Medea
Medea was born thousands of years ago, the daughter of Aietes, the King of Colchis on the Black Sea. She studied the mystic arts from childhood and was already an accomplished sorceress by the time she met the Thessalian prince and hero, Jason. Medea fell in love with the dashing and handsome Jason, helped him steal the legendary Golden Fleece from her father, and fled her homeland on board his ship, the Argo. Medea used her cunning, lore, and magic to help Jason and his crew overcome other obstacles on their journey home, one of which was the bronze giant Talos; this defeat began an enmity between Medea and Talos that lasts to the present day.
Medea, Jason, and the Argonauts reached home with the Golden Fleece, and Jason claimed his rightful throne. Medea became his consort and bore him two children, but Jason’s eye wandered. He chose to marry Glauce, a Theban princess, to cement an alliance between their kingdoms. Medea avenged this insult by giving Jason’s new bride a poisoned robe as a wedding gift that struck her dead. She then spitefully and coldly murdered her own sons before flying off in a chariot drawn by demonic dragons. Jason lost his family, his kingdom, and his sanity, dying alone, penniless, and miserable. Medea never realized that she’d lost the same things, as revenge and hatred consumed her, blackening her heart.
Medea continued to study the mystic arts and swore to never fall victim to love—or the whims of men—again. She later married and manipulated King Aegeus of Athens and fought with Aegeus’ son, Theseus. She clashed on occasion with Daedalus and Talos, her life sustained over the centuries by magic.
Medea has been a temptress and manipulator of men around the world for millennia. She has often traveled in the guise of a wealthy and powerful mortal woman of noble blood, seeking to expand her knowledge of magic and work her wiles. For a time, she worked with the man-bull Taurus as part of his “Zodiac Cabal” (under the guise of Scorpio) and retains a passing fondness for the time and the scorpion motif, if nothing else.
In modern times, Medea made attempts to destroy Daedalus and his allies in the Freedom League as repayments for past slights. She joined The Crime League in pursuit of that goal, although she bridles at Dr. Stratos’ leadership at times. His hubris in fancying himself the equal of Zeus simultaneously amuses and annoys her.
Physical Description
Specialized Equipment
Medea is a powerful sorceress, able to routinely transform humans into animals, summon demons, and hurl blasts of mystic force that damage body or mind. She can teleport across great distances, protect herself from harm with a mystic shield, and exert control over the minds of others, to name just a few of her feats. With time and preparation, Medea can perform more complex spells, some of which require specific components or need to be performed at a particular place or time.
Magic has made Medea ageless and immune to some mortal concerns like illness and toxins, although she is not truly immortal and can die if sufficiently injured. Medea guards carefully against that, and will flee via her Hermean Stride spell if her life is truly in danger.
Medea has considerable magical knowledge, particularly involving Ancient Greek and Mediterranean lore, as well as a forceful and influential personality. Her legendary charms can ensnare the attention of others even without magic, and Medea often beguiles her foes while her minions or allies carry out some part of her schemes.
Medea has accumulated considerable wealth over the centuries, hidden away in different places, or under assumed identities.
Mental characteristics
Intellectual Characteristics
Medea is full of bitterness toward everyone, particularly men. Her only real enjoyment in life is to bring others down to her level “by exposing their happiness and morality for the shams they truly are.” Medea delights in tormenting her victims. Capable of great cunning and charm, she can convince others to believe her harmless, perhaps even helpful, before she strikes them down.
She’s ruthless, and once someone has earned her wrath, she stops at nothing to gain retribution. Heroes who oppose Medea can plan on having an enemy for a very long time. Her immortal life hasn’t given her much perspective, but it has taught her the value of patience. Even if it takes a mortal lifetime to realize her schemes, she can afford to wait.
There is a deep core of sorrow to Medea, the princess who once loved a prince and gave up everything for him, and then, in turn destroyed him after he betrayed her love and trust. Were Medea to give up her undying hatred, she has no idea who or what she would be, as it has been the sole reason for her existence for such a long time.
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