Polynikia
Power: IG
Alignment: NG
Pantheons: The Parthan Order
Titles: The Heart of War, the Lover of Heroes
Portfolio: War, competition, courage, glory, skill-at-arms, victory
Symbol: The profile of a beautiful, helmeted woman
Constellation:
Description: Polynikia (po-le-NEE-keea) is Memnos' daughter by Hathonae. She is the embodiment of Parthan martial glory and ardor, and the personification of victory. She loves nothing more than personal valor proven on the field of battle and keeps a watchful eye over those who defy danger to perform great deeds.
Appearance: Polynikia appears as a beautiful young woman with a shapely, athletic body and flawless features. She has creamy skin, curly chestnut hair that reaches to the small of her back, and deep, sea-green eyes. She wears magnificent, gold-embossed armour that both reveals and complements her body. Her helmet never covers her face, but instead rests back along her head. She is almost always seen smiling, but more often than not it is a capricious smile.
Personality: …
History/Relationships: Polynikia is carefree and impetuous, but she is nonetheless a loyal daughter to her parents. Despite the philosophical and moral differences between her and her father, there is no enmity between them. Polynikia ultimately believes in her father’s basic tenets: the concept of the strong ruling over the weak essentially equates to heroes transcending over the ordinary. In her eyes, the civilization her father has built has given birth to many great heroes. She recognizes her father’s ruthlessness, but believes it is often necessary for those who would lead to possess such attributes.
Polynikia doesn’t hate Kraetis as much as the rest of the pantheon does, but she does pity him—and that is even worse in his eyes. She accepts Kastorius’ counsel and well-meaning attempts to protect her, but cannot understand his lack of emotion. Polynikia avoids Ishobel at all times; she dislikes the goddess not only because she claims her dead heroes, but because her father takes her for his consort over her mother for half the year.
Polynikia was once betrothed to Ariston but he was never able to reconcile with her warlike ways—nor was she willing to give them up. Their bond did change the way she looks at things, though; Polynikia was much more fickle in the past than she is now. Once a deity of true Neutral alignment, in olden days Polynikia cared little about the dangers her worshippers faced, and encouraged deadly quests and challenges for their own sake. Now, she is recognized as a guardian of those with valiant hearts, and has been known to both appear to them and provide aid when they attempt exceptional deeds. True heroism touches her heart, as do heroes who dedicate their deeds as a sacrifice to her. Indeed, legends say that the daughter of Memnos takes the greatest of heroes to be her lovers. At least one known to the annals was granted the divine spark by her.
Powers:
Children:
Tharos, with Ariston
After life:
Servitors:
Worshipers: Polynikia is among the most beloved, and most-worshipped, of the Parthan deities. Her veneration is universal among all Parthan citadels, tribes, and even exiles. Prayers to Polynikia are most often offered before any sort of test of one’s martial skill or courage. The goddess does not require prayers for the sake of praying at any particular time… but she does demand of those who love and venerate her to seek combat, if only in play or practice, each day.
Worshipper's Ability:
1/Round Ability: +2 Initiative
1/Day Ability:
Priests:
Spell Domains: Competition, Glory, War (the first two are from Complete Divine)
Favored Weapons: Sword
Dogma: Nothing is impossible to those who dare try. Glory is the reward of the courageous and daring, those who overcome impossible obstacles with no mind to mortal fear.
Clergy and Temples: Shrines to Polynikia are very public and grand affairs. They are typically statues of the goddess that have been arrayed in central locations within a citadel, such as prominent squares or regal gardens. Other favored locales for her temples are famous battle sites, as well. Such holy places are marked by trophies and tokens left by those who would seek the daughter of Memnos’ favor. Weapons and armor captured from enemies, the heads or hides of vicious monsters, and votive offerings such as images of the goddess can be found all about her shrines and statues.
The priesthood of Polynikia is made up entirely of women. They are rarely seen in public, and make appearances only for religious events or to recognize exceptional deeds. Their religious mysteries include elaborate dances with weapons and armor; and secret revels where they invite worthy heroes to be their lovers. Their daughters from such unions are inducted in their order; their only other recruits are those rare young women who choose to defy Parthan custom and choose a martial life.
