Ilmer's musings

Over one hundred years ago the settlements were just that, settlements of the great kingdoms of the Old World, kingdoms where humans, dwarves and even the no-longer-seen elves were said to live in harmony. They were watched over by the pantheon of the gods, Seranrae god of the sun and his rivalrous sons Imodae and Gorum, gods of valor and strength, were the ones most frequently worshipped by humans. Each of the other races had their patron god or goddess, such as Torag of the dwarves. Each god had his or her place in the Order of the Heavens - Nethys was keeper of knowledge and great magics, Gozreh the protector of the wilds, Desna protector of travellers in life, and the Grim Reaper, guide for travellers in death. Even the evil and chaotic gods had their place in the balance, although few were worshipped openly.

Something happened and the Old World was destroyed. At the same time the Gods fell silent. Even their most powerful clerics could not communicate with them. Somehow divine magic continued to flow to devotees of the gods, though, at least the weaker spells. This implies that the gods are still there, but cannot or will not communicate with us. Perhaps it is in punishment for something that the mortals of the Old World did. Perhaps the Gods have just chosen to take one step further from direct action in this world - just as they left the world for the heavens after the great wars of the gods. But if it were just a decision to pull away, one of them would surely have cheated, perhaps Calistria, goddess of thieves and tricksters would have snuck us a message just to nettle Sarenrae.

How few now are the devotees of even the great gods. Perhaps their silence is a test of our dedication and faith. If so, the peoples of the settlements are in danger of failing this test. Why are we not even searching for them any longer? What secrets are still hidden in the ruins of the Old World? Perhaps the gods are waiting for us to find those secrets before they can return. Perhaps that is part of the test. Or perhaps the gods did not escape the cataclysm that took the old world peoples, and we must find a way to save or release them (although how, if they could not free themselves, us fumbling mortals might save them is beyond my understanding).

It is surprising how little we now know of the gods. We all know tales of Imodae and Gorum's battles with each other and with the gods of evil and their warped creations, but now these are only tales for children, or to pass the time on a dull evening. Considering what we currently know, it's clear that we've even completely forgotten some. In particular, why is there no human god of artists and craftsmen? Lillith is one of these forgotten goddesses, and I am both elated and humbled by my mission to bring word of her to the caftsmen of the Settlements, who should know of the blessings and protection Lillith brings to them even now, despite her silence.