Traits are fixed characteristics of the player, meaning they cannot be improved or changed once obtained (which is normally at avatar creation). They are in essence bonus characteristics granted to the player as a result of a particular affiliation or for belonging to a specific group. In general, traits are implemented by passively modifying the players base skills but in some instances, they may also grant unique benefits. In the Gods’ Game, there are the following categories of traits:
Racial traits: traits inherited from the player’s race (self, dwarf, human, etc…).
God-given traits: traits granted by the player's God.
Champion traits: traits shared by all champions.
Basic Player traits: traits shared by all basic players (vassals, minions).
Advanced Player traits: traits shared by all advanced players (champions, free agents).
Major Player traits: traits shared by all major players (gods, demigods).
Free agent traits: traits granted a free agent in lieu of the champion and god-given traits.
Class traits: traits granted by the player's class.
Will
A measure of psi energy. The maximum available will pool of a player = highest mind attribute x 10.
Story Definitions
Boon
Boons are rewards that a god may award to its champion for the completion of a mythic or legendary quest. Boons that may be awarded to champions include: eternal life as a god’s companion; return to the wheel of life or reincarnation on any world in the cosmos.
Brotherhood of Mortals
A secretive organisation whose aims yet remains a mystery.
Candidate
The spirit of a sentient being summoned to Myelad by one of the gods, for the purpose of becoming one of its champions.
Champion
A candidate that has chosen to become a player pledged to one of the gods. The champion acts always on behalf of, and for the benefit of its God.
Citadel of Crota
The citadel of Crota was the home of Eld’s champions in the city of Crota. Prior to its destruction by the allied armies of the gods, it was considered one of the great keeps in Myelad and nearly unassailable.
Crota
Crota was the capital city of Eld’s mountain kingdom, Crotana.
Crotana (Mountain kingdom)
Eld’s former mountain kingdom, now abandoned.
Demons
Other than the gods, demons are the only other immortal beings in the cosmos. Unlike gods they are composed of ‘raw' essence, free, naturally occurring essence.
Essence Shield
The essence shield around Myelad prevents the gods or demons from leaving.
Essence Wells
Magical constructs created by Eld to trap and channel natural essence, that is normally diffused freely into the world. To end the game, a player needs to control and hold the twelve essence wells long enough to cast the world spell.
Free Agent
A summoned spirit that has entered Myelad as a player without a pledge of loyalty to any God. Kyran is the only free agent to have entered Myelad.
Free essence
Naturally occurring essence, essence generated by the world itself.
Gods
Gods are sentient, immortal entities birthed from refined divine essence.
Gods’ Game
A game between gods, played on the world of Myelad. To win the game, the 12 essence wells must be captured and held; and the world spell cast.
Godskeep
Home of the gods in spiritual plane of Myelad.
Immortal
Gods and demons are immortal. They may be 'killed', but will be reborn.
Myelad
The world of the gods’ game. A prison world.
Pathways
Conduits between the worlds through which essence flows. Also used by adepts to traverse between worlds. Since making Myelad into a prison, the pathways between the worlds have been broken.
Player
Refers to all active participants of the gods’ game including the gods, demi-gods, champions, minions and free agents. There are three ranks of players – basic players (vassals, minions), advanced players (champions, free agents), major players (gods, demi-gods).
Player Interface
The internal mental construct provided to players for their interactions within the god’s game.
Pledge of Undying Loyalty
A vow made between a champion and a god, granting the god, the champion’s complete loyalty. Attempting to break the pledge is punishable by destruction of the champion’s eternal spirit. Not only does it bind the champion to its god, it also in times of dire need, allows the champion to channel divine essence directly from its god.
Portals
Portals are arcane constructs that enable the instantaneous travel between two distance locations. Portals can be constructed as part of a network, in which case each portal is identified with a unique address, or alternatively portals may be constructed as a closed system.
Ritual of Summoning
The ritual by which gods summon spirits to Myelad for the express purpose of becoming by one of its champions. The rules only allow the ritual of summoning to be performed when the god has lost one of its champions.
Rules
The governing laws of the world of Myelad and the gods’ game. It is a set of laws and mechanics created by Eld and overseen by the Overseer, who is bound strictly to enforce them. He is granted discretionary powers only in the most exceptional of circumstances.
Vow
A Vow is a binding promise between beings. In the matter of the vow, the involved entities relinquish free will. The pledge of undying loyalty (between a champion and its god) and the oath of fealty (between a vassal and a champion) are two common instances of the vow.
Vow of Binding
The vow of binding is a vow taken by all players of the gods’ game binding themselves to its rules.
Wheel of Life
The endless cycle of life and death, through which spirits are reborn into the cosmos.
World Spell
The win conditions set by Eld for the god’s game. The exact nature and impact of this spell is unknown, but it is suspected that it allows the game rules to be changed.
Abbreviations
AB: After the Breaking.
AP: Ability Points.
CON: Constitution.
CRPG: Computer roleplaying game.
Dmg: Damage.
HP: Health points.
MMO: Massively multiplayer online.
Regen.: Regeneration.
RPG: Roleplaying Game
SP: Skill Points.
XP: Experience points.
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