Phobos

Background

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Powers and Abilities

As the God of Fear, Phobos can — using the Heart of the Medusas — manifest in physical form the darkest fears of those he opposes. These manifestations are capable of actually slaying their victim.

Using the same artefact and occult rituals, Phobos could also create fearsome magical creatures such as Decay.

A squat, troll-like creature of great size and strength, he’s possessed of such sheer power that his hands and the topknot of his hair are constantly smoldering.

History

Born of the war-god Ares’ brief union with the goddess Aphrodite, Deimos and Phobos dwelt principally in the Netherworld. From there they intended to aid their father in the destruction of the Earth, and thus of the hated Amazons, as well as the other Olympian Gods. Phobos himself assumed the role of the god of fear in his father’s legions, terrifying soldiers on the battlefield.

Phobos attempted to slay the Amazon princess Diana, who had been chosen by combat and the Gods to oppose Ares’ plans. To do so, he brought to life the creature called Decay. But the Amazon Princess destroyed Decay after a savage battle across the city of Boston .

As for Deimos, when his father declared war on mankind, he was his choice for manipulating key military leaders of the Soviet and American armies. Deimos controlled the minds of these nations’ leaders, causing them to bring the planet to the brink of World War Three.

If not for these meddling kids

However, the Princess Diana, accompanied by four humans who had befriended her, brought the battle against Ares to the Netherworld itself. Here she confronted Deimos and Phobos, and a struggle to the death began.

During the course of the battle, Deimos attempted to poison the Amazon with the venomous bite of his serpentine hair. In the last seconds before she could succumb to the venom, Diana hurled her razor-sharp tiara at the gloating Deimos, and decapitated him.

The cowardly Phobos, fearing for his own life, fled into the darkness, swearing vengeance on the Amazon Princess.

Description

See illustration.

Personality

The most important thing in Phobos’ life is the approval of his father. Thus Phobos would act independently of his brother, Deimos, to obtain his father’s praise. Whenever Phobos did this, he rarely exercised good judgement. He would often jeopardize the very mission with which he was entrusted.

To this extent, Phobos should be played in a moderately haphazard manner. He’s also quite impulsive and much less restrained than his brother.

Phobos is otherwise a calculating and surreptitious villain capable of deceit, trickery and phenomenal brutality. He’s also, however, a coward, who prefers to frighten his foes without risking himself in battle. He will generally find a good, safe vantage point near his foes and throw their greatest fears at them.

Compiled by Sébastien Andrivet (stats based on Strangers in Paradise, history from Who’s Who).

Helper(s): First illustration detoured at rapsheet.co.uk .

Source of Character: Wonder Woman comics (DCU).