Character Name: Hades
Pantheon: Greek
Parentage: Kronos and Rhea
Patronage: King of the Underworld; God, Judge, and Keeper of the Dead and the hidden wealth of the world.
Residence:
Unlike the opulent palaces created by his brothers in their own realms, Hades' castle is made of cold black stone. While not entirely lacking in visible signs of wealth and splendor, it pales in comparison to Olympus, hardly a shade of the grandeur Zeus created. It is in his castle and main place of residence that Hades holds court and rules over his subjects. When not in his castle, he frequently travels throughout the rest of the Underworld, particularly through the Elysian Fields during the spring and summer months, as the area vaguely reminds him of Persephone when she is away.
Though he does not often frequent the land of men, he does own a huge estate in Athens, a country villa just outside of Rome, a manor in London, and a luxurious apartment in New York. Though he sees that his residences on the mortal plane are well kept, it is rare to ever find him in any of them unless he has specifically left the Underworld to see Persephone.
Personality:
Dark and brooding, Hades is spurned by his fellow Gods and men alike. He stands apart from his fellow Olympians for his morbid personality, and though no one would dare refuse his presence, he is never truly welcomed on those rare occasions he visits Olympus. Despite being the brother of Zeus and an recipient of one of the three lots drawn by himself and his brothers, Hades is neither admired or envied. Indeed, he views his own role as King of the Underworld more often as a curse and a burden than any sort of reward, though at the same time he feels that no one else could handle the responsibility.
Mortal men fear Hades for what he represents, though the Lord of the Dead is often misunderstood. In the past, to even speak the name of Hades was frightening, and so many euphemisms were pressed into general use.
In great contrast to his brothers, Hades actually values his fidelity with his wife, having only strayed from Persephone on two occasions. Though his marriage hardly started well, Hades has over the long years grown to appreciate his wife for more than the beauty that initially drew him. Indeed, Persephone is the one deity Hades feel comfortable confiding in, and his trust in her is such that he has not only shared his throne, but allowed her to sometimes rule in his stead. Of all his possessions Hades most values his wife, his one true source of contentment, and he would not hesitate to destroy anyone who would dare threaten or harm her. Hades loathes the spring and summer months when Persephone leaves him to be with her mother.
In spite of modern connotations of Death, Hades is not an evil God. Indeed, he is of a passive nature, more concerned with the preservation of balance than anything else. He is capable of both honorable and treacherous acts, reflected in his aide toward Heracles during his Labors, and the trickery through which he obtained Persephone.
If there is one thing Hades is particular about, it is, for the most part, forbidding his subjects to leave the Underworld. His rage is just as terrible for those who try to cheat death, and justifiably so. Were he not so adamant, the dead may well walk the land of the living, a prospect Hades could not allow. Even if the mortals deserved it. The Lord of the Dead is also quick to judge any who would dare cross him, as those who have found out to their eternal torment and misery. Despite of, or perhaps because he has lordship over the hidden wealth of the world, riches have never been a concern or want of Hades.
History:
Hades has never led a particularly wonderful life, and his largely woeful existence began the very day he was born. Consumed by his father for fear that he and his siblings would rise up against him, Hades did not exactly have the best childhood a God of his stature could, and should have had. Helpless, there was little he or any of his siblings could do within the confines of their very father. Many years in this abysmal confinement, in which there was much argument about how to escape. For himself, Hades was largely silent. Coldly did he calculate what would be his vengeance, biding his time and his strength until the day he could act on his machinations.
But it was not to be. At least, it was not to be as he had schemed. Zeus, the one son of Kronos to escape being devoured and the brother he never knew he had, managed to get their father to finally disgorge him and his siblings. While elation of freedom initially drove him, Hades now looks back on this fateful day as the beginning of his subservience to Zeus, owing his life and his freedom. Such as it was.
Understandably a little upset with his father, Hades did not hesitate to join Zeus in the great civil war, or Titanomachy. To aide him in battle, the Cyclopes Zeus had also freed and won to his side, gifted him with the Helm of Darkness, which allowed him to become invisible to man and God alike. Donning his new helm, Hades slipped over to the camp of the Titans the day before their battle, destroying their weapons. Even with this tactical advantage, however, the war raged a further ten years, in which Hades proved himself to be a formidable warrior. In the end, the younger Gods prevailed over the Titans.
Instead of fighting over the spoils of war, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, decided to divide the universe between them. Lots were drawn, and unlucky Hades was not the first, or even the second of his brothers to choose his realm. Zeus chose the sky and the heavens, while Poseidon chose the oceans. Hades was left with what neither of his brothers wanted, and what no man or God would ever envy him for-rule over the Underworld. Hades took his misfortune without brokering any complaint, however, and wasted no time in consolidating his power.
