Elder Gods

THE ELDER GODS

Long before there was civilization, men and women foundered and struggled in a world that was more vicious and brutal than they were. There were a few, however, that learned the rules of reality, and they began weaving their own rules of creation. They led their people far and wide, creating different tribes that spread throughout the globe.

Eventually, these individuals grew so powerful, they forgot what it was like to be human. One, The Predator, said to be the oldest, became something more than human or beast. The Predator became the ultimate predator, losing form and became a sentient concept. It embodies avatars of hunters, existing for no other plan than to continue the hunt.

Over several millennia, there have been many individuals that became Elder Gods. Pantheons of Great Heroes and Mighty Leaders have risen, and fallen into obscurity. For a while, it seemed that only The Predator, and the Emissary, would experience true immortality.

The Emissary was actually a council of elder tribesmen that bound themselves together in a vow of enlightenment. They traveled the world, seeking knowledge and wisdom. Eventually, they shed their bodies and passed into the realm of spirits. They are one and many, but their purpose is to act as diplomats and liaisons between the other Elder Gods.

Then, about ten thousand years ago, there was a shift in culture. The tribes started to build more permanent settlements. In this time, there was a man called Cain, who threw off the traditions of nomadic life and promoted the high technology of agriculture. His tribal brother, Able, did not wish to see his extended family separate, nor the wisdom of tradition abandoned. They fought, and Able was killed.

The other Elders of that time wished to punish Cain, but he fled, hiding among his followers. When the Elders showed no restraint and killed Cain’s followers, Cain used his powers to become part of his fallen people, giving them life once more. In the dead of night, he turned himself into liquid shadow and poured into the dead bodies of his farmers.

They started a guerilla war with the tribes, stealing children and raising them in towns, which grew into cities. With the power of farming, they controlled their fates through droughts and long winters. When the Elder Gods came, they welcomed them, but they let Cain’s kindred hide among them.

When the Elder Gods were comfortable with their victory, Cain’s kindred struck, killing many of the gods, hunting those that fled, and erasing all but the most powerful. One of these gods had learned to control the power of the sun. This one god still lives within the idea of the Sun’s rays, and seeks to burn out the shadow of Cain where ever he can reach.

Another Elder God, called Yaweh, sought to follow Cain’s path, but with an improvement. Instead of becoming one with the blood of the followers, Yaweh became one with the hearts of the people, becoming part of their faith. He became a concept that could be felt, not in a physical way, but in a spiritual way.

Cain and his people could hide in the darkness and had full nights to live their lives. In this way, they could avoid Ra and his bright rays of light. However, Yaweh could hide among the people, and he promised truth and justice and peace. Through him, the people could live forever, for he will remember all their memories and they will become part of him.

Cain was smart, though, and he used logic and deception to create argument among the followers of Yaweh. Yaweh’s people split into two groups, one path Jewish, the other path Islamic. Yaweh would have won the war if he were not distracted by this war with himself.

Thousands of years, this secret war continued, but Yaweh saw a solution to his problem. He focused his attention on two men, one of Islamic faith, and the other of Jewish faith. These two men, acting as one, would show that the two faiths can work together, and they would be the saviors of humanity, binding them in one faith, a fusion of the two halves.

Cain, however, was either smarter, or luckier. He discovered the plot, and he was able to kill one of the Yaweh brothers. Jesus traveled the world, but he was never able to find his other half. He returned to his birth place to mourn the failed plan. Under Yaweh’s direction, he became a martyr, giving himself to the cause. This did not work, as it created a third major faction. Over the centuries, Cain continued to splinter the mind of Yaweh as each faction splintered yet again into the various denominations of each religion.

Cain had found a home in South America, but Yaweh had created a world of high civilization and growing technology. He manipulated Columbus and found where Cain was hiding. Then he sent Cortez to destabilize the New World.

Today, both Yaweh and Cain fear the neopagan movement. It brings back the cultural belief in magic, and if this path is followed, centuries down the road, new gods will emerge.