"You were made with a special purpose in mind. Not enough souls who cross the River Styx enter my realm - Hades seeks to keep me weak by throttling my supply, and many who deserve an eternity in my Pit are left in regular underworld, not suffering the fates they've earned through misdeeds in life." The mouth of the skull at the far end of the room opens up, and Cleon feels an intense heat as he sees the blighted landscape of the deepest pit of the underworld. "I name you one of my judges in the world of the living. You will walk among mortal women and seek out the corrupt, the sinful, and you will judge them in my name - something you've already started doing even without knowledge of your heritage. You will have the power to open the gates of Tartarus, and use the chains of the damned to interrogate a suspect, before sending them to my realm directly, without the meddling of Hades. Be warned, though - I am not an arbitrary god. Send me innocents, and you will be punished for it."
"What, you wanted someone better?" Herakles smirks, raising an eyebrow. "He told me himself - and though the gods aren't perfect, they usually know who they've gotten pregnant."
Callirhoe finally shot her mouth down. "Well, I guess there is no point in guessing which gods would be best parent, most people didn't have such siblings. Too bad that he never said simple hello or advice but humans do that too." She said and noticed that they are going somewhere. "By the way, do you mention some task for me? Where do you lead me? I'm curious since I know my real father like five minutes."
“A pleasure to formally meet you, Lady Selene.” Talpharos offer a small bow to the woman, then decided to follow the voice's suggestion and practice this new ability that had just been revealed to him. “Would it be alright with you if we continue this conversation in private? If we stay here a woman of your beauty will surely attract attention and people might start making stuff up, trying to guess what we are talking about...” As he spoke he tried to repeat what he had done and use this new power again.
"What creature spawned by Orcus is this!?" She had difficultly keeping her proper composure at the sudden change. What was this thing? Was it ever really human? All she could gather is he spoke the Greek name to invoke Mars and perhaps, either as a blessing or curse, he mutilated his body beyond repair. For a few seconds she felt too paralyzed to act to the change until she remembered the family. There was no guarantee that this thing had any intention of just stopping with her. But the change in speed and strength was as unnatural as it's appearance. It was easy to miss just by looking, but his skill and battle instincts hadn't diminished at all even after taking this new form. It was with only the briefest window of exploiting it to discover that the body was as hard as the rest of his armor. She couldn't even scratch it like this, but it's bloodlust and power was growing uncontrollable. She was taking too long to think of what to do, until....she wasn't exactly sure if it was someone else's thought or her own, but she had seen it. The sight of her own death made her scream, only to find he hadn’t moved just yet and she said nothing. The experience was unnerving, but she knew somehow she could already see his attack before it happened. While she had been restrained about going for the killing blow unnecessarily, she wasn't left with any better options. When he moved to pretend to thrust....she would use his lowered position to complete her own thrust and the momentum to deliver the spear point right into the monster's eye, at the same time she would use the back end of her spear to deflect the blow aimed for her and slay him cleanly.
Princess scoffs at the assault. Megaros is right, they are simply fools. They attack their betters because they're too afraid to come any closer. They know her reputation well enough, but the fools like playing with fire. Fortunately, fire isn't what she is about tonight. She'll let Brute handle them another evening. Right now, she wants to at least look presentable, "It's fine, Megaros. I will not stoop to their level. Just show me what you have." the madwoman stands closer to the cart and examines the fine contraband silks that Megaros was known for. Her eyes light up at the prospect of finery. She always had a thing for high-quality items. Even if she rarely ad the drachma to purchase them. It's why men like Megaros were so important to her. Those who didn't care about the company they keep. Just that someone would buy their things and not turn them in. Princess clutches some of the fine fabric in her hand, "These are fine silks like always. I have drachma to purchase some, but as I am sure you know. I am hardly steeped in wealth. Surely there is some way that I can maybe negotiate a special price?" She flutters her eyes at the man gently. Many of those she deals with on a regular basis know that she's not exactly entirely female and that some of her parts are decidedly male. Some don't have a problem with it, others do, and yet others could come up with some sort of compromise. Be it keeping a cloth wrapped around her waist, or settling for a blowjob. Regardless, Princess didn't have a problem utilizing her body as such. After all, it is a very high-quality body. It would be a shame to waste it.
