Conclave of the Gods

After 2000 years the cold war of the gods has ended. The eight imprisoned gods have been freed from their torment, and a treaty of peace has been signed. At tonight's celebratory dinner, all the gods will meet at one table for the first time since the war began. But a rumor has started that they may be able to resurrect The First, the only god who could create something from nothing. Wouldn't it be nice to just Fix Everything like that? Just erase the first murder that began the strife? This is a game about unresolved grief, faith, connection amidst turmoil, and tense family dynamics.

Long Description

Before the War of the Gods shattered the peace of the Divine Realm, the twelve gods lived in relative peace alongside The First, the only one who had the power to create from nothing. But a debate began about who among them should have more say in the creation of the world. Debate soon turned to the first act of violence, and the death of The First. The resulting grief has never faded, and though they all learned never to kill, they could not stop fighting over who would have the privilege to shape humanity from the remnants of The First. The war left four ascendent and eight locked away in the outer darkness of the Underworld. Their rage was so great that it unleashed an unending storm upon all the world. And so the world sat, locked in a cycle of magical destruction and rebuilding as The Twelve simmered in their hatred, their grief, their loss.

Until recently.

Humanity, seeking an end to the tribulation, has freed the imprisoned gods, and a treaty has been written to force the gods to reunite in a tentative peace. Yet much remains undecided.

In this game, players will be portraying one of the gods, either one of the four Patron Gods who have been in charge until now, or one of the eight Minor Gods who have been separated from humanity and forbidden worshippers in their Underworld prison. You are at a multicourse dinner in the hopes of reuniting and deciding how to move forward, both emotionally and politically.

Humanity has bound you to certain terms: You will not go to war with one another again, all gods must be allowed followers, and you will continue to provide some of your power to them in the form of magic so that their society does not collapse. However, there is also the rumor that you may be able to resurrect the First and undo the original crime that cast you into chaos. While this hope will be present and pursued, the heart of the game will be recognizing its futility and the need to save oneself and one another through reconciliation.

You know that by the end of this dinner your time to settle these matters will be over, and if no accord can be reached, your connection to humanity may be lost forever. Facing these practical questions while coming to terms with what you all have done to the world and each other is much of the play.

Structure: This game will take place in three meal courses, over real time. New information and dilemmas will come to light as Gods receive and answer prayers between courses. As time moves differently in the Divine Realm compared to the mortal world, the choices you as players make in play will have consequences in the mortal world. Small snacks may be served, but do not expect a full meal.

Play this game if: You enjoy games about faith, deeply messy interpersonal relationships, grief and processing, and some politics along the side. If you are okay with there being no perfect ending. If you enjoy greater transparency in games including knowledge about potential outcomes.

A word about expectations: This game will (hopefully) be playtested once before Intercon, but it is a first run. We ask for your enthusiasm and your understanding and welcome feedback afterwards!

Note: This game is based in the same world as the weekend one-shot larp Children of the Gods, but no prior knowledge of that game is necessary to play (and enjoy).