Firstly, like zup, I could never follow "The One".
The One? Give me a break. Too similar to the christian god.
One grand "divine plan", omnipotence, omniscience, etc. they're all concepts I detest. Whilst I don't recall the exact quote (nor can find it scouring the internet), a line from Dogma sums up my feelings on God's 'mysterious ways' and 'grand plan':
"What was wrong with my plans?"
I consider myself to be a believer (or unbeliever) in dumb luck, coincidence, chance and so forth. In a way, "The One" is a bit like how I do see a possible God. One who created, and then shut off all links to the world he created and let it get on with itself
(much like a child's science experiment, which after grading by a teacher, is placed aside and forgotten). In that way, if "The One" does lack a grand plan, doesn't intend to re-enter creation
(as Cassiel otherwise implies) and intends to let what happens 'happen', then in his own way he is both the God I would believe in yet simultaneously not believe in. Almost like believing in his existence but not placing any faith in him, since he's there and not there at the same time.
Going over the Fall From Heaven Wiki
(which sadly does have some empty areas with little-to-no information on some of the Gods), I find myself siding with
Tali more than any other 'God'.
He is whimsical, carefree, adventurous, fun-loving, seemingly chaotic trickster God.
People often think of his as chaotic, but that is not the case. You can always count on him to be irresponsible.
Despite the first quote almost sounding like the description you'd find in a dating advert, I think Tali most embodies my view on existence (and certainly how I would see existence within Erebus). It is chaotic, with seemingly no path or destination. When chance opens up a path or destination, it is as quick to close it off; whether you have only just seen it, been walking it for years or have nearly reached it.
None of his followers have the patience to create an organized religion or devote temples to him
This to me is the ideal religion. With one's own life being so short in the grand scheme of things (and undoubtedly shorter in Erebus), why devote it to the praise and worship of a god? For a place in their heaven, hell or vault? I'm not one to believe in such assurances of an everlasting eternity. My focus would be on the present. Whether I'd truly "believe" in Tali is questionable, I'd be more likely to refer to him as "luck" and curse and praise his name (or luck) depending on whether it swings in my favour or not.
Of course, my narrow view on life being a short-term thing may well lead me to fall into Mammon's hell, whether intentionally or unintentionally (and from the sounds of things, he would be happy for me to be an unintentional follower). Whilst the tale of his hell makes for a good story, I heavily doubt I would wish to spend my eternity in there (good thing I don't believe in eternity, right?
).
I'd say all of the above stems from my own philosophy and if I were to role-play the idea that I do not know for sure that the God's have their own eternal heavens/hells/vaults for their followers. If I were to be told beforehand with an assured guarantee that following X God would lead to Y eternity, I'm sure my faith would be much easier to swing. After all, I would see a purpose in devoting my time on Erebus to the praise of a God if the end reward was a place in their lovely heaven (raising the question of whether I would end up with Mammon, as noted by others here - following the God for the reward, rather than true belief).
From an RP perspective, I most certainly see myself following Tali more than any other God, and if I were to be slung into Erebus, I think he is the God that would earn my favour (and disfavour).
From a bit of a metagaming perspective:
- I find myself sympathetic to
Mulcarn, one who is necessary yet unappreciated for his necessities and seen as cruel (like the needle to a cure - the needle hurts yet the pain from it is necessary in order to receive the good, and so the needle shouldn't be hated). Whilst I don't think I could truly follow him, in his own way he is a sympathetic villain and I could see myself swayed to his side.
-
Danalin seems the most caring of all the Gods. One with such great care for his people that their fall caused him great sorrow, leading to a lengthy/eternal sleep. A God that shows that much emotional attachment and care for his followers would be more than capable of earning my favour. Almost like a loving Grandfather figure.
- In a similar way, I think I could be swayed by
Sirona too, who innate well-meaning and kindness would draw my favour. The wiki quip: "Most of the gods see Sirona as a sweet little sister, whose opinion doesn't really matter" does seem to also fit how I would see her as well however. She exercises mercy, forgiveness and redemption to such a great extent that it's both a virtue and a weakness.
-
Kilmorph too seems a caring and compassionate God, though her religion is far from flawless. Nonetheless, she seems like a God who has a heart, and whilst is reluctant to intervene, is willing to when she sees those who she cherishes in deep suffering (evident by the Mithril Golem for example).
Over-all, I definitely see myself as a follower of Talin, if one could even follow a God of his nature (as noted, his believers simply lack the patience to create a true religion about him - which is probably for the best), but being a person who admires compassion and caring, I do feel I could grow an attachment to Danalin, Sirona and Kilmorph were I to feel that they cared for me, and would likewise return their caring for me with faith/devotion.
