I am really enjoying SHB... but I am having trouble understanding what they are doing with the light theme.

No spoilers, I just don't get the "Forgiven" tag on monsters... or the "Sin Eater" taxonomy.

It seems like they are confusing elemental light and religion.... and it is confusing to me.

I don't understand why instead of this they aren't using names like "radiant" and "luminous".

To me, they seem to be confusing "holy" and elemental light, so there is this strange quasi religious connotation to stuff.

Maybe I am not far enough along in the story and they fix this- but I always loved how Secret of Mana kept light and dark as elements and left out that religious stuff.

Hopefully, those of you who are over achievers and finished the MSQ can let me know if it straightens out.... I really like the elemental concept and love the idea that elements are neutral primordial forces. This language and connotation might just be a localization issue.

It just feels like the game is borrowing heavily from D&D on the theme without any of the context. Maybe it's just me lol.... but I also don't want the same to happen with darkness/shade in a future expansion where they have some kid of evil connotation. I was never comfortable with them implying that shade/dark was bad and I don't want that to be a future theme. As both an AST and as someone that happens to love the nighttime and sleep, I happen to feel like darkness can be comforting, relaxing, and peaceful.