Welcome to Ashes of the Divine — a progression fantasy set in a fractured world scarred by the death of gods, where power is earned through nightmares and truth hides beneath shadow and silence. If you're new or feeling overwhelmed by terms like "Divine Trial," "Aspect," or "Calamity-class beast," this chapter will guide you through the world and power system without spoiling major plot events.
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1. The World After the Collapse
Seven years ago, the gods died. No one knows how. Their deaths left the world in disarray — divine flame extinguished, monstrous beings rising from the edges of reality, and the laws of nature cracking.
In their place, a new force began to stir: Divine Trials. These are vivid, often deadly dreams that awaken hidden powers in humans. If you survive a Trial, you change.
Not everyone is chosen. Not everyone survives.
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2. The Awakened and the Divine Ranks
Those who survive their first Trial become Awakened. They gain an Aspect — a manifestation of power tied to their essence. All Awakened can only grow by surviving more divine Trials.
There are seven Divine Ranks, each representing an evolution of power:
1. Initiate – Newly awakened. Power is unstable.
2. Adept – Control is refined. First ability becomes stable.
3. Marked – Survived a greater Trial. A divine mark appears.
4. Ascendant – Aspects deepen. Second ability awakens.
5. Saint – Domain-level control begins.
6. Myth-Touched – Reality bends around their existence.
7. Godforged – Ascended to the edge of divinity. Rare, legendary.
Each Awakened has a Main Aspect (e.g., Umbrakinesis – shadow manipulation) and may eventually develop a Sub-Aspect (a supportive or secret trait).
For every Rank advanced, a new ability awakens — tied directly to the character's Aspect. That means a full Godforged will have 7 unique powers.
Progression is only possible through surviving Trials — there is no shortcut.
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3. Beast Hierarchy
As the gods fell, the world twisted. Creatures once hidden crawled into the light. They are classified by Rank and Class.
Beast Ranks (by danger):
1. Beast – Base threat level. Common in corrupted zones.
2. Monster – Faster, stronger, usually enhanced by divine rot.
3. Devil – Capable of using minor abilities.
4. Demon – Intelligent. Manipulates terrain, strategy.
5. Tyrant – Territory owners. Apex-level threat.
6. Terror – Disaster-class beings. Wipe towns or cities.
7. Calamity – Rare. The closest things to living cataclysms.
Beast Classes define how they fight:
Brute – Strength and size
Stalker – Speed and stealth
Caster – Uses ranged/magic-like abilities
Wretch – Twisted or mutated
Hive – Swarm logic
Parasitic – Infect and control
Behemoth – Environmental destruction
Aberrant – Reality-breaking
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4. Divine Trials
These are surreal realms experienced in dreams or through specialized structures (like the Dreamforged Arena). Every Trial forces a candidate to confront fear, regret, or a hidden truth.
Win — and power is yours. Lose — and you may never wake again.
Trials grow in complexity and scale with each Rank.
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5. The Seven Academies
To survive the new world, seven powerful Academies were formed. Each trains Awakened to control their power and face higher-tier beasts.
Umbravale (shadows, survivalist)
Frostgarde (discipline, endurance)
Thornmere (deception, illusion)
Stormhold (aggression, lightning-based Aspects)
Verdelain (growth, spiritualism)
Auric Bastion (order, defensive mastery)
Cindervault (explosives, combustion Aspects)
Inter-Academy competitions, like the Dreamforged Tournament, decide prestige — and sometimes reveal threats buried deep in the system.
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6. Other Elements
Beast Cores – Absorbed or forged into weapons. Provide minor boosts.
Divine Marks – Rare. Appear after a major Trial. They brand the soul.
Aspects – Your soul's truth. No two are exactly alike.
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Ashes of the Divine is a story of survival, power, and unraveling the death of divinity itself. If you love progression systems, haunting lore, and characters who grow through struggle — welcome.
The Trial has begun.