Michael

### Aliases

Godbreaker, Lord Seraph, Firstborn of Ynoch, Lord Regent of Eden, the Bronze Fury, Vanquisher of the Arakur, First Sword of Eden,

## Physical description

### Height

10'4 *(preferred form)*6'4 *(mortal guise)*

## Statistics

### Pantheon

Edenian

*"Every defeat is a lesson, and every foe a teacher."*

*-Michael Godbreaker, Lord Seraphim of the First Angelic Legion*

Michael is the first son created by Ynoch, shortly after he had formed the realm of Eden. The first of the Ynochim, the angels, Michael assisted his father in raising his younger Seraphim siblings. He was given command of the First Angelic Legion, the Godbreakers, who derive their name from Michael's own title of "Michael Godbreaker". When Michael's closest brother Lucifer discovered Ynoch's true origin, and lead over half of their brothers in rebellion against their father, Michael remained loyal to Ynoch, and lead his loyal brothers in a brutal civil war against their traitorous siblings. He has also remained as the de facto ruler of Eden since Ynoch entered his slumber during the early Iron Age (though he leaves much of the actual administration to his brothers), and as such, is one of the most prominent figures in the godly community. Many gods still remember his lethal prowess as a warrior and general, and the calculated deadliness with which he and his legion crushed all opposition. As such, the name Michael Godbreaker invokes feelings of fear wherever it is spoken among the godly pantheons.

## Biography

### Early Life

Michael was born about a quarter of the way through the Silver Age, crafted by Ynoch shortly after he had reinvented himself from Ra. Michael came into being in the realm of Eden, which Ynoch had shaped into a verdant paradise. Ynoch and Michael lived quite simply during the latter's early years, in a plain cabin high in the mountains, hunting, fishing, and doing chores. Having no children his own age for company, Michael grew extremely attached to his father, who doted upon him, playing all manner of games with the boy. Michael's favorite was his father acting as "the tickle monster" and chasing him while he ran and hid, with the result of being caught resulting in a bout of tickling. As he grew, however, Michael developed into a somewhat reserved and very dutiful boy, who knew admiration and obedience to his father, and little else.

### Great Pilgrimage

*"The gods were content to squabble amongst each other and preen their own vanity as their mortal children, born out of their own unconstrained lust and abandoned like fallen leaves, fought and died for the merest moment of notice from their progenitors, the smallest word of praise. How could beings such as that, indolent, arrogant, and corrupt, have any right to rule?"*

*-Michael, regarding the False Gods*

When Michael was ten, he and his father began making trips to the other realms, disguised as simple travelers. Though the pantheons in the Silver Age were not as violent as they were when his brothers made their own Great Pilgrimages in the Bronze Age, centuries later, Michael was still distraught at how many of them behaved. They warred amongst themselves, within their own families, and constantly toyed with their mortal worshippers.

At the age of seventeen, Michael left his father's side for the first time, after Ynoch prompted him to make his own way for a while, and to step out from his shadow. Initially hesitant at leaving the person he was most attached to, Michael did strike out on his own, and spent much of the Silver Age adventuring among mortals, befriending many halfborn heroes. Most of them died horrible deaths, which Michael blamed on the negligence and pettiness of their godly parents. Continually, his heart hardened against them, even as he honed his combat prowess and tactical skill by constraining himself continually with a weak Avatar, shunning the use of his magical powers for the purposes of remaining inconspicuous. He made occasional visits to his father in Eden over the years, regaling him with tales of his adventures, and seeking his council about the injustices he witnessed.

Michael at last returned to Eden and his father's side for good near the end of the Silver Age. By then, he had developed an intense desire to see the gods unseated, and he pleaded passionately for his father to help him in casting them down. Ynoch, moved by his son's plea, accepted, and shortly thereafter, with Michael's help, reclaimed his memories as Ra. Michael was shocked by the revelation that his father was once the feared Primordial tyrant, but Ynoch explained what had become of him in his new life. How raising Michael had changed him. Ynoch laid bare his memories to his son, and Michael experienced firsthand the change that he had undergone, and the love that his father felt for him. He explained why he had wanted Michael to set off on his own: to witness the injustices and corruptions perpetrated throughout Creation. And Ynoch showed Michael a vision of the Dream that Michael had inspired. A world of order, peace, and enlightenment, where the false gods were cast down, and Ynoch and Michael would guide Creation into a new Age of Wonders that would last for eternity. Eagerly, Michael pledged that he would do whatever he could to help his father's Dream be realized.

