The Creation of the Gods (Myth)

## Background

Though various cultures across Ryxia differ on dialogue, order of god creation, and other details, all widely accepted versions of the Ryxian creation myth share a few key themes:

* The gods were created by The Two
* The god of Life was created first, followed by Nature
* Life and Nature either prompted the creation of or were the creators of the other gods
* All gods encompass multiple aspects of their domains
* Two gods were created after the rest

## The Myth

The god-siblings, known today as The Two, decided once more to create.

Learning from what they had done before, they strove to make something complete. They toiled, and muddled, and argued, and forged until they created a new being. The Two looked upon it and wept, for they had never seen a more beautiful thing.

When it was done, their creation asked:

“What is my name?”

“Life,” they said. And so it was made.

The three of them lived together happily for a time. Each joyed in finding the pieces of each in the other, and saw themselves as three parts of a whole.

Later, Life came to The Two, saying:

“I find comfort and love in my life with You Both, but desire someone like me. For while we share so much, we still are different, and there is a companionship I sorely need that You cannot offer as much you try.”

The Two went away to talk, then came to Life. They put her to sleep, then split her down the middle, creating two - an older and a younger - where there once was one.

The two younger beings woke up, and The Two said:

“You are Life and you are Nature. You are different yet the same. Part of each other, forever linked, and without one there cannot be the other.”

Life and Nature became the best of friends, as close as The Two that created them. Though their relationship was not perfect, they were inseparable companions.

Soon, each came to The Two once more.

“We love one another, and we love you Both,” they said to The Two. “But we are like You - we wish to create.”

And so The Two guided their hands. Together, they forged a kiln, took parts of both Life and Nature, and formed clay to shape the worlds. They left the top of each world open, so that after they fired them they could fill it with more of the young gods. Then, Life, Nature and The Two created mortals, in all different shapes and sizes, throwing and firing each before filling them like the worlds they were to reside on.

All four looked upon these mortals, who were forged in fire and dirt and filled with Life, and saw in them a perfect, imperfect blend of all four parts, and were greatly pleased.

But, like that of their creators, these mortals were complex in nature and in need. Nature and Life soon asked The Two what to do.

“We love the mortals, but we do not always understand them, for in them contain multitudes,” they said. “They want and do so many things, contradictory things, that make sense yet do not all at once. We feel distant from them even as we are drawn to them.”

The Two smiled, remembering their own lesson.

“This complexity is neither good nor bad, nor all black or all white. Some complexities may be be pleasant or unpleasant, or lead to harmful ends when denied or overpursued, but these many sides simply are.”

Life and Nature gave this much thought. It was Nature who came to to her sister with the idea: Two would become ten. Not to better rule the mortals, but instead to better reflect them and become closer to them.

Tempest, to represent strength and courage of mortals, as well as their turbulent natures.

Forge, for their discipline, creation and improvement, as well as the hard journey mortals must go on throughout their lives.

Trickery, to represent their boldness of action and love of freedom, as well as the lies they tell to one another and themselves.

War, for their sense of honor and duty, as well as their desire for mastery.

Light, to capture the truth and beauty of the world, as well as the sometimes searing pain of existence.

Knowledge, to sate their curiosities and share their love of creation, as well as their denial of truths and keeping of secrets.

Finally, Death and Grave, the two-headed gods, who ease suffering, celebrate life, but also oversee pain, disease, greed, and all that prioritize the life of few over the life of many.

The Ten grew to love mortals and one another, and all lived together on the world for many years before the birth of the final two.