Some good comments so far.... I've always felt the most important thing to keep in mind concerning the Liberated Land is that it's pretty much (allegorically, if not quite literally) the Acts 2 church in action. That's why the question of "denominational" worship can be set aside; in a sense, it's similar to all these folks being members (and even the "staff") of a really, really big church--the medieval version of our modern megachurch. They'll constantly be joining their gifts and resources to help those in need, working to serve one another in the OverLord's name, and obviously be doing what they can to support "missions" (meaning the ministries of LightRaiders and SaltWarriors). As for how they choose to worship, there can be any number of options available to anyone: large gathering halls, smaller chapels, or "house" church environments, and everything in between. They wouldn't need to (and probably shouldn't) feel any sense of loyalty to one body or another, being able to worship among any gathered group in just about any circumstance that presents itself. Of course, just like any member of the Acts 2 church, they'd still deal with the sinful habits of the flesh left clinging to them. No doubt it would be easier to deal with most severe temptations in the LL, both because of the positive environment and increased opportunity for accountability. It's the little things that would be toughest to get rid of, things so "minor" that some may not feel them worthy of mentioning to accountable parties....things like insecurity and doubt, inward attitudes of selfishness or sloth or even lust, the whole gaggle of motives that others can't see but that can stand between one and the OverLord. (And all of which would doubtless make for some very interesting, detailed role-playing, if we could come up with a good way of formatting it....) Along those lines: one of the hardest things to avoid (making it a common problem) is presenting every TwiceBorn in the LL as too nice, too ready to give things away or do things for free. (Trust me, I know wherefrom I speak....;-) Sure, people will always be willing to serve, but they also need to make their livings, and it's poor stewardship of gifts and funds if they let themselves get railroaded on the principle of servanthood. In my own attempts to try to portray the LL, one of the things I've struggled with is somehow managing to give it that lived-in, "medieval" feel--a lot of which traditionally comes from the grime and poverty and oppression of the real Middle Ages, but which don't exist in the same degree in the LL. You have to keep in mind these folks may have a lot more joy to help stoke the fires of their daily enthusiasm, but life is still hard, hard work in their present technological state. Their stables will always stink just as much as those in the Dragon Lands. As for commerce, I've always seen just a standard, medieval-merchant economy (though without the feudalism, of course), not much different than our own. I'd reject the socialist idea, in part because--even with the best of intentions--that method can give rise to some of the more subtle issues within the sin-nature we've been discussing. The Sacred Scrolls would seem to support rewarding those who work hard for their living, especially since no one's likely to be in too much want....even if their own unwise laziness has left them a little behind the rest. (Another interesting question in this arena: how are cadets at the Academy supported? Should there be a fund derived from general tithing, or should they have to raise their own support for the time they're in training?) I have three contributions to the LL, one of which I'll keep under my hat for now. The other two (which will be given a detailed presentation in a format still to come) are the Haven Villages and Hallowmere. The first is a series of small towns spread around the LL, where new converts are given a place to live until they can establish a life of their own (it hardly seems fair to just throw them into the crowd upon their arrival in a completely foreign land). New TwiceBorn can choose to be apprenticed in an area of labor they might be interested in pursuing as a long-term "career," such as farming or blacksmithing. Most HV's tend to cater to certain types of work; for instance, one on the southern coast would specialize in apprenticing fishermen, sailors, or dockworkers. Each village also has a Haven School, where they can learn to read if they've never had the chance, or take the first steps in more scholarly pursuits, such as history or a study of the Sacred Scrolls. Once they've "graduated," they would naturally be able to find a place of their own somewhere in the LL to continue in their work. Joe mentioned holidays; Hallowmere is the sacramental observance of the OverLord's return to life and victory over death (their equivalent of our Easter). The Ceremony of Water on the morning of the OverLord's resurrection kicks off a week-long festival throughout the LL. Again, there'll be more on this in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future. Well....there's my 18 cents. (Have I had this stuff pent up in me too long, or what?) - Scott ________________________________________________________________ Juno Gift Certificates Give the gift of Internet access this holiday season. http://www.juno.com/give