Creation of Hades

The Second Choice

Greetings, everyone! I hope your gaming journey has been a rewarding one. In this log, I will continue exploring the creation and mechanics of different character decks. This time, we turn our focus to the Lord of the Underworld himself—Hades.

Drawing from Greek Mythology

Hades’ lore is vast, and his abilities were carefully chosen with much thought and consideration. As one of the six children of the Titans, Hades was swallowed at birth by his father, Cronus, who feared being overthrown. Eventually, his youngest sibling, Zeus, freed him, leading to the great Titanomachy, a war against Cronus.

After their victory, the three brothers divided the world among themselves. Hades was assigned the Underworld, where he became the ruler of the dead—not as an evil god, but as a guardian maintaining the balance between life and death. Alongside him were various guardians and servants who played essential roles in upholding his domain.

Arsenal of the Dead

According to legend, Hades was assisted by several entities who helped preserve order in the mortal and underworld realms:

• Thanatos, the Harbinger of Death, guided souls gently to their end.

• The Erinyes (Furies) ensured forgotten warriors' souls were dragged into the underworld.

• Styx, the River of Forgetfulness, erased memories before souls entered the cycle of reincarnation.

• Cocytus, the Wailing River, trapped those unable to pay for passage into the afterlife.

Each of these beings played a crucial role in helping Hades maintain the cycle of life and death.

Ferry of the Dead

Only for those with the Coins, may travel safely into the Underworld

The Ferryman

Charon, the legendary ferryman, was responsible for transporting souls across the River Styx—provided they had the correct payment. Ancient Greeks placed two gold coins over the eyes of the deceased to secure safe passage.

In gameplay, Charon’s ability allows the use of a card as payment to activate one from the discard pile or graveyard. This ability can either hasten an enemy avatar’s descent into the underworld or alleviate suffering from Hades' own forces.

Fruit of the Dead

The Fruit that binds one into the underworld

The Pomegranate

One of the most famous myths surrounding Hades is the abduction of Persephone. After taking her to the underworld, the two fell in love. However, Persephone’s absence caused her mother, Demeter, to grieve, plunging the world into an Ice Age.

When Demeter finally found her, she demanded Persephone’s return. As an act of defiance, Persephone ate the seeds of a pomegranate, binding her to the underworld and soothing Hades’ sorrow. Enraged, Demeter prolonged winter in the mortal realm until Zeus intervened, arranging a compromise: Persephone would spend nine months with her mother and three months in the underworld with Hades.

The Underdog – Cerberus, Guardian of Hell’s Gate

The mighty Cerberus, the infamous three-headed hound, serves as the gatekeeper of the underworld. Loyal only to Hades, he prevents souls from escaping and fiercely guards against the living who dare trespass. According to myth, Cerberus devours any who attempt to defile the underworld, using his fiery breath to incinerate them.

The Complexity of Hades' Deck

Hades' mechanics revolve around the discard pile, allowing for unpredictable combos and strategic play. However, mastering this deck requires skill, as its complexity presents challenges for new players. Cards like Ferry of the Dead or Soul Contract may prove to be game-changing in securing victory.

Conclusion

While the Hades deck is formidable, its true potential lies in how well players harness its intricacies. Those who master its mechanics will undoubtedly dominate the Pantheon War.