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The Fantasy Gods: Powerful Creators of the World
Sunfire
CONTENTS
Overview
All fantasy worlds didn’t just spring out of nowhere. Rather, a number of supernatural beings wielding immense powers unheard of came together to create worlds full of adventure, comedy, and tragedy. Without fantasy gods, the worlds you know and love wouldn’t be the way they are.
Thus, gods and other deities are an integral component of worldbuilding so it’s important to give them an appearance that befits their stature. Granted, their appearance varies from world to world but there are some common elements to take into account when it comes to designing them. You want them to look like actual gods, not mortals.
The appearances of fantasy gods aren’t the only thing you need to do. You have to give them personalities which drives them to do the things they do that have both a positive and negative impact upon the world. Though they may be immortal beings, they possess many traits mortals do.
Another component of constructing gods is giving them the powers they have to shape the world. These powers far outstrip those of wizards and other magical folk and in some worlds, they are the target of those who attempt to unlock the secrets of mastering them for their own ends. Simply giving them cool names isn’t enough, there needs to be a certain gravitas when it comes to how they look and work.
This is article number seventeen in the fantasy characters series. Want to see what else we have? Check out our blog page for a plethora of fascinating articles just waiting to be read!
Creating the Appearance of the Fantasy Gods
Gods play an outsized role at the beginning of creation when there’s nothing in space. With their considerable powers, they build worlds from the ground up and lay down the framework in which all life forms dwell in. To match their great powers, it’s imperative to have them look like supernatural beings who may or may not walk in the world.
When it comes to crafting their appearance, there are several elements fantasy gods have in common, one of which is their height. The vast majority of deities are quite tall, towering over even the tallest man. Their height may match that of a mountain and each step they take may sound like thunder.
A lot of fantasy worlds depict their deities with muscles. Their muscular bodies signifies their physical strength, enabling them to do feats only gods are capable of. Many areas of their bodies have muscles from their arms to their stomachs where they have six-pack abs to their well-defined calves.
Another interesting aspect regarding the appearance of the fantasy gods revolve around the clothes they wear. While the outfits they wear depend on the world, popular ones they don on range from togas to robes. The robes come in a dazzling assortment of colors from red to blue, reflecting both their powers and taste in fashion.
Gods in fantasy on average are pleasing to the eye. Male ones are exceedingly handsome with heads full of hair and some have beards and some don’t. Their feminine counterparts are gorgeous with long flowing locks of hair that run past their shoulders. They speak in a mellifluous voice that ensnares all mortals who listen to them and put them in a trance.
Crafting Interesting Personalities for the Fantasy Gods
While fantasy gods are commonly depicted with striking good looks and remarkable physiques, another vital ingredient in creating them for an imaginary world is giving them personalities that reflect who they are at heart. Each deity has their own idiosyncrasies that influence how they perceive the world and interact with their fellow gods.
Just because they may have created the world and seemingly left the people they created to their own devices doesn’t mean that they’re no longer involved in seeing what happens. Quite the opposite. They monitor events from afar and their clash of personalities determines whether they get involved or not. Those who are more assertive desire to intervene before the forces of evil grow too strong for them to challenge whereas others who have a let’s-wait-and-see-what-happens trait is willing to let things play out before making such a major decision.
All fantasy gods have personalities similar to that of people in the real world. Some are more fiery and combative, others cool and collected. Some analyze things methodically and make a plan based on their analysis whereas others just leap into the fray without thinking. Some prefer to be alone as opposed to others who enjoy socializing.
The things they like shines a bright light on who they are at core. For instance, a goddess who loves nature is likely to be more earthy and warm, a stark contrast to a god who loves fire who stands the chance to be hot-headed and rush to judgment. Matching the things they value to their personalities is a great way to showcase the difference between them and make each one of them stand out!
Even the way fantasy gods speak illuminate their personalities. For example, a goddess who speaks in dulcet tones endears all those to her. A god who speaks bookish might come off as being too intellectual which might be off-putting to some. There’s great potential to make your own memorable when it comes to showing how they talk!
The Immense Powers Fantasy Gods Wield
The powers wizards and other mortals have are nowhere those of the gods of the world. The latter contain powers that not only are capable of creation but of destruction. While the majority of worlds make it impossible for mortals to ever learn them, there are a select few that give them the opportunity to do so which can make for riveting storytelling.
With merely a command, fantasy gods can use their considerable powers to create things. They can make mountains at will, fling out vast acres of forests, carve out oceans, and so on. In short, they have the tools to bring forth the world where the story takes place in and populate them with not just humans but other races, animals, and plants.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, deities can level entire worlds at a whim. For example, they can summon forth a supervolcano that unleashes a catastrophic eruption and cover the world in darkness for a bit. They can also raise the level of the ocean, flooding the world. They only do this when they feel like they have no other choice but to intervene.
Some fantasy gods wield temporal powers unlike any other. Some are gifted with the ability of foresight or looking into the future or the past. How they use them depends on who they are. One might be inclined to simply let things progress naturally without interfering at all whereas other might be compelled to get involved, either causing or preventing the chain of events he is attempting to stop.
Another great power fantasy gods have is that to change shape at will. They can assume the form of mortals or animals to observe events and people. In some cases, they use them to approach certain individuals to communicate with them, whether it be warning them about something or giving them instructions on how to proceed. They only use these powers to speak to those they deem worthy.
Tying it all Together
Fantasy gods are essential in worldbuilding. They make the worlds the stories take place in possible. Every detail you see in the world, from the river to the mountains, was created using by them. Some worlds continue worshipping them and giving thanks to them for the places they live in long after they’ve departed them.
When it comes to incorporating the deities of the world in your own, the first thing to do is flesh out their appearance. A good number of them are tall, making even the tallest man seem like a dwarf in comparison, and have striking good looks. Each one of them has their own fashion style which is largely inspired by their personality and powers.
No two fantasy gods are the same. Rather, they have different personalities that affect the decisions they make and how they perceive the world and each other. A jealous one is prone to drawing the wrong conclusion about something that might lead him to make a grave mistake. Take this time to come up with stellar personalities that make them stand out from the others!
The powers they command are unlike any the world’s ever seen. They can move mountains at will, carve out lakes and rivers, and breathe life into the denizens of the world. Other powers they have can grind even the tallest mountain to dust, raze entire forests to the ground, and even see through time itself.
When working on the history of your world, don’t overlook the importance of fantasy gods. Use them to show how it came to be and whether they’re still active or are merely observing it from afar, choosing only to intervene when necessary.
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Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
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