Prince... nay, godspawn Cleon looked upon the Tartarus with wander. Despite the head, he did not consider it a trouble. It was as if... it was his land. The place where Titans were imprisoned after the Titanomachy... He looked around with wonder... and a sense of belonging. "How, do I use these powers..." he asked, he did not have the courage to refuse the orders of his father. "And why only women?" he wondered aloud.
Spoiler: Persuasion Roll D100: 48+20=68 (Pass) "Hmm, yes, I can certainly see the wisdom in that. Follow me, then." Selene nods, and begins walking through the streets, her ass swaying enticingly in front of him. "And while we're walking, what is that scent you have about you? It's wonderful."
Spoiler: Combat Roll D100: Rhea: 42+20 (Spear Skill)+10 (Foresight)=72 Servant of Ares: 68+30 (Ares' Blessing)=98 Rhea HP: 69-28+10 (Praetorian armor)=51 Rhea moves quickly, spear darting out, but despite her foresight, the creature moves faster than she can, dodging out of the way, before throwing an empowered punch into her injured shoulder.
Talpharos followed behind, trying hard not to stare at Selene's ass – a task made even harder by its enticing sway. “Thank you, my lady. It's nothing much, just a perfume I received as a gift.” He replied somewhat absent-mindedly, his cock starting to get hard due to his eyes constantly going down to Selene's butt. He briefly wondered how far they would need to go - probably not very far.
The hit was hard and made her stumble, but it wasn't enough to kill her just yet. However, it thrown off a potentially fatal blow. But this thing was still going to come at her with the intent to kill. As she intercepted and clashed, she took a quick glance at Vencilus and his mother, not trying to take her eyes off her opponent for long. "Why are you just standing there!? Safehouse! Run!" It was rare for her to show actual rage, but she gave it as an order, completely ignoring their authority before focusing back on trying to end the monster quickly before she could get overwhelmed and distract it with the next flurry of attacks to keep it from getting close to the nobility and try to finish it as quickly as possible.
"Oh, there are tasks aplenty, don't worry about that." Herakles chuckles. "But for now, I'm taking you to the sprinting field. Time to teach you how to use your power."
Spoiler: Seduction Roll D100: 68+10 (Seduction Skill)=78 Megaros eyes up Princess' body with a smile, and she realises the man was probably hoping for this from the start. "There are other ways to pay. My home is not far. Just... my tastes can be a little...rough. I hope I won't have Brute coming for me tomorrow in a fury?"
"They will come to you naturally." Tartarus responds, as Cleon marvels at his...his father's home. "You are not my only child - I have others to bring me men."
"Hm, if only more men cared how they smell." Selene sighs, before they head into a nearby wooden structure, an inn of some kind, but abandoned. As Talpharos follows the woman inside, though, he notes that it's clean and partially furnished. "No one will bother us. I own this place - I intend to renovate it and put it in business again." Selene explains. "But neither of us is interested in my business ventures. I'd rather discuss what exactly you have to say to possibly make up for your master's treachery."
Spoiler: Intimidation Roll D100: 12 (Fail) "No! I'm no coward!" Vencilus seems to have the exact opposite reaction Rhea was hoping for, running to the wagon and grabbing one of his father's ornate gladii. Spoiler: Combat Roll D100: Vencilus: 48 Rhea: 88+30 Servant of Ares: 32+30 Servant of Ares HP: 48-52+10 (Ares' Blessing)=14 Vencilus rushes the creature, swinging his gladius, but it slams ineffectually against the creature's hardened skin. Still, as the monster of Ares raises an arm to bat him away, Rhea sees her moment. There's no need for anything fancy, just a powerful stab thrown with all her might. The spear catches the monster in the neck, and it falls forward, motionless. Rhea can see that it still has life in it, but it doesn't attack, instead facing her. "This contest is already decided. My vessel is no longer of use. You are no mere mortal - expect my presence again. I will know whose blood is in your veins." The voice speaking is clearly not that of the warrior, something deeper and darker and more powerful. Then, Ares' blessing leaves the warrior, whose skin returns to its natural olive, eyes becoming blue rather than red, and then blood starts to pour from his wounds. Impaled on her spear, Rhea's foe falls limp and passes to the underworld. "What was that all about?" Vencilus scratches his head.
