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  giorgis 2:22 pm on December 31, 2019 Permalink
  Tags: Mythras ( 6 ), Solo ( 133 )   

  Theseus Deeds – A Mythras Adventure in Bronze Age Greece (pt5-pt6) finale 

  pt5

  Cercyon

  

  Q: Is the scene as in the Myth? (Likely)
  A: No
  I will roll 1d8 on TWENE: 8: Remove major element. In the main variation of the myth, Cercyon (Κερκύωνας) was the King of Eleusis (Ελευσίνα). Instead I will go with an alternative variation where Cercyon is not royalty, thus removing a major element.

  Theseus reaches a crossroads. On his right, the road leads to Eleusis. He is about to take another step to continue to Athens, when he hears a voice call to him.
  “If you want to pass the crossroad, you will have to beat me. You look strong, I Cercyon, challenge you to combat.” A massive muscular man steps out from behind a stone wall.
  He takes a good look at Theseus’ armament. Sword, shield and club.
  “These won’t be necessary. Men are measured by their strength, not their weapons” He says and puts his hands on his waist.
  Theseus recalls once more Pittheus’ advice. This must be Cercyon, a robber that challenges passengers into wrestling combat and kills them with his bare hands by crushing their necks.
  Theseus won’t step away from a challenge. Vile as the man is, there is honor to be kept. He removes his armament and places his shield to the side of the wall.
  “I, Theseus accept your challenge Cercyon.” He responds and takes position against him.

  Initiative:

  Theseus: 17
  Cercyon: 17
  So the combat will happen simultaneously.

  Round 1:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will attempt to grapple Cercyon.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 35: Success.
  Cercyon: Unarmed (61): 73: Failure.
  Since events happened concurrently, I will roll on Cercyon’s attack as well before resolving the results of Theseus’ successful attack.

  Cercyon Turn 1:

  Cercyon will attempt to grapple Theseus.
  Cercyon: Unarmed (61): 59: Success.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 63: Failure.

  Turn 1 resolution.

  Theseus chooses Trip Opponent. Cercyon opposes with: Brawn (32): 22: Success. Theseus wins the opposed roll. Theseus: Hit Location: Left Leg.
  For Cercyon will roll between the 4 possible special effects: 1: Choose Location.
  Q: Does he choose the head?
  A: Yes
  So the first turn leaves both wrestlers grappled. Cercyon has grabbed Theseus’ head enforcing a Hard penalty to Theseus, while Theseus has gotten Cercyon prone to the ground, grabbing his left leg, enforcing a Formidable penalty.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will attempt to break free of the grapple.
  Theseus: Unarmed Hard-(40): 19: Success.
  Cercyon: Unarmed Formidable-(30): 93: Failure.
  Theseus manages to break free.

  Cercyon Turn 2:

  Cercyon will attempt to crush Theseus’ head.
  Cercyon: Unarmed Formidable-(30): 30: Success.
  I will spend one Luck Point to have Cercyon reroll his attack: 21: Success.
  Theseus: Unarmed Hard-(40): 73. Failure.
  I will spend one Luck Point to switch the roll to 37, thus saving winning the opposed roll.

  Theseus Turn 3:

  Theseus will attempt to strike Cercyon while he has him pinned down.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 57: Success.
  Theseus chooses Choose Location: Head: Damage: 4 HP: Minor Wound.

  The two wrestlers have at each other. Theseus grabs Cercyon from below, grasping tightly his leg, while Cercyon uses his strong legs to lock Theseus’ head inside them. The whole situation has Cercyon falling down on the ground while Theseus is on top, in control. Theseus knows that Cercyon may be at a disadvantage, but he can hurt him easily, with his headlock. Despite Cercyon’s strength, Theseus has called upon his ancestors and withstands the sheer pressure of Cercyon’s pincer like lock. He grits his teeth and manages, with an impressive twist, to break free. Free at last he finds this opportunity to lift Cercyon up and smash his head down on the ground. The tough man doesn’t seem to bother.

  Round 2:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will attempt to strike Cercyon while he has him pinned down.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 12: Success.
  Cercyon: Unarmed Formidable-(30): 09: Success. Cercyon suffers no damage.

  Cercyon Turn 1:

  Cercyon will attempt to break free of Theseus’ grapple.
  Cercyon: Unarmed Formidable-(30): 98: Failure.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 09: Success.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will attempt to strike Cercyon while he has him pinned down.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 60: Failure.

  The wrestlers keep on, but each attempt to gain advantage, is met with an equally successful attempt by the opponent. Cercyon remains on the ground, locked by Theseus, but he’s still unharmed.

  Round 3:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will attempt to strike Cercyon while he has him pinned down.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 41: Success.
  Cercyon: Unarmed Formidable-(30): 86: Failure.

  Cercyon Turn 1:

  Cercyon will attempt to break free of Theseus’ grapple.
  Cercyon: Unarmed Formidable-(30): 38: Failure.
  Turn 1 Resolution: Theseus chooses Choose Location: Head: Damage: 4 HP: Serious Wound.
  Cercyon: Endurance (28): 44: Failure. He’s incapacitated.
  Theseus kills Cercyon.

  As Cercyon tries to break free once more, Theseus feels the center of balance changing. He takes this opportunity to lift Cercyon once more from the ground, and smash his head again down. Cercyon’s head now is bleeding, and the man isn’t responding. Another repetition, and Theseus kills the villain for good.
  He buries the villain, and continues on his journey.

  ---

  Session Background: Stat wise, Cercyon had the upper hand, that’s why I had to use my Luck Points (both) early in the fight.
  I got very confused with the grapple rules, and to top it off, I had concurrent initiative!
  The special effects were very limited this time.
  Since it was a very short session, I could have continued with the last fight, but I decided to pause here and maintain the one-deed-per-session economy that I have established. It’s also done, in order to replenish the used Luck Points which are even more important in solo play.

  ---

  pt6

  Procrustes

  Q: Is the scene as in the Myth?
  A: No, but, I will roll 1d4 in TWENE.
  TWENE: 4: Remove simple element.
  A simple element would be the ropes that the villain used. I will remove this from the scene.

  Dusk has hit, as Theseus nears towards Athens, walking on the Holy Street (Ιερά Οδός) of Athens.
  “Hey stranger. Night is about to fall.” He hears, and turns to see man call out to him.
  “I will offer you a bed to sleep at night and a roof over your head, if only you will help me with a menial task.” He continues.
  “I am tired from the journey, please lead the way.” Theseus agrees, aware that this might be the last robber his grandfather described.
  They enter his house, and on one side is an iron bed.
  Theseus realizes that this is the home of Procrustes (Προκρούστης), also known as Polypemon (Πολυπήμων). A blacksmith robber who had his victims lie on an iron bed. He then stretched them to fit, which killed the victims in the process.
  “What is that task you want me to help you with?” Theseus asks.
  “I want you to lie in this bed, so that I can adapt it to your needs. You see, I am a blacksmith and I am trying to design a bed that is stronger and better than the wooden beds.” Procrustes replies.
  “Please, settle yourself. You can set your armament aside. I’ll get to my tools and some soup for the night.” He continues.

  Theseus: Insight (49): 75: Failure.
  Theseus: Perception (39): 01: Critical
  Success. Theseus notices the bloody axe on the side of the bed. He’s certain this man is the robber.
  Theseus: Deceit (51): 62: Failure. I will use my first luck point to switch the digits to 26, and a success. I’m a fan of fail forward, and since this isn’t a critical success, I’ll have Theseus have a slight disadvantage.

