The Divine and the mythological

Deities and mythological beings

Religion/Pantheons

We allow player creativity when it comes to gods. Deities are considered a more advanced character to create as it would rely on the member to do the research regarding that deities mythology. We allow the creative licence of powers and some of their back story, but ask the gods resemble their actual mythological counter parts. If in doubt, ask.

As per the character rules, original deities and demi deities are not allowed. The only exception is if a player who plays a God creates a wanted advert for a child of their character who is a demi god.

Every religion is equally valid. No singular religion is right or wrong. They all exist, separated into realms controlled through their pantheon. Some believe that if a human believes in something, it is brought into creation.

For aeons the ancient pantheons ruled the most space in the heavenly realms. Slowly, their power lessened, their belief faded and in turn their power faded, and many vanished from existence. Some however, managed to take on other forms, or other names to maintain their power but with each passing age, gods vanished, new gods came.

THE FADE

As the Abrahamic religions spread across the mortal realm, Gods from other Pantheons found that belief dwindled in them, and they slowly began to fade from existence.

In the late 1700s, some Gods found themselves appearing again, awake for the first time in aeons. Their realms came back into existence slowly but surely, and more witches and gifted humans took them as Patrons to their gifts.

Now, with social media, fandoms, movies, books and pagan subculture, many of the old gods are being worshipped once more, back to their full power… and their old rivalries.

Some Gods have been back for a few centuries, others are only returning in the last few decades. A very select few (personifications, mostly) never faded at all. How and when they returned is up to you.

The Legendary

The Legendary Characters

We welcome creative freedom when it comes to mythological figures! If you want to bring characters like Spartacus into the fold, perhaps with a twist—maybe he’s been cursed or turned into a vampire—we're all for it. Or perhaps you want Achilles resurrected by a witch obsessed with The Song of Achilles—that's allowed too. The possibilities are open for mythological characters from various legends.

Mythological Creatures

While we allow creativity with mythological characters, we do not permit the creation of entirely new species or creatures like mermaids, unicorns, or sphinxes. These are not playable species. However, we do allow certain mythological creatures that are part of established pantheons. For example,Cerberus from Greek mythology, the Rakshasas from Hindu mythology, or Tengu from Japanese myth, as they are recognised within their respective traditions.

If you’re ever unsure about a character or creature, feel free to ask for clarification before proceeding.

Reincarnated

Want a historical character of legend reincarnated. Absolutely.

What isn't allowed

Due to all pantheons existing, deity world creation myths are left somewhat dubious. The big bang happened. Let's just say no one knows how, and a lot of gods tried to take credit.

The Gods are old. Very old and that needs to be taken into consideration with their personality. They all have duties. While some may walk the earth and give the illusion of owning a book store, or a flower shop, they have busy duties and can't be on earth all the time. As such, it does not fit into the lore that Hermes would work as a postman, nor would Zeus spend all his time as a sex worker (even if he would like it).

Delving more into the above, the gods are likely not going to be the most active character in your arsenal. Yes, they can interact with mortals and creatures, but they have their duties. They are busy. Expecting the God of say--death to go to the cinema, spend a weekend away, dine out--isn't going to happen. They are part of but also apart of the mortal world. Do take this into consideration when creating them.

Divine and Mythological App Guide

Please, please, understand that deities and mythological beings must align with their original mythological counterparts.

Things to Consider When Creating a Divine or Mythological Character

When creating a deity or mythological being in Bloody Echoes, it is crucial to balance creative freedom with respect for established lore. Your character should resemble their mythological counterpart while allowing for some creative adjustments. This ensures that your character fits seamlessly into the world of Bloody Echoes.

Research and Accuracy

We encourage thorough research into the mythology surrounding your character. Understanding the deity’s historical context, personality, powers, and duties will provide a solid foundation for your character. While some creative liberties are allowed, your deity should still be recognisable to those familiar with their mythology.

Application Tip: Include detailed references to the deity’s original mythology in your bio. Explain how they have adapted or changed since their mythological era, especially if they’ve taken on new forms or roles in the modern world.

The Fade and Worship

IMPORTANT: In the Bloody Echoes universe, all ancient gods faded from existence unless they had strong, continuous worship. It is essential to include this in your character's bio. If your deity managed to avoid the Fade, this should be clearly explained through the presence of active worship. If your deity did fade, detail how and when they re-emerged, if they have.

Application Tip: When writing your character’s backstory, clearly outline their experience with the Fade. If they faded due to lack of worship, explain what caused their return. If they remained active, describe how continuous belief in them was maintained. It’s crucial that this aspect is well-defined in your bio.

Duties and Responsibilities

Deities have vast and ancient responsibilities. While they may occasionally appear on Earth, they do not roam around and live as humans full-time. Their duties as gods take precedence over any mortal activities. For example, while your deity might have moments on Earth, they won’t hold a ‘job’ in the traditional sense—being a god is their full-time duty.

For example, Hephaestus, the god of creativity and the forge, was cast out of Olympus and, although he did return, he prefers the company of humans. He has set up his godly forge on Earth, masquerading as a blacksmith. He spends his time helping his human followers and worshippers, working at the forge, and travelling through the aether to answer prayers.

Application Tip: Ensure your character’s role reflects their divine duties. While they might take on a temporary mortal guise (e.g., Hephaestus as a blacksmith), they should not be too deeply entrenched in the mortal world. Their primary focus should remain on their godly responsibilities, with Earthly interactions being secondary.

Mythological Beings and Reincarnated Legends

Bloody Echoes also allows for the inclusion of mythological beings and legendary figures, though with some limitations. These characters should have a clear and compelling reason for their presence in the modern world.

Creative Adaptations

We encourage creativity when bringing mythological figures into the Bloody Echoes setting. Perhaps a legendary warrior was cursed with immortality, or a famous hero has been resurrected through mystical means. However, note that certain species, such as mermaids or unicorns, are not permitted.

Application Tip: When adapting a mythological figure, clearly explain their current status. Have they been cursed, resurrected, or otherwise preserved through time? What impact does their mythological past have on their present existence?

Reincarnation of Historical Legends

If you wish to create a character based on a historical legend, reincarnation is an excellent avenue to explore. This allows the character to exist in the modern world while retaining connections to their legendary past.

Application Tip: When crafting a reincarnated character, consider how their past life influences their current one. What memories or traits have they retained? How do they reconcile their legendary identity with their modern existence?

Application Tips for Divine and Mythological Characters

When writing your character’s biography, consider the following:

• Mythological Accuracy: How closely does your character align with their original mythology? What creative liberties have you taken, and how do they enhance the character?
• The Fade and Worship: Did your deity experience the Fade? If so, how did they re-emerge? If not, how did they manage to stay active through continuous worship? This aspect is crucial to your character's backstory. It would be very rare for an ancient deity to survive the fade unless they were a personification. By active worship, we mean continued belief of hundreds upon hundreds of people. Most ancient deities did fade.
• Duties and Responsibilities: What are your deity’s primary duties, and how do these shape their actions? How do they balance these with any interactions in the mortal world? Remember, their divine duties should be their priority.
• Adaptation to the Modern World: How has your character adapted to modern times, especially if they’ve been absent for centuries?
• Role in the Bloody Echoes Universe: How does your character fit into the existing world? Are they involved with other supernatural beings, or do they operate independently?