CHILDRENOFFIRE |
Children of Fire was conceived, researched, and written by:
Erich Wambach
kenpowam@aol.com
Designed and illustrated by:
Scott Lininger
scott@mimgames.com
www.mimgames.com
Children of Fire is copyright ©1999 by Erich Wambach. All rights reserved.
Children of Fire is available for free at http://www.mimgames.com/cof
1.0 INTRODUCTION |
Thank you for coming to the Children of Fire web site. We have done our best to provide you, dear reader, with a comprehensive and easily navigable body of information. We hope you enjoy the time spent here.
Children of Fire is a role-playing game that allows players to take on the persona of an angel. These characters will interact with other celestials in Heaven and with the children of clay (humans) on Earth. The game crosses many genres and can accommodate many playing styles.
The material contained in these pages is free for you to do with what you like. The author merely asks that you give credit to the hard work he has put in on this project. If you like the game, please encourage others to come check it out.
Children of Fire is an ever-developing game. For this reason, we would love your feedback. Tell us what you like and don't like about the game. Let us know if you find any glaring mistakes, or any subtle mistakes for that matter. What needs to be added? What needs better clarification? Lastly, since there has been little chance to do intensive playtesting, let us know how your games are going. Only through this type of dialogue can we strive to make the game better.
Send all emails to kenpowam@aol.com
For organizational purposes the game has been divided into three sections: Introduction, World, and Rules. A brief description of each of these is given below.
That's what you're reading right now. This section gives a general overview of the methodology and philosophy behind the game. Children of Fire can be played without a thorough understanding of the introductory material. It is merely here to provide some insight into the hows and whys of the game.
The world section gives you all the basics of the game's setting. It will take the reader from the origin of the children of fire, through an examination of heavenly society, and finally to descriptions of some of the key celestial players. This section is fully capable of standing on its own. Players who would like to integrate the setting into their own or an existing system need not read the rules section.
This section covers character creation, game mechanics, and storytelling issues. The optional nature of the system can not be over stressed. The inevitable object it to develop rewarding role-playing, and the rules are given to facilitate those who need extra guidance. For those who prefer a more free flowing style of storyteller, ignore those rules that seem to slow things down.
The author started the creation of Children of Fire with one precept in mindlet the research dictate the course of the game not the other way around. Too many times we start a project having already determined its outcome. We are not open to the wondrous possibilities that present themselves. This is not the case with Children of Fire. The tone of this game was entirely derived from what the research suggested
Many works were used to complete the body of information presented here. Among the primary books used were the following: Malcolm Godwin's Angels: An Endangered Species, Gustav Davidson's A Dictionary of Angels, Florentino Garcia Martinez's The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated, the books of Enoch, and some of the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. Ironically, the bible serves as a rather poor source for angels. Only the angels Michael and Gabriel are mentioned in it. If one is to include the apocryphal work of Tobit, then Raphael can also be added to this list. In cases where biblical scripture depicted the intervention of an angel, an alternate source was almost always consulted to get greater detail and to identify the specific celestial.
While the author tried to remain true to the sources, there were some instances in which changes had to be made for game play reasons. For instance, most sources claim that all the Nephilin and Anakim (giants) were wiped out at the time of the flood. Though the texts seem to indicate these abominations no longer exist, the inclusion of them in modern history helps to expand the dimensions of the game.
Additionally, many texts contradicted each other and, in fact, often contradicted themselves. This is especially true as it relates to the duties and exploits of specific angels. These ambiguities had to be cleared in the context of the game. The author did his best to resolve these issues in the fairest manner and with an eye for the interest of gameplay.
Lastly, there are many aspects of celestial society that could not be ascertained through research. These facets of setting and game play were simply made up. For instance, no source alluded to specific groups of forces being used by particular orders of angels. This element was added to increase diversity and regulate celestial abilities.
Readers may notice a striking difference between the angels depicted in this game and what we normally think of. It must be understood that most of our ideas of these celestial creatures come from movies and television. The Hollywood angel is a near perfect being who roams the Earth doing good for people. They are not flawed creatures at war with themselves. In many cases they are depicted as saintly humans who have died and returned as these winged emanations.
Unfortunately, the research does not bare this portrayal out. Angels are a separate breed from man. They were created long before the inception of the children of clay. The departed souls do not return as angels. Additionally, angels have never till this modern century been seen as flawless pictures of virtue and grace. Rather, they have been viewed with awe, fear, and a bit of distrust.
This game takes nothing from the concept of the Hollywood angel. Rather it borrows from the ideas and concepts that persisted for thousands of years. This is a fact, dear reader, you should have clear in your mind as you sort through the rest of this material.
What we present to you here is only the beginning. The author has compiled hundreds of pages of research and information. Do to time and length constraints, however, much of it has been omitted for this introductory work. We didn't want to overload the reader with too much information at once. The purpose here is to get you started, to get your own creative juices flowing.
In time additions will be made to this work. This supplemental material will more distinctly deal with certain aspects of the setting. More information will be given on sorcery used by the children of clay. More information will be given about the hierarchy of hell and descriptions of infernal powers. Let us know what information is most pressing for you to have.
Thank You.
2.0 WORLD |
The way we see angels is colored by Hollywood's candy-coated imagery. They are portrayed as peacefully perfect beings of goodness and virtue. They are unflawed, unblemished. This is a lie, though. Angels are not so simply understood. The children of fire are complex creatures composed of countless contradictions and ambiguities.
It is difficult for our minds to grasp the true concept of the children of fire. Their form and function are mysterious and unique. Though they are not of the material world (so need not follow our physical laws), there is no other way to describe them but to endow them with physical traits and abilities. With all these explanations, dear reader, keep in mind that the descriptions are far more concrete then the abstract reality they represent. Their concepts of space and time are far more fluid then ours. But as we are not angels, we can only describe them in the words of men.
Among the children of fire there is great diversity. Every choir has its own flavor, every order its own uniqueness, every angel his own individually. With this said, however, there are some general points that can be made about all members of the celestial hierarchy. The following sections seek to explore these commonalties.
In their true form, we as humans could hardly perceive what the children of fire truly look like. Within the Seven Heavens, they are colossal creatures who are composed of varying degrees of celestial material. They are not of matter, but rather of energy.
To the children of clay they would appear as shifting visages of unstable energy held together with what must seem a fragile web of imagery. To their brethren, though, they are very discernable and distinct. For the sake of game feasibility, angels should be described in very human terms when dealing with other celestials.
Most angels are of the two winged variety. These wings jut from their backs like bird's, spreading out to either side. Their bodies are humanoid, though much larger than the average man. Their faces are neither inherently perfect nor inherently flawed. They are as diverse and unique as human faces. This description, of course, only applies to the lower six choirs. The Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones bear little resemblance to their lesser brethren. Their description will be left for another time.
Though the above description does reflect what the children of fire look like to each other in their natural form, one fact should be remembered. Celestials have quite a lot of latitude when it comes to what appearance they portray to others. In many respects, they can portray themselves however they see fit.
One last point should be noted. By nature, the children of fire are androgynous (sexless). In their true forms they are neither male nor female, possessing none of the distinctive physical features of either. They are not hermaphrodites (being both male and female) as some have suggested. This is completely opposite their true nature. While in the hidden form, however, they can assume either male or female guise.
While on earth, the children of fire have a number of options on how to present themselves. These are known as forms. There are three forms the celestial can choose from: subtle, divine, and hidden. Transformation between forms can be done at will, but the process takes five to ten seconds to complete. In addition, only when the celestials is in an ethereal state can he ascend to the Heavens.
This is perhaps the least common shape angels take while on Earth. In this shape they are merely a presence passing through the material world. They are formless, substanceless, and very difficult to detect by other celestials. Humans, without the aid of magical amulets, have no chance whatsoever of detecting them.
In this shape, the child of fire can have virtually no effect on the world of matter and substance. They are no more than watchers, no more than mere thoughts. Most of their forces will not operate or will work in diminished capacity. In this state, they can travel to distant locations at the blink of an eye.
While in this form, the children of fire assume a smaller likeness of their true celestial bodies. They can choose to be ethereal or material (substanceless or substantive). If they choose an ethereal state, the children of clay can generally not see them. Whether they are ethereal or material, they are always visible to other celestial creatures.
To appear before a human in this shape can be quite a traumatic experience. Most angels' true form is far from the sublime and lovely visage we might expect. Indeed, some of the creatures are down right hideous to behold. Most humans of low courage will feint or flee at the sight of a child of fire. Only the angels soothing words can calm them.
In the divine shape, children of fire can use all their forces to full potential. Some forces, however, require that the celestial be material in order to performed them.
This is the most common shape celestials take while passing among the children of clay. Here they assume a human guise to carry them on their duties. This shape is always in the material state. It has a few very distinct advantages. In this state, a child of fire's true nature is very difficult to detect by other celestial beings. This is especially true if the angel refrains from using any celestial forces that might give him away.
While most forces can be used to their full potential, there are a few that children of fire can not use while in the hidden shape. In addition, there is one more added hindrance. Because the child of fire must assume a material state to take this form, he can not instantly ascend to the gates of the First Heaven. The angel must first change to an ethereal state, a process that takes 5 to 10 seconds.
There is one last feature of the hidden shape that demands discussion here. All angels, while in this shape, have certain signatures they display no matter what type of body they assume. The signature may very greatly between angels, but it is always there. Signatures may include, but are not limited to the following. The child of fire always transforms himself into humans with specific impediments. For instance, the angel is always missing an eye. Some children of fire will only transform into certain types of people (i.e. children, midgets, old women, etc.). Lastly, the child of fire can choose a signature relating to a certain item or manner of dress. Perhaps the angel always wears green or a specific medallion.
Children of fire have three ways of communicating: speech, telepathy, and illumination. Speech is only used on Earth, and is generally limited to communicating with the children of clay. Though they can speak while in Heaven, the process is far more cumbersome than telepathic transmission.
All angels possess the ability to telepathically communicate with any child of clay or celestial within sight. Through this process, thoughts are projected directly into the mind of the target. Only the sender and receiver of the telepathic message can hear it. If the recipient is a child of clay the conversation is one sided, since, under normal circumstances, humans can not reciprocate. It must be stressed that telepathy does not allow the angels to read the thoughts of others. It is merely another means of communication.
Illumination, on the other hand, is a far more effective method of communication. It can only be done from angel to angel, and the celestial doing the illuminating must be of a higher triad than the one he is trying to illuminate. Thus angels of the same triad or even the same choir can not utilize this power with each other.
Illumination is like passing complete understanding of a story or situation in the blink of an eye. No words are exchanged, no discussion needed. The recipient simply comprehends all that the transmitter is trying to get across. This ability is most often used by greater angels to send their subordinates on missions. Though most angels using this power must be in the presence of the target, it is said that those of the first triad can use it over vast distances.
Getting around is much more complex for the children of fire than the children of clay. Because these divine creatures must exist in different states and forms, there is a plethora of choice when it comes to methods of transportation. While in the Seven Heavens, movement is most natural for them. Here they move much like the children of clay do on Earth. In this realm, they have the ability to walk or fly.
On Earth, the realm of matter, things become a bit more convoluted. Here their ability to traverse the globe is dependent on the form they assume.