  Theseus notices a bloody axe by the side of the bed. Procrustes doesn’t leave. He seems to linger waiting to see what Theseus will do. Realizing he might fail in his ruse like he did with Sinis, Theseus puts his armament to the side.
  Procrustes relieved, turns to his task, not paying attention to Theseus who has picked up the axe.
  “I don’t think I’ll be sleeping in this death bed tonight!” He says to Procrustes as he lowers the axe towards him.

  Procrustes: Insight (64): 97: Failure.
  Procrustes is surprised.

  Initiative:

  Theseus: 16
  Procrustes: 12

  Round 1:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus attacks Procrustes with his axe.
  Theseus: Combat Style (27): 59: Failure: I will spend the last Luck Point and reroll: 15: Success. Theseus gains two special effects.
  Theseus chooses: Bleed, Trip Opponent. Hit Location: Right Arm: Damage: 9 HP: Major Wound.
  Prokrustes: Endurance (30): 06: Success. He fails against the opposed roll and Bleeds.
  Prokrustes: Brawn (41): 36: Success. He wins against the opposed roll and isn’t Tripped.
  Prokrustes: Endurance (30): 78: Failure. He’s incapacitated.

  Theseus manages to turn the tables on the vile robber who used to plague the outskirts of Athens. With a slash of Procrustes’ battle axe, he chops of his right arm, trying to knock him down to his bed at the same time.
  Prokrustes doesn’t fall, but he yells out in pain and grabs his chopped off limb with his other arm. He looks at Theseus in terror before passing out due to blood loss.
  Theseus performs a coup de grace on the dismembered villain.
  The road to Athens is now clear.

  ---

  Session Background: This battle was even faster than the one with Cercyon! I had expected this one to last longer considering Prokrustes was the final villain.
  I took the risk of using the Luck Points at the beginning, and it paid off. This time, compared to the previous sessions, the dice rolled maximum damage at one hit, chopping off Prokrustes’ arm.
  I’ve had Theseus go for Deception once more, but I had him have to use Prokrustes’ battle axe, which he isn’t skilled at, and he fought at his base combat skill, which is considerably lower. In the myth, Theseus also used Prokrustes’ axe to chop off his limbs before mercy killing him.

  ---

  Campaign Summary

  Mythras is known to be a deadly gritty crunchy rpg, and it proved true to it’s reputation.

  There is a relevant text in the game describing that combat should be used as a last resort, due to how deadly it is, but Mythras is also known for how interesting the combat system is.
  Therefore all the six labors of Theseus were combat oriented. I’ve used his wits whenever possible (except the first encounter) and sometimes this had the added bonus of ending the combat sooner.

  MUNE as an Oracle with the modification for prewritten modules worked just right for my needs.
  Using the mythology as a basis was a learning experience. In spite of the difficulties involved of using stories as a prewritten adventure module (there are no stats, no difficulty levels, no default behavior) it worked out.

  There’s a lesson in reading about mythology for every fantasy rpg adventure designer (solo players and game masters alike).
  I mean, out of the 5 bandits, all of them had different ways to kill their victims, and 3 out of 5 had really interesting ways to do it. All this gives character and depth to an otherwise bland encounter.
  And that’s just a simple example of a common myth. I imagine if one delves into the mythology of different people, there would be abundant examples to be used.

  Overall I really liked Mythras. There where a couple of things that I would have done different. For example the climbing skill does not provide for ample narrative explanations. I’d have to delegate this to the Oracle, something which I wouldn’t want for a crunchy system.
  Also Mythras deadliness does not bode well for single character play. Introducing more than one character or foe would complicate combat to the point of sluggish pause. All is not lost though. I believe I can tamper with the Action Point Economy and homebrew some rules to facilitate solo play for a party of characters. This would demand of course to drop the theater of the mind and go for grid battle.
  Another topic is the Special Effects of Mythras. There are tens of those and I get really lost trying to find which are suitable. I’ll have to split the main table to several others to make it usable. Right now it’s like going into a programming if…then…else loop to find out which special effects are applicable. This isn’t a problem dedicated to solo play. I imagine a game master would have the same issue when trying to decide what special effects his minions would use. The solo play issue, is what I described in a previous session. Some special effects are preparations for counters to the opponent. This can be done with homebrew or oracle questions but it adds an extra layer of mechanisms over the top an already crunchy system.
   
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  giorgis 8:48 am on December 30, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Mythras ( 6 ), Solo ( 133 )   

  Theseus Deeds – A Mythras Adventure in Bronze Age Greece (pt4) 

  Sciron

  

  Here’s my interpretation of the intervention: regress plot.

  The next day, Theseus continues on his path towards Athens. The trail takes him on a dangerous path, alongside the cliffs, there a landslide has blocked the road. Theseus will have to either remove the boulders or find another way.

  Theseus will attempt to climb through the blocked path.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 14: Success.

  Theseus finds the necessary footholds, and quickly he manages to get on top of a sheer boulder blocking the path.

  Now that he has a better facing, Theseus will attempt to push the large boulder off the cliff.
  Theseus: Brawn (58): 34: Success.

  Theseus may have gotten past the obstacle, but what about fellow travelers? He muscles up his strength and pushes slowly the boulder, until it rolls off the cliffside. The path can now be easily cleared.

  Theseus approaches Sciron’s location.
  Q: Is the scene as in the myth?
  A: Yes, and, it’s going to be Likely in the next scene question.
  Theseus: Perception Easy-(58): 51: Success. He notices the giant turtle by the sea.

  Ever vigilant, Theseus looks down the cliffside. What he sees, gives even more truth to Pittheus’ advice. The old man has yet to be proven wrong.
  By the cliffside at the rocky shore, await a sea turtle. The size of which could scare brave men.
  Theseus recalls Pittheus telling him about another villain, called Sciron (Σκίρωνας), an elderly man who forced travelers to wash his feet, and then he kicked them off the cliff, down to their deaths. Those who survived, were eaten alive by the giant turtle.
  Theseus looks ahead, and he sees an old man, sitting by a stool by the path, a bucket of water at his side.
  Theseus approaches, and the old man stands up. “Hold it there traveler. If you wish to pass, you must pay tribute.”
  “What is the tribute?” Theseus asks.
  “You must wash my feet. They are weary, and need some care.” Sciron replies.
  Theseus kneels to wash Sciron’s feet.

  Theseus will attempt to Deceit Sciron that he shows obedience, and then he will grapple him to throw him off the cliff.
  Theseus: Deceit (51): 10: Success.
  Sciron: Insight (46): 98: Failure. Sciron falls for Theseus’ Deceit.
  Sciron suffers the effects of Surprise.

  Initiative:

  Theseus: 20
  Sciron: 9

  Round 1:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will spend 1 AP and attempt to grapple Sciron who is surprised.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 16: Success. Theseus wins 2 Special Effects, since Sciron is surprised.
  Theseus chooses: Choose Location: Right Leg, Grip.

  Sciron Turn 1:

  Sciron will spend 1 AP and try to escape from Theseus’ grapple.
  Sciron: Unarmed Hard (40): 47: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will spend 1 AP and attempt to throw Sciron off the cliff.
  Theseus: Brawn (58): 91: Failure.

  Sciron Turn 2:

  Sciron will spend 1 AP and try to escape from Theseus’ grapple.
  Sciron: Unarmed Hard (40): 12: Success.
  Theseus: Unarmed (59): 67: Failure. I will spend 1 Luck point to reroll this: 55: Success. Theseus wins the opposed roll as he scored higher.

