Prologue:

Athena and I await him in the garden perched high atop our towering edifice on Mount Olympus. All is ready. Refreshments and entertainment will commence on cue. Our marble-white landing port, bathed in the first rays of Helios, shines like a beacon, celebrating the dawn of a new day.

I find myself wistfully missing the sight of Ilium from the hills of Lemnos' eastern shores, back in the Age of Bronze. I put my arm around Athena and recall when she was Chryse, the Golden One, and I Herakles, the Idean Daktyl who brought the Mysteria to the camel-shaped isle we once called home, and then to Samothraki.

Slowly, the fiery orb makes its way across the sky and toward our tower. As it draws closer, its path separates from the sun's. The assembled nobility, though jaded, gasps in astonishment at the cleverness of this illusion. In moments it is upon us. Gilbert the Shaper has arrived! Grooms rush out to tend to the comfort of his solar steeds and park his gleaming golden chariot. Kores and Kouroi, dressed in white chitons, strew fresh rose petals in his path and escort him to the small temple in our garden, where we are seated on matching thrones.

Our herald and seer, Tiresias, announces his presence. We stand to welcome him, as an equal.

Dancers, not all of them human, gyrate wildly to the heavenly music of lyre and pipe. Minoan Leapers vault over prize-bulls from Poseidon's herd. Golden memories of Myrmidons long dead re-enact their exploits from the battle that irrevocably bound us all to the human psyche...

Gilbert Gallo stands before us. After the formulaic ritual of greeting, and the exchange of gifts, we seat ourselves. A matching throne opposite ours has been brought for our honored guest. and I am looking forward to exploring Mythos, Olympus Inc, and the other wonders this son of Italy has wrought. Nektar and ambrosia, as well as many types of grape, are then served. The musicians and athletes withdraw to the landing port, allowing us to comfortably converse with each other.

Part I: Gilbert's Legendary Journey

When we are seated, cheeses, yogurt, honey and other delicacies are served to us, while the main course, an Erymanthian boar, is being expertly prepared by our warrior-chefs.

Hercules:Greetings O noble Gilbert! Thank you very much for accepting our invitation to share the tale of Mythos, Olympus Inc and all of your other active Portals to Olympian Adventure.

Gilbert:I am really honored to meet you, O noble son of Zeus! We finally fulfill the Oracle's prophecy that foresaw our meeting.

Hercules: That is indeed so! How were you first called to explore the timeless wonders of Olympian Mythology?

Gilbert: Actually, I was born in Italy, the same land where the sorceress Circe lived. Italian culture is full of Greek mythological references: statues everywhere, ancient Greek temples, precious artifacts in the museums but above all "fairy tales". When I was a little kid, my grandma always used myths to raise me as a good child: "don't be greedy as Midas", "don't be too proud as Arachne", "listen to your grandma's advice, or you'll end up like Icarus" and "you're as beautiful as Apollo". Well, now I know she lied sometimes, but she did it for a good reason. Nevertheless, I think that was the moment when my curiosity started growing bigger and bigger, and I finally fell in love with Greek Mythology.

Hercules:Such passions often take root during our earliest years. What games did you love playing as a child?

Gilbert: When I was young I loved playing in the open with my friends and I also liked reading myths and fairy tales from all over the world. And video games, of course. Both coin-ops and consoles. I think that video games are one of the best medias to interactively learn myths!

Hercules:I agree with you wholeheartedly O noble Gilbert. In fact, I often weave video game content into my adventures. You are building quite a legend in the RPG arena. How did you first discover them?

Gilbert: Actually, I discovered game books first. Game books are a sort of "solo RPGs". I still have them all, and I'm very proud of my collection, which of course includes the Greek Mythology series "the Cretan Chronicles". One day, a friend of mine invited me to his house to play a "new game" that was even better than game books: the D&D red box! That was the fatal moment when I discovered tabletop RPGs: I was 13 years old and since then I never stopped enjoying these kind of games.

