Angel

**Angel** is a broad term referring to hundreds of sub-species of creatures that share some common traits and origins.

## Origin

Almost all angels trace their origins directly back to The Merciful One, the first angel. It's said they could gift individuals with angelic abilities, and many of their first followers were among them. Over eons, angels began to develop in all reaches of the universe and eventually became a distinct species, and then became many hundreds of sub-species.

## Culture

While angels come in a wide variety of species, most angelic cultures focus on similar things, such as kindness, helping people, healing, spirituality, meditation and health. They tend to be a species aligned with good though interpretations of good can differ culture to culture. Most angelic cultures have a high reverence and worship for Asa, and it is considered an incredible honour to even be within their presence. It is believed that they deeply loves them all and invoking their name grants protection. Angels are broadly accepted and loved by most societies.

## Physiology

Angels vary in appearance dramatically, can be humanoid or non-humanoid, and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures, skin tones, genders etc. Most angel species are capable of breeding with almost any other species.

### Shared Traits

* Most angels are able to speak and understand almost any language by nature
* Most angels have some capability to do holy, divine, white or light magics
* Most angels are able to heal others, or else heal themselves with great efficiency
* Most angels are able to sense other nearby angels or demons
* Most angels are able sense auras, which allows them to see a person's broad morality
* Many angels have wings of some variety
* Many angels have long lifespans, from 500 years to immortality
* Some angels have halos or some sort of divine aura
* Some angels can [fallen angel|fall]] if they break the fundamental moral rules of their culture of species

## Notable Sub-Species

* **Arch Angels** - a species of angel with large, powerful wings who are incredibly talented in healing and holy magics. They are largely pacifists and can resurrect.
* **Amorpha Angels** - an extremely odd species of angel with bizarre, insect like wings and powerful dimensional magics.
* **Gifted Angels** - a name for people who were directly granted the Angelic gift. They usually retain their original species, but are capable of holy magics and often have wings.
* **Irhaal Angels** - a completely extinct angelic species once known for their unusual powers of pure light.

## Extinction

Aside from the odd disease or cataclysm, the main cause of the mass extinction of angels is Crosnia, The Empress of Death. No one is completely certain as to why she targets them, but there is no doubt that her genocide is the main reason why there are so few living angels remaining. <br> Because of this, remaining angels tend to hide or live entirely in incognito for fear of being discovered. Even The Merciful One has faded into obscurity.

## Notable People

* The Merciful One - The first angel. Considered sacred by angels.
* Arc Eternity - The young but powerful leader of a new species of angel.
* Arc Serra - A young but powerful warrior, twin sister of Arc Eternity.
* Arc Zacara - An arch angel who is mother of Arc Eternity and Arc Serra, as well as a doctor at The School of Dawn.
* Dusk Kennyrae - A gifted angel who works as a guardian to Arc Eternity.
* Anzeon Naihara - The former general of the Elohim Order, former bodyguard to The Merciful One and current leader of Eos.
* Astral Naihara - The adopted daughter of Anzeon Naihara, a genius engineer and technologist. Perhaps the last Irhaal angel alive.
* Lathanil Yesra - The ruler of the Kingdom of Caomhnir, a half-elven refuge in Edan.