Mythological Age Scenario

[Varwnos]

The circus came to town!

[Broken_Erika]

cool,

[Uncle Dead Bird]

Great map there, jim panse. I'll have to fill in Atlantis, though (shouldn't be too hard).

And I like the cyclops, varwnos. Any more critters would be warmly welcomed.

Currently, I'm tapped for new ideas (should have a few more in a few more days, though), but if anyone's got any suggestions, feel free to lay them on me.

UDB

[Elok]

I don't know much at all about ToT, but aren't there parallel map functions in it? I've heard suggestions for Niflheim, Hades, the Elysian Fields, etc., but I don't know what the function of such maps would be, as they sound essentially restricted to their culture of origin; some sort of bonus barbarian hunting ground for each culture?

Depending on how closely they can be junctioned together, you could have a "The Heavens" map and a "The Earth" map, with Valkyries, Furies and Ka duking it out on the former while more terrestrial units (centaurs, trolls, Sphinx) handle the latter. Sort of a dual planes of reality thing, to simulate the deeply mystical dimension underlying the veneer of ordinary life in the classical imagination. Or maybe that's BS and I just think it's a fun idea which may or may not even be possible with ToT for all I know. Take your pick. Anyway, there's one suggestion for ya.

BTW, what did the flyboy or whoever he was get banned for, St. Leo? I'm not really protesting, mind you, just curious. Was he really a DL?

[St. Leo: Yup. DL and probable troll all along. Thank you for your assistance in apprehending the miscreant, folks.]

[Boco]

You certainly can have up to 4 maps in ToT. Could have heavens, underworld, this humble world, and maybe even Neptune's realm. It's a little tricky setting up the intermap transport. Getting the AI to behave sanely between maps can be tough, too. If you want to go this route, and need help, just let me know. Done right, it can be a lot of fun to play.

Anyway, my plan is to largely allow the player(s) a lot of freedom in expansion, research, and diplomacy, much like vanilla civilization 2, but with each civilization having unique human, heroic, and monstrous units, but rough equivalents between civs being tied to the same advance, thus using the same broad tech tree (like in Test of Time's Midgard scenario; I do plan to use Test of Time, btw).

Could be a lot of fun to require that you send a hero on a quest into another world to get a vital tech or two. Does this fit your scheme, UDB?

Btw, Kull's Oddyssey has a lot of clever ideas in it. Might be worth dissecting a bit.

[jim panse]

Glad you like it, feel free to use it - and to credit Henrik Lohmander for it

[beingofone]

Here is a family tree for the gods. Uncle - I hope this stimulates more ideas.


I can prove they all existed - I have manuscripts and archaeological proof.

[beingofone]

Here is a map of all the sacred places in Greece.
If I can find anything else you want me to post?

[Elok]

Pretty good...'cept that I think "Eleusis" is spelled wrong. Not that I know much about the holy cities of the pre-Judaic religions.

Oh, and while the gods did, for the most part, exist, accounts of Persephone, at least, have been badly distorted over the ages. As the daughter of Zeus, lord of the Heavens, and Demeter, patron of agriculture, Persephone was in fact the Goddess of the Heavenly Grass. Being a child of incest, she had a severe form of hereditary glaucoma carried by the Olympian line. Recent evidence suggests that the Oracles of EVERY deity were required by custom to take a hit from the Bowl of Persephone before delivering their messages. And the tired old myth about her being abducted and causing winter is a greatly sanitized version; originally, while she was away, Dionysius and the Maenads (who were thoughtlessly left off of your tree) got into her stash and got such a severe case of the munchies as a result that they ate all the greenery off the earth for six months. And I can prove it too. NORML has provided me with several links explaining the allegorical meaning of the myth.

