Orpheus

Overview

Orpheus is a legendary musician. During his life, he lost his wife and muse Eurydice and ventured to the Underworld to plea for her return. Although he was ultimately unable to bring her back to life, he charmed Hades with his music such that after his death, Hades employed Orpheus as his court musician. However, because he has lost his muse, he is unable to bring himself to sing, though he may be persuaded otherwise.

Characteristics and Personality[ | ]

A legendary musician, unfortunately, the loss of his wife and musical partner Eurydice deprived Orpheus of any desire to sing, he charms and brings to tears those who listen to him. No one sings a sweeter and sadder song than him.

Despite his reputation for singing sad songs, Orpheus is kind, empathetic, and very friendly, being a good listener to Zagreus. Incredibly, the melancholic Orpheus wasn't always like this; he was full of life and passion for music. However, after his dramatic loss, he became completely devastated and unmotivated to sing, adopting a more bitter and dark personality.

Poor Orpheus is usually sad and depressed, having completely abandoned his craft after the loss of his muse. Despite still playing and singing, his music sounds more like a personal lament. However, after hearing the epic narrative told by Zagreus, he becomes super inspired and creative, quickly composing a song about it, even though it was just a prank by Dionysus.

When Zagreus brings news of Eurydice for the first time, and that they can still be reunited, Orpheus doesn't seem to care and prefers to relive his tragic memories, perhaps out of masochism or because it fuels his creativity. Zagreus is quite perplexed by this, but Orpheus actually feels this way because he believes he failed her completely and thinks she's better off without him. In the end, despite both being stubborn about your feelings, Zagreus helps him reunite with her and his mood starts to improve.

Physical description[ | ]

Orpheus' appearance as a Shade is characterized by pale, sunken skin and extremely unruly dark-green hair. He always has a downcast expression, emphasizing his somber presence. According to Eurydice, this is a relatively younger look for him, as she remembers him having curly hair and a nice tan when they were together, much to Zagreus' surprise.

He wears a light purple vest with blue buttons. He wears a brown shawl with golden lining above it, coming from his left shoulder and circulating around his legs. He has some crossed green bracelets on his left wrist, a golden headband and his golden belt is decorated with blue and golden accessories. His nails are purple and he has dark strikes coming down from his green eyes; he also appears to have eyebags. In his right hand, he carries a golden lyre with blue details and three faces engraved in it; it also has some nature motifs in it, such as leaves and tiny flowers.

History[ | ]

Before Hades[ | ]

Orpheus is a legendary musician who once ventured into the underworld to try to retrieve his wife Eurydice after her untimely death. Although he failed, he was hired by Hades to be the court musician.

Hades[ | ]

By the time of the start of the story, Orpheus has been sent to Tartarus for refusing to sing given his grief, thus not doing his job as court musician. Zagreus is very upset over this, believing it to be an unfair punishment. Hades eventually brings him back to House, and if Zagreus offers him some Nectar, Orpheus will slowly start to sing again.

During his escape attempts, Dionysus will ask Zagreus to play a little prank on Orpheus to lift his spirits. In doing so, Orpheus will compose the "Hymm to Zagreus", which is filled with the lies and nonsenses the prince fed him. Zagreus tries to explains it is all untrue, but Orpheus feigns ignorance, believing the prince is simply being benevolent and thanks him for the inspiration.

Zagreus comes into contact with Eurydice, transmitting that information to the musician. Glad to know his wife is doing well, Orpheus is nonetheless hurt to know he is a touchy subject to her, but understands. Upon learning she has created a new song, he requests the prince to retrieve a sheet with it, so he can sing it too. Zagreus is able to obtain the music sheet and hand it to Orpheus, who adds it to his reportory, but sings it slightly differently from Eurydice.

After much back and forth, Zagreus is able to rewrite Orpheus's contract, allowing the musician to visit his wife in Asphodel from time to time.

Epilogue[ | ]

Orpheus can be seen either in the House or be found in Asphodel with Eurydice, singing together.

