Sing, goddess, the glory of Nikandros Hippomedion, who journeys far from home alongside famed companions to entreat Ilion’s sacred citadel. Sing of the wrath of Menelaus, of the folly of Paris, of Zeus’s plan which even now comes to fulfillment…
The order came – “Silence!” – and the frightened globe fell still.Lofty Jove began (and his hallowed speech has a grave,immutable weight, and Destiny follows close on his word):“I complain of Earth’s offenses, of human naturethat craves ever more revenge. Must all my efforts goto punish guilty men? It’s exhausting to vent my ragewith the glittering bolt, the Cyclopes’ overworked arms gave outlong ago, and Aeolian forge fires flicker and fade.I did allow an imposter to drive the Sun’s horsesonce – they ran wild, the sky caught fire as wheels careened,and the world was smutched with the ashes that had been Phaëthon;nothing achieved then – and nothing when you, Brother, shook yoursturdy trident and flooded forbidden land far and wide.this time, I descend to punish a pair of housesI founded myself; the one branches off through PerseanArgos, the other flows from the source – Aonian Thebes.”“Human nature! It never changes. Who doesn’t know the deaths Cadmus caused, the troop of Furies so oftencalled from the Pit to do battle, depraved maternal delights,fanatics roaming the forests, divine crimes that must be hushed up?Scarce in the space of a day, scarce in that of a passing nightcould I tally the times this race has shown its knack for sin.this man – the impious heir – even hungered to clamber into his father’s bed and defile his innocent mother’swomb, to thrust his way – monstrous! – back to his own begetting;still, he’s paid Gods Above eternal atonement – lightcast aside, he now no longer feeds on our air.But his sons---! Crime without precedent! They’ve ground his falleneyeballs under their heels. Now at last your prayers are answered, you grim old man! Your darkness has earned, yes, earned you the rightto hope Jove will avenge you. I’ll embroil the guiltyrealm in fresh hostilities --- I’ll pull up the wholedeadly race by the roots! Let Adrastus as father-in-law,let his daughter joined in ill-omened wedlock serve meas seeds of war. It is further decreed that the clanof Tantalus too shall incur punishment, for, deep withinmy breast, that traitor’s savage banquet rankles yet.”-Zeus Ὑπατος, before the Seven marched against ThebesStatius’ Thebaid, Book 1Translation by Jane Wilson Joyce
[bold]LESCHES’ NOTES[/bold]A word of explanation – this is Homer’s quest, and I am not him. I deeply enjoyed Total War Quest as one of his players, and I was heartbroken to see it go. In fact, I was so heartbroken, I ran myself through a crash course in ancient Greek myth, read the Iliad and the Odyssey, Hesiod’s Theogeny/Works and Days, and am chewing into Jane Wilson Joyce’s excellent translation of Statius’ Thebaid. In the process, I ran a spin-off quest about Deianira Hippomedion, Nikon’s sister, set in the Trojan War Quest universe to build my expertise in QMing. In short – I’m serious about restarting TWQ and doing the best job that I can, even if I am not a trained classicist like Homer.At any rate – I plan to run Trojan War Quest intermittently, unless Homer returns to deliver a “cease and desist”, Nikandros dies in his quest for eternal glory, or Nikandros successfully survives until the end of the Trojan War.This quest is likely to garner several trolls and dedicated shitposters – responding to trolls only encourages them further – so resist the urge if you can. If you feel the need to provide these barbaroi with (YOU)s, I suggest a variation of the following phrase:>“THANK YOU FOR BUMPING TWQ, STRONG-GREAVED ANON” or perhaps >“FLOWING-HAIRED ANON, WHAT WORD HAS ESCAPED THE BARRIER OF YOUR TEETH?”[bold]VOTING REQUIREMENTS[/bold]One-post ID votes will be ignored, unless they back-link their previous posts, to claim them for identification.Players must “register” by posting within the thread within 48 hours of thread creation; only “registered” posters will have valid votes.Players who miss initial “registration” window may choose to provide six lines of original poetry in Homeric style OR an original TWQ meme of high quality to register.I reserve the right to call upon suspicious voters to verify themselves in a manner I deem fit.----Recommended Reading:Trojan War Quest #1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5579585/Trojan War Quest #2: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5610431/Optional Reading:Trojan War Quest: Deianira’s Sidestory #1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5644134/Trojan War Quest: Deainira's Sidestory #2: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5687242/Trojan War Quest: Deainira's Sidestory #2.1: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5725902/
Nikandros (Νίκων)Level Two Height: 6’10”Kleos: You’re almost famous! +0 to Kleos checks. Deeds below.Major:• Petteia Champion of Skyros, He Who Found Achilles (+5)Minor:• Royal Guard Rectifier, Revealer of Mediocrity (+1)Timae: That of a typical impoverished country lord. -5 to Timae checks. Riches below.• Mycenean Chariot: Courtesy of Electra.• Ancestral Arms and Armor: Bronze Panoplia, Spear, Sword, Shield, all of Royal Quality.STATSStrength- (18/24) (+6)Agility- (13/20) (+1)Constitution- (14/24) (+2)Willpower- (12/20)(-2) (+0)Intelligence- (17/24)(-2) (+3)Charisma- (11/20)(-2) (+0)Regional Alignment: Thessalian (+3 STR, +3 AGI)Epithets:• Bouleeis: Of good counsel (from Military Genius)Traits:• Dutiful: You get an extra stat point per level.• Military Genius: +6 INT, +4 INT cap, +4 skill at relevant matters. Creative military write-ins can be accepted. Previously known as Tactical Genius.• Giant: 4 to STR/STR cap, as well as +4 to CON/CON cap.• Disfavored of the Rivers: -1 AGI, -1 STR, -1 CON. 1 automatic failure per thread on rolls pertaining to these deities’ interests: these are understood to be divine intercession IC. -3 when interacting with all aquatic daemons. This trait may be later upgraded to Enmity.• Fresh Olympian Blood: +1 to all stats, regenerate 2 health per turn of combat. +3 when interacting with daemons. You can see and talk to supernatural entities without assistance.• Sympathy: +2 to social rolls with suffering persons, may later upgrade to Empathy.STATUSHP- (10/10)• Concussed: For a limited time, you suffer a -2 to all social stats.Skills:• Petteia: +4 to the game. (Military Genius)• Command: +4 when commanding your troops personally in battle. (Military Genius)• Sympathetic: +2 when interacting with suffering persons. (Sympathy)• Divine Aura: +3 when interacting with daemons. (FOB)• River Gossip: -3 when interacting with aquatic daemons (DotR)• Divine Regeneration: Heal 2 health per combat turn (FOB)• More skills to be uncovered as circumstances and traits necessitate.Inventory:• Two charges of Nepenthe, a potent drug. Purgation of all sadness, all grief, and more importantly, any curse of the psyche. Worth a kingly sum.• Ancestral Armor: +2 to wound rolls• Ancestral Shield: +1 to wound rolls• Spear: 1d5 + Str + Spearplay damage• Sword: 1d5 + Str + Swordplay damage, -2 to hit against a spear user, -2 to wound against a shield user.
Your Forces Presently not with you• Second In Command: Argyros, veteran of the Second Argo-Theban war. An experienced campaigner who is utterly devoted to your family. He can be trusted to command the men in your stead but is a commoner in every other sense. When he is independently commanding your troops, they receive a +3 bonus in combat and another die. His bonus (but not the die) adds to yours when you directly command.• First Platoon: Your 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 Hellenic Expedition. 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 Military Genius. +0 equipment bonus in fighting.)
Ajax opens the assembly.“Gentlemen, we have four unknown ships sailing towards us. We must assume they are pirates, and act accordingly. Any objections?” Castor speaks up.“Lord Ajax, how can you be sure they are pirates? To my eyes, they appear merchantmen all.” Teukros responds on his brother’s behalf.“Lord Castor, merchants do not sail in packs typically. And those who do, would not fan out in a formation designed to deny us any easy way around them.” This strikes you as odd, and you say so.“And why can we not avoid them? If they are merchant ships crewed by pirates, they should have no shot at catching our galley with our crew.” Ajax responds.-“Because Nikandros, the island is leeward of us. To keep something even approximating our current heading while avoiding the formation ahead of us would require us to row into the wind- which, even should we take down the sails, would still render us easy to catch.” You suppose you cannot contest that. Pollux then speaks up.“In that case, we should take the initiative and attack. If we maneuver correctly it should be possible to take one of the merchantmen in the side with a ram, no?” Teukros gives immediate reply.“In theory, yes- however, if we do not extricate ourselves from the stricken ship fast enough her sisters will be able to surround us. It would be a treacherous action.” This brings to mind an anecdote of Pollux’s about a naval action where the Argo successfully made off with gold of an entire tribe through interdiction. You give voice to your idea.“Then why ram the ship at all? We could use our superior speed to get into boarding position, and our superior manpower to quickly slaughter the pirates.” Pollux nods at this and voices support for the idea. Thus far silent, Andocides speaks up.“My lord, such an action is not without its own risks. We could get stuck to the pirate ship by accident and there will be losses to the crew if the pirates manage to pose a meaningful defense. A good ram does not present those risks- in the straits my ship sunk five Heraclid ships in just that way.” Castor speaks again.“And simply turning around to avoid them presents no risks at all aside from a minor delay. You all forget that the Spartan vessel is just behind us- they do not have nearly the same experience in ramming or the same faculty in marine actions as we do. We must keep them in mind.”>cont
With this, Ajax speaks up again.“In any case gentlemen, we must decide on a course of action now. As captain I’ve the final say, but I’d like to hear your final counsel.”>How exciting, the first military council of the quest! Here’s how they work: in all cases someone (normally on the basis of status in the hierarchy of nobles) will be in overall command. That man will generally have to listen to the majority suggestion of his council of war, although he is not required to by anything other than custom. Lesches Note: This vote will close at 9pm EST tomorrow night.>You, when a voting member, can choose to support an action- this may convince your friends and allies to take your side just because it’s yours. You will also have the option to try and convince others to take your side after choosing a stance. Choose wisely…>Pollux has the right of it about ramming a target of opportunity- support his proposal to initiate combat with the pirates. (Pollux and Andocides favor this approach while Teukros disapproves. Castor's stance is uncertain.)>You still think that your suggestion of a boarding operation is the best way to initiate hostilities. (Pollux approves, Andocides disapproves, and you don't know about Castor or Teukros.)>Castor may be right about turning around to avoid the fight in the name of your less-able compatriots; you’ll support him. (Castor favors this, Pollux and Andocides likely do not, and you don't know about Teukros.)>Abstain: you have no firm opinion on the right course at sea, which is not your expertise.
>>5742371It's been so long, I've forgotten which option I had voted for.>Pollux has the right of it about ramming a target of opportunity- support his proposal to initiate combat with the pirates. (Pollux and Andocides favor this approach while Teukros disapproves. Castor's stance is uncertain.)I'll go for this I guess.
>>5742371>Abstain: you have no firm opinion on the right course at sea, which is not your expertise.>A word of explanation – this is Homer’s quest, and I am not himaw>I ran a spin-off quest about Deianira Hippomedionναι, σκύλα!! Nice for you to take over
>>5742371>>You still think that your suggestion of a boarding operation is the best way to initiate hostilities. (Pollux approves, Andocides disapproves, and you don't know about Castor or Teukros.)Gimme your shit, pirates.Also it may be worth noting, Silver-tongued Odysseus is on the other ship. And he is a renowned captain and marine himself, hailing as he does from Ithaca. Though the men on the ship may not be mariners, they will not be without good counsel.
>>5742371>Pollux has the right of it about ramming a target of opportunity- support his proposal to initiate combat with the pirates. (Pollux and Andocides favor this approach while Teukros disapproves. Castor's stance is uncertain.)Glad you're taking over, though I still hope Homer comes back one day.
>>5742371>Abstain: you have no firm opinion on the right course at sea, which is not your expertise.Finally, been waiting on this since you started Deianira's side story.
If only there was a significant number of rocks aboard
>>5742371>Pollux has the right of it about ramming a target of opportunity- support his proposal to initiate combat with the pirates. (Pollux and Andocides favor this approach while Teukros disapproves. Castor's stance is uncertain.)If we ram one enemy ship is almost certainly to sink, then it is a matter of holding on against the enemy as the spartans arrive to reinforce.Which will turn the battle in our favour as the allies are better fighters than sailors and won't have to do fancy manouvers, just sail up and board the enemy.>>5742392Odysseus may not be given the command of the ship as it is not his.
>>5742446He is silver-tongued for a reason. I'm sure he can convince the captain, or Menelaus to give him the helm. And even if he isn't given outright command, they'd still be fools not to heed his advice.
Reserving a spot for shitposting I guess.
>>5742371>Pollux has the right of it about ramming a target of opportunity- support his proposal to initiate combat with the pirates. (Pollux and Andocides favor this approach while Teukros disapproves. Castor's stance is uncertain.)RAMMING SPEED, I still miss Homer but I'm glad you've picked up the torch>>5742431I mean, pottery is really just man-made rocks and I'm sure we have an amphora or two aboard
>>5742371>You still think that your suggestion of a boarding operation is the best way to initiate hostilities. (Pollux approves, Andocides disapproves, and you don't know about Castor or Teukros.)"Since victor of thy fears, and slighting mine,Heaven, or thy soul, inspires this bold design"
>>5742371>Pollux has the right of it about ramming a target of opportunity- support his proposal to initiate combat with the pirates. (Pollux and Andocides favor this approach while Teukros disapproves. Castor's stance is uncertain.)We are much faster than them, if we can ram and deal with one ship quick enough, we can probably scare one or two off.Nobody wants their remains to be condemned to the sea after all, eternal limbo.
>>5742392>>5742446>>5742455Nikon can reasonably assume that Pollux will be advising Ajax and similarly, Odysseus will be advising Agamemnon. These men are sailors of myth and legend, Ajax and Agamemnon can and will heed their advice!I’ve worked out a system where a ship captain does receive a fraction of the command/sailing bonus of a friendly hero on board (although only if the hero has relevant traits, and not both at once)
>>5742371>>You still think that your suggestion of a boarding operation is the best way to initiate hostilities. (Pollux approves, Andocides disapproves, and you don't know about Castor or Teukros.)we didn't take military genius just so we can listen to brainlets
>>5742502I didn't think Agamemnon was on the expedition but I may be misremembering. I thought he sent his brother to do the pre-war negotiations.
>>5742371>You still think that your suggestion of a boarding operation is the best way to initiate hostilities. (Pollux approves, Andocides disapproves, and you don't know about Castor or Teukros.)Let's see how this goes. I hope our concussion clears up by the time we reach Troy.
>>5742549Ya, I'm pretty sure the high king is supposed to be chilling at his palace right now...unless he cloned himself
>>5742549>>5742582Honest typo on my parts lad - my brain thought Menelaus but my thumbs typed Agamemnon, my apologies. I’ll post the ship sheets for each vessel when I get home tonight for a refresher.As a general rule, I’m trying quite hard to maintain the canon of TWQ, so please notify me promptly if you spot inaccuracies!
>a quick reminder for everyone who doesn't want to dig through archived threadShip of SpartansHeroic Crew: Menelaus, Odysseus, Palamedes. Mariner bonus from Odysseus.Sailing Crew: Spartan Soldiers (Well-equipped and experienced spearmen, but average sailors)---Ship of WarriorsHeroic Crew: Ajax, Teukros, Castor, Pollux, Nikandros. Mariner bonus from Pollux. Sailing Crew: Elite Salaminian Soldiers. (Well-equipped and experienced marines, but truly phenomenal sailors)
So we have an overall +6 to Kleos from our deeds? Wouldn't that put us at +1 Kleos as we started with -5 Kleos?Also, uh, Lesches misspelled Deianira as Deainira in the option reading.
>>5742693wait nvm, I forgot that we got yelled at by geriatric kings
>>5742700Calling Nikon "the young" as a backwards way of saying "foolish" or "yelled at by his seniors". I wonder what nicknames and epitaphs we'll pick up along the way.
>>5742371>You still think that your suggestion of a boarding operation is the best way to initiate hostilities. (Pollux approves, Andocides disapproves, and you don't know about Castor or Teukros.)"Here again, came Many-FistedNikandros. Rising from the briney foam!"Not sure if I did that right. Hail Lesches! I'm flattered you used one of my shitty AI images! I mean no offense, but I didn't really have any interest in the Woman Quest.
>>5742371>Pollux has the right of it about ramming a target of opportunity- support his proposal to initiate combat with the pirates. (Pollux and Andocides favor this approach while Teukros disapproves. Castor's stance is uncertain.)Ram is like rock, must smash.
RAM THEM!>>5742380>>5742417>>5742446>>5742464>>5742498>>5742509>>5742965Abstain>>5742386>>5742424swashbucklin'>>5742392>>5742471>>5742577>>5742881---Seeing as we've had no new votes for the day and there's a clear frontrunner, closing vote now!I don't think I fucked up the count, but in general, never hesitate to let me know if I've gotten it wrong.
As the men discuss the plan of battle, seated upon the stern deck, you listen to the relative merits of each approach; your mind, cloudy from the head blow you received from the best of the Epigoni, is nonetheless able to eagerly digest their statements… A new world of warfare is becoming known to you, and you are thrilled at the prospect of an unexplored arena for your talents! Stories of naval action previously told to you by Pollux take on new meaning, and you look upon your ship’s rigging, sails, keel, deck and rowing benches with fresh eyes - these now represent elements of your battlefield.You rapidly invent and discard a variety of scenarios for ship defense that the Salaminians might possibly employ, as you turn to watch them rowing below you – the ship itself provides some natural elements of defense, you realize – the external walls of the ship rise above the deck by two or three cubits, and men crouching, shield on the shoulder, may be able to shelter in relative safety from thrown missiles from another vessel side-by-side. However, you see how a boarding action could become a bloody enterprise – the galley deck itself is narrow – combatants would need advance or retreat along the central axis, or instead risk an awkward, shambling advance over the rowing benches – all the while, they’d be exposed to deadly javelins and arrows from above, from the elevated stern and fore-decks. Studding the deck itself, trapdoors provide access to the storage chambers below, although for a man of your size, it would be difficult to move quickly amongst the bound amphora and other sundries there. You wonder how many men might be able to hide underneath or where the trapdoors could -“Young Nikandros – what say you?” – Ajax asks, interrupting your train of thought. He leans forward – bearded face stern and framed with curly hair, pale eyes alight with interest. The conversation around you dies down. “What does the champion of Skyros have to contribute to our plans? Let me see if you are well-named, Nikandros Bouleeis!” Ajax announces, with a wry look in his eye – he is clearly poking fun at you – but no matter, he will learn of your true value in time.“I concur with the recommendation of both Pollux and Andocides, who are my betters at sea; it would seem best to ram the enemy ship to begin the strong encounter – we are outnumbered, yes, but we must reason that these pirates do not have access to sailors of comparable mastery to Pollux –“ here, you nod politely at the blonde boxer, who returns the favor, “- and Odysseus. We can quickly gain advantage in this way.” The other men of the expedition make their votes known: Andocides, Pollux and yourself in favor of ramming. Pollux sends a meaningful glance to Castor, and you sense that much is communicated between the brothers in an instant.>cont
Castor, frowning in consideration, states:“Evasion of an enemy is preferred, when possible, but perhaps we cannot avoid it, with the wind driving us together – these sea raiders are unlikely to respond to our entreaties. Thus forced, we strike hard and fast with a ram, and extinguish this conflict swiftly.”All aboard the stern deck then turn to Teukros, sitting beside you, who seems a bit anxious under the combined attentions of his elder brother and the Dioscuri. He quickly realizes that even should he vote against ramming, he is outnumbered. He nods his head in recognition of this, and he calmly states, “I abstain, Lord Ajax – instead place me and my bow where I can be best utilized.” Clearly - he would rather not vote than create dissension amongst the council, a humble gesture on his part. He finishes his statement with a nod, but you catch something muttered upon his breath as all heads turn to Ajax - laat me schieten en klaar ermee.Ajax, regarding you all as a group and extending his thickly-muscled arms widely, says cheerfully:“Then it is unanimous! I happen to favor a ramming attack as well – a boarding action would risk the isolation of our companions and combat on unfavorable terms for Menelaus...Although it is a shame – whatever wealth is present amongst the pirates’ hold will likely be lost under the waves.” He stands, and you’re once again surprised at his height – he is one of the very few men you’ve ever met with a height and build similar to your own. His booming voice echoes out over the water, and in response, the Salaminians produce their arms and armor. Rather than bronze panoplia, which would be prohibitively expensive and impractically-heavy for those who expect to inevitably receive the briny embrace of Ποντος, they favor double-layered linothorax jerkins, and broad wooden shields braced with a double-layer of ox-hide. As for armaments, they use bronze-tipped spears that are somewhat shorter than you are used to, and knives of bronze. In short, they are agile, dangerous and well-equipped for the cramped combat of naval combat, and would probably make for fearsome skirmishers and ambushers on land. Finally, you see several Salaminians using ropes to draw up a crimson flag on the rope line (a forestay, you later learn) between the mast and the fore-deck – Ajax is communicating to Menelaus, you understand, and turning, you see that the ship of Spartans have raised their own flags of communication: red and blue. >cont
>>5743544I vote to board the Spartans and rape Menelaus
>>5743544You’re eager to ask Ajax of their meaning, but see that you don’t have the time – the hostile vessels are rapidly growing larger on the horizon, and your crewmates are busily donning their bronze in preparation for combat. You take their cue, and with the help of some Salaminians amidships, rapidly equip your own polished panoplia, complete with horse-hair crested helm. >Nikon is now fully armed and ready for combat!You see Teukros join his brother upon the stern-deck, shieldless and carrying his bow. Ajax himself has taken the keel personally, angling the galley towards the southern-most hostile vessel, farthest from the coast of Syros. Pollux and Castor take their places amongst the foredeck of the ship, to repel any boarders who might attempt the ascent of the bow-steps or to leap into the ship itself - Pollux with spear and shield, and Castor with his bow. Already, you hear Pollux shouting words of encouragement and counsel to the Salaminian sailors, helping them draw every last bit of speed from the winds. But what will you do? Ajax and the others have left you to your own devices, it seems, and you are free to exercise your best judgment>Join Ajax and Teukros at the stern-deck – from this high vantage point, you will be able to cast Salaminian javelins at any pirates within view, and punish enemy boarders if they attempt to scale the sides of the ship. This is likely to be amongst the safest locations on the ship, and farthest from any melee combat.>Settle into position amongst the rowing benches and assist the Salaminians in their efforts. This is a less-glorious role, but with your mighty physique, you may provide a noticeable boost to any ramming effort, and thereby deliver a mortal blow to the hostile merchant vessel. From amidships, you would be relatively protected by surrounding Salaminians, although somewhat exposed to hostile missile fire.>Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck – this may be the most dangerous location on the ship. Assuming you don’t lose your footing when the ships collide, you will be both clearly visible and potentially within melee range, as the external bow of the ship itself is laddered with planks – pirates may attempt to scale the bow in large numbers, leaving you, Castor and Pollux as the first line of defense. Needless to say, if you commit yourself well, you may further impress your crewmates.>Something else I haven't thought of?>>5743548now you're thinking like a pirate, anon
>>5743555>>Settle into position amongst the rowing benches and assist the Salaminians in their efforts. This is a less-glorious role, but with your mighty physique, you may provide a noticeable boost to any ramming effort, and thereby deliver a mortal blow to the hostile merchant vessel. From amidships, you would be relatively protected by surrounding Salaminians, although somewhat exposed to hostile missile fire.Come on lads, row like you've got a spine.It's a shame we're in a rush, otherwise I'd wonder if some divers couldn't fish up some of the plunder that comes loose from splitting these fuckers in half. Also a shame we didn't bring any rocks. Pinning a man to the mast with a javelin would be rad, but sinking a ship with a boulder to the hull is even cooler.
>>5743555>Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck – this may be the most dangerous location on the ship. Assuming you don’t lose your footing when the ships collide, you will be both clearly visible and potentially within melee range, as the external bow of the ship itself is laddered with planks – pirates may attempt to scale the bow in large numbers, leaving you, Castor and Pollux as the first line of defense. Needless to say, if you commit yourself well, you may further impress your crewmates.
>>5743555>Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck – this may be the most dangerous location on the ship. Assuming you don’t lose your footing when the ships collide, you will be both clearly visible and potentially within melee range, as the external bow of the ship itself is laddered with planks – pirates may attempt to scale the bow in large numbers, leaving you, Castor and Pollux as the first line of defense. Needless to say, if you commit yourself well, you may further impress your crewmates.I think if we've got enough strength to boost the speed of the Ram, then we'd be outputting enough to throw off the aim.
>>5743555>Settle into position amongst the rowing benches and assist the Salaminians in their efforts. This is a less-glorious role, but with your mighty physique, you may provide a noticeable boost to any ramming effort, and thereby deliver a mortal blow to the hostile merchant vessel. From amidships, you would be relatively protected by surrounding Salaminians, although somewhat exposed to hostile missile fire.Javelins are not rocks, so I'll pass.
>>5743577It's all about timing. You wanna lurch just before impact. The last five strokes are when you really put the gas on. Or ten, if you've got a big ship.
>>5743577I'll clarify that Ajax, a man of incredible physical strength in his own right, is guiding the actions of the Salaminian rowers from his vantage point on the stern-deck, and there would be no penalty to accuracy of the ramming action with Nikon assisting.
>>5743577Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck – this may be the most dangerous location on the ship.I think you've got the right of itRowing needs parity between the tow sides otherwise it goes into a spin, by taking up on rowing nikon would only embarass himself, let us do what we do best and slaughter the pirates.>>5743582>>5743564I remember an anon in the TWQ that said there are rocks used for balancing the ship.Also going diving into a sinking vessel will kill you as it drags everything close down with it.That's why you need to hurry to abandon a sinking ship and swim away.
>>5743607Fucked up my vote there>>5743555>Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck
>>5743555>>Settle into position amongst the rowing benches and assist the Salaminians in their efforts. This is a less-glorious role, but with your mighty physique, you may provide a noticeable boost to any ramming effort, and thereby deliver a mortal blow to the hostile merchant vessel. From amidships, you would be relatively protected by surrounding Salaminians, although somewhat exposed to hostile missile fire.
>>5743607Oh I wasn't meaning to grab stuff from the ship as it sank. That's a death trap. I do mean to snatch things up that come out through the hull from the impact as air escapes and the ship pitches and yaws on the way down. But we have places to be so I wouldn't want to stop and try anyway.And if we do have some sort of stones as ballast, it's better to not throw them. Because they're being used for something kind of important.
>Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck – this may be the most dangerous location on the ship. Assuming you don’t lose your footing when the ships collide, you will be both clearly visible and potentially within melee range, as the external bow of the ship itself is laddered with planks – pirates may attempt to scale the bow in large numbers, leaving you, Castor and Pollux as the first line of defense. Needless to say, if you commit yourself well, you may further impress your crewmates.
