Nemean Lions

**Nemean Lions** are magical creature. Descendants of the great divine monsters Typhon and Echidna, nursed by the moon goddess Selene, and favored by Hera for its ferocity, the original Nemean Lion lived its life fiercely terrorizing lands where Hera's enemies resided.

## Origins

In fact, when it is first introduced with its own mythos, it is in the land of Argos, sent to terrorize the town, and eventually to oppose the divinely strong hero Heracles (Hercules) for his first labor.

When Heracles succeeded in slaying it, the Lion would go on to be rewarded by Hera, despite his failed efforts, by being placed among the stars, as the constellation Leo. From this proud and divinely favored heritage, all other Nemean Lions descend.

## Appearance

A Nemean Lion is often said to be the much more handsome version of a normal lion. Touched by Hera's divine blessing, which passed down through its generations, they are majestic and regal, capable of intimidating even an adult male of a normal lion species.

In addition, they are much larger than normal (with cubs the size of adult domestic cats at birth) and clad in a hide of impenetrable skin and lovely golden fur.

## Behavior

Nemean Lions assemble in prides like normal lions and are highly territorial. They can be brutal, savage creatures when provoked, raging about viciously and attacking fiercely.

However, they are not to be depicted as brutes or monsters; they are among the brightest of the feline kingdom. Furthermore, the pride's hierarchy is very nurturing, paying especial attention to their cubs (especially males of the litter).

They always make sure the cubs are provided for first (followed by the elder males, the younger adult males and the females respectively). And when certain members are harmed, they are defended dutifully by other members of the pride.

In fact, the entire purpose for their males' territorial nature is to ensure that weaker members have food and other resources always provided.

## Abilities

**Magical Beast physiology:** Nemean Lions are a breed of monster that resemble a normal Lion species.

* **Claw Retraction:**
* **Hyper Climbing:**
* **Enhanced Agility:**
* **Enhanced Balance:**
* **Enhanced Endurance:**
* **Enhanced Flexibility:**
* **Enhanced Instincts:**
* **Enhanced Leap:**
* **Enhanced Mauling:**
* **Enhanced Mobility:**
* **Enhanced Reflexes:**
* **Enhanced Roar:**
* **Enhanced Senses:**
	+ **Enhanced Awareness:**
	+ **Enhanced Hearing:**
	+ **Enhanced Smell:**
	+ **Enhanced Tracking:**
	+ **Enhanced Vision:**
		- **Night Vision:**
* **Enhanced Speed:**
* **Fang Retraction:**
	+ **Powerful Bite:**
* **Semi-Immortality:**
* **Supernatural Strength:**
* **Invulnerability:** Well defended by its nearly impenetrable (divinely reinforced) hide, Nemean Lions are extremely difficult to slay. The hide makes long-range fighting almost useless against them. These lions also possess the teeth, strength, claws, speed and voice beyond a normal lion. These make fighting one in close combat a frightening prospect.
	+ **Unbreakable Bones:**
	+ **Unbreakable Claws:**
	+ **Unbreakable Hair:**
	+ **Unbreakable Skin:**
	+ **Unbreakable Teeth:**

## Weaknesses

* Invulnerability Bypassing/Negation
	+ **Nemean Shears:** The Nemean Shears are magical shears design shearing off the hair of the Nemean Lions.
* While skin can't be cut, they can be harmed by other ways. Recorded methods include stunning, strangling and shooting arrows into mouth.
* Users of Absolute Strength may be able to inflict damage.
* May require learning defenses to particular dangers.
* May be vulnerable to telepathic abilities.
* Users claws may be able to pierce/cut their skin (this is usually the way Heracles/Hercules is described as using to skin the lion and turn its coat into armor/a cloak.)
* The only known way to kill them is suffocation. Though, many theorize that poisoning is also a possible alternative, as well as perhaps piercing the inside of its mouth.

## Nemean Lions

* **First Nemean Lion:** The First Nemean Lion is the offspring of Typhon and Echidna.
* **The Pride of Atlas:** As the General of Kronos' Army, Atlas owned a pride of twenty adult Nemean Lions and ten baby Nemean Lions.
	+ **Percy Jackson's Nemean Lion:**