Dionysus
God of the Vine, Wine, Revelry, Ritual Madness, and Theatre
|Name|Alexei Monroe
|Alias(es)|Bacchus, Alex
|Gender|Male
|Sexuality|Pansexual
|Relationship Status|Single
|Pantheon/Faith|Greco-Roman
|Occupation|Playwright, and if the mood strikes (which, with Alexei, there's always some kind of mood) he DJs at a few clubs. A fiction novel may be on the horizon
|Godly Appearance|Dionysus's godly form isn't very different from that of his human form, minus the simple but luxurious relics he wears. A sash of gold-embroidered linen adorns his slim, slightly muscled torso, connecting to a belt of gold that leads into a cloak of thicker cloth covering his lower extremities, stopping just above his leather sandals . The embroidering on the cloth, and the pattern pressed onto the belt, resemble winding, shimmering vines. His chiseled, somewhat bearded face is the same, save for his eyes taking on seemingly shifting maroon hue, like his irises refuse to sit still.
His head is adorned with a wreath of vines, small leaves still bright purplish-green against his dark earthen hair. Dionysus is always seen with his opulent grail, which is never empty, and his thyrsus, a staff adorned with a pinecone wrapped in ivy. The pinecone, when he wills it, drips with honey. A simple appearance for a god, but Dionysus has always believed that there was never much stock to be put into material adornments. After all, the most fun is had when the clothes are sparse...
|Earthly Appearance|Alexei, outside of the clubs, is a clean-cut, yet relaxed young man, appearing to be in his late 20s, early 30s. His hair, colored like fresh earth, is almost always kept in a short, slightly messy style, though he does slick it back ever so slightly for professional appearances. He's of a decent build, healthy at least, his skin has an alluring sun-kissed hue and looking into his round eyes is like looking into polished sapphires.
His dress could possibly be described as a little too young for his age, as Alex tends to wear V-neck band shirts and skinny jeans most of the time, with plain running shoes. Some days may come with a suit or other formal dress, but to him, they are atrocious. Seriously, how are you supposed to do anything in that tight-ass fabric? Although, it has it's uses...
From an appearance standpoint, Alexei is incredibly approachable. His posture is straight, powerful, but his light smirk and soft gaze is enough to make nearly anyone feel comfortable talking to him. Seeing him alone is rare, indeed.
|Personality|For Dionysus, it's never come down to nice, mean, good, or evil. He's always lived for fun. For the sheer sake of living, and recognizing that living brought with it unspeakable pleasures. He's a magnet for trouble, and boredom simply can't be found in his vocabulary. Mostly because if it's there, then he's not drunk enough, there aren't enough people, not enough unpredictability. This has led to someone that's got a tongue of silver, who will always whisper what you want to hear. And oh, by all things Divine, are his promises sweet. Sickly so, dripping with honey that's more often than not turned to thin air. Alexei does not normally commit. Whatever he says, its to illicit a reaction, to rouse an emotion, to start a riot. To follow through with such assurances would be to shackle himself to a certain outcome, and that's not something the God of Revelry is ready to do.
However, violence is not something he'll readily resort to. Alexei is diplomatic, in a politician's sense, and will talk his way out of problems far before he'll fight his way out. There is always something to say to get out of a sticky situation. That's not to say he wouldn't trick or lure someone else to do it for him, though. He treats people in much the same way, like tools or weapons, never really forming lasting bonds and moving from bed to bed. There are some he'd fight for, but they're either long gone or find better company than he. While still bitter over his descent, something in Dionysus accepts that this is reality and that his reality is a human one. And that while he is still at least mildly superior, people are things he's gotta learn.
And then, there are his plays.
These works that he pours his soul into, words and characters, they are his true lovers. He wakes to them, spends every hour with them, and takes them to bed. Those he casts must fit perfectly, though can they really? Who, in all the world, knows these creations better than Alexei Monroe, Dionysus, the God of Theatre? Dozens walk onto his stage, dozens leave with "Sorry, love. I don't think you fit. Next!". Each play he creates must go off without a hitch, but there will always, always be an infinitesimally small flaw that gets under his skin. Such things produce a perfectionist complex as he works, and can make him intensely and unusually irritable. Add that to his already present disposition to use and misuse people, and you've got yourself an incredibly manipulative man on a search for perfection in the imperfect.
Because once everything you are is taken, when the revelers stop chanting your name, what is there left?
|Family|Zeus: Father...mother? There was a thigh involved, and Alexei is not fond of it.
