Triptolemus

*Triptolemus is the son of Demeter and Poseidon, conceived on the night of Poseidon's own wedding to Amphitrite. Triptolemus' existence was seen as a strain on the relationship between gods and nymphs, and so as he grew older, he stayed clear of relationships with either and instead lived among mortals, especially once the Titans had been defeated and the scattered tribes of man slowly began to form true civilizations that needed to bolster their agricultural knowledge to supply such populations. Triptolemus was born a godling but became a folk hero through song and legend. When he ascended to godhood to assist his mother, he quickly became a revered figure in Demeter's dedicated cult and began working closely with the goddess Eleusis, and it was with her that Triptolemus sowed interest and romance would bloom, with the two settling down together to marry and create a family.*

 Divine Lore

### 101 Years Before the Titanomachy - 100 Years Before the Titanomachy

In the timeless expanse of eternity, where gods and men have danced the ballet of destiny and desire, I, Clio, bear witness to the stories that paint the cosmos. Some tales are written in the stars, while others are whispered amidst the grass and grains of Earth. Such is the tale of passion and power, a night when the earth shook and the oceans roared, heralding the birth of Triptolemus.

The world was on the precipice of change. Titans and gods, the mighty forces of old and new, were soon to be locked in a celestial clash, threatening to rend the very fabric of existence. Among the gods, alliances were being formed, bonds of loyalty and strategy. One such bond was to be the union of Poseidon, the Titans' former Lord of the Seas, and Amphitrite, a sea nymph of unparalleled beauty, grace, and wisdom. Their wedding was not just a celebration of love, but a beacon of unity, an emblem of the alliance between sea nymphs and the gods against the looming might of the Titans.

Yet, amidst this wedding's spectacle, a heart, ancient and profound, ached with longing. Demeter, the Titans' mistress of harvest and fertility, harbored a deep love for Poseidon. Their past encounters, though fleeting, had left an indelible mark on her soul. As she was raised by nymphs long ago, Demeter had no taste for marriage. While she could not believe Amphitrite, the Okeanid of the Sea Nymphs, could have even entertained the thought of such a union, the idea that Poseidon would bind himself to another in a ritual of promised fidelity was a torment that Demeter could not bear.

On the eve of the great wedding, Demeter was driven by an irresistible urge when she approached Poseidon. Cloaked in the guise of needing counsel, she beckoned him away from the revelry, leading him to a secluded field where Demeter would care for her crops and where her essence would be in greater alignment. There, under the vast canopy of the night, amidst the golden grains, their gazes met—a tapestry of unspoken words, memories, and suppressed desires.

What was suggested to be a simple conversation was overtaken by passion. The Earth and Sea, represented in their very beings, converged in a fervent embrace. The ground trembled, waves crashed on distant shores, and the universe held its breath as Poseidon and Demeter, forgetting alliances and obligations, found solace in each other's arms.

From this union, under the blanket of night and amidst the whispers of the crops, a godling was conceived. Still, after this tryst, Poseidon and Amphitrite's wedding did proceed, sealing the alliance that played a crucial role in the battles to come. But when Demeter showed signs of pregnancy, this alliance would be tested...

### 100 Years Before the Titanomachy OC - 387 OC

Born of a clandestine union between Demeter, the Earth Mother, and Poseidon, the Ocean's Ruler, Triptolemus' very existence was a testament to the unfathomable depths of passion. Yet, his birth, occurring on the night of Poseidon's wedlock to Amphitrite, was a bittersweet reminder of complexities that even gods cannot escape. This delicate circumstance placed him at the nexus of divine politics and emotions, making him a symbol of the delicate balance between gods and nymphs.

Growing amidst such celestial tension, Triptolemus, ever the wise soul, chose a path less trodden. Instead of getting embroiled in divine intrigues, he descended to the realm of mortals. As the Titans were vanquished and the age of gods dawned in full splendor, the fledgling tribes of humanity stood at a crossroads. Here, Triptolemus found his true calling.

With grains in his hand and wisdom in his heart, he traveled across lands, teaching mortals the sacred arts of agriculture, much like his mother had done when she served the Titans. As cities rose and civilizations bloomed, Triptolemus became an anchor, ensuring that their foundations were nurtured by bountiful harvests. From a godling overshadowed by celestial complexities, he metamorphosed into a folk hero. Bards sang his praises, and tales of his deeds echoed in every hearth, immortalizing him in legend and song.

Yet, destiny had another chapter awaiting him. As his influence grew, he ascended once more, this time by his own merit, to assist his mother, Demeter, as a true and proper god. His return to the divine realm was met with joy and reverence, especially among Demeter's dedicated cult. His teachings, his sacrifices, and his love for both mortals and the earth made him a figure of adoration.

