As she spoke she set the armor before Achilles, and it rang out bravely as she did so. The Myrmidons were struck with awe, and none dared look full at it, for they were afraid; but Achilles was roused to still greater fury, and his eyes gleamed with a fierce light, for he was glad when he handled the splendid present which the god had made him. Then, as soon as he had satisfied himself with looking at it, he said to his mother,

"Mother, the god has given me armor, meet handiwork for an immortal and such as no living could have fashioned; I will now arm, but I much fear that flies will settle upon the son of Menoitios and breed worms about his wounds, so that his body, now he is dead, will be disfigured and the flesh will rot."

Silver-footed Thetis answered, "My son, be not disquieted about this matter. I will find means to protect him from the swarms of noisome flies that prey on the bodies of men who have been killed in battle. He may lie for a whole year, and his flesh shall still be as sound as ever, or even sounder. Call, therefore, the Achaean heroes in assembly; unsay your anger against Agamemnon; arm at once, and fight with might and main."

As she spoke she put strength and courage into his heart, and she then dropped ambrosia and red nectar into the wounds of Patroklos, that his body might suffer no change. Then Achilles went out upon the seashore, and with a loud cry called on the Achaean heroes. On this even those who as yet had stayed always at the assembly of ships, the pilots and helmsmen, and even the stewards who were about the ships and served out rations, all came to the place of assembly because Achilles had shown himself after having held aloof so long from fighting. Last of all came Agamemnon, king of men, he too wounded, for Koön son of Antenor had struck him with a spear in battle.

When the Achaeans were got together Achilles rose and said,

"Son of Atreus, surely it would have been better alike for both you and me, when we two were in such high anger about Briseis, surely it would have been better, had Artemis' arrow slain her at the ships on the day when I took her after having sacked Lyrnessos. For so, many an Achaean the less would have bitten dust before the foe in the days of my anger. It has been well for Hektor and the Trojans, but the Achaeans will long indeed remember our quarrel. Now, however, let it be, for it is over. If we have been angry, necessity has schooled our anger. I put it from me: I dare not nurse it for ever; therefore, bid the Achaeans arm forth with that I may go out against the Trojans, and learn whether they will be in a mind to sleep by the ships or no. Glad, I ween, will he be to rest his knees who may flee my spear when I wield it."

Thus did he speak, and the Achaeans rejoiced in that he had put away his anger.

- Iliad of Homer, Scroll 19

[bold]Deianira Hippomedion[/bold]

Level 1
Height: 6’3”
Age: 22

[bold]Kleos[/bold]: You’re an unknown! -5 to Kleos checks. Deeds below:
None.

[bold]Timae:[/bold] That of a typical impoverished country noblewoman. -5 to Timae checks.

[bold]STATS:[/bold]

STR - (8/20) (+0)
AGI - (11/20) (+0)
CON - (11/20) (+0)
WILL - (14/23) (+2)
INT - (15/23) (+3)
CHA - (17/23) (+5)

Regional Alignment: Thessalian Noblewoman (+1 STR, +1 AGI, + 1 CON, +3 CHA)

[bold[Epithets:[/bold]

• Pharmakis: Providers of medicines, drugs, and various other tinctures (from Witch/Physician).

[bold]Traits:[/bold]

• Dutiful – Your father, Hippomedon, insisted that you were as diligent in your own education as your brother. You get an extra stat point per level in the +2/+3 alternating pattern that Homer established.

Tier 1:
• Fresh Olympian Blood: +1 to all stats and regenerate 2 health per turn of combat. +3 when interacting with daemons. You can see and talk to supernatural entities without assistance. Life experiences may unlock hidden bonuses or traits over time.

• Physician: Cures, tonics and various medical therapies are your domain (+1 to INT; +3 to diagnosis/treatment attempts, stacks with Witch bonuses). Any potion, tonic, or healing agent created through the ritual process has a significant bonus to success (+3); +3 bonus to rolls to treat wounds, injuries, maladies. People, animals, or entities under your personal medical care and receiving one of your treatments make rapid recoveries (twice as fast) and weather life-threatening illnesses; you can fan the flame of life in a person on the verge of death.

Tier 2:

Witch: The esoteric art of magic herbalism is known to few mortals. These few are almost exclusively witches. Your mother had arranged for your tutelage with a mysterious woman, Spathion – how exactly she arranged for this is unclear to you (+3 INT/INT cap, +3 to CHA/CHA cap, +3 to WILL/WILL cap; -1 to all physical stats). You are knowledgeable regarding an extremely broad array of medicines, poisons, and illnesses; these same skills provide you access to all manners of creams, lotions and perfumes to enhance your physical presentation. With appropriate preparation, you may engage in occult ritualism to produce a magic spell or potion; reagents for such rituals are typically difficult and expensive to obtain.

[bold]MALUS[/bold]:
Women’s Frailty: Strength Reduction (-3)

>cont

>>5644137
sigh, I should have tested my formatting...

STATUS

HP- (8/8)

Skills

• Witch’s Knowledge: +2 when attempting to identify herbs, plants, poisons, potions, or magic spells, also +2 to create these. Commonplace animals, plants and reagents will not require rolls to identify.
• Witch’s Aspect: +2 to all social/will rolls (under select circumstances, the social bonus may be doubled when interacting with “vulnerable” males, but this may have consequences)
• Physician: +3 to all rolls to diagnose or treat illness.
• Divine Aura: +3 when interacting with daemons. (FOB)
• Divine Regeneration: Heal 2 health per combat turn (FOB)
• More skills to be uncovered as circumstances and traits necessitate.

Personal Inventory

• Knife of Hippomedon: 1d4 + AGI + Knifeplay damage
• Hunting Bow: 1d4 + AGI + Archery damage
• Witch’s Tools: various mortars, pestles, bowls, and other needed equipment to produce all manners of tonics and tinctures.
• Physician’s Supplies: all manner of mundane bandages, knives, and such implements necessary to trait human illness.
• Three oenochoe of Seisames’ finest wine.
•Current Potion Inventory: One philter of Hippomedon’s Essence.

HIPPOMEDON ESTATE

CURRENT OIKOS POINTS = 2
Oikos Morale: <Rebellious - GRUMBLING - Contented - Loyal - Unshakable Faith

Palace = <Rubble – MODEST – Functional – Inviting – Extravagant>

The palace of Hippomedon is a two-story humble structure, made of stone, barely sufficient for the needs of a frontier nobleman. There is a central courtyard, and the rooms of the palace are open to the courtyard on the interior – a sail-like tent can be raised over the roof in the event of rain. On the first floor, there is the kitchen, the andron, several storerooms, and a small studio for the construction of tools and other small items. On the second floor, there is sufficient space for three small bedrooms (yours, your brother’s and your mother’s), the dormitory for house staff, and the gynaikon. To a commoner, this is a lavish arrangement – but a King would scoff at these cramped accommodations.

Additional features: Witch’s Hut

Palace Grounds – <Wild – UNKEMPT – Tamed – Curated – Wondrous>

The palace itself is nestled atop a large hill of gentle ascent – from the second floor, a sharp-eyed person has excellent visibility in all directions. With no shortage of land in rural Thessaly, the grounds of Hippomedon are many plethrons (let's say 5,000?) and extends loosely to the north, east and south – to the west, a small brook babbles at the foot of the hill, about 2 stadia away (400 metres or so) and just beyond this, the Hippomedon farms. The vast majority of the Hippomedon grounds are simply not being utilized - small copses of trees, small grassy fields, studded with rocky outcroppings and boulders. The main path to the palace is a dusty affair, just wide enough for a chariot or three men abreast. In the distance to the north, Mount Olympus looms – the peak of the mountain typically hidden by rolling cloudbanks. As a child and on extremely clear days, you would sometimes catch the gleam of metal impossibly tracing a path through the sky, flitting towards the peak...

Estate Defenses (Structural): None – the palace itself has no defenses other than its' excellent positioning atop the hill, and the grounds themselves have nothing in the way of gates or barriers.

Estate Defenses (Garrison): First Platoon: Your brother's house troops, fifty picked men from your home estates. Exceedingly well trained, experienced, loyal, and high morale: some of the best troops in the whole of Hellas. However, poorly armed in rural Hellenic style: smallish wooden shields with leather overlay, linothorax armor, no helmets, short spears. (Tier Three Troops: +1 for Thessalian, +1 for Argyros, +1 for Tactical Genius. +0 bonus in fighting). Please note that Nikandros is not present to command these troop, and so would perform at Tier 2.
Hippomedon Levy: In a time of crisis, an additional pool of 50 untrained and unarmored men could be assembled, armed with clubs, rocks, the odd blade and a hodge-podge of spears and poor-quality bows. Practically worthless in a fight but may at least give the appearance of protection from a distance – however, a trained observer would immediately note that these men are unwashed commoners.

Farms and Fields:

Barley Fields – <Defunct – Struggling – FUNCTIONAL– Productive – Marvelous>

Wheat Farms/ – <Defunct – STRUGGLING– Functional – Productive – Marvelous>

Olive Grove – <Defunct – STRUGGLING– Functional – Productive – Marvelous>

Vegetable Garden – <Defunct – Struggling – FUNCTIONAL – Productive – Marvelous>

Herb Garden - <Defunct – STRUGGLING – Functional – Productive – Marvelous>

Vineyard - <Defunct – STRUGGLING – Functional – Productive – Marvelous>

Altogether, the farms of Hippomedon are functional and can support the existing population of the oikos – but only just. Nikandros’ successful enterprises over the past few years has allowed for investment into the barley fields and vegetable gardens, lessening the threat of starvation and providing limited excesses of barley – the vegetables, herbs and hardier wheat crop is typically consumed outright to maintain the health and satisfaction of the oikos, while the barley is typically reserved for the livestock and leaner winter months. However, the wheat fields and olive grove are suffering somewhat under poor maintenance and lack of manpower. The olive grove and vineyards are reaching maturity after over 20 years of growth, but yields have been poor so far – what limited wine is produced is somewhat bitter to taste and of poor-quality, and olive oil is a scarcity, to the discouragement of your household staff. In general, the Thessalian soil of your estate is "tightly-bound" and does not release its' bounty without a fight – it is a constant battle to maintain the health of your agricultural holdings with your limited resources, and even harder when the fields themselves are uneven, hilly, and studded with boulders.

