The Watchers

Samyaza, a leader of the Watchers

The **Watchers**, also known as **Grigori** or **ʿIyrin**, meaning “Those Who Watch”, ”Those Who Are Awake”, or “The Ones Who Never Sleep” are an order of angels who were created by God to be the Earthly shepherds of the first humans only to become the second faction of fallen angels.

## Description

The Grigori were both physically and spiritually gigantic, at least by the standards of the people who later wrote about them. Given their description, however, it is not unreasonable to say that Watchers must have been angels but they are not described as God's most *trusted* angels. Enoch himself states that they were angels and continues by saying that there were 200 of them with only their leaders being named.

The Grigori were one of the more technological orders and had many scouts, warriors and designers. Many of the Grigori where talented in subjects of crystal science, astronomy, biology, combat and philosophy. The Grigori had a lot of culture in their society as they are also said to be the most human-like. They tend to be bigger in stature than other angelic species but can conceal their heights to average levels.

Grigori can be viewed as heroes to humans in the same way Lucifer is viewed to the demons but when you look at it the knowledge shared advanced our civilization to much causing reckless bloodshed even the cosmetics parts it was probably fighting over material resources as well.

## History

### Background

When the Watchers were a chorus, they had no names. They were formless and as one as each angel whispered together amidst the song of the cosmos. Among the chorus of these Watchers, was Samyaza who was touched by the light of God for the purpose of fulfilling a special duty for His creations. As Samyaza was the angel that knew of God's ineffable name, he would come to use this blessing to bestow the names of the Watchers who stood behind him. They were given form and purpose through the bestowment of their names by the graces of God and from the mouth of Samyaza.

They served early humanity as vast reservoirs of information concerning the finer points of civilization, and their selflessness was beyond compare. They were first called the Watchers, as it was their job to observe humanity, lending a helping hand when necessary but not interfering in the course of human development. They practically witnessed and heard all that occurred on Earth, they were the messengers and middle-ground between the Earth and Heaven. Everything that happened on Earth was seen and ordained by the Watchers on God's behalf.

### Forbidden Knowledge and Unions

However, the conflict begins when the Watchers then abandon their duties. They watched over the children of men as they multiplied and became obsessed with the beauty of the daughters of men, taking them as their mortal wives to bear their children. This act was due to Naamah and her daughters', the Nashiym, machinations. As Naamah is a spirit of women’s sexual autonomy and sacred erotic rites, their spells would warp not just the appearance of the women, but also their spirits, into becoming supremely desirable even for divine beings like the angels.

Samyaza feared that not all would agree with this idea and the punishment of such a sin would fall solely on him. The ten chiefs of the Watchers all took an oath that meant they could not abandon this plan, and the oath also bound them to one another meaning any punishment would fall upon all of them. Finally, and at the prodding of their leader Samyaza, 200 defect en-mass to illicitly instruct and cohabit with humanity.

The chief Watchers shared knowledge and secrets which were forbidden, teaching humanity all manner of enchantments and charms such weaponry, cosmetics, mirrors, sorcery, and other techniques that would otherwise be discovered gradually over time by humans, not foisted upon them all at once. The offspring of these unions that the Grigori begot were hideous, misshapen monsters, now known in demonic circles as the Nephilim, standing over 4,000 feet tall. The Nephilim were ferocious and powerful beings that mankind could not control, and eventually the giants turned on them, roaming their lands, pillaging and destroying everything in their path.

### Eternal Punishment

The archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel observed this lawless and unrighteous behavior taking place and decide that they must act. Turning to God, their father informed them that the only way to ensure the full and total destruction of humanity is to destroy everything else and begin anew.

Uriel is sent to warn Noah of the oncoming Flood, Raphael was sent to punish Azazel by binding and casting him into Dudael, Gabriel was dispatched to destroy the half-breeds as well as the children of men born from sin, he does this by inciting a great battle between the two. And lastly, Michael binds the leader of the Watchers, Samyaza, alongside all the other Watchers who defiled themselves in unions with human women, damning them for the remainder of their long lives.

It was not long before Enoch approached the Watchers and informed them of God's plan, which resulted in the Watchers pleading and begging with him to draw a petition as they trembling in fear while seeking forgiveness. However, God responds to Enoch in a dream that the petition is denied, as the Watchers would not receive forgiveness nor would they ever ascend to Heaven again. The petition on behalf of their children was also denied, they would have to watch as the Nephilim were killed right before their eyes. Later on, God sends the Great Flood to rid the earth of the Nephilim completely, all while the Watchers are thrown into Sheol chained for all eternity.

## Members

* Samyaza
* Azazel
* Arakiel
* Ramiel
* Kokabiel
* Tamiel
* Daniel
* Chazaqiel
* Baraqiel
* Armanos
* Bezaliel
* Ananiel
* Gadreel
* Shamsiel
* Sathariel
* Turiel
* Yomiel
* Suriel
* Yeqon
* Asbeel
* Penemue

## Quotes

*"And they were in all two hundred; who descended in the days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And these are the names of their leaders: Samlazaz, their leader, Araklba, Rameel, Kokablel, Tamlel, Ramlel, Danel, Ezeqeel, Baraqijal, Asael, Armaros, Batarel, Ananel, Zaqiel, Samsapeel, Satarel, Turel, Jomjael, Sariel. These are their chiefs of tens." - Samyaza hesitates about the plan to take human brides, Book of Watchers 6:6-8.*

## Common Powers and Abilities

**Angel Physiology:** The Watchers possess the traits, attributes, characteristics and/or abilities of angels, a being connected to and serving Higher Powers. They achieve this either through full or partial transformation into angels, choosing to mimic certain aspects of angelic beings, or simply already being an angel in the first place. Most commonly angels simply manifest wings, an inner glow, and/or a halo, which is the usual form of which angels are imagined, but several kinds of angels are far less humanoid, some ranging from strange to surreal.

**Divine Sight:** The Watchers can see the divine beings (angels, deities, holy spirits and even the psychopomps) and their actions and possess or gather divine knowledge. They are also able to see divine or mystic realms and perceive the world on many different planes of existence.

**Knowledge Manipulation:** The Watchers can create, shape and manipulate any/all information/knowledge, they can insert new knowledge into the universe that becomes established fact and reality, or destroy it to do the opposite. An enemy could be made to forget how to walk, while an ally could be given the knowledge of an enemy's weaknesses or mastery of a fighting style.

**Sleeplessness:** The Watchers has no need to sleep, allowing them to continue living through their lives without suffering health decline from sleep deprivation.