Harmonia

Palaestra, Eucleia, Eupheme, Euthenia, Euphrosyne, and Euphilo (Maternal Half-Sisters)
Aphroditus (Maternal Half-Sibling)
Priapus (Half-Brother)

### Weight

129 Libras

*Harmonia is portrayed as the third child of Ares and Aphrodite, though in some versions, she is the daughter of Aphrodite and Hephaestus. A few even have her as the daughter of Zeus and Electra. Following the revelation that she was actually the son of the god she believed to be her uncle, she grew tired of her family's drama and lived among mortals for a while before returning to her family. In Elysium, she splits her time between acting as a peacemaker amid her family's quarrels and visiting the mortal cities to unwind from the stress.*

## History

#### 473 Olympian Calendar - 480 OC

Harmonia was still a young godling when Eros was discovering his inheritance and realizing that he couldn't be Hephaestus' kid. When he shared his concerns with the god he had presumed was his father, Hephaestus caught Aphrodite and Ares in his adamant and orichalcum net, causing quite the scene in the throne room as he put the two on display. Harmonia was not present for this, but had heard of it through gossip.

Harmonia went home to find her father moving out of their family's residence in the Haven. She asked him why he was leaving and he explained that there was nothing to keep him there. Harmonia begged him to stay for her sake, but the hurt Hephaestus cruelly told her that he doubted she was his either before he closed the door between them.

#### 480 OC - 500 OC

When Harmonia told her mother what Hephaestus had said, Aphrodite confessed that Ares was most likely Harmonia's father. Aphrodite encouraged Harmonia to get to know her true father. To further facilitate that relationship-building, Aphrodite had Ares move in to her residence and fill the role of the god of the house in Hephaestus' absence.

Harmonia was not particularly excited by her new father figure. She tried to build a relationship with her father and as her inheritances came into effect and she discovered her talent for weaponry, she was further disgusted to be the daughter of the God of War.

Several times, Harmonia would find herself wandering to Hephaestus' forge. When he was not there, she would find herself lingering their and imagining his being there, teaching her how to craft armor or design clockwork contraptions. When the god was there, Harmonia would tell him her frustrations and beg him to come home. Hephaestus repeatedly refused to come home, saying he would need Aphrodite to invite him and not her daughter. Still, talking to Hephaestus did give Harmonia assurances that Ares deserved another chance as Hephaestus usually told her a story from his youth which allowed the goddess a chance to know a side of her father she would otherwise never know.

#### 500 OC - 1769 OC

Shortly after the celebration of Dionysus' ascension to the Twelve, Harmonia came to Hephaestus' forge to confess that she had grown tired of the politics in her family. Harmonia told Hephaetus she planned to run away from the Haven and sought his aid in doing so. Hephaestus agreed to help her if she promised to keep in touch with him. She agreed, saying she had never considered not remaining in contact with him.

Harmonia was gifted a beautiful necklace by Hephaestus. The jewelry was made of orichalcum endowed with an enchantment that would conceal her presence from all divine detection. Any who wore the necklace would even be outside the Fates' sight. With the necklace adorning her neck, Harmonia gave Hephaestus a hug and then fled to the mortal realm.

Harmonia spent several mortal lifetimes wandering the mortal world. She would visit Hephaestus once a year at secret locations where he would store Ambrosia and Nektar for her. During these exchanges, the two would talk and dine together, with Harmonia telling Hephaestus where she had been and where she planned to go next. Before leaving, the two would agree on where they would meet next and then part ways with a tearful embrace.

After more than a thousand years living out of the Haven, with Hephaestus keeping her secret despite Aphrodite's constant petitions of the Twelve's resources to find Harmonia, Harmonia met with Hephaestus and told him she had decided to settle down and marry a mortal.

Hephaestus was the only god in attendance of the wedding between Harmonia and her husband. After the marriage, Hephaestus would Harmonia and her husband on their modest estate twice a year until the death of Cadmus after twenty-six years of marriage. After the funeral, Harmonia asked Hephaestus to help her return to the Haven.

#### 1769 OC - 2000 OC

Harmonia's return to the Haven brought mother and daughter together, strengthening their relationship. Though Aphrodite was initially upset to learn Hephaestus had played a part in keeping Harmonia concealed from her, she eventually learned how much Hephaestus had looked after Harmonia all that time. Harmonia told her mother that Hephaestus was more of a father to her than Ares ever could be, resulting in Aphrodite going to see Hephaestus and asking him to move back in—eventually resulting in the births of Harmonia's half-sisters.

