...okay, something unexpected just happened. I was playing as the Infernal Civ, having taken over the empire of my original Sheaim, and basically just wasting time, waiting for the Elohim to build the Mercurian Gate so I could embark on an epic battle between devils and angels! I'd even handed the Elohim the necessary technology, and been careful not to hamper their production.
I had a Shadow doing laps through their cities, hoping to see the Mercurian Gate under construction somewhere, but it never did show up... I wondered why, for the longest time.
Then, a Vassal of mine, the Luichuirp, whom I had corrupted with the Ashen Veil religion earlier and turned away from the path of good, finished the Mercurian Gate, making it clear why the Elohim hadn't been constructing it. The Luichirps had continuously reverted to Runes of Kilmorph every time I converted them to Ashen Veil, so they were Neutral most of the time, and thus able to build the gate...
Now, there's nothing wrong with a Vassal of the Infernals building the Mercurian Gate. Actually, that makes perfect sense. What IS problematic is that when they emerge in that fashion, THEY wind up as Vassals to the Infernals as well. Which annoys me partially because it means I can't kick Bastium's heavenly arse, and partially because it's thematically disruptive. Ideally, if an Infernal Vassal builds the Mercurian Gate, the new 'team' will automatically stop being a vassal to the Infernals - obviously, if they built something like that, it was in order for the angels to save them from demonic servitude.
So yeah. Didn't see that comming, and now that I have, I don't much care for the sight. Completely ruined the theme of this game. Guess I might as well just go steamroll the Elohim and declare a Conquest Victory now...