Beasts and Livestock

Cattle Herds - <None – DWINDLING – Self-Sustaining – Hardy and Growing – Impressive – Royal>
+2 white Lyciboen bulls (bonus to herd growth when the time comes)

Goat Herds - <None – Dwindling – SELF-SUSTAINING – Hardy and Growing – Impressive – Royal>

Sheep Herds - <None – DWINDLING– Self-Sustaining – Hardy and Growing – Impressive – Royal>

Swine Herds - <None – Dwindling – SELF-SUSTAINING – Hardy and Growing – Impressive – Royal>

Horse Herds - <NONE – Dwindling – Self-Sustaining – Hardy and Growing – Impressive – Royal>

Bee Hives - <NONE – Dwindling – Self-Sustaining – Hardy and Growing – Impressive – Royal>

Similarly, Nikandros’ investments in prior years has focused on sustainability, rather than luxury goods. Your father’s plans to breed lines of Thessalian race and warhorses had never materialized, and your mother’s aspirations for a thriving set of beehives were never acted on – you simply lacked the manpower and resources in the oikos to develop these over the years.You do possess a small herd of goats and swine – enough to maintain their population and provide infrequent meals of pork and goat cheese, but hardly a source of income in its own right. The cattle “herd” such as it is, numbers fewer than 20 – you must secure additional beasts in the near future or watch the herd dwindle over the next two years as they are slaughtered for food in the winter months. Similarly, the small number of sheep present provide a minimal quantity of wool and mutton, but additional investments must be made here to provide for the future.

Countryside - <Dangerous – Wild – PATROLLED – Secure – Truly Safe>

Perhaps your brother’s greatest success, in a few short years, he has tamed the Thessalian hills and fields of your lands with minimal cost to the First Platoon. Commoners traveling these lands once did so at risk of their lives – a large number of wolves, barbaroi and if you believe the wild tales, monsters of various types, preyed upon your people. However, in the last two years, the paths and roads of the countryside (such as they are) are now patrolled at regular intervals by Argyros’ First Platoon, when not in the field. A commoner may now travel with the hopes of avoiding molestation, although only the foolish would travel alone or unarmed.

File: thessalian fields.jpg (190 KB, 512x512)

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>PHASE TWO BEGIN
I made a total hash of the formatting, apologies all

You breathe deeply, as you gaze out across the rolling fields and hills of Thessaly. Your cloak and chiton, today, brilliant white, still carry the fragrant aroma of the Dionysian Frankencense that you had finally completed just before dawn – a heady mix of unwatered wine, Corsican pinecone, and various other herbs and additives, it has a pungent and natural scent. While you’ve never suffered the true effects of the concoction yourself, even the limited exposure you had made your heart thump in your chest and your tongue loose for several hours. Only in the last few minutes, under the high Thessalian noon, have your thoughts steadied.

In the distance, the peak of Mount Olympus is wreathed in clouds of white; the same shade of your robes. You wonder whether your brother, Νίκων, misses his homeland…but you suspect not. He did not look back, when leaving the estates of his father, and you imagine that his mind and attention is focused purely on the task ahead, whatever it may be. His concentration and discipline, at times, was unsettling to you. In his thinking, you imagine it must be quite simple – you are placed at the head of the Hippomedon οἶκος, you will lead the οἶκος into prosperity, and you will patiently await his return, with prospective husband in tow. Shaking your head, you gently brush loose strands of your golden hair of your face. You hope it will be as simple as that – but you are quite sure that it will not.

Regardless, you pray for his safety once again, as you kneel before Mount Olympus, and plead for a friendly divinity to shield him from the predation of men and gods. Better yet, you hope, he escapes their notice entirely – standing, you brush the dirt from your white cloak. Despite the long hours of the previous night, you feel refreshed and ready to act as head of the Hippomedon οἶκος. Four of five local noblemen plan to attend your proposed feast, with the sole exception of Damachides, who resides to the west. You have nine days before the summit takes place, but you have already invested the time and resources to ensure a successful event. Your household staff have been appropriately notified, and the various bands of the First Platoon currently on patrol have been notified as well – they will return to the οἶκος in about 7 days time, to stand guard and show what strength in spearmen you have, under Argyros’ and Iudas’ suggestion. Even better, many of the local lords have already demonstrated openness and generosity upon receipt of your summons – you remember Cnotheos, brother-in-law to Seisames, who delivered several oenochoe of very fine wine, and Lyciboeus, who gifted your estate two study white bulls, asking for nothing in return.

>cont

File: deianira2.jpg (197 KB, 512x512)

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In short – you have several days to accomplish your own projects, both sorcerous and as head of the οἶκος, and have the time to initiate another οἶκος project before the feast. Pantaleon, you recall, mentioned that some daemon or creature had been scattering the sheep of your estate, and apparently running your shepherds haggard. Argyros suggested that you meet with the men of the First Platoon – few of them have met you, and they do not know you in your new capacity as head of the οἶκος. Finally, Iudas’ words from several nights ago have lingered in your mind – he essentially challenged you about your lack of knowledge about himself. You have a thought to track him down and learn of his personal history, and perhaps why he serves the house of Hippomedon.

Welcome to Deianira Quest! In general, the quest will be organized into Phases; each Phase, there will be three actions available to Deianira – one Deianira action (as a nobleman and head of οἶκος), one Witch Action (to create a magic spell or potion), and one οἶκος action (to direct οἶκος staff to complete some project or task). Currently, Deianira is ready to spend her Deianira action, which we will vot on below. Please let me know if I can further clarify the system, and I’d be happy to do so.

---

Make your choice!

>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

>Meet with the men of the First Platoon, per Argyros’ suggestion

>Track down Iudas, and learn of his history and motivations.

>Something else? reasonable write-ins are always strongly encouraged!

>>5644152
>>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion
We really don't need something fucking with the livestock

>>5644152
>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion
Our farms are barely enough for our population, in an emergency we’ll probably have to slaughter our livestock.

>>5644152
>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion
Demons in the woods is something for a witch with divine blood to deal with

Sweet, good to see this have it's own thread!

>>5644152
>Meet with the men of the First Platoon, per Argyros’ suggestion
Let's see if there's some way we can make sure our livestock is protected from bandits.

>>5644152
>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion
Sheep

>>5644152
>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

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>>5644152
>>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

>>5644152
>Meet with the men of the First Platoon, per Argyros’ suggestion

>>5644152
>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

Will need a tracker and an escort, perhaps pantaleon himself?
I am unsure what could constitute a demon here and the danger it represents, a satyr? A spirit?

>>5644152
>>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

So what are the chances Iudas does what another with same name will do in roughly 1,000 years later?

>>5644626
However many shekels you have in your pocket out of 100 right now, anon. Please be a poorfag or a richfag, neither of them got change.

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>5644631

File: 1641857971603.gif (1.99 MB, 320x240)

1.99 MB GIF

>>5644633
Nice. Crisis averted. 4% is really low.

File: tegaki.png (14 KB, 400x400)

14 KB PNG

>>5644152
>>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

>>5644626
let's hope it doesn't happen

>>5644152
I don't read this quest (though best of luck with it), but I wanted to let you know that you should use a secure tripcode. You accomplish this by putting one hashtag instead of two, like this: ##password. This prevents somebody from reverse-engineering the tripcode and impersonating you.

>That's a really far-fetched thing to have happen!
It has happened before on a wide scale and caused a huge amount of drama. Stay safe out there, Opee.

>>5644697
>tegaki.png
I love your drawings. Anon. How many husbands are in that sack?

>>5644697
The most based us of returns.

>>5644704

Good advice regarding the secure tripcode, all players please note that I'll be doing so in the future.

----

This vote will end at 9pm EST tonight!

Also, after tonight's update, one post IDs will generally not be accepted for votes in order to partially mitigate samefagging. I would encourage anons to post now to "register" for later, if you haven't do so already.

>>5644797
If my ID changes do I just link back to og vote?

>>5644711
A humble dozen demigods, from Scythia to Aegyptos, to Herakles columns to the far Babylon !

>>5644808

yep, exactly

>>5644697

fantastic work per usual anon

>>5644152
>>Meet with the men of the First Platoon, per Argyros’ suggestion

Congrats on taking the reins proper, Lesches! Hoping for Homer's return, of course, but I hope you continue running this as time goes on-- it's quite the read.

>>5644152
>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

If it's a Daemon, it'll be good to put FOB to good use.

>>5644152
>>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

>>5644152 #
>>Investigate the scattering of the sheep, per Pantaleon’s suggestion

Zeus forbid some monster is on our property and hurts a guest

>>5645085
Hope to zeus it isn't.

When i was little i got traumatized by the story of the troll grendel who enraged by the sound of festivities came inside the noble halls and slaughtered everyone.

>>5645106
The story of Grendel was obviously inspired by an autistic sperg with retard strength who kicked down the doors of a feast hall when people were too loud and he hadn't gotten his tendies yet. The rampage was legendary enough that he became a troll in its retelling. Though the smell certainly didn't help his case.

>check out dem fluffy bois

>>5644162
>>5644172
>>5644180
>>5644212
>>5644221
>>5644292
>>5644448
>>5644471
>>5644697
>>5644905
>>5644972
>>5645085

>meet Nikon's lads

>>5644181
>>5644371
>>5644819


investigate the sheep situation is the front-runner by a huge margin, I'm calling the vote early!

I'll need a dice+1d20 for Deianira to take a spin on my carefully constructed Homeric-Happenings random encounters table. Also, one of the anons rightly pointed out that we'd need a tracker/escort, so Pantaleon will be accompanying us. Deianira is not so foolish to travel alone - she knows that she's not really a physical combatant.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5645237
Let's see if this is a true Trojan War Quest Spinoff

>>5645238
A worth heir if I say so myself

>>5645238

Don't worry - it is!

>post will be up before 12pm EST tonight, possibly before 10pm

>>5645242
Do you need more than one dice roll or do we trust the rngfates that a 3 is the best they can do for today?

>>5645338

Eh, for these random encounters, one roll is sufficient. In some cases, a second roll might be required, but not for this particular result.

You waste no time in your decision – if you are the heart of the οἶκος, livestock is its blood. Any threat to your herd is an attack at your future itself.
You stride purposefully around the palace of Hippomedon, until you are directed behind the palace proper. Here, you find bearded, hulking Pantaleon, nearly alike to your brother in his dimensions despite his common origin, carefully whetting his favorite bronze blade. He has placed several wooden stakes into the ground and has halfway skinned the wolves you saw him dragging in the previous morning – their fresh hides strung between the stakes. His hands are black with dried blood, and he appears to be content in his work. He wears the practical garb of his homeland of Ἤπειρος, far to the northwest – a rough-sewn tunic, and a short leather skirt. He has never bothered to adopt the fashions of Hellas, but whether this is out of misplaced pride or simple apathy has never been clear to you.

As you approach from his side, he pauses imperceptibly, his knife pausing for the smallest moment, and his shaggy head tilting to the side. You intuit that not only has he heard you, but he has also identified you by your stride and the sounds of your fine cloak sliding over the earth. You open your mouth to speak, but he rudely preempts you, his speech weighted with the harsher accent of the Epirot people –

“I hear you coming, Lady Deianira, and I know what you will ask of me. Wise of you to collect an escort before you face the unknown, even in the friendly hills of your father. It will be my pleasure to accompany you.” He grins unpleasantly, baring yellowed teeth, and opens his mouth to speak further– but you strike first.

