Azrael

* Post Fall
* Pre-Fall

### Aliases

Lord Seraphim, The Ninth, The Reaper, Archangel of Death, The Lord of Souls, The Black Spectre, Shadowstrider, The Wraithlord

## Physical description

### Height

10'1 *(preferred form)*6'1 *(mortal guise)*

## Statistics

*"Sometimes, we must fight in the darkness to bring a brighter morrow."*

*-Azrael Shadowstrider, Lord Seraphim of the Ninth Angelic Legion*

Azrael, better known simply as The Reaper among his foes, is the ninth born Seraphim son of Ynoch. He and his legion, the Wraithguard, remained loyal to his father when his brother Lucifer rebelled against him. The Reaper is renowned for a brilliant, calculating mind, and feared for his absolute mastery of stealth, which enables him to perform infiltrations and assassinations with terrifying ease. Whilst he is feared by the pantheons of gods he once helped conquer, none in Creation find their blood more chilled at the mention of his name than his own Fallen brothers, many of whom live in terror of the cold vengeance he will one day visit upon them.

## Biography

### Early Life

Azrael was the ninth of Ynoch's Seraphim sons, born three years after Gadreel and two before Asmodeus. Shortly after he was brought into being, Azrael's brother Gadreel declared himself the new baby's protector, which began a companionship that would last their entire lives, up until Gadreel's Fall.

Azrael was a quiet and thoughtful child, who preferred to listen than to speak, a trait he shared with Gadreel, who accompanied him most everywhere. This was not due to any sort of shyness, like it was for Asmodeus, but rather due to a strong sense of inborn caution and forethought. Even as a boy, Azrael always weighed his words and considered his actions carefully, and was calculating in a manner similar to his eldest brother Michael.

Despite this nature, Azrael's childhood was not without its joys. Like many of his siblings, he was recruited by Gabriel to assist him with pranks on their other brothers. Azrael found during these ventures that he was naturally gifted in stealth, surpassing Gabriel and his other brothers in the field, especially when his inborn talent for Thought Obfuscation first manifested at the age of six. Though he found Gabriel's pranks amusing, with witnessing them often drawing out rare bouts of laughter, Azrael himself chiefly used pranks not for the purposes of humor, but for revenge. Whenever he was angry at one of his brothers, they would often find worms in their bed, or all their clothes mysteriously vanished. Gifted in masking his emotions, Azrael was usually able to lie convincingly when confronted about such occurrences, but if one of his other brothers was ever blamed for his misdeeds, his sense of morality would usually drive him to confess. Letting innocents suffer for his wrongdoings was not something he abided by.

Azrael also had a strong sense of curiosity as a child, a trait which he shared with his brothers Gadreel and Bael. His curiosity was tempered by caution, however, and whenever either of them went exploring, he was always there to rein them in with wariness.

#### The Little Prince

After Azrael was born, and he was introduced to his brother Gadreel, who was closest to him in age, Gadreel declared that as Azrael's big brother, he should be his protector. This resulted in Azrael's bed being moved to be next to Gadreel's. Gadreel was present for Azrael's first steps, and once he learned to walk, Gadreel would constantly take him by the hand and move about with him. As the pair grew older, their brother Gabriel dubbed Azrael "the Little Prince", and Gadreel as his "Grand Warden". Azrael became extremely used to Gadreel's presence, more so than any of his brothers, and up until he was four, would become extremely upset if Gadreel was not in the same room as him.

#### Young Shadowstrider

It was during a game of hide and go seek that Azrael first discovered his inborn gift. He was six years old, and in the midst of hiding from his brothers, Gadreel and Asmodeus, as they played in the forests outside their home. Azrael was already gifted in the art of sneaking about, as he had been instructed on how to do so by Gabriel two years prior when he and Gadreel had been roped into helping him pull a prank.

