Heroic Roleplaying in the Archaic Age of Greece
A Wild Talents Setting by Paul Mitchener
Introduction
As the old saw says well: every end does not appear
together with its beginning. (Herodotus)
Blood of the Gods is set in a fantastic version of Greece
in the middle of the 6th century BC, approximately the
end of the Archaic Age. Greece at this time is divided
into a large number of independent city states, with
Athens and Sparta among the most influential.
It is a time of progress. Literacy is no longer an esoteric
skill, and laws are publicly displayed. The Greek people
are beginning to see themselves as citizens of a polis,
equal under the law, rather than mere subjects of a
monarch or tyrant. Most city states are oligarchies,
being ruled over an aristocratic council rather than a
hereditary king, and these oligarchs are firsts among
equals rather than absolute sovereigns. The great
achievements of the Classical Age of Greece lie in the
future.
It is a time of change and turmoil. Both Athens and
Sparta have undergone drastic legal reforms. The
individual city-states battle for influence and control.
Greek colonies are spread all around the Mediterranean
and form another battleground, both between
different cities, and between democracy and tyranny.
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It is a time of legend. The creatures of myth still exist.
Medusa, who was killed by the hero Perseus, was just
one of three gorgons, and her sisters are immortal. The
Cyclopes obey no law or gods, and eat human flesh.
There are tales of a tunnel leading to Hades’ realm,
although no two stories agree where the entrance lies.
There is other magic. Inexplicable things and natural
disasters are explained as the will of the gods. The
oracle at Delphi delivers accurate if enigmatic
prophecies. And certain heroes, descendants of the
gods, have powers and abilities that exceed those of
ordinary humans.
The player characters are these divine heroes. They are
the only ones who have a chance against the monsters
that still menace civilization. They are the most
talented individuals of the day in their chosen fields,
and are courted by those who wield political power.
These divine heroes are in a position to make changes
and shape events throughout Greece.
This supplement for Wild Talents contains rules for
creating divine heroes, details of the gods of ancient
Greece and the divine Gifts they grant to such favored
mortals. There is information on the Greek world
and its culture, as well as information on some places
and creatures of legend. Finally, we include a sample
adventure and a number of further adventure seeds.

Contents
Introduction 1
Heroes and
Antagonists 3
Skills 3
Riding (Coordination),
Boating (Coordination) 3
Healing (Mind) 3
Philosophy (Mind) 3
Security Systems (Mind) 3
Weapons and Armor 3
Divine Hero Archetype 4
Gods and
Religion 5
Hubris 5
Contact With the Gods 5
Gods and Titans 5
Olympian Gods & Associates 6
Aphrodite 6
Apollo 6
Ares 6
Artemis 7
Athena 7
Demeter 8
Dionysus 8
Hades 8
Hecate 8
Hephaestus 9
Hera 9
Heracles 9
Hermes 9
Poseidon 10
Zeus 10
Gifts 10
Adamantine Blade 10
Aegis of Protection 10
Artificer 11
Asclepian Medicine 11
C aptivating Beauty 11
Deflection 12
Divine Perfection 12
Dragon’s Teeth 12
Favored of Gaia 12
Fearsome Presence of Pan 12
Fire Breathing 12
Fire Resistance 13
Flawless 13
Flight 13
Girdle of Aphrodite 14
Godlike Vigor 14
Helm of Hades 14
Heroic Inspiration 14
Immunity to Poison 14
Impenetrable Skin 14
Lethal Strike 15
Luck of Tyche 15
Oracle 15
Petrifying Gaze 15
Philosophical Insight 15
Plague of Arrows 16
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Sense the Divine 16
Sorcery
Speed of Hermes
16
16
Stamp of Poseidon 16
Storm of Blows 16
Strength of Heracles 16
Stunning Glance 16
Tactical Insight 17
Thunderbolt 17
Unrestricted Passage 17
Water Breathing 17
Way of the L and 17
Wings of Daedalus 18
Wrath of Achilles 18
Ancient Greek
Culture and
Beliefs 19
Divine Heroes 19
Greek Culture and the Polis 19
Philosophy and Technology 19
Clothing 19
Temples 20
Games and Contests 20
Marriage and Children 20
Slavery 20
Theater 20
Women 20
Xenia 21
Further Reading 21
Recommended Viewing 21
Real and Mythical
Places 21
Argos 21
Athens 21
Colchis 21
Corinth 22
Delphi 22
Miletus 22
Mount Atlas 22
Naucratis 22
Olympia 22
Sparta 22
Tarterus 23
Thebes 23
The Underworld 23
Events 24
Example
Characters 25
Atreus 25
Danae 25
Elpenor 26
Melanion 26
Ophion 27
Theogenes 27
Z agyrus 28
2
Monsters 28 Sample Adventure:
The Calydonian Boar 28 The Golden
Centaur 29
Cerberus 30 Fleece 40
Chimera 30 Vani 40
Cyclops 31 Gorgias 41
Gorgon 31
Chalciope 41
Griffin 32 1st L abor: The Gift of Gaia 42
Harpy 32 2nd L abor: ‘Bandits’ 43
The Hydra 33 3rd L abor: Promethus and
Manticore 33 the Griffin 44
The Minotaur 34 Avoiding Prometheus 45
The Nemean Lion 34 Treachery 45
Pegasus 34 The Fleece and the Dragon 45
Serpent (Giant) 35 Aftermath 45
Siren 35
The Sphinx 36 Adventure Seeds 46
The Curse of Hera 46
Sample Adventure: The Tyrant 46
Uninvited Guests 46
Funeral Games 36 Liberty 46
Invitation 36 Descent to the Underworld 46
Historical Note 36
Major NPCs 37
Nikos 37
Merope 37
Anchises 37
Pelopidas 37
Gyges 38
Bandits 38
The Banquet and Aftermath 38
A Confrontation 39
The Games
Foot R aces
39
39
Archery 39
Chariot R ace 39
Music 39
Pankration 39
The Boar of Plataea 39
Written by Paul Mitchener, © 2010; updated 12 May
2014, © 2014. Illustrated by Todd Shearer, © 2010.
Edited by James Knevitt and Shane Ivey. Page design by
Jessica Hopkins. The One-Roll Engine is © Greg Stolze.
The Wild Talents rules are © Dennis Detwiller, Kenneth
Hite, Shane Ivey and Greg Stolze.
Published by Arc Dream Publishing. Visit us on the web
for more about Wild Talents: www.arcdream.com
Special thanks to our playtesters: Danni Bayn, Simon
Beaver, John Becker, Carl Congdon, Neal Dalton, Tim
Davis, Mark DiPasquale, Sean Dunstan, Steve Dycus,
Marjory Frauts, Jez Gray, Jonny Gray, Tim Gray, Fergus
Hadley, Andrew Head, Matthew Hyde, Allin LeBeau,
Shai Laric, Christopher Loree, Tony Love, Christopher
Malone, Jason Marks, Elaine McCourt, Chad Metzger,
Dom Mooney, Newt Newport, Andrew Sangar, Fidel
Santiago, Graham Spearing, Robert Stehwien, John
Tuman, Tom Zunder. Thanks also to the author’s players
at the Furnace convention.

Heroes and
Antagonists
What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone
monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.
(Pericles)
Characters are created with 215 points. Ten of these
points must be spent on the Divine Hero archetype.
The remaining 205 points are spent on Stats, Skills, and
Gifts. A character has 85 points to spend on Stats, and
50 points to spend on Skills. As usual, stats cost 5 points
per die, and skills cost 2 points per die. A maximum of
5 dice in a Stat or Skill is allowed. No special dice are
permitted in Stats or Skills at this stage.
The remaining 70 points can be spent on Gifts. Any
special dice in Skills are purchased as Gifts. Note that
a maximum of one Hard Die and one Wiggle Die in a
Skill is allowed. The Divine Perfection and Flawless Gifts
grant a single special die in a Skill.
Note that if a Gift turns a Skill into a Hyperskill, either by
adding a Hard or Wiggle Die, or making a skill do something
miraculous, the character can either buy the cost of
enhancing the skill at this stage, or else have the Hyperskill
entirely as a Gift; do whatever is appropriate for the
character concept, and makes keeping track of points easier.
Any points left over after purchasing Stats, Skills
and Gifts can be spent on increasing Base Will and
Willpower, at the usual costs of 3 points per level and 1
point each, respectively.
Skills
We make a few changes made to the Skill list in Wild
Talents Second Edition in order to better reflect
characters in the ancient world.
Riding (Coordination), Boating (Coordination)
The Riding skill includes riding horses and the control
of carts and chariots. The Boating skill covers control
of both sailing and oared ships of any size. Riding
and Boating are the only variants of the Driving skill
available in Blood of the Gods.
Healing (Mind)
The First Aid and Medicine skills are combined into a
single Healing skill in Blood of the Gods. Without an
appropriate Gift (Asclepian Medicine) a character with
this skill can only heal Killing damage when the patient
has extensive bed rest. To be precise, a Healing check
can be made once per week to convert Width Killing
into Shock at each hit location. Shock damage can be
cured with rest or first aid according to the usual Wild
Talents rules.
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Philosophy (Mind)
The subject of philosophy includes natural philosophy,
moral philosophy, logic, and metaphysics. In this
setting, the philosophy skill consists of all abstract
rather than applied knowledge.
A character needs at least one die in the Philosophy Skill
to be literate.
Security Systems (Mind)
This skill does not exist in the ancient world.
Weapons and Armor
The typical Greek infantry soldier, or hoplite, is a citizen
of his city-state and a part-time soldier (although
Sparta is an exception here). Hoplites fight in a close
rectangular formation called a phalanx.
The hoplite is armed with a large shield, a long spear,
and a short sword. Hoplite armor consists of a bronze
or leather breastplate, a helmet and greaves. This
armor is LAR1, and is the only type commonly available.
Exceptionally finely armor can sometimes be obtained;
it is LAR2, and likely to be valuable.
Lighter, unarmored infantry also exist, though they are
small in number compared to the hoplites, and are very
much support troops. Peltasts are javelin throwers,
and armed with a shield and three javelins. Archers are
armed with a bow and short sword.
Cavalry also exist in small numbers, and typically do not
wear armor. Cavalry are armed with a sword and either
a spear or javelin. Chariots are not employed by Greek
armies at this time, but are used by the Persians.
Weapon Damage Notes
Axe Width+1 in Killing
Long Spear Width+1 in Killing
Sword Width+1 in Killing
Short Sword Width in Killing
Javelin Width+1 in Killing
Thrown weapon.
Bow Width in Killing
(Not a compound bow, and so
does less damage.)
 Divine Hero Archetype (10 Points)
S ource : D ivine

P ermissions : P ower Theme (A ncestor god), P ower Theme (Patron G od)

D escription : A divine hero has both a divine ancestor and a patron god . F or e x ample , H er acles
was the son of Z eus , but was aided in his l abors by Athena’s patronage . A divine hero ’s powers ,
which are c alled G ifts , should be appropriate to the spheres of influence or e xcellence of his or
her divine ancestor or patron . M ore information on G ifts c an be found in “G ifts ”.

The patron and ancestor c an be the same god if desired . I n this c ase , the hero gains a +1 bonus
to B ase W ill and +2 points of W illpower , but is more restric ted in his choice of G ifts .

At le ast one of a hero ’ s M otivations must match his divine patron ’ s interests . This M otivation
could be either a loyalt y or a passion . F or e x ample , a char ac ter whose patron is A pollo could
have a M otivation to demonstr ate his superiorit y at the lyre ( a passion ), and a char ac ter whose
patron is H ephaestus could have a motivation to defend the weak ( a loyalt y ).

This D ivine M otivation has gre ater importance than normal ; all
W illpower gains and losses
associated to it are doubled . The M otivations as usual . There
char ac ter is free to choose other
is no need for any M otivations to match a char ac ter ’ s divine ancestor ( if different from his
patron god). E x amples of appropriate D ivine M otivations c an be found in S ec tion Three .

Chang ing P atro n

If desired , a char ac ter c an change patrons in be t ween adventures ; changing patrons requires the
char ac ter to make a signific ant sacrifice to the ne w patron . M echanic ally, the char ac ter must
spend a point of B ase W ill and t wo e xperience points .

The hero keeps G ifts associated to his old patron . H owe ver , any ne w G ifts le arned must reflec t
either his divine ancestor or ne w patron god .

C hanging patrons is a hugely signific ant e vent in a char ac ter ’ s life , and represent a signific ant
change in his beliefs and M otivations . I f the old patron is be tr ayed in the process , the
consequences are the same as for an ac t of hubris ; see S ec tion Three for de tail s .

V ir g in Go dde s se s and D e sce ndant s

A number of goddesses are virgins . S uch goddesses c an still have descendants ; not all
reproduc tion in the my ths was se xual . F or e x ample , Athena spr ang fully - armed from the he ad
of Z eus . O ther deities such as A phrodite , D ionysus , and H ephaestus al so have unusual origins ;
for instance , H ephaestus is H er a’ s parthenogenic son .

I n another story, E rechtheus , a legendary king of Athens , was born from the earth after
H ephaestus attempted to seduce Athena . H e could be vie wed as a son of Athena , and thus his
descendants have the goddess A thena as a divine ancestor .

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Gods and Religion
Look now how mortals are blaming the gods, for they
say that evils come from us, but in fact they themselves
have woes beyond their share because of their own
follies. (Homer)
The Greeks venerate a number of gods, but chief
amongst them are the twelve Olympians.
Many cities have one patron god who is honored above
the others and who has a special interest in the city’s
welfare.
Sacrifices are made to the gods at a time of religious
ceremony, at funerals, and when it is feared that a
god is angry (for instance, if there is a plague or an
earthquake). Sacrifices are also made to attempt to
secure a god’s good will for an endeavor in his domain;
for example, making a sacrifice to Poseidon before a sea
voyage is always a good idea.
The sacrifice usually involves killing an animal
appropriate to the god being honored. The flesh is then
roasted and eaten by the participants in the religious
ceremony; the skin and bones are burnt on the altar.
The gods are natural forces whose good will needs to
be ensured; they are certainly not paragons of virtue
whose deeds should be emulated. The point of Greek
religion and mythology is to explain history, traditions,
and sometimes natural phenomena. The religion has
no formal system of morality; the priests and priestesses
are there to perform religious rituals and ensure
the gods are honored. Some priests act as prophets
and seers, interpreting omens and oracles, and the
perceived will of the gods.
Hubris
Hubris is an act overwhelming pride and arrogance.
It is a crime against the gods. Gross forms of moral
transgression are also considered hubris.
The most obvious instance of hubris is insulting or
challenging the gods, for example by publicly boasting
that one’s skill at the lyre exceeds that of Apollo. Such
boastful claims are punished by the gods in many
myths. Despicable actions which needlessly humiliate
the victim are also a form of hubris; the classic example
is Achilles defiling Hector’s corpse. Finally, boasting
about one’s good fortune without sharing it with
others or giving proper thanks to the gods could also
invite divine retribution.
However, the gods are no longer as close to the
world as they were in times of legend. A mortal can
blaspheme against the gods and commit gross crimes
without facing direct divine retribution, though other
people and the Gifted will certainly have something to
say about such behavior.
On the other hand, divine heroes are closer to the gods.
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A Gifted character who commits an act of hubris, as
described above, loses all of his current Willpower. If he
has no Willpower remaining, he instead loses a point of
Base Will.
There are two exceptions to this rule. The first
exception is when a character insults another god who
is a rival of his patron. In that case, his patron will
protect him from any ill effects. So for instance one
whose patron is Athena can insult Ares with impunity.
The second exception comes when the character
serves a Motivation by committing a hubristic act. In
this case, the Willpower reward for the Motivation is
doubled, but the hero is cursed, and will suffer from
some unfortunate or violent event in the future. The
nature of the curse reflects the god most offended.
For example, one cursed by Artemis will be attacked
by wild animals, one cursed by Hades or Hermes might
suffer financial disaster, and one cursed by Ares will find
himself in trouble in battle.
Contact With the Gods
The gods no longer walk the earth, even in disguise.
They do not speak directly to mortals, and not even to
divine heroes. The will of the gods still manifests itself
through natural events, disasters, dreams and visions,
and sometimes the presence of monsters. It is the role
of priests and oracles to interpret such phenomena.
Despite this lack of direct contact, a hero knows who his
divine ancestor and patron are. He knows if his patron
is displeased with him, though he might not necessarily
know the reason why. The loss of Willpower from
going against a Divine Motivation or from an act of
hubris is a concrete signs of a god’s displeasure.
Some people see a divine hero as acting on behalf of his
divine ancestor, and expect the hero to enact the god’s
wishes. In some cases they are even correct.
Gods and Titans
There are several contradictory accounts of the gods
and their origins. The following is just one version.
The first gods were Gaia (Earth) and Ouranes (Sky).
Their first children were the Titans. Then came the one-
eyed Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires, the one hundred
handed giants. Ouranes was disgusted by the Cyclopes
and Hecatoncheires, and locked them in Tarterus, an
abyss far below the earth.
Gaia, upset at the loss of her children, encouraged the
Titans to rebel against their father. They were led by
the youngest Titan, Cronus. Cronus castrated Ouranes,
ending his rule and leaving the old god powerless.
The fourteen Titans then ruled, a pair for each day of the
week. However, Cronus left the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires
in Tarterus, which displeased Gaia. She prophesied that one
 of Cronus’ children would defeat him. Cronus therefore
swallowed each child whole as he or she was born.
However, Cronus’ wife Rhea hid the sixth child, Zeus.
When Zeus was an adult, he conspired with Metis,
Titaness of wisdom. Metis tricked Cronus into eating
a magical herb, causing him to vomit up his other five
children, who had matured in his stomach. These five
children were Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, and
Hera. Zeus and his siblings defeated Cronus and cast
him into Tarterus, dividing dominion over the universe
amongst themselves.
Most of the other Titans, led by Atlas and aided by Gaia,
refused to accept the rule of the young gods. The result
was war. Zeus freed the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires,
and thanks to these powerful allies he was victorious.
The Titans who opposed him were locked in Tarterus or
suffered other punishments.
The Olympian Gods & Associates
For each of the gods in this section, we mention Favored
Skills, Suggested Gifts, and Motivations. Favored Skills
are skills at which a hero with that god as a patron or
ancestor often excels. The Gifts of Divine Perfection
and Flawless can be chosen to provide a Hard Die or a
Wiggle Die respectively in a favored skill.
Suggested Gifts lists further potential powers for heroes
empowered by a deity; these powers are described in
detail in the next section. Note that the Gift Luck of
Tyche is available to any divine hero, regardless of their
patron and ancestor.
Finally, Motivations are suggestions for the Divine
Motivation of a character with the deity as a divine patron.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite was born from the sea foam after Cronus
castrated Ouranes and threw the god’s severed genitals into
the sea. Aphrodite is the Olympian goddess of love, beauty,
and desire. Her emblems are the dove and the sparrow.
Zeus feared that Aphrodite’s beauty would cause
conflict between the gods, so he married her to the
lame god Hephaestus. Aphrodite was never happy in
her marriage, and has had affairs (and offspring) with
Dionysus, Apollo, and Hermes. However, her most
frequent lover is the war god Ares.
When Zeus held a banquet to celebrate the marriage
of Peleus and Thetis, parents of the half-mortal warrior
Achilles, Eris, a minor goddess of discord and Ares’
sister, threw a golden apple bearing the description “to
the fairest”. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all claimed
the apple. Zeus refused to choose between them,
giving the task instead to the mortal Paris of Troy, who
was known for his fair judgment.
All three goddesses tried to bribe Paris. Hera offered
him an empire, Athena offered him wisdom and skill in
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war, and Aphrodite offered him the love of the most
beautiful woman in the world. Paris chose Aphrodite.
The most beautiful woman in the world was Helen, wife
of king Menelaus of Sparta. When Helen ran away with
Paris, the Greeks’ expedition to retrieve her led to the
Trojan War.
Favored Skills: Boating, Dodge, Empathy, Persuasion,
Performance
Suggested Gifts: Captivating Beauty, Deflection, Girdle
of Aphrodite, Stunning Glance, Water Breathing
Motivations: Casual romance. Find true love. Help
lovers be together.
Apollo
Apollo is the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, and
the twin brother of the goddess Artemis. He is the
Olympian God of music and other arts, archery,
prophecy and medicine. In later accounts, Apollo is also
god of the sun. His symbols are the lyre, the bow, the
laurel, and the solar disk.
In his youth, Apollo was a lustful and impetuous god,
dangerous when challenged or insulted. However, he
has learned moderation.
Apollo is the father of the great musician Orpheus,
who descended to Hades in an attempt to rescue his
lost love, Eurydice, and having failed retreated to
the wilderness and was torn apart by Dionysus’ mad
followers, the Bacchae.
Another mortal son, Asclepius, surpassed his father
in his ability at healing, even gaining the ability
to restore the dead to life. The god of the dead,
Hades, complained to Zeus that his subjects were
being taken away from him. Zeus took his brother’s
complaint seriously, and struck down Asclepius with a
thunderbolt. However, Zeus later repented, and raised
Asclepius to godhood. Ascelpius’ symbol is a staff with
a serpent wound around it.
Favored Skills: Healing, Ranged Weapon, Perception,
Performance, Philosophy
Suggested Gifts: Asclepian Medicine, Music of Orpheus,
Oracle, Philosophical Insight, Plague of Arrows, Sense
the Divine
Motivations: Demonstrate intellectual superiority. Heal
all who are in need. Appreciation of art and culture.
Ares
Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. He is an Olympian
god, and represents war and frenzy. He is a cruel and
violent god. Ares and Athena are deadly enemies, and
Athena tends to win when they come into conflict; in
one engagement, she dropped Sicily on Ares’ head. The
only significant cult of Ares is in Sparta.
Aphrodite is Ares’ lover. When Aphrodite’s husband,
 Hephaestus, discovered she was being unfaithful he
made an invisible net and trapped her naked with
her lover. He then invited the Olympian gods and
goddesses to view the unfortunate pair.

