Paris

Paris was the child of Priam and Hecuba just before his birth, his mother dreamed that she gave birth to a flaming torch. This dream was interpreted by the seer Aesacus as a foretelling of the downfall of Troy, and he declared that the child would be the ruin of his homeland.

• Gender – Male
• Race – Human
• Occupation – Prince
• Religion – Hellenic Pantheon 
• Allies – 
• Enemies – 
• Abode/ Base of operations – Troy
• Nationality – Trojan
• Affiliation (s) –
• Significant others – 

On the day of Paris’ birth it was further announced by Aesacus that the child born of a royal Trojan that day would have to be killed to spare the kingdom, being the child that would bring about the prophecy. Though Paris was indeed born before that nightfall, he was spared by Priam, and Hecuba too was unable to kill the child even despite the urging of the priestess of Apollo, one Herophile. Instead, Paris’ father prevailed upon his chief herdsman, Agelaus, to remove the child and kill him. The herdsman, unable to use a weapon against the infant, left him exposed on Mount Ida, hoping he would perish there; he was, however, suckled by a she-bear. Returning after five days, Agelaus was astonished to find the child still alive, and brought him home to rear as his own. He returned to Priam bearing a dog’s tongue as evidence of the deed’s completion.

Paris’ noble birth was betrayed by his outstanding beauty and Intelligence, while still a child he routed a gang of cattle-thieves and restored the animals they had stolen to the herd. It was at this time that Paris became the lover of Oenone.

Paris’ chief distraction at this time was to pit Agelaus’ bulls against one another. One bull began to win these bouts consistently, and Paris began to set it against rival herdsmen’s own prize bulls; it defeated them all. Finally Paris offered a golden crown to any bull that could defeat his champion. Ares responded to this challenge by transforming himself into a bull and easily winning the contest. Paris gave the crown to Ares without hesitation.

Zeus held a banquet in celebration of the marriage of Peleus and Thetis. However, Eris, goddess of discord, was uninvited. Angered by this snub, Eris arrived at the celebration, where she threw a golden apple (the Apple of Discord) into the proceedings, upon which was the inscription (“for the fairest one”).

Three goddesses claimed the apple: Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera. They asked Zeus to judge which of them was fairest, and eventually Zeus, reluctant to favor any claim himself, declared that Paris, a Phrygian mortal, would judge their cases, for he had recently shown his exemplary fairness in a contest in which Ares in bull form had bested Paris’s own prize bull and the shepherd-prince had unhesitatingly awarded the prize to the god.

Thus it happened that with Hermes as their guide all three of the candidates appeared to Paris on Mount Ida. After bathing in the spring of Ida, each attempted with her powers to bribe Paris; Hera offered to make him king of Europe and Asia, Athena offered Wisdom and skill in war, and Aphrodite, offered the love of the world’s most beautiful woman. This was Helen of Sparta, wife of king Menelaus. Paris accepted Aphrodite‘s gift and awarded the apple to her.

He went to Sparta and was welcomed by Menelaus. Paris answered the hospitality by taking his wife Helen with him back to Troy. This led to the Trojan war, as well as the enmity of the Greeks and especially of Hera. The Greeks’ expedition to retrieve Helen from Paris in Troy is the basis of the Trojan War.

In a duel between him and Menelaus, he is narrowly saved by Aphrodite. His only claim to glory is killing Achilles with a poisoned arrow, which is guided to Achilles‘ vulnerable heel by Paris’ good aim.

Late in the Trojan War, Paris was killed by Philoctetes. After Paris died, his brother, Deiphobus, married Helen until he was killed by Menelaus, who then took his wife back to Sparta.

Trojan War: Roleplaying in the Age of Homeric Adventure

A Mythic Vistas Sourcebook for the d20 System

Written by Aaron Rosenberg

Paris is a prince of Troy, and Hector’s brother. He is extremely handsome, with dark curls and large dark eyes, and he can be very charming. In battle gear, Paris looks like an excellent warrior, but he has no real skill at warfare, and is a coward, preferring to hide behind his brother and the other warriors. Paris is an excellent archer, however. He is at least partially to blame for the Trojan War, since his abduction of Helen was the initial cause of the conflict, and his refusal to return her prevented a peaceful solution. The women of Troy admire
Paris, but most of the men dislike. His only real allies are his mother Hecuba and the goddess Aphrodite.

Paris
Male human Bard 6/Orator 6
Medium humanoid
Hit Dice	6d6+6 plus 6d6+6; hp 54;
Initiative	+4;
Speed	25 ft.
Armor Class	27, touch 14, flat-footed 23
Base Attack/Grapple	+7 /+8
Attack	+8 melee (1d8+1, throwing spear) or +13 ranged (1d8+3/x3, +2 composite [+1] longbow)
Full Attack	+8/+3 melee (1d8+1, throwing spear) or +11/+11/+6 ranged (1d8+3/x3, +2 composite [+1] longbow);
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	lull, spells, suggest, suggestion, taunt
Special Qualities	bardic music, bardic knowledge, captive audience, charmer, countersong, fascinate, glib, improved charmer, inspire competence, inspire courage +1
Saves	Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +10;
Abilities	Strength 13, Dexterity 18, Constitution 12, Intelligence 12, Wisdom 10, Charisma 18.
Skills	Appraise +16, Bluff +19 (+23 against an audience, +27 against commoners), Decipher Omen +15, Diplomacy +25 (+29 against an audience, +33 against commoners), Disguise +4 (+6 acting, +10 against an audience, +14 against commoners), Drive +13, Intimidate +19 (+23 against an audience, +27 against commoners), Perform (oratory) +19 (+23 against an audience, +27 against commoners), Sense Motive +15;
Feats	Distinctive*, Noble*, Pampered*, Persuasive, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot.
Environment	–
Organization	–
Challenge Rating	12
Treasure	–
Alignment	Chaotic Neutral

Bardic Spells Known (Cast per Day 3/4/3; save DC 14 + spell level):

• 0 – Giggle, Know Direction, Lullaby, Message, Prestidigitation, Song of Serenity;
• 1st – Allure, Disguise Self, Honoring the Host, Silver Tongue;
• 2nd – Beguile, Eagle’s Splendor, Whispering Wind.

Possessions: masterwork burnished layered bronze cuirass, burnished layered tin greaves, burnished layered bronze helmet, burnished layered round bronze shield, +2 composite [+1] longbow, 20 arrows, 3 throwing spears.