Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1993 16:51:11 -0400 From: "Mike \"Kurgan\" Phillips" <[m s phil] at [BIRDS.WM.EDU]> Subject: Mythus-l: Huntresses of Diana The scribe sets pen to page for the third time, working on the priesthood of Diana, known to Greeks as Artemis. Yes, I know I just over-simplified, there were other oddities associated with the "conversion" from one pantheon to the other (not to mention overlap with other deities, including Selene). She started as a goddess of childbirth, and then came to be associated with the moon, and then hunting. I think that was the right order..... Anyhow, most of the historical details would be lost by this point in the campaign anyways, so we shall simply assign her the traditional portfolio of archery and hunting (especially nocturnal), the moon, childbirth, and defenseless animals (this is speculated to derive from the childbirth aspect). She is virginal, and so must be her priestesses. Priestess of Diana are often known as "Huntresses", for that is one of their duties, and occasionally they are also known as "Archers". In certain circumstances, they are used instead of, or in addition to, normal Midwives, as they are closely associated with childbirth and the protection of small children, despite their chaste state. Grade I: ANIMALTRACK FORMULA Time: One AT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting imbues the subject touched with the capability to track perfectly a single animal, whose spoor must already have been tracked. It is typically used in conjunction with hunting, but like all such capabilities, Diana will not allow this to be over-used, nor will her Huntresses *ever* use this or any other hunting skill for sport. They hunt only for food and natural selection as needed. EASE BIRTH PANG CANTRIP Time: One AT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting will dull any pain associated with childbirth for the duration, making what is typically described as searing pain into a fairly dull, low-grade pain. Basically, though imperfect relief, compared to what was experienced before, this is certainly one Casting in great demand by expectant mothers! Grade II: EASE BIRTH CHARM Time: Permanent Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting assists the mother going through childbirth by helping the natural processes along and encouraging that little bit extra that can make everything easier on the mother. When combined with the Ease Pain Casting (q.v.), it makes childbirth considerably more painless than it was before the development of these Castings. SUREFLIGHT ARROW CHARM Time: 1 CT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: 1 arrow R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: 10:1 additional arrow E/F/M: This Casting allows the priest to specially bless arrows so that they are more certain to strike the target (resulting in a bonus of 10 to the BAC). Note that one additional arrow can be so blessed for every 10 additional Heka points spent, to a maximum of 1 arrow per 10 STEEP possessed. These arrows lose their blessing automatically if they are being used for a purpose against the tenets of Diana, and they will, in fact, be cursed instead of blessed if so mis-used (the Priestess placing the Casting on the arrows may be taken to task as well!). Grade III: NURTURE ANIMAL RITUAL Time: Permanent Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting causes an animal, typically an abandoned animal, to automatically receive one day's nourishment per 10 STEEP of the Priestess. Note that this will work only on smaller animals, the children of such great beasts as elephants may require multiple such Castings for similar yield. Grade IV: SURETARGET ARROW CHARM Time: 1 CT per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One arrow R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: 20:1 additional arrow E/F/M: This Casting, a more powerful version of Sureflight (q.v.), grants a similar bonus, although it is a bonus of 25 to the BAC, and the first such arrow will automatically strike home if it is used in special service to Diana. One additional arrow can be so blessed for every 20 additional Heka expended, to a maximum of one arrow per 10 STEEP possessed. VACCINATION SHIELD RITUAL Time: Permanent Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting is another reason why the Priestesses of Diana are in fairly high demand as midwives (in addition to other duties), for this will protect a small child, typically an infant, against certain child- hood diseases. More specifically, it will lay a low-level resistance to these diseases on the child, meaning that if or when such diseases strike, their impact will be lessened (so that what might be a fatal outbreak of smallpox, for instance, will result in merely a moderate to bad case). It is intended to build an initial resistance to these diseases, without causing complete immunity. A Special Failure of this could be disastrous for the child receiving the Casting, though, for that means one of the "vaccinations" got out of control and the child is now infected by one of these diseases! Grade V: NOCTURNAL TRACKING FORMULA Time: 6 AT's per 10 STEEP Other Heka Costs: Area: One subject R&D: Nil Distance: Touch Other: Nil E/F/M: This Casting allows the Priestess to track at night as if it were the brightest of days (although this vision is useful only for tracking), and, in addition, brings the other senses to a preternatural state, allowing the sense of smell, touch, hearing, and taste to be heightened such that they also can be used for tracking. If following a blood trail, for instance, the recipient will be able to smell the blood on the air and follow it. This Casting only works on clear nights, under the moon. Hope these continue to be of use to you, and comments are, of course, welcome! Mike Phillips [m s phil] at [birds.wm.edu] (Requests for particular deities will also be honored. Up next: Venus and Mars)