Ch 7: Greek Mythology |
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Greek Mythology |
The New Age · The Greek Pantheon · New Spells · New Magic Items |
Greek Gods |
Gaea · Uranus · Cronus · Rhea · Zeus · Hera · Aphrodite · Ares · Artemis · Athena · Demeter · Dionysus · Hephaestus · Hermes · Apollo · Poseidon · Hades · Hecate · Titans · Furies |
Greek Heroes |
Heracles · Theseus · Odysseus |
Greek Monsters |
Cyclopes · Hecatoncheire · Cerberus · Gigantes |
Rhea (greater god)[]

Rhea was originally worshipped as the Great Goddess of Minoan Crete, and is an example of the Great Mother goddess who took many names and shapes throughout the ancient Middle East. Above all, she symbolized fertility, in which her influence extended over plants, animals, and humans. She also controlled the varying seasons, caused products of the soil to flourish, and even protected men in battle.
Eventually, she became the wife of Cronus and gave birth to the Olympian gods. After Cronus swallowed Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Hades, and Poseidon, she saved Zeus by substituting a rock in swaddling clothes. Rhea's anguish over the loss of her first five children was ended when Zeus grew to manhood and led a revolt against Cronus. In her true form, Rhea is a beautiful woman with a generous figure.
Role-playing Notes: Since Zeus seized his father's throne, Rhea has yielded much of her power and many of her responsibilities to her godly children. Nevertheless, she is still revered as the mother of the gods, and sometimes answers appeals concerning fertility or motherhood. Omens from Rhea generally take the form of dreams.
Statistics: AL ng; WAL any; AoC fertility, life; SY female face.
Rhea's Avatar (druid 22)[]
Rhea's avatar appears as an immodestly dressed young woman of great beauty with a voluptuous figure.
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Special Att/Def: No non-intelligent creature will attack Rhea's avatar under any circumstances. She cannot be harmed by weapons made of unforged natural materials such as stone or wood.
Duties of the Priesthood[]
Priests devoted to Rhea must ensure that she is forever honored for her part in installing the Olympian gods. They also perform ceremonies related to the fertility of both man and beast, and will go to any length to aid a mother in need of assistance. Their temples often serve as temporary shelters for orphans, whom they place with loving families that have no children of their own.
Requirements: AB standard; AL any non-evil; WP club, blunt instruments; AR a; SP all, animal, charm, creation , guardian, healing, plant, protection; PW 8) summon rain (over a two mile area); TU turn.
Sage Advice (Dragon Issue #202)[]
These are unofficial suggestions for using the optional spheres of priest spells from the Tome of Magic with the deities of the Greek pantheon in Legends & Lore:
- Rhea: Major: Time; Minor: None.