Corinth on Myth and Legend

Pretty Woman

While driving your chariot about you come across a pretty little woman, Creusa. She steals your heart (for at least the moment) and you offer her the chance of a lifetime. Unable to refuse, you enjoy her company before getting back to this little contest.

An Intro

You are Apollo, the Sun God. You drive your chariot across the sky so that the world has light. Well, you've been doing it so long that your horses know the way and really don't need you anymore. So, you've decided to leave your lofty perch and take a look around.

Heroes

Your priest, Abaris has offered to join you on this quest. Ion, your son is looking forward to running amok in Greece and having a grand old time, just like his dad. Well not _exactly_ like his dad.

Talking

Creusa sends a message to you. She wants to talk. Still enamored by her assets you wander over to her place and the two of you talk for while. After about three hours of her droning on about boring stuff you get agitated and convince her to quick yapping and start doing. She's happy to oblige.

Enough!

For the third day in a row you have spent the evening just talking with Creusa. As a man of action you're getting bored. You tell her because of the contest you can't see her until later. With any luck she'll have married some mortal by then, getting you off the hook.

Hey Good Looking

You spy a very beautiful maiden. After following her for the day you find out that her name is Daphne. She's very shy and timid, but you know she'll come around. You send her dozens of flowers and gifts of candy in hopes that she'll be interested in visiting your castle. So far no response.

Well?

So far you haven't heard a word from Daphne. She's been avoiding you, having her parents tell you that she's not home. At first you were real nice about it, but you do know that she's hiding in her bedroom. After all you are a god. The next time you will see her, and say so loudly.

Laurel Tree

You go to see Daphne at her house and she flees out the back. Chasing her she cries to Demeter, "Save me!" Suddenly her arms reach upwards and turn brown and leafy, her feet take root. Next you know she's a Laurel tree! Guess she REALLY didn't want to see you. You take your bruised ego home.

Calliope

Calliope, the Muse of Eloquence and Heroic Poems stops by, looking for inspiration. You decide to help her out and recant some of your recent heroics. The two of you spend a quiet evening by the fire. After a few glasses of wine you two decide to play out a few ballads....

A Son!

With all the other gods having little kiddies, you're extremely happy when Calliope has a son, Orpheus. He's a handsome baby boy with a bright future. One of the maids giggles. "The son of Apollo, God of the Sun has a bright future." You let the joke slide because you're too happy.

Cherion

Artemis arrives with a Centaur in tow. He's a good-natured chap who has been taking hunting lessons. Now he's interested in Healing. You consider it and agree to teach him what you know. Not all that bad of an idea. He's a natural at it and really willing to learn.

Marsyas

It seems this snotty little satyr got his hands on Athena's pipes and now thinks he's better than you! Such arrogance in mortals. Deciding it's time to put a little mortal fear in the population you stop by his place. At first he's a little startled that you show up, but soon rises to the contest

Lesson

Marsyas isn't that bad on the pipes, and playing Athena's helps him a lot, but you are without a doubt the best in the biz. Half trying you easily beat him. Humbly he hands you the pipes and tries to slink away. Not wanting to let him off that easily you flay him alive.

Pan

Playing the pipes has always been a passion of yours. For the longest time it was undisputed that you are the best, and that little contest with Marsyas proved it. No one has even come close to challenging your expertise. But now Pan has been said to be better than you.

Nonsense

It rankles that someone might even be in your league, especially Pan. He's such a pain and impudent to boot. People are actually whispering that he might be better - but not loudly and not often. Not really wanting to get into argument or contest over it you simply decide to talk a walk.

Midas

While out walking you come across a man who is whistling a tune. It's one of Pan's. He tells you that Pan is far better than Apollo ever was. He gushes on and on about how great Pan is, and you feel your temperature rise every second. Finally you explode and tell him that you're Apollo.

Ears

Poor Midas trembles beneath your wrath. You realize in an instant that you can't do anything truly drastic or you'll end up with a bad rep. Wanting to take your frustration out somehow you come up with a solution. "Here are a pair of donkey ears - to show the world that you're such an ass."

Terpsichors

Feeling a little blue about the whole Pan thing you decide to swear off pipes forever. Maybe you'll switch to the triangle or something. Hearing about this Terpsichors arrives. She's the muse of dancing and is very upset that you won't be able to play for her anymore.

