The Age of Gods and Demons
Before the sun rose, gods walked and demons ruled.
The Age of Gods and Demons represents the primordial epoch in the Lord of the Mysteries timeline, preceding the Ancient Sun Era. It was a time when supernatural entities known as Old Gods and Outer Deities walked openly among humanity, exerting direct influence over the world's fate. This era is defined by its mystical intensity and the near-total dominance of non-human powers over mortal civilization. History records from this period are fragmented, often buried beneath layers of madness or sealed away for safety. It serves as the foundational backstory for why supernatural forces exist in the current world, marking a time when reality was far more permeable to higher-dimensional influences than it is today.
- Predecessor
- Unknown Primordial Time
- Successor
- Ancient Sun Era
- Primary Conflict
- War Between Old Gods and Outer Deities
- Human Status
- Near Extinction
- Divine Influence
- Absolute Dominance
- Outcome
- Sealing of Major Entities
Lore & Background
During this period, the boundary between the material world and higher dimensions was thin. Gods and demons were not distant figures but active participants in earthly affairs, often treating humanity as cattle or playthings. The era concluded with a cataclysmic war that shattered many divine powers, forcing the remaining entities to retreat into the depths of the universe or become sealed. This conflict laid the foundation for the Beyonder pathways known today, as the fallen gods left behind their authority and rules in the world. Humanity survived only by hiding within the shadows of these divine battles, eventually rising during the subsequent Ancient Sun Era when the immediate threat of walking deities was neutralized.
In Their Own Story
A lone survivor crouched beneath a crumbling altar, clutching a shard of obsidian that hummed with forbidden light. Above, the sky burned violet as two colossal silhouettes clashed, shaking the mountains to dust. There was no place to run; only the shadows offered protection from the gaze of a waking god who sought to reclaim its lost dominion over this broken land.
Reader's Guide
The Age of Gods and Demons serves as the foundational backstory for the current world structure in Lord of the Mysteries. It explains why supernatural powers exist and how humanity nearly vanished before recovering during the Ancient Sun Era. This period is crucial for understanding the origins of the Beyonder pathways, which are remnants of the fallen deities' authority left behind after their defeat. Historians within the story view this time with a mix of reverence and fear, as records from it are fragmented and often corrupted by madness. The transition to the Ancient Sun Era marked humanity's first true chance at survival, protected by forces that opposed the old gods. Understanding this era helps fans grasp the cosmic stakes involving the Outer Deities and the Old Ones who still threaten the world today. Ultimately, this history is not just ancient lore but an active threat. The entities from this age are not gone; they sleep or wait in the void, making the knowledge of their past power vital for any Beyonder seeking to navigate the dangers of the current Era of Steam and Mystery without losing their sanity.
Did You Know?
- This era predates the establishment of the Tarot Club's modern activities by thousands of years.
- Many Beyonder pathways trace their origins to the authority left behind by gods from this period.
- The Ancient Sun Era began only after most active deities were sealed or destroyed.
- Records from this time are often incomplete due to the high risk of madness associated with studying them.