Editing The Basics (section)

== Divinity ==
The Rings of Meropis are home to many gods. Yet, only some have been around since the beginning. These are the High Gods.

High Gods rarely have Clerics. They are cold, unfeeling, universal constants within the Rings. For a High God to speak to a mortal almost always causes madness and permanent mental damage. However, according to other lesser gods, the High Gods manage the day-to-day goings on within the Rings. They are the direct superiors of other celestials. 


=== List of High Gods ===
Purpose
Creative
Death
Emotion - Emotion turned against the High Gods during the Vitality War. As a punishment, they are now forced to hold up the Cosmic Stack. 
Illusion
Logic
Purpose
Shadow
Sin - Dead
The Lord of Mists - Responsible for justice, balance of the universe, and the domains of dread. Grand violations of universal law or grand evil can summon the Lord of Mists. 
The Primordial - Responsible for the making of things. One of the more mysterious High Gods. 
The Unknown Twelfth
Time

However, there are also interactive gods. These are the material gods. All the gods, to the knowledge of scholars, were once mortal aether souls. Each of the material gods control a certain space within the Rings. A god like Brekendahl controls the area which is the country of Breoa. Each of these material gods does not have a specific domain. They are human, flawed, and biased. The way they treat their followers is as diverse as the people they rule over. 

Additionally, material gods are not omnipotent. While they walk the earth and are extremely powerful, a sufficiently powerful creature can destroy a material god. Usually if beaten, a material god will flee back to their own personal plane of existence but there are tales of gods being so beaten that they are killed. 

If a material god beats another material god in combat or takes their followers, the winning material god claims their land. This is how the Nation of Zell spreads. However, it seems like the High Gods try to limit this. Too much divine fighting in the past has drawn the ire of the Lord of Mists.

“A fool is he who does not fear he who governs the mists. The Lord is beyond the kin of even us child. I dare not wet my ax against another celestial unless absolutely necessary.”
-Brekendahl, discussing the Lord of Mists with his Cleric Gilligan Squall


=== List of Material Gods ===
God Name
Zell - Nation of Zell
Brekendahl - Breoa
Vorov - Kovorov
Nau - Aquar
Magion - Moon and the Ard Magos
Mokosh
Svarog
Zorya - Dalekingrad
Yim
Zo
Thrud
Atteus - Laurel
Thaxnear - Beacon
Nero
Tiamat - Chromatic Dragons
The Platinum Lord - Metallic Dragons
Cordell, the Lady of Thorns (Archfey)
Kynaston (Archfey) - Tpres
Zetian (Archfey) 
Helmuth von Grayz, Material God of Victory - Zauphen
Corania, Material Goddess of Innovation - Mecklen


Note: There are far more Material Gods than what is listed here. Additionally, players should feel free to make their own Material Gods if they wish.

Finally, each material god has a litany of Saints. A Saint is a degree of power below a material gods. Many Saints were once mortal worshippers of the material god that did great things. These Saints now serve their god and aid other mortal followers. 

It is generally the choice of many followers of a material god to primarily worship a Saint. This is because Saints are generally much more connected to those who worship them. A normal person might directly talk to their Saint a dozen or more times in their lifetime. An influential aether soul might have weekly conversations. If a person is a King, they might have the ear of a Saint at all times. 

The makeup of a material god’s Saints also changes. Sometimes a Saint who has put in many centuries of service may retire and enjoy their afterlife in peace. There are also immaculate celebrations when a material god announces a new Saint. 

=== Races within the Rings ===
There are many races in the Rings of Meropis. Each has their own unique and distinct history. To play a race within the Rings means stepping into a whole new culture. 

