Ilmater was not overly protective of his own priests and paladins. He was happy to lend power to his followers so they could help others, but when it came to his own priests and paladins, he seemed somewhat "stingy." He often taught them to help all the wounded people in the world, and that bearing suffering for others was the holiest act. If you suffered for others, Ilmater would give you the courage and strength to endure. No matter what pain or danger you faced, you had to stand firm by the right principles without wavering. Dying for the right cause was glorious. You should step forward to resist tyrants and prevent every unjust atrocity. You should focus on elevating your spirit rather than obsessing over the sensations of the flesh.
Did it sound a little foolish? But Ilmater was more like an Eastern ascetic, the kind of harsh practitioner who used worldly suffering to torment himself in order to cultivate himself.
Thus, Ilmater was usually rather "strict" with his followers. His church had never been very large, because many people could not keep going and dropped out halfway through. Ilmater never punished them for this. He even thanked them for all they had contributed.
In Ilmater's eyes, giving aid to his own priests and paladins was not protection or care. On the contrary, it was a form of harm—a wound to their convictions. Ilmater had always maintained that everything his priests and paladins experienced was a form of tempering, a tempering of the soul and will.
That was why Ilmater had never had any Chosen. He welcomed all followers who came to his side through their own will and faith. That was true cultivation.
But now, Solam had seen Ilmater's attention focused on Makelele. That was exceedingly rare. At