http://www.weavespinner.net/worlds_of_f ... rin%20KaelThis is a whole series. It's all about finding a remnant from the time the world was created that becomes active every five thousand years - something that can turn people into gods or do any number of other things, which is generally a very bad thing - and, when it's time try to not do anything at all with it. A hint: last time some human got it the result was a power hungry new god and a massive demon invasion. The world has a very colorful history, diverse cultures each with their own past mistakes and glory, with many different types of characters that can change a great deal over the books and lots of large scale battles. (Sending an army cause there's a rumor said artifact is in some other country is a very reasonable thing to do, right? Especially if said country is already at war with some other nation.) Assassinating competitors and champions (priests sent by gods) turns into the favorite passtime of many powers around the world and if you're looking for noble kings you're looking at the wrong series.
It's politics, love, friendship, suspicion, betrayal, battles, one on one fights with willing or unwilling opponents, assassinations, atrocities from all sides (MC does his fair share, too...) and generally greed as well as faith going totally out of control. Throw in the by now sealed god that used to be the human who got the artifact the last time and the whole world descends into chaos.