( 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

[heelies]

Yes, I have heard of the three moons that share the night sky. Then is each one tended by a goddess, as Artemis of the silver bow is guardian of the moon I have known my whole life? So too like Artemis, these goddesses give their blessing to their favorites of the animals that roam forest and field.

It seems to me that the best way to honor a god is to offer to the flames the rich fat of ox's thigh bones, but here I have not one ox. Gone are my herds and flocks, and the store of prizes that I won by dint of spear in the bloody jaws of war. I have little to offer the gods — prince though I am in my native land, here I am little more than a migrant. Yet even so I will find some offering or another to give.

[foolishjustice]

Each moon has its own associated deity, yes. The best offering might simply to do what they've brought us here for, though...depending on whether or not you know anyone already here, it can be something of a daunting task.

I'm sure the Prismals explained to you the concept of Chroma and moonlacing, right? Finding someone you're comfortable being physically affectionate with produces a form of energy that seems to be necessary for living creatures. Since we all have a connection to one of the moons, the natives think the gods brought us here to generate Chroma after they lost the ability to produce it around two-hundred years ago.

[heelies]

So then this is how the goddesses protect the city and her people. How strange it seems to me that they should call upon those who have never honored them, never once offered sacrifice in their names. However, the will of the deathless gods cannot always be understood by man.

Yet all they demand in offering is that men and women lie together as is the way between them already! I hardly think it a sacrifice.

[foolishjustice]

Benefiting someone else doesn't always need a sacrifice. These gods seem to want to protect Prismatica and the life it supports, so us simply living as social creatures is all they want from us.

I do...have theories as to why they brought outsiders, though. I believe the natives of this planet are somehow cursed by a hateful deity that nearly destroyed the world two centuries ago. That event, as far as I've been able to discover, is what heavily depleted this world of its Chroma supply. Local customs seem to indicate moonlacing used to be a major part of Prismal culture.

[heelies]

They want no sacrifice of blood and rich white fat? No libations of wine poured in their names? What goddesses these are! Their love for this race seems as boundless as the ocean that stretches far beyond where any man dares to sail. Even white-armed Hera, who loves the Argives above all other men, wants offerings to sate her.

Easier to understand is a god who lashes out in anger when he is not properly honored. Have you any idea of what the moon-loving Prismals might have done to drive to fury such a diety as that?

[foolishjustice]

I've been having trouble finding records from before the Calamity, so any ideas I might have are pure speculation. It could have been as simple as mortals getting caught in the crossfire of a conflict between deities. I'm sure that's a concept you're familiar with.

[heelies]

Indeed, mortals are often made to suffer for the disagreements and rivalries of the deathless gods. Recall the tale of poor Hyacinth, struck dead in the bloom of youth, the beard not yet grown on his chin when far-shooting Apollo and Zephyrus quarreled for his attention.

It is even said that what drove Priam's son Paris to rob Helen from her husband was a promise given by laughter-loving Aphrodite. The goddess of love quarreled with bright-eyed Athena and white-armed Hera over who was most beautiful, and cowardly Paris chose her. His reward was the most beautiful woman in the world, and for it all of Troy and Achaea would bear the burden of ten long years of war.