Appearance[ | ]

Prior to the events of Hades, Orpheus was locked into solitary confinement by Lord Hades due to his refusal to sing. His sentence can be revoked by purchasing the Court Musician's Sentence (which costs 1 Diamond) from the House Contractor. Once revoked, Orpheus will immediately appear in the House of Hades.

Affinity[ | ]

If given Nectar, Orpheus will give you the Distant Memory.

After giving him at least 1 , Orpheus will begin to sing again, citing Zagreus' determination as inspiration despite the loss of his muse. Thereafter, Orpheus may occasionally be heard singing when Zagreus returns to the House.

Orpheus' affinity gauge is maxed out at 8 hearts.

Favor[ | ]

Orpheus' favor is earned by voiding his contract, which allows him to visit Eurydice in Asphodel.

As you deepen your relationship with both Orpheus and Eurydice, Zagreus will ask Eurydice for a copy of her song, Good Riddance, which he will share with Orpheus. After receiving the song, Orpheus will begin singing it in the House. After several more conversations with both, Eurydice will begin a meeting with:

What happens now, hon...? What I mean is... now you got me thinking about Orpheus again, so... what am I supposed to do with that?

To progress further you will need to have:

Both Orpheus and Eurydice at a minimum of 5 hearts.
Access to the Administrative Chamber.(purchased through the House Contractor)
A conversation with Nyx (who must be at 5 hearts) about the Admin Chamber (which can also be triggered by starting Sisyphus's liberation quest).
A conversation with Hades about Orpheus' contract (which requires Orpheus to have started singing again).
A followup conversation with Nyx about Orpheus's sentence, in which she tells you the location of his file in the Admin Chamber.

After finding the document in the Admin Chamber, speak to the House Contractor to purchase the Singer's Gamble for 3 .

The next conversation you have with Orpheus will earn his favor and complete the Musician and Muse prophecy in the Fated List of Minor Prophecies.

Codex entry[ | ]

'...No one sings a sweeter, sadder song than Orpheus, who, if I'm to understand correctly, is among the only mortals who once ventured down into the Underworld, and returned to tell the tale. He now resides among us permanently, ever mournful of what could have been. The Master seems to take some pity on him, though, or simply likes his songs; he serves as court musician in the House. I empathize with his desire for reunion with the shade of one he's loved and lost. But, sometimes, I fear that Orpheus seems to have lost more than his love. I pray that he shall find his muse eventually. For if he cannot... if someone who once had such fiery resolve could be brought so low, become so utterly resigned in death... what hope do any of us have? The consolation of eternity is knowing we all can resolve our problems, given enough time and effort. But the terror of it is knowing we cannot escape those problems, either.'

Songs[ | ]

Lament of Orpheus: unlocked by gifting Orpheus at least 1 .
Hymn to Zagreus: requires Orpheus to have regained the will to sing and gifting Dionysus 1 . Unlocked by a random conversation with Dionysus in which he asks you to lie to Orpheus.
Good Riddance: requires Zagreus to have purchased the Court Music Stand from the House Contractor, encountered Eurydice in Asphodel, and progressed through her storyline enough to obtain sheet music from her. Following these steps, the song can be unlocked by purchasing it from the Contractor, though Orpheus can sing it without needing to purchase it.

Trivia[ | ]

Orpheus' design appears to be inspired by the character Morpheus from The Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman.
His "Hymm to Zagreus" song is a direct reference to the Orphic version of Zagreus's myth.
His "Lament of Orpheus" song is a reference to the song that is said he started singing after failing to rescue Eurydice. This song was said to be so depressing that crops wouldn't grow, pregnant women would have miscarriages, and other misfortunes would happen around him as he sang it.
There's some different versions regarding his death, but most times it was Dionysus that ordered the Maenads to kill Orpheus, disliking how his sadness was so big it killed the vibe. For this reason, it's ironic how Dionysus is the one that comes up with an idea to cheer him up. It might stern from guilt from possibly being behind the cause of his death, or simply because, as the God of Revelry, Dionysus can't stand seeing someone sad.

Additional notes[ | ]

For additional information on Orpheus that does not pertain to Hades, see Wikipedia's article: Orpheus