Chapter One: Spirit of Battle - Xenagoras and Itylus' Story

This thread and adventure is exclusive to members of Group 5: Xeangoras and Itylus.

Xenagoras had been traveling for a nearly a month now at the command of his deity and patron Ares. It had been a most uncomfortable trip on horseback. He reflected on the circumstances that had brought him to his destination and in doing so he urged his horse to go faster. He was nearly to the village and could finally truly start his mission.

He had been chosen as a young man as one of Ares' own. However, it was not to serve as one of the nameless men who fought in the numerous wars, but was something much more special. He was his chosen to speak with the power of God's voice and bestow Ares' blessings upon his warriors. There was nothing easy about this though. It was not as if he had been called to be one of the Priests of Dionysus the drunkard or the beautiful Aphrodite. No, his training had been painful.

Xenagoras had done well, especially for somebody of his age. Most of the fellow Priests of Ares were much older men who had been called later in life after serving honorable careers as commanders or as soldiers in wars themselves. Not many were called who had been as young as Xenagoras or had served with such purpose as he did.

Perhaps that was why Ares had commanded him now. From what Xenagoras could tell, Ares of late had been quite unhappy. The three great cities were all at peace with one another, and there were no obvious external threats inspiring to the men who fought in his name. No great deeds were being performed in Ares' name either and he was bored.

But, in speaking to Xenagoras during a routine sacrifice, there was a vision of a threat and a creature whose death would sing praises to Ares' name: A giant.

In the vision bestowed upon him, this giant had been quiet for a long time. He has observed the humans below but had been wary of him. But over time his  unending hunger had brought him to terrify villages and he had taken a liking to human flesh. The giant had started with small things, stealing sheep or cattle, but now was taking peasants as well. It had first been a child. But, now the most affronting thing now had been the abduction, murder, and consumption of a local priest who was beloved by Ares. 'This cannot be tolerated!' was the sharp and murderous command of his deity as this vision flashed in Xenagoras' mind.

And so Xenagoras had left the temple to travel towards the village where this atrocity and affront to the great Ares had taken place. Retribution and vengeance were now required and his role now was to make sure that these were carried out in Ares name.

As he approached he could see a man, perhaps this man was local of village? He appeared to be a hunter of some kind and was out on patrol. It was apparent that he had seen Xenagoras.

---

A month had passed for Itylus and it had been one disaster after another. He reflected on where things had gone wrong.

First, Doria and Aleta had stolen away and abandoned the group for some lovers' honeymoon. Despite this, Itylus and his companions had chosen to press on in their quest to recover the Bow of Herakles. But they had faced another setback while they camped at the edge of the Frozen Sea. Their party had been attacked in the dead of night, catching them all by surprise. In the chaos that followed, Dysis had been abducted. Itylus had watched with horror as she had been clobbered over the head and dragged off by their attackers. As for Lysandros, he had disappeared entirely and Itylus knew not whether he too was captured, killed, or had fled. Eurenomes too was a mystery. Itylus thinks he had seen the priest get cut down and ragged off but he could not be certain. Regardless of what had happened, this left only Itylus with only Arthanos and their small group of hirelings.

The two men had agreed that they could not continue on like this. They would have to abandon their quest to return to the great cities. They, along with their hireling had traveled south in silence for a long time before reaching the border between Hyperborea and the south. There too disaster struck yet as they were again ambushed by Orki. Mugarod was killed, and the attackers had separated Itylus from Arthanos and the hirelings and had been chasing him down. Badly wounded, and pursued by Orki as well as their pet wolves, Itylus had been forced to flee and knew not what had become or Arthanos or any of the others.

He was weak and had been fighting an infection when he was found by a small group of kindly villagers. They had taken him in and for the past two weeks now he had been slowly regaining his strength as they tended to his multiple wounds. He had been treated as an honored guest.