  Theseus Turn 3:

  Theseus will spend 1 AP and attempt to throw Sciron off the cliff.
  Theseus: Brawn (58): 14: Success.

  As Theseus kneels and wets his hand with water from the bucket, Sciron relaxes and lets his guard down. The moment Sciron extends his leg, Theseus grabs it and doesn’t let go. Sciron’s eyes open with surprise, he tries to pull off Theseus, but he’s too strong for him.
  Theseus plants his legs firmly, and with renewed footing, he pulls strongly Sciron who loses his balance, and throws him off the cliff, to his death.

  Q: Is Sciron dead?
  A: Yes

  Sciron’s body lies motionless at the bottom of the cliff, where the giant sea turtle starts chewing at it.

  ---

  Theseus will climb down the cliff.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 74: Failure.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 96: Failure.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 77: Failure.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 99: Fumble. He falls down! I will spend Luck point to reroll this: 92: Failure.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 17: Success.

  It’s a tough climb down, and Theseus slips, only managing to get hold of tree by the cliffside before dropping down to the void. At the end, with a lot of effort, he’s at the sea level, the turtle a few meters away, still chewing at Sciron’s corpse.

  I will tried to generate some stats for the turtle.
  I have no idea if it’s balanced, but here goes.

  Theseus will try to make a stealthy approach.
  Theseus: Stealth (28): 64: Failure.
  Turtle: Perception (17): 25: Failure.
  Neither succeeded, so there’s no ambush, but the Turtle is occupied eating Sciron.

  Pebbles and rocks roll down the cliff as Theseus descends. He hoped for a silent approach, but the moment he comes close to the reptile, it leaves Sciron, and turns to face Theseus.

  Initiative

  Theseus: 22
  Turtle: 15

  Round 1:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will attack the turtle with his iron club spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 64: Success.
  Turtle: Teeth, Crushing (41): 44: Failure.
  Theseus chooses Choose Location: Hit Location: Head: Damage: 4 HP: No Damage.

  Turtle Turn 1:

  Turtle will attack Theseus spending it’s last AP.
  Turtle: Teeth, Crushing (41): 49: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will attack the Turtle, spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 60: Success.
  Theseus chooses Choose Location: Hit Location: Head: Damage: 4 HP: No Damage.

  Theseus Turn 3:

  Theseus will attack the Turtle, spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 01: Critical Success.
  Theseus chooses Bypass Armor and Maximize Damage: Hit Location: 12: Body: Damage: 10 HP: Minor Wound.

  With the gigantic reptile’s head facing him, Theseus scores two hits with his club, but it’s not fazed at all. At last he strikes with all his might to an opening right under the creature’s carapace. It moans, but isn’t slowed down a little bit.

  Round 2:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will attack the turtle with his iron club spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 56: Success.
  Turtle: Teeth, Crushing (41): 93: Failure.
  Theseus chooses Press Advantage: Hit Location: 16: Left Fore Flipper: Damage: 9 HP: Minor Wound.

  Turtle Turn 1:

  The turtle will delay using its AP for a parry.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will attack the turtle with his iron club spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 20: Success.
  Turtle: Teeth, Crushing (41): 95: Failure.
  Theseus chooses Stun Location: Hit Location: 11: Body: Damage: 2 HP: No Damage.

  Theseus Turn 3:

  Theseus will attack the turtle with his iron club spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 65: Success.
  Theseus chooses Choose Location: Hit Location: Body: Damage: 4 HP: No Damage.

  As it moves its flipper to the front, Theseus hits it hard, smashing it, and tries again to hurt it under its carapace, but fails to find an opening, his blows glancing away by the beast’s armor.

  Round 3:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will attack the turtle with his iron club spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 79: Failure.

  Turtle Turn 1:

  Turtle will attack Theseus spending 1 AP.
  Turtle: Teeth, Crushing (41): 60: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will attack the turtle with his iron club spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 98: Failure.

  Turtle Turn 2:

  Turtle will attack Theseus spending 1 AP.
  Turtle: Teeth, Crushing (41): 26: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 78: Failure.
  The Turtle will choose Grip: Hit Location: 7: Abdomen: Damage: 9 HP: Serious Wound.
  Theseus: Endurance (43): 02: Critical Success. He doesn’t pass out.

  Theseus has over reached. Frustrated, he tries again and again, failing to hurt the turtle. At one moment of carelessness, he lets the creature too close, and it bites him right in the abdomen. He screams in pain, feeling his insides get crushed. The beast has locked its jaws and doesn’t let go.

  Round 4:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus Fatigue: Endurance (43): 48: Failure. He gains one level of Fatigue.
  Theseus will attempt to break free of the grip. Theseus Brawn (39): 08: Success.
  Turtle: Brawn (31): 10: Success. The Turtle wins the opposed roll. Theseus remains grappled.

  Turtle Turn 1:

  The turtle will continue its grip.
  Turtle: Brawn (31): 55: Failure.
  Theseus: Brawn (39): 07: Success. Theseus gains no damage.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  I’m quite confused at this point regarding the action points economy and the struggle. So instead Theseus will try to break free again, but the roll will be unopposed.
  Theseus: Brawn (39): 55: Failure.

  Theseus has started to get winded by the combat. He’s out of breath when he tries to force the turtle’s strong jaws open, and he can’t succeed. His efforts aren’t for naught though, as the creature can’t bite him deeper, Theseus still clinging to his life.

  Round 5:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Turtle Fatigue: Endurance (40): 10: Success.
  Theseus will attempt to break free of the grip. Theseus Brawn (39): 11: Success.
  Turtle: Brawn (31): 100: Critical Fumble. Theseus breaks free and gains a special effect. Theseus chooses Accidental Injury: Hit Location: 10: Body: Damage: 8 HP: Serious Wound.
  Turtle: Endurance (40): 53: Failure: Unconsciousness.

  Theseus kills the turtle.

  Theseus gathers all his strength. He manages to pull the jaws open. Startled the turtle starts to thrash around with its flippers, crushing at the rockside, catching its flipper under a huge rock. As it tries to break free, it tears a tendon that runs to its inside, lashing out in pain and closing its eyes incapacitated. Theseus, doesn’t waste any moment. He climbs on top of the beast and drives his xiphos deep down its neck.

  Theseus spends some time to recover his breath, then tends to his wound.
  Theseus: First Aid (43): 73: Failure.
  Theseus: Healing (29): 20: Success: Heals 1d3 HP: 1 HP. The injury stays a Serious Wound.
  Theseus: Survival (28): 60: Failure. Theseus can’t find a place to stay there.
  Theseus will remove the carapace of the Turtle. Theseus: Crafting (58): 28: Success.
  Theseus will Climb back up. Theseus: Athletics (39): 65: Failure.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 71: Failure.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 79: Failure.
  Theseus: Athletics (39): 22: Success.
  Theseus climbs back up.

  Wounded, Theseus travels to Megara (Μέγαρα) to stay one week until healed.

  In the meantime, Theseus will attempt to craft a shield from the turtle shell.
  Theseus: Crafting (58): 17: Success, 25% Complete.
  Theseus: Crafting (58): 37: Success, 50% Complete.
  Theseus: Crafting (58): 62: Failure.
  Theseus: Crafting (58): 03: Critical Success, 100% Complete.

  During his time in Megara, Theseus recovers from the turtle’s bite, and uses her carapace to forge a fine shield.
  His fame grows, having dispatched three robbers and killed two beasts, and he continues on his path to Athens.

