Peek: The Games Gods Play

Mortals know the gods are interested in them, though they can only guess as to why. Some believe the mortal world is a stage, with the gods as the audience, enjoying the unscripted play of life, cheering or booing as they see fit. Others say the gods are the highest of gossips, eagerly sharing scandals and trying to subtly influence mortal lives to produce something even juicier.

One of the more popular metaphors to explain their interest is that mortals are a game of chance and skill to the gods. And in any game, there are sides. The Great Mother has a great number of children, and so they naturally line themselves up on opposite sides of the great game. Theologians argue if there is any true animosity, or if it is the simple tension of a family; while others argue that the deepest hatred is reserved for those who share blood. Either way, there are gods who happily take the mantle of antagonist, when it suits their goals. Yonji, god of Dominion. Hesfia, goddess of Strife. Bin, god of Pride. The Whispered Trio.

When the Great Mother announced her interest in Fourdock and the new god Thedeim, most of her children simply nodded and continued with their own plans. A new deity can only accomplish so much, especially when it doesn't have a pantheon. The more informed of her children decided to subtly keep an eye on things, knowing the new divine presence has already made friends of the Shield and Order, with rumors of even the Raven being friendly to it. With the new god's domain of Change, keeping a good eye is only being smart.

But the Whispered Trio sees potential. Yonji sees a path to his own Dominion, unseating the Great Mother and taking her place as the head of the Pantheon. Hesfia knows just how much strife can come from reckless change. And Bin sees an opportunity to show how powerful he is and get the recognition he deserves.

The Trio are no fools, however. Thedeim has felled foes that should have been beyond him, time and again. A direct strike would surely fail. And even if it succeeds, change is what they all want. Removing change would only be a waste of an opportunity.

But being indirect... could just work. There is a being that tried to impose its Dominion on reality. A being that caused some of the greatest Strife in history. A being of such impressive Pride. But they must tread carefully. The older, experienced gods have dealt with that being, or so they think.

So they hope. If Order were to discover what they are up to, not even their mother could protect them. She would probably help hunt them down, in fact. And yet... how can they enact change without expecting a little risk?

If discovered, they'll simply say they are trying to deal with the Betrayer once and for all. It and Thedeim are both dungeons, after all. Where the gods couldn't obliterate it, perhaps he can.

Such a conflict would provide ample opportunity for the Whispered Trio. Thedeim's success or victory both would provide ample opportunity for Yonji's new Dominion to reign over the pantheon. The fight between two dungeons on that scale would be the kind of Strife to keep Hesfia happy for a millennia. And the reveal and removal of the threat, especially without having to truly lift a finger, would be the greatest feather Bin could hope to put in his cap.

And so the Whispered Trio start to set the board, preparing for the start of a new and dangerous game.

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Inspired by both William Anderson and Navar44, who wanted to see more of what the other gods think of Thedeim.