God (AOS)

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A god is any one of the countless beings, composed entirely of essence, who were created by the Primordials to tend to the running of Creation. They are potentially infinite in number, representing, serving, embodying or ruling anything from a city to a household chore to abstract concepts. Most gods have very little power, and may be summoned, commanded or banished by Exalts or even mortals, provided they know the correct rituals. Some gods have important tasks given to them by the primordials or greater gods who created them, or have otherwise drawn essence from the worship and recognition of humans and grown powerful over the millennia. Such great gods are beholden to none but the mightiest beings.

Every god is unique, though many fulfil similar roles and therefore may have similar forms and powers. As a natural part of Creation, and since their duties require them to interact with the world and sometimes mortals, gods normally have simple forms; many are anthropomorphic animals or plants, for example. The more powerful gods often have humanoid forms. Gods are naturally intangible to mortals and material objects, though many know the Charm Materialize which allows them to manifest a physical body. Every god knows at least one or two charms which allow it to carry out its duty.

The mightiest gods are the Celestial Incarna: the Unconquered Sun, Luna and the Five Maidens. These gods led the war against the primordials and created the Celestial Exalted, and now spend their time playing the Games of Divinity in Yu-Shan, the home of the gods. It is from Yu-Shan that the Celestial Bureaucracy is run, which, with the aid of the Sidereal Exalted, ostensibly oversees the functions of all the gods and ensures the smooth running of Creation. With the neglect of the Incarna, however, many gods have become corrupt and do not fulfil their duties, contributing to the suffering of the Age of Sorrows. Some gods seem to have little connection to the bureacracy in the first place, and operate entirely in the interests of themselves or their followers.

Some gods are able to mate with mortals, and the offspring of such unions are the God-Blooded.