User blog:Laquearius/Harpalyce vs Penthesilea

Harpalyce, the Thracian princess who beat back an army to defend her father...

Penthesilea, the last Amazon Queen and the final hope for Troy...

Both of these heroines were nightmares to the Achaean armies, but who is DEADLIEST?

Harpalyce
Harpalyce was the daughter of a Thracian king named Harpalykos. Harpalykos decided that his daughter would take his place as ruler, and had the girl trained as a warrior. Harpalyce was an incredibly skilled warrior, and extremely quick, being able to run faster and longer than horses. When Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles, returned from the war at Troy, he attacked and wounded Harpalykos, but Harpalyce came to his defense. Single-handedly, she fought off Neoptolemus and his Myrmidon army, forcing them to retreat. A short time later, a rebellion broke out in the city. Harpalykos was killed during the rioting, and Harpalyce was exiled to the wilderness.

Sica Rhomphaia Javelins Club Phrygian Helmet Pelte
 * -| Short Range =
 * Bronze dagger
 * Curved to get around shield and helmets
 * 12 inches
 * -| Mid Range =
 * Bronze polearm with a short handle and long, slightly curved blade
 * Blade is 32 inches
 * Handle is 20 inches
 * -| Long Range =
 * Three short javelins
 * Carried on back of shield
 * -| Special =
 * Wood wrapped with bronze
 * Short, but heavy
 * Meant for breaking enemy spears
 * -| Armor =
 * Harpalyce wears no body armor, only clothing as to not restrict movement
 * Bronze helmet
 * Pointed on top to deflect downward strikes
 * Cheek guards
 * Small crescent shield
 * Made of wicker wrapped in sheep skin

Penthesilea
Penthesilea was the last queen of the Amazons. She was a death seeker, a result of the accidental killing of her sister and former queen Hippolyta. She was easily persuaded to join the war at Troy on the side of the Trojans, taking a small force of Amazons with her to defend the city against the Achaean attacks. The Amazons immediately had an affect on the battle, killing many Achaeans even on the first day of fighting. She would eventually fall to the might of Achilles, like the other champions of Troy before her.

Xiphos Dory Composite Bow Labrys Linothorax Chalcidian Helmet Aspis
 * -| Short Range =
 * Bronze shortsword
 * 20 inches
 * -| Mid Range =
 * Bronze-tipped spear
 * Shaft of ashwood
 * Counterbalanced with a smaller tip on rear
 * 96 inches
 * -| Long Range =
 * Made of wood, horn, and sinew
 * Range of ~500 feet
 * -| Special =
 * Bronze double-bitted axe
 * Handle of ashwood
 * Supposedly invented by Penthesilea herself
 * -| Armor =
 * Linen armor
 * Covers torso and shoulders
 * Belt of bronze around waist
 * Relatively light bronze helm
 * Cheek and nose guards
 * Large wooden shield wrapped in bronze
 * 3 feet in diameter

X-Factors
Strength

Penthesilea was a demigod, with her father being Ares, the God of War. Thus, her strength is beyond that of any normal mortals by a significant amount. Harpalyce has trained to be a warrior her whole life, and is in excellent physical condition, but even the greatest mortal can't compare to the superhuman strength of a demigod.

Speed and Agility

Penthesilea, like all Amazons, moves terrifyingly quick in battle, being able to easily dodge attacks and strike down enemies. With only twelve Amazons at her side, Penthesilea's arrival was enough to put the Achaean army to rout, the tide only turning with the arrival of Achilles. Harpalyce is an incredibly fast runner, being able to run both faster and for longer times than horses, and her fight with Neoptolemus's Myrmidons shows that she's able to out-maneuver multiple experienced warriors at once.

Training

Penthesilea and Harpalyce both grew up in environments that required constant training and practice. Harpalyce was required to become a great warrior so she would be capable of taking her rightful place as Queen of the Amymnaeans, and Harpalykos ensured that his daughter would receive the best training possible. Penthesilea, on the other hand, as an Amazon, has lived her whole life in a society of born-and-bred warriors. Everyone living in Amazon society was trained to be a warrior from birth, and would receive tutelage from many different Amazon veterans.

Experience

Despite the immense skill she displayed in it, the fight with Neoptolemus and the Myrmidons is the only real combat experience Harpalyce has had. She likely had some fights against the shephards she had to steal from, but that's all. Penthesilea definitely participated in Amazonian raids (as raiding was a way of life for the Amazons) and, of course, participated in the Trojan War.