Looking at the Description
Ah now I see why they developed the technologies they did, they needed to! That huge spurt in population growth put pressure on the resources of their island home and they found more living space by refining their technology and moving out into the water. They could do this because they already had a habit of researching things and improving on the technologies they had learned in past turns.
Drethnor's people would never have done this because they have never learned to research anything for themselves. The two players have very different strategies and both ways have their good points.
If your people have a habit of researching things on their own you can improve your technologies more quickly, but they have a greater chance of doing something you didn't expect or want. Drethnor has a more firm grip on his people, but they are less likely to deal with problems on their own. They need him in control at all times.
The two players also are gaining faith and fear points in very different ways. Mesnoth has had a slow but steady growth of faith points, some turns he hasn't gained anything, while other turns he gains just one point. Drethnor on the other hand has large and wild fluctuations in the growth of both faith and fear.
The reason for this difference is tied to the way they are playing. Mesnoth's people are growing and learning under his protection. His "miracles" are mostly the same turn after turn. His people are comfortable with his ways and are slowly improving on what he has given them. He provides them with guidance and the accaisional miracle, but a lot of the work is their own. So he gets a slow and steady growth in their confidence and security. They really love their god!
Drethnor on the other hand has a tendency to big actions, quick gifts, and flashy displays of power. He acts on his people much more directly and with a firmer hand, because of that their thoughts about him reflect the things he's done recently and the power he's shown in previous turns. His people both respect and fear him, but more importantly they need him.
Both strategies could work out VERY well in the long run.