Those choosing a non-material state (subtle or divine) can move at great speeds (usually 50x greater than normal humans). They may also pass through most matter without impediment. The one exception is that no angel while in an ethereal state can penetrate deep below the Earth's surface. It seems that the surface of the Earth (be it soil, rock, or water) acts as a repulsive force in these cases. Large masses of matter tend to push against the ethereal being. The farther they travel through it, the more the resistance. This is also true for angels in deep underground caverns trying to get to the surface.
The other option the children of fire have while in an ethereal state is teleportation. With this ability they can appear at any point on the Earth (the same subterranean rules as above apply). In most cases, though, it is an imprecise method. The child of fire usually appears in the general vicinity of his destination, but rarely directly at it. For example, a child of fire attempting to teleport to a specific church will often find himself standing a few blocks away from it. The distance the celestial appears from the desired location is totally up to the Storyteller and is governed by the needs of the story.
Technology poses a very serious problem for the children of fire. Technology is a manifestation of man's ability to act as creator. It is totally and utterly removed from the divine (a fact that does not necessarily make it evil). Because they are not part of the web of God's creation, technological advances are difficult for angels to utilize and interact with. As time passed, and the future became the present, this problem has suddenly become more unnerving. In a campaign set in the far future, technology may lift man to a state nearly as powerful as the children of fire.
The more technologically advanced an item is, the harder it will be for a child of fire to comprehend its use. A gun, for instance, would be far easier to comprehend than a calculator would. It is not the complexity of thing, which makes it hard to use; it is merely the technological know-how that went into making it that is important. As a simple (and not always accurate) rule of thumb, assume that developments and inventions that came later in the human time-line are more difficult for celestials to deal with then early ones. The rules section of this game will give storytellers and players and idea of how to incorporate this aspect into the story.
The Almighty brought the children of fire into existence long before the creation of the material world and the children of clay. Their number, roughly 400 million, has been fixed since the beginning of time. Contrary to what we might like to believe, angels are a separate species set apart from man. Those good souls who die do not return to Earth as angels spreading peace and love.
There are two main factions of the children of firethe sons of light and the sons of darkness. The sons of light, who constitute two-thirds of the holy host, still claim allegiance to God. The sons of darkness, comprising the remaining third, show allegiance to Sammael, the accursed one.
The children of fire are immortal, but they are not eternal. Only God is eternal (having no beginning and no end). Still, being celestial creatures makes our concept of death mean nothing to them. They can, however, be destroyed, though this is a rarity indeed. Only extraordinary forces can cause a child of fire to cease to exist entirely. Day to day confrontations between angels and demons are unlikely to produce such results.
An example of angelic destruction occurred at the time the material world was created. When the Almighty proposed the creation of man, the angels of peace and truth were leery of this idea. They made their complaints known to the Almighty, and for this dissention they were destroyed.
In their original inception, the children of fire were to ceaselessly praise God, a duty they joyously fulfilled. With the sin of man and the fall of Sammael, though, their task changed. Many of them were sent out upon the world to help the children of clay achieve salvation and to do battle with the forces of darkness. It is in this capacity that they have passed among us and will continue to pass among us for centuries to come.
The sons of light are not perfection, though. They are inherently flawed beings. The lack of a soul has made them like ancient children. They tend to let their whims take control and often stray from the most righteous path. At the core they are still good, but there is always the chance they may fall. Ironically it is the children of clay, who they were sent to protect, that represent the greatest corrupting influence. The passions and indulgences of the material world are often too much for these celestial creatures to resist.
Sammael was once the greatest and most loved of all the children of fire. He was prince of the choir of Seraphim, leader of all the heavenly host. But Sammael became corrupted, losing the grace of God, and in so doing caused a third of his brethren to rebel against the Almighty.
There are varying accounts of how this once beloved angel became so vile and corrupt. The official version, set down in the book of Chronicles (one of the Nine Celestial Tomes), says it was pride that caused Sammael's fall. The mighty Seraph Metatron writes:
And the prince of the Seraphim thought much of himself. He became boastful and arrogant, thinking himself greater than even God. Such thoughts lead to resentment, resentment lead to dissention, and dissention lead inevitably to rebellion. So it was that the once brightest of angels rose up against his Creator, and a multitude of celestials battled beside him
The sons of darkness see the event in a totally different light. They portray Sammael is a dutiful and ever humble servant of the Almighty. They claim their leader was forsaken by God because he was too obedient. It is their assertion that the Almighty was inconsistent with His edicts. Of course, the sons of light reject this claim
At the time of his fall, Sammael had many allies. He brought havoc to the halls of Heaven, leading a third of the children of fire to stray from God. Among the fallen were all nine princes of the celestial choirs, for they had become prideful as well. It was easy for Sammael to rally them behind his cause. The greatest loss came in the choir of Powers, who, having always been the most susceptible to corruption, were quick to join forces with the dark one. In all, almost half this choir rose up against the Almighty.
But more children of fire remained faithful than did not. Although the sons of darkness boasted many powerful angels, the sons of light had their own mighty angel to lead them. That angel was the Seraph Michael. He led the sons of light into battle against the sons of darkness to determine who would have control of the Heavens.
In the end, the sons of light were victorious, and all the fallen were cast out of the higher Heavens. They were relegated to the Second Heaven where they live in eternal darkness, separated
from goodness and light. Many, however, have escaped to Earth bearing evil progeny and trying to infect the children of clay with their wickedness.
The sons of darkness, hereafter referred to as demons, are aware they can not directly contend with the power of God and the superior number of righteous angels. As a result, they have changed their tactics. Now they seek to hurt the Almighty by causing His precious creations, the children of clay to turn away from Him.
With the advent of sin and the choice of free will, the children of clay were left defenseless against the evil hordes. Demons leaking from Heaven found supple minds willing to soak up their tales of wickedness and greed. The early days saw great success for these evil beings. The demons taught them how to grow prosperous and strong, how to conquer the lands and conquer each other. Many mortals were turned away from the path of righteousness, the path of God. They began to make these demons their deities, seeing them as saviors and guides through the turmoil of life.
And God wept for the misguided.
His first solution was to send the mighty Grigori to Earth to teach and protect the children of clay. Unfortunately, these great creatures proved as susceptible to corruption as man. At this point the mighty Metatron stepped forward and promised his angels would look after the children of clay
And so the Almighty sent minions of the sons of light to look out for the children of clay. It is this task that has become central to the angels' existence. Some of them actively seek out and vanquish all demons that have dared to meddle in the affairs of humans. Still others give the children of clay the strength and guidance needed to turn away from the godless path. Some protect while others punish. Some preach while others police their own kind. In the end the goal is always the same, to save the children of clay.
The Almighty has not given his servants free reign over the Earth, though. He set restrictions and limitations to their conduct. Angels are not to trample on man's free will. The ultimate decision between a good life and one mislead must be made by the individual child of clay. Unless under the Almighty's directive, angels are not allowed to kill any child of clay. Even the wickedest of humans is protected, for there is always the chance they can be turned to good. The Almighty prefers conversion over coercion, subtlety over brazenness, and self-control over indulgence. Disobeying these dictates can bring punishment and a loss of divine Grace.
Before the creation of the children of fire, God brought forth the mighty Grigori. These grand, winged creatures stood taller and stronger then there younger brothers. The Almighty cherished them more then children of fire, endowing these celestial beings with great powers. For a long time they were the preeminent beings in the Heavens
The sin of man changed all that, though. The Lord entrusted the Grigori to help the children of clay. The Watchers were sent to Earth to teach humans the skills that would help them survive and endure. They performed their duties with great vigor and enthusiasm. They became enamored by humans, however, and in the end faltered to the corruption of the flesh.
In the guise of men, they lay with human woman, and in the form of woman, they lay with human men. From these unholy couplings, abominations were born. The Nephilim and Anakim were creatures of evil.
For generations these unions went unchecked. The world became full of evil offspring who fed on the fear and devoured the flesh of the children of clay. The Watchers, so consumed with their earthly lust did not see the harm they were causing. They were oblivious to the destruction their children were reeking. The children of clay were on the verge of extermination.
This so enraged God that he sent his angels to the Earth to eliminate all the Nephilim and Anakim they could find. A Great flood was unleashed to cleanse the world of these aberrations. The rain fell and the waters rose, cleansing the surface of the Earth. Even most of the children of clay (many of whom had grown wicked) were wiped away. Though all the Anakim died, it is said that some Nephilim might have escaped the flood. If this is the case, by now they would be among the most powerful of all creatures in the universe.
Death for their children was a blessing compared to what the Grigori suffered. The Almighty sent his angels out to capture these betraying celestials. Over half have been caught. In the Fifth Heaven they face eternal imprisonment and torment. In these cells they weep for forgiveness and for the desire of flesh.
Shemihasah, chief among them, was caught near the beginning of this purge. Hung upside down over the great flame, his skin was seared and flayed from the bone over and over again. Though no one seems quite sure how, he managed to escape from this unending torment and flee back to Earth. No angel has seen or heard of him since.
There are still a few Grigori in modern days. As the population of the children of clay grows and as their technological world becomes more prevalent, the Watchers have had an easier time hiding. During this period they have sired many more children. The Anakim and Nephilim again roam the Earth, albeit in lesser numbers. The children of fire are obliged to destroy these creatures whenever they come across them.
Seven angels stand out above the rest. They are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Zadkiel, Raguel, and Remiel. What makes these seven different is not rank or power. Rather it is purely and simply a question of Grace. These creatures possess more Grace then any others in heaven. Because of this divine favor, they are the closest to the Almighty. Only they are allowed to sit by the throne of God. They are true conduits to his message and ultimately loyal servants.
These seven have often been referred to as the throne angels or the seven great archangels. These two designations will not be used in this game due to their misleading nature, but it does show how much confusion has clouded the minds of the children of clay. Archangels and Thrones are both choirs in the Celestial Hierarchy. The seven angels listed above are not limited to these choirs. In fact, we find examples of Seraphim, Cherubim, Virtues and Powers among their number. Oddly enough, not one of them comes from the choir of Archangels.
The question must then be asked, why are these seven so important? Part of their significance lies in their relationship to other children of fire. Because of their connection with the Almighty, they are highly revered and highly feared by their kind. To offend one of them is to get on the bad side of God. Their clout in celestial society can not be understated.
In addition, the Almighty occasionally sends them on special missions to Earth. He does this when He needs his words not to be clouded by interpretations. This is the reason that Gabriel (a Cherub and one of the seven) is more often seen on Earth than Brachiel (a more powerful Seraph, but not one of the seven).
Because of their significance, all seven of these angels have been further detailed in the Catalog of Celestial Beings.
Even in heaven there must be order.
Almost all the 266,000,000 children of fire who have not fallen can be grouped into one of nine ranks called choirs. Fallen angels, while once part of the hierarchy, have adopted their own system of ranking. A discussion of the hierarchy of hell will be saved for another discussion. For now, let us concentrate on those angels who are in good standing with the Almighty.
The nine choirs in the hierarchy are further clustered into three triads. In the first triad we find the choirs of the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. The second triad contains the Dominations, Virtues, and Powers. The final triad consists of the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. These choirs represent a clear delineation among the children of fire, granting those of higher rank a degree of power and authority greater than their underlings.
The first triad is closest to God. For this reason, its members have a clearer understanding of His nature and image. He speaks directly to them, hence they are more fixed in nature than their lesser brethren. They do not waver as much between the goodness of the Almighty and the corruption of man. This static nature is also do to the fact that members of these choirs rarely interact with the children of clay. Their primary purpose is to illuminate those of the second triad regarding the will of God.
