The story of the Gorgons has been told in so many ways like most legends and myths. They were beautiful maidens, in service to Athena or Hera. They were wise and nurturing to all: to the rich, the poor, the wise, and the foolish. It's been said they were all blessed by Mother Gaia. The usual story is that Poseidon was infatuated with such beauties. Like his brothers, he thought he could take any female in his domain. A maiden refused him because of her duty to her goddess. So, he raped her. Athena, being the great goddess of wisdom, cursed the maiden to become a hideous monster that turns men to stone.
I have heard this story many times by my father. Sometimes I wonder if he met a gorgon. The creature's entire body is made of snake skin; the lower half is a snake, her hair made of snakes, and her top half a human female. As a child I was afraid, but as I became older, the thought of a half woman-half snake monster seemed almost attractive. Then again I was never a normal child. I like adventure, fighting, and women.
Growing up with my father was different than most young boys I lived around. My father was first a soldier, and then when he retired he became a traveling fighter. He didn't teach me to pray to the gods like most people did. Yes, he taught me about them and their ways, but pray, never. He said, "Knowledge and courage is what gets you through anything."
My mother? She died when I was young, but the truth was she left us for some other man who was an artist or philosopher. I never saw her again.
When my father died due to illness, that wasn't so bad really. Yes, I was still just starting my teens, but I didn't forget the knowledge he passed on to me. I decided to follow my passion and explore the world. Through the years I learned many skills, such as: sailing, hand-to-hand combat, weaponry, hunting, cooking, and basic learning. My body shaped itself along the way; which grew into a tall and muscular form with dexterity and durability. For all my skills, romancing women wasn't one of them. I love women, especially the more healthy ones, but my interest, or enthusiasm, for them really does come second to exploring. Only after I have completed my goal for that expedition do I subjugate myself to the wiles of the fair maidens or the rough experience of the whores. Either is fine with me because I deserve a reward.
I have found weapons, gems, art, writings, and rare items of both man and gods alike. I have travelled to distant islands, untouched civilizations, mountain peaks, and temples.
I have fought monsters, demi-gods, champions, and other supernatural beings. By all accounts I try not to fight. I'm not seeking glory, just knowledge and excitement. I have survived traps, battles, impossible situations, and death him- or herself. I've made him or her very angry as I have escaped his or her grasp way too many times.
This time, well I have said this many times before, death may actually have me this time. In a way I've been trying to avoid this risky undertaking for a while. There is an island, quite large too, that houses a temple of Poseidon, and inside is an orb. The story behind the orb is that Poseidon one day was bored and decided to create a perfect storm. Then he bottled the storm in a protective glass fashioned by Hephaestus. Inside, the perfect storm rages endlessly and becomes stronger by the day. Chaos in pure form. Again, not the problem.
It is guarded by the sea hydra and mermaids by water; on the island's terrain there is said to be half-man-half-beast creatures roaming the entire island. Still, not the problem. Inside the temple is probably every trap known to man in a maze-like design. I can get through all that, but the guardian of the orb is also there. The gorgon, of all monsters it had to be a gorgon. A giant, a cyclops, Hades, even a damn ghost would've been better.
I prepare as much as I can. Fire for the hydra and poison for the beasts. Mermaids are tricky creatures because they look beautiful at first then they turn on you. And that's just the females. Mermen are vicious and have no qualms about killing a human. Then there's the traps which I don't know anything about, but I'm sure I can figure it out once I see them for myself.
The damn gorgon. Why? Sure, all I need is a mirror, but they're not idiots. The moment she sees the mirror she is going to attack without reserve. I do know they prefer to kill men by turning them to stone. Keeps us like trophies as we get locked in fear. They can also crush, squeeze, and bite me to death as well. I've got my work cut out for myself.
Usually on these suicide missions I take my share of the females who are living within the borders of where I start. Once I start my adventure, I barely take my focus from my goal. Tonight, I eye a lovely, heavy morsel. She serves the patrons here mead and other small foods. I don't drink, but I find this type of atmosphere very comforting because I'm always around such rowdy environments. She eyes me every time she serves the other men. Her breasts somewhat fall as she bends to set the cups down. I order goat, grilled hard. She smiles at my order.
Soon, there will be a fight breaking out. This place is known for that. I eat my meal, pay my maid, and give her a note where to meet me when her duties are over, and wants a bed to sleep in. I never hurt for money, which is why I stay in log-inns. Before she arrives I look over my supplies, materials, and armory. I clean my weapons and check for cracks or rust. My supplies are herbs, poisons, jerk meat, certain vegetables that don't rot, and gem stones. My materials are a belt I fashioned to fit all my supplies and weapons. My boots will help out if I have to swim. My leather shirt is made from very thick hides and thinned out for flexibility and underwater maneuverability. I have explosive powder, and many different bladed projectiles that causes particular damage. This is my ritual that I do before each feat. It helps me to relax because I would just hurry off without a plan at times.
