The Higher Gods
There are Eight major Higher Gods, and some lesser gods therein.
Mythology & Lore
Long before the mortal races knew the names of gods, before the worlds of the multiverse took shape, the cosmos was a vast expanse of chaotic forces, untamed and wild. Among these forces rose eight deities, destined to become the Higher Gods of the Prime Pantheon. Their rise to power marked the beginning of order, wisdom, and justice, as they sought to bring balance to the chaos of the universe.
The Birth of Order: Bahamut’s Rise
In the heart of the chaotic void, Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon, emerged as a being of pure law and justice. He surveyed the chaos and saw the need for order, and with a roar that echoed through the stars, he declared that balance must be brought to the cosmos. His vision was noble but vast, and he knew that alone, he could not tame the wild forces of creation.
Bahamut’s first act was to seek out allies who shared his desire for order and righteousness. His celestial wings carried him across the endless void until he found those whose power and purpose could aid in the shaping of a new cosmos.
Selûne and the First Light
As Bahamut soared through the darkness, his light reflected upon a silvery form—Selûne, goddess of the Moon and Love. She was born of the first light that shone in the dark, the silver radiance that brought peace to the night. Selûne danced among the stars, illuminating paths that were once lost in the shadows.
Drawn to Bahamut’s quest for order, Selûne joined him, offering her light to guide the way. Though she was gentle and compassionate, she understood the need for balance between light and dark. Together, they wove the first threads of harmony into the universe, with Bahamut establishing law and Selûne guiding its paths.
Yet, as the cosmos began to take shape, they realized the importance of knowledge, for without wisdom, law and love would falter.
Ioun: The Keeper of Wisdom
It was then that they encountered Ioun, the Goddess of Knowledge, seated upon a floating library that drifted through the chaos. She had always been there, a silent observer of the nascent universe, collecting the mysteries of creation. Her vast intellect and pursuit of understanding made her a perfect ally for Bahamut’s grand vision.
“I shall teach mortals the value of knowledge,” Ioun said, “for without wisdom, law cannot be just, and love cannot endure.”
With Ioun’s insight, Bahamut’s order grew stronger, and the fabric of reality began to settle. But as they worked to bring peace and wisdom, they knew that conflict would always be a part of existence.
Tempus: The Balance of War and Peace
From the roiling storms of chaos stepped Tempus, the God of War. Unlike the others, Tempus believed that strife and conflict were necessary for growth and strength. He did not oppose Bahamut’s order, but he saw that without conflict, the universe would stagnate.
“Even in peace, there is strength,” Tempus proclaimed. “Without challenge, without the crucible of war, how can one’s will be forged?”
Bahamut, though reluctant to accept conflict, saw the wisdom in Tempus’ words. Together, they created the laws of war, ensuring that it would serve not as a force of destruction but as a crucible for honor and growth.
Yet Tempus' violent nature brought discomfort, and to temper his fires, another would need to harness the creative flame.
Hephaestus: The Divine Craftsman
From the heart of a great forge emerged Hephaestus, the God of the Forge and Craft. His hands were calloused from molding the very elements of the universe, and his breath was the flame that lit the forges of the gods. Hephaestus saw the growing cosmos and knew that it would need the gifts of invention and craftsmanship to sustain itself.
“I will forge for you the tools of creation,” Hephaestus declared, “for through craft and ingenuity, the universe will grow strong.”
Hephaestus forged the weapons and tools of the gods, shaping reality itself with his hammer. The strength of his craft tempered even the fires of war, and he found a kinship with Tempus, for both understood the power of creation through strife.
The Raven Queen: Guardian of Death and Grief
But with creation came inevitable death, and the souls of the fallen wandered aimlessly in the cosmos, lost and without purpose. From the shadowed realm between life and death came The Raven Queen, the Goddess of Death and Grief. Her realm was one of twilight, where the dead found rest, and their memories were preserved.
“The cycle of life must be maintained,” she whispered, her voice a gentle wind. “All things must end, so new beginnings may arise.”
The Raven Queen’s dominion over death ensured that the souls of mortals would be guided to their final rest, and her presence in the Prime Pantheon brought balance to the forces of life and death.
Paladine: The Shield of Justice
As the gods shaped the universe, there was one who stood watch, guarding their creation. Paladine, the God of Knights and Law, took up his mantle as the protector of justice. Where Bahamut brought law, Paladine brought the will to defend it. He was a shield for the innocent, a protector of all that was good and righteous.
“I shall be the sword and shield of the righteous,” Paladine declared. “Where there is injustice, I will stand as a beacon of hope.”
Paladine’s sense of duty and honor made him a steadfast ally of Bahamut, and the two became the twin pillars of law and justice, ensuring that the universe would be protected from chaos and corruption.
Eldath: The Silent Peacemaker
Amidst the strength, wisdom, and justice of the Higher Gods, there was a need for peace and tranquility. From the quiet places of nature emerged Eldath, the Goddess of Peace and Nature. Her presence was calming, and her voice, though seldom heard, carried the weight of serenity.
“Without peace, there can be no rest,” she said softly. “I will bring stillness to the storms of life, for only in peace can the soul find its true purpose.”
Eldath’s peaceful nature balanced the warlike tendencies of Tempus and the crafting fervor of Hephaestus. She taught the gods that, even in creation and conflict, there must always be moments of rest and reflection.
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