Men & Monsters of the Aegean: Olympian (D&D 5E Race)

Standing sideways within this space was a four-foot-tall white marble figure of a goddess in flowing robes, a look of anguish on her face, and two great bloody wounds on her upper back. Carved into the surface of the alcove by her feet were two feathered wings that, because their stumps were painted red like the injuries on the goddess’s back, looked as if they had just been torn from her body. … Angelia was baffled by the statue of the de-winged goddess and did not recognize any of the iconography associated with it. She was absolutely confident, however, that it did not represent any Olympian deity, or even an elemental entity like one of the Anemoi, or personifications of the winds, and was instead most likely a depiction of a Titaness associated with the element of air.

— “At the Shrine of Othrys (A Campaign Report)”

Olympians are people who can trace their bloodlines back to one or more of the deities associated with the Olympian pantheon. They tend to be attractive, well-formed, and generally pleasing to look at and be around, and to exhibit characteristics associated with the gods from which they are descended.

Children of the Gods

Olympians might be born into a raised under a wide variety of circumstances that affect how they perceive and interact with the world.

           Those born into communities that include others of their kind, for example, might be brought up with an explicit understanding of their lineage and the roles they are expected to play on behalf of their people and religion.

            Those born into Human families who are unaware of their ancestry, on the other hand, might not understand what they are until their divine characteristics begin to emerge — possibly after being dormant for many generations — as they advance through childhood and adolescence and into maturity. Olympians adopted or taken in by Human families as foundlings might experience the same sort of things (as was the case, for example, with Perseus, who was a son of Zeus but raised by a fisherman unaware of his divine origins).

            Olympians in any situations might also begin to gain an understanding of their origins through supernatural signs of various sorts, such as omens or lucid dreams of events featuring their divine ancestors. Such portents might also help point them toward their destinies.

Leaders and Loners

Whatever the circumstances of their upbringings, as they grow into adulthood, both Olympians and those around them realize they are different from most other people. This tends to push them onto one of two opposing paths, with some becoming natural leaders amongst those they dwell with and others striking out on their own and living alone or with small groups of companions.

            Olympians have to reconcile these contrasting tendencies with their natural inclinations to visit, reside near, and protect holy sites associated with their religion and ancestors, and a desire to undertake great quests that will reflect well both upon them and their divine ancestors.

Olympian Names

Olympians often take the names of the paramours of the deities that are their ancestors or their offspring (and from which they might very well also be descended). They almost never, however, are given or take the names of the primary deities from which they are descended — even if this is regularly done by normal people — for fear of having hubris attributed to them and provoking jealousy or attracting malign attention.

            Following are typical names given to or taken by such characters, some of which originally applied to one gender but in the current era might be given to either. There are also names that would be considered appropriate but inauspicious and which might be applied to characters who are evil, particularly chaotic, or cursed.

            Male Names: Achilles, Aeacus, Agdistis, Angelos, Anteros, Castor, Epaphus, Erichthonius, Eros, Lacedaemon, Minos, Perseus, Pollux, Rhadamanthus, Thrax, Zagreus.

            Female Names: Aglaea, Angelia, Atropos, Auxesia, Britomartis, Cabeiri, Calliope, Dami, Dicë, Eirene, Eileithyia, Enyalios, Ersa, Eucleia, Eunomia, Eupheme, Euphrosyne, Europa, Euterpe, Euthenia, Grace, Harmonia, Hebe, Helen, Lachesis, Melinoë, Melpomene, Oenomaus, Pandia, Persephone, Phlegyas, Philophrosyne, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania.

            Gender-Neutral Names: Auxo, Carpo, Clio, Clotho, Enyo, Erato, Thallo.

            Inauspicious Names: Cycnus, Deimos, Eris, Phobos.

OlympianTraits

A Olympian character has a number of traits common to people of its kind.

            Ability Score Increase. An Olympian’s Wisdom and Charisma scores each increase by 1.

            Age. Olympians reach full maturity about the same time as Humans but, because of their divine ancestry, tend to live at least twice as long, typically far into their second century of life.

