Duendewood vs. Solari: Aptitude and Attitude

The morning was dull-gray with overcast, and Ruin suspected there would be storms by nightfall. Still, he'd made a promise to himself, and so he retraced the way to the practice field near the center of the temple. He had no idea where Anica was; she'd slipped out just before morning, and he hoped she didn't regret their time together. 

He stopped at one of the fountains to splash water on his face and take a long drink; the brandy hadn't been as strong as all that, but his body still wanted water. Then he continued on. 

The practice field was busy this morning, with figures practicing in pairs or formations, or loosing arrows at targets over at the far end. A few were wrestling off in one corner. Most were human, but many were not; the portly halfling priest Birno was sparring with an older woman who was clearly a dwarf, and seemed to be holding his own. Aesa was standing beside the racks of training weapons, looking quietly forlorn.

"You. Elf."

Ruin turned his head and found himself looking up at a massive woman, whose heritage clearly mixed orc and human. She was a full head taller than Ruin, and her hair was black but touched with silver. She wore a breastplate that resembled his own, and a greatsword was slung across her back. She studied him as he studied her. Not a paladin, he decided, but maybe someone who trains them. 

"You're a friend of Aesa?" she asked. 

Ruin shrugged. "We just met yesterday," he said, "but I promised I'd spar with her." 

The half-orc snorted. "Waste of both your time. The girl likes the weapons, but she's no good with them at all."

"You've kept her on the simpler ones?" he asked, remembering her choice of a practice mace the previous evening. 

The half-orc nodded. "She's a priestess. Doesn't know it, but she is. Good one, too, if she'd just go with it. She keeps trying to be a warrior instead." She paused. "I'm Akkora. Arms-mistress here."

"You can call me Ruin," he replied. "I'm... I don't really know what I am."

"Anica said you can fight. Good enough for me." 

He grinned at that, and the half-orc grinned back. "How long have you served the temple?" 

"Twenty years, maybe more. Probably will until I die. Temple's been good to me." 

Ruin nodded at that. "You train them?"

"I train them." 

"So what about Aesa?" 

"Fast enough. Not that strong. She likes the weapons, but she isn't good with them."

Ruin looked over at Aesa, who had turned to watch a pair of paladins sparring with spears and shields. "If she's a priestess," he said slowly. "She shouldn't have to be." 

"You think you can help her?" 

Ruin didn't answer; he was looking at Aesa, and thinking. 

Akkora tapped him hard on the shoulder with one extended finger. "You help her, and you are my friend." 

Ruin looked back at the arms-mistress. "Battle-priest," he said quietly. 

The half-orc tilted her head to look at him. "You think?"

Ruin shrugged. "I'm like you: I just know weapons. Much of this will be up to the gods. But it sounds as if the gods like her already, so..." 

Akkora nodded slowly. "Maybe." 

Ruin nodded back. "Maybe." He turned away and started towards Aesa. 

"Amun guide your steps," said the half-orc, "and Gruumsh lend you strength."

So this is kind of my view of the Temple of Amun: it is, first and foremost, a lot more open and accepting than any Temple of Helios. There will be different races and very different backgrounds, anyone is welcome as long as they can behave themselves. Amun will be the primary focus of worship here, but a secondary devotion to other (generally good-aligned or at least neutral) gods is acceptable and not unexpected.