Senatus Populusque Romanus - Demigods in Ancient Rome.

Probably. And I don't imagine that the Greek gods who used to be prominent were particularly happy when they were relegated to support roles. Athena probably isn't very amused about the whole affair considering she went from one of *the* Greek gods to a much smaller role in the Roman pantheon.

edited 23rd Apr '14 1:24:08 AM by math792d

That only happened to Athena as far as I recall, most of the Pantheon was left alone. Anyway, interested in making a Roman character, and I'll get the sign-up up when I have time and have a character idea.

Neptune got the shaft as well in terms of overall importance. Mostly because the Romans didn't have the same naval tradition.

The story goes that during the First Punic War, the Romans didn't even know how to build warships, so they had to copy one of Carthage's when one washed ashore.

True, although he did become more feared than his Greek incarnation as far as I recall, again due to the Roman's not really being accustomed to sea, and having purview over earthquakes which was an added non-bonus for the Romans.

edited 23rd Apr '14 10:48:03 AM by Tricksen

His Greek incarnation was also called the "Earth-shaker."

"Did the earth move your you too?"...*runs*

We still need more Carthaginians it seems.

I believe I'm settling for a daughter of Astartes for the Carthaginians.

If N and Dalt are going for Carthaginians, we've got even numbers.

We just need to sort everything out since not a lot is specifically written on Carthage but according to the wiki Gods [since this is a bit of a blindspot to me]; "Egyptian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Persian and others had their influences on the Phoenician faith system as well as borrowing from it" and "at the height of its cosmopolitan era [where this game is set] Carthage seems to have hosted a large array of divinities from the neighbouring civilizations of Greece, Egypt and the Etruscan city-states".

I've been pushing Astartes since I think she has some interesting potential but we're sort of getting things in order.

edited 23rd Apr '14 1:18:19 PM by Fauxlosophe

Of course, since Hannibal's armies included mercenaries from Gaul, Spain, and presumably Egypt and parts of the Hellenic world, it's safe to assume that those pantheons are also up for grabs.

(Good god, I'm going to have ALL of the work.)

A lot of those Pantheons had Gods which the Carthaginians worshipped anyway [Except the Celts and Lusitanians who were filthy barbarians and etc. Though more likely they did have a couple minor ones but we don't recognize them because neither the Gauls or Lusitanians did a great job recording their mythology]. For all we know, Horus could have taken a roadtrip!

I'm more than willing to serve as a consultant on this since I'm a bit of a myth geek.

edited 23rd Apr '14 1:28:13 PM by Fauxlosophe

Well, in the case of the Gauls I can use some of the Tuatha de Danaan, since many of those gods are the same, except the really Ireland-specific ones like, say, Lugh.

The native Phoenician pantheons are probably the ones I'm the least knowledgable about, in terms of the religions present, so to speak.

edited 23rd Apr '14 1:28:50 PM by math792d

Lugh is actually one of the most easily related to the Gauls; Lugus is kicking around for the Gauls and seems to have been related with Healing [which would mirror the tale of how Lugh acquires the Golden Fleece from the Greeks and show a similar domain of healing and war].

The city of Lyon is actually named after him in a convoluted way! [Through Lugodunon; the Dún of Lugh].

There are definitely Irish specific Myths though; I suspect their entire relationship with the Gods might relate the the Gaels being an invading force who conquered the native Iberiu [Hiberian] tribes, though this speculative stuff. It would account for the sons of Míl [who would become the Gaels] conquering the Ireland and the native Gods and the complicated relations that followed. The Gauls likely saw their Gods very differently, though details aren't as clear really.

If Dalt is going for my interpretation of Astartes, I stole pretty whole heartedly from the Epic of Gilgamesh since Astartes is a relative of Ishtar who gets some very colourful moments and threats.

edited 23rd Apr '14 1:51:34 PM by Fauxlosophe

Hello, snippet I'm going to save for later.

It's the best story of petty mean spirited gods being hilarious dicks to eachother.

I have Lady Grey's translation, but... this one is amazing and beautiful; http://bettermyths.com/everyone-in-ireland-is-a-dick/

edited 23rd Apr '14 2:51:59 PM by Fauxlosophe

Hey, Math, is the new Hamartia a better one than the previous one?

Hm. It's better, but it still seems a bit more external than internal. Then again, Achilles went into a flying rage when his boy-toy was killed, so I guess it's 'aight. You might want to specify a bit whether it refers to his own maniple (the military formation at the time) or some larger body of men though.

With Achilles, wasn't it more that his fatal flaw was unquenchable rage with a bad ankle and a prophecy literally foretelling of his death in war thrown into the pot?

edited 24th Apr '14 12:06:52 AM by Fauxlosophe

It was. I was more saying that it had a bit of precedent.

Of course, Achilles was just overall kind of a huge jerk, so.

Well, sort of. My character might be Roman, but he has no loyalty to Rome and would be happiest if both the Roman and Carthaginian armies failed and both Rome and Carthage were brought to their knees allowing chaos and discord to reign. He also wants the war to continue as long as possible with neither side being a clear front runner for a long period of time. Basically, he's more of a Wild Card than anything.

I edited my character again.

The black lightning ball seems a bit excessive. The gods are still gods of natural phenomenons, so to speak. Otherwise, no real objections.

while lightning balls are a thing existing in nature, I'd point out, there is atm no knowledge how they are created (and the theories are ranging pretty far) so they are probably not "lightning"

So I guess that makes two wild cards, eh?

Both of which are criminals as well.