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This article is about the first Persona the protagonist obtains in Persona 3. For the upgraded variant, see Orpheus Telos.

"Thou art I... And I am thou... From the sea of thy soul I cometh... I am Orpheus, master of strings..."
—Orpheus, Persona 3

Orpheus (オルフェウス, Orufeusu)? is a Persona in the series.

History

In Greek mythology, Orpheus was the son of Thracian king Oeagrus and the muse Calliope (some versions have Orpheus' father as the god Apollo). Apollo, fond of Orpheus, gave him a small golden lyre, which he quickly mastered. Taught to sing verses by his mother, Orpheus was so skilled at making music that he was called "Master of Strings" and "Father of Songs", capable of such music that even rocks and animals would be compelled to dance.

Upon the death of his wife Eurydice, Orpheus was so distraught that his mournful singing brought nymphs and gods to tears. Traveling to the underworld, he used his music to soften the hearts of Hades and Persephone, who allowed him to bring his wife back to the upper world on the condition that he walk in front and not look back until they had both arrived on the surface. In his anxiety, Orpheus forgot his warning and looked back when he alone had reached the surface, and saw his wife vanish, this time forever.

At the time of his death, Orpheus had become an apostate, spurning all gods save for Apollo, whom he thanked for his golden lyre. For this he was ripped apart by Dionysian Maenads (although according to other versions, he is ripped apart for refusing to participate in their drunken (and often cannibalistic) orgies, on account of remaining committed to his lost lover), only his head and lyre remaining. His head floated down the Hebrus, continuing to sing sad songs until it was buried on the island of Lesbos, while his lyre was carried to the sky by the muses and placed among the stars.

True to his legend, Orpheus is the archetypal musician in literacy and lore, and he stands for foolish human folly (for turning back out of doubt) as well as sacrifice (for dying for Eurydice).

Appearances

Profile

Persona 3

"A poet of Greek mythology skilled with the lyre. He tried to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, from Hades, but she vanished when he looked back before reaching the surface."
Persona 3 compendium
Persona_3_Movie_6_-_Persona_English

Persona 3 Movie 6 - Persona English

The protagonist awakens his Persona.

Orpheus is a Lv 1 Fool Persona, and is the initial Persona of the protagonist. He makes his first appearance during the protagonist's attempt at summoning a Persona via the Evoker to fend off the looming Shadows. During Orpheus' initial summoning, Death (whose appearance is identical to Thanatos) bursts forth from Orpheus' head, ripping him apart in the process. Death violently destroys the Arcana Magician before reverting to Orpheus, who then becomes accessible to the protagonist.

Orpheus' grotesque introduction signifies the fate he suffered long ago. According to mythology, he was ripped apart by Maenads for not honoring Dionysus, leaving only his head untouched. This is the reason why his body is entirely mechanical and why his voice is processed through a speaker embedded in his "stomach".

Should Orpheus' appearance be compared to the protagonist, they have the same face. His lyre's shape resembles the chair the player sits on when entering the Velvet Room.

Portable

If the player chooses the female protagonist in this game, a female version of Orpheus becomes the player's initial Persona as to reflect on the player's gender, though the female protagonist's versions of Thanatos, Messiah and Orpheus Telos retain their masculine appearance.

This version of Orpheus, although bearing the same concept as the male counterpart, now sports longer brown hair, a golden-colored torso instead of a platinum one the male Orpheus adorns and a giant heart-shaped lyre.

The female Orpheus may be obtained and used by the male protagonist via New Game Plus, should the player have registered the female Orpheus in the compendium while playing as the female protagonist. The same is true for the reverse, with the female protagonist having access to the male Orpheus.

Orpheus (regardless of the protagonist's gender) will now give the player the Skill Card "Agi" after Orpheus reaches level 3.

The Answer

In the playable epilogue of Persona 3 FES, titled The Answer, Orpheus becomes Aigis's Persona.

During a heated battle against Metis, Aigis summons Athena. At the same time, she awakens to a new Persona and Athena metamorphosed into Orpheus. Orpheus fends off Metis, saving the SEES team from her attack. Igor would later mention that her awakening to the power of the Wild Card has bound her to a contract. The metamorphosis symbolizes a change in Aigis' psyche, and that her Journey is about to begin. Orpheus then serves as Aigis' initial Persona throughout the story. Aigis having inherited the protagonist's psyche and the Persona irritates a jealous Yukari.

