It was a dark turn of events in this new age but perhaps inevitable, still a war had not yet broken out among the Gods. A time when that might happen though was fast approaching, the world was slowly filing up and being claimed by the divines. With it, the borders got closer and closer, perhaps then that it was no surprise that some of the early disagreements were about border disputes.
Adding to this was Incaendium who had set forth his people on expansion. So far they had been contently to merely raid the main land and trade back and forth between the land masses. Now at the behest of their god they were pushing out eastwards into the uncharted territories of the main land. Villages who had only known the fear of the fire men and their serpents soon had them arriving and claiming dominion.
Those nearest did not resist, they had already been beaten into submission and bowed before their new God and his chosen people. Fear of him had already been born in their hearts and you needed to believe in something to fear it. Some villages tried to put up a fight but found themselves assailed, the wryms that the people kept as pets would harass them and swarm about them. Confusing them and causing them to lash out blindly until they were subdued and made slaves. Others nodded with acceptance since surely people with such wondrous creatures must be god chosen?
Those who encountered the Incaendium's chosen form of the wax man were awed instantly, it was one thing to question people who claimed to be of the gods but another to doubt a burning giant who decreed itself a god.
In short the expansion was swift and effective, quickly leading to a host of new villages swearing loyalty or being enslaved.
As for the new social class, the Monstrati, the people took to it instantly. It was very close to what they had already but they had yet to make it official. Already the highest class of people were thinkers and a Council of Wise men governed in their Gods name, to create a social class dedicated to thinking, recording and study was simply the next logical step and the people embraced it.
They mastered the language of their God quickly enough and set to study in all things, learning the first basics of mathematics and engineering. Schools of all types opened as the question of "Why?" was put to every subject and that which was found wanting was studied or dismissed. The peoples practical if sometimes brutal nature was only enhanced by this, even people without a use needed to find one or be discarded. A bold warning for slaves.
Slaves though were denied the teachings of the Monstrati as their God had told them clearly, slaves were no better than animals and the bright gift of knowledge was not to be wasted on mere beasts. Slaves who were caught trying to unlock those secrets were punished accordingly, the worst crimes saw the worst punishment. Burned alive as an example of their gods judgement.
So it was that the foundation for an Empire was being laid, a culture with strict rules and structure began to ruthlessly be spread across the land.
Yet while all this went on, another first happened in this new and bright age. The God of Death began to dream.
(Incaendium moves to level 5 belief, map updated)
http://postimg.org/image/u0rqggp29/