I’ve been interested in D&D’s Theros setting since it came out, and would love to run an adventure inspired by Greek epics like The Odyssey, but as I’m not very good at writing overarching stories myself, that’s never panned out. So I wanted to ask you fine folks here if there are any Pathfinder Adventure Paths that have a similar feel to a Greek epic, elements that feel similar to Greek mythology, etc!
I don’t know that you’ll have much luck here; Pathfinder’s Hellenistic Greece-inspired region, Iblydos, has seen almost no content other than a few obscure spots in 1e supplements, and no adventures.
Well I suppose now I know what’s at the top of my wishlist for areas in Golarion I’d like to see more of. Thank you!
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For PF1: Carrion Crown, Shattered Star, Reign of Winter, Giantslayer, and Strange Aeons are all structurally chase sequences or "fetch quests" that could be adapted into a Odyssey-like travel sequence. Ironfang Invasion may be an even closer fit in some ways, although the travel aspect is not as prevalent, because the PCs are responsible for helping a bunch of NPCs survive. Jade Regent might be the closest to the Odyssey in a basic plot sense, as it's all about helping an NPC (or PC, optionally) "return" to their homeland and be re-instated as the legitimate ruler. However, all of these adventure paths require significant changes to the themes.
For PF2: Age of Ashes and Extinction Curse both frequently involve travel to different locations. Age of Ashes might be easier to flavor with Greek instead of draconic themes. Changing out the circus for ships in Extinction Curse might also work.
If someone told me our game was going to be like the Odyssey and then ran Strange Aeons, there would be some pretty stern words between us :>
The only one that jumps to mind is War for the Crown. It doesn't really have 'Greek vibes' as written, but it would be the easiest AP to adapt to the theme (IMO). Maybe Ruins of Azlant, if you give the old Azlanti stuff more of a Greek feel.
Also; SCARRED LANDS is a Third Party Setting for D&D and PATHFINDER Influenced by Greek Mythology
Scarred Lands on DrivethruRPG
None of the published APs are in a setting at all analogous to Theros; nowhere feels terribly Greek or Mediterranean, and none of the stories really fit a mythic, devout storyline like a Greek myth - the only one that gets at all close is Wrath of the Righteous, and that's about crusaders and demons.
There's a few stories about travel, but those are either primarily urban or otherwise in locales very far from the Hellenistic vibes Theros is all about.
None of the published APs are in a setting at all analogous to Theros; nowhere feels terribly Greek or Mediterranean, and none of the stories really fit a mythic, devout storyline like a Greek myth - the only one that gets at all close is Wrath of the Righteous, and that's about crusaders and demons.
There's a few stories about travel, but those are either primarily urban or otherwise in locales very far from the Hellenistic vibes Theros is all about.
Does Wrath of the Righteous have much direct interaction with the gods?
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WotR does have one (generally regarded as poorly done) direct interaction with the deities in a later book. When viewed through a Greek mythology lens, it might actually be a touch better than how it was normally viewed.
There's also a side quest linked to the campaign backgrounds that gets very close to direct interaction, and could easily be expanded to have a more Greek myth style feel to it. (During book 3 if I remember correctly).
And there's a side character who is being directly influenced by a deity, while its mainly off-screen/backstory, it could also be pretty easily adapted for a more direct interaction (at least as time goes on).
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None of the published APs are in a setting at all analogous to Theros; nowhere feels terribly Greek or Mediterranean, and none of the stories really fit a mythic, devout storyline like a Greek myth - the only one that gets at all close is Wrath of the Righteous, and that's about crusaders and demons.
There's a few stories about travel, but those are either primarily urban or otherwise in locales very far from the Hellenistic vibes Theros is all about.
I imagine if this is a case of taking an AP and adapting it to what OP is looking for, something that's that strictly similar is not necessary. Depends how much work OP is willing to do is taking pieces and general ideas from a couple different APs and making something new from them, like what mikeawmids mentioned.
For absolute minimum work needed that has very strong setting to what OP wants, you're correct, I'd say that doesn't exist, but we can talk about what 1-3 APs have the closest general feel to that kind of high travel adventure and interacting with the gods, and see what adaptation is needed from there.
You also might be able to reskin Kingmaker in to something more Greek myth like -- probably especially pulling some of the Owlcat's PC game material forward (or waiting for the 2e port). Leaning into some of the Fey/Eldest aspects more heavily as the meddling/over bearing deities that you can't ignore and have to suffer through.
It does lack some of the 'epic journey' or 'needing to accomplish an epic task to appease the gods' style, but with only a tiny amount of work I think make some of the chapters (Varnhold and Book 6 definitely feel possible)
