Myths of the Realm Rewritten

[Ath192]

In the literary
So here's a question with that very thing in mind:
If you have a civilization that worships a particular dragon as a god in a setting, but we as players/readers are aware it is not in fact a god, is it still a god?

Yes, I would say so. It is consistent with the dictionary description as well, a being or object that is worshipped as having more than natural attributes and powers. Just because we are ignorant of it, or deny it as being a god because we ourselves don't worship it, or its even presented to us as a non-god, does not mean this entity is not being worshipped and is a god to a subset of people.

Since it matches the definition, it is a god, whether you reject it or not.

[DPZ2]

Since it matches the definition, it is a god, whether you reject it or not.

"Excuse me. What does god need with a starship?"

Sometimes "gods" are just. Not.

[Absimiliard]

Yes, I would say so. It is consistent with the dictionary description as well, a being or object that is worshipped as having more than natural attributes and powers. Just because we are ignorant of it, or deny it as being a god because we ourselves don't worship it, or its even presented to us as a non-god, does not mean this entity is not being worshipped and is a god to a subset of people.

Since it matches the definition, it is a god, whether you reject it or not.

Am I to infer then that if an author tells the readers a character being worshipped as a god (or possessing multiple qualities of gods) isn't actually a god, it should be considered one anyway in spite of the author's intent? Because creatures that possess all the qualities of gods but are expressly stated not to be gods are quite common in fiction, as are entities worshipped as gods despite possessing none of the qualities aside from said worship.

In fact, why don't we use Zodiark and Hydaelyn as our examples? Both were originally believed as gods. Both were later revealed to not be gods, yet they clearly possess attributes in line with gods as defined by the dictionary. Are they still gods, when the game tells us outright they aren't?

Not trying to poke fun. I am genuinely curious as to where you draw the line between dictionary definition and writer intent.

[Ath192]

Am I to infer then that if an author tells the readers a character being worshipped as a god (or possessing multiple qualities of gods) isn't actually a god, it should be considered one anyway in spite of the author's intent? Because creatures that possess all the qualities of gods but are expressly stated not to be gods are quite common in fiction, as are entities worshipped as gods despite possessing none of the qualities aside from said worship.

In fact, why don't we use Zodiark and Hydaelyn as our examples? Both were originally believed as gods. Both were later revealed to not be gods, yet they clearly possess attributes in line with gods as defined by the dictionary. Are they still gods, when the game tells us outright they aren't?

Not trying to poke fun. I am genuinely curious as to where you draw the line between dictionary definition and writer intent.

The problem with this take is that entities do not choose whether they are gods or not, its collective faith that does. If the people in Eorzea worship these beings they are gods to them. However, if an entity has god like qualities, but isn't worshipped, then it is not a god, because the aspect of faith is missing.

If the author does not consider them gods that is because they reject them as such, not because they are not gods to their worshippers. Also, a god can have multiple statuses, they can be an ascian and a god, a primal and a god etc..

I don't know if I missed this but you must have a concrete definition of what a god is, with a set of criteria, if you don't, then how could you possibly know what is or isnt a god let alone claim an entity is or isnt? And if your criteria is whatever the author tells you then... thats you.. he's your dictionary, but I'll stick to the approved definition as stated in the Merriam Webster dictionary.