"My sense is that they were not welcoming to anyone who wasn't a true believer in that cult. Josselyn wouldn't want to take risks. That's why Lorelai became a problem." The woman they knew by another name with her mushroom head, but she once was a normal native. She and Josselyn were friends, which probably explains to him why she didn't see the betrayal coming. "They were still doing the rituals even after half of us escaped."

In that mind, it means they meant it. They believed in whatever they thought the rituals would do. Istredd understands at least in part how this sort of thing works. The Brotherhood wouldn't be called a cult, it would be called an organization, but there are some mages who would never ask questions. Just follow orders. They were raised to be that way.

"We know that's what they claim it does. And I believe a few of our own now have used it successfully, but when combined with asking for divine help." So they do have experienced people within the Summoned who have learned. Wanda is a powerful magic user, she would have known better. "It's all very strange."