Favored Skills: Athletics, Brawling, Endurance,

Intimidation, Melee Weapon

Suggested Gifts: Dragon’s Teeth, Fearsome Presence of

Pan, Lethal Strike, Storm of Blows, Wrath of Achilles

Motivations: Defeat a particular enemy. The glory of

battle. Needless violence.

Artemis
Artemis is Apollo’s twin sister, and an Olympian
goddess. She is the virgin goddess of the hunt, archery,
and childbirth. Like her brother, she is also a goddess
of healing, although this is not a major part of her
character. Plagues are seen as being brought down by
the arrows of either Artemis or Apollo. Artemis is also
sometimes seen as goddess of the moon.

In many myths, Artemis is a vengeful goddess. For

example, when Actaeon saw Artemis bathing while out
hunting with his companions, the goddess turned him
into a stag. As a result, Actaeon was hunted down by
his comrades.

In another story, Artemis punished Agamemnon by

becalming the Greek fleet sailing to Troy after he killed
a stag in her sacred grove and boasted that he was
a better hunter than her. However, Artemis is also a
protector of children. When Agamemnon sacrificed his
daughter to appease her, Artemis snatched the child
from the air and left a deer in her place.

Artemis is worshiped in most Greek cities, and is a major

goddess in Asia Minor. The deer and the cypress are
sacred to Artemis. Her symbol is a silver bow and arrow.

Favored Skills: Athletics, Healing, Navigation,

Perception, Stealth, Scrutiny, Survival

Suggested Gifts: Plague of Arrows, Unrestricted

Passage, Way of the Land

Motivations: Avenge past wrong. Hunt dangerous

beasts. Protect the innocent.

Athena
Metis, Titan of wisdom, was Zeus’ lover. Gaia warned
Zeus that any son borne by Metis would overthrow
him. Therefore Zeus tricked Metis into turning into a fly
and swallowed her. Some months later, suffering from
terrible headaches, Zeus called upon Hephaestus for
urgent assistance, and the smith god split open Zeus’
head with a hammer. Out sprang Athena, fully grown
and fully armed, and Zeus was none the worse for the
experience.

Athena is the virgin Olympian goddess of wisdom,

justice, the crafts, and the defense of cities. She is

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 trusted by father, and wields his arms, the Aegis and the
Thunderbolt. Her emblem is the owl.
Athena is a frequent patron of individual heroes in the
myths; favored mortals include Heracles, Odysseus, and
Perseus. In many myths she is at odds with the war god
Ares, who she despises as a violent idiot. In the Trojan
War, Athena aided Diomedes in several battles, even
helping him defeat Ares himself when the war god
entered a battle disguised as a mortal.
Favored Skills: Block, Empathy, Knowledge [Craft],
Melee Weapon, Philosophy, Research, Tactics
Suggested Gifts: Aegis of Protection, Deflection,
Petrifying Gaze, Philosophical Insight, Tactical Insight
Motivations: Defend one’s homeland. Justice. Democracy.
Demeter
Demeter is Zeus’ older sister. She is the Olympian
Goddess of agriculture, the earth, and the seasons.
When Demeter’s daughter Kore was abducted by
Hades, Demeter plunged the world into winter as
she searched for her. A compromise was eventually
reached. Kore now lives with her mother in the
summer, and with Hades in the winter. When she
dwells in the underworld, Kore is known as Persephone.
Demeter is the patron of the Eleusian mysteries, in
which certain hidden lore is revealed to any who take
part. The mysteries are open to all Greeks—men,
women, and slaves—but not to those who have
committed murder.
Favored Skills: Perception, Philosophy, Riding,
Scrutinize, Survival
Suggested Gifts: Favored of Gaia, Philosophical Insight,
Sense the Divine, Way of the Land
Motivations: Protect civilization from the wild. Find
hidden things.
Dionysus
Dionysus’ father was Zeus; his mother was a mortal
woman, Semele of Thebes. When Hera learned that
Semele was bearing Zeus’ child, she disguised as an
old woman and befriended Semele, who confided that
Zeus himself was the father of her unborn child. Hera
pretended not to believe her, and caused Semele to
doubt Zeus was who he said he was.
Semele demanded that Zeus reveal himself as a god
in his full glory. Zeus begged her not to ask this of
him, but eventually consented. The sight of Zeus
undisguised killed Semele. However, Zeus was able to
rescue the unborn child and bear it to term sewn into
his thigh.
The child was Dionysus, who grew up to be god of wine,
theater, and festivals. Thus he is worshiped as a god of
pleasure, but he is also god of madness and drunken
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revelation. His followers include satyrs, beings with a
man’s head and torso, but goat-like horns and legs; and
the Bacchae, women inspired by the god into a state of
ecstatic frenzy, lust, and rage. The Bacchae tear animals
(and sometimes men and children) to pieces, devouring
their raw flesh. The great musician Orpheus was killed
by the Bacchae.
When Hephaestus imprisoned Hera in a golden throne,
Dionysus got the smith god drunk and dragged him
back to Olympus. Dionysus was rewarded by being
raised to the status of an Olympian god.
Dionysus’ symbol is the thyrus, an ivy-wrapped staff
topped with a pine cone.
Favored Skills: Endurance, Intimidation, Performance,
Stability
Suggested Gifts: Fearsome Presence of Pan, Godlike Vigor,
Immunity to Poison, Music of Orpheus, Wrath of Achilles
Motivations: Hedonistic pleasure. Bring joy to others.
Demonstrate superior talents as a performer.
Hades
Hades is Zeus’ older brother. He was given the
underworld as his domain after the defeat of the
Titans. Hades is the god of death and wealth. His
wife, Persephone, is Demeter’s abducted daughter,
and is known as Kore when not in the underworld.
It is usually seen as best to avoid attracting Hades’
attention, and he has several euphemistic names,
including The Unseen One and The Host of Many.
Those participating in a sacrifice to propitiate Hades
will bang their hands on the ground to ensure the god
observes them.
Every hundred years, a competition called the Secular
Games is held to honor Hades.
Although Hades seldom leaves his domain, he was
fearsome in battle when fighting the Titans, and has a
helmet which allows him to invisible. This helmet has
at times been lent to fellow gods and mortals, most
famously to Perseus, slayer of Medusa.
Favored Skills: Healing, Intimidation, Stability, Stealth
Suggested Gifts: Dragon’s Teeth, Fearsome Presence of
Pan, Helm of Hades, Lethal Strike, Oracle
Motivations: Amass great wealth. Do not fear death.
Hecate
Hecate is a goddess associated with boundaries and
with magic. She is often portrayed with three animal
heads: the heads of a dog, horse, and lioness. Hecate’s
symbol is the moon.
She dwells in the underworld, and assisted Demeter
in her quest to find her daughter, Kore, when she
was abducted by Hades. Hecate’s origin is obscure;
she predates the Olympians, and is not a subject of
 mainstream worship. However, she is a patron of
sorceresses.
Favored Skills: Lie, Healing, Intimidation, Philosophy
Suggested Gifts: Dragon’s Teeth, Helm of Hades,
Oracle, Sense the Divine, Sorcery
Motivations: Discover occult knowledge. Use magic to
dominate others.
Hephaestus
Hephaestus is the Olympian god of the fire and the
forge, armorer of the gods, and a master craftsman
and artificer. He is Hera’s son; she bore him
pathenogenically in order to spite Zeus and punish
him for his many infidelities and illegitimate offspring.
However, he was born disfigured, and Hera was
displeased at the sight of her son. She threw him out of
heaven, as a result of which he is also lame.
In order to avenge himself on his mother, Hephaestus
sent to her a golden throne; when Hera sat on the
throne, it imprisoned her. The Olympian gods begged
Hephaestus to release Hera, but he refused. The god
Dionysus then visited Hephaestus and shared his wine.
When Hephaestus was intoxicated, Dionysus dragged
him back to Olympus slumped over the back of a mule.
He only released Hera when he was given Aphrodite as
a bride, although as it turns out their marriage is not a
happy one.
Favored Skills: Knowledge [Craft], Research, Scrutiny,
Streetwise
Suggested Gifts: Adamantine Blade, Artificer, Fire
Breathing, Fire Resistance, Impenetrable Skin, Wings of
Daedalus
Motivations: Help the lame and weak. Support the
underdog. Demonstrate utility of fantastic inventions.
Hera
Hera is Queen of Olympus, Cronus’ eldest daughter,
and the official consort of Zeus. She is also the
goddess of cattle, marriage and women. Hera is
widely worshiped, and her emblems include the cow,
the peacock, and the lion.
Hera is jealous of Zeus’ many infidelities, and tends to
avenge herself on his lovers and illegitimate offspring.
For this reason, she does not come across well in many
myths. However, Hera supported Jason in his quest for
the Golden Fleece, and persuaded Aphrodite to make
the sorceress Medea fall in love with him.
Jason vowed to always love Medea. He lost the favor
of Hera and his good fortune when he betrayed
Medea by becoming engaged to the daughter of the
king of Corinth.
Favored Skills: Empathy, Intimidation, Leadership, Lie,
Persuasion
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Suggested Gifts: Captivating Beauty, Girdle of
Aphrodite, Heroic Inspiration, Stunning Glance
Motivations: Protect women. Gain temporal power.
Heracles
Heracles was the mortal son of Zeus, born in the city
of Thebes. Hera hated him from birth; indeed, he was
renamed Heracles, meaning glory of Hera in an attempt
to mollify her. It did not work. A few months after
he was born, Hera sent two serpents to kill the boy.
Heracles was found playing with the limp bodies of the
snakes in his cot as if they were toys.
As an adult, Heracles was driven mad by Hera, and
killed his own children. He was forced to complete
twelve labors set by his enemy King Eurystheus to atone
for his crime. These labors included such great feats as
slaying the Nemean lion, which had an impenetrable
hide, and dragging Cerberus alive back from the
underworld. Athena was Heracles’ mentor in many of
these tasks, and it should be noted that Heracles used
intelligence as well as his strength.
Heracles performed many other great deeds. He was
one of the Argonauts, who went to find the golden
fleece. He killed the sea monster sent by Poseidon
sent to torment King Laomedon of Troy. He defeated
numerous monsters, robbers, and wild beasts, making
Greece safe for travelers. Heracles was deeply loyal to
his friends, but made a terrible foe. He was perhaps the
perfect example of a divine hero.
When Heracles died, thanks to his incredible heroics and
divine heritage, he was raised to the status of a god.
His symbols are the lion skin (the impenetrable skin of
the Nemean lion, which he wore as armor), and the club.
Favored Skills: Athletics, Brawling, Block, Endurance,
Melee Weapon
Suggested Gifts: Godlike Vigor, Impenetrable Skin,
Storm of Blows, Strength of Heracles, Wrath of Achilles
Motivations: Slay dangerous monsters. Protect the
weak. Demonstrate superior physical prowess.
Hermes
Hermes is the herald of the Olympians. As well as being
the god of messengers, he is god of athletics, travel,
trade, and theft. He is also sometimes seen as a god of
persuasion and oratory. Hermes is the son of Zeus and
the Titan Maia.
On the day he was born Hermes invented the lyre. By
nightfall he had stolen Apollo’s cattle. He explained to
Apollo that he had stolen the cows because he craved
milk, and Apollo accepted the lyre as a gift.
Hermes is renowned as the slayer of the hundred-eyed
giant Argus, who (on Hera’s orders) was guarding the
nymph Io from Zeus.
 The god is distinguished by his winged sandals, but his
symbol is the caduceus; a staff topped with wings, with
twin serpents wrapped around it. This symbol is also
carried by messengers and heralds.
Favored Skills: Athletics, Brawling, Dodge, Persuasion,
Stealth, Streetwise
Suggested Gifts: Flight, Helm of Hades, Speed of
Hermes, Unrestricted Passage, Wings of Daedalus
Motivations: Superior athlete. Become rich. The news
must get through.
Poseidon
Poseidon is Olympian god of the sea, earthquakes, and
horses. His symbol is the trident. Poseidon is Zeus’
older brother, and received the sea as his domain when
Zeus was given Olympus and Hades the underworld.
King Laomedon of Troy persuaded Poseidon and Apollo
to build massive walls around his city, promising them a
great reward. However, when the walls were finished
the king refused to pay the gods and drove them off
with insults. Poseidon avenged himself by sending a sea
monster against the city, and demanding Laomedon’s
only daughter, Hesione, as a sacrifice to propitiate him.
Poseidon is the father of Theseus, who killed the
Minotaur and freed Athens from the tyranny of Crete.
In one legend, Poseidon and Athena competed to be
patron deity of Athens. Athena gave the Athenians
the olive tree. Poseidon struck the ground with his
trident, and created a spring; however, the water from
the spring was salty, and Athena’s gift was judged more
useful. Athens bears Athena’s name as a result.
Nevertheless, Poseidon is an important god in Athens,
second in place only to Athena.
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Favored Skills: Athletics, Brawling, Boating, Endurance,
Navigation, Riding
Suggested Gifts: Stamp of Poseidon, Unrestricted
Passage, Water Breathing
Motivations: Avenge any slight or insult. Freedom from
slavery and tyranny.
Zeus
Zeus is King of Olympus, and the god of the sky and
thunder. He is the most powerful of the twelve
Olympian gods. Zeus has fathered many gods and
mortal heroes with different women, both mortal and
immortal. His official consort, however, is his oldest
sister Hera.
The King of Olympus is also the patron of hospitality
and the enforcer of oaths. In one story, Zeus rewarded
an old couple, Philemon and Baucis, when he visited
them disguised as an old beggar and they killed their
last goose to feed him.
Zeus’ chief adviser is his daughter Athena. His favorite
mortal-born son is Heracles, who was especially hated
by Hera. Symbols of Zeus include the thunderbolt,
eagle, bull, and oak.
Favored Skills: Intimidation, Leadership, Lie, Persuasion,
Tactics
Suggested Gifts: Aegis of Protection, Flight, Heroic
Inspiration, Petrifying Gaze, Thunderbolt
Motivations: Casual Romance. Be responsible for those
under one’s command. Seek glory.

