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One feature of Ethyria in the central north is the Home of the primal giant Geryon, his two-headed dogs (children of Cerabus), his cattle and his followers. Probably best avoided until you're a demigod. Going near it has plenty of warning signs.
Ethyrian Hexploration wonders
Ethyrian Treasures
d10 Quick Rumour Types
1 South
2 West
3 East
4 North
5 Underlands
6 The Sea
7 Ancients
8 Non humans
9 Monsters
10 Heroes
d100 Ethyrian Rumours
1 The colonies were not the first humans here. There were other barbarians, amazons and wild folk who were here in villages before the settlers
2 The people who built ruins on the islands were past civilisations destroyed by disasters, plagues and the wrath of the gods. Many were built by giants and other humanoids
3 Under the polis sacred plateau, there are ancient catacombs and tunnels, some are used in mysterious rituals of the temples
4 They say their is a race of aquatic humanoids in the bay, who became tritonians when their settlements were sunk by the gods. They say the sea temples talk to them in secret rites
5 Creatures from the east and west come south to kidnap citizens for food or slaves
6 The mountains were once bigger and exploded in a vast volcano, leaving the bay we have now
7 The monsters of the mountains come down to devour the people of the colonies
8 A great Hero of the city was slain by a chimaera that still haunts the craters of the mountain
9 Harpies and peryton come from the mountains to eat people seasonally
10 Volcanic vents in the mountains go deep into the earth
11 The western palace builders angered the gods and were ruined by earthquakes, volcanoes and floods
12 The western ancients, not killed by floods and earthquakes, were turned into tritonians, minotaurs and medusas for hubris
13 The pleasure palaces of the western ancients are now labyrinthine ruins where minotaurs dwell
14 They say the western ancients were peaceful because their palace art lacks the glory of war but they used other peoples to wage war for them while they lived lives of pleasure
15 Some say the minotaurs have their own polis in a great maze where they bring human victims to be food and slaves
16 Barbarians living in the west dwell in unassailable hilltop forts to keep monsters and enemies at bay. These are often repaired ancient ruins
17 Minotaurs sometimes gather at their war shrines, bellowing and sacrificing captives before going on violent rampages
18 There are many untouched ancient treasures in the ruins of the west, but they are guarded by the monstrous descendants of the cursed ancients
d100 Ethyrian Rumours
1 The colonies were not the first humans here. There were other barbarians, amazons and wild folk who were here in villages before the settlers
2 The people who built ruins on the islands were past civilisations destroyed by disasters, plagues and the wrath of the gods. Many were built by giants and other humanoids
3 Under the polis sacred plateau, there are ancient catacombs and tunnels, some are used in mysterious rituals of the temples
4 They say their is a race of aquatic humanoids in the bay, who became tritonians when their settlements were sunk by the gods. They say the sea temples talk to them in secret rites
5 Creatures from the east and west come south to kidnap citizens for food or slaves
6 The mountains were once bigger and exploded in a vast volcano, leaving the bay we have now
7 The monsters of the mountains come down to devour the people of the colonies
8 A great Hero of the city was slain by a chimaera that still haunts the craters of the mountain
9 Harpies and peryton come from the mountains to eat people seasonally
10 Volcanic vents in the mountains go deep into the earth
11 The western palace builders angered the gods and were ruined by earthquakes, volcanoes and floods
12 The western ancients, not killed by floods and earthquakes, were turned into tritonians, minotaurs and medusas for hubris
13 The pleasure palaces of the western ancients are now labyrinthine ruins where minotaurs dwell
14 They say the western ancients were peaceful because their palace art lacks the glory of war but they used other peoples to wage war for them while they lived lives of pleasure
15 Some say the minotaurs have their own polis in a great maze where they bring human victims to be food and slaves
16 Barbarians living in the west dwell in unassailable hilltop forts to keep monsters and enemies at bay. These are often repaired ancient ruins
17 Minotaurs sometimes gather at their war shrines, bellowing and sacrificing captives before going on violent rampages
18 There are many untouched ancient treasures in the ruins of the west, but they are guarded by the monstrous descendants of the cursed ancients
19 Colonists have tried to settle the west but were slain by monsters, even the wild folk and barbarians here are mostly visitors or use well-defended fortified ruins
20 Many ships on the west are wrecked, and some hold treasure. Beware monsters
21 The eastern island has always been the domain of wild forest beings, nature spirits, and wild people who worship them. Civilisation is unwelcome here, but who knows what lies hidden here?