  ---

  Session Background: In Mythras it’s heart racing every time I get into combat.
  I really liked how the encounter with Sciron played out, so close to the myth depiction.
  The turtle combat on the other hand, oh boy was tough. The armor was really hard to get past and I realized that only through a critical could I score damage with certainty. Also noticed that the special effect Maximize Damage can only be chosen with a critical strike, so I may have done a mistake or two in past sessions.
  I’m not 100% certain that I made the rulings correct regarding unarmed combat and the turtle’s grip, but it made sense to me according to what I read in the book.
  Finally I would like to note something regarding the Climbing (Athletics) skill. I didn’t like the interpretation gameswise. I wanted something a tad bit more detailed. Maybe not as much as the Moving Maneuvers of MERP, but maybe something using task rounds.
  Story wise I’m not focusing at all on Theseus’ downtime in Megara, and sticking to the deeds and how they play out. It’s a nice get-to-know for me regarding the Mythras system, even though I’m still just scratching the surface.
   

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  giorgis 1:58 pm on December 28, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Mythras ( 6 )   

  Theseus Deeds – A Mythras Adventure in Bronze Age Greece (pt3) 

  Phaea

  Q: Is the scene as in the Myth?
  A: Yes

  

  Theseus, on his way towards Athens, decides to stop near Crommyon (Κρομμυωνία). There, the locals are plagued by a wild boar, called the Crommyonian Sow, named Phaea (Φαία), after the name of the woman who raised it. A savage and formidable wild beast.
  She never trained it to hold back and it attacks and eats men and young children alike.
  The people’s stables are ruined. Their crops trampled. Anyone who wanders in the countryside is afraid of his life. The local authorities are too afraid to do anything about it.
  Theseus decides to put an end to this and hunt the vile beast.

  Now, considering how deadly combat in Mythras is, and the superior combat statistics of a boar and it’s thick hide, Theseus needs to take a smart approach to kill it. Maybe set a trap and bait and attack it. Head on nevertheless would be suicide.
  I was hoping I’d be lucky and get the myth variation, where Phaea is instead a vile mannered woman who was named the Sow due to her uncouth manners, but again the Oracle has spoken.

  ---

  Any elaborate trap would require the professional Mechanisms skill to set up, therefore Theseus will try something less delicate.
  Theseus will set up sharp wooden sticks and try to dig up a hole for the sow to fall inside. He intends to cover it all up with leaves and branches, though guiding a sow inside shouldn’t be hard.
  Theseus will use his Survival skill, augmented by Locale and Conceal to set up the traps.
  Each roll will be a Task Round. If I roll doubles during any Task Round, then this means that Phaea has been made aware of Theseus before he has finished his trap and will come after him.

  Task Round 1:
  Theseus: Survival (42): 11: Success. 25% Completion. The Crommyonian Sow has detected him.
  Each 25% represents a set of spikes for a total of 3 sets, and the last 25% represents the pit. If Theseus had surpassed 100% then he would have set wooden spikes inside the pit as well. All of this is for naught now. I intend to keep both my Luck Points, so I won’t reroll this even if I’m at a disadvantage.
  Theseus has only managed to set up a set of wooden spikes behind him.

  Theseus has spent an entire day chopping wood and setting up sharp wooden spikes. He has started preparing a trap for the Crommyonian Sow, one that will give him the advantage that he needs to finish the beast. He has found a nice spot which has only one entrance. As the sun sets, Theseus has set up a set of wooden spikes towards the far end of the opening.

  Theseus: Perception – Very Easy (78): 44: Success.

  Theseus hears a pig snort and the trampling of hooves carrying a heavy beast. Quickly he grabs one of the spikes to use as a spear and turns to face the large boar rushing towards him from the single opening.
  The boar has its head down, tusks aimed at Theseus and a red gaze set upon him. It growls once more as it charges towards the young man.

  Initiative:

  Theseus: 20
  Phaea: 21

  Round 1:

  Phaea Turn1:

  Phaea charges through Theseus spending 1 AP, Theseus will brace his spear and counterattack spending 1 AP.
  Due to the Long Reach of the spear against the Short Reach of the Tusks, Theseus attacks first.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 65: Success. He chooses Impale. Hit Location: 17: Left Front Leg. Theseus has Set the spear, so he gains Phaea’s charge damage modifier of +1d8. I decided to not give the spear 1d8+1 damage, but only 1d8, since it’s not a proper weapon. Also it has fewer AP/HP. Damage: 11: (-2HP) Serious Wound. The impaled weapon adds a Formidable grade to Phaea’s skills.
  Phaea: Endurance (62): 39: Success, she continues. Goring Grunter (Tusks – 7%): 60: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus readies his iron club spending 1 AP. He chooses to leave the stick impaled into Phaea.
  Note: Phaea is unable to attack again for 1d3 turns, but Theseus is smarter than to go after her yet. He waits for Phaea to attack again. 1d3 turns elapse.

  Phaea Turn2:

  Q: Does Phaea charge again? (Likely, it’s a wild boar, blinded by rage)
  A: Yes
  Phaea charges through Theseus spending 1 AP, Theseus will counterattack with his iron club.
  Phaea: Goring Grunter (Tusks – 7%): 24: Failure.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 97: Failure.

  As Phaea gallops and charges with all her might towards Theseus, unstoppable as she seems, Theseus doesn’t waver. He points the sharp stick towards her, and as the beast crashes, it impales through her front leg. It roars in pain, and changes direction, at the same time, avoiding the spikes behind Theseus.
  Theseus leaves the stick latched onto her, and draws his club as she comes back for another round, and passes through, noone managing to hit each other during the fast exchange.

  Round 2:

  Phaea Turn 1:

  Q: Does Phaea charge again? (Likely, it’s a wild boar, blinded by rage)
  A: Yes, and she will do it again the next Turn.
  Intervention (at the end of combat Round).
  Phaea charges through Theseus spending 1 AP, Theseus will counterattack with his iron club.
  Phaea: Goring Grunter (Tusks – 7%): 93: Failure.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 70: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus will set himself right in front of the sticks so that in the next charge, Phaea will have to go through them unless she evades them.

  Phaea Turn 2:

  Q: With the spikes behind Theseus, does Phaea charge through or charge to contact?
  A: Charge to contact.
  Phaea charges to Theseus spending 1 AP, Theseus will counterattack with his iron club.
  Phaea: Goring Grunter (Tusks – 7%): 80: Failure.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 95: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will attack Phaea with his club, spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (67): 36: Success. He chooses Maximize Damage: Hit Location: 5: Left Rear Leg: Damage: 9 HP: Serious Wound. Endurance (62): 95: Fail. Phaea falls Prone from the pain. She falls on her left side where both legs are wounded. Theseus finishes her off.

  As the boar charges yet again, Theseus sets himself in position so that she will crash right into the wooden spikes behind him. But as if the beast understands tactics, it charges at Theseus and doesn’t go through. Theseus expecting the charge has moved to the side, and with the flank exposed, he smashes at the sow’s leg with such force that the beast goes limp in the rear as well. With both her left legs seriously wounded, she falls at her side. Theseus draws his blade, moves at the growling pig’s back, and drives it deep behind her skull, killing her.

  Intervention: New Entity
  Q: Does the sow’s crone appear?
  A: No, and she isn’t nowhere to be found.
  In some variations of the myth, Theseus also went after to woman who raised the Crommyonian Sow and killed her as well, but it seems that this won’t happen this time.
  Q: Is it the local militia?
  A: No, and it’s not human.
  Q: Is it a wolf?
  A: Yes.
  Q: Is it more than one?
  A: No, and it’s not hostile.
  Q: Does it approach?
  A: Yes, but, it keeps a safe distance.

