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Does a gorgon turn people look upon her to stone because she is so "ugly" or because she is so beautiful? :)

Does a gorgon turn people look upon her to stone because she is so "ugly" or because she is so beautiful? :)

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I am curious if the bit about the "long-lived creature" relates to the cover girl though. I was just about to ask what lifespan people usually went with for them and other iconic monsters.(I have them living longer than elves at the very least)

Unfortunately "gorgon" has already been swiped by those metal-plated moo-cows. I like those critters, but damn do I wish there was a way to divorce them from that name to free it up. "True Gorgon" just sounds awkward.

Unfortunately "gorgon" has already been swiped by those metal-plated moo-cows. I like those critters, but damn do I wish there was a way to divorce them from that name to free it up. "True Gorgon" just sounds awkward.

Does a gorgon turn people look upon her to stone because she is so "ugly" or because she is so beautiful? :)

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Greek mythology is not clear, because different authors in different time periods represented Medusa (specifically) differently. Hideous in some writings, still beautiful in others.

Clearly in the later versions of the myth are a morality tale, concerning sex in the temple (of the virgin goddess Athena). The curse is just that- a curse. A punishment. The issue that comes up with RPGs is that the curse becomes a 'super-power', or rather a weapon. The advent of male medusae only waters down the curse element even more (as I'll decribe below).

I can think of no more apt punishment than to be always alone, which the gorgon is. She can take no lover, or at least be appreciated in the sight of one. The curse alienates her, and makes her a prisoner of her own appearance. When you add a male counter-part to the RPG race, that curse aspect is pretty much removed.

Of course, the Pathfinder campaign setting side-steps this entire, as the gorgons (or medusae if you will) are a damned race descended from a union between Lamashtu and a great snake.. or so the campaign myth goes.