Persephone

Persephone, god of life

Today we kick off the third segment in our five-part coverage of Shiny and Interplay's upcoming 3D real-time strategy game, Sacrifice. With each update, we've been profiling one of the five gods in Sacrifice, taking a look at the spells and minions they afford players who choose to stand by their side. We're also updating our Sacrifice coverage with screenshots that are specific to that week's god. Lastly, each update includes a voice sample of its respective god.

Shiny has only recently finished recording the dialogue in the game using the impressive pool of voice talent it managed to line up. We've already taken a look at the game's god of strife, Charnel, and the god of earth, James. Today we're profiling a unique deity in Sacrifice: Persephone, the god of life. Persephone rules over the land of Elysium, a world of rolling hills, lush forests, and fertile plains. She is a loving god who cares for her followers as if they were her own children, and yet she is swift to exact revenge on any who stray from the enlightened path. Persephone seeks only peace but will resort to violence and enact justice in its pursuit.

Spells
As a follower of Persephone and defender of Elysium, you'll be granted the art of mysticism, a very primal magic that focuses on the forces of life and the earth around you. Most of Persephone's spells involve healing or protection. However, her offensive spells can also be among the deadliest in Sacrifice.

Speed up: This spell is essentially the same for all five of the gods in Sacrifice. It provides its target with a quick burst of speed, and it is best used right before a surprise attack or when a hasty retreat is called for.

Wrath: Wrath is one of the first spells you'll master under Persephone. When cast, it discharges a brilliant ball of blue energy that homes in on the nearest enemy, inflicting a great deal of damage.

Heal: Heal is another spell that's shared by followers of all five gods. Any targeted creature will regain a portion of its health when this spell is cast.

Ethereal form: This spell will cause your wizard to take on the form of a ghost, making him immune to any attack whatsoever, whether it's physical or magical. While under the influence of this spell, you won't lose the ability to order your minions or to cast magic either.

Grasping vines: Grasping vines sends forth a tangle of heavy vegetation to rise from the ground and entangle any targeted enemy. These vines, thought to be the fingers of Persephone herself, will immobilize any creature within their grasp for a limited time.

Rainbow: More powerful than the standard heal spell, rainbow will daisy-chain itself from creature to creature and only restore the health of your followers.

Rain of frogs: A hail of these bouncy amphibians will rain from the sky to cover a small area of the land. The frogs will chase any nearby creatures, causing them to slow down before inflicting damage. Being simple-minded creatures, however, the frogs won't be able to tell the difference between your minions and those of another player.

Healing aura: The most powerful of Persephone's healing spells, healing aura will not only mend the wounds of a targeted creature but will also radiate outward and restore the health of any creature standing nearby. This spell's effect wears off after a short while.

Vine wall: Similar to grasping vines, vine wall calls forth a long wall of mighty tendrils that can ensnare a whole army of enemy creatures. And like grasping vines, the effects of this spell only last for a few moments.

Charm: Charm is the greatest gift Persephone can bestow upon her followers. With this spell, your wizard can make enemy creatures see the error in their ways and convert them to fight on your side. When used correctly, charm can quickly turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Meanstalks: When cast, a giant vine will erupt from the ground, grasp any targeted creature, and send it flying off into the distance. Most creatures can't withstand the deadly impact with the ground that follows.