Semele: "Mother", though you can't really mother a son when you're dead.
And more lovers and children than should be counted...
|Strengths|- Charismatic
- Creative
- Ambitious and Motivated
- Idealistic
- Enthusiastic
|Weaknesses|- Vain
- Perfectionist
- Lacks commitment to anything except his work
- Incredibly Manipulative
- Reckless
|Likes|- Ristretto espresso after a night of wild drinking
- Autumn
- City walks
- Clubs
- Risk-taking
|Dislikes- Safety
- Monogamy
- Desolate areas
- Not being in the know
- Formality
|History|Since the first imbibing of wine, Dionysus has been invoked in revelry and performance. Was, at least. His role in liberating the Greeks from their social constraints was nearly as intoxicating as the wine he bestowed. Thousands submitted to his gifts, the mania and ecstasy found in hidden revelry. However, once the parties became too much, the freedom too sweet, his followers were cracked down on and Dionysus was left without the hymns and chants of those who partook in his Mysteries. In a way, his loss of godhood felt as though it began far earlier.
Though when the time did come, and the gods and goddesses were all asked to hand in that which made them, them, Dionysus felt betrayed. Weren't they above mortals? What he gave, he gave for the sake of amusement. Blessings he gave were given to entertain himself. Humans were just vastly amusing creatures that were incredibly gullible.
After handing in his godhood and descending to the mortal plane, Dionysus simply cut contact with the rest of his pantheon. There were still plenty of ways to have his fun, even if it meant dealing with an infinitely infuriating mortal body that couldn't hold its liquor. It took several years for Dionysus to even begin to change his stance on mortals, but after being one it was getting harder and harder to objectify them. Of course, he still did most times, he just acknowledged what he was doing was most likely morally wrong. Dionysus took on the moniker Alexei Monroe, after living off the grid was getting impossible and flowery names seemed to work wonders on those he charmed. Life in New York City led to studying at the city's University, getting a Bachelor's in English, specifically screenwriting. It was about time to start reclaiming what was his, anyways.
A few years pass and his plays hit the mainstream. They're critically acclaimed, praised, and Alexei's name was spread throughout the thespian world. Word also spread about his insane cast parties, his sexual deviancy, and every other wild tale under the sun. And what did he do? Owned up to it, of course! It was an honor to be known for his spheres of influence once again. And as long as his shows kept breaking the box office, no one really cared. Now, one of his best works is reaching it's final stages, nearly ready for the spotlight.
Things are turning up, and the drink has never been sweeter.
|Opinion on Mortals|Alexei hates the powerlessness, being brought down to such a level, and even though his lineage involves a mortal, he's not one to acknowledge that. Initially, they were nothing more than tools and pawns. For the most part, they still are, but he hates to admit that he takes a shining to a select few. Then proceeds to stamp it out with cheap sex, great wine, and a "call you later" that never comes.
|Theme Song|Long Way Down – Robert DeLong”I've been fucking around while you've been saving the world
I've been out of my mind
I've been dreaming things and scheming things
I've been smoking the poison
You've been slinging your anecdotes
I've been fucking around while you were saving the world
From nothing
”
|Mortal Skills/Abilities|Alexei has become a great writer, coming up with all kinds of stories from romance to action-packed fantasy. He mixes a mean-ass cocktail, paints in the autumn, and can hold a conversation about nearly anything. His intoxicating aura from godhood somewhat manifests itself in his irresistible charm, able to sway even the hardest hearts. Alexei tries to stay fit, running every morning (that he's not a vegetable, which really isn't often) and learning to cook decently at home. He's a fantastic entertainer, and is known to use said skills to get information that he wants.
|Immortal Skills/Abilities|Once his powers begin to return, Dionysus's blood alcohol level is left to his whim. He can be as wasted or as sober as he pleases, as long as he has at least a couple drinks in his system to work with.
More interestingly is his power over wine. He can alter it's strength, from dollar-store vintage to knock-you-on-your-ass, without altering taste. It's the flavor bouquet, not the booze, that you want to taste, after all. Not very useful against gods and such, but humans cave pretty damn quickly. And, with a touch of honey from his thyrsus, which comes closer to his higher power, the drink can inspire hysteria and maniacal revelry that only Dionysus can control. His own personal procession.
In regards to combat, he really doesn't have much in the way of direct fighting potential. He does have some control over vines, but that's really only in places with plant life.
|Favorite Myth|Isis hunting down Osiris' body
