@ apex legends let me write the lore
My guilt will not purify me.
(Batgirl 2000 permanently altered my brain chemistry)
Smiles that changed the world
If there is one thing that Talia consistently does it’s serve looks.
DC vs VAMPIRES talia al ghul reporting for duty!
I think the effects of using the Lazarus pit are determined by several factors, and this is all my hc ofc. I hope you don’t mind me using this old post as something to go off of teehee
For one, Lazarus pits can’t be used “raw.” There is a very tedious process of purifying them before they can be used that involves science and magic. It is, in itself, a ritual. If the steps are not taken correctly, something may go horrible wrong, a la Lazara. If you were to take a swim in raw Lazarus, your skin would probably melt, much like Melisande.
This raw Lazarus is an excellent energy source, capable of powering cities. It’s also a clean energy source, of course, and has no negative effects on the environment. The Al Ghuls don’t keep the pits to themselves out of selfish reasons, quite the opposite. The pits are hidden because they’ve seen what humanity has done with oil and coal and would not intend for the pits to be used irresponsibly.
Once Lazarus is processed, it is safe for human contact. Taking a dip for too long can lead to harsher Lazarus madness, so it is important that the length of time you’re in there is relative to the severity of injuries. Lazarus can also be processed into ingestible or injectable medicine that can cure otherwise incurable diseases. (This is why we see Talia, in the Batman Spider-Man crossover, provide a cure for Vanessa Fisks terminal illness.)
We’ve seen people get dipped in the pits after being completely dead to the point where their bodies began rotting. That sort of power is probably incredibly draining both on the body and the mind, and the Lazarus madness would be much more severe. Hence why Jason becomes insane for a while.
Though I should mention that I don’t think Lazarus madness necessarily constitutes unreasonable aggressiveness and violence. It is shown to also have an amnesia-esque effect, causing short or long term memory loss. (In my hc, Nyssa has perfected this process, using it to brainwash many members of the LoA but especially Talia. Alternatively, Ra’s has nearly perfected the process of healing with the pit.)
There’s also the point of Jason Todd gaining a white streak, and this is extremely symbolic to his character for a plethora of reasons. Some writers can make this very questionable and honestly poorly written, but it can be done really well. Nonetheless, it does beg the question as to why only Jason gained this streak!
I’m not sure if it’s ever been covered, but I do hc that Ra’s has these same white streaks due to his constant use of Lazarus for hundreds of years, AS WELL AS because of his age. Talia will also have one, but it’s towards the back of her hair, and she keeps it hidden and cut short. (Sort of like how in Rapunzel, she has that one little lock of short brown hair tucked away?)
With Ra’s, he still feels these effects every time he uses the pits, and needs time to recover after using them. This is someone who has been using them for hundreds of years. So imagine how severe that effect might be on someone for the first time? It might seem like it’s completely gone and then manifest again suddenly after a traumatic experience, or a reminder of that sensation.
This could be the same for a lot of people who use it in a dramatic way. It’s meant to be something you micro-dose. A small amount can heal so much, to submerge yourself in it is like taking an entire bottle of medicine instead of just one pill. It isn’t a floating light feeling of healing, it is incredibly painful and dramatic. We see Ra’s start to become a lot healthier once he stops using the pits, and it’s essentially one of those classic situations where too much of a good thing can be really really bad.
I’ll also briefly mention that the Lazarus pit cannot heal previously healed scars, or very old scars. Which is why I think Jason SHOULD have autopsy scars. And why I think Damian should have maybe a bit less scars than some artists draw him having, because I can’t imagine Talia or Ra’s purposefully leaving him in such a way. Not when they have access to some of the greastest doctors in the world, Lazarus based ointments and saline’s, and Talia literally being a qualified doctor… but I digress.
(Speaking of Talia being a Doctor, I hc that she went to med school specifically so she could find new ways to incorporate the Lazarus’ healing component. But I’m not gonna get into it here bc that’s a whole other thing.)
The pits should be used responsibly, and are probably more frequently used as an energy source or a base for medicines rather than submerging pools. Ra’s uses them more than he should, but that doesn’t mean he goes for a swim every time he gets a paper cut. If the injuries can be cured without it, then that’s what will be done, even if it’s more tedious.
Anyways! I hope you guys enjoy this sort of breakdown! As always, the disclaimer here is that it’s almost all my own hcs based on various sources. Please feel free to correct/educate me if I got something terribly wrong. And also ask any questions you might have!!
If "Pit madness" is a thing tell me why it's only applied to Jason and not the actual Al Ghuls who own multiple and use the Lazarus pits frequently? 🤨 TELL ME TUMBLR 🤨🤨
This is a very very cool post. I personally refer to Talia as the heart of the demon as well, but I had never put much thought into the others, aside from Nyssa. I’ve dabbled with her a bit, but not even remotely close to as much as Talia!
since al ghul isn't really a surname — it's a title, meaning "of the demon," i started thinking about the different monikers (i.e., organs) that could be attributed to the other members of the family.
ra's is the head, the mind that plots, the will that commands. rúh, the soul, is the unseen force—the essence of the dynasty.
talia al ghul – the heart (qalb) talia is the emotional core of the al ghul family, often torn between loyalty to her father and her love for bruce wayne. her decisions, though calculated, are deeply driven by matters of the heart—love, betrayal, and faith. she embodies passion and connection, making her the family’s qalb.
dusan al ghul – the shadow (dhil) dusan, the "white ghost," operates in the margins of the al ghul legacy. his role is one of quiet devotion, cast aside, yet, always present. his loyalty and sacrifice, earn him the title of the dhil, the shadow that follows without faltering.
nyssa raatko – the spine (amud al-faqr) nyssa is the backbone of resistance and rebellion within the al ghul family. her strength and defiance against her father’s rule position her as the amud al-faqr, the spine, unyielding and essential for standing tall against opposition.
melisande – the blood (dam) melisande represents the lifeline that connects the family to its mortal roots. her role in the al ghul saga may be fleeting, but her influence flows through talia and the family’s lineage, much like blood sustains life. she is the dam, a vital yet often overlooked element.
sora – the lungs (riyah) sora, ra’s al ghul’s lost love, is the breath of life that once inspired him. her memory fuels his ambition, and her loss suffocates him. she is the riyah, the lungs, symbolising both the life-giving force and the void left behind when it is gone.
damian wayne – the hands (aydi) damian, born of both the waynes and the al ghuls, is the agent of the family’s will. whether building or destroying, his actions carry the burden of legacy. as the aydi, the hands, he represents both creation and conflict, the tangible force that shapes the future.
athanasia al ghul - the pulse (nafas) athanasia is the constant heartbeat that keeps their future alive. she sustains life, binding the waynes and the al ghuls, a reminder that their stength lies not just in their past, but in their ability to endure and evolve. this vitality makes her the nabadh, the pulse, the promise of renewal.
mara al ghul – the eyes (ayn) mara is the family’s watcher, a presence that perceives more than what it reveals. she is a visionary, seeing not just what is before her, but what lies beneath and beyond. she is the ayn, the eyes, ever watchful, attuned to every rhythm and dissonance.
[ we know very little about dusan's wife, but i think that she would be the sawt, the voice, a balance between silence and sound. ]
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Damian and Talia :D
I think it would be very fun if Talia had a little reservation of wild bats and there’s one particular bat there who’s all scarred up and grumpy looking who she calls Bruce