[greek swim]

[references]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:22:34 GMT

[references]
The following is a list of references we feel might be useful to players and/or potential applicants.

Encyclopedia Mythica
Goddess Myths
Greek Mythology (dot) com
Greek Mythology: From The Iliad to the Fall of the Last Tyrant
Introduction to Ancient Greek Mythology, by J.M. Hunt (alternate link)
Myth Web
Mythography: Exploring Greek, Roman, and Celtic Mythology and Art
Theoi Greek Mythology: Exploring Mythology in Classical Literature and Art
Mount Olympus: Home of the Olympian Gods

Disclaimer. This journal, and the communities affiliated with it (greek_swim, etc) are only part of a game. We are not associated with the Greco-Roman gods and goddesses, nor do we necessarily endorse or promote a particular worldview. All the statements contained herein are meant only for entertainment and gaming, and no malice or infringement is intended. The contents of this journal and the game should NOT be taken as true/authorized.

[daily game summaries and tags]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:11:03 GMT

[daily game summaries] Fresh for you!
September 1, 2009
[x] Rhea writes a cryptic message, which gets everyone going "wtf?omg!"
[x] Apollo/Victor needs muses! But all that aside, he proposes a meeting the following day, at Akrotiri (and even offers to buy the first three rounds! Who wants to party?)
[x] Persephone/Anne writes in a Melvillesque sort of way, and does admit that she has dreams, but they're just silly.

September 2, 2009
[x] Artemis/Nox wakes up from crazy dreams, and finds writing in her previously blank journal, so she attempts to profile everyone. BTW, she's a night person.
[x] Hermes/McKale, who apparently goes by 385972893475 different names, has found his way to Athens, and is quite impressed that someone managed to sneak up on him and get that journal into his bag. What a beautiful piece of work!
[x] Artemis/Nox and Apollo/Victor meet at Akrotiri in Kalamaki, wherein Artemis is actually dressed like a girly-girl, but don't get used to it, guys ;)
[x] Apollo/Victor texts Artemis/Nox to make sure she got home alright. Wait... He didn't try to do explicit things to her?

September 14, 2009
[x] Rhea writes in the journals, encouraging everyone to write her a question, if they desire, which she will answer. She suspects they are close to finding out that those who sided with Cronus are now missing. There is an earthquake.
[x] Hebe/Emberlynn runs into Victor/Apollo at a coffee shop near the Acropolis, wherein both are a little starstruck, and there is some spit-swapping. Ah, this is the Apollo we know and love!
[x] Hermes/McKale and Persephone/Anne have a planned meeting at a café.

September 21, 2009
[x] Hera/Anthea makes her first entry, desiring some answers, thank you very much!

September 24, 2009
[x] Apollo/Victor's been having more intense dreams, but he did take the time to look up his cryptic journal name and Hebe/Emberlynn's, and writes those down. Hermes/McKale comments that they have, thus far, Apollo, Hebe, Hermes, and Persephone, that he knows of.
[x] Hades/Talik, who has several degrees in the matter, knows he is not crazy, people. PS: he has no dreams. Alright, if he does, they're just of darkness, and he likes it that way!
[x] Hebe/Emberlynn does some research about the name on her journal, and is not pleased by what she finds.

September 27, 2009
[x] Hera/Anthea and Hermes/McKale meet up at a café in the Plaka district.

October 3, 2009
[x] Artemis/Nox thinks it's getting harder to tell dreams from reality -- is it a past life? What could it be? She and Apollo/Victor plan to meet...

October 4, 2009
[x] Artemis/Nox visits Apollo/Victor, and, over Chinese food, they discover the truth!
[x] Hera/Anthea is having trouble sleeping, because of vivid dreams where a man rapes her.

October 12, 2009
[x] Anteros/Thomas makes his first entry -- and Artemis is able to guess what his journal says.
[x] Persephone/Anne has had enough of this nonsense, thank you very much. She's checking out.

October 13, 2009
[x] Apollo/Victor is trying to put his dreams in a sequence of some kind, to try to figure out what's happened. He's asking questions. And he sets up a meeting with Hera/Anthea...
[x] Apollo/Victor text messages Hebe/Emberlynn about going to the Agora and then having dinner.
[x] Persephone/Anne, thinking she's finally lost it, checks herself in at the mental hospital where Hades/Talik works.
[x] Hermes/McKale is really worried about Persephone/Anne, and resolves to track her down -- he's really, really good at things like that.

October 14, 2009
[x] Apollo/Victor text messages Artemis/Nox to let her know about his upcoming meeting with Hera/Anthea.
[x] Apollo/Victor and Hera/Anthea meet, and the epic hatred is epic -- they do, however, agree that getting together with everyone might be a good idea.

October 17, 2009
[x] Apollo/Victor and Hebe/Emberlynn meet up at the Agora, and he tells her the truth; they subsequently get into an angsty fight over the war.
[x] Artemis/Nox and Anteros/Thomas meet up for dinner at a steak place.