22 Centaurs of the east can be civilised and talkative, but when drunk can turn violent and lustful
20 Many ships on the west are wrecked, and some hold treasure. Beware monsters
21 The eastern island has always been the domain of wild forest beings, nature spirits, and wild people who worship them. Civilisation is unwelcome here, but who knows what lies hidden here?
22 Centaurs of the east can be civilised and talkative, but when drunk can turn violent and lustful
23 Satyrs and Dryads kidnap human lovers often, so the eastern island is best avoided. At least they don't eat you
24 The wild people of the east are nature worshipers who revere woodland beings
25 Dryads often have several lover thralls but can be convinced to set them free with trades or gifts
26 Satyrs and centaurs can be bribed with wine or beer but best to leave before they are drunk
27 Priests of the wild folk are very wise and great healers if you can convince them you are not hostile
28 Many wild folk and forest barbarians dislike civilised southern colonies but they can be appeased with gifts
29 The eastern barbarians bury their dead with gold in hill mounds, but they are often used as holy places protected by locals
30 Some people from the colonies have joined eastern tribes and some tribes folk have joined colonies. The woodland colonies of loggers and hunters accept this more readily than the polis
31 The far north broken wastes were once home to giants who warred and lost against the gods
32 The primal giant Geryon lives in the central northern highlands with his wonderous cattle, his two-headed dogs and his servants. His lands are best avoided. They say Geryon has three heads and images of him are found all over the north
33 The north is roaming with monsters who eat humans so it is best avoided
34 Great crude drystone cyclopean walls and tower ruins are common all over the north from a lost civilisation and giant civilisation destroyed by the gods. The region must have been heavily occupied once
35 Tribes of the north are wild and hostile, they compete with lion folk and the cyclopean one-eyed orc folk and other monstrous folk
36 There are great cavern shelters where primordial monsters and giants slumber, ready to invade the surface world and destroy the gods
37 There are tunnels to the underworld in the north to the river of the dead, which takes you to the entry to the underworld guarded by Cerebus.
38 Geryon, the giant lord of the north, keeps two-headed dogs that are sons of Cerebus so Geryon may also guard the entrance to the underworld
39 Many cults seek mysterious vents of vapours in the north from the underworld. Ancient famed oracles used these places to gain visions and make prophecies
40 The straight-angled buildings of the colonies fall down when earthquakes occur from cyclopses making weapons beneath the earth. The great dry stone cyclopean buildings of the ancients have remained intact for thousands of years
41 There is a secret temple of the god of death where mortals may cross a river, and the other side is in the underworld
31 The far north broken wastes were once home to giants who warred and lost against the gods
32 The primal giant Geryon lives in the central northern highlands with his wonderous cattle, his two-headed dogs and his servants. His lands are best avoided. They say Geryon has three heads and images of him are found all over the north
33 The north is roaming with monsters who eat humans so it is best avoided
34 Great crude drystone cyclopean walls and tower ruins are common all over the north from a lost civilisation and giant civilisation destroyed by the gods. The region must have been heavily occupied once
35 Tribes of the north are wild and hostile, they compete with lion folk and the cyclopean one-eyed orc folk and other monstrous folk
36 There are great cavern shelters where primordial monsters and giants slumber, ready to invade the surface world and destroy the gods
37 There are tunnels to the underworld in the north to the river of the dead, which takes you to the entry to the underworld guarded by Cerebus.
