Mythology
Foreword
Greetings fellow theologian!
If you are reading my tome you must be interested in the history of the pantheon of gods as we know them today. As a devout follower of Solos, I felt it was my duty to research and scribe the legend as neutrally and objectively as I possibly could. I spoke therefore to many clerics from all the major temples to construct what is certain to be the most accurate telling to date.
If you wish to discuss the finer points of this work, you can make an appointment to see me at the Temple of Solos in Brighter, Kestiobar.
The games of the gods
The gods have powers beyond any mortal, such that anything they wished for they had. On the Celestial Plane death could not find them, so they had endless time before them. To pass away the infinite hours, The gods played games.
They played games with dice and with cards; with boards and pieces; and counters and chips. They played games so complicated the rules had to be bound in to thick tomes, and so sprawling playing could take years. And, after they had played every game, they played variations on the same games. Again and again until they became bored.
It was then that Caspio had an idea for a new game.
Caspio gathered seven other gods and said to them, "I have an idea for a new game. A game where there are real stakes and drama. A game where good and evil battle. A game of stories and adventures. A game that could last forever."
And so the gods debated the idea in great detail. When they were finally done, each of the gods wanted to make the game their own.
Solina said, "I shall craft the game's pieces." And so she crafted the most life-like game pieces. All manner of creature and so realistic that they had wills of their own.
Gaia said, "I shall craft the game's board." And so she crafted the most exquisite game board. It had deserts, and lush forests, and towering mountains, and wide oceans.
Solos said, "I shall craft the game's dice." And so they crafted the fairest dice. Dice so perfect that they will never be biased.
Halganon said, "A good game needs to challenge the players." And so he crafted a deck of cards. On the cards he put many terrible things, to challenge the wit and wisdom of the players.
Marlon said, "I shall fill the game with rewards." And so he also crafted a deck of cards. On the cards he put many wonderful things, to reward the best players.
Xor said, "I shall write the game's rules." And so he wrote the most complicated rules. Rules so complex they filled a hundred tomes. So flexible that all manner of invention and strategy was possible.
Kalis thought for a while and then said, "No game can last forever. What the game needs is an ending fit for it. So I will help by playing for the endgame."
With all the pieces together, the game sprung to life. And the eight began to take their turns.
Caspio's Game
So each of the gods put their clerics on the board and instructed them to spread their word, and convert them followers and build shrines and temples to worship them. For that is how the game is played.
But Caspio was so in love with the game, he wanted to walk among it herself. Thus Caspio created many avatars. He was a beautiful man, with chiselled jaw and roguish smirk. She was a handsome woman, with long flowing hair and emerald eyes.
And so Caspio walked the board in these forms making stories. To meet Caspio was to be whisked away on adventures, and the adventures were those of legend. The following of Caspio grew greater as the tales grew taller.
This continued until one day Caspio said, "The game is better than being a god."
And Caspio never returned to the Celestial Plane.
There are many who dream of encountering Caspio at a lonely crossroads, and being taken from their dull life to a life of adventure and excitement.
Xor's Strategy
Xor looked at his followers and was displeased. They were weak and stupid.
So Xor appeared before one of his clerics and said, "I wrote the rules of the world. When you understand the rules you can build tools to ease your hardships. And this power is called 'invention'."
"Will you teach us this power?" Replied the cleric.
"Yes." Said Xor. And so he did.
Then Xor appeared before another of his clerics and said, "I wrote the rules of the world. When you understand the rules you can build tools to make you strong. And this power is called 'invention'."
"Will you teach us this power?" Replied the cleric.
"No." Said Xor. "Another tribe has the secret of invention and if you want it, you must fight them and take it as your prize."
And so the two tribes fought and many died on both sides. The secret of invention was taken and the tribes hated of each other grew deep. They both used invention and made better weapons and made war against each other. And this continued until there was only one tribe left.
Xor looked at his remaining followers. The were strong and they were smart. Xor was pleased.
Solina and Kalis' Argument
In this tale, Solina and Kalis came in to disagreement.
"I don't understand why you made that move." Solina said. "It has spent from the game as many of my followers as it did yours."
"I'm playing the way I want to play." replied Kalis.
Solina was angry because she loved all the game's pieces, even those that followed others. She had crafted them and wanted them to go on forever. Kalis was angry because playing for the end of the game was his contribution. So they asked Solos to adjudicate the matter.
Solos read Xor's rules from beginning to end, twice, and then sat in thought for a while. He then declared: "My rulings are: Firstly, there are several ways to end the game and it is legal to play for them. Secondly, There is no rule that states the game must end."
"Very well!" Solina cried. "I shall instruct my followers to fight you, at all costs! I shall tell them you wish to end the game and that they can prevent it! My goal now shall be to stop you."
"So be it!" Kalis roared in response. "I shall instruct my followers to bring spent pieces back in to play! They shall be cruel mockeries of your creations, and they shall have no will."
And those were the last words Solina and Kalis ever spoke to each other.
Halganon's Loss
As the game wore on, Halganon became sleepy. As his turns started to take longer, so the winters grew longer also. Gaia became impatient.
"First you cover my beautiful board in snow and ash. Now you are not even polite enough to finish your turn in good order!" She cried.
Vastra had not been invited to the game, but she watched it with great interest, and desired a seat at the table. She hatched her plan. "Halganon, I have been watching you play and should like to give it a try. Nominate me as your proxy and I can play for a little while and you get a good long rest."
Halganon was tired so he grunted in agreement and left for a good long rest.
Vastra worked quickly. She had been watching the game and seen it was full of creatures with greed in their hearts. So Vastra began to turn Halganon's followers by offering them their desires.
Vastra's new clerics said to her, "You have promised us our heart's desires, how shall we receive them?"
Vastra looked at her cards and they were weak. She looked at the other's cards and they were strong. So she said, "I command you take what you want from others. The world is a treasure trove, so take your fill."
And so, Vastra's followers became rich and powerful. And when Halganon finally returned, he had no temples left and no seat at the table.
But even now, every time Halganon wakes, the world is once again covered in snow until Gaia chases him away.