He found out that they were a peaceable people but had a strong warrior tradition and devoted to Ares, always sending the first born sons out as tributes to honor their protector and deity. But Itylus learned that their community had been attacked by a monster of some kind. It had started with simple disappearance of livestock: A missing sheep, or a cow or two. But in the time leading up to his arrival, the tavern keeper's daughter had been taken, and then in the most outrageous affront, this enormous monster had destroyed their shrine to Ares and had taken their priest - a man who was also their village elder. No further attacks had yet come, but they were fearful and this was readily apparent whenever they spoke of what had happened to their community.

This morning now, Itylus stretched as he stepped out of the hut he had been staying in. There was still some tenderness to his healing wounds, and he could not yet go back to a full sprint, but he was recovering nicely. Slowly, he began his morning patrol. It had been good to get out of bed, to breathe the fresh air again, and to begin this routine. Sometimes he went on this patrol with other youths or warriors of the village, but today he walked alone.

However, while on patrol this morning he sees somebody coming down from the distance on horseback. This man was still somewhat in the distance but was quickly approaching the village. There had been no recent visitors (apart from Itylus himself) so this arrival was unusual.

OOC: Xenagoras and Itylus, welcome to the game! Feel free to post whenever you are ready to introduce yourself, RP a bit, etc.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:13, Wed 10 May 2017.

Xenagoras considered simply riding past the man and continuing into the village, but if the man had heard of anything Ares had commanded him to take care of, it would be negligent of him to ignore such a blatant sign. Xenagoras pulled his horse up short and addressed the man.

"I greet you in Ares's name, sir. I am Xenagoras, a priest of Ares, and I've traveled here to find out more about the terrible fates befalling the village ahead. Anything you could tell me would be most appreciated."

Itylus had been on patrol for some time now. While observing the woods surrounding the road, he thought about the recent events. Part of him still couldn't comprehend how suddenly things had started to go so wrong. Almost from night to day, their apparently invincible party had fallen apart and had scattered like leaves on the wind... It was as if the grace of the Gods had abandoned them for complete.

He didn't even knew if his companions were alive or dead. The hunter himself was only alive by a miracle: separated from Arthanos and their remaining companions, chased by the Orkoi's wolves and with a nasty injury on his right arm, Itylus' only choice had been jumping from a cliff down to a river dozens of feet below.

He still marvelled at how he had survived that fall(even if barely), and also at the great fortune of having been found by the kind people of this village some days later, when he already was with a foot in Hades' realm. Those were the only reasons why he knew the grace of Artemis hadn't completely abandoned him yet. As it had always been with the hunters of his tribe, the Great Huntress had looked out for him.

While immersed in this thoughts, Itylus spotted a figure appearing at the horizon. After a few moments he could see that it was a mounted man, and then he saw the symbols of Ares. Hah! So that was it...As expected, the of God of War hadn't lost anytime responding to the affront he had received.

The priest was young, but had a disciplined posture and a determined gaze. When he reached the hunter he stopped the horse and asked about the village.

"Greetings, servant of the Greatest Warrior, I am Itylus, a humble hunter of Artemis. I can tell you that you are, indeed, in the right place. Your God's people were attacked in this village by a giant, more or less one moon ago. He killed several of them, destroyed the shrine and took the priest."

Fortunately, since then the creature hasn't appeared again. But the people of the village certainly need to hear the comfort of their Divine Patron's words."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Fri 12 May 2017.

Xenagoras nodded slightly to himself as the hunter related precisely what Ares had revealed to him. As the hunter mentioned letting the villagers hear Ares's words, Xenagoras made his mind up to speak to the people.

"Ares had revealed to me as much, Itylus. Can you tell me where I might find a room for some time? I feel as though this may take some time; after all, one does not approach any confrontation with a giant lightly."

Xenagoras' last words took Itylus by surprise. "Wait... you came here to take down the giant?" He had thought the priest had only come to substitute the former priest of the shrine. "Isn't Ares sending a battalion of his warriors to hunt the creature?"

"Ares does as he will, and this time, his will is that I find a way to rid the village of the giant. If I need to hire a battalion of warriors, well, that is on me."

“I see…” replied the hunter thoughtful. Ares certainly hadn’t given an easy task to this young priest! However, there was only determination on his eyes. And maybe their meeting hadn’t been just a coincidence…” Forgive me, I didn’t intend to question the God of War’s will, I was just surprised. He certainly must have a lot of confidence in your capabilities.”


