Arachne, Mother of Spiders

Physical Age Appearance: 24

Actual Age: 2,750

Hair: Dark Brown

Height: 5’8

Personality

 
Arachne was once prideful and overconfident. This is what led her to challenge Athena and later the Gods in the first place. When confronted by someone who demonstrated superior skills, Arachne couldn’t handle it. She alternated between madness and rage during her imprisonment as the first spider. Once she was given a chance to become free Arachne was consumed by a desire for vengeance. She hates Athena with every fiber of her being and had long dreamed of what she would do to the goddess. This anger though does blind her leading to mistakes. Arachne has a very creative mind due to her artistic skills.

Powers

Arachne was freed from her spider form by a mischievous Nymph. The Nymph honored Arachne’s request to be given the power to defeat Athena. As a result the Nymph gifted Arachne with divine powers and strength. All her powers are related to her former existence as a spider.    

Super-strength: Arachne has strength to equal an Olympian. She can easily break metal, lift tons of weight, and grapple with her main rival, Athena.  

Agility/Reaction Time: She is incredibly nimble, just like a spider. Arachne is probably faster than most divine beings able to move quickly and elegantly.

Adhesive Touch: Arachne can attach herself to any surface. This allows her to scale vertical surfaces such as tall buildings, hang from ceilings, and attack from unexpected directions.

Venom: Arachne can deliver a powerful venom viva her bite but also her lips. The venom is strong enough to affect a divine being. It causes paralysis along with extreme weakness in the victim.

Mother of all Spiders: Being the first of all spiders, Arachne can control them. She also can create her own spiders, much larger than the normal kind. These spiders can spin the same silk web as Arachne.

Silken Divine Web: The same silk that was once used by Arachne to trap Athena it is now produced by her hands. The threads are the strongest silk that can trap any foe. Divine beings are just as powerless in the thread as a mortal. The web is also mentally linked with Arachne, allowing her to lay some as tripwires or traps. She can also use it as a defensive weapon forming a cocoon or shield for herself.

Mortem Cocoon: Arachne’s ultimate imprisonment tool. She can form a cocoon of her silken threads which then sap the life force from whomever is imprisoned in it. Arachne designed this as her ultimate revenge against Athena. The cocoon though requires much of Arcahne's concentration and power to create. It cannot be recreated easily or quickly.

History

Arachne was once the best weaver in Greece. Her designs amazed both mortals and divine beings alike. The Nymphs were particularly in love with her works. One day Arachne was asked by an admirer how her skills stacked against the Goddess Athena. Arachne boldly declared that she could out weave the goddess herself. Upon hearing of this from Little Owl Athena accepted the challenge. Showing up at Arachne’s shop the crowds were shocked by the arrival of the Goddess.

The two weaved with Athena showing off moments of the Gods while Arachne showed off human triumphs over the Gods. In the end Athena bested Arachne at her own game, wining the contest. Athena though was an honorable victor complimenting Arachne’s skill as an artist. The young woman didn’t see it that way. Athena’s words sounded patronizing to Arachne who was consumed with jealously. What did her talents matter if the Gods could just upstage her or any mortal?

During this time a Nymph appeared. A fan of Arachne’s work and even more interested in messing with the Gods; she offered Arachne a way to get back at Athena. She gave Arachne a silk web which could trap the Goddess. Arachne accepted it and prepared a plan to ensnare Athena. Luring the Goddess back she threw the net around Athena who was shocked it could hold her. Trapped in the web Athena learned about Arachne’s jealously. Eventually Athena was able to use her intelligence to escape, breaking free of the web. She caught Arachne bringing her before the Gods for judgment.

Zeus was displeased with the mortal’s disobedience and mad at Athena for being humiliated so. While Athena didn’t feel that way she was forced to carry out the punishment against Arachne. She was to be turned into an animal and connected to the weaving she loved so much. Athena sprinkled the divine potion on Arachne who cursed Athena out as she was changed into a spider. Cast back to Earth Arachne soon learned she was both a hideous creature and immortal. For centuries she roamed Earth unable to end her existence, creating new spiders.