Hephaestus

Entity 42, AKA "Hephaestus" (sometimes called "Heph" for short), is the twin brother of Apollo.
==Description==
Hephaestus appears similarly to his brother, although with several differences. His skin is comparable to marble or porcelain, with a smooth and flawless surface. Similar to Kintsugi pottery, Hephaestus' mask is cracked and held together by gold marbling between the fragments. These cracks are usually concealed by makeup, however. Additionally, he has porcelain prosthetic limbs with floral Damascus patterning.
==Biology==
Hephaestus’ biology is practically identical to that of his brother. He possesses the ability to shape objects out of practically any material; from gleaming metal, to sharpened steel, to humble clay and sturdy hardwood. His mastery over the hammer and anvil is unparalleled, resulting in tools, trinkets and weapons bearing the mark of his unparalleled artistry. Another noteworthy attribute is black/silver blood, which can be seen bleeding from Hephaestus when he is wounded.
===Shears===
The Shears are an enormous pair of scissors which Hephaestus wields as his trademark tool/weapon. He can split them in half, transforming them into a dual pair of swords.
===Mask===
The mask that Hephaestus wears appears to be the source of his power. Hephaestus can assume a “human” form by removing the mask.
==Behaviors==
Hephaestus has had many attributes ascribed to him by those who have interacted with him. He has been described as confident and self-assured, being assertive in his beliefs and standing up for himself. He is often blunt with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, valuing honesty and authenticity. Beneath this hardened exterior, however, Hephaestus has a soft heart, deeply caring for his loved ones while being loyal and protective.
Hephaestus is a relentless perfectionist, with an obsession for beauty and flawlessness. He sees his own flaws in his creations, which he tirelessly works to refine. His pursuit of perfection is a struggle against his internal flaws. Apollo, on the other hand, struggles to understand Hephaestus’ concept of perfection, causing a lack of sympathy and understanding between the two brothers. 
==Discovery==
There are various myths, rumors and legends surrounding Hephaestus. The story of his life may have gone something like this:
Hephaestus and Apollo were once mortal human brothers who lived in ancient times within The Backrooms. Art had always been a part of their lives from the very beginning, being their primary source of passion and giving them a sense of purpose in life.
As adults, the brothers went on to join an ancient society known as “The Muralists”, who were dedicated to the arts. While in this group, they produced various arts and crafts related to The Royal Court, whom served as their primary inspiration at the time. The legends of the court's exploits were captured in paintings, sculptures, songs and plays. The Brothers' work was met with great acclaim, eventually capturing the attention of the Court themselves. They enjoyed their creations so much, they would officially induct Apollo and Hephaestus into the Court as their “Royal Artist” and “Royal Blacksmith” respectively.
The more time the brothers spent surrounded by these godlike beings, the more of their humanity they would lose as they ultimately became like them. Throughout this period, the brothers formed friendships with other gods, forging bonds that transcended their divine status.
Hephaestus forged weapons for Claudius and his knights. His unparalleled skill in metalworking and forging guaranteed that the weapons were not only beautiful but also incredibly powerful and durable. The legendary swords, spears, and armor that the knights wielded in their battles were all the result of his divine craftsmanship, solidifying his reputation as the master of weaponry and armory. It is even rumored that Hepheastus is possibly responsible for creating the Treasures of the Void.
Hubris, who conspired to overthrow his father and take the crown for himself, envied the bond between Hephaestus and Apollo, as he saw it as something which he could never share with his own brother, Humble. When Hubris and Kirai finally set their plan into motion, they kidnapped Apollo and leveraged his life to extort Hephaestus into helping them forge the Defiled Crown. After fulfilling his end of the deal, Hephaestus fought against Hubris and Kirai in an attempt to stop them from carrying out their plans, but was grievously injured with his limbs severed and his mask fragmented. The Court believed him to have died, but in reality, he barely survived. Amidst the chaos of the Court's battle against Hubris and Kirai, Apollo rescued Hephaestus and retreated into hiding, where he nursed him back to health. Although he had survived this ordeal, trauma and near-death experience has left him permanently marked.
==Relations==
The following are descriptions of the relationship between Hephaestus and other high-profile entities in The Backrooms, in Hephaestus' own words:
Argus: Well, at least I am able to assist the members in need of help, even if they need to fight... I just hope you can forgive me for any mistakes I made.
The Queen: Ugh. I cannot stand that woman, nor the sight of her. She truly gets on my nerves.
Hubris: It's your fault for almost killing me in front of my brother. I am so mad at you for what you've done. I hate you.
Humble: It's so difficult to accept that Hubris, your own twin brother, could do such things. I thought you could have intervened and stopped him. I'm feeling deeply concerned and worried about the situation.
Kirai: You and Hubris kidnapped my brother and forced me to forge that damn crown. I'll never forget that. One day, I'll have revenge and stab you in the back with my scissors, you bastard.
The Jester: ...I can't believe you made a joke about me and my sad mask. That was so insensitive. Don't ever do that again. I mean it.
Philia: I don't get why you're so nice to me, even though I often get into fights with others. I've been aggressive and caused trouble, yet you still treat me kindly. I'm concerned about why you're willing to accept my behavior, but I appreciate it.
Celeste: She's such a quiet and kind person. Being around her feels like a form of therapy for me. I really appreciate her calm and gentle nature.
The Clocksmith: You seem like someone who would be a good friend. You're just a regular, normal oldtimer. I think we could get along well.
The Storyteller: Oh, I'm so tired of hearing those stories. I was fast asleep in the middle of it, but I guess I'll listen if you have a scary tale to tell.
Apollo: Ah, my twin brother... We always look out for each other. It hurts so much to see him struggling and I can't help but feel guilty. I really worry about him.
The Crimson Wanderer: My best friend. I crafted weapons and armor for him and his knights. We used to spend time together in my forge... It's tough because he doesn't know I'm still alive... I'm sorry.
The Keymaster: This annoying jerk. He's always bothering me and getting on my nerves. If he dares to bully my brother, I swear I'll throw a punch at him.
The Alchemist: Ah, another creative soul. Sometimes his ideas are so good that it's hard not to feel envious, but it's also cool to see his talent. I'm trying to stay calm and appreciate his abilities without letting jealousy take over.
The King of Normality: There's something about this guy that's so mysterious. I really like his vibe, it's kind of alluring.
==Relevant Tales==
*The Legend of The Court
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Category:Entities
Category:Godlike
Category:The Royal Court
Category: T.A.S.
Category:Apollo