Monsters
Themes
Marginalization, Found Family, Forbidden Desire
Much maligned, Monsters serve as foils to gods and heroes alike. But what makes a monster? Sure, you may have done terrible things, but certainly no more terrible than the gods themselves. Perhaps you revel in your monstrosity, perhaps it shames you, or perhaps you are simply misunderstood. Whatever the case, the world sees you as unnatural, deviant, dangerous. Will you give into your monstrous urges, or will you show the world that you are far more than what you seem?
Playable Characters
Alecto (Fury) - Once a member of Hades’s Underworld empire, a particularly disturbing incident made Alecto leave that life behind. But there aren’t a lot of options for someone whose primary skill is violence, so she's now the bare-knuckle boxing champion at Typhon’s underground fighting ring. Her search for meaning has led Alecto to Artemis’s Poison Arrows, but her unsavory past has made Artemis wary of allowing her to join. Alecto needs to prove to Artemis that she’s serious about her desire to punish the wicked, but that seems nearly impossible with Hades still trying to pull her strings.
Arachne (Giant Spider) - Of all of her kin, Arachne is the one who has unabashedly thrived. Once famed for her weaving, she’s now a celebrated couturier whose extraordinary designs are highly sought by members of New York’s upper crust. Allowed access to some of the most private and exclusive places in the city has also made Arachne the consummate spy. If anyone knows what goes on behind the closed doors of New York’s elite, it’s her. Fortunately, she also knows how to be discreet, but is willing to let a few juicy rumors slip for the right price.
Asterion (Minotaur) - Once the famed monster at the center of the Labyrinth, Asterion is now the pit boss at the Titans’ Cornucopia Casino. While he’s used to being feared—and is more than willing to use his monstrous reputation to his advantage—he’s also frustrated that few people bother to look past the surface. There are only a small number of people who have earned Asterion’s trust, and he would do almost anything for them. Sure, most of his solutions end in bloodshed, but it’s the thought that counts, right?
Chiron (Centaur) - Chiron is a study in contrasts: warrior and healer, soldier and counselor, monster and man. He is known for training some of the most renowned fighters in history, as well as developing healing techniques that have revolutionized the study of medicine. But, despite everything he’s done, Chiron is still considered a monster by many gods and heroes. Fortunately, he is patient, and spends his time volunteering at the Spring Street Clinic, while also coaching fighters at Typhon’s underground fighting ring. Chiron knows he’s an invaluable member of the community, regardless how others may see him, and is willing to break down the walls between factions a pebble at a time, if necessary.
Echidna (Mother of Monsters) - The centuries have not been kind to Echidna. Once mother to hundreds, she has watched her children disappear one by one, slain or forgotten, and has been consumed with rage and grief. Her mate, Typhon, has done his best to console her, but there is little he can do to soothe her pain. Echidna is fiercely protective of her few remaining children, no matter how wicked or monstrous they might be, and often turns a blind eye to their more unsavory behaviors. Still, how can a mother be blamed for loving a child unconditionally?
Eurydice (Wood Nymph) -Things are a little different these days, but Eurydice is still lost to the underworld, and in the palm of Hades’s hand. Now tasked with being his personal assistant, Eurydice is never more than two steps from Hades’s side, and she is still forbidden to communicate with her husband, Orpheus. There have even been times when the two of them were in the same room and Eurydice had to cast her eyes away, lest she incur the wrath of the kingpin of the Underworld. Now that Zeus is dead, however, things are changing. Whoever takes his place might be more lenient on Eurydice and her lost love… if she can figure out some way to keep Hades from taking the throne.
Laelaps (Giant Hunting Hound) - Once Athena’s loyal hound, Laelaps has founded a private detective agency, and now uses his hunting skills to track down missing people or cheating spouses. Recently, he was hired by Hera to investigate Zeus’s murder. Aside from being the most high profile case Laelaps has ever had, it’s also the most politically charged one. What he uncovers may have the power to topple the reign of the gods once and for all. Fortunately, he and his partner, Ariadne, are known for both their skill and their discretion.
Ligeia (Siren) - Ligeia once used her bewitching voice to lure sailors to a watery grave. Now she uses it to entice customers of the Titans’ Cornucopia Casino to gamble their lives away. While the life of a torch singer might seem glamorous, Ligeia often has trouble making ends meet, so she also works as an escort at Aphrodite’s Dove & Pearl Escort Service. Recently, she’s had issues with a particularly demanding client, whose previous visit erupted in violence. Now Ligeia is the one seeking safe harbor in the midst of a gathering storm.
Medusa (Gorgon) - One of the most famous monsters to ever exist, Medusa has had to adapt to survive. Originally victim to the gods’ whims, she’s now an icy psychologist who is privy to their deepest secrets. Using the money she has earned from her upscale clientele, Medusa has carefully built a safe haven for the vulnerable. She is one of the founders of the Spring Street Clinic, a free clinic serving poor and transient populations. There, she provides free counseling services for the needy and bides her time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring the gods to their knees.
Minthe (Underworld Nymph) - The first consort of Hades, Minthe caught his eye when he first rose to power, and their courtship was brief and passionate. But, of course, that was before Persephone arrived. She stole into his palace and into his heart, and Minthe was cast aside. Minthe may have been Hades’s consort, but he made Persephone queen. Now Minthe plots her revenge, to make Hades pay for his cruel treatment. Her first move was to seduce Hades's only son, and heir to his Underworld empire, Zagreus.
Silenus (Satyr) - The oldest of the satyrs, and mentor to Dionysus, Silenus is now the bartender at the Temple nightclub. Bartenders tend to notice things, and Silenus has noticed quite a few odd occurrences lately. Most especially, he has noticed that Dionysus is troubled, but hasn’t been able to figure out the source of his friend’s discontent. Meanwhile, Silenus distributes Ambrosia from Circe and Morpheus’s lab, keeps the club running, and keeps his customers happy. It does feel a bit like a party at the end of the world, but parties are Silenus’s forte, so he’ll keep the celebration going as long as he can.
Typhon (Sea Monster) - Typhon was born of Gaia’s fury at the gods, and has been a thorn in their side ever since. Not quite titan and not quite god, he has carved out a place for himself in the city’s underworld. Typhon runs an underground fighting ring whose brutality harkens back to the days of bread and circuses. These matches are frequented by the city’s elite, as well as prominent members of its seedy underbelly, which makes Typhon one of the most well-connected people in the city. Because he and Zeus have tangled a number of times in the past, he is currently a suspect in Zeus’s death. Typhon maintains his innocence, but it’s curious that he doesn’t seem to have an alibi for the night Zeus was murdered.