Writhing Dread
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We do this together or not at all. It has been proposed that this page be merged with Medusa, under the article: Writhing Dread. Discussion to this effect can be held on the former article's talk page. |
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The Writhing Dread, otherwise known as Medusa, was a hybrid beast created by the Isu as part of the Olympos Project.
The creature was a transmutated human; one changed by the Atlantis artifact that powered it. Each time the beast was slain, the artifact would transform the next who touched it into the Writing Dread.[1]
History
Creation
The Writhing Dread, alongside the rest of the creatures in the Olympos Project, were considered "pets" by a certain Isu faction that saw themselves gods.[2]
Mythology
The most famous of the Writhing Dread's incarnations was the Medusa in Greek mythology.[1] In the legend, she was slain by Perseus with his sword.[3]
End of the "curse"
Up until 431 BCE, the creature resided in the Petrified Temple within the depths of the Petrified Valley on Lesbos.[2]
During the time of the Peloponnesian War, an expedition traversed within the Valley and encountered the creature. All but one of the expedition party members were turned to stone by the Writhing Dread. Only the misthios Zetes remained, having used his spear's length to avoid her petrifying gaze. In the end a Daughter of Artemis arrived and dealt the final blow to the creature. Afterwards the woman touched the artifact and transformed into the new Writhing Dread.[4]
At the height of the War, the misthios Kassandra gained entry into the Petrified Temple with the Gorgon Disk obtained from the Daughters of Artemis in order to find Ligeia, the Daughter of Artemis "taken" by the creature, on behalf of her lover Bryce. Finding Ligeia, now the Writhing Dread herself, Kassandra was forced to kill her after she petrified and destroyed Bryce.[5]
Legacy
After killing the final incarnation of the Writhing Dread, Kassandra claimed the artifact in order to seal off Atlantis.
The Medusa incarnation of the Writhing Dread and her encounter with Perseus endured as a myth into the modern day.
Weapons and characteristics
The Writhing Dread was a monstrous woman with snakes for hair, equipped with a sword. She was capable of projecting a beam that would gradually petrify its targets, which she could then control once turned into statues. Through the power of her sword she was also capable of shielding herself with a barrier, teleporting and shooting off energy blasts.[5]
Gallery
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Concept art of the Writhing Dread -
Promotional image of the Writhing Dread -
Promotional image of battle with the Writhing Dread
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
References