Gorgon

Gorgon
"Welcome to my statuary...have you come to admire my masterpieces?
Information
Alternate Names/Spellings
Origins	Greek Mythology
Alignment	Neutral Evil, Chaotic Neutral, Chaotic Evil
Element	Darkness/Shadow, Earth, Life/Death/Blood, Poison/Acid/Plague, Water
Species	Monstrous Humanoid
Appearance	Frightening Serpentine Humanoid

Also Called

• Gorgo (Gorgô)

• (pl) Gorgones

Origins

The Gorgon is one of a race of creatures with origins in Greek mythology, legend and folklore. The term 'Gorgon' itself is derived from the Greek 'gorgo', meaning 'grim', 'fierce' or 'terrible'.

The first and undoubtedly most famous Gorgons (Gorgones) were a trio of sisters, named Euryale ("of the wide, briny sea" or the "wide-stepping"; the eldest sister), Stheno (Sthenno, Sthenusa, the "strong one" or the "mighty one"; the middle sister) and Medusa (Medousa, the "queen" or "guardian"; the youngest sister, and the only mortal sister of the three). Though, the myths vary when it comes to the nature of the Gorgon sisters' origins.

In one account, they are the daughters of sea-god Phorcys (Phorkys) and sea-goddess Ceto (Keto); that made them sisters of The Graiae (Gray Women), the monster Echidna (Ekhidna, the wife of Typhon and mother of numerous other famous monsters) and Ladon (the dragon who guarded the Tree of the Apples of the Hesperides). According to this, they are monstrous from birth, and no reason is given as to why Medusa is the only mortal Gorgon.

In another account, they are sister priestesses (still born of Phorcys and Ceto) who served in a temple of Athena. According to this, the three were turned into hideous monsters as punishment for Medusa's sexual affair with the sea-god Poseidon, in a flowery meadow or in Athena's temple (a double offense; not only did the three sisters vow to remain chaste, but Athena and Poseidon were bitter rivals; a triple offense, if their sexual affair took place in Athena's temple, as many believe it did).

Her lair is a sanctuary of stone and untimely death...

To mark the grievousness of the crime, when the three were transformed, Medusa was the only one to remain mortal (or to lose her immortality; as daughters of Phorcys and Ceto, it is likely that the three were a trio of nymphs, or at least demigoddesses).

And after Medusa is slain by Perseus, the Gorgon's head is mounted on Athena's Aegis Shield, as not only a weapon, but a terrifying reminder of the goddess's wrath against rivals, enemies and traitors.

In yet another account, the Gorgons are said to be born monsters, but rather than daughters of Ceto and Phorcys, are said to be daughters of Ceto and a monstrous underworld male phantom named Gorgon (Gorgo, Aex, Aix). Some make this monster a son of the sun-god, Helios.

Though, still more accounts make the singular male Gorgon a son of Phorcys and Ceto, and the father of the Gorgon sisters by an unknown mother, thus making both Phorcys and Ceto their grandparents. And others besides those make the male Gorgon a son of Typhon and Echidna, and thus himself a grandchild of Phorcys and Ceto, and accordingly, a nephew of those same Gorgon sisters.

Some even claim this singular Gorgon is female, and thus a daughter of Typhon and Echidna. In such accounts, she is also a nurse of Zeus, the King of the Gods, when he was a baby; though, in adulthood, Zeus would go on to slay and decapitate her, at the beginning of the Titan War (Titanomachy). Her flayed skin would be used to make Zeus' Aegis Cloak (rather than the skin of his nymph nurse Amaltheia or the Titan Pallas); her severed head would be brandished on Athena's Aegis Shield (rather than the head of Medusa).

"You won't leave alive..."

Likewise, some accounts document the Gorgons Sisters' home as an island in the West. These accounts place them in the same neighborhood as The Graiae (their sisters, who guard them), the Hesperides (who live on a shining beautiful island beyond the Graiae) and numerous other deities. Though, in other later accounts, it is documented that the home of the Gorgons lies somewhere in Libya.

Though, some parts of the myth remain intact, regardless of who tells the tale. The hero Perseus is sent to slay Medusa by King Polydektes of Seriphos. To help with his journey, Hermes equipped Perseus with Hades' Helmet of Invisibility, Hermes' winged sandals, Athena's adamantine sickle and a reflective shield.

And on his journey, Perseus encounters the Gorgons' sisters, the Graiae; in order to find the location of the Gorgons, he takes the eye that the Graiae share. Again, some say that he threatens to keep the eye for himself, while others say that he threatens to destroy it, or to throw it where they would never be able to find it.

She looks mad...

The Graiae relent, for fear of being without their eye, and give Perseus the information he desires. They gave him directions to find the Gorgons' island home and/or directions where he can get a knapsack, from the nymphs, to keep Medusa's severed head in.

When he finds the Gorgons, some accounts say that Perseus sneaks up on them, while others say that he actually does battle with them. Either way, Perseus defeats Medusa by beheading her.

And soon after (how long after is hard to say), from the bloody neck-stump of Medusa's decapitated body, emerges the winged horse Pegasus (who would later go on to help the hero Bellerophon defeat the Chimera) and Pegasus' brother, the winged boar—or giant-- Chrysaor (who would later go on to father the three-bodied giant Geryon).