Those of the second triad acts as intermediaries between the first and third. They have less grace than their elder brethren, yet have exceedingly potent powers. Their time is evenly divided between the children of clay and the inner workings of the children of fire.
The third triad constitutes those angels closest in nature to man. The messages they receive from the Almighty have been filtered through the other triads and as such are subject to interpretation and change. They make their home in the First Heaven, which is closest in nature to the physical world of man. They deal constantly with the children of clay, rarely concerning themselves with the celestial politics. They are by far the weakest and most corruptible of the triads, and their balance is almost always in question.
The total number of children of fire in existence is set. This number stands at approximately 4 million. Since only a handful of celestials have ever been utterly destroyed and no new ones created by the Almighty, this is fairly constant. Even among the separate choirs, very little movement occurs. The number of angels who are able to advance from choir to choir is so miniscule, it barely effects the demographics at all. Below is a rough breakdown of how many children of fire exist at each rank.
Seraphim: 4
Cherubim: 15
Thrones: 70
Dominations: 400
Virtues: 3,400
Powers: 25,000
Principalities: 777,000
Archangels: 52,000
Angels: 215,000,000
The Seraphim are the highest order of celestial beings. There are but four of these majestic creatures: Metatron, Michael, Brachiel, and Nathaniel. Their powers are grand, their duties overwhelming.
They do no have the typical look of angels that we might think of. Instead of two wings (as most of the lower ranks have), they have six. In addition, four heads sit atop their single neck. Their bodies are immersed in a blinding white flame.
They seldom interfere with mankind, only venturing to the material world under the direst of circumstances. While on Earth their presence can easily be felt by all celestials in the vicinity. For these four, lesser angels and minor abominations can be dispatched at a whim.
Currently their leader is Metatron, but this was not always the case. Before his fall, Sammael was the prince of the Seraphim. After his minions left the presence of God, Metatron assumed the position, making this mighty angel the highest ranking of the celestial hierarchy.
The four Seraphim have the broadest of duties. They govern the most important aspects of existence. Under them, a myriad of lesser angels, illuminated by these four, carry out their orders.
These creatures constitute the second rank of angels in the celestial hierarchy. They are fifteen in number and known amongst their kind as the holy beasts. Their bodies are those of animals while their heads are human. Unlike the Seraphim, they possess only one head, though each has four faces. In addition, they were blessed with two less wings.
Those of this choir are revered by the children of fire as both the greatest of Heaven's guards and the bearers of knowledge and wisdom. To this end, they are the ones who protect the gates to the Garden of Eden in the Third Heaven. In addition, two of their kind flew beside the arc when the Almighty deluged the earth with rain.
Their trips to the material realm, while more common than the Seraphim, are meager as compared to the lesser ranks of angels. They are very aware of how their presence on Earth effects the children of clay. Most humans would cower or run if they caught sight of one these holy beasts. So they keep to the seven heavens, preferring to mingle among their own kind.
The leader of the Cherubim is the mighty angel Gabriel. As with all the choirs of the first triad, she rules with less than an iron fist. Her title is merely an honorarium, as the Cherubim go about their business as they please. Counted among their number are the angels Uriel, Sandalphon, Raziel, Ithuriel, and Machidiel.
Thrones, seventy in number, are the lowest of the three choirs in the first triad. As such, they hold a very distinct position in angelic society.
For one, they have a unique appearance. Their ethereal bodies are composed of red and orange flames. Like the Cherubim, four wings protrude from the Thrones' bodies. Lightning flickers off them like darting tongues, licking viscously at the air. Though they have but one head and one face, their bodies are covered with countless eyes. Thus they are given the name "the many eyed ones".
The second aspect that sets them apart from the other children of fire is the role they play in the celestial hierarchy. They are a link between the divinity of the first triad and the corruptible essence of matter that begins to take hold in the lower ranks. For this reason, they stay primarily in the seven heavens, watching over the conduct of other angels. Most are bureaucrats, if you will, acting as intermediaries between God and the lesser choirs.
Though he is not one of them, the angel Raphael is their leader. Unlike Seraphim or Cherubim, this is more than just a title. Raphael, though kindly and cheerful, none the less has strict control of those who serve under him. They are far less individualistic than their elder brethren.
These children of fire are the most powerful choir of the second triad and the first we will examine who look somewhat like the angels one normally thinks of. They have only two wings and are humanoid in appearance. To look upon one in its true for, however, is still a frightening experience. They are dreadful and mighty creatures.
They are the supervisors of the second and third triads. It is their job to oversee all lesser angels, to assign them duties and
tasks. For this reason, they are usually the highest choir lesser angels deal with on a regular basis. It is they who often illuminate the lower ranks.
Their time is balanced between the children of fire and the children of clay. What dealings they have on Earth, though, are usually of great importance and magnitude. Trifling with the lesser affairs of men is left to their underlings.
Every country in the world has a Domination set to watch over it. These angels greatly influence their country's demeanor and culture. Some of these angels, however, have fallen, being corrupted by the frailties of men. They set their lands on dark and misguided paths. Others, though, remain true to the goodness of the Almighty, striving to keep their charges on a noble course.
Dominations are not perfect beings by any stretch of the imagination. They are by no means as incorruptible as the choirs of the first triad. Quite the opposite actually. Given a great deal of power, they sometimes begin to grow dangerously inflated egos and believe themselves to be more important than they should. This taste of power is mingled with the knowledge that they, according to the current system, can never progress to a higher rank, no matter how lofty their ambitions might be.
The prince of the choir of Dominations is Zadkiel. He keeps a watchful eye over them, knowing that some of his brethren teeter on the verge of corruption.
These angels, known as the "shining ones", are the second choir in the second triad. The power within them has become so great that it emanates from their being as a virtually blinding aura. This can be attributed to the fact that, unlike Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, and even Dominations, they have not been able to come to terms with their vast abilities. They are unable to mask their powers or curtail their presence.
These great angels are often the heroes of mankind, for they perform miracles like no others. They are sent to Earth to complete the most daunting of tasks and to demonstrate without subtlety the power of the Almighty. Many of mankind's greatest miracles have been performed by these children of fire, who can sometimes get a bit caught up in the extravagance of such deeds.
The Virtues also lead a myriad of lesser angels in large campaigns. They lead great battles against demons and other unholy emanations.
Like the Dominations above them, the Virtues are not bestowed with an unwavering character like the choirs of the first triad. They can be strong willed and obstenant. Many, having realized the great power within them, have succumbed to the sin of pride. They are often faulted for their over zealous and unnecessary use of power. Some would rather douse a candle with an ocean than a few drops of water.
Along with his duties as prince of the Thrones, Raphael also serves as leader to this lesser choir. Though their members are not as powerful as his other charges, the Virtues provide far more headaches for this great angel. They need constant watching and correction.
The Powers are the lowest choir of the second triad, and they are among the most intriguing of all celestials. They seem to be ever embroiled in a struggle between the good and evil inside themselves. When Sammael fell and a third of Heaven's host went with him, it was the choir of Powers who had the greatest attrition.
Now risen to a rank loftier then the first triad, these angels have been given increasing powers by the Almighty and access to the hitherto forbidden sections of Heaven. These new gifts come with a price, and that price is the struggle to reconcile themselves with the concepts of good and evil.
The Powers reside in the borderland between the First and Third Heavens. Here they serve a two-fold purpose. Firstly, they are meant to stop the demons from completely overrunning the Earth. Though they stop many, some demons sneak through to reek havoc among the children of clay. Second, the Powers act as guards to the higher halls of heaven. Members of the first triad are forbidden to go beyond their homes in the lower Heavens.
But these are not the only tasks of the Powers. They are often sent to earth to fulfill special missions. Unfortunately, it is in this capacity that the children of clay sometimes corrupt them.
Chief among them is Camael. As their prince, he is a perfect example of the dualistic nature of these creatures. He has faltered in his way on several occasions, but has always returned to the grace of God. He is known among his kind as a powerful and capable leader who, none the less, can be indecisive and contradictory in nature.
Principalities are the highest choir in the third triad. While their powers are slightly greater and their duties a bit broader, they are generally considered to be fairly equal to Archangels. As will be explained in another section, their grace is considerably higher then the two lower choirs. They do not, however, command their lesser brethren.
As with the other two choirs in this triad, the Principalities reside in the First Heaven. This is the place that bridges the material world and the celestial one. These children of fire are generally not allowed to venture farther into the Heavens, though they occasionally find reason to wander into the Second Heaven.
The Principalities along with the two lesser choirs spend most of their time in the material world. They are the ones who deal with the day to day conflicts that mankind faces in its ultimate struggle between good and evil. Principalities find themselves constantly battling between purity and corruption. Only the most obedient, persistent, and faithful among them can ascend to the second triad, though this does not guarantee their later loyalty. Most, however, fall far short of attaining this ascension.
The prince of this choir is Nisroc. He rules his subjects with a light hand, preferring to go about his own business and not medal in the affairs of other Principalities. For this he is a well liked, if not well revered, leader.
The choir of Archangels has two very different personas. Among the children of clay, Archangels are often seen as the greatest of all angels. This directly contradicts their actual position among the children of fire. To men, this title is used to refer to any celestial above the rank of Angel. Most of the celestials they identify as Archangels are, in fact, of much higher ranksGabriel and Michael being only two of a handful of examples.
Within celestial society, Archangels have little clout or status. They are only slightly elevated from the hordes of Angels who swarm the Earth. Their number is a quarter that of their lesser brethren and their power only slightly more enhanced.
The Prince of this choir is Barbiel. He is, however, a rather unmemorable member of the celestial cast.
This, the lowest choir in the celestial hierarchy, is also the largest. At 215 million members, this choir contains more children of fire then all other choir combined. Their duties, though small in comparison to the greater celestials, keep them constantly busy in the material world. Their powers are miniscule when compared with the highest choirs, but considerable when compared to the abilities of mortal men.
These are faltering beings that have not and may never comprehend the nature of grace. They are individualistic and often egocentric. Only a small fraction of them will ever rise to a higher rank. Many more will lose all grace and walk the earth eternally separated from God.
Their leader is Pheleg, who is, in fact, not an Angel but an Archangel. It was felt that the burden of ruling so many needed to be placed on one who was more powerful than his subjects. For this reason Pheleg, who is often overbearing and sometimes down right ruthless, was a perfect choice for the position. Though he is generally liked by his equals and elders, his subjects do nothing less than despise him.
As the children of clay have their holy books, so to do the children of fire. In all, nine books constitute this angelic scripture. These books are collectively referred to as the nine celestial tomes. All angels have read them to some degree, and many zealots have spent centuries memorizing whole volumes.
Of the nine books, all but two were written by Metatron, wisest of all angels. He is the mouthpiece of the children of fire, and his words resonate through the hearts and minds of all his brethren.
Though numerous copies of these holy books abound, the original versions are under the watchful eye of Metatron himself in the Seventh Heaven. Save for the Sepher Raziel, none of these books has ever been seen by the children of clay.
This was the first of the great tomes to be set down by the mighty Seraph, Metatron. It details the history of the children of fire, focusing primarily on the war in heaven where Sammael and a third of the heavenly host fell. In vivid and lamenting tones, Metatron describes each battle of this war and how the sons of light drove the sons of darkness from the upper heavens. It also chronicles the individual angels whose contributions to these efforts were remarkable indeed, recounting their glorious acts of bravery.
