Word Forces: 12

Attunements: Malakite of Thoroughness, Mercurian of Thoroughness, Elohite of Thoroughness, Book Card, Tying Up Loose Ends, Collector, Angel of Libraries.

Angel of Libraries: Lirien can mentally access any book in any library on any plane at a cost of five Essence. Like a Cherub, he can attune to any Library by thought and he can transport himself to any Library by instantaneous teleportation (i.e. the Celestial Song of Motion).

Songs: Affinity (all), Attraction (Corporeal, Celestial), Entropy (all), Essence (all), Ice (all), Fire (all), Form (all), Location (all), Machines (all), Motion (all), Nemesis (all), Nimbus (all), Numinous Corpus (Claws, Wings, Acid, Tail, Fangs, Tentacles), Projection (all), Shields (all), Tongues (all).

Oaths:

"I will not suffer insult to myself, or the order of things, when it is my choice."

"I will act within the Order of Things, without fail."

"Always protect the books of the Great Library of Heaven."

"Always see to it that everything I am involved in is perfectly and thoroughly done."

"Always protect libraries from harm."

"Protect the Archangel Beth with all my heart, soul, and Forces, first and foremost."

Appearance: Lirien appears as a 9' 6" Malakite, shadowy and oddly vague. On the one hand, he is built like your average brick wall: massive and imposing, with a mass of rock-solid muscle that passes for his chest and arms and gigantic, flaring black wings. On the other hand, a strange shadowy aura seems to distort his image somewhat, making him blurry to the eye, just giving the impression of size and bulk. He has short-cut black hair, cat-like green eyes that seem to glow of their own will, and an impassive face with a mouth set in a permanent scowl. He wears a black, monkish robe with a deep black hood that leaves his face in perpetual shadow. At his side is belted a flaming sword and a spiked steel mace. He nearly always stands with his hands folded into his robes and he never seems to make a sound no matter where he goes.

Roles: Librarian, but his appearance and his identities change constantly as his assignments change unpredictably.

History: Lirien was created by Beth, Archangel of Thoroughness, as the first of her Malakim when she made Archangel. Lirien always realized, from the very first, that the protection of the books was the most important thing in the world, next to make sure that their Custodian was safe. For years he wandered the Great Library, helping to catalog and organize, serving as a looming reminder to other angels and blessed souls to be thorough in all their doings. He nitpicked the Elohim, he second-guessed the Seraphim (politely), and he shot meaningful warning glares at Asmodeus whenever possible. All in all, Lirien was really happy with his job, and then Beth gave him his first Earth assignment.

It was in Sumeria, and Lirien's job was to gather the information present and collate it all for the Library. This he did. He also cheerfully smashed in the heads of various marauders and thieves who attempted to despoil the libraries of the city-states of Sumeria (though he did nothing when they threatened other parts of the land). Many a would-be despoiler learned to leave the libraries intact once the pulped brains and smashed-in skulls of less fortunate thieves started getting nailed to library doors all over Sumeria. This pattern continued for several thousand years, up until the time of the Phoenicians. During this era, Lirien gained a reputation as a Malakite not to be crossed.

Shortly before the Greek Dark Age, Beth sponsored Lirien for the Word of Libraries, since he so fervently protected them. It didn't seem that important, so he was granted the Word. Lirien went to work with a vengeance, using the powers of his Word to Smite people who turned in overdue library books or, worse, stole from a library. His greatest triumph was the Great Library of Alexandria, which he co-administrated with Prima, the Seraph Angel of Archives. It was a major blow to him when the Library burned... and he made sure that those responsible paid most dearly for their actions, each and every one of them.

Over the centuries after that debacle, Lirien gained a reputation as Beth's strong right arm. The big, burly Malakite tends to go out on Beth's behalf (whether she's ordered it or no), and stick up for her interests, with his flaming sword if necessary! Most people avoid him.

Personality: Lirien is a mean SOB, plain and simple. He's a big, vicious watchdog in Beth's employ, ready to rip to shreds anyone she says to rip to shreds. He has a habit of lurking in the shadows, emerging suddenly, and disappearing just as fast. He's snake-quick despite his size and that worries people. Most of the time he's fairly impassive... as long as you obey all the rules of any library you're in, return your books on time, and never, ever breath a word of slander against the Archangel Beth or her Word. That's when heads get smashed, usually with his bare hands. Thoroughness' big bruiser tends to be very systematic about everything, from stacking shelves to taking apart an opponent. Lirien is perpetually pissed off, so don't cross him.