The letter is written in letters of golden fire on a slab of pure white marble.

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to request your aid in a matter of the gravest theological importance: helping me choose my successor. I am the current Apollo Helios, Sun God and supreme deity of a cluster of nine little city-worlds (unimaginatively named: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and so on), and I wish to retire soon. It clearly is in everyone's best interest to see that a worthy successor is selected.

I am teleporting this message directly to your temple to make sure it is dealt with promptly. Please reply as soon as possible, as my deposit on a sea-side condominium in Elysium is non-refundable. You make any arrangements you need with my son, Aristaeus.

Divinely yours,

Apollo Helios Musagetes Lykegenus (but you can call me Paul)

Straight and to the point. Very nice. You may want to introduce a few more personalities into the letter though. Is there an external force that is compelling Paul to choose a successor with such haste? This may be a place for the followers of Apollo to have some influence.

I'm curious about what this letter would be like written from Aristaeus' point of view. His father is obviously ignoring any possibility of letting him inherit the throne. How does he feel about that? Does Aristaeus have followers of his own that would like to see him become the new sun god?

All good questions! A lot of the issues you point out were the result of trying to keep it short. Here's a somewhat longer form that incorporates some of your suggestions:


Big Sandals to Fill, take 2

The letter is written in letters of golden fire on a slab of pure white marble.

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to request your aid in a matter of the gravest theological importance: helping me choose my successor. I am the current Apollo Helios, Sun God and supreme deity of a cluster of nine little city-worlds (unimaginatively named: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and so on), and I wish to retire soon. All of my sons already have their own divine responsibilities (Asclepius is the demi-god of medicine, Aristaeus is the patron god of herds, fruit trees, bee-keeping, etc., and Amphiarus and Trophonius are divine oracles), and are uninterested in the job.

I am teleporting this message directly to your temple to make sure it is dealt with promptly. Please reply as soon as possible, as my deposit on a sea-side condominium in Elysium is non-refundable. You make any arrangements you need with my son, Aristaeus.

Divinely yours,

Apollo Helios Musagetes Lykegenus (but you can call me Paul)


This letter, written on fine parchment in letters of royal purple, is found right under the above slab.

Dear Priests of the Temple,

I assume by now you have Dad's message. I should warn you, that while he's been threatening to resign once a century or so for the last 1000 years, this time he sounds serious. I think all the rules and paperwork have finally gotten to him. I mean, things started out really simple -- you're the god, so you what you think best. Simple and to the point. But over time the cult has added subsidiary deities, festivals, rules, etc. Why, Dad can't even blow his nose without some priest somewhere demanding to know what this sign means! Frankly, I'm surprised he's put up with it this long; certainly neither I nor any of my brothers want the job! So we'd really appreciate some of your wisdom here.

Best regards,

Aristaeus

I like the second version better, even if Paul now sounds a little bit rambly (he's a retiring god, he's allowed to ramble!)

True. After all, who's going to tell him that he's not allowed to ramble?

Also, apologies for picking nits, but it's "sandals". :-}

Whoops! Fixed now -- thanks.