The Godwars
Ancient divine conflict between the Seven Gods and the God King that ended with his sealing in the Void and mortals receiving the gift of magic.
The Godwars refer to the ancient and cataclysmic conflict fought specifically between the Seven Gods and the God King (Maloch). These wars were not merely battles of armies, but collisions of cosmic power fueled by the Source itself. The outcome was the survival of the Seven Gods, who sealed the God King in the Void, leaving behind a world where mortals were granted the magical abilities once reserved for gods.
- participants
- The Seven Gods vs. the God King (Maloch) and his forces
- outcome
- Sealing of the God King in the Void; the Seven Gods survived
Lore & Background
The final phase of these wars resulted in the sealing of the God King in the Void, a separate dimension associated with the God King and the Eternal Empire, not born from the ashes of fallen gods. The Seven Gods deliberately gifted mortals with Source magic, rather than it being scattered remnants of fallen deities. The scars of this era remain visible in the unstable nature of magic and the lingering threat of the Void.
In Their Own Story
The librarian traced a finger over the crumbling parchment, the ink glowing faintly with residual energy. Outside the Arx tower, rain lashed against the stone, but inside, the air smelled of ozone and old blood. The text spoke not of kings or queens, but of burning stars falling from the sky. He closed his eyes and saw them: towering figures of light clashing in a void that was not empty, their screams echoing through time as they tore each other apart. When he opened his eyes, the candle had burned out.
Reader's Guide
Understanding the Godwars is essential for grasping why magic exists in Rivellon today. During this ancient era, gods monopolized Source power until their infighting destroyed them. This history explains the scarcity of divine entities in the current timeline and why mortals can now access such potent abilities. The conflict set the stage for modern struggles involving the Void and Source users. Players will encounter references to these wars through ancient texts, ruins, and dialogues with scholars. Recognizing this context helps clarify the stakes when dealing with god-like threats in later storylines.
Did You Know?
- The Seven Gods survived the Godwars; the God King (Maloch) was sealed in the Void.
- The Source magic used by mortals was a deliberate gift from the Seven Gods, not a remnant of fallen deities.
- The Void is a separate dimension tied to the God King and the Eternal Empire, not created from fallen gods.
- Physical ruins from this era are rare but often contain unstable magical anomalies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were The Godwars?
The Godwars were cataclysmic ancient conflicts between the Old Gods that once ruled Rivellon and its surrounding realms. These battles involved collisions of cosmic power fueled directly by the Source rather than conventional armies.
Who fought in these wars?
The primary participants were the deities known as the Old Gods, along with their devoted followers who wielded divine might alongside them. The fighting took place across the entire continent of Rivellon and extended into adjacent realms.
What weapons or powers were used during the Godwars?
Combatants utilized raw Source Magic and immense Divine Might to wage war on a scale that shattered the heavens themselves. These forces were far beyond mortal capabilities, representing the full extent of godly power.
How did The Godwars end?
The conflicts concluded with the near-total extinction of the divine race as most deities perished in the chaos. This devastation left the world devoid of active gods but fundamentally altered its magical landscape.
Why are The Godwars important to mortals today?
These wars are significant because their outcome allowed mortal beings to inherit and access Source magic, which was previously reserved only for gods. Without this ancient cataclysm, humans would likely lack the magical abilities that define modern Rivellon.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in the Divinity Original Sin universe
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