Tiresias the Seer, anticipating my interests, jots down “Cretan Chronicles” on a wax tablet with his stylus. By day's end, locating copies will the focus of a novice hero's quest. We are brought dolmades, and grilled lamb on skewers.

Hercules:Was Mythos your first attempt at merging Mythology with role playing?

Gilbert: Yes. I created different rulesets and settings before, but Mythos was the first that was genuinely set in the Greek Mythological scenario.

Hercules: What other worlds did you enjoy adventuring in?


Gilbert: Well, old school gamers like myself grew up with the classics: Mystara, Krynn, Ravenloft, Middle Earth, Cyberpunk 2020. I particularly like the Conan universe, where we played for many years thanks to a friend of mine's custom rule set. We always employed house rules and customized settings so to create the perfect blend that suited us best.

Hercules: I ran Conan campaigns for decades and reviewed every Conan RPG release by Mongoose many years ago. What Muse inspired you to create Mythos?

Gilbert: Nobody else but Calliope, the muse of Epic poetry mother of Orpheus! One day she visited my dreams and invited me to create a Greek Mythological RPG setting because the world needed one. When I woke up, I knew what my mission was.

Hercules: That sounds exactly like something that she would do, and you did well to heed her! Can you please explain the premise of the game?

Gilbert: The game is set in the world of Greek Mythology: a flat earth encircled by the river Oceanus. The Olympian gods rule the world from mount Olympus and walk frequently on earth, influencing mortal lives. Alas, the Olympians are powerful and vain: in order to keep them at bay Zeus started the Heavenly contest: the god who will have the greatest number of human followers in 1000 years will be his successor. This way, all the Gods focused on mortal affairs instead of plotting against him, at least that's what he hopes. While the Gods scheme on Olympus, on the Earth a lot of heroes are born: either Demigods or mortals who join the mystery cults of a God, gaining incredible powers. Heroes are the gods' champions, who should act as shining examples in order to attract people to temples to ensure the god's final victory in a thousand year. Heroes depend on a god's favor: should they disappoint their immortal masters, they would lose their powers or worse. Heroes live a very dangerous life: fighting terrible monsters, undergoing difficult quests and facing difficult choices to attain divine blessing and eternal glory.

Hercules:That is truly epic, and very focused! What type of incarnations are allowed in the world of Mythos? Is it restricted to those of Olympian blood? To mortal-born hero-warriors? Gaia's nature-born get? Athenian market philosophers? Amazons?


Gilbert: In Mythos core book you can play two different kind of "races": Demigods or humans who joined Mystery Cults (Initiates).

Demigods have Olympian blood in them, they are more powerful than Initiates but have less freedom and more problems. Their life is constantly watched by their divine parent and is constantly challenged by their divine parent's immortal enemies. A lot of powers with a lot of problems. I guess you know what I'm talking about, right Hercules?

Hercules:Alas, that is truly so my friend!

Gilbert: Initiates are far more powerful than an average human but not as powerful as a Demigod. They acquire their powers joining the secret Mystery Cults (each God has its cults). They can choose which Cults to join so they can have different powers deriving from different Gods (but this way they must comply to different whims). Gods are not so obsessed with them and tend to forgive them more if compared to Demigods.

In the "Wine and Blood" expansion you can also play as a Satyr while in the "Queen of the Labyrinth" you can play as Minospawn, the Minotaur's offspring.

Hercules: How can those who enter Mythos evolve? Can a mortal eventually attain to full godhood at the end of their mortal sojourn?

Gilbert: Heroes evolve according to their choices, both physically and spiritually. They can acquire lands, riches and incredible artifacts. At the same time they can become stronger, faster or wiser. It's up to them to decide. The only limit is: your patron God(s) decide your "superhuman" growth. You cannot join a Mystery Cult your patron God doesn't approve. Human Initiates can change their patron God (incurring his wrath, of course!) but Demigods can't.