I tell the truth, dearest brethren, it was Raphael alone who cried over the wounds of every Seraph and Angel alike. His tears alone healed the grievous injuries of the sons of light and allowed us to go on fighting.
Chronicles
III: XIX
This tome actually consists of two separate books. One is the Names of Light, while the other is the Names of darkness. These books contain the names of all the children of fire who have ever existedboth those who are in good standing and those who have fallen. Along with their name, the celestial's rank (either in the Celestial Hierarchy or the Hierarchy of Hell) is included.
Originally, these books were written by Metatron, but over the passing eons, other angels have helped to keep them current. Though the books total 3,103 pages and contain the names of over 400 million celestials, the task of updating is far from daunting. After all, there is very little movement among the hierarchies and the destruction of a celestial is a virtually unheard of event.
One of only two books not written by Metatron, the book of Retributions was set down by the Cherub, Uriel. In its pages are contained the laws which govern the children of fire. In addition, Uriel has laid out what punishments befall those angels who transgress. These punishments differ according to the seriousness of the offense. Lastly, this book details the structure by which angels will be brought before Uriel and the validity of their charges determines.
All angels of Retribution have a copy of this book with them at all times. They consult it constantly to determine whether an angel's actions warrant them being whisked off to the Heavens for judgement before Uriel and his fearsome council. Celestials of other orders, however, despise this book more than they revere it.
This book, written by the Seraph, Metatron, deals with the prophecy passed down from the Almighty to the wisest of his angels. It details, in poetic and often vague language, the judgment days of both the children of fire and the children of clay. It talks of a final war in heaven and how Sammael and his minions will be defeated once more.
In many respects, Resolutions is similar to the book of Revelations found in the Bible. The primary difference comes in the emphasis on celestial events and the overall tone of the piece. Metatron has intentionally made it both inspiring and motivating in an effort to rally the troops, who must, in the end, fight and win this great war.
Behold, the dragon wakes. Spreading his wings, the evil serpent launches into the sky, a third of the stars following in toe.
Resolutions
I: XXXIV
As with most of the other works, this too is authored by Metatron. Here he writes about the obligations and responsibilities of the children of fire to both their own brethren and to the children of clay. It outlines correct behavior and thought as desired by the Almighty. Those who follow the paths of grace and righteousness hold it up as a testament to their actions, while those who have fallen into disgrace ignore it completely.
For the Lord charged us to look over the children of clay, so that at death, their souls would be judged righteous and pure, so that the hands of the accursed one would not taint what God alone created. This task we should not take lightly. We should pursue this goal with utmost diligence.
Promises
VI: II
Two qualities make this book noteworthy. First, it is one of only two celestial tomes not written by the Seraph, Metatron. As the name suggests, the angel Raziel wrote it. Its second claim to fame is that it is the only one of the nine holy books to have passed into the hands of humans.
After completion of this work, Raziel gave a copy to Adam. But the children of fire, being envious of this gesture, stole the book and cast it into the sea. God told Rehab to retrieve it from the depths and return it to Adam&mdasha gesture many of the children of fire have failed to comprehend. As the centuries passed, the book ended up in hands of some of the most influential children of clay including Enoch, Noah, and Solomon.
The book contains the inner workings of celestial power and structure. Of primary importance are the comprehensive descriptions of angelic forces. It further explains how humans can mimic and control these powers. This book is solely responsible for the development of sorcery among the children of clay&mdash a development that is very significant in light of the fact that some sorcerers can become so powerful they can contend with even the mightiest among the children of fire. For this reason, it is understandable that the angels did not want such a work to pass into the hands of men.
These three texts were the last to be penned by Metatron, wisest of all angels. They are the least substantial and most whimsical of the works. They are merely the poetic ramblings of this angel on all manner of subjects. From the concept of grace to the creation of the world, Metatron addresses them all. Unfortunately, do to its lack of structure and order, it is sometimes difficult for the children of fire to find specific passages.
And so it is our nature to be as children in a world that is ever changing. The Almighty's creation is not a stagnant thing, but a whirlwind of development progressing far to fast for our ancient memories to bare. Only the children of clay, whose spirits contend with the material world for only short while, can restrict this scope enough to be comprehendible.
III Metatron
XX: XIX
Lest the reader believe the world of Children of Fire is populated only by good angels, fallen angels, and the multitude of mortals whose souls are in contention, we offer an assortment of other goodies for the would-be storyteller to choose from. They are introduced here to give variety and diversity to the tales one can weave.
There are powers at work in the universe that follow neither God nor Sammael. These creatures know nothing of good or evil, but instead seek to fulfill their own selfish desires. Many are capable of thwarting the plans of the players, and some are even mighty enough to destroy them.
Before God created the world, before He even conceived the nine choirs of angels, He brought forth the Grigori. These creatures are distant relatives of the children of fire. Perhaps it is even appropriate to call them the mightiest of all angels.
When the world came into existence, the Lord set the Grigori to watch over the children of clay. It is in this capacity that they came to be known as the Watchers. In II Metatron, (one of the nine celestial tomes) we are given an excellent account of what happened to these mighty creatures.
And the Lord said unto the Grigori, "You, most beloved of Mine, go forth and watch over the children of clay. Let them be safe in the knowledge that you will protect them."
To this Shemihasah, first among the chiefs of ten, replied, "Oh Lord, we, the Watchers, will do as you command, for our hearts are filled with love for You and Your creation."
But the task was harder, by far, then the Grigori imagined. At first they taught man wondrous things: how to fashion weapons, how to work the land, and how to navigate by the stars. But they became so enamoured by the children of clay that they were corrupted. They lay with the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve. Their abominable offspring were the Anakim and the Nephilim. It was this transgression which God could not bare. He cast them out of the heavens and told His angels to hunt them and their progeny
And still they roam the earth. What plans they have are a mystery to us. They go on lusting after mortal flesh, and their progeny reek havoc upon man.
The Grigori were given knowledge to pass on to the children of clay. All science and technology stems from them. Even in contemporary society they go on influencing man's development. Most scientific breakthroughs and technical innovations are caused, in part, by their meddling. It is this very nature that makes them so dangerous. For they do not have the same restrictions placed on them as other angels do concerning technology. They can understand and use it as well (if not better) than the children of clay. This combined with their extraordinary celestial abilities makes them virtually unstoppable enemies.
Luckily for the children of fire they have a very limited scope. At their creation, there were two hundred Grigori in all. They were divided into twenty groups of ten, each group having a chief to rule over them. After their corruption, however, even this loose structure disintegrated. Now there is no cohesion among their kind. They serve neither good nor evil, but only their own selfish ends. They may or may not oppose the celestials. They neither love nor despise these distant cousins.
In their divine shape, the Grigori are nearly twice the size of normal angels. Their eyes are colorless, and they have no mouths. They can not speak, save through telepathy. This is true even when they assume human guise. Though they have mouths in this form, they possess no vocal chords. Instead, they move their mouths while telepathically communicating with the children of clay. The effect is not perfect, leaving the recipient with a slightly uneasy and eerie feeling. Most of the time, though, the Grigori refrain from speaking.
There are few Grigori still in existence. Many have been hunted down through the ages. Because of their immense power, though, some have managed to prosper and evade capture. Below is a partial listing of the Grigori. Storytellers should feel free to come up with their own. Remember, though, they should not be thrown in lightly. For if they so will it, they could dispatch most minor angels in the blink of an eye. Even a Cherub or Seraph would think twice before tangling with one of the Watchers.
These giants are wicked beasts, born from the coupling of Grigori with human women. In many cases, the women die during childbirth, shrieking in agony as their overgrown offspring tear their way into the world. Most Anakim are born weighing between 20-40 pounds. This does not mean to suggest that all babies born of this weight are Anakim. Some are merely extremes of human genetics.
The Anakim grow at an accelerated rate. They usually reach full maturity two or three years before the average human. When fully grown, most stand between 6'6" and 7'6" tall. Again, it should be stressed that not all humans of this size are Anakim.
Besides their immense size, there are a few other differences between Anakim and children of clay. Though they are mortal, most have a life span far longer than their counterparts. In III Metatron, the seraph reports of an Anakim who lived to be three hundred years old. In addition to their longevity, Anakim do not have souls. When they die, they are eternally destroyed. God has no place for them in Heaven. In fact, they are an aberration to Him. He has commanded His angels to destroy any Anakim they come across.
For their part, these giants are wicked creatures. Since there is no hope of afterlife, they indulge themselves in depravity. They thrive on pain and human suffering. Perhaps they are jealous of the souls of men and seek to exact a form of revenge.
In any case, they covet power and use it to intensify the world's misery. The Anakim tend to hold positions of great influence in the world. They are dictators, generals, corporate heads, robber barons, etc. They often have many henchmen under their control. If an angel is to tangle with an Anakim, he is usually contending with the giant's resources and influence as well. They are shrewd creatures, knowing they are no match for angels of the first and second triads.
They have no allegiance to God or Sammael. Like their fathers, the Grigori, they are selfish beings. They despise angels and demons equally, yet they stay clear of these celestials when possible. Only if no other choice is available will they contend with an immortal being.
There is no love between the Grigori and the Anakim. The Grigori will have no contact with their offspring, while the Anakim resent their fathers for giving them a life without possibility of redemption.
The Nephilim are born of Grigori after coupling with human men. The Grigori are forced to stay in the form of human women for two months (the gestation period for these creatures). These beasts are so linked to their mothers that any attempt to abort the fetus would result in the destruction of the Grigori. The birthing process is a long and painful one for the Watchers. Around the time of delivery, they seclude themselves in the deepest reaches of the wilderness. Their cries of agony shatter the night and make even the fiercest of God's creatures cower.
The monstrosities born are unrivaled in their hideousness. There is no set prototype for these beasts. Few resemble anything even remotely humanoid. These creatures are far more primal. Some have tentacles, others horns. They are dark creatures, possessed of an unchecked evil.
Almost immediately, the Grigori flee, not out of fear but disgust for what they have conceived. The Nephilim are left to the night, to slither into the deepest shadows, to grow old and grow strong. Many of these creatures hide forever in the wilderness, feeding on the wild things by night. Some, however, manage to make it to civilization where they take refuge in empty warehouses and dark basements, feeding on the flesh of the children of clay.
Though they are creation's wildcards, there are a few cohesive aspects to all Nephilim. The longer they live, (their natural life span seems unlimited unless checked) the more they grow. The elder ones, those who survived the flood, are rumored to be taller than mountains. These creatures are said to bide their time at the bottom of the oceans, occasionally surfacing to swallow ships or ravage ports. Another assurance is that the older they get, the more powerful they become. The young ones are easily dispatched by even the lowest ranking angels. Those who have survived a century are usually strong enough to fend off Principalities. Those who have lived five hundred years or more can pose a threat to the Dominations. And the Seraphim themselves will not battle one of the Nephilim who has lived a millennium or more.
Because of their hideous appearance and, in some cases, their enormous size, the Nephilim have adapted powers of concealment and deception. Many, but not all, have the ability to contort and compress themselves, their huge mass filling a small area or spread throughout the inside of a wall. Some may even be capable of rendering themselves invisible to the naked eye. There are so many variations of their form and power that it's
difficult to make generalizations about their capabilities. The storyteller is encouraged to concoct any horror that suits his fancy and classify it as one of the Nephilim.
