Azrael, Archangel of Death

"The world is life. I am death."

Azrael is among the oldest angels in existence, an Elohite, though no one knows of him. He was created by God shortly after the Creation, to be the embodiment of Death. Before, there had been no life to die (there was no Fall as yet, and angels killing angels was unheard of...) He was never seen by the other Celestials. He and his Servitors went about their work in private, dwelling in the High Heavens with God himself. Azrael's mission was to shepherd and care for those who dwelt had passed on into the High Heavens.

Even with the Fall, Azrael received an additional duty from the Almighty. He and his angels still went on about their business of tending for the souls in Heaven and shepherding those near death in the Corporeal plane. But now, his Malakim and those of a more militant bent, we're authorized to stalk and kill those souls too corrupted by the lies of Hell. Unlike their bretheren, they were not to wage a "cold war" or attack like soldiers. They became God's personal assassins. They were truly the most horrifying, for not only could they destroy human lives, but they were granted the abilities to eradicate those souls from existence lest they become powerful tools of Hell.

Then Saminga was made Demon Prince of Death. The sudden dissonance that rang through Azrael's being shocked him. When he recovered, he knew that all he stood for, in fact, his very being was being challenged. He gave his angels a new directive: to hinder, stop, and slay the demons of Death whenever possible. And this they did with great fury.

Azrael met Uriel just after he was summoned to the higher heavens. Being practically two of a kind, they quickly drew a rapport and discovered they not only shared many ideals, but in some areas their Words overlapped. After all, what is more pure than death? When Uriel returned, Azrael came with him, bring his Servitors. For the moment, they share the Castle of Purity, though Azrael is designing his new Cathedral.

The Servitors of Azrael are bringers of death. But they are not needlessly cruel. Any who die at the hands of Death are granted a quick, near-painless exit from the Corporeal realm. Unlike other Angels, however, they cannot save another's life. This means that many of Azrael's servants are not widely trusted in battle situations, but their formidable skills keep them in the front lines of the War.

Azrael tends to appear as a human male, late 30s to early 40s, wearing a all-white or lite grey suit. Those who see him can never seem to recall what his face looks like, but all agree to feeling strangely serene in his presence.

Dissonance
It is dissonant for the Servitors of Azrael to intervene in the death of ANY being, no matter how good or how foul. Nature must take it's course, and those who pass on must do so without hindrance or interference.

Choir Attunements

Seraphim
The Seraphim of Death, when invoking their resonance, can perceive the true cause of death in any living creature.

Cherubim
The Cherub of Azrael, do not gain dissonance when one of their Charges dies. But they gain TWICE as much dissonance when their subject is harmed.

Ofanim
The Ofanim of Death are charged with relaying any last words and testaments of those who die to family, loved ones, or authorities. When using their resonance, they can speed directly to the location of the parties concerned.

Elohim
The Elohim of Azrael are responsible for easing the pain of those dying. They may relieve the pain of the suffering with a successful Resonance roll.

Malakim
Azrael's Malakim are charged with bringing death to the wicked. When killing someone they perceive to be evil, or demonic, they make no disturbance in the Symphony.

Kyriotates
Kyrotiates of Death may create their own vessels, out of the image of those who have passed on. They must have seen the vessel to be copied, or have a pictures, etc.

Mercurians
The Mercurians of Death are there to ease the suffering of the families and loved ones of those who have died. They receive +1 on the check digit of their Resonance roll when doing this.

Servitor Attunements

* Hold Back Death
For 6 Essence, the angel grants the mortal a second lease on life which will forstall death for 1d6 months. Note that this borders on dissonant for Servitors of Death, unless done for a good reason, such as to let them finish achieving their Destiny, to help bring their killers to justice, etc.

*The Good Death
Using this, an Angel of Death, may bring instant death to any one being. To use, the angel must make a contested Will role with the subject. The subject does not have to be aware of the attempt. Note, when used against demons, they will immediately know what is being done to them, and by whom.

Distinctions

Vassal of Morbid Clairvoyance
The angel knows, upon touching the target, the time, location, and manner of the target's death, with a successful Perception check.

Friend of Death
The angel can instantly detect the presence of Servitors of Saminga, within a 1 mile radius.

Master of Vengeance
When hunting the killers of innocent people, the angel may not be harmed by that being.

Basic Rites
* ease the death of a mortal
* disrupt the plans of a Servitor of Saminga
* bring death to someone who wishes it

Chance of Invocation: 2

Invocation Modifiers
+1 Painkiller
+2 Comforting a dying person for two hours
+3 A suicide note
+4 An item once treasured by someone now dead
+5 Witness Euthanasia
+6 Ease the death of 50 or more people at once

Relations

Allied: Uriel
Associated: Yves
Neutral: All others
Hostile: Zadkiel*

*Azrael is not truly hostile to Zadkiel, but more than any other, (except for Michael and Novalis), they are at cross purposes in the great scheme of things.