The Greek Gods

[airborne92]

OOC: This thread idea is actually Soliloquy's, I am starting it at her request. The story takes place about 10 years after Jason completes his fabled voyage to find the Golden Fleece. He has left his wife Medea for reasons known only to the Gods of Olympus.

IC:

Jason

For reasons I cannot explain I have left my wife and set out to rebuild the Argo and her crew. The Gods are somehow behind this journey I have set out upon, one that I don't understand or know of yet. My ship, the Argo, is only a week away from being rebuilt. I wander this small port town in search of a new crew. They have to be as brave and daring as my last. I have posted notices at every tavern and inn in the town. Now I return to my ship and await those who wish to join me.

 

[soliloquy]

Ariadne

Ariadne was feeling lost and abandoned--both of which she was. She had followed Theseus through Crete, and now to Naxos, where he abandoned her without a word. Gone were her mother and father, and now her love.

She sat on a grassy knoll, shedding tears of misery and loss. She cried out to the Goddess Aphrodite: "Why must such love be so easily taken? And what am I to do now? Is there no hope for me? Is there no hope for love?" She curled up on the knoll, willing herself to sink into the earth and be gone from the cruel world that surrounded her.

 

[airborne92]

Jason

As I waited I decided that I would need 60 men to man the Argo. All would have to be good sailors as well as soldiers. There were many menof this sort in this town, but how many would join me. Only the Gods knew what waited for me and thsoe who chose to go with me.

 

[Miltone]

Zeus, The Thunderer

Although past generations had viewed me as a mere rain-god, seeing that the rocky Grecian peninsula needed more rain than sunshine, I have become more than that. As I lay here on heavenly Olympus looking down, I realize that I am no fact of nature, but a person living in a world where civilization has made an appearance, and I do have a standard of right and wrong (though it is not all that high, and often doesn't seem applicable to my own behavior).

But I do punish men who lie and break their oaths; I'm angered by any ill treatment of the dead; I will dispatch the those who wrong orphan children to the mercy of Hades, of which we know he has none. As mankind has grown over the eons, so have I grown from a cowardly, ridiculous, and amorous creature to one coming into being, who is the giver of every good gift, the common father and savior and guardian of mankind.

Yet sitting high upon Mount Olympus and looking about myself, I see nothing of interest, no games today, no hunt to partake. Whereas I glance down Earthward and there I see the noble Jason, working hard to rebuild his ship and refit it with a worthy crew. Surely there must be a quest that I could send him upon, one befitting his character and ambition. It made me long for the taste of seawater in my nostrils, the thrill of adventure, and I yearned for the challenge of an impossible feat.

Then, when young Ariadne cried out from her loneliness and despair, I knew that it was time for me to revisit the earth, to seek adventure and perhaps love as only humans can know of them. Lest Hera stop me, I should slip away and join the mortals on a merry quest of love and adventure.

 

[Jeselynn]

The Fates

Weaving time, always busy. Past, present, and future. Knowing fingers running over the threads, pausing and selecting the right ones, turning them and crossing and braiding them with others. As the mortal time passes, they're single thread is braided and parted thousands of times before it is cut and the mortal dies.


As Zeus walks into the room. He chooses a string and upon touching it view that point of a mortals life. Moving to find the one he seeks, he grabs one between his forefinger and thumb, at the point where it is present.

Seeking darkness at first and then the views of the mortal.

 

[Snork Maiden]

Persephone

Looking down from the Halls of Olympus, the clouds thin as Persephone waved her hand to view the lands below. Watching her Father his boredom seemingly intolerable and his eyes filled with a longing for adventure.

"I hope you aren't going to upset the balance again Father!, you will give Cygnus another headache", she remarked as as she strode through the marbled halls towards her Father; recalling how his interference with the Trojan matter had led to the loss of Paris, one of her most favored Mortals. Adonis, the fair child of Aphodite tugged playfully at the hem of her gown which floated around her as she walked, urging her to come out into the garden to play with him a while.

She patted him lightly on the head, "Be still a while little one, I shall indulge you presently, but I need to talk urgently with your grandfather."

