World of Myths
World of Myths
Heart of the West
Western Civilization is a metaphysical force which moves with the flow of civilization. It is the pure essence of mankind's culture and connects together everything that constitutes humanity's collective spirit and civilization. Occasionally referred to as the "flame" by immortals, demigods, and monsters, this force moves with the center of human prosperity and influence, and was originally founded in Greece. From there, it was carried to Rome, and then traveled across Europe, stopping in Germany, France, Spain, and eventually ending up in Great Britain for a while. The current center of the "flame" has been in America.
The gods are intimately connected to Western Civilization as they are both its source and its embodiment. Since the rise of Greece, when the gods resided on the actual Mount Olympus, their home has also shifted location to correspond with the epicenter of human society. This connection resulted in a profound effect on the gods and mortal civilization. Should Western Civilization decline, the gods would be severely weakened, and if the Olympian order was overthrown, then human civilization would unravel at the seams, degenerating into chaos. When Western Civilization shifts from one place to another, the locations that once resided in Greece (Olympus, the entrance to the Underworld, etc.) move right along with it. |
The Mist
The Mist is a supernatural force controlled by the goddess Hecate that twists a mortal's sight from seeing monsters, gods, and various other mythical creatures and supernatural occurrences by replacing them with things the mortal mind knows about and can comprehend. Under the influence of Mist, a mortal would see gods or monsters as ordinary humans or animals, and supernatural objects also become commonplace items. Damage caused by something of supernatural origin will be disguised as a natural disaster or something of the like. Demigods and monsters can see through the Mist, but are still able to be fooled by it if it is particularly strong, or they do not look hard enough at first glance. Some mortals can see through the Mist as well, and those will never once be fooled by the Mist, even where a demigod might be. While it is not always the case, mortals with this Sight tend to have a strong affinity to magic.
The Mist is able to be formed into physical objects by Hecate and her children, along with those of particularly strong talent and/or blessing of the goddess. Mist is also strong enough to distort the vision of humans enough that they don't even realize that hazardous and deadly things are happening to them, or even erase memories/create fake one. Nearly anyone can learn to use the Mist in the most basic tricks, with enough practice. |
Monsters
Monsters are considered offshoots of gods (as many of them are descended from or related to them) or cursed beings that terrorize, fight, and often kill demigods and heroes. They love feasting on their flesh, and most (if not all) have keen senses in locating the demigod, most claiming they can "smell" said demigod. A majority hold a grudge against the gods, or one in particular, but are almost never in the position to be able to actively go and harm them. Therefore, they go for the next best thing; their children. Monsters are "archetypes," born from the chaos and barbarism that always exists in the Western Civilization. This means that they are purely abstract entities and will merely reform in Tartarus and come back whenever their physical forms are destroyed. This proves to be an ordeal for heroes, for after a monster is killed it can reappear and attack again, in any time period between weeks and hundreds of years. However, they are not to be confused with the likes of satyrs, nymphs, and other creatures. Those are all nature spirits, a whole other category really. Some monsters, such as some Cerberus, Pegasus, and the Furies serve Olympus. Some species, like harpies or cyclops, have been known to also serve, but not all of the members do so. |
The Gods
Behavior
As gods, and in particular the twelve council members, have extremely diverse personality traits that coincide with the realms and/or concepts that they represent, something that is also often represented in their appearances (while mostly adjusted for the modern setting, it always includes key factors to identify them by). For instance, Zeus is infamous for being quick to anger if his word is challenged, even by other gods, since he is the king of them all. Poseidon's moods have extreme ups and downs, ever-shifting like the seas he rules. The do share several traits however. A good portion of gods are rather easily offended. If those gods so much as sense a slight against them tend to react ominously, which is no surprise as they see mortals, and usually demigods, far below them. Gods also tend to some degree be dismissive of the needs and desires of other gods, especially when they conflict with their own. Of course, that is not to say ALL of them are like this. A few, such as Hypnos for instance, are remarkably understanding of the plights of mortals, and are extremely hard to offend.
Despite the initial impression and general character they might put up, the gods have moments where they exercise their otherworldly wisdom, where it truly shines through that they are deities instead of funny individuals with way too much power in their hands. They are all at their strongest during the summer and winter solstices. It should also be noted that the appearances they put on are not their true forms; the true image of a god is lethal to be witnessed by mortal eyes; they will burn right in their sockets, their skin turning to ash.
Despite the initial impression and general character they might put up, the gods have moments where they exercise their otherworldly wisdom, where it truly shines through that they are deities instead of funny individuals with way too much power in their hands. They are all at their strongest during the summer and winter solstices. It should also be noted that the appearances they put on are not their true forms; the true image of a god is lethal to be witnessed by mortal eyes; they will burn right in their sockets, their skin turning to ash.
