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In what is definitely the most unique relationship to be found while playing Hades by indie developer Supergiant Games, players can grow quite close to a shade in the form of a floating gorgon head named Dusa--though, this is not a romance full of intimacy, but one of eternal platonic friendship.
However, deepening this bond will take some work. More so, in fact, than any of the other potential romance options in the game. Players taking the role as Zagreus in Hades will have to gather lots of Nectar and Ambrosia to truly win Dusa's affection, and with it, their gifts.
Updated on October 19, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman:Dusa, as some players have noticed, is a reference to Medusa, a gorgon from Greek mythology. This creature was once a woman who was cursed by the gods out of jealousy for her beauty. Her gaze could turn people who looked at her into stone--a truly fitting if horrific curse to place upon one who was once gazed upon with adoration by others.
Thankfully for the player, Dusa is a fair bit different from the original Medusa in that they cannot turn the player to stone (or at least has control over this power and do not wish to harm Zagreus). Their codex entry, which can be read in-game, provides some backstory for this charming little gorgon character.
Step 1 - Give Dusa Nectar
Giving Nectar & Getting The Harpy Feather
Dusa, employed as a maid in the House of Hades, can be found floating about the place cleaning and tidying. One can gift Dusa some Nectar in exchange for the Harpy Feather Keepsake, which will grant a greater chance for healing items to appear out of broken urns.
Zagreus will be able to give Dusa 6 Nectar total before they will not accept any more, as one now needs to do a Favor for them before being able to progress the relationship.
Dusa's Favor
Players must help Dusa by doing a total of 12 renovations for the Lounge of the House of Hades, including a few specific ones. The mandatory ones for completing this Favor are:
- Service, Deep Cleaning (cleans up Cerberus' fur)
- Service, Detailing (repairs damage done by Cerberus)
- Adding any Rug
Afterward, the player will now be able to move onto the next phase of romancing Dusa.
Step 2 - Give Dusa Ambrosia
Giving Ambrosia & Getting Companion Fidi
To get Companion Fidi, who can be used in battle to summon Dusa to unleash a barrage of petrifying shots, players will only need to give Dusa 1 Ambrosia. However, unlike the other relationships in Hades, which only take 4 Ambrosia respectively in this romantic phase, reaching the maximum Affinity with Dusa will take 10 Ambrosia.
Fully Romancing Dusa
After giving Dusa the last of the Ambrosia needed to max out relationship Affinity, they will confess to the player that they are not interested in Zagreus intimately, though both will agree to be friends for eternity, which, Zagreus states, is just a different kind of love.
A little while later, the player can speak with Dusa again to find that they will offer to return all of the Ambrosia that was given to them. Regardless of the choice made by the player, there is no consequence, so it is recommended to take the Ambrosia back. Furthermore, there are no repercussions to romancing the other characters as well, so Zagreus can use the returned Ambrosia to deepen those relationships with ease.
About Medusa & Gorgons Of Greek Mythology
Despite being known more from the Roman version of the myth told by the poet Ovid, where Medusa was a beautiful human woman cursed by the gods, the ancient Greek version was very different. Medusa, and her two sisters Stheno and Euryale, were the children of sea deities Phorcys and Ceto, who were more like tremendous monsters than the gods of Olympus.
The three gorgon sisters were born with appropriately monstrous forms and also possessed wings in some version of their myth, such as the one told in the ancient Greek tragedy Prometheus Bound.
Dusa's Codex Entry In Hades
"'...A splendid House such as the Master's own requires a great deal of cleaning, and the little gorgon seems forever doomed to do it all herself. I sometimes offer my assistance, although it is here the little gorgon bares her fangs, refusing any help. That I can clearly see my own reflection in our polished countertops suggests she doesn't need it, either.
Although she comes off as talkative, to my knowledge she has never been forthcoming about the circumstances that led her here. A background check confirmed she has only trace connections to the gorgons of Asphodel, though could not verify any connection to the notorious gorgon-sisters of the surface.
The Master deemed further inquiry into this unlawful, and granted supervisory responsibilities to Nyx, who ensures the gorgon's workload is always full. In turn, the gorgon steadfastly accomplishes her duties, with diligence if not grace, perhaps finding pleasure purely in a job well done."
