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imported>Darman36 Ref fix. |
imported>Darman36 Of course power is voluntary, eyes do not constantly emit petrifying beam. Only turned to stone if looking directly at them. |
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{{Era|Animals|Isu}}{{WP-REAL|Medusa}} | {{Era|Animals|Isu}}{{WP-REAL|Medusa}} | ||
{{Youmay|the gorgon|the [[Writhing Dead|similarly-named genetic memory]]}} | {{Youmay|the gorgon|the [[Writhing Dead|similarly-named genetic memory]]}} | ||
{{Quote|It's a cycle. Kill the creature, become the creature.| | {{Quote|It's a cycle. Kill the creature, become the creature.|Zetes the Retired describing the Writhing Dread, from a letter looted from his corpse, c. 422 BCE.|Assassin's Creed: Odyssey|Heavy is the Spear}} | ||
[[File:ACOD_Medusa_render.png|thumb|250px|The Writhing Dread]] | [[File:ACOD_Medusa_render.png|thumb|250px|The Writhing Dread]] | ||
The '''Writhing Dread''' was a [[Gorgon]], a type of hybrid beast created as part of the [[Olympos Project]] by the [[Isu]] [[Aita]] and [[Juno]]<ref name="DeadlyLittleSecrets">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' - [[Deadly Little Secrets]]</ref> along with a number of others who saw themselves as [[human]]ity's gods.<ref name="GatesOfAtlantis">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' - [[The Gates of Atlantis]]</ref> | The '''Writhing Dread''' was a [[Gorgon]], a type of hybrid beast created as part of the [[Olympos Project]] by the [[Isu]] [[Aita]] and [[Juno]]<ref name="DeadlyLittleSecrets">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' - [[Deadly Little Secrets]]</ref> along with a number of others who saw themselves as [[human]]ity's gods.<ref name="GatesOfAtlantis">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' - [[The Gates of Atlantis]]</ref> A human was transmuted into this creature upon contact with the [[Prize of the Medusa]], one of the four [[Atlantis artifact]]s, which it was meant to guard.<ref name="Mel MacCoubrey">{{Twitter|ZeroELEC|status/1061516985501147136|🆓Zero-ELEC🆓|quote=@Melqartiii @AJoDumont @crypticjordan Hi! Thanks for the amazing game that is ACOdyssey! I have a quick question if you can answer: is it safe to assume that Medusa (the gorgon killed by Perseus) was a previous person taken over by "The Writhing Dread" artefact?|image=File:ACOd - Mel MacCoubrey Twitter.png}}<br>↑ {{Twitter|melqartiii|status/1061587398033883137|Mel MacCoubrey|quote=@ZeroELEC @AJoDumont @crypticjordan Yeah it's a person that comes in contact with the artifact and then their image manifests as one of the guardians based on which artifact they hold.|image=File:ACOd - Mel MacCoubrey Twitter.png}}</ref> Upon being slain, the artifact seized and transformed the next human who touched it into the beast.<ref name="Heavy is the Spear">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Heavy is the Spear]]</ref> | ||
A human was transmuted into this creature upon contact with the [[Prize of the Medusa]], one of the four [[Atlantis artifact]]s, which it was meant to guard.<ref name="Mel MacCoubrey">{{Twitter|melqartiii|status/1061587398033883137|Mel MacCoubrey|quote=Yeah it's | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Creation=== | ===Creation=== | ||
The Writhing Dread was created by Aita and Juno as part of the Olympos Project, in the Isu city of [[Atlantis]]. Alongside the rest of the creatures in the project, it was considered an instrument to strike fear in humanity if they ever [[Human-Isu War|revolted]] against their creators.<ref name="DeadlyLittleSecrets" /> The creature was meant to guard the artifact hiding itself in its body<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' - [[A Family's Legacy]]</ref> | The Writhing Dread was created by Aita and Juno as part of the Olympos Project, in the Isu city of [[Atlantis]]. Alongside the rest of the creatures in the project, it was considered an instrument to strike fear in humanity if they ever [[Human-Isu War|revolted]] against their creators.<ref name="DeadlyLittleSecrets" /> The creature was meant to guard the artifact hiding itself in its body,<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' - [[A Family's Legacy]]</ref> the Prize of Medusa. In order to help it in its task, it was given [[Harpe of Perseus (Odyssey)|a]] [[Sword]] of [[Eden]] to protect itself with. The beast was then relocated to the [[Petrified Temple]], an Isu vault in one of the islands of what would be later become [[Lesbos]], [[Greece]]. Throughout millennia, its various incarnations made the place its lair.<ref name="Writhing Dead">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Writhing Dead]]</ref> | ||
===Mythology=== | ===Mythology=== | ||
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===End of the "curse"=== | ===End of the "curse"=== | ||
During the [[Peloponnesian War]], the latest victim of this mutation still resided within the depths of the | During the [[Peloponnesian War]], the latest victim of this mutation still resided within the depths of the Petrified Valley on Lesbos. At some point, an expedition of [[Mercenary|mercenaries]] hired by the [[Cult of Kosmos]] traversed the Valley and was ambushed by the creature. All but one of the expedition party members were turned to stone by the Writhing Dread, with only [[Zetes the Retired|Zetes]] surviving, having used his [[Gorgon Slayer|spear's]] length to avoid her petrifying gaze. In the end, [[Ligeia]], a [[Daughters of Artemis|Daughter of Artemis]] arrived and dealt the final blow to the creature. Afterwards, Ligeia touched the artifact and transformed into the new Writhing Dread.<ref name="Heavy is the Spear" /> | ||
