Dionysus Non-Villain Antagonist
Real Name: Dionysus Eleutherios.
Occupation: God of grapes, wine, orchards, fertility, revelry, theater, freedom, ritual madness, and insanity.
Identity: Dionyus's existence as anything other than a mythological being is unknown to the general public.
Legal Status: Citizen of Olympus with no known criminal record.
Other Aliases: Bacchus, Liber (his Roman names), Zagreus, "twice-born" (a common epithet), Soma (a case of mistaken identity), Eiraphiotes ("insewn", a descriptive name in the Homeric Hymns).
Place of Birth: Hades (first birth); Thebes (second birth).
Marital Status: Married.
Known Relatives: Hades (first father), Persephone (first mother), Semele (second mother), Zeus (second father, surrogate mother), Ariadne (wife), Oenopion, Thoas (sons by Ariadne, deceased). For more details on his extended family tree, which includes all of the major gods and many of the ancient Greek heroes, consult Hesiod's Theogony and other works.
Group Affiliation: Gods of Olympus.
Base of Operations: Mount Olympus; formerly mobile.
First Post-Reboot Appearance: HERCULES: THE LEGEND CONTINUES #
History: There are many renditions of Dionysus's history. What follows is what the gods themselves have recounted:
Dionysus was originally born Zagreus, the son of Hades and Persephone. When presented to the court of Olympus, he climbed up on Zeus's lap and grasped one of the god's thunderbolts without harm. Zeus's wife Hera understood that, as Persephone was Zeus's daughter, Zagreus was a potential heir to the throne; this filled the queen of the gods with fear, though no one could say whether it was fear for her own safety or for her position. Hera conspired with some of the lesser Titans who had stayed out of the ancient war between the two peoples to have the infant torn limb from limb, killing him. Enraged, Zeus banished those Titans to Tartarus, deep in Hades's own realm, though he could not prove Hera was behind it.
Zeus saved Zagreus's spirit, however, and eventually came across Semele, daughter of King Cadmus of Thebes and the goddess Harmonia (herself the immortal daughter of Ares and Aphrodite) who was one of Zeus's priestesses. Zeus came to Semele as an eagle and visited her several times until he impregnated her with Zagreus's spirit. Hera grew jealous of Zeus's affair, and still fearing Zagreus's position as an heir of Zeus, came to Semele in the guise of an old woman. Hera befriended the mortal, who ultimately admitted that her lover was Zeus. Hera tricked Semele into asking to see Zeus in his full deific glory; while mythologists claimed that no mortal could set eyes on a god and live, Hades claimed it was Semele asking to touch one of the thunderbolts that killed her. Zeus saved the still-living infant from Semele's charred corpse and sewed him up inside his thigh until he could be fully born.
At first, Dionysus was given to Hermes for care, who took him far to the east, where he was raised by the Vedic god Soma in the Indus river basin, who taught Dionysus the art of brewing wine and the distilling of psychoactive herbs. From there, he wandered the world having many adventures with his followers, the wild Maenads. While on the isle of Naxos with the Athenian hero Theseus, he and Ariadne, the Cretan princess traveling with the hero, fell in love; Ariadne left with Dionysus. (Ariadne was later killed by Artemis for undisclosed reasons.)
To prove his divinity, Dionysus descended into Hades (reportedly alongside Hercules) and freed Semele and Ariadne from the underworld. The trio then ascended to Olympus and became full-fledged gods. When offered one of Zeus's thunderbolts, Dionysus refused to touch them, possibly remembering how he was torn apart then his second mother burned. In doing so, he made amends with Hera, who promised not only to never harm him but to protect him from harm.
Dionysus subtly maintained his ties to the mortal world even after the rise of Christianity, often venturing to Italy, France, and later California to inspire and occasionally assist in the creation of new wines.
When Zeus's latest offspring and designated heir, Nyssa Savakis, emerged into her power, Hera manipulated Dionysus into having his Maenads attack her. At the time, Dionysus was unaware that she was his mortal half-sister, nor was he aware she was being assisted by Hercules. Upon learning of Hera's deception, he recalled the Maenads and set them upon Hera until she relented.
He and Ariadne were later present at a feast in Hades's hall where he regaled Hercules and Nyssa with the tales of his births.
Age: Indeterminate.
Height: 5' 8".
Weight: 465 lbs.
Eyes: Brown.
Hair: Variable.
Other Distinguishing Features: Dionysus in his wilder aspects often appears with a pair of horns shaped like a crescent moon.
Uniform: None.
Strength Level: Dionysus possesses the typical superhuman strength of an Olympian God, being able to lift (press) roughly 25 tons.
Known Superhuman Powers: In addition to his superhuman strength, Dionysus possesses the normal traits of an Olympian god, including superhuman durability enabling him to withstand incredible blows, and immunity to terrestrial diseases and poisons.
