Divinities
Type: Divine
Divinities are a category of beings that includes both gods and their servitors, which are most popularly known as angels. In truth, both these kinds of entities belong to the same metaphysical species. While the word “god” is synonymous with tremendous power, that’s only actually true for the most prominent of divinities. There are multitudes of lesser deities most people are simply unaware of.
- Abilities: A divinity’s power is based around their portfolio; a metaphysical concept relevant to the divinity. A more powerful divinity might have a broad portfolio, such as “storms” or “war,” whereas a minor divinity will have something more limited and idiosyncratic; a specific river, for example, or a certain genre of music. The divinity has command over things associated with their portfolio, and grows stronger the more influential that portfolio becomes. They are empowered by direct prayer and sacrifices as well. Divinities will typically have a domain; a magical refuge that serves as their dwelling place. This domain is an extradimensional space, but will be connected to a physical place, such as a temple or a cave. While within their domain, the divinity has much more power; able to shape the extradimensional space and its contents to their whims. Outside their domain, however, a divinity is much more limited. If they wish to interact with the mortal realm, they must manifest a mortal body, which takes quite a bit of power, and has all the weaknesses of an ordinary mortal. Divinities themselves are true immortals, however; they cannot be completely destroyed unless their portfolio is not only wiped from physical existence but also completely forgotten. Divinities can be weakened into powerlessness, or bound.
- Origin: The first divinities appeared as reality was formed, their wills helping shape it. As time went on, and the world solidified, more and more divinities emerged to account for every nuance. While divinities can breed in the manner of mortals, if they choose, they can also create offspring directly, with no assistance from any other beings. Or they may simply emerge spontaneously to fill a freshly-created portfolio. Ascension into a divinity from another species is extremely rare, but has been known to happen if the individual was essentially a portfolio unto themself.
- Varieties: The powers, personalities, and appearances of divinities are as varied as their portfolios. Greater divinities — true gods — are rare, and becoming increasingly so in the modern era. Some divinities are servitors to other, more powerful divinities, essentially serving as extensions of their master’s portfolio. Angels are the divine servitors people are most familiar with, but there are countless other varieties who serve as courtesans, enforcers, and attendants to prominent deities.
- Personality: A divinity’s personality is linked to their portfolio. After all, the divinity is a living expression of it. Because of this, they will often have mannerisms like those of the local mortal culture - or an appropriate subculture. As their portfolio changes through time, the divinity may change as well. Overall, divinities tend to have little comprehension of mortals and what their struggles mean to them, and can come off as callous.
- Visibility: Secret. While many mortals are religious, the gods themselves aren’t generally acknowledged as real.
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