Mythological Figures: Perseus (5E)

Mythological Figures: Perseus (5E) | EN World | Dungeons & Dragons | Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Not unsurprisingly, Perseus is one of Zeus’ offspring. His mother is Danaë, a woman prophecied to beget the usurper of the King of Argos (Acrisius) and locked away to no avail. Not quite willing to cross the gods directly, Acrisius casts mother and son out into the sea in a wooden chest. They survive and are taken in by the fisherman Dictys, himself the brother of the king of the island he lived on (a fellow named Polydectes).

This Polydectes guy takes a shine on Danaë but Perseus won’t have it—so he tricks him, requesting all the guests of an upcoming banquet to bring him horses to win the hand of Hippodamia. Perseus has no horses and says “name the gift” and in reply Polydectes chooses the head of Medusa (the only mortal gorgon; the mythological kind, not the metal bull). Athena (the Goddess of Wisdom) instructs Perseus to find the Nymphs of the West (the Hesperides) to acquire the weapons to kill her and to do that he first seeks out the Graeae, three sisters of the gorgon—these are the old women that share one eye between them that you’ll probably remember from the Hercules animated movie from the House of Maus. To get them to share this information Perseus steals their eye, holding it hostage until they tell him where to find the nymphs.

Once Perseus reaches Hera’s orchard he’s given a knapsack to hold Medusa’s head, an adamantine sword from Zeus (a sickle-ended blade called a harpe), the Cap of Invisibility from Hades, a polished shield from Athena, and loaned Herme’s talaria (the winged sandals). [Editorial Note: Ridiculous haul.] When he gets to Medusa’s cave she’s sleeping and using the reflection of the shield, he safely sneaks up on her and decapitates the gorgon in her sleep. Pegasus—that’s right, the winged horse Pegasus—springs from out of her headless body along with the golden sword Chrysaor. Two other gorgons chase after him but he escapes by using the helm from Hades, going to Mauretania and seeking refuge from King Atlas. He’s refused and so Perseus turns him to stone.

Next he stops at Seriphos Island where the local monarchy (King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia) have angered Poseidon by the queen’s claim that her daughter Andromeda is as beautiful as the Nereids (sea nymphs). The god of the sea sends the cetus (“fishlike, serpentine, with a long muzzle. Alternate depictions may include long ears, horns and legs instead of flippers”; it’s not hard to see why this sometimes gets replaced with the kraken) to terrorize them until the oracle of Ammon tells them to sacrifice Andromeda to the monster. Perseus slays the creature and takes her as his wife despite her betrothal to Phineus who (get ready for the refrain) gets turned to stone in a quarrel at the wedding.

Perseus returns home to find that his mother is being violently pursued by Polydectes so guess who gets turned to stone. Afterward he returns his magical goodies, the fisherman Dictys becomes king of the island., and Athena puts Medusa’s head onto Zeus’ shield. Somewhere around here, Perseus fulfills the oracle’s prophecy and kills King Acrisius but exactly how is disputed—my personal favorite is that while showing off his new game (quoit which is basically horseshoes) he accidentally hits the man with a piece of thrown metal, but some sources have it as a discus, and then there’s another where Perseus turns both his step-father and step-uncle to stone (of course).

There’s more to Perseus—he swaps rulership of kingdoms, frequently replaces Bellerophon as the tamer of Pegasus (yay myth), founds Mycenae, and is killed by Megapenthes in vengeance for the death of King Acrisius—but this is already overly long and he’s got a Wikipedia page.

Perseus
Medium humanoid (human), lawful good rogue (thief) 7/fighter (champion) 5

Armor Class 17 (leather, +1 shield)
Hit Points 83 (7d8+5d10+24)
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.

STR​	DEX​	CON​	INT​	WIS​	CHA​
11 (+0)​	16 (+3)​	15 (+2)​	14 (+2)​	10 (+0)​	14 (+2)​

Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +6
Skills Athletics +8, Perception +4, Persuasion +10, Sleight of Hand +7, Stealth +11; vehicle (water) +8
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Thieves’ Cant
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Background: Nautical. Perseus is able to acquire passage on a sailing ship for him and his allies free of charge. He has no control over the ship’s route, departure, or return, and although no coin is required he and his companions do have to help crew the vessel.

Action Surge (1/short rest). Once on his turn, Perseus can take an additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action.

Cunning Action (1/turn). Perseus can take a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, Hide, Use Object action, Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check, or to use thieves’ tools to disarm a trap or open a lock.

Evasion. When Perseus is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if he fails.

Feat: Fortune Points (3/long rest). Perseus can spend one fortune point to reroll an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, or to force an attacker to reroll an attack made against him.

