Followers of Athena
ATHENIAN PHILOSOPHY
Though Athena's followers often dutifully abide by all her tenets, some emphasize one over the rest. Such choices not only focuses their approach, but it can also adjust the mysteries, magical side-effects, and divine test results available to them from Volume I.
Main Emphasis (d20)
1. The moral course of action is always the best (Boulaia)
2. Seek justice, especially for those who cannot seek it themselves (Areia)
3. Work with your skills: true talents will reveal themselves (Ergane)
4. Stand bravely in the manner of Athena, fear no evil! (Pallas)
5. Remain chaste, temperate, & obedient (Parthenos)
6-7. Hone one's tactics for victory (Nike)
8. Encourage good citizenship
9. Support owls & wisdom (Glaukopis)
6-7. Hone one's tactics for victory (Nike)
8. Encourage good citizenship
9. Support owls & wisdom (Glaukopis)
10. Local emphasis: horses, prophecy, diving, etc.
11. Vengeance upon transgressors (Medusa, Arachne, etc.)
12-20. (No emphasis- all must be espoused equally!)
For example, if a cleric of Athena's focus is encouraging good citizenship, rather than requiring the recipient to be in some sort of armor in order to benefit from the spell (as in Magical Side-Effect #5), they might need to be a good citizen instead. Similarly, the cleric can gain a bonus to checks related to citizenship, instead of having the usual benefits of Athena's mystery.
CLERIC-TYPE OF ATHENA GENERATOR
Female Classes (90% chance, d20)
1-9. Cleric
10-19. Priestess (Hiereia)
20. Greek Heroine (detailed at end of this article)
Male Classes (10% chance, d20)
1-15. Cleric
16-19. Priest (Hiereus)
20. Greek Hero (detailed at end of this article)
Hair Color (d6)
1. blond
2-3. brunette
4-6. black
Complexion (d6)
1-2. fair
3-5. medium
6. tanned
Garb (d5)
Whether as robes alone or emphasizing armor, the main colors shown are:
1-2. all white
3. red & white
4. blue & white
5. gold & white
Special Possessions (percent chance each)
- excellent armor (+1d4 better AC than is normally available) (25%)
- random protective magic item (10% per level)
- random protective magic item (10% per level)
- random wisdom-bestowing magic item (5% per level)
Main Weapon (d4)
1. spear
2. short sword
3. longsword
4. mace
Special (percent chance)
- divine blood (5%): gain +2 to Wisdom
Sample Cleric-Types of Athena
SV: C3 (+1 from ring), Mor: 11, Items: holy symbol, all white robes, heavy hoplite armor, helm, shield, spear, ring of protection +1, 22 silver pieces. Main Emphasis: Stand bravely in the manner of Athena, fear no evil! Appearance: medium complexion, black hair.
Ageta, Lvl 1 Greek priestess of Athena, Align: L, MV: 40’, AC: 9, HD: 1, Atk: 1 (mace), Dmg: 1d6, SP: priestess abilities (see Volume II), spells prepared (1st: Cure Light Wounds (x2), Sanctuary (when in a civilized area), Hold Portal*), SV: C1, Mor: 10, Items: holy symbol, red & white robes, mace, 8 silver pieces. Main Emphasis: No emphasis, all must be espoused equally! Appearance: tanned complexion, brown hair.
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Greek Heroes
* Treat as fighters, using their bonus to hit, HD, and saves, but they gain no weapon specialization or other special fighter abilities.
* In return, one of their ability scores (determined at random) is 16 + 1d4.
* In addition, they can call upon aid from one or more gods who favor them- in the form of cleric spells being cast on their behalf, but such aid is determined at random. The spells can also only be used for 1/2 a cleric of the same level's amount per day. If a helpful spell is rolled, it is cast upon the hero. If a harmful spell is rolled, it is cast upon the hero's foe. Use the hero's level for all level based modifiers.
* Last, they are always targeted with greatest preference by monsters and other foes of the gods, whenever possible, for they are heroes!
Next week: Temples of Athena in Part II!