October 18, 2009
[x] Pan/Jack makes his first entry -- he's never kept a journal before, and wonders where it came from.

October 23, 2009
[x] Apollo/Victor announces the party and invites everyone.
[x] Apollo/Victor sends Artemis/Nox a sexy Artemis costume, and she is not amused.

October 27, 2009
[x] Hera/Anthea is not quite sure whether she is anticipating or dreading the possibility of meeting Zeus.

October 28, 2009
[x] Emberlynn/Hebe and Pan/Jack run into each other at a night club, and sparks fly.

October 31, 2009
[x] The (hopefully) massive party thread!
[x] Dionysus, rather annoyed with the powercut, is going to break all sorts of speeding and traffic laws to get to the party.

November 11, 2009
[x] Zeus/Malachi, who is in town, just so happens to own the hotel where Hera/Anthea is staying. Naturally, they run into each other -- some things never change, no matter how many centuries have passed.

November 17, 2009
[x] Hebe/Emberlynn gets a package in the mail.

November 18, 2009
[x] Aphrodite/Katrine makes her first entry, and somebody has to point her in the direction of wtf is going on -- and what's with all the Greek gods refs, anyway?

November 19, 2009
[x] After having sent her flowers, Apollo/Victor goes over to Hebe/Emberlynn's hotel room, wherein there is angsty makeup goodness... we hope. In progress.
[x] Hephaestus/Silas is pleading with a journal, and thinks he's probably gone insane. Please, let this be a hoax... also, he is apparently missing money. Let's not all look at Hermes and Pan at once, ok?

November 22, 2009
[x] Dionysus/Elliot and Aphrodite/Katrine have a chance encounter at his infamous club, Eleutherios.

November 24, 2009
[x] Phobos/Miles writes an entry, and who should, more fittingly, reply, than Deimos/Xander. They arrange to meet in Exarcheia.

November 29, 2009
[x] Phobos/Miles attends and underground fight and sees Deimos/Xander. Come to think of it, they do look a bit alike, don't they?

December 2, 2009
[x] Emberlynn/Hebe and Hephaestus/Silas meet up in a little café in Kolonaki.

December 4, 2009
[x] Artemis/Nox is restless, and apparently, having something of an identity crisis. Can't blame her, though -- the virgin goddess thing must be hard.

December 5, 2009
[x] Anteros/Thomas is rather confused, and finding himself trying to get his mind off the whole 'gods' thing.
[x] Artemis/Nox goes to see Anteros/Thomas, and they watch Star Wars, wherein there is pizza feasting and discussion of the state of things.
[x] Hermes/McKale has been sort of stalking Persephone/Anne -- they have a not-so-chance encounter at a café

December 11, 2009
[x] Athena/Dara writes, finding these journals strange -- no logical or technological possibilities about them, or the dreams. Artemis/Nox tries to shed some light on it.
[x] Ares/Patton seems to have figured this thing out, which may or may not be good news. His entry is simple: "All this mystery is suspicious. Is anyone willing to meet face to face to talk about this?"

December 24, 2009
[x] Hades/Talik proposes to Persephone/Anne just before Christmas supper. And she has a bit of a surprise for him: she's pregnant.

December 31, 2009
[x] Apollo/Victor proposes to Emberlynn/Hebe at a swank New Year's Eve party, just before the midnight hour.

January 1, 2010
[x] With the coming of a new year at hand, just as the clock strikes midnight, Rhea tries to communicate to the gods, through a dream or vision. Cronus catches her, just as she is about to make a grim announcement, in a last attempt to get them to come together, and set aside their differences: Cronus was going to betray those who had sided with him before. But he did not catch her before she could set the next phase of her plan in motion: an eclipse. The stage is now set for the gods to truly regain their powers...

[myth index] Magic never takes a break!
[x] Apollo is not particularly happy about the prospects of Orion sullying his sister's honor and tricks her into killing him.
[x] Hades, on his way to ask Zeus for one of his daughters to make queen of his domain (Zeus owes him!), runs into Kore (young Persephone).
[x] Some time after the abduction, Persephone confronts Hades. He says he will take her back next time she asks, but she realizes everything has changed.
[x] Artemis takes Persephone out for a hunt, after the first Winter.
[x] With the rise of Humanity the wild world has all but been destroyed. To save his domain Pan begins a journey to unite all the rustic gods of Greece. His first stop? The Underworld, to ask for Persephone's help.
[x] Ares and Apollo run into each other just before Zeus makes the announcement... wherein the epic hatred is epic!
[x] Ares has plans, and starts to recruit. One of the first on his list? Hebe.
[x] Fresh from his initial successes recruiting, having just persuaded Hebe, Ares journeys to the Underworld, where Hades thinks he is a silly child, and this whole thing is just going to blow over, like all other plans to overthrow Zeus have, in the past.
[x] Ares visits Hera on Olympus, and, getting her alone, starts to plant seeds of doubt in her mind, laying the foundation for his mother siding against his father in the Great War.
[x] Attempt to recruit Hades gone awry still on his mind, Ares visits Persephone in the fields to try to get her to join his cause, and persuade Hades to do so, as well.