[Varwnos]

It is Eleysis The eleysinian mysteries were taking place there. Also there were the kawirian mysteries, which took place in some island which i always forget, but i think that it was the birthplace of Pythagoras as well.
beingofone posted i think something drawn from hesiod's "theogonia"

[Elok]

Well, I think we use different latinization systems and whatnot. Assuming I get the different systems in general, kawirian would be...Kourian? Dunno. I just rediscovered my "Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion," which I'd forgotten I had, today. Good fortune, that. I've got that big ol' Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary of Folklore and such-and-such too, if I can be of assistance in reference work.

Anyway, enough swaggering from me. The Oxford book says Pythagoras was born in Samos, but has no "Samos" entry. It does, however, list the island of Samothrace as the center of a cult called Cabiri, dedicated to twin gods. Lessee, Cabiri...the Cabiri entry says they weren't a specific duo, but a general concept that varied from region to region. They were also big in Thebes...apparently they're commonly depicted as Hermes and Pan in art. How the charming messenger and the freaky goat-man are supposed to be twins is beyond me. Oh well. This book rocks. Bulfinch's Mythology is a bit more common and worth having just for entertainment.

[Varwnos]

Yes, kawirian is the same (the cabiri)

[Uncle Dead Bird]

Again, sorry for the delay. I'm on crappy dial-up, and only get 10 hours a month.

All this data is good stuff, here. I'm just not sure how much can be put into a scenario, especially one with other pantheons.

I do, however, appreciate the contributions, and hope you keep them coming. Varwnos, your creatures are great.

UDB

[beingofone]

Persephone was in fact the Goddess of the Heavenly Grass. Being a child of incest, she had a severe form of hereditary glaucoma carried by the Olympian line.

That is because Zeus was tapping all the female Olympians.
In fact he considered any female on the mountain his personal squeeze - homey can`t catch a break with him around.

varwnos

Yup the Theogonia.
A friend of mine was in Kosovo a few years ago, he said all you Macedonians believe *time was created as a concept that only Macedonians could live up to.


Even tho America is very young Homer did not say *time was restricted to the Greeks. We want some of the action.

[beingofone]

The Olympians are a group of 12 gods who ruled after the overthrow of the Titans. All the Olympians are related in some way. They are named after their dwelling place, Mount Olympus.

The Olympians Description

Zeus overthrew his Father Cronus. He then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths.

Poseidon is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Hades, another brother, for shares of the world. His prize was to become lord of the sea. He was widely worshiped by seamen. He married Amphitrite, a granddaughter of the Titan Oceanus. At one point he desired Demeter. To put him off Demeter asked him to make the most beautiful animal that the world had ever seen. So to impress her Poseidon created the first horse. In some accounts his first attempts were unsuccessful and created a variety of other animals in his quest. By the time the horse was created his passion for Demeter had cooled. His weapon is a trident, which can shake the earth, and shatter any object. He is second only to Zeus in power amongst the gods. He has a difficult quarrelsome personality. He was greedy. He had a series of disputes with other gods when he tried to take over their cities.

Hades is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Poseidon, another brother, for shares of the world. He had the worst draw and was made lord of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead are seen favorably. The Erinyes are welcomed guests. He is exceedingly disinclined to allow any of his subjects leave. He is also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. He has a helmet that makes him invisible. He rarely leaves the underworld. He is unpitying and terrible, but not capricious. His wife is Persephone whom Hades abducted. He is the King of the dead but, death itself is another god, Thanatos.

Hestia is Zeus sister. She is a virgin goddess. She does not have a distinct personality. She plays no part in myths. She is the Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family. Each city had a public hearth sacred to Hestia, where the fire was never allowed to go out.

