User Profile

Customize

maritalmartyr

Add Friend
Add Note
Track User
Send Message
Send V-Gift

{ H e r a } - - E. Astor

another virgin queen.

Created on 2009-08-29 15:50:17 (#21816840), last updated 2009-09-01

40 comments received, 38 comments posted

Plus Account [Gift]

2 Journal Entries, 4 Tags, 0 Memories, 0 Virtual Gifts, 15 Userpics

Basic Info

Name:	{ H e r a }
Birthdate:	06-08
Location:	New York, United States

Bio

css by

novaless
This is an rp journal for the game

fallenpedestals

» God(dess): Hera
» Reference: Wikipedia Greek-Gods Godchecker
» Family: {mother & father} Cronus and Rhea ; {spouse} Zeus.
» Played By: Natascha McElhone
» Human Alias: Elizabeth Astor
» Human Age: about 37 years old.
» God of...: marriage and birth
» Flair: The Baby Boom. When Hera is in the room, women are likely to feel broody and experience a nagging itch to reproduce. Even the most anti-matrimony, male-hating, politically correct feminist (oxymoron?) will feel a tiny pang, and for a split second wonder if she's got it all wrong. Men will be more inclined to propose to their girlfriends after a spell in Hera's company, and will be off to buy a ring before it wears off. To be brutally honest, it's not the most healthy or modern Flair around, but Hera likes it and she does secretly enjoy the idea of a picture perfect family. Although, she knows from experience that marriages aren't often smooth rides...

Whilst irrelevant in a lot of cases, Hera's Flair also mildly increases fertility.
» Flair Type: activated
» Fitting in: columnist for a women's magazine
» Weakness: ~~f**king Zeus~~ Her marriage. No, really. Hera's troubled marriage is such a sore point for her on an emotional level that it can also affect her on a physical level. Mentioning the problems in her marriage, any of Zeus's various mistresses or Heracles is generally considered to be A Very Bad Idea. Her reaction can range between an icy-cold shoulder (one thing you don't want is Hera with a grudge) and explosive anger. In private, the knowledge of her husband's infidelity depresses her, playing on insecurities and chipping away at her pride. She is not unaware of the embarrassing irony that the patron goddess of marriage cannot "keep" a faithful husband. In the most serious circumstances, it can weaken her power even if she has specifically sought to activate it. This can perhaps be contributed to the fact that the depression weakens her body, and lack of belief in her power and its purposes.

Another weakness of Hera is - strangely - her power itself. Sometimes she just wants to throw it all away and have fun, play up to her beauty and have men fall over her for it. But her unflinching Flair - whilst not necessarily affecting her in her previous form or in its dormant state - dooms her to hypocrisy and unpleasant guilt. Not to mention, her enigmatic status as a Virgin Goddess - despite having five children (she annually renewed her virginity at Kanthos spring) - would be tarnished if she slept around. The urge to reproduce further is also thwarted by Zeus's distance. Despite her husband's philandering, Hera harbors an uncomfortable fondness and love for him. This - along with her natural pride - plays a big part in her anger toward his mistresses and the children that he created with other women.

» History: Hera is the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and the sister and wife of Zeus. With Zeus as "King of the Gods", Hera is often happy to claim her title as "Queen", naturally settling into a powerful, revered role. Her reasons for marrying Zeus were based more on formality than romance, and yet she did develop a rather deep love for him (which she preferrs to display in a subtle manner, in order to protect herself). Despite her tendency to avoid showing affection toward Zeus, her jealousy and the acts that it inspires are hardly a secret. Whilst Ares, Eris, Hebe and Eileithyia are legitimate children of both Hera and Zeus, the Queen was angered that Zeus produced Athena with Metis, and created Hephaestus alone out of jealousy. Hephaestus's ugliness offended her, and she tossed him from Mount Olympus.

