Ares, the God of War, strode among the aftermath of one of the many battlefields that littered the realm of Those Who Came Before. He walked among the memories of the minifigs that fought and died so bravely. He looked into each, distributing his favor to those most brave and fearless. And so then Ares, exceeding in strength, remembered the realm below. Long had it been since Ares, magnanimous and unconquered, had looked below to the Brikverse and so Ares purposed to gaze down upon them once again. Ares looked down into and and was pleased by what he saw: massive fighting vehicles and armies beyond counting.
But then Ares spied a far different place, one that appealed to him much more than the sights he had beheld. Here he saw minifigs wade into slaughter with sword and shield, axe and spear. Ares was delighted by these minifigs and he smiled wide. “These minifigs bring me great joy,” the God of War said, “I must walk among them and get a better taste for these fellows.”
And so Ares, strong of arm, walked down into the Brikverse and watched many battles between dragon men and barbarians and vicious Northerners.
As Ares walked he looked into the hearts of each and weighed their valor to find the strongest of minifigs so that he may show them his favor.
Ares, fierce and untamed, then came upon the Greks, small in number but mighty in heart and disciplined in mind. He knew at once these would be the ones to whom he would show his favor. He met with them and took from them their shallow swords and weak armor. He clothed them in Immortal Bronze and wide shields, and in their right hand Ares War Maker gave them the spear to slay their enemies from afar. “No longer will you beat your enemies with swords and clubs like barbarians, but instead with the noble spear that your foes may pile dead before you, a wall of bodies to keep your nation safe.”
To some he gave the long heavy spear and outfitted many divisions. He taught them to march and fight together, of one mind and one heart. “You shall be called ‘Heavy Spears’” spoke Ares, “so that you may Compensate by wielding both these 2-handed spears and mighty shields in a single turn when you dig in and hold your ground." Their officer was named Aristodemos, a worthy commander and almost unmatched as a warrior.
To others he gave only the standard spear, for the Greks lacked the materials necessary to outfit the entire army with 2-handed spears until the fickle Fiscal God, Bricklink, provided them with more.
But there were others living among the Greks: the Mermaidons, lovers of warfare and bloodletting. They lived cheerfully under the Greks and followed them wherever they led. They were a glorious folk, strong in heart and limb. Their officer was Theodekles, loud of voice and resilient.
And the Greks grew mighty in strength and number with Ares’ gifts, all the while led into battle by Ares on his mighty war chariot. Ares’ lover Enyo, who is discord, drove it and from it Ares may throw spears at his foes without penalty, for this is where his skills in war are strongest.
The Greks, ever learning from Ares, built their own chariots, to swiftly bring their warriors to bear. They were piloted by cunning engineers, masters of wood and metal.
Apollo, God of Many Disciplines, too strode among the battlefields of the Higher Realms. From his lofty perch he saw how Ares gave favor to the Greks and saw how strong they became because of his influence. Apollo landed among them, seeking to show them his favor as well. For Apollo and Ares were great rivals, and Apollo purposed to take the adoration of the Greks from Ares. “I have found the spear,” spoke Apollo, “to be a rather inelegant weapon.” And so Apollo Far Striker gave to the Greks his gifts at archery.
He outfitted many Greks who were not fit for the vicious phalanx. He gave them bows and quivers and taught them how to take lives from afar. Their commander was Tyndareus, keen of mind.
The Greks also created for themselves a division of javelin throwers, an homage to Ares, slinger of spears.
So numerous had the divisions of the Greks become that Ares and Apollo created standards for the Greks to bear with them in battle to identify their positions to their commanders. The warriors' hearts became so inflamed by the sight of their banners in the midst of battle that they strove to even greater levels of martial valor. Warriors close to the banner men receive a boost to their armor.
The Greks learned from Apollo and applied their logical thought and built on his principles. The Greks brought before Apollo and Ares, their patrons, the Ballista. It could fire arrows much further than any bow Apollo gave them. Apollo was greatly pleased and praised their ingenuity. Ares, however, was angry that the Greks he favored had accepted Apollo so easily. So Ares gave them fire that was unquenchable. The Greks named it Grek Fire and made bolts for their ballista to make use of it.
Next the Greks devised a cart to transport their ammunition. All the spears or bolts they could ever need could be taken anywhere.
But still the Greks continued to build and advance their knowledge of the gifts given to them by Ares and Apollo, and so they created the Ballista Cart. It was a short-range support ballista for use closer to the front than their previous machine. Ares further improved it by building for them a front-shield, so that it could be Shielded against the enemy from the front.
As the Greks advanced over the land they encountered strange and magnificent beasts. One of the bravest of the Greks, Polydorus, unique in the color of his armour, strode before them and subdued them. It was armored by the best Grek smiths and made into a mighty war beast. Apollo was delighted by this and modified it so his beloved archers could fight atop it.
Along their travels the Greks came upon a vicious race of mountain beast. Tall they were and strong in battle. As the Grek forces lined up to engage them, Ares strode to the monster’s leader. “A pity that you should all die today!” He laughed, “Come with us and subdue many nations!” After many deliberations the beasts agreed, and their numbers were added to the divisions of the Greks. However some war trolls chose not to join the Greks, and they slipped away and were lost to the Greks. But those that stayed were armed with many weapons and armored by the finest Grek battle-smiths.
And the forces arrayed themselves thusly:
Ares and Apollo led the Grek states to war again and again, subduing all who opposed them. While they could fight on the same field, never could Ares or Apollo both take the mantle of ‘Hero’ together, such was their rivalry. Only one could act as the Grek hero on a given turn. Whenever one would take up the mantle, the other would refuse to move or support so that their rival could not receive more glory. Ares would idly watch as Apollo shot pestilence and death into enemy ranks. Apollo sat in anger as Ares torched his enemies in fire and rage.
Soon the Greks had taken all the land available to them. And so they looked out into the sea. Ares and Apollo felt the cold sea winds shift and the ground began to shake and they knew that another was going to join them. Poseidon Earth Shaker.
Still to build:
More infantry
Cavalry and Heavy Cavalry
Another elephant?
Ships and marines
Helepolis?
