The Prime Deities

The Prime Deities are the benevolent pantheon of creators who shaped the mortal world and defended it during its darkest eras. Eons before recorded history, they arrived as formless entities at a world churning in primordial chaos. Seeing boundless potential, they tamed this disorder and breathed life into the first mortal races: the elves, the dwarves, the humans, and others.

The Gift of Magic and the Age of Arcanum

To aid their mortal children in surviving the tumultuous world, the young gods gifted them small slivers of their own divine essence. This act sparked the birth of magic, ushering in the legendary Age of Arcanum. During this golden era, mortals achieved unimaginable heights of magical innovation. However, this prosperity also bred immense arrogance, as certain mortals sought immortality, unchecked power, and even godhood.

The Calamity and the Great Schism

The escalating ambitions of mortals eventually sparked a global magical arms race. This devastating conflict, known as The Calamity, dragged both mortals and their creators onto the field of battle. Amidst the ruin, a permanent schism divided the pantheon:

  1. The Betrayer Gods: Those who wished to completely destroy or enslave mortals, believing them unfit for magic and free will.
  2. The Prime Deities: Those who stood in defense of their creations, holding onto the belief that their children could still find their way.

The Divine Gate

Faced with the catastrophic destruction wrought by their physical presence, the Prime Deities chose to make an ultimate sacrifice. They constructed the Divine Gate (symbolized in the night sky by a long line of stars across the horizon), a barrier that permanently sealed both themselves and the Betrayer Gods away from the Material Plane. This sorrowful farewell ensured the survival of the world, though it meant the Prime Deities could never physically return. Since that day, their divine influence can only be channeled through their most devout mortal worshipers.

Notable Deities of the Prime Pantheon

The Prime Deities are openly worshipped and viewed as beneficial, good, or neutral. Each is tied to classical symbols of fortune, often represented in ancient tarot decks: