Greek · No. 108

Hephaestus's Golden Net

Real myth

Hephaestus's Golden Net
So fine no one sees it. So strong no one breaks it.
Rarity
Uncommon
Category
Trap
Effect
Destroys the attacking monster.

The myth

In the eighth book of the Odyssey, the bard Demodocus tells how Helios warned Hephaestus that his wife Aphrodite was betraying him with Ares. The smith god forged chains as fine as spider webs, which no one could see, not even the gods, and which could not be broken, and spread them around the bed. The lovers were caught, and Hephaestus summoned the gods to look; they burst into unquenchable laughter. Only when Poseidon stood surety did Hephaestus release them. Ovid says the chains were bronze; the card's golden color is a MYTHENOR touch.

Why it has this power

An Uncommon trap that destroys the attacking monster. So fine no one sees it, so strong no one breaks it: whoever advances falls into the net and never gets out. It is the uncommon counterpart of The Trojan Horse, ideal against a strong attacker who trusts too much in its own might.

Did you know

The phrase Homeric laughter, for uncontrollable laughter, comes from the gods' laughter in this scene and another in the Iliad.

Connections

  • In Elena, Huntress of Artemis's deck
  • In Kassandra, Daughter of the Oracle's deck
  • In Damon, Trireme Captain's deck
  • In Theron, Priest of the Underworld's deck
  • In Aristeia, Champion of Olympus's deck

Where to get it

  • Daily Offering: 0.45% per pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
  • Welcome Pack: 1.1% per pack (Uncommon 30% per card)
  • Traveler's Pack: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
  • Bronze Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 29% per card)
  • Silver Reliquary: 0.96% per pack · 5.6% in the themed pack (Uncommon 33% per card)
  • Golden Reliquary: 0.94% per pack · 5.5% in the themed pack (Uncommon 35% per card)
  • Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.98% of days · 400 gold
  • Craft with card dust: 100 dust
  • Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

  1. Odyssey, Book 8 — Homer (trans. A. T. Murray), Theoi Classical Texts Library
  2. HEPHAESTUS MYTHS 4 WORKS - Greek Mythology — Aaron J. Atsma, Theoi Project
  3. Hephaistos (World History Encyclopedia) — Mark Cartwright