Olympus (Domain) - Revision history

IanFordam at 21:59, 31 July 2026

2026-07-31T21:59:30Z

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	{{ref}}		{{ref}}

			[[category:CL 4 Domain]]
			[[category:Domain]]
			[[category:Feudalism]]
	[[category:Island of Terror]]		[[category:Island of Terror]]
	[[category:Domain]]		[[category:Netbook Domain]]
	[[category:Theocracy]]		[[category:Theocracy]]
	~~[[category:CL 4 Domain]]~~
	~~[[category:Feudalism]]~~

The Lesser Evil: /* Intelligence Gathering */

2020-02-26T17:53:10Z

Intelligence Gathering

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	===Intelligence Gathering===		===Intelligence Gathering===
	Athena acts as [[spymaster]] for an extensive network of [[agent]]s. Apollo makes extensive use of [[divination]], relying on both his own and that of his spellcaster servants.<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>. ~~However, the~~ most sizeable network is controlled by Hermes<ref>USS 2002 p. 283</ref>. However, all of the Living Gods have at least some numbers of spies within their own respective city states<ref>USS 2002 p. 294</ref>.		Athena acts as [[spymaster]] for an extensive network of [[agent]]s. Apollo makes extensive use of [[divination]], relying on both his own and that of his spellcaster servants.<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>. The most sizeable spy network is controlled by Hermes<ref>USS 2002 p. 283</ref>. However, all of the Living Gods have at least some numbers of spies within their own respective city states<ref>USS 2002 p. 294</ref>.

	===Military Footing===		===Military Footing===

The Lesser Evil: a few more tidbits on intelligence gathering

2020-02-26T17:52:19Z

a few more tidbits on intelligence gathering

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	===Intelligence Gathering===		===Intelligence Gathering===
	Athena acts as [[spymaster]] for an extensive network of [[agent]]s. Apollo makes extensive use of [[divination]], relying on both his own and that of his spellcaster servants.<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>.		Athena acts as [[spymaster]] for an extensive network of [[agent]]s. Apollo makes extensive use of [[divination]], relying on both his own and that of his spellcaster servants.<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>. However, the most sizeable network is controlled by Hermes<ref>USS 2002 p. 283</ref>. However, all of the Living Gods have at least some numbers of spies within their own respective city states<ref>USS 2002 p. 294</ref>.

	===Military Footing===		===Military Footing===

The Lesser Evil: /* GovernmentUndead Sea Scrolls 2002 p.282 */

2020-02-18T15:42:57Z

GovernmentUndead Sea Scrolls 2002 p.282

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	===Government<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>===		===Government<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>===
	The ruling body of each city state is a council of individuals selected by the Living God that dominates that city state. Each council sits atop a vast (and often [[corrupt]]) [[bureaucracy]] that attends to their commands and manages the land generally within a few days travel by [[horse]].		The ruling body of each city state is a council of individuals selected by the Living God that dominates that city state. Each council sits atop a vast (and often [[corrupt]]) [[bureaucracy]] that attends to their commands and manages the land generally within a few days' travel by [[horse]].

	===Law===		===Law===

The Lesser Evil: economy, law

2020-02-18T15:26:42Z

economy, law

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	====Towns<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>====		====Towns<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>====
	*[[Athenaeum]]		*[[Athenaeum]]
	*[[Erostown]]]		*[[Erostown]]
	*[[Hadespit]]		*[[Hadespit]]
	*[[Nikopolis]]		*[[Nikopolis]]
	*[[Sunvalley]]		*[[Sunvalley]]
	*[[Windydale]]		*[[Windydale]]

			==Economy==
			Because of past refusals to accept kingdom specific [[coin]]s other than their own, the six realms of Olympus have a single [[:category:Coinage of Olympus\|unified coinage]]. The [[celestial (Gold Piece)\|celestial]] represents the [[gold piece]], [[starlight (Silver Piece)\|starlight]] represents the [[silver piece]], and the [[scourge (Copper Piece)\|scourge]] represents the [[copper piece]]<ref name=uss283>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.283</ref>.

			Unlike how they share a single coinage, the kingdoms of Olympus determine their own [[taxation]] policies. In practice, this means little in terms of differences in pricing goods, though goods imported from the other Olympian kingdoms incur a significant price increase<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>.

