( video )

[heelies]

[The video feed begins on a close view of a face, revealing a stern set of eyes and a curve of nose but little more. Then the picture shakes as a new perspective is gained. The man who comes into view posesses a princely bearing and wears well the mantle of importance. His voice belongs to one who is accustomed to being listened to.]

I am told that this is the way that men call others to counsel in this land, and so as strange as it seems to me to address those whom I see not, I shall follow the local custom. I am Achilles, son of Peleus — Peleus who rules the fertile plains of Phthia, and who claims for his own worthy father Aeacus, judge of the House of Hades. New as I am to this land, which is farther from my dear native land than even the windy plains of Ilios, I bear many questions, but the first in my heart is this.

What deathless gods watch over the city of Lunatia? I have seen no temples built to honor Zeus who bears the aegis, nor bright-eyed Athena, nor Phoebus Apollo. Where are the priests who aid in the rituals of sacrifice, the seers who interpret the will of the gods in bird-signs? Surely, a city so rich as this, with precious silver trimming its houses, and all manner of riches I have never before seen — surely its people have the benison of the gods. Yet I see no practices that would suggest such reverence. Tell me, therefore, the ways to honor these gods who to me are so mysterious.

Comments

video;

[ciao]

[ excuse this one, he had opened up communication through a video response, but he kind of just had this dumb smile for a moment before finally snapping to with a very verbose greeting ]

Ciao, Achilles, ciao~!

I'm Venezia Italia and I'm a fan of your work, but more than that I'm so very glad to see you've been adapting well so far! As for the gods of this land, I'm sure that people have already explained the gods and their associations with the mooncycles.

It appears that if the adventure to tending to dragon eggs was any indication, that simply partaking in moonlacing is tribute enough for the gods and to keep this land flourishing. Of course if we don't partake we suffer in varying degrees, none of which I recommend experiencing.

As far as I've seen there doesn't seem to be much in the way of sacrifices thus far, but it could be that it's a special event we have yet to bare witness to. Every so often there are festivals where we celebrate and learn a little more about certain gods, so there's always a chance that there's something just around the corner.

[distort]

Ah, perhaps. It did not seem worthy of mentioning.

But make no mistake, there are no bards singing about it.

no one is good at anything in greek myth besides murder

[hagrides]

I shall keep your child in my thoughts, and hope for his good health.

[Grimm knows he won't see his child after his fated death - not long after he returns home, most likely - but that's simply how things are for the vessels of the Nightmare King. Burn the father, feed the child.]

[thedarkbond]

I'm wondering about that myself...it doesn't sound like anyone's found out yet. You don't even have to go as far as lying with someone, you can make smaller amounts by doing things like holding hands or embracing, so it's strange that it's become something they can't do. Especially since we've had some visitors before from another part of this world who seemed to need Chroma to raise their young, but needed to come for our help to gather enough this time.

[heelies]

Well met, Venezia Italia. Here is another who knows my name — you do gladden my heart, for this is the glory I sought when against my mother's wishes I followed the sons of Atreus to Dardanus' land. In this, at least, it seems I chose well.

It is only natural that the gods should punish those who honor them not. Then if it is true that the sister goddesses of the moons ask only that we lie with one another, as is they way between men and women — or lace with one another, as they say — one should expect to suffer when he neglects this duty. Although, I cannot imagine what man would not wish to lace thus! Perhaps he is not so comely of feature and therefore cannot catch a wife with even the sweetest words.

[Life must be hard for ugly people. :(]

Very well, I shall have to observe the local festivals that I may learn more of their ways. Yet if the moon-loving Prismals do not practice the rites of sacrifice, I wonder how I might find suitable offerings to share with the wide-seeing gods who make their home on steep Olympus. It shames a man to forget the dear native land whence he came.

[heelies]

What is this? No bards? Then who passes stories from one generation of men to the next, weaving all together in a tapestry of kings and heroes, deathless gods and unconquerable Fate?

true...odysseus might win for trying so hard to get back to his kid...and then teaching him MURDER

[heelies]

I am honored to receive your blessing, Grimm who serves the Nightmare King.

As we speak, my Neoptolemus remains in the care of his grandfather Lycomedes, he whom I consider a father third after Peleus and wise Chiron, but soon he shall be on the cusp of manhood, ready to wield spear and sword in battle. If I have any reason left to live, it would be to behold him thus.

[heelies]

It could be that their failings are a punishment for some offense or another — not against the sister goddesses of the moons, but against another deathless god, one whom the moon-loving Prismals have forgotten. What a terrible punishment it is, to lose the very power that sustains life!

[ciao]

I was born a descendant of Rome, but have always had a great appreciation and love for the tales from Greece. Yours happens to be a very popular one, adapted into many languages and so many formats over time, though nothing quite comes close to the original in that respect.

[ the humor is far from lost on italy, instead there’s a moment of much amusement before clearing his throat some ]

While it is easier to gain attentions when one is attractive, it’s difficult to keep it unless there’s something else offered. After all there is beauty all around, and some of it is rather unexpected in its form. But yes, it does seem an easy way to please the goddesses of this world, though I would be careful because some of their blessings have some trickery that not everyone is very open to. Although that should be expected when it comes to dealing with the divine, I look forward to seeing what your blessing is like~

[ hearing this wondering italy can’t help but think for a moment ]

There’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to erect a temple of your own to the god of your choosing, there’s wild game to be had in the groves as well, some familiar and others not so familiar. The dragons live outside the city limits where we’re restricted access, it seems like they’re a sacred creature in this world just as they are in others.

