Astarte (Castlevania)

Astarte is an immortal Egyptian temptress that resides in Castlevania.

Overview
Astarte is a woman of irresistible beauty –presumably of ancient Egyptian origins– who has the ability to charm men to fight on her side. She usually resides in the Sandy Grave, a area in Castlevania that looks similar to her former kingdom, Ancient Egypt.

Astarte has a seductive personality that wears a headdress, a veil that doubles as a weapon, and possess the power of temptation, which she uses to control men.

Personality
Even when she was mortal, Astarte was an evil, selfish queen who wants nothing but power and cares only about herself which was intensified when she became an immortal. As a servant of Dracula, she shows loyalty towards her new master but was still self-centered which was shown when she assisted Brauner in taking over Castlevania as to keep her own power in it.

Astarte obviously enjoys other people's torment and has even built torture devices like a pit full of poisonous snakes for it. She is also a very good actress and is capable of hiding her emotions.

Powers and Abilities

 * Temptation: She will shoot heart arrows at the general direction of her target. If a male is hit by this attack, it will take control of him, forcing him to fight by her side. Unless they are skilled enough, the fight will more than likely end in Astarte's favor. However even if a male is affected, though, he is not entirely unstoppable. Once another has dealt enough damage to the male, he will simply crouch downward and remain that way until Astarte is defeated. Temptation can still physically damage females if it connects, although they will not become enslaved like the males.
 * Scarf Blade: She will lunge at the hero and use her scarf to stab them which can be easily dodged by moving away or jumping behind her.
 * Tornado Rod: She will use her rod to spawn a tornado.
 * Delta Spark: She will retreat and jump backward, then shoot electric triangles at the trail spots where she jumped on. According to the Belmont's Bestiary, it is recommend to not approach her at this point until the road is clear.

Myths and Legends
Astarte is the Greek name of the Mesopotamian Semitic goddess, Ishtar. She was associated with fertility, sexuality and war. Her symbols were the lion, the horse, the sphinx, the dove, and a star within a circle indicating the planet Venus. Pictorial representations often show her naked. She has been known as the deified evening star.

She was worshiped in Syria and Canaan beginning in the first millennium BC and was first mentioned in texts from Ugarit. She came from the same Semitic origins as the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, and an Ugaritic text specifically equates Astarte with her. Astarte arrived in Ancient Egypt during the 18th dynasty along with other deities who were worshiped by northwest Semitic people. She was especially worshiped in her aspect as a warrior goddess, often paired with the goddess Anat.

This Astarte might also have been inspired in part by real life last Egyptian Pharaoh, Cleopatra, who was known throughout history for her notorious beauty, which allowed her to seduce Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, and later Roman general, Mark Anthony, primarily with the intention of sparing Egypt from a full invasion by the Roman Empire.

Quotes

 * "A woman of irresistible beauty. No man can defy her will." - A small bio about Astarte.

Image Sources

 * (1665644 ninelean astarte.png) Astarte by ninelean
 * (Astarte - 02.png) Astarte's sprite from Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
 * (CastleVania Astarte.jpg) CastleVania Astarte by GreenStranger
 * (Astarte by badspot d1h1v1s-fullview.jpg) Astarte by Badspot
 * (Astarte castlevania boss by nico neko d1losos-fullview.jpg) Astarte - Castlevania Boss by Nico--Neko
 * (PoR Illustrated Egyptian Queen.jpg) Astarte's illustration from Portrait of Ruin.