Orpheus can also be obtained throughout the Wild Card shuffles after battles in The Answer.

Persona 5

"A Persona of another story. A Greek poet who tried to retrieve his wife from Hades, but she vanished when he looked back before reaching the surface."
Persona 5 background

Orpheus appears as a DLC Persona, along with an enhanced version called "Orpheus Picaro", and can be bought at $2.99. Alongside Izanagi, Orpheus is free in the Japanese Deluxe Edition. Like Izanagi, he has a unique skill, Cadenza, which heals all party members and increases their accuracy/agility, similar to the Fusion Spell in Persona 3, which requires Orpheus and Apsaras.

Persona 5 Royal

The female version of Orpheus is available as part of the game's Digital Deluxe Limited Edition and learns the skill Neo-Cadenza, which restores 50% of the party's health alongside increasing attack, defense, evasion and accuracy. [1]

Stats

Persona 3

Arcana Level
Strength 2
Magic 2
Endurance 2
Agility 2
Luck 2
Fool 1
Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak
Fire - - - - Electricity, Dark
Skill Card Agi (Lv 3)
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Bash 7% HP Deals light Strike damage to one foe. Innate
Agi 3 SP Deals light Fire damage to one foe. 2
Tarunda 6 SP Decreases 1 foe's Attack. 6
Fusion Spell *
Skill Cost Effect Prerequisite
Cadenza 20% SP Restores 50% HP / Evasion up (party). Orpheus + Apsaras

Arcana Level
Strength 17
Magic 20
Endurance 18
Agility 15
Luck 12
Fool 25
Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak
Fire - - - - Electricity, Dark
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Agi 3 SP Deals light Fire damage to one foe. Innate
Assault Dive 9% HP Deals light Strike damage to one foe. Innate
Dia 4 SP Slightly restores 1 ally's HP. Innate
Agilao 6 SP Deals medium Fire damage to one foe. 26
Tarunda 6 SP Decreases 1 foe's Attack. 27
Swift Strike 15% HP Deals light Strike damage to all foes. (1-3 hits) 28

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth

  • All low tier skills are automatically replaced by their higher tier counterparts upon obtaining them, if possible.

Arcana Level
Strength 7
Magic 9
Endurance 6
Agility 7
Luck 8
Fool 1
Cut Stab Bash Fire Ice Elec Wind Light Dark Alm
- - - - - Weak - - Weak -
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Agi 8 SP A light Fire attack. (1 Enemy) Innate
Gurentou 24 HP A light Cut + Fire attack. (1 Enemy) 9
Agilao 28 SP A medium Fire attack. (1 Enemy) 15
Dekaja 24 SP Remove stat buffs. (All Enemies) 26
Gokuentou 92 HP A medium Cut + Fire attack. (1 Enemy) 35
Agidyne 46 SP A heavy Fire attack. (1 Enemy) 40
Hientou 135 HP A heavy Cut + Fire attack. (1 Enemy) 55

Arcana Level
Strength 79
Magic 93
Endurance 64
Agility 77
Luck 81
Fool 99
Cut Stab Bash Fire Ice Elec Wind Light Dark Alm
- - - - - Weak - - Weak -
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Dekaja 24 SP Remove stat buffs. (All Enemies) 26
Agidyne 46 SP A heavy Fire attack. (1 Enemy) 40
Hientou 135 HP A heavy Cut + Fire attack. (1 Enemy) 55


Persona 5

Arcana Level
Strength 17
Magic 17
Endurance 17
Agility 17
Luck 17
Fool 26
Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak
Almighty - - - Bless Electricity, Curse
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Cadenza 24 SP Restore 50% HP of party and increase evasion rate. Innate
Agilao 8 SP Medium Fire damage to 1 foe. Rare chance of Burn. Innate
Tarunda 8 SP Debuff attack power of 1 foe for 3 turns. Innate
Endure Auto Survive one fatal blow with 1 HP remaining. 27
Maragion 16 SP Medium Fire damage to all foes. Rare chance of Burn. 29
Marakukaja 24 SP Buff party defense for 3 turns. 30
Fire Boost Auto Strengthen Fire attacks by 25%. 32

