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Zagreus from Zeus' high counsels nursed by Persephone, and born the dread of all the powers divine." - Orphic Hymn 46 to Licnitus
Mortals, suppressed by the confines of society and dismayed by the uncaring distance of the Gods on high Olympus, turn to secret rites in the forests and mountains to unite in ecstasy with the mad God of mystery. Is he Bacchus? Zeus in Chthonic aspect? Only the initiated know, and to be initiated is to become one with the madness... to realize that Zagreus Dionysus is the spark inside craving to be released.
As a God of secret Orphic rites, Zagreus does not fit into the conventional Greek Pantheon and its structures. His myth, compiled from hints and slip-ups by his cultic initiates, tells of Zeus abdicating his throne and thunderbolts to the child Zagreus. In a jealous rage that a son of Zeus' infidelities would reign over Olympus, Hera incites the Titans to trick young Zagreus from the throne with games, and then devour him. Revenge comes swiftly as Zeus obliterates the Titans with lightning, reducing them to ash. Zagreus' heart is recovered and he resurrects, while from the Titan's ashes mortal kind is spawned, part titanic darkness... part Zagreus' spark. To free the sparks the Initiates of Zagreus Dionysus abandon themselves to his revelry, hoping to be liberated by his Mystery.
That is, at least, what we can piece together, though we cannot know if this is the whole truth. The mad Bull of mystery has now joined the fight as if it were a game. Why has he appeared? Perhaps not only mortals, but even the God's have a spark of Zagreus within them, and he will see it freed.
Appearance: Zagreus in Smite would be a fusion of the two different appearances of Dionysus. He would have an androgynous build and face but with long curly hair around his head and neck (like mane) and oversized bull horns. He would wear a loincloth, golden bracelets in the shape of snakes, and in one hand hold a goblet of wine.
Basic Attacks: Zagreus would throw red lightning with one hand while trying not to spill his wine with the other.
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