Itylus approached the priest and stretched his hand to him. “Allow me then to help you in this noble goal, Xenagoras. The people of this village have been extremely kind to me and I want to repay them.”

The priest of Ares accepted the hunter's hand. So far, so good. He hadn't even reached the village proper, and he'd already met a needed ally.

"Your aid is gladly accepted, Itylus. I hope the villagers are as accepting of me as you have been."

He continued, "Now how about that place to stay? The trip to get here has been a long one."

OOC: pushing things ahead slightly here.

Itylus escorts Xenagoras into the village proper where already news of the Priest's arrival was starting to spread instilling hope into the villagers that Ares had not abandoned them and that they were will worthy of his grace.

Indeed, approaching the pair now was the elder's son, Iakkhos, who had been acting leader in the interim following his father's disappearance. Iakkhos had initially been cool to Itylus, somewhat suspicious of the means of his arrival not long after the monster's attack on their village, but taking him for a warrior in his own right given his numerous wounds, saw fit that his people should render Itylus aid. As the hunter had recovered and began to contribute with some patrols of his own, Iakkhos was now more accepting

He presents before the two now, spear in hand and bows his head deeply to Xenagoras as it was clearly apparent based on the priest's garb that he was a devoted speaker of the God of War. "My welcome to you, favored child of Ares!" he exclaims. "Your presence alone lifts our warrior hearts!" a statement which is met by cheers from the other warriors present.

"I am sure you have questions. Come, let us speak in my father's home and allow you a moment to wash the dust of the road off." He gives a nod to Itylus "Itylus, you are welcome to join." he offers.

The young priest allows Iakkhos to lead him into the house as he replies, "My gratitude, Iakkhos. I am Xenagoras, and indeed, the journey here was a long and dusty one. I would much appreciate anything you can tell me about the warriors and priests who can lend their hearts, minds, and strong arms to Ares's cause at this time."

The arrival of Xenagoras had certainly rised the villigers' spirits. Despite an apparent return to normality in the past weeks, a shadow had still lingered in people's hearts. The hunter had noticed it in the frequent nervous stares towards the forest, in the startled jumps of people when someone made a loud noise, and in their blank expressions when they looked at their destroyed temple.

But now everyone was smiling and cheering. Probably their first honest smiles since the attack. Even Iakkhos was smiling! He certainly was a lot warmer receiving priests of Ares than he was receiving moribund hunters. Which probably made sense, but still stung slightly.

Itylus accepted the invitation to join the talks and followed them to the house.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Sun 28 May 2017.

Now inside, the young man's tone changes drastically. His smile and welcome merely a show for the other young warriors of the village.l to cheer them. "I saw the giant take my father and devour him while he was in prayer." he states. "Just as he did to the young daughter of our innkeeper as she wandered the fields picking flowers." he states, the anger in his voice apparent. Though as to whom the anger was directed was not immediately apparent.

"We men of Ares are but sheep to this monster. And he strikes as a wolf might. Waiting for a few to wander away from the herd, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself." He adds "We are cautious now and so he waits. But he will attack again. I feel it in my blood.

He continues. "Although we honor Ares and fight in glorious war when called to do so, but only a handful of the young men and women have any meaningful experience. We know not how to kill a giant... have either of you?" he asks of the hunter and priest.

The young priest tells Iakkhos, "You have my condolences on the loss of your father. We will take our revenge for his death, and that of the young girl."

Drawing upon his orator's skills, Xenagoras tries to bolster the young man's spirit with his words.

"Truly, no, I have not faced a giant yet. But in my time in Ares's service I have studied the tactics of war, learned of the fighting arts, and called Ares's diving blessings on myself and his soldiers, and I will do so here."

Xenagoras looked over at Itylus, then continued, "With the right battle plan, and strong hearts and minds working together in the name of Ares, even a few can overcome a great foe! That is what I have been sent here to do, and in Ares's name, it will be done!"