			Despite the above price hikes, trade and commerce represent important forces in Olympus- with Hermes holding the most complex systems of trading operations. Olympian [[export]]s include agrarian goods, [[food]], and [[drink]] as well as [[iron]], [[copper]], and [[gems]]. In addition, a variety of manufactured items are produced, sold, and exported. Finally, [[culture]] represents an important export for Olympus as well.<ref name=uss283>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.283</ref>

	==Authority==		==Authority==
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	The Six Living Gods are [["Aphrodite"\|Aphrodite]], [["Apollo"\|Apollo]], [["Ares"\|Ares]], [["Athena"\|Athena]], [["Hades"\|Hades]], and [["Hermes"\|Hermes]].		The Six Living Gods are [["Aphrodite"\|Aphrodite]], [["Apollo"\|Apollo]], [["Ares"\|Ares]], [["Athena"\|Athena]], [["Hades"\|Hades]], and [["Hermes"\|Hermes]].

	===Government===		===Government<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>===
	The ruling body of each city state is a council of individuals selected by the Living God that dominates that city state. Each council sits atop a vast (and often [[corrupt]]) [[bureaucracy]] that attends to their commands and manages the land generally within a few days travel by [[horse]]~~<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>~~.		The ruling body of each city state is a council of individuals selected by the Living God that dominates that city state. Each council sits atop a vast (and often [[corrupt]]) [[bureaucracy]] that attends to their commands and manages the land generally within a few days travel by [[horse]].

	===Law===		===Law===
			Each of the kingdoms of Olympus has their own set of [[law]]s. One law common to all of the kingdoms is that unrestricted use of [[magic]] is forbidden. [[Spellcaster]]s and [[magic item]]s are sought out and brought back to the [[temple]]s supposedly for study<ref name=uss283>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.283</ref>.

			The bureaucracies- and indeed, the entire political systems- that hold Olympian society together are highly vulnerable to [[corruption]]. People in positions of power and influence may often be [[bribed]] or [[blackmail]]ed. Nonetheless, Olympian society is organized into [[caste]]s of occupation and political appointments- with these positions usually under the thumbs of specific [[family\|families]] or [[guild]]s<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>.

	===Law-Enforcement===		===Law-Enforcement===
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	Despite sharing the [[Olympian (Language)\|Olympian]] and some other cultural similarities such as with [[clothing]] styles, the cultures of each of the six realms in Olympus show considerable variance, usually influenced by the personalities and directives of their corresponding fiendish overlords.		Despite sharing the [[Olympian (Language)\|Olympian]] and some other cultural similarities such as with [[clothing]] styles, the cultures of each of the six realms in Olympus show considerable variance, usually influenced by the personalities and directives of their corresponding fiendish overlords.

	==Gods and Religions==		==Gods and Religions<ref name=uss283>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.283</ref>==
			The [[Olympian Pantheon]] is venerated in Olympus, with the Living Gods recognized as their divine incarnations. However, the Living Gods are [[false deity\|false deities]], unable to sponsor [[divine spellcaster]]s. As such, there are no spellcasting [[cleric]]s of the Living Gods- though there has never been any such clerics of the Olympian Pantheon as worshiped in this land prior to it becoming a Ravenloft domain. Thus, any spellcasting [[priest]]s of the Living Gods will be [[arcane spellcaster]]s- such as [[bard]]s and [[sorcerer]]s. (That is not to say that absolutely no divine spellcasters exist in the domain- [[adept]]s, [[druid]]s, [[shaman]]s and the like may still receive [[spell]]s.)

			The Living Gods have enacted edicts against foreign, "false" [[religion]]s and [[cult]]s. Druids and [[ranger]]s inhabit rural and far off places, staying out of reach of the Living Gods' servants- much to the latter's chagrin.

	{{ref}}		{{ref}}

The Lesser Evil at 23:36, 17 February 2020

2020-02-17T23:36:25Z

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	}}		}}

	Olympus is a land of six city-states, each ruled by one of the so-called [[the Living Gods]], the supposedly divine incarnations of [[The Olympic Pantheon]]. In truth, they are [[imposter]]s, merely normal [[human]]s imbued with fiendish energy from a [[ritual]] gone ~~bad~~. The person known as [[Hercules (Imposter)\|Hercules]] works to overthrow them, though in truth his underhanded tactics make him no better. In fact, he is the realm's [[darklord]], cursed to alienate the people he would be the [[liberator]] for.		Olympus is a land of six city-states, each ruled by one of the so-called [[the Living Gods]], the supposedly divine incarnations of [[The Olympic Pantheon]]. In truth, they are [[imposter]]s, merely normal [[human]]s imbued with fiendish energy from a [[summoning]] [[ritual]] gone awry. The person known as [[Hercules (Imposter)\|Hercules]] works to overthrow them, though in truth his underhanded tactics make him no better. In fact, he is the realm's [[darklord]], cursed to alienate the people he would be the [[liberator]] for.