            Alignment. Olympians overall are inclined toward both good and law, but this can vary widely on a case-by-case basis, and many have alignments that reflect specific tendencies or traits of the deities from which they are descended. A descendant of Ares, for example, might be self-absorbed and bloodthirsty and aligned chaotic evil, while a descendant of Artemis might not see the importance of a particular morality as it applies to the natural world and be true neutral.

            Size. Olympians can range widely in size and build but tend toward characteristics of this sort that highlight their divine ancestry. Their size is Medium.

            Speed. A Olympian’s base walking speed is 30 feet.

            Languages. An Olympian can speak, read, and write Common and Celestial. They are often tasked with translating, interpreting, or compiling works composed in the language of the gods.

            Innately Religious. An Olympian has an innate knowledge of the deeds, stories, and worship practices related to the gods from which it is descended and automatically receives proficiency in Religion.

            Vessel of Divine Power. An Olympian knows the Thaumaturgy cantrip and often uses it in ways to make itself seem more impressive and enhance how others perceive it (e.g., causing a sound of thunder to rumble in the background when it enters a room, making its hair look like it is being ruffled by the wind even when it is still, maintaining a pleasing scent in its presence). A character of this sort also receives additional magical powers specific to the deity from which it is descended, and Wisdom is its spellcasting ability for all such spells.

            Olympian Ancestry. An Olympian is resistant to radiant damage and its type is Celestial.

            Subrace. An Olympian has additional characteristics associated with the deity from which it is descended. Some of those that have been members of the main Olympian deities follow below but there are many other possibilities.

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Descendant of Aphrodite

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Aphrodite, Olympian goddess of love and beauty.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Aphrodite’s Charisma score increases by 1.

            Alluring. A Descendant of Aphrodite has advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks.

            Power of the Storm. A Descendant of Aphrodite knows the cantrip Friends, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Charm Person once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Suggestion once per day.

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Descendant of Apollo

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Apollo, Olympian god light, healing, truth, and music.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Apollo’s Wisdom score increases by 1.

            Musically Inclined. A Descendant of Apollo is proficient with one type of musical instrument (the lyre being the most common).

            Bringer of Light. A Descendant of Apollo knows the Light cantrip, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Healing Word once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Zone of Truth once per day.

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Descendant of Ares

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Ares, Olympian god of war.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Ares’s Strength score increases by 1.

            Combat Rage. At the start of its turn, a Descendant of Ares can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.

            Blessed in Battle. A Descendant of Ares knows the True Strike cantrip, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Heroism once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Magic Weapon once per day.

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Descendant of Artemis

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Artemis, Olympian goddess of archery and the hunt.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Artermis’s Dexterity score increases by 1.

            Good in the Wild. Whenever a Descendant of Artemis makes a Wisdom (Survival) check it can add its proficiency bonus again, in addition to whatever proficiency bonus it would normally apply.

            Natural Hunter. A Descendant of Artemis knows the Guidance cantrip, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Hunter’s Mark once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Pass without Trace once per day.

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Descendant of Athena

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Athena, Olympian goddess of wisdom and warfare.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Athena’s Wisdom score increases by 1.

            Perceptive. A Descendant of Athena has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.

            Master of Battle. A Descendant of Athena receives the cantrip Blade Ward, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Wrathful Smite once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Branding Smite once per day.

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Descendant of Demeter

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Demeter, Olympian goddess of agriculture.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Demeter’s Wisdom score increases by 1.

            Naturally Knowledgeable. A Descendant of Demeter has advantage on Intelligence (Nature) checks.

            One with Nature. A Descendant of Demeter receives the cantrip Druidcraft, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Goodberry once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast the eight-hour land-enriching version of Plant Growth once per day.

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Descendant of Dionysus

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Dionysus, Olympian god of wine and the theater.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Dionysus’s Constitution score increases by 1.

            Natural Performer. Whenever a Descendant of Dionysus makes a Charisma (Performance) ability check it can add its proficiency bonus again, in addition to whatever proficiency bonus it would normally apply.

            Life of the Party. A Descendant of Dionysus knows the cantrip Vicious Mockery, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Purify Food and Drink once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Protection from Poison once per day.

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Descendant of Hades

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Hades, Olympian god of the underworld.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Hades’s Intelligence score increases by 1.

            Analytical. A Descendant of Hades has advantage on Intelligence (Investigation) checks.