But for all his wealth, subjects, and rule, Hades found himself lonesome. He wanted, needed, a companion who he could confide in and share his throne with, someone he could feel comfortable confiding in and trusting. Hades, who had never asked anything of his brother, went to Zeus and petitioned to have one of his daughters in marriage. Zeus offered Persephone, daughter of Demeter. But Zeus also knew that Demeter would never agree to the marriage, and so assented to the forceful abduction of the girl. Hades found Persephone in a flowery meadow with her nymph companions, and did not hesitate in stealing her into his chariot and returning to the Underworld. To Hades, Persephone represented a rich beauty, innocence, and youth altogether alien to his kingdom. His infatuation became manifest as soon as he had seen her. She would be his bride.
Demeter was furious, but Hades did not care. He had his bride. In her fury, Demeter caused a great dearth to fall upon the world until her daughter was returned. Until then, the earth would bare no fruit. Still, Hades was not moved. It was not until the very fate of mankind came into question, that Zeus was forced to intervene and concede to the demands of Demeter. Hades could not oppose his brother, and his king. But he was not to be beaten entirely. It was well known that those who ate of his realm were forced to forever remain in the Underworld, and in her stay with him Hades had fed to Persephone a handful of pomegranate seeds. She would be forced to spent at least spend a part of each year with him in the Underworld.
Feared by mortal men and God alike, Hades has not been without acts of generosity throughout the years. When Heracles came to him during his Twelve Labors, Hades allowed the demi-god to take Cerberus to the mortal world with him, asking only that his three-headed hell hound not be harmed. To Orpheus, the great mortal musician, he even showed mercy, even if the mortal failed to trust him in return. But good as Hades was, he could also be cruel, and vengeful, as he showed when Pirithous tried to abduct Persephone from him.
In the present, as in the past, Hades for the most part keeps to the Underworld, a dutiful if reluctant ruler. Empires of men have risen and fallen, but for most part Hades takes little notice. When he has ventured forth, it has been to oversee certain funeral rites that interest him, or to gain some form of momentary solace from the demands of the Underworld. Most recently, Hades has set to task getting his kingdom back in order after his subjects had dare to defy Olympus and Zeus himself. For him, the whole event was an embarrassment, as the war had made him out to be a weak ruler, unable to control his subjects. If there is one thing that Hades hates, it is looking incapable before his King.
Miscellaneous:
Hades most well known possession is the Helm of Darkness, given to him by the Cyclopes during the Titanomacy. The wearer of the helm is rendered completely invisible to man and god alike. A lesser known, but no less potent artifact is his two-pronged fork, which can shatter any object it touches, much like the trident of Poseidon. The ensign of his power is his scepter, which he uses to drive the shades of the dead into the lower world.
Played-By: Clive Owen
Pantheon: Greek
Parentage: Kronos and Rhea
Patronage: King of the Underworld; God, Judge, and Keeper of the Dead and the hidden wealth of the world.
Residence:
Unlike the opulent palaces created by his brothers in their own realms, Hades' castle is made of cold black stone. While not entirely lacking in visible signs of wealth and splendor, it pales in comparison to Olympus, hardly a shade of the grandeur Zeus created. It is in his castle and main place of residence that Hades holds court and rules over his subjects. When not in his castle, he frequently travels throughout the rest of the Underworld, particularly through the Elysian Fields during the spring and summer months, as the area vaguely reminds him of Persephone when she is away.
Though he does not often frequent the land of men, he does own a huge estate in Athens, a country villa just outside of Rome, a manor in London, and a luxurious apartment in New York. Though he sees that his residences on the mortal plane are well kept, it is rare to ever find him in any of them unless he has specifically left the Underworld to see Persephone.
Personality:
Dark and brooding, Hades is spurned by his fellow Gods and men alike. He stands apart from his fellow Olympians for his morbid personality, and though no one would dare refuse his presence, he is never truly welcomed on those rare occasions he visits Olympus. Despite being the brother of Zeus and an recipient of one of the three lots drawn by himself and his brothers, Hades is neither admired or envied. Indeed, he views his own role as King of the Underworld more often as a curse and a burden than any sort of reward, though at the same time he feels that no one else could handle the responsibility.
Mortal men fear Hades for what he represents, though the Lord of the Dead is often misunderstood. In the past, to even speak the name of Hades was frightening, and so many euphemisms were pressed into general use.
In great contrast to his brothers, Hades actually values his fidelity with his wife, having only strayed from Persephone on two occasions. Though his marriage hardly started well, Hades has over the long years grown to appreciate his wife for more than the beauty that initially drew him. Indeed, Persephone is the one deity Hades feel comfortable confiding in, and his trust in her is such that he has not only shared his throne, but allowed her to sometimes rule in his stead. Of all his possessions Hades most values his wife, his one true source of contentment, and he would not hesitate to destroy anyone who would dare threaten or harm her. Hades loathes the spring and summer months when Persephone leaves him to be with her mother.
In spite of modern connotations of Death, Hades is not an evil God. Indeed, he is of a passive nature, more concerned with the preservation of balance than anything else. He is capable of both honorable and treacherous acts, reflected in his aide toward Heracles during his Labors, and the trickery through which he obtained Persephone.
