Quoted By:
“Apollo is not a god of the Hellenes alone, Nikandros – there are many peoples who know and worship him, even in the far north, and amongst the Aigyptian peoples to the east. I am told that Apollo is credited with deeds and miracles that we have not yet learned of here in Hellas, in these other places. As for the gifts – Apollo’s devotees in Hyperborea, to the very farthest north, live beyond the origins of Boreas’ frigid breath. As a result, their lands are pleasant and warm – their harvests beginning well before our own. In gratitude and thanks for Apollo’s blessings to their people, the Hyperborean kings send the first fruits of their harvest to the birthplace of the Apollo, through a series of envoys and devotees of the far-shooter, passing through Scythia and Thrace, before arriving in Prasiae, a village just outside Athens. From here, the Athenians receive the gifts and deliver them to the Altar of Horns. Once this is done, the Lesser Delia games begin, and the remainder of the day is given to the contests. Anios, of course, determines the victors with the counsel of his father.”
This information is surprising to you – you had not imagined that the Olympians might have devotees from foreign lands – but of course, how could this not be so? The gods travel freely throughout the world, traveling speedily through the air and seas – there must be other peoples who know them and worship them as the Hellenes do.
Palamedes speaks up as you consider this:
“You may be surprised to learn that there are foreign gods and goddesses as well, Nikandros – divinities that we do not know at all here in Hellas and whom have no temples here. Pollux has no doubt come across temples dedicated to their other divinities in his travels.” You nod at the thinly bearded man in thanks for his contribution.
Finally, you ask –
“And if I may ask, how does Anios work to gain the attentions of his divine father? Is there some pattern or process that is successful?” Dorippe stares at you flatly for a moment, before bursting into melodious laughter – she briefly reminds you of your mother, despite the vast differences in their appearance.
“Lord Nikandros, surely you cannot be asking me to know the minds of the immortal gods? My husband does what all mortals do – propitiates his father as best as he can, prays for his immortal attentions, and seeks to please him with all that he does. Apollo does what he desires and blesses Anios with his counsel when he sees fit – and I am not privy to their discussions. As to what pleases the gods as a group – foolish of you to ask me this when you sit beside one of the Dioscuri. Almost no living men would know better what pleases and displeases the gods than he!”
She laughs again as Pollux interjects:
