REND EELS
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Classification: Magical defense/spell (apparently) Creator: Unrevealed (likely the same creator as the Oculus Oroboros) Possessors: Oculus OroborosEnemies: Nathaniel Richards (posing as Dr. Doom/Victor von Doom; see comments), Strange (aetheric duplicate/aspect of Stephen Strange); Virginia and other unidentified members of an international excavation project, unidentified members of the Latverian Special Forces First Appearance: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (February, 1994) |  |
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Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Rend Eels are magical serpentine entities serving as the defense mechanism of the Oculus Oroboros and released from it when it was tampered with under unspecified conditions. The Rend Eels attack and devour beings in its vicinity, dematerializing and consuming their forms, after which they consume themselves and then return to the Oculus Oroboros (presumably adding to its energies). Per Nathaniel Richards, they could only be disrupted at the molecular level, as "mystical battering" only agitated them. |  |
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History:
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(Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62 (fb) - BTS) - An international excavation project (including Professor Cole and Virginia) spent three weeks in Bucharest, Romania, searching for various occult items. (Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62) - After the project unearthed the Oculus Oroboros, Nathaniel Richards (posing as Dr. Doom and assisted by multiple members of the Latverian Special Forces) stole it from them, after which Strange (an aetheric duplicate/aspect of Dr. Stephen Strange created to gather mystic power for Dr. Strange so he could defeat his enemy Salome) stole it from Nathaniel. (Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62) - As Strange claimed the Oculus, he apparently deliberately caused it to unleash the destructive Rend Eeels (see comments). Appreciating the Eels' dangerous nature, "Doom" noted that Strange knew of the artifact's defenses and told Strange to help him destroy them. As Strange engaged the Rend Eels, "Doom" advised him to disrupt these watchdogs at the molecular level, as mystic battering only agitated them. |  |
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Doom
considered that while the Latverian Special Forces were efficient, the
"implacable Rend Eels" devoured the enemies and then themselved before
returning to the Oculus itself.
Both the Latverian Special Forces and the members of the excavation project begged Strange to save them from the Rend Eels. His assaults having permated the armor of "Doom," Strange noted that he would let the Eels have him. Strange ultimtely absorbed the Oculus, noting "All earthbound magick belongs to Strange!" |  |
Comments: Created by David Quinn, Melvin Rubi, and Fred Harper.
The Council of Reeds stories or
thereabouts noted this Nathaniel Richards to be some corrupt alternate
reality counterpart, "the beast." I remain skeptical whether one is the
"true" Nathaniel vs. just being divergent beings. I'll cover Nathaniel
Richards at some point!
Nathaniel Richards also referred
to them as implacable. Whether they are unstoppable vs. unable to be
placated/soothed is not clarified, but I'd suspect that they were
certainly the latter, and likely the former to most beings. But I'd
think they were likely stoppable in some fashion.
Richards warned Strange against releasing the Rend Eels, and after their release, Strange seemed pleased, "Yes...the Rend Eels..."
Richards further noted that Strange knew of the Orobos' defenses.
Perhaps Strange's non-physical form was resistant to the Rend Eels'
assaults and/or he was confident he could handle them. Or perhaps his
reckless nature just caused him to grab the Oroboros, heedless of any
such security measures...maybe he'd forgotten about them and was
reminded as they appeared..."oh yeah...the Rend Eels...d'oh!"
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Rend Eels should be distinguished from:
images: (without ads):
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme#62, pg. 10, panel 1 (released);
panel 2 (vs. Strange);
panel 3 ("Doom" attempting to disrupt them at the molecular level);
pg. 11, panel 1 (assaulting Latverian Special Forces and excavation project members);
panel 2 (devouring Virginia);
panel 3 (consuming);
panel 4 (devouring itself);
panel 5 (returning to Oculus);
pg. 12, panel 1 (vs. "Doom")
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
First posted: 10/31/2020
Last updated: 11/01/2020
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