Anchises, the Trojan Seer

“Meet Anchises: Mortal Lover of the Goddess Aphrodite and Father to a Hero!”

• Alias: None
• Gender: Male
• Race: Mortal (Human)
• Occupation: Shepherd and Father
• Religion: Reverence for the Divine, Particularly Aphrodite
• Allies: Aphrodite (Lover), Aeneas (Son)
• Enemies: None
• Abode/Base of Operations: Originally a Shepherd’s Hut in the Mountains of Dardania, Later in the Divine Realm
• Nationality: Trojans (Dardanians)
• Languages: Trojan, Greek
• Alignment: Neutral Good
• Affiliation(s): Mortal Realm, Divine Realm
• Significant Others: Aphrodite (Lover), Aeneas (Son)

Anchises, a mortal of humble origins, finds himself thrust into the realm of gods and heroes through an unexpected and passionate encounter with the goddess Aphrodite. Despite his simple upbringing, Anchises possesses a deep wisdom and love for the natural world, a quality that draws the attention of the divine.

As a Character: Anchises embodies the essence of an ordinary man who becomes entangled in extraordinary circumstances. His life, once centered around the pastoral beauty of his homeland, takes a dramatic turn when he becomes the lover of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Anchises is marked by his humility, an enduring virtue even in the presence of divine splendor. He is grounded, deeply rooted in the earth, and possesses a profound reverence for nature.

Fear: Anchises harbors a fear of losing touch with his mortal roots and the simple joys of life. He worries that the divine realm will consume him, robbing him of the ability to appreciate the beauty of the mortal world.

Motivation: Anchises’s actions are primarily driven by his love for Aphrodite and their shared son, Aeneas. He strives to fulfill his role as a father and provide guidance to Aeneas as he embarks on his epic journey, destined to become a legendary hero. Anchises desires to instill in his son the values of honor, duty, and respect for both the mortal and divine aspects of life.

Ambition: While Anchises may not possess grand ambitions in the traditional sense, his desire to ensure Aeneas’s success and the fulfillment of his destiny is his driving force. He aims to impart wisdom, knowledge, and a sense of purpose to his son, believing that Aeneas will play a pivotal role in the founding of a new city and civilization. In doing so, Anchises hopes to leave a lasting legacy through the achievements of his heroic offspring.

Anchises, the Trojan Seer

Medium humanoid (human), neutral

Armor Class 12 (robes) Hit Points 58 (13d8) Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	16 (+3)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)

Skills Insight +7, Religion +5 Senses passive Perception 14 Languages Common, Ancient Greek, Celestial Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Divine Insight. He has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks to predict the future or decipher prophetic visions.

Ancient Seer. He can cast the augury spell at will without expending a spell slot. Once per day, he can cast divination without using material components.

Keen Senses. He has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks.

Actions

Staff of Prophecy. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.

Guidance of Fate (Recharge 5-6). He imparts his wisdom to a willing creature within 60 feet of him, granting them advantage on their next attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. The target can choose to use this advantage after making the roll but before the outcome is determined.

Legendary Actions

Anchises can take 2 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. Anchises regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

• Prophecy (Costs 2 Actions). He imparts a fragment of future knowledge to a creature within 60 feet of him, granting them advantage on their next Wisdom saving throw. The creature can choose to use this advantage after making the saving throw but before the outcome is determined.
• Telepathic Guidance (Costs 3 Actions). He communicates telepathically with a willing creature within 120 feet of him. This communication allows them to share thoughts and information without speaking aloud.

Reactions

Vision of Fate. When Anchises or a creature within 30 feet of him is targeted by an attack or a spell that requires a Dexterity saving throw, he can use his reaction to grant advantage on the saving throw or impose disadvantage on the attack roll by briefly glimpsing into the future.

Equipment

Anchises typically carries a wooden staff, a shepherd’s robe, and a small pouch containing a few trinkets, including tokens of his faith and items symbolic of his role as a seer.

Lair Actions

Anchises’s lair is often found in secluded places with an altar to the gods, surrounded by symbols and offerings. When in his lair, Anchises can take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Anchises can take one lair action to cause one of the following magical effects:

• He can create an illusory vision of a potential future event, giving advantage on the next Wisdom saving throw to a creature within 60 feet of him.
• He can use telepathy to communicate a brief message or warning to a creature within 120 feet of him.
• He can cast clairvoyance without using material components, allowing him to see and hear a distant location.

Anchises’s lair actions can’t be used again until he finishes a short or long rest.

Currently in the World

Anchises is an elderly man with a weathered appearance, his skin bearing the wrinkles and lines that come with age. His hair, once dark, has now turned to silver, cascading down to his shoulders in untamed waves. He dons simple attire befitting his shepherd’s life – a tunic of earthy brown hues and a roughspun cloak that shields him from the mountain’s chill. A wooden staff is never far from his side, aiding him in navigating the rugged terrain.

Currently, Anchises can be found in his modest shepherd’s hut nestled high in the Dardanian mountains. The surroundings are serene, with panoramic views of rolling hills and valleys, a stark contrast to the chaotic world of Troy. His mood is contemplative, for he carries the wisdom of years and a profound sense of responsibility towards his lineage. Anchises finds solace in these mountains, where he raises his sheep and ponders the divine destiny that awaits his son, Aeneas.