Oshtur (Earth-616)

Oshtur
Gallery
Real Name	Oshtur
Aliases	Ostara, the Omnipotent Oshtur, Omniscient Oshtur, Gray Goddess of Balance and Order, Bright Lady, Giver of Justice, Bright Lady of the Dawn, Gracious Lady, Lady of the Skies, Lost Goddess of the Air, Goddess of the Dawn Star and of the Dawning Year, Elder Goddess of the Eastern Star, Ma'at, Ishtar, Bird Goddess
Relatives	Demiurge ("father"); Gaea, Isuus (sisters); Chthon, Hyppus, Set (brothers); Agamotto (son); Ammu, Bird-Men of Akah Ma'at (creations)
Affiliation	Vishanti; formerly Elder Gods, Gods of Egypt, master of Ammut
Base of Operations	The enchanted dimension of the Vishanti; Temple of the Three
Status
Identity	No Dual Identity
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Deity; Egyptian Gray Goddess of Balance and Order, Lost Goddess of the Air
Characteristics
Gender	Female
Height	Variable
Weight	Variable
Eyes	Variable
Hair	Variable
Origin
Origin	Elder Goddess
Universe	Earth-616
Creators	Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
First Appearance	Marvel Premiere #5 (November, 1972)

History

Origins

Oshtur is one of the Elder Gods of Earth, the first lifeforms spawned on the planet by its sentient biosphere, the Demiurge.

Early years

Exploring the universe

Oshtur had a fascination with the realms beyond Earth, unlike her siblings.

She took to the heavens ten of thousands of years before the conflict among the Elder Gods and their degeneration into malevolent demons.

It is unknown for how long Oshtur left earth, but it is presumed to be millions of years. While exploring the universe, she met a companion in Hoggoth, and they eventually departed the traditional universe for a mystic dimension, where the two resided.

After witnessing children play, Oshtur was moved and gave birth to Agamotto. She instructed Agamotto then left him to undertake the paths of magic. With Agamotto and Hoggoth, she formed the Vishanti.

Oshtur was also responsible for creating the Tome of Oshtur and the Book of the Vishanti.

Age of Acheron and Hyborian Age

Oshtur created the Bird-Men, a race of winged humanoids, to fight against the bestial races spawned by Set and Chthon. For eons they lived in Akah Ma'at city floated high above Cimmeria, enshrouded by clouds. The floating city dedicated to Oshtur, in her guise as Ma'at, the Goddess of Truth.

Modern days

Ian McNee has a vision of Oshtur in which he is assigned to find the Four Cornerstones of Creation. He later learned that this was a deception by Chthon, and the real Oshtur intercedes.

Personality

Oshtur herself was known to be very kind and noble, as demonstrated as her Egyptian alias, Ma'at, who was the Goddess of truth, law, order, and justice.

Oshtur appeared to have strong favor for the bloodline of Ororo Munroe. For some unknown reason, since the dawn of Atlantis, this line of African women was given distinguishing features of white hair, blue eyes, and powerful magic potential.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• As one of the eternal mystical Vishanti and an Elder Goddess of Earth, Oshtur holds vast magical power in both the Earth realm and the astral planes. She is an immortal being, capable of traveling through space and between dimensions. She is responsible for creating entire races of beings, and originated the study and cultivation of magic as an art on Earth. She possesses sufficient mystical power to lend it out to other users through invocations of her name, often referenced as the "Omnipotent Oshtur". Oshtur derives power from the worship of others and spreading of her name in this manner, which causes many to see her as a deity.

• Oshtur is associated with the element of air, intellect, and reason. Besides this, she is not commonly associated with any particular spell or concept, such as the Hosts of Hoggoth, or the All-Seeing nature of Agamotto. Oshtur is most frequently invoked for spells of strength, providing some of "Omnipotent Oshtur's" power to make an existing spell even more powerful, or strengthen the magician casting it. There are countless examples of Doctor Strange casting all manner of spells in the name of the Vishanti (collectively) or specifically citing Oshtur in a spell among other names, probably so that Oshtur's power would generally boost the unique spell of the others. Spells cast solely in Oshtur's name include:
  • Protection
  • Paralysis
  • Transmogrification
  • Summoning water to revitalize Namor
  • Exorcism
  • Levitation
  • Mystic Shield
  • Mystic Bolts

Weaknesses

If ever Oshtur was to return to Earth permanently, it is likely the Demogorge would compulsively seek to target her, though her benevolence, magical skill, affiliation with Gaea, and Atum's current demise would limit her chances of harm.

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Though last in Dr. Strange's possession, Oshtur is at least partially responsible for the creation of mystic items as the Book of the Vishanti and the Tome of Oshtur, as well as the Sword of Bone, holding magic so strong it even harmed the Hulk once.

Notes

• Oshtur's name was possibly inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos being Hastur, or by the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar.

Links and References

• 8 Appearances of Oshtur (Earth-616)
• 7 Minor Appearances of Oshtur (Earth-616)
• Media Oshtur (Earth-616) was Mentioned in
• 4 Images featuring Oshtur (Earth-616)
• 1 Quotations by or about Oshtur (Earth-616)
• Character Gallery: Oshtur (Earth-616)

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Footnotes

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