>>5743555>>Settle into position amongst the rowing benches and assist the Salaminians in their efforts. This is a less-glorious role, but with your mighty physique, you may provide a noticeable boost to any ramming effort, and thereby deliver a mortal blow to the hostile merchant vessel. From amidships, you would be relatively protected by surrounding Salaminians, although somewhat exposed to hostile missile fire.play to our strengths
>>5743555>Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck – this may be the most dangerous location on the ship. Assuming you don’t lose your footing when the ships collide, you will be both clearly visible and potentially within melee range, as the external bow of the ship itself is laddered with planks – pirates may attempt to scale the bow in large numbers, leaving you, Castor and Pollux as the first line of defense. Needless to say, if you commit yourself well, you may further impress your crewmates.I'm sure our experienced rowers will guide us safe and true; let's whet our appetite with blood or something
>>5743555>>Join Castor and Pollux at the foredeck – this may be the most dangerous location on the ship. Assuming you don’t lose your footing when the ships collide, you will be both clearly visible and potentially within melee range, as the external bow of the ship itself is laddered with planks – pirates may attempt to scale the bow in large numbers, leaving you, Castor and Pollux as the first line of defense. Needless to say, if you commit yourself well, you may further impress your crewmates.
>>5743555>Settle into position amongst the rowing benches and assist the Salaminians in their efforts. This is a less-glorious role, but with your mighty physique, you may provide a noticeable boost to any ramming effort, and thereby deliver a mortal blow to the hostile merchant vessel. From amidships, you would be relatively protected by surrounding Salaminians, although somewhat exposed to hostile missile fire.Ram 'em, and move up to the foredeck if things get hairy.
>>5743555>Settle into position amongst the rowing benches and assist the Salaminians in their efforts.
>>5743616>>5743732Thanks for your votes, anons, but voting restrictions are now in effect.Give me another post or else these votes will be discounted!
>>5743930Er, testing 1,2,3?Good to see someone reviving this quest with all the drama that happened.
>>5743932Thank you, thank you anon. I've been on /qst/ since the split and this quest was good enough that I felt compelled to take action, and give back to the board, although of course, I don't compare to Homer. Maybe in time I can build enough knowledge of the classics to put up a comparable effort, but this seems unlikely.Anyways, update later tonight - I'm very happy I took the time to run Deianira's Sidestory and develop a spreadsheet for tracking purposes - I'll be handling most of the crunch behind the scenes rather than making the players roll for every element of the battle (like I did for Deianira's Centaur Raid), it ended up being pretty arduous.
grab oars!>>5743564>>5743582>>5743610>>5743704>>5743787>>5743893hang with the bois>>5743573>>5743577>>5743609>>5743719>>5743732one-post id>>5743616 (your next vote will count, anon)---Rowing with the Salaminians wins!
Rolled 5 - 3 (1d20 - 3)Your decision made, you spring into action – you move to the bow-ward region of the rowing benches, on the starboard side, and make your intentions clear to one of the Salaminians. He’s only too happy to relinquish his rowing oar, and scampers off to assist his crewmates in lowering the sails and removing riggings – in a ramming action, the sails should always be withdrawn, you recall Pollux advising you, but this is best done in the moments just prior to the attempt.Turning behind you, you raise a fist to Ajax’s hulking figure, and you catch his eye – he nods at you in acknowledgement, his own horse-head crest waving in the breeze, and you join the Salaminians in rowing, keeping the beat to Ajax’s clear direction. Your previous experience at the oars, as you sailed to Salamis, comes in handy here – you are already familiar with the basics of oarsmanship. At the bow of the galley, you see Castor assembling several spare javelins for Pollux to cast when the time comes. Around you, the sea is relatively calm, and the sky is clear above – only a few scattered clouds of white mar the azure realm of Ouranos. To your left, the isle of Syros, golden with waving grain and pastures, is hazy in the distance.Given your height, even while seated, the hostile merchant vessel is clearly visible and fast-approaching, and its own signal flags are flapping in the salty breeze – dirty brown and linen white. Perhaps three or four stadia distant and rapidly closing, you’re able to make out a figurehead on the prow of the vessel – a gaudily-painted shepherd, complete with shepherd’s staff and white-painted lamb. The copper taste of adrenaline wells up in your throat, as you push hard, breaking a sweat - it evaporates as quickly as it comes, under the fierce heat of all-seeing Helios.Pollux, hands to mouth, howling over the breeze, casts his voice to the stern:”They dawdle to adjust, Ajax Telamonios – we are swift!” Pollux nods, clearly in response to a signal from Ajax, and you watch as Pollux and Castor lie flat against the fore-deck, bracing themselves – interesting, you wouldn’t have thought to do the same, but no doubt this will prevent them from being cast overboard. You feel the galley shift, and the muffled sounds of cargo thumping beneath you, as Ajax angles starboard, past the advancing prow of the merchant vessel, and you intuit that Ajax is feigning a boarding action - that the galley will sweep wide, catching the pirates from behind, with the wind at your back. We will surprise them with a lunge at the critical moment. you think…Ajax’s beat quickens – he roars to you: “Nikandros – not yet!” The moment comes faster than you can believe, just as you can make out the panicked shouts from the pirate vessel – calls of alarm unheeded, oars withdrawn too slowly on their port-side…”NOW, NIKANDROS!”>players, roll a dice+1d20+10 for initiative!
Rolled 4 + 10 (1d20 + 10)>>5744213Swift as the wind.
Rolled 10, 18, 13 - 3 = 38 (3d20 - 3)>>5744213>>5744216>14 vs a literal 2>Ajax's Galley wins initiative!Okay, boys, now it's time to roll for damage! I'm still using Homer's system - he adopted a Bo3 format before he went on his highly temporary leave of absence, and so I've adapted this system for use in naval combat. From the players, I need THREE rolls of dice+2d20 to determine the success of the ramming attack. First die = to-hit at a manual +10 bonus, second die = wound at a manual +10 bonus. For the enemy ship, I'll be rolling dice+3d20+-3 to determine dodge and block. As you might have noticed, the pirates may have bitten off more than they can chew here...One additional comment: Degrees of success matter in naval ramming attacks, although I don't believe that this was the case in Homer's hero vs hero combat system. Basically, the better the wound roll, the less likely your galley will become tangled with the enemy vessel's hull.
Rolled 4, 19, 17 - 3 = 37 (3d20 - 3)>>5744219Oops, I fucked up my own roll - that was the enemy ship's dodge, now I'll rolling for block.
Rolled 10, 7 = 17 (2d20)>>5744219>the pirates may have bitten off more than they can chew here...>rolls an 18 and 19Rrrrrrriiiiiight.Well, here's hoping the un-reinforced hull of a merchant vessel can't withstand the hardened prow of a proper warship. We'll crack their keel yet.
Rolled 12, 9 = 21 (2d20)Nike, guide my dice!
>>5744224>>5744239While we’re waiting for the last player roll, could one of you guys roll a dice+1d24 for me? It’s more fun when you guys do it
Rolled 12 (1d24)>>5743787>>5744219At work phone posting, this is me. I'll do my duty.
Rolled 8 (1d24)>>5744270Sure thing.
Rolled 12, 19 = 31 (2d20)>>5744219
>>5744271Perfectly balanced,>>5744274>19That's a good hit right there homie.
>>5744276Yippee!
>>5744224>>5744239>>5744274>22, 29 vs 15, 16>Ajax delivers great but not perfect contact with the pirate vessel>you guys tear them a new one I should be able to put out another update before midnight tonight.>>5744271Thanks!
>>5744290Oh and I almost forgot - I need one roll of dice+2d3+6 to determine ship damage
Rolled 3, 1 + 6 = 10 (2d3 + 6)>>5744294
Rolled 2, 3 + 6 = 11 (2d3 + 6)
What horrible luck for the pirates to essentially be taking on 8 heroes and their well equipped and skilled troops.
>>5744410>implying that Poseidon isn't having a giggle by setting them up against two kings, the Dioscuri, the offspring of mighty Telamon himself, and one concussed "literal who"post will be out shortly!
>>5744412>Hey bro, check this out. I had the currents drag these retards into a fight with four of the biggest motherfuckers alive today, and two of them are yours.
You beat against the sea with every ounce of your strength, and for a wonder, you feel yourself wrenching the galley’s bow violently to the left, causing even the experienced sailors to sway on their rowing benches. Pollux is whooping wildly in excitement, and the cries of the pirates gain a terrified edge as you swing close. The pirates, a blend of Hellenes, barbaroi and foreigners - men of all builds and colorations, scatter out of their loose double-line battle formation along the side of the ship, tripping over another in a desperate bid to remove themselves from danger.On the stern deck of the enemy vessel, you see a leather-helmed archer waving frantically, shouting commands - and to your surprise, the pirates fall into a reasonable facsimile of order in the last few moments before contact, grabbing their starboard oars to reorient their ship - this accomplished, the enemy captain leaps nimbly to the stern deck, raising a shield as he settles into a crouch. For all this effort though - they shift their hollow-bellied vessel only marginally. Some brave souls even cross the port-side, to hold their oars up against your onrushing galley - thin reeds to stave off a spinning boulder.A futile effort.Ajax has steered the galley well - the galley’s bronze edge tears into the soft underbelly of its victim, a tremendous crash following by ear-splitting shrieking - the pine of your foe’s vessels rending to splinters as the ram tears a mortal wound through the guts of the opponent. Several unfortunately oar-bearers are ground against the shredding deck, their bodies ground into nothing by the mighty jaws of your galley. Another group of pirates are flung from their benches into the sea – at the moment, a position of relative safety. The rest tumble about the deck as your black-hulled warship smashes forward, prying the stern of the vessel apart from the remainder. The ends of the dying ship hang together by a scattered few planks, but to your surprise, the fragments do not begin sinking immediately.You find yourself rowing in reverse, your arms responding to Ajax’s commands before your mind registers his shouting- there is a peculiar screeching noise as the combined efforts of yourself and the Salaminians pry your ship free of the wreckage, and break the link between the ends of the enemy vessel – the stern of the enemy vessel drifts close to the foredeck, and the remainder of the ship begins drifting parallel to the galley.>cont
Already, Teukros, Castor and Pollux are volleying missiles into the scattered pirates - three of the enemy are dead before they can even stand, their vessel still rocking violently from the impact. About half of the Salaminians drop their oars from the fore-deck area and stumble into a loose double-row formation of shields and spears themselves – yet they are quite slow to assemble and brace themselves. It should be an excellent defensive posture, you note as you stand tall, with the ability to adapt and slide position as the rocking of the ship continues, but the angry shouting from Ajax confirms their sloppiness. The remainder of the rowers stay in place, furiously rowing backwards, but without making much progress.Turning to the enemy, you see that the dazed pirates finally collect themselves into a loose battle-line, but it is a pathetic, single-lined affair – you’ve seen crippled Illyrians organize and under worse circumstances, frankly. As slow as the Salaminians are, the pirates are even slower, despite the frantic orders from their captain - a young Euboean, by his voice and accent. The first volley of Salaminian javelins is launched at short range, from behind a protective shieldwall - four pirates collapse as their throats and livers are pierced, and six more are grievously wounded. Without thought, your mind is processing these events - the pirates are losing badly here - likely that the Salaminians will put them down with minimal casualties.The odd shrieking from the boat separation has continued, despite the ships breaking clear - and gazing into the torn-open hold of the merchant vessel, you locate the source - the hysterical and pitiful wailing of perhaps two dozen bloodied and filthy men, women and children behind heavy iron bars - slaves meant for sale in some Cycladian port of another. They will certainly drown if you do nothing - and your heart cries out for their aid. You see at least one trap-door of the pirate's vessel sprung upon, forced out of position by the buckling of the pirate's deck.Simultaneously, you hear a cry of alarm from the fore-decks, and see Pollux shaking a spear angrily at the Euboean archer - to your alarm, you see a white-feathered shaft protruding from Pollux's abdomen, piercing the lightly-armored side of his cuirass, he has been wounded! He cries out:"Are you a Bacchant* or a man? Put down your thyrsus and fawnskin and pick up your spear!Castor grabs his brother and forcibly pulls him down to his knees, lowering his profile.>cont*Pollux is delivering some mad trash talk here and accusing the Euboean of being a worthless party slut
You know you must act, but how?>Leap across the decks to confront the pirates upon their own central deck in melee combat. The fastest way to route these pirates is to smash their resolve and scatter them into the wind and surf. Needless to say, surrounding yourself with hostiles could be phenomenally dangerous, even if they are men of common birth. >Continue to row with the Salaminians - the enemy ship is dying and further combat profits you nothing - these men are already dead. Assisting the Salaminians will separate your galley as quickly as possible and begin the race towards Menelaus' ship. >Charge up to the fore-decks and cast javelins at the Euboean archer, while guarding Pollux - Castor needs time to assess and bind Pollux's wounds and you can grant it to them! If you slay Pollux's attacker in the process, all the better.>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart. >Something else I haven't thought of?
>>5744456>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart.A bleeding heart
>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart.I want us to be remembered in the far future as the one guy who gave a shit. Our kindness will be LEGENDARY!
>>5744456>>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart.
>>5744456>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart.Well, I hope we'll be remembered kindly if we die.
>>5744541Hopefully with Nikon's HUGE MUSCLES he can swim in heavy armor. At least for a short enough while that someone can throw a rope at him or something.
>>5744452>Leap across the decks to confront the pirates upon their own central deck in melee combat. The fastest way to route these pirates is to smash their resolve and scatter them into the wind and surf. Needless to say, surrounding yourself with hostiles could be phenomenally dangerous, even if they are men of common birth.If people can swim around while carrying other people, Nikon with his divinely enhanced strength should be just fine.
>>5744456>>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart.my heart BLEEDS RED
>>5744541Lol, can nikon even swim?But fine let's be big damn heroes>>5744456>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart.Btw there is a volcanic rock that floats so there is precedence for nikon to do so as well.
I mean, he's hated by rivers, not the ocean, right?Don't tell me that we'll have to dam the Mediterranean Sea?
>>5744586>quest unlocked: fill the waters between the pillars of heraclesA labor all our own
>>5744541Kek nicely done anon.>>5744547Even Nikon cannot swim wearing his bronze, he will sink almost immediately. However, should he fall under the waves, you guys would be provided with a desperate chance to remove his armor as he is drowning.So the challenge here is:1) can you leap across2) can you free the slaves quickly3) can you leap back and otherwise organize the slave’s evacuation?I would also accept write-ins if you guys have any modifications to this plan
>>5744663We could probably lose the greaves first at least so the weight doesn't slow us down and it's also the most encumbering while giving the least protection.I don't trust that a vengeful pirate won't try an underhanded shot at us.
>>5744702Sure, removing greaves (and helm) would only take a seconds effort and would raise the possibility that Nikon could swim for a brief time if he succeeds on a challenging swim roll. This would reduce his total armor bonus +3->+2, though.
>>5744456>Charge up to the fore-decks and cast javelins at the Euboean archer, while guarding Pollux - Castor needs time to assess and bind Pollux's wounds and you can grant it to them! If you slay Pollux's attacker in the process, all the better.I don't want to lose dad's armor
>>5744748My ID changed>>5742380>>5743582These were my previous posts
>>5744585>>5744719Then i'll add a little stripping to my voteHelmet and greaves off
Vote will close in approximately 1 hour at 1pm EST - I’m going to try for another double-update day.Lurkers, last chance to weigh in!
>>5744456>Leap across the decks to the enemy vessel, descend the open trap-door and free the slaves within. Trapping yourself within a sinking ship is exceeding unwise, but if you move swiftly, you may be able to free these unfortunates and assuage your twinging heart.Whoops, forgot to vote.
a late bronze age HEROOOO>>5744458>>5744462>>5744505>>5744545>>5744580>>5744583>>5744585sink or swim, bitches>>5744748---Locked - given the write-in for greaves/helm to come off, I'll include this as well - it's something that a smart warrior would do.
Rolled 3, 16, 12 + 2 = 33 (3d20 + 2)The cries of the commoners cut through the crash of battle and the raucous shouting of the Salaminians as they prepare for another volley of javelins against the pirates. It galls you, but the simple fact is this: the piercing cry of the women and children will haunt your dreams unless you move to deny them oblivion. You don’t know whether you are admirable or a fool, but you don’t time to consider further – the merchant vessel has begun to list, as water soaks into the open hold. You may have only minutes – or even less.At the foredecks, you see Pollux, crouching low under his shield, even as Castor tends to the jutting arrow in his shoulder, worrying it loose from his divine flesh – you are tempted to render further aid, but it occurs to you that Pollux and Castor have survived many and more desperate battles than this.At a glance, you take in the skirmish between the Salaminians and the pirates – hulking Ajax has imposed discipline on his countrymen, and they are tightly assembled in a modified phalanx, shield to shield, easily deflecting the errant spears returned to them by the pirates, who have failed to unite together properly. You quickly remove your crested helm and greaves, stashing them carefully underneath the nearest rowing bench – where is the pirate’s captain? How could he sit by and do nothing as his men are torn to shreds? You scoff at the pure inadequacy of your opponent – death is only fitting reward for such incompetence. The majority of the enemy ship (stern now fully detached) and it is now drifting parallel to your own, the ships sidling against one another – you’ll never have a better chance to cross over. Sprinting thunderously toward the stern of the galley, you gain the momentum needed – and angling sharply to your right, you leap into the air, taking flight – you sail over the open sea, and stumble onto the enemy foredeck, spear and shield in hand.You hear Ajax shouting to you in confusion – “Nikandros, what are you – the ARCHER! Shield high, Thessalian!” You spin without thinking, bringing your father’s shield up to protect your neck and head...>players, give me three rolls of dice+1d20+4
Rolled 17 + 4 (1d20 + 4)>>5744952Whatever happens, I'm glad we're a kind man
Rolled 11 + 4 (1d20 + 4)>>5744952
Rolled 3 + 4 (1d20 + 4)>>5744952AWARYH
>>5744954>>5744961>>5744969>18 vs 21 - Nikon blocks!> To disambiguate, Nikon sacrificed his initiative roll by jumping across to the enemy ship. Per Homer's system, missile attacks are mostly auto-hit, and therefore we only needed to roll wound vs block.Years of bandit raids in the chilly north of Hellas have taught you the value of reflex without thought, and you find that this lesson serves you well, even here, under the fierce noon-day heat of the Cyclades. You duck as you raise your shield, a bright disc, and feel the jolting blow of a bronze arrowhead turned aside, spinning wildly off into the brine. Advancing, shield high, towards the open trap-door to the hold you had seen previously, you dare to peek your unhelmed head over the rim of beaten bronze. Past the milling pirates, only a few of which having seen you, their attentions mostly focused on the Salaminian ash* soon to head their way, you see the Euboean archer scrambling over the tilting stern of his ship, drifting further away on his fragment of the merchant ship – perhaps a good discuss toss away. As you descend the steep ladder into the hold, you catch a darkling flash through the air, whistling towards the Euboean, and the crack of Teukros’ bow – a sound you’ve become quite familiar with over the weeks at sea. Teukros’ shaft sails wide, rising unexpectedly on a blast of warm air – the Euboean idiotically stands to deliver a crude gesture to Teukros. His triumph is short-lived, as a second arrow plants itself into his heart with perfect accuracy, the work of a master archer. He topples into the sea, and having seen enough, you duck underneath the deck. Moving in a crouch due to the low ceiling, you shoulder aside loose amphora, hanging slabs of salted pork, and crates of poor craftsmanship. It takes longer than you expected to thread your way through the hold, and at one point, you narrowly dodge the main ballast-stone of the vessel as it slides unmoored from its restraints, crushing crates and shattering pottery. Reaching the slave pens, the bruised and battered people inside are terrified of you, at first glance – shrinking back into the shadows of their prison. Above you, you hear the wild screams of the pirates – it seems that their morale has shattered entirely, noticing the demise of their captain. You hear the scampering of feet on the deck above, along with loud splashing, this informing you that some of these weakling men are choosing the sea’s embrace rather than death delivered by Salaminians.*by this, I mean javelins>cont
To your delight, you find that the iron cage of the slave pens has already been partially wrenched out of position by the ramming action – the rusted iron having been weakened by years of salt air and poor maintenance. For a man of your strength, the bars, in such disarray, represent no serious barrier –>Nikon auto-succeeds on his STR check here given his prodigious physical strengthand you are able to exploit the deck’s fragility, tearing apart the cage’s bracketing to the timber below. As you make a passage wide enough for a man to squeeze through, fresh shrieks from the slaves warn you of danger. Your head snapping up, you see that two groups of four pirates, armed with spears and swords, have sought safety from Salaminian bronze below. They look at each other as angrily as they look at you – one group of Hellenes and the other, Phoenicians - division has festered amongst the crew here. No doubt, each group had planned to push out the ballast-stone from the hold, until rescue from their compatriots arrives.You have spoiled their plans, an unaccounted-for variable – but what now? The ship is sinking, the slaves are soon to drown, and you are separated from your allies. You risk ambush and worse - an obscure death. But perhaps there is another way?>Address the pirates as a whole with winged words, and offer them clemency aboard the ship of Ajax if they assist you in the transport of slaves to your vessel? Explain that upon delivery to Delos, they will be free to travel as they see fit.>Offer a temporary alliance to the Hellenic pirates – you will help them slay their Phoenician rivals in return for safe passage from the hold for yourself and the slaves, leaving them to survive as best as they can.>Strike without warning against the pirates, casting your spear into one group and charging the others with your sword (currently sheathed on your belt – you are not so foolish as to have left it behind). They’ve scattered once already – they should shrink from further combat.>Something else I haven’t thought of?
>>5745011>Address the pirates as a whole with winged words, and offer them clemency aboard the ship of Ajax if they assist you in the transport of slaves to your vessel? Explain that upon delivery to Delos, they will be free to travel as they see fit.
>>5744545>>5745011Hi, it's me phoneposting from work again.>Offer a temporary alliance to the Hellenic pirates – you will help them slay their Phoenician rivals in return for safe passage from the hold for yourself and the slaves, leaving them to survive as best as they can.Maybe it would make more sense to attack, but I think this is the best choice for the sake of giving us more time to rescue these people. If it works.
>>5745011>>Something else I haven’t thought of?>Tell them their captain is dead, and a fleet is arriving shortly to sink the other ships, their best chance to survive is to flee now and attempt to swim to the nearest shore. Take hold of some flotsam now while they have the opportunity to find a good piece.They're already scared, maybe yelling a semi-command at them to flee will work. Be authoritative. Or we could just kill them. But the more time we spend the less time we have.
>>5745035>+1Their morale is broken and an angry giant is telling them to fuck off, I think this is a good idea
>>Something else I haven’t thought of?>Tell them their captain is dead, and a fleet is arriving shortly to sink the other ships, their best chance to survive is to flee now and attempt to swim to the nearest shore. Take hold of some flotsam now while they have the opportunity to find a good piece.
>>5745035Roll to intimidate!They already don't trust eachother they won't risk battle with a stupidly brave giant while risking to be stabbed in the back by another pirate.
>>5745011>>5745035This
>>5745093>>5745117Beautiful work, anon - will pilfer this for the update if the intimidation vote wins!
>>5745126My IP change very fast, so I try to post a meme to compensate, like up there
>>5745028>>5745035I'll change my vote to this.
>5745011>5745035Might as well>Backing
>>5745142>>5745035>>5745011Fumbled my vote.
>>5745035>>5745011+1 support.It's bad to offer clemency on someone else's ship, so intimidation is the way to go. Leave Nikon and live, or fight him and die. A very simple choice. Who in their right mind would try and kill the grandson of ever-rising Athos?
>>5745011>>5745035+1
turn on the charm>>5745025Invert the Sympathizer and fire!>>5745040>>5745035>>5745042>>5745132>>5745143>>5745196>>5745225---Virtually unanimous for a smart to write-in, love to see it. Vote is locked.
Rolled 17, 8, 3, 18 + 5 = 51 (4d20 + 5)The pirates warily regard you, and you them – there is a fragility to them; a savage, tremulous quality – they are sweating furiously, their eyes open too wide, mouths open and panting. They remind you of starving foxes. And you are a wolf.As a lone stalker, huge and with matted fur, might range down from the high foothills of Thessaly, letting the scent of rich flocks and yearling oxen guide its expert passage through underbrush and field to the warm coast, jaws slavering with hunger for the yellow marrow of cracked thigh-bones, you have followed your will to the salt sea. As the wolf might find a fallen stag gnawed upon by lesser creatures – barely worthy of notice - so too you find your path blocked by vermin. The wolf may idly growl in dire threat at this momentary inconvenience – the utter confidence of violence sublimated directly into the fluttering hearts of its inferiors, before the vermin scatter in all directions. You stand as tall as you can, face exposed, glancing left and right at each group of pirates slowly. The scent of pitch is overpowering in the hold - sunlight streaming into the hold through the gaping wound rent by the galley. The pirates shift anxiously. You are calm. Your youthful baritone ripples with utter self-confidence, the timbre of your voice conveying the very same promise of death that the ranging wolf delivers -“Your captain is dead.”“Your ship is dying.”“Leave now, or I will send your shades to Πολυδεγμων, the host of many*.”>players, I need THREE rolls of dice+1d20+3*Based on my reading, Greeks of the Late Bronze Age preferred not to name Hades directly, using euphemisms such as these.
>>5745298Derp, please note that this was meant to be a -5 modifier, so you guys need to beat a 12 and a 13.
Rolled 2 + 3 (1d20 + 3)>>5745298Damn, they get a +5? Too stupid to truly understand their situation or are they that bad at swimming that they don't want to?>>5745300Nevermind, kek
Rolled 6 + 3 (1d20 + 3)>>5745298The ancient technique passed down throughout history: diplomacy
Rolled 10 + 3 (1d20 + 3)>>5745298
>>5745310Thank fuck.
>>5745310That was too close to failure.I blame it on out proximity to water.
>>5745310Nice. Nikon in his concussed state almost got a bit too into thinking that he was a wolf.
>>5745310Kek, another razor-thin margin of victory for Nikon.>>5745320My poor attempt at an extended Homeric nature simile, but hopefully with practice I get better....---Okay, next update will be sometime tomorrow. However, I do need a general roll to help determine the larger state of affairs in the naval engagement. Could I request a dice+1d20 from a player? 1-10: a fat man quails10-20: it's time for dinner
Rolled 6 (1d20)>>5745325Captcha is WAR8P
Rolled 1 (1d20)>>5745325DINNER?
>>5745328Boy's goin' hungry
>>5745326>>5745328hehe, double confirmation, anons, thank youThe gods are cruel but this time Nikon catches a break
>>5745335There is always the choice of raping them, and choosing not to do so is an act of kindness in itself
>>5745335>The KindI do believe the option of letting them fuck off is actually leagues above what other heroes would do, that is just kill them regardless.>>5745338>choosing not to do so is an act of kindness in itselfIs that you, Zeus?
>>5745338>Three thread and we haven't raped anyone.We are the best man ever? Our grandfather is the God of Goodness? Is the infinite kindness of Athos radiating from our soul as it once radiated from the rocky caves that sheltered primitive men in ancient times?Big questions.