But they would not be able to do it alone.

### Dutiful Son, Dutiful Brother

*"I had travelled across the realms, clashed with the mightiest warriors to be found, slain monsters beyond count, and witnessed wonders and terrors beyond imagining, but never had anything stirred my heart so much as the first time I held my brother in my arms."*

*-Michael, regarding the birth of Lucifer, his first brother*

The first of Michael's brothers was crafted in the early Bronze Age, after he and his father had built a palace abode in Eden's mountains. His name was Lucifer, and to Michael, his birth was a wonder. As soon as he learned to talk, however, he began to cause trouble. Lucifer was bold and inquisitive as a child, rambunctious and full of mischief, always sneaking off and getting into trouble. Michael, being a responsible big brother, took charge of hunting him down and scolding him, and was forced to do the same for many of the siblings that followed. Michael was always a powerful source of authority for his numerous little brothers, stern and dutiful, but always willing to give praise when it was deserved, and assistance when it was needed. Ynoch was often preoccupied with making plans for the Dream, which took up much of his time, leaving Michael to oversee the duties of raising his brothers for most of the day.

As Michael's brothers matured, many of them helped shoulder some of Michael and Ynoch's burdens, entering the same circle of trust with their father that previously only Michael had occupied. Foremost among these were the oldest of Michael's younger brothers, Lucifer and Raphael, who both came to be trusted confidants of his.

As his brothers grew, one of Michael's key functions was serving to instruct them in the arts of war that he himself had learned. When each of his brothers came of age, Michael would induct them into combat and strategic training, drilling them in the practice yard and in various war games. Eventually, Lucifer, Uriel, and Abaddon came to assist him as secondary trainers for their younger siblings, while some of the others provided lesser assistance in training the others, for instance, Raphael serving as an example of a physically strong opponent, or Gabriel as an extremely fast one.

#### Early Training

A few of Michael's brothers flouted the tradition of beginning combat training at ten. Uriel, a rowdy, hot tempered boy, had engaged in a brutal slaughter of a tribe of mortals, after they had killed and eaten his pet fish, Bubbles. As punishment, Lucifer convinced Michael and Ynoch that he should begin his combat training early, at age seven, and be subjected to long and especially brutal hours of combat training, which incidentally, provided an outlet for his temper and energy. Gabriel, two years his elder, who had fought with Uriel about the incident, and eager to make him pay for his atrocity, joined in as well, and Michael saw to their instruction. Later, Michael would also introduce Uriel to the art of blacksmithing, where his brother would eventually surpass him.

#### Abaddon's Painting Practice

When Michael's brother Abaddon was eight, he stole a set of Michael's painting supplies, in an attempt to fabricate artistry of his own. Abaddon was found by his father, who brought him to Michael in order to apologize for the theft as he was in the midst of combat training with Lucifer, wherein Michael chided Lucifer for his reliance on magical tricks, and decapitated him. Michael went over to Abaddon, heard his brother's apology, and then explained to him that the reason he painted was for the purpose of honing his focus and discipline. Lucifer reformed from his Avatar's destruction, and warned Abaddon not to become a boor like Michael, as Raphael had. Ynoch also reminisced about his days with Michael as a child, and playing the game of "the tickle monster", much to Michael's embarrassment.

#### Gadreel's First Practice

When Gadreel, aged ten, first began his combat training under Michael's watch, he set Gadreel against Abaddon, then a three year veteran of the training grounds. Michael provided the boys with weapons, advising Abaddon to temper his arrogance, while giving a nearly imperceptible gesture of approval for the caution he demonstrated against his opponent. After Gadreel's unexpected victory using underhanded tactics to prevail over the physically and martially superior Abaddon, Michael commended Abaddon for his skill, advising him to be more cautious next time. When Ynoch approached, Michael informed his brother, then left them to talk, while he went to chide Azazel, who had been attempting to influence the fight in favor of Gadreel. Gadreel briefly attempted to dissuade Michael from chiding Azazel, but was cowed with a simple word from his eldest brother.

### Extermination of the Unnamed Pantheon

When Michael's brother Asmodeus and his Tenth Legion were deemed ready to venture to the front, they were placed under Michael and the First. The two brothers brought their forces to bear against a pantheon of utter evil, madness, and degeneracy. Michael decreed that the entire pantheon should be utterly exterminated, to which Asmodeus agreed.

