Types of Gods

Concept Gods

Also called Matan Gods, these are the Gods created by Meter Matan and his Chaplain with the express purpose to power towers, settlements, and gates. Matan Gods are man-made and often fit neatly into a category or concept that they are given purview (and sometimes control) over. Each Concept God is assigned a color/gem, which they respond to and care for. All heroes under that Concept God’s gem should be under their protection, and their key is typically cared for by that God. As it stands it seems there are 12 Concept Gods in Metrianda- though all 12 are reported to have been killed and eaten by Yevie Tenebris during his coup. Each Concept god also used to hold a court, where they appointed and governed manufactured gods who helped balance Metrianda- particularly with regards to magic. These appointed deities served commonly in place of a typical governmental leader in the Matan Kingdom.

Manufactured Gods

Very simply put, Manufactured God is a term used to describe any mortal (either the conditionally immortal summoned or completley mortal born individuals) individual who ascends to godhood. Typically this term is used specifically for people who ascend at the behest of or with the help of a concept god, but following the eradication of all concept gods by Yevie the term now refers (in the pejorative) to any god who ascended to godhood.

Natural Gods

Naturally occurring Gods are common in Metrianda, if enough people gather in one place and believe then a god will form from that belief. Typically this is seen specifically with cities- wherein each city has a god that rules over it, protects it, and cares for it- but it also happens with mountains, valleys, rivers, and even specific buildings and ruins. These gods, much like people, can have their own personalities and wants that often reflect the conditions they were born under, the people who created them, and the area they govern over. But again, much like people, they are subject to change and growth. One can pray to a Natural God when in that area to be granted minor boons and protections, particularly powerful Natural Gods may be able to grant permanent blessings and can take on and maintain paladins and religious orders.

Digital Gods

The three original gods of Escherin; Entropy, Everything, and Nothing. The Digital Gods are often mistaken to be technological in nature (which is not wholly untrue) but their name is meant to specifically reference the digits on a finger- the three knuckles. The nature of these three gods, what they did, how powerful they are, and what they looked like is almost fully forgotten as they were imprisoned by Meter Matan shortly after his arrival. They are believed to still be imprisoned in different temples hidden around Metrianda.

Tower Gods

The origins of these gods are unknown, as they seem similar to both Concept Gods, Summoned Gods, and Natural Gods- but what is known is that Robasarai (the goddess of Robasa) existed prior to Meter’s arrival, and the other 12 Tower Gods quickly began to exist after their towers were built. Each God is associated with a concept, a gem, and a flower, each also is referred to by their city name- typically followed by a single syllable note that corresponds to the 13 notes on the Escherinian octave. Tower Gods are extraordinarily powerful, some of the most powerful in all of Metrianda, and have large religious followings typically within their cities or at the base of their towers. Robasarai’s particular religion is the oldest documented organized religion in all of Metrianda and she is considered by many to be the goddess of Death.

Machine Gods

This term is specifically used in reference to the Gods who govern a Matan-Built ship. The Sun, The Moon, and The Stars are the only known Machine Gods in existence. They function similarly to Tower Gods though each must have a Vessel (or Captain) who they communicate with and through and each typically also become the concept gods to un-concepted notions. The Stars have come to represent Conviction, Judgement, and Foresight. The Sun represents Retribution, Anticipation, and Reckoning. The Moon represents Hope, Revolution, and Perseverance.

Summoned Gods

Like all living creatures, gods can also be summoned. Typically during this process these gods are stripped of some or all of their abilities for an extended period of time based around, supposedly, how dangerous Metrianda believes them to be. They regain these abilities when she feels they will use them appropriately- though she seems to be easily fooled. Despite this, some gods never regain their powers.