“It will be my pleasure to turn you into a swine, Pantaleon, if you ever forget your place.” Your chuckle has a harsher edge than usual, but the effect is sufficient – Pantaleon’s jaw clamps shut and his brown eyes dart away from yours, deferent. Of course, you haven’t the slightest idea of how this act of φύσις might be done – or at least, not yet.

You hold your head at a regal angle and instruct Pantaleon to meet you in front of the οἶκος in a few minutes. You take the opportunity to collect your bow, quiver of 20 arrows, poor shot that you are, your father’s bronze knife, and the philter of Hippomedon’s Essence that you have on hand.

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Within two hours, Pantaleon has led you through a series of winding paths between the hills and dappled meadows of your estates, and occasionally, stops to investigate some track or another. As your patience begins to run thin and the chariot of Helios starts to turn back towards the earth, he suddenly freezes, and hissing, drags you to the earth before a large grassy hill.

In a moment, you hear it – the distant huffing of some beast and the thin bleating of a sheep. To your ears, the sheep’s calls have the weakened, exhausted quality of an animal dying slowly and in terror. Putting your dignity aside, you follow Pantaleon’s lead, as he worms his way through the verdant grasses to gain a good vantage point on the hilltop, beside a very large apple tree. As you settle into position, next to his right elbow, you dare a glance through the grasses.

To your shock and disgust, you see a blonde man with the lower frame of a bay-colored horse standing over the broken form of one of your ewes. While you have never seen such a thing in person – you know it instantly as no daemon or divinity. It is one of the κένταυρος – the foul offspring of Nephele and the Lapith King, Ixion. They are said to be savages, brutes and drunkards – worse, they are known to be insatiable in their predations – the trampled and expiring ewe before you has seemingly suffered its attention most recently.

Of the beast itself, now that it is unoccupied, its face contorts in anger and it repeatedly kicks its hind legs, scuffing up huge clouds of dust. It grabs a long spear that you had not noticed previously and waves it erratically in thrusting attacks into the air. Howling in frustration and cantering ceaselessly in a tight circuit, it seemingly has not yet noticed your presence – tugging at your shoulder, Pantaleon, motions you back down the hillside.

Once safely pressed against the bottom of the hill, he whispers fervently to you, eyes round with alarm.

“We must be careful – these beasts are dangerous in the extreme, and hardier than you might believe. If we ambush the creature with our bows, we may have yet a chance to wound it enough to force a retreat or kill it outright. However, it may charge – and its hooves are lethal. If we flee, we risk discovery by the beast and it may run us down with its spear.” None of these options are terribly appealing to you, but you wonder if there might be another solution. You could perhaps attempt to reason with the beast, or use your womanly gifts to lure it into a false sense of security? The idea of approaching the beast strikes you as mindless, as the image of the ruined ewe comes unbidden to your mind.

>vote post coming

You guys have to deal with an angry horse-boi now

This vote will close at 9pm EST tomorrow

>Ambush the κένταυρος with your ranged weaponry - while you are a mediocre shot, Pantaleon is quite the skilled archer.

>Flee the situation and rouse the First Platoon. You run the risk of being caught from behind if the κένταυρος notices you.

>Attempt to parley with the beast and convince it leave your estates?

>Attempt to deceive the κένταυρος in some fashion through application of your womanly gifts? Write-ins would be welcome, of course.

>Something else?

>>5645459
>Ambush the κένταυρος with your ranged weaponry - while you are a mediocre shot, Pantaleon is quite the skilled archer.
Can we not just cast Magic Missile or Fireball at the bastard?

Did that centaur simply beat the ewe to death or something more terrible?

>>5645459
>Attempt to parley with the beast and convince it leave your estates?
I suspect that it will try or be tempted to carry us off, but what are the chances it is part of a larger group and they seek revenge? In any case, I think playing to our greatest strength is good, and Pantyboy can sneak/line up a shot on the centaur while we distract with talk, a precaution.

>>5645459
>Ambush the κένταυρος with your ranged weaponry - while you are a mediocre shot, Pantaleon is quite the skilled archer.

>Nikon trying every social check
>Deianira trying every physical check
Too good to pass up.

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>>5645459
>>Attempt to parley with the beast and convince it leave your estates?

>>5645459
>Attempt to parley with the beast and convince it leave your estates?

>>5645459
>>Attempt to parley with the beast and convince it leave your estates?
If only centaurs weren't so stupid and brutish he'd make a fine ally. Too bad he's particularly stupid enough to fuck a sheep to death and then attack the air as if he'd strike whatever he's presumably thinking cursed him to go unsated.

Of course while we're busy asking him very politely to leave and go to a place that has actual horses and cows he might enjoy the company of, Panty can be lining up a shot for his likely to be craning neck. Hopefully he'll understand that sheep are squishy and beasts more his size are much more likely to withstand his "mighty rod".

>you know it instantly as no daemon or divinity.
Oh shoot, do we not get a +3 from FOB when interacting with this guy.

>>5645510
Conversely, his social stats are also probably super shit, being that he is only barely above a wild beast.

>>5645520
True enough, but I can't help but wonder if the wild nature will allow him to simply ignore arguments.

Now I'm wondering if we can fashion something like tranquillizer darts in the future. Though, I don't think ancient Greeks had blowguns.

>>5645536
Fair. It's always a worry that something will be just plain incorrigible. Doubly so for something even more barbaric than the barbaroi.

>>5645459
>>Attempt to parley with the beast and convince it leave your estates?

It's a centaur, maybe he knows Nikon?

>>5645458
>ask pantaleon to lead you to the most impervious and broken terrain of the hill so you can give a shout to attract the centaur and he can ambush it.

A thick grove of trees, rocky terrain or a very steep hillside would work wonders in turning his mobility on hooves into a liability.

And for those of you wanting to do diplomacy perhaps you best think of what to say when a ton of manhorse who only wants to smash sees a half divine beauty coming onto him.
Because it's not his brain that you will have to negotiate with.

At least have pantaleon come up from behind and ready to stick the manbeast with arrows.

>>5645459
>>5645683
Sounds good to me.

>>5645459
>Ambush the κένταυρος with your ranged weaponry - while you are a mediocre shot, Pantaleon is quite the skilled archer.

If it were any other Daemon, I'd want to leverage our huge CHA stat to negotiate it away, but... most centaurs are not Chiron-- and this one seems to have attempted to relieve itself with one of our sheep. If it sees our literal supermodel-tier beauty, it'll 100% try rushing us down, considering how frustrated it is right now.

These lands were tamed by force, might as well apply a little more, even if it's not exactly our strong suit.

>>5645459
>Attempt to parley with the beast and convince it leave your estates?

>>5645459
>Flee the situation and rouse the First Platoon. You run the risk of being caught from behind if the κένταυρος notices you.
This is something petty but but you should stop using so much spoilers.

>>5645458 #
>ask pantaleon to lead you to the most impervious and broken terrain of the hill so you can give a shout to attract the centaur and he can ambush it.

A thick grove of trees, rocky terrain or a very steep hillside would work wonders in turning his mobility on hooves into a liability.

If time

>Or dig a couple ankle breakers maybe? Simple trap. Use beauty to lure into trap. Have pant ambush.

>>5645791
I would argue that no centaur is Chiron. He's simply built different, and far better. He was good people.

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four hour warning for votes!

>friendly reminder that one-post IDs will not be counted, I would encourage these anons to either post again or link their prior posts.

>>5645710
>>5645461
>>5646062

---

>>5646246

agreed, I've been doing reading and at least some myths specify that Chiron is really a unique entity and has no connection to the "other" centaurs.

>>5645975

Eh - my apologies, anon. Will attempt to restrain myself in the future.

>>5646435
Everything to do with Apollo is all over the place. Either supremely blessed or cursed.

>>5645469

>ayo horseboi lets chat

>>5645469
>>5645476
>>5645477
>>5645484
>>5645580
>>5645801

>ambush the fucker

>>5645471
>>5645683 (with a good write-in)
>>5645791
>>5646062

>GTFO

>>5645975

>one-post IDs

>>5645710
>>5645461
>>5646062

----

>ayo horseboi let's chat wins!

I'm calling the vote earlier seeing as there've been no votes in a while.

>writing now, post should be out before 12pm EST

>>5645085
>>5646062
Is a need a mario.

>>5646595
Ffs it's a me a Mario. Autocorrect kicking ass

Well fuck. Guess fat horse c*ck is in our future. Talk from a position of strength guys... we aren't Nikki

>>5646595
You now need Mario

>>5646603
What anon needs is to turn off his autocorrect.

>>5646609
Maybe Mario can help him do that

Ambushing the beast doesn’t strike you as the best solution, as you turn the problem over in your mind. For one, the κένταυρος has the advantage of speed – if your ambush fails, then you have made an enemy of a fierce warrior, and if it were to flee, it could swiftly collect his allies to enact revenge. You are no expert in the brood of Ixion, but you know that they often travel in bands just as horses might, wreaking destruction and absconding with mortal women that might catch their fancy. You must assume that it is within several days’ ride of its companions, if not closer. Secondly, you have some doubts about your armaments – your bows are fine enough weapons for hunting wolves and men, but you aren’t certain that your bronze-tipped arrows will be as devastating to the tow-handed savage.

As you mull over your options, you keep an ear turned to the hilltop – you still hear the pounding of hoofbeats and the angrily shouted cries of the halfbreed. You are beginning to catch the words that it is flinging into the air – demanding that someone or something reveal itself in a guttural, broken version of Greek that you hardly recognize. It doesn’t seem to have noticed you or Pantaleon – this search seems to predate your discovery of the beast.

No - fighting the beast seems a poor plan.

“I will speak to the beast and persuade it to leave our lands,” you whisper calmly to Pantaleon.

Pantaleon’s eyebrows climb high on his brow before tumbling together again in a pointed frown, and he stares at you flatly. He seems to struggle containing himself for a long time - eyes bulging - before settling into a resigned silence.

“Of course – position yourself appropriately if I fail.” He simply grunts in affirmation, jaw set. Immediately, he begins working his way around the hillside. You give him several moments head start before you collect yourself. You must be alluring, charming – but also you must give the beast a reason to be persuaded. A flash of inspiration strikes as you catch an errant whiff of Dionysian Frankencese from your cloak – remnants of your labor from the previous night.

Of course – Seisames’ oenochoe…

You take an extra moment to pray in thanks to Apollo for this gift – and only just barely stop yourself from giggling in delight, your anxiety dissipating. Confident, you stand, singing a clear melody, and of a hymn that you know quite well.

>ah, a bit more coming...