After Harmonia returned to the Haven, the Fates eventually learned about Harmonia's necklace's enchantment and took steps to counter it. When the enchantment of the necklace faded away, Harmonia kept wearing the jewelry. When people ask why she still wears it, she says "It was a gift from my father."

#### 2000 OC - 2969 OC

In the years before the Pantheon went full Roman, Harmonia built several relationships. She and Eirene became particularly close and eventually became constant travel companions and lovers. Harmonia also fostered a relationship with Proteus, having a daughter with him.

#### 2969 OC - Present

During the Romanization, the Convergence, and helping Ares build the Spartan Empire, Harmonia has built a stronger relationship with Ares, but she still considers Hephaestus to be her "father" as well. When she is not counseling divine relationships or helping oversee important political alliances and trade agreements, Harmonia is usually found in Thebes or Sparta, enjoying the nightlife or marketplaces.

## Role in NeOlympus

Appearances of Harmonia

 Abilities

* **Divine Physicality:** Though the exact levels may fluctuate or cease to function due to lack of Nektar and Ambrosia in his system, Harmonia has the following abilities while properly nourished:
	+ ***Enhanced Agility:*** The deity is more agile, coordinated, and dexterous than physique alone would otherwise suggest.
	+ ***Enhanced Awareness:*** The divine are more closely attuned to the esoteric, arcane, and mystical than mortals. They can perceive ghosts, unmanifested nymphs, and other passively invisible patterns at work in their environment.
	+ ***Enhanced Durability:*** The divine are more durable, resilient, and resistant than their physique would otherwise suggest. Mystical weaponry, magic, concentrated essence weaponry, the natural attacks of other gods or divine creatures, and weapons forged of magical metals such as adamantine or orichalcum are the exceptions to this nigh-invulnerability. Most mortal weaponry cannot pierce a deity's skin, though bladed attacks from incredibly strong mortals have left bruises or slight cuts on her and repeated blows can weaken a deity over time as their body burns through its consumed Ambrosia.
	+ ***Enhanced Might:*** A deity is stronger than their physique would otherwise suggest. They punch harder than a mule can kick. In conjunction with their enhanced durability, a deity can barehandedly punch through a brick and mortar wall without concern for harming their body.
	+ ***Enhanced Speed:*** A deity is faster, more reflexive, and all-around quicker than their physique would otherwise suggest. They can usually dodge gunfire if they are aware of the attack and prepared to move.
* **Inheritance and Birthright:** At the bare minimum, Gods of Olympus will inherit three abilities: One Inheritance from their mother (or matron), one Inheritance from their father (or patron), and one unique ability called the Birthright.
	+ **Maternal Endowment: Arete of Charisma:** As a daughter of Aphrodite, Harmonia is naturally charming and seductive. She has a passive influence over people's emotions and thoughts regarding her, inclining those in her presence to have stronger feelings toward her and any others that Harmonia chooses to discuss. This appears to have a diminished effect when dealing with her members of her own family.
	+ **Paternal Endowment: Arete of Conflict:** As a daughter of Ares, Harmonia has a natural aptitude for conflict. She has an innate aptitude for not only weaponry and combat but also debate and disagreement. Harmonia can recognize the presence and nature of any conflict or contention between any parties in her presence.
	+ **Personal Inheritance: The Ties That Bind:** Harmonia has the power to sense the emotions of other beings in her relative vicinity. She can also detect the presence of pain or anguish. With a touch, she can establish a stable esoteric link between herself and any individuals touched. This connection allows those affected to examine each other's memories, thoughts, or emotions in real-time as long as the contact with Harmonia persists. Any pain or anguish experienced by any connected individual is shared by the rest.
* **Doctrine**
	+ **Younger Goddess:** Harmonia is the natural born daughter of Aphrodite and Ares. She has also been endowed with a number of purviews, adding to her esoteric ability.
	+ **Goddess of Agreement:** Harmonia has the power to seal any agreement she is a witness to with esoteric protections and assurances. If the agreement has been violated by either party, Harmonia and all parties will know it. The violating party will also have a mystical fugue affecting their mind for a period of time proportional to the severity of the violation and the importance of the agreement. This fugue will make performing anything requiring coordination or concentration difficult, usually resulting in the violator's life being made considerably more difficult. If amends are made, the curse may be lifted. If the other party wishes it, a violation of a divinely enforced agreement is grounds to petition a member of the Quorum of the Six to issue appropriate punishment. It is worth noting that Tricksters can be party to these agreements, but the fugue and other punishments rarely (if ever) seem to affect them.
