The R'ang are a highly influential group of ancient gods throughout the entire world of Ylta. These ancients were the patrons and protectors of many different kinds of wildlife and were generally worshipped by them in their animalistic ways. After many years of nurturing and caring for these beasts, the R'ang eventually started evolving larger intelligence in the creatures they cared for. The evolution of these beasts eventually led to the creation of the first Beastkin.
Both scholars from the Dealanai Academy and the Cealdegart League of Nine agree that there is no such thing as a single race of beings known as 'gods'. Thus, the definition of the word according to the academy is as follows:
"A being of other-worldly power and vitality worshipped by any number of followers."
Despite this statement, experts of the academy do believe that many of these beings can be categorized in several groups of deities, these groups are as follows:
Celestials
Celestial beings are the inhabitants of the outer planes of reality. Some well known examples of these beings are angels. Due to their origin in the outer planes, these beings have a view and understanding of the prime material plane that no mortal being can match.
Ancients
Ancients are beings that are as much part of the prime material plane as the world shards and the The Arcanum themselves. They are intertwined in the very fabric of existence. Many of these ancients represent certain concepts or ideas. A well known example of these deities in Merilleon is the mother of the wild, Ehlonna. She represents the forests of the world and will protect them with all her power. These gods are often local and multiple can exist that represent the same idea.
Elevated
Elevated deities were once mortal beings. These deities have achieved immense power in one way or another and gained a cult of followers. The actual line of when a powerful mortal achieves divinity is often discussed, but usually it involves reality altering power or the abandonment of mortality. It is now generally believed in the more historically advanced cultures that the Imrahli fall under this category, despite many of the original medach claiming that they are celestials.