The Gods of the Mentium

The Mentium

The Mentium rules the world. This clandestine order has pulled the strings of society for millennia but its members are far from true gods. Instead, these semi-immortal humans can both read minds and project thoughts, images, and commands into them. These are the ‘gods’ true powers and in the age of radio, they call their kind Broadcasters.

The Upper Echelon and Underlings

As Broadcasters realized just how lucrative their powers could be, they formed their given religions, multiple religions each, to fill their pockets. As their empires expanded, conflict with each other was inevitable. The god Tian, the oldest of the Upper Echelon pushed for unity. Combined forces meant combined profits and the worlds religions became monopolised, starting with the empires of the ten founding members of the Upper Echelon.
Underlings are the workforce of the Mentium. As human exploration expanded, new gods and the religions they’ve built, were brought into the fold. These new recruits then reaped the benefits of, and served, the Mentium. All gods must exist within the Mentium or they will not exist. The choice is clear. The Mentium does not tolerate competition.

Each of the gods within the Mentium have taken many forms over the millennia but they choose to live as their favorite divine incarnation. Browse the slideshow for profiles on all ten members of the Mentium’s ruling class, the Upper Echelon, as well as two important Underlings.

  • Marduk is one of the most famous of all Mesopotamian gods. He is the patron god of Babylon and is a god of justice and magic among many other attributes. In RADIO, Marduk, or M as he’s known is an arrogant but brilliant scientist who must stop the other members of the Mentium from ruining their lucrative way of life by by bastardizing his radio. {{PD-US}} https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marduk_and_pet.jpg
  • Lilith, in many Jewish traditions, is depicted as Adam’s first wife. She left Eden, refusing to bend to Adam’s will. In other religions and mythologies, she is often depicted as a succubus or demon. In RADIO, her determination and will are on full display as the chief military strategist for the Mentium, Marduk’s lover and fiercest rival, and the one tasked with his capture. {{PD-US}} https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lilith_(John_Collier_painting).jpg
  • Artemis is the Greek goddess of the hunt. She was worshipped widely for her purity. In RADIO, she maintains her love of the hunt but, along with her twin, Apollo, is anything but pure. Their vain attempt at reclaiming the limelight is the catalyst for M’s treason and the central threat to civilization in the story. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diane_de_Versailles_Leochares.jpg
  • Apollo is the Greek god of the Sun and in Radio his ego is just as massive. He and his twin sister Artemis are hell bent on using Marduk’s radio to reclaim the celebrity they enjoyed in the days when their divinity was on full public display. If Marduk wants to save the Mentium and civilization, he has to stop the Twins before it’s too late.
  • In Chinese religion, Tian is more than a god, he is heaven itself. This sense of purpose and grandeur helped propel the oldest and wisest of the gods to unite the various religious empires of the world into one singular, profitable unit. The Mentium. As Marduk’s mentor and father-figure, Tian is one of the few gods Marduk can trust as he works to stop the Twins.
  • Yemoja is the goddess or orisha of water and motherhood in the West African Yoruba religion. In RADIO, while she may not posses a nurturing side, her calm, resolute nature is revered by almost all within the Mentium. A rare feat in a group of arrogant gods. Marduk hopes he can trust her but while Yemoja is not as selfish as other gods, she’s far from selfless and always pragmatic. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yemoja_Abayomi_Barber.jpg
  • Ma’at is the Egyptian goddess of truth and justice. Often seen as more of a principle than a god-like entity, it’s unclear what principles she holds during the events of RADIO.{{PD-US}} https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maat.jpg
  • Cernunnos is the horned god of Celtic polytheism. This pagan nature deity is often linked to shamanism and like a good shaman, Cernunnos must consult other gods before making any decision to help Marduk in his quest.
  • Radegast is the Slavic god of hospitality but also of war. He can be persuaded to fight but would much rather drink and make merry. Marduk needs his help to stop the Twin’s idiotic plan but can he convince him to join the battle in RADIO? https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Radegast_v_ml%C5%BEn%C3%A9m_oparu_07.jpg
  • Kali is the Hindu goddess of of death and of doomsday itself. In RADIO her fiery attitude makes for a great party but inspires little trust. Her lust for power and stomach for violence makes the Twins’ plan even more deadly. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kali_by_Raja_Ravi_Varma.jpg
  • Izanagi is one of the Japanese Shinto creation gods. In RADIO, he is an Underling, the group of gods who joined the Mentium after the Upper Echelon was solidified. He is Marduk’s protégé and confidant but the potential for power can drive people to do anything. {{PD-US}} https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kobayashi_Izanami_and_Izanagi.jpg
  • Kukulkan is the featherd serpent god of Mayan religion. In Radio, he is also an Underling. His stoic nature contrasts with his flair for style. His loyalty to superiors like Lilith is strong but his sense of duty is stronger. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChichenItzaEquinox.jpg