One fact is certain. There were many more of the Nephilim in years past. They gave rise to many of the mythological tales of monsters. but their war with the children of fire has taken its toll. Most were hunted down and destroyed by the middle of the 19th century. Only a few stragglers remain. Most are young and weak, but some of them (the old one) have power beyond imagining.
Not all children of fire serve God or Sammael. There are those who have deviated from the righteous path. These are referred to in the halls of Heaven as the Lost. In I Metatron, the great seraph laments about his missing brethren.
And I cry in the heavens for my lost brothers, the Almighty has banned them from these hollowed halls, save for the chambers of judgement. I will not see their sweet visage again, nor will I breathe in their honey odor.
How sad they must be in the knowledge that they are separated from their true home. What fear they must feel to be chased all the days of their existence. How much shame they must experience knowing God has shown them such disfavor. But alas, dear brethren, while we weep we should realize they brought it upon themselves. Their suffering is just and fair.
Somewhere along the way, these angels lost the grace of God. Through either one major act of depravity or a subtle succumbing to the corruption of man, these lost angel are now despised and pitied by their brethren.
Many have gone mad, seeing the world in a truly unrealistic and often self-consumed way. Many are megalomaniacs who see themselves as gods among the children of clay. Some are harmless, most are not. It is the job of the angels of purification to hunt them down and bring them to judgement before Uriel's council.
The lost come from all orders and choirs. Their powers range according to their celestial rank. All have at least one factor in common, though. Upon the loss of the last of their grace, they no longer have the ability to ascend to Heaven. They become trapped in the material world. When injured they must heal as normal humans do, and, unlike their brethren in good standing, when they have been physically exhausted, they do not automatically ascend to Heaven. They become comatose until their essence has a chance to heal the physical body. Some sleep like this for years, and some have been buried in this state, only to wake up years later in a coffin six feet under ground.
There is hope for some of the lost, though. Slight as it might be, there is a chance for redemption. This can come in one of two forms. First, if captured and brought before Uriel's council, the angel may be lucky enough to receive a minor penance that will return him to good standing. Second, the angel can redeem himself on his own (usually with the support of other children of fire) by performing some profoundly redeeming act to restore some of his grace.
Gabriel became one of the lost for awhile. During this time she did her penance among the children of clay. When she was finished, her grace with the Almighty was restored. She never speaks of what infraction caused this or the precise nature of her penance, and no one dares ask.
There are perils for those who spend too much time among the children of clay. Those who inhabit the bodies (the hidden form) of humans for too long may forget their celestial origins. It does, however, take some time for this to happen. Usually the process of forgetting takes two week or more of constantly being in the hidden form.
The forgotten are still celestials and still in good standing with God. They still maintain their immortal status, and if they suffer enough damage on Earth, they will automatically ascend to heaven where they will realize their true nature. Unfortunately, most of the forgotten do not go around trying to get themselves killed. There are, however, a few examples of forgotten angels committing suicide and finally recalling their true form and nature.
When a child of fire becomes one of the forgotten, he loses all his celestial forces. He is still stronger and more resilient than most children of clay, but all the powers he can call upon to perform "miraculous" feats can not be consciously inspired. Occasionally, (especially when in extreme danger) these forces can be invoked subconsciously.
The only way, outside of death, to bring a forgotten angel back into the fold is to convince him of his divine nature. This is no simple task. Even when confronted with the existence of other celestials and their powers, the forgotten angel may still not believe he is one of these beings.
In addition, the forgotten are very difficult to find. Since they always remain in human form and never use their celestial powers, they are virtually undetectable. They appear and act just like children of clay, with a few notable exceptions. Their human bodies will age very slowly (1 year for every 20 years in human form). In addition, they will have no memory of a family or childhood (since they never had them).
The angel Raziel brought his infamous book, Sefer Raziel, to the earth millennia ago. Within in its pages was the key to unlocking the power of all angels. Among those who possessed this book, King Solomon was the most noteworthy. From the information he gleamed, all sorcery was born. The descendants of Solomon have brought his art to an astonishing level by trapping and tapping the power of the children of fire. Through talismans and ritualistic magic, they have gained great knowledge and strength.
Two of the mightiest sorcerers were Jannes and Jambres. These two Egyptian wizards ascended to Heaven to test their skills (a feat in and of itself thought impossible by mortal men). So strong was their magic that neither Gabriel nor Michael was able to dispatch them. Only Metatron, the highest of all angels, was able to throw them from the halls of Heaven. But even this was no easy task.
Sorcerers possess a wide range of powers. Many have talismans that grant immunity to some forms of physical attack. In addition, some of the most powerful sorcerers have mastered rituals allowing them to call and bind both angels and demons. A thorough discussion of sorcery and sorcerers is beyond the scope of this introductory work. A later supplement will fully detail these aspects of the game. For now, storytellers are encouraged to use their creativity to utilize sorcerers wherever and however they see fit to enhance their story.
Keep in mind that not all sorcerers are intrinsically evil. Yes, many of them have wicked hearts, but there are those in the world who seek good for both children of fire and children of clay. For the most part, however, sorcerers tend to be an eccentric lot, seeking only to satiate their own warped desires.
Technology is man's version of creation. With it, the children of clay can catch a glimpse of what it is to be God. But because of its removal from the natural order of creation, these machines are beyond the understanding of the children of fire. As it stands, angels have great difficulty dealing with technology, but these machines are utterly beyond their comprehension.
These Artificial Intelligence machines can pose a great threat to the children of fire. In some cases they assume their own personalities, rebelling against their creators. Very few celestial powers have effect on them since they are neither mortal nor angelic.
They range in power, some being no more than nuisances with little control. Others, however, are extraordinarily powerful, controlling countries and great stashes of weaponry.
Storytellers should consider throwing the godless machines in from time to time when running stories or campaigns set in the future. They can provide a nice change of pace for players who have seen almost everything else.
Heaven, as the Seven Heavens is often referred to, plays a different role for the children of fire than it does for the children of clay. For humans, Heaven is seen as a sanctuary when the turmoil of life has finally ended. For them it is a place of rest, a reward for life well lived. For angels, however, it serves a more fundamental purpose. To them it is simply home. It is the place they feel most comfortable, most at ease. It is not a physical plane, but rather an ethereal one. It allows celestials to exist, move, and interact in a more natural state.
Heaven is of the angels, meaning its structures and boundaries are made of the same ethereal material as the angels themselves. Here they are in touch with their essence. Here they are in touch with their true nature. A child of fire who has been removed from Heaven for too long, will lose his sense of self, forgetting he was ever such a divine creature.
Movement between and within the Seven Heavens is much more comfortable for the children of fire than movement on Earth. Here they are able to travel in a more normal fashion, just as humans would travel upon Earth. They do not blink from location to location as they can in the material world, nor do they skirt the terrain at high velocity. Imagine Heaven to the children of fire, much as you would imagine Earth for us.
Hell as our modern minds have come to know it, is not a separate place from Heaven. Instead, the various aspects of hell manifest in the Seven Heavens themselves. While it might be hard to fathom initially, the fallen angels are themselves inhabitance of Heaven. Additionally, the wicked mortals, whose lives were wasted by corruption and greed, are punished in regions of Heaven.
Think of Heaven not as a paradise, though some areas are indeed near perfection. Rather, imagine it as a realm of diverse regions, each with its own character and feel. Some places are light while others are dark. Some are fertile, while others are desolate. Some are warm, while others are bitter cold.
At the entrance to the First Heaven stands a mighty gate. To mere mortals it appears colossal, reaching five hundred feet into the air and with a width of one hundred and fifty feet. To children of fire who approach this portal in their normal form, it seems grand though not enormous. Atop the golden gate, a stone bust of Gabriel looks down. Her empty eyes track all those who approach. This seems only fitting since she is the prince of this realm.
There are rumors that a long forgotten path leads from the Earth to this gatea path on which even the children of clay may tread. If such a path exists, none of the third triad angels know anything about it, and those of the higher triads keep silent on the subject. Still, the rumors seem well founded, since once in a great while a straggler from Earth ends up at the gate.
This, the First Heaven, borders on our own world. For this reason, it resembles the Earth more closely than any of the other heavens. The blue sky and lush landscape are dotted with the same features we see in the material realm. Though the sky is filled with bright, vibrant clouds floating on gentle winds, there is no sun in the azure firmament. Instead, this heaven seems to be bathed in a supernatural light that emanates from everywhere. The landscape literally glows with its radiance.
There is but one river in this realm. The orange and red ripples of its surface resemble fire as it flows from east to west, emptying into the endless sea. The waters of this river are refreshing to the children of fire. Those who play in its depths are rejuvenated and healed.
Woe to the wandering angel who sets foot in this most wretched of places. A great valley exists here, surrounded by impenetrable walls of darkness. No light shines down from the empty sky above. Not even the smallest star dares make an appearance here.
In this heaven, the fallen reside. It is to this sightless realm that they were cast down and imprisoned. Their howls of torment, grief, and anger still pierce the darkness. They prey to their master, Sammael, to give them freedom and revenge.
In the center of the Second Heaven sits the palace of Sammael himself the spires of this fortress stretching high into the endless night. It is within these walls that Sammael schemes to lash out at the Almighty by leading the children of clay astray. He looks out over his unseeable kingdom and tries to deny that it is indeed part of Heaven. Instead he calls it Hell, and it is his home
Surrounding the palace of Sammael, are the lesser structures of his reigning chiefs. There are ten in all, the demon-lords of each preferring his own form of ghoulish decor.
A narrow path runs between the gates of the First Heaven and the gates of the Third. This is the only place within the Second Heaven where the stars shine. Here the sons of light can travel through this abominable place with out being harmed. The sides of this path are lined with watchful Powers, making sure no demons stray from their blackest home. Despite their diligence, however, more than a few sons of darkness are able to sneak through and make their way into the First Heaven and inevitably Earth. In addition, the Powers secure the gates to the Third Heaven to make certain no angels of the lowest triad enter, for they are forbidden in the higher heavens.
If the Second Heaven is the realm of demons, then the Third heaven is the realm of man. It is here that the children of clay come once their material existence has ended. Though all the souls of Earth reside hear, many children of fire also call this place their home.
The Third heaven is split into distinct sections. In the southern section (this use of direction reflects an abstract rather than literal connotation) is the great garden known as Eden. While in the north we find the much dreaded Tartarus.
The garden is a wondrous place with out earthly comparison. This utopia is meant as reward for those souls who have diligently striven to follow the goodness of the Almighty. Here they spend eternity relaxing in the shade of sweet smelling trees, enjoying all manner of fruit the garden has to offer. Two rivers
run through Eden. One flows with milk and honey, while the other flows with oil and wine. At the gates of Eden, two Cherubim with their whirling blades of fire stand guard, making sure only the righteous gain entrance.
Tartarus is a far cry from this serene scene. Its topography is devoid of beauty or life. Giant volcanoes jut into the sky, spewing forth great tongues of lava, and hurling clouds of odorous fumes into the air. A river of fire travels down from this mountain, passing through a barren wasteland of snow and ice.
It is here that the sinners are punished. The angels of torment mead out the appropriate penalty for the crimes. The air is thick with the cries of the tortured, repenting in vane for lives mislead. Few children of fire visit this region. Only the angels of torment seem to have the stomach for such suffering.
This heaven sits among the stars. Here everything seems suspended in the nothingness of the cosmos. The sun and the moon are prominent in the black sky, and some of the closest stars seem so much larger and brighter than they appear from Earth. The very air is swirled with a divine florescent glow.