OLDER:
POLYNIKIA
The Heart of War, the Lover of Heroes
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: The profile of a beautiful, helmeted woman
Home Plane:
Alignment: Neutral Good
Portfolio: War, competition, courage, glory, skill-at-arms, victory
Worshippers: Parthan warriors, adventurers
Cleric Alignments: CG, LG, N, NG
Domains: Competition, Glory, War (the first two are from Complete Divine)
Favored Weapon: Sword
Polynikia (po-le-NEE-keea) is Memnos’ daughter by Hathonae. She is the embodiment of Parthan martial glory and ardor, and the personification of victory. She loves nothing more than personal valor proven on the field of battle and keeps a watchful eye over those who defy danger to perform great deeds.
Polynikia appears as a beautiful young woman with a shapely, athletic body and flawless features. She has creamy skin, curly, chestnut hair that reaches to the small of her back, and deep, sea-green eyes. She wears magnificent, gold-embossed armour that both reveals and complements her body. Her helmet never covers her face, but instead rests back along her head. She is almost always seen smiling, but more often than not it is a capricious smile.
Polynikia is among the most beloved, and most-worshipped, of the Parthan deities. Her veneration is universal among all Parthan citadels, tribes, and even exiles.
Prayers to Polynikia are most often offered before any sort of test of one’s martial skill or courage. The goddess does not require prayers for the sake of praying at any particular time… but she does demand of those who love and venerate her to seek combat, if only in play or practice, each day.
History/Relationships: Polynikia is carefree and impetuous, but she is nonetheless a loyal daughter to Memnos and Hathonae. Despite the philosophical and moral differences between her and her father, there is no enmity between them. Polynikia ultimately believes in her father’s basic tenets: the concept of the strong ruling over the weak essentially equates to heroes transcending over the ordinary. In her eyes, the civilization her father has built has given birth to many great heroes. She recognizes her father’s ruthlessness, but believes it is necessary for those who would lead to possess such attributes.
Polynikia doesn’t hate Kraetis as much as the rest of the pantheon does, but she does pity him—and that is even worse in his eyes. She accepts Kastorius’ counsel and well-meaning attempts at protecting her, but cannot understand his lack of emotion. Polynikia avoids Ishobel at all times; she dislikes the goddess not only because of what she means to her heroes, but because her father takes her for his consort over her mother for half the year.
Polynikia was once betrothed to Ariston but he was never able to reconcile with her warlike ways—nor was she willing to give them up. Their bond did change the way she looks at things, though; Polynikia was much more fickle in the past than she is now. Once a deity of Neutral alignment, in olden days Polynikia cared little about what her worshippers went through, and encouraged deadly quests and challenges for their own sake. Now, she is recognized as a guardian of those with valiant hearts, and has been known to both appear to and aid those who attempt exceptional deeds. True heroism touches her heart, as do heroes who dedicate their deeds as a sacrifice to her. Indeed, legends say that the daughter of Memnos takes the greatest of heroes to be her lovers. At least one known to the annals was granted the divine spark by her.
Dogma: Nothing is impossible to those who dare try.
Glory is the reward of the courageous and daring, those who overcome impossible obstacles with no mind to mortal fear
Clergy and Temples: Unlike those of some other deities, shrines to Polynikia are very public and grand affairs. They are typically statues of the goddess that have been arrayed in central locations within a citadel, such as prominent squares or regal gardens. Other chosen locales for her temples are over famous battle sites, as well. Such holy places are decorated by the many tokens left by those who would seek the daughter of Memnos’ favor. Weapons and armor captured from enemies, the heads or hides of vicious monsters, and votive offerings such as images of the goddess can be found all about her shrines and statues.
The priesthood of Polynikia is made up entirely of women. They are rarely seen in public, and make appearances only for religious events or to recognize exceptional deeds. Their religious mysteries include elaborate dances with weapons and armor, and secret revels where they invite worthy heroes to be their lovers. Their daughters from such unions are inducted in their order; their only other recruits are those rare young women who choose to defy Parthan custom and choose a martial life.