“Z” is for zeal/zealot

Wow, it’s been a while. Sorry!

We’ll start with definitions.

~Zeal: “a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something”

~Zealot: “a person who has very strong feelings about something (such as religion or politics) and who wants other people to have those feelings…a fanatical partisan”

My H-guys/Huls, on the whole, are normal people. They have families, interests, and passions. The “passion” part is where things get messy. Huls are raised to believe certain things about themselves, people, and their enemies. They are indoctrinated with these beliefs; they believe them passionately and follow their leaders with zeal. A loyal Hul is a good Hul; they are all about loyalty. I haven’t decided yet if there is a religious undertone to them, if they feel they’re on a mission from God to destroy those they view as lesser.

It would be tragically realistic.  

I’m not sure where I’m going with this, except to say that several of my characters come from this background. Some heal from it more easily than others, though all are left with some sort of lasting mark. Some take that driving zeal and redirect it. Instead of fighting for the Huls with passion, they fight against them with the same passion.

And, sadly, often with the same intolerance.

They still want everyone to see things as they do. They still desire to destroy those they see as a threat.

They’re still zealots, just fighting on the “good” side now. But what makes them different from the ones they are fighting against?

I guess we’ll find out.