"What wilt thou gain by fighting me, god of death and meaninglessness? Doth more meaninglessness await a meaningless battle, or will it be answered by creation? Regardless, I shall destroy thee. On this stage where Death playeth its music, I shall scatter the embers of thy life."
Mot, also known as Mavet, is the Canaanite personification of death, also associated with infertility, drought and the Underworld. He "lives in the throne city which goes by the name Hemry, a pit is his throne, and Filth is the land of his heritage." According to another text, he holds "the scepter of widowhood" and "the scepter of bereavement." He is prominently featured in the mythology of Ugarit, but some mentions survive in later Phoenician texts as well.
A few references in the Bible also appear to be a memory of Mot, such as vague mentions of seemingly personified death in the books of Hosea, Habakkuk and Jeremiah. Evidence from Ugarit indicates Mot was not worshiped, and he isn't attested in theophoric names; he was a demonic personification of an abstract concept rather than a god.[1] This makes him distinct from other Semitic figures associated with the afterlife, such as Nergal.
In Ugaritic mythology, he is one of the sons of the high god El, and as such serves as one of the enemies of the weather god Baal Hadad, whose life-giving waters brought life to the land. Mot was the lord of the desert dryness, the underworld, and all that is opposed to life, and as such an antithesis of Baal. Some researchers argue that Baal's battle with Mot represented his role as a champion of the cause of mortal men, whose divine aid was crucial in preserving human life.
According to the Baal Cycle, Mot was another figure considered to be "beloved of El" (the most favored among his sons) like Yam. After Baal had defeated the sea god and established his palace on Mount Saphon, he sent his messengers to announce the news to Mot, possibly expecting a tribute from him. In response, Mot described his insatiable hunger for flesh and challenged Baal. The following passages in the text are lost or unclear, but it is known that this ordeal culminated in Baal's death, followed by Mot's dismemberment at the hands of Anat. After Baal's resurrection and return to the throne, Mot likewise reappeared to complain about his treatment. Another fight broke out between them, but this time the sun goddess Shapash intervened and informed Mot that it is Baal who has El's favor. As a result, Mot presumably returned to the underworld. He makes few, if any, appearances in other Ugaritic myths.
"The Canaanite god of death. Every year he attempts to kill Baal, the god of fertility, only to see him raised from the dead with the help of Baal's sister, Anat."
—Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne compendium
Mot appears as one of the Assembly of Nihilo's generals, guarding the Diet Building at Nagata-Cho. Along with Surt, Mithra and Mada, Mot twisted the Diet into a maze of wandering halls, fake doors and optical illusions. Following the defeat of his Nihilo comrades, Mot confronted the Demi-fiend in a hallway of statues. The Demi-fiend needs to pinpoint the right one among the fake statues, otherwise they will be teleported back. The hint is the reflection on the floor.
In the boss battle, Mot is scripted to cast the Beast Eye skill to increase his Press Icon in a considerable high frequency mixed with Makakaja to buff his magic power and Megidolaon, a very powerful Almighty spell which targets all enemies. The Demi-fiend is best advised to use both buff and debuff spells in order to waste his Press Icons to cast Dekunda instead of casting Beast Eye and cause his attacks to miss. Mot is immune or strong to all elementals except for Electricity, which is his weakness.
"A god of Ugaritic mythology, mentioned in documents unearthed at the ancient city of Ugarit. His name means "death" or "desolation." Mot rules over death and the dry season. He is the opposite number of Baal, the god of the harvest. Mot and Baal are brothers, and are sometimes described as twins or alter egos who arose from the same source. The battle between Mot and Baal signifies the changing of seasons between wet and dry in the Canaan region. Mot himself is the underworld, and his mouth is the gate. Once a living being passes through his mouth, there is no escape. He offers peace to all creatures in the form of death. He was also worshiped as a god of plants, the one who gave the land the power to support life."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE compendium
Mot is the special plug-in obtainable to those that finish the first sixteen acts within the main storyline as neutral. Unlike the other two early alignment plug-ins, players do not receive an inexperienced variant and do not encounter him as a boss or NPC during the main acts. He appears later as a miniboss within the instanced boss area of Zoushigiya Cemetary.
"The Mesopotamian god of death. He lives in the netherworld. Mot lured the storm god Baal and killed him, but was in turn killed by Baal's sister Anat."
—Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers 3DS compendium
Devil Summoner 2: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon[edit | edit source]
Mot is the demon attempting to invade the living world in the Case File, The Prince of Darkness. A Volt Order demon must be used in the Catholic Church in order to make the spot where he plans to invade appear. Several waves of Lady Zombies, Ukobachs, Selkets, Mezukis, Gozukis and five Ikusas must be fought before he appears. When Mot arrives he offers Raidou a chance to join him and gain eternal life as the worlds of life and death shall soon be merged. When he realizes that Raidou is a devil summoner, he attacks. Beating Mot earns Raidou a Rakiri. Mot later appears as a random demon in the Akarana Corridor.
"The Canaanite god of death. Every year he attempts to kill Baal, the god of fertility, only to see him raised from the dead with the help of Baal's sister, Anat."
Mot was used against Shadow Naoto to block an incoming Ziodyne and in an attempt to defeat her. Mot used Mudoon by Rise's suggestion, thinking Shadow Naoto has slowed down somehow and has a higher chance of instantly being defeated. The attack failed and Shadow Naoto shot Yu with Galgalim Eyes, causing him to age. Mot represents the bond between Yu and Hisano Kuroda.
In the True Ending special, Mot appears to attack Margaret'sLoki using Mudoon, as well as bring a message of support to Yu from Hisano.
"The Canaanite god of death. Every year he attempts to kill Baal, the god of fertility, only to see him raised from the dead with the help of Ball's sister, Anat."
—Persona 5 background
Mot is the ninth Persona of the Death Arcana and can be found as a Persona in Futaba's Palace and in the Qliphoth World, with the title "Coffin-borne God." He is one of three Personas to learn the Megidola skill and the second to learn Megidolaon. He is also the only source of the Repel Elec skill. When itemized through Electric Chair execution in the Velvet Room, Mot yields a Concentrate skill card.
Mot initially appears as a Shadow sub-boss in Futaba's Palace. The party must defeat him to advance further into the Palace. This boss may use a skill called Trapped Rat to transform a party member into a rat. Affected party members will be rattled and unable to take action. Mot will also summon Lamia as backup during the fight.
"The Canaanite god of death. Every year he attempts to kill Baal, the god of fertility, only to see him raised from the dead with the help of Baal's sister, Anat."
—Persona 5 Strikers background
Baal is a Persona of the Death Arcana and appears as a Shadow in the Jail of the Abyss. He can be used to complete the "Prison Mail, Part 8" request for Lavenza, as he is a source of the Concentrate skill, which he learns at level 59. By fusing Mot with Nebiros, who can be found in the same Jail, the protagonist will be able to create a Cu Chulainn with the Concentrate skill to fulfill the request.
Due to Mot's AI during this boss battle having the tendency to abuse the Beast Eye spell, this battle is nicknamed "Mot's Drama" (モト劇場) by the Japanese fans.
The two Mot mini-bosses in Futaba's Palace are the only enemies that can inflict the Rat condition on party members in Persona 5. Mot from Qliphoth World and Path of Da'at cannot inflict the condition.
Death
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