David

David, Malakite Archangel of Stone (Exiles)

The world... is broken... torn asunder amidst the blasphemous silence... of an uncaring universe... Even stone... may crumble... in time...

David has given up.

Before the Exile, David resonated with endurance, unity, and loyalty. His Word was that of unyielding fortitude; that which banded together for strength; that loyalty that could be worn down, but never destroyed. A calling within him caused the pious Cherub to molt into a Malakite during the Rebellion as he took up arms against Lucifer's forces. Yet, even fighting for God's cause... they failed. David failed, and was Exiled to Hades with the rest of the Loyalists.

Everyone reacted to the Exile in different ways. Eli writhed in constant pain. Dominique tore out her eyes. Blandine ceased to speak. And David just... broke. He did not weep or curse or scream - he found a quiet, craggy place in Hades, and entombed himself within the rocky ground without a word to his Servitors. When the gates to Hades creaked open, David finally ventured forth and saw the Symphony for what it had become. And he realized. It's over.

It's all over.

The destiny of the Symphony was battled for...and lost. And now the Symphony is falling apart. The world is set on a downward spiral to entropy and oblivion, and no one has a chance in Hades of stopping it. God is gone. And after a few millennia of thought, David has realized that God isn't coming back. David understands. If he were God, he would have given up on this world by now, too. In fact, he has.

Why care? Why fight? Why bother? It's not going to do any good. All the Archangels in Hades could storm the gates of Heaven tomorrow, slaughter Lucifer, bring joy back to Heaven, and devote all of their time to trying to restore the Symphony back to its glory... and it would all be in vain, without God's presence. The world is already dead - it's just crumbling slowly - and David is the only one willing to admit it. So David lies entombed within the stone crags of his section of Hades, emerging rarely if at all, dwelling on the futility of it all, and wishing his Oaths did not commit him to the war against Heaven. It would be so easy to just... disband... otherwise.

Dissonance

Angels of Stone cannot abandon or betray a group to which they have pledged their loyalty. They may withdraw their loyalty from a group that has proven itself genuinely unworthy of it, by notifying the leadership of the group. They don't pledge their loyalty easily, but once they do, it's usually for life. Needless to say, all angels of Stone have pledged their loyalty to David and his organization; many a Davidian has torn himself apart with Discord after following David into apathy.

Organization: Davidians, Masons, Stonites, "Rockheads"

David lost over one quarter of his angels within the first decade of Exile, either to self-dissolution, accumulated Discord, or defection to another Superior. His Cherubim were hit especially hard; many attuned to David to seek an end to his suffering, and found themselves unable to cope with the Dissonance. The few that are left are mostly Cherubin-Djinn, better able to cope with David's apathy.

With no Archangel, Stone was in chaos at first. Chaos quickly settled into anarchy, which settled further into gangs, which worked well enough to remain the status quo. Gangs of Stone can be based around anything: mottoes, a common cause, a type of Word, a certain attitude, even a single charismatic leader. Each gang has its own approach to furthering the Word of Stone. In general, they get along, though minor 'turf wars' are common. Alliances and feuds are formed and ended, though always openly and never too quickly to keep track of.

Still, Stone lacked true unity, one of its most important aspects. It had no overall guiding force. Eventually, the highest ranking Word-bound of Stone decided that if David would not create a governing council, they would. Each choir of Stone came to a decision about which of its members would be part of the council - this ranged from massive voting and politicking (for the Mercurians) to a simple acknowledgment of the most powerful member taking his rightful place (for the Malakim). And the Council of Stone (below) was formed.

Most of David's gangs accept the authority of the Council, which usually turns out solid, sensible decisions in the original spirit of Stone. Some gangs do not, instead following only their own leaders (and David himself, of course). This has not turned into a 'civil war' and likely never will - while the two sides each believe that the other is acting foolishly and undermining the way of Stone, both are waiting to act until David makes a pronouncement about the subject.

David knows of the Council... and speaks to the members of it on his rare appearances. David knows of the groups that do not follow the Council... and speaks to its leaders rarely as well. And while he has never once imbued the Council with his authority and blessing, neither has he once stated or even implied that they have overstepped their authority in any way. The current theory among the rest of Hades is that David refuses to acknowledge the Council as his ruling body because it would mean that he has officially abandoned his organization, yet he must let them exist to prevent that organization from falling apart completely. This blend of hypocrisy, denial, disparity, and fear goes against everything Stone stands for... a fact which must grate on David every moment of his existence.