Hercules: Can one still enjoy these splendors by adhering to differing systems? I see that both Savage Worlds and EGS are listed


Gilbert: You're right! In order to let as many people as possible enjoy the marvels of the greek mythology, we adapted the setting to two different rulesets: SW and EGS. Each system has its unique features that make the game experience more enjoyable for some players. Alternatively, feel free to get inspiration from the setting and adapt it to your own rules: I did it myself a lot of times with a lot of different settings!

Hercules:Thank you for your wise words my frend. That is advice well worth heeding! Please tell us about this tome, tiled Mythos Quick Start Guide.

Gilbert: My pleasure! The Quick Start Guide is a brief introduction to the Mythos world for those who want to dive directly into Mythos world without having to read all the necessary stuff first. It features an adventure: "The Argonauts’ Legend" , five pre-generated characters and all the mechanics necessary to use those characters without the need of the core rules. This is a great way to introduce players and GMs to the Mythos setting, along with providing current fans with a full adventure module. Try it, you won't regret it!

Hercules: I can vouch for the truth your words my friend!

As we are treated to succulent mezedhes from the sea. Increasingly more of the nobles and entertainers have gathered around us to hear Gilbert's tale. All seems well, but Tiresias signals that we have an apparition in our midst.


Part II: The Mythos of Mythos

While Tiresias and the other Seers work on determining the identity of our invisible intruder, Gilbert and I continue with our conversation.

Hercules: What does the Mythos Core Setting Guide cover?

Gilbert: The Mythos Core Setting Guide is THE guide to fully dive into the Mythos universe. It features all the important concepts: the complete story line of the world, all necessary info to create your own character, a lot of geographical info and mythological references, a horde of mythological monsters and the description of some Royal Houses who strive for power (more can be found in the supplements). I was nearly forgetting that in the course book you will find the descriptions of the Gods, their roles in the Heavenly contest and how to anger or appease them. Don't mess with the Gods, or you'll regret it!

Hercules: Your words are wise my friend, would that mortals heeded them more!

I am about to ask about the Hero's Handbook and Epic Gamemastering, when the apparition fully materializes. Our Mages and Sages ready their mageia, but I hold up my hand and bid them cease, for before us stands the wise Aaron T. Huss, Visionary Leader of Mystical Throne Entertainment. 

Aaron: The Hero's Handbook and Epic Gamemastering books were actually a publishing decision. The core setting guide is a large, expensive full-color core rulebook in hardcover. To make it more affordable for players and the casual GM, the Hero's Handbook and Epic Gamemastering books were published as lower cost, black-and-white paperbacks. Hero's Handbook contains all the player content from the core setting guide and Epic Gamemastering contains all the GM content (setting, background information, bestiary, adventures, etc.) from the core setting guide.

Hercules:Thank you very much Aaron. Please, help yourself to some food and drink. We are Greeks. There is still plenty of everything left.


Delicacies from the air are served us, and our beverages refreshed. A throne is then brought for Aaron, and he is treated with all the honor and respect due an honored guest. A sampler of all the food that had previously been presented to us is brought to him on a golden tray. Once he is settled, my conversation with Gilbert continues.


Hercules: I see that there are now a series of expansions as well! Can you tell us about Wine and Blood?


Gilbert: Wine and Blood is the first expansion of the Mythos universe and it's mainly focused on Dionysus's death and rebirth as Zagreus, who enters the Heavenly contest (up to that moment the only contestants were Ares, Aphrodite, Apollo, Athena, Hades and Poseidon). New "Dionisiac" character archetypes to play (and a new race: Satyrs), new mystery cults to join, new lands to explore (India is one of them!) and new monsters to face, never forgetting to have good time! Believe me, Zagreus' followers are among the craziest and funniest characters ever made: imagine a Maenad who forces everyone around to dance the way she wants! If you thought "bard-like" characters were harmless, well, think again!