Gifts
The glorious gifts of the gods are not to be cast aside.
(Homer)
The Gifts in this section are examples of powers that
fit into the Blood of the Gods setting. The most
appropriate divine patrons or ancestors for a Gift are
written in brackets. It is also noted whether a particular
Gift is a Hyperskill, a Hyperstat, or a Miracle.
Other Gifts can be created using the Wild Talents,
Second Edition Miracle-creation rules. As a general
rule, Gifts empower a character’s mundane abilities
to do miraculous things. Allowing heroes and human
antagonists to have Gifts that conjure energy blasts or
create force-fields could ruin the flavor of the game.
The most common Gifts are Divine Perfection and
Flawless, which grant special dice in a Skill. These Gifts
are the only way a character can have Hard or Wiggle
Die in a Skill or Hyperskill (as opposed to a miracle).
Further, only one die of each type is allowed.
A few Gifts take the form of items. A character
who finds such an item cannot immediately use the
associated Gift, but can learn to use it with experience
points, regardless of his divine ancestor or patron.
Adamantine Blade
(Hephaestus) (5 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Melee Weapon: Sword) +1, Focus
–1, Penetration +5.
The character has an incredibly sharp sword or similar
weapon, capable of cutting through absolutely
anything of mortal manufacture (for example, solid
stone walls). Attacks made with the blade ignore up to
5 points of armor.
Aegis of Protection
(Athena, Zeus) (8 per die)
Defends Power Quality: Defends +2, Duration +2,
Interference +3, Power Capacity (Range) +2, Willpower
Investment –1.
Capacities: Self, Range.
When activated, this Gift protects any character within
range for a scene. It can be used to defend against any
attack, even those that cannot normally be blocked or
dodged.
The Width of any attack made against the protected
character is reduced by the Width of the roll made to
use this Miracle. If the Width of an attack is reduced to
one, it fails entirely.
Activating the Aegis of Athena has a Willpower cost
of 1 per die rolled (2 for a hard die, and 4 for a wiggle
die). However, Willpower spent to use the Gift returns
at the end of the scene.
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Artificer
(Hephaestus) (Miracle, 16 per die)
In rules terms, this power is identical to the
Gadgeteering power in Wild Talents Second Edition.
However, gadgets created using this power must be
appropriate for the setting.
Some of the Gifts described in this section are
appropriate for devices created using this power;
examples include Adamantine Blade, Fire Breathing (if
built into a device), Impenetrable Skin (taking the form
of armor), Thunderbolt and Wings of Daedalus.
A Focus of a power (whether created using this Gift or
not) can be disassembled for Willpower.
Asclepian Medicine
(Apollo) (Hyperskill, 5 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Healing) +1.
Useful Power Quality: Useful (instant healing) +2, If/
Then (requires medical equipment) –1.
Useful Power Quality: Useful (cure disease and poison)
+2, If/Then (requires medical equipment) –1.
Useful Power Quality: Useful (raise the recently dead)
+2, If/Then (requires medical equipment) –1.
Asclepian Medicine is an improvement of the Healing
skill. A skill check can be made to perform instant
first aid, healing Width in Shock and Killing damage
from a chosen hit location with a single round of work.
Diseases and poisons can also be cured in a single
round.
Finally, the character can make a Healing check attempt
to bring someone back from the dead. The victim must
have died in the last few minutes, and the following
round the healer must cure the damage that killed the
victim with a single Healing check or else the victim dies
again. Because it’s such a powerful effect, raising the
dead with Asclepian Medicine has a Willpower cost of 1
per die rolled (2 per hard die, and 4 per wiggle die).
A character needs basic medical equipment such as
bandages and perhaps surgical tools or healing herbs
depending on the ailment to use the Healing skill, even
if he has this Gift.
Captivating Beauty
(Aphrodite, Hera) (Hyperskill, 2 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Persuasion) +2, Duration +2, Slow –2.
A character with this Gift can use Charm+Persuasion to
make a command that a victim absolutely must obey,
either until the end of the scene or until the command
is carried out, whichever comes first. Commands can
be as ridiculous as the character wishes, but cannot
be directly suicidal; ordering the target to attack an
obviously superior opponent, for example, is permitted.
 The target of this Gift is allowed an opposed
Command+Stability roll to resist. After the first round,
the target can attempt another roll to shake off the
effects of this power by spending a point of Willpower.
With the Slow flaw, Persuasion can only be used this
way every other round in a conflict situation.
Deflection
(Aphrodite, Athena) (Miracle, 5 per die)
Defends Power Quality: Defends +2, Interference +3,
Power Capacity (Range) +2, Willpower Cost –2.
Capacities: Self, Range.
When activated, this Gift deflects all blows from a
character within range (10 yards per die) for a single
round. It can be used to defend against any attack,
even those that cannot normally be blocked or dodged.
The Width of any attack made against the protected
character is reduced by the Width of the roll made to
use this miracle. If the Width of an attack is reduced to
one, it fails entirely.
Deflection has a Willpower cost of 1 per die rolled (2 for
a Hard Die, and 4 for a Wiggle Die).
Divine Perfection
[Skill] (Any) (Hyperskill, 2 points)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (any) +1hd
The character has a particular Skill where he excels.
Even if he fails at a task using that Skill, the attempt is
technically perfect.
In rules terms, the character has a Hard Die in a
particular Hyperskill, as well as his normal Skill dice.
This Skill should be relevant to the interests of a
character’s divine patron or ancestor.
A character can only have one Hard Die in a particular
Skill. However, this Hard Die is in addition to the
maximum of 5 dice allowed for a Skill. This Gift can be
combined with the Flawless Gift (below).
Divine Perfection can be associated to a Hyperskill
taken as a Gift as well as to a mundane Skill. In this
case, the cost is increased to twice the cost of each die
in the Hyperskill.
Dragon’s Teeth
(Ares, Hades, Hecate) (Miracle, 1 per die)
Useful Power Quality: Permanent +4, Focus -1, One Use -4
Capacities: Range
A character with this Gift has a number of dragon’s
teeth equal to the dice pool of this Gift. The types of
dice do not matter. When these teeth are thrown to
the ground, they spring up as skeletal armed Minions,
and are loyal to the character’s commands.
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The character need not use all of the teeth at once.
The quality of the Minions depends on the Height of
the roll:
Roll Minion Quality
1-3 Rabble
4-6 Trained
7-8 Professional
9-10 Elite
Favored of Gaia
(Demeter) (Miracle. 4 per die)
Useful Power Quality: Permanent +4, Engulf +2, Self
Only -3, If/Then -1
Capacities: Range
The character automatically heals Width in Shock and
Killing damage from every hit location each round he is
in contact with the bare earth (but not stone). This Gift
will not bring the character back from the dead.
Fearsome Presence of Pan
(Ares, Dionysus, Hades) (Miracle, 4 per die)
Useful Power Quality: Duration +2, Radius +2
Attached -2
Capacities: Range
To use this Gift, a character must make a
Command+Intimidate check followed by a check for the
actual Gift. The maximum number of people affected
equals the Height of the Intimidate check. A victim who
does not successfully defend against the Gift with a
Command+Stability check will flee in complete panic.
A Gifted character or creature can simply spend a point
of Willpower to break free of this effect.
Fire Breathing
(Hephaestus) (Miracle, 6 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Burn +2, Engulf +2, Non-Physical
+2, Slow -2
Capacities: Range
The character can breathe fire. This is a ranged attack
doing Width in Killing and Shock damage to every hit
location. Defenses against physical attacks do not help
the victim. Further, a victim of this attack catches fire,
taking 1 point of Shock damage to each location apart
from the head every round until the fire is extinguished.
A Trauma check is needed each round to avoid panic.
However, this attack can only be used every other round.
Fire Breathing is not in general a suitable gift for player
characters, though it is useful for NPC monsters; such
monsters need not be associated to the god Hephaestus.
 Fire Resistance
(Hephaestus) (Miracle, 3 per die)
Identical to the Immunity (fire) power in Wild Talents,
Second Edition, page 148.
Flawless
[Skill] (Any) (Hyperskill, 4 points)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (any) +1wd
The character with this Gift will never normally fail tasks
with the associated skill. In rules terms, he has a Wiggle
Die in a particular Hyperskill as well as his normal Skill
dice. This Skill should be relevant to the interests of a
character’s divine patron or ancestor.
A character can only have one Wiggle Die in a particular
Skill. However, this Wiggle Die is in addition to the
maximum of 5 dice allowed for a Skill. This Gift can be
combined with the Divine Perfection Gift (above).
Flawless can be associated with a Hyperskill taken as a
Gift as well as to a mundane Skill. In this case, the cost
is increased to 4 per die in the Hyperskill.
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Flight
(Hermes, Zeus) (Miracle, 7 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Augment +4, Native Power +1,
Attached -2, If/Then -1, Locational (wings) -1, Slow -2
Capacities: Self
Defends Power Quality: Native Power +1, Locational
(wings) -1
Capacities: Self
Useful Power Quality: Always On -1, Native Power +1,
Permanent +4, Self Only -3
Capacities: Self
Useful Power Quality: Native Power +1, Locational
(wings) -1, Self Only -3
Capacities: Speed
The character has wings and can fly. Speed is
determined by the table in Wild Talents, Second Edition,
page 111. Having wings means the character has custom
Hit Locations (the first Useful quality), as follows.
 Winged Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 4
2 Right Leg 4
3 Left Arm 4
4 Right Arm 4
5 Left Wing 3
6 Right Wing 3
7-9 Body 8
10 Head 4
The character can also use this power to boost attacks
by swooping into combat; he can make a Body+Athletics
check to add up to Width dice as a bonus to a melee
attack. However, after a swoop attack, the character
needs to regain altitude over his opponent before he
can repeat it.
Finally, the character can use this power to defend himself.
As a cheaper variant, the character cannot use this Gift
to aid attacks or defend himself. In this case, it costs 4
points per die.
Girdle of Aphrodite
(Aphrodite, Hera, Apollo) (Hyperstat, 4 per die)
Hyperstat: Hyperstat (Charm)
The character is incredibly beautiful. In game
terms, this Gift grants dice in Charm in the form of a
Hyperstat. These extra dice can bring Charm above the
usual maximum of 5 dice for a stat.
As a variation, the character could have an actual belt
which grants the Charm bonus. In this case, the cost is
reduced to 3 per die.
Godlike Vigor
(Dionysus, Heracles) (Miracle, 10 per hard die)
Useful Power Quality: Engulf +2, Permanent +4, Self
Only -3
Capacities: Self
The character has a number of extra wound boxes in every
location equal to the number of Hard Dice in this Gift.
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Helm of Hades
(Hades, Hecate, Hermes) (Hyperskill, 6 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Stealth)
Defends Power Quality: Duration +2, No Physical
Change -1
Useful Power Quality: Duration +2, Self Only -3, No
Physical Change -1
Capacities: Self (both qualities)
This Gift is an enhancement to the Stealth skill; it means
the character can make a Coordination+Stealth check to
become effectively invisible for a scene. This invisibility
is not quite true invisibility, but the character can
effectively vanish in plain sight, use the Stealth Skill as a
defense, and hide without any cover. The effect ends,
however, if the character does anything obvious (such
as attack a target) to make his presence known.
As a variation of this Gift, a character could have an
actual helm which grants such a power. In this case, the
cost of the Gift is reduced to 5 points per die.
Heroic Inspiration
(Hera, Zeus) (Miracle, 6 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Augment +4, Extra Capacity
(Range) +2, Attached -2, If/Then (not self) -1, If/Then
(before subject’s action) -1, Willpower Bid (-1)
Useful Power Quality: Augment +4, Extra Capacity
(Range) +2, Attached -2, If/Then (not self) -1, If/Then
(before subject’s action) -1, Willpower Bid (-1)
Capacities: Ranged (all qualities)
The character can make a Command+Leadership check
to add dice from this Gift to another character’s action.
The maximum number of dice that can be added is
equal to the Width of the Command+Leadership check.
A character must use this Gift before the subject takes his
action. If an action fails despite being boosted by this Gift,
the character with this Gift loses 1 point of Willpower.
Immunity to Poison
(Dionysus) (Miracle, 3 per die)
Identical to the Immunity (poison) power in Wild
Talents, Second Edition, page 148.
Impenetrable Skin
(Hephaestus, Heracles) (Miracle, 14 per Hard Die)
Defends Power Quality: Armored Defense -2,
Interference +3, Permanent +4
Capacities: Self
This Gift grants a level of Heavy Armor equal to the
number of Hard Dice in this Gift.
 As a variation, a character could have a Focus (think of
the skin of the Nemean Lion, killed by Heracles, or armor
made by the god Hephaestus), which grants this power.
Having a Focus reduces the cost to 12 points per Hard
Die. If this Gift is granted by Hephaestus and utilizes a
Focus, it will be in the form of enchanted armor.
Lethal Strike
(Ares, Hades, Heracles) (Hyperskill, 3 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Brawling), Deadly
A character with even 1d in this Gift does Killing rather
than Shock damage when fighting using the Brawling
Skill. If he already does Killing damage (for example
due to a high Body score) this Gift means the character
does both Killing and Shock damage with unarmed
attacks. If the character already does both Killing and
Shock damage when unarmed, this Gift adds a +1 bonus
to both types of damage.
Luck of Tyche
(Any) (Miracle, 12 per die)
Identical to the Aces power in Wild Talents, Second
Edition, page 140.
Music of Orpheus
(Apollo, Dionysus) (Miracle, 6 per die)
Useful Power Quality: Duration +2, Radius(x2) +4,
Attached -2
Capacities: Range
To use this Gift, a character must roll
Charm+Performance followed by a roll for the actual
Gift. The music affects all listeners chosen by the
character within a 40’ diameter. As a guideline, the
maximum number of people ‘caught’ by the power is
twice the Height of the Charm+Performance check.
Any individual within the area who does not successfully
defend against the Gift with a Command+Stability
check is completely entranced by the character, and
cannot act for as long as the character continues to
perform. While entranced, a victim is largely oblivious
to other events. In the case of obvious danger, a second
Command+Stability check is allowed for the character to
to break free.
A Gifted character or creature can simply spend a point
of Willpower to break free of this effect.
Oracle
(Apollo, Hades, Hecate) (Miracle, 2 per die)
Identical to the Precognition power in Wild Talents,
Second Edition, page 153.
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Petrifying Gaze
(Athena, Zeus) (Miracle, 6 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Petrify +2, Non-Physical +2, Go
First +1, Traumatic +1, If/Then -1, Horrifying -1
Capacities: Range
This Gift does Width in Killing and Shock damage to an
opponent. If a hit location is filled with Killing damage,
it is turned permanently to stone. If a target is killed by
this Gift, the target is entirely petrified.
Further, the attack is a mere gaze, and so has a +1
bonus to Width for purposes of initiative. Defenses
against physical attacks do not help the victim. The
attack is horrific; if the attack does any damage, both
the character and the victim must make a Trauma check.
Further, any Charm roll attempted by the character
against someone has seen the attack has a +1 difficulty.
This Gift has an important limitation; a potential target
must be looking at the character, although direct eye
contact is not needed. Treat someone deliberately
avoiding looking at the character in a combat situation
as blinded. The use of a mirror to see reflections halves
the penalties arising.
Petrifying Gaze is not in general a suitable gift for
player characters, though it is useful for NPC monsters.
As a variation of this Gift (and one that is suitable for
player character heroes), a character could have a Focus,
such as the Head of Medusa, which grants this power.
In this case, the cost is reduced to 5 per die.
Philosophical Insight
(Apollo, Athena, Demeter) (Miracle, 3 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Augment +4, Attached -2, If/
Then (must declare first) -1, Willpower Cost -2
Defends Power Quality: Augment +4, Attached -2,
If/Then (must declare first) -1, Willpower Cost -2
Useful Power Quality: Augment +4, Attached -2, If/
Then (must declare first) -1, Willpower Cost -2
Capacities: Self (all qualities)
The character can make a Mind+Philosophy check to
add dice from this Gift to any other action performed
by this character. The maximum number of dice
that can be added is equal to the Width of the
Mind+Philosophy check. Further, there is a Willpower
cost of 1 per die, 2 per Hard Die, or 4 per Wiggle Die.
A player must declare that this Gift is used before the
Skill check is made. However, use of Philosophical
Insight does not otherwise count as an extra action,
even in combat.
 Plague of Arrows
(Apollo, Artemis) (Hyperskill, 3 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Ranged Weapon [archery]),
Radius +2, Exhausted -3
This Gift is an enhancement to the character’s archery
skill. A character with even 1d with this Gift can shoot a
huge number of arrows exceptionally quickly, affecting
all within an area 20’ across. As a guideline, the
maximum number of targets equals the Height of the
Archery check.
All targets take the same damage from a single archery
attack. This Gift can only be used once per scene, as the
character can only carry so many arrows.
Sense the Divine
(Apollo, Demeter, Hecate) (Miracle, 3 per die)
Useful Power Quality: Booster: +1
Capacities: Range
The character with this Gift can sense the presence of
others with divine Gifts within the power’s range (which
is ten times the range listed for the number of dice on
page 111 of Wild Talents, Second Edition).
The character with this Gift can also tell whether or not
a character or creature he sees possesses divine Gifts,
and who his or her divine ancestor is. However, this
sensitivity does not help him tell precisely what divine
Gifts a character or creature has.
Sorcery
(Hecate) (Miracle, 16 per die)
In rules terms, this power is identical to the
Gadgeteering power in Wild Talents, Second Edition,
page 145. However, rather than the creation of
gadgets, it is used to model the magic used by
sorceresses such as Circe and Medea in the myths.
The magic used by these women took the form of
potions, salves, and other enchanted devices. For
example, Circe turned Odysseus’ crew into swine after
they had eaten a meal laced with a magical potion.
Medea created a salve to protect Jason from Aetes’ fire-
breathing bulls in the Golden Fleece Myth.
Some of the Gifts described in this section, if built
into a suitable Focus such as a salve or potion, could
be appropriate for things created using this power.
Examples include Dragon’s Teeth, Girdle of Aphrodite,
Helm of Hades, Impenetrable Skin and Petrifying Gaze.
Note that a Focus of a power (whether created using
this Gift or not) can be disassembled for Willpower.
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Speed of Hermes
(Hermes) (Miracle, 2 per die)
Identical to the Multiple Actions power in Wild Talents,
Second Edition, page 152.
Stamp of Poseidon
(Poseidon) (Miracle, 5 per die)
Useful Power Quality: Booster (x2) +2, Daze +1, Radius
+2, Backfires -2
Capacities: Mass
The character can stamp on the ground to cause a small
localized earthquake; doing this causes him to take two
points of Killing damage to the torso.
All structures or parts of structures within 10 yards
of the character are demolished, providing the parts
affected are within 100 times the mass indicated on the
table on page 111 of Wild Talents, Second Edition. This
is almost always the case. Further, the round after this
Gift is used, all other characters caught within the area
of effect have all dice pools reduced by the Width of
the roll made to activate this Gift.
Storm of Blows
(Ares, Heracles, Zeus) (Hyperskill, 3 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Melee), Spray (+1wd) +4,
Exhausted -3
This Gift is an enhancement to a character’s Melee
skill. When used, it grants a bonus Wiggle Die to the
character’s attacks, and means that multiple attacks
may be made without penalty.
However, this Gift is exhausting for the character, and
may only be used once per scene.
Strength of Heracles
(Heracles) (Hyperstat, 4 per die)
The character is incredibly strong. In game terms, this
Gift grants dice in Body in the form of a Hyperstat.
These extra dice can bring Body above the usual
maximum of 5 dice for a stat.
Stunning Glance
(Aphrodite, Hades, Hera) (Miracle, 3 per die)
Useful Power Quality: Daze
Capacities: Range
The target of this Gift cannot move or otherwise act for
a round. Further, the next round, the target’s dice pool
is reduced by the Width of the roll made to activate this
Gift. Fortunately for the target, he is allowed an opposed
Command+Stability check to resist the effects of this Gift.