What followed was a brutal campaign that lasted two years, and saw heavy casualties to both legions. Privately, Michael initially wished that one of their other brothers had been with him instead, such as Raphael, Mephiston, or Azrael. Asmodeus was one of the gentler among his siblings, who preferred creation to destruction, and would rather spend his time making works of art than taking lives, as Michael knew well from Asmodeus's boyhood.

Michael was greatly disheartened by the effect the conflict had on Asmodeus, seeing his brother struggling with the horrors they witnessed. On several occasions, Asmodeus sought Michael out in private for his reassurance, which Michael gave in his own way, reminding his brother that this war was what he had trained his entire life for, and that what they were doing was for the good of all Creation. Two months into the campaign, Asmodeus even broke down and cried before him, begging to be reassigned, to have one of their other brothers aid Michael in this endeavor. Instead of giving him warm comfort, the frustrated Michael delivered a stern reprimand, and asked Asmodeus if he wished for this terrible task to be thrust upon one of their other siblings. Asmodeus took hold of himself, and resolved that it would not

Afterwards, Asmodeus never sought out reassurance again, throwing himself fully into the furnace of war, and emerging hardened from the flames. Michael was more than pleased with Asmodeus's performance, grateful for the aid of his brother's brilliance as a commander, the thoroughness with which he prosecuted his battles, and the absolute discipline with which he lead his legion. The Godbreaker's respect for Asmodeus grew tremendously, and during their time together, he came to regard his once gentle brother as a true peer, worthy of his admiration and absolute trust on the battlefield.

Following the campaign, Michael decreed that all records of the pantheon be expunged from history, their very name struck from the records. "The Unnamed" would be what their pantheon was known as for all time. Afterwards, Michael recommended to Ynoch that Asmodeus be given command over the emerging Eleventh and Twelfth Legions, and though he would not speak of what exactly had occurred, he freely praised Asmodeus's accomplishments and skill. A conversation with Azazel on the matter saw the Evenstar put forth the name "Ironborn" for the Tenth Legion, of which Michael approved.

### War of the Fall

#### Onset

When the Great Maelstrom erupted across Creation, Michael was in the middle of quelling a minor rebellion on (world to be chosen later). Knowing that the Maelstrom's incitement must mean something terrible had happened to his father, Michael departed in a cold rage with his forces, leaving the inhabitants to their fate.

Michael sought out the nearest stable realm with an Edenian presence upon it, and came upon Takamagahara, the thronerealm of the Kami pantheon, which was presently under the jurisdiction of his brother Metatron. Mere hours after their arrival, the loyalist members of the Second Legion, lead by Lord Paragon Garviel, came bearing the news that Lucifer had discovered Ynoch's old identity as Ra, and lead seven of their brothers in rebellion against him, revealing it to the assembled high officers of the First and Fifteenth Legions. Horrified by the news, Michael nevertheless maintained his composure, and informed the shocked listeners that Lucifer was misinformed, and that any vestiges of Ra were long gone from Ynoch.

When Garviel reacted to the fact that Michael had known of Ynoch's identity with outrage, Michael was quick to admonish him, justifying the secrecy by pointing out the dissent that Garviel was at that very moment exemplifying. Michael attempted to silence Garviel, but only halfheartedly, for he knew the Lord Paragon was not unjust in his anger. As the chatter in the room threatened to spiral out of control, Michael was at a loss for what to do for the first time in centuries.

The interruption of his brother Metatron allowed Michael to refocus himself, and the passionate speech the Lord of the Fifteenth delivered in defense of Michael and their father began to renew Michael's resolve. After the officers had departed, leaving Michael and Metatron alone with their bodyguards, Michael made to express his gratitude to Metatron for his support, but was silenced by a sudden furious blow from his brother which shattered his nose. Shocked at the outburst, Michael could only muster the wherewithal to halt his praetorians from attacking his brother, and stand their numbly as Metatron lambasted him for betraying his trust and that of their brothers, and condemning him and Ynoch for having forced them to go to war against their family through their deceit. Metatron had spoken his support only for the sake of maintaining morale, and swore that he would never forgive Michael for what he had done to their family.

After Metatron stormed out of the room, Michael departed with his men, seeking solitude within his chambers upon his flagship, and brooding upon what the secret he and Ynoch had maintained for so long had resulted in.