Hera is Zeus wife and sister. She was raised by the Titans Ocean and Tethys. She is the protector of marriage and takes special care of married women. Hera's marriage was founded in strife with Zeus and continued in strife. Zeus courted her unsuccessfully. He then turned to trickery, changing himself into disheveled cuckoo. Hera feeling sorry for the bird held it to her breast to warm it. Zues then resumed his normal form and taking advantage of the surprise he gained, raped her. She then married him to cover her shame. Once when Zeus was being particularly overbearing to the other gods, Hera convinced them to join in a revolt. Her part in the revolt was to drug Zeus, and in this she was successful. The gods then bound the sleeping Zeus to a couch taking care to tie many knots. This done they began to quarrel over the next step. Briareus overheard the arguments. Still full of gratitude to Zeus, Briareus slipped in and was able to quickly untie the many knots. Zeus sprang from the couch and grabbed up his thunderbolt. The gods fell to their knees begging and pleading for mercy. He seized Hera and hung her from the sky with gold chains. She wept in pain all night but, none of the others dared to interfere. Her weeping kept Zeus up and the next morning he agreed to release her if she would swear never to rebel again. She had little choice but, to agree. While she never again rebelled, she often intrigued against Zeus's plans and she was often able to outwit him. Most stories concerning Hera have to do with her jealous revenge for Zeus's infidelities. Her sacred animals are the cow and the peacock. Her favorite city is Argos.

Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. He was disliked by both parents. He is the god of war. He is considered murderous and bloodstained but, also a coward. When caught in an act of adultery with Aphrodite her husband Hephaestus is able publicly ridicule him. His bird is the vulture. His animal is the dog.

Athena is the daughter of Zeus. She sprang full grown in armor from his forehead, thus has no mother. She is fierce and brave in battle but, only fights to protect the state and home from outside enemies. She is the goddess of the city, handicrafts, and agriculture. She invented the bridle, which permitted man to tame horses, the trumpet, the flute, the pot, the rake, the plow, the yoke, the ship, and the chariot. She is the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. She was Zeus's favorite child and was allowed to use his weapons including his thunderbolt. Her favorite city is Athens. Her tree is the olive. The owl is her bird. She is a virgin goddess.

Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto. His twin sister is Artemis . He is the god of music, playing a golden lyre. The Archer, far shooting with a silver bow. The god of healing who taught man medicine. The god of light. The god of truth, who can not speak a lie. One of Apollo's more important daily tasks is to harness his chariot with four horses an drive the Sun across the sky. He is famous for his oracle at Delphi. People traveled to it from all over the Greek world to divine the future. His tree was the laurel. The crow his bird. The dolphin his animal.

Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire and beauty. In addition to her natural gifts she has a magical girdle that compels anyone she wishes to desire her. There are two accounts of her birth. One says she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. The other goes back to when Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitals into the sea. Aphrodite then arose from the sea foam on a giant scallop and walked to shore in Cyprus. She is the wife of Hephaestus. The myrtle is her tree. The dove, the swan, and the sparrow her birds.

Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia. He is Zeus messenger. He is the fastest of the gods. He wears winged sandals, a winged hat, and carries a magic wand. He is the god of thieves and god of commerce. He is the guide for the dead to go to the underworld. He invented the lyre, the pipes, the musical scale, astronomy , weights and measures, boxing, gymnastics, and the care of olive trees.

Artemis the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Her twin brother is Apollo . She is the lady of the wild things. She is the huntsman of the gods. She is the protector of the young. Like Apollo she hunts with silver arrows. She became associated with the moon. She is a virgin goddess, and the goddess of chastity. She also presides over childbirth, which may seem odd for a virgin, but goes back to causing Leto no pain when she was born. She became associated with Hecate. The cypress is her tree. All wild animals are scared to her, especially the deer.

Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. He is the only god to be physically ugly. He is also lame. Accounts as to how he became lame vary. Some say that Hera, upset by having an ugly child, flung him from Mount Olympus into the sea, breaking his legs. Others that he took Hera's side in an argument with Zeus and Zeus flung him off Mount Olympus. He is the god of fire and the forge. He is the smith and armorer of the gods. He uses a volcano as his forge. He is the patron god of both smiths and weavers. He is kind and peace loving. His wife is Aphrodite. Sometimes his wife is identified as Aglaia.