Tactical Insight
(Athena) (Miracle, 10 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Augment +4, Duration +2,
Attached -2, If/Then (must declare first) -1
Defends Power Quality: Augment +4, Duration +2,
Attached -2, If/Then (must declare first) -1
Capacities: Self (both qualities)
The character must make a Mind+Tactics check to use
this Gift. When it is in effect, the character gains a
number of this Gift’s dice as a bonus to all attacks and
defenses for a scene.
The maximum number of dice that can be added is
equal to the Width of the Tactics check.
In addition to this Gift, there are two variants which cost
5 points per die each. One variant, Offensive Insight,
only allows the bonus dice to be used on attacks. The
other, Defensive Insight, only works for defenses.
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Thunderbolt
(Zeus) (Hyperskill, 3 per die)
Hyperskill: Hyperskill (Ranged Weapon [throwing]),
Electrocuting +1, Lethal (x2) +2, Non-Physical +2,
Exhausted -3, Focus -1
The character has a thunderbolt which may be thrown
as a weapon at a target. With a successful strike, it
does Width+1 in Killing and Shock damage. The attack
cannot be blocked, and armor is ignored. Further, the
damage inflicted is replicated in every hit location
between the one hit and the ground, ending in one of
the victim’s legs (choose which leg randomly).
Once thrown, the bolt must be retrieved from where it
lands to be used again; in any case, it can only be used
per scene. If a character wishes to have more than one
thunderbolt, he may take this Gift more than once.
Unrestricted Passage
(Artemis, Hermes, Poseidon) (Miracle, 8 points (2 Hard Dice))
Useful Power Quality: Endless +3, Self Only -3.
Capacities: Self
The character can travel through any terrain at the same
speed as over flat level ground.
In the variation of this power granted by Poseidon, the
character must be riding; this is an If/then flaw which
reduces the cost to 4 points.
Water Breathing
(Aphrodite, Poseidon) (Miracle, 8 points (2 hard dice))
Useful Power Quality: Useful Power Quality: Endless
+3, Self Only -3
Capacities: Self
The character can breathe water as easily as he breathes
air, and suffers no movement or action for being
underwater.
Way of the Land
(Artemis, Demeter) (Miracle, 12 points (2 hard dice))
Useful Power Quality: Duration +2, Radius +2, Attached
-2, Willpower Bid -1
Capacities: Range
This Gift is similar to Unrestricted Passage, but lets the
hero and a group of companions travel over any terrain
as if over flat level ground.
The maximum number of people who can travel using
this Gift is equal to the Height of a Mind+Survival
check. If the Survival check fails or is inadequate,
the character can try again at a cost of one point of
Willpower.
Each use of Way of the Land lasts for a single journey.
 Wings of Daedalus
(Hephaestus, Hermes) (Miracle, 4 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Augment +4, Attached -2, Focus
-1, If/Then -1, Slow -2
Defends Power Quality: Focus -1
Useful Power Quality: Focus -1, Self Only -3
Capacities: Self (Attacks and Defends qualities), Speed
(Useful quality)
The character can fly with the aid of a pair of
mechanical wings. Speed is determined by the table on
Wild Talents, Second Edition, page 111.
The bearer of this Gift may use this power to boost
attacks by swooping into combat; he can make a
Body+Athletics check to add up to Width dice from
this Gift as a bonus to a melee attack. However,
after a swoop attack, the character needs to regain
altitude over his opponent before he can repeat it. The
character can also use this power as a defense.
As a variant, the character cannot use this Gift to aid
attacks or defend himself. In this case, it costs just 1
point per die.
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Wrath of Achilles
(Ares, Dionysus, Heracles) (Miracle, 6 per die)
Attacks Power Quality: Attacks +1, Augment +4,
Duration +2, If/Then (see below) -2, Willpower Cost -2.
Capacities: Self
When this Gift is activated, the character flies into a
rage. During the rage, the character gains this Gift’s
dice as a bonus to any attacks. Further, all attacks do +1
damage.
Entering the rage requires Willpower; the cost is 1 per
die in this Gift, 2 per Hard Die, and 4 per Wiggle Die.
When raging, the only action a character may take is
to attack, although he may choose his target. If no
enemies remain, he is obliged to attack allies.
Emerging from the rage requires a Command+Stability
roll, which may only be attempted once per round.

Ancient Greek
Culture and Beliefs
He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need
because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a
beast or a god. (Aristotle)
Society in the Ancient World has features which are
alien to the modern point of view. Incorporating some
of these aspects into a game is one way to make it feel
more historically authentic.
One suggestion is to have just one or two of the following
cultural elements appear in each adventure, either
as a minor event or encounter, or as something more
fundamental. Doing this goes some way to give a game an
appropriate feel without any chance of overwhelming
the players with the details of a different culture.
Divine Heroes
Obviously, divine heroes empowered by the gods are
inspired by mythology rather than history. In some
regards, they are relics of a more primitive time, when
myths were a more everyday sight, and the gods
themselves walked the earth, albeit usually in disguise.
Some heroes are part of the ruling classes of their
home; after all, many nobles trace their lineage from
a divine ancestor. Others are of more lowly birth but
will inevitably rise above such circumstances when they
begin to excel.
The attitude of society is to see a hero’s divine ancestry
as more important than their mundane background.
The character is honored or feared, depending on his
or her actions. Most people expect a hero to behave
and share the interests of his divine ancestor, if known.
Indeed, the more fearful and superstitious almost
identify the character with an ancestral god.
Although the patron is more important to a hero’s
motivations, his divine ancestor is more relevant to how
he is seen by others. For instance, a character whose
ancestor is Hades is unlikely to be trusted, even if his
patron is Athena.
Greek Culture and the Polis
There is no unified Greek nation in the ancient world,
but rather a multitude of small independent city-states.
These city-states are sometimes united in alliances and
sometimes at odds. Despite the fractious nature of
Greece, however, there is a unifying notion of Greek
culture, with comparatively minor differences from
place to place. (The possible exception is Sparta, which
has some significant differences to other cities.)
All cities speak the same language. The word
“barbarian” refers to those who are not Greek. It is not
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entirely pejorative but is meant to evoke the babbling
“bar bar” sounds of foreign tongues. Language is a key
thing which makes one Greek.
An independent city-state is a polis with its own
laws, rulers, and traditions. Although all the gods are
worshipped in a polis, each has its own special patron. A
divine hero whose ancestor or patron is the patron of a
polis is received especially favourably there.
Philosophy and Technology
Archaic Greece is an iron age society. Metallurgy is
sufficiently developed to produce steel weapons and
tools on a fairly large scale. Bronze is used for some
tools and for statues. Silver is widely mined and smelted
near Athens, and is the basis for much of the city’s
wealth.
Buildings are usually made of wood and mud brick,
though major public buildings such as temples use stone
and marble. Most people are farmers rather than city
dwellers. After grains, one of the most important crops
is olives, and olive oil is used for cooking and lighting. In
some cities, uprooting an olive tree is a criminal offense.
Ancient Greece is known for its abstract thought
and development of science and philosophy. Major
developments include codes of laws, geometry,
astronomy and cartography, though in the Archaic Age
many important discoveries are yet to come, and the
most famous philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle,
are not yet born.
Science is not usually applied to technological
developments, certainly not on a wide scale. This is
partially because the upper classes tend not to concern
themselves with common crafts. However, ‘not usually’
does not mean ‘never’, and in the mythological world
of the setting there is room for a scientific genius,
descended from the gods, to apply their talents to
invention.
Clothing
Clothing for both women and men in Ancient Greece
consists of two layer: a chiton and a himation. Making
clothing is a job for the women in a household.
The chiton is a long wide rectangle of fabric made
of light linen, stitched together along the sides. It is
wrapped around the body and fastened with a belt and
a shoulder pin. Men’s chitons are shorter than women’s
chitons, with the man’s garment being knee length and
the woman’s reaching to the floor.
The himation is a heavier cloak made of linen or wool,
often dyed in a bright colour and featuring ornamental
embroidery. It is a rectangle of fabric, and worn either
over the shoulders, or draped over just one shoulder.
Footwear for both genders is sandals, soft shoes, or
boots. At home it is usual to go around bare-footed.
 Temples
The most impressive buildings in Ancient Greece are
the temples. They were built to ask statues of the gods
and store offerings. These statues are typically human
sized, but some are far larger. Actual sacrifices made to
the gods do not take place in the temple, but are held
outside.
As well as celebrating a god, an ornate temple is a
symbol of political power, and a city’s most impressive
temple is inevitably to its divine patron. Temples to a
city’s patron also appear in its colonies and places it has
conquered.
In the late Archaic Age, the classical temple supported
by many stone columns is a new and impressive thing,
only present where the wealthiest cities want to make
an impression. Such temples are up to a hundred feet
long and 40 feet high. They are designed to appear
aesthetically pleasing from every direction. These
temples are made of stone and marble, though older,
smaller, temples incorporate mud bricks and use
wooden rather than stone columns.
Temples are not a pristine white in colour, but are
painted red and blue to contrast with the natural white
of the stone.
Games and Contests
The ancient Greeks were fond of athletic competitions.
Such competitions formed part of many religious
ceremonies, and funerary games were held to honor a great
person being buried. Prizes were awarded to victorious
athletes. In general, the athletes competed naked.
Popular sporting events included boxing, chariot racing,
the discus, javelin, jumping (similar to the modern long
jump, but the athletes had the aid of weights called
halteres), pankration (ancient Greek martial arts; a
combination of boxing and wrestling), running (both
short and long distances) and wrestling.
Mechanics for some games and contests can be found in
the sample adventure ‘Funeral Games.’
Marriage and Children
Marriages in Ancient Greece (although not in Sparta)
were almost always arranged. A bride was provided
with a dowry by her parents, and she took the dowry
with her in the case of divorce.
Divorce could be initiated by either party. A husband
was expected to divorce his wife if he discovered she
was unfaithful. If a man caught his wife, mother,
daughter, or sister with a lover other than her husband,
he was legally entitled to kill the other man on the spot.
It was an accepted practice to expose unwanted infants;
this usually involved leaving the child outside in a
shallow pot, often near some public place. If the infant
was not rescued it would die. Even a child saved from
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exposure was often picked up as an investment, to be
later sold as a slave.
Several mythological heroes including Jason, Oedipus
and Perseus were from royal households, and exposed
or exiled as infants for essentially political reasons. A
similar background is suitable for a player character.
Slavery
Slavery played a major role in ancient Greece. It was a
common fate for someone captured in a war between
city-states to become a slave. Some children were sold
into slavery by poor parents.
Conditions for slaves varied. The life of a mine, ship or
brothel slave was brutal. By contrast, a household or
public slave was often fairly well treated, especially in
Athens and nearby cities, and was sometimes allowed
to keep a portion of his earnings, potentially eventually
enough to buy freedom.
Slaves in most city-states had some legal rights,
although these were fewer than those of citizens.
Theater
Theater in ancient Greece consisted of a chorus and
three main actors who played all of the roles. The
actors were always masked, and changed masks to play
different parts. Since all actors were male, the masks
also allowed them to portray women.
There were three types of drama: comedies, tragedies,
and the satyr play. The satyr play was a burlesque
tragicomedy, featuring mythological themes and a
chorus of satyrs.
In Athens, the Dionysia was a week-long theatrical
festival held in honor of the god Dionysus. The first
day of the festival featured a procession, carrying a
large wooden statue of Dionysus, followed by a musical
competition. Sacrifices were made to Dionysus and a
feast was held for all citizens.
On the second day, playwrights announced the titles
of plays to be performed, and judges were selected by
lot. The next three days were devoted to tragic plays,
where three playwrights performed three tragedies and
one satyr play each. On the sixth day, three comic plays
were performed. On the final day there was another
procession and celebration, and the winners of the
tragedy and comedy performances were announced.
Women
In the Classical Era, women were certainly second class
citizens, and their freedoms were severely restricted,
especially in Athens. A woman’s task was running the
home or performing related duties such as going to the
market. However, this tendency was not fully developed
at the end of the Archaic Age, the time the game is set.
 At this time, exceptional women — which certainly
include any descendants of the gods, such as the player
characters — can have a more prominent place in
society. Some men will doubt or resent such women.
This should be viewed as an opportunity for role-playing
rather than a reason to restrict or exclude female
characters. There are certainly mythological examples
of powerful women, such as Atalanta and Penelope.
Sparta is an exception to the general rule, as in many
other things. Men and women were given roughly
equal education, and Spartan women could (unlike the
men) own property.
Xenia
Xenia is the custom of hospitality, especially to strangers
and travelers. It has three elements. The first element
is that the host should offer an unexpected guest food,
drink, a place to sleep, and if required a bath. It is not
polite for the host to ask questions until he taken care
of the guest’s basic needs. The second element is that
the guest should respect his host, and not abuse his
hospitality. Finally, it is traditional for the host to give
his guest a small parting gift.
Further Reading
The Oxford History of Greece and the Hellenistic World
(John Boardman, Jasper Griffin, Oswyn Murray editors,
1991)
The Greek Myths (Robert Graves, 1955)
Persian Fire (Tom Holland, 2005)
A Brief History of Ancient Greece: Politics, Society and
Culture (Sarah B. Pomeroy, Stanley M. Burstein, Walter
Donlan, Jennifer Tolbert Roberts, 2004)
Jason and the Argonauts (Neil Smith author, Jose Daniel
Cabrera Pena illustrator, 2013)
The Histories (Herodotus, translater Aubrey de
Selincourt, 1963)
The Iliad (Homer, translator E.V. Rieu 1946)
The Odyssey (Homer, translator E.V. Rieu 1950)
The Voyage of the Argo (Apollonius of Rhodes,
translator E.V. Rieu 1959)
Recommended Viewing
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
Clash of the Titans (1981)
Troy (2004)
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Real and Mythical
Places
A state arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of
mankind; no one is self-sufficing, but all of us have
many wants. (Plato)
Argos
Argos is one of the oldest city-states of Greece. It is still
ruled by a hereditary king. Argos was the birthplace of
Perseus, and until recently was the most influential city
in the region. However, now Sparta, a territorial rival, is
eclipsing its power.
The patron goddess of Argos is Hera. The Heraeum
temple six miles north of the city is the most significant
temple to Hera in existence.
Athens
Athens has been on the way to democracy since the
statesman and poet Solon created a new constitution in
the year 594BC to end civic strife. The new constitution
gave all adult male citizens of Athens the right to vote
on major decisions in the Assembly. However, only the
upper classes can currently hold political office.
At present, Solon’s second cousin Peisistratus has seized
power. He and his family occupy all of the major political
offices, although Solon’s democratic reforms are still in
place. Despite being a tyrant, Peisistratus is a fair and
popular ruler. Under his leadership, Athens is becoming
wealthy, powerful, and a major cultural center.
One criticism other Greek cities sometimes make about
Athens is that slaves and citizens are hard to tell apart.
This is an exaggeration; for instance the life of a slave
in the silver mines near the city is extremely harsh. That
said, in Athens, slaves working as tutors are common,
and the police force is made up of slaves.
The patron goddess of Athens is Athena.
Colchis
Colchis is a far kingdom on the eastern shores of the
Black Sea. It is famed in mythology as the destination
of the Argonauts and the location of the legendary
golden fleece.
Although the language of Colchis is a form of Greek,
Persia and Egypt are also major influences on the
kingdom’s culture. In particular, the monarch is an
absolute ruler, something which is unusual in Greek
city-states of the time.
To the east of the kingdom lie the Caucasus Mountains.
Here the Titan Prometheus is chained to a rock by
unbreakable adamantine chains. Every day, a griffin
descends to eat his liver which regenerates at night so that
 it may be eaten again the next day. Prometheus’ suffering
is a punishment inflicted upon him by Zeus for the crime
of stealing fire from the gods and giving it to man.
Corinth
Corinth is an important naval and trade power, and
rivals Athens and Thebes in wealth. It has established
a number of colonies, including Syracuse, the most
powerful city on Sicily. However, Corinth’s true glory
days are over.
Since the recent death of the tyrant Periander, Corinth
is ruled by an oligarchy, like many others in Greece. The
oligarchy is currently involved in an ambitious building
program.
The patron god of Corinth is Poseidon. The city also
has a fabulously rich temple to Aphrodite, with over
a thousand temple slaves. Corinth is famous for its
luxurious living standards, and the speed with which
visitors tended to spend money.
Delphi
Delphi is believed to be the center of the world. In
ancient times, it was guarded by the prophetic dragon
Python, who was killed by Apollo. It became a major
center of worship of Apollo, and site of the most
famous oracle in the ancient world, the Pythia.
The Pythia prophecies by sitting over a crack in the
earth in a cavern beneath Delphi. Deep in the crack lies
the still-decomposing body of the dragon Python; the
Pythia prophecies by inhaling the vapors, which allow
Apollo to speak through her.
The oracle’s statements are always accurate, but are seldom
direct, and often have more than one interpretation.
Miletus
Miletus is an ancient city in Ionia (what is now western
Turkey). It was founded as a Greek colony on the site
of ancient ruined city. Miletus is famed for its natural
philosophers, chief of whom is Thales, one of the
founders of scientific thought.
Recently, Miletus has been conquered by the growing
Persian Empire under the rule of Cyrus the Great;
Miletus itself is now under the rule of a tyrant installed
by Cyrus, and its people are subjects of Persia.
Mount Atlas
Mount Atlas is a mountain in the far west of the world,
at a place corresponding to modern day Gibraltar. The
Titan Atlas sided with his brethren in the war against
the Olympians; it was here that he was sentenced to
hold the sky upon his shoulders, preventing it from
coming into contact again with the earth.
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Around the mountain are the pastures of Apollo’s
thousand herds of sheep and cattle. On the slopes are
the gardens of Hesperides, an orchard Gaia gave to
Hera as a wedding present when she married Zeus.
The orchard’s apples are guarded by a watchful serpent.
Heracles’ eleventh labor was to fetch fruit from a
golden apple tree in the gardens.
Naucratis
Naucratis is the only permanent Greek colony located in
Egypt. It acts as a centre for trade between Egypt and
Greece. Naucratis is a cultural crossroads, and is inhabited
by a mixture of Greeks, Egyptians, and Phoenicians.
The city was turned over to the Greeks in the year
570BC by the Pharaoh Amasis II, partially for trade
benefits, and partially to concentrate Greek activities in
Egypt in one place under his control.
Olympia
Olympia is a city sacred to Zeus in northern Greece. It
is famed as the site of the greatest athletic event of the
Greek world, the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games are held every four years to honor
Zeus. Even when there are wars between participating
city-states, athletes are allowed to travel to the games
under a special truce.
The Games last for five days. On the first day is a
religious festival, where 100 oxen are sacrificed to Zeus.
The next three days are the actual competition. On the
last day, there is a feast; the oxen killed on the first day
are eaten.
The Olympic Games proper are only open to male citizens
(not women or slaves). However, a series of foot races
for unmarried women are also held to honor Hera.
Sparta
Sparta is different to many of the cities of Archaic
Greece. All Spartan males live in the barracks between
the ages of seven and thirty, and adults are part of
the state army. Spartan men are not allowed to own
property or to engage in business, although women are
allowed to do both, which is not the case in most of the
rest of archaic Greece.
The city is ruled by two hereditary kings from different
dynasties. The kings are descendants of Heracles, and
theoretically have equal authority. The current kings
are Anaxandridas II, who has reigned since 560BC, and
Ariston who has just taken the throne.
Sparta has a large subject population of people called
Helots, who are effectively state-owned slaves. Every
Spartan man is assigned land and helots to work it. All
manufacture and agriculture is done by Helots. The
Helots outnumber the actual Spartans by four to one.
 Although Sparta has a fairly small population, it is the
leading military power of Archaic Greece. The patron
goddess of Sparta is Artemis. However, Heracles is also
important, and sacrifices are made by the army to Ares.
Tarterus
Tarterus is a pit and place of punishment surrounded
by three layers of night. Part of the Underworld,
Tarterus is as far beneath Hades’ realm as the earth is
below the heavens.
Various beings are imprisoned in Tarterus, including the
Titans who opposed Zeus, and certain monsters created
by Gaia to oppose the gods. The Hecatoncheires, or
hundred-handed giants, guard the prisoners.
Thebes
Thebes is one of the great cities of Greece, and is a
major rival of Athens. It is also an important city in
several myths; Thebes was the birthplace of Dionysus
and Heracles, and was ruled over by King Oedipus.
In the center of Thebes is a fortress called the Cadmaia,
named after the legendary founder of the city, Cadmus.
Cadmus slew a dragon sacred to Ares, and then
followed Athena’s instructions and sowed the teeth into
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the ground. They sprung up as armed warriors, who
fought amongst themselves until only five survived;
these five were the fathers of Thebes’ ancient nobility.
To propitiate Ares, Cadmus married his daughter by
Aphrodite, Harmonia.
At present, Thebes is an oligarchy, and is slowly
expanding in influence and power.
The Underworld
The souls of the dead migrate to a realm beneath the
earth, ruled over by the god Hades. The Underworld
cannot be reached without crossing the deadly
poisonous River Styx, the river of hate. The strongest of
all oaths is to swear by the Styx.
Charon, the ferryman of the dead, carries souls across
the river. It is the usual practice to place a coin in the
mouth of a dead person to pay for his soul’s passage.
Across the river, the gates to Hades’ realm are guarded
by the giant three-headed dog Cerberus. Cerberus’
function is preventing the living from entering Hades’
realm, and the dead from leaving.
The Underworld is mainly a misty and gloomy place
without any joy. However, a few especially heroic and
virtuous souls dwell in a paradise called the Elysian Fields.
 530 BC: Death of Cyrus the Great. Cambyses becomes
Events Great King of Persia.

Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest
do not happen at all:  the conscientious historian will
correct these defects. (Herodotus)
In this section we list some major occurrences of the
6th century BC. These events are all taken from real
history. They are presented here both for information
and as inspiration for adventures. Note that the actions
of characters as powerful as the player characters can
easily change historical events, or move them in time.
The GM should embrace such changes.
528 BC: Death of Peisistratus. His son Hippias becomes
ruler of Athens. He is a more tyrannical ruler than his father.
535 BC: Egypt conquered by Persia.
520 BC: Darius seizes power in Persia.
510 BC: The tyrant Hippias is exiled from Athens with
the assistance of a Spartan force.
508 BC: Cleisthenes reforms Athens’ constitution into a
full participatory democracy.

595-586 BC: The city-state of Kirrha takes advantage

of its location to tax Delphi and rob travelers to the
oracle. It is cursed by Apollo. An alliance of city-states,
including Athens and Thebes, is formed to defend
Delphi. At the end of the war, Kirrha is besieged and
its water supply poisoned. When the city is taken, it is
utterly destroyed.

594 BC: Solon introduces a new legal code and social

and political reforms to Athens.

585 BC: Thales of Miletus predicts a solar eclipse.

583 BC: End of tyranny in Corinth.

560 BC: Peisistratus becomes ruler of Athens.

559 BC: Cyrus the Great comes to power in Babylon,

and begins the conquests that lead to the formation of
the Persian Empire.

559 BC: Peisistratus is exiled from Athens by an alliance

of the other two main aristocratic political parties.

553 BC: The agreement between the two primary

political parties in Athens falls apart. Peisistratus
returns to Athens in a golden chariot accompanied by a
woman he claims to be Athena. He is allowed to return
by one of the party leaders, Megacles, on condition
Peisistratus marries his daughter.
556 BC: Peisistratus is again exiled from Athens.

548 BC: The temple to Apollo at Delphi burns to the

ground.

547 BC: Miletus is conquered by Persia, and a tyrant

loyal to Cyrus is installed as governor.

546 BC: Argos and Sparta agree to settle a territorial

dispute in a battle where both sides pit just 300 of their
best men against each other. At the end of the battle
only three men remain and both sides claim victory,
which leads to Argos’ entire army being sent to the area
and being defeated by Sparta.
546 BC: Peisistratus returns to Athens with a mercenary
force, and again seizes power.

540 BC: Greek expansion in the west is checked by the

Etruscans and Phoenicians at the Battle of Alatia.

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 Example
Characters
You will certainly not be able to take the lead in all things
yourself, for to one man a god has given deeds of war, and
to another the dance, to another lyre and song, and in
another wide-sounding Zeus puts a good mind. (Homer)
Danae
Danae was the only child of a family from Thebes.
Lacking a son, they trained their daughter to be a
warrior and to win glory. However, she was not allowed
to serve in the Theban army; she became a wanderer
and a mercenary. Danae is now a citizen of Athens and
the city is happy to make use of her special talents.
Body 4d Coordination 4d Mind 3d

Sense 2d Charm 2d Command 2d

Atreus Base Will 4 Willpower 4

Atreus is a celebrity in Athens, his home city. He has
been gifted by the gods with incredible good looks,
charm, and above all else skill as a musician. However,
Atreus has further divine powers he uses less frequently,
and is less shallow than he sometimes appears.
Body 2d Coordination 2d Mind 3d
Sense 3d Charm 4d+1wd Command 3d
Base Will 7 Willpower 11 (5d), Stability 2 (4d), Tactics 2 (5d)
Ancestor: Heracles Patron God: Athena
Passion: I am the superior of any man (2)
Loyalty: Protect the weak (2)
Skills: Athletics 4 (8d), Block 1 (5d), Brawl 3 (7d),
Dodge 1 (5d), Endurance 3 (7d), Leadership 2 (4d),
Melee Weapon (sword) 4d (8+1wd), Perception 2 (4d),
Persuasion 2 (4d), Ranged Weapon (bow) 2 (6d), Ride 1

Ancestor: Apollo Patron God: Dionysus Gifts: Aegis of Protection 2hd, Flawless [Melee Weapon
(Sword)], Godlike Vigor 1hd, Storm of Blows 1wd
Passion: Romantic entanglements make life worthwhile
(3) Weapons and Armour
Loyalty: Defend beauty in all forms (4) Hoplite Armour and Shield (Light Armour 2)
Skills: Brawling 3d (5d+1wd), Empathy 3 (6d), Healing Sword (8d+1wd): Width+1 killing
2 (5d), Intimidation 1+1wd (4d+1wd), Leadership 2 (5d),
Perception 2 (5d), Perform (Lyre) 2 (6d+1wd), Persuasion Bow (6d): Width killing
3 (7d+1wd), Philosophy 1 (4d), Scrutiny 1 (4d), Stability 2
(5d), Stealth 3 (5d) Hit Locations
Gifts: Flawless (Brawling), Girdle of Aphrodite 1wd, Roll Location Wound Boxes
Lethal Strike 3d+1wd, Music of Orpheus 2d, Oracle 5d,
Wrath of Achilles 3d 1 Left Leg 6

2 Right Leg 6
Weapons and Armour
3-4 Left Arm 6
Unarmed (5d+1wd): Width killing
5-6 Right Arm 6
Hit Locations
7-9 Body 11
Roll Location Wound Boxes
10 Head 5
1 Left Leg 5

2 Right Leg 5

3-4 Left Arm 5

5-6 Right Arm 5

7-9 Body 10

10 Head 4

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 Elpenor
Elpenor is a master blacksmith, inventor, and natural
philosopher, originally from Corinth. He is now a citizen
of Athens. Elpenor’s patron Hephaestus has granted
him considerable insights, enabling him to come up
with the miraculous inventions (Adamantine Blade,
Wings, and Thunderbolt) noted as Gifts.
Body 2d Coordination 3d Mind 4d
Sense 4d Charm 2d Command 2d
Base Will 4 Willpower 5 Body 3d Coordination 3d Mind 2d
Ancestor: Zeus Patron God: Hephaestus
Passion: My inventions can solve all problems (2)
Loyalty: Honesty and integrity are always important
(2) Passion: Support the underdog (3)
Skills: Healing 1 (5d), Knowledge: Blacksmith 2+1wd
(6d+1wd), Melee Weapon (sword) 3 (5d) [adamantine
blade], Perception 2 (6d), Philosophy 4 (8d), Ranged
Weapon (bow) 1 (4d), Research 2 (6d), Riding 5 (8d),
Scrutiny 2 (6d), Stability 3 (5d)
Gifts: Adamantine Blade: Can cut through anything of
mortal manufacture. See above for combat stats.
Wings of Daedalus: Artificial wings that let Elpenor fly.
Fire Resistant: Ignore fire and smoke damage.
Thunderbolt: An automatic 3x10 attack. Does 3 killing
damage to a victim’s head, body, and legs. Can only be
used once per battle.
Weapons and Armour
Hoplite Armour (Light Armour 1)
Adamantine Blade (5d+WD): Width+1 killing, ignore 3
armour
Bow (4d): Width killing
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 5
2 Right Leg 5
3-4 Left Arm 5
5-6 Right Arm 5
7-9 Body 10
10 Head 4
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Melanion
Melanion is from a poor background, but became a
trusted agent of the tyrant Periander of Corinth. Since
the tyrant’s fall, Melanion has served Corinth’s new
ruling council, but has made it his business to find
missions outside of the city. He now lives in Athens,
where he represents Corinthian interests. It would
be wonderful if Melanion could use his Gifts to do
something exceptional for Athens, and so put Athens in
Corinth’s debt—and more importantly in his debt.
Sense 4d Charm 4d Command 2d
Base Will 6 Willpower 7
Ancestor: Apollo Patron God: Hermes
Loyalty: I deserve great wealth and status (3)
Skills: Athletics 1 (4d+1wd), Brawling 3 (6d+1wd),
Empathy 2 (6d), Intimidation 2 (4d), Lie 2 (6d),
Perception 2 (6d), Persuasion 1 (5d), Ranged Weapon
(Throwing) 2 (5d), Scrutiny 2 (6d), Stability 2 (4d),
Stealth 0 (7d), Streetwise 2 (4d)
Gifts: Flawless [Athletics, Brawling], Helm of Hades 4d,
Lethal Strike 3d+1wd, Luck of Tyche 2d, Sense the Divine
2hd
Weapons and Armour
Unarmed (6d+1wd): Width killing
Thrown dagger (5d): Width killing
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 5
2 Right Leg 5
3-4 Left Arm 5
5-6 Right Arm 5
7-9 Body 10
10 Head 4
 Ophion
Ophion is a Helot, one of the Spartan slaves. He fled.
Thanks to services to the state, he is now a citizen of
Athens. Ophion knows how to make a living in the
wilderness. He is a superb hunter, archer, and athlete.
However, he is uncomfortable around those he does not
know well and often lies about his origin.
Body 3 Coordination 4 Mind 3
Sense 4 Charm 2 Command 1
Base Will 4 Willpower 13
Ancestor: Hermes Patron God: Artemis
Passion: Hatred for Sparta (2)
Loyalty: Freedom from slavery and tyranny (2)
Skills: Athletics 2 (5d), Dodge 1 (5d), Endurance 2 (5d),
Lie 3 (5d), Melee Combat (Spear) 3 (6d), Navigation 2
(5d), Ranged Combat (Bow) 4 (8d+1wd), Stealth 2 (6d),
Survival 1 (4d+1wd), Perception 3 (7d), Riding 2 (6d),
Scrutiny 2 (6d), Stability 4 (5d)
Gifts: Flawless (Ranged Combat [Bow], Survival), Plague
of Arrows 3d+1wd, Speed of Hermes 3wd, Way of the
Land 2hd
Weapons and Armour
Spear (6d): Width+1 killing
Bow (8d+1wd): Width killing
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 5
2 Right Leg 5
3-4 Left Arm 5
5-6 Right Arm 5
7-9 Body 10
10 Head 4
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Theogenes
Theogenes comes from a poor background in Athens—
indeed, he was technically an illegitimate child—but
has a profound talent; he is the leading philosopher
and physician in Athens. He is in fact the mortal son of
Apollo. Theogenes believes he knows how to apply his
talents to any problem, whether theoretical or practical.
Body 2d Coordination 2d Mind 5d
Sense 3d Charm 2d Command 3d
Base Will 6 Willpower 15
Ancestor: Apollo Patron God: Apollo
Passion: Problem solving through superior intelligence
(3)
Loyalty: Democracy and freedom (3)
Skills: Philosophy 4 (9d+1wd), Healing [Asclepian
Medicine] (9d+1wd), Melee Weapon [Sword] 3 (5d),
Block 3 (5d), Perception 2 (5d), Scrutiny 1 (4d), Research
1 (6d), Leadership 2 (5d), Stability 3 (6d), Performance
[Lyre] 2 (4d)
Gifts: Asclepian Medicine (Hyperskill) 4d+1wd, Flawless
[Philosophy], Philosophical Insight 2hd+1wd
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 5
2 Right Leg 5
3-4 Left Arm 5
5-6 Right Arm 5
7-9 Body 10
10 Head 4
 Zagyrus
Zagyrus is an Athenian aristocrat and second cousin of
the ruler Peisistratus. He is also a military leader and
soldier with divinely granted insight. Zagyrus’ older
brother Cleander led the first trip to the oracle at
Delphi following the onset of plague in Athens. He did
not return.
Body 3 Coordination 2 Mind 3
Sense 3 Charm 3 Command 3
Base Will 6 Willpower 8
Ancestor: Zeus Patron God: Athena
Passion: My personal honour and glory (3)
Loyalty: Seek truth and justice (3)
Skills: Athletics 2 (5d), Block 1 (4d), Endurance 2 (5d),
Leadership 3 (6d+1wd), Melee Combat (spear) 5 (8d),
Perception 1 (4d), Persuasion 2 (5d), Philosophy 1 (4d),
Ranged Combat (thrown weapon) 4 (6d), Riding 3 (5d),
Stability 2 (5d), Tactics 2 (5d+1wd)
Gifts: Flawless [Leadership, Tactics], Heroic Inspiration
1wd, Tactical Insight 3d
Weapons and Armour
Hoplite Armour and Shield (Light Armour 2)
Spear (8d melee, 6d thrown): Width+1 killing
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 5
2 Right Leg 5
3-4 Left Arm 5
5-6 Right Arm 5
7-9 Body 10
10 Head 4
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Monsters
In all things of nature there is something of the
marvelous. (Aristotle)
The Calydonian Boar
The Calydonian boar was a giant boar sent by Artemis
to ravage the region of Calydon because the king
refused to honour her in rites to the gods.
Meleager, prince of Calydon and one of the Argonauts,
organized a hunt, offering the boar’s tusks and hide as
a prize. Many notable heroes joined the hunt. One of
these heroes was Atalanta; there was some protest at a
woman joining the hunt, but Meleager argued that she
could outrun any man in the group.
In the actual hunt, Atalanta was the first to wound the
boar with an arrow. Meleager finished it off with his
spear. He awarded the prize to Atalanta.
However, Meleager’s uncles were enraged that he had
given the prize to a woman, which resulted in a violent
argument in which he killed them. Meleager’s mother
then arranged his death in revenge for the deaths of
her brothers.
Body 6d Coordination 3d Sense 4d
Base Will 4 Willpower 4
Skills: Athletics 2 (8d), Brawling3 (9d), Endurance 4
(10d), Dodge 1 (4d), Stealth 1 (4d), Perception 1 (4d),
Stability 2hd (2hd)
Gifts: Unrestricted Passage 2hd, Impenetrable Skin 2hd,
Charge (see below)
Charge: When the boar charges into combat, make a
Body+Athletics check, and add the Width of the result
in bonus dice to the Brawling check made to attack.
Further, the target of a charge attack takes an extra
2 points of Shock damage to every hit location if he is
hit. Armor does not help against this extra damage, nor
does blocking the attack.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Rear Leg 8
2 Right Rear Leg 8
3-4 Left Front Leg 8
5-6 Right Front Leg 8
7-9 Body 20
10 Head 6
Damage
Width in Killing+Shock
 Centaur
A centaur has the upper body of a man and the lower
body of a horse. In general, centaurs are brutish
barbarians, especially when under the influence of
alcohol.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Rear Leg 6
2 Right Rear Leg 6

