What would happen if a Returned killed another Returned?

[Trusk'our he/him]

In the Hallendren court of Gods, the Returned seem to be able to get away with a lot of things without punishment, because it would be rather difficult for the priests to justify disciplining them, I would imagine.

But what if they did something truly horrible? Killing a normal human being would be bad enough, but with their station, they could likely still get away with it. But killing one of their fellow Returned? What would the priests do in such a situation?

[Mage_914]

Probably quietly vanish/kill them.

 

They're separated from the population for the most part, so people might not even notice if they're gone, especially if the general population is given a story about how they gave up a breath to save a dying orphan or something.

 

They're really less like gods and more like natural resources.  The return can heal any plague or pandemic that comes at the kingdom. If an important person is close to death they can go to a returned and get healed. This also conveniently kills the returned. Not only does this give the priests enormous political capital, it also provides an easy excuse if a returned is threatening the priests power an needs to die.

[NameIess he/him]

9 hours ago, Mage_914 said:

Probably quietly vanish/kill them.

 

They're separated from the population for the most part, so people might not even notice if they're gone, especially if the general population is given a story about how they gave up a breath to save a dying orphan or something.

 

They're really less like gods and more like natural resources.  The return can heal any plague or pandemic that comes at the kingdom. If an important person is close to death they can go to a returned and get healed. This also conveniently kills the returned. Not only does this give the priests enormous political capital, it also provides an easy excuse if a returned is threatening the priests power an needs to die.

I think you're being too cynical. From what we saw in Warbreaker, the priests actually believe in the returned as gods. They sacrificed their lives for the returned, and actually let the returned make the decisions for their country. What would happen to a returned that murdered another returned would probably depend on the circumstances, although one of the returned managing to do something like that seems extremely unlikely, considering that the returned are constantly surrounded by servants. Assuming it did happen, either the returned would vote on their fate or the god king would pronounce judgement. Or the priests might pretend that the god king pronounced judgement and actually do it themselves.