Before Man came, the Elders roamed the Spheres, and found homes for their children. The gods, too, travelled the Spheres, but they had no children. For a while they were content, but as time passed they grew jealous.
Thus it was that the gods decided to make children for themselves. But the gods did not agree on what form their children should take, and for a long time they argued. In the end they agreed that all should take a part in the shaping of their creation, and that the order should be determined by lot.
Hanuman, it was, who went first. He was - and still is, for all I know - a friend to the Beast Lord Monkey. He had the honour of choosing the shape of the new creature, and it was the monkey he used as his model.
Many other gods took their turn and each did their part in the shaping of Man. I was once told what each god gave, but I was bored and did not listen. Until it came to Hera's gift.
Hera had consulted with her friend, Maharaja Peacock. Peacock displayed his glorious plumage and extolled it's suitability as a covering, while preening himself. Hera resolved to give Man feathers as beautiful as those of Peacock. To do so she had to remove the hair from the bodies of the first humans, and this she was doing when the Trickster's patience came to an end.
Trickster pushed his way past the gathered gods to grant his gift - although Hera had only just begun. Other gods moved to assert their claims, and in an instant the agreement broke down and the gods began to fight.
Somehow during the fight, some god passed the spark of life to the unfinished creations and man lived and moved. The first men looked around them, saw their creators locked in battle, and ran for their lives.
As commonly happens arguments over the fight preoccupied the gods far more than the task that had led to it. Perhaps shame at the unfinished state of man had a part too. However it was, for a long time the gods ignored their creation.
Somehow Man thrived and the human population grew. Some learned of and talked with the Beast Lords or Bird Kings and even began to worship them. And then there was the Void. Even then there were places in the Spheres which were close to the Void, and somehow contact was made.
Of the fruits of that contact there is much that could be told. Of the first gates - gates which were also shrines to the Void. Gates that could be opened to anywhere or from anywhere by those with the knowledge and power. Gates that the Gods sought to close, fearing the purpose of the Void. Gates which were hidden by those who value knowledge and power over piety. But you, a Sorceror and Daughter of Sorcerors would know that better than I
And there is more that could be told. Of how mankind first spread across the Spheres. Of how the touch of the Void entered the lineage of men. Of how that touch manifests itself even today. Of how it is renewed although the old ways are lost. Of The Walker, who seemed the culmination of that touch, but who was, perhaps, only the harbinger of what is yet to come.
But these are secrets too dangerous to tell. I have been punished once by the gods, and I am not eager to be punished again. If you wish to learn more of them, look to your family. The House of Crookstaff is ancient and has many secrets.
Everway is copyright Rubicon Games 1996. Everway is a trademark of Rubicon games. This document is not intended as a challenge to those rights.
This document is copyright Paul King 1997.