[search by tag]
Search for character posts by tag in [greek swim], or [myth swim].
Click the links below to go to all of the community entries in greek_swim or myth_swim for a given character. This is for you guys to be able to find things easily.
You'll find that we've gone ahead and created tags for all the characters, regardless of whether they have already been cast or not. This is just so that, once they are cast, you can find them more readily.

IC Community. Tags in greek_swim
Amphitrite
Anteros
Aphrodite
Apollo
Ares
Artemis
Athena
Cronus
Deimos
Demeter
Dionysus
Eris
Eros
Hades
Hebe
Hephaestus
Hera
Hermes
Hestia
Iris
Pan
Persephone
Phobos
Poseidon
Rhea
Zeus

Backstory and Myth Community. Tags in myth_swim
Amphitrite
Anteros
Aphrodite
Apollo
Ares
Artemis
Athena
Cronus
Deimos
Demeter
Dionysus
Eris
Eros
Hades
Hebe
Hephaestus
Hera
Hermes
Hestia
Iris
Pan
Persephone (Kore)
Phobos
Poseidon
Rhea
Zeus

[handwriting fonts and profile layouts]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:08:30 GMT

[taken fonts]
The following fonts are already in use by our players. click on the links to go to a page where you can download them if you'd like. players are not required to post with their fonts if they don't wish to do so. If you can't find a font you'd like for your character, or know which font you'd like but can't find it online, talk to the mods and we'll see what we can do.

Baker Script [Anteros] download
FG Chelsea's Handwriting [Dionysus] download
Jane Austen [Apollo] download
Satisfaction [Persephone] download

[profile layouts]
Players can fill out the following and post it up on their profile pages, or as an entry. Omitting certain things or adding others is allowed as players would like.
Just select all the text in the text box below, then press ctrl C -- or command C if you're on a mac. You can paste with ctrl/command V.

Myth Basics
Deity Name: 
Other Names: 
Role/Function: 
Powers: 
Objects and Familiars: 
Parents: 
Siblings: 
Spouse: 
Children:

Mortal 
Name: 
Date of Birth: 
Nationality: 
Social Class: 
Parents: 
Siblings: 
Past Relationships: 
Significant Other/Spouse: 
Children: 
Overall Health: 
Education: 
Career: 
Present Location in Athens: 
Dreams and Visions of the Past: 
Initial Effects and Abilities:

Aesthetics 
Height: 
Weight/Build: 
Hair: 
Eyes: 
Skin/Other: 
Description: (copy from application)

Psychological 
Personality: (copy from application)
Extrovert/Introvert: 
Sensing/Intuition: 
Thinking/Feeling: 
Judging/Perceiving: 
Hobbies and Interests: 
Strengths: 
Weaknesses:

Relations 
Friends: 
Enemies: 
Romantic Status: 
Significant Other: 
Sexual Preference: 
Present Interests: 
Past Relationships: 
Likes: 
Dislikes:

Biographical 
Myth: 
War: 
Mortal:

On his/her journal: (include the name, in Greek, of the deity as it appears on the nameplate on their journal. Feel free to include other details, including meaning, etc)

Disclaimer
This journal is part of a game, and not affiliated with the Grecian gods and goddesses in any way. This is for entertainment/gaming purposes only. No malice or infringement is intended and the contents of this journal and it should NOT be taken as true/authorized. This journal is also in no way associated with the celebrity in the icons.

[played bys]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:07:47 GMT

[played bys]
The moderators here at [greek swim] are not going to take great pains to make a huge list of PBs that we are banning, but we expect players and applicants to realize and understand which particular PBs are and are not appropriate for both your character and for the game in general. Bear in mind that pop icons, band members, most models and super models, scene queens and scene kids, myspace faces, and others who look too perfect, are too overused, or just plain inappropriate may not be allowed as PBs here at [greek swim].

[taken pbs]

Amphitrite available	Anteros Hayden Christensen	Aphrodite Elisabeth Harnois	Apollo Paul Walker
Ares Ioan Gruffudd	Artemis Olivia Wilde	Athena Maggie Gyllenhaal	Deimos available
Demeter available	Dionysus available	Eris available	Eros Jeremy Sumpter
Hades Michael C. Hal	Hebe Eliza Dushku	Hephaestus available	Hera Natalie Wood
Hermes Adam Pascal	Hestia available	Iris available	Pan available
Persephone Natalie Portman	Phobos available	Poseidon available	Zeus available

[npc pbs]

Calliope Rachel McAdams	Clio Rachel McAdams	Coeus David Wenham	Crius Vincent Regan
Cronus Gerard Butler	Daphne Rachael Taylor	Erato Rachel McAdams	Euterpe Rachel McAdams
Hyperion Michael Fassbender	Iapetus Tom Wisdom	Macaria Bailee Madison	Melpomene Rachel McAdams
Minthe Megan Fox	Polyhymnia Rachel McAdams	Rhea Diane Kruger	Terpsichore Rachel McAdams
Thalia Rachel McAdams	Urania Rachel McAdams