	+ **Goddess of Bliss:** Harmonia can give a mortal or divine being a blessing of bliss, filling their mind with overwhelming feelings of contentment. Though they can defend themselves if attacked, they will otherwise avoid violence and confrontation. Mortals are affected for up to a week, heroes for three days, and a divine being for a few hours but rarely more than a full day.
	+ **Goddess of Marital Harmony:** Harmonia can bless a marriage or long-term romantic relationship with the ability for the partners to become one mind for a period of time. The exact length of this blessing depends on the compatibility of the partners, with the blessing remaining in-effect until one of the partners simply wishes to end the effect. The blessing will, at the minimum, remain in effect for a full day. While the spell remains intact, both partners will have esoteric insight into the other's thoughts, memories, and emotions which grows more powerful with closer proximity. The blessing is stronger with relationships that are reinforced with marriage (particularly a marriage that was ordained by the Olympian Faith).
	+ **Goddess of Musical Harmony:** Harmonia can bless others with temporary musical ability. While the effect lasts, those blessed by Harmonia will be able to sing and perform together like a well-rehearsed choir or musical group with impressive synchronicity. Those with preexisting musical talent will become legendary performers but even those who could not carry a tune before will become competent musicians for a period of time. The benefits rehearsing that happens while this spell remains in effect will continue after the spell lapses. This spell usually lasts for a full week for mortals, three days for heroes, and a single day for the divine.
	+ **Goddess of Sexual Harmony:** Harmonia has the ability to psychically glean information and insight from her sexual partners. This ability also leaves her partners with tremendous psychic bliss and stress relief.
	+ **Patron of Thebes:** Harmonia has the ability to know the names, occupations, and age of any citizen or full-time resident of Thebes. She will also know the last time they performed a sacrifice or prayer and which deity they favor.
* **Essential Doctrine**
	+ **Cantrips**
		- **Essence Types:** *Varies by Sourced Environment* - A deity can absorb specific types of essence from their current environment. They can store this essence to engage in minor magical tricks at that time or at a later date. Essence not native to their current environment dissipates over time becoming less potent.
	+ **Spells**
		- **Essence Types:** *Conflict, Love, Sex, War* - If the deity has a greater affinity for a particular type of essence, they can accomplish more significant effects related to that essence type. Such essence does not dissipate when stored in their ichor.
	+ **Invocations**
		- **Essence Types:** *Unity* - If their deity has a mastery over a particular essence, then they can wield that particular type of essence to achieve legendary feats of essence manipulation. Such essence does not need to be sourced from the environment as they has become a source for this essence himself.
* **Theological Relics**
	+ **Necklace of Harmony:** Originally created by Hephaestus for the purpose of concealing Harmonia's presence, the necklace has been re-enchanted with a mild protection spell, which causes the first violent action intended for Harmonia to fail as the necklace emits a single counterspell that discharges its enchantment in a mild explosive pulse to buy Harmonia a chance to flee. If the necklace's protection spell has been triggered, Hephaestus and all of Harmonia's immediate relatives by ichor (father, mother, siblings, and grandparents) will detect it as well as being informed of her location.

### Weaknesses

* **Adamant:** All gods find adamant to be concerning as injuries caused by such weaponry not only ignore their divine resilience, but also leave injuries that do not easily heal. Such weaponry poison the god's own ichor. Even baring an adamantine weapon against a god is considered a mortal sin punishable by death.
* **Ambrosia:** Ambrosia is processed by the immortal body to heal injuries and prevent aging.
* **Nektar:** Generally speaking, Nektar is processed by an immortal body and converted into ichor which is required for replenishing ichor and channeling essence.
* **Nourishment:** A deity does require some level of mundane food and drink, though a diet strictly made of Nektar and Ambrosia can sustain them (though they may become increasingly disconnected and 'inhuman' as a result).

## Trivia

### General

* *Clio's Clarifications:* The mortal she married was a descendant of the hero Cadmus and had been named after this same hero. Some claim that Harmonia married the original hero Cadmus, but that is chronologically impossible. It appears Harmonia's husband being "Cadmus the Wine Merchant" was not as exciting as being "Cadmus the Hero, Founder of Thebes" so the story was made more exciting in later tales (which also made Harmonia's necklace a cursed object).