There have been a lot of good ideas so far, but a lot of them have been just one or two gods at a time with no consideration for other gods. A god pantheon should have some consistency to it which binds the gods together yet lets each god have their own realm of influence.
Some of the gods suggested so far have only been of a single characteristic. However, gods should also have some level of duplicity to them to give them more depth. With more depth comes more story opportunities.
Mentioned several times already was an idea of a tier system such as Elder Gods and Younger Gods. This I like idea as well because it suggests that there may have been gods who did once exist, and perhaps still do, but who mortals will never see. Possibilities must also exist to bring new gods into being, or to ascend into godhood.
There should also be some things that are off limits to gods. Two things I would suggest leaving purely within the hands of mortals is Emotions and Technology.
1) Gods evoke emotions in mortals just by showing off their powers. They shouldn't embody a single emotion as fear to one mortal could be caused by a wolf ripping out a throat, but to another mortal they get satisfaction because that wolf was their pet doing their bidding during a fight.
2) Gods have powers to do what they will within their sphere of influence. Technology shouldn't be "a power". Technology is developed by mortals for mortals.
With that I bring you some abstract god concepts.
Hedonistic Elder Gods: These Elder Gods have been around for thousands of years. They have grown complicit and care little about the workings of the mortals so long as they go about their lives. They have already given their gifts to the world and now rest on their laurels enjoying the benefits of their works. However, they still have the ability to revoke or curse mortals and younger gods for their transgressions. These gods are credited with giving mortals their most basic of senses.
God of Flavor - Bakers, Cooks, and Brewers all pay homage to this god within their craft. They seek out the most flavorful ingredients and blend them together with skill to make them even more potent. When blessed by this god you will never make or eat a bad meal. When cursed you will serve up the most foul of concoctions. To those truly despised, their sense of taste is fully revoked which often leads to food poisoning and death.
God of Texture - Weavers and Tailors praise this god for the lavish sensations it has gifted to mortals. The silk worm and moth are cultivated In homage to this god. For their is the smoothest and softest touch possible. With this gods blessing every touch is an unfathomable pleasure. Yet when cursed even silk will chafe the skin and every foot step feels like needles of pain.
God of Appearance - Painters, Sculptors, and Masons take pride in their work because of this god. Vibrant colors, graceful curves, and strong edges are the purest form of worship. For with this gods blessing a thing or a person will radiate beauty and all will be attracted. A curse from this god is truly disfiguring and none will want to interact with you.
God of Sound - Musicians, Story Tellers, and even Politicians use the gifts of this god for trade. Music and words that let us mortals communicate our desires to one another can olny be used because of this god. Those blessed may have a sharp tongue or ear. Those cursed may stutter or have an unpleasing voice. While those who are hated may well be mute or deaf.
God of Aromas - Perfumers and Hunters work under the influence of this god. Smells are created using a wide verity of ingredients. With skill scent can be used to make oneself more appealing or even draw in creatures who would otherwise avoid a more natural smell that they've learned to avoid. Those blessed will have a more discerning nose. A curse from this god is perhaps the most devastating. Even the most resolute can only last so long when they only smell the foulest of things and no other creature will come near as they to will smell those things.
The Younger Gods: There are so many paths to look down that I will just try to group them together in some meaningful way.
Conceptual Gods
Organization - Clean/Dirty
Patterns - Shapes/Scribbles
Communication - Language/Gibberish
Agreements - Truth/Lies
Chance - Luck/Unlucky
Reliability - Consistent/Inconsistant
Physical Gods
Growth - Fertility/Death
Prosperity - Wealth/Poverty
Guardianship - Security/Vulnerability
Nature Gods
Of Swamps
Of Forests
Of Plains
Of Mountians
Of Seas
Of Rivers
Fame Gods *In this example all Gods are denoted as “Chuck” followed by their name
Norris - War
Testa - The Wild Hunt
Bartowski - Stealth
Garric - Music
Charles - The (un)Dead
