Welcome to the Void!

I am the One Who is The Ao.  We are two and our Wrath is swift, but fair.

New Players must read these RULES in their entirety, and if possible the ACTs of the current AEON and any previous AEONs.

TURNS

#1. All players are allotted THREE ACT SENTENCE per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)* with which to ACT (being able to store and use up to 3 at one time, but gaining 1 per ACT granting day). The new day begins at 12:00 am midnight, Central Standard Time. Watch the time, since I will treat any premature ACT as invalid, even if it is only a few minutes too early.

#2. All players are allowed to save up 3 ACTs if they so choose, and then use them all at the same time. ACTs beyond 3 are "burned" off as described below and given back to Ao.

#3. All players are bound by the dictates of all previous ACTs by all players.  Once an ACT is adjudicated, it becomes a TRUTH/LAW of the Void and cannot be disputed.  For example, if someone creates an ACT saying all things must die, you are no longer allowed to create immortal beings without facing Wrath of AO.

*No actions can be 'taken back', 're-done', or disputed. What's done is done if adjudication has occurred.

#3-A. Unused Acts revert to Ao, and he may use them for anything he desires. Period. This can have unpredictable consequences, and will be used in an effort to provide more drama for the Narrative of the Void. Act's used this way will always attempt to further the story of the Void.

#4. If notice is given of an impending absence and your god goes into Stasis (as described below), Acts lost will diffuse into the void and not revert to Ao.

STASIS

If for some reason you will absent from play, you can enter STASIS where you will not receive turns as the days pass (as if you were saving them) but you will not be destroyed/ACTs will not be given to Ao either.

#5. STASIS is available for those who have real world concerns that prevent them from signing online and making a one-sentence post for periods of longer than 3 days.

*STASIS turns you, a GOD or GODDESS, into some tangible object or ARTIFACT (see ITEMS OF POWER below) that cannot be destroyed but is none-the-less real to the beings and things of Creation. You may define the appearance of this artifact (it has only the POWER to PRESERVE your deity; it simply IS), but I will decide where it is located at the beginning of your STASIS. It can be moved, stolen, whatever. This impacts none of the gods per say, but will affect all mortals who perceive it. It will ALWAYS appear very special and may draw the interest of beings, especially those who worship you. This artifact however ceases to exist as a reliquary once you have re-entered play, but perhaps the hollow-chamber that once housed your essence may remain... it's your call.

WARNING: If you are absent from play for more than 5 days without notification and STASIS, you will be destroyed by PARADOX. You cannot exist and not-exist at the same time.

MULTIPLE ACTS

#6. When posting your Actions, please limit your post to only as many ACTs as you have or suffer the Wrath of Ao. No god can pre-empt his/her 3 ACTs without having the ACTs first (ie. you can't say "I'll do this when I get my ACT tomorrow, you wait until tomorrow to say what you do with that ACT in game); the moves must be saved up (discussing/planning your next ACTs is fine, but not trying to implement them to fire when your ACT is received).

*If the Wrath of Ao involves your post being deleted ENTIRELY, you get your turn again the next day as if you had saved it/not used it.

I will be keeping track of total ACTs gods have accumulated; if you can fool me, by all means try. If caught, you will not be destroyed but you will suffer the Wrath of Ao, which means I get to make a move (and of course when Ao makes a move, it can be compound or whatever). I may not undo whatever you have done, but I can make it much more complicated.

DESCRIPTIONS

#7. When posting, please describe your ACT in as much detail (or as little) as you deem necessary, but be aware that, if clarification seems needed*, I will put an italicized byline at the bottom summarizing what needs to be added before I will adjudicate the ACT.

*QUITE OFTEN I WILL SUMMARIZE SIMPLY TO ADD UNFORESEEN DETAILS. These details will never alter the spirit (as detailed by you in a private line or message if necessary) of your intended action, they will only add flavor (unless of course you have incurred the wrath of Ao as described below).

The Hall of Eternity

#8. Feel free to use the Hall of Eternity topic as a way of communicating IC (in-character) with other players. Out of character conversations should be private or in the OOC Chat area, so as not to confuse the others. Feel free to make alliances, coordinate your turns to accomplish greater things, and generally be social with the other gods. Those who are fairly active IC may find their ACTs have just a little more oomph to them, this is my gift to players who really show their love for the game by getting into character.

