The Gods, in General

Just as there were numerous - even countless - deities before the Rending, so did numerous new gods arise after the Council. Most, either through prior association or coercive conversion, acquired followers swiftly. After the usual wars that arise during such times of upheaval, the new gods and their followers found lands to claim as their own. Though these settlements were at first largely centers of worship, most took on a more secular nature as time went by. The gods became more distant, and the people began to govern themselves. Villages became towns, and towns cities; and as realms of influence expanded, nations and states were known once more.

As society re-evolved, so did the world itself. What had once been continents were now myriad islands. Déchiré's tectonic plates continued their motion as always, however, and the islands gradually drifted further and further apart. As the centuries passed and the seas widened, many forgot that there had ever been lands other than their own - and, without the Pre-Rending technologies that might have allowed the islands to keep in contact - or, indeed, to even prove their existance - those that not could be seen or sailed to became nothing more than myth. As such, each island tended to develop without the influence of others. What it became instead depended on the gods that had settled there, and the devout who followed.

Each island has its own Pantheon, comprised of those having attained the most power during the Council. Many of these Pantheons maintain courteous, even friendly relations among the members in hopes of avoiding further holy wars. Certainly, this was helped by the tendancy for gods of agreeable persuasions to seek settlements near one another - though this is, of course, not always the case, and there are regions where religious squabbles continue to erupt from time to time. It is rare for residents of one island to worship the Pantheon of another - or even to be aware of their existance - though when it does occur, it is similarly rare for the resident's Pantheon to object; at least as a whole. Some are more possessive than others and prefer not to be abandoned by their children - however, the gods of Déchiré are not dependent on their worshippers to survive. They will exist, and continue to exist, whether the temple-fires burn or not.

There are as well those who choose not to worship. Some believe the current Pantheons to be false gods, usurping power not rightfully theirs, while others question whether the new gods exist at all. In some areas, there are even remnants of the cult of Getu; followers not devout enough to be taken in the Rending who await and pray for Getu's eventual return.

On Demi-Gods

Demi-gods, themselves beings of great power, are known to exist in numerous forms; however, as their worship is almost always a case of localized devotion, they are not able to exert their influence upon the world to the same extent that the Pantheons are. Attempts to make a comprehensive list of demi-powers have not been altogether successful in any region, due both to the difficulties in pinning down such centralized religions, and their propensities for dying out.

Other Deities and Powers

While it is thought that, due to the departure of Getu, the world of Déchiré no longer has beings such as angels or devils, this is simply untrue. Many angels fell from his grace and were left behind, and certainly, no beings of darkness were invited to the promised land - however, without the theology that explained the particulars of their existance, most have simply come to be thought of as belonging to the mist-chidren.

At times, the strange natures of the old gods manifest in a physical fashion in those who have assumed their powers; and often result in beings that share the appearances of angels, demons, and fae. Wings, a common theme in many belief systems, are found from time to time; feather pinions, or those of gossamer may well grace a creature of light, while those of leather or webbing may brand one of darkness. Horns, too, are present; those of the stag or cow are, again, oft associated with nature's purity; those of the goat, with destruction. Many animal hybrids are thought to be of evil descent; this is a gross misconception - while there are some races that do fit this description; the grand majority are either neutral, or friendy to humans. Nature spirits, simialarly, may be of any alignment; guardian spirits are not only widely accepted as fact, but offered gifts and sacrifices in order to gain their protection and guidance.

As knowledge that was once kept closely guarded by the highest mages begins to spread past its borders, so, too, do processes that could once only be dreamed of become reality. One of these is magical travel - not only through Déchiré itself, but to the worlds beyond it. As the highway of ley lines expands, passage is not only granted out, but in as well. A result of this opening to other worlds and their travellers is that other peoples, their technologies, and their customs begin to creep into Déchiré, just as Déchiré must begin to infiltrate them. Included in these are foreign gods - already, a strange sect known as the 'Cult of Mongo' has begun to spring up in the common-rooms of many a tavern or inn; beings of power have shared their knowledge and abilities with those who might never have known such favour otherwise. Who knows what wonders may be in store - or what horrors?

Asunder - The World of Déchiré