If there is one thing Hades is particular about, it is, for the most part, forbidding his subjects to leave the Underworld. His rage is just as terrible for those who try to cheat death, and justifiably so. Were he not so adamant, the dead may well walk the land of the living, a prospect Hades could not allow. Even if the mortals deserved it. The Lord of the Dead is also quick to judge any who would dare cross him, as those who have found out to their eternal torment and misery. Despite of, or perhaps because he has lordship over the hidden wealth of the world, riches have never been a concern or want of Hades.
History:
Hades has never led a particularly wonderful life, and his largely woeful existence began the very day he was born. Consumed by his father for fear that he and his siblings would rise up against him, Hades did not exactly have the best childhood a God of his stature could, and should have had. Helpless, there was little he or any of his siblings could do within the confines of their very father. Many years in this abysmal confinement, in which there was much argument about how to escape. For himself, Hades was largely silent. Coldly did he calculate what would be his vengeance, biding his time and his strength until the day he could act on his machinations.
But it was not to be. At least, it was not to be as he had schemed. Zeus, the one son of Kronos to escape being devoured and the brother he never knew he had, managed to get their father to finally disgorge him and his siblings. While elation of freedom initially drove him, Hades now looks back on this fateful day as the beginning of his subservience to Zeus, owing his life and his freedom. Such as it was.
Understandably a little upset with his father, Hades did not hesitate to join Zeus in the great civil war, or Titanomachy. To aide him in battle, the Cyclopes Zeus had also freed and won to his side, gifted him with the Helm of Darkness, which allowed him to become invisible to man and God alike. Donning his new helm, Hades slipped over to the camp of the Titans the day before their battle, destroying their weapons. Even with this tactical advantage, however, the war raged a further ten years, in which Hades proved himself to be a formidable warrior. In the end, the younger Gods prevailed over the Titans.
Instead of fighting over the spoils of war, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, decided to divide the universe between them. Lots were drawn, and unlucky Hades was not the first, or even the second of his brothers to choose his realm. Zeus chose the sky and the heavens, while Poseidon chose the oceans. Hades was left with what neither of his brothers wanted, and what no man or God would ever envy him for-rule over the Underworld. Hades took his misfortune without brokering any complaint, however, and wasted no time in consolidating his power.
But for all his wealth, subjects, and rule, Hades found himself lonesome. He wanted, needed, a companion who he could confide in and share his throne with, someone he could feel comfortable confiding in and trusting. Hades, who had never asked anything of his brother, went to Zeus and petitioned to have one of his daughters in marriage. Zeus offered Persephone, daughter of Demeter. But Zeus also knew that Demeter would never agree to the marriage, and so assented to the forceful abduction of the girl. Hades found Persephone in a flowery meadow with her nymph companions, and did not hesitate in stealing her into his chariot and returning to the Underworld. To Hades, Persephone represented a rich beauty, innocence, and youth altogether alien to his kingdom. His infatuation became manifest as soon as he had seen her. She would be his bride.
Demeter was furious, but Hades did not care. He had his bride. In her fury, Demeter caused a great dearth to fall upon the world until her daughter was returned. Until then, the earth would bare no fruit. Still, Hades was not moved. It was not until the very fate of mankind came into question, that Zeus was forced to intervene and concede to the demands of Demeter. Hades could not oppose his brother, and his king. But he was not to be beaten entirely. It was well known that those who ate of his realm were forced to forever remain in the Underworld, and in her stay with him Hades had fed to Persephone a handful of pomegranate seeds. She would be forced to spent at least spend a part of each year with him in the Underworld.
Feared by mortal men and God alike, Hades has not been without acts of generosity throughout the years. When Heracles came to him during his Twelve Labors, Hades allowed the demi-god to take Cerberus to the mortal world with him, asking only that his three-headed hell hound not be harmed. To Orpheus, the great mortal musician, he even showed mercy, even if the mortal failed to trust him in return. But good as Hades was, he could also be cruel, and vengeful, as he showed when Pirithous tried to abduct Persephone from him.
In the present, as in the past, Hades for the most part keeps to the Underworld, a dutiful if reluctant ruler. Empires of men have risen and fallen, but for most part Hades takes little notice. When he has ventured forth, it has been to oversee certain funeral rites that interest him, or to gain some form of momentary solace from the demands of the Underworld. Most recently, Hades has set to task getting his kingdom back in order after his subjects had dare to defy Olympus and Zeus himself. For him, the whole event was an embarrassment, as the war had made him out to be a weak ruler, unable to control his subjects. If there is one thing that Hades hates, it is looking incapable before his King.
Miscellaneous:
Hades most well known possession is the Helm of Darkness, given to him by the Cyclopes during the Titanomacy. The wearer of the helm is rendered completely invisible to man and god alike. A lesser known, but no less potent artifact is his two-pronged fork, which can shatter any object it touches, much like the trident of Poseidon. The ensign of his power is his scepter, which he uses to drive the shades of the dead into the lower world.
Played-By: Clive Owen