PROLOGUE - GODS AND THE FORCES OF THE UNIVERSE

The gods, entities of power and faith, were brought into being by Existence and assigned tasks by Entropy to maintain the cycle of creation. They created an eternal balancing act to ensure the primary Realm continued to anchor the vast web of reality. They were assigned as custodians, to be the maintainers of the very Balance that allowed them to exist in the first place.

While they were, to many, all-powerful beings, their ability to entertain themselves was nonexistent. They required others. When not performing their duties, they would often wager with one another over events within their spheres of responsibility. Thus, their concept of the games was born. With rules laid out in advance, they agreed and wagered with one another in earnest.

After all, what fun would it be to cheat?

Countless worlds and mortal beings would be wrapped up in games so large that a dozen generations would live, propagate, and die off before a single move was even contemplated by these higher beings. Lives of mortals were short and easily spent for entertainment.

And so the games were played. Each iteration growing in violence and intensity, with greater results and consequences. Consequences often fatal ones for the mortals involved. After all, why would the sun concern itself with the worms in the dirt?

However, as with all things, there are limits to the games. Restrictions.

Existence and Entropy, two beings of immense and nearly fathomless power, set three rules in place. Three rules that would govern all aspects of the gods' newfound fun. These rules ensured their games would not infringe upon their duties as custodians of the Realm.

All Aspects must have an assigned custodian.

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The gods must obey those who had come before.

The gods may not kill one another.

Some gods argued these rules were unneeded, arbitrary. Why would they kill one another for power? No god that existed could possibly perform all the actions and duties that assuming those responsibilities would entail. But the Two understood the greed of mortals and immortals alike, and how quickly that greed could carry them away.

The Two had existed since their creator, a being as enigmatic as he was omnipotent, had brought them into being. The Entity had given them a job to do, just as they in turn had issued responsibilities to their children. It had issued them a single, all-consuming edict and purpose:

Balance this universe and all in it.

With this edict in place, the Entity had left the core Realm in their care. For an unfathomable number of eons, they had ensured the Balance. However, the Two became blind to the small games of the gods over such long periods of time. Consumed with their own tasks, they missed a vital milestone, a vital point in time where the games had evolved into The Great Game.

The gods had been forbidden to forcibly take Aspects and power from one another they learned they could willingly wage them, circumventing some restrictions placed on them. What couldn’t be taken by force of arms could be acquired through vicious games of chance.

And then, the gods made their mistake.

A calling was made for a Great Moot. A gathering so massive and comprehensive that nearly every god, minor and major, was in attendance. They were there to discuss the Rules that had been placed on them. Their games had been restricted to the point that they grew restless, unable to truly risk life and limb for the thrill of the win.

Thus, the Great Moot came to a singular consensus. A decision that was so heinous, so blasphemous in the eyes of the Two that they had no choice but to step in forcibly. But by then it was far too late. The Two should have paid closer attention to their children.

The gods rebelled against their makers, against the Two. They assigned their own roles, responsibilities, and Aspects. Some stole others, and yet others killed outright for powers they coveted They split the universe asunder, tearing it into Realms to start their Great Game. A game of survival, with stakes that had never been wagered before.

The gods' war against the balancing forces of the universe started …

... and the tapestry of Existence and Entropy began to unravel.