Ione is a shepherd with her uncle's old spear and no destiny. The Marsh Serpent wants its marsh back. Old Thrax the potter has painted other people's heroes for fifty years, and he paints exactly what he sees. Five rounds on the band of a black-figure vase, and at the end the vase turns and gives her a name.

Made for Aristos Interactive Jam #9. Theme: Character.

THE THEME

Character, as a legend you write by playing. Dodge clean and Thrax paints her swift. Strike early and she is bold. Take the hits and keep going and she is scarred. Fall and get up and she is unbowed. Lower your spear when the Serpent yields and she is merciful. The vase remembers how you fought, not whether you won.

HOW TO PLAY

• A and D, or the arrow keys, to step.

• Space strikes. Strike when her spear shines white. On red, wait, or the Serpent bites back.

• Shift dodges back. Step back as the jaws come, not before.

• Watch the Serpent's head: every attack has its own tell, its own sound and its own answer.

• When the Serpent bows its head, you can strike it, or hold Down to lower your spear and spare its life.

• M mutes the sound. Enter or Space chooses in the menus.

Five rounds, about three minutes. Play again for a different name.

Epithet, a game by Cocolito Collective (cocolitocollective.com)

Best played in a desktop browser with a keyboard.