Orestes, Avenger of Agamemnon

“Betrayal, Vengeance, and Divine Justice: The Gripping Tale of Orestes, the Matricidal Hero!”

• Alias: None known.
• Gender: Male.
• Race: Human.
• Occupation: Avenger, Prince.
• Religion: Worshipper of the Hellenic Pantheon, particularly devoted to Apollo.
• Allies: Apollo, Electra (his sister), Pylades (his loyal friend).
• Enemies: Clytemnestra (his mother), Aegisthus (Clytemnestra’s lover), the Furies.
• Abode/Base of Operations: Wanderer – Orestes roamed from place to place in his quest for vengeance and redemption.
• Nationality: Greek.
• Languages: Ancient Greek.
• Alignment: Chaotic Good.
• Affiliation(s): Devotee of Apollo, associated with his sister Electra, sought guidance from the Oracle of Delphi.
• Significant Others: Electra (sister), Pylades (loyal friend and companion).

Orestes, the tormented hero of Greek mythology, stands at the crossroads of fate, driven by a tragic past and a quest for justice. As the son of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra, he was destined for a life of turmoil and bloodshed. Witnessing the brutal murder of his father at the hands of his own mother and her lover, Aegisthus, Orestes was left scarred with grief and a burning desire for retribution.

Haunted by the Furies, vengeful spirits sent by the gods to torment those who shed kindred blood, Orestes embarks on a harrowing journey to avenge his father’s death. Driven by a divine command from Apollo, he sets out to exact justice on his mother and her lover, despite the moral turmoil that plagues his soul. Orestes wrestles with the weight of duty and the consequences of his actions, torn between his loyalty to his family and the pursuit of righteousness.

Fueled by the prophetic guidance of Apollo and urged on by his sister, Electra, Orestes navigates a treacherous path, where betrayal and manipulation await at every turn. The specter of his father’s murder looms over him, and the relentless pursuit of the Furies hounds his every step. In the face of such adversity, Orestes remains steadfast, seeking to break the cycle of violence that has cursed his family.

As he ventures into the heart of darkness, Orestes grapples with his own sanity, questioning the very nature of justice and the will of the gods. His journey becomes a quest not only for vengeance but for redemption, seeking absolution for the heinous act he must commit. In a world where the boundaries of right and wrong blur, Orestes must confront the complexities of human nature and the ever-watchful gaze of the divine.

In this epic tale of passion, betrayal, and divine intervention, Orestes faces a fate that intertwines with the very fabric of destiny itself. Through his actions, he seeks to restore honor to his family name, find solace for his tortured soul, and break free from the inescapable web of tragedy that ensnares him. Will he emerge as a champion of justice, or will the haunting echoes of his past consume him in a maelstrom of darkness and despair? Only time will reveal the true legacy of Orestes, the matricidal hero of Greek myth.

Orestes, Avenger of Agamemnon

Medium humanoid (human), neutral

Armor Class 17 (breastplate)

Hit Points 135 (18d8 + 54)

Speed 30 ft.

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

Saving Throws Str +7, Dex +6, Wis +6

Skills Athletics +7, Insight +6, Perception +6, Persuasion +7

Senses passive Perception 16

Languages Common, Ancient Greek

Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

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Actions

Multiattack. Orestes makes three melee attacks or two ranged attacks.

Shortsword of Retribution. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.

Bow of Apollo. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.

Shield Bash. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Divine Smite (Recharge 5-6). When Orestes hits a creature with a melee weapon attack, he can choose to expend a spell slot to deal an extra 3d8 radiant damage to the target. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 1st.

Reactions

Parry. When he is hit by a melee attack, he can use his reaction to add 3 to his AC against that attack, potentially causing the attack to miss.

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Legendary Actions

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

• Move. he moves up to half his speed.
• Quick Strike. he makes one shortsword of retribution attack.
• Divine Inspiration (Costs 2 Actions). Orestes grants one ally within 30 feet an additional saving throw or attack roll. The ally gains a bonus equal to Orestes’ Charisma modifier (+3).

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Equipment

• Shortsword of Retribution – A finely crafted shortsword that seems to emit a faint glow, dealing additional radiant damage on each hit.
• Bow of Apollo – An exquisite bow that can fire arrows infused with the power of the sun, granting it additional range and damage.
• Breastplate – A durable breastplate providing excellent protection while maintaining mobility.
• Shield – A sturdy shield that allows Orestes to fend off enemy attacks.