>>5745343>behold, the kindest man in all of greek history!>"Uh hi, yeah I don't rape people.">what a MAN
>>5745371You've got it a bit mixed up, Anon>I don't rape peopleCould mean that the person would do so if able, but is unable>I can rape many people but I choose not toIs a sign of true virtue
>>5745382>Could mean that the person would do so if able, but is unablePerhaps my grasp on the English language is truly as tenuous as suggested, but I was under the impression that "I do not rape people" means that under any circumstance, they will not perform an act of sexual assault. Whereas "I cannot rape people" would imply that there is something holding them back from doing so. Alas my comprehension of the anglic languages is so patchy and incomplete that I am unable to properly convey my humorous escapades. Verily I find myself without the means by which I may project any emphatic denotation of any sort. Beyond of course anger, by which I display thusly, "Fuck you.".:^)
>>5745382>>I can rape many people but I choose not to>Is a sign of true virtueThis is why Zeus is virtuous.He can rape everyone all the time, all day long, but choose not to.
>>5745394Good argument, poise is great, however by hurting my feelings you have violated Xenia by wounding me in my own home and therefore i have the right to rape you. Checkmate!
>>5745399Well shit.
>>5745399>you have violated Xenia by wounding me in my own home and therefore i have the right to rape you.Zeus has the first turn mortal
There is a long, uncomfortable silence as each group of rivals considers the threat – you note that your words do not produce the instantaneous terror that you expected. Instead, the pirates seem to engage in communications amongst themselves for a deeply uncomfortable minute. The Phoenicians are hissing at each other – a young man saying, “የእሱን መጠን ተመልከት!” and an older, grizzled man responding “እሱ ግዙፍ ሞኝ ነው, እና ሞኞች ሊታለሉ ይችላሉ”- harsh syllables that mean nothing to your unlearned ear.The Hellenic pirates, however, simply glare at each other soundlessly – until the eldest of them slips away in the dark, without a word. The tension breaks, and the remaining Hellenes follow suit – they retreat to the bow-end of the hold, although whether to flee the ship outright or simply hide, you do not know. The brownskinned Phoenicians re-evaluate their position – at 8 to 1 odds in tight quarters, perhaps they felt confident at the prospect of combat with you. Less so now – you watch as they scamper in retreat towards the rent opening in the stern hold, where the broken end of the ship opens up to sun and sky. The matter accomplished, and no longer fearing the prospect of an ambush – you turn to the slaves. They are terrified out of their wits, half-starved and traumatized after their abuses, but they respond quickly as you order them out of their cage and to ascend to the main deck. You step out into the noon-day sun, with the bedraggled prisoners in your shadow. The pirates have abandoned the main deck entirely – a few more bodies are present that you recall, having taken Salaminian javelins in the back, and several more pirates are moaning in agony as they attempt to gather the courage to withdraw the fire-hardened missiles from their guts, thighs, or sides. In your estimation, these wounded can safely be ignored. The deck itself is quite uneven, starting to roll, its death spasms have begun. You have only minutes.To your great relief, you see that Ajax’s galley has not yet departed – instead, having swung around the dying merchant vessel to the opposite side. Across the deck, in the distance, you see another pirate’s ship departing at all speed downwind, sails high and oars threshing. It seems that the Euboean’s companion had no appetite for a rescue or to risk an interdiction of Ajax’s galley. You see Ajax’s hulking figure on the stern and you raise a fist to him in signal – he is quick to return the gesture. He expertly directs his oarsman to maneuver his galley quite close to the dying ship, and once the decks are aligned, you and your rescued slaves are quick to make the transition. Once aboard, the Salaminians pay you no mind, already hard at work to deploy the main sails. Pollux and Castor appear at your side - Pollux claps you on the shoulder, looking no worse for wear – in fact, you see a fresh pink scar beneath the pierced bronze of his shoulder’s armor. >cont
“What daimon possessed you, Nikandros? Κοαλεμος, spirit of foolishness or Αλκη, on loan from my father's armguard?” The blonde man has a bemused look on his face, as he inspects the huddled slaves. His gold-flecked eyes flash - “You may get a few talents for their sale on Delos – are you so impoverished?” he asks wonderingly. Castor, looking wearied, gently intercedes –“Perhaps wealth is not what has motivated him, dear brother.” Ajax’s shadow looms, and you stand at attention as he approaches - he is clearly angered, speaking:“Nikandros, I know you little and must be clear - I will not risk the lives of our crew for theatrics. It is fortune alone that returned you! I agreed to transport you to Ilion at the behest of Agamemnon, but I owe nothing to you.” He doesn’t wait for a response – he immediately orders the Salaminians to stow the slaves below deck, and re-orient the vessel. He turns back to you, clearly expecting a response.>Well, you’ve pissed off Ajax – what do, /qst/? Nikandros is bound by honor/respect to any plans specified to Ajax, (currently) his vast superior in nobility.>Explain the truth – that you were motivated to save the slaves out of sympathy. Honesty has served you well in the past, even when it does not seem the best strategy. Furthermore, you plan to release these slaves from bondage upon reaching Delos.>Lie that you were motivated by financial gain – that you plan to sell the slaves to merchants at Delos and split what proceeds you obtain amongst yourself, Ajax, Teukros and the Dioscuri.>Explain that you intend to grant the slaves to King Anios of Delos as a gift, for good will with your future host.>Something else I haven’t thought of?Ajax listens to your response carefully, saying only: “We will discuss further once the battle is won – we must now attend to Menelaus. Nikandros, your help on the oars for the ramming was appreciated, and I’ll ask it of you once again –“ he nods toward the other galley in the distance, clearly having angled southerly from the intended course to Delos. The two pirate vessels are in hot pursuit, and even from this distance, you see that all three vessels have their sails up and oars flashing. “Menelaus and Odysseus are leading the other pirates on a merry chase, and we must row like we have the Earth-Shaker himself pushing us along.”You don’t argue with Ajax, despite the demeaning nature of the request. You immediately gather your helm and greaves, equip them and proceed to a rowing bench close to the stern. To your surprise, Teukros joins you as well – he provides you with a sympathetic expression, perhaps having borne the brunt of his half-brother’s anger in the past. You set to rowing, pushing hard, as Ajax belts out commands the stern-deck, from behind your left shoulder.>Players, I need ONE roll of dice+1d20+11 to determine how quickly your galley can travel to Menelaus’ galley.
Rolled 5 + 11 (1d20 + 11)>>5745810>>Explain the truth – that you were motivated to save the slaves out of sympathy. Honesty has served you well in the past, even when it does not seem the best strategy. Furthermore, you plan to release these slaves from bondage upon reaching Delos.
>>5745810>Explain that you intend to grant the slaves to King Anios of Delos as a gift, for good will with your future host.Freed slaves don't really do well in tribal societies desu
>>5745810>Explain the truth – that you were motivated to save the slaves out of sympathy. Honesty has served you well in the past, even when it does not seem the best strategy. Furthermore, you plan to release these slaves from bondage upon reaching Delos.
>>5745810>>Explain the truth – that you were motivated to save the slaves out of sympathy. Honesty has served you well in the past, even when it does not seem the best strategy. Furthermore, you plan to release these slaves from bondage upon reaching Delos.>concede however that as it is his ship and we acted out of turn, it is his decision on what we do with the slavesNikdandros is impulsive, bold, and just a bit silly. But he's a good man. And not quite an idiot.
>>5745810>Something else I haven’t thought of?>Explain the truth – that you were motivated to save the slaves out of sympathy. Honesty has served you well in the past, even when it does not seem the best strategy.>"Prince Ajax, you may have heard about my father's end. The suffering brought upon being carried by the currents is one that weight heavily upon the memory of my family. I could not let the slaves suffer the terrible of fate of drowning as the result of the greed and foolishness of these pirates."Not going to free the slaves, it's not really how bronze age Greece worked.
>>5745820>+1Ajax does hold authority here, best that we respect it
>>5745810>Explain that you intend to grant the slaves to King Anios of Delos as a gift, for good will with your future host.
>>5745821This sounds good to me. Support. Besides, I don’t think letting those slaves go free without any wealth to their name is going to end well. Ajax is a bro, so I’m not too worried over the result here, just gotta manage his anger.
>>5745810>Explain the truth – that you were motivated to save the slaves out of sympathy. Honesty has served you well in the past, even when it does not seem the best strategy.Wonder what Teurkos would think
>>5745820This
>>5745966You might hear from him later on the voyage, if you seek him out. Homer implied that Teukros has something of a different mindset, even if he doesn’t always speak his mind in formal settings…Anyways, you guys owe Teukros your thanks - that Euboean dickhead was prepared to camp out and take additional potshots at you when you re-emerged from the hold.
>>5745982Pic>>5745998What?
>>5745132>>5745820It's me again, phoneposting at work.All this, and definitely giving our regards to Teukros.
>>5745810>>5745880Switching to >Explain the truth – that you were motivated to save the slaves out of sympathy. Honesty has served you well in the past, even when it does not seem the best strategy. Furthermore, you plan to release these slaves from bondage upon reaching Delos.Accidentally picked the wrong one
Nikandros, Boy Scout>>5745812>>5745819>>5745820 (with concession write-in)>>5745821 (with another good concession write-in)>>5745822>>5745966>>5745982>>5746031>>5746070I have a poor track record with Kings, best to bring a bribe>>5745817---I'm pretty sure the count is correct, but regardless, seems like an overwhelming majority for "tell the truth" with some smart write-ins.
>>5745810>>5745820Late perhaps but i'll cast my vote for thisTo let Ajax decide their fate.>>5745821Also this write in is good.
>>5746164Yeah, letting Ajax decide is good.His ship, his slaves.
I'm pretty sure the decision should be Ajax's anyways. He's the captain of the ship, and therefore ought to decide the distribution of captured "goods"
>>5746166That's why it's important to acknowledge that we aren't going to attempt to impose our desire upon him. It makes us look like an overeager muppet but not a totally up-jumped rural fucknut shouldering his way past his betters.
>>5745821This is nice too
Rolled 2, 13 + 1 = 16 (2d20 + 1)>let’s at least handle the Ajax conversation tonight, we can do the second half of the naval battle tomorrow.Ajax Telamonios, your senior in age, acclaim, heritage, wealth, veterancy – a man of legendary constitution, and one of the very few who stands taller than yourself. He could not be more dissimilar in appearance to silver-footed Thetis, but nonetheless, there is a doubling in your mind – the recollection of your conversation with an angry goddess upon a mountainside in Skyros comes unprompted.You adopt the same strategy that transmuted a goddess’ wrath into a debt, still unpaid – revealing the truth. You speak your heart to him:"Prince Ajax, you may have heard about my father, Hippomedon, and his death*, resulting from the unjust revenge of dark-pebbled Ismenos. The suffering brought upon the house of Hippomedon, carried to us by the currents, is one that burdens me heavily, as well as upon my sister and mother. I could not let the slaves suffer the terrible fate of drowning, doomed by the greed and foolishness of these pirates.”You breathe deeply, and send what winged words you can:“And yet, I am not in command, this is not my ship, and I have acted rashly. I beg your forgiveness, Prince Ajax. The fate of the slaves is yours to decide, not mine – I have already achieved what I hoped, and offer them freely to you.”>Okay, anons – beat my roll for Ajax's WILL.>I need TWO rolls of dice+1d20+3 to see if Nikon can salvage his standing with Ajax. His current CHA bonus is 0 (with the concussion, effective CHA of 9), but I’m providing a +2 bonus for the write-in re: concession, and a further +1 bonus for apology/surrendering the slaves.>Degrees of success do matter here, since I am tracking reputation gains and losses behind the scenes.Just so you guys know, Hippomedon didn't drown in the river Ismenos - the river water stripped him of his arms and armor and then placed him directly in front of a Theban battalion that turned him into a pin-cushion. Funny that Nikandros is wearing his father's bronze today, given that the Seven Against Thebes lost, no?
Rolled 14 + 3 (1d20 + 3)>>5746175
Rolled 1 + 3 (1d20 + 3)>>5746175It's why I mentioned him being carried by the currents instead of drowning.I just thought it would be fitting because what the river asshole did to Nira in the sidequest.
>>5746184...I was one of the anons that rolled one of the crit fails when that happened.I'm just going to vow to not roll in the main quest as well.
>>5746187Dont worry, if crit fall were a thing here, Agamenon and Nikon meeting would have be a thing of legends
>>5746193I'm interpreting it as Tyche warning me before any more gods appear to activate their crit powers.
>>5746196What happen to Nira on the side quest?
>>5746176>>5746184>17 vs 14 - exactly one degree of success - that'll do.I'm honestly surprised, I can't recall the last time that Nikon won a social roll. Anyways, Nikon preserves his social standing with Ajax through genuine discourse about his motivations (but Ajax is not exactly having an epiphany about the social compact here).>>5746190>>5746193kek, the memes for this quest are truly top fucking tier>>5746197It's too painful to recount here, anon...---This seems as good a time as any to reveal my true intentions - restarting TWQ has only been Phase 2 of a larger plan to revitalize /qst/ and increase board traffic here. /qst/ CAN be great again!I've come to the determination that the folks in /qtg/ discord, while being mostly well-meaning people, seem to be incapable or unwilling to band together collectively to advertise the board. This was initially frustrating to me, before I realized: Achilles wouldn't give a fuck about that, he would just do it.This means that UNILATERAL ACTION is required - and so my question is this:Would the meme-generating anons be willing to join me in my crusade, and donate their time, energy, and money to design one general banner ad and one banner ad about TWQ specifically, to run on other 4chan boards? If yes, see requirements below:Positions/Dimensions: 728x90 Leaderboard in both header and footer positions in desktop view, 300x250 Medium Rectangle in both header and footer positions in mobile view)Format: JPG/PNG/GIF/WEBPMaybe if we are successful in generating some of these, we can then identify which boards to advertise on?Regardless of the above, I do plan to continue to run TWQ no matter the outcome of this advertising discussion, so no hard feelings if players decide against supporting these efforts.
>>5746197A soldier killed a peasant girl that was giving offerings to the local stream god. We found the murderwe and brought him to god as a peace offering so they would stop muddling the waterThe god saw the guy and had a brainfart, ignored the fact the fucker was bound and the pleading we had just done, threw a tantrum, sweep the entire platoon, nearly killed Nira, killed Iudas, and made Pantaleon disappear.At least the stream god got a beating from their river dad and Nira is closer to join team dam(n) all river.
>>5746202I mean, I can do memes with that dimensions, but I don't know about what topics aim them>>5746205Fuck
>>5746202We're so back.
>>5746202>I'm honestly surprised, I can't recall the last time that Nikon won a social roll.Clearly Ajax understands, big boys stick together, even if the slightly smaller big boy is being kind of a dweeb.As for the where, I'd suggest /his/, /lit/ or /tv/. I'm sure someone on /tv/ knows about that old Troy movie with Brad Pitt. /his/ would probably appreciate the actual slight amount of effort going into the quest. And /lit/ for the fact that there are already some people there who know about the quest from the Iliad reading group, and general appreciation for the classics.Although they all have relatively small user bases. No one wants to advertise to the freaks in /a/. Even if this is based on the earliest anime script in history.
>>5746205Can't forget that in that process, we also lost a godly relic, Nira's ankle got mangled so badly she needed a walking stick, and she had to struggle through the wilderness at night on a broken ankle back to her home. Then, we had to figure out how to kill the most powerful man in the area. That went a lot better.Sleepy Social Intrigues in Thessaly.
>>5746301The good news is, when Nikon gets back from the war, Nira will have a higher level than him.
>>5746305>Gets back from the warYou speak as if Nikon isn't going to die in Ajax's arms having saved his life and forcing him to promise to fuck Nira
>>5746372>nikon dies>nira goes full tilt vengeance witch and swears retribution on hades himself to get her brother back>wacky dangerous shenanigans ensue
>>5746396>The greeks return from the war>Deianira is in Pythia being crowned queen in the north.
>>5746396>>5746402Lol
You put your conversation with Ajax behind you, his thoughts hidden to you for now, and you row – the chase is on!Now seated in the starboard, stern-area of the decks, you have a clear view ahead. The majority of Salaminians, who are almost completely unwounded, break their backs on the oars. For commoner men, they are unusually competent, strong and more importantly, well-trained – they row with proper discipline and haven’t yet expended their reserves. You catch grins on the youngest of them – some of them not so grizzled as to forget the pure excitement of successful battle.Along the fore-decks, the sharp-eyed commoner who spotted the vessels earlier is placed, a black-haired youth with a squat frame and prominent nose. The squat man constantly flashes hand signals back to Ajax, who makes subtle adjustments on the tiller. The previous flags have been reeling in, and another signal flag has been run up the rigging in their place – this one dark as Nyx’s shawl. Even distracted by the timing of the rowing, you can guess the meaning – we are coming, Menelaus!Behind you, you catch snatches of shouted conversation between Ajax, Pollux and Castor – they are hotly debating methods to pry the pirates’ vessels apart. You’re too distant to hear properly, and with the concussion still fogging your thoughts, you are content to labor away for the time being. To your left, you catch glimpses of Teukros – the man has surprised you again, and joining you at the oars was an unexpected show of solidarity. He seems at peace amongst the Salaminian rowers, his dark features wearing a smile, and even manages to find the time to wordlessly poke fun at various Salaminians surrounding him. His easy way with the sailors is something to note – other men might be vaunting endlessly about their slaying of an enemy captain, but he seems to have already forgotten his actions. Before you, the sails steadily grow larger – between Ajax’s hand on the tiller, Pollux’s expert guidance, and Teukros and yourself at the oars, you make good time.And then the wind dies.>cont
Rolled 19 - 1 (1d20 - 1)It doesn’t happen all at once – but steadily, the gusts become weaker, more fitful. The sails of your galley and of the ships grow slack, hanging impotently, and the sea becomes preternaturally calm. You look about in all directions, but can see no silver threads, no swimming daimons amongst the ocean waves – although, with Odysseus aboard Menelaus’ vessel, you do wonder… You recall the archery competition between Castor and the resourceful King of Ithaka, and the easy way that divine assistance was produced to correct an errant bowshot. The lack of wind is all to your galley’s benefit, of course. Your ship possesses the strongest rowers, and therefore the lack of wind benefits you and your crewmates most of all. One of the hostile vessels before you cannot keep pace with its peer – the oars fail to coordinate properly, whether due to exhaustion, or poor discipline, you aren’t sure. As for the other, it just fails to keep pace with Menelaus’ ship – very gradually slipping further behind Menelaus’ galley.You hear Ajax shouting triumphantly behind you – “A flock of kingfishers are owed to fast-shifting Aeolos! He restrains the Ανεμοι to our benefit!”>okay, players - give me a dice+1d20+11 for ship on ship initiative against the laggard piratical vessel!
Rolled 16 + 11 (1d20 + 11)>>5746451>19Gods are having fun
>>5746452Not as much fun as Ajax, it seems - he’s having a good day at sea. Ah, to be a Chad in the Late Bronze Age…Next update will be out at about 1pm EST or so.
Within the quarter-hour, your galley has merged course with the lagging pirate vessel, following close behind, even with your sails down. Shout of alarm in Zeus’ Hellenika drift over the stern of the pirate’s vessel, and you see glimpses of the ragged pirate crew leaning over the edges of their deck, gauging the distance between your galley and their slowing vessel. As your craft approaches, there’s a half-hearted volley of javelins aimed at your rowers, but these fall harmless upon the deck or into the sea – you hear a high and clear order from the enemy vessel – “Cease casting, cease casting!” Still working the oars, you shake your head – this bunch is hardly more disciplined than the others your crew left dying, ship-wrecked and adrift just previously.You hear that high voice of command once more, carried by the salt air, clearly delivered with the confidence of command – a voice softened by the slurred accents of the Minoan. A Cretan, you suspect. “Row hard, row hard, row hard!” They are foolishly attempting to –But contrary to the orders you’ve just overheard, the pirate crew ahead of you thrusts their oars violently into the deep, rapidly decelerating and rocking widely to port! A basic deception, but one delivered with surprising competence and speed. Ajax thunders behind you – TO PORT, TO PORT! and you lend your strength to the braking action – together with the Salaminians and with Ajax's godlike strength on the tiller, the galley is neatly nestled behind the hijacked merchant vessel. ”Salaminians, prepare for boarding action! Double-file amidships, javelins ready!. You hear Andocides, boatswain of the galley, echo these orders himself, and sprint down to the center deck, spear and shield in hand, to coordinate further. Pollux rockets past your rowing bench, flying from stern to bow – his spear and shield are strapped to his broad back. At once, you guess his intentions – with the stern of the enemy vessel drawing close, he means to leap from the bow of your galley, ascend the enemy stern and catch the enemy by surprise! He turns back to you, laughing wildly:“Come, Nikandros – you have inspired me! Do not let Salaminian disapproval restrain you!”>cont
>whew, sorry for the delay there, was unexpectedly held upThe Salaminians produce grappling irons from compartments under the main deck, and rapidly fasten these to large iron hooks along the ship deck and to the rowing benches themselves. A huddle of the sailors grows alongside Andocides in the central part of the galley, oxhide shields raised and pitiless bronze spearpoints held in throwing posture.You leap off the benches yourself, sword at your belt, spear in hand, bronze disc of your father strapped safely to your arm, prepared to take action - Teukros likewise abandons his rowing bench, sprinting back towards the stern.>wat do, /qst/? This vote is expected to close tonight at 8am or so. I'll call for ship combat rolls at that time. >Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation! Pollux, as a expert climber and man of considerable strength, will no doubt be able to assist you up the side of the pirate’s stern if need be. A pair of demigods set loose upon the enemy vessel will spark chaos amongst the crew and you’ll be able to better cover one another if one of you is wounded. >Join Andocides amidships and join the boarding party of the Salaminians – he is unlikely to join the actual invading party himself, and you will be able to assume temporary command of the Salaminians as they leap aboard. Your presence will no doubt provide a significant boost to the combat ability of the boarding party and you will become the anvil to Pollux’s hammer. >Clamber aboard the fore-deck platform, but hang back as the galley comes parallel against the enemy vessel, scanning for the Cretan captain – if you locate him, you may be able to leap aboard and challenge him directly in solo combat. A decapitation strike will shatter the resolve of the pirates and make for another swift victory - let Ajax doubt your instincts at his peril!>Assist the Salaminians with the application of the grappling irons? These irons are essentially hooks on very long, strong ropes, meant to be tossed into the rigging, and to catch along the lumber and masts of the victim's ship. A man of your strength could launch multiple irons simultaneously, and increase the chances of a success "lock" upon the enemy ship. --->Also, I need another dice+1d24, as we have entered a new battle phase.
>>5746591>>Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation! Pollux, as a expert climber and man of considerable strength, will no doubt be able to assist you up the side of the pirate’s stern if need be. A pair of demigods set loose upon the enemy vessel will spark chaos amongst the crew and you’ll be able to better cover one another if one of you is wounded.Pollux is such a bro
>>5746591>h>Join Andocides amidships and join the boarding party of the Salaminians – he is unlikely to join the actual invading party himself, and you will be able to assume temporary command of the Salaminians as they leap aboard. Your presence will no doubt provide a significant boost to the combat ability of the boarding party and you will become the anvil to Pollux’s hammer.We're good at leading people and this is a good opportunity to show our peers and betters that.
>>5746591>>Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation! Pollux, as a expert climber and man of considerable strength, will no doubt be able to assist you up the side of the pirate’s stern if need be. A pair of demigods set loose upon the enemy vessel will spark chaos amongst the crew and you’ll be able to better cover one another if one of you is wounded.Ἀλαλά!
Rolled 11 (1d24)>>Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation! Pollux, as a expert climber and man of considerable strength, will no doubt be able to assist you up the side of the pirate’s stern if need be. A pair of demigods set loose upon the enemy vessel will spark chaos amongst the crew and you’ll be able to better cover one another if one of you is wounded.
>>5746591>Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation! Pollux, as a expert climber and man of considerable strength, will no doubt be able to assist you up the side of the pirate’s stern if need be. A pair of demigods set loose upon the enemy vessel will spark chaos amongst the crew and you’ll be able to better cover one another if one of you is wounded.
>>5746591I obviously meant 8pm EST here, not 8am.>>5746610Thanks for the roll, anon - noted.Also, I’ll keep an eye out for any potential ads for generated for TWQ or for /qst/ generally. If it comes to it, i’ll buy the ad time myself
>>5746591>>Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation! Pollux, as a expert climber and man of considerable strength, will no doubt be able to assist you up the side of the pirate’s stern if need be. A pair of demigods set loose upon the enemy vessel will spark chaos amongst the crew and you’ll be able to better cover one another if one of you is wounded.
Ajax is probably going to shake his head at our jumping with Pollux. But we need to get his back. Having Teukros and Castor with their great marksmanship to help keep him safe is one thing, it's another to have a man shield your back entirely.Speaking of, we should offer our words of approval and compliment Teukros' fine shooting when we get the chance. Straight to the heart of a man mid-taunt. Baller.
I was also thinking of just how aloof Nikon must seem with the sympathetic trait. Typical heroes and people of the age are as brazen as they can be at all times, and pretty selfish.
>>5746883>>5746919This is an age where demigod men with testosterone levels comparable to prime bull alligators are walking around.Nikon is not the only nobleman with the Sympathy trait, but he might be the only hulking military genius with it. If Nikon survives to the end of the war, he may create a very distinct legacy, that’s for sure. I’m aware of no such figure mentioned in Homeric literature.
>>5746591>Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation!
>>5746927Wouldn't Menelaus also have the sympathetic trait? He was willing to forego all of the treasure just to get Helen back, after all. Of course, he's still a passionate man with the temper to match.
>>5746944Aside from his determination to beat Paris to death he's definitely a softie in the Iliad/Odyssey
>>5746951To be fair, just about everyone except his own family wanted to beat Paris to death. And even then there were times.
>>5746944>expecting me to spill the beans on a major character's character sheet just because you asked politelyCertainly not anon, this would be improper :)---this is the way, Nikon>>5746597>>5746605>>5746610>>5746623>>5746643>>5746650>>5746928Squad-Lead, green light, green light>>5746604---We're not at 8pm yet, but the consensus is quite clear! Nikon will be turning his brain off again - the players have a weak spot for Pollux's shenanigans, it seems - and he's not the only one!
>>5746591>Charge up along the fore-deck platform and leap to the enemy stern to join Pollux at his invitation! Pollux, as a expert climber and man of considerable strength, will no doubt be able to assist you up the side of the pirate’s stern if need be. A pair of demigods set loose upon the enemy vessel will spark chaos amongst the crew and you’ll be able to better cover one another if one of you is wounded.He's probably gonna go through with it whether or not we follow, so may as well watch his back.
>>5746959How many character sheets did you have to make for this quest?
>>5746944No, he has the simp trait.
>>5746969Hey man, she's the hottest woman in the world. People have done a lot more for a lot less.