  As Theseus removes his xiphos, he notices at the edge of the woods, a pair of yellow eyes. It’s a wolf. He almost goes for a wooden spike, but he notices that the animal doesn’t growl. There’s some serenity in its look, staring directly into Theseus’ eyes.
  Theseus cuts off Phaea’s head and removes it’s tusks as proof for the kill, and then distances himself.
  As soon as he leaves, the wolf approaches and starts eating at the carcass.
  Theseus can but wonder what is the story between the wolf and the sow. Maybe he has gained an ally. He chooses not to attack the creature and continue on.

  I will have some metagaming questions here since I can’t avoid it. Since it’s not a free form quest, it’s necessary for the way I run this adventure.
  Q: Was the wolf a human once? (Likely)
  A: Yes, and they were transformed to a wolf when they prayed to Diana (Άρτεμις) to save them from Phaea.
  Q: Will the wolf assist Theseus in the future? (Likely)
  A: Yes, and it will follow Theseus from a distance.
  Intervention: 5: Regress Plot.
  I can add an obstacle to be overcome in order for Theseus to meet the next Labour. I will detail it in the next session as it fits better there.

  ---

  Session Background: After facing Sinis, just reading the Boar stats had me worried.
  I was really scared going in the battle and anxious about the first combat rolls. Setting the spear was the smart thing to do. Retrospectively, it evened the odds, but since I’m not acquainted with Mythras yet, I didn’t know it at the time, and just chose combat options as I went.
  After the first impale, I knew I had to leave the spear inside the boar and not take it out, as it hindered the sow’s stats by two whole grades.
  I think the wolf was a nice intervention. I tried to go with the Greek theme where transformations were pretty common. Didn’t ask more, maybe it will be revealed in the future, but it’s nice to have a sidekick just in case. I intend to have it as an one-off assist.
  Setting the traps was the right thing to do. In general the more I read about Theseus, the more I find out that despite his strength, he was brains before brawns. In one description of the fight against Periphetes, he pointed out that the club wasn’t full metal, and Periphetes gave it to him to inspect it, so Theseus killed him with it. I’d have tried this approach if I had read about it first.
  In the fight against Sinis, he did deceit Sinis into following his ruse, and then released the tree hitting Sinis in the face, knocking him out. Well I tried deceit and failed, so I’m happy with how I tried things out.
  In the fight against the Sow, I couldn’t find details, but considering the above (and the ones that will follow), trapping the pig makes for a sound approach.

   
• 

  giorgis 8:11 am on December 26, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Mythras ( 6 )   

  Theseus Deeds – A Mythras Adventure in Bronze Age Greece (pt2) 

  Sinis

  Theseus will rest through the night, recovering the last HP to heal his head injury. He has a Healing Rate of 3. For a Minor Wound such as his, this means 3 HP per day, which is just enough for 1 HP for 8 hours of rest. Then, he continues on to his path towards Athens.

  

  Q: Is the scene as in the Myth?
  A: No, and I will roll 1d10 on TWENE.
  TWENE: 8: Remove major element.
  So there two variations of the Myth. The most popular was that Sinis tied up his victims to two pine trees that he had bent, and then released them, the force of the pine tree cutting them in half. I will go with the other variation of the Myth, removing one of the two pine trees, which is a major element.

  As Theseus continues on his path, he hears struggling. Walking towards the disturbance, he sees a man holding a huge branch of a pine tree. As the man notices Theseus he calls out to him.
  “Help me stranger. I am trying to get this tree down to remove the pines. Will you lend a hand?” He asks pleading.

  I consider this a Very Easy Insight roll, since Theseus knows about the man.
  Theseus: Insight (98): 60: Success.

  Theseus recalls Pittheus’ description of another robber. The man called Sinis (Σίνις), surnamed Pityokamptis (Πιτυοκάμπτης), the Pine-bender. He was known asking travelers to help him bend a pine tree. Then he released it, and the hapless victims were catapulted into the air, to their deaths.

  Theseus will try to Deceit Sinis, into believing he has fallen to his ruse, and instead will release the pine-tree before him. This will require both a successful opposed Deceit – Insight.

  Theseus: Deceit (51): 73: Failure
  Sinis: Insight (35): 78: Failure
  Both fail their opposed roll. Repeat.
  Theseus: Deceit (51): 32: Success
  Sinis: Insight (35): 03: Critical Success
  Sinis wins the opposed contest.
  Q: Does he try to play along?
  A: No, and he exposes Theseus directly
  Note: It’s a pity story-wise, I wanted to pit them against each other, both holding the pine tree, but the Oracle has spoken.

  “Certainly, let me help you with this tree.” Theseus tells Sinis, who notices Theseus still holding on to his iron club when approaching.
  “Wouldn’t you want to put your armament to the side? We’re all just friends here, there’s no trouble in these parts.” Sinis tells Theseus, pointing at his sword and club.
  Theseus doesn’t feel confident abandoning his gear next to such a vile man. He still holds his club, for far too long to give Sinis a reassuring answer. The two men look at each other, and Sinis lets of the pine tree, and picks a heavy branch.
  “You think you’re stronger than me?” He taunts Theseus.
  “Let’s find out”, Theseus responds and the two men face off.

  Initiative:

  Theseus: 17
  Sinis: 18

  Round 1:

  Sinis Turn 1:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus Parries spending 1 AP.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 80: Failure.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 63: Success. Theseus chooses Damage Weapon.
  Damage: 2 vs AP 4: No Damage.

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus attacks Sinis, spending 1 AP. Sinis Parries spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 35: Success.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 01: Critical Success. Sinis chooses Blind Opponent. Theseus spends 1 Luck Point to have Sinis re-roll his attack.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 11: Success. Sinis deflects all damage.

  Sinis Turn 2:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus Parries spending 1 AP.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 07: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 87: Failure. Sinis chooses Stun Location.
  Sinis: Location: 10: Chest: Damage: 1d6+1d2: 8 HP: Serious Wound. Theseus spends his last Luck Point to have Sinis re-roll damage. Damage: 1d6+1d2: 6 HP: Minor Wound.
  Theseus: Endurance (43):22: Success. Theseus isn’t Stunned.

  As Sinis attacks with his club, Theseus aims for the weapon and hits it. Iron is stronger than wood, but that piece of wood holds on and doesnt break. Theseus rebounds on the attack, but doesn’t manage to get past Sinis’ defense.
  The pine-bender makes a quick strong attack right on Theseus’ chest, hurting him. Theseus coughs, but he holds on to his strength, not losing wind, staying in the fight.

  Round 2:

  Sinis Turn 1:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 91: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus attacks Sinis, spending 1 AP. Sinis will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 94: Failure.

  Sinis Turn 2:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 62: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 53: Success. Theseus deflects all damage.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus attacks Sinis, spending 1 AP. Sinis will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 36: Success.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 64: Success. Sinis deflects all damage.

  The two combatants exchange blows, but they both parry successfully, locking at each other with their gaze as the fight continues.

  Round 3:

  Sinis Turn 1:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 26: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 45: Success. Theseus deflects all damage.

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus attacks Sinis, spending 1 AP. Sinis will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 47: Success.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 56: Success. Sinis deflects all damage.

  Sinis Turn 2:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 12: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 06: Critical Success! Theseus chooses Overextend Opponent.

  Almost equal in skill, they don’t manage to get a hit, but finally, Theseus, calculates Sinis’ attack trajectory and steps aside just in the right moment for him to lose his balance.

  Round 4:

  Sinis Turn 1:

  Sinis cannot attack this turn since he’s overextended.