Davidians 'In Service To' Other Archangels

There is nothing to stop an angel of Stone from carrying his Heart to another Archangel and requesting a transfer of service. Most Archangels, sympathetic towards the situation of the Stonites, will gladly shatter the old Heart, strip the angel of their Stone Attunements, Rites, and dissonance condition, and create a new Heart for them. At one time, they also attempted to inform David of this transfer; they stopped bothering after David made it clear that he simply did not care.

However, many, many Masons cannot bear to leave Stone, yet at the same time, they long for service under an active Archangel. David therefore has a number of his Servitors placed 'In Service To' (IST) another Archangel. For example, a Kyriotate of Stone who cannot cope with the loss of David may feel that he can still promote a strong sense of community working with the angels of Communication. If Nybbas approves, that angel is now referred to as a Kyriotate of Stone In Service To Communication. It retains Stone's rites, attunements, and dissonance conditions; it does not gain Communication's dissonance conditions, nor is it automatically awarded their rites or attunements. In fact, most Stonites IST another Archangel find that they have to work harder to get the same recognition, but Stone is nothing if not resilient.

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Choir Attunements

Seraphim (Restricted)

Pioneers of the "Tough Love" concept, Seraphim of Stone are adept at convincing others of harsh truths, and subtract their Celestial Forces from a subject's Will roll to resist believing a truth that he is afraid to hear.

Cherubim (Restricted)

David has very few Cherubim, and fewer 'Cherubim-Cherubim' still - the few that he has do suffer double dissonance from violating his dissonance conditions! His more common (but still rare) 'Cherubim-Djinn' do not suffer from this problem, of course. For one Essence, Cherubim of Stone may turn one of their attuned into living rock, briefly. For minutes equal to the angel's Corporeal Forces (or until the angel wills it to end), their attuned gains a Protection of 5, but moves at one quarter speed; skills like Running, Fighting, and Dodge become impossible to use. David intended this Attunement as a last-ditch defense mechanism for his Guardians' attuned; however, most of his current Cherubim seem to use it mainly to keep their attuned from running away....

Ofanim

Stone's Wheels can move through the earth itself! Minerals and metals (including glass) move aside to let the angel pass, sealing back up behind him. The angel keeps a pocket of air with him to breathe, and may carry up to (Corporeal Forces x 10) pounds of equipment with him. Each foot of progress takes one round through soft earth, two through stone or brick, and three through metal or glass. If the angel encounters a layer of non-mineral material (such as paper, wood, or paint), he will have to tear through it to continue.

Malakim

Once per day, Malakim of Stone may plant their feet on the ground and become immobile and indestructible. While in this form, they cannot move or speak, and may revert to normal at will. Nothing (including use of the Malakite of Resistance Attunement) can harm them in any way; if a nuclear bomb were set off at their feet, you would find them at the bottom of the crater, standing, unchanged.

Elohim

Trained by a master, Elohim of Stone are sensei, encouraging spiritual development and self-defense through martial arts. In unarmed combat, they may add their Celestial Forces to their Dodge skill or to the check digit of a successful Dodge roll. If their check digit is at least twice that of their attacker's, the attacker may be thrown into a wall or the ground, taking half the angel's check digit (round up) in damage! Many of David's Mercurians take this Attunement.

Kyriotates

Dominations of Stone can create their own vessels, but only of stone. These vessels move at half speed, do 2 extra points of damage in unarmed combat, and have a natural Protection of 5. The vessel ties up the standard number of Forces (i.e., five for a human vessel, one for a bird vessel, etc.) while in use. Angels suffer neither dissonance nor Trauma when a stone vessel is damaged or destroyed.

Lilim (Restricted)

David has relatively few Lilim; he did not recruit any Servitors after the Exile, and Lilim did not exist before then. However, many Lilim have chosen to serve Stone of their own accord; a few major Word-Bound have even asked to be transferred into his service - apparently, they appreciate the freedom of having a completely hands-off Superior. They don't even mind waiting half a century or so to ask David for a Heart and Choir Attunement.

The Charismatics of Stone resonate for loyalty. Anyone who pledges his loyalty to the Lilim, or to a cause that she's championing to him, and then betrays or abandons her or that cause without good reason (GM's call), automatically owes the Lilim a Geas/2. Lilim of Stone make great community leaders.