The Big Three
The Big Three are the three most powerful gods in all of Olympus: Zeus, Lord of the Sky, Poseidon, Lord of the Seas, and Hades, Lord of the Underworld. The three are more or less on equal footing, despite Zeus proclaiming himself the strongest; putting the roles and domains of other gods aside, Zeus rules the skies, Poseidon the seas, and Hades the earth. The three had butted heads for as long as anyone can remember, and while TECHNICALLY Zeus was the ultimate authority, the only ones who could directly oppose him and refuse his orders would be his brothers. Their children are by FAR the most powerful of all the demigods, hencefore also have the strongest scent to attract monsters. While misfortune run rampant in nearly all demigod lives, it had a tendency to hit the Big Three's children especially hard. That is why in the recent century, they have been truly forced to bring down the number of mortal children they can have; it is simply too risky. Currently, there is never more than two or three children from one of them existing at the same time. (Hades, however, remains a bit of a odd card in this group. The only one without a seat in Olympus, he is also the least involved with mortals in general. That includes having never sired a demigod child).
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The Twelve Olympians
The main counsel of the twelve most powerful gods, although that can be up for debate. After all, one of the Big Three is not present among them, and Hestia had given up her own seat (therefore she can be assumed just as powerful as them, even if she no longer bears the title). Not to mention there are many minor gods with power all on their own (such as Hecate, or Pan) who could be eligible for a seat. Never-less, they are the counsel, henceforth all major decisions regarding the gods falls to them. A order by the council is one set in stone. To defy it is to commit treason against Olympus. |
Minor Deities
While most people only know the primary twelve Olympians, with some exceptions (such as Eros/Cupid), there are hundreds of Greek deities. While some can measure up to the Olympian council, most are not. However, that does not mean by any means that they are happy to have to obey the council. Conflicts between gods can be very divided, and who's side they take can make or break their existence for a century or two. While the Olympians do suffer repercussions, it is usually not to the extent that is felt by the more minor deities.
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A God's Blessing
A god can grant a special ability to a demigod or a mortal as a gift for winning the god's favor. This can be achieved in a number of ways; from appealing to the gods' attribute to impressing them with one's own particular part of character or splendid action to offering a particularly splendid sacrifice (non-human, mind you. The gods frown greatly upon human sacrifice) to repayment for the god's own misjustice towards the receiver of the blessing (rather rarer than the other two). The ability that is gifted is not always (although often it is) directly related to the giving god's domain; an example would be Periclymenus, the prince of Pylos who has been gifted the power of shape-shifting by Poseidon.
A god's Blessing, however, does not include being bestowed magical items or wisdoms by them. While those are great divine gifts all on their own, a god's Blessing they are not. A Blessing only refers to being gifted with a ability, be it anything from gaining the skill to weave the most beautiful tapestry in the world to being immune to fire. Gaining a Blessing, no matter what it is, can be considered one of the highest honors one can possibly ever be bestowed with.
A god's Blessing, however, does not include being bestowed magical items or wisdoms by them. While those are great divine gifts all on their own, a god's Blessing they are not. A Blessing only refers to being gifted with a ability, be it anything from gaining the skill to weave the most beautiful tapestry in the world to being immune to fire. Gaining a Blessing, no matter what it is, can be considered one of the highest honors one can possibly ever be bestowed with.
Demigods
Children born of both godly and mortal parentage have one foot in both worlds; they are in a very unique, as well as most dangerous, position in the world. While still very able to get killed from anything a mortal would, they are also all born with the ability to see the world for what it really is... as well as be targeted by the monsters that occupy it. Demigods have a "smell" of sorts that attacks monsters; the more powerful they are/the more of them in one place, the stronger the scent it. All demigods are strongly encouraged to learn to fight with a weapon, especially if their natural gifts are not enough to make up for the lack of one. Only demigods with strong combat lineage can realistically survive without a weapon to wield. They are also constantly employed by their godly parents and other deities to do their work for them.
However, they are also at a unique advantage over their godly parents. It is deeply forbidden by the most ancient of laws for a god to trespass unto another's domain without permission. While extremely dangerous, a demigod can travel anywhere on earth, provided they are daring enough. They have the freedoms a god would simply never have, and the ability to exercise them unlike mortals. It is also possible for a demigod to consume ambrosia and nectar, the food of the gods. It has wonderful healing properties on them, healing nearly any and every wound. If a mortal had tried to eat it, their throats would have melted away, their blood boiling like fire.
While clearly it is not always the case, stereotypes of what children of a particular god act like ARE somewhat relevant. While some are almost completely ignored and subtle (like the children of Janus) some are very apparent and in-your-face (like the children of Aphrodite). The stereotypes run more true than they usually do, the godly parent's attribute likely to affect their children like it affects their own image. Some are seen as generally positive (children of Demeter tend to be a bit mothering, and savvy in ways of food) while others have an infamous reputation (while all the Big Three children share that, by far the worse are the children of Zeus in that regard. Look no further than Hercules).
However, they are also at a unique advantage over their godly parents. It is deeply forbidden by the most ancient of laws for a god to trespass unto another's domain without permission. While extremely dangerous, a demigod can travel anywhere on earth, provided they are daring enough. They have the freedoms a god would simply never have, and the ability to exercise them unlike mortals. It is also possible for a demigod to consume ambrosia and nectar, the food of the gods. It has wonderful healing properties on them, healing nearly any and every wound. If a mortal had tried to eat it, their throats would have melted away, their blood boiling like fire.
