This is, at present, little more than a setting and grand plot. Yet, I am curious as to whether it sparks interest here or if it really has potential.
This is a world in which the people are guided by a pantheon of gods. Human, Elf, and Dwarf alike dwell in the good graces of their respective deities. Over all of the Pantheon reigns the "Lord of the Pantheon". This god has decided that the people have earned an age of peace and prosperity. Thus, at his command, the limited numbers of those blessed with the powers of adventurers were increased until a full 60% of the people were so strengthened.
With such overwhelming numbers bearing the blessings of the pantheon, it was a simple matter for the people to sweep the world clean of all opposition. It was a short war indeed. The populations of all other races have been driven from sight, often into the deepest of the world's dark places or to total extinction. Yet, these too have their faith and a god to look to. And now, in these desperate times, their prayers have been heard.
After uncounted ages of slumber the first god of the world, the Patriarch, has awakened at last to the wails of his diminished and suffering creations.
In the beginning, the first god of the world had believed that life had no need for higher intelligence. Greater harmony and balance could be maintained without such a rebellious influence. His deity offspring rejected this decision and secretly wrought their own creations, arrogantly crafting them as parodies of what they saw as their father's flaws.
In the nature of the Dwarves, they created a depiction of the Patriarch's stubbornness and resistance to new ideas.
In the grace of the Elves, they crafted a reflection of his pride and talent for provoking envy in others.
In the limitations of the Humans, they forged a portrayal of his short-sightedness and desperate greed for power and authority.
The Patriarch was enraged when he discovered these creations, not only because of the insults that they represented but because his children had made champions from them. Imbuing selected individuals with their blessings, the younger gods had made adventurers and let them loose to slaughter the Patriarch's creatures without any regard for the harmony of the world. But, his wrath was not enough to deter them.
The younger gods banded together with the strongest of their champions and drew the Patriarch down to the world before doing battle. Concerned about the damage that the battle could cause, the Patriarch held back the full might of his power and was defeated. Poisoned and grievously wounded, he fell into the deepest of the world's dark places. Once there he slipped into a deep sleep from which, it was thought, he would never awaken.
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You were born in the darkness of a vast cavern system beneath the world's tallest mountains. Here, the magic that creeps out from the core of the world is strong and grows into crystals where its mother ore comes close to touching the air. Surrounded by this pulsing power and engulfed by the needs of a savage and desperate survival, you have evolved. No longer are you simple creatures with only fang and claw to aid you. Now, magical powers and physical abnormalities enhance you and your kin. But, these are still nothing compared to the powers of the adventurers who dwell above and hunt the upper levels of the caverns, ever seeking more of your kind to kill.
The Patriarch has awakened in the deep.
He has heard the piteous cries of your dying ancestors and kin.
The world is about to change.
Through the darkness drifted a soft voice, warming even the coldest stones.
"My poor creatures. Your perfect world has been stolen from you. The harmony has been rent asunder. Even my love for you was turned to aid the usurpers. I thought that I could protect you. But, now I must place the burden on your tiny and limited strengths. To you, those with the greatest potential, I grant that intellect that has made the adventurers so destructive. I furthermore grant that your powers shall increase and become more diverse with your intent."
"You shall bear the burden of breaking the momentum of the usurpers and their champions. You must be the tip of the spear that I shall thrust into their foolish pantheon. But, know that you will not be alone. When your eyes first gaze upon the light of the sun, moon, or stars I will give you further guidance and also choose another of your kind to follow in your tracks that the burden might not be too much to bear for you."
These words were the first thing you fully understood. You know yourself now and you know your purpose. Your wounded god has called for your aid and given you unprecedented gifts. What will you do now? Will you seek out the others, hidden among the many and varied species that exist savagely in the dark? Will you desperately lunge toward the surface in search of your destiny? Will you seek a way to go still deeper toward the depths where the Patriarch lies and the source of all magic in the world?
For the first time, the choice is yours. Choose with wisdom and cunning for your foes are numerous, entrenched, and strong.