[distort]

[ he's got the right idea, technically, but she's not here for a lesson in changing technology. instead: ] Did I say no bards, monsieur? Non, I said there is no singing. The heel does not make for a very good song.

he's so proud

[hagrides]

Perhaps you wil see him again, if only in your dreams. ...Though I have no power to grant pleasant ones, sadly.

[courtmagic]

One you know not of, for those that guard your land are filled with more pride than that. There is much to be gained in watching one's chosen work their way towards a happy end, if there is not much to seek.

But my face, since you asked.

[he'd really just forgotten he'd left it on the voice setting until he was called out. whoops...easy enough to make it video, however.]

I'm pretty sure if you personally wanted to make offering to your gods, you wouldn't find anyone complaining, though.

[thedarkbond]

Maybe...they talk about a "calamity" that happened a while ago, but it sounds like a pretty big gap between when that happened and when the lack of Chroma became a problem. So I'm not sure whether that was the cause of it or maybe the start of it deteriorating or something, but the calamity has legends about it, so you should be able to find more information.

[bigredcheese]

Yep, you got it in one! The world's a lot bigger than people realize during your time. But I'm sure there's a lot we still don't know in my time too.

What's a good story, though... Oh, how about one of the big ones? There was Mr. Mind, this alien worm who could control minds! He and the rest of his species came from outer space and tried to take over the Earth. One of them even got into my brain for a little bit, but I was able to beat him eventually. Thing is, the worms don't do too great in cold temperatures. Once you freeze them, they're pretty much harmless. Not that they haven't gotten out before, but I've still managed to handle it.

video

[eddas]

Behold— you shall see the one to whom you speak.

[ It is Sif, a maiden well-formed, with hair blacker than night. ]

I am the lady Sif, a goddess born, though little versed in the ways of the Olympians. [ She recognizes some of their names, and their divinity. Their emissaries sometimes traveled to the courts of Asgard. But Sif has ever cared for the songs of her own people, not those of far-off lands. ] Yet the powers of Lunatia are veiled, even to sight such as mine.

[heelies]

Lovely Sif, goddess upon whom I know not what honors to heap, I am honored that you should deign to appear to me in answer to my call. Were you to stand before me, rather than grant just this glimpse through this strange cuff, then on my knees I would bow to you in supplication.

Tell me, if you will, O goddess — are you one of the deathless gods that watches over this land, or is it another people who offer you prayers and sacrifice, another land from whence you have been torn?

[heelies]

[Rome? You mean the descendants of the losers of the Trojan War?]

So many questions have I still, and I would ask you to answer if you will. Where lies this country of your fatherland Rome? Of what manner of trickery do you speak, woven within the blessings of the moon-ruling goddesses? What are these dragons that are so sacred to the moon-loving Prismals?

[heelies]

Then if none will sing, how are any stories told at all?

[heelies]

Indeed, as only in memories and dreams can I ever see him, the fruit of my loins. Although even there, I cannot know how he looks in truth, for in my thoughts he is forever a babe, just as a flower plucked and dried shall grow no more.

Moreover, is it true, then, that you pour nightmares into the ears of the sleeping?

[heelies]

There, that is much improved — now we might have some semblance of a proper conversation.

Indeed, the moon-ruling goddesses of this land seem strange to me, but then it is not for man to question the deathless gods too closely. Even the seers who interpret bird signs cannot know all that Zeus almighty holds in his heart. Yet I shall honor these three sister goddesses even as I continue to offer libations to the far-seeing gods who upon Mount Olympus dwell. The honors they desire, after all, are so pleasing to give.

[If you know what he means.]

Although I cannot help but be amused when I call to mind stories of how the gods whom the war-loving Achaeans honor have been so offended by such acts offered upon their altars.

[heelies]

From whom might I learn more of this calamity? Just as surely as it is wise to know how to honor the deathless gods, so too is it wise to know what offends them.

[eddas]

I am Sif of the Vanir, a warrior of Asgard, City of Song, fairest of the Nine Realms. I have come here much as you have, separated from my lord and lady by a power unknown to me, in all my ageless ages. [ Even the sword that connects her to Asgard, a gift from the All-Father himself, does not work as it once did. ]

But do not regret your manners, for never have I asked a mortal to kneel. The men and women that I favor meet their fate unbowed.

[heelies]

Many men boast with words too great for their paltry deeds, yet it seems to me that you boast not enough! What an ungodly monster you have fought and destroyed, just as Zeus' famed son Perseus slew the wicked Medusa through the strength of his arm and the sharpness of his wit!

What is this outer space of which you speak? Are they lands yet unknown to men even in your distant time?

[heelies]

[dayum girl, he would worship you so hard]

Then I shall remember this when next you choose to grace me with your presence, Sif, radiant of feature and strong of arm. If the deathless gods who watch over Asgard prefer to be met with shoulders straight and eyes level, then I shall do so.

Who are this lord and lady whom you serve, the equals of Zeus almighty and his queen white-armed Hera?

[eddas]

Then you will be well met.

Shifty-eyed Odin and Lady Frigga the Weaver have long ruled over Asgard, always wisely and often well. But lately we are graced with a regent, Cul Borson.

[ Her tone changes, and it's obvious she doesn't care for Cul Borson. Ah, the dilemna of being sworn to serve a coward king. ]