Hercules (also known as Heracles) is the god of strength. Hercules was born a mortal and had to earn his way to godhood. During his mortal existence, he was impulsive and hedonistic, liable to do or attempt almost anything just for the fun of it. He was also infamous for his temper, and the slightest insult or affront was enough to provoke him. He was always deeply remorseful afterward, especially when he overreacted.
Since attaining godhood, Hercules has shown more restraint, though he is still very proud and more than a little vain. If tricked, swindled, or lied to, Hercules seeks revenge even if it takes him years to get even.
Clerics of Hercules believe in swift action, and they disdain intricate planning or long debates. They spend their time keeping fit and helping others do the same. They also organize athletic events and other physical contests. They often try to outdo each other by undergoing long and demanding quests.
Temples
Temples to Hercules tend to be spacious and airy. They always include at least one gymnasium and usually extensive baths. They invariably have adjoining fields for athletic competitions.
Hercules expects his followers to keep fit and to rely on their physical
prowess to overcome any difficulties they might encounter. If there's one thing that impresses Hercules, it's confidence. He promotes physical challenges as a method for resolving disputes among his followers. Such challenges might include wrestling matches between two people having an argument, or longer quests in which people attempt to perform a series of daunting tasks. While a mortal, Hercules himself once completed a series of twelve great tasks as a penance after flying into a rage.
Hercules appears as a large, muscular man with a tangled beard. He wears a lion's skin (Nemean Lion) draped over his shoulder, wrapped around his chest. He has a simple leather loincloth and carries a massive club.
Hercules is the son of Zeus, born to a mortal mother, Alcmene. Alcmene was the granddaughter of Perseus, possibly Greece's greatest hero before Hercules.