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Rolled 12, 11, 14 - 3 = 34 (3d20 - 3)

and Amphion, he of clever hands,
lifted, brick by brick, the stones of Thebes,
Upon the gifted notes of Zeus’ herald
His lyre of spun gold brightly sounding…

As you calmly ascend to the hilltop, voice ringing out brightly as Amphion's harp and with golden hair of the same color - you hear the clattering of the hooves cease. Above you, clouds stream across a deep blue sky, silently carried by the warm breath of Euros. You've lost sight of Pantaleon as you climbed, but you have no doubt that he has been carefully positioned to strike, if need be. Cresting over – you see the face of the κένταυρος, his reddened face seemingly caught between rage and wonder, his chest heaving in, bloody hooves streaking the earth. You adopt a broad smile as you face the beast, and simply say,

"Hail, prince of Ixion! A beautiful day such as this must be praised with music, should it not?" Without pause, you continue your hymn, and voice is clear as the rushing Αλιάκμονας...

>I'll need a dice+1d20+9, best of two from the players...

Rolled 18 + 9 (1d20 + 9)

>>5646662

Rolled 10 + 9 (1d20 + 9)

>>5646662
ERE YA GO!

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Rolled 4 + 9 (1d20 + 9)

>>5646662
Horse cock is on the menu today

>>5646663
>>5646664

>11 vs 27
>stunning success, but no crit (since the centaur is not a divinity)

Well, damn. Deianira can fucking sing. I had a whole combat encounter planned out too…

>only one update tonight lads, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see what happens here

27 vs 11 should be enough to tell him to fuck off, right?

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>>5646669
Horse cock avoided today

>>5646669
You don't need spears when you've got pipes.

>>5646671
>he apologizes, tells us where all the satyrs are at, and dips
I do wonder how he's going to pay for the sheep once we guilt trip the hell out of him. Maybe he can tell his fellows there ain't shit here and go despoil some other farmsteads. Or do a recon mission for us or something. Who can say what the future holds?

Fuck off fate weavers no one likes you.

>>5646688
>Satyr?
Aren't they different from centaurs? I'm pretty sure they're the ones with the goat bodies instead of the horse bodies. Both are horrible. I wonder if we can convince them to go mess up another nobles days.

Also, are we back to the Bo2 system rather than the Bo3?

>>5646716
They are, but satyrs and centaurs tend to get along more often than with other groups. Centaurs tend to make good fighters and satyrs tend to make good entertainers. Though the price to pay tends to be your ass for either one, or a whole lot of wine.

As for sending them to harass the others, sounds great, just wouldn't want them to blab they were told to leave from here. Though they'd probably all be killed or scattered without words, knowing how things are around here. Sending them to screw with Damachides would be funny, but the barbarians might capitalize on it as well. Butterfly effect is a bitch.

>>5646686
I guess we're a throat GOAT. Ballin rolls boys.

Does phonefagging always change your id? homeless Mario usually just lurks.

>>5646742
>id
Believe so, unless you are connected to wifi which you also use for your computer or something.

>>5646716

I'm basically just copying Homer's system, in which number of dice rolled roughly equates to contextual advantage. In this case, I gave the centaur best of 3 because he is mega pissed off and you are attempting to diplomance him mid-tantrum. For Deianira, I gave her best of 2 because she had the time to plan her approach with Pantaleon. However, if you failed here - you would have started combat with him at a pretty significant disadvantage and run a serious risk of being speared.

>basically, you guys took a situation that could have led to serious injury or death, but picked a strategy that played to your strengths and the gods threw you a bone, nice work! It helped that the centaur is a poorly-educated moron with an INT of 5. Trust me when I say you would not have wanted to fight him in close quarters as Deianira (although Nikon could probably have wrecked him).

>>5646751
Speared literally or speared (raped)?

>>5646751
I think he meant that Homer had changed the system to be always bo3. But I like it this way too.

>>5646756
It's a centaur, so I'm betting on both

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It is pretty interesting that Chiron gets lumped in with the centaurs despite his dad being Cronus and his mom being Philyra.
The guy is siblings to the Olympians and older than some gods.
I guess that's what happens when one looks similar enough.

>>5646727
This whole encounter is not reassuring even if it did go well. We'll need personal bodyguards (not the platoon or the levy) or even something cheaper like a dog for our own protection when we travel around/collect herbs, Pantaleon needs better war gear too.

>>5646926
Agreed, when i suggested an escort before i actually meant both a squad of soldiers and a tracker on top of pantaleon.
Witch or not i won't bet money on deianira against a pack of wolves or a bear.

>>5646926
You mean we need a husband?

>>5646926
Well, would that we could afford it eh? That's definitely something to look into when we can get some wealth to our name. We can barely afford to support a few dozen soldiers and that probably came from looting barbaroi camps and intruders. And they aren't even well equipped. Four or five decently armed and trained guards we can manage if we can sort out our house a bit I'm sure.

But we should definitely get a dog. Perhaps even breed them. Dogs make fine companions in nearly all walks of life. Hunting (and searching) dogs, war dogs, guard dogs, simple house dogs. Even more specialized and unusual things such as messengers and medical assistants are on the table should you be good enough at training them. Dogs are great.

We certainly need to up our security somehow if centaurs managed to get anywhere near our land without us knowing. When we're richer we will need proper scouts.

>>5646957
>>5646926
Yes phonefag Mario agrees. Especially if we're supposed to send the soldiers to Nikki eventually.

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>>5646926
All female escort time

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The κένταυρος’ face is transformed, transfixed – and even you are surprised at how melodious your voice is, sliding effortlessly even to the highest notes. Its anger and frustration are simply forgotten, as its bloodshot eyes lock onto your figure in wonder. By pure happenstance, the rolling clouds above that had been temporarily interposing themselves between the hilltop and the chariot of Helios suddenly move aside – you are bathed in a column of sunlight that momentarily links you to the heavens. You instantly adapt to this, gracefully raising your arms in a salute to the sky, as you conclude your stanza. The κένταυρος moves – but to your surprise, it adopts a modified kneeling stance – its forelegs curled into the earth, it lowers its face, seemingly in a trance.

“God-dess, forgive me…” its harsh voice grates. Clearly, it has mistaken you for a divinity of some kind – your height and appearance, your musical ability and your sudden presence contributing to the effect. You are only too happy to reinforce his mistaken conclusion.

“Rise, son of Ixion – name thyself! Fear not this happenstance meeting between us. What brings you to the lands of Hippomedon?” You maintain a genial air as you address him, even as you catch Pantaleon’s hulking form starting to rise out from behind a small shrub. With a tiny gesture, you motion him to hide once move, and thanks be to the gods of Olympus, he immediately does so without a sound.

“I am Labostas, son of Anchinichus, son of Kyllaros, who was slain by Theseus.” He refuses to meet your gaze, keeping his eyes – the same hue of brown as his horse hair, you notice – firmly planted on your sandaled feet. It seems that even the Κενταυροι will pay appropriate respects to a divinity, if confronted with one. You wait for further discourse, but none comes.

“It gladdens my heart to see that you honor the old ways, Labostas, son of Anchinichus – but I see you have been mistreating the flocks of Hippomedon, which are under my stewardship. Your presence in these lands will no longer be tolerated.” You allow hardness to enter your voice, trying for all your might to sound like your mother scolding Νίκων for breaking an amphora. At this, Labastos eye’s shift wildly from side to side – you sense that he is ready to flee outright rather than risk a curse.

>more coming

“But know this – a transgression may be absolved through a goodly act of reparations, and through this, favorable relations may grow.” you finish. You smile beatifically – you’re enjoying your turn as a goddess quite a bit, in fact, although you have been careful not to self-identify as such. The residents of Mount Olympus would no doubt be keen to “educate” a mortal who openly announces this sort of delusion.

Labostas is seemingly resigned to his fate – he awaits your demand.

what do you guys want from Labostes, beyond exile from the lands of Hippomedon?

>intelligence regarding his herd, their leader, and their current position? This information would be invaluable if you seek to eradicate them through force of arms.

>livestock stolen from another οἶκος? This would nearly untraceable but carries the risk of Labostas’ capture or death, which may carry unintended consequences to you.

>an armed raid of Κενταυροι on a neighboring οἶκος? This would necessitate a meeting with the leader of the Κενταυροι (and another set of CHA rolls against unfavorable odds), but such a raid could be used to achieve your goals in the Thessalian summons later in the phase.

>something else?

this vote may close at 9pm tonight if there's an overwhelming victor - otherwise may be extended if we have a good debate.

>>5647333
>livestock stolen from another οἶκος? This would nearly untraceable but carries the risk of Labostas’ capture or death, which may carry unintended consequences to you.
>Suggest that his herd move near the lands of the wannabe petty king. They would not trouble the Hippomedon anymore, and being closer to the barbarians means they would not be under the shadow of those who carry Olympian blood. It is not a demand, but an advice he may bring to his people, one that both of us would benefit from.

>>5647333
I'll back this
>>5647337
>>Suggest that his herd move near the lands of the wannabe petty king. They would not trouble the Hippomedon anymore, and being closer to the barbarians means they would not be under the shadow of those who carry Olympian blood. It is not a demand, but an advice he may bring to his people
But instead of demanding cattle, ask that he personally harasses the barbaroi on his way out. Slaying some and giving them reason to pause in their assessment of our land on top of their fears of Nikon.

>>5647404
If he steal cattle from the barbaroi while harassing, that would be good too. He does own us at least one replacement sheep.

>>5647412
Very true. I don't know how many sheep or goats they may bring with them in their camps or if their settlements are close enough for such a journey, but it's definitely something to look out for. We could tack that on.

>>5647337
>>5647404
>>5647412
>>5647415


>Replace the sheep that you damaged and suggest that his herd move near the lands of the wannabe petty king.

This is a very reasonable write-in, but as Labostas is not the chief of his warband, I’d have to do some behind-the-scenes rolling to see what the outcome of his attempt would be.

Also, keep in mind that Deianira would likely be a superior negotiator to Labostas, so if your goal is to persuade the beast men to harass Damachides’ lands, you’d almost certainly have better luck doing this yourself (at the risk of personal harm).

>>5647449
What a pickle. If we just suggested that they move somewhere else instead of somewhere in particular would Labostas be able to convince them with his fear of god(dess) without much issue? Or would he still be fighting to get them to listen?

>>5647474

My thought would be that he’d be rolling for CHA against his boss with a significant bonus but he could definitely fuck it up.

>>5647449
>>5647484
I imagined that would be like that, but I was basically trying to get an extra freebie without putting Nira at risk anyway

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>>5647333
>>livestock stolen from another οἶκος? This would nearly untraceable but carries the risk of Labostas’ capture or death, which may carry unintended consequences to you.

>>5647333
>livestock stolen from another οἶκος? This would nearly untraceable but carries the risk of Labostas’ capture or death, which may carry unintended consequences to you.

>>5647333
>>livestock stolen from another οἶκος? This would nearly untraceable but carries the risk of Labostas’ capture or death, which may carry unintended consequences to you.

