Celestial Speck
I'm not a bad guy, I swear!
"However long it takes."
Name:
Zagreus, the Prince of the Underworld
Age:
Unknown, likely hundreds, if not thousands of years old.
Gender:
Male.
Canon:
Hades, from Supergiant Games.
Alignment:
Neutral Good.
Personality:
Zagreus is the rebellious son of Hades and, unknowingly, Persephone; but raised by Nyx. He is largely defined by his persistence, good humor and wit, and his kindness. Having spent most of his immortal life bearing the brunt of his father Hades' repressed frustration and rage, he grew up feeling distant and out of place from the other denizens of the underworld, partially due to his failure to meet the heavy expectations of his father, and partially his apparent inability to contribute to the running of the Underworld. When he discovers the truth of his parentage, he decides to attempt to escape the realm of the dead to seek out his long-lost mother. Despite all the trials and many deaths he faces, he never wavers in pursuing his goal, never once showing any sign of doubt in his efforts, even in the face of his father's wrath, and when his own mother at one point tells him not to seek her out anymore.
Zagreus is often shown to be humble, good-humored, and often sarcastic and self-deprecating. His jovial, if somewhat-insubordinate nature allows him to easily befriend the many people he encounters, treating people of lower status as his equals, although he is respectful of his elders (aside from his father), especially his fellow gods. He is sometimes shown to be somewhat blasé, which has led him to offend the people around him or act without thinking of the consequences. However, he often reflects on this and is quick to apologize when he oversteps. He has a mischievous side, and is fond of pranking others.
He is fiercely protective of his friends and loved ones, and goes out of his way to defend them with little regard toward status or societal expectations. He often leverages his own influence to improve the lives of others.
Due to his sheltered upbringing, Zagreus is often shown to be ignorant of the world outside of the Underworld, relying on others to relay information about the outside world.
Motivation:
In the past, it was to escape the Underworld to find his own, biological mother. Nowadays...? Probably find a way out of this place before he is taken by the Styx.
Equipment:
Zagreus is in possession of Infernal Arms- powerful divine weapons used in the distant past by his godly relatives in their own battles, or the war against their Titan creators. Despite not being weak by any means, the Infernal Arms are capable of being upgraded either by an Olympian god's divine boons or by reforging them via using Deadulus Hammers to give them new abilities or attacks. The blades react to Titan Blood, small droplets of the massive amount of blood spilled by the Titans long ago, unlocking hidden aspects of the weapon, or making existing ones more powerful. While Zagreus is only able to carry one weapon at a time with him during his battles, these are as follows:
The blade's default attack pattern is a three-swing long combo consisting of a mixture of wide and directional swings. The special creates a small burst around you after a short jump and leaves Zagreus stationary for a short time.
Repeated long-range stab attacks that can be charged to unleash a spin attack dealing high damage in a wide radius. The special throws the spear, which will damage enemies along its path until it stops. Activating special again recalls the spear, which will deal damage on the way back.
The main attack is a single swing that hits in an arc and knocks enemies back. Holding the attack button will block damage from the front, while charging the "Bull Rush". Releasing this will perform a shield bash forwards, dealing damage to enemies hit. The special throws the shield, which bounces between enemies and objects before returning.
Ranged attacks that hit enemies at a distance. The main attack can be charged to increase distance and damage, releasing at the right moment for additional damage. The special sprays arrows in a cone in front of you, dealing 10 damage each.
Fast repetitive short-range combo attacks using fists in close-quarters combat. The special is an uppercut that hits twice. This weapon is unique due to it being the only Infernal Arm with a dash-special; if the special is used while dashing it will uppercut faster but only hit once.
Automatic or manual fire (depending on whether Attack is pressed or held) that must be reloaded once all ammo is used. The special launches a grenade to bombard the target area, which takes a short time to arrive but deals damage in an area once it lands.
Keepsakes
Zagreus also holds possession of Keepsakes- small collectible and magical items given to him by his friends after gifting them. These small items give Zagreus small, yet noticeable abilities, such as more health, the ability to deal more damage if he has no boons, and so on, so forth. Keepsakes can only be equipped one at a time, with Zagreus only being able to change it when he isn't battling.
Bloodstones
'...The world itself is alive, in a way, is it not? Even the realm of the dead. All of us here, the world with it, we flow through time as blood flows through mortal veins. Look carefully and you shall find that there is power, feeling in the earth itself. And, like any power, it seeks to be claimed. To be held. With all this in mind, as well as due to appearance I suppose, do bloodstones take their name. The Master himself keeps several of them, perhaps for therapeutic reasons. He has even taught the prince the way to make their crimson facets ignite in an angry glow.'
Bloodstones are small stones in the group of three that Zagreus can throw against his enemies. Taking the form of a small, bloodied stone (albeit its shape and purpose can change if a god boon is chosen) that seeks out enemies and imbues itself onto them for a temporary time, these stones act as a way to attack enemies at a distant, but also make so Zagreus can deal more damage with as long as one is trapped against an enemy.
Attributes:
As a godling, Zagreus naturally possesses unnatural abilities given to him. Such as immense strength to take on foes larger than himself, (such as the bone Hydra) relatively large resistance against attacks, and pseudo-immortality, in the sense he cannot seem to age in the slightest. Despite this, due to living in the Underworld for a good portion of his life, Zagreus lacks some degree of skill compared to his other godly relatives, only recently trained by the mortal hero Achilles, and having his abilities grow by using the powers of Nyx, the Lady of the Night to increase his resistances, his luck and fate, and chances of victory.
Zagreus is notable for seemingly having enough strength and resistance to seemingly not be thrown back by most blows or attack against enemies, often being able to stand his ground despite being hit against beings larger than him. Likely a trait due to his divine parentage, as Zagreus can easily do the same against other enemies.
Despite being able to be 'killed', Zagreus cannot truly 'die', as his soul is bound to the afterlife he came from. If he attempts to exit it, while not instantly dying, he will slowly but surely lose his strength, until he dies from seemingly 'natural causes', and taken away by the river Styx, back where he came from. Despite the fact, Zagreus can temporarily 'defy death' in a limit of three times, as when he is dealt an otherwise mortal blow, he will have a portion of his health back to him, but having lost one of his limited defiances, only capable of recharging them again if he dies, or if some powerful enough figure recharges them for him.
Zagreus can also 'call upon the gods', or rather, a specific god of Olympus he received a Divine Call boon from. While who he is calling can be changed via a boon, gods are selfish and vengeful creatures, and often doing so will cause them to temporarily try and stop Zagreus progress in the form of...Well, you guessed it. Killing him.
Oh, and he is also pretty damn good at fishing. No biggie.
Biography:
'...Take one look at him and I think any questions of his parentage are soon resolved. He never seemed to like it much, there, growing up within Lord Hades' well-appointed house. One day I took him on as a disciple, under orders from Lord Hades; the Master worried that his heir lacked any firm direction in his life. And, indeed, Zagreus took well to the martial ways, and I am proud to say now that he was my student.'
'He was never insubordinate with me, despite his reputation. Perhaps my own lack of decorum in my youth made it easier for us to get along. He learned quickly, exhibiting his father's might, and even greater swiftness. Yet, he soon showed a quality that startled me much more. Forgive me, O gods! You are not known for your kindness. But this son of Lord Hades always regarded me, a mere shade, with respect; and the congenial manner of an old friend. Rumors swirl about the lad; about how he bleeds red as a mortal does. Well, if there's a trace of mortality in him, I am certain he is better for it. I should know.'
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