At the height of the war, in 422 BCE, the [[Sparta]]n ''misthios'' [[Kassandra]], along with Ligeia's lover [[Bryce]], gained entry into the Petrified Temple with the [[Gorgon Disk]] obtained from the Daughters of Artemis, during their search for Ligeia. Encountering the woman, now the Writhing Dread herself, Kassandra was forced to kill her after she petrified and destroyed Bryce.<ref name="Writhing Dead" /> | At the height of the war, in 422 BCE, the [[Sparta]]n ''misthios'' [[Kassandra]], along with Ligeia's lover [[Bryce]], gained entry into the Petrified Temple with the [[Gorgon Disk]] obtained from the Daughters of Artemis, during their search for Ligeia. Encountering the woman, now the Writhing Dread herself, Kassandra was forced to kill her after she petrified and destroyed Bryce.<ref name="Writhing Dead" /> | ||
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*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' {{1st}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' {{1st}} | ||
**''[[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' {{C|simulation only}} | **''[[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' {{C|simulation only}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 00:25, 25 August 2025
| This article is about the gorgon. You may be looking for the similarly-named genetic memory. |
The Writhing Dread was a Gorgon, a type of hybrid beast created as part of the Olympos Project by the Isu Aita and Juno[1] along with a number of others who saw themselves as humanity's gods.[2] A human was transmuted into this creature upon contact with the Prize of the Medusa, one of the four Atlantis artifacts, which it was meant to guard.[3] Upon being slain, the artifact seized and transformed the next human who touched it into the beast.[4]
History[edit | edit source]
Creation[edit | edit source]
The Writhing Dread was created by Aita and Juno as part of the Olympos Project, in the Isu city of Atlantis. Alongside the rest of the creatures in the project, it was considered an instrument to strike fear in humanity if they ever revolted against their creators.[1] The creature was meant to guard the artifact hiding itself in its body,[5] the Prize of Medusa. In order to help it in its task, it was given a Sword of Eden to protect itself with. The beast was then relocated to the Petrified Temple, an Isu vault in one of the islands of what would be later become Lesbos, Greece. Throughout millennia, its various incarnations made the place its lair.[6]
Mythology[edit | edit source]
The most famous of the Writhing Dread's incarnations was Medusa in Greek mythology. In the legend, she was slain by Perseus with a Sword of Eden.[7]
End of the "curse"[edit | edit source]
During the Peloponnesian War, the latest victim of this mutation still resided within the depths of the Petrified Valley on Lesbos. At some point, an expedition of mercenaries hired by the Cult of Kosmos traversed the Valley and was ambushed by the creature. All but one of the expedition party members were turned to stone by the Writhing Dread, with only Zetes surviving, having used his spear's length to avoid her petrifying gaze. In the end, Ligeia, a Daughter of Artemis arrived and dealt the final blow to the creature. Afterwards, Ligeia touched the artifact and transformed into the new Writhing Dread.[4]
At the height of the war, in 422 BCE, the Spartan misthios Kassandra, along with Ligeia's lover Bryce, gained entry into the Petrified Temple with the Gorgon Disk obtained from the Daughters of Artemis, during their search for Ligeia. Encountering the woman, now the Writhing Dread herself, Kassandra was forced to kill her after she petrified and destroyed Bryce.[6]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
After killing the final incarnation of the beast, Kassandra claimed the artifact in order to seal off Atlantis. Despite this, Medusa's incarnation as the Writhing Dread and her encounter with Perseus endured as a myth into the modern day.[7]
Biology[edit | edit source]
The most distinctive mutation upon transforming into the Writhing Dread was the subject's hair turning into a nest of fearsome snakes, the artifact itself hiding among them. The subject also grew in size, surpassing human standards.[6]
Far deadlier than the serpent strands were the eyes which were capable of projecting a beam that gradually petrified its targets, transmuting their tissue into stone. Despite their calcified bodies, these victims could be remotely controlled by the Writhing Dread as her own minions who fought on her behalf.[6]
Equipment and skills[edit | edit source]
Through the power of her sword Ligeia as the Writhing Dread was capable of shielding herself with a barrier, teleporting, and firing energy blasts.[6]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
The symbol of the Writhing Dread at the Gateway to the Lost City -
Concept art of the Writhing Dread -
Promotional image of the Writhing Dread -
Promotional image of battle with the Writhing Dread -
The Writhing Dread's most famous attack -
The creature trying to summon her stone soldiers. -
The Writhing Dread's weapon: The Harpe of Perseus -
One of her stone soldiers -
The creature preparing herself to attack
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
- The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis (simulation only)
- Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis - Deadly Little Secrets
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey - The Gates of Atlantis
- ↑
🆓Zero-ELEC🆓 (@ZeroELEC) on Twitter "@Melqartiii @AJoDumont @crypticjordan Hi! Thanks for the amazing game that is ACOdyssey! I have a quick question if you can answer: is it safe to assume that Medusa (the gorgon killed by Perseus) was a previous person taken over by "The Writhing Dread" artefact?" (screenshot)
↑ Mel MacCoubrey (@melqartiii) on Twitter "@ZeroELEC @AJoDumont @crypticjordan Yeah it's a person that comes in contact with the artifact and then their image manifests as one of the guardians based on which artifact they hold." (screenshot)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Heavy is the Spear
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey - A Family's Legacy
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Writhing Dead
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed II – Glyph #5: "Instruments of Power"
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