[held pbs]
The following pbs are currently being held
Cate Blanchett

Questions? Email us at greekswim(at)gmail.com, or send a PM to mods_swim

[application]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:05:47 GMT

[application]
Fill this out and email your application to greekswim(at)gmail(dot)com. It might be a good idea to request a hold on the character list before you start writing.
Once we accept you, we'll be happy to give you invite codes, if you need!
If you are applying for a character who has mythological ties to other characters already in play, please read and familiarize yourself with those characters' profiles.
Current members: We strongly encourage picking a second or third character who would have little interaction with your current character(s) outside of the journal system.

[you] the player.
Name:
Date of Birth: (or alternatively let us know if you are over 18)
How did you hear about us?
Past RP Experience:
AIM Screen Name for Roleplaying:
Let us know if you requested a hold:

[muse] the character.
Deity Name:
Function: (God or Goddess of what are they, exactly?)
Appearance: (short description, can expand later)
Personality: (short description, can expand later)
Sexuality:
History: (The whole history according to the versions you are using of the myths)
Before the Coup of Cronus: (What happened as modern-day approached, before Cronus took over?)
During the Coup: (Where did your character side? How were they involved, if at all?)
Now as a Mortal -- (fill out below)
    Name:
    Date of Birth: (all characters should be younger than fifty, but keep in mind that Rhea would have released the oldest gods and goddesses first)
    Birthplace:
    Biography:
    Why are they in Athens now?
    Present location where they are staying Athens: (pick a neighborhood, any neighborhood!)
Proposed PB:
Username you would like to use: (please try for it to have the deity's name, or some variant of it, in it)

[samples] We only require one sample, which will be your first entry as your character. In the game, all the characters have thus far been able to realize who they are. Write about your character figuring this out. Remember, they will have had dreams, visions, and feelings before this, and these dreams, etc, will have strengthened, until they can no longer be ignored. (For an example, click here.) There is no length requirement for this. If you want to roleplay a scene with another character, so that your character figures it out when they see/encounter someone else, then give us a brief summary of how you would like it to play out. We're flexible -- we just want to know how you see your character having figured out that they are a god(dess).

[f.a.q.s]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:05:17 GMT

[f.a.q.s]
What time period does this game take place in? What's the game calendar like?

The game takes place present day, in real time.

What's this game about?

Aside from what was outlined in the game premise? Basically, we want to focus, as much as possible, on the interactions of the gods and goddesses and them figuring out what they are going to do about their current situation. The journals are supposed to have helped them find one another and piece together the pieces. After that, we're going to put into play a potential war between the now-fallen gods and the titans.

May I apply for someone not on the character list?

At the moment, we are only accepting characters listed on our character list. This may expand as time goes on if the game grows.

Can I have more than one character? How many can I have?

Our character limit is four. You should plan to be active with all of your characters if you pick up more than one. We strongly encourage picking additional character(s) who would have little interaction with your current character(s) outside of the journal system. This allows for greater interaction with other players and a much more diverse atmosphere for plot forming. Talk to the mods if you feel you can handle more and be active with all of them.

Where did the journals come from?

Rhea found a way to make each of the gods and goddesses freed from Tartarus receive one. They all received them at about the same time (give or take a week) and should all eventually start writing in them, or have started writing in them already.

How do the journals work? What are they like?

Like in most other games you've probably played at or come across, they're interconnected. Basically, anything a character writes can be seen by anyone else who has one, unless you make part of it private. You can make parts of entries or entire entries private to your own character, or to groups of characters. Just put [Private to CHARACTER NAME(S)] where appropriate (and replace "CHARACTER NAME(S)" with the names of the characters involved. Don't be silly. Your characters can also reply to other characters. These aren't online blogs; they are actual journals.
Each character, as stated above, received one. They are all plain and black leather, and have a nameplate on the outside cover, with the deity's name (or some variant of it, if they are known by multiple names) on the top, in Greek, and the name of the mortal right under it, in the Latin/Roman alphabet. It's up to them to figure out what they will, and take this how they will. Rhea will be popping in now and then to leave messages.

My deity has multiple names. How do I know which one is on the journal?

Whichever one you would like. If your character is familiar, as a mortal, with mythology, it might make it more interesting if you chose of the less familiar names for them.

What are the other communities for?

greek_swim is for posting logs/threads taking place in current game time, as well as letters, packages, that sort of thing.
myth_swim is for posting backstory logs, especially about the myths.
ooc_swim is for out of character posting. Game notices, etc., will be posted here.

I want to play a character but I'm confused about which myth versions to go by. There are so many!

Yes, there are. We know. Sometimes it can be a pain keeping everything straight, too. Before you apply for a character, be sure that if there's a question about another character's involvement, you either read over that character's profile or contact that character's player. Other than that, use whichever myth version appeals to you most.