Azrael had eluded his brothers, and had climbed up silently into the trees to observe them as they looked for him. Though it was easy to evade Asmodeus, Azrael found that as as he neared Gadreel, the slipping of his foot on a branch attracted his attention. Wishing desperately not to be spotted, Azrael found to his surprise that Gadreel looked right at him, but without any recognition. As Gadreel passed, Azrael saw that he had been cloaked in the shade of a higher branch, and attributed his lack of discovery to being obscured by the shadows. This prompted the beginning of his forays into wielding the Dominion of Darkness, making him the first of his brothers to delve into its use.

Over the next few months, Azrael began advancing both his power over Darkness and own talent for Thought Obfuscation, primarily through hiding games with his brothers. Naturally, with his burgeoning abilities, Azrael dominated whenever it was his turn to hide, to the point that many of his siblings refused to play if he was the one hiding. However, Azrael also began using the ability to spy upon his brothers, following them about whilst obfuscated, and observing some of their more private moments, driven by curiosity. Azrael felt quite guilty about spying on his siblings, but his success in doing so emboldened him, to the point where he attempted in observing his father unseen. Ynoch was able to spot him as if he was not obfuscated at all, a fact which initially shocked Azrael, but was not at all surprising after further thought. It was his father, after all. Azrael did contemplate telling his father about what he had been doing then and there, but worry over getting in trouble led him to hold his tongue.

During his time playing hiding games, however, Azrael also discovered that Gadreel became able to find him again, despite his otherwise flawless obfuscation ability. Curious, Azrael asked his brother how he had done it, demonstrating his power, and learned that Gadreel had developed one of his own, which he referred to as his far sight. While Gadreel proposed that they tell their father so they could ask him about it, Azrael panicked, and made Gadreel promise not to let him know.

Shortly thereafter, however, Azrael found himself approached by Gadreel alongside their brother Lucifer. When Lucifer revealed that Gadreel had informed him of their new abilities, Azrael was overcome by a rare moment of anger and panic, and shouted at Gadreel for breaking his promise, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him. Lucifer hurriedly pulled them apart, stating that Gadreel had not broken his promise, as he had only promised not to inform Ynoch. When Lucifer asked why Azrael was so worried about not finding out, Azrael tearfully confessed that he had been spying on their siblings, and that he didn't want to get in trouble for doing so. Lucifer gave him a hug, and his forgiveness, and furthermore, promised that he would keep his and Gadreel's abilities secret, provided that they both promised not to invade the privacy of the other members of their family. Grateful for his brother's words, and having gained a deeper level of trust for him, Azrael gave Lucifer his solemn oath, and Gadreel did the same.

### Great Pilgrimage

*“I see promise in these people. In their so called gods…not so much.”*

 *-Azrael, on his reflections of his Great Pilgrimage*

Azrael was well into adulthood by the time the Great Pilgrimage came around. He was paired with Raziel, and given the Beznadi’s dominion to tour, and set off under the guise of simple travelers. Azrael…did not like what he saw. The Beznadi were cruel rulers. Their people suffered under their reign. While he heard rumors of the cruelty of the gods, he had often heard that many gods also provided for their mortals. The Olympians for example. While they were unjust…they also cared, if only a little. It seemed to Azrael that many of the Beznadi saw mortals as little more than chattel. Not only was it cruel, it was inefficient.

Unable to simply pass through the lands of the Beznadi without any sort of action, Azrael broke Ynoch's decree that they were to act merely as observers nine years after the Pilgrimage began. Knowing that the straight-laced Raziel would be fervently opposed to defying their father's command, Azrael began to steal away from his brother whenever the opportunity presented itself, acting as silent guardian to those he felt needed his aid, and a vengeful nightmare to those whose crimes he could not stomach.

Eventually, of course, the observant Raziel eventually figured out what was going on, though it took him two years to do so. The two argued, and Raziel's admonishments that they should not violate Ynoch's will fell on deaf ears. To Azrael, doing what was right mattered more than obedience. With neither willing to back down, the two parted ways, with Azrael fuming at his brother's pig-headed obstinacy.

Twenty seven years passed with Azrael continuing his lonely work, resigning himself to meet up at the end of the century of their Pilgrimage and return home. Eventually, though, Raziel found him again, having begun searching about four years after their quarrel, and stated that he would accompany Azrael on his escapades, if only for the purpose of keeping him out of trouble. Azrael was surprised and touched that his notoriously stubborn brother had forgiven him so quickly, and gladly welcomed his return, relieved to no longer be alone.

The pair spent the remainder of their Pilgrimage covertly aiding the mortals of the Beznadi realms, during which time Azrael came to appreciate his brother's unyielding resolve and strong sense of right and wrong more than he ever had. Moreover, he had a chance to experience more of Raziel's softer side as well, as he witnessed the care with which he gave the mortals they aided.

At the end of their journey, Azrael gave his brother his solemn oath that the fact that they had spent their Pilgrimage defying their father's order would never be revealed to anyone without Raziel's permission. It became one of the rare promises that Azrael kept utterly.

### Conclave of Shangri La

*“There is a price to be paid in war. We all knew that.”*

 *-Azrael, during his address to the Conclave*

Along with all his brothers, Azrael attended the Conclave of Shangri La, at the summoning of his father. He was only given the briefest of summaries as to the events. He was shocked that his own brothers were on trial. Though he was in the middle of his own duties at the time,  he was not particularly busy. The campaign he was conducting was beginning to wind down, the talk of peace already spreading through the land, and he was able to leave a trusted Lord Commander in charge while he attended, with no incidents to report upon his return.

Azrael stood as a witness to the testimony of atrocities and supposed crimes committed by his brothers Mephiston and Abaddon. This event deeply troubled Azrael. Though in his heart he knew what his brothers had done was wrong, he couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps their methods were correct. Yes there had been a great loss of life. And yet…there was a certain practicality in setting an example. Something within Azrael felt guilty at the thought, though the shock of his elder brother Gabriel striking Abaddon briefly distracted his troubled mind. Though he was prepared to intervene, the word of his Father was sufficient to end the brief struggle.

Azrael saw no sleep that night. He replayed his brothers’ words in his mind over and over.  Not only those of Mephiston and Abaddon, but also the decrees of his brothers standing witness. He would spend the long hours in the dark wondering at what the next day would bring. And he couldn’t help but wonder if everything had changed.

Azrael’s chance to speak would not come for a long time. Many of his brothers would go before him, each adding their small token to the argument that was building in the Seraphim’s mind. Some were against the actions of the “butchers”. Some came to their defense. Azrael took everything in, rolling each new sentence around in his mind a hundred, a thousand times. Asmodeus was particularly influential. His mention of his own forgiven crimes at Krasivya held great weight in Azrael’s final decision. The Reaper did not even know what he was going to say until it was his turn and his Father gave him the floor. With the eyes of his brothers, the people he loved most in life, and his Father, the one who Azrael had done everything for, upon him…Azrael found himself to come to a decision.

*“There is a price to be paid in war. We all knew that. What we are gathered here for is to give witness to an unfortunate, but perhaps inevitable payment. I admit that I was appalled by the loss of life and expenditure of resources that our brothers have cost on their campaign. However, though we may be standing here in the judgment of our brothers, I must remind you all that are also standing here in the judgment of victors. The Devas have been defeated. Our Father’s will has been carried out. I cannot say that I fully support the methods that our brothers have used…but it cannot be overlooked that they worked. Perhaps in…greater moderation, they may see some success against other, more rebellious pantheons.”*

Azrael tried his best during his brief speech. He was not known for being the most eloquent of his brothers. He liked to get to the point. But he tried his best. He tried to stand in support of his brothers, not wanting them to be judged. But he also tried to remind his brethren that they were a family…though as he took his seat, he was not quite certain that his words had fully swayed some of his brothers, and he could see the looks of shock upon a few that he had chosen to support the two. Indeed…Azrael himself was not entirely certain that he had been correct. As he took his seat and Raziel rose to give his remarks, Azrael could feel a pit in his stomach. Raziel…Metatron…Bael and Azazel all spoke out against the two. Raziel in particular struck a blow against Azrael’s remarks, turning his own logic against him, and making him doubt himself. He scarcely heard Azazel’s grand speech.