She reached the Patriarch, bowing her head respectfully and looking at him curiously,"Where to now?", she enquired, looking through the clear patch in the cloud that provided a portal to the lands below. She could see a harbor and ship being fitted for an ocean journey of no short duration. She shook her head, "You are ofcourse joking.", she looked at him with a serious tone in her voice, "You're really are thinking about it aren't you?"

Visions of catastrophy flashed through her mind like a premonition, 'You know you can't rely on Posideon not to get uppity if you start messing about on boats.

The young child god tugged again on Persephone's robe.

"Soon Adonis honey, soon, just a while longer" Persephone produced a small globe of glass out of her with colored lights flashing inside it and cast it into the air. It span momentarily then began to bob about just out of reach of the young child who started to laugh gleefully and proceeded to chase the object around the vast hall.

"You know I would love to go too", she smiled,"but it is springtime and my work here is just beginning, I have no time for these Mortals and there little adventures."

She paused turnng to look at the young Adonis rushing around. "Besides I have Aphrodite's child to mind till she returns, but I shall keep an eye on things from time to time before I return to my husband, Hades. If I can help let me know."

 

[Miltone]

Zeus, The Thunderer

I held fast to the thread of life and viewed the moment for which I longed. Even the pleas of my favorite daughter Persephone, could not keep me within the halls of Olympus. Easing my way down toward the mortal realm below, I felt the excitement build as I became one of them, a rugged sailor, robust and earthy, handsome and brave, certainly worthy of joining the crew brave Jason was recruiting.

As I strode along the street, heading toward the dock, my mortal eyes could not but help to notice the loveliness of the women, but I knew that my heart must first be true to the quest. As I moved along others began to follow along, perhaps having read the notices. Soon we were a sizable group and had reached the dock where Jason was rebuilding his Argo.

"Who is in charge here?" I shouted out to the strong blond man working a plane on the decking.

"Who wants to know?" he shouted in return.

"It is I, Klebus of Thessalonia," I answered heartily. "We have come to join your quest!"

 

[airborne92]

Jason

"It is I, Klebus of Thessalonia," I answered heartily. "We have come to join your quest!" I hear someone say.

"I am in charge here," I say as I approach the gangplank, "and what do you mean by we. I only see one of you."

I look him over as I wait for his reply. He looks strong enough to be of use on this quest. Porbably could handle himself well in a fight if necessary.

 

[Miltone]

Zeus, The Thunderer (Klebus)

I looked about and saw the others who had followed me to the dock. There were maybe 20 or 30 others who had gathered nearby. I gestured toward them.

"We have seen the notices posted about the town and hear that you are looking to fit your ship out with a crew. As you can see, we are able and ready to join you."

I stood tall and proud and could see in the eyes of this mortal a near god-like spirit and intelligence. The thrill of adventure was refreshing my mortal lungs as we spoke.

"So what say you? Are you the one in charge?"

OCC: One of the great things about being Zeus is his ability to conjure a crowd of able bodied sailors out of thin air!

 

[airborne92]

OOC: I just love dealing with gods...lmao

Jason

"So what say you? Are you the one in charge?" says this man as he motions to the others that have appeared before my eyes.

"Yes, I am in charge. I am Jason, Captain and master of this ship, The Argo. Who among you is willing to face the unknown with me?" I ask back. I wait to see if any back out at this point.

 

[Miltone]

Zeus, The Thunderer (Klebus)

With the sun on high and a strong wind at my back, I placed my hands on my hips and took a step forward to accept his challenge.

"I will come with you!" I called out loudly.

I looked about and saw the others step forward, one by one. Brave men from Crete and Athens and Sparta, some barrel chested and ruggedly tanned, others bearing the scars of war proudly, but all were brave and all heeded the call to action. I wondered if any of them were my family or friends in disguise, for I knew that many were not above my own tricks.

 

[airborne92]

Jason

"Then come aboard and help ready your ship" I say to the men assembled before me. I turn and walk back to the rigging I was working on. I knew they would come aboard and get to work, none of them showed any fear about the unknown. Tomorrow I would go to Aphrodite's temple and pray for some insight to this quest I needed to fulfill.

 

[Snork Maiden]

Persephone

I watched Zeus walk from the halls of Olympus once more to embark on one of his flights of fancy. 'I suppose men will be men, even if they are Gods', I remark to myself turning to pick up the beautiful child Adonis, joint charge of myself and Aphrodite.