My character has myth background that connects to another character, who is already in play. What do I do?

If you are applying for a character who has mythological ties to other characters already in play, please read and familiarize yourself with those characters' profiles, and try to make your myth background coincide.

Can my character get pregnant?

This will be handled on a case by case basis, but if two characters are involved, the players of both should be in agreement about it. Please let the mods know, as with all major plot points, and talk to them about it before proceeding.

Can my character die?

No. This ties into the plot of the game. You see, in their current incarnations, the gods have been reborn in a form that allows them to move toward their immortality again. This is why they can have slight, uncontrollable powers (see below) from the outset, and why they will eventually be able to regain their powers. If something happens that would otherwise have killed them, fate will intervene so that they cannot die.

Will my character get to have powers?

Initially, not that they can control, and not very strong. They could have strange things happen around them, specially in times of really high stress but none of it would be in their control. Eventually, it may become part of them discovering who they are, once they have put the pieces together. At the outset, they might have small things that they notice. Demeter, for example, could have a gift with plants, and Zeus might have an affinity for women and/or the weather. Hades might have an inclination about the deaths of those around him, and Poseidon might be particularly apt at seafaring and maritime endeavors.

How can my character get full-fledged powers again?

We're getting a little ahead of ourselves here, but... something will happen that will allow them to move to the next step, beyond the small, uncontrollable inclinations of power. First, they have to figure out who they are. Then, an event will happen (we'll let you know) that will let them "trigger" their powers. Each god or goddess will trigger their powers differently, and it will probably not be intentional, in most cases. We've assembled a list of what will have to happen to each character for them to regain their powers and become who they really are, fully, but we'll reveal that at a later point.</li>

Will my character remember that they are a god?

Your character will have dreams about it. They can have very strong "visions" and "feelings" about things that happened in the past, and these should start to disrupt their everyday lives.

Will my character be able to recognize other gods?

They should, eventually. In their present incarnations, they should look just like their immortal selves. That having been said, they should feel something familiar, initially, when they interact with other gods. They can have visions, or have seen them in dreams, or things like that. Soon, once they figure out what is happening, they will be able to see each other for what they truly are.

What's going to happen after this confrontation between the gods and the titans?

Largely, the mods have the idea that the titans should probably throw some kind of curve ball at the gods to make things chaotic again and force them to regroup. Remember, the titans have not lost their powers, and the gods would be confronting them with no- to limited- powers at best.

[rules]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:04:22 GMT

[rules]
We’re not going to go into massive detail about things that you should really already know. Godmodding (yeah even though they are gods and goddesses!) is obviously off-limits, journals should obviously only be used for this game, and mixing in-character and out-of-character drama is definitely a no-no. You should obviously participate if you join this game, in at least something a week, and correct grammar and spelling should be used (spellcheck!). Roleplays are third person past tense and journals are first person present tense. “Private” entries cannot be “broken into” without permission of all players involved. Usernames should obviously have something to do with your character (sexxxgoddess is definitely not a good choice for Athena, for example).

That having been said, here’s detail on a few maybe not-so-obvious things:

Our age limit is 18. This game is going to feature mature content, and we have to cover ourselves legally.

Posts in the ooc community should all be friends only; all other posts in the communities should be public. It’s up to you if you want to make your character’s journal public or friendslocked.

Posts in the in-character or myth communities should have the following format, and be followed by an lj-cut:
  Who: (Characters involved)
  When: (Specific date/time)
  Where: (Where the scene takes place)
  What: (Reason for the log, or a summary)
  Rating: (Please warn for anything potentially unsafe for school/work)
  Status: (Complete/incomplete/etc.)

Our character limit is four, and you must be active with those you have if you want pick up another character.

We strongly encourage picking additional character(s) who would not have extensive interaction with your current character(s) outside of the journal system. This allows for greater interaction with other players and a much more diverse atmosphere for plot forming.

If you are applying for a character who has mythological ties to other characters already in play, please read and familiarize yourself with those characters' profiles.

Run major plotlines past the mods. We love suggestions and player involvement.

This game uses the 'linked pen-and-paper journals' concept. Each character has received a journal. They are all plain and black leather, and have a nameplate on the outside cover, with the deity's name on the top, in Greek, and the name of the mortal right under it, in the Latin/Roman alphabet. It's up to them to figure out what they will, and take this how they will.

You characters will be able to recall, at first through dreams and visions and feelings, their immortal "lives." Eventually, this will progress. In this life, also, they should look just as they would have as gods. For more details on this, consult the FAQs, linked below.

Other questions? Check out our F.A.Q.

[powers]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:03:11 GMT

[initial effects]
During the first phase, characters will discover who they are. They should all know who they are by the end of the phase. They will not really have controllable "powers" at this point. They will be able to affect things, or know things, but this will not be largely in their control. Below is a list of conceivable "abilities" they might have at this point. N.b. THIS LIST IS IN NO WAY FINAL OR LIMITED. We're open to anything you might think up, within reason, and would like to hear what you think. Let us know if you have any ideas for your character(s) and we'll see how we can work them in!