You are also all free to PM one another IC if you want and talk there, the Hall of Eternity is infinite and has many hidden chambers for gods to have discussions in without the prying eyes and ears of their siblings (but be cautious, your confidant might not be very good at keeping secrets!).

ITEMS OF POWER

#9. There are two kinds of ARTIFACTS; the first has already been explained (see #5. STASIS). The second kind is a NON-STASIS ARTIFACT also known as an ITEM OF POWER (which can become a STASIS ARTIFACT as well).

*An ITEM OF POWER is not merely a magic item (which are subject to the laws of magic as defined by whatever the Gods will it to be and can be created by mortals or gods).  ITEMS OF POWER can only be created by the Gods and are slivers of their divinity made material.

WARNING: In exchange for divine level power, there is a chance of backlash against the god who created it. The chance of backlash is known only to Ao, and depends on the usage of the Artifact, who is wielding it and events in the game.  If a backlash occurs, a variety of events can transpire from the artifact being broken into pieces that need re-uniting, the effect of the Artifact backfiring, or the Artifact being completely obliterated outright.

The powers added can be anything (but is essentially one of the three types listed below) but each counts as one of your moves for a day. Up to three POWERS can be invested, and this works just like your ACTs; in fact it counts as however many ACTs are converted into POWERS (you are expending ACTs to create powers being imbued into the Artifact).  An Artifact is always limited to 3 powers, but if you are in a Pantheon, you may split who is putting powers into the Artifact instead of all of them coming from one god.

ARTIFACTS can be used by mortals and ultimately their use is out of your control. However, you can certainly send portents and dreams to mortals (such a message is an ACT) telling them what you want them to do with it. They don't have to do it (unless you spend a whole ACT making them) but will probably. Destruction of ARTIFACTS is impossible except by the deity who made it (or by BACKLASH and hence the Wrath of Ao).

All powers must conform to one of the following IN ESSENCE (that is they can be described cosmetically any way you’d like, but they are still essentially the same):

-ALTER (nothing damaging, but can warp things dramatically)- A rod which can change the weather, a floating sphere which heals the sick of any disease or a book which causes anyone who reads it to fully believe what it says and devote their life to its words are all examples of this.

-DESTROY (full on entropy, this power does exactly what it says)- A sword which allows its wielder to bring lightning down on their foes, a hammer which causes earthquakes, a giant battle-crab which ravages the world are all examples of this (the more destructive, the more ACTs it might require).

-PRESERVE (this one is usually for a STASIS ARTIFACT but can be used for preservation of something else besides a deity)

Artifacts/ITEMS OF POWER can be as varied and different as the gods themselves, don't feel limited by what you see above. YOU CAN mix types of powers, so you could theoretically have an Artifact with an Alteration power, a Destroying power and that also can be used as a Stasis Artifact if you really want.  If you are worried about a certain Artifact you want to make, you can PM Ao and discuss it with him first.

THE DOMINO EFFECT

Code  Word: Green- Write this in your RTJ when I ask for your RPoL username and the "code word" to show that you read the rules fully.

#10. The DOMINO effect is a term used to describe some action that could be construed as more than one ACT (by Ao) and runs the risk of the Wrath of Ao, but essentially accomplishes ONE ACT and therefore evades my direct intervention.
Such ACTS test the limits of what is allowed and are subject to my interpretation as per the WRATH OF AO

Ao will generally point out the first time this happens in any given game (since it can be a hard concept to understand if you haven’t played a God Game before) and be lenient initially, but after everyone has seen that initial example, the leniency will quickly drop off.

PANTHEONS

#11. PANTHEONS- At least three gods who pledge to share their works openly with one another will be called a PANTHEON. There are two advantages to being in a PANTHEON. First, you can create ARTIFACTS together. Second, each AEON following the 1st, a PANTHEON will gain PANTHEON ACTs equal to its total membership. These can be used by any member of a PANTHEON, although discussion would seem to be advisable.

The pledge of a PANTHEON is essential and lasts until one of the Gods breaks the agreement, at which time the Wrath of Ao comes to pass. And how!  All Pantheon ACTS, after the breaking of the Pantheon agreement, will be retroactively WRATHED for the blasphemous disregard for the sanctity of the Pantheon (the PANTHEON must decide on a PACT to agree upon when it is first created and present this PACT to Ao with all Gods swearing to it in Ao’s presence, this will officiate the creation of the PANTHEON).

