[Liem's hands linger wistfully about the base of sand slowly taking shape between the two of them, guiding it with shovel and fingers and palm towards a recognizable shape. Although his efforts don't waver, his thoughts are distracted by Amos's suggestion. His isolation in this alien world makes it an achingly tempting idea—but he's still not convinced that Amos is right.]

Achamoth's people seem happy with their own faith.

[This isn't to say that the people of any city could all be the same—not even a city as tucked under the Regent's thumb as this one. But Liem has his doubts that the local powers would welcome the intrusion of a foreign faith among their flocks, even if that faith was introduced by one of the Regent's aions. And in its original form, as it was taught at his own church, Abadar's faith might even seem heretical to those joyously awaiting the end of existence. It might seem too close to the ideals of some of the Legacies, those that strive toward change in a world that is ultimately meant to crumble to nothing.

Besides, Liem was never much of a preacher. The services he offered to his countrymen back home tended to be of a much more practical sort. He has no wish to lead a congregation of his own; he just misses the one he used to be part of.]

You are right, though. The world may be different, but people here seem much the same. Everyone needs something to believe in.