>>5647499

>freebie
laughs in Doric Greek

No, seriously, it's a good write-in option, but the trade-off for Deianira's safety is that the horselad is a mediocre diplomancer.

----

>I'll check in at 9pm EST to tally votes, looks like we still have some anons trickling in. P.S. Check out Space Janissary Quest if you all haven't, seems like a cool original setting.

>>5647333
>>livestock stolen from another οἶκος? This would nearly untraceable but carries the risk of Labostas’ capture or death, which may carry unintended consequences to you.

>>5647633
I was merely hoping to get some of those magnum dongs to swing in the way of the unwashed barbaric hordes. Alas that Labostas has the charm of a donkey. No one wants to walk into a centaur camp to ensure they go and screw with future problems and they don't trust the four-legged-fucker to convince the head horsecho on his own.

Well hopefully his cattle-rustling skills are more impressive than his linguistic ones.

>>5647333
>>something else?
>Ask him to take you to the Centaur camp
Time to get some horsebois

>>5647333
>>an armed raid of Κενταυροι on a neighboring οἶκος? This would necessitate a meeting with the leader of the Κενταυροι (and another set of CHA rolls against unfavorable odds), but such a raid could be used to achieve your goals in the Thessalian summons later in the phase

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Rolled 10 - 3 (1d20 - 3)

raid with twist (have horseboi attempt diplo on his boss as well)

>>5647337

raid with twist (have horseboi fuck up the barbaroi on the way out of town instead?)

>>5647404
>>5647412 (maybe taking place of previous vote above?)

regular raid

>>5647530
>>5647597
>>5647608

one-post IDs

>>5647645 (remember to link your previous posts or post twice anons!)

buy a 1st class ticket to the Dong Festival

>>5647659

organize a full-blown Centaur invasion

>>5647699

---

>Seems clear that the livestock raid of some type is the winner, however, this vote was tricky for me to interpret with the various ideas thrown around. I don't want to discourage thoughtful write-ins though, so instead, I'll make sure to include another Labostas interaction as he returns with his ill-gotten gains (presuming that he does, we'll roll for this). You'll be able to pursue various additional choices with him at that time.

>I won't be able to write another update tonight but I'm interested in finding out how Labostas does in his raiding, so let's roll for this now! I'll need 5 dice+1d20s from the players. 1st and 2nd rolls are contested against my 1d20-3 for detection of Labostas (he'll get a manual +3 centaur livestock rustling bonus), second roll is to determine type of livestock (sheep, horses, swine, cattle), 3rd and 4th rolls to determine how many animals are obtained.

>>5647755

You guys might be interested to know that I was a shit roller in TWQ as well, my luck seems to have carried through to your benefit...

Rolled 6 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>5647755
Go horseboy!

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5647755

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Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5647755
Dong festival!

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5647759
>>5647761
>>5647762
fuckin satan

>>5647755

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5647755

>>5647755
>>5647759
>>5647761
So 9 vs 7
>>5647762
Probably sheep
>>5647764
>>5647767
And 19 of them

>>5647758
Tyche is always having a giggle at our expense. Taunting and teasing us.

>>5647771

Agree with your assessment - he's got a good haul of sheep (good bonus to your existing herd) but he only narrowly escapes! Expect talk of centaurs during the Thessalian summons later in the phase...

>>5647775
Plausible deniability, go!

>>5647785
>Plausible deniability, go!
Couldn't have been us. What kind of idiot woman would go up to a centaur and broker a deal to steal sheep? Don't be crazy.

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>>5647775
I want to meet horseboi in chief next, see what fun stuff we can do

>>5647775
It's called we do a little trolling folks, a little trolling

>>5647775
nice
can we talk with him next about intelligence regarding his herd, if he returns and give us some sheeps ?

>>5646950
lol

>>5646957
i know, it was more of a reminder. We are very short on money at the moment.
Glad that we all agree on this though

Also, it occurs to me that I did not call for a Witch roll when Deianira was cooking up her Dionysian Frankencense last phase - swing and a miss on my part.

Could I request dice+1d20+4, best of two? The +4 comes from Deianira’s +2 Will bonus and her +2 Witch bonus - her Physician trait doesn’t apply here. I’m setting DCs at 10, 15, 20 to determine how many “doses” of DF are generated. In this case, Deianira is guaranteed to get at least one dose given my mistake!

Rolled 13 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>5648101

Rolled 9 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>5648101
Uhh

>>5648113

Nice, so she actually has an extra dose as well. Will update her inventory accordingly.

>>5648133
Neat.

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You let the moment hang in the air, as you juggle competing impulses – the white clouds above roiling overhead as they pass from Mount Olympus out to the the Ionian Sea. With a docile κένταυρος, you’re tempted to make in-roads with the herd of Labostas and to direct them towards Damachides’ lands, but to travel alone or even with a limited personal guard to Labostas’ chieftain would carry risks of…severe abuses. To guarantee your safety, you’d have to travel with the First Platoon at your back, and no doubt the herd would scatter at the sign of disciplined troops in formation, spoiling any chance of diplomacy or persuasion.

Best not to grow greedy – take your price and go! This time, it is your brother Νίκων’s voice in your mind, firm in his conviction and clear-eyed - you see his broad and bearded face wearing a sly smile, gently teasing in his disapproval. Decided, you clear your throat and speak -

“Fair Labostas, you have demonstrated restraint not commonly known to your kind – for this, I grant you an opportunity to make amends. Go out into the Thessalian countryside and gather livestock to replace the ones that you have damaged. Return to this place in four days, and I shall sing of your fidelity and honor to the members of my House.” You speak carefully – no eavesdropping nymph or divinity will be able to claim that you dealt in falsehoods here – you have simply failed to correct a mistaken notion on the part of Labostas.

Labostas leaps up onto its hooves, and barks, “Yes, God-dess…” It wheels about, displaying the bloody mess of its underbelly, flashing hooves stained with gore, and gallops away without hesitation. Apparently, it has no qualms about completing this task as swiftly as possible.

Pantaleon waits for several minutes before revealing himself, brushing twigs and grasses out of his hair and off his tunic. Once close enough for speech, he looks at you with a suspicious light in his eyes, asking curtly – “What sorcery did you cast on it?”. Fingering his bow sullenly, he seems offended that he was not given a chance to bring the beast down.

You laugh aloud and shake your head at Pantaleon, answering, “Only the sorcery of a lilting melody, Pantaleon. Some spells can be cast by a friendly word alone.” He scowls in response, clearly doubting your truthfulness.

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The next days pass by slowly, sun and stars wheeling above – by daylight, you treat a rotten tooth in a farm boy, an infected bite in an elderly woman, a twisted ankle in one of the spearmen; you resolve a minor squabble between your kitchen staff, smoothing egos. Such minor troubles are no test of your skills, and are even boring to you - but even so – these small acts of kindness are beginning to endear themselves to your people. Not to mention, you have heard that Klytie and Theopotides have taken it upon themselves to defend your reputation vociferously to all commoners who might listen. The rumors you catch about yourself recently are less dark in their wild accusations – while you certainly treat with foul daimons and black spirits of the underworld, now your motivations are seen as simply mysterious and unknowable, rather than rancid with malice. A subtle change, you are still heartened – perhaps even a witch can become loved by her people.

By nights, however – you truly become alive. In the witch-light of your hut, your blood sings, your mind sharpens, and your will becomes a scalpel – a σπάθιον.

>Time for a WITCH ACTION! This action will conclude in time for the Summons, which is approximately seven days away. You’ll also meet with Labostas prior to the Summons.

Current Potion Inventory:

One charge of Hippomedon’s Essence.
Two charges of Dionysian Frankencense.

Current Reagent Inventory:
- Deianira’s blood (always available)
- One bundle of Aconite flowers
- One bundle of Nightshade.
- Two black lambs in the fields of Hippomedon.

>more coming

>I'm only posting the potions and spells that Deianira could perform with available reagents, to cut down on repeat posting.

Available Spells:

- Criminal’s Fate: Through this ritual, Deianira summons the attention of one of the Erinyes of Erebus – awful harpies of the underworld, and sets them upon a criminal. Requires a black lamb.

Available Potions:

Lethes’ Draft

Through this ritual, Deianira uses a preparation of nightshade, to create a magical potion which temporarily dissolves the memories of the imbiber. Despite the name of this solution, no waters from the underworld are required for its creation. The effect may last for years on a commoner, months on a nobleman, and perhaps only days or hours for those with very strong divine heritage. A daemon or lesser divinity may roll to directly resist the effects of this potion, if failed, they may suffer the effects for only some minutes or hours. Greater divinities are highly unlikely to be affected by such a concoction.

Reagents required: Nightshade, which grows rarely in the foothills of Thessaly.

Kerberos’ Slaverings

Through this ritual, Deianira creates an incredibly deadly toxin, purified from the dark purple flowers of aconite. When consumed by a mortal, it brings a swift and painful death, and possibly even to those of significant divine heritage. While very dangerous, those with resistance to poison or divine constitution may possibly weather a full dose unaided. Prior or timely application of an antidote could reverse the effects – although Deianira does not currently know of such a preparation. Lesser daemons may be afflicted with incredible torment; unknown impact on a higher divinity.

Reagents: Aconite, which rarely grows in the foothills of Thessaly.

-----

>So basically, what is Deianira going to spend her Witch Action on? Vote will close at 9pm tomorrow. Consider that the Summons could also be Deianira's marketplace...

>cast Criminal's Fate on someone (if so, who?)
>Brew up Hippomedon's Essence
>Brew up Lethes' Draft
>Brew up Kerberos' Slaverings
>Alternately, search for additional reagents by night. This would trigger a random encounter, if you hadn't guessed.

>>5648508
>Brew up Lethes' Draft

>>5648511
>>5644212
me

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>>5648508
>>Alternately, search for additional reagents by night. This would trigger a random encounter, if you hadn't guessed.

>>5648508
>Brew up Lethes' Draft

>>5648508
>Alternately, search for additional reagents by night. This would trigger a random encounter, if you hadn't guessed.

I'm assuming Lethes' Draft isn't a potion of forgetting the past afternoon but instead of general amnesia? Might be useful for someone trying to sneak some sort of information around, or who is haunted by their past.

>>5648519

Right, I’m thinking of it as a sort of generalized amnesia that lasts for a certain length of time before wearing off, although a commoner would be affected for years, and Deianira and Nikon for some number of weeks and maybe only a couple days for someone like Achilles or Pollux. This could obviously be used as a weapon (I.e. nonlethal disabling of enemy) but also sort of a poor man’s nepenthe. I’m sure there’s other potential uses that I haven’t thought of.

>>5648508
>Brew up Lethes' Draft

No hate QM, but why couldn't you just steal Nikandros' story?

