Truly one of the kindest and gentlest of the gods, Hephaestus' massive suit of armor hides the foul and withered body given to him by his parents, Zeus and Hera. Crippled at a young age during a conflict between his parents, Hephaestus was accidentally cast from the top of Mount Olympus. After falling for three days he crashed to the ground, the force of the impact pulverizing his left foot and disfiguring him for life. The god of the forge, Hepheastus was responsible for the creation of most of the other gods' tools of office. Pitied by the other gods, Hephaestus fell in love with the most beautiful of goddesses, Aphrodite. While repulsed by Hephaestus' physical form, Aphrodite was lured by the immaculate gifts that he could create for her, and she accepted his hand in marriage. Hephaestus' love for his bride was undying, but her faithfulness was not. Wooed by the roguish charm of Ares, Aphrodite broke her marital vows and began an illicit affair with the god of war. Disco vered by Hephaestus, they were dragged before the Olympians in shame, but the greatest shame was felt by Hephaestus himself. To this day Hephaestus still loves Aphrodite, but he cannot trust her.

Hermited away within his massive volcanic forge, Hephaestus works day and night with the assistance of his three cyclopean slaves, Arges, Brontes, and Steropes. He fashioned a suit of battle-armor for himself with which he can lumber, neigh-impeneratable, onto the battlefield. Four golden crutches built into the arms of the suit help support its colossal weight, which he can bring crashing down onto the heads of his enemies.