In the center of this heaven sits an awe inspiring city. The twelve gold towers within it are the highest points in the heaven. Twelve walls surround the majestic city, and only twelve gates lead inside. From this place, four rivers flow: one of honey, one of milk, one of oil, and one of wine. They flow down into the Third Heaven where they are combined into only two rivers.
The city is home to most of the angels of the upper two triads. Here they are at ease among the whirling celestial gasses. Here they can feel safe, far from the corrupting influence of the material world.
Like the Third Heaven, the Fifth Heaven appears to be of two separate natures. The southern region is tranquil and serene, while once again the north plays host to dreadful things.
This northern region is dominating by a large chasm where columns of fire arch into the black sky. Within this chasm, in the very heart of the flames and lava, is the prison in which all transgressing celestials are kept. Here the corrupted children of fire are punished for their misdeeds. Those Grigori who have been captured are imprisoned hear as well.
At the edge of the chasm the ominous edifice of the Celestial Court rests. Here Uriel's council convenes to decide the penance and punishment of those angels who have faltered along the path of righteousness.
Descriptions of the Sixth Heaven are sketchy at best. It is said, though, that it is a realm of snow and fog, of lightning and hail. Here the primal forces of creation collide in a dramatic display of beauty and rage. It is so far removed from the material world that it defies material description.
Within this turmoil, is the angelic university. Here scribes and scholars seek to explore the glories of the Almighty's creation. Some celestials spend their time cataloging and studying the stars. Others keep track of all the plants and animals in the material realm. There are also those scribes who set down the great history and lineage of the children of clay. Here the nine
celestial tomes (copies of the originals) are scrutinized for any hint of revelation.
If little is known of the Sixth Heaven, then information about the Seventh Heaven is virtually non existent. Here sits the throne of the Almighty. Only the Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, and the seven of divine grace are permitted here, and they keep silent about this most holy of places.
Nothing is known about the landscape of this realm, though it is certainly a far cry from any earthly abode. Neither is anything known of the throne or visage of the Almighty himself.
The following pages contain descriptions of some of the primary celestial players. They are offered here to give the reader more knowledge of the angelic universe and hopefully spur on the creative process. The storyteller should feel free to introduce these characters into his/her story. Keep one thing in mind when doing so, though. These are among the most powerful celestials the game has to offer. Causing PC's to conflict with them will almost always result in failure.
Only descriptions are given here, not statistics. This is done for two reasons. Firstly, first triad choirs (of which many of these characters are members) possess forces and abilities not available to PC's. Inclusion of all this supplementary material was not possible for this introductory work. Secondly, the author wished this section to be available to both players and storytellers alike. Knowledge of these creatures is possessed by all angels and thus should be accessible to all. By not including statistical information on these creatures, the player is not privy to information the storyteller would like to keep secrets. Later supplements will detail this information for the use of storytellers.
For now, the storyteller is encouraged to come up with what ever seems appropriate when implementing these characters in their stories. Also, the storyteller should keep in mind that the creatures contained here by no means represent the extent of important characters. Many beings were not included in this catalog. Storytellers are encouraged to come up with their own key celestial players.
Michael ("Who is as God") is one of the most powerful and revered of God's angels. This emerald-winged Seraph is the most beloved by the Almighty. His loyalty is unwavering, his dedication endless. He is known among his kind as God's champion. Sitting at the right side of God's throne, Michael is eternally good and completely beyond corruption.
In the first battle for heaven, Michael was the leader of the sons of light who cast out the sons of darkness. In single combat, he overcame Sammael and threw the accursed one from the higher Heavens. In Chronicles, the great Seraph, Metatron, recounts the battle:
'Twas with great trembling that the sons of light did back away from the adversary, but Michael was steadfast and unyielding. With drawn sword, he charged the Father of Lies, Sammael.
With a clash of weapons, their battle raged for but an instant. All the children of fire witnessed the accursed one go down under the unrelenting blows of Michael. Upon the head of the fallen one, Michael set his foot to signal victory. Then, grabbing the angel who was once the brightest in all the celestial choirs, he threw this wretched thing from Heaven. And the sons of darkness followed quickly in toe.
But this is not the only example of Michael's combative expertise. In 700 BC, when Sannacherib threatened Jerusalem, it was this great angel who came down to save the day. He obliterated the forces of the Assyrian king, 185,000 strong, in one night.
Michael is also known as the angel of judgment. Though it is merely metaphorical, he is said to carry the scales of justice to weigh the hearts of men upon their death. To this end, all the psychopomps are under his command. Psychopomps are those angels whose duty it is to guide the souls of the dead to their proper destination in the afterlife.
Among the children of clay, as well as the children of fire, Michael is revered above all. He has, however, been noticeably absent in the workings of men during modern times. Those of the second and third triad suspect he is saving up strength for the final battle. Whatever the case, he has indeed become a recluse even in angelic society.
Prophecy tells us that in the last days of judgement, It will be Michael who must once again do battle with Sammael. And those who have seen Sammael in recent days have attested to the fact that he is much stronger than before.
Gabriel ("God is my strength") is the angel of resurrection, mercy, vengeance, and revelation. This Cherub is far different in nature and demeanor from Michael. Whereas, Michael is God's champion, Gabriel is His chief ambassador to the children of clay. Gabriel's grace is also the lowest of the seven angels of divine grace.
Because of Gabriel's propensity to appear in the guise of women when dealing with the children of clay, the pronoun, she, is most often used to denote her (with the exception of Islamic culture where Gabriel always appears as a man). Gabriel appears as a woman when it suits her purpose as a messenger of God, especially when it concerns childbirth. She brought the news of both Mary's holy child and the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias. In both cases, she took the hidden form of a woman.
But there is a darker side to her. She was the angel responsible for the destruction of Sodom and Gamora as ordered by the Almighty. This other side is evident in her quick temper and tendency to punish those who disbelieve her messages.
Among the heavenly host, her role is just as great. She is prince of the choir of Cherubim. Additionally, she is in command of the angels who guard the gates of Eden. Piled on top of these duties, she is prince of the First Heaven.
But Gabriel does not have as illustrious a standing in celestial society as one might think. For a time she fell into disgrace. The halls of Heaven were absent her presence for nearly two hundred years. Dobiel took on many of her duties during this absence. When Gabriel finished her penance, she was reinstated as one of God's seven most beloved ones. Little is known of her specific infraction. Some say she failed to fulfill God's precise instructions, but the event is not written of in any of the Celestial Tomes. None of the children of fire dare to ask about it, for Gabriel is known to be a vindictive angel. She still bares a grudge against Dobiel for taking her place, but will not act against him in honor of God's wishes. It is for these reasons that Gabriel is more feared than revered by her kind.
Raphael ("God has healed") is at once the most likeable and mysterious of the seven angels of divine grace. Among his duties, he is the angel of love, prayer, light, and joy. In addition, he is ruler of the Sun and prince of the choir of Virtues.
Raphael's primary role, however, is healer. This manifests in two ways. First, he is charged with healing the Earth so that it can sustain human life--a task that has become far more difficult since the coming of the industrial age. Secondly, he is the source of all healing for the children of fire. Along with his subordinates, he keeps the mighty river in the First Heaven flowing with revitalizing water.
Raphael is a mystifying creature even to those of his own kind. Although he is prince of the Virtues, he does not appear to be one of them. The choirs of Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominations, and Powers all claim him as one of their own. His six wings may suggest that he is of Seraphim origin, but no angel (save for Michael and Metatron who remain silent on the issue) knows for sure. There is speculation that he is outside the three triads, a separate choir in and of himself.
Among his greatest accomplishments in the material realm are his instructions to Tobias on the manufacturing of medicine (derived from the parts of a fish) and the healing of Jacob when he wrestled with an angel at Peniel. He is also the angel who brought forth Sefer Raziel (one of the nine celestial tomes) from the ocean. This book was presented to Noah to teach him the art of medicine. It is to his chagrin that the book is now used for more diabolic endeavors.
Raphael is well liked by both the children of fire and the children of clay. His playful and joyous attitude is refreshing for one of his celestial status. He is not nearly as aloof as most of the seven of divine grace are. Rather, he visits frequently with the lower choirs and is genuinely interested in the goings on of the Celestial Hierarchy at every level.
If Michael is God's champion than surely Uriel ("fire of God") is His enforcer. This Cherub is the most feared of the seven of divine grace. In fact, were it not fore his high grace, Uriel would have certainly made and excellent demon. His over zealous and wrathful nature is legend around the halls of Heaven.
Uriel is the angel of repentance as well as the angel who watches over thunder and terror. His most impressive and daunting task is as presider of Tartarus. He holds the keys to this fiery prison, and it is his underlings who administer punishment to the wicked.
It is not only the punishment of the children of clay that Uriel is in charge of. His duties extend to the judgment and punishment of the children of fire as well. Righteous angels who have strayed from their path must reckon with his dreadful council if they are caught. Both demons and Grigori are also brought before him for punishment.
He is the soul author of the book of Retribution (one of the nine Celestial Tomes). In this book he lays out the laws the children of fire must adhere to. Additionally, he spells out the punishments for these indiscretions. In the last paragraph of this work, he states very succinctly his views on transgressions.
Those coming before me, having broken the edict of the Lord, expecting mercy shall find none. You are wretched things, and I have no time for your pleading. Prepare yourself for the eternal punishment to come. For mercy, I know not your name.
Two important events highlight Uriel's dealings with the children of clay. He was the angel sent to Noah to warn the arc-builder of the coming flood. He was also the dark angel who came down from Heaven to wrestle with Jacob at Peniel.
It is said that Uriel has the sharpest eyes in heaven. Indeed this is the case. No deception or illusion passes his notice, and he is quick to punish those who seek to deceive him. His honor and devotion to God are both impressive and blindly cruel.
Raguel ("friend of God") is an anomaly among the seven angels of divine grace. He belongs to the choir of Principalities, outranking only Angels and Archangels. Still, he found a way to make himself dear to the Almighty.
Centuries ago he was in charge of overseeing the righteous behavior of the children of fire and dealing out punishment. At least half this job was usurped by the mighty angel Uriel. It was Uriel's belief that Raguel was incapable of carrying out these tasks since many of the angels to be admonished were of greater power and rank. Raguel, who is a forgiving being, holds no grudge against Uriel for this action.
Raguel still helps to oversee the conduct of celestials. He helps those who struggle with their existence and who've faltered along the path of the Almighty. In this respect, his underlings and himself are more councilors than punishers.
Raguel seldom travels to Earth. His exploits among the children of clay are less numerous than the other angels of divine grace. In fact his only great deed among humans was to transport the prophet Enoch to the heavens for his visit.
In the Heavens, however, Raguel is well known and well respected. He is sought out often for his help and advice. Angels struggling with their flawed nature would rather deal with him (where they might actually receive some help) than to tangle with Uriel's angels of purification.
Despite his meager appearance and mannerisms, do not take him lightly. He still caries the favor of God and so can accomplish much more than would seem possible. To cross him is to cross the Almighty Himself.
Remiel ("mercy of God") is of the choir of Thrones. He is the angel of true vision. In this capacity he brings prophetic dreams from God to the children of clay. Additionally, he has been designated as the angel who will lead the souls before the Almighty on judgment day.