I pause a moment remembering the day I opened the crate Aphrodite had brought to me to guard from the other Gods. Remembering Hades, scorn at such deceit and yet she had seemed so urgent in her request. It was more than I could bare not to look inside and on doing so discovered the beautiful child concealed within, instantly stealing my heart.

I recall the bitter arguments over whose child it was but Father always with his great wisdom, pronounced that since the babe was neither Aphrodite's nor Mine by birth the time should be shared equally between us. This suited me well for I had to spend a third of my time in the Underworld Realm of my husband Hades, but now it was spring I could spend more time with the child.

My Mother, Demeter refused to let the earth produce any thing during my absence and so with my return each year she relented and allowed the snow to melt and the crops to grow.

My day dreaming was broken by the sight of a woman sitting alone on a green hillside through the broken cloud cover.

Zeus was already in his element, supplying sailors for the cruise and for the time being my concerns in that direction were small, he would tire of the game eventually and return to the Marbled Halls of Olympus. This woman however intrigued me, how much trust these Mortals placed inside their fragile hearts and how many times had I seen that trust betrayed by greed and jealousy.

Taking the young child to play with my mother, I turned back to the hillock regarding her curiously. Finally I made my mind up to intercede, walking down from Olympus I took the form of a young peasant girl, collecting flower heads to dry and scent.

Approaching the woeful and forlorn woman I greet her.

Good morning, I say, smiling as I look into her eyes, Why seem you so sad?, Is it not a beautiful day? The blooms of spring are all around and the birds and the bees are busy in their labors. Why sits thou then so gloomily upon this lonely hillock

I pause to kneel by the woman, regarding her closely with a friendly smile.

 

[soliloquy]

Ariadne was shedding tears of mourning as the flowers seemed to bloom around her. So dissonant, this mixture of death and life in one place. The death of her love placed within the life of nature and the gods seemed to mock her pain.

She was startled by the voice of the peasant girl, and looked up to see her radiant beauty. While her garments represented poverty, there was something richly ethereal about her countenance.

Ariadne stood and dried her eyes. "Thank you for your concern. My sadness is of no consequence. Please do not allow me to burden you."

The peasant girl plucked a flower from the ground and placed it behind Ariadne's ear. "You have lost a love, no?"

"Yes," Ariadne sniffled. "He abandoned me here and now I have nowhere to go."

The peasant girl smiled at her and lowered her into the soft, lush grass. Ariadne laid her head in the girl's lap, feeling an uncharacteristic need for nurturing...maternal nurturing.

The peasant girl stroked Ariadne's hair. "Hush now, there is always somewhere to go. You only have to look forward. You must not look back."

Her words washed over Ariadne, and perhaps for only an instant, she felt peaceful and safe.

 

[Snork Maiden]

Persephone

Once again I look at the sadness and loss created by the meddling of my Father, Zeus and his brother Posideon

The woman before me I could see now was the daughter of Minos, she too a grand daughter to Zeus in Mortal frame, offspring decended from the union of Zeus and Europa, he then as he had appeared to her as a great white bull. He had carried Europa on his back to Crete where she had born Minos, that tyrant King amongst men.

Minos was to marry Pariphaë the daughter of Helios and so he came to become King of Crete, an office bestowed upon him by Posideon. In return for this favor, Posideon demanded the sacrifice of a fabulous Bull. But Minos favored the Bull for himself and refused to submit it.

I recall how enraged Posideon had become on that day, threatening to destroy the island with huge seas, but his anger was softened by the voices of Hera and Demeter my mother. Instead Posideon exacted his revenge on Minos by tricking his new bride Pariphaë into believing the Bull was Minos on her wedding night. The union of Minos' bride and the bull producing the hideous Minotaur. This poor girls half brother.

Shaking my head once more as I recalled the mischief of the Gods I looked at the woman, so much of her sorrow was the result of the sports of Olympus. How then could I help her.

Come walk with me a while, I said softly to the woman, the shadows of the world I know too well and the cold, dark places are for the souls who would depart from this bright and happy place, for their burdens weigh them down so and they see no clear path to follow

I take her hand, feeling the soft smooth skin and warmth of her body and helping her to her feet.

