Desdemona

This article is about the villain-turned-hero lore character. For the villain broker, see Desdemona the Glint.

Desdemona (CoH Rogue Trailer)

Overview

Desdemona was originally introduced with the announcement of the second City of Heroes expansion, Going Rogue. Described in the Going Rogue press release as "a demon-summoning villain who has been redeemed", she is likely able to call forth demonic minions with which to attack enemies, possibly hinting at a Demon Summoning player power set.

Video Dialogue

I know it's supposed to be simple.

Good... versus Evil.

Right?

Well now I'm not so sure.

Background

History

From the time she was born, Eve Salvatore's path was always guided by the men in her life. Her father, Brandon Salvatore, was a strict disciplinarian. He viciously punished his daughter whenever he caught her using magic. Brandon's violent reaction to his daughter's mystical abilities came from the deep psychological wounds inflicted by his wife's death. Eve's mother, Amelia, was a powerful sorceress who had the ability to summon and control demons. Unbeknownst to her family, she also happened to be a super-powered villain, who called herself Desdemona. One night Brandon spied Amelia summoning a demon and flying off on its back to a heist. He followed her in his car and came upon her as she was battling Statesman over the streets of Paragon City. Brandon confronted Amelia and broke her concentration, causing her to lose control of the demon she was controlling. It grabbed her and in the ensuing struggle, flew headlong into the rotors of a nearby news helicopter. As the demon fled into the darkness, Statesman made a valiant attempt to save his opponent to no avail. As flaming pieces of wreckage fell around him, Brandon swore his daughter would not grow up to be like her mother.

The only thing Brandon ever told his daughter about that night was that her mother died fighting Statesman. This planted a seed of hatred toward Paragon's champion that would stay with her for most of her life. Young Eve loved her father but after being repeatedly beaten for trying to follow her destiny and honor her mother's memory, she left home with the new man in her life. Chad Ramsey was a two-bit second story thief with minor amounts of heightened agility and leaping ability who called himself Stray Cat. He made a name for himself with the Family in Independence Port and was introduced to Eve by a mutual friend as "someone you want to know". The two hit it off and Eve was thrilled when Chad had the opportunity to head out to the Rogue Isles. She saw it as a perfect opportunity to get away from her father.

For a time the lovers were very happy in their new environment. Stray Cat was on the fast track to become a made man and Eve even got in on the act. With her father's restrictions gone, she started using her magic to gain infamy in the Rogue Isles under the identity she took from her mother, Desdemona. Unfortunately her success led to another tragedy. Chad's early triumphs had faded and his Family contacts weren't calling anymore. Desdemona on the other hand had gained the attention of Arachnos with her exploits. Despite his best efforts, Stray Cat was being completely overshadowed by Desdemona in the vicious Darwinian hierarchy of the Rogue Isles. In a fit of jealousy, Chad tried to regain some of his cred by teaching his lady a lesson.and ended up dead at the hands of an immensely strong Sothoth demon. Much like her mother, Eve could summon demons and as long as she prepared a protective circle, she could control them. Desdemona didn't have full control of the demon she had rashly brought forth and after it gleefully dismembered Chad, it tried to break Eve's control entirely so it could kill her next. Ghost Widow of Arachnos came upon the scene as the demon was assaulting Eve's mind. Lord Recluse's second-in-command helped Desdemona defeat the demon and offered her a position in Arachnos. The shaken Eve quickly agreed.

With access to the knowledge of the Arachnos Mystics, Desdemona's power grew quickly. She was troubled by her near death, almost having succumbed to the demon, and so one of her first acts was to make certain that could never happen again. She performed a ritual that placed mystical tattoos on her neck. These sigils formed a circle of protection around her mind and ensured that she would always be free from the influence of her pets.

Since joining Arachnos two major events have shaped Desdemona. Early in her tutelage with Ghost Widow, Desdemona was ordered to stand before the Fortunata called Kalinda. The seer spoke only one cryptic phrase; "This one walks between the shadow and the light." Although Eve didn't understand what it meant, it seemed to disturb her patron greatly.

The second event was no less impactful but much more dangerous. Desdemona was sent to Paragon City to investigate the rumors of a demon being used by the Circle of Thorns. She was to take control of the creature and bring it back to the Rogue Isles. She found the beast easily enough but controlling it turned out to be much more difficult. A powerful mystic had placed wards upon the demon to prevent just such an occurrence. As she began to peel back the layers of the mystical barrier, Desdemona felt a sense of deja vu wash over her. This was her mother's pet demon. In that moment of realization, she let her concentration drop and the creature attacked. It was ready to rend her limb from limb when Statesman, who was there trying to capture the demon himself, came to her rescue.

As his booming voice rung out over the din of battle; "Not this time!" he struck the demon and drew its attention away from Desdemona.

Unfortunately in doing so, Statesman left himself open to attack and the demon dealt him a near fatal blow. Using the distraction, Desdemona was able to gain the upper hand and bring the demon under her sway. There she stood, with the man responsible for her mother's death lying at her feet. With one command, her new pet could easily finish what it had started. Suddenly the opportunity she had dreamed of her whole life had arrived. Whether the greatest hero in Paragon City would live or die was her choice. She raised her hand as if to send her minion to attack... and then simply turned and walked away with her emotions in a jumble.

As Desdemona left the battle site, a chill came over her and two phrases spun to the top of her turbulent thoughts. Kalinda's eerie voice mixed with Statesman's battle shout, echoing in her mind, as she pondered what effect this decision would have on her future.

Taken from Official Bio

Description

Unknown, waiting for Going Rogue

Character Stats

Secret Identity: Eve Salvatore
Origin: Magic
Archetype: Mastermind
Primary Powers: Demon Summoning
Secondary Powers: Dark Miasma
Other Powers: Unknown, waiting for Going Rogue
Signature Powers: Unknown, waiting for Going Rogue

External Links

• Going Rogue site with trailer featuring Desdemona
• NCSoft press release announcing Going Rogue expansion with Desdemonaas a new character
• Desdemona Profile

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