Persephone

**Persephone** is one of the many characters in the game *Stray Gods*. She is an Idol serving on the Chorus and was formerly queen of the Underworld. Currently, she runs a nightclub also named the Underworld. Persephone is voiced by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn.

She is also available as a romantic option to Grace.

## Biography

### Ancient Greece

Persephone was a daughter of Demeter. As a young goddess, she was kidnapped by Hades and brought to the Underworld. This enraged her mother, who brought a bitter winter to the world until Zeus brokered a deal, forcing Hades and Demeter to share Persephone and requiring Persephone and Hades to be married.

Not long after her kidnapping, Persephone grew homesick and wished to see her mother. Charon, taking pity on her, gave her passage across the Styx. She then managed to escape the Underworld, with Hades in pursuit. She made it to Mount Olympus, and was met by Apollo. Persephone asked him to help her escape Hades, but Apollo refused, resulting in Persephone being recaptured.

Isolated in the Underworld and abused at the hands of her husband, Persephone eventually killed Hades. This was the first time an Idol had murdered another. The other Idols ruled that Persephone should face consequences for the murder, and stripped control of the Underworld from her. Deposed and disgraced, Persephone carried a grudge against the other Idols for centuries—both for their lack of help when she was taken by Hades, and for taking the Underworld which she felt was deservedly hers.

### World War II

During World War II the Idols were exposed to the mortal world by Ares, God of Warfare. Persephone survived, though many Idols were killed, including Persephone's mother Demeter. She assisted in hunting down and killing Ares in recompense for his betrayal before the remaining Idols fled to the New World.

### Life in the New World

The war and Ares betrayal shook the Idols, and the Chorus imposed new rules on them when they settled in the New World. Athena wanted the Idols to stay together, the better to stay hidden.

In the 1950s, she befriended a woman named Chastity. Chastity was the wife of a mobster, who she describes as a "mean, vicious little thug." Persephone killed Chastity's husband, tearing the man's head off. However, he managed to shoot her in the chest with a shotgun during the fight. Dying of the wound, Persephone passed on her eidolon to Chastity. Persephone had not explained to Chastity that she was an Idol, but Chastity could feel the power she now held all the same. In the following years, Chastity took over her husband's mob activities and territory. Eventually the Veil began to lift for Chastity, and Persephone's memories returned. Athena, fearing the mob activity would draw attention to the Idols, forced her to give it up and return to New Olympus.

In the 1980s, Persephone made a bet with Dionysus for his nightclub. Though the club was popular in the 1970s, Dionysus's lack of business experience left the club failing. Persephone bet that she could make it profitable, and in return he would give the club over to her. Dionysus agreed, and Persephone successfully turned the club around. She rebranded it the Underworld, and kicked Dionysus out for his excessive tab.

Eventually, Calliope came to Persephone at the Underworld, asking for help leaving Olympus. Persephone was initially dismissive, telling Calliope to find some mortal friend's couch to crash on. Calliope explained that she wanted to learn how to be truly independent of the other Idols, the way Persephone had become. Flattered—and, more importantly, needing an opening act for the club—Persephone agreed. She provided Calliope with an apartment, and Calliope played at the Underworld for several years before moving to a talent scouting role. Persephone warmed up to Calliope in time, and the two became lovers. Two years before the events of *Stray Gods*, Persephone and Calliope fell out and parted ways.

## Gallery

### Video

Stray Gods- The Roleplaying Musical - Persephone, Queen of the Underworld