Gods descending was already a thing but some of them really did become rulers of towns and even kingdoms. The actual process of them becoming rulers were not always that peaceful as they demanded kings and queens to step down from their reign. Some gods would just be happy being something akin to a figurehead that only guides other but some want power.
The number of kingdoms that had their royalty deposed increased by at least 200%. The gods that became the new rulers of kingdoms changed the entire area into their sanctuaries. Even if the mortals would try and fight the gods, the actual gods can still retreat back to their divine realms as most of them made sure to not fully descend. In the end, it is the mortal kings and queens that had to escape from persecution.