You have lost a love, but love can come in many forms in many ways. When you see the flowers of spring in bloom are they not in love for the the sun as they bend their delicate heads. Have you not observed how they follow their beloved as he moves across the sky. How they hide and bow their heads in sorrow when he disappears at the end of the day and yet at dawn they once more look up and adore hm again. But their love too is unrequited for they never can reach him only bask in his glory until finally consumed by the heat of his passion, they wither and die. Losing thier beautiful colors and shed their petals like tears until they have no more to shed, in sorrow they wilt and pass from this world ?'

 

[cgraven]

Olympus boring stated Olympus, abounding with such petty jealousies. Hera, Media always plotting, Zeus, loving of all his children yet continually medaling with the fates of man.

Ah Father sprung from your thigh, Hera yet again enraged by your love for Semele plots my destruction, and still she calls me “Goat boy” for the time you hid me from her wrath cloaking me in the guise of a black kid goat

Persephone, Adonis at her heels, treads the marble halls father again with the fates a thread grasped between his fingers. What mischief is he up to now?

A man of noble birth a quest, Ah Jason, a woman fair and calmly, Ariadne Minos’s daughter, the Athenian Theseus, slayer of The Minotaur.

I watch and wait to see what mighty Zeus plans for these sons and daughters of man, who’s company I prefer to the gods and goddesses of Olympus.

 

[Miltone]

Zeus, The Thunderer (Klebus)

The men gathered on the dock followed me onto the Argo, each of us greeting and clasping the arm of our captain. The breeze was picking up and as I stood at the stern of the ship, I gazed out toward the sparkling Aegean and began to think about a noble quest that would be worthy of this crew.

At the same time, I thought for a moment—a brief moment—of those up in Olympus and wondered if they really understood why I would rather chase elusive pleasures among the mortals than sit among them debating all great and lofty ideas. Sometimes I thought they would do it, not because they found it enlightening, but simply because they knew how it drove me mad with boredom. How I wished that some of them might join this merry chase in some way, perhaps to make a game of this that would rival the greatest of their dialogues. But my reverie was soon broken as Jason began to bark commands to the crew. There was much work to be done to make this ship worthy of plying the Mediterranean again!

 

[cgraven]

Ah so it is to be an adventure at sea on the Argo, that could prove to be rather amusing much more so than the lofty yet shallow debates of Olympus and if I know father their will be a quest something to try man’s soul , challenge them and perhaps a pretty maid or two a long the way.

High drama, to give birth to song and legend perhaps in search of the Amazons Well they will need a cook, some one to lighten their days with song and wine. The thwart Hera for when she gets wind of this father will have his hands full.
Slipping away from the august company of the god, goddesses, demi gods, and goddesses I make my way from the east to the small costal town on the Aegean where Jason gathers his crew for a new adventure.

Down the stone quay I ramble on song on my lips, every inch the sailor, from the east from Thebes, a powerfully built man yet slight of features, a wine skin over my shoulder, I rest upon my traveler’s staff and hail the captain.


“By the gods what a fine ship and such a lusty crew. No mere trading scow but a proud warship Who commands here for I offer you a strong back, light heart , and stories to while away the doldrums.”

I catch Zeus’s eye there is a twinkle of merriment in my own.

Yes mighty Zeus I shall come on this merry chase. Olympus bores me also.


“I look for Jason of the Argo to offer my humble services for a share of the adventure.”

 

[airborne92]

Jason

“I look for Jason of the Argo to offer my humble services for a share of the adventure.” I hear from the dock.

I walk to the gangplank and look to see yet another man standing there.

"What is your name and what service do you offer to this ship and its crew?" I ask of him as I study him over. He looks to be strong enough for the adventure ahead of us. The crew is almost complete, but there is still room for a few more hearty souls.

 

[cgraven]

“My name is Thebeus I read the stars, and know the direction to sail, when land is out of sight, I have traveled to the “Pillars of Hercules” and beyond. I have a strong back for the oars, and a willing heart and I have skill with both the javelin and sword.”


My face youthful but serious I pause taking the measure of Jason.

“And a pleasant and kindly disposition to friends but a terrible wrath towards enemies.”