Any god may be in ONE Pantheon at the same time.

ADDENDUM: THE WRATH AND TRUST OF AO

WRATH OF AO- A better idea of what exactly the Wrath of AO is... it is essentially DM's fiat, that is whatever gets -me- going (and more often than not even if it is damaging to whatever long term plans you might have it is at least interesting). Don't complain! Anyone who suffers the Wrath of Ao (no matter how little or how much) took a -risk- WILLINGLY.

However, I will make things interesting and try to progress the story in an Interesting Way and not just ruin whatever you have done (although that might happen in the process, you are warned).

TRUST OF AO- I will not eradicate the subject of your act(s) unless, you want me to (under special circumstances), or you ignored my warnings about things you need to fix with your creations. You will always have a chance to fix errors BEFORE I ADJUDICATE*, I will not wipe your creations due to poor wording (although they may be wiped out from some other unforeseen circumstance), but I may twist your intent based on missing information in your Flavor Text. As always these twists are intended to further the story and Drama of the Void.

*Once Adjudication occurs however, nothing can alter what has been decided by Ao.

ADDENDUM II: The Passing of AEONS

AEONS are like chapters.  At some point, Ao will call for a vote to initiate a new AEON, for which a majority wins.  If the AEON does NOT pass, then Ao will begin to intervene directly in the affairs of creation more often (and his WRATH will become more CHAOTIC and UNPREDICTABLE).  Eventually, Ao will call for another vote by the same rules, and with the same outcome if it is not passed.

When a new AEON is opened, the last one is closed.  A lengthy undisclosed amount of time passes for which the cosmos to develop unmolested by the gods.  A short description by Ao, much like a State of the Union address, will head each AEON and set-the-stage so to speak.

Each Aeon will last for 3 weeks by default. Even gods need to rest, so the Gods will Vote Starting 3 days before the end of the 3 week period to end the Aeon. This vote will be open until either all gods place their votes, or the 3nd week comes to a close. The result of this vote will then decide whether the game ends at the end of the 3 week period or continues on into the next week.

If this vote fails, and for each subsequent week that the vote fails, Ao gains an increasing ability to directly ACT in the void, and Adjudications may begin to experience instabilities/wraths for no reason. These instabilities are a direct result of Divine Fatigue. After all even gods must slumber from time to time. As always, these instabilities, will always push the narrative forward in a dramatic or interesting way.

If things progress for too long, disastrous consequences can occur with more frequency instead of just strange side-effects... and once a vote is decided, the Gods must remain awake for the whole next week… so beware!

ADDENDUM III: MULTIPLE SENTENCES

As Rule #1 says, you have THREE ACT SENTENCE saved per week with which you may ACT. If you wish to write more than one sentence, please make your actual ACTs stand out in some way (underlined, emboldened, differently colored or something of that nature).  The non-bold text will be flavor, while the bold is the actual core aspect of the ACT.

Here is an example:

Lord sees that the void is empty, and creates a small, hard object, dubbing it a rock. The rock is gray and covered in fine cracks. If you stare at it long enough, it kind of looks like a picture of Thomas Jefferson, Lord thought to himself.  "What a fine rock!" he says to himself smugly.

Lord creates a rock.*

And the rock floats in the void, being an object of no interest whatsoever. For some reason, Lord feels very pleased with himself.

The italicized portion represents Ao's recap of the ACT and its effects on Creation (in this case, not many).

*Although throughout this set of rules, I have been saying ONE ACT SENTENCE, this wording is a little off. You may actually have more than one sentence in the bolded portion that explicitly states your ACT, it is just suggested that you ONLY PUT the MOST IMPORTANT details of the ACT here. The Flavor Text is for all of the extra wording, the actual bold ACT itself is only for the most important info/the ACT itself.

ADDENDUM IV: CHANGES

Ao retains the right to change any names or other details that he feels threaten the individuality of this game over others that may or may not have come before.

(I don't know who added this Addendum, but I guess I'll leave it. No such thing as too much fine print.)

