| Hermes |
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Hermes' original domain was borders and boundaries; he was known as a rustic deity worshipped at the boundaries between farms to keep the herds belonging to one man separate from those belonging to another. But as the Lord of these boundaries he also had a singular power to traverse them, and soon became the patron of merchants and thieves. He also governs the art of linguistic manipulation and translation, and was said to have invented the lie— the abiity to manipulate words to represent something other than reality. He is still worshipped at the boundaries of sacred precints by the presence of statues known as Herms, blocks of stone with the head of the god on top and the phallus of the god sticking out in front, threatening with rape all who would transgress the boundaries of the sanctuary with ill-intent. |  |
Common History
According to legend, he was the son of Zeus, Leader of the Lords and Ladies of Kobol. Hermes was considered the messenger of the Lords and Ladies. As time went on, he was also associated with luck, shepherds, athletes, thieves, and merchants. He was also viewed as the protector and patron of roads and travelers. Quick acting and cunning, he was able to move swiftly between the world of man and the world of gods, acting as a messenger of the gods and the link between mortals and the other Gods.
Related Colony
- Aquaria: At first glance, a God of shepherds, althletes, and merchants might seem like a poor fit for the cold, harsh realities of life on Aquaria. There are no farms, little intra-colony trade, and few long journeys, but as any native would tell you, that's only half the story. Given their isolation they're dependant on reliable communications, much of the colony's supplies are brought in by ships making long journeys, so if you look athow Aquaria connects to the rest of the colonies, then their devotion to the messenger becomes much easier to understand.
Common Rituals
Hermes' feast was the special Hermaea which was celebrated with sacrifices to the god, and with athletics and gymnastics. These often act like initialtions into adulthood for many, and participation was limited to children and young adults. On Aquaria these also included events such as ice scating, cross-county skiing, and an ice water swim.
Cults and Sects
- The Winged Way: Based on Aquaria this sect is formed largely of cargo hauler captains and crews. They have a temple near the main spaceport, and it's not uncommon for freighter crews to drop by and leave an offering before departure. They're often compared disfavourably to the Horses of Poseidon, but in truth there is little for comparison in their ways. With very few military members these Aquarians follow a much simpler path, and offerings tend to be portions of the precious cargo they haul. There are often smaller temples at major spaceports on other colonies, but they only really have any strength in numbers at Heim.
- Shepherds of the Trancendency: Popular before the First Cylon War, this sect believes that divinity can be achieved by individuals through achieving peak physical fitness. Membership included many professional athletes and sporting stars, with some even starting to experiment in augmentation of the human form. It was this that ultimately led to their downfall though, with humity turning it's back on cyber technologies after the Armistice was signed. While the Shepherds officially disbanded due to a fall in membership, the more hardcore members are rumoured to have set up a research facility somewhere in the colonies, from where they continue to research enhancement technologies. Not that anyone takes those rumours seriously though, and the group mostly live on as boogeymen type figures when stories are told of the evils of intelligent machines.
Hymn
Hermes, draw near, and to my pray'r incline,
Angel of Jove, and Maia's son divine;
Studious of contests, ruler of mankind,
With heart almighty, and a prudent mind.
Celestial messenger, of various skill,
Whose pow'rful arts could watchful Argus kill:
With winged feet, 'tis thine thro' air to course,
O friend of man, and prophet of discourse:
Great life-supporter, to rejoice is thine,
In arts gymnastic, and in fraud divine:
With pow'r endu'd all language to explain,
Of care the loos'ner, and the source of gain.
Whose hand contains of blameless peace the rod,
Corucian, blessed, profitable God;
Of various speech, whose aid in works we find,
And in necessities to mortals kind:
Dire weapon of the tongue, which men revere,
Be present, Hermes, and thy suppliant hear;
Assist my works, conclude my life with peace,
Give graceful speech, and me memory's increase.
Characters with this Patron
- CAP John Amos Ommanney — Marine Captain and S3
- LTJG Alastair Piers — Raptor ECO, VAQ-121 "Gentlemen Ghosts"