 

[airborne92]

Jason

"Well Thebeus, you sound like you have the heart of an Argonaut. Come aboard and join the rest of the crew in preparing her for the voyage ahead" I say to the man before me.

I watch as he boards and sets himself to the work at hand. They will be a fine crew. I rejoin them, helping with the preparations for this ship.

 

[cgraven]

Dionysus / Thebeus

I make my way over the gang plank and stow my weapons and positions under the seat and oar assigned me. Then these small things done I lay to coiling and storing line, bring supplies aboard on my back, goats and pigs for the start, theater forward on deck , Amphiles of wine , olive oil, and water. The work is hard but a joy a song always on my lips to ease the work. Young maidens and old fishermen gather on the quay draw as if by magic. The air is a live with jovial conversation., and the work goes swiftly.

Soon I am working side by side with Klebus .

“Ah this should prove to be a fine adventure.”

 

[airborne92]

Jason

As the work for the day finishes I head to my cabin to rest. It has been too long since I have done this sort of thing, but I can't resist the call of adventure. I eat my dinner as I look over my maps of the Aegean and the Mediteranean.

As the sun rises the next morning I head out for the temple of Aphrodite. I enter and I am escorted by a lovely young maiden to the altar for my prayer.

'What do the Gods wish of me, my crew, and my ship' I think to myself as I kneel in front of the statue of the goddess.

"Oh beautiful Aphrodite, what do the Gods demand of me?" I ask in a low voice. I know that they have put this desire for adventure into my heart, but for what reason.

 

[Snork Maiden]

Persephone

I walk with the sorrowful maiden, Ariadne, across the low rolling hillside, comforting her as we slowly wander through the lush green grass and meadow flowers.

When I was a child, I knew nothing of the ways of the heart, in my innocence my life was uncomplicated, the joys of each day and the surprises that each held would slowly reveal themselves unhurriedly. Since I had no expectations, each opportunity was unhurried, choices I made unburdened with desire or ambition. Some of those choices were good, some of them brought mis fortune, but misfortunes too can hold a hidden reward if not only for the knowledge of learning they impart., My voice soft and lilting. I gaze with concern briefly at the flowers which bloom as I walk past as if to reveal my disguise.

As we climbed the to the hill top overlooking the small harbor town we could see the dockside activity as the small party of sailors equipped their trireme with provisions for an journey of exploration and adventure. Amongst them I could make out the figures of my father, Zeus and my half brother Dionysus. What mischief these too were plotting was anyones guess.

See below, I point out the sturdy sea vessel standing proud on the quay,Like naive children these sailors prepare themselves for the unknown, sailing literally on a sea of opportunity for what ever fortune their adventure may have in store. Do they sail for a purpose or do they sail for excitement of what may lie beyond the horizon? For gold, for glory, for honor, for love.... Each man has his own ambition, a desire to sate, a thirst to quench or simply just to sail for sailing sake.

We continue to walk towards the small township, entering the outskirts and moving towards the quay.

Shall we see what troubles these men, that makes them labor such, to search for thier answers in a delicate wooden shell upon an unreliable sea.?

 

[soliloquy]

Ariadne watched on as the bustle of the men setting off on an adventure seemed to wrap around her and call to her at the same time. She wondered at how free men were. To just set off on their conquests, leave their women behind, and find the treasures of the world. It seemed as though women's quests had them chasing after their men, while men's quests had them running away from their women.

She wondered how the gods had seen Theseus' betrayal of Ariadne. Had they orchestrated it for their own amusement? Were they disappointed in him? In her? It seemed that the gods were always interfering, but they never quite twisted the fates in the manner in which mortals would wish for.

Ariadne was now wishing beyond all wishes that she had been born a man. Been spared the heartbreak that women feel so deeply. How she wished to be sailing the seas in quest of adventure and danger. Leaving someone behind, pining for Ariadne.

"Yes, please, let's do." Ariadne answered in response to the woman's question. She did long to know the fire that burned in men's hearts for conquests and voyages.

They made their way to the ship, and Ariadne's breath caught at the sight of one of the men. He was virile, and yet his face had the ethereal quality that her current companion had. She found herself drawn to him, a longing to touch him, to see if he was real. He was stronger than Theseus, and something about his visage wiped her mournful thoughts of her previous lover away for the time being