## Physical Appearance

Michael appears to be a tall, powerfully built man of about thirty years, covered in dense and compact muscle from head to toe, with wide shoulders, a broad chest, and callused hands. His skin is quite tan, with much of his body being covered in unhealed scars he earned while living among mortals, and his eyes are a vivid amber in color, similar to his brothers Bael and Uriel. Michael's hair has been described as molten bronze, and indeed, when struck by light, it appears just as reflective as the metal, with this coloration having contributed to his epithet of "the Bronze Fury". Usually, Michael wears his hair to the length of his shoulders, but keeps his face clean shaven. Like all of his brothers, Michael is supremely well formed, though he lacks the dazzling glamour of some of his more handsome brothers. His is a harsh, austere beauty, one that inspires more dread and awe than allure.

The wings of Michael, when manifested, closely mirror his hair in coloration, unfurling from his back light sheets of burnished metal. Their feathers do not produce their own light by default, but instead reflect any light that strikes him, like true metal. When entering battle, Michael's wings often blaze with bronze colored flames.

## Personality

At first glance, Michael is the archetypal warrior and general, stern, obedient, and proud. He is not prone to any sort of flowery speech or exchanging pleasantries, and when engaging in conversation, he is blunt and direct, though usually fairly cordial. Unlike many of his brothers, Michael is largely bereft of charm, and his intractable demeanor makes him poorly suited for diplomacy.

Michael's reserved nature means he is not very open in showing affection or praise. When giving his approval, he is usually terse, and miserly with his compliments, but never gives underserved praise to anyone. Indeed, he has no qualms about pointing out flaws and failures, but in the case of allies, he will also give his honest judgement on how such failings can be rectified.

Despite his typically taciturn demeanor, Michael is still possessed of a powerful and commanding aura. Rooms tend to fall silent when he enters, and when he gives orders, people are compelled to obey. So potent is his presence that even courageous and proud deities have been known to quail at his merest glare, and any instance where his usual cold control is broken by anger is truly terrifying to behold.

Fortunately, angering Michael into a loss of control is rare. Cool and calculating, Michael's anger is usually cold, applied using his analytical and adaptive mind to surgically dismantle his foes. For truly, the Firstborn of Ynoch is like a cunning predator, with a keen eye for weak points, and a focused, brutal savagery that few can withstand. He is utterly ruthless when battling against foes, willing to do whatever is necessary to defeat them to the fullest possible extent.

Stubbornness is another of Michael's defining qualities. He rarely changes his mind once it is made up, an unfortunate trait he passed on to several of his brothers. He is slow to forget and slow to forgive, and will nurse slights and brood on enemies forever, until he feels the matter resolved. Yet Michael's intractability is also one of his foremost strengths. In him is a will unbreakable, a drive unrelenting. Surrender is foreign to him, and betrayal anathema, and he holds strictly to his word.

Beneath his hard exterior, though, Michael is a deeply compassionate and noble being. He believes that ones skills should be used for the benefit others, that the mighty have a duty to defend the weak and innocent, and that power should be wielding judiciously and with discipline. While capable of tremendous violence when needed, Michael takes no pleasure in bringing harm to others, and unlike the gods he so despises, does not believe in lashing out with force when faced with insults or dispute, especially against those weaker than himself. Michael has a powerful protective instinct, and seeks to defend innocents, even strangers, whenever he can.

Above all, Michael believes in fighting for the collective greater good, in creating a just cosmos where rulers act with honor and virtue, and the meek are allowed to live in peace and explore their passions. In order to pursue that noble goal, and to bring about what he sees as the right thing in general, Michael is willing to make sacrifices when the occasion calls for it, though he does so with a heavy heart. Though he prefers to avoid it whenever possible, Michael is willing to use deceptive and ruthless battle strategies, to lie to even those close to him, and let the few suffer for the good of the many.

## Skills

In might of arms, there is no being in all of Creation who can match the skill of Michael. Having spent centuries travelling the realms fighting with minimal use of magic, Michael has utterly mastered innumerable weapons and fighting styles. Combat comes as easily as breathing to him, his movements driven by razor honed instinct and a mind that is calculating and highly adaptive. In battle, he possesses a predator's awareness, always keenly tracking his own vulnerabilities and ready to pounce upon any he sees in an enemy. Michael's ability to completely alter his fighting style in order to perfectly counter his opponent makes him the cosmos's most formidable weapon's master.

