Many blessed souls have ascended the Ladder. Eve is the only human to descend it.

She's been … well, not "back": she bypassed the Lower Heavens completely after death. She arrived in Heaven just a mortal year ago, but her presence has shaken things up more than any other event … including the False Trumpet incident of a few years back … in thousands of years. A human Superior now sits on the Seraphim Council, speaks to Archangels as an equal, raises her voice in protest when angelic plans ignore or utilize human suffering. She has the unbelievable effrontery to hold the Host accountable for their deeds, and constantly throws in their face the fact that, for all their power, they exist solely to ease the path for humanity. Some of the Host accept, others seethe: but the Symphony thunders about her, wilder and cleaner than any have heard since before the Fall, and rare is the angel … or Archangel … that can ignore that explicit affirmation of her exalted state. In short, Eve makes a lot of angels profoundly uncomfortable.

And Yves just smiles.

Angels of Women, contrary to popular belief, are not exclusively concerned with only half the human race. However, they are expected to not cause direct harm to human females (save those who have already met their Fate) by their actions, and incur dissonance if they do. Eve is also known to inflict dissonance on those whose actions have caused indirect harm to any female, though this is hardly a given.

Eve's Servitors are few, for the moment. She can make angels, like any other Superior, but Servitors from other Words (either permanent transfers, or temporary loans) outnumber them. Their setup is fairly informal: they depend on personal contacts and understandings more than on a standard hierarchy. This is already showing signs of change, as the total number of Servitors is rapidly rising.

Eve is a good boss, as long as you don't display any arrogance over being an angel. She isn't a pushover: fail because of honest mistakes or because you didn't have enough support, and you should be all right with her. Fail because you underestimated or dismissed the problems of humanity and Eve will hand you your head. Seraphim and Malakim have difficulties working for her, sometimes (though many do, cheerfully).

It should be lastly noted that Eve's Servitors are not required to only use female vessels or hosts. Most of the angels created by her have that quirk, though. The parallel to her old acquaintance is noted, but the Daughters of Eve (as they are called) do not have any inherently unique abilities, and can be of any Choir. They do tend to understand humanity better, for some reason.

The angel gets a +2 to the check digit when attempting to use her resonance on humans. This will make a celestial or ethereal spirit (but not a Hellsworn or Undead) glaringly obvious to the Seraph.

A Cherub of Women can, on a Perception Roll, determine if there are any individuals that are an active danger to her attuned, if the attuned is a human female. No other information is provided, but a check digit of 6 on the original resonance roll will allow the Cherub to instinctively recognize such an individual.

A Wheel of Women can cut through red tape as if it was, well, red tape. On a Perception Roll, she can detect the best way through a bureaucracy, the most sympathetic clerk in an office, whether or not an obstructive official has as much petty power as she seems, etc. They tend to go through government buildings like a tornado…

An Elohite of Women can inspire humans to understand their own emotional state. The angel must first make a normal resonance roll: her target will gain self-awareness equal to the check digit.

When meeting someone for the first time, A Malakite of Women always knows the most honorable and dishonorable act that person has committed involving a human female. This will not automatically allow her to automatically detect a demon, however.

None have dared seek service with the Archangel of Women. It seems unlikely that any ever will.

Kyriotates always succeed (roll anyway for the check digit) when attempting to possess a person being physically attacked by any sentient being: however, this possession only lasts for (check digit) minutes. The Kyriotate may choose to attempt a normal possession.

These angels, once per day, gain an intuitive knowledge of a particular human's relationship with her family. A person who has this ability used on her will always have a good initial reaction to the angel (treat as a successful reaction roll, with a check digit equal to the angel's Celestial Forces): this can be modified by the Mercurian's later actions, of course. If the Mercurian uses this ability more than once on the same target, she will get updates on the family relationship, but not the reaction benefits.

Anyone who deliberately tells a lie to an angel with this Attunement must make a Will Roll to avoid an immediate, public, retraction of that lie. Celestials get a +2 to the roll.

An angel with this attunement may double the level of her Role when determining whether a particular action causes disturbance.

Vassals of Humanity have the equivalent of Medicine/6, and may make multiple rolls on the same patient per day (maximum equal to the angel's Ethereal Forces). Levels and bonuses are cut in half when dealing with a celestial patient, and may not be used on undead at all.

