Apollo (U432)

Apollo was the Olympian pantheon of the sun and light, music and poetry, healing and plagues, prophecy and knowledge, order and beauty, archery and agriculture. An embodiment of the Hellenic ideal of kalokagathia, he is harmony, reason and moderation personified, a perfect blend of physical superiority and moral virtue

His skin was charred due to his flaming chariot and flight toward the sun, and he often took insult to anyone who compared him to nubians. Apollo is often seen holding an orb, representing his symbolic tie with the sun.

Since birth, Apollo has initiate the beginning of day by pulling a sun-like orb on his chariot.

## History

### Hercules

Apollo attended his brother Hercules' gathering as an infant. In his typical nature, he was late to the party because he was too focused on a new eight piece song he was composing. Apollo spoke to Poseidon and Demeter after Athena walked away from the group. Apollo's jokes were especially funny to Demeter, who looked at Apollo with motherly affection.

While Zeus and Hermes were talking, Hercules snatched one of Zeus' pocket lightnings. Hera was nervous and advised Zeus to keep them away from the infant, but Zeus affirmed that he would not hurt himself. Nevertheless, Hercules got zapped when he tried to bite the bolt. The disgruntled infant then threw the bolt away, causing members of the party such as Apollo, Dionysus (who noticed first), Aphrodite, and Helios. Athena then deflected the bolt into one of the cloud formed pillars, which instantly repaired itself.

### Perpetual Night

When thinking of a job for Hercules' internship week, it then hit, Zeus. Hercules would drive Apollo's "sun buggy" for a week. Apollo was disturbed by the idea, but was too shy to vocalize it past a quiver in his voice. That evening on Olympus, Apollo was giving Hercules some final instructions before he trailed off. He warned him that the chariot slips in third sometimes. Hercules formally told Apollo that he has nothing to worry about, and Zeus said he would take full responsibility for his actions.

When Hercules had the sun stolen by Pain and Panic, Hades held a no-confidence vote for Zeus. The vote came to a 4-4 tie and was left to Apollo. Hades thought his decision would be obvious considering what happened, but he said he needed some time to think. Hades was outraged, and tried to bribe him by saying he could make him a pantheon of something else (with the absence of the sun). Hercules put the sun into a volcano, causing it to erupt towards Olympus. As Apollo regretfully announced he would be voting for Hades, the sun arrived just in time to adjust Zeus' depressive state.

## Abilities

The day he was born, Hermes invented the lyre and stole Apollo’s cattle. So as to appease his older brother after he found out what happened, Hermes offered Apollo his new invention. Ever since then, the lyre became one of Apollo’s most famous attributes, and its most celebrated master.

However, Apollo’s virtuosity would be challenged on at least three different occasions. The first one to dare do such a thing was the least fortunate one, the satyr Marsyas. He wasn’t bad at all playing the aulos (the double flute), even equaling Apollo’s skill. However, he ultimately lost the contest, since, unlike Apollo, he couldn’t sing while playing. As punishment, Marsyas was hanged inside a cave and was subsequently flayed alive. Fortunately for him, Pan survived unscathed after challenging Apollo and almost unanimously losing the contest. Midas, however – the only judge who deemed that Pan was the better player – got what he deserved: asses’ ears, since he obviously lacked human ears for music in the first place.

## Chariot

Apollo was responsible for starting the day in Greece, and would pull a sun-like orb with his chariot each morning; usually beginning in Athens.

## Appearance and Personality

### Appearance

Beardless and athletically built, he is often depicted with a laurel crown on his head and either a bow and arrow or a lyre and plectrum in his hands

### Personality

He is nervous to speak up to Zeus.

Many of Apollo's love affairs have not ended well, due to the pantheon's naivety. Apollo has a love for racing and has gone through nine different chariots in his life. His current chariot is known for its dark carriage and flaming wheels and horses (U432). Being young and naïve, Apollo is the most liberal minded of the Pantheon and is fittingly disrespected because of it. Most of the other members of the Pantheon hesitate to invite Apollo to any gatherings and often meet privately to voice their grievances of him.

## Differences

* Apollo is the son of Hera, instead of Leto.