Hercules: What can you share about Queen of the Labyrinth?


Gilbert: No secrets for you, O Mighty Tamer of Cerberus! "Queen of the Labyrinth" is the second expansion of the Mythos universe focused on Hera, who decides to "secretly" join the heavenly contest after hearing the news of Zagreus racing for the Olympus throne (as you know well, she deeply hates every single child born from Zeus's illicit affairs). It features new character archetypes (like summoners), new mystery cults to join, the playable Minospawn race and focuses on the Island of Crete and its magnificent Labyrinth. It features a great system to create/navigate into a maze (and hopefully come out alive) and a lot of info about this incredible masterwork of Daedalus.


Hercules: Truly epic! And the Battle of Thermopylae?


Gilbert: Battle of Thermopylae is a spin-off of the Mythos universe. It's an adventure based on a question: what would have happened if the Heroes of the Heroic Age of Mythology faced the Persians at the Thermopylae? Face the Persians in this scenario where anything can happen and seize this unique chance to re-write history with your bravery!


Hercules: Are there plans to generate more Core Books or Expansions?


Gilbert: Actually, I'd like to write at least four more expansions, based on the four "missing" Olympians who will join the Heavenly Contest: Artemis, Hephaestus, Demeter and Hermes. There are a lot of mythological places and populations I'd like to describe: if need arises we can do more than four expansions.


Hercules: That would truly be awesome! How about creating even more Portals from other systems?


Gilbert: Personally, I like the idea of seeing how the Mythos world runs with different game systems. Of course I have my own preferences, but I think that every different system adds a little "flavor" to some aspects that are not focused in other systems. I would really see a D20 , Fate or Basic version of Mythos, but I'd play whatever other system. It's amazing how a different game system can change the game experience even if you maintain the same setting, and I'll be really curious to experience it in as many rule sets as possible.


Aaron: We cannot definitively answer if other systems will be explored or actually be developed.


Hercules: Thank you Aaron! Gilbert, what is your ultimate vision for Mythos?


Gilbert: My ultimate goal is to make a setting that shows the great features of Greek Mythology: the mood, the places and the characters (both human and divine ones). All RPGs take great amount of inspiration from Greek Mythology: monsters, gods, artifacts, power struggles. I think that nothing is like the original, so my dream is to let players shape their stories in the "original" scenario that inspired every subsequent one. In Mythos you can be a member of the Royal Houses who inspired most of the tragedies (for example, the Atreides) and play a game of power struggles that would dwarf every season of GoT. You can fight against the "true" minotaur in the "true" labyrinth, or face a "true" siren etc. That's fantasy in its original, purest form!


Hercules: How can we best locate you, and follow your current deeds and growing legend?


Gilbert: First of all, I'll be glad to wine and dine every single hero who comes to visit me in Italy! That's how hospitality works in Mythos! Otherwise, you can be updated on our exploits following Mystical Throne Entertainment, the Mythos FB page, adding me as a FB friend or sending me an email to gilbertgallo@gmail.com. I welcome any opinion, comment or suggestion so don't hold anything back!


Aaron: Fans can also learn about new Mythos developments in our monthly online newsletter, called the Throne Report, and products are available for purchase at the Mystical Throne Entertainment webstore, DriveThruRPG, RPGNow, Paizo, and d20pfsrd.


The crowd applaudes loudly. Gilbert and Aaron's timing proves impeccable as the warrior-chefs soon clang their long knives on the shield-shaped serving plates, signaling that dinner (roast Erymanthean boar) will soon be served. We rise from our thrones and mingle with the crowd as we make our way to the dining area.



NEXT: Epilogue


The Erymanthian Boar is indeed delicious! Gilbert and Aaron are a great hit with the crowd on Mount Olympus. Aaron informs us that he must leave to fulfill one of his many creative, visionary and decision-making responsibilities. It turns out that Gilbert also has other commitments. Aaron fades from view, and I seize the opportunity to ask Gilbert a few more questions whilst his chariot is being prepared.


