Pelops, Cursed Hero

“From divine favor to mortal strife: the legendary tale of Pelops, conqueror of Pisa and bearer of a cursed lineage!”

• Alias: None
• Gender: Male
• Race: Human
• Occupation: King
• Religion: Worshipper of the Hellenic Pantheon
• Allies: Poseidon (through divine favor), Hippodamia (wife), Various sons and daughters
• Enemies: Myrtilus (former charioteer, betrayed by Pelops), The gods (initially, due to his father’s actions)
• Abode/Base of Operations: Originally Mount Sipylus in Anatolia, later Pisa or Olympia in Greece
• Nationality: Phrygian/Greek
• Languages: Ancient Phrygian, Ancient Greek

• Alignment: Neutral, leaning towards Chaotic Neutral due to his manipulative nature
• Affiliation(s): Kingdom of Pisa/Olympia, Greek aristocracy
• Significant Others Hippodamia (wife), Sons and daughters, including Atreus, Thyestes, and Chrysippus

Pelops, son of Tantalus and Dione, hailed from Phrygia but journeyed to Greece where he rose to prominence through cunning, divine favor, and tragic ambition.

Life Story: Born to Tantalus, a king of Mount Sipylus, his life was steeped in both divine favor and familial tragedy. Tantalus, seeking to test the gods, served his son’s flesh in a feast to them. Yet, Pelops was resurrected by the gods, albeit with an ivory shoulder, after Demeter, grieving her abducted daughter Persephone, unknowingly consumed part of his body. Reborn, Pelops became a paragon of beauty and skill, captivating Poseidon’s heart and mastering the art of charioteering.

His ambition led him to pursue Hippodamia, daughter of King Oenomaus of Pisa, despite the king’s deadly chariot race for her hand. Seeking divine aid, Pelops invoked Poseidon, who granted him a winged chariot. With cunning and bribery, Pelops won the race, defeating Oenomaus and securing his bride.

However, his ambition and actions were tainted by betrayal. He promised his charioteer, Myrtilus, half his kingdom and Hippodamia’s first night if he sabotaged Oenomaus’ chariot. After winning, Pelops reneged on his promise and threw Myrtilus into the sea, cursing his lineage in the process.

Pelops’ reign was marked by further tragedy, including the deaths of his sons Atreus and Thyestes, who killed their brother Chrysippus, and his wife Hippodamia’s suicide. Despite his victories and conquests, Pelops was haunted by the curse that plagued his family.

Achievements:

• Conquered the kingdom of Pisa and won Hippodamia’s hand in marriage.
• Mastered the divine chariot with the aid of Poseidon.
• Controlled the entire Peloponnesos, earning the name of the region.
• His bones were brought to Troy by the Greeks during the Trojan War, based on a prophecy.

Character Description: Pelops was driven by ambition and a desire for power and prestige. He was cunning and resourceful, willing to resort to betrayal and manipulation to achieve his goals. Despite his divine favor and victories, Pelops was haunted by the curse brought upon his family by his actions, leading to a tragic cycle of betrayal and death.

Fear and Motivation: Pelops feared the repercussions of his actions and the curse that plagued his family. His ambition drove him to pursue power and conquest, but ultimately, his greatest desire was to break free from the curse and secure a legacy that would endure beyond the tragedies of his life.

Pelops, Cursed Hero

Medium humanoid (human), Chaotic Neutral

Armor Class 17 (breastplate)

Hit Points 150 (20d8 + 60)

Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)

Saving Throws Str +8, Con +7

Skills Athletics +8, History +5, Intimidation +8

Senses passive Perception 12

Languages Common, Ancient Greek

Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Cursed Existence. Pelops is cursed by the vengeful spirit of Myrtilus, causing him to suffer disadvantage on all saving throws against effects that would curse, hex, or afflict him with supernatural maladies.

Divine Fury. When he hits with a melee weapon attack, he deals an extra 2d6 radiant damage.

Actions

Multiattack. He makes two melee attacks.

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.

Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.

Leadership (Recharge 5-6). For 1 minute, Pelops can utter a special command or warning whenever a nonhostile creature that he can see within 30 feet of him makes an attack roll or a saving throw. The creature can add a d4 to its roll provided it can hear and understand Pelops. A creature can benefit from only one Leadership die at a time. This effect ends if Pelops is incapacitated.

Legendary Actions

Pelops can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Pelops regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

• Attack. He makes one melee attack.
• Command. He uses his Leadership action.
• Defensive Stance (Costs 2 Actions). He gains resistance to all damage until the start of his next turn.

Equipment: Breastplate, shortsword, javelins

Description:

Pelops stands tall and imposing, wearing ancient Greek armor that bears the scars of countless battles. Despite his noble bearing, there is a haunted look in his eyes, a testament to the curse that plagues him.

In battle, he fights with unmatched skill and determination, wielding his shortsword with deadly precision. His javelins fly true, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies as they pierce through armor and flesh alike.

Yet, beneath his prowess lies a deep-seated fear, for Pelops knows that he is cursed, doomed to suffer the wrath of Myrtilus for eternity. Despite this, he fights on, driven by a desire to redeem himself and free his soul from the shackles of his cursed existence.

As a hero of ancient Greece, Pelops is a figure of legend, his name synonymous with courage and sacrifice. Though cursed, he remains a beacon of hope for those who fight by his side, inspiring them to stand strong against the forces of darkness.