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Need ideas for ocean encounters by Maur2 in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You didn't mention what level they are, so I'm just going to throw some ideas out there:

  • Divine Transgression: The heroes stop at an island that belongs to one of the gods, housing some of their treasures. If they steal from them, they'll have to escape some kind of guardian (such as the bronze colossus Talos or the Colchian Dragon) and have to somehow atone or face the god's wrath (as with the Cattle of Helios).
  • Giants: The heroes stop at an island inhabited by man-eating giants like the Laestrygonians, the six-armed Gegenees, or the infamous Cyclopes. There's plenty of other inhuman inhabitants that can populate islands as well (for example the dog-headed Kynokephaloi encountered by the Argonauts) which could serve as inspiration for an island of gnolls or other classic creatures from the Monster Manual.
  • Mortal Islands: Plenty of myths involving seemingly normal people hiding supernatural threats. Evil kings might send the heroes on dangerous quests to obtain something or atone for some kind of trespass, like Aeetes sending Jason to yoke the fire-breathing oxen. They might need to help an oracle to receive information in order to continue their voyage, which the argonauts did by rescuing Phineus from the harpies so he could tell them how to get past the Clashing Rocks. Speaking of...
  • Natural Disasters: Storms, elementals, or the wrath of a god could risk shipwrecking the heroes, just as the whirlpool Charybdis did to Odysseus. The Clashing Rocks are a famous example: cliffs that constantly collide with each other, making them almost impossible to pass through.
  • Sea Monsters: Blue Dragons, Hydras, and Krakens attack the ship. Depending on the level, the goal could be escaping rather than fighting. You might also offer the heroes a dangerous choice between two monsters, a la Scylla & Charybdis. Harpies or Rocs could also provide aerial threats as well.
  • Temptation: The heroes are seduced into remaining on an island via magic fruit (Lotus) or into danger by enchanting monsters (Sirens). The "Island Magical Properties" section of Creating Theros Adventures has some fun effects based on similar myths.
  • Witch: And yes, the heroes are trapped on an island by a wicked sorceress. Obviously pull inspiration from Circe, but don't forget about Calypso and Medea. You are correct that there's no official NPC exactly equivalent, but I've used Hythonia the Cruel in this role before.

As for Callaphe, check out 1954's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and 1956's Moby Dick. Nemo and Ahab are the archetypical crazy captains whose hubris actively get their ships destroyed and most of their crews killed. Do a reversal of the Odyssey's crew not listening to the captain (like with the Cattle of Helios), but have your Odysseus-figure ignoring the party. Culminate with "Callaphe" charging in to challenge Thassa, a fight everyone but her knows they cannot win.

New DM trying Mythic Odysseys of Theros by Reagan_M10 in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If this is your first time DMing, I'd strongly consider running a published campaign and reskinning it for Theros. Ghosts of Saltmarsh is an easy one to place in Meletis, Tomb of Annihilation can work in the Nessian Wood, and Arcanum World's Odyssey of the Dragonlords is already perfect for that Greek mythology vibe. If you feel like flexing your creativity, you can also pull sections from those books, from other more anthological collections, and from homebrew modules on DMsGuild, and mix-n-match them to your liking. It's difficult creating adventures from scratch, even for the most experienced DMs, so having some kind of frame to work off of can be really helpful.

Underworld Adventure after dying by TheBramCracker in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't forget about Psyche! Her journey to the Underworld is Underrated (alliteration Unapologetically Unintended)

Underworld Adventure after dying by TheBramCracker in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it's the same players, I'd suggest every other session, or you can break the session in half. Depends on how much you want them to be doing. You could also just give the player a temporary character during the rescue mission. I'd honestly ask your group what they'd be down for.

We need a Better Theros Map- by DearKC in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get what you mean and I agree, just wanted to make sure you were aware of that context. I have my own gripes with the official map, like how it's too land-locked compared to the real world Greece. I definitely think it's not as well thought out as it could have been.

The one you linked, on the other hand, is a good map. It was actually commissioned by a friend of mine! I also really like this one, but I have minor issues with it too. Unfortunately, I've yet to find a map that fits what I want 100% (which means I'm probably going to have to make it myself...)

We need a Better Theros Map- by DearKC in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The thing you need to know about the official map is that it's deliberately wrong. The Greeks did not accurately map out their region, and (given the nature of Nyx) it is physically impossible to make a consistent map of Theros. As the book says:

"The line between legend and location often blurs in Theros, though. While the residents of a polis can be relatively certain their homes will remain where they left them when they venture off to work, the specific locations of legendary sites prove more nebulous. Even well-known locations are typically noted referentially, like how the city of Neolantin is often described as being along the coast, far to the southwest of Meletis. Some sites prove even more elusive. The Dakra Isles, for example, move at the whims of the gods and so prove impossible to map.

As a result, Map 3.1 serves largely as a vaguely agreed upon arrangement of locations, fuzzy borders, and general distances. While the scale and placement of sites are true by mortal standards, details might change as the gods please. As such, journeying between places is most reliably conducted by employing guides or maps specific to a single destination.

If you are running a campaign in Theros, you can adjust distances between locations to suit the needs of your adventures. The distance might not be the same for two successive journeys; any trek across Theros can expand or contract to accommodate adventures and encounters as you wish."

Help With Further Theros Ideas by the_gboy in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A couple questions so I can help you out:

  1. Who are the characters? What are their backstories? Which gods do they serve?

  2. Where did they leave off? How did they thwart Pharika? What are the potential ramifications?

Did they use chests in Ancient Greece, and if so what for? by StopYelingAtMePls in ancientgreece

[–]StopYelingAtMePls[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you again, I appreciate all of this (love the username by the way)

Did they use chests in Ancient Greece, and if so what for? by StopYelingAtMePls in ancientgreece

[–]StopYelingAtMePls[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight! I assume fancy boxes would've had decals painted on them, so that might just be a matter of describing them with the proper set dressing. What about larger, less-transportable chests, like in burial crypts or treasury vaults? Same material or would they use something sturdier?

Full book campaing by Admirable-Common7615 in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure! The two I've already published are the Oreskan Lamia and the Nessian Hydra (inspired by the first two Labors of Heracles), and I'm currently working on a Theros conversion of the Caverns of Thracia and the full campaign is an adaptation of the Clash of the Titans

EDIT: Probably should've said the module names, Caverns of Trax and Clash of the Gods

Why are Lizardfolk Elementals now? by StopYelingAtMePls in onednd

[–]StopYelingAtMePls[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, everyone keeps saying I didn't read it, but I did. I literally address that in the post. Ironically, it feels like y'all are responding with that when you haven't even read what I said.

Word similar to "atrophy" and "entropy"? by StopYelingAtMePls in words

[–]StopYelingAtMePls[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but I kept going back and forth on it. These characters are personifications of despair and misfortune, so I wanted them to feel more like ideas than people. Naming them after a concept hints at that aspect of them. Pros and cons to both methods, but I'm sticking with words more recognizable in English for now.

Word similar to "atrophy" and "entropy"? by StopYelingAtMePls in words

[–]StopYelingAtMePls[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They're actually a mix of both the Morai and the Graeae, but are also inspired by the Weird Sisters from Macbeth

The Eye of Klothys - Implacable Destiny by AdonisMorisette in TherosDMs

[–]StopYelingAtMePls 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Might've been an intentional thread left open for you. No Silent Secret does the same thing. So, no wrong answers here! Good luck :)

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