Diomedes and the Lost Book of Hesiod: A Warrior of Athena Battle Report

Diomedes was one of the many bastard sons of Zeus and, like most of his half-siblings, earned the enduring hatred of Hera, the king of the gods’ far-from-forgiving wife. Until recently, the only Diomedes known to the modern world was the King of Argos, famed for his deeds in the Trojan War. Yet the Diomedes of this tale belongs to an earlier age.

The son of Zeus and Thea, a princess of Argos, he was unloved by his mortal kin. Casting aside that life, Diomedes wandered into the wild hills of Arcadia, where he gathered around him a band of companions—each as much an outsider as he was.

The Companions

• Eurythmicos – a sharp-eyed archer from the wind-scoured peaks of Thessaly, his arrows as swift as the mountain hawks he emulates.
• Phoebe – a streetwise Argive with a tongue as quick as her bow, forever ready with a joke or a cutting retort, yet deadly serious when danger calls.
• Aegisthus – a grizzled veteran whose scarred arms have wielded spear and sword for countless masters, his loyalty hard-won but unbreakable once given.
• Xanthe – a haunting lyre-player whose melodies can soothe or unsettle, and whose passion for music is rivalled only by her unnerving delight in battle.
• Iolaus – a silver-tongued trickster, said to hail from Crete, whose nimble fingers are matched only by his talent for tall tales and narrow escapes.
• Atalanta – Artemis’ favoured huntress, swift-footed and wild-eyed, raised among wolves and unerring with her javelin.
• Menelaus – a once-glorious hoplite, now a wandering mercenary, whose battered shield and weary eyes hint at legends and regrets alike.

From left to right, Eurythmicos, Iolaus, Phoebe, Diomedes, Menelaus, hidden behind Diomedes, 

Xanthe, Aegisthus, Atalanta.

Field of Flowers

My first game using Warriors of Athena plunged me straight into the heart of myth and danger. The scenario—drawn from the Quests book—involved a tale of fratricide and the theft of the gods’ honey. Answering Athena’s call, Diomedes led his companions into a valley unlike any other: a place of towering, exotic flowers, thick, intoxicating scents, and lurking peril. The first mission aimed to cross a valley full of large flowers, home to some giant, mystical bees that produced divine honey. Scattered across the valley floor was a series of clues that would help Diomedes and his friends in fulfilling their mission.

Wanting to bring the story to life, I improvised terrain with oversized tropical flower props—borrowed (with permission!) from one of my wife’s fashion projects. The effect was perfect: the table looked wild, vibrant, and just a little menacing. The valley, alive with mystical bees collecting divine pollen, felt truly otherworldly—and those bees were fiercely protective of their domain.

Diomedes’ plan was simple—at least on paper: cross the valley quickly, disturb as little as possible, and avoid the bees’ deadly sting and the powerful illusiogenic pollen of the flowers. Therefore, the party planned to advance quickly and in a tight formation, nerves high. Iolaus, Phoebe, and Xanthe crept along the left flank, eyes peeled for abandoned honey pots hidden among the undergrowth. On the right, Atalanta and Aegisthus hunted for similar treasures. At the same time, the rest pressed ahead along the central path, pausing only briefly to salute a roadside altar to Hermes—hoping for the god’s favour.

 

The Bees Attack

The Mystic Bees sense an alien presence in their valley

For a moment, it looked like the plan would work. Iolaus uncovered a hidden path that promised to speed our journey. But the valley had other ideas. Maybe it was curiosity, maybe territorial fury—but soon the bees began to descend. Arrows flew, companions shouted warnings, and for a heartbeat, the swarm held back. Then, from the far side of the field, a low and ominous hum signalled that reinforcements were on their way.

Worse still, the heavy, cloying scent of the flowers began to seep into our senses, muddying our heroes’ thoughts and sapping their will.

Iolaus was the first to succumb, distracted and humming softly as he examined the blooms. Soon Phoebe and Aegisthus followed, lulled into a dreamlike state. Even Diomedes felt the pull of the narcotic perfume as the warband’s cohesion began to falter.

Xanthe's Rage

Despite confusion and the threat of the bees, the companions pushed on. But discipline finally snapped when Xanthe, driven half-mad by the flowers’ perfume and the buzzing menace, lashed out at a bee. The response was immediate and brutal—she was swarmed, stung, and nearly overwhelmed.

Xanthe's desire for battle nearly ends in disaster as the bees surround her.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party staggered desperately toward the valley’s edge. Just as escape seemed within reach, Phoebe blundered into the foliage and was struck by several vicious stings, her arm erupting in a painful, angry rash.

Under a hail of covering arrows, we dragged the wounded clear. Though slowed and shaken, Xanthe and Phoebe survived—and at last our battered warband burst from the valley, gasping for fresh air and clutching what little honey we’d managed to snatch.

Saftey?

Diomedes and co had endured their first trial as Warriors of Athena—wounded, weary, but unbroken. The valley’s dangers had tested their courage and unity, leaving them scarred yet determined. But the path forward only grows darker: Diomedes and his companions must now face the monstrous Cyclops brothers, the very beasts who murdered his father and set this quest in motion. The next chapter looms, promising even greater peril and legend.
Reflections and Analysis

Some Thoughts

A fuller review of the Warrior of Athena and the Quests books can be found here with links to supported materials.

Returning to Joseph McCullough’s rules was a reminder of how enjoyable and accessible his games are. In this scenario, Diomedes and his companions earned experience points and, importantly, suffered no casualties. The former would allow them to build on their skills and acquire new abilities. Something not possible in a single adventure. Random event cards were drawn each turn, and these favoured the party: none of the more dangerous enemies appeared, and additional bees entered the game only on the far edge of the board, minimising their threat. This meant there were fewer experience points on offer, but it helped the party cross the valley faster.


The system encourages characters to develop over time. For example, Xanthe’s impulsiveness was clear—she readily attacked a bee, confirming her aggressive tendencies. Iolaus avoided direct danger and seemed more self-interested, raising questions about his reliability as a team player. Eurythmicos proved to be reliable and effective with his bow. As the campaign continues, I expect the personalities and roles of each companion to become even more defined, adding extra depth to future scenarios.
Playing this scenario also prompted me to revisit my "Song of Thalia" adventure for Rangers of Shadow Deep. These games provide excellent entertainment and spark the imagination.