As a general, Michael is much the same, possessing the same predatory cunning as he does in direct combat. As a tactician, his ability is astounding, for he is able to analyze the flow of a battle and rapidly improvise brilliant countermeasures. In any conflict where he is directly present and in command, his forces are nigh unbeatable, unless the odds are truly dire. On a larger scale of strategy and logistics, Michael is still a cunning and ferocious commander, able to prosecute campaigns of tremendous competence, but his skill there is nowhere near as astounding as it is in the smaller scale.

Michael is also a capable leader as well as battle commander. Whilst no one would ever call him charming, he is possessed of potent personal aura. He radiates a powerful air of authority and intimidation. His stares can silence most any voice, and when he speaks, his lessers hurry to obey. Not only that, but Michael's aura of confidence and the cold control with which he conducts himself erase doubt in his subordinates. Discipline and fear are his tools, used to command his subordinates and cow his foes.

Additionally, Michael is a skilled craftsman, particularly in making arms and armor. While he would only make an average Forge god, his skills are still superb by other standards of most other beings, and he is particularly canny in spotting flaws and weak points in the tools and structures of his foes.

## Notable Equipment

### Retribution

The Sword of Michael has carried many names in the past. The Flame of Death, Foereaper, Serpentslayer, Tongue of God. But, to Michael, it will always be known as Retribution.

The sword was forged by Michael’s own hand, in the time following the revelations of the Great Secret of his fathers identity. Villainized and ostracized from his brothers, left to contemplate the consequences of his and his Father’s secrecy, Michael poured his anguish in the form of art. Painting demonstrated his sorrow; carpentry, his guilt. But it was through the forge that his resolve was made.

Using the heat of a sun and the metals of distant existence, Michael spent months completing his great work. Trial after trial bore no fruit, for such a heavy heart as his- nothing could make him feel whole. It was upon a realization that Retribution was made.

He would never be whole. His betrayal, was final. As Metatron had promised; he would never be forgiven. Michael had taken the love of his brothers, and perverted it. For a lie, a secret- from an absent Father. Trust was fickle. Such it is, like paper; once wrinkled, it would never be whole again. No matter how much smoothing could be done.

In his realization that nothing could ever truly be done- at the damage he had caused, and the consequences that he and his beloved family would suffer, he fell into a great rage. The destructive wroth of the Godbreaker brought down the Heavens in great storms upon the Earth. His tears as a typhoon, his pain as the biting winds. And it was then that Retribution was made.

His hands thrust forth into nothing, and came back with much more. A line torn in the fabric of All Things. The Prime, exposed. Using his volatile emotion as a conduit, Michael channeled all his will into tearing from the wellspring of all creation, a sliver of power. Golden, and burning hot- such that it scarred his arms with horrific burns that, to this day, have not fully healed.

And through it, his work began. Channeling the Prime into his craft, a sword of magnificence was created. A tool of destruction, of war. To be used to end the conflict he had hand in starting, to redirect the lost sheep back unto the path of the Dream.

A tool, of his Retribution.

### Traits

**Strength:** 4

**Dexterity:** 5

**Endurance:** 6

**Intelligence:** 5

**Charisma:** 5

**Perception:** 5

### Skills

**Academia:** 2

**Artistry:** 2

**Brawl:** 6

**Charm:** 1

**Command:** 6

**Craft:** 4

**Deception:** 3

**Empathy:** 4

**Intimidation**: 5

**Intrigue**: 2

**Leadership:** 3

**Marksmanship:** 4

**Medicine:** 3

**Melee:** 6

**Occult:** 2

**Performance:** 0

**Seduction:** 1

**Stealth:** 3

**Stewardship:** 4

**Survival:** 4

**Torture:** 2

### Magic (disregard for now)

**Dominion of Aura:** 8

**Dominion of Chaos:** 0

**Dominion of Frost:** 3

**Dominion of Darkness:** 0

**Dominion of Death:** 4

**Dominion of Earth:** 6

**Dominion of Fate:** 0

**Dominion of Fire:** 11

**Dominion of Forge:** 9

**Dominion of Life:** 4

**Dominion of Light:** 10

**Dominion of Order:** 12

**Dominion of Realms:** 10

**Dominion of Sky:** 7

**Dominion of Thought:** 10

**Dominion of Time:** 0

**Dominion of Water:** 3

**Dominion of Wild:** 2