The angel may, on a Perception Roll -2, determine whether a particular event resulted from celestial interference. It will not reveal specifics, such as whether or not the interference was intentional (or overt). It will also not reveal whether the interference came from an angel or a demon, except on a natural check digit of 6.

Echoes of the Higher Heaven's Symphony permeate these angels' very beings. For 2 Essence, any disturbance within ten yards (made by those serving Heaven) is cut in half. This effect lasts for ten minutes.

Eve has been a somewhat chaotic influence on the Seraphim Council. The normal political maneuverings between the peace and war faction have been disrupted, thanks to the new issue about the effect of Heaven's actions upon humanity. Eve is actually considered a swing vote: she's all in favor of violent actions against demons, but she'll fight to the end to prevent the approval of a plan that has unacceptably high human casualties (and Eve has a very conservative opinion on what "unacceptably high" means).

As a result, Eve does not consistently vote with any particular power bloc. She also doesn’t make deals or compromise, unless the issue is unlikely to have any effect on humanity.

Allied: Blandine, Laurence, Yves

Associated: Gabriel, Eli, Janus, Novalis

Neutral: Dominic, Marc, Michael

Hostile: David, Jean, Jordi (Eve is Hostile to no one)

Blandine: "We get along quite well. She understands the Marches in a way that most outsiders cannot. Of course, from her point of view, we're the outsiders. It's useful to have somebody with that kind of intuitive knowledge on the Council." "She's fought for the souls of humanity since the demons broke loose from their exile, without end, all the while ignoring her personal pain. Anybody who can dismiss such determination and love is seriously missing the point of Heaven's existence in the first place."

David: "Possibly her time Above has served to blur her memories of how hard the corporeal plane can be. Eve's personally charming, and there's no question that she should sit with us, but we are fighting a War here. Bad things happen in war, and one of the nastiest of them is having to make the choice between winning with some casualties, and losing with none. What does she think will happen to humanity if Hell wins, after all?" "Stone is a stubborn Word, so I'm not surprised that David evokes it every waking second. A good thing, for the job he has to do requires stubbornness. However, he needs the occasional reminder that his job is to encourage strength, not idolize it. Some of the people he strengthens don't deserve the honor."

Dominic: "Eve shows a refreshing reluctance to interfere in my affairs, unlike some others I could name. The few times when it's happened have turned out to be a useful corrective to some of my more enthusiastic Servitors, and there's no question to me that she is where God wants her to be. Outside of those instances, we frankly have different concerns." "Dominique is so often associated with her necessary guarding of Heaven's ideology that her critics forget her work to promote justice among humanity. The first is of no real importance to me, and there is nothing to criticize about her work regarding the latter."

Eli: "I stopped by to see her when I heard she was around. Man, did she grow up fast! Still the same Eve, though: sweet personality, whim of titanium. We're cool with each other." "Leave him alone. He's fine where he is."

Gabriel: "When Eve speaks, the strains of the higher Symphony overlays her voice: not as majestic as that from the Almighty, of course, but more immediate, somehow, more geared to be heard by lesser ears. I have not heard those strains in so long: so very, very long." "Yes, I understand quite clearly that she has significant mental burdens that make her unpredictable, even a possible danger, but it seems to me that the Host has been focussing on symptoms and blithely ignoring the disease. Why, precisely, has no one exterminated Belial? Did you all think it was too hard, or would it have been too much of a drain on your own personal projects? One does hope that the situation becomes resolved before Gabriel suffers permanent damage."

Janus: "Nothing like an auditor to really get some quick and dirty cleaning going. Not as much fun when you're on the griddle too, of course. Still, the politics have gotten really confused lately. People can't remember whose faction they're in this week, and Eve's the cause of it all. It's sweet." "Change can be either good or bad. Janus does a good job emphasizing the good aspects, though he does have a slightly cavalier attitude at times to the consequences of his actions. A little forethought could work wonders."

Jean: "It's not that Eve misunderstands my methodology: it's just that she doesn't care. I disagree with her personal opinions about my work, and I have no intention of changing policies without better reasons than the ones I've been given so far." "Jean spent most of his tenure surrounded by those who could not really emphasize with the needs embodied in his Word. He's had to learn how to work on his own, and he hasn't seen yet that it's not quite as necessary as before. I'm more than happy to bring the changed state of affairs to his attention."