>>5746966Unfortunately I had to go without Homer’s notes, so I had to create over 20, but some are definitely more detailed than others. I’m lucky in that the full cast of the Iliad won’t appear for a while, so I’ll be fine tuning further behind the scenes.I spent something like 5 hours tinkering with Achilles’s charsheet until I felt confident that I reproduced Homer’s thought-process (or arrived at the same outcome, at least). It was much easier to create the other characters, and having Nikon’s sheet and Homer’s original chargen traits for reference was critical.
>>5746984Achilles really is a bitch to stat out because his characteristics are actually way more in depth than most of the other characters. He has moments of intense anger and then flips to being melancholic and wistful in the next instance he is mentioned. He's just a very complicated young man.
Rolled 16 - 5 (1d20 - 5)Pollux’s invitation rings in your ears, and you briefly consider ignoring him – but the call of the greater of the Dioscuri is simply too much to resist. He is an Argonaut, a son of the Loud-Thunderer, sister to Helen, and a man who has treated directly with the divines on uncountable occasions. His story is known to every Hellene and even farther abroad – his exploits are legends heard by all young boys who dream of greatness. A flash of envy sparks through your mind as you consider his accomplishments – you don’t lie to yourself, you covet his fame. He has invited you to become part of his myth – to become eternal – who are you to deny him? You take a brief moment to strap your shield and spear to your back and are thundering up the deck joyously in no time at all. Happiness does not come often to you, delivered to you in small moments – when laying the perfect ambush in the snowy hills of Elimeia, or stalking a barbaroi princeling along the lakes of Arnisa – these have been moments of true joy. You add one more moment to your list – flinging yourself into the air over the open sea, at the invitation of one of the Τυνδαριδαι. The enemy vessel is weather-beaten – the wood roughened into handholds by surf and sea. Pollux having ascended before you, extends a hand as you heavily scramble up the exterior of the stern, and you gratefully accept – he hauls your bulk aboard, straining. Your sandaled feet barely touch the stern deck before your shield and spear are in hand. Your presence has not yet been noted. The pirates, bearing shields and hide tunics move rapidly to repulse the inbound Salaminian boarders, but not frantically - a measure of coordination exists among them. These are professional, veterans - not the ragged sea-vermin that your galley smashed to pieces a half-hour ago. One of the pirates, tracking a gull through the air, spots you and Pollux aboard the stern deck, and cries out:“Boarders, boarders, boarders!” The pirates immediately break off a group of ten in your direction, but their approach is harried, messy - you are unexpected guests. Pollux’s pale eyes gleam beneath his painted, egg-white skullcap, as you each survey the deck before you, and he mutters to you, meeting your eye - “I’ve seen you wrestle, Thessalian – now show me how you fare in the grind of Ares Manslaughterer!” Before you can respond, he’s leapt down below, shield high and spear-point high, advancing towards the pirates. You have no choice but to drop down alongside him!>Okay, players – this is Nikon’s first taste of actual combat against a coordinated enemy force. Try not to embarrass yourself.>I need ONE roll of dice+1d20+6 for Nikon’s initiative. He gets a significant bonus (+5) for dropping in unannounced.>I'll be rolling for Pollux separately.
Rolled 10 + 6 (1d20 + 6)>>5747090
Rolled 19, 15, 11, 1, 20, 4 - 5 = 65 (6d20 - 5)>>5747101Your heart beats, and your feet hit the deck of the vessel. The pirates before you are slow - painfully slow. They are inferior men, wielding inferior weapons and arms. You pity them, but not enough to spare them. Pollux moves lazily, a half-effort - a man who has seen death and no longer fears it. Even so, he is faster than the men before you.The commoners before you are mostly Hellenic - a shame. It feels worse to kill them than foreigners, for some reason. Your heart beats. Your arms are long, your spear is longer - your reach is surprising. The pirates are moving too close to you - they will have to learn their errors through spilled blood. They will wander as shades, unavenged, for many decades in the underworld. No matter. Your speargrip tightens, and you push out into their midst.>players, give me THREE rolls of dice+2d20. first roll with manual +1 to-hit bonus, second roll with +6 wound bonus, per Nikon's stats.>I'm rolling for the pirates and also for Pollux (off-site). Please note that the pirates do have a +1 armor bonus given that they are decently-equipped. >this will be the last update, tonight - stay tuned!
Rolled 17, 3 + 1 = 21 (2d20 + 1)>>5747114Death to pirates!
Rolled 15, 18 + 6 = 39 (2d20 + 6)>>5747114Here goes
>>5747144>>5747150Well, I’ll be damned. I’ll still wait for another roll but looks like Nikon is doing well here
Rolled 8, 10 = 18 (2d20)>>5747114
Give me a damage roll, you beautiful anons!dice+1d5+6
Rolled 2 + 6 (1d5 + 6)>>5747173I just ate.
>>5747173I'll never get over the fact that Nikon's grazing blows are enough to kill normal men. Then again that applies to many heroes.
>>5747213>many heroesImagine the bragging rights of being able to survive a blow that would of killed another man 2 times over. Though, if we did somehow max out Nikon's constitution, he'd be sitting at HP- (26/26) which at that point makes me wonder what 1/26 HP would look like, is the guy just holding his own guts but somehow still alive?
>>5747414>>5747414 #>which at that point makes me wonder what 1/26 HP would look like, is the guy just holding his own guts but somehow still alive?Well, Cu chulainn tied himself to a rock with a rope and his own guts to not lose his Eye-to-eye combat, Divine, Moral, Intimidation and Weapon-range bonus, so there are precedents.
Two lean pirates draw close over the port rowing benches, uneven and installed poorly, as Pollux and yourself confidently advance down the central aisle, the deck flooring stained with slapshod pitching. Several strides distant, a ring of leather-vested pirates wait with their ox-hide shields braced together – they clearly do not recognize Pollux, despite his signature skullcap, but the unmistakable aura of danger surrounding the pair of you gives them pause. Pollux is perhaps a stride ahead of you, angled to starboard towards another pair of oncoming pirates – they have the look of brothers; similar receding hairlines and short noses. You strike first, as your pair of port-side pirates come into range – the closer of the two raises his shield, but it hardly matters – you simply drive the spear-point through the flimsy barrier, splitting the wood apart and driving the spearpoint deep into his chest. You miss the man’s heart, but the damage you produce in his upper chest is lethal all the same – he drops to the deck gasping soundlessly, flopping like a fish. Instead of withdrawing your spear entirely, you free your spearpoint from the tissue-like flesh and sweep your spear bluntly across the right shoulder of his companion – an awkward strike, but delivered with enough force to crack bone. The man cries out in agony, but manages to keep his spear raised. To your side, Pollux once again moves slowly to react – practically vaunting in his lack of responsiveness. He waits for one of the brothers to step too closely before tearing out his throat with his spear-point, and then steps forward to deliver a powerful kick to the dying man, toppling him over the rowing bench, and causing his brother to stumble and fall, cracking his head against the bench edge in the process. The man is quick to stand, but blood flows from the scalp wound – he wails in rage and despair without breaking eye contact.As this occurs, you see the grappling irons from your galley fly into view, fastening securely to the pirates' ships' rigging, benches and railings – a tight lock in multiple places! The grappling lines are drawn tightly together as your galley matches course, a death-grapple from which the pirates cannot escape. A volley of Salaminian ash flies into the assembled phalanx of enemy pirates, scoring many hits but no deaths - groans of agony flood the decks as the pirates do their best to stay together.>cont
Rolled 8 - 5 (1d20 - 5)Without pause, a group of fifteen Salaminians charge across the joined decks, stirred to murderous violence between the shouts of Ajax and Andocides. The sailors hardly needed your assistance - they go about murdering the pirates with drilled efficiency, prying apart the enemy ranks with aplomb. From above, Teukros and Castor fire into the enemy phalanx from the sides, killing men at the edges of the enemy formation. Of the pirate crew of fifty, you guess that ten are killed in the first few moments of the battle, and about fifteen are wounded to various degrees. Their equipment and modicum of discipline is not enough to spare them – it is just short of a slaughter, but surprisingly, the pirates do not yet shatter. Of the enemy commander, the Cretan, you do not see him at all. You spare a glance off at Menelaus’ galley, and what you see confuses you – the merchant galley pursuing the Menelaus’ galley is draped with long ropes in the rigging, but the ends of these drag in the sea – whatever gambit dreamed up by Odysseus must have failed, and the remaining vessel is now approaching to board Menelaus!Your gold-flecked eyes flicker back to the splinter force of pirates facing you and Pollux , and they advanceto reinforce the surviving pair – they hope to drown you in bodies! >okay, /qst/ - give me another dice+1d20+1 to see if Nikon is faster than these pirate bastards.>I'll be rolling for Pollux seperately
Rolled 14 + 1 (1d20 + 1)>>5747639
Rolled 8, 1, 16, 12, 9, 11 - 6 = 51 (6d20 - 6)>>5747649Well, done anon! Nikon attacks again!>players, give me THREE more rolls of dice+2d20. first roll with manual +1 to-hit bonus, second roll with +6 wound bonus, per Nikon's stats.>I’ll be rolling for other aspects of the battle separately
Rolled 7, 7 + 1 = 15 (2d20 + 1)>>5747654
Rolled 7, 4 = 11 (2d20)>>5747654Fuck pirates
Rolled 10, 19 + 6 = 35 (2d20 + 6)>>5747654Guess I'll do the +6
>>5747778
>>5747778That's going to cause a lot damage
>>5747655>>5747777>>5747778Nikon rolls a (11, 25) versus a (10, 6). He can be surprisingly fast for a giant - let's see if Nikon can keep up with Pollux...Okay, roll me another dice+1d5+6 for damage!
Rolled 1 + 6 (1d5 + 6)>>5747787
>>5747790Kek - Nikon's a bit wild but still gets the job done here.Next update will be for 8-9pm EST tonight, in all likelihood.Also - is anyone in contact with Lord Licorice? It seems like sup/tg/ does not like greek characters in thread titles and this thread does not appear in the archives despite me having archived it two separate times.I did send him an email yesterday but no response yet.
Pollux, finally discarding pretense, moves in a blur, delivering two lightning-fast thrusts against the oncoming pirates – his spearpoint obliterates an eye to pierce the brain behind, and spraying flecks of grey matter, the spear-point proceeds to bury itself into the guts of a second man before you can react, striking just below his leather jerkin. The second pirate, a young man of your age, desperately attempts to hold his wound closed, even as red blood seeps through his robes. You jump forwards to deliver your own strike against one of your attackers, but you gauge the distance all wrong – your spearpoint bounces obliquely off the side of a grey-beard’s skull, collapsing it, rather than making direct contact. The older man drops to the ground, spasming – deaths like these can sometimes last for hours. The resolve of the splinter force breaks at this – the work of two nobleman together has rendered half their number dead or wounded in a half-minute. They scramble past one another back to the amidships region, casting terrified glances behind them– Pollux restrains you, and gestures to the dying men before you, gold-flecked eyes cool with practicality:“No surprises for later.” You follow his lead and take a few moments to tear out of the hearts of the men bleeding out on the irregular deck flooring.You raise your eyes when you hear shouts of “Retreat!” and “To the foredecks!” No doubt to the dismay of the splinter force, the main crew of the pirate vessel has broken at the exact same time as their arrival, and the crowd of them flees back to the bow of the ship – Salaminians picking off seven or ten of them as they flee with javelins, Teukros and Castor taking their fee from the pirates as well, dropping two more together. Surprisingly, it is something of a controlled retreat – and once out of effective javelin range, the surviving pirates spin and reform a passable phalanx of reduced size – a grouping of perhaps twenty survivors, only some of them nursing serious wounds.To your expectation, Andocides calls for a moment's reorganization, rather than a headlong crash against the enemy – you join with the Salaminians amidships, adding your bronze barrier to the wall that is being assembled, shield by shield, as does Pollux. The Salaminians are hardly scratched – they trade grins behind their ox-hide shields. There is a pause while Andocides is conferring with Prince Ajax – the groans of the dying pirates behind you, the waves slapping against the ships, are the only sounds you hear. The relative silence is pierced by the clear voice of the Cretan captain, emerging from behind the pirate’s phalanx. “I am Marsaëres, grandson of King Gortys and nephew to Meriones of Crete! I ask for parley with the captain!”You hear the thundering voice of Ajax from behind you – “Speak then, Marsaëres – and know that you are speaking with Ajax Telamonios, of Salamis!”>cont
Rolled 16 + 3 (1d20 + 3)The Cretan continues, stepping forward from amongst his phalanx - you make out the hidden outlines of bronze armor beneath his pirate's robes - perhaps he is who he says he is? He shouts to be heard over the rolling seas:“We have suffered grievous losses to you and yours – our battle is lost. My uncle will pay a rich ransom for me, Prince Ajax – I offer bloodless surrender to you in return, all the substance and Timae of this ship’s hold, and in return, will provide you with proof of my ancestry!” To your ear, the plea sounds a desperate gambit, only one step above shameful begging.“Spare my men, and I also will tell what I know of the pirates of the Cyclades – there is much that is unknown to Salamis and Mycenae!”>Marsaëres rolls an 18 vs Ajax's 12, wins his persuasion attempt with 2 degrees of successThere is a long pause, before Ajax calls back, resolutely - "I accept your surrender, Marsaëres. As for your men, my hold is already full of unwanted slaves. You brought doom upon your men, not I, when you attacked sacred envoys*. Order them to stand down, and I will grant them a swift death."Marsaëres, wasting no time, leaps forward from his crew, throwing down his javelins and swordbelt - he is quickly arrested by Salaminians, who proceed to strip his bronze armor from him. Naked and hooded, he is marched into the hold of the galley for imprisonment.The slaughter of the remaining pirates is a brief affair - most do not resist, retaining their manful dignity, baring their chests for the fatal blow. Two cowards attempt to swim to safety, and these are picked off by Teukros, from his position on high.Pillaging of the vessel proper is interrupted before it can truly begin - in the distance, the pirate vessel that had been accosting Menelaus' galley has unexpectedly broken off its attack, reversed course and has lowered its sails - it's now rowing against the wind, back to your galley, trailed by Menelaus's ship, which is slow to follow and losing position by the second. Your irritation with these pirates begins to surge - can't they see that you are a superior force?Ajax and the Salaminians release the grappling hooks, setting the pirate's ship adrift for now, and you beat a retreat to your own galley. Pollux claps you on the shoulder as you return to the stern deck oars - saying nothing, but his grin communicating that you had performed well. He ascends to the bow-deck with Castor, as Ajax roars:"Let us finish this - they come to disable us before their escape!">players, roll me a dice+1d20+10 for ship initiative - final round of naval combat>this encounter has gone on longer than I wanted but a series of unexpected rolls has occurred.*My understanding is that diplomatic envoys enjoyed special status in LBA Hellas, and it was considered a grave offense to molest or kill them. Of course, the pirates didn't stop to ask before attacking, but that's their problem.
Rolled 9 + 10 (1d20 + 10)>>5748200
Lol
>>5748203Lmao, it's a tie
>>5748203>>5748209Tie goes to the MC in Homer’s system, so in this case, Ajax benefits from Nikandros’s very minimal plot armor and wins.Next update will probably be Tuesday, unfortunately - I have a truly horrendous day at work tomorrow and unlikely that I’ll be in the position to write an update.
Man, I know that Palamedes, Menelaus, and Odysseus aren't exactly warriors like on our boat, but how have they failed to take down one ship on their own? Has Odysseus been absorbing Nikon's bad luck?
>>5748363>Palamean do shit>Odickeus HAVE to try overshadow everything both him and Menelaus does>Menelaus do what he can, but is still coping about losing The best looking woman ever to some shithead to focus on the battleThis is what happens when your team is made up of two idiots, one an self-centred asshole and the other a psychopath ploting to kill the aforementioned, as well as a low morale leader.Meanwhile, in the Bro team...
>>5748418Some Id, Superego, and Ego nonsense going on that ship. Probably be used by a future psychologist as an example.
>>5748423Palamuppet is arguing with Odypshit over the best plan, meanwhile Memeloud is just telling the captain to sail them closer so he can stab them with his spear.Fun fact, Menelaus has a famous shield. Big round fuckin' thing. Must be heavy as shit. He's a beefy old man. Ajax also has a famous shield. A huge fucking thing with seven layers of hide and a layer of bronze. I bet you could count on one hand the number of people who could effectively use that thing other than Ajax himself.
>>5748432>Fun fact, Menelaus has a famous shield. Big round fuckin' thing. Must be heavy as shit.Why all the important guys Nikon have to save have the best loot?...Now that i think about it, kinda make sense
>>5748363To be fair, off-screen, Menelaus, Odysseus and Palamedes decided that they were going to be stalling for time and basically give the "Ship of Chads" time to pick off some of the enemy vessels, and collectively Ajax and co have done an excellent job of this, although they did fail to capsize the enemy vessel like they had hoped to. Obviously it helped that one of the ships panicked and fled, rather than duke it out with you guys.>>5748432>menelaus' shield Hmm, do you mean the shield of Euphorbus that Menolaus' loots when he kills Euphorbus in the the Iliad? I'm not familiar with him having a legendary shield prior to this. Please clarify and I can correct his character sheet!
>>5748510>Hmm, do you mean the shield of Euphorbus that Menolaus' loots when he kills Euphorbus in the the Iliad? I'm not familiar with him having a legendary shield prior to this.I have no idea. It's probably that one. I learned it many years ago so the details are lost on me. All I remember is that it was made of bronze and pretty big.
I should be able to call for rolls sometime tomorrow afternoon, stay tuned everyone. Also, if you're interested in helping /qst/ advertise on other boards, check out the /qtg/. some anons are putting together a more serious effort with custom ads for /qst/ there.
Rolled 5, 8, 20, 15, 12, 10 = 70 (6d20)Tearing at the water with your oars, you sweep your oars in reverse at Ajax’s command, even as the uncrewed pirate vessel, sails lowered, drifts apart from the galley. It takes you a moment to understand Ajax’s plan – you’ve been caught at a relative standstill, and the wind is still absent. Under these conditions, to maneuver your galley out of the way of an approaching ramming attack would be difficult at best. Instead, Ajax guides the ship rearwards – he is using the uncrewed pirate vessel as a barrier! The final hostile merchant’s vessel approaches quickly – you sense that these pirates are the best sailors of the lot, their oarwork coordinated and clean, but the enemy captain is no doubt frustrated by Ajax’s tactics – the enemy vessel veers left and right as it rushes towards you, perhaps hoping that Ajax will take the bait. You risk a glance behind you – Ajax’s open palm is displayed clearly, rest oars, hold position, and Andocides is quick to echo the command. You’re close enough to see that the final pirate vessel has a figurehead of its own – a nymph or nereid of some kind carefully laid upon the prow, painted brightly. The vessel is drawing near to the uncrewed vessel, but Ajax’s tactics have rendered the ramming impotent – your galley is squarely behind the barrier, with its dead crew floating in the sea as a reminder of your victory only minutes earlier. On the stern deck of the approaching enemy vessel, you see a lithe figure in gleaming bronze, and to your surprise, you hear the figure calling out to your galley.“I am Kyrtios of Phylakopi, Achaeans – this pack was under my command! Offer up a yearling to Ελεος, daimon of compassion, as she brings tranquility to my heart and mind, and has spared you this day! We will meet again – pray that this day does not come soon!” You shake your head – the pirate captain is a blowhard, an idiot or both, having masterminded the destruction or desertion of three-quarters of his force. It’s Κοαλεμος* that has his hand on Kyrtios’ shoulder.Ajax makes no shouted response, as the pirates pass by – you look behind your shoulder to see that his fist is now closed, his arm raised straight – approach for grappling irons!. Beneath his gleaming helm, his face is granite - it seems that Ελεος has not visited with Lord Ajax. Andocides, taking the hint, sprints back and forth along the central axis of the deck on his bowed legs to ensure that all Salaminians are heeding Ajax’s silent command.You’re only too eager to lend your strength to the maneuver – Ares Manslaughterer stirs your heart and puts the taste of copper on your tongue. The day is not over yet!>okay players, give me three rolls of dice+2d20+10 to determine the success of the last grappling effort.>I'm rolling for Kyrtios' crew - first three rolls are for ship dodging at a +3 bonus, second three rolls are ship blocking for a +6 bonus
Rolled 12, 3 + 10 = 25 (2d20 + 10)>>5749356
Also, what do you guys think about this banner advertisement?I was wondering whether someone might be willing to spend the $20 to put this ad on /his/ and /lit/ and bring in new players, although I appreciate that this is a big ask.
Rolled 15, 4 + 10 = 29 (2d20 + 10)>>5749356I think the banner ad is worth a try, but am of course sceptical
here's an alternate banner
>>5749366Hard to gauge the probability of success, I agree, but I don't think anyone on /qtg/ has ever really tried to advertise before, frankly.
Rolled 9, 13 = 22 (2d20)>>5749356You are back!>>5749361>>5749368I like the alternative, but I don't know if the word Kleos will attract curious or just confuse them.
>>5749377Hmm, maybe better to use “glory” then, will have to make a new version later to tonight.>>5749360>>5749366>>5749377Ajax’s galley rolls a 25, 23 vs Kyrtios’s rolls of 23 and 21.>Narrow success on both fronts, one pair of grappling hooks is attached firmly!Update post will be out later tonight at 8pm EST
>>5749384I fear that ad banners may only bring trolls,Instead a discreet post on tangently related threads may get a better kind of attention.
Your galley leaps forward in the water, powered by Salaminian oarstrokes and your own massive frame – starting from a relative standstill, the Salaminian ship is unable to match speeds with Kyrtios’ vessel, but your craft doesn’t need to… only to move quickly enough to provide a window of opportunity. Golden Syros, somewhat further away than before, dappled by passing cloud-shadows, peers over the sea to observe the naval struggle.Grappling hooks sail through the air – you frown as the majority are underthrown, falling into the churning wake of the pirate’s craft. One, however, stays fast – it must have wedged deeply into the stern deck flooring, and another seems to fall into the enemy’s stern-ward rowing benches, probably becoming enmeshed amongst the chipping boards. The lines are drawn tight - a good latch!Even with your galley powering ahead, oars slinging you all forwards, there’s a tremendous jolting as Kyrtios’ vessel strains against the heavy grappling lines – you hear cries of alarm as the pirates are thrown from their benches by the sudden change in velocity. In the chaos, Ajax’s firm hand on the tiller is able to steer the galley into a temporary alignment on the pirate’s port-side – perhaps time enough for a single boarding party to jump across to the enemy decks, before the enemy sailors attack the lines with knives and swords, or chop at the wooden boards directly to free the iron grappling hooks. Andocides’ husky voice barks out to the crew – “We won’t have long, form up!”You leap off your own bench, but not before you see Ajax rush past you, wielding an enormous shield, clearly of excellent quality – his role as a naval captain now cast aside, given that this is the last remaining pirate vessel. In the distance, Pollux leaps agilely onto the galley deck, charging to meet Ajax. At first, you expect that Ajax will take command of the Salaminian boarders directly, but as you approach the central deck, he surprises you. A growing battalion of Salaminians is forming with shields raised, and you hear him speaking brusquely in hushed tones– all present listening carefully, despite facing towards the pirate vessel with their shields raised.>cont
Rolled 11, 11, 6 = 28 (3d20)“- I will charge directly to the rear of the vessel and defend the grappling hooks! Andocides, you must take command of the galley and the rowers, and ensure that the ships travel together – we must not be separated! Boarding party, you are now under the command of Lord Nikandros! Take no risks, hold the line together and grind them down! Let Teukros and Castor work from afar!” You notice that Pollux is absent from Ajax’s commands – perhaps he is unwilling to directly command one of the Dioscuri, or that Pollux is unlikely to listen?Head and shoulders above the Salaminians, you see the pirates quickly assembling themselves, picking themselves off the deck and gathering their arms and armor. They are armed well, their shields are well-cared for, despite mismatched origins - their equipment perhaps even equal in quality to the Salaminians. You heft your own spear and shield and take your position amongst the boarders. Pollux fastens himself to the bow-side edge of the Salaminian shieldwall, preparing to join you. Ajax catches your eye for a brief moment; his bushy eyebrows lowered, bearded face stern.“Follow your orders, Nikandros…” Giving you no time to respond, he roars, [i]”Salaminians, BOARD!”[/i]You leap across the gap between decks, first to touch the converted merchant vessel, and find an enemy phalanx waiting, shields braced, spearpoints high!>okay, players – give me a dice+1d20+1 roll for Nikandros! I’m also rolling for Salaminian (-2 bonus), Pirate (-2 bonus), and Pollux (+3 bonus) initiatives in this order for visibility purposes. No boarding bonus will be applied given that only one set of grappling hooks is present – just enough to make the attempt. Ajax, Teukros and Castor will be handled separately given that they’re up to other tasks.>also, I need one roll of dice+1d24 for Nikandros as well!
>>5749591You might be right but I’m going to give it a shot, I think
Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)>>5749614Can we get an 11 to match the other two? Nay
Rolled 5 (1d24)>>5749625Well... you technically got that 11. I'll roll the d24.
Alright, time to start abstaining from rolls again.
Rolled 2 (1d20)>>5749614
Rolled 20, 8 = 28 (2d20)Board a enemy ship without notifying anyone>High rollBoard a enemy ship by Ajax orders>1Rolling, first our roll as our rebel, sympatic self, second as our loyal soldier self
>>5749633Welcome to the club
>>5749638The gods giveth and the gods taketh. And taketh. And dammit stop takething you rats.
>>5749625>jump alone like a chad>Good rolls slaughter pirates and saves slaves.>suddenly put in command of a battalion of men.>strategic brain fart, half of them fall overboardThe dice gods laugh at your specialization Nikos
>>5749644At least if we ever get to command on a strategic sense rather than a tactical one, we can skip over logistics. Which is how wars are won. Small blessings. Bet Aristonax and doesn't know how to keep a baggage train going.
>>5749714Aristonax probably thinks that starving builds character and his soldiers would be sharper if they fight while fasting.
What do you guys think about this one? It's obviously meant for a broader audienceUpdate will be out momentarily
>>5749844It needs a call to action, I think it makes it more impactful.Maybe add a "come join Trojan War Quest"?"The High King calls"?
>>5749854What about this? Still too subtle?
>>5749861It works, the extra reference is nice.
Rolled 5, 2, 11, 1, 16, 12, 9, 19, 7, 10, 4, 9 = 105 (12d20)You fall into the moment – the vise of your mind, only somewhat weakened by your concussion, moves to its true calling – the strategic deployment of violence. The enemy phalanx is about fifty strong, in a loose double-lined format. They clearly expect to wrap around your forces, press down upon you with superior numbers, and drown you in spearpoints. You immediately order the Salaminians to advance slowly and spread themselves widely, to deny the likely wrapping action. Already, jabbing feints being traded for true lunges - tests of each other's resolve and quickness converted into pain and suffering.You consider the hostile crew, as you step slowly forwards.Their first error – they have organized themselves on the central axis, for ease of travel, but this has denied them the chance to drive you and your fellow assailants off the vessel at the first possible moment. They offered you purchase upon their ship freely – even as a boy, you would have avoided this first mistake at all cost. The same formation also allowed Prince Ajax to jaunt merrily to the stern deck area, where he defends the grappling irons. A crucial mistake that creates all the following.Their second error – they have placed the entirety of their force into the formation. They have no reserve, no missile support. They are flankable. The third error – they have forgotten that there are other means of ambulation aboard the vessel – the hold is apparently undefended, and there’s not one, but two trap-doors into the hold at your left and right sides, within easy reach.The fourth error – their captain, Kyrtios – is nowhere to be found. He is out of sight, and therefore is unable to respond to the changing conditions on the battlefield. His men are left to make what success they can without the benefit of a commander. This last concerns you most.All this is clear to you the moment that your sandals come to rest upon the rolling deck. Victory here is all but assured – it is simply a question of time and casualties suffered. Buttressing this knowledge is the simple truth that no band of commoners could hope to stop Prince Ajax, yourself and Pollux, once having entered the fray, in addition to two talented archers at your back. Even beyond this, Menelaus is en route with a contingent of Lacedaemonian warriors – fine Spartans who will add their numbers to your own. Which raises the question – where is Kyrtios? His absence is a deception of some kind – you’re certain of it. The men around you prowl forwards, hunting for blood, and Pollux steps adroitly into danger. You cannot move – not yet – there is some mystery afoot here. What you would you do in Kyrtios’ position?“Nikandros!” Pollux howls to you, breaking your train of thought. “This is the part where you start barking orders!” >cont>I'm rolling for the following:>salaminians (+5/+5), pirates 1(-2/-2), pollux (+3/+3), pirates 2 (-2/-2)
Rolled 7, 9, 19, 17, 17, 12, 17, 1, 18, 6, 17, 19 = 159 (12d20)>>5749875And another batch for the wound rolls
>>5749875>>5749879>to summarize >salaminians roll 16, 25>pirates roll a 14,15>Pollux rolls a 22, 21>pirates 2 rolls a 8, 17>I'm probably not going to do this every time but wanted you guys to see that I'm really rolling for each aspect of the battle behind the scenes. ----Pollux's words ringing in your ears, you're alarmed to find that you've been outpaced - lost in your analysis, you've moved too slowly and are now somewhat isolated on the deck! To your surprise, you see two pirates crawl out of the trap-door on the bow-side of the ship, and they immediately launch a sloppy attack at you - you're forced to retreat awkwardly with your shield raised! >players, give me three rolls of dice+3d20. Manual +1 bonus for dodge, manual +5 to block (+2 for CON, +3 for Nikon's bronze panoplia/shield)
Rolled 2, 2, 14 + 1 = 19 (3d20 + 1)>>5747101This is me.>>5749881
>>5749881>>5749896Ah, shit, I meant three rolls of dice+2d20, sorry anon, could you roll again?
Rolled 13, 1 = 14 (2d20)>>5749881
Rolled 12, 1 + 1 = 14 (2d20 + 1)>>5749897Ight
>>5749912>>5749897Was I supposed to add the bonus? I feel retarded.
>>5749917Nah, you’re good. You can’t add two different bonii anyways for Nikon (he has different dodge and block bonii) so I think better to roll flat d20s and then we can apply the bonii manually
Rolled 13, 2 = 15 (2d20)>>5749897B
>>5749907>>5749912>>5749933>Nikon successfully dodges! The pirates charging you, unlike the well-groomed men above, are scrawny and ragged - you immediately classify them as vermin, hardly posing a legitimate threat to you. You delay your shouted orders to the Salaminians, lumbering backwards heavily, stepping over a row of benches - nimble enough for a man of your size, the motion puts you safely outside the reach of their smaller javelins. Leaping wildly, the scruffy pair of raiders before you jab at the empty air a cubit in front of your chest and face. They are off-balanced, squinting against the sun-light, wobbling on the deck in between undisciplined thrusts. You conclude that they are probably half-drunk on stolen wine, given their wild hoots of exclamation - they are apparently undaunted by their completely ineffectual attack on yourself. The boarding rush by the Salaminians is successful - already, wounds have blossomed behind the leather jerkins of Kyrtios' crew, although none of the pirates fall to Salaminian bronze. They are tougher, leaner, harder than the vagrants you had faced earlier in the day - they hold fast against the disciplined thrusts delivered by the men of Salamis. Teukros and Castor, once again elevated on the galley stern and fore-decks, take their archer's fee against the pirates - two arrows sprouting from the thigh and neck of two pirates on the flanks of the enemy phalanx.Pollux is a blur, knocking aside shields and spears, prying apart the bow-end of the enemy shield-wall with ferocity and vigor - he lances through the heart of a pirate in one moment, and then spits his companion through the liver before the first falls. You're beginning to be envious of his spear-play and control...>cont
>>5749944As for Ajax, true to his word, he has planted himself atop the stern deck of the enemy, and you catch glimpses of him batting away thrown javelins with his enormous shield, and stomping the grappling irons further into the soft, pitched pinewood of the ship itself. In this brief moment of respite, you order the Salaminians to - >Nikon's first commands in battle! Please note that these options provide a mechanical benefit to troop combat actions, they AREN'T just flavor-text.>cohere into a tight configuration – the turtle’s shell, upon the port-side central deck. The plan would maximize defense, minimize casualties, and allow Castor and Teukros to fire into the enemy pirates with impunity. Additionally, retreat back to the galley would be easy to perform. The price of this safety is that offensive action is hampered by the tight quarters. This plan would adhere best to Ajax’s orders to “grind them down” until Menelaus' forces arrive, currently stadia away. >sweep towards the bow of the ship in shield-wall formation, forcing the enemy to rotate along their axis, and exposing their backs to Teukros and Castor. Under such conditions, your own backs would be towards the bow of the ship, risking ambush, if there is one present. This would represent a medium-risk strategy that would provide a balanced offensive/defensive profile and could end the skirmish quickly – a loose interpretation of Ajax’s orders, but perhaps a necessary revision?>order a headlong crash against the pirates, attempting to dislodge them from the central deck and push them over the starboard railing, into the sea. With yourself and Pollux as dual hammers, you may be able to break their resolve, trigger a panic, and bring an end to this fight before it can truly begin. Needless to say, this is a high-risk strategy that may lead to grievous harm against your forces, and cripple your galley’s crew for the remainder of the voyage to Ilion. A complete violation of Ajax’s orders, but perhaps he would treasure swift victory over the gamble itself.>request that Pollux go below-decks to hunt for Kyrtios – the enemy captain is missing and needs to be located. Sending Pollux alone means that you will go without his assistance on the main deck, but he is a very capable warrior, being one of the famed Dioscuri. Of course, you have also gained a sense of his character - he is not one to stop and think carefully before engaging in a course of action, and an unpredictable man. >Something else I haven't thought of?
>>5749949>sweep towards the bow of the ship in shield-wall formation, forcing the enemy to rotate along their axis, and exposing their backs to Teukros and Castor. Under such conditions, your own backs would be towards the bow of the ship, risking ambush, if there is one present. This would represent a medium-risk strategy that would provide a balanced offensive/defensive profile and could end the skirmish quickly – a loose interpretation of Ajax’s orders, but perhaps a necessary revision?
>>5749949>cohere into a tight configuration – the turtle’s shell, upon the port-side central deck. The plan would maximize defense, minimize casualties, and allow Castor and Teukros to fire into the enemy pirates with impunity. Additionally, retreat back to the galley would be easy to perform. The price of this safety is that offensive action is hampered by the tight quarters. This plan would adhere best to Ajax’s orders to “grind them down” until Menelaus' forces arrive, currently stadia away.Did we want to be on Ajax's good side?
Also, I'm planning on posting that mobile ad I had made on /his/, /lit/, /tg/, /vrpg/ and maybe /int/It might turn this thread into a total mess, hard to know. If it gets totally out of control, I'll wait for things to die down and then repost the thread in a day or two. To be honest, it might be sort of fun! Wish me luck anons!
>>5749949>(something else) Form a shield wall, but overload the right flank in an attempt to flank or fold the pirate's line from their less defended left. Position Pullox and Nikandros on our own weakened left.Trying to be creative, but let me know if I'm overthinking.
>>5749964Military write-ins are strongly encouraged, given that this is Nikon’s strength. This seems entirely plausible to me anon
>>5749964>>5749949+1 support.Wasn't the whole advantage to Nikon taking the military genisu trait being that we could do our own write-in's and actual advanced tactics? Because we should be using and abusing the shit out of that at every opportunity
>>5749964This
>>5749954>>5749964>>5749949Changing my vote to the write in.
>>5749949>>5749964+1
>>5749964But won't this have the same results as shifting the line on their axis anyway?(But being portside/left this wouldn't expose the pirates to our archers, however teukros would be able to cover our back)I'm voting for:>sweep towards the bow of the ship in shield-wall formation, forcing the enemy to rotate along their axis, and exposing their backs to Teukros and Castor. Under such conditions, your own backs would be towards the bow of the ship, risking ambush, if there is one present. This would represent a medium-risk strategy that would provide a balanced offensive/defensive profile and could end the skirmish quickly – a loose interpretation of Ajax’s orders, but perhaps a necessary revision?But adding to ask pollux to hunt the enemy captain below deck
>>5750094It's a similarish strategy, yes, but I'm interpreting the write-in to mean that the Nikon and co would be attempting to gain control over the entire stern of the ship, and the maneuver would end with them facing bow-wards. This would mean that Ajax would be overseeing the rear of your force from his position on the stern of the ship. Castor would have a more difficult firing position from the galley stern, so he would likely spend a turn traveling up to Teukros' position on the fore-decks. Teukros would have a clear line of sight on the enemy's new position from his position on the galley fore-decks, though. Basically, I would view this as a smart modification of the middle option and assign bonuses as appropriate.
>>5749861Kek nice
>>5749953Changing my vote to support this>>5749964
>>5749960Lesches, did you advertise it on /qst/ too? Because I went to check if some of the quests I follow had updated while on a bathroom break and it showed up for me.Seems a bit counter-intuitive to advertise to people that probably would already know about it.
>>5750317Good news is that it showed up for me on /tg/ too
>>5749964THIS IS ME, NOT A VOTE>>5750094>>5750143You have the right of it Lesches. My thought process was along the lines of taking advantage of the fact in hopilte warfare they wear their shields on the right hand, so the left flank is less defended. Go for some kind of envelopment with a rapid, precision deployment of violence with two heros to anchor our own left. Hopefully that makes sense.
>>5750317Yes, but it is insanely cheap (like literally cents for thousands of views) to advertise on a smaller board like /qst/, and I’m only advertising here to encourage other QMs and players to consider something similar.>>5750324Nice I understand exactly what you mean, thanks for clarifying. Also thanks for the new Nikon image, haven’t seen that one before
>>5750324Me again, at work now.>>5750366I was messing around with the art generator again when I saw this quest return. I have a folder full of this stuff.
>>5750373Put it all somewhere when you get back home and link it here.
I miss the ancient titty posting anon
>>5750376Ight
Good evening Lesches. I thought I'd come over and say hi here, since it felt slightly more personal. I wouldn't mind the ad campaign, though I am poor and I can't draw worth a shit, I wouldn't mind seeing this board getting more traction since it is a niche hobby on a niche board ! So if there's anyway that I can help, I am willing to do it.
Rolled 4, 18, 1, 3, 6, 14 = 46 (6d20)Even your currently-dulled mind is capable of flashes of inspiration – you see clearly how you must reposition the enemy phalanx, driving them back towards the bow of the ship. By redirecting the second line of the left flank, you will send a wave of Salaminian shields pushing vigorously against the pirate’s own left flank, as you and Pollux stand guard. This accomplishes several goals –First, such an approach provides a means of escape to the enemy – never box in the enemy, or they will fight to their dying breath. Always provide a means of withdrawal. These lessons from Argyros, and many more besides, are branded onto the walls of your heart. The pirates will likely comply without a commander to see the danger.Second, this maneuver will continue to provide an angle of missile attack upon the enemy, although you anticipate that Castor will likely need to change position to the bow-deck, alongside Teukros. Additionally, these talented archers will better able to pick off any half-starved ruffians emerging from the hold.Third, by claiming the stern-half of the ship, you will likely release Ajax from his guard duty over the grappling hooks – he will no doubt advance up the central axis of the deck once he sees the opportunity. Risk-averse he may be, he will not sit idly by and wait for his crewmen to win the battle without him. Already, you have gained a sense of his preferred battle tactics – solid, dependable, time-worn strategies. He may not be capable of flashes of brilliance, like you, but perhaps he has no need – the enormous shield he carries is genius enough.You estimate that the pirates will break in two more minutes of battle - perhaps less, given that they've been bloodied already. Menelaus will almost certainly miss the engagement. You roar out your orders in a staccato, catching the bedraggled, half-drunk pirates in front of you by surprise – they flinch at the sound of your youthful baritone. The Salaminians shout back in acknowledgement, beginning to rearrange, and you take a moment to signal Pollux with your spear – will you join me? you ask, by tilting your crested helm. A nod from the blonde man in return.You turn back towards the pirates – you do not hate them, not truly. You pity them. You heft your spearhaft and prepare to strike out at them! >okay, players, I need three rolls of dice+2d20. Manual +1 to-hit bonus, manual +6 wound bonus, per Nikon’s stats.>I’m rolling for the druk pirates, they have a -2/-2 dodge/block bonus. Poor guys.
>>5750418Thanks for stopping by! Maybe see if any of your players would be willing to sponsor the ad buy? Check out /qtg/ for details
Rolled 5, 19 = 24 (2d20)>>5750466Damn, they dodge hard. Our only weakness.
Rolled 14, 12 = 26 (2d20)>>5750466
Rolled 5, 11 = 16 (2d20)>>5750466
>>5750484>>5750485>>5750490>Nik rolls a 15, 25 against a 16,12>the wine-fueled ragamuffins trip and stumble out of the way of a bone-crushing sweep, but the Keres will take them sooner or later…Update later tonight at 9pm or so, I have to do some rolling for all of other characters first.
>>5749844>>5749861/lit/ anon here. saw the banner, clicked it, was duly impressed.I'm an inexperienced quester, but excited to contribute once I have lurked moar
>>5750536Welcome aboard, anon! Tell your friends about this place
>>5750536Oh shit, it's actually working?Welcome to Nikon's rock throwing adventure, were the giant tactical genius wins at board games and screams at rivers!
>>5750537Here from the /tg/ ad. Used to lurk in the OG threads, and I have to say I like this writing style too. I like how you expressed the Military Genius feat in writing, felt good to go all discombobulate on some pirates.It's good to be back.
>>5750627we're getting the fucking band back together lads
If only Homer were here to see it
>>5750686I'm only running this quest until he returns, anon. All things in due time.
You grit your teeth in frustration as your spearpoint flashes out to deliver the killing blow…but misses the gaunt face of the pirate you had been driving the pitiless bronze towards. Through pure bad luck, he managed to stumble to the side at the exact moment your spearhead would have pierced his brainpan – he has the gall to cackle at his good fortune, even as he is toppling to the uneven deck. His companion is hardly more gracious, offering you several uncouth taunts about your parentage, which he apparently believes to be partly oxen.You prepare yourself for a second spearthrust, but wince in disgust as an arrow whistles over your shoulder, striking the haggard man directly in the face – the sound is unpleasant, like an overripe apple striking stone, and the man’s death throws are the jittering kind that sets your nerves on edge. His companion, a pale, filthy man of Perrhaebian descent, stares blankly at his fallen friend in confusion, motionless until Teukros delivers an arrow into his upper back, directly through the leather jerkin, and piercing his lung. Choking, he falls into unconsciousness and sinks to the pine below. Both men having perished, they cease to matter to you – you forget their faces without a second thought. Without turning, you raise your spear in salute of your archers. You hear the testy call of Castor over the slapping waves and crash of battle –“Don’t make this a habit, Thessalian!”Shaking your head, you move to join the Salaminian formation - they are prompt, organized and are already pushing against the enemy phalanx with aplomb. The pirates, better trained than their counterparts, fight tooth and nail against the onslaught, but simply can’t match the coordination, rhythm and pace set by Ajax’s best – the spearpoints are driven relentlessly at legs, ankles, shoulders and necks. The men of Salamis drive them like fly-bitten oxen back towards the bow, and never do the men needlessly attack the fullness of the enemy’s oxhide shields, always jabbing carefully - picking them apart. The raiders are slowing, through fatigue and blood loss – only a handful have been killed, but the wounds are piling up quickly. Put simply, your forces are winning, and your maneuver has been a success, although not a crushing triumph. Pollux, half-asleep in boredom once more, steps casually over rowing benches and around smears of blood, scanning for the weak links in the enemy shieldwall – until he pounces, a lion falling upon a heedless flock of sheep. In a show of trained spearmanship, he wedges his spear-tip into the top of a pirate’s foot, waits for him to pull his shield away from his neck, and then punctures him directly through the throat. You’re pleased at the current state of affairs – the Salaminians practically unwounded, the enemy blooded and in poor positioning, and the archers with a clear line of sight against their prey. Not every battle goes so smoothly. >cont
Scanning the ship decks out of caution, you think you see a brazen chariot moving out of the corner of your eye – a clearer look reveals that Ajax is approaching! Your success in battlefield positioning has drawn him forth from the stern grappling hooks – he’ll be present on the front lines momentarily. In the distance, Menelaus' vessel is drawing closer, only a few minutes away - hampered by his crew's relative inexperience in sailing, Menelaus has been making only slow progress.Seeing no need to adjust battlefield strategy, you consider your own next move – >Search the hold for Kyrtios, enemy captain. It concerns you that he is not present as he should be – an unknown is a liability. If this vote wins, Nikandros will also ask Ajax for permission to take leave of the battle on the main deck, and then move into the hold using one of the nearby trap doors.>Stay amongst the Salaminians and assist Ajax and Pollux in the breaking of the enemy forces. Their resolve is fraying – you can sense it behind the stress in their battlefield shouting, and in the vile curses they are hurling at your companions.>Something else I haven't thought of?
>>5750703>Stay amongst the Salaminians and assist Ajax and Pollux in the breaking of the enemy forces. Their resolve is fraying – you can sense it behind the stress in their battlefield shouting, and in the vile curses they are hurling at your companions.
>>5750703>Search the hold for KyrtiosHe’s up to something. Hopefully nothing too crazy like setting the ship on fire
>>5750703Could we chuck those couple corpses not contained in the enemy blob onto the tops of one or both of the hatches? It may not stop anyone below from coming up, but it'll slow them down.Hopefully that prick isn't down there trying to set the ship on fire or something equally crazy.
>>5750698>offering you several uncouth taunts about your parentage, which he apparently believes to be partly oxen.Considering that this is a world where Zeus had the shape of a swan and mated with Leda, resulting in two eggs, one containing Helen and the other being the Dioscuri, the pirate might not be wrong.
>>5750733>>5750734Eeh, I'll change my vote. Wonder what he's up to.
>>5750752I hope not, we have a grudge with deities that like to show up as bulls.
>>5750752There’s a surprisingly high number of myths relating that “men” are not one race, but sort of a divine free-for-all where Prometheus creates a man or race of men, and then a bunch of other groups of men are created or spring out of the earth, etc etc. Achilles’ Myrmidons are supposed to be ants that were transformed into men, for example, and they wear the ant-helms as a homage to this…
>>5750703>>Search the hold for Kyrtios, enemy captain.>congratulate the soldiers for their good performance, raising morale is always good.>>5750737>Could we chuck those couple corpses not contained in the enemy blob onto the tops of one or both of the hatches? It may not stop anyone below from coming up, but it'll slow them down.I like this too
>>5750376I created a dropbox folder with all the images I've generated.https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/dr68oiammgsz44jh1avlw/h?rlkey=6cf6dew1p72rtbwifwvv13v5r&dl=0Let me know if it's fucked up. I've never used dropbox.
>>5750899It worked for me.Also Nikon the tri-handed made me laugh
>>5751090>"Ship!">"Orders, Lord Ajax?">"Initiate the ramming protocols, I want you to target those pirates.">"Understood, Lord Ajax. Aligning course and adjusting the Salaminian rowers to maximum power."
Stay amongst the Salaminians >>5750717>>5750719Time to hunt down Kyrtios>>5750734>>5750755>>5750828—Blocking the hatches with bodies as you go is smart and will be included in the search for Kyrtios if this option wins.Looks like a tied vote so far, lurkers come forth to make your desires known!
>>5750703>>Search the hold for Kyrtios, enemy captain.lurkerman reporting for duty
>>5751157Gracias, anon.Vote will close tonight at 6pm EST but very helpful to know which direction to start writing in…
>>5751170>Gracias, anon.Ala verga cabron carajo, no me asustes asi loco, la concha de la lora
>>5746202I haven’t been in a /qst/ thread since the board was split off from /tg/. I saw your banner and was unable to resist coming over to peruse. It’s been riveting so far. Please keep it going and hopefully this board (which was initially a very sound Idea) will see a renaissance
>>5751241Make sure to go through the archives and the side story as well, Lesches has done an incredible job in picking up after Homer
Roll for Roman conquest of the Aegean
Rolled 2 (1d2)Lord Ajax approaches and provides you with a simple nod of approval – a glimmer of reappraisal in his eyes. You’ve delivered him what he asked, and furthermore, provided him an opportunity to enter the fray himself – no proud Aiakides would be contented to sit above the fray when he could be justly piercing the hearts of lesser men, defending his crew from harm in the process. Not to mention – the man is reputed to be a student of Chiron himself, and all men who receive such legendary instruction are fearsome combatants. He is almost certainly the most dangerous man aboard the vessel, and you admit to yourself honestly. The general in you demanded that you bring him to bear against the enemy, and having done so, and with additional support from Pollux, Castor and Teukros, you are now free to release yourself from command.Before Ajax can move to the line, you ask bluntly –“Lord Ajax – I request leave to hunt for Kyrtios!” He doesn’t mince words either, speaking loudly over the din of battle – “Bring him to me. Take Pollux!” You don’t wait for further orders, immediately calling out to Pollux for assistance, and casting a glance behind you – four trap doors are present on the deck of the ship between amidships and the stern. Pollux is momentarily puzzled when you stack corpses and jam the port-side trap-doors shut with lumber pried from the deck, but he’s quick to follow your lead, doing the same for the third trap-door on the starboard side. Blocking such means of ambush comes without a second thought and takes only a few moments of your time. Ajax has resumed command over his forces – they are confused at the unexpected change in commander, and pause for several long moments, losing combat momentum. Fortunately, the pirates are too busy licking their wounds to press the counterattack, binding gashes in their limbs with torn robes and belts. When the Salaminians begin pushing again, the pirates show their desperation, dodging backwards wildly, their formation beginning to fragment. Ajax restrains the sailors from a premature charge against the flailing enemy, enforcing discipline –“Not yet, men of Salamis! Steady thrusts!"Ajax, demonstrating proper technique for the benefit of his men, begins driving his spear at the enemy, shattering skulls and piercing livers without overextending himself – you curse the necessity of seeking the coward Kyrtios beneath the deck - he's ruined your chances to see Ajax in combat!>cont 1 = Nikandros, 2 = Pollux
>>5751306What in Athos' name is a roman?!
>>5751309you'll find out soon enough >:^)
>>5751309Sounds like the name of some disgusting barbaroi.
The last trapdoor on the stern deck, you block yourself, pulling a body over the hatch as you pull it closed. The hold underneath is dark and smells of leather – you see rows and rows of pelts and hides loosely strung up from the beams – oxen, sheep, goat - you think you spot a bear hide in the deeper shadows. You immediately hate your environs – everywhere, there are swaying furs and leathers, and you have no range of vision at all. The chaos above is building to a crescendo - the wails of the pirates takes a keening turn, the sound of men realizing that they will never see their homes or children again. The deck above thunders with heavy footfalls - men rapidly arranging their position. Your ear effortlessly translates the cacophony - the battle has ended, and the slaughter of the survivors has begun.To your left, Pollux wordlessly readies his spear and shield, silently mouthing to you – stay quiet! stay to my right! and you do your best to follow his lead, stepping as lightly as you can. As you prowl up the hold’s central axis, towards the bow, shield raised – you catch the faint scent of smoke, causing your heart to pound – fire aboard this ship of pitched oak would spread quickly. You pick up your pace, brushing aside the animal skins, as does Pollux, his egg-white helm clearly visible in the gloom. You're practically shoulder-to-shoulder in this confined space... Between cautious strides, you hear the sound of a sandal striking the wood - and you are too slow to react. A bronze sword in the dark, flashing at Pollux's neck - but he is just faster, his shield raising high enough to deflect the plunging blade away from his neck, the sound like a ringing bell. The man holding the blade, is clearly Kyrtios, with the height and clean limbs of noble heritage. He is wide-eyed with adrenaline, grimacing painfully in the realization that he is outnumbered. His own bronze buckler is held tightly against his right shoulder - his grip upon his sword is natural. The man is a trained swordsman, and to your surprise, you see that his eyes are gold-flecked as well. A man of divine heritage!Before he can move, Pollux is countering with his own spear-thrust, the point singing in the air as it dives towards Kyrtios' lower abdomen - Kyrtios bats at the attack with his blade but Pollux's grip is iron, piercing the thinner bronze plating on Kyrtios' side. You're still preparing to strike yourself as Pollux withdraws his own spear, releasing a huge gusher of blood from Kyrtios. Kyrtios stumbles backwards, dropping his sword to press his wound shut - the flow of blood already slowing as his divine flesh knits together.Pollux advances towards Kyrtios, murder in his eyes - you have only a split-second to intervene!>Stop Pollux and persuade him to spare Kyrtios - if this wins, a difficult CHA check will be required.>Allow Pollux to murder Kyrtios - he has earned his death many times over today>first vote to respond wins!
>>5751339>Stop Pollux and persuade him to spare Kyrtios - if this wins, a difficult CHA check will be required.Ajax demanded for him alive, so may as well try.
>>5751342>>5750899Sorry, this is me. I'm at work again.
Rolled 1, 15 + 6 = 22 (2d20 + 6)>>5751342You leap forwards, placing your hand on Pollux's shoulder - "Pollux, please - we must deliver him alive to Lord Ajax!">players, I need TWO rolls of dice+1d20+2>Nikon gets a small bonus to his positive relations to Pollux so far. >Pollux gets a +2 DC bonus on his WILL because he is in MURDERMODE
Rolled 7 + 2 (1d20 + 2)>>5751345>STAY YOUR HAND!
Rolled 20 + 2 (1d20 + 2)>>5751345>need at least a 19Fuck
>>5751352Godling prisoner, orders fulfilled, Ajax is gonna like us more
>>5751352YOOOOOO
>>5751352What the fuck, lol
>>5751352Nikandros 'of Super Great Council like Holy Shit man' Hippodemon
>>5751362Nikandros the calm. Nikandros the bull(headed) wrangler. Nikandros the dioscuri deescalator. Really though, talking down the ever impetuous Pollux while he is wigging out and seeing red? That's some serious shit.
>>5751352NICE!
>>5751364He’s done it twice now, btw. Nikon is starting to be the Pollux whisperer (I mean, besides Castor)Nikon is making progress towards a hidden narrative trait :)
One of you troglodytes actually coughed up the money to buy an ad for this? For what purpose?