38 Geryon, the giant lord of the north, keeps two-headed dogs that are sons of Cerebus so Geryon may also guard the entrance to the underworld
39 Many cults seek mysterious vents of vapours in the north from the underworld. Ancient famed oracles used these places to gain visions and make prophecies
40 The straight-angled buildings of the colonies fall down when earthquakes occur from cyclopses making weapons beneath the earth. The great dry stone cyclopean buildings of the ancients have remained intact for thousands of years
41 There is a secret temple of the god of death where mortals may cross a river, and the other side is in the underworld
42 Some who escape the underworld have no memories
43 Creatures from the underworld may come to the surface and harm the living when the gods are displeased
44 There are places if you pour libations of wine into the soil at midnight, you may call the shades of the dead you know, from the underworld
43 Creatures from the underworld may come to the surface and harm the living when the gods are displeased
44 There are places if you pour libations of wine into the soil at midnight, you may call the shades of the dead you know, from the underworld
45 Their are vart labyrinths of tunnels and caverns in the earth where strange people and creatures dwell
46 Always pay the ferryman of the underworld and leave coins on the eyes of the dead for burials
47 Some heroes have plundered the underworld or rescued their loved ones, but the gods may punish those who do
48 The treasures of the underworld are kept hidden from mortals
49 Great prisons of the titans and giants in the underworld are raided by cultists and lesser giant descendants
50 They say there are ruined temples in the north with pits that descend to the underworld from which non return
51 Great undersea polis of the Tritonian sea people serve the sea gods and titans, and like the surface people, they can be noble or wicked
48 The treasures of the underworld are kept hidden from mortals
49 Great prisons of the titans and giants in the underworld are raided by cultists and lesser giant descendants
50 They say there are ruined temples in the north with pits that descend to the underworld from which non return
51 Great undersea polis of the Tritonian sea people serve the sea gods and titans, and like the surface people, they can be noble or wicked
52 The Tritonians are descendants of the eastern ancient civilisation destroyed by the gods, those spared by the gods from flooding seas and giant waves became Tritonians. Those smothered by rubble and ruined palaces became minotaurs or medusa or harpies
53 There are many tiny islands and most are uninhabited. A few are home to unknown human colonies or strange, monstrous peoples
54 Mermaids, sirens and sea nymphs may all kidnap sailors and fisherfolk as lovers or food
56 Pirates operate many secret bases on islands and may bury treasure on uninhabited islands
57 Minor divinities and children of the gods may rule strange islands with supernatural powers
58 In the courts and kingdoms of the sea gods many species serve as courtiers, servants, soldiers and workers
59 The trip to the faraway mainland is perilous, and the first colonies' heroic crossing was a feat of legend. Many other islands have remnants of shipwrecked crews and failed colonies. Some are left isolated for centuries
60 Piracy is a legitimate profession as long as you plunder and weaken our enemies. Many are supported by island colonies or pirates may have taken control of an isolated colony. Some island rulers descend from pirates
61 The ancients of the island arrived after the giant civilisation was destroyed by the gods
57 Minor divinities and children of the gods may rule strange islands with supernatural powers
58 In the courts and kingdoms of the sea gods many species serve as courtiers, servants, soldiers and workers
59 The trip to the faraway mainland is perilous, and the first colonies' heroic crossing was a feat of legend. Many other islands have remnants of shipwrecked crews and failed colonies. Some are left isolated for centuries
60 Piracy is a legitimate profession as long as you plunder and weaken our enemies. Many are supported by island colonies or pirates may have taken control of an isolated colony. Some island rulers descend from pirates
61 The ancients of the island arrived after the giant civilisation was destroyed by the gods
62 The ancients traded far and wide and were more concerned by pleasure and luxury than war
63 The ancients worshipped titans and gods unknown to the present age
64 The ancients adopted some of the ways of the giant civilisation from surviving humans who were slaves and servants of the giants
65 The gods turned the ancients into monster species as punishment for worshipping their enemies
66 Some cults seek to restore ancient gods and titan worship, and explore the island seeking ancient and pre-human lore
67 The wild folk and barbarian peoples came on crude sea-faring vessels and rafts. They follow gods and beings of nature and have resisted the civilisation of the ancients and were quick to replace the fallen peoples
68 Some of the ancient temples show art and remains of sacrificed bulls and sometimes humans with axes and burning remains as offerings. Maybe this was what offended the gods we know now
69 The tower builders of the northern islands conflicted with the ancients and they were overwhelmed mostly by the monsters the gods made from the ancients
70 There are many ancient ruins with treasure but many are guarded by monsters placed by the gods to withhold them from mortals
71 The cyclopsian one-eyed orcs are descendants of the giant cyclops of old and they are famed weapon smiths who are always trying to rob griffon nests for gold
72 Lion folk are a barbaric folk who have their own villages and perhaps a hidden polis. They often mock followers of the gods who failed to help them in the past
