The Genesis of Erathia
About three years ago, I had this idea for a world abandoned by the gods for centuries, until a new set of deities arrive on the planet with their own creations. I think this concept came to be after thinking about the world of Orken, written by Marko, my former boss.
I loved the concept of a first contact story between two completely unknown species in a fantasy setting. So much so, that I decided to go with my own twist on it.
It made me wonder what life would be in a world where the gods everyone have ever known have been absent forever, and suddently, a new pantheon comes to claim this world. What kind of reaction would the inhabitants of Erathia - the planet - would resort to when faced with this unique situation ?
What would the rulers of the major factions do ? Would they stop their infighting to prevent an united front against the external threat ? Or would they turncoat on their world if they saw an opportunity to become the top dog through an alliance ?
What kind of religious crisis would erupt from such revelations ? How would the religious organisations justify such news ? What happens when you know for a fact that your gods have created you, and you suddenly see other gods with their creations, on your turf ? Do you still see your gods as all powerful ? What makes them gods if there are others like them in ... the universe ?
What does it mean that there is an universe of possibilities outside of your own world ?
Those are the questions that I used to start outlining this world. With the initial intention to make it a worldbuilding exercise, with religion at the core theme. As an avid roleplayer, I knew at some point I would want to expose my friends to this world and start campaigns in it.
I would lie by saying that it ended up being an easy task. I think the final version of the Aspects - the gods of Erathia - was written two or three months ago, and came to birth after a major change in the cosmogony of Erathia.
I still don't have all the answers to how this world works, and I know for a fact that most things will emerge during actual play.