But for the record. Haelyn's Aegis is absolutely an anomaly. All domains pay for receiving blessings of the realm, just as the christian received a tenth of all income through a millenia - more or less. To think you can get away without paying, is rather revolutionary... At least in the Anuirean mindset.
I think there are two different points to this. The first would be what you consider 'paying' in this case. While playing as the OIT, the domain cast Bless Land pretty much all the time without any direct payment as seen by the other temples. Instead there were other ties between the temple and the landed regents.
Secondly I think the tenth your referring to is a large part of the regular income from temple holdings. The direct donations from regents in 'payment' for realm magic is something of a different exchange.
In addition I think the current 'standard' of paying for temples to cast Bless Land is merely a reflection of the
current paradigm and culture. Over the 1500 years of history I can imagine there have been periods when the temples have been falling over each other to cast such spells, either out of piety or through the perceived prestige in doing so. Just because the current political climate is a but mercenary at best doesn't mean there have been quite different mentalities previously.
To finish of my ramblings, I think the key here is to ensure that the temples
want to cast these spells, rather than feel they must.
"Former Empire, slightly worn out, seeking pious temple regents to herald a new golden age of church politics" Enough ramblings from. Time to top up the wine and get going on the roast.
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