==== Aarakocra ==== 
Isolated, soring, and free, the Aarakocra tend to gather near the high spots on the Rings. They are legendary messengers with the ability to travel discretely across the continent.
==== Aasimar==== 
Usually the children of Material Gods or their Saints, Aasimar are usually born with a distinct purpose. Many are aether souls from birth. However, sometimes they rebel against Purpose and fall. 
==== Centaur==== 
Most Centaurs are residents of the Primordial Ring. They tend to stick to their own cities where they can easily travel and live. Most centaurs do not like the Prime Ring since it does not cater to their unique physiology. 
==== Changeling==== 
It is said that Changelings are born of Sin and thus are hated across much of the Rings. Learned people know this is entirely untrue. Changelings were born out of the chaos of the Primordial Ring. That is where many of them reside to this day. However, those seeking fortune might journey to the Prime Ring to become spies, thieves, or sellswords. Their names are usually ethereal in nature. They drive at a feeling or emotion. Bloom, Sunset, Ripple, and many others like these are good templates for a Changeling's "true name." However, they also usually adopt a name based on the culture around them. A Changeling’s true name is sacred and only told to those that the Changeling truly trusts. 
==== Dragonborn ==== 
Dragonborn are rare on the continent of Ramesh. Most keep to the Draconic Kingdom for purposes of safety and ease. The people of the continent are too energetic for most dragonborn. They value the peace and slow moving lifestyle of their island. Yet, when the dragonborn do leave, they are usually humanitarians. Dragonborn are great teachers, scholars, and academics. 
==== Drow ==== 
These elves broke away long ago and decided to make their homes underground. The Drow at one point in their history made a pact with Sin for protection. They have since broken the pact but the damage is done. Drow are hated by many races. In recent years, the Drow have begun to worship a new goddess, Lolth. She has begun to unite the Drow races against “the common foe.”
==== Dwarf ==== 
Most dwarves live in monasteries and protect gargantuan libraries dedicated to the gods. Dwarves guard the knowledge, history, and magic of the gods. Kings and Queens routinely summon elder dwarves to advise them. A common saying is “stone from stone” meaning that the dwarves were made from the stone of the prime ring, are unchanging, and their word is as true as the stone. Dwarves are seen as the gold standard of truth. 
==== Elf ==== 
Elves are a shunned race. They are connected to low-magic naturally. Due to this and Sin’s corruption of the low magic source, elves are seen as innately evil. Thus, they stick to the outskirts of society or make their own society. Many live on the Dark Ring due to the distrust and violence they suffer on the Prime and Primordial Rings. 
==== Firbolg ==== 
Firbolg come from beyond the planet of Null. They say that the first Firbolg came from Bolg Rem Sen, a lush paradise far away. Because of this, Firbolg culture is alien to many. The Firbolg settled mostly on the Primordial Ring, due to its similarities to Bolg Rem Sen, and are rare on the Prime Ring. 
==== Genasi ==== 
Long ago, the Genasi ruled the Prime Ring as an empire. However, their civilization fell apart and all Genasi went extinct. During the Vitality War, they were revived. Now Genasi roam the Prime Ring again. With them, the Genasi have brought their elemental magic and technology which has revolutionized the Rings. 
==== Gith ==== 
For thousands of years, according to their records, the Gith have traveled the universe in their ships. They have hunted their ancient enemies, the Mindflayers, in every corner of the known universe. However, the Gith will hunt any dark beasts they come across. 
==== Gnome ==== 
The Gnomes in the Rings are vicious. Known for their diabolical traps and cunning designs, Gnomes are frequent members of the criminal underground or mercenary groups. 
==== Goblinoids ==== 
It is thought that the Goblinoids are the original inhabitants of the Primordial Ring. They live in great cities there where they specialize in the domestication of beasts. However, centuries ago, a sect of goblinoids became isolated in the Prime Ring and became feral. Many scholars almost regard these two goblin groups as two different species. It is unknown why the Prime Ring goblins went feral.
==== Goliath ==== 
The mountain going Goliath are a docile people. They are usually shepherds and farmers in mountainous areas on the Prime Ring. Their innate strength allows them to traverse sheer cliff sides with ease.
==== Half-Elf ==== 
These bastard children are without community. They are shunned by non-elves due to their low magic connection and shunned by elves due to them not being pure. Some half-elves can pass as human and will hide their true nature at all costs, moving every couple of years so people don’t question their lack of aging. Yet, inexplicably, half-elf aether souls appear to possess extremely powerful torvians. 
==== Halfling ==== 
Halflings are the thespians of the Rings. They are bards, actors, and poets. Many say the Creative blessed their race due to a great deed long ago. There are theories that Purpose was once a mortal halfling but these are just theories.
==== Half-Orc ==== 
Half-orcs are the union of humanoid and orcish blood. They are embraced by orcish city states and usually rejected by non-orcish populations. This is silly to the orcs. They see half-orcs as the next stage as orcish evolution and the key to future growth in the species. 
==== Human ==== 
Humans are the keepers of the Prime Ring. It is said they were the first creatures to inhabit the Prime Ring. They are adaptable and walk every path possible under the sun. 
==== Kalashtar ==== 
Sometimes humans become connected to a greater consciousness. When this happens, their physiology morphs and they become Kalashtar. A Kalashtar cannot reproduce with any other creature other than a Kalashtar. They also, at some point in their lives, begin to age backwards. Some Kalashtar have lived up to four-hundred years.
==== Kenku ==== 
This cursed race was scorned by Illusion long ago. Due to this, they lost their flight and voices. Now, the Kenku can only repeat what they’ve heard. 
==== Kobold ==== 
Most Kobolds reside in the Draconic Kingdom. However, they are known as the greatest architects in the Rings. Many buildings, mines, and monuments were designed by Kobolds. 
==== Leonin ==== 
The Leonin are from the dimension of Arborea. They are natives of the plane where they hunt to their heart's content. 
==== Lizardfolk ==== 
Lizardfolk are the original natives of the islands that make up the Draconic Kingdom. Every year, they receive tribute from the Metallic Dragons. With these tributes, the Lizardfolk have grown apathetic over decades. They are at their best lazy and at their worst hedonistic. 
==== Loxodon ==== 
In the endless forests of the Primordial Ring, the Loxodon make their living as woodsmen. A loxodon can chop down nine trees in the time a human can chop down one. Due to this, a loxodon can always find work in the frontier of the Prime Ring. 
==== Maldow ==== 
Maldow are Drow who have pledged themselves to Purpose. They have made it their mission to grow beyond the failings of the Drow. Many Maldow have a strong guilt and can suffer from severe self-esteem issues. 
==== Minotaur ==== 
This powerful race was once present in vast numbers during the Gensai era. Then, during the fall of the Genasi, most minotaur died. Now the race hangs on by a thread. A minotaur meeting another minotaur is a rare event. 
==== Nyx ==== 
Nyx are the original natives of the Dark Ring. Over the centuries, due to Mind Flayer attacks and Prime Ring invaders, the Nyx have become warlike. Many will attack non-sabians on sight. They worship the Lord of Mists fervently. 
==== Orc ==== 
Orcs live in great fortress cities. They are isolationists and are years behind in terms of magic, technology, and philosophy. However, an Orc city state is a sleeping giant. If awakened, they can sweep across the land destroying anything in their path until they accomplish their goal. To an orc, being direct is best. One great orc general sent one orc at a time against the walls of an enemy castle until they achieved victory. 

