YES! Such a good read!

Szass Tam did nothing wrong

I had originally done quite a bit of tinkering with tectonics for my world's map, but found I wasn't getting the results I was looking for/getting frustrated with just how much was involved to feasibly replicate it.

I found my fantasy solution: while the world was still molten hot from its creation, great elder beasts were plopped down on it, and in their ensuing melee, the mountains, hills, oceans, and trenches were formed. Their now dead forms can still be found on the world, many of the largest mountain ranges, island chains, and deep sea trenches found along their breadth.

I didn't really answer your question, but you had me thinking of bashing my head against my keyboard for a couple of weeks some time ago!

Indarra - Industrial Revolution Low Fantasy

The Maiden, first of the darkness, set out to achieve her works, though none were around to witness, to praise. She lit the Great Forge, the Sun, and went to work forging a powerful blade. Assembling floating specks of matter from the darkness, the Maiden created Indarra, the First Blade. As she quenched the gleaming metal in the void, the slag from the blade took form and the world was created as she pulled Indarra free.

Great elemental beasts of fire, earth, and air were born to the molten orb, thrashing about the surface in a frenzy, dazed by their sudden creation. Intrigued by her accidental creation, the Maiden took her blade and cut into the void, drawing its ichor, and the liquid poured forth onto the world becoming water. The last elemental beast was born, and its balancing influence calmed the skys, contained the earth, and extinguished the flame.

There's a bit more going on after this, another sword created, etc. But that felt long enough for a comment. Came up with a bit of new stuff while fleshing this out for typing, thanks for the post! Also quite liked your story, the creation of Mechanus in particular. Kelaster gives me Loki/coyote trickster vibes, but not to be scorned by mortals.

~~Avengers~~Pantheon: Civil War, I like it! Could make for a baller Capcom-esque fighting game. But I like the vibe here, though a question. Was Change being born the impetus for these other gods to come about? Like, Change peeling out of the cosmos ripped up some "divine magic gunk" and these other beings were born? Or is that not quite right?

If you're looking for a TTRPG and not wanting to worry about the lfg hassle, check out Ironsworn! Grimdark low fantasy, playable in solo or co-op. Just takes some getting used to, and reading lots of player advice, but playing solo become very easy if you already have that rpg brain leading the way. Also free materials online, but I bought the core rules and the "dungeon" expansion hardcopies for about $50 (USD).

I've since converted a couple of things and am solo playing to beef up the plot of a book I'm writing in a world I've been working on for about 5 years. Makes that process engaging for the gamer side of me!

Can't help you with the bees, I'm afraid...

Not sure I'm going to support it when there all plenty of decent free third party apps. Been using Jerboa since I made the switch, and have enjoyed the interface quite a bit.

I just can't get behind the idea of paying for the ad free experience. Still support the developer, but it better not be like Sync's $20.

I'd love to be a gatekeeper saying "we're already full, turn back around", but I'm a CA transplant myself. Personally, I'm looking to leave myself: too cold most of the year, and it's getting really $$$. YMMV

That anxiety bit is too true, it has me fairly despondent when I think about it too long. It's fair assertion you make, for sure.

Nah, existential is spot on

Relating to existence

Seems all too apropos in this context.

Good to see some Tennesse Ernie Ford still floating around!

Fair enough, I just don't have a frame of easy reference for standard, as it seems many don't for imperial.