Musings on Powers and Principalities

• What if the ancient land of Babylon is a center of power for the prince of this world because it was to this locale that he was thrown out of heaven ? Or rather, this was the locale directly closest to the 'heavens' to which he was limited after his fall, and as an exit passage was easier to defend with his hordes of following angels
• Human government (dominion of man over man) mirrors that in the heavenlies. Those at the top, whether on the side of good or evil, tend to realize that their power comes not from nan alone. Those with some power, but not enough, may sometimes think they have achieved their station solely through their own agency
• In the story, the temple and the palace are competitors for power over the people, with the guilds also making a secular play for influence. The temple is starting to win, with its new breed of magi who are 'manipulating' spirits to produce spectacular effect. Hence their power and influence is growing. Amasa and Kyle form a powerful prototype of the mage-warrior team that will be used to devastating effect against enemies of the state.