Amphitrite - aptitude for things relating to the ocean and water in general, natural leader
Anteros - apt at managing relationships and love
Aphrodite - very beautiful and alluring, apt at managing relationships and love
Apollo - gifts with music, literature, the arts, and sports, ties to the sun
Ares - courageous (possibly able to inspire courage), possibly able to cause bloodlust in others, aptitude for war planning
Artemis - skilled with hunting and archery, affinity for nature, ties to the moon
Athena - intellectual, strategic, good counselor and tactician
Deimos - ability to cause fear/dread in others
Demeter - aptitude for plants, grains
Dionysus - inhumanly high liquor tolerance, ability to throw one banging party (or be the life of a party)
Eris - tendency to cause disorder around her, things going awry in her presence (and possibly delighting in it)
Eros - apt at managing relationships and love
Hades - increased senses relating to death (possibly of those around him), affinity for wealth, natural leader
Hebe - youthful beauty, aptitude for mixing things (possibly drinks) that have certain effects
Hephaestus - skilled with metalworking and crafts relating to that, sculpting skills
Hera - aptitude relating to marriage and women (possibly feminism), natural leader
Hermes - speedy, stealthy, possibly good at stealing, trickery, or conveying messages
Hestia - gifted in the kitchen, possibly skilled chef
Persephone - aptitude for plants, flowers, instincts relating to death, natural leader
Phobos - ability to cause panic in others/make them flee
Poseidon - aptitude for things relating to the ocean and water in general, natural leader
Zeus - affinity for the weather/meteorology, natural leader

[full power manifestation: "trigger" events]
The second phase will be where the characters regain their powers. This will happen after they know who they are. At this point, there will be an event that will occur (an eclipse), which will allow them to regain their powers once they go through the "triggers" below. This is much like Pleasantville -- different things will cause it for different people, and these things will somehow relate to their immortal lives.

[character list]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:01:56 GMT

[character list] This is the list of characters currently available. Ask for holds here! We'll provide you with invite codes once we accept your application :) You can request holds anonymously, perhaps leave a name for us to reserve the hold under, or create a login with your livejournal id and request a hold that way. You can also email us, at greekswim(at)gmail.com. That is the address you will be sending your application to (click here for more info on that) PLEASE NOTE: We have placed characters into categories, below, to ensure some sort of balance. This is to preserve a balance in the game, and because (honestly) it just makes sense, if Ares and Cronus would have been victorious to have certain people on their side, to sort of sway things that way. Characters marked with an asterisk () could have gone either way, and we'll be more than happy to switch those around, depending on what you develop for them. Legend* linked name -- taken italicized name -- on hold or pending italicized, bolded name -- on hold or pending, with a challenge asterisk after name* -- indicates character may have some backstory, click the asterisk to see more red name -- up for adoption Mortal names appear in parentheses, for taken characters Characters
Loyal to the Olympian Order. Sided with Zeus or the establishment. Apollo (Victor William Fitzgerald) Artemis (Nox Roscoe Chase) Athena (Dara Abigail Jaffe) Demeter Dionysus Hephaestus PENDING* Hermes (McKale Hector Levi) Hestia Pan* Zeus PENDING* Tipped the Scales. Turned to Ares and Cronus toward the end. Hades (Talik Blake Keiran) Persephone (Corinna Anne Bennet)	Revolutionaries. Sided with Ares and Cronus. Amphitrite Anteros (Thomas Henry Blaine) Aphrodite (Katrine Helena Daniels) Ares (Patton Caellach Sherman) Deimos* Eris Eros (Hellen Lee Amity) Hebe (Emberlynn Leighanne Leicester) Hera (Anthea Elise Morgan) Iris Phobos* Poseidon
Temporary Characters These characters will be played for a short time, spanning several weeks, during which they will try to hunt down the gods and goddesses. They have been dispatched by Cronus for this purpose.(more information) Cronus has supplied them with journals identical to those the gods and goddesses have, and has given them instructions to pose as mortals and try to round up the Olympians and their brethren up, using any means necessary. They are short-term characters, who will not be played after this plot arc is complete. They can be considered sort of NPCS. Or, temporaryPCs ;) Hypnus Ker Moros Thanatus Holds last for 72 hours, from when you request them, and extensions will be granted if needed. The only case where we won't grant an extension is if there is a challenge, because we like to get back to you quickly about your application, and don't want anyone to have to wait for a prolonged period of time Backstory Some of the characters have backstory associated with them, which we can work around, or you can incorporate. We've summarized it below, and provided links: Deimos. Arranges to meet with his twin.* The twins meet at an underground fight.* Dionysus. Has a chance encounter with Aphrodite at a club.* Hephaestus. Meets Hebe for lunch at a little café.* Pan. Runs into Hebe at a club, and sparks fly.* Later runs into Hebe at the party of the gods.* Meets his father and realizes who he is -- Hermes arranges to help him take care of financial matters.* Myth: With the rise of Humanity the wild world has all but been destroyed. To save his domain Pan begins a journey to unite all the rustic gods of Greece.* Phobos. Arranges to meet with his twin.* The twins meet at an underground fight.* Zeus. Zeus happens to own the hotel where Hera is staying, and they have a chance encounter in the lobby.*

[athens locations]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:00:27 GMT

[athens locations]
The following is a list of locations commonly frequented and/or mentioned in game play. Please comment if you feel something needs to be added and/or updated.

