Hercules

Though many people just think he's just crazy. He says he's Hercules, son of the Olympian god Zeus and hero of ancient Greece.

Background
-Hercules, is the son of Zeus, King of the Gods, and a mortal woman, Alcmene. He disguised himself as Alcmene's husband, Amphitryon, who was on his way home from war. However when Hera, Queen of the Gods, discovered Zeus' affair she was enraged, but she grew furious when she heard of Alcmene's pregnancy. But she was powerless to take her anger out upon Zeus, so she decided to take it out on Hercules.

-A few months after his birth, Hera sent a pair of snakes to kill Hercules as he and his twin brother Iphicles, who completely mortal unlike his demigod brother, slept. But before the serpents could strike Hercules grabbed both of the snakes and squeezed them to death.

-As he got older, Hercules was trained by different teachers and taught various skills and knowledge. Hercules education consisted of -- The art of wrestling from Autolycus. -- The use of the string and bow from Eurytus. -- How to wrestle in bodily armor from Castor. -- How to fight with bladed and blunt weapons from Chiron. -- And how to play the lyre from Linus. Hercules quickly became an expert in most of the arts, yet Linus was frustrated with his lack skill playing the lyre. However Hercules became enraged and accidentally killed Linus. But Amphitryon had to banish Hercules from Thebes.

-Hercules grew while he was in exile. He grew into a tall, powerful man young man. He defeated most challengers at the javelin and at archery all at the age of 18. After helping the king of Thespiae. King Thespius wanted to have grandchildren by Hercules, when he saw Hercules' incredible strength. So Thespius got Hercules drunk and Hercules had sex with all fifty of his daughters in one evening.

-Hercules would go on to marry Megara, daughter of Creon, the new king of Thebes. With her, they had children. But Hera, however had other plans and placed a spell upon Hercules. The spell would drive him insane and in the process he would end up murdering his wife and children.

-After murdering his wife and children the spell faded and Hercules went into a depression. He then traveled to Delphi to learn what he had to do to atone for his deeds. The oracle replied that he had to leave Thebes and find his cousin, Eurystheus, king of Mycenae.

-- I. Neman Lion: The first of the labors, Hercules was to kill the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. The Nemean Lion could not be wounded by any weapon so he strangled the lion with his bare hands. When he tried to skin the lion, Hercules remembered that weapons couldn't break the skin. So he took one of the lion's claws and with he used it as a tool skin the pelt from the body.

-- II. The Lernaean Hydra: The second labor was to destroy the Lernean hydra. The hydra was a serpent-like monster that possessed numerous heads. But when one head was cut off two heads would grow in its place. Hercules cut off each of the heads and, with the help of his nephew Ioluas, was able to seal them with a burning torch to prevent any more heads. Hercules took some of the poisonous blood of the hydra which he kept for future labors. He buried the last, immortal, head under a rock. But when he returned to Eurystheus, he was told this labor did not count because Iolaus helped him.

-- III. The Ceryneian Hind: Hercules third labor was to capture alive the Ceryneian stag. Th animal was a magical stag with golden horns and bronze hoofs that was sacred to the goddess of the hunt. The stag was so swift that it could outrun an arrow in flight. Hercules chased the stag on foot for a full year and eventually captured the stag when it stopped to drink. On the way back he met Artemis and Apollo, walking together. When Apollo saw Hercules with the hind and tried to take it away, he scolded Hercules for wounding and capturing his sister's sacred animal. Not wanting a fight Hercules apologized, saying that he was under orders from Eurystheus. Artemis allowed him to show the deer to Copreus, after which Hercules let it go.

-- IV. The Erymanthian Boar: The fourth labor Hercules was to complete was the capture the Erymanthian boar alive. The boar was a great beast that had its lair on a mountain. Hercules waited till winter when he drove the boar into thick snow and was able to capture the beast. He then threw it across his back and carried the boar to Eurystheus.

-- V. The Augean stables: Hercules fifth labor was to clean the Augean stables. The Augean stables housed thousands of cattle and had never been cleaned for 30 years. Augeas, owner of the stables, agreed that if Hercules was able to clean the stables in a single day, he would receive one-tenth of the cattle. Hercules easily accomplished the task by diverting the nearby rivers through the stables. But when Augeas learned of Hercules' obligation to Eurystheus, he refused to pay. And when Eurystheus found out Hercules asked for payment, it was decided the labor wouldn't count.

-- VI. The Stymphalian Birds: The sixth labors Hercules was to perform was to kill the Stymphalian birds. The birds were a huge flock of man-eating birds with bronze beaks that could pierce armor, claws, and arrow-firing wings. They lived near Lake Stymphalus and were the pets of the god of war, Ares. Hercules drove them from their cover in the thick forest around the lake by clanging together huge bronze clappers. As they flew into the sky, he shot them down with his arrows.

-- VII. The Cretan Bull: Hercules seventh labor was to capture the Cretan bull alive and take it into Peloponnesus. It was a mad bull that the god of the sea had sent to terrorize Crete. Hercules sailed to Crete and asked for Minos' help, since the animal was untamable. Minos politely refused, but gave Hercules permission to take the bull away if he could capture it unaided. Hercules choked the bull into submission and captured it alive.

-- IX. The Girdle of Hippolyta: Hercules ninth labor was to steal the girdle of Hippolyta for Eurystheus, who wanted the girdle as a gift to his daughter. Hercules quickly set out on the long journey to Themiscyra, the land of the Amazons. The night he made landfall, he snuck into the sleeping chambers of Hippolyta to steal the girdle. But she awoke and pulled a blade upon seeing him. But as their eyes met the queen surrendered to him immediately and the two made love. This angered Hera, who disguised as an Amazon and raised the alarm stating Hercules had abducted their queen. The Amazons donned their armor chased Hercules, who fearing for his life grabbed the girdle and ran back to the boat and sailed away.

-- X. The Cattle of Geryon: The tenth labor was to have Hercules steal a herd of cattle from Geryon, a three-headed monster that had three bodies and a total of six arms. Upon finding the herd, Hercules killed the watchdog. He then killed Geryon with an arrow that had been dipped in the blood of the Hydra. Then Hercules had to herd the cattle back to Eurystheus. But Hera, once again interfered and scattered the herd. But Hercules would eventually recapture the cattle and take them to Eurystheus where they were sacrificed on an altar to Hera.

-- XI. The Apples of the Hesperides: Hercules eleventh labor was to steal the apples from the garden of the Hesperides. The garden rested at the far western corner of the world, at the foot of Mount Atlas. And was tended to by the Hesperides who were nymphs who tended garden and the daughters of the Titan, Atlas. Atlas who sided against the Olympians during the war against the Titans. So punishment, Zeus sentenced Atlas to to hold the Earth on his shoulders for all time. Hercules offered to hold the heavens up for a short while in exchange for the apples. Atlas agreed and retrieved the apples, but Atlas didn't wish to resume his burden. However Hercules tricked Atlas into taking the world back.

-- XII. Cerberus: Hercules twelfth and final labor was to descend into the underworld and bring back its three headed guard dog, Cerberus. He traveled to the entrance to Hades and started his way down from the upper world, as he descended all ghosts that crossed his path fled in fear. Upon reaching the throne room. Hercules came before the king and the queen of the dead and requested permission to take Cerberus. Hades agreed, as long as Hercules did not use any weapons. Protected by his lion's skin, he seized the hound by its throat and held it. Hercules passed a chain around the beast and dragged it out of the darkness and into the light. Hercules reached Mycenae, displayed the monster to Eurystheus, who hid in fear, and then released it back to the world below.

-Years after the Labors, Hercules would go on to marry Deianira. And while the two were traveling home a centaur named Nessus, offers to help Deianeira across a fast flowing river while Hercules swims across. But as they begin to cross, Nessus tries to steal Deianara away while they are still in the water. As soon as Hercules reaches the other side he notices what is going on and shoots Nessus with one of his arrows dipped in the hydra's blood. Drying from poison, the centaur was dying would tell Deianira to take his blood, which was now poisoned, and use it as a powerful love charm.

-Years after the river crossing, Deianira starts to believe Hercules has fallen in love with another. So she sends him a tunic that was dipped in the poisoned blood. As soon as Hercules put on the poisoned tunic, his body was wracked in pain so great that rather then live with this pain he would kill himself on a funeral pyre.

-After his mortal death Hercules, having earned his immortality during the Labors, is taken by the gods to Mount Olympus. And to smooth over things with his stepmother, Hera/ Hercules would goon t o marry one of Hera's daughters Hebe, the goddess of youth.

