Angels

Raziel Summoned

**Angels** are winged celestial beings which have fought against the demon legion for eons. According to legend, it is an angel, specifically Angel Raziel, who created the Nephilim with the Mortal Cup and his blood.

## Description and Abilities

For a long time since their creation, the existence of angels were mythical; not many knew anything concrete about angels, and, in modern times, few Shadowhunters and Downworlders even believed that they were real. Nonetheless, it remains a widely accepted belief among Shadowhunters that they possess the blood of the Angel Raziel. Angels may be thought of as absent patrons, but the Nephilim regard them as their spiritual parents, and they recognize them with the blessings of their favored weapons.

The general consensus is that the physical forms of angels are shaped like humans, but are much larger, winged, and glow with heavenly fire. Many have suggested that when angels do manifest on Earth, they take whatever shape witnesses will recognize as angelic; they believe that as immortal beings of pure spirit, angels must take on a corporeal form to exist on Earth.

They possess superhuman strength beyond that of any Downworlder, Nephilim, or lesser demon. Angels of high rank, such as Raziel, are supposedly strong enough to defeat the higher Greater Demons. Supposedly, angels possess the abilities of Marked Shadowhunters, though at a much greater degree. Also, much like with Seelies and some old warlocks, time flows or is perceived differently by angels compared to humans.

#### Fallen Angels

Fallen angels are angels who have been cast out of Heaven for their rebellion. After they were cast into Edom, they took on monstrous corporeal forms and later became known as Princes of Hell. These now demonic fallen angels created lesser, common demons as well as the chaotic ethereal force that animates them and gives them their powers.

## Summoning

It is considered unwise to attempt to summon an angel for several reasons.

Summoning an angel is considered by many as futile and a waste of time, since angels do not respond to summons in the same way that demons do. They cannot maintain their corporeal form on Earth for long, any more than other non-demon creatures can in a dimension not their own. Additionally, the summoning rituals that claim to bring angels are obscure, difficult, and unreliable; they have been accomplished so rarely that there is not much evidence for what does and does not work.

Along with these factors, the danger and risk of disaster, injury, or death from a misunderstood or misapplied summoning ritual is very high. It is even forbidden for some angels to be summoned unless through the proper methods and in the proper time, like Raziel, who could be summoned, though only once, with the Mortal Instruments.

Even if the summoning was successful, there is currently no known way to oblige an angel to cooperate with the desires or needs of the summoner. An angel cannot be bound in the way that a demon is bound, except by the application of forbidden and blasphemous rituals.

Finally, if a summoning is successful, the summoner and any of their assistants risk quick death at the hands of the summoned angel because, unlike demons, angels do not want to be on Earth; they do not like manifesting into a corporeal form, nor do they like helping humans, and they are not known for their mercy. They are, on the whole, deeply indifferent to the travails of the mortal realm. They are not patient or tolerant of human vicissitudes.

## Raziel's Summoning

Some time in 1000 AD, the Great Incursion occured, during which unprecedented hordes of demons escaped from Edom.

At one point, the mortals Jonathan, Abigail, and David battled demons as best as they could and were eventually overwhelmed. Brought to a lake to drown, Jonathan used what little breath he had to ask a blessing on the lake, to sanctify it as a place where things of darkness, such as demons, would not be welcome. He then asked for a warlock, Elphas the Unsteady, to help him Summon Raziel, to which the warlock accepted.

Raziel rose from Lake Lyn, bearing with him the Mortal Instruments. Jonathan asked him to save his comrades. Seeing that Jonathan's intent was good and true, he gave him the Mortal Instruments for him to start the race of the Nephilim.

## Known Angels

Shadowhunters are required to know the names of the angels. One reason is because they are of their blood, so they learn their names out of respect.

* Adriel
* Amriel
* Anael
* Arariel
* Ariel
* Atheed
* Barachiel
* Camael
* Cassiel
* Dumah
* Eremiel
* Gabriel
* Gadreel
* Gagiel
* Hadraniel
* Haniel
* Harahel
* Harut
* Israfel
* Ithuriel
* Jahoel
* Jegudiel
* Jehuel
* Jerahmeel
* Jophiel
* Khamael
* Lailah
* Malik
* Marut
* Metatron
* Moroni
* Munkar
* Muriel
* Nakir
* Nuriel
* Pahaliah
* Penemue
* Peniel
* Puriel
* Raguel
* Raphael
* Raqeeb
* Raziel
* Remiel
* Ridwan
* Sachiel
* Samandriel
* Sandalphon
* Sansanvi
* Sanvi
* Saraqael
* Sealtiel
* Semangelaf
* Shamsiel
* Taharial
* Telantes
* Uriel
* Yahoel
* Zadkiel
* Zaphkiel