"Ares"

"Ares" is one of the Living Gods and formerly one of the Seven Voices of the Gods. (For general information common to all of the Seven Voices and Living Gods, see their respective Mistipedia articles and the Olympus netbook article in the Undead Sea Scrolls 2002.)

History

As the high priest of Ares in his homeland on the Material Plane, the Voice of Ares led a clergy that commanded all of the military and local militias in his homeland. Through coercion he ensured the cooperation of the peasants while at the same time willfully allowing Hermes to run his illegal network of smugglers and thieves. He also fought in the arena as a gladiator, using every dirty trick he could to win. He gained wealth by gambling on his matches.

For a general history common to all of the Seven Voices and the Living Gods, see "Hercules" and the Olympus USS 2002 article.

Current Sketch

Now recognized as the living incarnation of the god he once presumed to speak for, the imposter Ares commands one of the six kingdoms of the Olympus domain. His city sate, Nikopolis, is located in the western part of the domain's central landmass. Although the other Living Gods have their own guards and local militias to watch the border, Ares controls the military of Olympus. Therefore, Nikopolis is the only city state that regularly launches attempted invasions of the other Living Gods' realms. (The other Living Gods try to extend their realms through other means). Despite Nikopolis being a large and well-equipped military state, its incursions are short-lived, thanks to the tactics, personnel, and resources of the other Living Gods.

As one might expect, Ares' rule is solidified through intimidation and assurances of wealth and glory for Nikopolis through war. He also commands (and sometimes takes part in) the gladitorial arenas, for which he may dispatch his soldiers to locate and enslave strange and unusual beasts. Such monsters can also see use as his slaves and protectors.

Despite his use of exotic monsters in war and in the arena, Ares has relatively few spellcaster servants, for he secretly fears them. Arcane Spellcasters often face execution in his realm. He also holds some trepidation for the intrigue brought by wily traders and merchants, for they may make his soldiers disloyal through bribery. Ares' fears are not pure paranoia, as they reflect the past machinations of the other Living Gods.

Aura

Ares' aura can cause fear to overtake his foes.

Gaze

Ares‘s gaze attack physically weakens his foes, afflicting them with temporary strength ability damage.

Stats

male outsider aristocrat 4/fighter 6, Chaotic Evil