Athenian Neighborhoods
Omonia
Omonia Square (Greek: Πλατεία Ομονοίας) is the oldest square in Athens. Located in the heart of the city, it is surrounded by hotels and fast food outlets, and contains a train station used by the Athens Metro and the Ilektrikos, appropriately named Omonoia Station. The square often becomes the focus for celebration of sporting victories, as seen after the country's winning of the Euro 2004 and the Eurobasket 2005 tournaments.

Psirri
The reviving Psirri (Greek: Ψυρρή) neighbourhood - aka Athens's "meat packing district" - is dotted with renovated former mansions, artists' spaces, and small gallery areas. A number of its renovated buildings also now host a wide variety of fashionable bars, making it a hotspot for the city in the last decade, while a number of live music restaurants known as "rebetadika", after Rebetiko, a unique form of music that blossomed in Syros and Athens from the 1920s until the 1960s, are also to be found. Rebetiko is admired by many, and as a result rebetadika are often crammed with people of all ages who will sing, dance and drink till dawn.

Gazi
The Gazi (Greek: Γκάζι) area, one of the latest in full redevelopment, is located around a historic gas factory, now converted into the Technopolis cultural multiplex, and also includes artists' areas, a number of small clubs, bars and restaurants, as well as Athens' nascent "Gay Village". The metro's system recent expansion to the western suburbs of the city has brought easier access to the area since spring 2007, as the blue line now stops at Gazi (Kerameikos station).

Syntagma
Syntagma Square, (Greek: Σύνταγμα), is the capital's central square, lying adjacent to Parliament and the city's most noted hotels. Ermou Street, an approximately 1 km-long pedestrian road connecting Syntagma Square to Monastiraki, has traditionally been a consumer paradise for both Athenians and tourists. Complete with fashion shops and shopping centres promoting most international brands, it now finds itself in the top 5 most expensive shopping streets in Europe, and the tenth most expensive retail street in the world.[40] Nearby, the renovated Army Fund building in Panepistimiou Street includes the "Attica" department store and several upmarket designer stores.

Plaka
Plaka (Greek: Πλάκα), lying just beneath the Acropolis, is famous for its plentiful neoclassical architecture, making up one of the most scenic districts of the city. It remains a traditionally prime tourist destination with a number of picturesque tavernas and live performances.

Monastiraki
Close to Plaka, Monastiraki (Greek: Μοναστηράκι), for its part, is well-known for its string of small shops and markets, as well as its crowded flea market and tavernas specialising in souvlaki.

Thission
Another district notably famous for its student-crammed, stylish cafés is Theseum or Thission (Greek: Θησείο), lying just west of Monastiraki. Thission is home to the remarkable ancient Temple of Hephaestus, standing atop a small hill.

Kolonaki
The Kolonaki (Greek: Κολωνάκι) area, at the base of Lycabettus hill, is full of boutiques catering to well-heeled customers by day, and bars and more fashionable restaurants by night, but at other points also a wide range of art galleries and museums. This is often regarded as one of the more prestigious areas of the capital.

Exarcheia
Exarcheia (Greek: Εξάρχεια), located north of Kolonaki, has a mixed reputation as the recent or current location of the city's anarchist and drug scenes and as a culturally active student quarter with many cafés, bars and bookshops. Exarcheia is home to the Athens Polytechnic and the National Archaeological Museum; it also contains numerous important buildings of several 20th-century styles: Neoclassicism, Art Deco and Early Modernism (including Bauhaus influences).¹

Also, be sure to look at the Athens, Greece Survival Guide for some more in-depth information.

[history]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:59:52 GMT

[history]
The events outlined in the premise are detailed here.

Prelude to Our Story. The Olympians were revered and feared -- some of them so much so, that mortals dared not speak their names. Even the fall of mighty Troy, the decline of the great Greeks, and the rise of Rome did nothing to diminish their powers -- they remained as strong as ever. They were still regarded with reverence, temples still built in their honor, festivals held in their names.

First Century, BCE. Emperors of Rome begin to declare themselves immortals, leading to the rise of an imperial cult, in which subjects are called to participate, revering the emperors as gods. The Olympians start to see the first signs of weakening.

Fourth Century, CE. Constantine first ends persecution of Christians, and Christianity becomes the leading religion of the empire. Greco-Roman polytheism declines, finally becoming a criminal offense under Constantius II and Constans. Theodosius I makes Christianity the official state religion. Temples are destroyed and plundered; some are converted to churches, and the Pantheon is made into a church to honor all the states.