However, there are more civilized examples of centaurs 3 Left Front Leg 6
in the myths, for example Heracles’ friend Pholus and
4 Right Front Leg 6
Jason’s tutor Cheiron.
5 Left Arm 5
Most centaurs should be treated as Minions (generally
rated as Professional if warriors). More important and 6 Right Arm 5
powerful centaurs are built in the same way as any
other important character; the following statistics are 7-9 Body 12
typical.
10 Head 4
Body 5d Coordination 3d Mind 2d
Damage
Sense 2d Charm 2d Command 2d
Width in Shock (unarmed)
Base Will 4 Willpower 4
Width in Killing (bow)
Skills: Athletics 5 (10d), Brawling1 (6d), Endurance 3
(8d), Dodge 1 (4d), Perception 2 (4d), Ranged Weapon
[Archery] 3 (6d)

Gifts: Centaurs can run twice as fast as their Body scores

might indicate.

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 Cerberus
Cerberus is a huge three-headed dog, and guardian
of the Underworld. Cerberus has a poisonous snake
instead of a tail; the snake is long enough to bite those
in front of the dog.
Heracles’ last and most difficult labor was to capture
Cerberus alive.
Body 5d Coordination 3d Mind 1d
Sense 3d Base Will 9 Willpower 9
Skills: Athletics 2 (7d), Brawling3 (8d), Dodge 1 (4d), Tail
5 (8d), Endurance 4 (10d), Perception 2 (4d), Scrutiny 2
(4d), Intimidate 7+1hd (7d+1hd), Stability 4hd (4hd)
Gifts: Ageless, Three-headed (see below), Snake Tail 8d
(see below)
Three-headed: Cerberus gains a +2d bonus to attacks
for his three heads, and has no penalties for multiple
attacks in combat.
Snake Tail: Cerberus can use his tail to attack; this attack
is in addition to the attacks of his heads. A hit does just
1 shock damage, but is also poisonous, doing 7 points
of shock+killing damage to a victim’s torso after a delay
of 7 rounds; the damage will generally take effect after
any combat is over. The poison damage is reduced by
the Width of a Body+Endurance check.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Tail 4
2 Left Rear Leg 6
3 Right Rear Leg 6
4 Left Front Leg 6
5 Right Front Leg 6
6-7 Body 12
8 Left Head 4
9 Central Head 4
10 Right Head 4
Damage
Width in Killing+Shock
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Chimera
The Chimera has the body of a lioness. It has three
heads: the normal lioness head, a tail ending in a
snake’s head, and a goat’s head rising from the center
of its spine. The goat’s head can breathe fire.
The original Chimera was defeated by Bellerophon with
the help of the flying horse Pegasus.
Body 5d Coordination 3d Sense 4d
Base Will 6 Willpower 6
Skills: Athletics 2 (7d), Brawling3 (8d), Tail 5 (8d),
Dodge 1 (4d), Perception 2 (4d), Intimidate 5 (5d),
Stability 2hd (2hd)
Gifts: Fire Breathing 7d+1hd (see note below), Snake
Tail 8d (see below)
Fire Breathing note: The goat head breathes fire; this
fire-breathing attack is in addition to any others, but
only takes place every other round.
Snake Tail: The Chimera can use its tail to attack; this
attack is in addition to ordinary melee attacks and
the fire breathing of the goat head. A hit does just 1
Shock damage, but is also poisonous, doing 7 points of
Killing+Shock damage to a victim’s torso after a delay of
7 rounds. The damage will generally take effect after
any combat is over. The poison damage is reduced by
the Width of a Body+Endurance check.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Snake-Head Tail 4
2 Left Rear Leg 6
3 Right Rear Leg 6
4 Left Front Leg 6
5 Right Front Leg 6
6-8 Body 12
9 Goat Head 4
10 Lioness Head 4
Damage
Width in Killing+Shock
 Cyclops
The Cyclops is a one-eyed giant, twice the size of a
human. The Cyclops described here represents one of
the lesser Cyclopes encountered by Odysseus, rather
than one of the three who were the sons of Gaia and
Ouranes.
Body 7d Coordination 2d Mind 1d
Sense 2d Charm 1d Command 3d
Base Will 4 Willpower 4
Skills: Perception 2 (4d), Brawling 1 (8d), Endurance 1
(8d), Intimidate 2 (5d), Stability 1 (4d)
Gorgon
There were three gorgons: Medusa and her two
immortal sisters, Euryale and Stheno. A gorgon
resembles a woman with snake-like hair, and has the
ability to turn one who gazes upon her to stone.
The hero Perseus, a mortal son of Zeus, was sent on a
quest to fetch the head of Medusa by king Polydectes,
who wanted rid of Perseus so that he could marry
Perseus’ mother. Perseus, however, was aided in his
quest by the gods Hermes and Athena, and succeeded
in killing the gorgon.
Body 3d Coordination 3d Mind 3d

Gifts: Thunderbolt 6d+1wd. A few Cyclopes have Sense 3d Charm 1d Command 4d

thunderbolts, but this is not the general rule. Base Will 5 Willpower 5

Hit Locations Skills: Perception 4 (7d), Brawling 4 (7d), Scrutiny 5 (8d),

Intimidate 3+1wd (7d+1wd), Melee Weapon (dagger)
Roll Location Wound Boxes 4 (7d), Stability 1+1wd (5d+1wd), Lie 3+1wd (4d+1wd),
1 Left Leg 10 Empathy 4 (7d), Philosophy 2 (5d),

2 Right Leg 10 Gifts: Petrifying Gaze 4hd, Snake Hair (see below),
Prophecy (5d+1wd; the gorgon Euryale only)
3-4 Left Arm 10
Snake Hair: A gorgon can use her hair to attack with a
5-6 Right Arm 10 Body+Brawling check. A hit does just 1 Shock damage,
but is also poisonous, doing 7 points of Killing+Shock
7-9 Body 20 damage to a victim’s torso after a delay of 7 rounds The
10 Head 6 damage will generally take effect after any combat is
over. The poison damage is reduced by the Width of a
Damage Body+Endurance check.

Width in Killing+Shock Hit Locations

Roll Location Wound Boxes

1 Left Leg 5

2 Right Leg 5

3-4 Left Arm 5

5-6 Right Arm 5

7-9 Body 10

10 Head 4

Damage
Width in Killing

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 Griffin Harpy
The griffin is a mountain-dwelling creature from India Harpies are ugly winged bird-women. They are
with the body of a lion, and head and wings of an ravenous and cruel, known for snatching food and even
eagle. Griffins make their nests out of gold. the occasional live victim.

It is a griffin that is sent to torment and punish the
chained Titan Prometheus by eating his regenerating
liver each day.
Body 4d Coordination 4d Sense 4d
Base Will 2 Willpower 2
Skills: Athletics 3 (7d), Brawling3 (7d), Endurance 2
(7d),Perception 6 (10d)
Harpies generally attack as a group; treat harpies as
Trained Minions, who do Width in Killing damage on
successful attacks. The abilities of individual harpies, if
they are needed, are as follows.
Body 2d Coordination 3d Mind 1d
Sense 2d Charm 1d Command 1d
Base Will 2

Gifts: Flight 4d Skills: Athletics 3 (5d), Brawling2 (4d), Endurance 2 (4d),

Perception 3 (5d), Stability 3 (5d)
Hit Locations
Gifts: Flight 5d
Roll Location Wound Boxes
Hit Locations
1 Left Rear Leg 5
Roll Location Wound Boxes
2 Right Rear Leg 5
1 Left Leg 4
3 Left Front Leg 8
2 Right Leg 4
4 ight Front Leg 8
3 Left Arm 4
5 Left Wing 4
4 Right Arm 4
6 Right Wing 4
5 Left Wing 3
7-9 Body 18
6 Right Wing 3
10 Head 5
7-9 Body 8
Damage
10 Head 4
Width+1 in Killing
Damage
Width in Killing

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 The Hydra
The Lernean Hydra was a nine-headed monster who
ravaged the country around Argos. Heracles’ second
labor was to kill it. Rather than acting as an individual
(with the appropriate stats), the Hydra acts as a group
of Professional Minions. Each head counts as 2 Minions.
Base Will 4
Gifts: Regeneration (see below), Poisoned Breath (see
below)
Regeneration: The Hydra’s body recovers from all
damage instantly. A head killed drops off, and two new
heads grow from the stump two rounds later. This can
be prevented by immediately applying fire to the stump
(which requires a normal attack).
Poisoned Breath: The Hydra’s breath does Area 5 Shock
damage to anyone close to it (which certainly includes a
character in melee).
Damage
Width in Killing+Shock
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Betty Floyd (Order #32319990)
Manticore
The manticore is a monster from Persia. It has the body
of a red lion, but a horned human-like head with three
rows of sharp shark-like teeth. The manticore also has
reptilian wings, and a tail covered in razor sharp spikes
which it can hurl at a victim.
Body 5d Coordination 3d Sense 4d
Base Will 4
Skills: Athletics 1 (6d), Brawling 3 (8d), Dodge 1 (4d),
Perception 2 (4d), Intimidate 4 (4d), Stability 2hd (2hd)
Gifts: Impenetrable Skin 1hd, Tail Spikes 8d (see below),
Roar 6d (see below)
Tail Spikes: The Manticore, in addition to its normal
attacks, can hurl its tail spikes at a victim. A tail spike
attack does Width+1 in Killing damage, and ignores 1
point of armor.
Roar: Once per scene, the Manticore can roar. The roar
affects all living things within 20 yards, and inflicts
Width Shock damage to every hit location of a victim.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Tail 4
2 Left Rear Leg 6
3 Right Rear Leg 6
4 Left Front Leg 8
5 Right Front Leg 8
6 Left Wing 5
7 Right Wing 5
8-9 Body 18
10 Head 6
Damage
Width in Killing+Shock
 The Minotaur
The original Minotaur has the head of a bull and the
body of a large man. He dwelt at the center of the
labyrinth on Crete, and was defeated by the ancient
king of Athens, Theseus.
Body 6d Coordination 3d Mind 1d
Sense 3d Charm 1d Command 2d
Base Will 3 Willpower 3
Skills: Athletics 2 (8d), Brawling3 (9d), Endurance 4
(10d), Dodge 1 (4d), Stealth 1 (4d), Perception 1 (4d),
Intimidate 4 (6d), Stability 2hd (2d+2hd)
Gifts: Impenetrable Skin 1hd, Charge (see below)
Charge: When the Minotaur charges into combat, make
a Body+Athletics check, and add the Width of the result
in bonus dice to the Body+Brawling check made to
attack. Further, the target of a charge attack takes an
extra 2 points of Shock damage to every hit location
if he is hit. Armor does not help against this extra
damage, and nor does blocking the attack.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 7
2 Right Leg 7
3-4 Left Arm 7
5-6 Right Arm 7
7-9 Body 13
10 Head 7
Damage
Width+1 in Killing
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The Nemean Lion
The Nemean Lion was a monster with impenetrable
skin. The first of Heracles’ labors was to slay it and
bring back its hide.
The Nemean Lion is a huge cat (Wild Talents, Second
Edition, page 334) with the following adjustments:
Base Will 4
Gifts: Impenetrable Skin 4hd.
Pegasus
Pegasus is a winged horse. According to one myth,
he sprang from the blood of Medusa when she was
beheaded by Perseus.
In a later myth, Pegasus was tamed by Bellerophon,
where his powers of flight were used to defeat the
Chimera.
Body 5d Coordination 3d Mind 1d
Sense 3d Base Will 3
Skills: Athletics 5 (10d), Brawling 1 (6d), Endurance 3
(8d), Perception 2 (5d), Dodge 1 (4d)
Gifts: Flight 5d
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Rear Leg 6
2 Right Rear Leg 6
3 Left Front Leg 6
4 Right Front Leg 6
5 Left Wing 5
6 Right Wing 5
7-9 Body 12
10 Head 6
Damage
Width in Shock
 Serpent (Giant)
There are a number of giant serpents (or dragons; there
is some etymological confusion) in Greek mythology.
Examples include the guardian of the apples of Hesperides,
and the guardian of the Golden Fleece. Such guardian
serpents are always alert, and never need to sleep.
Cadmus, founder of Thebes, killed a serpent sacred to
Ares. That serpent’s teeth rose up from the ground as
armed men when they were sown.
Body 6d Coordination 3d Mind 1d
Sense 3d Base Will 6 Willpower 6
Skills: Dodge 1 (4d), Brawling 3+1wd (9d+1wd),
Endurance 4 (10d), Perception 2+1wd (5d+1wd),
Athletics 1, (7d), Stability 2hd (3d+2hd)
Gifts: Impenetrable Skin 2hd, Crush (see below)
Crush: The serpent can make a brawling attack to crush
an opponent; this can be as well as the bite attack, for
damage as above, if it takes multiple actions. Armor
does not help against this damage, and a crush attack
cannot be blocked.
The target of a crush attack takes Width in Shock
damage each round, and cannot act until he or a
rescuer makes a brawling or other suitable check that
beats the serpent’s Body+Brawling attack. One attempt
per character can be made to break free each round.
The serpent can only crush one victim at a time.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1-9 Body 30
10 Head 10
Damage
Width in Killing+Shock
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Siren
The sirens are a group of five bird-women who live
on an island surrounded by cliffs and rocks. Their
enchanting singing voices compel sailors to want to
come toward them at all costs; in so doing, doom
themselves on the surrounding rocks. The sirens then
descend to eat the drowned sailors.
When Odysseus in his voyages sailed past the sirens, he
was forewarned. He had his crew plug their ears and
tie him to the ship’s mast, so he could hear the sirens
singing without being killed.
Body 2d Coordination 3d Mind 3d
Sense 3d Charm 5d Command 4d
Base Will 9 Willpower 9
Skills: Perception 4 (7d), Melee 2 (5d), Stability 1+1wd
(5d+1wd), Intimidate 3 (7d), Lie 2+1wd (7d+1wd),
Performance 4+1wd (9d+1wd), Empathy 3+1wd
(6d+1wd), Philosophy 1 (4d), Persuasion 4+1wd
(9d+1wd)
Gifts: Flight (5d), Siren Song (9d+1wd, see below)
Siren Song: Anyone who hears the song of a siren and
fails an opposed Command+Stability check falls into
a trance and can do nothing but slowly move toward
the siren, regardless of obstacles or other dangers. A
siren can affect up to Height victims with her song. A
character affected by more than one siren need only
make one opposed check.
A Gifted character can spend a point of Willpower to
shake off the effect. However, he may be targeted
by more than one siren, in which case he must spend
a point of Willpower per siren in the group. Further,
the sirens can continue singing, forcing opposed
Command+Stability checks (and possible Willpower
expenditure) each round.
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Leg 5
2 Right Leg 5
3-4 Left Arm 5
5-6 Right Arm 5
7-9 Body 10
10 Head 4
Damage
Width in Killing
 The Sphinx
The Sphinx is a huge lion-like monster with the head of
a woman and the wings of an eagle.
In mythology, the Sphinx guarded the entrance to
Thebes, asking any she met a riddle; those failing to
answer the riddle were devoured.
Body 7d Coordination 2d Mind 4d
Sense 4d Charm 2d Command 3d
Base Will 5 Willpower 5
Skills: Athletics 1 (8d), Brawling3 (10d), Philosophy 1
(5d), Perception 2 (6d), Intimidate 2 (5d), Persuasion 1
(3d), Stability 2hd (3+2hd), Empathy 1 (5d)
Gifts: Flight (3d), Impenetrable Skin 2hd
Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes
1 Left Rear Leg 10
2 Right Rear Leg 10
3 Left Front Leg 10
4 Right Front Leg 10
5 Left Wing 8
6 Right Wing 8
7-9 Body 20
10 Head 6
Damage
Width in Killing+Shock
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Funeral Games
An Adventure for ‘Blood of the Gods’
Just because you do not take an interest in politics
does not mean politics won’t take an interest in you.
(Pericles)
“Funeral Games” takes place in Plataea, a small but
independent city state located between Thebes and
Athens. Plataea is ruled by a hereditary monarch. The
monarch is assisted by a council of nobles.
It is not necessary for the player characters to know
each other before beginning this adventure. Indeed,
this adventure can be used to bring the group together
at the start of a campaign.
Invitation
The old king, Demetrios, has died in a hunting accident.
He and most of his party were annihilated by a giant
boar that was even tougher than it first appeared.
Demetrios’ sole heir, Nikos, is just fifteen years old.
Nikos is holding unusually lavish funeral games in praise
of his father. His plan — or rather that of some of his
advisers, chiefly his mother — is to attract prominent
people to Plataea. One reason for this is that the boar is
currently rampaging across the countryside, destroying
crops and livestock, and the citizens of Plataea have
largely taken shelter behind the city walls.
The player characters have been invited to the games.
City-states in the region — Athens, Thebes, and Corinth
— have also sent representatives; perhaps the player
characters amongst them.
Historical Note
Plataea was a real place, although all of the details and
characters in the adventure are fictional. In the second
half of the 6th century BC, Plataea wished to avoid
coming under Theban domination, and asked Sparta
for protection. Sparta refused, and in order to cause
trouble between then-allies Thebes and Athens, advised
the Plataeans to ask Athens for help. The Spartan plan
ultimately worked; Plataea formed an alliance with
Athens. When the Thebans learned this, they sent an
army against Plataea, but were met with an Athenian
force.
 Anchises
Anchises is Nikos’ chief counselor, and a descendant of
Apollo. He has several divine Gifts: oracular visions, the
ability to sense the presence of others with divine Gifts,
and incredible powers of persuasion.