>>5648615
Hope that Homer will return

>>5648615

I honestly believe that he might come back if he has some time to recalibrate. I’m huffing some major copium here but I have to believe that he’d be more likely to return if he sees players trying to keep his quest alive and treating his setting with respect. This sidestory is a nice way to flesh out Nikandros’ world while mostly staying away from the main plot line.

I still haven’t heard anything from him publicly or privately so it’s hard to know whether he’d want us to continue the main plot without him. I’d like to give him plenty of time to make his wishes known before I could even consider attempting a true hijacking of TWQ. I’d have to do some serious reading of Hesiod, Homer’s works and other stuff before I could do it justice anyways.

>>5648508
>>5646595
More mats

>>5648636
I wish I knew enough about the period to run a quest at all in Bronze age Greece. Or go back even further and hit up Mesopotamia for that Akkadian (or Sumerian) swag.

Shit I'd have to reread the Iliad just to get the chronology down. To say nothing of looking up the various regional cultures all across the place. I mean shit Central Greece alone has like 7 regional subdivisions, with Thessaly and Peloponnesus having like, five or six each. Then you got Anatolia sitting fat on the other end with all sorts of wacky shit going on with the Hittites. To say nothing of the barbarians in Thracia and Illyria to the north and the Libyans and Egyptians to the south(east).

Boy howdy is there a LOT of variety you can get out of the period, really. One quest could run entirely about a hero investigating the idea that Helen was spirited away to Egypt and the whole war is a false flag op. And as scandalous as it is to say, but not every hero was Greek. Barbarians are always at the gates, and the sea people cometh.

There would be a ton of homework to do if I wanted to put out something that got the feeling of the period correct. Hats off to you and Homer by the way because damn.

>>5648508
>Alternately, search for additional reagents by night. This would trigger a random encounter, if you hadn't guessed.

>>5648615
Comfy house management set in ancient Greece is interesting on its own.

>>5648508
>Brew up Lethes' Draft

>>5648726
I hear ya.
I still remember the slightly isekai sumerian civ quest of last year.

[Spoiler]There's an upcoming bronze age mod for rome 2 total war releasing soon which has amazing visuals for the units.

>>5648508
>>Alternately, search for additional reagents by night. This would trigger a random encounter, if you hadn't guessed.

>>5648726

Agree with your thoughts, it’s a cool time period and been under-explored by /qst/. Behind the scenes I’m doing my best to get educated in the demography of the time period but it’s a slow process.

Ultimately I’ve been kicking around an idea to do several flashback sequences as Nikandros in the event that we don’t hear anything from Homer over the next several weeks and months - for example, crushing the barbaroi prince I mentioned in the flavor text from the Oikos sheet, or maybe traveling to Mycenae as a 14-year old to be “Lorded”. If were to get through a couple months of Deianira’s plot and through these flashback sequences without any feedback from Homer, I’d start to seriously consider taking up the main plot. Hopefully this spinoff quest isn’t killing his enthusiasm to return…

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>>5649047
I think Nira's story can stand on its own, regardless of what happens in the war or whether Homer returns or not. Personally I would not touch Nikos' story, not because I'm ODing on copium, but because any attempt will pale in comparison to what Homer had planned for us with his expertise. Perhaps things may change in the future, but as of now what we have is a Mycenaean Lady sim. The war is something distant and beyond our immediate concern.

>>5649099

Valid feedback, will take into consideration. 100% agree with your thoughts that I’d be providing a much inferior version of TWQ anyways.

I’ve sort of set a mental timeline where we complete Phase 8 as Deianira and reach parity with Nikon’s timeline, and with any luck, we’ll have a better sense by that time about whether TWQ would continue.

>>5648810
>>5648724

>anons, thanks for your votes but remember to post twice or link your previous posts to make sure that your input is counted!

>>5648508
>Alternately, search for additional reagents by night. This would trigger a random encounter, if you hadn't guessed.

>four hour warning y'all

Lethes' Draft

>>5648511
>>5648518
>>5648548


Hunt for potions and roll a d20 on the Homeric Happenins' table of fun

>>5648517
>>5648519
>>5648778
>>5649023
>>5649142

---

Last chance for one-post IDs and lurkers to chime in!

>>5648724
>>5648810

--

>>5648508
>Alternately, search for additional reagents by night. This would trigger a random encounter, if you hadn't guessed.

I know that most chance encounters in this time period can't be anything good, but as a woman there is little that can be achieved under the sun while as a witch connections in the night can make us powerful.

Also i don't know of any greek myths about night terrors apart from maybe wolves.
But given the expertise in herbs i'm sure deianira has some strong smelling repellent ready just in case.

>I’m calling the vote early due to impatience!

I’ll need a single roll of dice+1d20 from here.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5649452

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5649452

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5649463

Now I am rolling again.

>post should be up before 12am

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Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5649467
Good thing it's random encounters haha. Bad rolls don't matter here right haha

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>anons rolled a 3 – reagent failure, bad luck
>anons rolled a 6 – well, you’ll see.

In the candlelight of your hut, you take stock of your reagents – but find it wanting. Your lips curl in mild disappointment, feeling inadequate. Were Spathion here, she would no doubt castigate you mercilessly for your lack of determination. However, she'd be only too quick to note that the working of φύσις requires a blade-like will - there is no rooms for doubts or hesitation in such matters. Tonight is one of the rare nights where your inspiration is lacking, and your chants to Hecate might falter. Your usual good humor has also failed you - the image of the trampled sheep from your conversation with Labostas has haunted your thoughts, as well.

If you are to capitalize on the summons later in the phase, you must be prepared, but to work a ritual in your current state or attempt pharmokopeia would invite disaster. Better then, that you slip out into the night and make use of the time as best as you can – seeking reagents and magic herbs. You quickly change out of your noblewoman’s chiton and cloak into something more practical – a set of hides and leather skirt. While it offers little practical protection, you are nimbly and more surefooted without the hindrance of your cloak about your ankles. Without a second thought, you arm yourself with your father’s knife and your bow and make your way out into Nyx’s domain.

Despite the darkness, you’ve found that you can see quite well by the light of bright-tressed Selene, daughter of Hyperion – and so you make your way through the dark footpaths and deer trails of your country.

In only an hour, you manage to check three sites where you had found poisonous Aconite in the past – but it seems that these plants had not yet spawned additional violet flowers, and so you move on. Deeper across the fields and hills of the east, you make your way to the rogue Corsican pine, the only one known to you. Every so often, you freeze to a standstill – listening for signs of approaching men or beasts. Here too – you are denied – some creature must have consumed most of the pinecones scattered underneath the limbs of the tree. Squinting, you scan the boughs themselves – but find that the pinecones are underdeveloped, given the current season. None of them have the subtle lustre of power that would provide for another ritual of Dionysian Frankencense. You curse in frustration – but then you hear it. The sound of a footfall in the bushes, to your right!

>more coming

Wheeling, panic flares in your chest as you watch the man – no, daimon, it must be! – step forward out of the darkness. The entity before you is a stocky man-like thing, with rounded shoulders and protruding gut – its legs end in hooves, and atop its head, two goat-like horns. The beast takes another step, and you see with horror that its face is more goat than man, and worse – you see that the creature is quite fully “prepared” to make your acquaintance. Even at this distance, you can practically feel its weird yellow eyes crawling over the exposed flesh of your legs. Its tongue weirdly flickers in and out of its mouth, and it begins to chuff loudly. It begins stepping slowly in your direction, pausing carefully after each step. This strikes you as odd at first, until you you realize with horror that you might approach a lamb in the same fashion - it is hunting you.

You quickly take several steps back, so that the Corsican pine is directly behind you, and the daimon is perhaps 15 yards away, clearly illuminated under the gaze of Selene…

>Deianira’s first supernatural encounter! Bad news – you’ve hit the Late Bronze Age equivalent of a hot Craigslist date. How does Deianira respond? Please note that Deianira gets a +3 to all social interaction rolls with supernatural entities due to her FOB, and NOT her typical +7/+9 bonus to CHA/persuasion rolls.

>Attempt to parley with the beast

>Open fire with your bow (Deianira is a mediocre shot – not great, not terrible)

>Flee on foot

>Climb the Corsican pine

>something else?

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>>5649529
>Attempt to parley with the beast
Oh fuck, rape satyrs

>>5649529
>Climb the Corsican pine

>>5649529
>>Attempt to parley with the beast
Oi fuck off ye randy bastard. We're gonna have to stab him in the nuts mid rape or some shit. Fugg

>>5649529
>>Flee on foot
Never change dice

>>5649529
>>Attempt to parley with the beast

>>5649529
>Flee on foot
Oh shit

>>5649529
>Flee on foot
Given the very high chance of failure we should start thinking about how to deal with the unfortunate consequences of this event

>>5649529
>Open fire with your bow (Deianira is a mediocre shot – not great, not terrible)
I hate satyrs.

I wonder if this situation will lead to our FOB awakening.

>>5649529
>Open fire with your bow (Deianira is a mediocre shot – not great, not terrible)
This is my first vote btw

>>5649529
>>Climb the Corsican pine

>Climb the Corisican Pine

I can’t imagine goat hooves are nearly as suited to climbing trees as they are to climbing mountainsides. We can attempt to parlay or shoot down the beast from a position of advantage hidden amongst the boughs of the pine.

Also this is my first post

>>5649891
You gotta look up goats climbing trees.

>three 1 pbtid in quick succession
Most curious

>>5649529
>Attempt to parley with the beast
My logic is that if it ends in rape we could negotiate it down to something less bad. Choosing violence will only make things more painful.

>One-post IDs

>>5649564
>>5649871
>>5649884

Excited to have you along friends, make sure you post again so that your votes count! One post IDs will not be counted for votes to partially mitigate samefagging

>>5649871
>>5649933
like this?

>>5649529
>Flee on foot

>>5648724
Idk why my vote wasn't counted. I linked. It changes my id everytime I post. Mario autocorrect here...

Climb. Them talk or shoot.

>>5649999

Oops that was my error, anon, thanks for pointing it out.

Vote will close at 8pm tonight!

>>5650072
Perhaps you meant this anon? >>5649891

>>5649529
>>Attempt to parley with the beast
I have a feeling that if we talk to it maybe we can bribe it

>here's the tally with ~90 minutes to go, please let me know if I missed someone. Seems close so I'll let this run right out to 8pm EST.

Parley

>>5649536
>>5649546
>>5649903

Climb the tree

>>5649537
>>5649999

Run!

>>5649553
>>5649578
>>5649663
>>5649975

Shoot him! Shoot him!

>>5649739
>>5649871

---

One-post IDs (not too late to backlink your previous vote or vote again to validate anons)

>>5649564
>>5649884
>>5649891
>>5650155

>>5649529
>>5650304

>>Attempt to parley with the beast
Is this enough and I just stumbled on this quest after looking at the Trojan one.

>>5650322

Yep, thanks for posting again anon and thanks for joining us!