            Hidden Knowledge. A Descendant of Hades receives the cantrip Spare the Dying, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Identify once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Locate Object once per day.

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Descendant of Hephaestus

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Hephaestus, Olympian god of the forge.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Hephaestus’s Constitution score increases by 1.

            Natural Blacksmith. A Descendant of Hephaestus has proficiency with Smith’s Tools.

            Master of the Forge. A Descendant of Hephaestus receives the cantrip Guidance, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Unseen Servant once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Heat Metal once per day.

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Descendant of Hera

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Hera, queen of the Olympian pantheon. Like their divine ancestor, such characters are often concerned both with maintaining societal norms and mores and acting as stumbling blocks to those who flout them.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Hera’s Intelligence score increases by 1.

            Insightful. A Descendant of Hera has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks.

            Misleader of the Unfaithful. A Descendant of Hera knows the Minor Illusion cantrip, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Silent Image once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Phantasmal Force once per day.

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Descendant of Hercules

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Hercules, Olympian god of strength and monster-hunting.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Hercules’s Strength score increases by 1.

            Herculean. A Descendant of Hercules has advantage on all Strength ability checks.

            Defender of Humanity. A Descendant of Hercules receives the cantrip Shillelagh, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Protection from Evil and Good once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Locate Animals or Plants once per day.

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Descendant of Hermes

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Hermes, Olympian god of commerce, communication, and the road.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Hermes’s Dexterity score increases by 1.

            Nimble. A Descendant of Hermes has advantage on Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks.

            Master of the Forge. A Descendant of Hermes receives the cantrip Message, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Longstrider once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Enhance Ability once per day.

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Descendant of Hestia

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Hestia, Olympian goddess of the hearth, home, and family.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Hestia’s Wisdom score increases by 1.

            Link with the Past. Whenever a Descendant of Hestia makes an Intelligence (History) check, it can add its proficiency bonus again, in addition to whatever proficiency bonus it would normally apply.

            Guardian of the Flame. A Descendant of Hestia receives the cantrip Produce Flame, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Sanctuary once per day, and when it reaches 5th level it can cast Continual Flame once per day.

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Descendant of Poseidon

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Poseidon, Olympian god of the sea.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Poseidon’s Constitution score increases by 1.

            Resilient. A Descendant of Poseidon has advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks related to swimming and on any ability checks or saving throws related to holding its breath.

            Earthshaker. A Descendant of Poseidon knows the cantrip Resistance, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Thunderwave once per day, and once it reaches 5th level it can cast Gust of Wind once per day.

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Descendant of Zeus

A character of this sort can trace its bloodline back to Zeus, king of the Olympian pantheon.

            Ability Score Increase. A Descendant of Zeus’s Charisma score increases by 1.

            Influential. Whenever a Descendant of Zeus makes a Charisma (Intimidation) or Charisma (Persuasion) ability check it can add its proficiency bonus again, in addition to whatever proficiency bonus it would normally apply.

            Power of the Storm. A Descendant of Zeus knows the cantrip Shocking Grasp, once it reaches 3rd level it can cast Guiding Bolt once per day, and once it reaches 5th level it can cast the Eagle’s Splendor effect of Enhance Ability twice per day.

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Olympians In the Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting

In the Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting, and possibly in other settings with a basis in the history, geography, and mythology of the real-world Mediterranean, a number of specific details apply to Olympians:

            * Olympians might be found anywhere but are drawn to places once occupied by the gods, particularly those from which they are descended, or ones associated with their deeds. To the extent that they have a homeland it is the region around Mount Olympus — in the northeast of mainland Greece — where many such people dwell in the religious communities, shrines, and small temple complexes located on the slopes of the mountain and the valleys surrounding it. Groups of them also dwell in or near sacred places or significant worship centers like Delphi, the Parthenon of Athens, and the athletic facility of Olympia in southwestern Greece.

         * The Common tongue employed by most Olympians is Greek, although those born and raised in other lands might have a different primary language or an appropriate additional one (e.g., an Olympian from the territory of the Republic of Rome would almost certainly speak Latin).

            * Historic figures who claimed divine heritage and in game terms might have been Olympians include Julius Caesar, who was believed to be descended from Ares and Aphrodite, and Alexander the Great, who was descended from Hercules.