Stheno
Description
Few creatures combine beauty with monstrosity so effectively. Clad in a slinky gown of satin, Stheno revels in her beauty's power. Sinuous and fluid in every step, the "medusa" loves to bare her curves and shapely limbs. Her high cheekbones and sweet smile contrast with her burning, scarlet eyes. Braids of bronze hair at closer inspection are revealed to be serpents…writhing, living asps that hiss and spit at any who threaten Stheno. They seem to grow from her scalp a foot long and seem just as evil as the woman. Despite that, perhaps due to her body language and sultry voice, Stheno embodies such radiance and allure. She seems to promise a wicked end, and her invitation to partake is all too irresistible.
History
Ages ago -- over 2,000 years ago -- there were three sisters. Their names were Euryale, Stheno, and Medusa. They were the daughters of a god, of Duvaun, and the mingling he enjoyed with a powerful mortal sorceress. Medusa was the oldest, Stheno was the middle child, and Euryale the youngest of the three. These original three did not have the scaly skin later associated with medusae, though they did have snakes for hair and baleful gazes that could turn enemies to stone. The three sisters' birth was homologous to the Feminine Triat -- the Crone, Woman, and Girl. But the roles were merely coincidence. The three had a mind for conquest and set their sights on Praetoria, the seat of empire. Unfortunately, their machinations did not get far. A powerful wizard of that realm, afraid to try and destroy the offspring of Duvaun himself, instead sentenced the three to eternal banishment. Buried under the ruins of an ancient temple, the three sisters were locked into a temporal stasis that lasted centuries. Somehow -- perhaps by external magical interference -- Medusa awoke from that forced sleep. She left her sisters and went forth, resting eventually in the Aria Desert far from home. It was said she lay with a blue dragon there, and their offspring constituted the race of common medusae now scattered across the world. But Stheno and Euryale slept on for centuries more. Finally, the spell wore off, or perhaps once more someone ended the spell for them. But the last two sisters stirred. Their plans for dominance were now dashed. To their dismay, their demigod-like powers atrophied over the long years. Though still puissant, they had much to catch up with, a long road to once more walk.
Personality
Magical and puissant, she embodies an ancient power rarely found anymore. Stheno dates back to a time when the gods freely commingled with mortals. The woman enjoys her powers of persuasion, her commanding and irresistible social abilities. And yet she actively develops her mind, too, knowing that to be the source of her true power. So she remains thoughtful and astute. To accomplish her goals, Stheno knows she must be as shrewd and merciless as she once was. No, more so, to avoid that fate again!
Goals
Stheno will master the Sorcerer class (20th level) and more to be an epic enchantress.
Character Sheet