Dionysus has the deific ability to control and manipulate plant life; he typically controls vines of grapes and ivy, but is also able to control apple, pear, and cherry trees as well as plants such as wheat, barley, maize, and hops. This control is typically used to stimulate the plants' growth as well as controlling the vines and branches to entangle others. It is not known if this ability extends to all plants or only those which produce wine and beer.
Dionysus is also capable of inducing temporary madness in women; those in the throes of this induced madness lose all reason and become murderous, lost in savage glee.
Former Superhuman Powers: In his first life, he was able to change shape with ease and hold Zeus's thunderbolts without injury; it is not known whether he has retained these abilities.
Other Abilities: Dionysus is a skilled warrior, though he normally does not use these skills unless he absolutely has to. As the god of wine and revelry, he has mastered the art of making wine, and is a master alchemist using natural ingredients.
Allies: Dionysus is often accompanied by a dozen or so women, known as the Maenads, who are able to whip themselves into a murderous frenzy through dance and the consumption of special psychoactive wines he makes specifically for them. While under the influence of this wine, the maenads' teeth sharpen, their hands and feet grow into talons, and they gain superhuman strength – roughly able to lift (press) 10 tons – and durability.
5,515 points
| ST: 30/169 [0*†] | HP: 30 [0] | Speed:7.75 [0] |
| DX: 13 [60] | Will: 18 [25] | Move: 6 [-5] |
| IQ: 13 [60] | Per: 13 [0] | |
| HT: 18 [60*] | FP: 18 [0] | SM: 0 |
| Dmg: 3d/5d+2 (17d/19d) | BL: 180 lbs (5,712 lbs/2.9 tons) | |
| Dodge: 10 | Parry: 12 | DR: 0 |
| Block: 11 | ||
| IT:DR: /3 | ||
Languages: Ancient Greek (Native) (Native Language) [0].
Cultural Familiarities: Indian [1]; Mount Olympus (Native) [0]; Western [1].
Advantages: Affliction (Murderous Insanity) (Will-10; Accessibility: Only on Women, -20%; Advantage: Extra DX +6, +1,200%; Advantage: Extra ST +10, +1,000%; Area Effect: 64 yd radius, +300%; Based on Will (Target Roll), +20%; Cancellation, +10%; Cumulative, +400%; Disadvantage: Berserk (6), +20%; Extended Duration ×100, +80%; Irritant: Euphoria, +30%; Malediction (SSRT), +150%; Persistent, +40%; Selective Area, +20%) [6,385]; Ally Group (Maenads; 20% point value; Group Size: 11-20) (12) [13]; Binding (Plant Growth) 14/500 (Area Effect: 16 yd radius, +200%; Based on IQ (Own Roll), +20%; Constricting, +75%; Environmental (Needs Plant Life), -30%; Malediction (SSRT), +150%; One-Shot, -10%; Persistent, +40%; Selective Area, +20%; Super-Binding, +400%) [271]; Cultural Adaptability [10]; Fit [5]; Gadgeteer (Quick) (Concoctions, -50%) [25]; Gizmo 1 (Accessibility: Concoctions, -20%) [4]; Green Thumb 6 [30]; High Pain Threshold [10]; No Low TL4 [20]; Olympian God [605]; Omnilingual [40]; Plant Control Talent 6 [30]; Plant Empathy [5]; Social Chameleon [5]; Telekinesis 14/500 (Animate Life Forms (Partial), +20%; Specific: Plants Only, -20%; Super-Effort, +400%) [375]; Wealth (Wealthy) [20].
Perks: Alcohol Tolerance [1]; Convincing Nod [1]; Disarming Smile [1].
Disadvantages: Compulsive Carousing (6) [-10]; Gluttony (12) [-5]; Lecherousness (12) [-15]; Selfish (15) [-2]; Trickster (15) [-7].
Quirks: Broad-Minded [-1]; Friendly Drunk [-1]; Proud [-1]; Social [-1]; Wanderlust [-1].
