Thomas and the Svartelves

[Bad Alias]

Controlled or coerced?   Was Thomas physically forced?  You can argue that he wasn't, but when he was told that his wife and unborn child would be murdered if he didn't?  I'd say it's a distinction without a difference.

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Etri seems to have made the same distinction that I did between actually sock puppeting Thomas and coercing him.

[Mira]

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Etri seems to have made the same distinction that I did between actually sock puppeting Thomas and coercing him.

 I don't think so because

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I don't think he did, in the end Etri did show mercy.  When Etri and Harry have that first meeting at Mac's place, Etri wanted a life [Thomas] for a life, with some torture thrown in for good measure.  In the end, no lives were taken, yes, they took his son, but his son will be well cared for.  Thomas had to be punished because he was indeed guilty, however because of mitigating circumstances, Justine was Neminfected and the life of his son was on the line, Thomas was spared from the death penalty, but still harshly punished for what he did.

[Bad Alias]

I agree that Etri took the coercion into consideration and showed as much mercy as he could.

If Thomas had been sick puppeted, I don't think Etri would have demanded any punishment of Thomas.

 

“There is a spirit I will not name,” I said. “A being that works toward chaos and conflict. One who can possess almost anyone and cause them to act against their will.” “No,” Etri said calmly. “I know the being of which you speak. Our security measures would have detected any such invasive spirit the moment it crossed our threshold—even that one. You cannot excuse his actions thus.”

Emphasis added.
This implies that if Thomas was controlled, not merely coerced, his actions would have been excused.

[Mira]

“There is a spirit I will not name,” I said. “A being that works toward chaos and conflict. One who can possess almost anyone and cause them to act against their will.” “No,” Etri said calmly. “I know the being of which you speak. Our security measures would have detected any such invasive spirit the moment it crossed our threshold—even that one. You cannot excuse his actions thus.”
Emphasis added.
This implies that if Thomas was controlled, not merely coerced, his actions would have been excused.
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Thomas wasn't possessed, that's what Etri was saying, so Thomas has to take some responsibility and be held as responsible.  It's a fine line really, Thomas wasn't a sock puppet, yet he was being blackmailed in the worst possible way.  He did have a choice, but one with a bad outcome no matter which one he chose.

[Bad Alias]

Etri took a slow drink of his ale, studying me. “In that event,” he said, “then the onus of my wrath belongs to a different being.” “And Thomas would be free of reprisal?” “No,” Etri said with slow, granite intonation. “Though he may have been compelled, that does not change the consequence of his actions. Nor will I permit my nation to be seen as weak.” He turned one hand palm up. “However. There might be more latitude as to the nature of the reprisal.”

Here is where Etri is saying coercion results in mitigation. The "You cannot excuse his actions thus” quote implies that control would result in no personal responsibility for Thomas. This I think Etri distinguishes between control and coercion.

[Mira]

Here is where Etri is saying coercion results in mitigation. The "You cannot excuse his actions thus” quote implies that control would result in no personal responsibility for Thomas. This I think Etri distinguishes between control and coercion.
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Possibly, but I also think there is a bit of politics involved as well.  It's like even though Harry was able to prove Morgan was innocent, it didn't matter because of appearances Morgan had to be sacrificed.  I don't think Etri could explain it in such a way that it would satisfy his people, and this was the best he could come up with.  I think what Etri is saying is, yes, you can explain
Thomas' actions thus, even excuse them, but the scales have to be balanced to satisfy my people.  So Thomas is allowed to live, but not without pain, because he took an innocent life, so they took his son.. A life for a life, without death.