HamsterDesTodes wrote:The decision doesnt have to be made for positive reasons. A nice and friendly personality works best of course, but "Nobody is allowed to abuse power but myself" could be a decent starting point as well, followed by a cost/benefit analysis of CoGA vs CoC reputation where Charis should win handily.
Also keep in mind that as long as whatever is below the temple got even partial access to recent (as in: last couple of centuries or somesuch) activities inside the temple, there can be no question that nobody in the temple is actually a believer, whereas a short observation of Maikel will show a deeply religious personality. Just as long as he doesnt know what exactly Maikel believes in (or better: doesnt believe in) the decision who's the more trustworthy would be easy.
Worked during the last war, didnt it? You know, the one that was won last week before I went to sleep.
Now, the seijin stories may be a n unsurpassable hurdle, unless the thing writes them off as exactly that: stories.
On the flip side, any cursory examination of Charis is going to show a HEAVY outside influence. Rapid tech progression is (barely) plausible. The complete and exact reinvention of Arabian numerals right down to the exact NAME for them (not to mention all the other Old Earth terminology) is not.
And any direct examination of the Charisian leadership is likely to reveal their using Fed Tech wireless comms. Merlin has a damn good reason to never let himself or any of his remotes within five miles of the Temple.