Skills: Carousing (E) HT+2 [4] – 20; Climbing (A) DX+1 [4] – 14; Connoisseur (Music) (A) IQ+1 [4] – 14; Connoisseur (Wine) (A) IQ+7 [28] – 20; Dancing (A) DX-1 [1] – 12; Diplomacy (H) IQ+1 [8] – 14; Farming/TL8 (A) IQ+3 [1] – 16‡; Fast-Talk (A) IQ+1 [4] – 14; First Aid/TL4 (Humanoid) (E) IQ+1 [2] – 14; Gardening (E) IQ+4 [1] – 17‡; Group Performance (Directing) (A) IQ+1 [4] – 14; Herb Lore/TL8 (VH) IQ+7 [20] – 20‡; Hiking (A) HT+0 [2] – 18; Jumping (E) DX+1 [2] – 14; Karate (H) DX+1 [8] – 14; Naturalist (Earth) (H) IQ+3 [2] – 16‡; Performance (A) IQ+1 [4] – 14; Professional Skill (Brewer) (A) IQ+7 [28] – 20; Professional Skill (Distiller) (A) IQ+3 [12] – 16; Professional Skill (Vinter) (A) IQ+7 [28] – 20; Public Speaking (A) IQ+1 [3] – 14§; Running (A) HT+0 [2] – 18; Savoir-Faire (High Society) (E) IQ+1 [2] – 14; Shield (Shield) (E) DX+1 [2] – 14; Shortsword (A) DX+1 [4] – 14; Spear (A) DX+1 [4] – 14; Stage Combat (A) DX+1 [4] – 14; Swimming (E) HT+0 [1] – 18; Teaching (A) IQ+3 [12] – 16; Throwing (A) (A) DX+1 [4] – 14; Thrown Weapon (Spear) (E) DX+1 [2] – 14; Wrestling (A) DX+1 [4] – 14.
Starting Spending Money: $20,000 (20% of Starting Wealth).
* Includes +9 to ST and +2 to HT from the Olympian God racial package.
† Includes +11/+150 from Super ST, part of the Olympian God racial package.
‡ Includes +4 from Green Thumb.
§ Defaulted from Performance.
Role-Playing Notes:
Dionysus is usually a pretty laid back kind of guy who prefers to drink in celebration. He is not one to hold a grudge, but he has a long memory; he'll readily forgive a slight, but he'll never forget one.
He is one of the few gods who can safely stop Hercules when the latter has had too much to drink. Let's face it, when the god of wine and revelry says you've had too much, you'd listen too, right?
| KARATE | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL | Weapon | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | Notes |
| – | Karate Punch | 3d+5 cr | C | 10 | – | – | 30 | |
| – | – Super ST | 17d+33 | C | 10 | – | – | 169 | |
| – | Karate Kick | 3d+6 cr | C, 1 | n/a | – | – | 30 | |
| – | – Super ST | 17d+34 | C, 1 | n/a | – | – | 169 | |
Maenads
658 points
| ST: 20/110 [0*] | HP: 20 [0] | Speed:8.00 [0] |
| DX: 16 [40†] | Will: 14 [20] | Move: 8 [0] |
| IQ: 10 [0] | Per: 10 [0] | |
| HT: 16 [20‡] | FP: 16 [0] | SM: 0 |
| Dmg: 2d-1/3d+2 (12d/14d) | BL: 180 lbs (5,712 lbs/2.9 tons) | |
| Dodge: 12 | Parry: 14 | DR: 3* |
| IT:DR: /3 | ||
Languages: English (Native) (Native Language) [0] (or whatever language fits the region best).
Cultural Familiarities: Western (Native) [0] (or whatever CF fits the region best).
Advantages: Altered Time Rate 2 (Backlash: Euphora, -30%; Costs 2 FP, -10%; Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [40]; Claws (Talons) (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [5]; Damage Resistance 3 (No Signature, +20%; Tough Skin, -40%; Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [6]; Enhanced Time Sense (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [27]; Extra DX +4 (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [48]; Extra HT +4 (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [24]; High Pain Threshold (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [6]; Indomitable (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [9]; Injury Tolerance (Damage Reduction /3 (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%)) [27]; Single-Minded (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [3]; Social Regard (Feared) 2 [10]; Super Jump (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [12]; Super ST +10/+100 (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [360]; Super Throw 2 (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [12]; Teeth (Sharp Teeth) (Trigger: Dionysus's Brew, -40%) [1].
Disadvantages: Berserk (Accessibility: Only Under the Influence of Dionysus's Brew, -30%; Battle Rage, +50%) (6) [-24]; Bloodlust (Accessibility: Only Under the Influence of Dionysus's Brew, -30%) (6) [-14]; Compulsive Carousing (12) [-5].
Skills: Brawling (E) DX+4 [12] – 20; Carousing (E) HT+0 [1] – 16; Dancing (A) DX+0 [2] – 16; Wrestling (A) DX+4 [16] – 20.
Starting Spending Money: $20,000 (20% of Starting Wealth).
* Includes +10/+100 from Super ST.
† Includes +4 from Extra DX.
‡ Includes +4 from Extra HT.
| BRAWLING | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL | Weapon | Damage | Reach | Parry | Cost | Weight | ST | Notes |
| – | Brawling Punch | 2d cut/imp | C | 14 | – | – | 20 | |
| – | – Super ST | 12d+11 cut/imp | C | 14 | – | – | 110 | |
| – | Brawling Kick | 2d+1 cut/imp | C, 1 | n/a | – | – | 20 | |
| – | – Super ST | 12d+12 cut/imp | C, 1 | n/a | – | – | 110 | |