While clearly it is not always the case, stereotypes of what children of a particular god act like ARE somewhat relevant. While some are almost completely ignored and subtle (like the children of Janus) some are very apparent and in-your-face (like the children of Aphrodite). The stereotypes run more true than they usually do, the godly parent's attribute likely to affect their children like it affects their own image. Some are seen as generally positive (children of Demeter tend to be a bit mothering, and savvy in ways of food) while others have an infamous reputation (while all the Big Three children share that, by far the worse are the children of Zeus in that regard. Look no further than Hercules).
The Claiming
One does not know a hundred percent for certain who their godly parent is until they are Claimed. This occurs most commonly one of two ways; either a demigod proves that no matter from what way you look at it, they are that god's parent, or they win favor/impress their godly parent. Other times, a demigod might be Claimed for as long as they remember, the cause behind varying case by case. There are also instances where a god will outright refuse to Claim their child, no matter how many times they prove themselves theirs. It is a truly sad fate, believed to be the godly parent abandoning said child. When a demigod is Claimed, a fiery hot pain erupts somewhere on their body, burning into their skin. It is not unlike being branded with a cattle iron. What is left behind is a black tattoo of a symbol; the symbol for their godly parent. |
Abilities
Demigods are born with all sorts of abilities, all depending on what their godly parent is. There are several possible abilities a god can pass down to their children, a demigod usually inheriting around two or three or four of them from the list of possible ones. The most common(?) exceptions are the children of the Big Three; they almost always inherit most of the powers, maybe leaving one off only if any at all. It should also be noted that the level of skill/natural talent one possesses in the abilities they inherit varies from demigod to demigod (A son of Apollo, for example, might be the finest archer the world has ever seen, but his inherited gift over sound waves is mediocre at best). Some abilities are much rarer to appear then others, but not unheard of. Abilities of combat or element-oriented tend to be seen as much more useful in comparison to children of others, such as perhaps Chloris or Aphrodite.
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* - rarer abilities
Zeus
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Aphrodite
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Athena
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Ares
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Eris
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Hermes
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Chloris
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Hypnos
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Demeter
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Apollo
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Dionysus
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Hera
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Isle of New Sparta
The Isle of New Sparta is a demigod training facility located in the northeastern seas of the US. The island is completely surrounded by Mist so strong that any mortal ship that comes close immediately goes around it; the island has never been recorded anywhere on the map. The same goes for most sentient monsters, and the island has powerful wards around it's edges that only allow demigods to pass through. A monster or mortal may only enter with expressed permission from a demigod within the island.
The island is described as being the only safe place for demigods in the world. It is unknown if this is true, but it is definitely the largest and most protected safehouse. Virtually the only way to get to the island is on the ship Black Pegasai, the island's official transportation vessel that is docked in multiple locations all around the US via magic for the purpose of bringing demigods back to the island. It is impossible to guess where it will appear next. The demigods live in cabins/houses and eat at the dining pavilion. There is also an archery field, a sword fighting arena, a huge lake for naval battles, an amphitheater, stables, an armory, blacksmith, mountains, spear-throwing arena, chariot race tracks, shrine gardens, the monster maze, and a whole mini separate island connected by a bridge, covered in forests. This island is full of monsters, and used for Survival Training. The main teacher is Chiron, brought back to life for this very purpose (even though the Sagittarius constellation still remains on the sky). However, considering that the island is large enough to host a town with plenty of room left, there are a few older demigods who stayed behind to teach the new ones. Others stay there purely because they do not want to live in fear their whole lives, even if they cannot really go anywhere. |
Weapons
Regular mortal weapons do not work against monster or gods. Regular bullets or steel will bounce off against a monster's flank, if not shatter completely, all while leaving the beast completely unharmed (naturally, due to the demigods' parentage they are capable of being hurt both by mortal and immortal weaponry. Lucky them right?). The metals from which weapons against supernatural foe are made come directly from pieces thrown out by Hephaestus up in Olympus as he works on whatever it is he is creating; they fall upon the earth constantly, all over the world, and are harvested and forged into weapons by demigods, and by Greeks and Romans back in the day.
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God-Child Relationships
Gods are typically largely absent from their mortal children's lives except for a few moments. It is frowned upon if they get too attached to a particular mortal, and even more so if they show favoritism towards a particular child. Typically they disappear sometime during the pregnancy, rarely staying any amount of time after the child has been born. This, they say, is to keep their mortal children from fighting or keep godly/monster grudges from being taken out on their kin. Most speculate it's because the gods usually simply can't be bothered to care for their mortal kin. Some gods refuse to interact with their children until they prove themselves to be great; some refuse them completely, in any shape and form. Other gods get attached to their children, in some cases very attached (this usually happens with the deities who do not have a lot of mortal children, although there are exceptions (like Apollo)). Some gods can ignore some children completely while growing very attached to one in particular.