Hercules:Before we part ways... What can you tell us about Olympus Inc?

Gilbert:Olympus Inc. is a modern-fantasy setting that mixes the epic of the greek mythology with a cyberpunk mood and attitude. We call it "Olympunk". In a world that appears identical to our own, the Titans of myth have deposed the upstart Olympians and now rule the heavens. But Zeus and the other gods of Olympus have found a new way to harvest the power of worship—through mankind’s love of money! Step into a world of shadowy politics, satyr cyber-raiders, demigods, and an ongoing clandestine war for control of the firmament.

Hercules:How can one incarnate into this new world?


Gilbert: In Olympus Inc. you play as a Demigod who has some divine genes in his DNA and suddenly "awakens" his/her divine powers. You can either be a:


Paragon Demigod (a.k.a. the golden-ichored): the purest bloodline. You descend from a single Olympian bloodline or a certain Olympian bloodline is predominant in your genes. You manifest very powerful powers chosen from a very limited list that represent your divine ancestor's areas of influence. Alas, this means you will have also the defects/hindrances of that ancestor too.


Protean Demigod (a.k.a. the impure). You descend from more than one divine bloodline but none is predominant over the others. You can choose which power to manifest from a virtually unlimited array of powers, although you start less powerful than a golden-ichored one. Fortunately, you don't have the genetic drawbacks of the golden-ichored.


Demihuman Demigods (a.k.a the shapeshifters). You descend from a single Demihuman divinity or those genes are predominant in your DNA. You can shapeshift between a human form (in which you can manifest only a little part of your powers) and a "divine form" where you are at full power and are impervious to mundane damage. Demihumans are either Satyrs or Minospawns.


What you will do with your powers is up to you to decide, Olympunk! Watch out, it's full of ichor-thirsty monsters out there!


Hercules:That is very exciting! When will it be released?


Gilbert:Hopefully, this will be our new year's gift for all our fans! I'd like to seize this opportunity to thank them all for their support!

Hercules:An awesome way to greet the new year! There are also rumors of a Mythos LARP.

Gilbert: The LARP is a "newborn" expansion of the Mythos universe. A friend of mine created it and it's developing that part. I'm just overseeing the whole process.

Hercules:We would be honored to conduct separate Mythic Interviews on Olympus Inc and the Mythos LARP. Would you do us the honor of granting these requests?


Gilbert:Well, as soon as I come back from the Circean Boar Hunt I'll be happy to visit you all again! Is it OK for you?

Hercules: Excellent, we will schedule it then, at your earliest convenience. Thank you once again Gilbert! I greatly appreciate your granting us this interview, and wish the greatest success in all your Olympian endeavors.


Gilbert: Thank you O Mighty Hercules for your exquisite hospitality. I will leave into your custody my shield: crimson as the setting sun and white as Hera's arms embroidered with the crest of my hometown, Bari. Please accept it as my sincere gift for your great hospitality, Heracles son of Zeus. May the Gods be favorable to you. Farewell.

Hercules: This is a generous gift indeed Gilbert! I will treasure it always. Thank you and farewell my friend!

Athena then approaches, and places a wreath of living Olive from her Sacred Tree atop Gilbert's head. This is the greatest honor that we could bestow a-mortal born Shaper, one that truly knows that creativity is humanity's most divine gift.


The crowd applauds Gilbert, and he waves to them as he makes his way back to his celestial chariot. It is once again hitched to his fiery horses, who eagerly await him.

He steers them West, towards Helios and the Sunset Lands. Soon he has become one, in our eyes, with the tireless Titan charioteer.

Aside my throne: Tomes that will soon immerse me into the worlds of Mythos and beyond.

Onwards!

Mythic Gaming Interviews

Mount Olympus Presents:

Gilbert Gallo

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Larger Than Life Living in the World Today

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