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Orestes, the avenger of Agamemnon, stands tall with an aura of determination surrounding him. His muscular build and piercing eyes reflect the weight of his quest for vengeance. Clad in a breastplate and wielding a gleaming shortsword, he exudes an air of heroic resolve. Orestes is currently in a dimly lit ancient temple, dedicated to the gods, seeking guidance in his quest for justice. His mood is one of focused determination, driven by the burden of his past and the promise he made to Apollo to avenge his father’s murder.

Note: The above stat block is a homebrew adaptation of Orestes as a character for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, drawing inspiration from his mythological persona. The CR level is set at 10 to reflect Orestes’ heroic abilities and proficiency in combat.

Currently in the World

Physical Description: Orestes is a tall and well-built man, with a strong and athletic physique befitting a prince and warrior. His striking features display the hardships he has endured, marked by a mix of determination and sorrow etched into his expressive eyes. His raven-black hair is unkempt, a testament to his troubled state of mind, and his face bears the weight of his tumultuous journey. Dressed in tattered yet dignified clothing, Orestes carries himself with a sense of purpose despite his weary appearance.

Current Situation: Orestes is found standing amidst the ancient ruins of a once-grand palace, the remnants of his family’s former glory. Gripping tightly onto a sword, the heirloom of his father Agamemnon, he is driven by a singular mission – to avenge the murder of his father by his treacherous mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. The surrounding landscape echoes his inner turmoil, with dark storm clouds overhead mirroring the turmoil in his heart.

Mood: Determined and haunted, Orestes is fueled by a mixture of grief, anger, and the relentless pursuit of justice. The burden of matricide weighs heavily on his conscience, and the incessant whispers of the Furies haunt his mind. Yet, his devotion to Apollo’s prophecy gives him a flicker of hope, guiding him towards a path of redemption and freedom from the torment that plagues him.

In Myth

Orestes, part of the doomed house of Atreus which is directly related to Tantalus and Niobe, was absent from Mycenae when his father returned from the Trojan War and was murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra with an axe. Eight years later, Orestes returned from Athens and with his sister Elektra, avenged his father’s death by slaying his mother. Orestes was saved by his nurse Arsinoe or his sister Electra, who conveyed him out of the country when Clytemnestra wished to kill him. He escaped to Phanote on Mount Parnassus, where King Strophius took charge of him.

In his twentieth year, he was ordered by the Delphic oracle to return home and avenge his father’s death. He returned home along with his friend Pylades, Strophius’s son. He met his sister Electra before the tomb of Agamemnon, where both had gone to perform rites to the dead; a recognition takes place, and they arrange how Orestes shall accomplish his revenge.

Orestes goes mad after the deed and is pursued by the Erinyes, whose duty it is to punish any violation of the ties of family piety. He takes refuge in the temple at Delphi; but, even though Apollo had ordered him to do the deed, he is powerless to protect Orestes from the consequences. At last Athena receives him on the acropolis of Athens and arranges a formal trial of the case before twelve Attic judges.

The erinyes demand their victim; he pleads the orders of Apollo; the votes of the judges are equally divided, and Athena gives her casting vote for acquittal. The erinyes are propitiated by a new ritual, in which they are worshipped as Eumenides, and Orestes dedicates an altar to Athena.

In order to escape the persecutions of the erinyes, Orestes was ordered by Apollo to go to Tauris, carry off the statue of Artemis which had fallen from heaven, and to bring it to Athens. He went to Tauris with Pylades, and the pair are at once imprisoned by the people, among whom the custom was to sacrifice all Greek strangers to Artemis. The priestess of Artemis, whose duty it was to perform the sacrifice, was Orestes’ sister Iphigenia.

She offered to release him if he would carry home a letter from her to Greece; he refused to go, but bids Pylades to take the letter while he himself stayed and was slain. After a conflict of mutual affection, Pylades at last yielded, but the letter brought about a recognition between brother and sister, and all three escaped together, carrying with them the image of Artemis. After his return to Greece, Orestes took possession of his father’s kingdom of Mycenae (killing Aegisthus’ son, Alete), to which were added Argos and Laconia.