Pan-Hellanic Games

[Argo]

Ok, so I'm doing a little bit of work on an adventure and I'm interested in folks ideas for unusual sports/events to be included in the Pan-Hellanic games. Anyone got some fun challenges? Nmean Lion wrestling, Phanthallasa sailing, anything at all that might be fun :)

[Jerry D. Grayson]

Most of the events should be personal because of the individual glory but for game purposes there should be group events so that the players can attempt things together.

A boar hunt
A labyrinth race
A Slipspace hang glider race
Wrestling some exotic beast

I think there should be an event pertaining to each of the gods. This can get sticky where some of them are concerned but would help enforce the HELLAS themes.

[Argo]

Sounds good...I'll let you know how this runs :)

Most of the events should be personal because of the individual glory but for game purposes there should be group events so that the players can attempt things together.

A boar hunt
A labyrinth race
A Slipspace hang glider race
Wrestling some exotic beast

I think there should be an event pertaining to each of the gods. This can get sticky where some of them are concerned but would help enforce the HELLAS themes.

[Legend Killer]

Hello,

My first major Hellas game was set during the "Pan Theban Games." My game takes place about a decade before the stock timeline and is proceeding through the events of the Zoran conflict/waning days of the Third Age.

The games were set on the Theban Solar Array as a kind of grand Letourgeia in honor of Hephestos and associated Gods/Titans in addition to those Gods/entities traditionally associated with Hephestos/Hephasion (Aphrodite, Splendor and Helios featuring heavily (I like to work in Helios due to the nature of the solar array being um...a solar array...;) I have a pretty detailed setup for the nature of the Theban solar array and festivities surrounding it, but I will post that elsewhere.

As for the games, I wanted to use them as a way of introducing the players to the Hellas universe (and rule system) so I made it a test of their Paideia or education. There were 11 events, spread over three days, each designed to test some aspect of their upbringing and fitness to be a Hellene (my party is heavily Hellene with one Amazoran grandfathered is as an "Honorary Hellene" due to her service in the Arkandian war.

Events included tests of their education (math, science, literacy, ethics, history, religion), Arts (music and recitation of epic poetry featured prominently...Spartans loved this one...and ironically did pretty well...they have little taste for defeat in any arena), strategy (in the form of a modified version of holo-chess imported from distant Egypt and of course...the physical events.

Actual physical challenges included...
a. Wrestling match
b. Boxing/Pankration
c. A foot race/obstacle course.
d. A test of riding skill (characters would ride their mount of choice across the "sky" of the solar array (its a hollow tube with gravity on every side). They would race across holographic constellations and engage machina resembling the great constellation creatures (scorpions, etc) to test their melee and ranged weapon talents.
e. A hunt in the garden of Aphrosia to find doves eggs.
f. Final contest on day 3 was a grand test of arms between all the contestants.

I don't have my notes in front of me, but I can detail each contest if people like. Winners of each challenge earned a prize and each contest was dedicated to a particular God. The overall winner received an actual prize from the Gods themselves (the construction of the Theban Solar Array was a pretty epic event as it encircles the entire Theban Star). Our player chose a Helios runner made by...Helios...

I think the Paideia route works pretty well to introduce players to the game because it takes them through the entire range of attribute/skill rolls in a non-lethal way. It was also a good way to showcase the Thebans and their subtly disturbing (to Hellense sensibilities) reliance on technology. The evenings between matches are also a great way to introduce political/social elements/plot hooks/story seeds into the game. It worked out similar to the "Topaz Championship" in Legend of the Five Rings. Can post more if people like and am curious what physical challenges others have used in their games.

Pax,

Legend Killer

[Jerry D. Grayson]

Sounds like a cool game. I did something similar for a game I ran that took place at a great leader’s funeral. It’s a very good way of easing everyone into the system. Bravo sir it sounds like it worked out well for you and your group.


I would definitely love to hear more of your exploits. Lay them on me.