>>5751375>Nikon is making progress towards a hidden narrative trait :)>mfw>>5751377Fun
>>5751375A trait that helps calm down god-blooded will be very useful in keeping them from doing dumb things.Like killing themselves over losing an argument.
>>5751392Or storming away from the battlefield at the pivotal moment which invariably leads to your best friend dying.
>>5751375Was that when Nikon talked down Achilles from coming at Agamemnon sideways?
>>5751429Yes, I was thinking of this success specifically, but now that I think of it - Nikon has had a sort of Polynices/Tydeus bro-connection with Pollux since they had their wrestling match just inside Mycenae's gates.Or to say another way - beating Pollux in a wrestling match and then being cool about it afterwards sort of counts as a diplomatic success to Pollux, even if it wasn't a strictly "social roll" success on Nikon's part.
>>5751375Nikandros mixing sympathy with levelheadedness
>Nikon rolls a 22 against a 21>I also provided a "giant" trait context bonus to Nikon that temporarily canceled his concussion malus, if anyone's wondering about that.With your hand exerting gentle pressure upon Pollux's shoulder, you mean to shout, but instead - an urgent whisper escapes the barrier of your teeth -"Stay your hand, Pollux!"The stress in your voice seems to break Pollux's spell better than any amount of shouting may have - and Ares Manslaughter releases his grip upon Pollux's heart. He breaks his eye contact with gasping Kyrtios and flashes a look of clear irritation at you, raising his speartip towards the ceiling. "Don't tell me you're becoming Salaminian, Nikandros." A measure of disgust wrinkles his nose - you've damaged your standing with him in a small way, here.His tone is halfway mocking, meaning to insult, but you take the higher path - you resist the urge to explain the tactical benefit of extracting information from Kyrtios if there will be the mass transportation of war supplies across the Cyclades, but the frustration in Pollux's face tells you that this would be the wrong approach. You wait him out instead, a placid look upon your face, and finally, his anger melts into dissatisfaction. The greater of the Dioscuri speaks - "I must be growing old at last - I no longer understand young men." Before you can reply, you each catch the scent of smoke, growing stronger - Pollux whirls in alarm, and sprints off into the bow-side hold, leaving you with Kyrtios. The defeated man attempts to speak with you, perhaps misunderstanding your mercy - you lean closer, as if to listen better, before driving a right hook into his jaw - you control your strength, only knocking him unconscious, rather than tearing his head off his shoulders. Not satisfied with this alone, you strip him of his bronze armor, and bind him tightly in his nakedness with repurposed fur lines stripped from the ceiling beams. This accomplished, you move to the bow-side, where Pollux has suffocating a small bonfire - clearly, Kyrtios had hoped to set the ship ablaze. You wonder at his motives before you see something interesting - in the hold of the ship itself, there is a large wooden plug, about a stride in diameter. Testing it, you find that it is hooked into heavy iron hooks in the hold floor. Releasing these, you find that the wooden plug can be raised - you almost attempt to remove it, before you remember that you're at sea! An escape hatch that would doom the ship - hardly a heroic measure, but probably a life-saving one. You imagine that your entry into the hold stopped Kyrtios from wriggling out of his bronze and through the hatch - he must be a talented swimmer to bet his life on such a strategy. Above you, the screams of slaughter have finally ceased - instead, you hear the muffled laughter of victorious sailors.The pirates have been slain, the battle won - it's been a good day!
>>5751431So what you're saying is history is a wheel, and Nikandros might be unintentionally mantling being one of the seven against thebes?
>>5751434Shush you, get out of my notes.
Can we ask Ajax for permission to use some of the loot to dedicate this victory to Nike?
>>5751433> you resist the urge to explain the tactical benefit of extracting information from KyrtiosI really wonder at times how different this story would’ve been if Nikon was just actually autistic
>>5751445There would be an autism overload, with both the character and the players.
>>5751445>High King Agamemnon. I like your throne. It is large.>No Elektra, I do not wish to have sex with you. [nikon; the art of the deal] >Pollux, cease your pointless attempt at climbing this wall. I will surely stab you in the face should you persist.>Lady Thetis, I wanted to climb the mountain. I could not care less that you were hiding here like a bird does.>Achilles you are not a woman despite your sometimes delicate features, I implore you to stop acting in such a foolish manner.>River spirit, fuck off, you should be in the water not next to it.>Sister I am not a giant, I am merely very tall, the giants are mostly dead and in hiding.Truly, the timeline too cursed to be. Even more cursed than MAXIMUM SEER timeline.
The pillaging of the vessel is a thorough affair - without the press of battle, the Salaminians are able to recover their thrown javelins, take the best of the looted pirates' gear for their own reserve weaponry, and begin the process of offloading a significant wealth of hides, furs, pelts and various other goods from the hold of the ship. King Menelaus arrives only a few minutes after you rose to the main deck - Prince Ajax steps across to their galley for a few minutes to confer. From the bow, you wave to cunning Palamedes and resourceful Odysseus, who return the favor, looking no worse for wear. The Spartan crew, you notice, look a bit disheartened, as they get a clearer look at the Salaminians - scraped, bruised, and trading stories of victory with broad grins. The Spartans fulfilled their role perfectly from King Odysseus' perspective, serving as bait to split the enemy forces in two, but you would hardly be satisfied in such a role yourself. On the Spartan galley's stern deck, Ajax speaks animatedly with Menelaus - you see this from afar, as none of the other nobility were invited aboard the Spartan vessel. You take no slight - it seems to be a brief conversation about navigation, as the men turn to summon Odysseus, and all three men inspect the sky, winds and sea.Once back aboard, Ajax delivers new instructions - that your two galleys will return to the previously-abandoned Cretan vessel, now having drifted some significant distance away, and Menelaus' ship will plunder what value is present there. It seems that Ajax generously offered Menelaus' what Timae could be scrounged from Marsaëres' pirate vessel in thanks for his crew's assistance in splitting Kyrtios' small fleet. Within the hour, the Spartans have finished their labors, your own galley has been stocked full to the brim with slaves, supplies, furs and hides, and no less than two noblemen for potential ransom. Of your forces, all remain hale and hearty, Pollux taking the sole wound of note, an arrow to the shoulder that was quickly addressed. The Salaminians suffered no meaningful casualties, and Menelaus' galley was essentially out of danger for the entirety of the conflict (to the distress of his crew). All told, a smashing success for your first outing at sea! You stand at the bow, breathing in the sea air as the next half of the journey to Delos begins. >someone roll me a dice+1d20+4 for navigation to Delos - higher is faster.>Please note - while this is an unmitigated victory, Nikon won't be earning any Kleos specifically for his actions - from the wider perspective, this is Prince Ajax's victory, and you were a valuable and helpful part of the team that contributed to this. Instead of Kleos, Nikon gains reputationally with his crewmates, has helped to provide Ajax with some very valuable bartering chips in Marsaëres and Kyrtios, and you will benefit from the outcome of this battle on Delos.
Rolled 14 + 4 (1d20 + 4)>>5751473
>>5751475Speed.
>>5751475Pretty damn fast. Okay, next update tomorrow night. Get hyped for Delos, I’ve been thinking about this for months.
>>5751309>>5751319>>5751321>roman>barbaroiWorse he is, and may Zeus forgive me for uttering the word...A descendant of Troyan refugees>>5751473Kinda hoped to find Nikon's chariot here, but with his luck it was probably in the hold of the ship that was sunk.
>>5751497I have a plan for Nikon’s missing chariot, fear not anon
>>5751497I'm gonna lose my shit if we make it to Troy and find it being sold in some shitty market somewhere.
>>5751497I should probably expand on this.Romans distressed by not having a long and prestigious history of their capital thought up themselves to be descendants of troyans escaped from the sack and led by Aeneas in an odissey(heh) of the mediterranean (offending the queen of carthago thus igniting the rivalry) until they landed in latium and mixed with the latins.Tangentially the northern city of Padua allegedly hosts the tomb of Anthenor, another displaced troyan from that time.(A totally false claim by the way)
>>5751497Homer wasn't accepting of the Aeneid, calling it a fanfic, so if Lesches follows that, Rome will not founded by trojans.
>>5751504Based flowing-haired anti-Latinist anon, tell us more interesting things.Obviously Nikon’s actions in TWQ could prevent such L*tin debasers from ever rising to prominence, depending on what he does.
>>5751508Careful with your memes, Lesches, we might end up rolling one too many crit fails at the wrong time and be exiled to the boot.
>>5751508>depending on what he does.Nikon got to dome Aeneas in the head with a rock
>>5751508Being an Italian not from Rome i can only hold contempt for their robbing ways.
>>5751508Well, if we accept the Aeneid, we just need to kill Aeneas, and there won't be any Romulus or Remulus, since they are his descendants. And likely stop their travels.If Iudas was around, maybe we could get some help from the Phoenicians to stop the refugees when they visit their colonies.Another way to stop the rise of Rome if the Aeneid isn't true, is to help the Etruscans to not fall. Or simply go visit central Italy before the villages around the hills aggregate with the one sitting in the Palatine and form the city.
>>5751517Wait, the Etrucans were around 900 bc, and the trojan war would be around 13th or 12th century.Right now there would be proto-villanovans around.>>5751512>Nikon founds Megálē Hellás centuries before it should existI would play it
>>5751514>aeneas being spirited away by aphrodite after getting his shit rocked by diomedes>mid-air a torso-sized stone slams straight into aeneas' head decapitating him>in the distance, nikon is making a vulgar gestureAthos guide our boulders. Better than his own, hopefully.
>>5751473>>Please note - while this is an unmitigated victory, Nikon won't be earning any Kleos specifically for his actions - from the wider perspective, this is Prince Ajax's victory, and you were a valuable and helpful part of the team that contributed to this. Instead of Kleos, Nikon gains reputationally with his crewmates, has helped to provide Ajax with some very valuable bartering chips in Marsaëres and Kyrtios, and you will benefit from the outcome of this battle on Delos.Can we keep a some coins or other things from the corpses? That would help us in the plan to win treasures and relics betting on Troy.>>5751475Nice>>5751500All the more reason to make sure that Paris dies in this war. Not only does it cause us to lose it in the first place, but the aquatic bastard clearly conspires with the rivers.>>5751458>The only dialogue options when we are not in Military Genius mode
>>5751531Kleos is glory and fameWhat you talk about is Timae (riches?)I expect there to be some loot division once we reach port.
>>5751535I don't expect a chest full of gold, just a couple of coins, a piece of armor or a funny hat. Something small to start betting.
My insomnia has returned, so please enjoy this free update! This vote will close at 8pm EST tonightThe wind returns almost as soon as you return your journey – steady gusts of westerly-to-northwesterly origin that drive your galley’s cutting prow through the rolling seas at excellent pace. The galleys of the diplomatic party are certainly heavier, holds full of Timae and slaves, but the extra weight doesn’t seem to slow the ships meaningfully. Andocides, despite decades of experience at sea, displays a boy’s delight as he expresses gratitude for Boreas and Zephyros’ contributions to your travel:“When two of the Anemoi lash themselves to your chariot, don’t question it, Nikandros! Sit back and relax!” He beams, yellowed teeth on full display.You cannot deny the wisdom in his words – and sailing is more pleasant after a successful battle, you note. Even the rescued slaves beneath the hold begin to relax as they gain a measure of their new wardens. The Salaminians continue to cage them out of necessity, but a steady delivery of pork, bread and water begins to convince these unfortunates that they have escaped danger, and perhaps have a chance at a better life. The sailors continue to row their oars, but with the wind filling the sails, it’s a half-effort on their part – they hardly even sweat at they row.As for Marsaëres and Kyrtios – these men are bound thoroughly, gagged and chained at opposite ends of the galley’s hold, Kyrtios underneath the bow, and Marsaëres at the stern end. Ajax deemed it best to keep them very far apart, and his logic strikes you as sound. Chatting further with Andocides, you learn that Delos will be reached by evening – Ajax had previously planned to shelter overnight on the far side of Syros, but after his conference with the Kings of Sparta and Ithaka, they decided to press on. Odysseus, particularly, had spoken in favor for more speed. For yourself, you are unburdened by responsibility, once you finish with the maintenance and upkeep of your panoplia and arms. After the events of the battle, you find your heart divided in terms of what to do before your arrival in Delos – >what do, /qst/? Nikon has time for two conversations before they reach Delos, home of King Anios and birthplace of the god Apollo. Please note that Nikon can select TWO of these options. This is a short time-period here so don’t expect any trait unlocks based on this vote alone– reputational gains/losses only. One word of warning, as Nikandros builds stronger relationships with these demigods – the connections run BOTH ways, as friends may influence each other…>cont
>Visit with Lord Ajax and express your thanks for the opportunity of temporary command. This has been your first martial leadership role since you had impressed your authority on the Mycenean guards, while attempting to arrest Pollux, and the first since your…duel…with Diomedes Tydides. You may wish to strike up the beginning of a friendship with Ajax while you enjoy his good favor. Furthermore, you have half-a-mind to request that the victory at sea to be dedicated to Nike, as is your typical habit.>Visit with Teukros, your new friend, and thank him earnestly for his assistance during the battle. Truly, the man delivers shafts as if he is Apollo Ἑκατος himself! Strictly speaking, he may be the most talented marksman that you’ve ever met. It may do your friend well to hear honest words of praise. >Visit with Pollux, your sometimes-mentor, sometimes-antagonist. You have the opportunity to explain your logic in sparing Kyrtios now, with his temper cooled. Beyond this, you’d like to know how this engagement stacks up against his experiences in the past, and also what to expect from the court of King Anios, the king of Delos. He hasn’t mentioned Anios to you specifically in the past, but given his long life and wealth of experience, he has no doubt met the man several times. >Visit with Castor, the other half of the Dioscuri – beyond your previous conversation with him regarding matters of the soul and psyche, you know little of his goals and motivations. In particular, you’d like to know more about the dream that was delivered to them by Iris, from Hera of the Heights – this message was enough to prompt their accompaniment on the diplomatic mission, but Castor had previously mentioned another aspect of the dream that he hadn’t elaborated on. >Visit with the Salaminian sailors – thank them earnestly for their conduct, compliment them on their discipline and generally speaking, butter them up. Some nobles may consider endearing themselves to the sailors to be beneath them, but you understand better than most about how dangerous loyal commoners can be when acting in concert. Plus – they may have insights about the pirates’ behavior that you have not yet heard.>Visit with Marsaëres, the captured Cretan captain. From his previous announcement, it seems that he may have knowledge of Idomeneus, king of Crete, and Meriones – his nephew. How did such a person fall into service with the pirates, and how does this relate to Idomeneus’ disposition? What does he know of piracy in the Cyclades? In decades past, Knossos was the hub of a great sea-faring power, but just as Hellas itself has been degraded by endless waves of barbaroi raids, so too as Crete’s influence diminished slowly over time.>cont, I made this vote update way too long, but Nikon has a bunch of options here...
>Visit Kyrtios, the captured pirate captain – he is divinely-descended, and of the men aboard, the most unknown to you. You’re eager to learn his goals and motivations, and what he knows of piracy in the Cyclades. Unfortunately, you conclude that he is least likely to speak with you honestly, and therefore conversation with him may be of questionable value. >Visit with the slaves rescued from the pirates’ hold – where did they come from, and what is their story? Curiosity now pulls you to meet with them, and perhaps a measure of self-interest as well – you wish to ensure that your name is on their lips as they step ashore on Delos. >Instead of conversation with your crewmates, take the opportunity to rest in the hold – falling asleep if you are able. This option is worth TWO conversations, but will trigger a favorable CON check – if successful, Nikandros’ [CONCUSSION] trait will be swapped for [FADING CONCUSSION], and his current -2 penalty to social stats will be reduced to -1. Please note that Nikandros' concussion would fade away naturally on its own, but taking this option will provide a chance to expedite his recovery.>Something else that I haven’t thought of?
>>5751735>>Visit with Lord Ajax and express your thanks for the opportunity of temporary command. This has been your first martial leadership role since you had impressed your authority on the Mycenean guards, while attempting to arrest Pollux, and the first since your…duel…with Diomedes Tydides. You may wish to strike up the beginning of a friendship with Ajax while you enjoy his good favor. Furthermore, you have half-a-mind to request that the victory at sea to be dedicated to Nike, as is your typical habit."Greetings, Ajax, have I ever told you I have a sister?">Visit Kyrtios, the captured pirate captain – he is divinely-descended, and of the men aboard, the most unknown to you. You’re eager to learn his goals and motivations, and what he knows of piracy in the Cyclades. Unfortunately, you conclude that he is least likely to speak with you honestly, and therefore conversation with him may be of questionable value.Let's ask him if he plays Petteia.
>>5751735Only two choices, but I want three. You cruel, cruel man. If only we hadn't sailed so quickly. Suffering from success.>Visit with Lord Ajax and express your thanks for the opportunity of temporary command. This has been your first martial leadership role since you had impressed your authority on the Mycenean guards, while attempting to arrest Pollux, and the first since your…duel…with Diomedes Tydides. You may wish to strike up the beginning of a friendship with Ajax while you enjoy his good favor. Furthermore, you have half-a-mind to request that the victory at sea to be dedicated to Nike, as is your typical habit.>Visit with Teukros, your new friend, and thank him earnestly for his assistance during the battle. Truly, the man delivers shafts as if he is Apollo Ἑκατος himself! Strictly speaking, he may be the most talented marksman that you’ve ever met. It may do your friend well to hear honest words of praise. I really, really want to keep working over Teukros and Pollux, but we need to start working on Ajax as well. The families of Telamon and Hippomedon should be friends. Of course, being friends with Pollux means having good word spoken of us to the very gods. Favored as he is by his father.
>>5751736>>Visit with Lord AjaxBeing grateful for the honor offered seems to me the correct course, besides the fact that the opportunity to make him consider giving an offering of glory to Nike and another of meat to our sister is very tempting.>>Visit with PolluxWe need to highlight the reason for Nikandros' actions, as well as thank him for allowing us to fight back to back with a argonaut. That is a memory we will treasure for life.I would like to talk with Teukros too, but I prefer to prioritize the Big Bros first. Although quickly congratulating him on his skill with the bow would be nice.
In other news, looks like my advertising run is coming to a close for this morning - the ad was loaded over 200k, and this thread was viewed by >500 anons (assuming that people didn’t click through multiple times)For any lurkers present - thanks for your attention and I hope you’ll choose to play this quest!
>>5751736>Visit with Lord Ajax and express your thanks for the opportunity of temporary command. This has been your first martial leadership role since you had impressed your authority on the Mycenean guards, while attempting to arrest Pollux, and the first since your…duel…with Diomedes Tydides. You may wish to strike up the beginning of a friendship with Ajax while you enjoy his good favor. Furthermore, you have half-a-mind to request that the victory at sea to be dedicated to Nike, as is your typical habit.>Visit with Pollux, your sometimes-mentor, sometimes-antagonist. You have the opportunity to explain your logic in sparing Kyrtios now, with his temper cooled. Beyond this, you’d like to know how this engagement stacks up against his experiences in the past, and also what to expect from the court of King Anios, the king of Delos. He hasn’t mentioned Anios to you specifically in the past, but given his long life and wealth of experience, he has no doubt met the man several times.
>>5751742>>5751751>>5751782Thanks for the votes fellas but you gotta claim your previous posts or otherwise give me a fresh meme
>>5751799Wait, my ID changed over night?
>>5742380>>5744750Actually, this is a better link chain of my previous IDsI'll delete the previous post in a bit
>>5751736>Visit with Lord AjaxHe's kinda iffy with us right now, since on one hand were a key part in this engagement, but on the other our risky moves pissed him off. Best to smoothe things while he's happy over victory. >Visit with CastorWhat did the cow-eye woman tell you?
>>5751354This is me, but I'm out of town.>>5751738>Visit with Lord Ajax and express your thanks for the opportunity of temporary command. This has been your first martial leadership role since you had impressed your authority on the Mycenean guards, while attempting to arrest Pollux, and the first since your…duel…with Diomedes Tydides. You may wish to strike up the beginning of a friendship with Ajax while you enjoy his good favor. Furthermore, you have half-a-mind to request that the victory at sea to be dedicated to Nike, as is your typical habit.>Visit with Pollux, your sometimes-mentor, sometimes-antagonist. You have the opportunity to explain your logic in sparing Kyrtios now, with his temper cooled. Beyond this, you’d like to know how this engagement stacks up against his experiences in the past, and also what to expect from the court of King Anios, the king of Delos. He hasn’t mentioned Anios to you specifically in the past, but given his long life and wealth of experience, he has no doubt met the man several times.
>>5751738>Visit with Lord Ajax and express your thanks for the opportunity of temporary command. This has been your first martial leadership role since you had impressed your authority on the Mycenean guards, while attempting to arrest Pollux, and the first since your…duel…with Diomedes Tydides. You may wish to strike up the beginning of a friendship with Ajax while you enjoy his good favor. Furthermore, you have half-a-mind to request that the victory at sea to be dedicated to Nike, as is your typical habit.>Visit with Pollux, your sometimes-mentor, sometimes-antagonist. You have the opportunity to explain your logic in sparing Kyrtios now, with his temper cooled. Beyond this, you’d like to know how this engagement stacks up against his experiences in the past, and also what to expect from the court of King Anios, the king of Delos. He hasn’t mentioned Anios to you specifically in the past, but given his long life and wealth of experience, he has no doubt met the man several times.Nikon the Pollux whisperer
>>5751799I'm >>5751751And also>>5751105>>5750828>>5750490>>5749637>>5749377>>5748418>>5748203>>5747777>>5747468>>5746625>>5746497>>5746211>>5746190>>5746176>>5746008>>5745982>>5745403>>5745396>>5745343>>5745335>>5745310>>5745117>>5744969>>5744541
>>5751981The man of many faces
>>5751983Of power too. The power of (You).
>>5751986That (You) wall is beautiful, even if it's a self reply.
>>5751981I am impressed with your dedication, shapeshifter anon
>>5751986Clearly Zeusposting.
I miss minoan dress anon
>>5751996Probably the most tastefully I have ever seen breasts presented. Minoan fashion was wild.
>>5751996Have faith anon
>>5751736>Visit with Lord Ajax and express your thanks for the opportunity of temporary command. This has been your first martial leadership role since you had impressed your authority on the Mycenean guards, while attempting to arrest Pollux, and the first since your…duel…with Diomedes Tydides. You may wish to strike up the beginning of a friendship with Ajax while you enjoy his good favor. Furthermore, you have half-a-mind to request that the victory at sea to be dedicated to Nike, as is your typical habit.>Visit with Teukros, your new friend, and thank him earnestly for his assistance during the battle. Truly, the man delivers shafts as if he is Apollo Ἑκατος himself! Strictly speaking, he may be the most talented marksman that you’ve ever met. It may do your friend well to hear honest words of praise.
>>5751996Maybe if we visit Crete and talk with a local woman, we will summon him.
>>5751736We can talk to all these characters later without the -2 malus to social rolls if we handle that now. I'd also like to make our first impressions with our local allies near Troy to be as good as possible.>Instead of conversation with your crewmates, take the opportunity to rest in the hold – falling asleep if you are able. This option is worth TWO conversations, but will trigger a favorable CON check – if successful, Nikandros’ [CONCUSSION] trait will be swapped for [FADING CONCUSSION], and his current -2 penalty to social stats will be reduced to -1. Please note that Nikandros' concussion would fade away naturally on its own, but taking this option will provide a chance to expedite his recovery.
>>5752010Perhaps he'll return when Nira goes to get her ankle healed
You’ve spent well enough time with Teukros, and found the darker young man to your liking. However, you must take the opportunity to make yourself known to Prince Ajax as well, the greater of Telamon’s sons. With this is mind, you ascend to the stern-deck of the galley, where Ajax, having removed his own panoplia previously, now sits in repose under the shining light of Helios Ηλεκτωρ. You ask his permission to join him, and this he grants with a wave. You take a seat opposite to him and lean forward, two giants in conference. “Prince Ajax, I wish to express my gratitude for the opportunity to command your crew, even if only temporarily. I envy you – your sailors are well-drilled, well-trained and well-disciplined. I learned much from the skirmish and this will be to the benefit of my own platoon of Thessalians, once I summon them to Aulis.” Lord Ajax politely nods his head, his hair moving gently with the dry breeze -“Your words are appreciated, Nikandros…” he says, before leaning forwards with an intent look in his eye. “But tell me, why did you not attempt to drive the pirates off the starboard deck?” You’re smart enough to know that this is not an honest question on the Prince of Salamis’ part – he is testing you, analyzing your judgment. You don’t hesitate in your reply –“Years of raiding Illyrians and other barbaroi north of Mount Olympus have shown me the errors of men’s judgment – men trapped against a wall or a barrier often fight harder than men with a route to flee. By pressing against their left flank, I had hoped to force a retreat from amidships and having fought alongside your sailors, knew that the pirates would break before they did. Additionally, you, in all your panoplia, were standing in full view upon the stern-deck – only the insane would flee towards you, Prince Ajax.” This last comment you deliver flatly as the truth that it is, rather as an obvious play at ingratiation.“Once we had taken the stern half of the ship, you would be free to advance to the line. With Kyrtios absent from the deck, I had reason to suspect trickery on his part, and therefore you were needed to take my place in command.” To you, the line of reasoning is clear – the logic sound. Ajax listens to your words carefully, his face revealing no thought or emotion beyond careful consideration – he asks, “But how did you know that I would advance to take command, Nikandros?”You answer truthfully –“I am no augur, and I do not know you – but I had to guess that the protégé of Telamon himself would not sit idly while his men crush vermin without him.”Ajax does not respond at first – his eyes meeting yours for a long moment – calculating, appraising. You feel as an oxen might, judged and weighed by his master. Moments pass, but you are a patient and dutiful young man. You simply wait. Finally, the bearded prince seems to come to a decision, speaking again –
Rolled 12, 15, 19 + 5 = 51 (3d20 + 5)“I have heard of your deeds on Skyros. Meet me on the main deck and bring me your petteia board – I wish to know how I fare against a tournament champion.”You grin in delight at the proposal – and within just few minutes, the board is set. Ajax makes no announcement, but the news spreads like wildfire – Ajax is playing petteia against Nikandros! – and soon there is a huddle of Salaminian sailors surrounding you, with Castor, Pollux, Teukros and even Andocides waiting impatiently for the game to begin. Your head is still muddled, but you remember to make your demand of Ajax – “If I win, I ask for your leave to dedicate our victory at sea to trim-ankled Nike.” Ajax looks at you oddly, before nodding in return. “If I win, I ask for a favor.” Ajax does not specify further – you can’t help but gulp nervously at the prospect of adding another debt to your tally, but under the gaze of half the crew, you feel that you cannot decline. The stones are placed, and you take the white pieces. Ajax, the black. You do your best to clear your mind, in the gloom of the galley's hold. Ajax nods at you, and you begin!>okay, players - let's see if Nikandros can hold his own while concussed.>I need THREE rolls of dice+1d20+7.