Improved Critical. Perseus’ weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.

Magic Items. Perseus carries a reflective +1 shield, the Chrysaor (a golden vorpal shortsword), Hermes’ talaria (winged boots), and the helm of darkness from Hades (treat as a ring of invisibility).

Medusa’s Head. Perseus carries the severed head of Medusa in a knapsack and can use his Cunning Action to wield the monster’s Petrifying Gaze.

Petrifying Gaze. When a creature that can see the medusa’s eyes starts its turn within 30 ft. of the medusa’s head, makes a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is instantly petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails the save begins to turn to stone and is restrained. The restrained creature must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next turn, becoming petrified on a failure or ending the effect on a success. The petrification lasts until the creature is freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.​

Second-Story Work. Climbing does not costs Perseus extra movement. When he makes a running jump, the distance he covers increases by 3 feet.

Second Wind (1/short rest). On his turn, Perseus can use a bonus action to regain 1d10+5 hit points.

Sneak Attack (1/turn). Perseus deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage when he hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of Perseus that isn’t incapacitated and Perseus doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

ACTIONS

Extra Attack. Perseus can attack twice, instead of once, whenever he takes the Attack action on his turn.

Harpe (adamantine vorpal shortsword). Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (1d6+8) magical slashing damage that ignores resistances. When the creature has at least one head and Perseus rolls a 20 on the attack roll, he cuts off one of the creature’s heads. The creature dies if it can’t survive without the lost head. A creature is immune to this effect if it is immune to slashing damage, doesn’t have or need a head, has legendary actions, or the GM decides that the creature is too big for its head to be cut off with this weapon. Such a creature instead takes an extra 27 (6d8) slashing damage from the hit.

REACTIONS

Uncanny Dodge. When an attacker Perseus can see hits him with an attack, Perseus can use his reaction to halve the attack’s damage against him.

Perseus

Name Perseus
Human Half-celestial CR 21
XP 409600
Any Medium Humanoid (Outsider) Native Subtype
Paladin level 1 (skill points 60) Paladin
Bard level 5 (skill points 40) Bard
( Bard )
Init +1; Senses Darkvision 60; Perception +15

DEFENSE

AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+1 Dex, +1 Natural, +4 armour)
hp 144 (0d8+15d10+5d8+20+15);
Fort +19, Ref +18, Will +23 ; +4 bonus on saving throws made against bardic performance, as well as all sonic or language-dependent effects.
Damage reduction 10/magic, Immunity to Disease, Resist acid/cold/electricity 10, Resist Poison +4 save, Spell Resistance 11 + CR

OFFENSE

Speed 30ft., fly 60ft., Flight Can fly at twice land speed
Melee +3 Adamantine Vorpal Sickle +23/+18/+13/+8 (1d8+6/19-20)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks
Smite Evil 1/day add damage = HD
Aura of Justice at cost of 2 smites allow all allies within 10ft to gain smite evil with paladins bonus for 1 min
Divine Bond Summon a steed, or a bond with weapon – can stack bonus to existing weapon per day = 2
Divine Bond Weap (Standard action 1 minute/level) Weapon bonus for divine bond = + 4
Fascinate Can fascinate 1 creature + 1 every 3 levels
Smite Evil Add CHA bonus to hit, + 1/level to damage. Per day= 5
Smite Evil (Su) Once per day, a paladin can call out to the powers of good to aid her in her struggle against evil. As a swift action, the paladin chooses one target within sight to smite. If this target is evil, the paladin adds her Cha bonus (if any) to her attack rolls and adds her paladin level to all damage rolls made against the target of her smite. If the target of smite evil is an outsider with the evil subtype, an evil-aligned dragon, or an undead creature, the bonus to damage on the first successful attack increases to 2 points of damage per level the paladin possesses. Regardless of the target, smite evil attacks automatically bypass any DR the creature might possess.

In addition, while smite evil is in effect, the paladin gains a deflection bonus equal to her Charisma modifier (if any) to her AC against attacks made by the target of the smite. If the paladin targets a creature that is not evil, the smite is wasted with no effect.

The smite evil effect remains until the target of the smite is dead or the next time the paladin rests and regains her uses of this ability. At 4th level, and at every three levels thereafter, the paladin may smite evil one additional time per day, as indicated on Table: Paladin, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.