	==Things, Creatures & Personages of Legend==		==Things, Creatures & Personages of Legend==
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	===Population Distribution===		===Population Distribution===
			Olive-skinned [[human]]s are the primary inhabitants of the city states. Except for the [[dwarves]], other civilized [[humanoid]] [[race]]s tend to inhabit Olympus' wooded areas. There may be some [[trade]] with local human [[farmer]]s and [[herder]]s but [[gnome]]s and [[elves]] isolate themselves from human society to avoid scrutiny by the authorities. Working as [[miner]]s, dwarves cluster in the mountains in each kingdom's middle. The largest number of dwarves reside in the western territory of [["Ares"\|Ares]].<ref name=uss281>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.281</ref>.

	====Towns<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>====		====Towns<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>====
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	===Spiritual and Temporal Rule===		===Spiritual and Temporal Rule===
	The [[political geography]] of Olympus is such that its central landmass is divided into six separate [[kingdom]]s. Each of these kingdoms is ruled independently by one of the Living Gods. In addition to their temporal rule, the Living Gods ~~have~~ ultimate ~~control~~ over the spiritual and religious ~~aspects~~ of their subjects and [[worshiper]]s.		The [[political geography]] of Olympus is such that its central landmass is divided into six separate [[kingdom]]s. Each of these kingdoms is ruled independently by one of the Living Gods. In addition to their temporal rule, the Living Gods also hold ultimate rule over the spiritual and religious lives of their subjects and [[worshiper]]s<ref name=uss281>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.281</ref>.

	~~===Church~~ and ~~State===~~		The Six Living Gods are [["Aphrodite"\|Aphrodite]], [["Apollo"\|Apollo]], [["Ares"\|Ares]], [["Athena"\|Athena]], [["Hades"\|Hades]], and [["Hermes"\|Hermes]].

	===Government===		===Government===
			The ruling body of each city state is a council of individuals selected by the Living God that dominates that city state. Each council sits atop a vast (and often [[corrupt]]) [[bureaucracy]] that attends to their commands and manages the land generally within a few days travel by [[horse]]<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>.

	===Law===		===Law===

	===Law-Enforcement===		===Law-Enforcement===
			Local [[militia]]s regulate and patrol the borders of each Living God's realm. Ares' is an exception, for he has control over the army. Despite the government's corruption, the borders between the kingdoms are fairly well delineated, although subject to occasional fluctuation as the Living Gods try to extend their reaches from time to time<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>.

	====~~Extra-Judicial=~~===		Beyond the local militias, each of the Living Gods enforce their [[law]]s and ultimately control through their own trademark methods<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>. Ares operates his realm as a military state<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>. Aphrodite uses [[seduction]], charm, and guile, both her own and that of her [[spellcaster]] agents<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>. Hades controls vast throngs of [[undead]]<ref name=uss283>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.283</ref>. Hermes dominates through control over trade and commerce<ref name=uss283>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.283</ref>. Backed by [[divination]], [["Apollo"]] inculcates a cult of personality and intimidates [[rebel]]s doling out horrific public [[execution]]s of troublemakers using his powers.<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>. Athena practices [[magic]] of many kinds and is backed by the largest force of spellcasters among the Living Gods<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>.

	===Intelligence Gathering===		===Intelligence Gathering===
			Athena acts as [[spymaster]] for an extensive network of [[agent]]s. Apollo makes extensive use of [[divination]], relying on both his own and that of his spellcaster servants.<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref>.

	===Military Footing===		===Military Footing===
			Ares controls the armies of the land and makes periodic [[invasion]]s of the other Living Gods' kingdoms from time to time. These military ventures ultimately fail in the face of the special tactics used by other deities<ref name=uss282>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.282</ref> (see above). For example, Hermes shuts down invasion by cutting off trade and thereby the accumulation of the resources needed for [[war]]<ref name=uss283>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.283</ref>.

	==Language & Culture==		==Language & Culture==
			Despite sharing the [[Olympian (Language)\|Olympian]] and some other cultural similarities such as with [[clothing]] styles, the cultures of each of the six realms in Olympus show considerable variance, usually influenced by the personalities and directives of their corresponding fiendish overlords.

