Malakhim

#### **Enneade & Realm**

* *Creator Enneade*: The Celestial Conclave (Acheren, Cassya, Hanimaat, Hazius, Nemaneres, Sephem & Zakdian)
* *Current Realm and Enneade*: Eternal Suns, Tuat, Mirrormark, Qedseba, and Inet’Saret

#### **Statistics**

***Age***: Malakhim possess a lifespan of about 160 years. Culturally and biologically, they reach adulthood as fast as humans do.

***Characteristics***: Presence +2

***Languages***: Ancient Markish, your home Realm’s language and Celestial

***Size***: Malakhims have the same body type as Humans but usually a bit taller. Your size is Medium.

***Speed***: 6 m base walking speed

***Darkvision***: You can see in dim light within 12 meters of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

***Celestial Resistance***: You have resistance to radiant damage.

***Healing Hands***: As an action, you can touch a creature and cause it to regain a number of health points equal to your total level. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Acheren***

***Characteristics***: Composure +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to gain the [Finesse] ability Evasion with two saving throws of your choice. Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, if you roll one of the chosen saving throws against any effect that would deal damage to you, you take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw and only half damage if you fail. In addition, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Cassya***

***Characteristics***: Dexterity +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to conjure a celestial armor. Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you gain +1 AV and +2 to all saving throws, and once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Hanimaat***

***Characteristics***: Intelligence +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to potentially save an ally from a devastating attack. Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. Once during this duration, when an ally within 12 m of you takes damage from one source, you may spend your reaction to take the damage instead. You gain resistance to this damage. During it, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Hazius***

***Characteristics***: Cunning +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to activate a 2 m radius healing aura. Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, whenever an ally ends their turn within your aura, they regain 1d4 health points, and once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Nemaneres***

***Characteristics***: Brawn +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to gain advantage on Resolve and Composure saving throws. In addition, you cast *Zone of Truth* as Soul Mastery. Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. Zone of Truth has a duration of 1 minute when you cast it this way. During it, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Sephem***

***Characteristics***: Manipulation +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to conjure spectral wings.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you have a flying speed of 6 m, and once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Zakdian***

***Characteristics***: Vitality +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to shine in divine light.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, you shed bright light in a 2 m radius and dim light for an additional 2 m, and at the end of each of your turns, you and each creature within 2 m of you take radiant damage equal to half your level (rounded up). In addition, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

##### ***Redemption Malakhim***

***Characteristics***: Resolve +1

***Radiant Soul***: Starting at 3rd total level, you can use your action to conjure spectral wings. The instant you transform, other creatures within 2 m of you that can see you must each succeed on a Resolve saving throw (DV 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Resolve modifier) or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Your transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you end it as a bonus action. During it, once on each of your turns, you can deal extra radiant damage to one target when you deal damage to it with an attack or a spell. The extra radiant damage equals half your total level (minimum 1, rounded up). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

#### **Appearance**

**Malakhim’s** celestial heritage might not be as noticeable as a Tiefling’s fiendish features, yet, once up close, the angelic appearance becomes apparent. Their hair, skin, and eye color can be of any color that a human can be born with, but they usually come with a metallic sheen to them. Eyes can be even more extreme, in some cases resembling liquid silver or gold. Furthermore, the eyes can be unnerving to gaze into as malakhim lack pupils. Their body type is the same as a human, except that malakhim tend to be slightly taller. All malakhim tend to be fine-featured and possess two small spots of feathers on their back, where an angel’s wings would have sprouted from.

#### **Lore**

##### ***The Celestial Conclave’s Reward***

When the human was born in the Age of Genesis, they turned their newborn and curious eyes to the plethora of Enneade around them. Some remained undevoted for their reasons. In contrast, most of the growing human population found patronage and ethical guidelines with a group of Enneade or a single god. Due to their generous and protective nature, the Enneade of the Celestial Conclave was a popular option. But just as humans have favorites among the Enneade, the Enneade had favorites among the humans too. Exceptional individuals of their choice, paragons of virtue, bravery, selflessness, etc., became the Celestial Conclave’s champions. Despite the brilliance of these select few individuals, the Celestial Conclave was not wholly pleased. They still saw the human’s weakness, no matter how minuscule it was. Every single champion had to wrestle with their temptations. The Celestial Conclave pitied their champions and the whole human race for their character flaws, or at least that is how the Celestial Enneade saw it.

It was not surprising that the Celestial Conclave wanted to rescue the human race from itself, but they couldn’t affect the unwilling humans, and their power wasn’t infinite. The Celestial Conclave discussed the matter for several years before they settled on a solution. Each Enneade of the Celestial Conclave chose three of their champions and their most mighty third-order angel. Then each Enneade performed a powerful ritual, moving a part of the angel’s Soul into the human, making room within the human Soul by using a part of it as power for the ritual. Henceforth, the human was turned into something else. The Soul was still mostly human, but a significant portion was now celestial. These individuals were the first twenty-one malakhim. Their features changed slightly, but the most significant changes were internal. The malakhim have an easier time than humans being brave, selfless, and compassionate.

To further guide the malakhim towards the angelic virtues, they gained a special connection to the third-order angel they had received a soul fragment from. At any point and from any distance, the angel could check in on their bonded malakhim and converse with them telepathically. The third order angel was named the malakhim’s “celestial mentor.” The Enneade of the Celestial Conclave was finally content with their champions. It wasn’t completely perfect, but they saw incredible improvement. This satisfaction did not last for long, however. The Celestial Conclave failed to realize that human children still have their individual personality traits despite being very malleable. Of course, the malakhim was born with a higher chance of fulfilling the expectations of the Enneade of the Celestial Conclave, due to their celestial kinship, careful upbringing, and celestial mentor, in comparison to humans. But sometimes, a new malakhim rejected their teachings more or less severely. An issue that would only increase as the malakhim population grew.

##### ***Flourish or Wilt***

From the perspective of the malakhim, we see a human child with some celestial properties born into a very compassionate and loving community, yet burdened with great responsibility and expectations. Indeed, the celestials expected all malakhim to become paragons of celestial virtue and either caregiver for the celestial community or martial champions to guard against fiendish influences. Some malakhim flourished underneath this particular kind of nurture, evolving into what their peers want them to be. But not all personalities take to this treatment as well. Some malakhim children implode from the pressure, either early on or after several years of trying to cope and survive. Others would lash out against the celestial hierarchy, rejecting them altogether. This was most common during the teenage years.

As the malakhim grew more numerous, the same third angel parent for each bloodline of the malakhim couldn’t pay attention to all the new members. They had to delegate the responsibility of being celestial mentors to other angels. However, it was ensured that a malakhim child was given a celestial mentor from the same Celestial Conclave Enneade’s fold. Not all of these new celestial mentors were as suitable or prepared to chaperon a malakhim child, and sometimes personalities would simply clash. This did not improve the chances for malakhim children to embrace the celestial’s lifestyle.

Due to the quite judgemental existence of the Enneade of the Celestial Conclave and their celestial creations, these children were treated rather inhumanely. If a malakhim child failed to live up to the expectations or, worse, rejected them, they were exiled from the celestial hierarchy, their community and their celestial mentor would stop communicating with them. This is a traumatic ordeal for a malakhim child, as they are forced to leave their family, their safety and lose that voice that has always looked out for them since they were small children. Their only chance of rejoining their community is repenting, but after the initial failure, the celestials would lift the qualification bar even higher up, so the malakhim would decisively prove they deserve the celestial’s protection. Some malakhim search their whole life for redemption, seeking what they lost. In comparison, others were happy to make their own lives. But a malakhim’s life without the protection of the Celestial Conclave was often tricky, both before and after the War of Collapse.

##### ***The Collapse of the Celestial Conclave***

Because the Celestial Conclave busied themselves greatly babysitting and molding their malakhim Enna, they were unprepared for the War of Collapse. When it was clear that the Seven Master of Devils had joined the fray, the Celestial Conclave arrogantly overestimated themselves. These two factions of Enneade have always been on the verge of war since almost the creation of the gods. Thus, they were at each other's throats practically instantly. The Celestial Conclave’s creation of malakhim was pitted against the Seven Masters’ creation of the tiefling. A battle the malakhim lost for one simple reason. Even if the malakhim was superior in their skill, the difference in population size was too vast. Since the Celestial Conclave only accepted malakhim that met their expectations, a significant portion of them had been exiled before the war.

Both Enneade factions were decimated after the initial skirmishes. But what was left of the Seven Masters were the victors in the end. One reason why the scales tipped in the Masters’ favor was the victory of their tieflings. Only Hazius survived in the end in the Celestial Conclave, and he protected as many angels and malakhim that he could as he sought new alliances with other Enneade that would stand against Amaknuphis, his surviving Seven Master allies, and other Enneade allies. At the end of the War of Collapse, only two factions remained. Those who had allied with Amaknuphis and those who would stand against him. Hazius fell in the last battle, but so did Amaknuphis. The angels were welcomed by five of the surviving Enneade, as they are still a fearsome and useful race of Enna, and the malakhim followed them.

Today, the angels still try to uphold the Celestial conclave’s old practices but are slightly more relaxed than before. Still, some malakhim are exiled from their respective communities if they do not satisfy their celestial mentor, but now there is usually at least one warning before the decision is made. In Eternal Suns, the celestial hierarchy is a powerful faction within the Eye’s hierarchy, especially law enforcement, the courts, and the hospitals. Exiled malakhim become second class citizens, as they suffer much economically and culturally. But there are poor but compassionate communities of malakhim in the eye that make sure that the rejected malakhim does not have to be alone. In Tuat, exiled malakhim are forced to find a way to survive on the battlefield between the celestial forces and the fiendish forces. It is common for fiendish troops to track down and pray upon desolated malakhim.

It is common to find malakhim in dangerous environments or search of great deeds, either sent on a quest by their celestial mentor or trying to find their redemption to return to their family and home.

##### ***Celestial Influence***

As the original twenty-one malakhim was infused with a Soul fragment of a third-order angel created by one of the seven Enneade of the Celestial Conclave, the malakhim’s personality traits are influenced by which Celestial Conclave Enneade they are made from.

###### *Acheren*

Malakhims that possess a Soul fragment of Acheren are known for their patience and cautiousness. They tend to ponder their words before they utter them, and they are meticulous planners. Acheren’s malakhim often excel as guards or community leaders.

###### *Cassya*

Malakhims that possess a Soul fragment of Cassya are known for their self-control and discipline. They never overindulge and often dedicate themselves to complex but rewarding tasks. Cassya’s malakhim often excel as scholars or teachers.

###### *Hanimaat*

Malakhims that possess a Soul fragment of Hanimaat are known for their humble nature and generosity. They seldom overestimate themselves, and prefer to live simply and plainly. Hanimaat’s malakhim often excel with professions that make up the backbone of a community.

###### *Hazius*

Malakhims that possess a Soul fragment of Hazius are known for their obsessive need to fix broken things. They are fastidious as well as orderly, and they suffer when their environment does not mirror this. Hazius’ malakhim often excel as medical practitioners, gardeners, or crafters.

###### *Nemaneres*

Malakhim that possess a Soul fragment of Nemaneres are known for their honesty and sincerity. Lying and deceit is very uncommon among this subrace, and they are also known for their adamant principles. Nemaneres’ malakhim often excel as law practitioners, investigators, and lawmakers.

###### *Sephem*

Malakhim that possess a Soul fragment of Sephem are known for their empathetic minds and hearts. They tend to seek harmony over discord, solutions over condemnation, and they can sympathize with even the vilest of beings. Sephem’s malakhim often excel as diplomats, food producers, attorneys, and entertainers.

###### *Zakdian*

Malakhim that possess a Soul fragment of Zakdian are known for their altruism and their courage. This subrace vehemently opposes tyranny, and they are always known to volunteer to take actions against injustice and abuse. This subrace is by far the most common to be exiled. Zakdian’s malakhim excel as soldiers, prosecutors, and activists.

###### *Redemption Malakhim*

Malakhim exiled from the celestial community and cut off from their connection with their celestial mentor experienced the personality traits of their celestial Soul fragment’s origin to dim and weaken somewhat. They still possess the quirks they received from their specific “bloodline” from the Celestial Conclave, but they fade more and more over time.