>>5650304
I feel like there really is no good way out of this one kek. All of the options we're at a disadvantage. Running sounds great until you remember this is rough terrain and these fuckers excel at maneuvering it in. Can't climb because goats defy physics. Can't talk cause he's a rape goatman. We've only got a small modifier to shooting.

It's a huge pickle. And not just cause of his huge pickle.

>>5650325

Yes I’m doing my best to emulate Homer’s difficult votes. :)

Suffice it to say that you’re about evenly matched here, but I intend for the rolls to be contested, so really anything could happen…

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>voting is over!

Parley

>>5649536
>>5649546
>>5649903
>>5650322

Climb the tree

>>5649537
>>5649999

Run!

>>5649553
>>5649578
>>5649663
>>5649975

Shoot him! Shoot him!

>>5649739
>>5649871

---

One-post IDs (not too late to backlink your previous vote or vote again to validate anons)

>>5649564
>>5649884
>>5649891

---

>Looks to be a tie between Parley and Flee! Therefore, I leave it to the gods of Olympus to decide. I'm rolling a d2 to break the deadlock (1 = Parley, 2 = Flee!)

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Rolled 8, 9 = 17 (2d20)

Okay, now I'll need a single 1d20+3 to beat my rolls. Best of luck, anons - the gods have decreed that you will attempt diplomancy...

Rolled 17 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>5650410
Oh boy, no chance this can go wrong!

>>5650417
Huh, we actually avoided getting raped.

>>5650417
Nira rocking these diplomacy rolls. Hopefully our luck stays like that.

>>5650417
>>5650420
>>5650421

At this point I’m starting to think that Deianira and Nikandros share a pool of luck together - she’s been emptying that bank account and leaving Nikon out to dry. Would explain why he was getting shit rolls for practically all of thread 2…

>9 vs 20 - great success. Again, you guys talk your way out of a whole combat encounter that I had planned.

>post will be out before 12pm EST

>>5650417
>local animal people constantly mogged by hot demigoddess

>>5650422
>deianira never gets a combat encounter
>not because there are none she's just the smoothest operator known to greece

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>>5650422
No. The lesson is cha moggs everything else.

Ah, due to unforeseen circumstances, update will be delayed until tomorrow. Apologies all, have a nice Saturday evening.

>>5650417
>satyr surprises super hot witch in the woods at night
>checks sundial, it's rape time
>Deianira sees satyr
>"ew"
>satyr goes limp from shame and flees crying into the night.

>>5650472
Damn you, Zeus.

What the gods giveth with one hand they taketh with another.....

Fun fact, Hector is considered as the greatest warrior on the Trojan side, and he is so when compared directly to an actual demigod in Aeneas (Aineias if you prefer the more proper Greek spelling). Imagine how busted you have to be to stand next to a half-god and have people say you're straight up plain stronger. Granted, Aeneas actually survives the war and gets plot armored as fuck from the gods on more than one occasion so I guess it's a short lived glory. Of course if you took the top five heroes on the Achaean side and took the top five heroes on the Trojan side, only Hector could stand up to them (barring Achilles of course, who dogwalks whatever you put in front of him). The disparity in strength the champions display is huge.

Though Aeneas is Aphrodite's kid, so I guess that doesn't lend itself to humongous strength and unparalleled skill at arms in any fashion like you may get from the other deities.

>>5650724
If I recall properly, I do believe there was a hero who came after Hector died who was considered Achilles' almost equal and who drew blood from him, that being Memnon, king of Aethiopia and son of Tithonus and Eos and who also wore armor made by Hephaestus. Also, when the two fought, Zeus decided to make the guys huge and tireless so everyone on the battlefield could have a good show.

>>5650422
I crawled through last thread and it appears that you were responsible for much of our bad rolls. Maybe the key is to have you roll for our enemies lol. No offense.

>>5650835

I feel somewhat responsible for contributing to the negative vibes - if i hadnt rolled at all, perhaps there would have been less complaining overall and Homer might still be running TWQ. I’m partly running this quest to make amends and partly to see if we can convince Homer to return. I haven’t given up hope!

>my next update is like 90% written but I won’t be able to post until 12-1pm EST

>>5650895
Nice

Your heart is pounding in your ears, and the δαίμων takes another step, prowling forward on cloven hooves. Selene’s light clearly illuminates its features again, revealing a leather strap across its shoulder, suspending a hide bag at its side. No pipes or flutes of any kind are present in its hands or about its figure. Ah - this is no satyr, you think, but possibly rather one of the 12 Panes? No, the δαίμων must be descended from one of these Panes that you have heard tell of. It is said that the god Pan has a habit of dividing himself into multiple lesser beings, or perhaps fathered 12 lesser versions of himself – the stories you have heard are unclear on the matter. The δαίμων’s cloven hooves suggests parentage through one of the shepherd’s charges, as well as through the God of Olympus – and therefore you might be considered roughly equal to the δαίμων in station, given your own recent divine ancestry.

You suppress the urge to sprint away or climb the Corsican pine – you suspect that any flight from the δαίμων will instead lead to a footrace with an unpleasant conclusion. You master your fear and seize the moment, your voice ringing out confidently into the shadowed glen –

“Well met, surefooted son of Pan! It is I, Deianira Hippomedion, golden-haired witch of Thessaly, and brother to Nikandros, the bearded giant!” The mention of your status as a witch causes the δαίμων to freeze mid-step, and at your brother, Νίκων, it reverses its progress, taking a step backwards, still breathing heavily. You guess that the creature has not heard of you or your brother, but at the epithets you have provided, is now harboring doubts. You again call out to it, your voice clear, revealing none of the anxiety that is currently writhing under your skin.

“Name thyself so that I might know your parentage and speak well of our meeting to the gods and to the spirits of my land!” The creature seems surprised that you have addressed it as an equal; you’re certain that few of its victims have had the presence of mind or ancestry to do so.

Its voice moans back in reply, goatlike in its timbre, “I am Tropa-aa-nus, son of Aigipa-aa-n.” It hesitates a bit, eyeing your bow, continuing – “Golden-ha-aa-ired Deianira, what brings you to my glen?”

>more coming

You’re quick to explain that you are searching for reagents for your sorcerous rituals, thinking that further conversation about your unnatural powers will temper its lustful energies. Tropanus, in turn, explains that it has consumed all the Corsican pinecones scattered through the area – it implies that beyond the use of these in the creation of the Dionysian Frankencense, an alternate preparation of the pinecone may “enhance” the firmness and resolve of a male when it comes to matters of intimacy.

After several minutes of conversation – you have settled into a sort of détente, trading bits of rustic knowledge and herblore, each of you probing at the other’s motivations. However, through witty banter and through no small part to your accurate guesswork regarding the creature’s parentage, you seem to convince the δαίμων that the penalties of any assault would outweigh the momentary pleasures of it. Your implication of sorcerous ability seems to be a novel predicament to Tropanus – it surely has not been threatened in the past, even indirectly, by a possible curse delivered by a mortal woman.

Finally, you put the pleasantries aside and strike once more –

“Sure-footed Tropanus, might I ask for the blessing of your woodland knowledge? As a witch and mortal, always when I encounter δαίμων of fair bearing, I seek to learn their wisdom. For recompense, perhaps, I might make my herds of livestock available to you, and remember you fondly?” Once again, Tropanus’ tongue flickers grotesquely at the prospect of unlimited access to his own fulfilment, and perhaps the prospect of reaching its true desire – namely, yourself. Of course, you would never soil yourself to lie with such a creature, but Tropanus does not seem to consider this possibility. He eagers wets his lips and replies,

“Na-aa-me it, golden-haired Deianira, and I will share whatever fragment of φύσις that you desire?”

>another post coming

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>Tropanus is willing to share one of the following potion/rituals with Deianira out of good will and the chance to get at her livestock, the randy bastard. Please pick one! Vote will close at 9pm tomorrow. Please note that Tropanus will provide Deianira with the corresponding reagent along with knowledge of the ritual.

POTIONS:

>Pan’s Philter. Deianira prepares a concoction of musty spices, Corsican pinecone and wine while extolling Pan in his role as a lusty fertility god. Male imbibers gain a fragment of Pan’s mythic vigor for several hours – a person who does so will become ravenous, even rapacious, with sexual desire, and become capable of incredible acts of endurance in the process. This philter is of questionable value to a young man, but priceless to a man of elder years, giving him the ability to conceive numerous offspring when this be otherwise impossible. Women who ingest this may experience unanticipated effects.

Reagent: Corsican pinecone.

>Goat’s Agility: Through the ritual process, Deianira creates a salve of laurel leaves. When applied to the wrists and ankles, the user gains a measure of Pan’s agility and surefootedness for several hours. Further successes during the ritual process create a stronger salve, rather than additional changes (Basically, a flat boost of +4 AGI at base, but each degree of further success will increase the bonus by +2).

Reagent: Laurel leaves.

>Pan’s Eye: Deianira creates a salve of holm oak acorn, olive oil and the pressed skins of grapes while extolling Pan in his role of a hunter. The solution produced is a clear amber, and when applied to the eye of an archer or hunter, provides unerring accuracy to any fired projectiles. The eye in question takes on the yellow appearance of a goat’s eye, and therefore is obviously noticed as a supernatural process. Unlike other preparations, this effect lasts indefinitely until spent – although it should be noted that having a goat’s eye for long periods of time is inadvisable. QM’s note: This provides a flat +3 bonus to ranged combat, and gives the user the ability to re-roll TWO separate failed ranged combat rolls.

Reagent: Oak acorn.

SPELLS

>Pan’s Rustic Blessing: Through an elaborate set of ritual processes taking up TWO Witch Actions, Deianira may imbue four oak acorns with the blessing of Pan. By planting these acorns upon the four corners of a small field, the livestock within will experience of frenzy of breeding and duplication over a 24-hour period – livestock who become pregnant during this time will experience the entirety of their pregnancies over the course of a single night, and the new animals will age to maturity in only a few hours. Repeated uses of this spell on the same herd would bring the unfavorable attentions of the Gods. QM’s note: The maximum number of new livestock produced would generally be less than 100 animals, but some wiggle room is provided.

Reagent: Oak acorn (only 1 is required).

>>5651070
Either one of these two
>Goat’s Agility: Through the ritual process, Deianira creates a salve of laurel leaves. When applied to the wrists and ankles, the user gains a measure of Pan’s agility and surefootedness for several hours. Further successes during the ritual process create a stronger salve, rather than additional changes (Basically, a flat boost of +4 AGI at base, but each degree of further success will increase the bonus by +2).
>Pan’s Rustic Blessing: Through an elaborate set of ritual processes taking up TWO Witch Actions, Deianira may imbue four oak acorns with the blessing of Pan. By planting these acorns upon the four corners of a small field, the livestock within will experience of frenzy of breeding and duplication over a 24-hour period – livestock who become pregnant during this time will experience the entirety of their pregnancies over the course of a single night, and the new animals will age to maturity in only a few hours. Repeated uses of this spell on the same herd would bring the unfavorable attentions of the Gods. QM’s note: The maximum number of new livestock produced would generally be less than 100 animals, but some wiggle room is provided.

