The Competition of the Gods

The Competition of the Gods is one of the Foundation Tales, and it is the most important of them all. From it, there is the basis for all life, how the world is structured and the positions of the Gods. It is the most well-known and important of all the stories taught by the Chapel.

Summary

Not long after Ram’s arrival and defeat, he challenged his fellow gods to a set of competitions to see who was greatest among them. As we can see, Ram is still considered to be ambitious and chafing under the guidance of these two other gods (still a new concept to him). Ram suggested that four challenges be made up, one chosen by each of them and the fourth decided upon by all of them together. The first was a race, to see which was fastest. It was a challenge that Ram won, despite Floree’s wings, as he manifested his own eagle wings to overtake her at the last moment of the race. The second challenge was proposed by Floree – who could nurture a tree so that its grew strongest. In this, Ram was poorly suited and his tree grew only 100 feet. Mithani met with more success, as he commanded the very waters and soil to assist him – his tree grew to 250 feet. Finally, Floree’s careful encouragement of her tree, her compassion and care, her knowledge of the right soil and astute pruning saw her tree reach 400 feet. Floree’s tree still exists – it is known as the Origin Tree and it is based in Raman. A great deal of religious festivals and significance is based around its existence and it is sacred to all animals. The third challenge led to the creation of animals in the land. Mithani proposed a challenge to see who could mentor the greatest ruler. As they were the only beings in existence, besides base monsters, they all decided they should create animals in their own image. As such, Mithani took a scale off his body and a bit of his antler and planted it. Floree did the same with a feather of his dove wings and a bit of her wool from her head. Ram did the same with a shaving of his horns and a claw from his paws. They all breathed on these buried objects and from them came the first animals, which quickly spread out. Each group moved to a location on the continent, guided by their God. Ram mentored the animals in Raman. Floree mentored the animals in Akanowa and Mithani mentored the animals in Ardhi. (Forte at this time did not exist – it would only be formed by the First King and the land itself did not have a strong king for many years to challenge the other three realms.) As it was, Ram’s focus on war led to brutish and violent lands. Floree’s animals were unable to defend themselves from threats, such was their devotion to peace. However, Mithani’s animals knew both war and peace and overcame all the challenges thrown at them. In this way, Mithani won this challenge. The fourth and final challenge was simple – who could climb the highest peak in the whole realm – Mount Strega, based in western Ardhi. It was Mithani who showed the determination and resolve to conquer the peaks, despite his slower speed and he alone reached the top. There he built his home, watching over his chosen animals in Ardhi. From this moment, Mithani became the first among equals.

Spread

The tale is the most fundamental and important of all the founding tales - it is known to every animal in the realm either by written word or oral tradition. The Chapel regularly preaches on the topic and teaches the animals its stories and lessons.

Date of First Recording

c.367 BF

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