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Description

Two prominent themes in the storyline were Hellenic ethnocentrism and mythological conflation of godly roles. Different cultures had similar myths and godly archetypes which may have been mutually influential or slightly varying derivatives of another one that came from an older culture. As the cultures came into contact with each other, they’d often identify the myths and godly archetypes of the other culture with those of their own. In my initial immersive research into it all, I made a list of those that fit closely between the Hellenic, Phoenician/Carthaginian, Roman, and Etruscan cultures. Herakles as the Phoenician god Melqart was a good one, as both cultures played important roles in the storyline, and Herakles’ exploits were known by those who played.

The trick was that in this world, the Hellenic viewpoint was closest to what was truly going on (in the game storyline only--not a reflection of my personal views about reality or historical truth). What this meant is that the Olympians had to appear and function in the guises of the deities of other cultures at times, and some of them took a liking to the new outlook and freedoms gained thereby. For instance, as an older goddess than Zeus and the Olympians, Aphrodite enjoyed more power and prestige when she took on the role of Astarte of the Phoenicians than among the Hellenes.

After his “Zero-to-Hero” climb to the ranks of the Olympians (involving a great deal of brutish manslaughter and tragic death in the name of heroism and ego), Herakles was more than capable of filling the role of the Phoenician god Melqart. The main characters stumbled upon his handiwork when they faced pirates in the islands south of Sicily. Awed by the remains of horrible violence (a decimated force of 100 cutthroats), they followed a trail of blood and broken bodies to a low ridge overlooking a pirate port, where Melqart stood, wiping the blood from his club. The general reaction of the players in the game at that point could be summed up with the words: “Holy shit!”

It was a lot of fun.

For more of an explanation about why I'm drawing this, go to this deviation.

Also, mostly to feel like I'm really getting back into the swing of things, I'm including a modified version of my normal disclaimer below.

Note: This is a work of fantasy and fiction. The artist/creator in no way condones real mistreatment toward any woman or man, by living person, gremlin, plant, assassin, ratman, viscous fluid, programmed device, animated home furnishings, or otherworldly spiritual beings. Furthermore, the artist opposes the marginalizing and restriction of women in general by any institution, political and/or religious, including those which have individual women amongst their membership touting/promoting their own happiness within that institution as evidence that ALL women should feel the same way. This includes the religion I was raised in and which I have utterly discarded from my life over this and other issues.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0la5DB…

Description

Two prominent themes in the storyline were Hellenic ethnocentrism and mythological conflation of godly roles. Different cultures had similar myths and godly archetypes which may have been mutually influential or slightly varying derivatives of another one that came from an older culture. As the cultures came into contact with each other, they’d often identify the myths and godly archetypes of the other culture with those of their own. In my initial immersive research into it all, I made a list of those that fit closely between the Hellenic, Phoenician/Carthaginian, Roman, and Etruscan cultures. Herakles as the Phoenician god Melqart was a good one, as both cultures played important roles in the storyline, and Herakles’ exploits were known by those who played.

The trick was that in this world, the Hellenic viewpoint was closest to what was truly going on (in the game storyline only--not a reflection of my personal views about reality or historical truth). What this meant is that the Olympians had to appear and function in the guises of the deities of other cultures at times, and some of them took a liking to the new outlook and freedoms gained thereby. For instance, as an older goddess than Zeus and the Olympians, Aphrodite enjoyed more power and prestige when she took on the role of Astarte of the Phoenicians than among the Hellenes.

After his “Zero-to-Hero” climb to the ranks of the Olympians (involving a great deal of brutish manslaughter and tragic death in the name of heroism and ego), Herakles was more than capable of filling the role of the Phoenician god Melqart. The main characters stumbled upon his handiwork when they faced pirates in the islands south of Sicily. Awed by the remains of horrible violence (a decimated force of 100 cutthroats), they followed a trail of blood and broken bodies to a low ridge overlooking a pirate port, where Melqart stood, wiping the blood from his club. The general reaction of the players in the game at that point could be summed up with the words: “Holy shit!”

It was a lot of fun.

For more of an explanation about why I'm drawing this, go to this deviation.

Also, mostly to feel like I'm really getting back into the swing of things, I'm including a modified version of my normal disclaimer below.

Note: This is a work of fantasy and fiction. The artist/creator in no way condones real mistreatment toward any woman or man, by living person, gremlin, plant, assassin, ratman, viscous fluid, programmed device, animated home furnishings, or otherworldly spiritual beings. Furthermore, the artist opposes the marginalizing and restriction of women in general by any institution, political and/or religious, including those which have individual women amongst their membership touting/promoting their own happiness within that institution as evidence that ALL women should feel the same way. This includes the religion I was raised in and which I have utterly discarded from my life over this and other issues.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0la5DB…