Nightmare, also known as Hades, is Ruler of the Underworld and Reaper of Souls. Very few ever speak of him, unless it is in hushed whispers. He is an unaging immortal, and is currently over a century old. His temperament is cold, calm, and calculating, his wrath is swift and silent, and his reputation is one of decay and doom.
Nightmare resides in the Underworld, but he has not always lived there. Before becoming the ruler of the dead, he was the sole Guardian of The Sacred Tree. As the tale is written, the Guardian Nightshade attended the banquet hosted by the Pantheon for all gods coming of age. Once there, he consumed one of the dark fruits, changing into a corrupted beast. He attacked the Pantheon, trying to overthrow them, only to be overthrown in turn.
As punishment, Nightmare was bound to the Underworld and tasked with overseeing and reaping corrupt and wicked souls such as his own. While this did offer him some free reign with regards to Earth, he is still barred from the Heavens. The only way he could sneak in is during the new moon, when all is at its darkest, and only in his shadow form.
Even with his restraints, the elder gods still fear Nightmare. As they should, for Nightmare's thirst for revenge rises with every new moon, consuming his rotten core. All he would need is one of the golden apples to break his chains and bring chaos to the Heavens. Unfortunately, due to his corruption he cannot pass through the barrier by force. It will take patience, cunning, and one little godling to achieve his goal . . .
Nightmare has selected four monster souls- each of which were so wronged in life they defied death- to persist as wraiths and carry out his bidding on Earth and Below.
Nightmare’s corruption is so cursed, that anyone who so much as touches his clothing will rot and decay on the spot. He has not felt the touch of another being in over a century.
Nightmare still retains some of his power over plants, only now it is limited to thorns, brambles, poisonous berries and toxic mushrooms.
Nightmare has a library full of scrolls that are works he’s read and has re-written for himself. After all, he can’t exactly stroll into the Olympus archives. He will, however, occasionally steal written works from earth for his collection.
Nightmare keeps a three headed Blaster hound named Cerberus at the gates of the Underworld to keep the dead from leaving.
