Date:         Thu, 14 Oct 1993 10:50:58 -0400
From: "Mike \"Kurgan\" Phillips" <[m s phil] at [BIRDS.WM.EDU]>
Subject:      mythus-l: The Warriors and Myrmidons of Mars

And now, the Master of Warfare and Combat, heeeeeere's Mars!  Known to
the Greeks as Ares, he was excellent at hand-to-hand combat, and his
preferred weapon was the spear (some people theorize that he was the
epitome of maleness, and thus uses the spear).

Many of these castings rely heavily on the JM's judgement of what
personas are devout followers, and what battles are heroic.  If the
players are in disagreement, hear their arguments, they may consider this
a significant battle in need of these blessings, and there is a lot of
subjectivity to these judgements!  Just don't let them lean too heavily
on these, or they may not work.

In some areas, the priests of Mars call themselves Myrmidons, although
that word has connotations they do not like in other areas, where they
are simply called Warriors.

Grade I:
ASSIST STRIKE CHARM
Time: 1 CT per 10 STEEP         Other Heka Costs:
Area: One object                    R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch                     Other: Nil
E/F/M: This quick prayer to Mars to guide the strike will result in a
bonus of 10 to the BAC for a single blow, which must be struck within the
time limit of the Casting, and it must be struck by a weapon already
consecrated to Mars.  The Priest weaving the Casting must be the one
striking the blow.

SWIFTSPEAR CHARM
Time: 1 CT                      Other Heka Costs:
Area: One object                    R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch                     Other: 25:1 additional CT's
E/F/M: This battle charm will allow the priest of Mars to call upon Mars
to assist him in battle by allowing him, once, a doubling of attacks for
that single CT.  The fighting must be done with a spear consecrated to
Mars, and the Priest asking for the blessing must do the striking.  With
an additional expenditure of Heka of 25 points per additional CT, and the
existence of some great need for this heroic deed, the Priest may extend
this up to a total of one CT per 10 STEEP.  Note that priests who rely on
this charm overmuch may suddenly find Mars unwilling to assist them in
this manner, as they are no longer enhancing their fighting ability and
are instead replacing it with their god's might.

Grade II:
ENCOURAGE BATTLE CANTRIP
Time: 1 BT per 10 STEEP         Other Heka Costs:
Area: One small group               R&D: Nil
Distance: 1 rod per 10 STEEP        Other: Nil
E/F/M: Like many other priests, the Myrmidons of Mars are able to encourage
other personas to a tendency towards Mars' traits.  In this case, they
can encourage those who would otherwise seek a peacable agreement to
attempt to resolve difficulties via battle.  Resistance to the Casting is
based on the SM category, as that indicates faith in oneself.  True
followers of Mars have no resistance, personas who are strongly
pacifistic should be able to use the entire Spiritual TRAIT to resist.
Once started, a battle would follow its normal course.

UNBREAKABLE WEAPON SPELL
Time: 1 BT per 10 STEEP         Other Heka Costs:
Area: One weapon                    R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch                     Other: Nil
E/F/M: The breaking of the trusted weapon has been the downfall of many
fighters, and so Mars allows his priests to bless their consecrated spear
in such a manner that it will not break regardless of damage done to it
while this Casting is in effect.  In fact, no damage is accrued to the
weapon, even in the case of parrying!  Before calling upon this Casting,
however, the priest must be entering (or in) a battle of great and heroic
proportions, one that has a serious impact if lost, otherwise the energy
is still spent, but Mars does not grant the blessing.

Grade III:
SURESTRIKE CANTRIP
Time: 1 CT per 10 STEEP         Other Heka Costs:
Area: One subject                   R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch                     Other: Nil
E/F/M: By means of this Casting, a priest of Mars will temporarily
increase the non-missile Combat STEEP by 15, assuming that the subject is
a devout follower of Mars and has performed heroic deeds in the past.  If
the subject does not meet these criteria, then the blessing may become a
curse, at the JM's option.  Note that heavy reliance on this Casting,
like most of the others, will result in such blessings being withheld if
they are replacing skill rather than enhancing it.

Grade IV:
BLOODLUST CHARM
Time: 1 BT per 10 STEEP         Other Heka Costs:
Area: One subject                   R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch                     Other: Nil
E/F/M: This Casting has an effect similar to the Beserk casting described
earlier (cf. priests of Thor), although it lasts longer.  It may only be
lain on a follower of Mars who has a warrior's attitude and approach.

Grade V:
BLESSING OF MARS RITUAL
Time: 1 AT per 10 STEEP         Other Heka Costs:
Area: One subject                   R&D: Nil
Distance: Touch                     Other: Nil
E/F/M: This Casting is used to turn an otherwise middling warrior into a
great warrior before a great battle is to be joined.  Armies may hold
special ceremonies to Mars on the eve of battle, but special soldiers and
champions may seek this ritual before the clang of battle swallows them.
It grants a +20 to the subject's BAC with his primary weapon, and it
confers a bloodlust such that dazing does not normally occur (although
the subject can still fall comatose).  As with Bloodlust (and Berserk),
the subject will be exhausted for a time equivalent to twice the length
of the blessing.  This Casting can be lain up to twelve hours ahead of
time, and will activate only upon the first strike with the chosen
weapon.

I just hope all this work is finding a home in someone's campaign :-)
If your players are surprised because that Priest wielding a Spear gets
really nasty all of a sudden, let me know, I *love* it when my ramblings
spark someone else's imagination!

    Mike Phillips
    [m s phil] at [birds.wm.edu]

Tune in Next Time, we tackle..... ah, I'll let you find out when I'm
finished ;-)