73 Centaurs can be civilised or barbarians, but all can be dangerous when drunk
74 Satyrs were once all male but mated with humans, dryads and nymphs, producing male and female offspring
75 Descendants of giant and human hybrids in the north claim the former giant land as their exclusive property. True giants see them as inferior spawn of slaves
76 The descendants of nature spirits and mortal species have resulted in sylvan folk who change with the seasons like trees. They are revered by the forest people of the east
77 Minotaurs on Ethyria were cursed ancients who survived the earthquakes sent by the gods and were spared as monstrous enemies of humankind. Many have since given up these violent ways and their war-loving god
78 Tritonians on Ethyria were cursed ancients who survived the floods that sunk coastal cities sent by the gods. They dwell now in various undersea polis and may deal with human sea cults. Some hate surface folk, others see humans as kin and trade with coastal people
79 Kallikantzaros are hairy underworld goblins who come to the surface world to cause mischief
80 Akephaloi are headless folk with faces on their chests. Most are wild savages but some more civilised clans exist
81 Harpies are horrible half-bird people who steal food, spread disease and torment people, sometimes on behalf of the gods. Sirens are beautiful half-bird folk whose singing voices charm victims to their doom, to devour them
82 Manticores are cruel man-eaters, with lion-like bodies, wings that hurl tail barbs. They dwell in the mountains and come to the lowlands to hunt humans
83 Giant snakes are guardians placed by the gods to protect holy places and treasures they withhold from mortals. Hydra are fearsome, multi-headed snake creatures
84 Dragons have come to the island to claim the ancient treasure vaults as lairs. They say the gods brought them to withhold treasures from humanity
85 Griffons dwell in the mountains and build nests of gold that they protect for the gods
86 Chimaera are hybrid bestial monsters that keep mortals from certain places
87 Perytons are horrible winged deer-like monsters that crave human hearts and have deceptive shadows
88 Sphynxes are lion hybrids, some with human heads and wings, others with ram or bird heads. They protect holy places or where the gods want mortal transit blocked, such as to treasures or cursed places. Some demand sacrifices or ask riddles to pass them
89 Lamia are child devouring, shapeshifting, seductive monsters, usually snake-like like but may also shape quadruped lion or deer-like bodies from the waist down for mobility
90 Strigia are shape-shifting owl witches, but if you steal their cloaks you can trap them in human form
91 Dymas was an explorer and one of the colony founders 200 years ago, and was killed by a Chimaera in a volcanic crater in the mountains
69 The tower builders of the northern islands conflicted with the ancients and they were overwhelmed mostly by the monsters the gods made from the ancients
70 There are many ancient ruins with treasure but many are guarded by monsters placed by the gods to withhold them from mortals
71 The cyclopsian one-eyed orcs are descendants of the giant cyclops of old and they are famed weapon smiths who are always trying to rob griffon nests for gold
72 Lion folk are a barbaric folk who have their own villages and perhaps a hidden polis. They often mock followers of the gods who failed to help them in the past
73 Centaurs can be civilised or barbarians, but all can be dangerous when drunk
74 Satyrs were once all male but mated with humans, dryads and nymphs, producing male and female offspring
75 Descendants of giant and human hybrids in the north claim the former giant land as their exclusive property. True giants see them as inferior spawn of slaves
76 The descendants of nature spirits and mortal species have resulted in sylvan folk who change with the seasons like trees. They are revered by the forest people of the east
77 Minotaurs on Ethyria were cursed ancients who survived the earthquakes sent by the gods and were spared as monstrous enemies of humankind. Many have since given up these violent ways and their war-loving god
78 Tritonians on Ethyria were cursed ancients who survived the floods that sunk coastal cities sent by the gods. They dwell now in various undersea polis and may deal with human sea cults. Some hate surface folk, others see humans as kin and trade with coastal people
79 Kallikantzaros are hairy underworld goblins who come to the surface world to cause mischief
80 Akephaloi are headless folk with faces on their chests. Most are wild savages but some more civilised clans exist
81 Harpies are horrible half-bird people who steal food, spread disease and torment people, sometimes on behalf of the gods. Sirens are beautiful half-bird folk whose singing voices charm victims to their doom, to devour them
82 Manticores are cruel man-eaters, with lion-like bodies, wings that hurl tail barbs. They dwell in the mountains and come to the lowlands to hunt humans
83 Giant snakes are guardians placed by the gods to protect holy places and treasures they withhold from mortals. Hydra are fearsome, multi-headed snake creatures
84 Dragons have come to the island to claim the ancient treasure vaults as lairs. They say the gods brought them to withhold treasures from humanity
85 Griffons dwell in the mountains and build nests of gold that they protect for the gods
86 Chimaera are hybrid bestial monsters that keep mortals from certain places
87 Perytons are horrible winged deer-like monsters that crave human hearts and have deceptive shadows
88 Sphynxes are lion hybrids, some with human heads and wings, others with ram or bird heads. They protect holy places or where the gods want mortal transit blocked, such as to treasures or cursed places. Some demand sacrifices or ask riddles to pass them