But Remiel's most important role is as leader of the ministering angels. In this capacity he illuminates members of the second triad regarding what missions need to be accomplished on Earth. In situation of great wait, Remiel himself descends to Earth to deliver the holy message.
Among the heavenly host, Remiel is well respected and well liked. Unlike Raphael, though, he is not a cheerful and jolly child of fire. Rather, he is known to be serious and stern, though his fairness is legend.
It is also through Remiel that the Almighty pronounces his revelations concerning the children of fire. These revelations have been repeated to Metatron who set them down in the book of Resolutions.
Zadkiel ("righteousness of God") is an angel of the choir of Dominations. As such, he is the prince of this choir and the second lowest in rank of the seven angels of divine grace. Zadkiel's prominence is all but ignored by the other children of fire. He is referred to (though not in his presence) as the forgotten one.
But Zadkiel is far from being worthless. His duties and obligations are numerous indeed. Among these duties, Zadkiel serves as the angel of benevolence, mercy, and memory. He does, however, seem to work more through other angels than the others of divine grace do. Rarely is he seen outside the Seven Heavens.
Only one notable exception to this has occurred. It was Zadkiel who stayed the hand of Abraham when the patriarch sought to sacrifice his son, Isaac, to the Almighty. Save for this incident, though, his presence on Earth is a rarity. His underlings, however, have a very strong presence among the children of clay.
Along with his other duties, Zadkiel, with the help of Zophiel, has been known to assist Michael when he goes into battle. Such epic confrontations have become rare in modern days, and so this duty has become less demanding for him.
Metatron is the mightiest of all angels. He has many titles. Among others, he is referred to as both the king of angels and even the lesser YHWH. He is one of the four Seraphim and as such is the prince of his choir. Though children of clay (who know little of him) may quarrel, he is higher in rank than Michael or Gabriel
One of the most distinguishing characteristics of this angel is his height. In deed, he stands ahead and shoulders above all others. Even the Grigori, noted for their monstrous stature, stand a full head smaller.
Metatron has many duties in Heaven, as would be expected for one of his rank. One of his most important duties is as celestial scribe. Seven of the nine Celestial Tomes were authored by him. These works are kept close to his side in the Seventh Heaven
Primary among his other duties is as guardian of all Heaven. It would seem that the great champion Michael should assume such a position, and, in fact, Michael was the one who bested Sammael when the dark one tried to wrestle control of Heaven. While Michael may be the brawniest (best in a physical confrontation) it is Metatron's wit that make him such an adept guardian. When the two Egyptian sorcerers barged their way into Heaven, it was Metatron alone who ousted them. Both Gabriel and Michael tried to best the two wizards and failed miserably. Though Metatron has never told what trick he used, the two interlopers were quickly dispatched.
Though he is supreme in Heaven, Metatron plays only a secondary roll with the children of clay. In fact, though he is the architect of the promises that enlisted his fellow angels in helping them, most mortals have neglected him. This is due in large part to the incredible rarity with which he traveled to Earth. In fact, the last known visit of Metatron was when he led the children of Israel through the wilderness.
Sammael ("poison angel") is ruler of the Second Heaven, which he calls Hell. His great palace rests in the center of this realm of darkness. From here he commands legions of demons to go onto into the world and contest the will of the Almighty.
Once the mightiest and brightest of all angels, Sammael has fallen so far. Now his rage at the children of clay consumes his core. This hideous hatred drives him to separate mankind from their Creator. There is no other goal for him.
Most of this work is accomplished by the dukes of hell and their underlings, but on occasion Sammael himself travels to the material realm. One such occurrence happened at the time of Moses' death. Sammael himself went to contend for the body of the great patriarch. Upon taking possession of the body, how
ever, he was confronted by Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. For the second time, Michael bested the accursed one in physical combat. Sammael tells the story differently, though. In his version, he withdrew of his own volition, realizing such a confrontation did not serve his aims.
Though the true atrociousness of his form is beyond words, Sammael often depicts himself as a handsome and charismatic figure. When presenting himself to the children of clay he disguises himself as the most upstanding and honorable of gentleman. The King of Hell has long since realized that the subtle approach far outweighs the direct one. He corrupts mankind with sweet words and plausible arguments.
Sammael has taken four wives for himself. Agrat-Bat-Mablabt and Eisbetb Zenunim are angels of prostitution. Lilith was once the wife of Adam until she was rejected by him. It is said that she is Sammael's favorite bride. Finally, Naamab is Sammael's most sensual wife. She is the greatest seductress Heaven or Earth has ever seen. She lusts after both demons and the sons of Adam. Sammael encourages her in this lecherous behavior.
Oh great Shemihasah, how you've disappointed our Father. Your betrayal was far worse than that of the accursed one. The Almighty trusted you with the souls of his Children, and instead of protecting them you and your kind buckled to the petty urges of the flesh
-The Book of Promises
Shemihasah was the leader of the two hundred Grigori sent to Earth to teach and protect the children of clay. The chiefs of ten would take no action with out his say so. He was the watcher who taught men to grow and harvest crops. This innovation caused humans to prosper and thrive.
Like the rest of his breed, Shemihasah became covetous of the flesh of the children of clay. He had two children with human woman, Hiwa and Hiya. These two giants were ravenous creatures. It was said that every day they consumed 1,000 horses, 1,000 camels, and 1,000 oxen. When there was not enough to satiate their appetite, they feasted on humans. Shemihasah was appalled by his progeny and would have nothing to do with them. Despite his disgust, the Grigori leader went on ravaging the flesh of human men and woman.
When God passed judgment on these wretched creatures, ordering them all to be brought to Heaven for punishment, it was Michael and Uriel who were able to (with great difficulty) subdue this mighty creature. They brought him before the Almighty who judged that he would spend the rest of eternity tormented for his transgressions. He was hung upside-down over the great flame. Daily the angels of punishment flayed his skin with dull knifes.
Sometime after the flood, (when Hiwa and Hiya were killed), Shemihasah was able to escape. No one is quite sure how he managed this feat. He fled to Earth and has not been heard from since. Assuredly he is scheming against those who punished him and is almost certainly still indulging in his evil transgressions.
Astaroth is one of the ten dukes of Hell. He is considered by those who've met him to be the most civil of the fallen angels. His palace in the Second Heaven does not show so many of the depraved trappings of most of other dukes. His quarters are emasculate and rather devoid of horrors. It is in the great hall of this place that he talks philosophy with his demon kin.
Astaroth is the architect of many of Sammael's most effective ploys to corrupt the children of clay. It is said that he was the one who came up with the story to portray his master, Sammael, as a dutiful servant punished unfairly by an inconsistent God.
He is not a great warrior or fierce in nature as are some of his brethren. He prefers to win his battles with words and gentle persuasion. He is the official scribe of Hell, though there seems to be little prestige in such a position. None the less, he dutifully writes down his thoughts and those of his master.
Astaroth has on many occasions traveled to Earth. While in the material realm the hidden shape he takes is almost always the same. He transforms himself into a man of small stature. With white suit, handlebar mustache, and wiry spectacles, he is the very picture of an unassuming soul. For the children of clay, however, his words are more devastating than the most gruesome of weapons.
3.0 RULES |
"And so we were created, each of us separate and unique, each with a boundless capacity for good and a limitless potential for depravity."
- The Book of Promises
The character creation process is arguably the most important aspect of a role-playing game. Without meaningful and well-envisioned characters, the game is nothing but the shell of a story. But if our main characters (the players) are brimming with color and depth, we begin to connect to the setting. These characters breathe life into our story. Flat, cardboard cutout characters only serve to dull the emotional thrust of our tale,
So, dear reader, the author encourages you to spend time on the creation process. Give your character complexity and sophistication. Look beyond mere numbers to the core of the character. You will be well rewarded for your hard work.
This step is the most crucial in creating both the character you want and one that will be enjoyable to play. Without it, the rest of this process will be nothing more than a boring exercise in number crunching.
Focus on one thing you would like from your character. This can be an archetypal concept (a rebel, a warrior angel, etc) or perhaps this one idea centers around an exceptional or deficient quality of the character (the angel is exceptionally strong, the angel is naïve, etc). This process can also be started by concentrating on a particular personality trait in your character (kind, vengeful, direct, etc). Lastly, you can start character creation by imagining the character's appearance, either in earthly or angelic form. Are there any distinguishing physical features you can latch onto? Are there any distinctive mannerisms he possesses?
Once you've found a central theme to work from, the rest of the character creation process will have more meaning. Keep this central idea clearly in mind as you progress through the remaining steps.
An angelic order, in its simplest terms, is much like an occupation for a child of clay. The concept is actually much broader than a normal mundane career. It determines the nature of a character as well as what missions the celestial is apt to be sent on. An angel of vengeance would not be sent to tell a young woman she was about to give birth to a holy child. Likewise, it would be unlikely for a ministering angel to be sent on a mission to protect an important relic.
There are many orders among the children of fire. Unfortunately, most of them have a rather limited scope in terms of the game. For instance, there are many orders whose members rarely if ever travel outside the Seven Heavens. It would be pointless for players to make angels of these orders. For this reason, players must choose one of the six angelic orders listed below. These are the broadest of the orders and allow for the most diverse role-playing.
Primary Forces: Vigilance, Protection, Perception
Secondary Forces: Benevolence, War
These are angels whose mission is to protect people, places, and items. Their job is to protect these things from harm and evil influence. While this may seem like a simple enough task, angels of this order are given many charges at once. Difficulty arises from the fact that the angel can only be in one place at a time. For this reason, almost all members of this order have the force link, which allows travel directly to a specific thing.
Primary Forces: Revelation, Benevolence, Miracles
Secondary Forces: Protection, Understanding,
It is the charge of these angels to bring both warnings and blessings to the children of clay. They travel the Earth, trying to bolster people's faith through subtle acts. Their missions are often vague and rife with ambiguity. Though they are often the weakest at the combative arts, they are usually the angels of highest Grace.
Primary Forces: Fire, War, Protection
Secondary Forces: Miracles, Weather
This order constitutes the Almighty's divine warriors. They are the guards of all things celestial. For instance, it is Cherubim of this order who guard the Garden of Eden in the Third Heaven. Additionally, they are the ones who are sent to Earth to actively battle against the fallen and other evil emanations. In some cases, they are sent down to the armies of men to help them be victorious against malevolent forces.
Primary Forces: Vengeance, Fire, Weather
Secondary Forces: War, Perception
These are the angels sent down to unleash the wrath of God. Though they do occasionally do battle with celestial creatures, their primary goal is to punish the children of clay. They bring with them famine, disease, fire, and brimstone. This is a harsh job indeed, often going against what seems just and fair. Of all the orders, this one has the most difficulty maintaining and increasing Grace.
Primary Forces: Purification, Understanding, Fire
Secondary Forces: Weather, Vigilance
Uriel's angels of purification are among the most feared of all orders in the halls of Heaven. Their mission deals not with the children of clay or with evil forces, but involves monitoring and punishing their own kind. With the book of Retribution in hand, they seek out any angels who transgress against the will of God. Often they roam the world in search of the Lost, so that they can bring them before Uriel's council. In some cases, they are sent to watch over a specific child of fire whose behavior is deemed questionable.
Primary Force: Mortality, Understanding, Benevolence
Secondary Forces: Perception, Miracles
The Seraph Michael is the leader of this group of angels whose job it is to release the souls of the recently departed children of clay and send them on the their way to the afterlife. In addition,
it is the job of this order to seek out any souls who have failed to ascend to either Eden or Tartarus and instead wander aimlessly about the Earth. They are often sent to battlefields by the thousands to facilitate the passing on of the children of clay.
All celestials can be described in terms of aspects. These aspects attempt to define the core of the child of fire. They give us generalities about what the character is capable or not capable of. They allow us to make comparisons between them and other characters in the story. In all there are five aspects that define a child of fire: Knowledge, Understanding, Power, Vigor, and Glory. Characters start with a five in each of these. The players then have 20 points to divide up as they see fit among their character's aspects. Keep in mind, however, that starting scores can not exceed 13.
Knowledge governs recall and recognition. To remember a face, know the layout of a specific place, or recall the name of a fallen angel might require a knowledge roll. Knowledge is used for many perceptive and awareness forces.
Understanding governs the character's ability to comprehend the complex patterns that make up both the celestial and material worlds. It is used to fathom the uses of mysterious items and to interact with technology. It is used for countering deception, and gives a general indication of how long a child of fire can be away from his celestial home before forgetting his divine nature.
This aspect reflects the character's outward ability to exert himself on his environment. It can be thought of as all physical attributes (strength, dexterity, quickness, athleticism, etc) put together. And yet it is so much more than this. It is involved, to some degree, in any act seeking to exert the will of the child of fire on the universe and its laws.
Vigor is the opposite companion to power. As power represents the reservoir of outward energy, Vigor represents the reservoir of inner energy. It is the character's resistance to the environment rather than his ability to influence it. In addition, it dictates how much damage a celestial can endure before being returned to the Heavens. Forces that seek to damage the celestial spiritually or mentally are often resisted with ones Vigor. Think of it as the character's ability to remain unchanged.
This aspect is akin to presence. It represents the impressiveness and righteousness a child of fire can convey. It can be used to intimidate mortals and celestials alike. Glory is the base for many celestial forces, including Vengeance, Miracles, and other powers of coercion.
Whereas aspects define how a character is able to perform actions and ascertain knowledge, virtues are a measure of the character's moral make-up. It must be stressed that they are not personality traits. Rather, they are a gage of how strong certain moral paradigms are within the character.
Though they are of immense power and undeterminable age, celestials are much more like children than adults. They are easily distracted, corrupted, and enraptured. The virtues govern their ability to overcome temptation and assess the validity of their decisions.
There are four virtues: justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude. Though each is distinctly different from the others, they often come into conflict in the same situation. It is these conflicts that make up much of the backbone to this game. A character with a great deal of justice may wish to take a certain action for which his high level prudence would prevent him from doing so. These moments of contradiction should be cultivated by the storyteller and cherished by the players, for they exemplify the heart of role-playing
A number of Forces are resisted with these virtues. As a result they must be quantified for proper game play. Whenever possible, though, issues dealing with virtues should be resolved through role-playing and not dice rolling.
Characters begin with a 5 in all four virtues. They are then given 16 points to add to the virtues as they see fit. As with aspects, characters in the choir of Angels (most beginning characters) can not have virtue scores exceeding 13.
A description of each of the four virtues follows. Keep in mind, like so many aspects of life, there are both benefits and drawbacks to having high scores in these virtues.
This virtue dictates the character's ability to understand the difference between right and wrong. The innocent should not be harmed, the guilty should be punished for their deeds, and the strong should protect the weak. Justice, however, does not inherently involved delineating between good and evil. For sometimes evil can be righteous and good unfair.
Let us look at an example to illustrate this point.
The angel Kadal watches from a distance as a small girl crosses the street unaware that she is about to be struck dead by and oncoming truck. Kadal knows that if the child lives, she will one day give birth to an evil leader who will slaughter millions, but the child herself has done no wrong. She is not evil or cruel, merely innocent and blameless. Kadal is uncertain of what to do. Should he save the innocent child or let her die so she can never give birth to her wretched progeny. To save her would be just, but victory for evil. To let her die would be unjust even though good would win the day.
Justice is a notoriously low score for the angels of vengeance as it often conflicts with their divine duty. It is the struggle between duty and justice that often results in a loss of Grace for these celestials.
Prudence is the ability to know that rashness is folly. Angels are known for their spur of the moment and often whimsical decision making. This virtue curtails such an instinctive nature. In this respect, it is often helpful when battling passion and resisting temptation. At the same time, too much prudence can be seen as indecision. Some situations demand a quick and untethered mind.
Because the children of fire are much like adolescents, their whims and fancies sometimes go too far. They resort to extremes to accomplish their ends, often going too far for the likes of the Almighty. Temperance is the virtue that controls such behavior. It keeps their actions more restrained, their thought more rational. Too much temperance, however, also has a price. Sometimes it causes a child of fire to be unwilling to go to the length necessary to bring about a swift and clear solution.
Fortitude represents the shear force of will a child of fire possesses. This is the angel's ability to withstand pain, both physically and emotionally, and not to be daunted by obstacles en route to their goal. While it plays a vital role in resisting many temptations and demonic ploys, too much fortitude can be the sign of stubbornness and an unyielding nature.
The next step in character creation is the choosing of forces. Here the player is given 7 points to spend on attaining celestial powers.
At the beginning of each order is a list of primary and secondary forces. These are the spheres the player can choose from. Primary forces cost 1pt, while secondary forces cost 2pt. Within each group of forces, the celestial powers must be bought in order. Hence, a character must have a level one and level two force in a given sphere in order to attain the third level force. In some cases there will be more than one force at a given level. If this is the case, the player is only required to purchase one of these forces in order to attain a force of the next higher level. Lastly, assuming players are making characters of the choir of Angels, only third triad forces can be gained.
Angels' emotions are frivolous things held in check by tenuous threads of moral obligation. These ancient adolescents often find themselves distracted from their divine duties.
Temptations are the representation of this personality quirk. All beginning characters start the game with three temptations. These are things the child of fire finds particularly hard to resist. These are not inherently depraved desires, but are often simply sources of distraction. For instance, an angel might have a temptation for children. They fascinate him so much that he is willing to forsake his mission for an opportunity to observe or interact with them.
Whenever a child of fire comes across one of these temptations, there is a chance he might succumb to it. This situation is usually resolved through role-playing, but the storyteller can ask for a roll. The roll is always based on whichever virtue is most appropriate for the situation. More about dealing with temptations will be discussed in the Rules section.
Players should take heed, though. Temptations should be chosen carefully. Choosing a set of temptations that is too broad may make accomplishing their divine tasks extraordinarily difficult. Likewise, picking insignificant temptations will rob the player of some wonderful chance to role-play. In the end, it is up to the storyteller to decide what temptations are acceptable for his/her game.
Providence represents an aspect of the universe a child of fire is particularly adept at dealing with. It can be a thing, an idea, or even an emotion. All rolls involving this "area of expertise" are at +1, regardless of what aspect or virtues is being used.
For beginning characters, this providence must be very specific. The lesser angels are relegated to the rolls of minor providences. Examples might include: bald men, a particular hour of the day, or admiration of one's parents. At the beginning levels, these have a very small scope in the game. As the characters ascend through the Celestial Hierarchy, their providence will expand. With each new choir they attain, its scope will broaden slightly.
To illustrate this point, let's look at an example. At creation, a child of fire in the choir of Angels might choose for his providence the hour 2pm. From 2-3 he would gain the bonus listed
above. As he progressed through choirs this power mighty increase to a series of hour (say 2pm-4pm). Eventually this might increase to include an entire month or a specific day of the week (Tuesday for example).
Players may only choose a providence with a non-negative connotation. Things like deception, evil men, and torture are called dominions and fall in the realm of demons not angels.
It is rumored that angels of the first triad (Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones) are able to bestow additional providences to lesser children of fire.
All children of fire, both fallen and divine, have certain affectations. They carry these into the material world. When angels take human guise (the Hidden Form), this signature manifests itself. Each character has commonality that runs through all human forms he takes. For instance, an angel may only manifest in the form of children or perhaps the human form they take must always wear some piece of green clothing. It could be the angel only takes the forms of people with certain afflictions. It might even be that a certain symbol is always on the manifestation. There are endless possibilities, and all ideas should be discussed with the storyteller. Whatever the player chooses, it should be distinctive and add to the overall concept of the character.
Grace is a very important facto in Children of Fire. It represents how much favor the character has with the Almighty. Put simply, it is how much the angel is liked by God. Thus Grace dictates the chance a character has of invoking direct intervention by the Almighty. Additionally it can be used to indirectly effect rolls. The effects of Grace and its uses will be further detailed in the Mechanics section.
A character's beginning grace is determined by his order. The chart below details the orders and the corresponding starting Grace.
Order Starting Grace
Angels of Vengeance 5
Angels of the Sword 7
Pyschopomps 7
Angels of Purification 8
Ministering Angels 10
Guardian Angels 8
At this point you've finish the statistical portion of character generation. What you have, though, is not a fully fleshed-out character. Without adding some useful details and motivations, all you really have is a sheet full of useless numbers. In order to breathe life into your new character and make him fun to play, the author recommends the following.
There are very few rules to Children of Fire. The author strongly believes role-playing should be more about the story and less about the rules. It can ruin a scene to halt play in order to look up obscure rules or make countless die rolls. For this reason simplicity is stressed over complexity or even realism.
Much of the system for Children of Fire runs in the background and is meant to establish both atmosphere and continuity. These are guidelines that are applied before the gaming session begins or after it has ended. For instance, there are quite a number of rules regarding character generation. These are meant to give a framework to the game and to help players understand the natural emphasis and themes contained therein.
Still, there is a need to apply some rules during the course of the gaming session. Without them, decay, loss of control, and a sense of imbalance often occur, but these rules should be minimalistic. This section seeks to explain what rules apply for helping the storyteller structure and control the flow of the game.
Keep in mind, these are not hard and fast dictates. Rather, these are meant merely as guidelines, and should be ignored when the story demands it. Don't let rolling get in the way of (or substitute for) good stories. Some groups and storytellers will function better with a greater adherence to the rules, while others will thrive with a more free flowing style. Each role-playing group is unique and demands a different approach to the rules. In the end, it is the Storyteller's purgative as to how the rules should be applied.
Here it is, the governing rule to the entire game
Situations whose outcome is in doubt or may be contended are resolved by rolling 2d10. This number is combined with a number from either the player's or supporting cast member's character sheet. In most cases a total of 20 or greater is considered a success.
If the Storyteller wishes to apply a greater difficulty to the action, then the target to be achieved (roll + stat) can be raised. The storyteller can set any target number he/she would like, but the chart below gives a rough guideline
Difficulty - Target
Normal 20
Hard 25
Very Hard 30
Nearly Impossible 35
An attempt has been made to keep these terms simple and not cloud the chart with uselessly poetic adjectives.
That's all there is to it. This one rule governs 90% of all game play.
As for contested actions (i.e. two characters having a tug-o-war) both players would roll and the one who achieved the highest combined target would win. It's that simple.
There is, however, one little catch storytellers can choose to either apply or ignore. A roll of 2 (snake eyes) is considered a failure, even if the total of both roll and stat matched or exceeded the target number. In contested rolls, this also results in a -5 to the final total for that player. Likewise, a roll of twenty (double zeros) is considered a success even if it did not achieve the target number. With contested rolls, a +5 is added to the player's total.
Too much die rolling can slow down a game or break the continuity of a scene, while too little can leave the players feeling they have no control over the events in the story. Finding a happy medium is t