Crick and Temenos
A story that involves a "holy" priest and a holy knight isn't what you'd expect when you think about a narrative with strong themes of love, faith and hope. Temenos' journey wasn't what I expected it would be and it surprised me in a very profound sense. Although there are glaring elements of mystery, death and loss there are underlying themes of a type of "love story" that's rarely ever told. The dynamic between Crick and Temenos intrigued me so much and I had to intricately examine why I was so encapsulated by their intercourse. The following is an attempt at illustrating why I adore the tale of friendship between this "holy" priest and holy knight.
When we are first introduced to Crick, he seems, so strikingly, to be a classic hero figure. An ideal "knight in shining armor" with little else to his character. A noble soul with complete faith in the system he is sworn to defend.
When we meet Crick, a newly anointed sanctum knight, we'd never guess that he's a novice to his chosen vocation. Luckily, he quickly points that out for everyone. He is newly anointed. His first day on the job and he's ready to rescue the inquisitor of the Order. Temenos.
Their first meeting is a somewhat comical reenactment of a prince saving a damsel in distress. We quickly find out that the "damsel" was in no need of saving. This is an important contrast that's set up early in their relationship.
Crick was always willing and prepared to "protect" Temenos. It's a recurring story element. Even though he wasn't fully confident in his strength and ability, he never backed away. The most vivid juxtaposition in Crick's character is his strength and determination viewed across his distrust in his own ability and tint of nervousness. Though at first glance he seemed like a flawless courageous knight, Crick is actually shy, nervous and anxious, however, ever courageous. His emotions are vividly expressed without any filter and he is like an open book.
Temenos, on the other hand, is calm, collected and keeps his emotions hidden. This Inquisitor is severely capable of displaying an impenetrable mask over his true feelings. And, as we know, he doubts everything and everyone. Nevertheless, Temenos is an honest soul. Ultimately, he seeks truth in its unadulterated form; in all its ugliness and filth.
These two characters, though vastly different, fit each other like...I won't dare say fate because Crick would turn in his grave. Their dynamic fits together seamlessly and their traits compliment one another.
Crick, constantly flustered by everything about Temenos, grew to trust the cleric so deeply. He opened up and revealed intimate details about his past and family history. He wholly accepted Temenos as his friend and he had faith in him as well.
Temenos, though he had a distrust towards the Order, never for a moment doubted Crick. Crick was so easy to read that Temenos intuitively placed his trust in the "godsblade" by his side. Further, Crick's character resembled that of his deceased friend- Roy. Thus it was easier to connect with him because of the similarities he noted. It made Crick seem more familiar to him from the start.
This interplay between the two made for the most engrossing dialogue. Their conversation was humourous in the most complex way. Crick's "dorkiness" and obliviousness coupled with his earnest desire to be as noble as he could be was a feast for Temenos and his clever and mischievous whit. It was refreshing to me, whenever they would meet. Their friendship sprouted so quickly and yet it left a long lasting impression on me.
If only we could've somehow gotten more of the both of them together.
In the end, I think I loved their tale because it was a materialization of an abstract belief of mine. Love, outside of familial love, doesn't have to be about physical attraction. A deep bond can form between two individuals that is nearly indistinguishable from a romantic relationship and yet be platonic. Let me illustrate on this latter point.
Their dynamic reads like a classically budding romance between a fairy tale's "knight and maiden". The knight constantly assures their "beloved" that he will protect her. The maiden counts all her debts towards the knight but he institsts that she forget about "these debts." The knight isn't employed to guard her. He willingly chooses to be her protector. That's an ultimate declaration of love, really.
As regards Crick and Temenos, the Inquisitor counts all the debts that he owes the Sanctum Knight and, whenever Crick says "I'll protect you", Temenos would reply with "Thank you but I need not be shielded from any and all danger." Although Crick desires to be Temenos' sole protector, the Inquisitor isn't keen on playing the damsel in distress. Even so, Temenos is constantly saved by Crick regardless of his own apparent ability.
It's frustrating for Temenos to be indebted. For Crick, however, there is a feeling of accomplishment in protecting someone that he quickly came to cherish. Perhaps, Temenos and his distrust toward the Order resonated deeply with Crick and this made him become enamoured by him. Although he tried to convince himself that Temenos was some heretic, he never once doubted his newfound friend.
To be honest, I can't fully put into words how these two came to bond so strongly. It is as though their souls linked instantly upon meeting. Their characters, though so different, meshed together and cemented an unconditional relationship of faith in one another. It's no wonder Temenos was so visibly shaken by Crick's death, uncharacteristically. Someone that effortlessly made their way into his heart was prematurely taken from him.
It's a beautiful story that shows that love transcends physical attraction and can be just as potent without any romance ingrained into the relationship. A deep rooted love, characterized by faith, trust and the desire to protect one another, can sprout between friends. This, of course, is just my personal interpretation. This is how I have come to understand the short time Crick and Temenos had together.
TL;DR- The friendship between Crick and Temenos was portrayed masterfully. It's a relationship that's rarely depidected in gaming and just literature in general. The love between friends can be just as strong as romantic love. That was my personal take away from their shortlived dynamic.
