Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

Tyros is not particularly large of an island at around one tenth the region of Quacia in size, but it is well-renowned for both its impressive monuments and artistic culture that seems to bring beauty to its semi-arid interior. Like the people of Theros, Tiranos (as the islanders are called) primarily worship Arsinos and seem to focus greatly on his precept of celebrating life as one lives it. The entire island is very theatrical with many amphitheaters and indoor centers for drama. Actors and poets are common among the population, as are other roles meant for show. There is even a large hippodrome in Agaperos for horse racing and other such competitions, with a reverent obsession for the players by the populace, to the point of said players carrying political influence and significance.

In fact, some would say that the island of Tyros is led by these players, known as the Argonis. With different teams coming from different townships and villages, it is not uncommon for the players of those teams - and particularly their leader - to informally or even formally run the locales they have come from. As the Argonis tend to be young Tirano men, it is surprising to few outsiders that Tyros tends to carry an obsessive focus on masculine stories of adventure, brotherhood and companionship. Many of the tales between Hargalis and Arsinos - two brother-Gods - were written in Tyros' amphitheaters, and much of the mythology of the islands emerges from those same establishments.

The climate of the island is fairly arid compared to most of the other isles, though with considerable tropical beauty regardless and still a number of forests. There is a fairly even mix between those living on the interior and along the coasts, with a considerable number of rivers and flood plains inland.

Tyros is led - many would claim - by its Argonis, though this is an informal rule. Most of the settlements vote democratically, but with the Argonis leading the votes and dramatically influencing the vote of the populace based on their words and wills. It is very rare for the position the Argonis take to be the one that fails the vote; in fact, it is almost unheard of. Perhaps directly spawned from this informal gap in governance, Tyros is known for its banditry and it carries an unincorporated population of bandits in several sectors throughout the islands. There are even pirates emerging from Tyros, frequently assailing Koroskai villages along the neighboring island's coast.

In regards to economy, Tyros is a mass food producer due to its dryland farms and flood plains. The island also carries a significant degree of craftsmen of all kinds, including ceramics artisans, woodworkers, stone masons and blacksmiths. However, like most Helian Isles, Tyros is not known for its trade across islands and most exchanges are done from township to township via land roads.

The island is known for its incredibly mixed population of around ten thousand, with roughly half of the populace either human or biqaj, and the other half mixed-blood hybrids of the two. The Immortals are somewhat acknowledged by the Tiranos, perhaps due to the biqaj influences on the island, with many equating U'frek with Hargalis as a sort of alter-ego for their sea-born God. There are also several cults worshiping deities borne in Tyros' many stories, the beginnings of what appears to be an extended pantheon born from mythological tales.


Agaperos is the largest township in Tyros and the second most populous settlement in Helice, with around two thousand residents. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all Helian communities, with highly ornamented monuments and temples. It has both a grand amphitheater and hippodrome, where visitors from all across the isles come to observe the chariot games of the Argonis. Settled upon the southern coast of Tyros, Agaperos is one of the oldest settlements in Helice, founded on Arc 426. Since then, it has grown slowly as a sort of mythological place of exceptional tales. Only lately - due to the construction of the hippodrome in Arc 647 - has it drawn in others across the Isles, seeking to compete in the games and acquire wealth and esteem.

Being that much of Agaperos' population is drawn in by sport, many of them are fairly well-built and athletic individuals and so - despite not having a considerable retinue - the city-state has remained very capable of defending itself against both bandits and other interlopers.

Tyros is known for its Palamondrea, a place of training for aspiring Argonis and other warriors and athletes. It is a temple-like building with a large courtyard within the marble setting, an open sparring and training yard for its typically young members. Many of the athletes train here go on to become champions in the Arsinaeus Medea festivities on Theros, and many others become great warriors and mercenaries to be utilized by the Argonis or other local leaders across Helice.

Agaperos is known to have a very wealthy populace, with considerable influence over the remainder of the Isles. For this reason, many call it the 'Hidden Heart of Helice', claiming it is of greater import to the isles than even Delias.

Reference Pictures
- Miletos
- Pyrgonas and Megaris

(dated: Ashan 719)

While most known outside of Tyros for their athletic prowess and tactical minds, the teams that make up the Argonis aren't only required to have sportsman competencies, but also are required to have a great deal of charisma. The Argonis often serve as leaders of their respective townships and villages, and as such, in teams of 4-5 players, they are expected to represent the people underneath them wholly.

During the Chariot Games, the night before the first day of the games, and the night after the last game, host a special event known as [Masks of Light] in which the composure and charismatic talent of the teams are tested. Each team performs a play which requires dramatics (often comedy or tragedy) and often ends in song, though rarely dance. On the last night, they are expected to repeat this performance. Those teams who are able to perform the play in the same fashion regardless of their loss or victories in the games, proves the composure of the individuals.

As such, the Argonis teams tend to be made up of strong and disciplined players, both physically and mentally. Often times, a player is introduced into a team between the ages of 18-24 and they stay until they are badly injured, lose their appeal, or even move on to care for their community in other ways. It is common for players to voluntarily retire by the age of 40 though, to allow for fresh perspectives in leadership and keep a vibrant representation.

It is incredibly rare for women to be part of the teams, and for the few who have existed, they are always included to the 4-man team (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta) rather than replacing one of the four roles. This is a special position known as the Omega. None of the current Champion teams have an Omega. The last champion Omega died under mysterious circumstances.

Credit to Zarik for the Argonis section.