I'd go with more 'power can destroy creativity'. Consider - I always runs campaigns where power has its price. It doesn't matter if you're a fighting man, a mage, whatever. You'll acquire enemies or allies, your researches have side effects...it's all good.
So, in a world without the influence of the gods...what would happen to those adventurers that become high enough level to threaten the immortal Queen? Hmm.
