YGMV, indeed. I think we are rapidly reaching the point where it's a matter of personal preference. We're also reaching the point where this doesn't belong on the rules list.
However, I think there is a difference between Provider Devotees which are pretty much a boon to the clan -- they arise without disrupting anything (Hrut just becomes a better and better famer), they produce much more than they consume, and their religious duties are pretty much congruent with stead life (heck, half your farmers could be devotees and it wouldn't be that much of a strain on the stead) -- Crafter Devotees which are a more qualified blessing -- they may produce useful good and trade materials but they produce much less food and they need to be supported, and their religious duties are not so much about regular stead life -- and Specialist Devotees who are useful but more limited -- I include Humakti, Mhyites, etc -- they essentially produce no food or goods, their religious duties are removed from stead life, they need pretty much full support, and their skills, although useful, are more limited in scope (a Humakti is great in battle, but of limited use at other times). I think your assumptions apply pretty well to the third group, less well to the second, and much less to the first.
Peter Larsen
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