ADDENDUM V: BLANKET LAW ACTs

No GOD may make an ACT containing a law that adjusts, removes, or restricts the power of another GOD.  Gods themselves are above the effects of ACTS.  The only way a God may be restricted is by the laws of the Void itself and previous ACTs.

For example, your deity cannot claim all trees as their domain in an ACT and say no other gods may affect trees in any way; or put a bubble around a mortal and claim no other god can affect that mortal while they are in the bubble.  A god COULD however state that immortality is impossible as an ACT, thus limiting other gods from creating immortals.  It is a subtle difference, but very important.

Gods may also never create a 'hands off' area for specific gods. All creation is open for all gods.

ADDENDUM VI: MORTAL BURN:

This is what happens when the divine directly contacts a mortal.  This ONLY includes directly showing oneself to a mortal; sending mortals visions/dreams, disguising oneself when among mortals or other discreet methods WILL NOT cause mortal burn. The Effects of Mortal Burn vary, and will thematically fit with the creature and the God, as well as progress the story in some interesting way.  Mortal burn DOES NOT mean death for the mortal, perhaps they will go blind from the splendor of your deity, or even swear their life to you or go insane... death is a possibility, but not always the case.

ADDENDUM VII: PRECEDENCE:

God's must remember that the Void is Not the World we live in, you MUST NOT assume that Ao will adjudicate an Act based on real world physics, mechanics, etc. The preceding acts will be the Primary "world" that Ao will use to determine the outcome of your acts.

This means that all previous ACTs determine the outcome of future ACTs, and may lead to unforeseen consequences or differences from how events/outcomes would occur in our world.

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Closing Note on Cause and Effect:

Remember, in this game, all actions have consequences.  An ACT done in the first Aeon will have repercussions in every Aeon to follow in one way or another.  Conversely, ACTs often require certain prerequisites to work properly.  For example, I have seen players new to God-Games time and time again create animals and plants on completely barren worlds.  Those plants and animals then promptly die due to lack of air/water/food, and the player becomes angry that their ACT didn’t work as intended.  They forgot the rule of consequences, and their ACT suffered for it.  Heed this as a warning, think before you ACT, whether past or future be the possible source of trouble.

On the other hand however, do not feel impeded by this, but instead see it as an opportunity to grow your deity! You could bargain with other gods to help you reach your goals (by having them do an ACT alongside you to further both of your goals), or use the roadblocks instead as signposts to help you get to your ultimate goal, having your god evolve and change along the way after overcoming the journey and reaching the destination.  Who knows, perhaps along the way your god will discover something they wouldn’t have even considered before?

Closing Notes on World Creation Rules:

Because some players are also avid fans of God Games and have played in a large number of them, sometimes they grow tired of having worlds and suns. I've seen worlds full of water, fire or stone and while interesting, they only create one more thing for me to remember and do not end up greatly changing the game. Because of this, I'm going to request that this game take place in a more traditional format, that being a world somewhat akin to our own. There will only be one planet, it can be an incredibly varied planet, but there will only be one (this is to prevent Gods from creating their own little sandboxes to play in and ignoring one another.  Moons, demi-planes, etc. are allowed, but not other planets.  An entire universe of non-inhabitable planets are allowed as artistic license if desired, but nothing more than that).

Seeing that I'm placing this restriction, at the start of the game each god will be given 1 extra Act. This Act MUST be spent on the creation of a habitable world, as in must create animals, plants, water, earth, or something else necessary. This will allow us to get to the more interesting parts of the game sooner. Think of this Act as a free card, which allows your other Act to be spent on something more unique to your character.

The intent of this free Act is not for each god to create their own private sandbox, but rather to rapidly get one world ready for more interesting creation.

Closing Notes on Technology:

Also note, technology in this game will not be restricted to fantasy levels, it can progress to relatively modern or advanced levels, but if gods attempt to artificially speed up mortal advancements beyond reason, especially through simply "giving" them new methods or knowledge, it will generally go awry. Teaching cave-people how to make fire and spears, or bronze age folk how to sail is fine... but giving cave-people knowledge of creating laser weaponry is not. With that said, laser guns and mecha suits are not out of the question if the game progresses long enough... I just don't want to see any gods handing them out to Stone-Age tech civilizations. If we get to that level of technology, it will be a natural growth.


All right. Now go be a God!
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:46, Mon 01 Mar 2021.