Talpharos took a quick look around the mostly empty inn, less because he was interested and more as a way to focus his mind. Finally he turned back to Selene, trying hard to keep his gaze on her face and not get distracted by her body. “Elegus is not my master. He is... was a friend of my grandparents, and he helped me with their funeral after they died. He also gave me a temporary job as his assistant, until I find something better. So I owe him enough to try and save him this one time. But no more than that, especially since he did not bother to warn me about trying to cheat some of his clients, such as you – perhaps because he was aware I would not approve.” Talpharos explained his situation to Selene. “So the question is: What can I do or offer you to persuade you to forgive Elegus'... mistake this one time? He did say promise her anything it takes, but I doubt he has much to offer you even if he really meant it, so it is up to me. Is there something I can do for you, my lady?” He looked at Selene expectantly, waiting to hear what she would ask or demand of him. (Time for me to go.)
"Idiot!" She couldn't mask her rage at Vencilus trying to join the fight, however the moment that the creature had turned it's attention to her charge, she was acting on pure instinct, not thinking about her next move before putting all her her focus into ending it was a single strike. It was much to her own surprise to see the spear point come out all the way on the other hand and the monster slump lifelessly. "What was that?" The voice ....she didn't know what it was. If she had to guess from the implication some sort of forces at work and if the man was to be believed, probably Mars. But Mars wasn't some mindless thug who only craved bloodlust. He was stoic. A gentleman. A tactician and warrior. Everything a Roman should aspire to be. This could not possibly be the same entity. It was more like how the cowardly Greeks depicted the war god when they write poems like.....no. That was way too much. "I'm....unsure." She said it rather simply, attempting to put some more composure in her voice before looking over the body....then raising her spear while staring at it and sending it down intohe heart just for good measure. "...if it can be believed this was a contest of sorts, if someone were to jump to conclusions, it might be viewed as Mars may have sought to test my strength. But, that doesn't seem likely." However....the other thing it said had bothered her. What blood in her veins? Was it claiming she wasn't her father's daughter? How could it possibly know that? Some kind of sorcery at work here, to be sure. She couldn't deny that after what she had just saw. But what did any of that mean? It even claimed she was not just a mortal. The...rumors about her strength were really getting out of hand. Granted, not many could face a monster like that and live to tell about it. But realistically, she knew better while she felt the stinging from her wounds. She had just gotten lucky. "We should see if anyone can identify the man. I took him for a legionary, but he utters the names the Greek do. As well..." She took a breath. She was in tremendous pain right now, but forced herself through it to try and salvage her appearance after her outburst. "No real warrior of the Roman's, would only fight for their own glory." It sound dismissive, but Rhea was thinking of it in a whole other context. Roman's didn't revere folklore or mortal heroes like the Greeks do. They certainly had plenty of heroes they respected and admired, but not in the same sense. Part of the reason why she always felt uncomfortable with her wildly out of balance reputation. The fact this man referred to them by their greek counterparts and sought that kind of status seemed to suggest he might not even be Roman at all.
Callirhoe nod her head for that, wondering how it will be look like lesson. "So... I'm going to pray for knowledge how to use my power? Paid oracle to hear gods by their messenger? Or offer something to sacrifice for gods?" She asked as they coming closer to sprinting field.
"Take us into the cove! We'll ambush the fuckers there!" Pelagia shouts to her crew as they outpace the pirates for now. She takes her trusted officer Artaxos aside, towards the prow, and asks the man. "Do you hear that singing too? Sounds like a woman's voice. Keep your eyes peeled." She better not be a siren... "Do we have anything aboard to plug the men's ears with?"