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus attacks Sinis, spending 1 AP. Sinis will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 98: Failure.

  Sinis Turn 2:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 19: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 21: Success. Theseus deflects all damage.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus will delay, keeping his 1 AP for Parry.

  Sinis Turn 3:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 43: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 67: Success. Theseus deflects all damage.

  Sinis Turn 4:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus has no AP left.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 19: Success. Sinis chooses Stun Location.
  Sinis: Location: 3: Right Leg: Damage: 1d6+1d2: 6 HP: Serious Wound.
  Theseus: Endurance (43): 14: Success. Theseus loses in the opposed roll. He falls prone.
  Theseus now has a Formidable difficulty while fighting. This does not bode well…

  The fight goes on, and Sinis, quickly finds lands a blow on Theseus’ right leg, almost smashing it. The pain is excruciating, and Theseus falls down on his knees. Trying to fight with only one good leg.

  Round 5:

  Sinis Turn 1:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 55: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (37): 78: Failure.
  Q: Does Sinis Compel Surrender?
  A: No
  Sinis chooses Stun Location.
  Sinis: Location: 6: Right Leg: Damage: 1d6+1d2: 3 HP: Minor Wound.
  Theseus: Endurance (43): 77: Failure. Theseus loses in the opposed roll. His leg is stunned. Though he’s already prone.

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus attacks Sinis, spending 1 AP. Sinis will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Theseus: Combat Style (37): 23: Success.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 05: Critical Success. Sinis deflects all damage and chooses Overextend Opponent.

  Sinis Turn 2:

  Sinis attacks Theseus, spending 1 AP. Theseus will only Parry re-actively. He intends to use the extra AP to gain the upper hand if required.
  Sinis: Combat Style (67): 96: Failure.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus can’t attack this Turn.

  Theseus Turn 3:

  Theseus attacks Sinis, spending 1 AP. Sinis has no AP left.
  Theseus: Combat Style (37): 37: Success. Theseus chooses Maximize Damage
  Theseus: Location: 18: Left Arm: Damage: 8+1d2: 9 HP: Major Wound.
  Sinis: Endurance (36): 97: Failure. He falls down in agony, incapacitated.

  Theseus tries to fight, on one leg. The pine bender, smiling at the upcoming fate of the hero. He swings his club again, and smashes at Theseus’ other leg, hitting a nerve so hard, that Theseus again loses control and falls down. Theseus swings back, from the ground, but Sinis, easily jumps back and avoids the strike. The distance is too great for Theseus to catch up to his opponent, but he persists.
  As Sinis nears from the other side, Theseus quickly rolls on his back and uses his momentum to bring an unbelievable strike with his iron club directly to SInis’ left arm. The hit is so strong, that Sinis is taken aback, his arm maimed and mangled. All the bones shattered and protruding from the skin, blood flowing everywhere. He screams in pain and falls down crying.

  Theseus: First Aid (43) – Right Leg: 86: Failure.
  Theseus: First Aid (43) – Left Leg: 93: Failure
  Theseus: Healing (29) – Left Leg: 11: Success: Heals 1d3 HP: 2 HP. The injury is now a Minor Wound.

  Theseus tries to bandage the bruises on his legs using some herbs to soothe the pain, but he can’t find anything that will help him. Instead he knows that what he has to do will hurt. One of the leg bones is slightly out of place. He grits his teeth, and with the help of some leverage, he puts it back into position, screaming in agony.
  He has regained control of his legs, and he feels much more confident now.

  Theseus tries to bring down the pine tree.
  Theseus: Brawn (58): 89: Failure.
  Q: Does he have a rope with him?
  A: Yes
  Theseus uses the rope to bring down the pine tree.
  Theseus: Brawn (82): 39: Success. He bends the pine tree with the help of the rope.
  Theseus lifts Sinis to put him on the pine tree. Theseus STR: 16, Sinis SIZ: 15, he can lift him.
  Theseus lets go of the bent pine tree,catapulting Sinis to his death.

  “You shall plague this land no longer Sinis.” Theseus sais to the incapacitated robber who cannot find the strength to speak, just cry in pain.
  At first Theseus tries to grab the tree just as Sinis had, but he lacks the size of the towering man.
  Instead, he uses a length of rope to grab well to the branch, and lowers it down with extreme difficulty, until its almost flat on the ground, and ties the rope well to the next tree so that the pine doesn’t move. Then he lifts up the robber and places him on the pine tree. He looks at Theseus almost pleading, but the young man is adamant. With a quick release of the rope knot, the robber is launched in the air, meeting his fate.

  ---

  Perigune

  Q: Is the scene as in the Myth?
  A: Yes
  Theseus: Perception (39): 42: Failure

  Theseus was told about Sinis’ daughter, the beautiful Perigune (Περιγούνη) and starts looking for her. He cries out her name, but she has hidden well in the foliage.
  “Show yourself lady. I will not hurt you. Your father was an evil man and met his end as he should. You were not part of his plan.” Theseus cries out to her.

  Theseus: Influence (64): 63: Success.

  Theseus hears a sigh of relief, and goes to the sound, to see Perigune lying in a bed of rushes and asparagus. She is praying and talking to the the brushwood shrubs and the asparagus thorns to give her shelter and vows to them that if she’s unharmed she won’t cut them down or burn them.
  “Do not be afraid.” He tells her.
  Perigune cries. Theseus can’t tell if it was because she feels relieved that a deceitful despot like her father is no more, or because of the stress of the combat and the screams she heard. He doubts that it’s because of loss. Because as she sees Theseus she finds comfort in his arms.
  The next few days Theseus spends them with her, and she helps tend his wounds. In due time she will bear him a son.

  ---

  Session Background: That was really close! Theseus failed roll after roll against Sinis. In the end, I was rolling just to see how the hero will perish. Thankfully in the last moment Theseus managed to come on top.
  I need to learn a bit more about how tactics work in Mythras, because otherwise it’s going to be very risky. I had to spend both my Luck Points in the first round of combat.
  It may feel that Sinis should have used a different set of special effects, but it was my understanding that this villain drew pleasure from the screams of the hapless live victims that were thrown afar from the trees. He didn’t want to kill Theseus, he wanted to stun him, and catapult him like all the others before him.
  I wanted to try a more roleplaying approach instead of combat again, but the dice didn’t help, so this entire session was essentially their fight, and a short scene with Sinis’ daughter. Not much to roleplay there. Just kept the initial myth story, as the Oracle answered and the game mechanics assisted.
  Also I’ve noticed that I forgot to add the base bonuses in the Professional Skills of Theseus. I will update the pt1 as needed.
  Another thing I noticed about soloing in Mythras is that there is an extra metagaming issue to deal with. Special Effects. If you know what the opponent will do you can prepare a counter, which is a problem when playing both the protagonist and the opponent. For now I will try to keep these to a minimum. Maybe add a mechanic like Deceit/Insight to see if I’m allowed to use them.
  Finally, regarding the use of the Myth as a prewritten adventure I find myself having trouble deciphering everything. What does ‘Is the scene as in the myth?’ mean. So far I have interpreted it as the initial setup. But I also interpreted that events depicted in the myth are easier, or more likely to succeed. For example in the scene with Perigune I gave Theseus a Very Easy modifier, because the myth stated that when she heard that she wouldn’t be harmed she got out of hiding. Maybe in the future I should ask some more metagaming questions to fill in the gaps that are not answered by the myth. If this was a prewritten module, for example, it might state a completely different difficulty, for any reason. Something to keep in mind.

