The Book of Gods | + | Modern Myths | + | Encyclopedia |
Since the beginning of humanity, and perhaps before that — argument remains at large on the matter — where there have been myths, there has been the reality behind the curtain. For every deity called upon by the pious worshipers of ancient times and those who curse the heavens for the misfortunes, there is a god or goddess hearing their impassioned pleas.
In theory, anyway. Today some of them might rather send 'em to voicemail, if they could.
At one time, the powerful wars waged between gods became the stuff of myth. Humans lived in a world where today's "myth" was their reality; they knew the crashing lightning and thunder belonged to Zeus, and a man may briefly lay eyes upon Isis and know the honour he was bestowed. They knew that monsters existed and wrote down their stories to warn their sons, daughters, grandchildren.
Over time, however, the battles and dramas of the gods disappeared behind the curtain more and more as humanity grew in size and pride and the wars of the gods grew in destruction. The world was changing and with it, its gods; a deal was made across every continent and every pantheon that ensured they would still wield power and watch over the human world while their names solidified into the things of myth and religion from carvings of ancient frescoes the pages of holy books.
From Greek mythos to Incan gods and Babylonian monsters, a mystical truth still lurks around the corner and under the cover of secrecy, as well as right out in the open: figures straight from myth walk amongst humanity, watching it, guiding it, controlling it. Where once, kingly gods such as Zeus may have reigned supreme, lavish heavenly kingdoms have been replaced, in the modern age, with Fortune 500 offices or senatorial mansions.
While these powerful figures tend to exist behind closed doors, placed in positions of power or influence, their offspring are scattered throughout the world, amongst the humans. Half-god, half-human, these demigods may or may not know their true lineage, or their power: but half as powerful as a god is still far more powerful than a human, and eventually they'll find out — leading them to serve the purposes of their godly mother or father… if they follow the plan, that is. Some demigod children grow up with their powers without realizing, aided (or hindered) in their life by their innate abilities; others come into their powers when bestowed a gift from their godly parent. These Blessings come in the form of training or, often, a holy artifact that awakens their true powers.
The war waging amongst the gods is the age-old battle of Light versus Dark. Light and Dark gods exist within every pantheon. When a demigod comes to know their true self, they are unaligned and must choose a side. It is their parent's wish that they will choose the "right" side — theirs — but it is ultimately the demigod's choice. If one remains unaligned for too long, they will be taken into custody and placed in Limbo.
"All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise they would not be worshipped. Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom. Half gods are worshipped with wine and flowers. Real gods require blood."
— Zora Neale Hurtson