-But as the millenia past Hercules grew restless, impatient and started to suffer from wanderlust. But Zeus had forbid all Olympian Gods from visiting Earth since the rise of Christianity. So going against Zeus' wishes, Hercules snuck down to Earth to have some fun. However when Zeus found out he felt that because of this insolence he would teach his son some order and banish him from the halls of Olympus. Which didn't bother Hercules one bit. Now an exile from his home the worlds greatest hero roams looking for Adventure, women and a good stiff drink.

Personality
STUBBORN: Hercules can endure any discomfort, pain, or hardship to do what must be done. He is almost completely unwavering once he gets an idea into that thick head of his, it's next to impossible for anyone to change his mind. They can say whatever they want till their blue in the face or even beat him over the head until their hand is numb. But no matter what their argument is, if he doesn't want to listen or change his mind, he won't. He would face demons and godlike beings without hesitation, and never, ever, ever give up.

OPTIMIST: When you're a god, power, beauty and wisdom are just benefits of an immortal life. And with gifts in your grasp, one would have to be mentally damaged to show any sign of depression. For Hercules, depression isn't a hardship he worries himself with. He always seems to have a smile on his lips, a positive word for those who need one and an uplifting attitude that could light even the darkest moment.

RAGE: There is a dark side to each of us, and for Hercules his is normally suppressed rather deeply. Yet, there are times when he can be pushed to far, goaded into losing his temper or get lost in the danger he's in, and steps over the border of what is right and wrong. Normally he's a jovial, upbeat and fun loving man determined to do no wrong. But he can let his anger get the best of him when he's not at the top of his mental form and unleashes a pent-up fury that can be quite drastic and devastating to be seen, as it is near the opposite of who Hercules normally is. But hints of it are always there, as he sees the brutality all around him on a daily basis. While its common practice for him to have to maim or injure a foe to disable them, he is an ease and comfort of thought in doing so rather freely.

SIMPLE: It has been over three millennia and Hercules hasn't changed in that time. He still enjoys all that life has to offer to it's fullest. Be it spending time with friends, loving beautiful women, drinking incredible amounts of alcohol that would shut a normal liver down or getting into contests of strength and endurance at a bar. Life to him is like a party that will never end. But this attitude leads to a never-ending string of problems. It's not that he's stupid, he's nowhere near stupid. It's just that he lives in the moment, with the only things truly important to him are friendships, love and sport. The rest is just a blur.

HEROIC: Hercules is the epitome of a hero. And if he has to prove it by charging into a battle with the Devil himself, Hercules will do it without hesitation. He wants to help people and help protect people, and since self preservation comes as a big second, he'll often take impulsive risks that others would never do. But even in these tricky situations, Hercules is at the top of his game. He remains cool and collected even when vastly outnumbered, and he will go toe-to-toe with any army battalion or even creatures assumed to be divine.

KINDHEARTED: Stronger then the muscles in his arms, legs, or even his ahem. It's Hercules heart that's the most powerful muscle he has. Hercules is a very giving person and it doesn't matter who needs it, or what is needed he's always more than willing to share in the good fortune. It's what he lives for. As far as money goes, it means nothing to him. Love, Friendship and Loyalty are things that Hercules hold most precious to himself. But he's also someone who has been through a great deal and seen more suffering in his lifetime than anyone should, so he's always making time to be there and listen to folks, to give them someone to turn to.

PASSIONATE: Hercules may not be the greatest at hiding his emotions, but he feels them as deeply as any man, probably even more so. There is no half-way for Hercules. When he commits to something, he commits with his whole mind, body, and soul. His emotions are potent indeed, and if they grow too strong, they eventually wear away even his iron will, and when that happens he can't hold back even if he tried. This goes for both positive and negative emotions, though as Hercules found to his dismay, sometimes even the purest of emotions can lead to disaster.

HEDONIST: Hercules is the kind of man who isn't a happy camper unless he's doing something that gets the blood flowing. And he sees adventure in almost every day to day occurrence he comes across. Be it the a fight with a Titan, getting into a drunken bar brawl or even romancing a woman away from a man he sees undeserving of her company. This draw to excitement in all its forms throughout history has labeled him as the worlds first adrenaline junkie.