89 Lamia are child devouring, shapeshifting, seductive monsters, usually snake-like like but may also shape quadruped lion or deer-like bodies from the waist down for mobility
90 Strigia are shape-shifting owl witches, but if you steal their cloaks you can trap them in human form
91 Dymas was an explorer and one of the colony founders 200 years ago, and was killed by a Chimaera in a volcanic crater in the mountains
92 Abreas a war leader elected in a crisis to repel a monstrous horde from the west when the first colonists struggled to build a polis
93 Lycus was a mighty hunter who helped settle the woodlands around the colony. He slew many fabulous supernatural beasts and the great hunters lodge of Kynigós is dedicated to him and his trophies
93 Lycus was a mighty hunter who helped settle the woodlands around the colony. He slew many fabulous supernatural beasts and the great hunters lodge of Kynigós is dedicated to him and his trophies
94 Medos a woman famed as a navigator and oracle who circumnavigated Ethyria on the first locally built ship. She mapped and made trade routes with local islands and her ship was lost on one of her voyages. Many hope to find what happened to her ship and crew
95 Xanthipe a famous healer who halted a plague that threatened to destroy the early colony and befriended holy folk of the barbarians. Her tomb is a holy site in the Polis of Kástro
96 Agon a mighty monster slayer of the first colonists who slew a great serpant guarding the plateau of Kástro but he died from its venom. His tomb is a shrine with a brazier that is lit in times of war
95 Xanthipe a famous healer who halted a plague that threatened to destroy the early colony and befriended holy folk of the barbarians. Her tomb is a holy site in the Polis of Kástro
96 Agon a mighty monster slayer of the first colonists who slew a great serpant guarding the plateau of Kástro but he died from its venom. His tomb is a shrine with a brazier that is lit in times of war
97 Agamede an Amazon who defended the first settlers and trained the first hopolite militia. There is a statue of her in Kástro soldiers perform drills in front of to this day. Amazons from far away even visit her shrines
98 Cilla famously escaped pirate captivity and led colonist ships to destroy their island hideout. People still revere her and blow horns of warning when pirate ships are spotted. Her many descendants are sailors and serve the sea gods
99 Alector led adventurers into the treasure vaults of the ancients and slew many monsters in the ruins of the west and north. On his last expedition he never returned and oracles say his remains are kept by giants as a trophy
100 Demas was a powerful magician who came to the city and taught his arts and founded the school of magic in Kástro. He made many magic items but when aged departed on a ship seeking the secret lore of the gods on a fabled island. A memorial to him is in the school today
99 Alector led adventurers into the treasure vaults of the ancients and slew many monsters in the ruins of the west and north. On his last expedition he never returned and oracles say his remains are kept by giants as a trophy
100 Demas was a powerful magician who came to the city and taught his arts and founded the school of magic in Kástro. He made many magic items but when aged departed on a ship seeking the secret lore of the gods on a fabled island. A memorial to him is in the school today
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other stuff
Theros gods to mythology
Athreos = Charon
Ephara = Athena
Erebos = Thanatos
Heliod = Helios
Iroas = Heraclese
Karametra = Demeter
Keranos = Aeolus
Klothys = Clotho
Kruphix = Astraeus
Mogis = Pallas
Nylea = Artemis
Pharika = Lysa
Phenax = Dionysis
Purphoros = Haphastios
Thassa = Thetis
other stuff
Theros gods to mythology
Athreos = Charon
Ephara = Athena
Erebos = Thanatos
Heliod = Helios
Iroas = Heraclese
Karametra = Demeter
Keranos = Aeolus
Klothys = Clotho
Kruphix = Astraeus
Mogis = Pallas
Nylea = Artemis
Pharika = Lysa
Phenax = Dionysis
Purphoros = Haphastios
Thassa = Thetis
I chose lesser-known gods where possible
I think the Theros gods while well described, are still less complex than Greece - I recommend reading actual prayers to Greek gods over just the myths, which might require a non-lending section in a uni classics library. Apparently, the public have little interest in books like this. Beware new age BS ones are thriving online.
Helios is quite a bit simpler than Apollo, who is not a sun god in Greece, and seems an ok fit
Athena has far more complexity than Ephara, but was a closer fit
Dionysius is also more complex than Phenax and and the book makes him look like Loki
(Forbidden North has a Loki-like evil god too - I mean like Marvel's version of Loki in both cases).
Im thinking the Goliath species might actually work on my Ethyria setting, but I always disliked the Bible implications of the name, so I will reskin as Giant kindred.
Im saying Tritonians and some other different terms to avoid IP use but still be usable from the Theros book. It could be used in all kinds of ancient greek fantasy settings or even in some otherworld cut off by the gods. I'd leave plenty of small islands around Ethyria.
https://www.worldanvil.com/w/theros-accelt/map/c724e34e-afb6-4f25-83ed-da50f7f67178
Id place Ethyria on the far western edge of the Theros map, but Im happy if it never comes up in my game
Ancient Sardinia, which influenced Ethyria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfdDPl7iLu8
Name lists
https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/ancient-greek-names.php
https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/n2u8nd/i_made_a_list_of_greek_male_and_female_names_for/
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