Talos
"The Olympians do not only have great divine power, but they are also the most technologically advanced beings in existence. The legend of Talos proves this." ~ Ariston Unitis, Head Anthropologist of the Authenian Scientific Committee.
Summary
After the end of the Titanomachy, the Olympians were uneasy of the few Titans that did not fight against them, seeing them as a risk. Out of all the second generation Titans that Zeus had to worry about, the most powerful was Helios, the Titan God of the Sun. Zeus wanted to make certain that Helios was an ally and not an enemy, and so he made frequent attempts to please him. Helios was given the island of Rhodesseum to call his own, on the decree of Zeus.
Helios protected the island from all threats, natural and divine. Poseidon despised Helios and once attempted to sink the island, but to no avail. The lake nymphs of Rhodesseum saw all the efforts that Helios made to protect the island, and began to worship him, seeing the Sun God as a glorious protector. As civilizations grew and advanced, the island of Rhodesseum, once only inhabited by lake nymphs, also became home to various mortals, and the cultures of the lake nymphs and the ancient Authenians became merged into one.
As Authenian sailors came and went from Rhodesseum, the worship of Helios began to spread to the mainland of Eregost, leading to the founding of the Order of Helios. With more people devoted to him, and with their populations spread out, Helios could no longer afford to defend Rhodesseum at all times, as he had other followers who needed his protection and strength. In order to solve this issue, Helios asked a favour of Zeus. He asked that a powerful being was placed to defend Rhodesseum in his stead. Zeus accepted this request and so he tasked his son Hephaestus to contruct an automaton of incredible size and power. Hephaestus worked tirelessly to create a being capable of performing the task of defending Rhodesseum. He created a massive man of bronze, with a single vein running down its back, filled with ichor, the blood of gods. This being was almost as tall as a mountain, ensuring that he could stand in the ocean and still be above sea level so that he could defend Rhodesseum. This automaton was named Talos.
For hundreds of years, Talos watched over Rhodesseum on behalf of Helios, crushing dragon turtles and destroying invading ships by hurling boulders at them. He became an instrumental part in the security of Rhodesseum, an icon and a legend. He was a symbol of protection and vigilance. Unfortunately, seeing an island become reliant on such a powerful being gave Eris, goddess of Discord and Strife, and interesting thought. She wondered what would become of the people of Rhodesseum if their protector were to die, and so she decided to sate her curiosity. She drove Talos to madness, causing him to rip out the screw that held his vein shut. Ichor gushed out of the gigantic automaton and Talos' life drained out of his body. The body of Talos sunk to the bottom of the Poseiatic Ocean.
To this day, the body of Talos lies at the bottom of the sea. Many scholars wonder, what would happen if he were to be risen out of the ocean and his vein refilled with ichor. Would Talos reawaken and defend Rhodesseum once more? Would he be a mindless shell to be set upon the enemies of those who repaired him? Or do dead gods stay dead?
Spread
The story of Talos is widely known among the Authenian Republic and the Venatorian Empire, though none know it better than the citizens of Ilios, the city of Rhodesseum. The legend of Talos is practically unheard of in the Ceilic Region, as very few there care about the what gods they consider false do to foreign islands.
Cultural Reception
Many in the AAC have drawn inspiration from the legend of Talos, particularly in the field of magical contructs. If it were not for Talos, the Warforged of today would undoubtedly be far less advanced.
To this day, Talos remains an important figure in the cultural identity of Ilios, and Rhodesseum as a whole. Multiple buildings are named in honour of him in Ilios, and he appears on the gold coins issued in Rhodesseum. While most cultures hate Eris for her meddling, she is particularly despised in Ilios for what she did to Talos.
In Literature
Talos remains a popular topic to many Authenian authors. From fictitious and fantasical novels, to historical accounts to even philosophical studies looking at what it means to truly be alive.
In Art
The famous Tirynic sculptor, Pygmalion, was commisioned by the city of Ilios to create a statue in honour of their fallen protector. The eight meter tall statue of Talos is positioned at the shipyard of Rhodesseum, so that incoming ships are welcomed by the island's fallen protector.
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