Mortals did not need gods to order them to kill eachother. They were quite capable of finding reasons to do so themselves.

Wisdom and knowledge is everywhere, but so is stupity.

I wound up studying art and design, got a job at Lonely Planet Publications as a designer, cartographer and illustrator.

If your appearance is all people see, they have no respect for your mind.

Cery: So, Hem, tell me why I shouldn't see how many holes I need to make before you start leaking money?

The first rule of world-building is available physics, which basically means that if you want it to feel real, it has to follow the same rules as this world, from gravity to how human behaviour works. If you have a fantasy element that doesnt obey the laws of physics, make sure that it has a fantasy explanation.

So what were you [Sonea] and Dorrien discussing before?' Akkarin asked. She turned to regard him. 'Discussing?' 'Outside the farmhouse when I was buying the food.' 'Oh. Then. Nothing.' He smiled and nodded. 'Nothing. Amazing subject, that one. Produces such fascinating reactions in people.