Blake Hoena - Jason, the Argonauts, and the Golden Fleece: An Interactive Mythological Adventure

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YOU are the mighty Greek hero Jason. Along with your crew of , you set sail on your quest for the legendary Golden Fleece. On your way, you will face deadly monsters, mythical beasts, and dangerous gods. Can you survive and claim your reward?

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through this mythical adventure.

You stand atop Mount Pelion. Off in the distance you see the city of Iolcus. It was once your home.

Jason! a voice calls from behind you. You turn to see a half-man, half-horse creature waving to you. Its your mentor, Chiron. You were placed in the old care as an infant after the death of your father, King Aeson. He showed you how to fight and taught you how to heal yourself and others. He even told you how your father had been killed. Your uncle Pelias had overthrown him as ruler of Iolcus.

Now that youve reached adulthood, youve decided it is time for you to return to Iolcus. You plan to reclaim the throne that had once belonged to your father.

Always be kind to those you meet, Chiron says. You nod and then turn to your destination.

You begin the long hike down Mount Pelion.Upon reaching the foothills at the base of the mountain, you hear the rush of water. A river blocks your path. As you walk toward its bank, you see a woman dressed in rags. She is sitting on a fallen log near the water.

Could you help me, young man? she asks. I need to get across.

Her hand shakes as she reaches for you. You help her stand. Shes old and . She grabs your arm to steady herself.

You turn from her to the river. Its current is swift. You doubt she could cross it on her own. You think about Chirons words: Always be kind to those you meet.

You pick up the old woman and lift her onto your back. Shes as light as a feather. You fear a strong gust of wind could carry her away. Shell be easy to carry.

The water splashes as you take your first steps into the river. After a few more steps, you notice something odd. The old woman isnt so light anymore. Her weight starts to press down on you. With each step, she grows heavier. Your back begins to ache. Your knees wobble. Your feet sink into the muddy river bottom. You start to worry that you might not make it to the other side.

As you walk, one of your sandals slips off your foot. But you cant pick it up. You can barely place one foot in front of the next.

Upon reaching the opposite shore, you set the woman down. Then you collapse, exhausted. You look up but she is gone, nowhere to be seen.

Where did she go? you wonder.

Even though you wear only one sandal, you begin the long walk to Iolcus. When you reach the citys main gate, you are disappointed. The stories Chiron told you about Iolcus described it as a wealthy city. But now it is rundown. Garbage litters the streets.

Iolcus citizens walk with their heads hung low, until they see you. People stop and stare as you walk by. They talk excitedly and point at your feet.

He has just one sandal, one man says.

Its the , a woman gasps.

You walk up to a nearby group of people. What prophecy? you ask.

An elderly woman explains, An oracle said that a man wearing one sandal would come and take the throne from King Pelias.

You are about to ask another question when three city guards surround you. They take you to a palace in the center of the city. You are brought to the throne room, where King Pelias greets you.

Its good to see you, nephew, King Pelias says, smiling. Ive been waiting for your return. Do you wish to sit on your fathers throne?

You nod, but Pelias quickly leads you to a window overlooking the city.

Iolcus was once a wealthy city, Pelias says. Its people will want a ruler able to bring the city to its former glory.

How can I do that? you ask.

The Golden Fleece, he says. It is a priceless treasure found in Colchis. Seek it out and bring it back to Iolcus. With the Golden Fleece, youll be able to return Iolcus to what it once was and prove that you are worthy of being the king.

With the Golden Fleece, Pelias could not deny you as ruler of Iolcus. But it will be a quest with many dangers. Which one will you face first?

As you leave the palace, a woman walks up. She is tall and proud. You realize she is Athena, goddess of wisdom and protector of heroes.

Jason, Ive been sent to help you, Athena says.

By whom? you ask.

The goddess Hera herself, Athena says. She told me to find a sturdy craft for your quest. Hera has put out a call for the worlds greatest heroes to join you. Zetes and Calais have agreed. They are the sons of Boreas, god of the north wind. They have wings on their ankles and can fly.

Why would Hera help me? you ask.

The old woman you helped cross the river was actually Hera in disguise, Athena says. She was testing you to see if you were worthy of her help.

Athena walks you down to the city docks. There she introduces you to Argus, a shipbuilder.

Nice to meet you, mate, he says. Then Argus and Athena discuss the ship you will need for your quest.

Weeks later, you have a mighty ship. It is called the Argo, named after the man who built it.

As Athena promised, heroes have begun showing up to join your crew. They will be known as the Argonauts.

In all, 50 heroes join you. Like Zetes and Calais, some are the descendants of gods. Ancaeus is a son of the sea god Poseidon. Other heroes are the sons of kings, such as Acastus, King Pelias own son.

Finally you are ready to set sail. You leave to great fanfare. Rumors of your quest have spread throughout Iolcus. Nearly everyone in the city is at the docks to see you off, even your old mentor, Chiron.

Each of the heroes who joined you takes a seat at the oars. They bend their backs and then pull. The Argo lurches forward into the calm sea.

As you sail away, you see Chiron on the beach waving to you. God speed and a safe journey! he calls out.

After being at sea for some time, you come across an island. Ancaeus tells you that its the home of King Phineus.

Some say he is a seer, Ancaeus says. Perhaps he could help guide us on our quest.