Jordi: (disdainful look) "Humans are represented enough on Earth without having a spokeswoman in Heaven. When will the dolphins get their seat? Or the orangutans, or the whales? If she can keep humans in line, very well: but if she wants to speak for them, she must also answer for their crimes." "Her hostility has reason behind it. Humanity was meant to be a steward to the earth, and the War is not the only reason for our poor record. When we win, we will heal what we can, and mourn what we have carelessly slip through our fingers.

Laurence: "She is an example of what heights humanity can reach when they commune with the Lord. I may not always agree, but I would betray my charge if I did not heed Eve's counsel. It is quite useful at times." "Strong, noble in the best sense of the word, and fully cognizant of the fact that his tasks include protecting humanity from the horrors of the War. He is the best choice for leadership of Heaven's armies, and what objections I may raise from time to time about tactical or strategic matters must be seen in that light."

Marc: "Eve? She's an activist type: maybe a little too much for my tastes, but then her ultimate goals aren't precisely common knowledge. I didn't really think that the Council needed a human Superior that badly, but I must admit that she's competent enough, albeit a little far-ranging when it comes to criticizing her peers. We can do business." "Marc is much like Lilith, in one way at least: both hold Words that can be interpreted for both Good and Evil. Thankfully, he is better at mastering his Word. As long as Marc remembers that money is humanity's servant, and not her mistress, there should be little conflict between us."

Michael: "Clever. Opinionated. Always has backup when she tosses a verbal bomb into a Council debate, which is something you have to respect. Sure, I'll listen to her - Eve's got priceless information from Upstairs, if you can ask the right questions - but I'm doing my work the way I feel God wanted me to, and she doesn't quite have the authority to contradict me. No sense in alienating her, though." "I see why Michael was put on trial. I also see why he was pardoned. He is one of God's most complex creations, and while I may disapprove of his methods, I have no quarrel with his motives."

Novalis: "If Eve is a true example of what humanity can become, then every ounce of pain, suffering and sorrow felt by angels since the Fall has been worth it. While she and I may disagree somewhat about the necessity of helping the Fallen to see the light again, I know that the music of the Council will be improved with her human voice added to the Chorus." "It's almost impossible to say anything reproving about Novalis' dealings on Earth, and I'm not about to try and think up something. She's fought for humanity in her own way since the start, and the Host would be much better off if they listened to her more often in dealing with mortals. But she is right about one thing: we do disagree about how much tolerance there should be for rebels and traitors. We have different perspectives on that issue."

Yves: "There are, as usual, very complex reasons why Eve is here. She has a task, and she's started well. The end, if it is achieved, will be astounding to all." "I could not bear the task he wears like a hat. Such a marvelous, sweet, decent soul: I come to him when I miss what I gave up to come here."

No Princely opinions have been added, as they are almost completely uniform in their absolute bitterness and hate for Eve (and, from Eve's point of view, her response is mostly along the lines of "Rebels against God. Capture or destroy"). The only real difference in attitude depends on a demon's age.

Those who remember the Fall remember Eve quite well. They remember a hairless female monkey whom, when her inherent weakness was surely demonstrated to God, was not only allowed to exist, but somehow managed to retain God's favor over Her more deserving creations. That overgrown simian, along with her mate, is directly responsible for the Rebellion, the Exile, and the entire damned interminable War that shows no sign of ever, ever ending. And where is she now, as punishment for this grotesque state of affairs? She sits on the Seraphim Council, with the strains of the pure Symphony about here, recognized as a peer by the enemy Superiors. She came down from the Higher Heavens - a place where no demon can remember without absolute pain - to help direct the War for the benefit of humanity. The Host is the enemy, of course, but they are fellow celestials. To suggest that any human can be the equal of an Archangel may disturbing to Heaven, but is truly offensive to the original rebels.

Those born in Hell may not share the same personal outrage as those exiled from God's favor, but they share the same loathing. The younger demons know humanity: they grew up tormenting and tempting mortals, and know full well the depths that a soul can reach. Besides, the Eden Experiment is a bedtime story to the later generations, and Eve's supposed key role in its failure is one of the central lessons carefully taught to imps and gremlins. To suggest that this particular human could be so honored for so little reason seems to be a bad joke perpetrated on celestials in general, and Hell in particular. Even a Habbalite, trapped in her delusions, will seize Eve's Superior status as proof that no human is worthy of God. Obviously, Eve did not leave the Higher Heavens: she was forced out as being unworthy, and no doubt all the other, later "blessed" souls will follow her in short order.

There is only one Princess who doesn't share in this hatred, which might be surprising to the casual observer.

One would Eve and Lilith to be bitterly opposed: they are the only two humans who have achieved the ultimate prize of their respective positions, and they are generally portrayed in legend to be polar opposites. Unfortunately, this view is more romantic than accurate.

Lilith has no real reason to resent Eve. Eve had a choice, and made it: admittedly, not the smart one, but she could have said no. Lilith certainly doesn't mind that Eve ended up with Adam. Frankly, she was welcome to him. Lilith doesn't particular care much for God, but unlike her fellow Superiors she could care less if She never admits that Lucifer was right to protest about subordinating celestials to humanity. Lilith joined side of Hell because they offered the best deal, not because of ideology. Twenty thousand years of serving her Word for Hell may have eroded her neutrality, but Lilith is not about to begin a grudge match with someone who might end up being useful to her later.

For Eve's part, Lilith is a symbol of every stupid decision of Heaven's since the Fall. If they had been more solicitous, more respectful, and less contemptuous of the first "First Woman", she might not have made the deal that got Lucifer and the others out of Hell. Eve doesn't accept that Lilith really needed to make that deal, of course, but the Archangel of Women sees The Princess of Freedom as someone who ironically never had many options in life, prior to receiving her Word. If Eve has anything to say about it, Lilith's conversion will be a priority. Eve plans to have something to say about it

Also, the two have a lot of mutual concerns about what happens on Earth. Many things that hurt humanity also hurt Freedom. Places where Eve and Lilith have contradictory goals are subject to vigorous conflict, of course, but if they happen to agree that a course of action is desirable, each of their organizations will leave the other strictly alone.

Eve, at heart, is more concerned about humanity than anything else. She's more interested in things that have been proven to work, which is why she's generally in favor of violence when it comes to demons. After all, soul-killing something is nothing else, if not final. Violence against humans is trickier, but Eve is fine with the destruction of Hellsworn and Undead. They made their choice.

However, Eve uses violence as a tool, not as a philosophy. If there's a peaceful solution, trying it first may prevent headaches later on. It all depends on the situation: in fact, Eve's first Word-bound (an Elohite) holds the Word of Situational Ethics.

Eve is also pretty indifferent in some issues that consume celestials. Preventing Ethereal infiltration of Earth is of absolutely no interest to her: Servitors of Women are expected to only bother countering such incursions if they have nothing more important to do (unless, of course, the ethereal is causing harm to humans). Eve also disdains letting whatever disputes she has with her peers affect the work of her Servitors (one of the reasons why she is officially Hostile to no one). As far as she's concerned, any issue that doesn't involve humanity isn't particularly important.

Of course, many, many issues involve humanity.

Strictly speaking, this Word may be better defined as "Humanity", but Eve chooses to emphasize the Word's feminine aspects. If Adam had come down the Ladder (and, incidentally, Eve smilingly declines to discuss precisely what happened to Adam), he might have called himself "Archangel of Man" and reasonably expect it to be understood that the Word included all of humanity. Eve sees no reason why not to do the same thing.

The reason why many of her Attunements (and her dissonance requirements) seem to emphasize women is because, in Eve's opinion, women are could use the help more at this point. This does not mean that Servitors of Women can get away with maltreating men because they are men: countering prejudice by more prejudice doesn’t help matters along at all. Reproving a man who maltreats women because they are women, on the other hand…

Incidentally, Eve defines "human female" as "human born with two X chromosomes", for purposes of Attunements (but not dissonance).

: Repair the damage done by celestial actions (+3 Essence if they were done by a Superior)

: Successfully deliver a baby

+1 A nursing mother

+2 A school full of children

+3 The dead body of a rapist

+4 A place where humans successfully defended against demonic attacks

+5 At the inaugural ceremony of anything meant to help humanity (homeless shelters, suicide prevention centers, nuclear power plants)

+6 The exact moment when (and place where) a woman gives birth