Gods

Bastet a god of the Otherworld

**Gods** (**神**) are the most powerful entities within the Taimanin Universe.

They are the highest ranking members of the Spirits of the Otherworld. In the broadest sense, they are demons of the Otherworld/Spirit Realm disconnected from normal demons of the demon realm. Most are unable to leave that realm, while others travel between multiple dimensions with ease. Demons are cautious and superstitious of gods, as they had ruled over the demon realm in the past, before being forced out of their dimension. The "Wicked Gods, Devils, Demon Gods" are still feared even by demons that call themselves deities.

They were introduced in Witch of Steel Annerose and have become a more integral part of the Online Universes.

## Characteristics

As Spirits also at times called demons, and share some of their traits.

Both Gods and Devils are unique creatures and can look like a dragon, human or cat without being one. A good number were able to transform or change their shape and use powerful magic. In terms of power, they stand even above King/Queen level demons.

They are active in the higher planes of the Otherworld and other universes, and can travel between them, unlike even very powerful demons, which can at best travel between demon and human realm. Importantly, Gods or Devils don't normally exist in the Human World or Dark World but can travel there under circumstances or using weaker forms, as remaining in these lower worlds requires an enormous amount of magic. The large amount of energy needed, restrain them in those worlds greatly in strength. This is also true for otherworldly Spirit beings.

They cannot be killed, rather if they suffer significant damage and their magical energy reserve becomes empty, they automatically open a gateway to the Otherworld, which drags them back and changes them to their true form. Returned to that world, they regenerate over a long period, until they have enough power to return.

Not every being that calls itself a god is one, and a powerful demon can have god-like ability. Gods increase their strength with believe, as such festivals or being active in a year of connected zodiac gives them more influence over a realm.

## Culture

Multiple aspects are unknown but regardless if called god or devil, they are highly dangerous, known to grand either a blessing or curse on a whim. They are a separated power from humans and demons, demons normally reject their rule and humans have forgotten that they existed, an issue, as Gods/Devils draw power from worship. They follow their own hierarchy and every god, seems to have a number of servants made up of their decedents, worshipers and apprentices. Often described, to enforce their self-righteous ideologies, enslave or destroy worlds if given the chance, they act solitary but can have partnerships.

As they stand above even noble demon kings, they are often free to act how they wish, which often results in them acting out as a trickster or prankster annoying others, with blessings or curses for their own entertainment. Regardless of that, Gods, have a hypothetical role in the maintenance of a "concept", from which they also gain strength, as some concepts connect, gods keep each other in check at times. For example, a goddess of marriage might be scolded by a goddess of fertility if they act lazy. Spreading "blessings", results in more believers, and neglecting this can result in issues.

Gods can retire or be pushed to give up their title to another god, in some cases, but most have been in power for millennia. Gods and devils are able to carry the children of both humans and demons, and it is suggested some demonic lines like the Naga are descendants of at least one deity. The line between devil and god seems thin and in the case of Bastet, she is called a Demon God or Devil God.

In Witch of Steel Annerose, Mitico Fleuretty is mentioned to belong to the six superior spirits or six pillars, but the nature of these groups or their other members, have not been expanded upon.

## History

Unlike the Demons of the Dark World, a lot of the true history is unknown or may be hidden by some mythology.

At some point both devils and gods existed in the Human World and Dark World but were pushed back by the ancient witch Lilith, that is the grandmother of Lilith Abel Bindernagel and ancient dragons. In the demon realm, this past is well known and signs of the evil gods, like certain facial abnormalities, are seen as bad omens, causing those that suffer from them to be discriminated against. It is mentioned in the bio of Euryale, that her arms were taken by the ancient gods.

They since live in the Otherworld together with lesser spirits and some stranded normal demon races, a universe that is hard to enter for demonkind or humanity. At some point the devil, Mitico Fleuretty, came to the human world and befriended Annerose Vajra. Mitico Fleuretty mentions that the devils and gods are dangerous, and she dislikes them strongly, since she left. She served Beelzebub, but nothing more is known about her past in the Otherworld. Mitico, keeps the fact she is from that realm a secret, claiming she is just a "normal" demon maid.

The dark mage, Barde, researched the Otherworld and wished to create a portal to it. Creating the Werewolf Incident in Amidahara, to collect souls for an Otherworld Gate. Annerose Vajra was informed by the witch Neu Eazlane, that unlike the Demon Gate in Amidahara, such a new gate to the gods and devils could mean the end for both demons and humans alike. Annerose and her crew in the end defeated Barde, which had kidnapped Mitico and destroyed the gate just in time.

In the Online Universes, more deities have appeared and caused trouble. Including the sealed goddess of love Juno, which had grown bitter and mischievous. The coward boar god Kiyomaro and the god of dance Ame-no-Uzume, which had sealed a Demon Gate for worship. These gods at times cause trouble, but are often more portrayed as chaotic neutral parties, which just play around. After most of their introductions, they are often called or visit the mysterious Tamamo.

## Powers/Abilities

* **Interdimensional being**: Are able to travel between different parallel universes. Can create pocket dimensions.
* **Powered by believe**: Demon or human, believe and practices of rituals increases their strength.
* **Powered by holidays, months or years**: Connected to their name or power.
* **Magic**
* **Immortal**: Not clear if they can be killed or only sealed. When their magic and life comes to an end, they automatically without desire open a Otherworld Gate to heal.

## Examples of Gods/Devils

* Abyss Eye (A large eye)
* Ame-no-Uzume (Goddess of Dance)
* Bastet (Goddess of Cats)
* **Beelzebub** (Mitico Fleuretty superior, mentioned by Barde)
* Black Hands (Also called the Guardian, possibility a god or multiple beings, that demand souls for the opening of a gateway to the Otherworld)
* Dakini (God of fertility and sexual love)
* Hidden God (An unnamed human eating monster)
* Kiyomaro (A Boar god)
* Mitico Fleuretty (A Devil and Black Dragon that uses a human body, and works in the Annerose Detective Agency)
* Snake Deity (Ancestor of Naga)
* Juno (Goddess of Love)
* Tamamo (Hinted at strongly)

## Trivia

* It is unclear if the gods came from the Otherworld or were just sealed at that place.
* Devils are also called Otherworld Demons.
* Fleuretty is often just called a demon of the otherworld in some English translations.
* How Lilith the First was able to seal the gods is unknown, as well as the "when", but she is mentioned to be part of a very long-lived species, meaning it could have been many 1000s of years ago that the gods were sealed away from the demon realm.
* It is stated in Witch of Steel Annerose, that "devils" like Mitico Fleuretty do not need to eat or produce waste. Any body part, connected to this, serves no function.
* Some lesser demons of the otherworld can be summoned by the Naga tribe, like the Lesser Salamander. Hinting at their deeper connection to the gods further.

## Notes and references

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/TaimaninWiki/status/1673354367620075522?s=20Source