The counselor sees himself as a progressive, and wishes

to liberate Plataea from its primitive and weak form of
government by hereditary kings. Anchises organized
the hunt that killed the old king, but is not under
suspicion. However, he knew the boar that killed
Demetrios was no common beast.

Anchises now plans to arrange an accident for Nikos,

leaving the council (and him) in charge of Plataea.

Body 2d Coordination 2d Mind 3d

Sense 4d Charm 4d Command 3d

Base Will 7 Willpower 14

Ancestor: Apollo Patron God: Hera

Skills: Persuasion 4+1hd+1wd (8d+1hd+1wd), Melee

Weapon (spear) 2 (4d), Ranged Weapon (throwing) 2
(5d), Philosophy 3 (6d), Perception 1 (5d), Leadership
4 (7d), Lie 4 (8d), Empathy 5 (9d), Stability 4 (7d),
Major NPCs Performance 1 (5d)

Gifts: Dragon’s Teeth (x10), Oracle 4hd

Nikos
The new king of Plataea is determined to prove Pelopidas
himself worthy of his kingship. He is fond of grand Pelopidas is a highly skilled (but not Gifted) athlete and
and dramatic gestures. He wants to act decisively in major competitor in the games. He is also the head of
whatever he does, but has strong inward doubts. the delegation from Thebes present for the old king’s
Body 3d Coordination 2d Mind 2d funeral. Pelopidas is a boastful man who likes to take
big risks. He also honestly believes that Plataea would
Sense 2d Charm 3d Command 3d be better off if ruled by Thebes, and that the city lies
within Thebes’ natural territory.
Base Will 6 Willpower 6
Body 4d Coordination 3d Mind 3d
Skills: Athletics 2 (5d), Melee Weapon (spear) 1 (4d),
Melee Weapon (sword) 1 (4d), Ranged Weapon Sense 2d Charm 2d Command 3d
(throwing) 1 (3d), Brawling 1 (4d), Persuasion 1 (4d),
Perception 2 (4d), Stability 2 (5d), Leadership 1 (4d), Skills: Athletics 5 (9d), Bow 2 (5d), Ride 3 (6d), Block
Philosophy 1 (3d) 3 (7d), Sword 2 (5d), Melee Weapon [Spear] 3 (6d),
Perception 2 (4d), Stability 2 (5d), Leadership 3 (6d),
Philosophy 1 (5d)
Merope
Merope is Nikos’ mother and Demetrios’ grieving
widow. She is still attractive, and very perceptive.
Merope is the only one who suspects Anchises’ motives.
Merope is part of her son’s ruling council; an unusual
role for a woman. She was also responsible for the
invitation of the player characters to the games.

Body 2d Coordination 2d Mind 3d

Sense 4d Charm 3d Command 2d

Skills: Empathy 3 (7d), Perception 2 (6d), Scrutiny 2

(6d), Research 2 (6d), Persuasion 3 (6d), Stability 1 (3d),
Philosophy 1 (4d)

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 Gyges
Gyges is a distant relative of King Ariston of Sparta and
a descendant of Heracles, with much of his ancestor’s
legendary strength. However, Gyges’ divine patron is
Ares and he revels in brutality and violence. Gyges is a
brute, seven feet tall with matching bulk and leather-
hard skin. He is one of the major competitors to beat
in the games. Gyges works as a mercenary and travels
all over Greece. He is out to grab as much power for
himself as possible. He is presently being paid by Sparta
to observe events and to stir up trouble but is not the
city’s official representative.
Body 5d (8d) Coordination 4d Mind 1d
Sense 2d Charm 2d Command 3d
Base Will 5 Willpower 7 pankration, and is paying Gyges to ‘accidentally’ kill
Ancestor: Heracles Patron God: Ares
Skills: Melee Weapon [spear] 1+1wd (9d+1wd), Athletics
1 (9d), Brawling 2 (10d), Block 1 (9d), Endurance 2 (10d),
Ranged Weapon [archery] 4 (8d), Perception 2 (4d),
Survival 4 (5d), Intimidation 4 (7d), Stability 4 (7d)
The Banquet and Aftermath
The day before the games, the king performs a sacrifice
to Demeter, the patron goddess of Plataea. After the
sacrifice is a banquet. This banquet is an opportunity to
introduce some of the major NPCs to the heroes.
At some point in the banquet, Merope will arrange
to meet one of the heroes privately. This is perhaps
suspicious behavior, but what she wants is a promise that
the character will protect the king, Nikos, at Anchises’
urging, is determined to participate in the pankration,
and some of the competition looks to be dangerous.
One of the characters may notice that Anchises and
Gyges are talking at some length. Anchises has
arranged for Gyges to be the king’s opponent in the
the king. Anchises is too canny for more than snippets
of this plan to be overheard. Confronting Anchises
without evidence is not a good idea, he will of course
deny everything, and the king and the rest of the
council will support him.

Gifts: Flawless [Melee], Strength of Heracles [Hyperstat]

+3d, Wrath of Achilles 3d, Impenetrable Skin 1hd,
Godlike Vigor 2hd

Hit Locations
Roll Location Wound Boxes

1 Left Leg 7

2 Right Leg 7

3-4 Left Arm 6

5-6 Right Arm 6

7-9 Body 12

10 Head 6

Bandits
If the heroes do not know each other, they meet on the
same road into Plataea. They may notice that all is not well;
the countryside seems abandoned, and the farms are empty.

A group of bandits is taking advantage of the desolation

to rob distinguished visitors to the games. Unfortunately
for them, their first potential victims are the heroes!

The bandits are trained minions; allow five bandits

per player character. The bandit leader, Myron, is
a Hardened Criminal (Wild Talents, Second Edition,
page 330), but with 3 extra dice each in the Melee and
Ranged Weapon skills.

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 A Confrontation
Early the next morning, the king visits the hero who
spoke to Merope. The king has a drawn sword and
plans to kill the hero. He is convinced that his mother
has been dishonored before his father’s funeral games
have even taken place.
Anchises persuaded the king to take this course of
action. A player character must beat the result of
Anchises’ Charm+Persuasion check with a relevant skill
to convince the king not to attack him. Convincing
Nikos to act more rationally will be easier when he has
calmed down (add a +2d bonus to the relevant roll), but
this will involve either escaping or constraining the king.
The Games
Anchises is responsible for organizing the contest.
There are several games and prizes. The heroes are
probably the main competitors in the games; choose
events where they have the chance to shine. Example
events follow.
Foot Races
The winner of the short distance foot race is the first to
accumulate a total Width of 10 in an extended contest
using the Athletics Skill, as described on page 30 of Wild
Talents, Second Edition. The prize for the short distance
race is an apple, reputed to be the apple Heracles
brought back from the gardens of the Hesperides
(which is, startlingly enough, genuine).
The winner of the long distance foot race is the first to
accumulate a total Width of 10 in an extended contest
using the Endurance Skill. The prize is a silver bowl,
engraved with a design of competing runners.
Archery
The archery contest consists of firing at a target. Each
competitor fires three times; make a roll for each shot.
The total of the Heights obtained for any successful
shots provides the entrant’s score. The winner is the
character with the highest score.
If there is a draw (which is possible with more than one
entrant having Gifts involving archery), each person tied
in first place gets another shot. The best Height of this
last shot wins, with ties being settled by Width.
The prize for the archery competition is a two-handed
cup of solid gold.
Chariot Race
The chariot race is an extended contest using the
Ride Skill. However, on the second, fourth, and sixth
Coordination+Ride checks, there are obstacles. The first
obstacle is a patch of muddy slippery ground, and has
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Difficulty 3. The next obstacle is a very sharp turn, and
has Difficulty 6. The last obstacle is a sudden drop of a
few feet, and has Difficulty 9.
A character who fails his Ride check at an obstacle (rather
than merely failing to get sufficient Height) is out of the race.
The winner of the chariot race is awarded a fine stallion
(which grants a +1d bonus to Ride checks).
Music
Between the rest of the games and pankration is a
musical contest. This is resolved quite simply; the
Charm+Performance check with the best Height wins,
with ties settled by Width. A Mind+Philosophy check
can be made before the contest to compose something
especially appropriate, and adds Width bonus dice to
the Charm+Performance check.
The prize for the music competition is a lyre, with part
of the frame made of silver. It grants no bonuses, but is
a work of art in its construction.
Pankration
The last event to take place is the pankration, a
combination of boxing and wrestling that is resolved
using the usual combat rules. In the second match of
the competition, Gyges faces Nikos. If the heroes do not
intervene, Gyges kills Nikos with a single blow to the
head. Everyone is, at least on the surface, very sorry.
The death of the king probably ends the games. If the
competition does proceed more smoothly, the prize
is awarded. The prize is a very fine suit of armor; it is
allegedly the armor made by Heracles for Achilles. It is
not, but is still exceptionally good, granting LAR 2.
The Boar of Plataea
The boar is a monster and a menace, and is both too
canny and too tough for mundane hunters.
This stage of the adventure (perhaps in contrast to the
above) is fairly simple; it is the heroes’ job to hunt the
boar down. Its tusks and hide are offered as a prize to
its killer, as well as glory and the gratitude of the people
of the city. One complication is that King Nikos (if he still
lives) would dearly love to have that honor himself, and
insists on leading the hunt. Perhaps he was put up to it
by Anchises. If Gyges is still active, he will join the hunt,
and attempt to find an opportunity to kill the young king.
The Boar of Plataea has the same attributes as the
Calydonian boar in the monsters section, but also has
the Fire Breathing Gift, with 2 Hard Dice. The monster
will attempt to flee across swampy ground (using its
Unrestricted Passage Gift) if attacked by too many
heroes at once, but will turn and attack smaller groups.
 The Golden Fleece
An Adventure for ‘Blood of the Gods’
Centuries ago, the god Poseidon sired a winged golden
ram. The ram, whose fleece was literally made of gold,
carried the prince Phrixus to safety in Colchis when
his safety was threatened by his wicked stepmother.
Phrixus sacrificed the ram to Poseidon, effectively
returning the beast to its father, and hung the Golden
Fleece in a grove sacred to Ares.
The Golden Fleece is a symbol of kingship and hubris.
The hero Jason and his band of argonauts braved many
dangers to retrieve the fleece in a quest for Jason to
claim his throne. Though Jason’s story ultimately ended
in tragedy, nobody knows what happened to the
Golden Fleece.
Now a new Golden Fleece has appeared in the kingdom
of Colchis, in the forgotten place off the grove. As
the old fleece was, it is guarded by a dragon. Nobody
knows how the fleece got there, and so far few even
know it exists. It is an omen, heralding a new age for
Greece. The new age is destined to be a golden age,
and the city which possesses the fleece will lead it. Like
the old fleece, the new fleece is a symbol of authority.
The heroes come to Colchis from the city of Athens.
Athens is suffering from a plague, and the priests and
oracles of Athens have revealed to them the existence
of the new Golden Fleece in the kingdom of Colchis,
and that the plague can be lifted by bringing it back
to Athens. Great glory and honor await the heroes if
they retrieve the Fleece—not to mention averting the
disease that ravages the noblest city in Greece.
This adventure is set in Colchis itself, after the
heroes have arrived. It can be lengthened by adding
encounters and dangers as were found in the original
tale of the Golden Fleece.
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Vani
The heroes arrive at King Gorgias’ capital and palace-
city, Vani. They have little other choice. Although they
know the Golden Fleece is in Colchis, they do not know
precisely where. Vani is a walled town by the river
Phasis.
The town seems rich, with numerous bronze sculptures
of athletes and warriors. Most citizens wear at least
one item of gold jewelery; the richer folk wear many.
Unless the heroes do something really clever, they
will be noted as foreigners: their arrival in a strange
ship observed along with their lack of jewelery and
their foreign accents. If the heroes attempt to pass as
natives, it takes a Lie test as long as some work is one to
mount a guise; typically the test has a Difficulty of 6.
The guards at the gate are excessively curious, inquiring
into the heroes’ names, occupations, reasons for being
there, everything else that comes up. Use this as a way
to introduce the party if needed. But make it clear
to the players that this is a breach of Greek customs.
The needs of guests should be considered before such
questions are asked.
Most likely, the guards take the heroes to King Gorgias’
palace. The king orders his slaves to find rooms for his
guests and to fetch food and wine. Then, and only then,
he asks for himself what brings the visitors to Colchis.
Note that depending on their Motivations, some heroes
may receive Willpower for being honest here.
What happens next is up to the heroes. The most direct
method is to talk openly about the Golden Fleece.
Gorgias is surprised. He believed only he knew about
it. He at first denies the Fleece’s existence. He certainly
refuses to part with it for nothing. Eventually, he
agrees to let them seek it if the heroes first complete
three labors for him. More about those shortly.
Gorgias’ daughter, Chalciope, may complicate things.
And she may help the heroes find the fleece.
If the heroes do not wish to deal with Gorgias or
Chalciope, a hero with a high Philosophy score
could have the idea of consulting the chained titan
Prometheus, who is in this kingdom. See page 44.
 Gorgias
Gorgias is a middle-aged man with a black beard. He
is king of Colchis and one of the Gifted: a descendant
of Apollo with Ares as his patron. Gorgias believes the
Golden Fleece is a sign of Ares’ divine favour in the
kingdom of Colchis. He will not willingly give it up.
However, once he sees the heroes have some power,
he uses them to humble his rival Machares and to deal
with the harpies that plague him. At first he is willing
to give up the Fleece once the heroes help him with
these problems—after all, if they can do that, they
have power. But Gorgias does not really expect them to
succeed. When they have completed the first two tasks,
the king changes his mind, realising he has no intention
whatsoever of allowing the heroes to take the Fleece
away.
The King’s Oracle gift means he knows about the
Golden Fleece and Athens’ current difficulties.
Gorgias
Body 3 Coordination 3 Mind 2
Sense 3 Charm 3 Command 4
Base Will 7 Willpower 7
Ancestor: Apollo Patron God: Ares Oracle gift means she knows about the Golden Fleece
Passion: No man may challenge my authority without
consequences (3)
Loyalty: I am king of Colchis and I will make my
kingdom mighty (4)
Skills: Leadership 3 (7d), Lie 4 (7d), Melee (sword) 3+1wd
(6d+wd), Perception 4 (7d), Persuasion 3 (6d), Philosophy
2 (4d), Stability 3 (7d)
Gifts: Dragon’s Teeth 10d, Flawless (Sword) 1wd, Oracle
3d, Sense the Divine 2hd
Damage
Sword (6d+1wd): Width in killing
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Chalciope
Chalciope approaches the heroes, ideally focusing on
a different character to whoever deals with the king,
to learn more about their goals and motivations. She
is very interested in foreign lands and is just as curious
as her father to know what the heroes are doing in
Colchis. What’s more, she is eager to leave Colchis and
gain power and wealth for herself in the broader world.
Chalciope shares her father’s prophetic gift and knows
of the Golden Fleece. Her father is unaware of this.
Treated well, Chalciope is an asset to the heroes. In
the end she might provide an alternative route to the
Golden Fleece, although she will not reveal it unless the
heroes have already proved themselves on the first two
labors and she has a personal incentive.
Despite her divine Gifts, Chalciope is quite naive and is
likely to believe whatever lies and promises the heroes
tell her—just as she once did those of her father. She
is curious about foreign lands and believes Colchis to
be quite primitive. Chalciope is not particularly loyal
to her father. She wants to see other places, but more
than that she wants power in her own right—not as the
wife of a powerful husband, which is what her father
hopes to arrange. She knows she won’t get either of
her desires by following her father’s wishes. Chalciope’s
and has some idea of the hidden dangers in the labors
set by the King.
Chalciope
Body 1 Coordination 2 Mind 4
Sense 3 Charm 4 Command 3
Base Will 7 Willpower 9
Ancestor: Apollo Patron God: Hecate
Passions: I want power in my own right, not just as
someone’s wife (3); Curious to see new interesting
people and places (2)
Loyalty: Respect for learning and wisdom (2)
Skills: Empathy 1 (4d), Leadership 2 (5d), Lie 1 (5d),
Perception 2 (5d), Persuasion 3 (7d), Philosophy 4 (8d),
Scrutiny 3 (6d), Stealth 3 (5d)
Gifts: Oracle 4d, Sorcery 4hd
Potions (each grants a power to the drinker for a single
scene and can be used once): Fire Resistance 2hd,
Impenetrable Skin 2hd
 The First Labor: Gorgias and his men in the aftermath, after the heroes
have stolen the Fleece.

