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synodiporia_ooc2017-03-31 09:56 pm
powersthatbe) wrote in synodiporia_ooc2017-03-31 09:56 pm
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Olympus Upended - Jaunt Info
A Jaunt through uncharted times in Mythic Greece
April 10 - May 25/26
Sing, O Muse, of the dusk of the Age of Heroes
Of those days when the gods disappeared from the skies
And the sun and the moon and the earth were troubled
By chaos and darkness, fell beasts and foul magic.
A generation past did the walls of Troy fall.
Those great kings and heroes reside now in Hades.
Their children rule but only echo their glory
And divide their empire, the once-great Achaia.
Olympus rises above Iolchis unconquered
Unansw’ring mortal prayer or query, isolate.
At its feet they gather, burning fires, and now dream
Of a climb they will dare, and daring, remedy their questions…
It is a dark time for the Achaians. The capital city of Mycenae has been sacked by the Heraclides, barbarian grandchildren of the Olympian god of strength, and no central rule has risen up to replace the shattered House of Atreus. The Pythia, snake-priestess of Delphi, has declared that this is the last year of the Age of Heroes, and no-one is certain what Age will follow after, or what the end of an age means.
Weeks ago, earthquakes, whirlpools, and tidal waves began to trouble the coastline. The sun and moon became irregular in their courses, causing days of burning drought to be followed by blizzards, disordering the tides. Some days the sun is dim and sullen, other days unbearable. Mountains spew fire and liquid rock, crevices open in the earth and breathe forth foul gasses - all signs indicate that Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades are all wrathful, and that something ails both Apollo and Artemis. But no oracles or prophecies reveal how their favor was lost, or how it can be regained.
Across the land, the powers of the gods have begun manifesting in unsuspecting hands, unfamiliar places. The gods have chosen heroes to empower in times past, but always they gave a little instruction as well, and now that is missing, and their gifts seem to be scattered at random.
In the city of Iolchis, which lies near to the foothills of Mount Olympus, new heroes, foreign travelers, sages, priests, and kings all gather to consult with one another. What do these disasters and omens mean? What should be done? Already, there is talk of daring blasphemy - of attempting to climb the heights of Olympus and laying these troubles directly at the feet of the gods. Such a thing has never been successfully accomplished, and all who tried in the past were struck down. But now… can any other measure save Achaia?
WORLD INFO
Thessalus, son of Jason, is king of Iolchis, and the Golden Fleece has a place of honor in his throne room. The Heraclides - grandchildren of Hercules - are a wandering band of warriors with divine blood, and they have conquered Mycenae, though they occupy it more than rule it - the power of the kings is broken. Thebes is ruled by a band of sworn-siblings called the Epigoni, or After-born -- those who were born too late for the great epic adventures of old. The last of the line of Theseus in Athens has died, and for now Athens turns to the ghost of Macaria, a princess who volunteered as a sacrifice to Persephone to save the city, and so Athens has become a haunted city. The mystic snake-priestess, the Pythia, rules Delphi and its eternal flame.
For both Infiltrators and Investigators, in-jaunt death will work somewhat differently than usual this time - since there’s a perfectly serviceable underworld available, the dead will go to Hades’ domain and have an opportunity to find out what’s going on down there.
LOCATIONS/MAP
To head off any concern about travel times - from heroes with superhuman speed and endurance, to chariots with teams of horses, mythical steeds, and uncommonly swift sea travel, there will be numerous ways to get from any city marked on the map to any other city marked on the map in two days or less (easily enough time to travel and still participate in one week’s mingle in 2-3 locations). On the other hand, from Iolchis to Olympus through the foothills is about a day, and the climb of Olympus itself at least another day - one cannot visit the gods casually.
For those who seek passage to (or from) the underworld, there are caverns near Thebes, Mycenae, and Athens which lead there. For those who might call to Poseidon - any stretch of coastline can work, but especially near Athens.
Iolchis: the nearest major city to Mount Olympus, Iolchis is famous as the home port of the Argonauts and the resting place of the Golden Fleece. The people of Iolchis are known for being wise, but also capricious and unfortunate.
Delphi: the center of the world and home to the greatest Oracle in Greece, Delphi was once home to dragons and other great serpents, and is sacred to Apollo. Most of the inhabitants of Delphi are priests or priestesses or the servants of priests and priestesses.
Thebes: the strongest military power of this generation, Thebes is ruled by the Epigoni, a band of sworn siblings whose loyalty to one another is famous, and who mourn the glorious history they were born too late to be a part of. Many young would-be heroes seek to join the Epigoni and search for new adventures.
