Competing with another god for the same Authority offered only danger, no reward? Was that why most gods from beyond the Multiverse had arrived in this universe during the Second Era?
Back then, Order had only just been established. Most planes were still desolate, and the gods had yet to rise. The Authorities that formed their foundation remained unclaimed. Outsiders could descend freely without risking conflict with native gods over them...
But by the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Eras, the gods had risen, and their Radiance shone across the planes. Hardly any gods from beyond the universe arrived anymore.
Jiang Hao pondered this silently, then asked,
"As far as I know, quite a few gods arrived from beyond the universe at the beginning of the Second Era. But by the Fifth Era, almost all of them had left. Only a handful remained, including you?"
Why did they leave? And why did you stay?
A smile crossed Corellon's androgynous, delicate face.
"Because we had different reasons for coming."
"Some gods entered this universe simply to experience different sights and cultures. To them, this Multiverse was just one stop on a long journey. They paused to take in the view, then soon moved on to another universe."
"Others came to the Multiverse seeking a way to advance. I was one of them, as were Paladine, Leader of the Good Dragons, and Takhisis, the Dark Dragon Queen."
"Paladine and the others left soon after realizing there was no opportunity to advance here. They went to seek one in other universes. I stayed because I couldn't bear to leave the elves I had created, and because I wanted to watch this Multiverse develop through a god's eyes. I hoped to learn something from that development."
"The outcome did not disappoint me. The rise of