Hera played a large part in the Twelve Labors of Heracles. She hated him by default, as he was the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. When Zeus announced that a child - descending from Perseus - would be born and rule all those around him, Hera delayed Heracles's birth and successfully brought forward the birth of Eurystheus (a grandson of Perseus). Hera went so far as binding Alcmene's legs together to prevent the birth of Heracles, though he was eventually born late. Hera also tried to kill Heracles shortly after this, sending two serpents to do the job. However, the child throttled them. When Heracles grew up and procured a wife and children, Hera prompted madness in his mind, and he butchered them. In order to repent, he was encouraged to perform a series of tasks for Eurystheus, his enemy, and now a king. Throughout the labors, Hera furiously attempted to destroy his chance of success. Ultimately, Heracles prevailed and completed the tasks (despite being tricked into doing 12 by Eurystheus rather than the original 10).

Hera has displayed countless examples of her jealousy where Zeus's infidelity is concerned. Given that Zeus himself is so powerful, she opts instead to wreak revenge on his mistresses and illegitimate children (of which he has at least ten). As such a formidable opponent, even Zeus has displayed some fear of his wife. With Zeus's constant habit of cheating on Hera - and not bothering much to keep it a secret - it isn't surprising that Hera has become such a suspicious and sometimes spiteful woman. Her status, credibility as a goddess and queen, and pride (as the aforementioned roles inspire) are continuously subject to blows, leaving her defensive and sensitive.

» Personality: Being commonly accepted as a Queen of Gods, as well as a very important divine figure for the everyday mortal in Ancient Greece, Hera developed a strong sense of superiority. She can be charming, regal, complimenting her beauty and wisdom. However, if you cross her, you are likely to see her ugly side. Incurring Hera's wrath is a very foolish idea, as she is very petty, vicious and cunning once angry. When Hera first married Zeus, it was a lot harder to irritate her or mark her pride, but she has since become rather over-sensitive and suspicious due to Zeus's actions. She is constantly on the lookout for insults directed at her, or signs of treachery. She detests the idea of being the last to know, and of being made a fool of, more sometimes than she does the idea of Zeus cheating.

Yet, her love for Zeus is what makes his unfaithfulness most damaging (despite the fact that is it widely believed that she doesn't care for him at all). Because of this, and because of her role as "wife" and her duties as a goddess, she feels uncomfortably bound to fidelity. Even if she really wanted to get back at him by sleeping around, she couldn't, and instead she sticks to more calculating and rather evil tactics. On a personal level, Zeus's preference for other women often makes her insecure about her own beauty and appeal, sometimes without fully realising it. Paris incited her hatred when he stated that Aphrodite was the most beautiful goddess. If you take away the mystery and prejudices involved with the Grecian deities, Hera is - after all - a woman, one who has been constantly humiliated and undermined by her husband's blatant cheating. With this in mind, it is fairly easy to understand why Hera is the way she is.

Hera continues to put up a worthy fight, as she is intelligent and brave. Dealing with Zeus's indiscretions and his illegitimate children's unpleasant habit of flourishing has made her gifted at plotting, even in desperate situations.

Hera doesn't inspire much friendship or intimacy, however. In striving to maintain her credibility and keep out traitors - she learned a thing or two from her experiences with Echo - she tends to alienate others, and those who might normally approach her and not be treated as harshly as expected are afraid of her nonetheless. Hera is unwilling to trust others with important personal information or secrets, and is highly unlikely to open up. On the other hand, whilst she knows that isolation is an effective way of keeping out those who can deceive and harm her, Hera is very lonely. This isn't helped by the fact that she has developed a short temper and creative methods of oppressing people, making the "lesser beings" dislike her as well as fear her. Her choice of "human work" allows her to take control in a very modern way, keeping mortals on a tight leash with her column, being able to make or break a reputation.

Despite her arguably ruthless personality (and paranoia), Hera still exhibits unlikely yet unquestionable elegance. She pays close attention to social conventions and etiquette, and is rather unlikely to make a faux pas if she can help it. Yet, she often gets through a difficult, lonely night in the mortal way: alcohol.

Connect

External Services: