What are the gods for?

[DamianFatale]

The amount of power they have is nigh infinite. To shape a realm in any way they like in an instant would take a massive power source. It's clear that they are gods, even if that is not how they started. I doubt they weigh their full power against you.

I think instead they weigh you with wits, and strategy, and adjust their strength to a level that they know you can overcome with enough hard work. If you can overcome that, then you pass each gods personal trial that they made for you, and your adventuring friends.

The fact that people believe in them as gods, and that they do watch over the planet, does make them so. There's no disputing it, whether they were created by the Ascians, are a primordial already existing force, or something different entirely. The fact that they live in their own realm, and have so much power is enough to be a god.

Even the Ascians were godlike to us, the power is incomparable to anyone alive in the present setting of the game, the only difference that they were not really worshipped. Though one could say that maybe the Garleans at some point worshipped their Emperor, especially in the end of things, so that may count as a god. Hydaelyn and Zodiark count as gods since they were worshipped, and were basically superhumans.

The google dictionary definition of a god is as follows: a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity.

Being able to die does not disqualify one from being a god. Gods can die and still fit the definition of the concept.