The Heathens didn't seem to be doing all that fine to me - they didn't know how to fix the aqueduct, Master Healer couldn't heal herself, nor could trainee healers. The area where the Heathen mommy hangs out is a mess. Most of the Heathens don't seem to have any ambition, they just hang around. To me, the Villagers seem to be helping the Heathens. It's not like they chase the Heathens off, or imprison them. Once a Heathen is "converted", he/she begins to help out with improving the village, and becomes a member of the Villagers. Maybe the "conversion" they experience is from laziness or lack of know-how, to learning that you have to work to make things better for yourself and your family. And remember, it was the Heathens who captured and imprisoned the Villagers in the first place, but the Villagers were resourceful enough to free themselves, so they deserve to be able to fight back a little.

With all that said, I don't read too much into the "god totems" or the "explaining the truth", or "converting the Heathens". The designers had the right and the freedom to tell the story however they wanted. I just have fun with the game.

Thanks, LDW, for another fun, entertaining, "I'm never gonna get my laundry done", game!