(Episode 3.2.c Mission Assist HUD)

>Somewhere in the imagination-space of the TSTT’s Troy, Bronze Age<

Reaching into a satchel, Hercules takes out a fragment of stone that glimmers the same way you saw the Lapis glimmer at the Titanomachy.

It’s a fragment of the Lapis itself!

Hercules lapidem in baculō ponit. subito ad monstrum currit and as he swings his māgnum baculum a flash of light bursts forth. The sea monster emits a sound somewhere between a gurgle and a howl, but full of agony either way, as it slinks back into the depths of the ocean.

Lāomedōn ad litus revenit quod non iam periculosum est. You don’t particularly like the crafty look in his eye.

“agō grātiās, ō Herculēs et vōs sociī,” inquit Lāomedōn. “sed there seems to be a slight difficulty here. Did you not promise to ‘slay’ the monster?”

Hercules annuit sed est confusus.

Lāomedōn glances at you, but seems to think that really it’s only Hercules he needs to worry about. “. . . and, did you?”

nunc Hercules confusissimus est.

“I’m afraid I can’t in good conscience pay your fee, my friend. . .” He trails off, for it is clear that Hercules has at last understood, for he has raised māgnum baculum. His face is knotted with fury.

What follows is not pleasant. fīlius Iovis immediately strikes down Lāomedōn, then turns to the rest of the royal family. As you watch, horrified, Hercules kills them all, one by one. Only one of Lāomedōn’s sons, Priam, remains. He is holding a brilliant golden veil.

Prompt: Hercules must not slay Priam. Find a way to convince Hercules to spare the life of Priam and entrust the Lapis to him.

Words that may aid you:

The Latin word, dēbet, is often translated as "he/she should" or "he/she ought" and is usually followed by a verb in the infinitive (the "to verb" form). For example, "Herculēs sedēre dēbet.” means "Hercules ought to sit down."

Operatives may want to use dēbet in their suggestions as to what Herculēs or Priam could do to resolve the situation peacefully.