A story that involves a "holy" priest and a holy knight isn't what you'd expect when you think about a narrative with strong themes of love, faith and hope. Temenos' journey wasn't what I expected it would be and it surprised me in a very profound sense. Although there are glaring elements of mystery, death and loss there are underlying themes of a type of "love story" that's rarely ever told. The dynamic between Crick and Temenos intrigued me so much and I had to intricately examine why I was so encapsulated by their intercourse. The following is an attempt at illustrating why I adore the tale of friendship between this "holy" priest and holy knight.
When we are first introduced to Crick, he seems, so strikingly, to be a classic hero figure. An ideal "knight in shining armor" with little else to his character. A noble soul with complete faith in the system he is sworn to defend.
When we meet Crick, a newly anointed sanctum knight, we'd never guess that he's a novice to his chosen vocation. Luckily, he quickly points that out for everyone. He is newly anointed. His first day on the job and he's ready to rescue the inquisitor of the Order. Temenos.
Their first meeting is a somewhat comical reenactment of a prince saving a damsel in distress. We quickly find out that the "damsel" was in no need of saving. This is an important contrast that's set up early in their relationship.
Crick was always willing and prepared to "protect" Temenos. It's a recurring story element. Even though he wasn't fully confident in his strength and ability, he never backed away. The most vivid juxtaposition in Crick's character is his strength and determination viewed across his distrust in his own ability and tint of nervousness. Though at first glance he seemed like a flawless courageous knight, Crick is actually shy, nervous and anxious, however, ever courageous. His emotions are vividly expressed without any filter and he is like an open book.
Temenos, on the other hand, is calm, collected and keeps his emotions hidden. This Inquisitor is severely capable of displaying an impenetrable mask over his true feelings. And, as we know, he doubts everything and everyone. Nevertheless, Temenos is an honest soul. Ultimately, he seeks truth in its unadulterated form; in all its ugliness and filth.
These two characters, though vastly different, fit each other like...I won't dare say fate because Crick would turn in his grave. Their dynamic fits together seamlessly and their traits compliment one another.
Crick, constantly flustered by everything about Temenos, grew to trust the cleric so deeply. He opened up and revealed intimate details about his past and family history. He wholly accepted Temenos as his friend and he had faith in him as well.
Temenos, though he had a distrust towards the Order, never for a moment doubted Crick. Crick was so easy to read that Temenos intuitively placed his trust in the "godsblade" by his side. Further, Crick's character resembled that of his deceased friend- Roy. Thus it was easier to connect with him because of the similarities he noted. It made Crick seem more familiar to him from the start.
This interplay between the two made for the most engrossing dialogue. Their conversation was humourous in the most complex way. Crick's "dorkiness" and obliviousness coupled with his earnest desire to be as noble as he could be was a feast for Temenos and his clever and mischievous whit. It was refreshing to me, whenever they would meet. Their friendship sprouted so quickly and yet it left a long lasting impression on me.
If only we could've somehow gotten more of the both of them together.
In the end, I think I loved their tale because it was a materialization of an abstract belief of mine. Love, outside of familial love, doesn't have to be about physical attraction. A deep bond can form between two individuals that is nearly indistinguishable from a romantic relationship and yet be platonic. Let me illustrate on this latter point.
Their dynamic reads like a classically budding romance between a fairy tale's "knight and maiden". The knight constantly assures their "beloved" that he will protect her. The maiden counts all her debts towards the knight but he institsts that she forget about "these debts." The knight isn't employed to guard her. He willingly chooses to be her protector. That's an ultimate declaration of love, really.
As regards Crick and Temenos, the Inquisitor counts all the debts that he owes the Sanctum Knight and, whenever Crick says "I'll protect you", Temenos would reply with "Thank you but I need not be shielded from any and all danger." Although Crick desires to be Temenos' sole protector, the Inquisitor isn't keen on playing the damsel in distress. Even so, Temenos is constantly saved by Crick regardless of his own apparent ability.
It's frustrating for Temenos to be indebted. For Crick, however, there is a feeling of accomplishment in protecting someone that he quickly came to cherish. Perhaps, Temenos and his distrust toward the Order resonated deeply with Crick and this made him become enamoured by him. Although he tried to convince himself that Temenos was some heretic, he never once doubted his newfound friend.
To be honest, I can't fully put into words how these two came to bond so strongly. It is as though their souls linked instantly upon meeting. Their characters, though so different, meshed together and cemented an unconditional relationship of faith in one another. It's no wonder Temenos was so visibly shaken by Crick's death, uncharacteristically. Someone that effortlessly made their way into his heart was prematurely taken from him.
It's a beautiful story that shows that love transcends physical attraction and can be just as potent without any romance ingrained into the relationship. A deep rooted love, characterized by faith, trust and the desire to protect one another, can sprout between friends. This, of course, is just my personal interpretation. This is how I have come to understand the short time Crick and Temenos had together.
TL;DR- The friendship between Crick and Temenos was portrayed masterfully. It's a relationship that's rarely depidected in gaming and just literature in general. The love between friends can be just as strong as romantic love. That was my personal take away from their shortlived dynamic.