Adrestia

In ancient Greece, circa 261 BCE, the city-state of Zakrinopoli is led by Archon Pelias. A noble leader who wishes to free his city from Macedonian control and join the Achaean league. Many of his council agree, except for Melegros who believes defying the Macedonian king Antigonus II would bring terrible consequences upon them. Melegros informs the Macedonians of Pelias’ intent and he is ordered to kill the Archon and take power himself. Melegros murders Pelias and has his family executed. All are killed except for Pelias’ 14 years old daughter Calissa who escapes death and flees the city. Calissa meets an ex-Spartan soldier, Vettias, living in the wilderness. He takes her in teaching her how to hunt and how to fight. She learns a variety of skills before Vettias himself is killed whilst hunting a lion. Calissa is once again out on her own and chooses to head toward the city of Athens. Ten years later, Calissa is a mercenary, fighting other peoples battles, collecting debts for loan sharks and taking part in Pankration tournaments. She feels lost seeking her purpose in the world. Calissa is sent to collect a debt owed by a man called Aristides, a man she knows. He was part of her father’s council and when Melegros took control, Aristides was banished. He informs Calissa of the truth behind her family’s murder and this inspires her return to Zakrinopoli to overthrow Melegros, gain her revenge and free the people of his tyranny. Along with Aristides and her two mercenary friends Khloe and Minos she raises an army and sails back to the city she once called home. Unfortunately her ragtag group of amateur soldiers will not be enough to win the battle and so she enlists the help of neighbouring city-state Patras. Their Archon Talaemenes agrees to supply additional men on the condition if Calissa is successful that Patras has hegemony of Zakrinopoli to ensure there is no power vacuum upon Melegros deposition. Upon arriving at the outskirts of the city, Calissa and Aristides venture inside to find allies who can help from within. While Calissa visits historian Ponteus who promises to inspire revolution in the people when the time comes, Aristides is captured, tortured and killed by Melegros, who believes him to be plotting his demise. Calissa finds Aristides’s body hanging in the agora and attempts to flee the city, but is cornered by guards led by the city polemarch Kyrillos. She tries to run but is cornered atop the acropolis. Kyrillos kicks her off the edge of the tall precipice and she tumbles out of the city. She staggers back to camp where she is nursed back to health. Melegros becomes paranoid, believing revolution is in the air. He orders the city be locked down preventing anyone from entering or leaving and increases the number of guards protecting him. When Calissa discovers the city is no longer accessible by the main gates she begins to believe the cause is futile. However, a chance encounter with a thief stealing from their camp reveals a secret passage beneath the walls of the city. Calissa plans to take a small group of men through the tunnel at night where they will make their way to the main gates to open them. The rest of her men along with the Patras soldiers will enter the city, deal with the guards and Calissa will have a clear path to kill Melegros. Unfortunately when she sneaks into the city they immediately come up against Kyrillos and his guards who were waiting for them. A battle ensues in the agora between Calissa’s small group and the city guards who outnumber them. Khloe and Minos break away and get to the gates to allow entry to the rest of their army evening their numbers. While the fighting continues Calissa heads toward the Archon’s residence to kill Melegros, but he has fled down a secret tunnel. She chases him to the opening of a cave on the cliffside where he finds there is no escape. Calissa reveals who she is vowing to end his life and free the city. They engage in a sword fight up a series of steps to the top of the cliff where Calissa overpowers him. He pleads for his life, gaining her pity, but uses the moment of vulnerability to attack her with a hidden dagger. Calissa reacts quickly chopping his hand off before kicking him over the cliff edge. The remaining guards soon surrender and the city is won. Calissa passes control to Talaemenes as the people celebrate. He assures her Zakrinopoli will join the achaean league, thus fulfilling her father’s wishes.