Though, after Perseus' defeat of Medusa, it is unknown what happens to her sisters. It is likewise unknown if all subsequent Gorgons descend from Euryale, Stheno, Medusa, or their relative, the monster Gorgon (who may or may not have been the only male Gorgon). As such, it is commonly speculated that each left behind their own family tree of Gorgon descendants.

Appearance

"I WILL find you, and I WILL kill you..."

As daughters of sea-gods, many speculate that the original Gorgons (and perhaps their lesser-known relative Gorgon) were very handsome to look upon, similar to their cousins, the nymphs or demigods. But since their monstrous transformation, the speculation gets somewhat less definite.

Many think that they became hideous, broad-headed monsters with wild eyes, lolling tongues, wide mouths with enormous, gnashing teeth (or swine-like tusks), golden wings, clawed bronze hands, and perhaps even beards (man-like or goat-like is unclear).

These same speculations also claim that the Gorgons secured their clothes with snakes, in the place of normal belts.

Though, others speculated that the Gorgons mostly maintained their physical beauty, with the exception that snakes now replaced (or grew within) their hair. Likewise, their relative Gorgon's true appearance is unknown.

"My EYES are UP HERE..."

Perhaps he (or she) resembled the Gorgon sisters in their transformed serpentine state; perhaps he (or she) resembled a sea-god or an underworld monster. Perhaps he (or she) resembled some monstrous or serpentine or divinely-handsome combination of the former.

However the case may be, since the days of Medusa, Gorgons have come to greatly vary in their appearances. Skin color and pattern may vary as vastly as a reptile's coloration, and eye color may be nearly any color (normal like humanoids, or slit like snakes and other reptiles).

Likewise, some Gorgons may have the lower half of a large snake, while others are bipedal (walking upright on two feet), and some have both feet and tails. Forking of the tongue and the presence or absence of snake-like fangs also vary.

In the same way, some may have beautiful or handsome features (facial and otherwise), while others look monstrous, even perhaps demonic. And the snakes growing from their heads may replace normal hair, or they may grow in right along with it.

Behavior

"Patience, babies...food will be here soon..."

The first Gorgons were born of sea-gods. And yet, some accounts say that they were born monsters, while others say that they were born serpentine, and still others say they were born beautiful, similar to nymphs. As such, accounts of the Gorgons' behavior is also highly variable.

The accounts that say they were born monstrous, would imply that they were vicious, ravenous and savage. Accounts that say they were born serpentine, would imply that they were devious, cunning and cold-blooded. And accounts that say they were born beautiful (transformed into monsters) would likely make them sensual and manipulative, like a sultry femme fatale.

Likewise, a Gorgon is known for being just as fierce and serpentine as their ancestors, with only a slightly fairer temperament as children. They are cunning, can be devious and conniving, and they are hardly trustful of others, even of their same species (making only a small exception for members of their family).

Some may behave in a civil manner, but this is a precious rarity, due to their ancestry, which makes for an innately cold, reptilian perspective on socialization. They often reach mental maturity before other children, and are very independent even from a young age.

"I'm not afraid of you!"

Though, since the Gorgons were still part human, their descendants still require mother's milk, which is the only thing keeping them from starting life totally independent of their mother.

Furthermore, Gorgons tend to have a great affinity for snakes and other reptiles, as well as Pegasi (who paradoxically descend from the same roots). They also prefer to live in places made of (or filled with) stone, such as caves and buildings within the ruins of fallen, old cities. They may or may not enjoy similar diet to that of a snake (rats, lizards, etc.). And they are known to greatly enjoy warm weather.

In fact, Gorgons often tend to despise the cold; some hate the cold because they are cold-blooded, and tend to become sluggish in colder weather. But others are warm-blooded (except for their snake hair), and they still recoil miserably from colder temperatures and weather.

Gorgons with forked tongues will often stress the S's in their words, making a trademark hissing sound in their voices, while others have raspy or hoarse voices. Common languages among Gorgons are English, Greek (from their origins among the Greek pantheon) and Arabic (from their ancestors' home in Libya).

Abilities

"I was beautiful once..."

• Natural Weapons- the ability to make use of harmful body features.
  • Natural Claws- the ability to make use of sharp, piercing nails.
  • Natural Fangs- the ability to make use of sharp, piercing teeth.

• Ophidian Hair- the ability to host a brood of snakes in place of a head of hair.

• Petrifying Gaze- the ability to psychically turn others to stone via eye contact.

• Prehensile Tail- the ability to make use of a tail as a grabbing appendage.

• Rapid Regeneration- the ability to heal from illness and injury to an extent beyond human norms.

• Reptilian Communication- the ability to psychically perceive, communicate with and/or command reptiles.
  • Ophidian Communication- the ability to psychically perceive, communicate with and/or command snakes.

• Scaly Skin- the ability to make use of skin layered with tough scales.

• Superhuman Blood- the ability to make use of blood with supernatural or otherwise superhuman properties.
  • Dextral Sanguinary Resurrection-The blood from the right side of a Gorgon's body can revitalize a body, such that it returns from death.
  • Sinistral Sanguinary Death Inducing- the blood from the left side of a Gorgon's body can cause the cessation of life.

• Superhuman Strength- the ability to exert physical force beyond human norms.
  • Hyperconstriction- the ability to enwrap and grip targets with physical force beyond human norms (often via Prehensile Tail).

• Venom Generation- the ability to physically produce or psychically form venom.
  • Venom Immunity- the ability to withstand the effects of venom.

"You'd better not peek..."

"I dunno...what do you think?"

Weaknesses

• Mirrors