Sisyphus

Overview

“	Within the depths of Tartarus reside the most wretched of all the shades who linger for eternity within the Underworld, whose Lord and Master is especially unkind to those attempting to cheat death.	„
	~ Narrator

Sisyphus is a former king sentenced to an eternity of punishment within Tartarus for attempting to cheat death. He succeeded twice, each time only temporarily before the consequences caught up with him. His punishment is to roll a boulder up a steep hill; the boulder, however, always rolls back down the hill before he reaches the top, despite his best efforts. The Furies - and Megaera in particular - torment him as he attempts to push the boulder, though with Zagreus' recent escape attempts, they appear to be slacking on this particular duty.

In spite of his never-ending punishment, Sisyphus is generally good-humoured and polite, having had ample time to reflect on his deeds in life. He refers to his boulder as "Bouldy," treating "him" as a friend and confidante, and speaks quite casually with Zagreus, whom he typically calls "Prince Z. (Zed)"

Zagreus can sometimes encounter Sisyphus taking a break from boulder-pushing while making his way through Tartarus. During these meetings, Sisyphus will offer Zagreus a choice between , 50-55 or 100 . He can only appear once during each escape attempt. Sisyphus is immune to damage, though he will respond if Zagreus takes a swing at him or Bouldy regardless.

Characteristics and Personality[ | ]

The former king of Corinth, despite his eternal punishment of pushing a rock up a hill only to watch it roll back down every day, Sisyphus remains positive, kind, helpful, cheerful, and friendly. Sisyphus seems to fully understand a rock named "Bouldy" and considers it a good friend and confidant.

He is quite observant and often gossips about various underworld subjects, although he is often forced into routine by the lashes of the Furies, he still remains friendly, including with them, and lives a life of ostracism and solitude. Despite this, he has embraced his useless work with enthusiasm and even invaluable befriended the rock he pushes, which he nicknamed "Bouldy," indicating that Sisyphus may have gone mad over time, because he is talking to a stone.

The former king is very persistent, even more than Zagreus, and his insights and advice are often helpful and greatly aid Zagreus in his escape attempts. Sisyphus provides tips whenever he can, considering Zagreus to be "more or less" similar to himself. He has memorized the entire map of Hades due to his constant attempts to escape, making him an invaluable resource for Zagreus.

Misery builds character, implying that before his punishment, Sisyphus used to be a tyrant king, manipulative, and selfish, an intolerable individual, a poor king who had no fear of his own arrogance and considered himself smarter than the gods themselves. Sisyphus had nothing left to lose, so he reflected so much that he became a decent person, despite still trying to escape routinely.

Physical description[ | ]

Sisyphus is a robust man chained to a rock (Bouldy), dressed in tattered green clothes. His olive-brown hair is adorned on his head by a golden tiara resting on his forehead. Despite his lifeless state, the arduous effort and relentless whipping have left visible scars on his body, witnessing the enduring torment he endures.

History[ | ]

Before Hades[ | ]

Sisyphus is the former king of Corinth who cheated death twice before his crimes caught up with him, and he was sent to Tartarus. His eternal punishment is to push a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down, and he must repeat this task endlessly.

Hades[ | ]

Zagreus comes across a prisoner chained to a large rock in the Underworld, who is also attempting to escape his imprisonment.

Epilogue[ | ]

After Zagreus grants Sisyphus his freedom from the terms of his contract, Sisyphus consciously elects to remain in his current position. His decision predominantly stems from his unwavering attachment to Bouldy, as he refuses to venture anywhere without the company of his trusted stone companion. The fortuitous alteration of his sentence permits him to dedicate his days to ceaselessly pushing Bouldy, shielded from the Furies' merciless lashes. Furthermore, Sisyphus derives great satisfaction from the opportunity to lend his assistance to Zagreus whenever feasible.

Before Hades II[ | ]

Hades was sent to Sisyphus' chamber after Chronos took control of the Underworld. Sisyphus talked with Hades and forgave him for his punishment and told Bouldy to keep Hades company until more arrived and left.

His current whereabouts are unknown.

Affinity[ | ]

If given Nectar, Sisyphus will give you the Shattered Shackle.

After 6 bottles of Nectar in total, further gifts will be locked until you complete his favor.

After completing his favor, giving Sisyphus Ambrosia will give you Companion Shady in exchange.

Sisyphus' affinity gauge is maxed out at 9 hearts, requiring the gifting of 6 Nectar and 3 Ambrosia.

Favor[ | ]

Sisyphus' favor is earned by voiding his sentence.

As you get to know Sisyphus, he will introduce you to Bouldy. In order to start Sisyphus' quest, you will need to be at 6 hearts with him, learned about his backstory, and to have spoken to Bouldy at least once previously (giving nectar to Bouldy is not required).

Sisyphus' liberation quest begins with this piece of dialogue from Zagreus:

"Sisyphus, I know you tend to be in remarkably good spirits, all things considered, but there must be something I can do to help with your predicament, isn't there?"

After this you will need to have:

Access to the Administrative Chamber (purchased through the House Contractor)
Conversations with Megaera (who needs to be at 5 hearts) and Hades about Sisyphus' situation
A conversation with Nyx (who must be at 5 hearts) about the Admin Chamber (which can also be triggered by advancing Orpheus and Eurydice's storyline)
A follow-up conversation with Nyx about Sisyphus' plight, in which she tells you the location of his file in the Admin Chamber

After finding the document in the Admin Chamber, speak to the House Contractor to purchase the Knave-King's Sentence for 4 .

The next conversation you have with Sisyphus will earn his favor and complete the End to Torment prophecy in the Fated List of Minor Prophecies.

After this is done, Sisyphus may be given Ambrosia right away.

Codex entry[ | ]

'...Most of those who earn the highest form of punishment in Tartarus committed acts I hesitate to commit to the page, though Sisyphus is an exception to the rule. He earns the Furies' lashes for the crime of having once outsmarted the Lord Hades; cheated Death! A reckless plan, although he executed it, and bought himself a little extra time. Though now he pays for it, heaving that boulder constantly. And yet, the act of doing so for some interminable length of time seems to have imparted on him a certain kind of outlook on his life, such as it is; one that I may well do to study in my own ample supply of time to spare. For how is it that this knave of a forgotten king, stripped utterly of his nobility and subjected to a cruel torture for eternity, can show such grace? Sometimes I think the Master's carefree son takes after him. But they have seldom met; not since the Master finally understood his son would show this shade no cruelty at all.'

Trivia[ | ]

"The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." - Albert Camus
Sisyphus and Bouldy's relationship seems to have been inspired by Chuck Noland and his inanimate companion, Wilson, from the movie "Cast Away" where Noland developed a friendship with a volleyball after a shipwreck.

Additional notes[ | ]

For additional information on Sisyphus that does not pertain to Hades, see Wikipedia's article: Sisyphus