	==Gods and Religions==		==Gods and Religions==

The Lesser Evil: /* Things, Creatures & Personages of Legend */

2020-02-17T21:49:59Z

Things, Creatures & Personages of Legend

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	*[[The Forsaken One]]		*[[The Forsaken One]]
	*[[The Living Gods]]		*[[The Living Gods]]
	*Various monsters of legend: [[Monstrous Humanoid\|monstrous humanoids]] ([[centaur]]s, [[harpy\|harpies]], [[medusa]]s), [[goblinoid]]s, [[cyclops]] and [[giant]]s, monsters of the [[sea]], and [[mermaid]]-like beings that charm passersby with [[song]]<ref name=uss281>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.281</ref>		*Various monsters of legend: [[Monstrous Humanoid\|monstrous humanoids]] ([[centaur]]s, [[harpy\|harpies]], [[medusa]]s) [[goblinoid]]s, [[cyclops]] and [[giant]]s, monsters of the [[sea]], and [[mermaid]]-like beings that charm passersby with [[song]]<ref name=uss281>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.281</ref>

	==Geography==		==Geography==

The Lesser Evil: /* Things, Creatures & Personages of Legend */

2020-02-17T21:49:35Z

Things, Creatures & Personages of Legend

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	*[[The Forsaken One]]		*[[The Forsaken One]]
	*[[The Living Gods]]		*[[The Living Gods]]
	*Various monsters of legend: [[Monstrous Humanoid\|monstrous humanoids]] ([[centaur]]s, [[harpy\|harpies]], [[medusa]]s), [[goblinoid]]s, [[cyclops]] and [[giant]]s, monsters of the [[sea]], and [[~~siren~~]]s<ref name=uss281>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.281</ref>		*Various monsters of legend: [[Monstrous Humanoid\|monstrous humanoids]] ([[centaur]]s, [[harpy\|harpies]], [[medusa]]s), [[goblinoid]]s, [[cyclops]] and [[giant]]s, monsters of the [[sea]], and [[mermaid]]-like beings that charm passersby with [[song]]<ref name=uss281>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.281</ref>

	==Geography==		==Geography==

The Lesser Evil: /* Spiritual and Temporal Rule */

2020-02-17T21:47:43Z

Spiritual and Temporal Rule

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	===Spiritual and Temporal Rule===		===Spiritual and Temporal Rule===
			The [[political geography]] of Olympus is such that its central landmass is divided into six separate [[kingdom]]s. Each of these kingdoms is ruled independently by one of the Living Gods. In addition to their temporal rule, the Living Gods have ultimate control over the spiritual and religious aspects of their subjects and [[worshiper]]s.

	===Church and State===		===Church and State===

The Lesser Evil: /* Geography */

2020-02-17T21:33:20Z

Geography

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	The main central landmass of Olympus is huge, taking up a similar amount of space to [[Vorostokov]]. Temperate [[forest]] and [[farmland]] dominate the majority of the landscape. However, [[swamp]]s and [[wetland]]s periodically dot the eastern half of Olympus, and the [[wastelands]], cliffs, and crevasses of [["Hades"\|Hades']] terrain in the far south bear witness to volcanic activity. Throughout the domain, the broad [[valley]]s are often surrounded by looming, cold [[mountain]]s on the edges.<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>		The main central landmass of Olympus is huge, taking up a similar amount of space to [[Vorostokov]]. Temperate [[forest]] and [[farmland]] dominate the majority of the landscape. However, [[swamp]]s and [[wetland]]s periodically dot the eastern half of Olympus, and the [[wastelands]], cliffs, and crevasses of [["Hades"\|Hades']] terrain in the far south bear witness to volcanic activity. Throughout the domain, the broad [[valley]]s are often surrounded by looming, cold [[mountain]]s on the edges.<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>

	A warm [[sea]] envelops Olympus' central landmass, with multiple smaller [[island]]s also inhabiting the waters, either singly or arranged in [[archipelago]]s. A large island on the far northern edge of the domain is known to be [[haunted]] by evil [[spirit]]s and is thus avoided<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>. The [[abandoned Temple of Zeus]] is the site of the botched summoning that transformed the [[Seven Voices of the Gods]] into the [[Living Gods]]~~, and it~~ is [[haunted]] by [[the Forsaken One]], the [[ghost]] of the former [[high priest]] of [[Zeus]].		A warm [[sea]] envelops Olympus' central landmass, with multiple smaller [[island]]s also inhabiting the waters, either singly or arranged in [[archipelago]]s. A large island on the far northern edge of the domain is known to be [[haunted]] by evil [[spirit]]s and is thus avoided<ref name=uss280>[[Undead Sea Scrolls 2002]] p.280</ref>. The island holds the [[abandoned Temple of Zeus]], the site of the botched summoning that transformed the [[Seven Voices of the Gods]] into the [[Living Gods]]. The [[temple]] is [[haunted]] by [[the Forsaken One]], the [[ghost]] of the former [[high priest]] of [[Zeus]].

	===Communication===		===Communication===