But it was in the divine realms that his heart would once again find its match. Eleusis, a goddess radiant in her own right, became the compass of his affections. Together, they weaved a tale of love and understanding. Their bond was a symphony of shared ideals and mutual respect. With time, Triptolemus and Eleusis chose to unite, not just in purpose but in life, marrying and thus planting the seeds for a family that symbolized harmony and growth.

### 387 OC - 2969 OC

Shortly after the birth of his younger siblings, Despoina and Arion, Triptolemus and Eleusis began to consider expanding their legacy. A short time after, Eleusis birthed Epione, a daughter that cared little for her mother's mysterious ways and had little skill for farming, though still cared to help. Epione's brother Ceryx was similar in his desires of wishing to cook rather than grow food, so Triptolemus sought out the aid of Eleusis' father, Hermes, in finding a place where his children could learn a trade that would benefit the pantheon.

Hermes convinced Iris to take Epione on as an apprentice, but the young godling would soon be poached by Hera to perform more menial and domestic tasks as part of the Queen's retinue of attendants. Meanwhile, Hermes took a more active role in guiding Ceryx, taking the godling on as an apprentice before installing the godling among the Athenian royal family to act as their liaison to the gods.

The children of Triptolemus would have to find their own way, and their journeys took them on much different paths than they intended, but through all of it, they enjoyed the support of their father Triptolemus, who while a dedicated tenderer of crops and a ceaselessly working farmer was always prepared to drop his pitchfork at a moment's notice to assist his family — the living embodiment of the Omphalos' scripture that my sister Polymnia has professed was penned by Eleusis herself to describe her husband: *For in the fertile grounds of one's heart, the greatest crops one can sow and nurture are their children. They are the true legacy, the eternal harvest that transcends time.*

## Role in NeOlympus

Appearances of Triptolemus

 Abilities

### Ichoric Doctrine

* **Divine Physicality:** Deities possess the following abilities, though the exact levels may fluctuate or cease to function due to lack of Nektar and Ambrosia in their system. Generally speaking, Nektar is processed by the deity's body and converted into ichor which is required for replenishing lost ichor due to injury and channeling essence; while Ambrosia is processed by the body to heal injuries and sustain immortality. Deities do 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).
	+ ***Enhanced Agility:*** Deities are more agile, coordinated, and dexterous than their physique alone may otherwise suggest.
	+ ***Enhanced Awareness:*** Deities 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 the environment.
	+ ***Enhanced Durability:*** Deities are more durable, resilient, and resistant than their physique alone may 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 divine flesh, though bladed attacks from incredibly strong mortals have left bruises or slight cuts on them and repeated blows can weaken them over time as their body burns through its consumed Ambrosia.
	+ ***Enhanced Might:*** Deities are stronger than their physique would otherwise suggest. Their punches are often dealt harder than a mule can kick. In conjunction with their enhanced durability, most deities can barehandedly punch through a brick and mortar wall without concern for harming their body.
	+ ***Enhanced Speed:*** Deities are faster, more reflexive, and all-around quicker than their physique would otherwise suggest. They can usually dodge arrows or even gunfire if they are aware of the attack and prepared to move.

### Inheritance and Birthright

* **Inheritance and Birthright:** 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 Inheritance: Fertility Affinity:***  As a son of Demeter, Triptolemus has the power to use essence to enrich matter and thereby restore its vigor. With this ability, he can instantly heal minor ailments, cure impotence or infertility overtime, and get an overall sense of the general health of all beings in his locality. As this derives from Demeter, Triptolemus also inherited a rather insatiable libido.
	+ ***Paternal Inheritance: Entropic Affinity:*** As a son of Poseidon, Tripolemus has an affinity for destruction and disasters, both natural and otherwise. Using this, he can unleash vast amounts of entropy into his environment, causing systems to break down and bring disaster upon the area. As ruin also brings an opportunity to start anew, Tripolemus also has an affinity for creating new things.
	+ ***Personal Birthright: Agricultural Affinity:*** Triptolemus can sense the agricultural needs of a community he is in. He can also temporarily bestow insightful knowledge of agriculture to a mortal mind through touch.

### Theological Relics

* **Serraphel:** The Serraphel is a majestic pitchfork, forged from an ethereal green adamant that pulses with a luminous glow reminiscent of verdant meadows. Intricately wrapped around its sturdy shaft, a band of green adamant wire, akin to delicate tendrils of a vine, weaves a dance of nature and magic. The prongs, perfectly tapered, evoke both elegance and authority. Born from the divine craftsmanship of Hephaestus to celebrate Triptolemus' wedding to Eleusis, the Serraphel is not merely a tool but a relic of immense power. It boasts the ability to rejuvenate barren lands and command the elements to nourish the earth. It stands as a divine symbol of Triptolemus' dominion over agriculture, this artifact stands as a bridge between the terrestrial and the celestial.