>>5651070
>Pan’s Philter. Deianira prepares a concoction of musty spices, Corsican pinecone and wine while extolling Pan in his role as a lusty fertility god. Male imbibers gain a fragment of Pan’s mythic vigor for several hours – a person who does so will become ravenous, even rapacious, with sexual desire, and become capable of incredible acts of endurance in the process. This philter is of questionable value to a young man, but priceless to a man of elder years, giving him the ability to conceive numerous offspring when this be otherwise impossible. Women who ingest this may experience unanticipated effects.
Fun

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>>5651127
Forgot image

>>5651070
>Goat’s Agility

>>5651070
>Pan’s Rustic Blessing
This is amazing and basically a cornucopia cheat.

Pan's eye is also cool (even if goat eyes are normally awful at sighting)
Having an archer snipe the enemy leaders from afar is tactically incredible.
But it won't come up as soon and this isn't a war quest (yet).

>>5651127
>Pan’s Philter
>Women who ingest this may experience unanticipated effects.
(Please gods no! not the futa potion!)

>>5651070
>Pan’s Rustic Blessing: Through an elaborate set of ritual processes taking up TWO Witch Actions, Deianira may imbue four oak acorns with the blessing of Pan. By planting these acorns upon the four corners of a small field, the livestock within will experience of frenzy of breeding and duplication over a 24-hour period – livestock who become pregnant during this time will experience the entirety of their pregnancies over the course of a single night, and the new animals will age to maturity in only a few hours. Repeated uses of this spell on the same herd would bring the unfavorable attentions of the Gods. QM’s note: The maximum number of new livestock produced would generally be less than 100 animals, but some wiggle room is provided.
Imagine if we could give this to our own soldiers.

>>5651070
>Pan’s Philter
Hehehehe sexo

>>5650754
>you have to look as far as the middle of africa to find a guy who can not get steamrolled by achilles
>zeus turned it into a proper spectacle
Talk about a clash of the titans. This Memnon guy sounds quite baller. Demigods aren't fair.

>>5651070
The spell option is good, but overuse would bring consequences. Though we could use it on the herds of others just as readily as our own for brownie points. The potion options are all good. The agi boost especially can turn someone into an untouchable blender. And rerolls from the eye are always good. But there are old men around us, and old men further afield. And plenty of people who do not have children. And giving someone the ability to reproduce is an insane boon for people at the time. The sort of thing you travel from across the known world to try if you're desperate. So I have to go with

>Pan’s Philter. Deianira prepares a concoction of musty spices, Corsican pinecone and wine while extolling Pan in his role as a lusty fertility god. Male imbibers gain a fragment of Pan’s mythic vigor for several hours – a person who does so will become ravenous, even rapacious, with sexual desire, and become capable of incredible acts of endurance in the process. This philter is of questionable value to a young man, but priceless to a man of elder years, giving him the ability to conceive numerous offspring when this be otherwise impossible. Women who ingest this may experience unanticipated effects.

>>5651173
>(Please gods no! not the futa potion!)
Nah, it probably just drives them nutty. Strip naked and go screaming into the woods sort of nutty.

>>5651231
Wait, Cnotheos said that Seisames and Egeria don't have children right? I wonder if we could give the potion to them. Unless it's the wife that isn't fertile, or they just don't have sex.

>>5651236
As long as the problem isn't infertility with Egeria or that they simply do not want kids the philter should take care of it. If he's just got trauma blocking his boner, it should make him randy enough to get past it. If his tadpoles don't swim it sounds like this should help with that, too. But it's a delicate subject to broach.

>>5651244
If we mix the Pan’s Philter potion with the Goat’s Agility one, will the tadpoles swim faster or they can reroll?

We have to roll for them or QM will have to do it?

>>5651417
>roll me a 1d20+6 for reaching the egg
>2, 3, 5
>well you get a kid, he's gonna have down's though
I wonder if double nat 20-ing gives you an Achilles tier kid.

>>5651236
>>5651244
>>5651417
>>5651439

I’ll just chime in to say that for the purposes of Pan’s Philter, it temporarily solves both psychological causes of impotence and also physical causes of infertility for both participants (excluding actual physical damage such as castration). Basically, no need to worry about the specific nature of the infertility, the magic of the potion will fix this.

However, to be clear, Pan’s Filter also turns someone into a sex-crazed lunatic with seemingly limitless stamina and this could also be “weaponized” through careful application. In terms of women ingesting the philter, no futa stuff, but would lead to “surprising” outcomes.

>>5651466
The fuck juice is strong indeed.

>>5651070
>Pan’s Philter. Deianira prepares a concoction of musty spices, Corsican pinecone and wine while extolling Pan in his role as a lusty fertility god. Male imbibers gain a fragment of Pan’s mythic vigor for several hours – a person who does so will become ravenous, even rapacious, with sexual desire, and become capable of incredible acts of endurance in the process. This philter is of questionable value to a young man, but priceless to a man of elder years, giving him the ability to conceive numerous offspring when this be otherwise impossible. Women who ingest this may experience unanticipated effects.

The lure of the fuck juice is too strong

>+4 and possibly +6 agility or magic sex juice
>juice is winning vote
I hope we can use the juice to make a berserker as that incredible act of endurance for a group/champion fighting sounds useful.

Wait, is the agility boost directly to the stat or an agility stat check?

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>>5651683
Hey man, people would literally kill over the fuck juice if they were having trouble producing an heir. Think about the favors you can drag out of a noble or king with that. Or the wealth. It's not all about combat. Besides, we can always mog the rape goat later to coerce more secrets out of him for it. Just have faith, brother. Unless of course he starts to hit the gym.

>>5651683

Pan’s Philter is probably not good in combat situation, it would interfere with someone’s ability to concentrate on the fight itself. That being said, in a fairly limited range of scenarios it could be helpful beyond its intended use. For example, if some asshole was interested in “dating” a nymph of some kind but she was too fast on her feet for him to catch, the philter might give him the stamina to run her down.

In terms of the AGI boost, Goat’s Agility is providing the bonus directly to one’s AGI stat. So obviously it would be more beneficial for someone with some AGI investment, but even going from 8 AGI to 16 AGI (remember that additional degrees of success during creation results in a stronger boost) is a big change. The boost won’t bring someone above their AGI cap though.

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>>5651907
How fun would giving a dose of Philter for Deianira's future husband be?

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>>5651907
Some number crunching based on Nira's stats.
>11 + 4 = 15 (+3)
>11 + 6 = 17 (+5)
>11 + 8 = 19 (+8)
Huh, this seems a bit strong with some good rolls.
Is our damage also determined by our agility?

>>5651927

Hmm, something to consider. Seeing the bonuses laid out that way does make me reconsider.

I was thinking about setting the DCs for the ritual process fairly high (making +8 salve) less likely, but I might revise the bonus to +3, +2 and then +1 for a +6 total.

>>5651070
>Pan’s Rustic Blessing
I like the economic aspect. Is Tropanus effectively our orbiter incel satyr now? Or at least, he'll orbit our herds.

>>5649999
Agility potion. We are the fuck potion in da flesh.

Orrrrr we could renegotiate for 2 potions. And we find some womanflesh for our new friend.

>>5651070
>Pan’s Philter. Deianira prepares a concoction of musty spices, Corsican pinecone and wine while extolling Pan in his role as a lusty fertility god. Male imbibers gain a fragment of Pan’s mythic vigor for several hours – a person who does so will become ravenous, even rapacious, with sexual desire, and become capable of incredible acts of endurance in the process. This philter is of questionable value to a young man, but priceless to a man of elder years, giving him the ability to conceive numerous offspring when this be otherwise impossible. Women who ingest this may experience unanticipated effects.

Why vote for the virility potion if we don't even know if people wants it first?

What if nobody (important) has needs of it?
What then?
Give it to the bull so he impregnates the cows better?

I feel it is best to hold it until we know more from chatting up the wives of the nearby nobles.
Unless tropanus suddenly dies by lightning bolt he would be available and willing to trade for it later.

>>5652305
I think the bull would be the rustic blessing instead of the philter.
As for why, I have no idea.

>>5652305
Well you can sneak it into someone's drink and make them act unwise. Wars are fought over infidelity sometimes, you know? Or even better if you can cause someone to do something foul in a temple, massive misfortune and curses. It's something that can be weaponized in that regard. Though simple disunity in a house can sometimes topple it as well. Imagine the sort of internal conflict there would be if a man fucked was driven to fuck his mother, or sister, or son's wife.

It's actually a very scary thing if you can manage it.

Some additional thoughts before update tonight.

>>5651927

>is our damage also determined by our agility?

I’ve been wrestling with this behind the scenes but I’ve recently decided to hold true to Homer’s original combat system, so damage will be decided through the mechanics he created. I had originally planned to change how this works to reflect that Deianira fights differently than Nikon, but it wouldn’t be fair to change the combat system just so Deianira is more combat-capable. Please note that close combat for Deianira is a generally poor idea. Also, I want to respect the Malus that we selected for Deianira in TWQ thread 2.

>>5652108

Orbiter, yes. Incel - definitely not, lol

>>5652305
>>5652308

Correct - the philter is meant for human consumption only, and the blessing is designed to work on livestock only.

In terms of the value of Tropanus’ gifts - each of these spells/potions will have potentially interested buyers, but it’s up to players to locate these individuals and then make the sale. Fortunately you guys have already set a local diplomatic meeting in motion (with wives, no less) and so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to gossip.

>>5652316
Oh yeah, there's the guy whose wife can't have children for some reason. I forget his name.

Vote so far:

Pan's Philter
>>5651077 (only a half vote)
>>5651127
>>5651184
>>5651231
>>5651593
>>5652219

Goat's Agility
>>5651077 (only a half vote)
>>5651171
>>5652153 (I think you're voting for this?)


Pan's Rustic Blessing
>>5651173 (I'm pretty sure you're voting for this?)
>>5651183
>>5652108

----

Let me know if I missed a vote but it looks like Pan's Philter is ahead with 5.5 votes.

>>5652547
You counted me as philter when i voted for blessing

>>5652550

Oops thanks for correction, noted

>>5652547
My vote is for the rustic blessing yes.
The philter rambling was in response to another's post, sorry if it was unclear.


>>5652315
the thing with weaponizing this philter, while it would be effective in ruining lives and relationship you have to consider that we are possibly the only known witch of the area.
If anything looks suspicious the blame will fall on us first and foremost.

We're better off selling it to merchants.

Besides even if it works it may work too well and the wife getting it too rough could resent it on us.
By the description given it turns the man into a beast.
(Though giving it to both may indeed make it a night to remember).