He lowers his voice, and continues, "Now, to tactics. Itylus, what say you?"

The hunter was leaning up against a wall, arms crossed and thoughtful expression on his face. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly said. "Have any of you ever heard about the Myrmidon?"

"They are a race of tiny warriors that live in some forests of the world. Their name means ant people, and though they aren't quite as small as an ant, they are no bigger than the palm of your hand." he rose his open hand as if he were holding a tiny being.

Staring at his hand he continued. "They are fierce and brave warriors. They must be, since they spend their lives fighting foes greater than themselves to survive. However, that alone isn't enough for tiny beings like them to survive in an unforgiving world of giant creatures" the hunter suddenly closed his fist, as if a beast had closed its terrible jaws on the imaginary Myrmidon he had been holding on his hand.

"More than bravery, courage, or even numbers, the secret for their success is here" he taps with his finger the side of his head. "The cunning traps they lay for their ennemies are what really makes them succed. Their favorite strategies are luring enemies to traps that make them fall and put them to the Myrmidon's level. Then they use poisonous spears and stab their enemy on their weak spots until the toxin starts making effect. After that it's over."

Itylus turned his gaze to Iakkhos. " We can take this monster down Iakkhos. We just have to be as cunning as the Myrmidons. Giants are not renown for their wits, if we are able to lay a trap and make the giant fall, then we'll have a chance to slay it. The easiest way would be finding a toxin potent enough and inject it on him once he is down. If we are unable to find such a toxin there are other ways too. Making him fall from a cliff or pushing a big boulder on top of him will do the job too."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Sun 04 June 2017.

Xenagoras listened attentively as Itylus spoke of the Myrmidon, nodding along at a couple of points. When the hunter had finished, the servant of Ares spoke.

"I agree. If we can get the giant to the ground, we will have the advantage. But it will not be easy..."

One could see Xenagoras analyzing possibilities in the silence that followed. He muttered, "Perhaps a rope around its ankles... or possibly a net... but they would have to be tremendously strong.... yes, it could be done."

Finally, he spoke aloud again. "Iakkhos, this can be done, but we just need a bit of time to make our plan of action. Once we have, we will need your men and women ready to implement it with us. How many can take up arms with us?"

Iakkhos had been watching the two's exchange with interest. In response to Xenagoras' question he replies "I could spare ten, maybe twelve capable warriors. I would dare not risk more than that. The rest are either too young, old or inexperienced."

"Where do you plan to lay this 'trap' for the giant? Surely you are not thinking of allowing him to attack our village again?"

The hunter shook his head. "Of course not, Iakkhos. We'll do it as far away from the village as possible. I'll go scout the area around the Giant's lair myself to find a suitable place for the trap.

"I just need to ask you one thing: do you posses or know a local toxin strong enough to kill or at least weaken the Giant? "
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Wed 07 June 2017.

Iakkhos grins. "The only local 'toxin' that I am aware of is our' innkeeper's wine cellars." he adds "Though I do not know how much it would take to intoxicate a giant."

He shakes his head "I know nothing of the other kind of toxin that I am sure you speak of. We are warriors, not thieves and assassins who must rely on deceit for victory."

Itylus throwed a serious look to the man. "And yet, that deceit you scorn so much is now your only chance to save your village and your people." The hunter walked to the door, and with his backs turned to the two men he said. "Now, if we have nothing else to discuss I'll go eat something and then be off scouting and see if I can find the location of the Giant's lair."

With his hand already on the door the hunter suddenly turned to look at Xenagoras. "Do you come Xenagoras? Or will you stay here gathering the soldiers?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Sat 10 June 2017.

"I will join you, Itylus, although I would welcome the chance to speak to our warriors as a group before we put the plan into action. I feel that Ares's words will bolster their spirits."

He turns back to Iakkhos and says, "I would never discount the influence that too much strong drink might have on even a giant. Far too many lives have been ruined by the stuff, so who is to say it might not hold sway over even a giant?"

"My gratitude, Iakkhos," adds Xenagoras as he joins the hunter at the door. "We shall return when we have a better lay of the land surrounding the giant's home."