Arcana Level
Strength 19
Magic 19
Endurance 19
Agility 19
Luck 18
Fool 29
Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak
Almighty - - - Bless Electricity, Curse
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Cadenza 24 SP Restore 50% HP of party and increase evasion rate. Innate
Maragion 16 SP Medium Fire damage to all foes. Rare chance of Burn. Innate
Matarunda 24 SP Debuff attack power of all foes for 3 turns. Innate
Endure Auto Survive one fatal blow with 1 HP remaining. 30
Agidyne 12 SP Heavy Fire damage to 1 foe. Rare chance of Burn. 32
Matarukaja 24 SP Buff party attack power for 3 turns. 33
Fire Boost Auto Strengthen Fire attacks by 25%. 35

Arcana Level
Strength 8
Magic 9
Endurance 8
Agility 9
Luck 6
Fool 11
Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak
Almighty - - - Bless Electricity, Curse
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Neo Cadenza 24 SP Restore 50% HP of party and increase Attack/Defense/Agility for 3 turns. Innate
Agi 4 SP Light Fire damage and inflict Burn (low odds) to 1 foe. Innate
Tarunda 8 SP Decrease Attack of 1 foe for 3 turns. Innate
Endure Passive Survive one fatal blow with 1 HP remaining. Innate
Maragion 16 SP Medium Fire damage and inflict Burn (low odds) to all foes. 12
Marakukaja 24 SP Increase Defense of party for 3 turns. 14
Dodge Curse Passive Double evasion rate against (non instant death) Curse attacks. 15

Arcana Level
Strength 9
Magic 11
Endurance 9
Agility 10
Luck 7
Fool 13
Inherit Reflects Absorbs Block Resists Weak
Almighty - - - Bless Electricity, Curse
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Maragi 10 SP Light Fire damage and inflict Burn (low odds) to all foes. Innate
Neo Cadenza 24 SP Restore 50% HP of party and increase Attack/Defense/Agility for 3 turns. Innate
Rakunda 8 SP Decrease Defense of 1 foe for 3 turns. Innate
Endure Passive Survive one fatal blow with 1 HP remaining. Innate
Agilao 8 SP Medium Fire damage and inflict Burn (low odds) to 1 foe. 14
Marakukaja 24 SP Increase Defense of party for 3 turns. 16
Dodge Curse Passive Double evasion rate against (non instant death) Curse attacks. 17

Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

Arcana Level
Strength 11
Magic 15
Endurance 11
Agility 12
Luck 11
Fool 6
Phys Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Alm
- - - Weak - - - - Weak -
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Agi 6 SP Light Fire attack. (1 enemy) Innate
Firestrike Link 48 HP Light Fire attack. Further allied attacks gain link damage. (1 enemy) Innate
Tarunda 8 SP Lower attack for 3 turns. (1 Enemy) Innate
Combo Arts Passive Medium chance of another attack after regular attack. 10
Resonance Passive Raise Link damage based on number of Links used. 15
Agilao 14 SP Medium Fire attack. (1 enemy) 24
Gokuentou 56 HP Medium Fire attack that splashes to either side. (1 enemy) 27
Diarama 10 SP Moderate HP restore. (1 ally) 32
Triple Link Passive Link chains last up to 3 hits. 38
Combo Arts+ Passive High chance of another attack after regular attack. 43
Matarunda 18 SP Lower attack for 3 turns. (All enemies) 48
Hientou 82 HP Heavy Fire attack that splashes to either side. (1 enemy) 52
Quadruple Link Passive Link chains last up to 4 hits. 58
Agidyne 32 SP Heavy Fire attack. (1 enemy) 62
Infinite Link Passive Link chains last up to 8 hits. 70