“Send another. They cannot stop us forever. Just as they cannot stop the rain. Eventually, our will shall break their cowardice.”
-General Remadon Thark to a Dwarf monk documenting the battle
==== Satyr ==== 
The life of any party is usually a Satyr. They are lively beings of wild possibility. Satyrs hail from the Primordial Ring where they have created “party cities.” Here the party never stops and the good times seem to go on forever. There is danger in these places though. Many mortals who enter never leave and die of dehydration, exhaustion, or “exertion.” 
==== Simic Hybrid ==== 
These are the creations of low magic. Thus, due to their nature, the Simic Hybrid is given a wide berth when encountered by someone who knows the truth of its origin. To others, they are simply weird looking individuals. 
==== Tabaxi ==== 
From deep in the jungles in the Dark Ring comes the tabaxi race. They are hunters. A tabaxi hunts their foes for fun. Entire adventuring parties have been toyed with for weeks by a single tabaxi before meeting a horrific end. However, the true terror begins when a tabaxi finds its way onto the Prime Ring. Entire hamlets have turned up dead at dawn due to a single tabaxi hunter. 
==== Tiefling ==== 
Tieflings are of Sin. It is from his touch that the tiefling race was born. Due to this, tieflings are actively hunted. Most tieflings would not be harmed in daylight but in the night, the town guard tends to look the other way if a group of concerned citizens show up at a tieflings door. This has caused many tieflings to forsake civilization and flee toward the outer reaches of Ramesh. 
==== Tortle ==== 
On the beaches of Ramesh you’ll find the tortles. They fish and sleep. No one, not even the Mind Flayers, bother the innocent turtle. They are under the Primordial’s protection. Why? Well, the truth is that nobody really knows. 
==== Triton ==== 
These are the lords of the oceans. The Triton are the undisputed rulers of all that lies beneath the waves. Some also say they have knowledge of what lies beyond the Glass Sea. 
==== Vessel ==== 
Once in a generation, a High God might desire to assert their influence in the Rings of Meropis. When this is done, a mortal is imbued with aether and is placed onto one of the Rings via a natural disaster. This mortal has the ability to hear and comprehend the wishes of the High God that created them. 
==== Warforge (Vindicar) ==== 
Long ago, the great wizard Caerwyn created a legion of metal soldiers to help them fight Sin. In a great betrayal, Sin convinced the Vindicar not to fight. Instead, the Vindicar entombed themselves and waited for the world’s troubles to pass by them. But now the Vindicar begin to awaken. Worse, their minds have broken down during their long sleep. These mad warriors now enter an unrecognizable world. 
==== Yuan-Ti ==== 
A Yuan-Ti was once another creature. Then, via a dark ritual given to mortals from Sin, a creature can be transformed into a Yuan-Ti. When this is done, a creature’s inhibitions are dissolved and their dark impulses grow.