# Merssu — Short Fiction character guide

> Merssu in Short Fiction by Algis Budrys.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Merssu the Firegod

**First appearance:** 0011-firegod

## Snapshot

A spaceman who plays god to a mud-hut village, then returns centuries later to find his worshippers have outgrown the trick.

## Who they are

Merssu descends in fire, fires his gun at sea and sky, and lets a terrified people grovel until priests and a temple rise in his name. He leaves promising to return, and the centuries do pass for them while he waits out his year. When he comes back expecting worship, he meets priests who can name every piece of his equipment — and laughter where the kneeling used to be.

## Relationships

### [The Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/the_priest)

_psychological_

Merssu is under the influence or manipulation of The Priest, creating a power-imbalanced dynamic.

### [The Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/the_priest)

_psychological_

Merssu is under the influence or manipulation of The Priest, creating a power-imbalanced dynamic.

### [The Priest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/the_priest)

_psychological_

Merssu is under the influence or manipulation of The Priest, creating a power-imbalanced dynamic.

## In the story

### [Firegod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/firegod)

The False Emperor who escapes his crumbling empire to become a god on a primitive world, only to be killed by his own priests upon return.

### [Wall of Crystal, Eye of Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/wall-of-crystal-eye-of-night)

Returns to his world as a false god, embodying themes of power and corruption.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/merssu
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters