Superior Reactions to the New Crusade

The Seraphim Council is deeply divided over this issue, which is probably one reason why the New Crusade is still a going concern. While nobody is opposed to the idea of Belial's destruction, the bloodshed and destruction that would accompany the Crusade's avowed strategy is giving many Archangels pause. Even those that agree with the Crusade want to make sure that the Council remains in control. It is rumored that at least one major Archangel is secretly behind the movement, although precisely who is a matter for speculation.

Pro: David, Gabriel, Janus, Khalid, Michael, Zadkiel

Neutral: Eli, Gabriel, Jordi, Novalis, Yves

Con: Blandine, Christopher, Dominic, Gabriel, Jean, Laurence, Litheroy, Marc

Blandine: "It may be too late … and while they obviously want what's best for Gabriel, they may not be able to do it. Restrain their enthusiasm until the Council can reassess the matter."

Christopher: "Successful or not, a lot of people will end up dead if the Crusade is allowed to continue on its path. There must be a better way."

David: "It's overdue, to be sure, and the Crusade will be a potent weapon … under the Council's firm control."

Dominic: "The Council has already made its collective decision regarding Gabriel's madness. What must be done now should be obvious to all."

Eli: "Gabriel will work things out on her own, I'm sure. So will the Host. I'm busy here, OK?"

Gabriel: "So others have finally seen… would I but strong enough to spare them the burden … but Belial is mine!

"What is the path for me to take? I cannot see.

"What is the path?"

Janus: "I'm all for it: it's good to see somebody showing a little initiative around here. Just try and stop my people from helping out … although, of course, I'm not actually ordering anybody to do this, you understand."

Jean: "Enthusiastic, sloppy and ill-timed. They should be thinking of something more efficient than just slaughtering every Servitor of Belial's they see."

Jordi: "I see not where this Crusade is really any concern of me or mine. Whatever happens, happens."

Khalid: "While the connotations of the word "Crusade" are not completely positive, the sentiment behind them is pure. We must release Gabriel (Allah's peace be upon him) from his bondage of pain. We must also do it properly, after we have come to consensus. I trust that we will all see the wisdom of this plan, in good enough time."

Laurence: "While I appreciate the sentiment, the way these 'Crusaders' are going about things is wrong, and not conducive to proper discipline. If we run off in all directions on our personal pet causes, we waste our strength … and Hell's defeat is delayed. We have a War to win, here."

Litheroy: "There's something going on, here, and I don't like movements whose leaders are hidden to me. If their cause is so just, why are they hiding?"

Marc: "We're reacting, not acting, and we’re being incredibly wasteful in the process. Either we should go ahead together or we should stay where we are. The Council will take action, but we'll do it the right way; and before we can, we have to stop fighting each other!"

Michael: "The Hyena disapproves. Good enough for me, and I'd have been tempted to go along with this anyway. We'll have to keep a firm grip on the whole thing, though."

Novalis: "It's … sweet … that they care about Gabriel, but I'd be happier about such direct action if we had bothered to try anything else first. I can’t support it … but my angels don't ask questions when they tend to the wounded."

Yves: "This is a pivotal moment for the Host, and what happens next will dictate how we go about the War for the next millennium. I cannot force that choice."

Zadkiel: "I have looked upon this, and found it good. Protection of the wounded is the duty of the just: so is the destruction of those who wound."

The collected Princes of Hell are similarly divided on this issue. Very few of them would mind seeing a rival removed … but just letting Heaven wipe out inconvenient Demon Princes without retribution isn't a winning strategy. A few wouldn't be opposed to providing a bit of help on the sly, of course. After all, if Belial can't handle the heat, then he really shouldn't have gotten the job in the first place…

Alaemon: "The New Crusade hides a secret. I can smell it. Acquiring that secret should be your paramount concern, not who wins. I can find that out all on my own."

Andrealphus: "Choices, choices: keep that ugly little poseur alive, or eventually warm my bed with an old friend? I want both, really: see to it, my dears. See to it."

Asmodeus: "The Crusade is useful … but only if they are unsuccessful. Don't let it get out of hand."

Baal: "Fat chance that I'm just going to throw all these centuries of work down the drain. Shut the New Crusade down now."

Beleth: "What do I care? No matter what happens, the Crusade will become a synonym for fear. Just like all its other incarnations."

Belial: "You have to ask? KILL THEM ALL!"

Fleurity: "Not my problem. Just let me know when the final scene is, so I can get a good seat and buzz on."

Furfur: "HOO-AH! SIGN ME UP, BABY! This is all that and a bag of (bleep)ing chips! You don't see New Crusaders, understand? You don't see them, you don’t hear them, and you don't know (bleep)ing nothing about (bleep)ing nothing, got it?"

Haagenti: "If he can't stand the heat, he should have stayed out of Gabriel's kitchen. Anybody worthy of the title would have eaten his enemy centuries ago, anyway. Just don't let whatever you do come back up to trouble my dinner."

Kobal: "What a lovely thought: the weak trying to save the mad by killing the rude. Don't get involved, though: try to remember that people avidly watching a fight tend not to notice the matches you're lighting under their feet…"

Kronos: "How dare they think that they can control Gabriel's Fate? I control her Fate, and I say that this shall not succeed. Make it so."

Lilith: "I've got too much of an investment in his organization to see it go up in smoke. Stop it … and if you can't, at least try to give me some warning so that I can call in my girls, OK?"

Malphas: "Does it really matter who wins, as long as the battle goes on and on and on? And spreads on both sides, until every Superior is fighting all the others? I have every confidence in your ability to do your part in making this vision true."

Mammon: "Hmmm… if Belial goes down, then title to his Principality is cleared. I'm really getting a little cramped here. Need I say more?"

Nybbas: "Don’t ask me about motivations, baby: just keep those cameras rolling! Help out our side, of course ... although the play's the thing, here."

Saminga: "Either Belial, or a whole lot of angels, are going to die. What's the downside?"

Valefor: "Hmmm. Just how badly do I want this dumb-ass dead? Let me get back to you on that. Feel free to take advantage of the chaos, though… and if it looks like Belial's going down for the count, let me know. He's got a few shiny things that I've had my eye on for some time now."

Vapula: "It would be a shame to let such a useful inspiration disappear. On the other hand, now would be a good time to accelerate field trials on some of my new armaments…"