Some of the gods are outraged by these events, others are annoyed, and others, still, view them as but a minor inconvenience. Zeus does not act, and murmurs of dissent begin. The Titans begin to plot to take control of the cosmos once more, and bring the world back to the Golden Age.

At the same time, Zeus declares that, as long thought, Apollo will be his successor. It surprises few.

Ares, however, is among those few. He reaches his boiling point, and the Coup begins...

Events of the Coup of Ares and Cronus
The following are the events of the Coup of Ares and Cronus. We can add to them, or tweak them a bit here and there, as needed. We'd especially like to get battle details. This whole thing is supposed to help us map out and play myth scenes, as well as get a sense of background for our characters.

* Ares reaches his boiling point as Zeus proclaims Apollo his heir.
* Cronus approaches Ares with his plan to overtake Zeus.
* Ares brings in Eris, and his twin sons, Deimos and Phobos.
* Ares persuades Aphrodite to join his side, and she recruits Eros and Anteros.
* Eris begins to sew discord and strife among the other gods, while Ares continues recruiting.
* Ares attempts to recruit Hades, and Hades believes he is being silly and not serious about the whole thing, not thinking much of it.
* Ares goes to Hebe and gets her to join him, promising her he would right the wrongs Zeus had done her. She takes a Stygnian oath of loyalty to him.
* Ares approaches Hera for the first time, putting doubt in her mind.
* Ares recruits Poseidon, who had previously been involved in a rebellion against Zeus.^{see Iliad, Book I}
* Poseidon gets Amphitrite and Triton, as well as the rest of those in his realm, to back Ares.
* Ares goes to Persephone, to try to get her to convince Hades to side with him.
* Hera catches Zeus with another woman (Eris in disguise) AGAIN!
* Hera abandons Zeus and war begins in earnest.
* Apollo, Athena, and Artemis form Zeus' army with others.
* Skirmishes start.
* Poseidon gets the Younger Cyclopes to join the cause of Ares.
* The surviving Gigantes are recruited, and Gaea loans her help.
* Ares realizes he needs more support to overcome the Loyalists.
* Zeus desperately goes to Hades for help, and Hades reacts angrily, refusing to help, feeling that he should have been remembered sooner, and saying that because he forgot about him, Zeus deserved no favors or help.
* The Elder Cyclopes are persuaded to join Ares' side.
* Full scale battles begin.
* Ares and Apollo fight several times, with no clear winner.
* [OTHER BATTLES TAKE PLACE]
* Ares fights Apollo, again, and defeats him, then faces Zeus.
* All the Loyalists are defeated, and imprisoned in Tartarus.

[premise]

greekswim@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:57:15 GMT

[premise]
They say history has a tendency to repeat itself. Civilizations rise and fall, systems of rule are concocted and tossed out and reformulated. Previous generations help new ones overthrow the ruling. That's what was supposed to happen, at least.

When great Cronus was freed from his prison in Tartarus, it is said that he accepted his position as the king of the Elysian Islands, home of the blessed dead with humble dignity. But secretly he plotted.

Ares, god of war, had always eyed the throne of his father with cautious ambition. The only thing greater than his bloodlust and the love he had of women was that lust that silently grew in his heart over the one thing he knew he could never truly have.

Not until the opportunity presented itself. And Cronus was only too happy to supply that.

Plotting and scheming, he stood behind as Ares raised his forces, and they, together with the ruling Titan brothers of old, toppled the rule of almighty Zeus and imprisoned those who had stood in their way down in Tartarus. Those who helped them fight, however, were rewarded. There was nothing to stop the titans' rule. No one could stand in their way now.

But fate would turn against those who had supported the cause of the titans, as well. Gentle Rhea had acted before, and she would act again to protect her progeny and those who had come from them. Secretly, with help of the Fates, she freed the gods, placing them in mortal bodies, having them born into mortal families with mortal parents. And when word spread to those gods who had fought with the titans, she sent them all to the mortal plane as well. What they did not know, was that Cronus was planning to betray them, as well.

They would now live mortal lives... until the time was right. The time is now.

Nearly fifty years passed since the day Rhea set forth her own plan. All those gods and goddesses have been reborn, each in their own time and place since then, but all have come now to Athens. The savvy businessman drinking his latte at the corner coffee shop; the photographer drawn to the Parthenon's columns for their strange familiarity; the psychologist daydreaming while listening to a patient in the office; the journalist jotting down notes on a steno-pad; the aimless onlooker sitting looking out the window at the winding streets of the city; the schoolteacher browsing the library and the librarian at the counter; the ruthless executive in the corner office; all of them have something in common: they don't quite fit in.

And all of them received an anonymous gift: a journal linked to others.

They were just living among us. Average citizens, average mortals. And they have just discovered the truth.

The memories have come back, and the gods have 'awoken.' They have remembered who they are, and have put the pieces to the puzzle together.

Cronus is on the warpath, determined to keep them from returning to glory and immortality. Can the gods gather their forces to restore order to the universe?