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t h e t w o h o u s e s Long ago, before the Great Fall, there existed a planet filled with mortals who indulged in the basest of desires and delighted in every evil. The lecherous ways of the mortals upset many of the angels, who petitioned the Creator to have the world destroyed. The Creator, in response, assembled all of the angels for the first time in eons to discuss the matter, and found that opinions concerning the fate of the mortals were equally divided. One half of Heaven's Host wished for the mortals to be spared; the remaining half wished for the mortals to be destroyed. The Creator, wise and just, avowed to spare the mortals of the planet could they be turned from their baneful ways. Each angel saw this to be fair. Each angel praised the sanctity of the Creator's name. And so the glorious gates of Elysium opened. Rich rivers of holiness blazed a path to the horde of sinners, who knew not of what powers had cried and wept to ransom their wicked lives. An exodus of angels, one half of Heaven's vast Host, traveled this hallowed course to the mortal realm in hopes of persuading the wayward multitude to choose the righteous path. It would be the final instance in an era that the soles of celestial feet would tread upon consecrated ground. The remaining half of Heaven's Host encircled the Creator's throne, solemn in the devastating loss of their brethren, and in the certainty that no mortal would be swayed. For eons, angels toiled ceaselessly upon the planet. Wings waxed black with soot and waned with scorching suns. Yet for their endeavor, the Host would lead merely six hundred mortals to the virtuous path. The angels returned to their Lord, sobbing in their failure. The Creator lovingly welcomed his Host. "Even one just man would have been a victory," he whispered. "Take your place in the council." As the angels assumed their posts, they gazed at themselves in dismay. In comparison to their brethren who had remained at home, their wings and tresses were as dull and dun as coal! The Creator acknowledged this distinction with a keen glance. "You will wear the mark of your empathy in grace." He bejeweled his Host in a shower of spring rain, and the wings and locks of the angels shone as if black pearls. And all of Elysium rejoiced. After the Great Fall, the Legion retained many of the customs of Heaven. Their Houses are also divided into categories of Darkness and Light.
t h e b r e t h r e n The Seraphim possess a power which is greater than that held by any other angel due to their close and constant contact with the Creator. Because of their powerful nature, the tasks of the Seraphim are to guard and to protect. They do so with the aid of flaming swords of retribution and righteousness. Members of the Seraphim caste are consumed by the flames of the Creator's light and are easily identified by their blazing locks of blue. It is for this reason that they are given the name Seraphim. It is derived from the word saraphs, which means "fiery". The Cherubim caste is the caste of wisdom. Moreover, the word kerub stands for "knowledge" or "one who prays". The tasks of the Cherubim are to contain and record all knowledge bestowed upon them by the Creator. They are also required to tend to Heaven's archives. The Cherubim are united by a collective consciousness, which allows them to share information at a faster pace. Because of the wisdom these angels contain, the enlightenment bestowed upon them by the Creator blazes from their eyes. These blazing eyes are a simple way to identify Cherubim. Thrones compose Elysium's legislative and judicial systems. They also form the Council of the Angelic Houses of Darkness and Light. Additionally, Thrones act as host bodies for angels of the Power and Virtue castes. The task of the Dominion is to maintain the realm of Elysium. Virtues are tangible forms of common graces such as patience, mercy, etc. They are shapeless and without feature, and must reside within a Throne to complete day to day activities in angelic society. Their shapeshifting ability and great influence over the actions of others have caused them to be praised as well as feared in a majority of realms. Powers are physical forms of common forces such as death, justice, etc. They are shapeless and without feature, and must reside within a Throne to complete day to day activities in angelic society. Their shapeshifting ability and great influence over the actions of others have caused them to be praised as well as feared in a majority of realms. The task of the Principalities is to enforce major non-militaristic orders on various realms. Archangels are known as observers or messengers. Their tasks are to monitor the mortal plane and to report any significant activity to the Creator. They also deliver messages from the Creator to those who reside on the mortal plane. Guardians reside on the mortal plane. Their tasks are to guide mortals and care for their spiritual development.
t h e l e g i o n The Igneus are former Seraphim, and possess a power that is greater than that which is held by any other demon. Torn from the flame of the Creator's love, the Igneus attempted to restore their powers by substituting that flame with hellfire. The results were disastrous. The infernal blaze consumed the Igneus in mere moments, charring their bodies and placing them in constant pain. However, these flaming demons once again retained strength near the levels they had been blessed with as Seraphim. The Igneus resemble ignited corpses. Their name is derived from the Latin word for "fiery". The Fallen are former Cherubim who have been severed from the Creator's wisdom. This severed state has driven the Fallen insane. Their name is appropriately derived from the nature of their task in Hell. The Fallen are highly dangerous, and because of this, remain imprisoned in Inferno's Flame Pits with fallen souls. Their imprisonment prevents them from harming other demons and allows their violent rages to serve as a punishment for wayward spirits. The Fallen are easy to identify due to their hollow eye sockets. Though it often seems as if members of the Fallen are talking to themselves, they are actually able to communicate through the use of a collective consciousness. Scepters direct Hell's industrial and economic institutions, and form the Council of the Demonic Houses of Darkness and Light. Additionally, Scepters act as host bodies for demons of the Power and Vice castes. The task of the Faction is to maintain of the realm of Hell. Vices are tangible forms of common faults such as lust, envy, etc. They are shapeless and without feature, and must reside within a Scepter to complete day to day activities in demonic society. Their shapeshifting ability and great influence over the actions of others have caused them to be praised as well as feared in a majority of realms. Powers are tangible forms of common forces such as pain, vengeance, etc. They are shapeless and without feature, and must reside within a Scepter to complete day to day activities in demonic society. Their shapeshifting ability and great influence over the actions of others have caused them to be praised as well as feared in a majority of realms. The task of the Cabal is to enforce major non-militaristic orders on various realms. Cacodemons are known as informants or messengers. Their tasks are to monitor the mortal plane and report any significant activity to Lucifer. They also deliver messages from Lucifer to those who reside on the mortal plane. Succubi / Incubi reside on the mortal plane. Their tasks are to tempt and lead mortal souls astray to ensure that those souls are brought to Hell.
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Brethren and all related characters © Cheryl Lynn Eaton