:;stheno, ischyri

[Varos Talantos]

Ischyri Stheno Goddess of Touch and Poison Ischyri Stheno is the well-known ancestor of the Stheno gorgons. Stheno and her sisters Medusa and Euryale were once followers of Erlang Shen. They resided in his Library, and were the gatherers of information. They would go out into the various worlds to seek new knowledge to place in his library. However, the three sisters became curious and greedy, and used the knowledge they found to amass large amounts of magical power. Erlang cursed them, turning them into snake-woman, as a clear symbol of their trickery. Still, they retained their power, so much so that they became immortal Goddesses. Ischyri Stheno moved on to become the Goddess of Touch and Toxins. Stheno is unique in the fact that her hands are made of brass. Hero/Heroine of Ischyri Stheno Those who please Ischyri Stheno significantly might become a Hero/Heroine of Ischyri Stheno; that is, they will be granted blessings that vary by tier. Each tier of this nature is progressively more beneficial than the last, and past blessings are retained. Those who attain the fifth tier as a Hero/Heroine of Ischyri Stheno are very powerful indeed, fighting for the glory of their Goddess with abilities that approach Godliness in and of themselves. Dagger - The first tier of official favor has been gained from Ischyri Stheno. They possess the tattoo of a dagger. They have been given extremely sharp and strong finger nails, like knives. Immune- The second tier of official favor has been gained from Ischyri Stheno. Those whom have reached the tier of ‘Immune’ have the power of the previous tier. The Immune are, as their name suggests, immune to all poisons. Brass - The third tier of official favor has been gained from Ischyri Stheno. They have the benefits of the prior tiers and have been granted with brass hands. These hands are like that of the Goddess’, and grant amazing strength. Plagued - The fourth tier of official favor has been gained from Ischyri Stheno. They have the benefits attained at the prior three tiers, as well as the third level of the ability Plagued ] without any costs. If the Hero/Heroine already possesses the ability, Stheno will choose an ability of equal value. Poisonous- The fifth and final tier of official favor has been gained from Ischyri Stheno. Those whom have reached the tier of ‘Poisonous’ have been marked with a tattoo of a . They have the benefits attained at the prior four tiers as well as the ability to encircle themselves in a cloud of poisonous gas. The gas, although not fatal at first, still causes violent bleeding (from areas such as the nose, ears, and eyes) as well as a terrible pain when it comes in contact with skin. The caster is immune thanks to the earlier gained blessing ‘Immune’. The Poisonous are the beloved of Ischyri Stheno and killing one could bring on the wrath of Ischyri Stheno herself. Extreme caution should be taken if you find yourself at odds with a Poisonous. Accursed of Ischyri Stheno Those who anger Ischyri Stheno significantly might become Accursed; that is, they will be inflicted with curses that vary by tier. Each tier of the Accursed is progressively more dangerous than the last. Those who attain the fifth tier of the Accursed generally have very short life expectancies. Touchless – The first tier of the Accursed has been cast by Ischyri Stheno. Those whom anger the Goddess are unable to feel, losing their sense of touch. Sickened - The second tier of the Accursed has been cast by Ischyri Stheno. Accurseds of Ischyri Stheno find themselves prone to disease and sickness, catching even the rarest of them. These sicknesses have been sent by Ischyri Stheno to make her Accurseds suffer, as they lose their immune system. Sweetened - The third tier of the Accursed has been cast by Ischyri Stheno. The Sweetened will emit a scent that causes all poisonous creatures to be compelled to attack. Be it the simple poison of a bee, or the deadly bite of an Inland Taipan, they will come from within 1000 miles to get the Sweetened. Crippled - The fourth tier of the Accursed has been cast by Ischyri Stheno. They are cursed with the loss of the ability to use their hands, as they are crippled and extremely painful to move even the slightest bit. Poisoned Kiss - The fifth and final tier of the Accursed has been cast by Ischyri Stheno. Accurseds are marked with a slashed face, from the brass claws of Ischyri Stheno herself. Those who manage to anger Ischyri Stheno to such an extent are wanted dead by the Goddess who cursed them and doing so would gain one favor from Ischyri Stheno. Those cursed with 'Poisoned Kiss' will become deadly to all they love and care for. A single touch of their skin, a brush of their hair, will slowly ans painfully kill their beloved, without a cure. However, if those with the 'Poisoned Kiss' try to use this to their advantage, it will not work. It would in fact strengthen the enemy with every touch, leeching from the Accursed's energy. Hysteria When the prayer 'Hysteria' is communed by a follower of Ischyri Stheno, the affected will believe themselves to have an extreme sense of touch, making even the softer materials painful.