   
• 

  giorgis 9:20 pm on December 22, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Mythras ( 6 )   

  Theseus Deeds – A Mythras Adventure in Bronze Age Greece (pt1) 

  Prologue – A hero in the making

  

  Theseus (Θησέας) is a hero of Greek Mythology. Since it’s my first time running Mythras I will try to make things easy. I will make use of the mythology as a pre-written adventure module and run Theseus through his deeds. In order to keep surprises at an acceptable level, I will be using the custom oracle for pre-written modules based on MUNE.
  Contrary to previous solo games I run, in this I won’t be using Recluse as an Oracle. I believe that the mechanic of False Presuppositions will provide too much chaos for this exercise.
  For character generation I will use the Points Build option. I will increase the points from 75 to 90, to take into account the heroic nature of Theseus. I read somewhere in the Mythras subreddit that 90 is a good points build for pulp campaigns, so I believe that it fits.

  ---

  Character Stats

  Name	Theseus
  Strength (STR)	16
  Constitution (CON)	14
  Size (SIZ)	12
  Dexterity (DEX)	13
  Intelligence (INT)	15
  Power (POW)	9
  Charisma (CHA)	11

  ---

  Attributes	Result
  Action Points	3
  Damage Modifier	+1d2
  Experience Modifier	0
  Healing Rate	3
  Height	180 cm
  Weight	88 kg
  Leg HP	6
  Abdomen HP	7
  Chest HP	8
  Each Arm HP	5
  Head HP	6
  Initiative Bonus	14
  Luck Points	2
  Magic Points	N/A
  Movement Rate	6

  ---

  Standard Skills	Percentage
  Athletics	39
  Boating	30
  Brawn	58
  Conceal	32
  Customs	70
  Dance	24
  Deceit	51
  Drive	22
  Endurance	43
  Evade	31
  First Aid	43
  Influence	32
  Insight	49
  Locale	40
  Native Tongue	66
  Perception	39
  Ride	22
  Sing	20
  Stealth	28
  Swim	45
  Unarmed	59
  Willpower	33

  ---

  Professional Skills	Percentage
  Courtesy	41
  Craft (Weapons/Shields)	58
  Oratory	40
  Survival	28
  Healing	29

  ---

  Style Name	Weapons	Traits	Percentage
  Troezenian Militia	Spear, Club, Xiphos, Shield	Batter Aside	74

  ---

  Passions	Percentage
  Loyalty to Troezena	54
  Love Aethra	50
  Hate Robbers	54

  ---

  Note: I won’t bother myself with equipment, resources and such things. Common sense and myth knowledge will apply. If necessary I will ask the Oracle.

  ---

  Sword and sandal

  Theseus is looking for the sword and sandals of his father, king Aegeas (Αιγέας) of Athens (Αθήνα), as his mother Aethra (Αίθρα), princess of Troezena (Τροιζήνα) has confided to him. He is looking for the rock under which they are hidden.

  Q: Is the scene as in the myth? (Likely)
  A: No
  Nice way to start the story!
  I will roll 1d8 on TWENE: 2: Decrease simple element
  The only element I can think of for the scene is the size of the rock. But that is the major element of the scene. Maybe then there is less overgrowth and it’s easier to find the rock.
  According to the myth, Theseus lifted the rock with ease.
  According to the character, Theseus can lift 105 kilograms without needing a Brawn roll and up to 185 kilograms with a Brawn roll.
  I decide that the rock will weigh 125 kilograms, and require an Easy Brawn skill roll.
  But first Theseus must find the rock. Since there is less overgrowth I too, deem that it requires an Easy Perception roll.
  Theseus: Perception (58): 18: Success. He finds the rock.
  Theseus: Brawn (87): 38: Success. He lifts the rock and finds the sandals and his father’s sword.

  Theseus looks around in the light growth, and sees a rock that seems out of place. The color does not agree with the color of the hillside. Realizing that this might be the rock his mother spoke of, he rushes to it, hugs it and lifts it with both of his hands. First he lowers down, to lift it with strength coming from his legs and knees and not his back, as his teacher Connidas (Κόννιδας) taught him. Quickly, he lifts the heavy rock, and puts it aside. Under it lay a pair of sandals and a xiphos (ξίφος), wrapped up in a light linen cloth, just as his mother instructed. He wears them, and returns to her.

  By sea or by land

  Q: Is the scene as in the myth? (Likely)
  A: Yes, and it’s less likely to be modified in the next scene.
  Intervention Count: 1

  To this day, Theseus was told that he was begotten by Neptune (Ποσειδώνας). Now Theseus wants to go to his father in Athens, and Aethra explains to him how dangerous it is to go from land. Robbers, murderers and villains plague the countryside. He should take a boat and go by sea.
  Theseus nevertheless decides to go by land. He wants to make a name for himself and cleanse the countryside.

  Note: I tried rolling to see if Aethra would convince him otherwise and she succeeded, but then the story wouldn’t evolve. Since player character freewill is involved and there is no magic to force him otherwise I decided to proceed.

  Q: Does Aethra tell him to go to her father for advice? (Likely)
  A: Yes, but only reluctantly.

  “Hercules did so much good for this land. I want to do the same. I want to help our people mother. I will go by land, maybe I will meet those robbers that you talk about. Could you share some of your knowledge?” Theseus asks his mother.

  Theseus: Influence (32) + Hate for Robbers (11): 79.
  Aethra: Love Theseus (80): 42.
  Aethra may not have been moved by Theseus’ words, but her love for her son is too much to let him go without any aid.

  “As much as it pains me to hear you say this, if you have set your mind to it then so be it. Go see your grandfather Pittheus (Πιτθέας) before you leave. He is the king, he should know about who plagues his lands.” Aethra succumbs to the love for her son and kisses him on the forehead for goodbye.

  The king’s knowledge

  Q: Is the scene as in the myth (Likely)
  A: Yes, and it’s less likely to be modified in the next scene.
  Intervention Count: 2

  Pittheus: Perception (80): 32: Pittheus notices Aegeas’ sword and sandals that Theseus has adorned.

  Theseus enters the court of King Pittheus, his grandfather. As soon as the king notices Aegeas’s sword and sandals, he speaks. “So, you have found your father’s heritage, grandson.”
  “I want to go meet him. I will go by land, purge it from the villains, while, I’m at it.” Theseus answers.
  “That is a perilous task young man.” Pittheus tells him.

  Note: again, here I made the mistake of asking if Pittheus would help Theseus. I’ve already established that the scene will play out as in the myth. There is no conflict involved. Pittheus will help Theseus. So I will rephrase the question.

  Q: Will Pittheus send help to Theseus?
  A: No. He will only share information as in the myth.

  “I know about these robbers and villains.” Pittheus pauses. “Come, let me share what my men have told me.”
  Pittheus tells Theseus all about the robbers of the countryside.

  I am not sharing the information on purpose. There’s the chance that a reader doesn’t know all of Theseus deeds and I don’t want to spoil the story as it evolves!
  I have calculated the distance from Troezen to Athens and the google maps give it a 33 hours walking distance. Therefore I consider that the journey is within walking distance, and at a minimum will take Theseus about 4 days. Of course, many things can happen along the way and delay the adventure.
  As an added bonus, the myths give the approximate locations of where the deeds happened.

  ---

  Periphetes

  Q: Is the scene as in the myth? (Likely)
  A: Yes

  Theseus is following the path along the coast, when the road takes him uphill, on the feet of Mt. Arachnaio (Αραχναίο). There, among the olive trees, lies a lone figure in the middle of the road.

