Hi Dev,
Just finished replay up to the end of the current public release. I found it most entertaining. I await the next with bated breath.
I see your dilemma regarding terminology. The period setting is somewhat akin to the medieval, when things were not nearly as clear as they are now. In fact, you can see Dave as quite the pioneer in this regard. He wants to push forward out of a dark age.
The term physician might be a bit older than you might expect. Some research on the etymology of the word points it being around as early as 1200 which is solidly in the middle of the medieval. I haven't spent hours on this, but some searching came up with this:
physician (n.)
c. 1200, fisicien, fisitien, later phisicien, "healer, one who practices the art of healing disease and of preserving health, doctor of medicine" (as distinguished from a surgeon), from Old French fisiciien "physician, doctor, sage" (12c., Modern French physicien means "physicist"), from fisique "art of healing," from Latin physica "natural science" (see physic). The restored classical ph- spelling is attested in English from late 14c. (see ph). Related: Physiciancy; physicianly; physicianship.
I see your links to physicist here. The rest of this page may well be of interest as well as it shows the progression of physica (Latin as in natural science ) to physician. Physicists were once called natural scientists or even natural philosophers.
See it here: etymology of physician
Here's the equivalent page for physicist: etymology for physicist
Food for your deliberation. Personally, I still favour physician, it will confuse English speakers quite a bit less and with an origin in the mid-medieval (as fisicien or the like) it isn't too far out of place.
I endorse completely the substitution of banquet for agape. English readers will grasp that instantly.
Since I am picking "lint" off your work I might as well note that baptism might not be the ideal term when Dave names the catgirl. (And a great name he comes up with too - good job, Dave. She just about bursts with pride). But baptism just isn't quite right, it has too many other connotations. I am sorry to say I have no other ideas. "Naming" sort of doesn't do it justice. In principle, what happens at this point has parallels to baptism. The catgirl goes from a nameless monster to an individual with an identity and some purpose, and the story develops that line. I still think that baptism isn't appropriate though, and it may offend even??
One final thing, the MC. For all his enlightenment, Dave is, in many ways, the classic clod of a H novel MC, incapable of seeing what surrounds him. For example, he has a slime girl companion who risks physical harm for him on a regular basis , yet asks nothing more than conversation and the chance to accompany Dave. In return, he treats her appallingly. On top of that, the poor woman is constantly naked due to her physical composition. You can't help but feel some sympathy for her position.
Then there's the succubus girl Dave has eating out his hand, with nothing more than her steadfast belief in Dave to complete the mission. Finally, we have a wild catgirl who bowls up out of nowhere, and for little benefit to herself and quite some risk as well, pulls the trio out of dire trouble with that spider girl. This catgirl isn't stupid either. She instantly recognises the potential of a monster girl human alliance and in joining the expedition is well along the way of eating out of Dave's hand too. And for her trouble gets little more than distrust and cold treatment from Dave. This catgirl talks of "deals" as well, the possibilities of that idea all going blissfully over Dave's head.
To add insult to injury, Dave's is portrayed gleefully feasting on roasted venison, when in reality his companions are likely going hungry to some extent. I hope he is due for a giant epiphany fairly soon.
Keep up the good work.
Have to have patience for next release.
Regards,