sure to tremble, if men are allowed to reason of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come in their presence. Slavery cannot tolerate free speech. Five years of its exercise would banish the auction block and break every chain in the South. They will have none of it there, for they have the power. But shall it be so here?"

(...)

"Equally clear is the right to hear. To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker. It is just as criminal to rob a man of his right to speak and hear as it would be to rob him of his money. I have no doubt that Boston will vindicate this right. But in order to do so, there must be no concessions to the enemy. When a man is allowed to speak because he is rich and powerful, it aggravates the crime of denying the right to the poor and humble."

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okay what the fuck, Oliver's FEH lvl 40 quote that I just got almost made me cry. genuinely so wholesome and strangely moving? ;a;;;;;;

"I've noticed something. Lately, you're always scowling.
This is not only unsightly—it is pointless. Tedious, even.
By the gods, what do you think you might accomplish by worrying about matters you cannot control?
You have but one life, and one chance to shine!
We both know that you are, essentially, ordinary. What you spend your time on is of little consequence.
Bearing that in mind, you must simply do what you can and only then consider the result. Get on with it!
Troubles reside in the mind, and beauty is found in a smile—that's the saying.
Those who truly grasp their fates can smile with ease. Learn well, and you'd be less unpleasant to look upon.
Ho! I see that grin! It looks as though my words have resounded in your soul.
I hope that you will continue to find my counsel so scintillating for many a year to come!"

(what is it about villain lvl 40 quotes that are so good???)