Azrael was not certain how Lucifer would choose to speak, and almost did not want to know. However it was….almost painfully relieving to hear Lucifer speak in defense of the two. Azrael felt a little guilty, feeling happiness in Lucifer’s defense of the war crimes. But he would accept it.

### Recent Events

When word reached Eden of Tartarus's rise, Azrael immediately set off on a journey into the Abyss, leaving orders behind with the High Command of his legion to prepare to mobilize in accordance to the Lord Regent's wishes. Azrael delved deeper into the Pit then ever he had before, with one objective in mind: to decapitate as many of the Fallen legions as possible by assassinating their Seraphim, starting with Lucifer. The great war was about to resume, and while until then, Azrael had been loathe to face his Fallen brothers again, he concluded that killing them would be the surest course to ensure Eden's victory. Mayhaps it would be their only chance, if the Bloodlord renewed his alliance with them, and put the full might of the Pit at their backs.

After two weeks of discrete travel, Azrael arrived in Gehenna, Lucifer's thronerealm. There, he found armies at the ready, horde upon horde of monsters spawning forth, feasting upon mortal slaves within sight of Lucifer's Starlight Citadel. What he had seen on the journey there had been horrendous enough, but to learn that such unconscionable atrocity had surely been sanctioned by the brother he had idolized shook him to the core. To know that the noble Morningstar had Fallen so low since last they had met only strengthened Azrael's conviction that he and the others needed to be put down.

## Physical Appearance

### Pre Fall

In terms of looks, Azrael's primary form is that of a man of above average height, with an age somewhere in his mid twenties, with jet black hair and pale skin. His hair varied in length, but he tended to have it cut anywhere from ear length to shoulder length. Azrael's eyes were possessed of red irises before the fall, like his brother Abaddon. When he was agitated, his eyes would often turn pure black, as a result of his affinity for the Dominion of Darkness.

As one might expect, Azrael's wings, when unfurled, were a glossy black, and when angry, would look as though they were devouring all traces of nearby light. His physique was lean, compact, and graceful, his every movement smooth, swift, and precise.

### Post Fall

After the Fall of his brothers, Azrael's general moods took a turn for the worse. Where once his eyes were red, they are now almost always void dark. His pale skin is veritably corpselike in pallor, and his eyes are almost perpetually shadowed by dark, bruiselike markings. Azrael in the present day usually wears his hair long, and makes little effort to maintain it, with his dark locks usually being an unkempt mess. He is also considerably thinner and more gaunt since the Fall, with the black feathers of his wings having become ragged and haggard.

## Personality

 *"Honor doesn't win battles."*

*-Azrael to Uriel*

Among his Seraphim brothers, there is none more driven by logic and calculation than Azrael. He possesses a keen mind, and is the sort who never acts without thinking, always considering every aspect of a situation and every possible outcome before acting. Azrael is extremely quick witted, and is highly adept at rapid situational analysis, much like his eldest brother Michael, who he strongly resembles in that regard. Azrael can be said to be even more calculating and restrained than his brother, and less prone to pride, though he is not quite as adaptable.

In terms of his general demeanor, Azrael usually comes off as calm, reserved, and utterly in control of himself. He is usually polite and cordial, but also quite direct in his speech, having little care for beating around the bush in conversation. There tends to be little warmth or joy displayed on his features, or much of any emotion really, most of the time, as a result of how self controlled he is. On rare occasions, Azrael can be prompted to smile or even laugh, but usually only by someone he is close with. Elsewise, he is far too reserved to be prompted to overt displays of emotion.