Coaxing

Terpsichors says to you, "Guess I'll just have to stop dancing now that you won't play for me anymore. I need the best pipe player to accompany me." Feeling a little better you decide maybe she's right. After a little more coaxing the two of you are making beautiful art together.

Orpheus

Your son Orpheus married this wonderful woman, Eurydice. Unfortunately she was bitten by a snake while gardening. You told him to hire an exterminator, but kids never listen. Parents always know best. Deciding it's not the best time to lecture you suggest he chat with Hades.

The Deal

Orpheus made a deal with Hades. If he could lead Eurydice out of Hades she would be his again. All he had to do was not look back until she stepped out into the sunlight. Just before she stepped out into the sunlight he looked back and she was irretrievably lost.

Thrace

Grieving Orpheus managed to lash out at anyone and everyone. Unfortunately he didn't stay clear of the maenad women of Thrace and offended them. Just as they were going to tear him to pieces for his offensive behavior you strike him dead. Now he's with Eurydice and very happy in his unlife.

Coronis

You meet this exquisite woman named Coronis at the celebration. The two of you get cozy in the woods and celebrate in your own little way.

Trouble

Coronis is due anytime now. She was taking long walks into the woods until Artemis yelled at her for scaring away her prey. You suggest that since she's so close to delivery that she simply stay around the house. She agrees it's a good idea and sticks close to home.

Aesculapius

Coronis delivered a wonderful baby boy, Aesculapius. He's healthy and happy. She decided to take him for a walk into the woods. While walking she scared away a deer that Artemis was hunting. Enraged she shot Coronis with an arrow, turning her into a Songbird.

Not knowing what to do you stare helplessly at the cheerfully singing Songbird that once was Coronis. Athena arrives on the scene, apologizes for Artemis and suggests that you send the boy off to live with Cherion. He's capable and in your debt. You realize it's a good idea and do so.

Thalia

Feeling sad about your son Thalia comes over to cheer you up. She's the Muse of Comedy and Burlesque. This time she has some pretty interesting lyrics and moves she wants your opinion on. The first one starts off like this, "There once was a man from Nantucket..."

Feeling Better

After a few hours of lyrics, dances and even the ballad of Big-Assed Lil and Yukon Pete you're feeling a lot more like your old self. She definitely has a flair for this sort of debauchery. You also like the one that starts, "There once was a man from Brighton.."

Polymnia

Polymnia is going to make a speech and wants your advice. She is the muse of Song and Oratory. (She's really good at the latter.) Very politely you listen to her debate on why it's better respect nature than pollute. Not a bad speech, and you've decide to start recycling after this century.

Niobe

You attend a dinner with a friend of yours, but in a mortal form. While at dinner you overhear some gossip. Apparently this woman Niobe was bragging that she's given birth to twelve children and most of them are out of the house, and all are doing well. Not too bad you think to yourself.

Vengeance!

It's the next sentence that makes your blood run cold. She slandered your mother, Leta for only having two children! How dare she! Who does this mortal twit think she is? Enraged you storm out and find your sister Artemis to tell her of this. The two of you decide to see Zeus the next day.

Vengeance Now!

Enraged the two of you approach Zeus with your problem. He agrees that something must be done. He promises to come up with something truly fitting. The punishment will be dealt by him - mainly because he's upset about it too.

The Plan

Zeus lets you know that he plans to do something truly fitting, but you must have patience and wait for the punishment to be dealt. Not wanting him to stop his plans you bite your tongue and pace in the hall for a few days.

Vengeance

You find out what Zeus has in mind for Niobe. He has called all of the children to him in the garden. While sitting on the bench he roots them to their spot and tells them he is punishing them for their mother's wagging tongue. Their horrified looks are forever imprinted in stone.

Niobe's punishment.

Niobe doesn't go into her private garden for a few days, but when she does the reaction confirms the punishment. Sitting on the ground where Zeus stood, all of her children staring at her, she is more terrified than she can bear. Mortals will think twice about slandering gods from now on.

Merope

A young woman, Merope prays fervently at your temple. She wishes vengeance on a young hunter, Orion. He is Poseidon's son. Not wanting to rashly attack Orion you question the young girl. Apparently he was supposed to receive her if he performed a task, which he did.

Merope-cont'd

Merope's father decided to give her to another instead of Orion. So Orion seduced her. Now she wants vengeance for the wrong done to her - since none of this was her fault. You agree that he did wrong her, but it should be taken care of with great care.