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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? :)
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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? :)
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I wholeheartedly support this being the PF standard for medusae/medusas/medusases/medusaseses. I've been running them like that more or less since Tony DiTerlizzi's medusa pic in the 2nd Edition Monstrous Manual.
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? :)
** spoiler omitted **
This is something I've pondered and sometimes debated quite a bit. Even with the likes of Nick Logue.
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.
Clearly in the later versions of the myth are a morality tale, concerning being raped 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).Does a gorgon turn people look upon her to stone because she is so "ugly" or because she is so beautiful? :)
** spoiler omitted **
[Fixed, and ...]
What was Poseidon's punshiment, b.t.w.?
Clearly in the later versions of the myth are a morality tale, concerning being raped 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).Does a gorgon turn people look upon her to stone because she is so "ugly" or because she is so beautiful? :)
** spoiler omitted **
[Fixed, and ...]
What was Poseidon's punshiment, b.t.w.?
** spoiler omitted **
Err yes.
I was aware, but skipped over the sexist politics for the sake brevity in my post. I suppose I shouldn't have, but you're quite right.
I suppose that is why I am somewhat sympathatic towards Medusa.
However, Golarion's background side-steps that with a different origin story altogether.
I think that that's the danger of having monsters from myth and legend in a role-playing game; the cool thing about Medusa in the stories is that she's just one lady who's cursed and becomes monstrous (whether physically or spiritually or whatever). If you have Medusa as a race of creatures it loses its edge. Having a medusa as a one off baddy that the PCs meet on a specific adventure is way cooler, otherwise it's a bit like calling all winged horses Pegasus. Oh, wait a minute...
Running this tonight. Woot!