  

  Theseus: Perception (58): 37: Success.

  Theseus notices the broad shouldered man as he approaches. On one hand he carries an iron club, and he rests it upon his shoulder.
  He recalls Pittheus’ advice. “Periphetes (Περιφήτης) son of Hephaestus (Ήφαιστος) is also known as Corynetes (Κορυνήτης), the club-bearer. He uses his iron club to hit travelers to the head and take their posessions.”

  “Hold it there traveler!” Periphetes shouts to Theseus. “You shall travel no further. The road is not safe for you anymore.”
  “You shall prey on good people no more Periphetes!” Theseus responds.

  Distance: 2d10 meters: 15 meters.

  My first combat in Mythras. First I need to get some stats for Periphetes.
  I use Myhtas Encounter Generator to create a template and I chose the strongest of the randomly generated results.

  Initiative:

  Theseus: 18
  Periphetes: 15

  Round 1:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus Readies his weapon and Moves 6 meters.

  Periphetes Turn1:

  Periphetes Moves 6 meters closer.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus moves and attacks, spending 1 AP. Periphetes Parries, spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 82: Failure
  Periphetes: Combat Style (62): 14: Success.
  Periphetes chooses Trip Opponent.
  Theseus: Brawn (58): 54: Success. He also wins the opposed roll because he scored higher.

  Periphetes Turn2:

  Periphetes attacks, spending 1 AP. Theseus Parries, spending 1 AP.
  Periphetes: Combat Style (62): 32: Success.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 92: Failure.
  Periphetes chooses Choose Location and aims for the Head.
  Damage: 4 HP: Minor Wound. Remaining HP on Theseus Head: 2.

  Theseus Turn 3:

  Theseus attacks spending 1AP. Periphetes has no remaining AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 72: Success. He chooses Disarm Opponent.
  I also roll on attack damage and Hit Location: 13: Right Arm: Damage: 1d6+1d2:4 HP. Serious Wound.
  Periphetes: Endurance (42): 21: Success. He fails the opposed roll because Theseus scored higher.
  Periphetes: Combat Style (62): 51: Success. He fails the opposed roll because Theseus scored higher.
  The weapon is flung: 1d2: 2 meters away.
  Due to the Serious Wound all tasks involving his Right Arm, will be one difficulty grade higher.
  Periphetes can only Parry or Evade for the next 1d3: 3 turns.

  The two men close up on each other. Theseus tries to slash at Periphetes, but he fails to find his target. Periphetes has moved aside and tries to use his iron club to trip Theseus, but the strong young man has plunged firmly his feet on the ground. Theseus slashes again, but as he fails to hit Periphetes, he finds an opening and hits Theseus firmly on his head, the blow leaving a bump on Theseus skull. Unstartled by the blow, the prince swings his xiphos against the club, and with a twisting motion as his teacher showed him, he forces it out of Corynetes’ hand and flings it away a couple of meters. As the xiphos yanks the weapon, Theseus rebounds with a quick slash at Periphetes’ arm, hacking it to the bone. Periphetes screams in pain, at a loss without his club.

  Round 2:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus attacks spending 1 AP. Periphetes Parries, spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 33: Success.
  Periphetes: Combat Style (41): 50: Failure. Theseus chooses Impale.
  I roll on attack damage and Hit Location: Left Arm: Damage: Max 1 of 2d6+1d2: 5 HP: Serious Wound.
  Due to the Serious Wound all tasks involving his Left Arm, will be one difficulty grade higher.
  Periphetes can only Parry or Evade for the next 1d3: 2 turns.

  Theseus Turn 2:

  Theseus attempts to yank the weapon free spending 1 AP. Periphetes cannot oppose Theseus.
  Theseus: Brawn (58): 5: Critical Success.
  Theseus yanks the weapon free and causes 1d3 further damage to the left arm: 1 HP.

  Theseus Turn 3:

  Theseus attacks spending 1AP. Periphetes Parries, spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 27: Success.
  Periphetes: Combat Style (31): 54: Failure. Theseus chooses Choose Location: Head.
  Theseus: Damage: 1d6+1d2: 5 HP: Serious Wound.
  Periphetes: Endurance (42): 16: Success. He doesn’t fall unconscious.
  Periphetes can only Parry or Evade for the next 1d3: 3 turns.

  Theseus hacks at the unarmed Periphetes who tries to parry using his arms. Theseus’ xiphos pierces through the robber’s left arm, and lodges deep inside it. Periphetes screams yet again in agony. His foe has the upper hand. Theseus pulls out the sword, hurting him once more. He clutches both his mangled arms and cries out. Not wasting anytime, he follows again, with a quick slash to Periphetes’ head, cutting off part of his face.

  Round 3:

  Theseus Turn 1:

  Theseus moves and takes Periphetes’ iron club from the ground spending 1 AP.
  Periphetes can do nothing.

  Theseus attacks Periphetes with the iron club spending 1 AP. Periphetes Parries, spending 1 AP.
  Theseus: Combat Style (74): 69: Success.
  Periphetes: Combat Style (31): 66: Failure. Theseus chooses Choose Location: Head.
  Theseus: Damage: 1d8+1d2: 10 HP: Major Wound.

  With Periphetes otherwise disabled, Theseus goes to where he dropped his iron club. He picks it from the ground, and scores another hit on the robber’s head. His skull cracks open, and he falls down dead. Suffering the same fate he has given to countless other travelers.

  Theseus takes the iron club as his own, and performs first aid on his injury to the head.
  Theseus: First Aid (43): 24: Success: 1d3: 3 HP Healed.

  He takes some time to apply some crushed healing herbs to his head with a bandage, and after burying the robber, he continues on his way.

  ---

  Session Background: Okay, no dying first session in. I call that a success.
  I’ve read everywhere how gritty and dangerous combat in Mythras is, and it couldn’t be more true. The details of the combat system were such, that I was almost feeling sorry for Periphetes being wounded again and again. I was really scared at that first hit Theseus took to the head. It could have meant the end in a quick stroke (that’s where the Luck Points can be handy). He managed to heal 3 out of the 4 hit points he suffered in combat, and he’s about to heal that last one with a good night’s rest.
  It’s also good to play it safe and go with the 90 points build, and keep the villains below that. Since he’s to face many threats, he ought to have the upper hand statistically, otherwise it’s game over in confrontation two or three. If needed, Theseus will seek healing and pause before proceeding with the adventure. He may be bold but he ain’t stupid.
  In the concept of pulp and mythology I gave Theseus no armor. In all depictions he’s facing the enemies unarmored and this makes combat even more dangerous. I realize that a man of his status should have some armor, but that goes against the setting and would make the adventure less challenging. He has to earn his name after all.
  There’s too much bookkeeping going into the combat of Mythras. It’s great when going face to face with just one opponent, but I doubt I could handle more. This makes me feel confident about my choice of adventure where each deed is one to one confrontation.
  Character generation took a while, but the system is pretty straightforward. I did some going back and forth between my pdfs but it’s to be expected since this is my first game in the system. Sometimes I learned quickly the rule and didn’t have to go back to check it again. I am also glad to know that after double-checking a couple of potential mistakes I made, I realized I had done things the correct way, so I moved on, without further worry.
  I don’t know yet how to feel about d100 roll under systems. I think I’m predisposed when I know the odds in such a clear manner – 74% Wow that’s really high, and – boom 92, I miss – and I get frustrated when the highest odds fail. Maybe it will take some getting used to the system over the d6 or savage worlds fuzzy mechanics which had wild dice, and where the odds weren’t visible at first glance.