This is a world in which the people are guided by a pantheon of gods. Human, Elf, and Dwarf alike dwell in the good graces of their respective deities. Over all of the Pantheon reigns the "Lord of the Pantheon". This god has decided that the people have earned an age of peace and prosperity. Thus, at his command, the limited numbers of those blessed with the powers of adventurers were increased until a full 60% of the people were so strengthened.
With such overwhelming numbers bearing the blessings of the pantheon, it was a simple matter for the people to sweep the world clean of all opposition. It was a short war indeed. The populations of all other races have been driven from sight, often into the deepest of the world's dark places or to total extinction. Yet, these too have their faith and a god to look to. And now, in these desperate times, their prayers have been heard.
After uncounted ages of slumber the first god of the world, the Patriarch, has awakened at last to the wails of his diminished and suffering creations.
In the beginning, the first god of the world had believed that life had no need for higher intelligence. Greater harmony and balance could be maintained without such a rebellious influence. His deity offspring rejected this decision and secretly wrought their own creations, arrogantly crafting them as parodies of what they saw as their father's flaws.
In the nature of the Dwarves, they created a depiction of the Patriarch's stubbornness and resistance to new ideas.
In the grace of the Elves, they crafted a reflection of his pride and talent for provoking envy in others.
In the limitations of the Humans, they forged a portrayal of his short-sightedness and desperate greed for power and authority.
The Patriarch was enraged when he discovered these creations, not only because of the insults that they represented but because his children had made champions from them. Imbuing selected individuals with their blessings, the younger gods had made adventurers and let them loose to slaughter the Patriarch's creatures without any regard for the harmony of the world. But, his wrath was not enough to deter them.
The younger gods banded together with the strongest of their champions and drew the Patriarch down to the world before doing battle. Concerned about the damage that the battle could cause, the Patriarch held back the full might of his power and was defeated. Poisoned and grievously wounded, he fell into the deepest of the world's dark places. Once there he slipped into a deep sleep from which, it was thought, he would never awaken.
------------------------------------------
You were born in the darkness of a vast cavern system beneath the world's tallest mountains. Here, the magic that creeps out from the core of the world is strong and grows into crystals where its mother ore comes close to touching the air. Surrounded by this pulsing power and engulfed by the needs of a savage and desperate survival, you have evolved. No longer are you simple creatures with only fang and claw to aid you. Now, magical powers and physical abnormalities enhance you and your kin. But, these are still nothing compared to the powers of the adventurers who dwell above and hunt the upper levels of the caverns, ever seeking more of your kind to kill.
The Patriarch has awakened in the deep.
He has heard the piteous cries of your dying ancestors and kin.
The world is about to change.
Through the darkness drifted a soft voice, warming even the coldest stones.
"My poor creatures. Your perfect world has been stolen from you. The harmony has been rent asunder. Even my love for you was turned to aid the usurpers. I thought that I could protect you. But, now I must place the burden on your tiny and limited strengths. To you, those with the greatest potential, I grant that intellect that has made the adventurers so destructive. I furthermore grant that your powers shall increase and become more diverse with your intent."
"You shall bear the burden of breaking the momentum of the usurpers and their champions. You must be the tip of the spear that I shall thrust into their foolish pantheon. But, know that you will not be alone. When your eyes first gaze upon the light of the sun, moon, or stars I will give you further guidance and also choose another of your kind to follow in your tracks that the burden might not be too much to bear for you."
These words were the first thing you fully understood. You know yourself now and you know your purpose. Your wounded god has called for your aid and given you unprecedented gifts. What will you do now? Will you seek out the others, hidden among the many and varied species that exist savagely in the dark? Will you desperately lunge toward the surface in search of your destiny? Will you seek a way to go still deeper toward the depths where the Patriarch lies and the source of all magic in the world?
For the first time, the choice is yours. Choose with wisdom and cunning for your foes are numerous, entrenched, and strong.