Rolled 8 + 7 (1d20 + 7)>>5752074A fair game, though i fear what he would ask and am intimidated by his 19, he is no fool.
>>5752074We need to roll a 12
Rolled 1 + 7 (1d20 + 7)>>5752074Dammit, Ajax. I am scared of favors. Also of his 19. Damn. He is better at playing in a rocking ship, his specialty. Everyone knows on or near a boat, Ajax is unstoppable.
Rolled 8 + 7 (1d20 + 7)>>5752074The stress is eating me alive. This isn't even a terrible roll to lose.
And back to our regularly scheduled getting bodied by the dice. The moment I saw that 19 though I knew it was over. We'd need a 17. Just wasn't gonna happen.Nikon the debt accumulator more like. Hopefully Ajax isn't going to be a dick about it and ask for something unreasonable. He will.
>>5752084Oh yeah, we would need a 17, not 12.With a roll that good, we probably would lose even if we weren't concussed.
>>5752076>>5752081>>5752083A tough run for Nikandros here. Next update tomorrow, anons. Have a great night!
>>5752085Yeah. Without the debuff we'd still have needed a 15. The one thing we should be good at and it's getting hindered. Well hopefully Ajax will see that there's clearly something wrong with us as we stare at the board like a cow making our moves. Friendly reminder to everyone, running away from battle is absolutely an option that should be taken after being wounded. We have this nasty debuff from a friendly spar with Diomedes and he kicked the shit out of us. So in the future if we ever get hurt, just dip before it kills us.
>>5752087Unfortunately we can run away from a duel.Actually, we could have given up up after the first round and but continuing won, right? Or did we get instantly defeated? It's been a while.
>>5752104I decided to check.We could have given up after the first blow, but chose to fight on.
>>5752104>Unfortunately we can('t ?) run away from a duel.What makes you think that? You absolutely can. It does in fact happen on many occasions in the Iliad. Half the fights with major characters are inconclusive. Ajax and Hector fight multiple times without either of them dying. For the Diomedes spar, the vote to keep fighting won. But that was with him and us pulling our punches, with full strength modifiers Diomedes only needed to roll a 2 to instantly kill us. if I remember what was said before.
>>5752110It's because I was misremembering what happened, but I checked on the archive.
>>5752112I just went back and checked, too. To crunch the numbers. Diomedes gets a damn +8 to damage. His basic modifiers let him one shot average heroic nobles. Hades' scrote the high tier heroes are scary. I wonder how much damage Ajax does in a single hit at the minimum.Probably like, 14.
>>5752115Ajax probably also has a load of HP and armor too.You don't get to have a huge shield and be know as the bulwark of the greeks by going down easily.
>>5752122Ajax is THE tank hero for sure. And a fellow average rock enjoyer, with how he drove off Hector with a thrown stone. Then you get the absolute power team that is Ajax being the wall and Teukros trick-shotting everyone who is staring at the big man.Remember to guard your feet, Paris likes to shoot people there, the dinky prick.
These rolls are consistently painful, and the curse of everyone rolling high against Nikon continues.
>>5752154Don't worry, when we can bypass rolls entirely by cunningly foiling all the enemy battleplans we'll get the respect we deserve. Now pass me some more copium I'm running out.
Hmm? Far be it from me being a humble, and thus, retarded anon, but where's Homer? Why isn't he QMing his quest? Did something terrible happen to him?
>>5752171He flaked. Lesches holds hope he will come back but quite frankly he threw a hissy fit and gave up. Harsh, and I can understand why, but am I wrong?
>>5752197He left? Just straight up and left? WoW, so that's what it feels like for respect to crumple up and die.
Ah, to be mogged in petteia and now owing a favor. Perhaps this will be a case of falling upwards. I don't quite know how to feel about being forced into a petteia match, but for some reason, I get the desire for Nikon to hit the people responsible for our concussion in the head with a rock.This makes me consider if we might want to spend the next three stat points we get when passing through the gates of Troy and leveling up on INT, making it 20/24 for a +10 bonus as we plan to make money through Petteia. Combined with the +4 from military genius, the bonus will be +14, and who knows, maybe if we make enough dosh, we can sacrifice enough goods to Nike to earn her favor and get that trait and a +3 stat bonus.
Urgh...My head...it's urging me to propose some way to mitigate bad rolls, in contravention of the canon and intended feel of the heroic epic classics and the semi-canon of Homer's (PBUH) attempted historical semi-realism...like some sort of fate point/reroll system, perhaps in exchange for particularly inspired secondary content...or maybe an appropriately themed trait that recognizes the sheer amount of low rolls we get and gives some mechanical leeway in the future...could call it anabasis, invictus or indomitable...my mouth, it's moving on its own AIEEEEEEE YES IT IS I, PERFECTBUILDCHAD, HERE FROM THE DEPTHS OF TARTARUS TO TORMENT THIS QUEST AGAIN. HEED MY ADMITTEDLY SOMEWHAT REASONABLE IF POORLY COMMUNICATED DEMANDS OR PERISH. SO SAYS I, PERFECTBUILDGODWhat an organic and insightful conversation. Being a snide, catty bitch to a QM who, by all accounts, isn't even here anymore, whose only sin against you is that he ran a better quest, that is the saddest existence I can imagine even on a site like this. Go back to /qtg/, your shitty discords and bring your unwanted gossip there, and maybe you'll attract dramashitters so you can finally get more than two votes in your shitty AI-'assisted' anime smutquest trash.>>5752197you're not wrong but you're also feeding the schizos. there's a cringe cliquey subculture of namefags who can't abide other quests being better than theirs.>>5752245if Lesches did put it to a vote we're definitely still taking the match, concussion or no.Weren't we planning to sabotage the peace deal in exchange for mad dosh from the princess or something? Wish we had narrativebuildfags to talk shop about upcoming big picture stuff.
>>5752245If I'm being honest, I don't think we can afford to not pump our combat stats. Now I don't know if Lesches intends to follow the same level path Homer did, but if he does follow it, we'd only be level six by the end of the war. With alternating 2/3 points, that really doesn't give us much leeway to make ourselves not die when we face one of the Trojan heroes. There are quite a few of them which are actually pretty scary in Troy alone thanks to Priam's inability to pull out. To say nothing of some of the heroes that come from far off. Memnon would dogwalk us.Our strength is in a pretty good place, but we need more con and agi. Just to round out a bit better. As much as I would love to pump more STR to become a true rock chad who throws man-sized stones at people. And it would be a waste to not use our Giant trait to become stronger than the puny ones. It's just the way it is. The dice just aren't forgiving enough to play around quite so much. Damn d20s. Always hated them.I'm not opposed to getting 1 more INT though, if we get the chance before we make it to Troy.
>>5752262>pretty scary in Troy alone thanks to Priam's inability to pull outNikon's true weakness besides rivers. Old fucking men.You make good points, though I do feel that besides just getting stats via level-ups, there's also the fact that there are traits with bonuses that we can acquire if we put in the effort and time, such as a god's favor by giving them shit. And equipment that can make a huge difference. The Gods know we saw how proper preparation and the right items made the world's difference in Nira's story—stacking the deck. Never fight fair against heroes if we can manage it. I'm also a bit confused about whether we are still on a variable best-of system where, given a context bonus, we can reduce the number of dice that the enemy can roll or stuff.It just feels that we are at a rare opportunity to get money and, thus, proper supplies for Nikon's war effort due to the deal struck with Elektra and the Trojan nobles being flush with Menelaus' stolen gold, silver, and cattle. It's that damn opportunity cost. Also, we need to send some money back home to Nira.> We'd only be level six by the end of the warEh, wasn't it mentioned along the lines that this was a thing that could change depending on the path we took? If the dice are bastards, unexpected opportunities could arise that we might be able to take full advantage of and do kleos-worthy things and level up more than expected.
>>5752281>nikon's weaknesses rivers and old menThis is why we can never let him die. He'd get clapped by Charon neg-diff.The problem is traits can be pretty hard to get, and getting them at all is kind of situational. And we can only cut our teeth on mooks and nobodies for so long before someone decides we're annoying enough to hunt us. So I wouldn't rely on picking them up as an absolute but instead as a great bonus to look for on the side. As for fighting fair, shouldn't do it against anyone. There's no honor amongst the dead. But eventually we'll probably be stuck in a bad way. I feel you there though. But we mustn't let FOMO cloud our judgement. We're not going to get enough money to go full hog right out the gate. Just because the more we win, the more reluctant people will be to play against us. The potential rewards we'd be wagering be damned. You'd have to play extremely shrewd and throw matches strategically to entice others to play. And if someone was canny they'd see that and nope the fuck out because no one wants to take on a shark like that. I figure we'd only be able to get a timae or two at best. Which is better than nothing, granted.Alternatively, the bad dice can also actually just kill us. We're a nobody from nowhere, we probably won't be taken prisoner. Unless word gets around we're best buddies with some of the Achaean's best. Which given our huge stature would make us stand out, that'd be our best bet to not dying in combat to a superior foe. But people of the time aren't known for their foresight or restraint. Better to assume we'd just die. There's also the option that we'd be really efficient and gain lots of glory, but little experience. The unspoken part of "Variable results" is "potentially inferior". Overabundance of caution perhaps. But Nikon's fat cock won't save him from being too bold.
>>5752255>What an organic and insightful conversation. Being a snide, catty bitch to a QM who, by all accounts, isn't even here anymore, whose only sin against you is that he ran a better quest, that is the saddest existence I can imagine even on a site like this. Go back to /qtg/, your shitty discords and bring your unwanted gossip there, and maybe you'll attract dramashitters so you can finally get more than two votes in your shitty AI-'assisted' anime smutquest trash.... watWhat Qm? What discords? What anime quest? Is this a meme?
>>5752262>>5752281>>5752291Good discussion here, anons. I can clarify a few points:>are we still on the same +2/+3 level-up system that Homer developed?Yes, one of my goals is to provide continuity of mechanics. Upon levels 3, 5, 7 (if Nikon gets there), he can select new traits for level-up. These traits are a mixture of upgrades for existing traits that he has, and entirely new traits he has obtained through character relationships (so he will have access to AGED WISDOM, DIOSCURI TRAINING, and LUWIAN PROFICIENCY, per Homer in the original thread #2, among other options, at his next level-up).Homer originally said that Nikon can reasonably expect to hit Level 6 before the end of the war, but I would also note that Nikandros has already outperformed expectations by finding Achilles and participating in this diplomatic mission. It seems entirely possible that he will hit Level 6 early if he continues to find "bonus" opportunities. You guys would be chilling in Aulis with Achilles (more or less), if you hadn't gone on the diplomatic mission to Troy.>do we have the same variable rolling system?Basically, combat and petteia are Bo3 rolls, which I think Homer had more or less settled on before he took his leave of absence. Social rolls can be variable (base social contest would be Bo2, but additional dice can be added or removed based on context).>Will Lesches kill Nikandros if the players plan poorly or the dice betray us? Yes.Anyways, next update for 1-2pm EST. Don't worry too much about this petteia match with Ajax - he's not the type to make a judgment based on one data point alone.
>Nikon rolls a 15 vs 24>Nikon loses badly, but it’s not quite total embarrassment.Your match with Ajax goes poorly, in the swaying gloom of the galley’s hold.You make a fundamental miscalculation in the opening of the game, expecting Ajax to play conservatively – you arrange for an aggressive strike into his territory, a slashing opening to begin the game. He immediately disabuses you of your expectation of an easy victory when he counters your white stone invasion with a counter-raid of his black pieces, rather than a defensive structure – cutting through your lines and isolating your stones in a black sea. His play is quite good, verging on phenomenal – he might be the best petteia player you have met so far, and you wonder whether he might have been able to win the tournament in Skyros in his own right.Despite his success on the board, Ajax plays slowly – and between moves, he asks you many questions:“Tell me of your family, Thessalian.”“How did you find my cousin on Skyros?”“What of my uncle, Peleus – how did he treat you?” You answer each question succinctly, honestly, without embellishment or gilding. Ajax offers you little in return, as you explain these things – most often, he rewards you with silence as he weighs each of your statements carefully.You both know that the match is over by the fifth turn – you have lost, but you do your best to whittle down his attacking pieces over time. You’re able to turn an embarrassing collapse into only a crushing loss with some clever play, but nonetheless, it’s a poor game that you’ve played, and hardly representative of your true skills. The crowd surrounding you believes the match is more competitive than it is, but your eventual defeat becomes clear to them as well. The Salaminians are proud of their Prince, clapping each other on the shoulders – to them, Ajax’s victory is a sign of his genius and a good omen for the battles to come. Ajax, to his credit, does not vaunt in his victory over you – he barely comments on the game at all, as he continues to ask you about various topics. Again, you sense that he is not interested in the outcome of the match, so much as your ability to adapt on the fly, to respond to his unexpected thrusts and retreats. You resist the urge to resign the game, and instead play to the end – forcing Ajax to crush your remaining pockets of resistance. At the end of the game, he stands and speaks –“A good match, Nikandros. We will have to play again.” You’re not sure if he’s being generous in his words, or whether he means what he says – his face is frustratingly impassive. You thank him for the game, and he only adds – “I will let you know when the favor is due, Nikandros.” And with that, he returns to his position on the stern deck, under the golden light of the Cycladian afternoon. >cont
The Salaminians, taking Ajax’s behavior as lead, impugn your skills in playful fashion – you hear several good-natured remarks about how you command men better than stones, but you’re not offended by these – delivered with smiles as they are. Andocides offers you his condolences as well, confessing that you played better than him on his best day – he is hopeless on the board. Argyros, substitute father to you, gruffly advised you thousands of times in your boyhood – “Put the defeat behind you, boy – and next time, do better.” And so you do.---After a filling repast of bread, pork, and water, you seek out Pollux next, finding him on the fore-decks with his brother, lounging in the sunlight.There is no spark of frustration or glimmer of anger in his eyes – he is quick to forgive. You are learning that Pollux is a man capable of great feats of guile – no man could steal as much livestock as he without great capacity for deceit – but he does not bother to use these talents amongst his acquaintances and friends. You wince ruefully as he analyzes your petteia play with the tact he commonly employs –“You played like a donkey’s shit, Nikandros – and you’ve had that glazed look in your eye since Tydides embarrassed you in the area… As if the Prince needed more reason for confidence.” The blonde man shakes his head in mild disgust. Castor doesn’t bother to hide his amusement, but you can hardly blame him.You shrug your massive shoulders and admit that Pollux is correct – nothing to be done about it now. “Lord Pollux, I came to explain my actions when I restrained you against Kyrtios.” Pollux waves you on, and so you continue:“As a captive, he may provide with critical details, locations of pirate coves and dispositions of other captains. You see, if the talks fail, we must consider the replenishments of foodstuffs and supplies of a tremendous fighting force across the Aegean, and through the Cyclades. The pirates of the Cyclades will reap untold wealth picking at the supply lines, even if Telamon releases his entire –“Pollux interrupts you, chuckling –“Please, please Nikandros – spare me your lecture on logistics, I believe that there is wisdom in what you say. I am prone to rages and tempers like all of Zeus’ offspring – any man who makes a threat on my life may trigger it, and it is only just that I take my revenge at such an affront. Many have tried to restrain me in the past, but you are amongst a very select group to have done so twice - and for good reason. I accept your apology and forgive you of any trespass.” The blonde man with cauliflower eyes smiles, carefree. Of course, you weren’t precisely apologizing, but you don’t correct Pollux here – you’re simply glad to know that your budding friendship with the greater of the Dioscuri remains healthy. Castor chimes in –
“You know, Nikandros – together, we may have a proper chance of keeping Pollux in fine behavior for the diplomatic council.” Ah – of course – they do not know of the bargain you’ve struck with Electra.Conversation turns to Delos and you inquire about King Anios – Pollux snorts dismissively, speaking further:“He is practically more divine than man, Nikandros – son of Apollo, and great-grandson of Dionysus through his mother. As a boy, he was a true bore – always hanging about the priests, pampered by them, and he hasn’t become any more interesting now that he’s a King. He holds himself in high regard – thinks that he’s above the politics and conflicts of the world. Constantly talking about his father, as if he is unique, or that no one remembers that the far-shooter had hardly noticed him until he became King. Not to mention, he struts about the island as if he conquered itself, when all know it was King Minos who cleared the islands of rabid Carians.” Pollux sighs before continuing:“We could have used his help many times in the past, but he prefers to throw garden parties and watch the cliffsides for birds than do something useful. He's quite friendly with the truant King Menestheus of Athens, of course - the Athenians make their pilgrimage to Delos every summer at about this time. In fact, the Lesser Delia should begin in about two days, if they've held to their calendar. At any rate, my advice to you – don’t fall into the mania of prophecy. Men drive themselves mad over vague half-truths or raging against their particular doom, and then the gods force your fate on you as they would do anyways.”In some ways, a fatalistic message similar to Achilles' perspective. A minor detail quirks your interest - "What do you mean by "truant King Menestheus?", Pollux?", you ask. "As far as I know, the man hasn't yet responded to Agamemnon's call to arms -", Pollux explains. "despite the Oath of Tyndareus binding his action. He prefers to talk about old battles than participate in new ones, as far as I've seen."Hmm. An interesting fact. You continue to chat amiably with Pollux about various topics, and you're sure to mention your joy at having fought alongside the Dioscuri in battle - even if only for a day. It will make for a treasured memory, no matter your fate. Helios' chariot is approaching the sea once the paired islands, Rineia and Delos are sighted along the horizon, and with the wind behind you, the islands grow quickly. To your surprise, there's little obvious signs of habitation on the island of Delos - you see no cities, towns, or even ports alongside the coast. Rineia, by contrast, is clearly the home of a thriving port - you see many merchant vessels, Athenian and Salaminian galleys cutting through the water as Nyx's dusky shawl is raised over the sky...>ran out of steam here - hopefully, one more update tonight at 8-9pm.
>>5752569>inb4 nikon isn't let into the council despite coming as an envoy>and this makes pollux mad as shit and he ruins the whole thing when he wigs outYes, the plan is all coming together. Unforeseen consequences.
>>5752569You've gone quite deep in foreshadowing and the plot is rightfully enriched by it, i feel like looking up on the internet these names like Anios and Menestheus but i don't know if it will spoil me of the future.On the other hand i have also tried to prepare a bronze age civ quest but it really is a daunting prospect to organize properly.
>>5752582>We are too nice bro for the good of the mission.
>>5752588Prophecy leads to madness, anon - weren’t you listening to Pollux?
God I want to participate in this quest, but I fear I wouldn't do a Homeric original poem justice.Well, what can I do. I'm back, baby! Happy to see that the quest is still as crazy as ever. Rocks fall, our sister WILL get bred and married by a famous dude, and we will wipe out all rivers from the world.>>5751458God reading this can't help but make me think Autistic!Niko would be so much more hilarious.
>>5752741Give me one (1) hot and fresh meme and you’re in, brother. I made a visual registration option for the non poets
Hello all, I’m taking the night off from QMing/reading Statius’ Thebaid (I’m in the doldrums of the Book 4/Catalogue of Allies sequence) and so I am instead choosing to watch the extended edition of Troy (2006) starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom. Thanks for your patience and TWQ will resume tomorrow. HomerQM, if you are reading, I will be reading the birdsign tomorrow at dawn for guidance
>>5752869It's a pretty good film aside from some of the changes in characterization. It'll be pretty obvious when you come across them. But if you don't get hung up on those it's a fun watch.
>>5752869I fucking love the Ajax vs Hector fight is awesome.I also love see Menelaus beat off the shit of Paris.
>>5752869https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbNQ9oHtwtM&ab_channel=GraphicGamingNow that I think about level ups, didn't Thetis promise that for her favor we would do something glorious but dangerous? I might be half remembering, but didn't Homer mention that Agamemnon's chair has a god in it who has a secret mission associated with it? That's like two missions
>>5753054>Agamemnon's chairI weep at the missed opportunity to stare at the chairalso was there a god imprisoned in there?
>>5753106I mean, instead we got to meet the ancient tomboy Electra. Oh were that she born a man, she'd have been a prince and king to fear. And got a mission that is basically a fucking freebie vacation. Just gotta make sure they go to war, which they'd probably manage even without Nikon stirring the pot.Of course, we could just not do it and tell her to kick rocks when we get back before leaving with Achilles in tow to go fight a war of our own. Or just, y'know come home and butcher some barbaroi and murder the spirit that hurt our sister and killed our semi-uncle. Although, all we really need to do is get back everything that was taken from Menelaus and kill Paris. I'm about to get metagamey So if we can discover the prophecy of Paris returning being the death of Troy we can abuse the fuck out of that in negotiations. Twist it to sound like sheltering him from the righteous wrath of the man he spurned is what would constitute his "return". While also fearmongering the fuck out of the people there who wouldn't be in the know and putting Priam and his family on the spot with all of the people, if we surreptitiously let slip at some point the prophecy to the masses. Priam's kind nature works against him super hard here, as he is also very wise. No matter how much he wants to protect his children, he knows that one is a pittance when compared to all near-hundred of them. If we can't rely on that though, our best bet is to get Menelaus to laser focus on his unbridled hatred for Paris. If at all possible force him into the room with negotiations to really make the temperature go up. Emphasize that Paris is a thief, and a no-good one at that, incapable of keeping what he takes and hiding behind greater men of substance like a proper disgraceful leech. Nikon's massive duty boner would probably help fuel such a tirade with genuine passion.P.S. no we shouldn't fuck Electra, she is still a walking problem, not actually a qt tomboy waifu and her whole bloodline is fucking cursed to shit
>>5753125This is why we need LUWIAN PROFICIENCY beyond being able to understand enemy orders and betting money, is such a powerful tool for everything that is not funny
>>5753125I still have no clue who Nikon will romance and how that'll work. What's probably more of a headache would be arranging Nira's marriage. Homer did mention that Iphigenia and Electra were waifus, but their bloodline is so C U R S E D. For God's sake, please, no daemons or gods as lovers even though they would be tall. No candidates spring to my mind who'd be friendly. Though Cassandra exists, and she has that fun prophecy shtick, but we're going to sack her city, and with Nikon's sympathy and dutiful trait, I don't think he would be the type to force anyone into a marriage with him, especially as they're weeping for their lost city.
>>5753145>no daemons or gods as loversNIKE OR DEATH
>>5752757Just caught up. Here is a completely original and definitely self-composed homeric poem about our recent adventures:In days of old, when heroes bold,Stood 'neath Troy's towering wall,There lived a man, Nikandros by name,Renowned throughout for all.With mighty heart and courage true,He faced the foe in battle's might,But now a different test he'd meet,In the realm of strategy and sight.Ajax the Greater, a hero famed,In petteia's game held great acclaim,With skillful moves and cunning mind,He challenged Nikandros to the game.Intricate boards of squares and stones,They placed with care, their battle zone,Nikandros, brave, with hopes held high,But Ajax's prowess would soon be shown.The stones were moved, the game was played,Nikandros tried, but Ajax swayed,His pieces fell, one by one,In this contest, he was outplayed.The crowd around, they watched in awe,As Ajax proved without a flaw,That even heroes of the field,Could be bested in this ancient draw.Though Nikandros lost with grace,He'd live to fight another day,For in the world of heroes' tales,Victory and defeat both had their say.So let us remember this day of old,When Nikandros, brave and bold,Faced Ajax in petteia's art,A lesson learned, a noble heart.
>>5753151Extremely based, anon
>>5753151Really nice anon
>>5753145Vassandra doesn't need to be waifu'd, we can just get her to be our court oracle.Being under Nikon's care is the best result for her afterall, she should know that.
>>5753235>Cassandra as our personal oracleThis is too big brain to put into words.No one believes what she says, so if we need to manipulate someone we just have to order her to mediate between us and our opponent.>Nikon wants a 5-star epic loot, but everyone is fighting over it.>Nikon: Cassandra, help me a little here.>Cassandra: This loot will bring fortune and wealth to its bearer.>Everyone is scared shitless and leaves the loot for us.We won't need to do charisma rolls anymore, our opponents will have to roll against Apollo.
Commenting to check if my ID changed after I cleared my browser cache
>>5753342It did.>>5751804I'm this anon. Unfortunately I lost the (You)s to prove it.
