On Gods, Spirits, and Ascension

Gods and Spirits

In Ivannos, Gods and Spirits refer to two separate types of entities.

• Gods are beings who were once mortal who Ascended by gathering enough power and followers. These Gods maintain a corporeal form and walk the land of Ivannos, seeking to spread their influence and power. These individuals can range in power from performing feats of powerful magic or strength to being able to create their own realms and demi-planes.
• Spirits are beings who exist as forces of nature, having existed as far back as memory goes. Spirits exist in spectral forms of different animals, beasts, and other creatures found throughout the world. Seeing a Spirit is exceedingly rare, and is often associated with great change in an individual’s life or within a society.

Ascension

Mortals who reach Godhood acquire their power through the process of Ascension. To Ascend, a mortal usually has a mix of the following, which can vary from person to person:

• A number of followers who worship or serve them
• Wielding artifacts of great power
• An intense devotion to a specific ideal, place, or aspect
• Recognition of other Gods
• Triumph over great challenges or places of power

A mortal’s Ascension to Godhood is not a straight line, but often a nebulous journey spanning years, decades, or even centuries. Many actively seek Godhood and fail, while some simply travel through their journeys, unexpectedly Ascending one day.

Gods are recognizable by their Auras, wreaths of colored light that surround them and represent their power.