Arcana Level
Strength 37
Magic 32
Endurance 37
Agility 35
Luck 32
Fool 35
Phys Fire Ice Elec Wind Psy Nuke Bless Curse Alm
- - - Weak - - - - Weak -
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Mighty Swing 28 HP Medium Phys attack that splashes to either side. (1 enemy) Stronger in Boost. Innate
Punishing Bite 40 HP Medium Phys attack, effective on Bind, but will remove binds. (1 enemy) Innate
Agilao 14 SP Medium Fire attack. (1 enemy) Innate
Maragion 36 SP Medium Fire attack. (All enemies) Innate
Diarama 10 SP Moderate HP restore. (1 ally) Innate
Fool Card Passive Moderately raise Fire/Ice/Elec/Wind/Psy/Nuke attack strength. Innate
Brutal Slash 42 HP Medium Phys attack. If unhurt during turn, extra attack activates. (1 enemy) 38
Invigorate 1 Passive Slightly restore SP at the end of the turn. 43
Heat Riser 35 SP Raise attack/defense and accuracy/evasion for 3 turns. (1 ally) 47
Vorpal Blade 67 HP 4 heavy Phys attacks. (1 enemy) Stronger in Boost. 56
Agidyne 32 SP Heavy Fire attack. (1 enemy) 61
Megidolaon 48 SP Severe Almighty attack. (All enemies) 68
Aeon Rain 89 HP 3-10 severe Phys attacks to random targets. (All enemies) Stronger in Boost. 72

Arcana Level HP + SP + Type Extract
Fool 35 60 25 Magic Fire Amp
List of Skills
Skill Cost Effect Level
Maragion 36 SP Medium Fire attack. (All enemies) Innate
Healing Harp 28 SP Restore HP and remove ailments/Binds each turn for 3 turns. (Party) Innate
Invigorate 2 Passive Moderately restore SP at the end of the turn. Innate
Fire Amp Passive Moderately raise Fire attack strength. 36
Agidyne 32 SP Heavy Fire attack. (1 enemy) 37
True Critical Eye 26 SP Raise critical hit rate for 3 turns. (Party) 38

Gallery

Persona 3
 
Art46 2
Concept artwork of Orpheus
 
Orpheus in a Persona 3 anime cutscene
Orpheus in a Persona 3 anime cutscene.
 
Orpheus in battle
Orpheus in battle
 
P3 - Minato & Yukari
Orpheus on the left
Persona 3 manga
 
Orpheus appears in Persona 3 manga adaption
Orpheus appears in the Persona 3 Manga
Persona 3 Portable
 
Orpheus from P3P
Male Orpheus from P3P
 
Female Orpheus from P3P
Female Orpheus form P3P
 
Female Orpheus in battle
Female version of Orpheus in battle.
Persona 3 The Movie
 
Orpherus concept artwork in P3M
Concept anime artwork of Orpherus
 
P3M concept art of Orpherus
Orpheus's Persona 3 The Movie concept design
 
Psn makoto01
Concept anime sketch of Orpheus in Persona 3 Movie
 
Orpheus in P3 Movie
Orpheus appears in the P3 Movie
 
OrpheusSky
Makoto awakens Orpheus
Megami Tensei Chaining Soul: Persona 3
 
Chaining Soul Persona 3 Screen 2
Orpheus and Polydeuces in Megami Tensei Chaining Soul: Persona 3
Persona Q manga
 
Orpheus Side P3
Orpheus in Side P3
 
Persona Q Side P4 Orpherus
Orpheus in Side P4
Persona O.A.
 
PersonaO,A,-Orpheus
Orpheus in Persona O.A.
Persona 5
 
P5 Orpheus and Orpheus Thief God
Orpheus in Persona 5
 
P5 Orpheus
Orpheus
 
P5 Orpheus2
Orpheus Picaro
Persona 5 Royal
 
F Orpheus P5R
Female Orpheus
 
F Orpheus Picaro P5R
Female Orpheus Picaro

Trivia

  • The Greek word ὄρφνη orphne, means "darkness," and Greek ὀρφανός orphanos, "fatherless, orphan," from which comes English "orphan" by way of Latin.
  • Orpheus appears as a palette swap for Izanagi in Persona 4 Arena.
  • While using cheats to get the full compendium in Persona 4, there are five extra slots in the compendium: 034, 0B4, 0B5, 02B, in the Fool Arcana including Izanagi-no-Okami. The slots 0B4 and 0B5 have a portrait of Orpheus but when summoned they appear as a Slime.
  • Compared to every other initial Personas in the Persona series, he has the worst affinities due to him having two weaknesses, without having any resistances to compensate.
  • The persona trait of Orpheus in Persona 5 Royal revives the protagonist with 1 HP when KO'd and is usable 4 times per battle. This references the final battle of Persona 3 against the true form of Nyx, in which the protagonist endures "Death" 4 times.

See Also

References

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