The galleys sweep around the southernmost tip of Delos, and in the fading light of the day, you finally see signs of habitation – footpaths wrapping against the eastern slopes of Mount Cynthus, the highest point on the island. Oddly, you see what looks to be rippling white tents of considerable size, and surrounding these tents are small points of ruddy light – no doubt braziers to light the pathways. Dragging the ships side by side onto a sandy promontory of Delos is a joyous affair, as is bracing them in place with planks of wood – every safe harbor is to celebrated, you overhear the elder sailors advising, no matter how long the journey. No Delians approach to welcome you upon your arrival, as twilight falls. You are initially puzzled at the lack of security. Could any ship simply pull ashore and belch out a raiding party here? The question is answered as you are summoned to join Odysseus, Menelaus, Palamedes, Pollux, Castor and Teukros in slaughtering no less than six goats as offerings, wrapping the thigh bones in double-folds of fat for propitiation. Ajax makes himself scarce, muttering something about supplies onboard the galley before trudging off. It seems that Menelaus’ galley retrieved a small herd of the creatures from the pirate vessel they had looted. The first goat is for Zeus, as is his rightful due. The second is for the Earth-Shaker, who granted your ships swift and secure passage from Salamis. The third is for Apollo, whose birthplace you now stand upon, and the fourth for Artemis, his twin. Finally, two goats are slaughtered for Delia herself, the nymph of the island, and her consort, the river deity Inopos.The sacrifices accomplished, you assist the noblemen in the butchery, distributing it amongst the crews. You carefully watch your surroundings for any signs of the divine, and see none – but the air itself is heavy, pregnant with meaning and power. The commoners seem blind to it, but you know that the other nobility, even Ajax, sense it – the collective nerves of the group are on edge.This is a place of the deathless gods; not of men – not of mortals. You realize that no pirate could ever invade and pillage this place – any number of the divines would intervene before this could come to pass, whether it was Poseidon Προσκλυστιος smashing such a vessel to splinters on approach, or Apollo Ουλιος stripping the invaders of their health weeks prior to their arrival. There are no mortal guards on the island because none are needed. The Spartans and Salaminians camp alongside the braced galleys – they will not be joining you and the rest of the nobility on your hike to the oikos of King Anios. As for the slaves and prisoners, it is expedient to keep them caged on Ajax’s galley, at least for another night. King Anios will need to make the arrangements to properly receive this gift of people and the hostages.>cont
Menelaus assembles the group of noblemen together, and you set off together up the rocky hillside. After weeks at sea, you’re eager for a chance to stretch your legs, and Odysseus entertains you all with a comedic retelling of his ship’s derring-do during the naval battle, or lack thereof. You note that Odysseus does not spare himself in his mocking review, foolishly pantomiming his own failed attempt to launch grappling hooks against Kyrtios’ vessel. You can’t help but like the man, despite his dangerous nature and your goals at crosspurposes. As you rise in elevation, the vegetation grows lusher, the air more humid. It strikes you as peculiar, since you have heard that most of the islands of the Cyclades are said to be quite arid. Darkness rises as you ascend - but the stars shine brightly above, and bright-tressed Selene lights the path well enough, as you approach the tent complex.There are three very large white tents, and many smaller ones – white-robed priests of Apollo and gray-robed servants slip between the tents nearly silently. You trek to the second largest of these along with your group, where a stately man in white robes wordlessly allows your entrance. Ducking into the tent, you’re amazed to see that a feast has been laid out on long tables, attendants standing at the ready with mixing bowls of wine. Rows of torches are lit within the tent, and everywhere, there are extravagant woven tapestries, depicting Apollo in various scenes. The staff give the impression of waiting for your arrival – standing at attention silently, showing no surprise at your entrance.At the head of the feast table, you see King Anios – there’s no mistaking him. Many men are said to be “godlike” in Hellas, but here the adjective is deserved. He is nearly as tall as you or Ajax, graceful and slender in tailored robes of a rich purple coloration, heavily embroidered with threads of gold – rising smoothly, he holds his arms out wide in welcome, looking for all the world like a god of Olympus. He possesses a refined face, handsome – his beard and hair neatly coiffed- and he has the look of a confident man of about forty summers. Based on Pollux’s conversation with you, he is likely to be much older than this. Beyond his physical appearance, there is the pressure of his presence – it immediately reminds you of your encounter with Thetis on the mountaintop of Skyros; a lesser version of the crushing aura that Thetis projected. >cont
“Welcome, king of Sparta. Welcome, king of Ithaca,” he begins.“Castor, Pollux – a pleasure to host you here in my domain once more.”“Prince of Salamis, and your brother as well – a joy for us Delians to host the honored sons of Telamon. And Palamedes, scion of Nauplius – you are only too welcome here.” King Anios leaves you for last, meeting your eye – and there is the briefest hesitation before he calls out to you:“And you, son of Hippomedon – be at home in the tent of Anios.” “To all my guests – eat of my substance and drink of my wine, until you put away such desires. We will speak of your business once this is done. Let it be known that Delos will be as your home to you, until you must regretfully depart from this blessed place.” He waves your group closer, and gestures to the empty seats alongside him. To his left, three men are seated – they resemble Anios to various degrees, clearly marking them as his sons; Thasos, Mykonos and Andros, you have been told. To Anios’ right, a older woman of striking beauty is present – she must be Dorippe, the commoner bride that you are told that Anios had purchased for the price of a stallion.Your party breaks into three groups and takes their place amongst the table, but where to sit? >Sit upon Anios' left side, amongst his sons, Teukros and Odysseus. Despite the danger of proximity to Odysseus, he has been outside your sight for too long already - you must know whether he has begun to cement opinions in favor of a peaceful resolution with Troy, and whether he will continue to push for more speed in travel.>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?>Sit close to Anios himself, towards the center of the table, with Ajax, Castor and Menelaus. This is the true conversation tonight - all other discussion is peripheral. This is where decisions about your diplomatic mission will be made. You wish to be present when such choices are set in stone - but there is risk present here as well. Anios is an unknown variable to you, and if he presses you, you may be forced to disclose unpleasant truths within earshot of Menelaus and Ajax.
>>5753374>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?
>>5753374>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?King Anios worries me. Also FUCK important river deity is on the island, tread carefully.
>>5753397We must contain our desire to throw rocks.Or to wander around the island.
>>5753397time to dam that river up!
>>5753374>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?Doesn't seem like a good time to push our luck.
>>5753374>>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?Dang ol no where good to sit man I tell you hwat. But Nikon has a way with commoners.>captcha: NTRM8Tuh oh
>>5753419>>captcha: NTRM8T>uh ohCrossing fingers here that the absolute mongoloid will try to cuck a god is not a friend of us.
>>5753374>Sit upon Anios' left side, amongst his sons, Teukros and Odysseus. Despite the danger of proximity to Odysseus, he has been outside your sight for too long already - you must know whether he has begun to cement opinions in favor of a peaceful resolution with Troy, and whether he will continue to push for more speed in travel.
>>5753427Odysseus would absolutely make a pass if he thought he could get away with it. Too bad he's on the other side of the table.
>>5753374>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?The dreaded social situation while Nikon has a concussion.
>>5751868I'm back lads, and officially a married man.>>5753374>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?
>>5753614Congratulations!
>>5753614Grats anon
>>5753614Congrats anon, it’s a moment of pure joy! Remember to stop and take it all in though, the first couple weeks can be a blur
Meet with Anios' main piece>>5753383>>5753397>>5753409>>5753419>>5753607>>5753614Meet Anios' boys>>5753571---Chances are good that I'll be able to get out an update before 12am EST, stay tuned all.
>>5753614Nice!Be wary though we had signs of evil afoot>>5753419>>5753374>Sit upon Anios' right side, with Palamedes, Dorippe and Pollux. Dorippe is a woman of uncommon beauty, despite her commoner origins - perhaps you could learn much from her regarding life on Delos and of Anios himself? The Lesser Delia approach, and perhaps she would provide context to the festival in two days time?Hopefully if either nikon or pollux act as chimps palamedes can mitigate the damage.>Dorippe, the commoner bride that you are told that Anios had purchased for the price of a stallionConcussed Nikon:>m'lady you are worth at least three stallions, by the way which of your sons would you say is the best because you see my sister is of marrying age and...
>>5753614Impossible, anon has social skills? You rascal.
>>5753614
You take your seat alongside Palamedes, Pollux and Dorippe, the bench groaning as you come to rest upon the polished and stained timber. You are on the outmost periphery of the bench opposite Dorippe, Pollux directly across from her, and Palamedes between yourself and Pollux. Dorippe nods politely in your direction, but in the ancient custom, refrains from conversation. All now seated, Anios raises his palms in a thankfully-brief benediction to his father, Apollo, and to the other gods of Olympus. The feast itself is sumptuous, the wine exquisite, and there is meat of every variety – but after many days at sea, it is the revelation of fresh vegetables that makes the greatest impression on you. Despite the number of staff flitting about, there is no conversation – only the muffled sounds of chewing and the chiming of silver cutlery.You take the time to observe Dorippe as surreptitiously as you may – an extremely-well preserved women of fifty summers, she is dark of eye, hair and complexion – a Phoenician, if you had to guess. She is petite, short even for a commoner woman, but her beauty is unmistakable – her flowing hair is as rich as her figure. She is the rare woman whose beauty is accentuated as she ages – fine crow’s feet at the corner of her eyes suggests wisdom as well. Some commoners, through chance breeding, may compete with nobility in one regard or another – your mind briefly turns to the Epirot hunter you had wrestled into your service in your home estates, Pantaleon. Dorippe is clearly one such specimen – she smiles pleasingly in your direction, and your face nearly blushes in boyish embarrassment. Her dark eyes glitter in suppressed laughter, and you realize that she has noticed your reaction – a sharp mind to go along with her beauty, you deduce. Once the initial portion of dinner is concluded, additional kylixes of well-mixed wine are served, and it is time for conversation – Pollux immediately speaks to Dorippe:“Ah, woman – how I can be expected to leave this place without you? Perhaps I shall take Paris’ lead and steal you away to Lacedaemon?” His tone is playful, unserious. Dorippe laughs in response, in accented Greek:“Oh, and how clever of you to announce your plans at dinner! Forethought has never been your forte, dear Pollux – why not leave the thinking to your brother?” The repartee has the feel of an old joke – well-worn but still amusing. Palamedes interjects, speaking a tongue you presume to be Phoenician:“ደንቆሮውን ችላ በል - ሴቶችዎ የት አሉ? ከትናንሽ ሴት ልጆች ጀምሮ አላያቸውም”And Dorippe replies:“በሪኔያ ላይ ለትምህርት ልኬአቸዋለሁ። እዚያም የሴትነት ጥበብን ለመማር በቂ ናቸው”.Pollux coughs politely, gesturing to you – >cont
“Would it not be appropriate to converse in Zeus’ Hellenika? Not all present are learned in the words of the Tyrians.” Palamedes apologizes to you – seated this closely to him, you get a good glimpse of his eyes, green – and with the gold-flecks of divine ancestry rimming his pupils. You’re not sure how you missed it previously, when you spoke with him in the library of Mycenae, but perhaps it’s because his gold-flecks are arranged differently than your own, which are scattered across your irises.Dorippe politely asks you of your name and family, and you request the same – although the brief story she tells is the one already known to you, that three decades past, she was purchased by Anios. She does not specify her common origins, and you don’t wish to embarrass her by asking.Instead, you inquire about the Lesser Delia – and Dorippe is delighted to explain:“Ah, it is a wonderful time – feasting, poetry and music, dancing, archery and then, of course – the footrace! Such competitions glorify Apollo – Anios is always trying to entice his father to reveal himself openly through such things. The Athenians are wonderful guests, always so prompt in the delivery of the Hyperborean gifts for the Altar. I am told that they have kept the tradition ever since Theseus made his way to this sacred island.” Your heart sinks a bit at the description of these events – you have no special talent for any of these, and you doubt that the laurel wreath of victory will be yours to wear with Teukros and Odysseus among your party. Still, competition itself is manful and the striving itself can be rewarding enough, even if you have no hope of success. As to the reference to the Hyperborean gifts, you aren’t quite what is meant by this - it's not part of any legend about Theseus that you've ever heard.There is a natural lull in the conversation, and you can take a moment to direct a further conversational topic:>Ask Dorippe about what were she was speaking about with Palamedes?>Ask Dorippe about whether the Athenians have arrived, and what of King Menestheus? What did she mean by Hyperborean gifts?>Ask Dorippe about the augury of Anios – how does he conduct this? Under what circumstances will Anios attempt to determine the portents of the future? How would a person request such a service from Anios?>Ask Palamedes about his time on the Ship of Spartans – you’re eager to know whether Odysseus has been chipping away at Menelaus' resolve for the war.>Ask Pollux about whether he’s participated in the Lesser Delia before, and if so, what strategies he might recommend for victory?>Something else?
>>5753805I'll vote for this>Ask Palamedes about his time on the Ship of Spartans – you’re eager to know whether Odysseus has been chipping away at Menelaus' resolve for the war.But I'll leave this write-in for an idea I just had>Something else?>Ask Dorippe about Phoenecia. Your mentor was a Shasu, but he never spoke much of the region of the Levant.
>>5753805>Ask Dorippe of how honoured King Anios works to gain the attention of his father. Perhaps there is a pattern within the honouring of the gods that can be used to gain trim-ankled Nike's attention?
>>5753810ah shoot I dropped my reasoning.Of course winning is going to gain Nike's attention, but apart from that we don't know shit about how to get the attention of an olympian. Everyone else here does, and perhaps by opening the conversation to this, the other heroes (who are all ostensibly favoured) can chime in. Nikon is a favour-let, but he need not remain so forever.
>>5753805>Ask Palamedes about his time on the Ship of Spartans – you’re eager to know whether Odysseus has been chipping away at Menelaus' resolve for the war.
>>5753816I figure winning and dedicating your victory to Nike at a festival in Apollo's honor is going to garner some special attention. That's like going to someone's birthday party and congratulating your friend who isn't even there. It's a head turner for the mortals present, and maybe a glimpse from the gods. Though I doubt Apollo is really paying attention so we shouldn't have to worry about annoying him by doing so. And if we do, he'll probably just give us a cold to let us know he heard, and he is displeased by our cheek.As for getting insight into drawing the attentions of the gods, I doubt there is anything we can actually do special. It probably comes down to the individual god(dess) in question, their domain, and their personality. Which we can only know one of for sure, since we're probably not going to be able to spend enough time (if any) speaking with a god to know.Thetis doesn't count, fuck you, Thetis. I know you're watching from the shoreline, cunt.
>>5753805>>Ask Dorippe about whether the Athenians have arrived, and what of King Menestheus? What did she mean by Hyperborean gifts?>HyperboreanI NEED to know.>>5753810This is nice too
>>5753844I know the Hyperboreans are likely what they would call the people north of the Scythians, so I'm curious as to if the Athenians have fancy goods from far off or if they're claiming to bring something from a genuine hidden mythical land. Or if they have like, eternal ice cubes or something. It's a strange thing. Perhaps they are just bringing winter time gifts well out of season?
>>5753805>Ask Dorippe about the augury of Anios – how does he conduct this? Under what circumstances will Anios attempt to determine the portents of the future? How would a person request such a service from Anios?
>>5753789>your face nearly blushes in boyish embarrassmentNikon actually blushed, huh? Would've reckoned that he was so dutiful that blushing was beyond him, or perhaps Dorippe was simply that pretty. Nikon, please don't make cow eyes at the king's wife.>>5753805>Ask Palamedes about his time on the Ship of Spartans – you’re eager to know whether Odysseus has been chipping away at Menelaus' resolve for the war.
>>5753945Brother please go easy on Dionysus' gifts, it clearly says "nearly".
This vote will close at 12pm EST or so, here's a tally so farChat with Pally-boi>>5753806 (plus write-in re: ask about the East)>>5753820>>5753945Chat with Dorippe>>5753810>>5753844 (one-post id, give me another post or backlink, please!)>>5753929Anon, I think you forgot to vote, but seems like you want to chat with Dorippe?>>5753842---Seems like a close vote so far! Lurkers, chime in!
>>5753805>Ask Pollux about whether he’s participated in the Lesser Delia before, and if so, what strategies he might recommend for victory?All caught up good shit
>>5754143I love how we are Nikon's collectively autistic braincells trying to cohere a single statement together. Pally, Polly and Dorry are probably looking on in amazement as Nikandros' face spasms in concentration:>Pollux: "This is the man who has held me back twice?">Palamedes: "This is the man who has bested Achilles?">Dorippe: "This is the man Menelaus saw fit to bring as an envoy?">Nikon: "...O...OR...ORG...ORGERY!!"
>>5754143>(one-post id, give me another post or backlink, please!)Im >>5753844
>>5754143I'll change my vote to talking to Dorippe with my write-in.That should break the tie. And feed my desire for bronze age autism.
>For my sanity, I’ll just include multiple topics in this chat with Dorippe, since each of the votes for this had a different thrust and I don’t want to exclude anyone Your mind, clouded as it is, is hungry for more information. Dorippe has no doubt seen and observed much of the gods through her marriage to Anios, and so you begin by following up on a previous lead by Pollux –“Lady Dorippe, have the Athenians arrived on the island at this point? Has King Menestheus arrived?”Dorippe doesn’t hesitate – “No, Nikandros - the Athenian contingent has not yet arrived – a bit unusual, since Menestheus often arrives well in advance of the Lesser Delia, but Anios tells me that the Ship of Theseus will be visible on the western horizon by late tomorrow morning – he has seen this in the flights of eagles over the cliffs. No doubt Menestheus will be onboard the ship – he has not missed the presentation of the gifts in many years.”You take the opportunity to inquire further about Anios’s augury, and Dorippe specifies – “Well, I am aware of the fundamentals of the Tiresian* practice, although I am not blessed in such fashion – that the gods of Olympus often send eagles and birds of all types to signal their intentions to the mortals who can read such signs. The sky is divided into quadrants, as the augur faces north, and the relative elevation, motion, and species of the birds is translated. Easterly birds are generally favorable, and westerly birds are poor omens – birds at high elevation are portend more favorably than those at low elevation, and whether the birds cry out or simply flies carries meaning as well. Eagles are generally good portents, having been sent by Zeus, and vultures generally poor – beyond these basics, the augur must be able to receive flashes of divine insight, whether through divine ancestry or blessings from one of the deathless gods – or both, I suppose. As for when Anios conducts this business – “when he sees fit”, is perhaps the best answer.” Even this basic review of augury strikes you as complex – no doubt there are many additional subtleties in the process which are only known to the augurs themselves. You shelf your interest in the process of augury for another time, asking:“Would it be possible to earn the augury services of Anios in some fashion?” Dorippe meets your gaze flatly, her beautiful face smooth and unreadable. “This is a question for my husband, not for me, Nikandros.” You take this in stride, and continue with another line of inquiry:“And what of the Hyperborean gifts you had mentioned? I am not familiar with this,” you admit. Dorippe explains politely:>contTiresias the blind seer of Thebes was the progenitor of all augurs and one of the greatest priests as Apollo, as Nikandros is aware. Tiresias was cursed with blindness but blessed with the lifespan of seven men, although Nikandros knows this vague legend only.
“Apollo is not a god of the Hellenes alone, Nikandros – there are many peoples who know and worship him, even in the far north, and amongst the Aigyptian peoples to the east. I am told that Apollo is credited with deeds and miracles that we have not yet learned of here in Hellas, in these other places. As for the gifts – Apollo’s devotees in Hyperborea, to the very farthest north, live beyond the origins of Boreas’ frigid breath. As a result, their lands are pleasant and warm – their harvests beginning well before our own. In gratitude and thanks for Apollo’s blessings to their people, the Hyperborean kings send the first fruits of their harvest to the birthplace of the Apollo, through a series of envoys and devotees of the far-shooter, passing through Scythia and Thrace, before arriving in Prasiae, a village just outside Athens. From here, the Athenians receive the gifts and deliver them to the Altar of Horns. Once this is done, the Lesser Delia games begin, and the remainder of the day is given to the contests. Anios, of course, determines the victors with the counsel of his father.”This information is surprising to you – you had not imagined that the Olympians might have devotees from foreign lands – but of course, how could this not be so? The gods travel freely throughout the world, traveling speedily through the air and seas – there must be other peoples who know them and worship them as the Hellenes do. Palamedes speaks up as you consider this:“You may be surprised to learn that there are foreign gods and goddesses as well, Nikandros – divinities that we do not know at all here in Hellas and whom have no temples here. Pollux has no doubt come across temples dedicated to their other divinities in his travels.” You nod at the thinly bearded man in thanks for his contribution.Finally, you ask – “And if I may ask, how does Anios work to gain the attentions of his divine father? Is there some pattern or process that is successful?” Dorippe stares at you flatly for a moment, before bursting into melodious laughter – she briefly reminds you of your mother, despite the vast differences in their appearance. “Lord Nikandros, surely you cannot be asking me to know the minds of the immortal gods? My husband does what all mortals do – propitiates his father as best as he can, prays for his immortal attentions, and seeks to please him with all that he does. Apollo does what he desires and blesses Anios with his counsel when he sees fit – and I am not privy to their discussions. As to what pleases the gods as a group – foolish of you to ask me this when you sit beside one of the Dioscuri. Almost no living men would know better what pleases and displeases the gods than he!” She laughs again as Pollux interjects:
“Nikandros – the gods are not us – not like men, despite how they sometimes choose to appear. But in some ways, they can be alike to us. All gods and men desire fame – to mortals, Kleos is a way to earn eternal memory, to create legend that will live beyond our mortal flesh. To the gods, fame is something else altogether.” Pollux holds his tongue here, pausing for a moment, before continuing firmly:“And I will speak no further of this, Nikandros. You have already done well, with your discovery of Achilles on Skyros - if you seek to further gain the attentions of one of the divines - become famous, start a cult, found a city! A man who does these things may quickly find himself with a divine patron. I know you seek to earn the favor of Nike – I have heard that beyond the typical libations and offerings, she of the golden wings prefers palm branches and pomegranates, and is especially fond of incense.” You thank Pollux for his insight as usual - enthralled in the discussion as you are, you have been blind to the passage of time - the feast is ending. Remembering yourself, you eavedrop on the conversation between Anios, Menelaus and Ajax, as Palamedes and Dorippe engage in further discussion. "- at dawn, join me at the cliffside, Menelaus - I would have you present if we are to determine the course of your envoy together." Anios is speaking, and Menelaus replies -"I owe you many thanks, King Anios - it is always risky business to chance the gap to Ikaria, and I would sleep better knowing what the gods would favor." Anios turns to Ajax and continues - "And I have not forgotten the gracious gift that your crew has prepared for me, Prince Ajax - and I am eager to see what ransoms can be made of your pirate captains. Join me at mid-morning outside this tent and we shall make the proper arrangements." Anios' eyes dart towards yours, catching you in your eavesdropping. Anios continues with restrained mirth to the men sitting before him - "And bring along any from your crew as you see fit." A statement clearly meant for you, you think, even though Anios regards only Prince Ajax and Menelaus as he speaks.
You sleep well in your prepared tent - the bedding soft, the night breezes tempered by the light fabric. When you awake before dawn, you feel truly rested for the first time in weeks - but your mind is still damnably clouded. This malady is taking far longer to resolve than you had hoped. Regardless, you are a man of action, and men do not win eternal fame by lounging comfortably in their beds. You rise, making your morning offerings and consider the morning's actions.>what do, /qst/? >Find and locate Menelaus along the cliffsides of Delos - you wish to be present for Anios' display of augury and Menelaus' decision about how best to sail to the Troad. >Join Ajax at the braced galleys, to oversee the transfer of slaves and captains to King Anios. Perhaps you may catch King Anios at a favorable disposition to ask for a prophecy at this time?>Put aside the crew's concerns for a time, and instead hike along the coast of Delos - perhaps the clear air will help clear your thoughts? >Ascend to the peak of Mount Cynthus, learning the terrain as best as you can. Of the events of the Lesser Delia, you haven't a chance in the contests of dancing, song, and poetry, especially concussed as you are - but perhaps a cunning plan and knowledge of the terrain could put you ahead in the footrace?>Find one of the other heroes and spend the morning with them? If this option wins, it will trigger a sub-vote to determine who.>Something else I haven't thought of?
>>5754329>Find and locate Menelaus along the cliffsides of Delos - you wish to be present for Anios' display of augury and Menelaus' decision about how best to sail to the Troad.We didn't talk about the levant :(
>>5754329>Ascend to the peak of Mount Cynthus, learning the terrain as best as you can. Of the events of the Lesser Delia, you haven't a chance in the contests of dancing, song, and poetry, especially concussed as you are - but perhaps a cunning plan and knowledge of the terrain could put you ahead in the footrace?
>>5754329>>Join Ajax at the braced galleys, to oversee the transfer of slaves and captains to King Anios. Perhaps you may catch King Anios at a favorable disposition to ask for a prophecy at this time?Can we talk with Tarkus while we work?Also>Nikandros: Is fortune on my side Anios?>Anios: Let me see...>*His eyes glow*>Nikandros: What you see?>Anios: *Rest his hand on his shoulder* If you return home, bring wood. And builders. You will need them.
>>5754329>>Ascend to the peak of Mount Cynthus, learning the terrain as best as you can. Of the events of the Lesser Delia, you haven't a chance in the contests of dancing, song, and poetry, especially concussed as you are - but perhaps a cunning plan and knowledge of the terrain could put you ahead in the footrace?Shortcuts to success. Optimize your route. Speedrun strats. Practice our dash cancel.
>>5754329>Join Ajax at the braced galleys, to oversee the transfer of slaves and captains to King Anios. Perhaps you may catch King Anios at a favorable disposition to ask for a prophecy at this time?
I'm going to let this vote run until tomorrow 12pm EST, given that it's a rather important choice for Nikandros to make, and there's not yet a sweeping consensus that I can see. >>5754332>no levant discussionAh, my sincere apologies, anon. I left it on the cutting room floor. Perhaps I'll insert a conversational retcon later.
>>5754671Don't worry about it Lesches, I just found it funny because you said didn't want to exclude anything
>>5754329>>Put aside the crew's concerns for a time, and instead hike along the coast of Delos - perhaps the clear air will help clear your thoughts?MYSTERY BOX + CLEAR CONCUSSION
>>5754767Remember what happened the last time we went wandering around the countryside of a island with gods living on it? And this one has a river diety as living on it
>>5754329>Put aside the crew's concerns for a time, and instead hike along the coast of Delos - perhaps the clear air will help clear your thoughts?
>>5754773I can see the future, Nikon gets rid of the river hate debuff while Nira picks it up. He also gets a hug from Nike. Don't worry, it's platonic (they're both kissless virgins).
>>5754781Is this the same future as nikon becoming the god of failing upward?
>>5754785I want him to fail upward into Nike's womb
>>5754339>>5754329Gonna change my vote to>Put aside the crew's concerns for a time, and instead hike along the coast of Delos - perhaps the clear air will help clear your thoughts?In the hopes that it'll help us get over the brain pain.
>>5754786She hasn't showered or come out of her neet cave for decades, anon.
>>5754816
>>5754904Mans is thirsty but dedicated.
>>5754767good point.>>Put aside the crew's concerns for a time, and instead hike along the coast of Delos - perhaps the clear air will help clear your thoughts?Though knowing the way votes have went in the past, we're probably end up going for the contest we physically cannot win, feeding the strength of perfectbuildfag, he of immaculate constitution
>>5754976He's dead, don't believe the fearmongering. If you build a phantom in your mind it will consume you. Don't do it anon.What sucks is we're the underdog in every single contest here. Dancing? Odysseus has us beat, he's a fucking skillmonkey. Archery? Against the two best archers on the Achaean's side + Castor? Fuck that. Poetry with Palamedes the eternal dork and Odysseus who is the best man with words this side of the Aegean sea? Music? Okay if it weren't for Anios being here there probably wouldn't be anyone accounting for it but I'm sure Teukros has enough free time to spend singing. And of course the footrace, which I'll actually put Ajax in the running (kek) for, despite not being the swiftest of heroes, none of those present are notable for their incredible speed. Except maybe Castor and Pollux. But Ajax being so tall gives him huge strides and his huge strength surely lets him bound like a fucking gazelle. Teukros is a dexfag though, so maybe he has a decent chance.Of course, Anios with his greater degree of divinity and long time spent doing all of this shit means that if he personally participates then everyone is going to be at a disadvantage. Except Odysseus. Who bribes Athena every single fucking second with promises of sacrifice and shit. It's good to be a king, I guess.
>>5754327>if you seek to further gain the attentions of one of the divines - become famous, start a cult, found a city! A man who does these things may quickly find himself with a divine patron.Thinking about this, Nikon is in the prime position to become conqueror. The idea popped into my head to found a city after Nike, but there would have to be a good spot for such a city in Thessalia or further to the North, perhaps where the city of Thessaloniki actually is? It was only founded in 315BC so loooong after when we are, and interestingly enough was apparently named literally 'Thessalian victory' or Thessalonike. It was one of the most important cities in the Eastern Roman Empire, so perhaps this could be a way to go?(forgive le reddit spacing, big words scare anons :D)
>>5755080>forgive le reddit spacingWas't reddit spacing somethingLikeThis?About the city, that is smart. Maybe we can help Nike to survive the Christendom by spreading her fame beyond the borders of hellas.
>>5755107>something>Like>This?Fuck
>>5755107>spreading her fame beyond the borders of hellasHyperborea calls lads. Will Nikandros answer?
>>5755029I may not have made this clear enough during Nikon's chat with Dorippe, but Anios himself does not participate in the games - he's the judge. Theoretically, Apollo is also helping Anios select the victory.So Nikon would suspect the following participants at minimum, although there could be surprises later:NikandrosTeukrosAjaxPalamedesOdysseusMenelausCastorPolluxAndrosMykonosThasosOne thing to note - participants are not locked into the full day of ev