The Gift of Gaia
The first labour is simple: Defeat the warrior Machares
in single combat. Machares is one of Gorgias’ nobles
and is present in Vani. A second cousin of the king, his
open demonstrations of divine prowess make him quite
popular, and he is a rallying point for those dissatisfied
with decisions Gorgias has made. Worse, Machares is
pursuing the king’s daughter, Chalciope, for marriage.
So far Chalciope has rejected Machares as she wants to
forge her own destiny and is not attracted to Machares’
brand of brawny heroism, seeing him as little more than
a powerful bully.
On the other hand, if the player characters treat him
well, and if they appeal to Machares’ vanity as well as
giving him something he wants (such as promising to
help him court Chalciope) he could become an ally of
the heroes in the rest of this scenario.
Machares
Body 5 Coordination 3 Mind 2
Sense 2 Charm 2 Command 3
Base Will 5 Willpower 5

Gorgias sees Machares as someone who is already Divine Ancestor: Apollo Patron God: Gaia
challenging his authority, and who will be even more
Passion: Might makes right 2
dangerous in the future. The king would like to see
Machares either dead or publically humiliated. An Loyalty: The adulation and respect of the crowd 3
unknown hero from outside of Colchis who defeats
Machares in his chosen field of public single combat will Skills: Athletics 3 (8d), Brawl 4 (9d), Endurance 3
accomplish one of these goals—or even both at once. (8d), Intimidation 3 (6d), Melee Combat [axe] 5 (10d),
Perception 2 (4d), Ranged Combat [bow] 3 (6d), Stability
Machares happily accepts battles from a series of 3 (6d)
heroes, but he insists on a fight to the death in an
outdoor arena. He is happy to accept an unarmed battle Gifts: Favored of Gaia 3hd, Godlike Vigor 1hd
or to wield his trusty axe. Even in armed conflicts, he
does not wear armor. Instead he covers himself with Damage
earth before any combat.
Axe (10d): Width+1 killing
Machares is large (over six feet tall) but not a giant. He
Bow (6d): Width+1 killing
is, however, one of the Gifted, having the favor of the
earth goddess Gaia, and he heals damage as long as he Brawling (9d): Width shock
lives and has firm contact with the earth.

There are ways to avoid a death match with Machares.

One way is to charm the crowd which gathers to watch
the match. The people of Vani are somewhat bored
with watching Machares tear enemies apart. The crowd
can be swayed by suitable social skill tests, meaning a
change of arena or even a different form of contest.
Machares, though he does not like it, craves public
adulation, and goes along with the will of the crowd.

Machares’ power can also be nullified. His power will

not work if he takes too much lethal damage at once, or
if he is forced off the arena’s brown earth to the hard
stone around it where the spectators sit. Somehow
washing the earth from Machares’ body will also stop
his Gift. Machares surrenders if he can see his Gift is no
longer working, such as when he takes a blow that does
not immediately heal.

Attempts to avoid a direct, deadly fight or to nullify

Machares’ Gift should have a good chance of success.
Machares is exceptionally dangerous if a hero takes him
on without doing something clever.

Machares’ reaction after defeat depends on how the

player characters treat him—if they left him alive. Most
likely he goes away and sulks, taking no further part
in this scenario. However, if he is treated badly by the
player characters, he may appear again as an ally of

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 The Second Labor:
‘Bandits’
The second labor is dealing with “bandits” at a
mountain pass to the east of Vali. Gorgias tells the
characters only that the bandits are badly armed and
disorganised but are skilled at eluding his soldiers.

Gorgias, after the defeat of Machares, is already having

doubts, and deliberately makes the test slightly harder
for the heroes by misleading them—though they can
of course easily discover the truth by asking around.
Chalciope, for example, might tell the characters the
“bandits” are in fact a flock of harpies.

The harpies are tormenting local farmers, stealing food

and attacking animals. Gorgias’ soldiers have previously
been sent to the region to solve the problem, but the
harpies simply flew away, and the soldiers did not find a
way to pursue them. The soldiers returned and reported
the problem unsolvable. This was a combination
of incompetence and fear of fighting supernatural
beasts—what god or goddess could be behind a plague
of harpies?

The people in the region are only poor farmers. King

Gorgias has not bothered to send more or better-
trained soldiers to deal with the problem, and it has
escalated.

There are several possible methods for the player

characters to fight the harpies. One is to lay a trap: set
out a sumptuous feast and then withdraw, waiting
for the creatures to descend to feed when they smell
the food. The other way is to track the creatures back
to their lair, a nearby cave on a hill. A Perception or
Survival skill test at difficulty 4 can do this if the player
characters first spot the harpies or gather evidence of
their activities and watch where they fly. A suitable
divine Gift could also find the lair easily.

See page 32 for details about harpies. The harpies are

numerous; there are are seven harpies per hero.

The harpies attack those they outnumber but flee if

outmatched in a fight. Only by trapping them in their
lair can the heroes deal with them permanently.

F rom “H arpies in the F orest of S uicides ,” G ustave D oré

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 The Third Labor: wisdom those he likes, in exchange only for a promise
to visit again and talk.

Prometheus and the Griffin
Gorgias is surprised if the heroes succeed at the second
labor. He means the third labor to be a deathtrap.
High in the Caucasus mountains to the north of Vali, the
titan Prometheus is bound to a rock with unbreakable
chains. Each dawn, a griffin comes to peck out his liver.
Each day his body heals anew.
The heroes’ task sounds simple: kill the griffin that
torments Prometheus and bring bring back its head.
The danger here is twofold. The griffin itself is vicious,
of course. But what’s more, attempting to kill it and
aid Prometheus is an act of gross hubris. Prometheus
was chained, and the griffin sent, by Zeus himself. (See
“Hubris,” page 5.) Any hero who attempts to kill the
griffin or free Prometheus loses all current Willpower
unless directly serving a Passion or Loyalty. If serving
a Passion or Loyalty, the hero is protected from the
Willpower loss but is instead cursed by Zeus to suffer
some unfortunate or violent event in the future.
If the heroes decide to perform the task, the first
obstacle is reaching the place in the mountains where
Prometheus is chained. The climb requires a Difficulty 6
Athletics test, or the use of some other appropriate skill
or power. To make this challenge more epic you could
require a series of checks to suit different obstacles—
Athletics for climbing, Survival for pacing oneself
properly, Endurance to keep going, and so on—with
penalties for failure such as damage from falling or
exhaustion.
The titan certainly knows that the Golden Fleece can be
found in the Grove of Ares, and will give directions. He
also warns that it is guarded by a giant fire-breathing
serpent.
As for the griffin, it is slightly tougher than a normal
griffin, as described on page 32. It has LAR 1. It can
do extra damage by swooping into combat. When
swooping, the griffin makes a Body+Athletics check
and adds the Width of the result in bonus dice to its
Brawling attack roll. Further, the target of a swoop
attack takes an extra 2 points of shock damage to every
hit location if struck. Neither armor nor blocking helps
against this extra damage. The griffin may swoop no
more than once every other round.
Further, the heroes’ footing is precarious unless they
take precautions. On a successful attack by the griffin,
the victim must make an Athletics test or fall for 2
killing damage to every location. A fall puts the victim
out of melee range. Climbing up to close again with the
griffin takes a round and requires an Athletics test. Of
course, the griffin could choose to fly over and attack
(and be attacked by) a victim of a fall instead of the
other heroes.

When the heroes arrive, they find the titan Prometheus

as the legends told. He is a titanic figure, at least
three times as tall as a mortal human. At the top of
a mountain, he is wrapped in adamantine chains and
shackled to the bare mountain rock. Emaciated, he is
naked apart from a loincloth, and has a vast scar, not
quite fully healed, where the griffin eats his liver each
day. Despite his obvious suffering, Prometheus is quietly
dignified.

The titan’s physical suffering is obvious but his mental

suffering is even more acute. Not only must he wait for
the pain from the griffin each dawn, but he is helpless,
lonely and bored. It is absolutely impossible for the
heroes to free him.

Prometheus is conscious and may speak to the heroes,

though only if they intrigue him or help him. Killing or
driving off the griffin certainly qualifies; although he
informs them ruefully that even if the heroes kill the
griffin, another will come in a few days.

Speaking in a deep voice, the titan is sophisticated “P rome theus B ound ,” P e ter Paul R ubens
and witty, fond of philosophical puzzles and deep
conversation, such as one might find at a good
symposium. He knows many mysteries of the universe,
and many secrets. He is still a god and knows much
of what passes in the world. He may favour with his

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 Avoiding Prometheus
Q uite possibly the heroes , fearing hubris , will refuse to seek P rome theus and will find another
way to ge t the F leece . A ll that is needed to find the fleece I s to loc ate the G rove of A res .
C halciope knows where it is . A hero with a G ift involving divination or prophec y could al so
find it at this stage . At earlier stages , prophecies about the G rove should be too murk y for the
pl ayer char ac ters , but by now the y have proven their c apabilities .

In this c ase , G orgias is arguably entitled to be cross with them and demand its re turn .

Treachery
If the heroes bring back the head of the griffin, Gorgias
reluctantly tells them the location of the Grove of Ares,
where the Golden Fleece hangs. He does not warn them
of the dragon. However, he makes sure that and his
soldiers are waiting for them after the task, as in the
aftermath below. Gorgias promised to tell the heroes
where the Fleece was, and kept his word. He did not
promise to let them keep it.
Player characters who are skilled at social skills or
have relevant Gifts may now realise that Gorgias plans
treachery. If the result of this is violence, he has five
soldiers per player character immediately available,
and twice as many again who will come at the sound
of violence or the king’s call. These troops are trained
minions, armed with spear and javelin; all attacks do
Width in killing damage.
Aftermath
After they claim the Golden Fleece, the heroes may face
further problems. If Gorgias knows they know of the
grove of Ares and has the time, he pursues them and
waits to intercept them on the road with five soldiers
per hero. These troops are trained minions, armed
with spear and javelin; all attacks do Width in killing
damage. Gorgias and his men will not let the heroes
leave with the fleece. Depending on how they treated
him in the first task, Machares may also be present as
Gorgias’ ally.
The troops flee if Gorgias is killed or captured or if he
surrenders. Gorgias attempts to flee or surrender if
half of his troops are killed or if he is badly wounded.
Chalciope, if present, will not help the heroes fight her
father and his men, but neither will she help her father
in a fight.

If Gorgias surrenders or is otherwise at the heroes’

mercy, Chalciope pleads for the king’s life. Gorgias is too
The Fleece and the Dragon proud to plea himself.

If the heroes return to Athens with the Golden Fleece,

The Golden Fleece can be found in the grove of Ares,
its presence does indeed lift the plague—and great
a fertile field in a nook in largely barren mountains,
glory and rewards await the heroes who saved the city.
about about half a mile across.
A successful outcome to this scenario is a big thing for
In the middle of the field is an apple tree. On the tree
both the heroes and Athens. All of them gain a bonus
hangs the Golden Fleece. The Fleece comes from a new
point of Base Will as well as the usual XP rewards for a
winged ram, a descendant of the first who attained
game. Their characters will also be feted by the wealthy
his ancestor’s divine gifts. A shepherd by the name
and powerful of the city, and will be invited to all the
of Eusebius saw the ram as a divine sign, caught it,
best parties, and perhaps given lavish gifts—at least
and sacrificed it to Poseidon. Eusebius then prayed
until the novelty of their achievement wears off. This
for power and wealth. Poseidon heard the shepherd’s
could all lead to further adventures.
prayer and transformed him into a dragon.

The dragon lurks near the apple tree. A vast fire-

breathing serpent, it is no longer a reasonable being. It
rushes forward to attack intruders but will not pursue
beyond the grove of Ares. It can certainly be tricked
and is easily distracted by music or food. If wounded,
it pursues the one who hurt it and potentially ignores
other distractions, such as someone sneaking in to steal
the Golden Fleece.

A direct fight is tougher. The giant serpent’s stats are as

described on page 35.

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Adventure Seeds
Great things are won by great dangers. (Herodotus)
The Curse of Hera
The Boar was just the beginning of Plataea’s problems.
Other monsters are sent to plague it, including a vast
lion and a flock of harpies. The reason for the curse
is that Hera needs the apple of the Hesperides to be
returned to the garden. If the heroes took the apple in
the last adventure, they are pursued by the monsters
rather than Plataea being cursed. A visit to an oracle at
Delphi will reveal this curse, and what the heroes need
to do. One complication is that even the oracle does
not know where the Gardens of the Hesperides are;
they are advised to consult the gorgon Euryale (who
dwells in a cave far away) to discover this vital piece of
information. But what could possibly convince Euryale
that she should cooperate?
The Tyrant
It is the time of the Dionysia in Athens and there are
a number of important visitors to the city to take part
in or observe the theatrical festival. Culturally inclined
player characters may very well be amongst them. One
of Athens’ main stars in the festival is the orator and
playwright Megacles. Megacles is a Gifted descendant
of Dionysus, and his efforts have united the two main
political parties of the city. He uses the introduction of
his tragic play as an excuse to denounce the arbitrary
rule of the tyrant Peisistratus. The play itself is a
criticism of tyranny, and can be viewed as a thinly veiled
attack on Peisistratus’ rule.
After the play is over, an attempt is made to assassinate
Megacles. It fails, thanks perhaps to the PCs’ efforts.
Interrogation of the assassins leads Megacles to declare
in the forum that the assassins were sent by Peisistratus
to silence him. He denounces the tyrant in public,
promises to lead Athens to democracy, and calls upon
the free citizens of Athens to drive Peisistratus from the
city. His speech raises an angry mob.
No divine hero can remain neutral in this conflict;
both Peisistratus and Megacles will attempt to recruit
the PCs. Peisistratus denies sending out assassins. His
rule is tyrannical, but Peisistratus has been good for
Athens and the people have prospered. And what does
Megacles really want? Whichever side they take, they
will find other Gifted characters, including visitors from
other cities, opposing them. Perhaps this opposition
includes some old enemies.
Uninvited Guests
At the time of a feast — perhaps celebrating a victory, a
wedding, or a religious festival — a group of strangers
turn up: thirty centaurs. Wine is flowing freely, and it is
all but impossible to stop the centaurs taking advantage.
When they are drunk, a riot is virtually inevitable. The
PCs need to stop or contain the riot. Speaking to the
centaurs, the characters will discover they are new to the
area, and if clever will find out they have been driven out
of their old home by the arrival of a group of cyclopes.
If the cyclopes are dealt with, the centaurs might return
to their old home, and celebrations can once more take
place without being disrupted by riots.
Liberty
The heroes are contacted by a messenger from the
city of Miletus. It seems that city is being threatened
by a chimera, and needs the help of heroes. When the
heroes arrive, they find the tyrant has just a skeleton
force of troops that he does not want to risk; the bulk of
his troops are away fighting for Cyrus. The city is indeed
menaced by a chimera. But what those who sent for the
heroes really want — moreso even than the defeat of
the monster — is freedom from the tyrant, and freedom
from Persia. If the heroes choose to help, there will
certainly be wide scale political repercussions; once the
city is freed from Persia, how will it stay free?
Descent to the Underworld
A young noble of the heroes’ acquaintance (perhaps
Nikos, the young king of Plataea) was goaded in public,
and made an oath to Zeus that he would bring the three
heads of Cerberus back to the surface world. He now
has cause to regret such a hubristic boast, and needs the
help of the heroes to do what he has promised. If the
heroes agree to help, the first step is to find an entrance
to the underworld. This means consulting an oracle
or a character with an appropriate Gift. A further
complication is that the entrance to the underworld is
within a swamp where the Hydra dwells. Even if the
character succeeds, there remains the problem of what
Hades will do afterward.

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