While Azrael appears to be utterly cold and calculating to those who do not know him well, he is not at all bereft of feeling or morals. Azrael lives largely by an ends justify the means methodology, using whatever methods necessary to achieve victory. In his view, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the view, and if he needs sacrifice some lives for the greater good, he typically does so without hesitation. Still, while doing so, he remains a minimalist, and prefers to minimize loss of life wherever he can, for despite his more cold and clinical nature, Azrael is not without empathy or conscience.

Given his extreme pragmatism, Azrael would not fall under the umbrella of what most individuals consider to be honorable. Though not a compulsive liar, Azrael has no qualms about deception whenever he feels it necessary. When it comes to his foes, Azrael also does not hesitate to break oaths if the need arises, though he prefers to make the act of doing so as secretive as possible, simply for the purpose of being able to manipulate other enemies through promises at a later date. When it comes to his family, however, he is less prone to deceit, though he still does lie to them if he believes it to be absolutely necessary.

Azrael is also, at heart, deeply idealistic, and believed wholeheartedly in his father's Dream. A world prospering and at peace was his vision as well. Practical as he was, however, Azrael recognized that bringing it about would require sacrifices to be made, unpleasant and dishonorable actions to be taken. Out of care for his brothers, and the purity he saw in many of their spirits, Azrael sought to take the burden of ruthlessness upon his own shoulders. To fight in darkness so that others might bring the light.

When it comes to anger, Azrael's is a cold one. The greatest loss of control fury causes is him usually ends at an angry snarl, or perhaps a raised voice. Elsewise, he reacts by chilling his voice. Even when roused to rage, Azrael is adept at keeping his emotions in check to act in his standard calculating manner. If someone has incited his anger, his wrath will find them, and his vengeance will be realized with all of his tactical brilliance brought to bear. There is no time when Azrael is more cold and utterly ruthless than when the fury is on him.

And none in Creation are as wary of that fact than the brothers who betrayed him.

## Notable Equipment

### Umbriel

A cerebral and quiet individual, Azrael was not bereft of emotion in any way, but rather, words were not his chosen way of conveying it. Instead, he preferred to do so through music. His primary device was a harp named Umbriel, made for him in his youth by his brother Azazel. Small as harps went, able to be carried about, Umbriel was made of black ebony wood, with silver strings infused with moonlight. The harp is enchanted, firstly, altering its size to fit whoever wields it. Those who play it find that the harp psychically guides their movements, enhancing their playing ability. Furthermore, any who hear its music will also be able to feel the emotions felt by whoever is playing it at the time.

### Traits

**Strength:** 4

**Dexterity:** 6

**Endurance:** 4

**Intelligence:** 5

**Charisma:** 4

**Perception:** 5

### Skills

**Academia:** 3

**Artistry:** 1

**Brawl:** 5

**Charm:** 1

**Command:** 5

**Craft:** 2

**Deception:** 4

**Empathy:** 4

**Intimidation**: 6

**Intrigue**: 4

**Leadership:** 3

**Marksmanship:** 6

**Medicine:** 4

**Melee:** 6

**Occult:** 3

**Performance:** 4

**Seduction:** 1

**Stealth:** 6

**Stewardship:** 4

**Survival:** 4

**Torture:** 5

### Magic

**Dominion of Aura:** 6

**Dominion of Chaos:** 0

**Dominion of Frost:** 3

**Dominion of Darkness:** 11

**Dominion of Death:** 11

**Dominion of Earth:** 2

**Dominion of Fate:** 0

**Dominion of Fire:** 7

**Dominion of Forge:** 1

**Dominion of Life:** 4

**Dominion of Light:** 4

**Dominion of Order:** 9

**Dominion of Realms:** 8

**Dominion of Sky:** 3

**Dominion of Thought:** 10

**Dominion of Time:** 0

**Dominion of Water:** 3

**Dominion of Wild:** 1