Spell-Like Abilities

Detect evil DC(18) , Pro. evil 3/day, Bless DC(19) , Aid DC(20) , Neutralize Poison DC(21) , Remove Disease DC(21) , Cure ser. wounds DC(22) , Holy smite DC(22) , Dispel evil DC(23) , Hallow DC(23) , Holy word DC(25) , Holy Aura 3/day DC(26) , Mass charm monster DC(26) , Resurrection DC(27) , Summon monster IX (celesttial only) DC(27) ,
Spells Known:
Paladin Spells: CL 15 Concentration 23Level 1 (5) DC 19: Bless, Bless Weapon, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Poison, Divine Favor, ; Level 2 (4) DC 20: Owls Wisdom, Shield Other, Wake of Light, Zone of Truth, ; Level 3 (4) DC 21: Cure Moderate Wounds, Discern Lies, Prayer, Remove Curse, ; Level 4 (3) DC 22: Dispel Evil, Holy Sword, Invoke Deity, ; Bard Spells: CL 5 Concentration 13Level 0 (4) DC 18: Daze, Ghost Sound, Lullaby, Message, Prestidigitation, Read Magic, ; Level 1 (6) DC 19: Alarm, Detect Secret Doors, Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, ; Level 2 (4) DC 20: Animal Messenger, Calm Emotions, ;

STATISTICS

Str 18, Dex 13, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 26
Base Atk +18; CMB +22; CMD 33
Feats Mercy – Dazed, Mercy – Paralyzed, Mercy – Poisoned, Mercy – Shaken, Mercy – Stunned, Armour Prof Heavy, Armour Prof Light, Armour Prof Medium, Cleave, Combat Casting, Extra Performance, Improved Critical, Martial Weap Prof, Mounted Combat, Point Blank Shot, Power Attack, Ride-by Attack, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Spirited Charge, Weapon Focus, Weapon Focus(Ranged);
Skills Acrobatics +12, Appraise +1, Bluff +8, Climb +2, Diplomacy +23, Disguise +8, Escape Artist +4, Handle Animal +8, Heal +11, Intimidate +8, Know History +6, Know Local +6, Know Nobility +5, Know Religion +16, Linguistics +5, Perception +15, Perform +20, Ride +16, Sense Motive +17, Sleight of Hand -1, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +11, Use Magic Device +8
Languages Common

ECOLOGY

Environment Any
Organization Company 10-20, Band 30-100, Squad 4-8
Treasure Standard

SPECIAL ABILITIES

ITEMS: +1 Breastplate, Elysian Bronze Light Armor DR 1/- against natural weapons or unarmed strikes of magical beasts and monstrous humanoids, Boots winged Fly 3/day for 5mins, Bag of holding (type IV) 1500lb, Potion of Invisibility -, Potion of Invisibility -, Potion of Invisibility -, +5 (+5 special ability) Shield, heavy steel, Reflecting : 1/day reflect a spell back at its caster like the spell turning spell., +3 (+5 special ability) Sickle, Adamantine Weapon : Bypass hardness when sundering weapons or attacking objects, ignoring hardness less than 20., Vorpal : Upon a roll of natural 20 (followed by confirmation roll), severs the opponents head,

Sickle of Adamante

Trojan War: Roleplaying in the Age of Homeric Adventure

A Mythic Vistas Sourcebook for the d20 System

Written by Aaron Rosenberg

Gaea gave this unbreakable +6 keen vorpal sickle to her son, the Titan Chronos, to castrate his father Uranus. Zeus later used it to fight the monster Typhon, and Hermes used it against Argus Panoptes. The last known use of the sickle was when Perseus borrowed it from Hermes to sever Medusa’s head. It has since vanished.

Strong transmutation; CL 36th; Weight 2 lb.

Kibisis

The kibisis is a magical pouch, or wallet, given to Perseus to hold the head of the Medusa. It has an extraordinary carrying capacity for its size. It uses extradimensional space to hold objects much large than it normally could. It can carry 250 lb. and up to 30 cu. ft.of gear. Any gear carried does not count towards the character’s  carrying capacity for the purpose of determining their current load.

Type: Wondrous item (magic); Caster Level: 9th; Purchase DC: 34; Weight: 2 lb.

Hades, Helmet of Darkness

Boots Winged

These boots were given to Perseus by Hermes to allow him quick travel.

Mirrored Shield

This shield was given to Perseus by Athena, so as to avoid looking into the deadly gaze of the Medusa. While it porvides no bonus to defense, the shield gives the user an immunity to gaze attacks, provided they hold the shield and nothing else in one hand. In addition, because of the mirrored outer surface of the shield, any gaze attack that would affect the user has a 50% chance of reflecting back to the creature from whence the gaze attack came. The creature must make a saving throw or suffers the effects of its own gaze attack, as normal.

Type: Armor (magic); Caster Level: 12th; Purchase DC: 50; Weight: 2 lb.

See also

• Pegasus
• Clash of the Titans