I think, while reading through this discussion, I’ve figured out what it is that makes me personally read this story in a way that doesn’t make me judge Leon too harshly.
Mainly: the setting, and skills in the storytelling.
If this were a story set in contemporary times, more rooted in realism, even with magic I’d probably be on the side of anyone who’s mentioned Leon in the “We should see other people” thread. But something about the fantasy setting, the beautiful narration and so on, makes the story feel more like a folk tale, legend or fairytale to me.
“A king who mourns the merciful saviour he thought was guilty” sounds like something that could’ve been a H.C. Anderson or Grimm Brothers story to me, or even a local folk legend. I grew up learning about my country’s superstitions and magic so, while I sadly don’t believe trolls exist, that still allows me to see this story in a way that feels very comforting and familiar. So I don’t judge Leon as harshly as I might’ve otherwise, because the tragedy - if not dissected through a modern logical lens - feels like it serves a purpose. One that I’m more than happy to go along with.
Don’t get me wrong - I think there’s definitely value and fun in analysis and I hope those that read AMR more through that lens are having as much fun as I am with the story. I think it’s more impressive on the side of the author that there’s such opposing views going on.
Some more answers:
Summary
I understand that. I do hope we get to see an expansion on the reasoning or explanation in the next book. The reason I used folk stories as an example though is that they can often seem a bit stupid upon reflection - a lot of Norwegian tales end with the hero character receiving “the Princess and half the kingdom” as payment for helping the kingdom with something. Would a real monarch freely offer such a large part of their power to a peasant? No. But it does make for a good story when told well, regardless.
I understand that that’s not everyone’s cup of tea - Param has quite deep world building so one expects a certain level of detail and immersion in all other aspects of the story, as well. It’s also easier to be bothered by what might be considered a flaw when it’s such an integral one to the plot. I wonder if any beta readers of the first book brought up that they’d like more reasons for Leon’s choice. But it might also be that readers are not necessarily supposed to like Leon or forgive him, I think if it were a novel and the set path was forgiveness then it’d be further more important for Leon to have more or other reasons, because readers would be along for the ride of needing to like him to appreciate the plot regardless. As players that’s up to us to decide, though. For me, Leon not being 100% in the right only expands on my character’s core traits, which I appreciate.
This pretty much. I actually would like to see more options for the MC to struggle with their emotions - leaning towards forgiveness because they understand but still dealing with the trauma of having burned. It’d be a good middle ground. I admit this might exist already, I haven’t played it yet if it does, but I do think that some more expansion on the mage’s horrific experiences is important. Most people aren’t 100% fine after even a near-death scenario, and the mage went through a death-death one lmao.