Athens: city most sacred to Athena, the royalty of Athens have all died, and a sacred ghost now speaks as the city’s ruler, making Athens a fearsome and haunted place, though it is still a port city with bustling trade connections to foreign lands.
Mycenae: former capital of the House of Atreus, whose King all other Achaian Kings owed their allegiance, Mycenae is now a derelict ruin occupied by the Heraclides, who treat its great wealth with casual disdain.
CASTING CALL
The Lethian Foundling, an amnesiac young man of immortal blood with a twisted ankle. This role must be played by a male character. Expected Contribution: 10+ comments/mingle.
The Hot-Blooded Archer, a berserker warrior, one of the Heraclides. Expected Contribution: 5+ comments/mingle.
The Shrewd Magistrate, one of the Epigoni, a learned scholar and trusted judge. Expected Contribution: 5+ comments/mingle.
The Pythian Oracle, the vapor-breathing, snake-charming priestess of Delphi. This role must be played by a female character. Expected Contribution: 5+ comments/mingle.
The Necromancer, an Athenian sorcerer who speaks to (and for) the dead. Expected Contribution: 5+ comments/mingle.
The Heir of Iolchis, child of Thessalus, an ambitious scion with considerable resources. Expected Contribution: 5+ comments/mingle.
The Disguised Titan, a member of the fallen pantheon plotting a comeback. Expected Contribution: 10+ comments/mingle.
The Diminished Immortal, a lesser member of the Olympian pantheon whose powers have all but vanished. Expected Contribution: 7+ comments/mingle.
PLOT ROLE ANNOUNCEMENTS
FAMILIAR FACES
Olympians:
Zeus - Germaine
Hermes - Trey
Apollo - Ode
Hades & Persephone - Perry & Mina
Ganymede - Baerry
Titans:
Hecate - Yuri
Atlas - Tobi
Prometheus - Jordi
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Not like this is basically her job in canon or anything!
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Re: PLOT ROLE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Re: PLOT ROLE ANNOUNCEMENTS
SKILLS
New Skill: Lesser Blessing (S) - a single trick, magical power, aura, or capability granted by a patron deity who has Immortal Ichor & a Mantle skill. If granted during the Jaunt, any god or ambrosia-empowered immortal may bestow such a blessing, whether or not they keep the Mantle & Ichor post-jaunt. A Blessing must match the ideals and flavors of the immortal who grants it.
Heroic Age Combat (T) - skill in sword, spear, and wrestling as a Greek warrior.
Heroic Age Survivalism (T) - the ability to track, hunt, and live off the land.
Heroic Age Fortune-Telling (T) - the ability to analyze portents and symbolism for intrinsic meaning.
Heroic Age Necromancy (T) - the ability to use blood sacrifice to speak to the dead.
Heroic Age Scholarship (T) - familiarity with the politics, philosophy, and priesthood of the Heroic Age.
Immortal Ichor (S) - silvery marbling in the blood, granting limited immortality - healing wounds from nonmagical sources within minutes, excepting cases of dismemberment, and being immune to age and nonmagical poison or disease.
Olympian Relic (U) - retaining an enchanted or extremely rare or valuable item from the Heroic Age.
Olympian Mantle (T) - requires Immortal Ichor. Specify an idea or ideal represented by one of the Olympians or lesser deities. You retain limited power over that skill, element, role, or notion. Requires mod approval.
Titanic Mantle (T) - requires Immortal Ichor. Specify an idea or ideal represented by one of the Titans or older deities. You retain limited power over that skill, element, role, or notion. Requires mod approval.
Mythic Form (U) - shape of a satyr/centaur/dryad etc.
CALENDAR
April 10/1st of Thargelion (New Moon) - Convocation in Iolchis
April 18/8th of Thargelion (Waxing Moon) - the Ascent to Olympus
April 26/15th of Thargelion (Full Moon) - Falcon-Swift Ships
Updated:
May 9/22nd of Thargelion (Waning Moon) - The Shooting Stars
May 17/1st of Skirophorion (New Moon) - The Battle
May 25/8th of Skirophorion (Waxing Moon) - A New Age Dawns & Liminal Return
INVESTIGATOR ROLES
As a note: yes, you can have your Investigators take the forms of mythological creatures if you want (in the spirit of pogvestigation and finvestigation.)
INFILTRATOR ROLES
INFILTRATOR DIRECTORY
Infiltrators