Look, I'm not saying your characters shouldn't think that taint is the most wonderful force of change in the whole world, and provides strength and enlightenment and whatever.

Surely even most characters embrace it for what it is. I bet they don't sit around and say things like, "Well, I'm only putrefying the outer body... its really still quite a natural sort of process anyway... in fact it really would help everyone if they could do this to themselves... they'd feel much better, its really a healing sort of thing... I could so belong to a forest commune and do this because they have lots of rotting things... the taint is just another force of nature!"

Why can't they just say, yep, I'm using the taint to infuse my body with power and cast off the limitations of frail flesh.

BLAH, no! I don't think Darwin ever said anything about people having monkey's as long lost grandparents. I know you were being sarcastic, etc, but that particular point annoys me.

Its called a hijack
2. In Haiti and parts of luisiana they come back as zombies. If you exist with the heart of a pig in your chest, are you in your original complete state?
How about the hand of a serial killer recently executed who now gave you a new hand instead of a prostetic one.
We have modern day frankenstiens all around us.

And I meant the soulless gods, by the ancient forces.

But your state of mind is the same, which is what I was referring to. Actually, come to think of it, that's not always true, like that guy who got the iron bar shot through his head with dynomite and turned really nasty.
So, nevermind that. But it still wasn't related to evolution, or, well, anything else. SMOKESCREEN.

...I'm not sure what this zombie thing is about.

Rofl - I saw ancient forests. Sorry.

Darwin didn't say that, but the people who viewed Evolution the same way Celest views the Taint did say that, was the point I was trying to make.

Oh ok. But we don't know if taint was a tool used by the soulless gods, or their creation, or do we? (cause I'm not sure on that)
Because, you know, now Magnagora is using the taint to -fight- Kethuru, which proves he has no power over it, that it really is a tool. Fight by the sword, die by the sword, is that how it goes in English?

Live by the sword, die by the sword, but close enough.

I don't think it's the right quote in context though. It's more a "what goes around comes around" type of phrase.

EDIT: Or, I could reread your post and find out that's exactly what you mean. Nevermind.

But in the real world, evolution wasn't CAUSED, nor can it be forced on something that is unwilling. It doesn't have its own interests to be served, nor is it driven by a conscious mind. It doesn't oppose a very tangible pantheon, nor does it obliterate tangible spirits of Nature.

The Taint is driven by a consious mind as much as swords and mage staffs are. Or the Light is.

Evolution does not ask for permit.
Taint doesn't have it's own concious mind or personal interest too.
As if it wasn't caused, many would argue.

The supernals guide the Light followers.

And The pied piper guides the rats... whats your point?

The rats are brainwashed by the magic flute.

...the Celestians aren't.

Well, who says so?

Before we head down another red herring track, let me summarize what I am saying:

Light, Taint, and Nature are three EXCLUSIVE forces. You can't just mix and match to get the right blend for your own happiness.

Yeah, I don't know how that keeps happening. I KNOW it's coming, but I argue about the little points anyway. Sorry.