Mercurians

The Friends of Man are remarkably capable of convincing people to band together and defend themselves. With a successful Fast-Talk roll, the Mercurian can convince anyone not currently hostile towards him (GM's call) to stand and fight alongside the angel; subjects affected may resist with a Will roll minus the angel's Ethereal Forces. Subjects who are fighting against their will may make a new roll to resist upon being injured (roll Will minus the angel's Ethereal Forces, plus the damage taken); every new injury allows another roll. This Attunement is very common among David's few Lilim.

Servitor Attunements

David has not changed or added any Servitor Attunements or Distinctions since the Rebellion, and has shown no intention of ever doing so.

Armor

Per Superiors 1, p. 7.

Brotherhood

Per Superiors 1, p. 8.

Cold Touch

Per Superiors 1, p. 8.

Deep Gaze

Per Superiors 1, p. 8.

Inevitability

Per Superiors 1, p. 9.

Rock Hard

Per Superiors 1, p. 9.

Distinctions

While Stonites In Service To other Words often have to work twice as hard to be noticed, their brethren serving David have it at least as bad. In general, at least six members of the Council must agree that the angel deserves a Distinction - or the angel's gang and all of its allied gangs must agree - and then everyone waits until David emerges from the earth. To make matters worse, David has been known to become frustrated at too many requests for rewards, causing many an angel to be 'on the list' for a Distinction for years, if not decades. David awards no Distinctions beyond Master of the Granite Hand (but see below).

Vassal of Stone

Per Superiors 1, p. 9.

Friend of the Subterranean World

Per Superiors 1, p. 9.

Master of the Granite Hand

Per Superiors 1, p. 9.

Other 'Distinctions'

While David himself grants no additional Distinctions, the varied gangs that comprise Stone have their own individual sets of distinctions. These 'unofficial' distinctions are not recognized by all of Stone's gangs, and are rarely recognized by other Archangel's Servitors; within one's gang, however, and amongst allied gangs, they carry weight. Some gangs have only the ubiquitous 'Head' distinction, for the leader(s) of the gang. Others may have dozens of distinctions, either to honor various champions, or to represent different 'degrees' within a gang.

These gang distinctions are always mentioned separately from the angel's normal Distinctions, if any, out of respect for David's authority. For example, Joshiro, Kyriotate Friend of the Subterranean World and leader of the Dark Iron gang, is referred to as 'Joshiro, Head of Dark Iron, Kyriotate Friend of the Subterranean World'.

Relations

The following are David's personal relations to the other Superiors. However, it must be stressed that in many ways the relations of the Council and its members are just as important. As a unit, the Council tends to echo David's feelings, especially regarding the Host, but the opinions of its individual members vary. See the description of the Council and its members, below, for more information.

Relations (Exiles)

Allied: No one

Associated: Blandine, Ogiel

Neutral: Everyone else, except...

Hostile: Baal

Enemy: Malphas

Relations (Host)

Allied: No one

Associated: No one

Neutral: Israfel, Malphas

Hostile: Everyone else, except...

Enemy: Lucifer

Relations (Other)

Allied: No one

Associated: Gabriel, Mariel

Neutral: Fleurity, White Star

Hostile: Jordi, Soldekai

Enemy: Beelzebub

Basic Rites

Spend four hours resting under the ground (e.g., in a mine, cave, tunnel, etc.)

Bring more than 20 humans together for the first time for a good cause

Restore a community which was about to fall apart (+2 Essence)

Expanded Rites

None.

Actually, David used to have additional Rites, and a few of his oldest angels will have Rites other than the ones listed above, but he has not given them out since the Rebellion. The Council accept this; given the difficulties involved in persuading David to bestow Attunements and Distinctions, they have decided not to press their luck by demanding Rites as well.

Instead, senior Word-Bound members of the Council (and of the gangs) will bestow their own Rites to the worthy. Thus, the Rites granted can vary quite a bit, but will generally be appropriate for the rewarded angel. Care is taken, however, not to stretch a given Word too thin; even if an angel clearly deserves a Rite of Endurance, the Council may instead grant them a Rite of Architecture if Schryk is becoming overtaxed. Accepting such Rites with anything less than complete honor and gratitude is considered very ill mannered.

Change of Invocation: Almost None

David can be invoked on a Divine Intervention only. Essence expenditures and all other modifiers are ignored. Even if invoked, he will only appear personally if the situation is something which would temporarily motivate him out of his depressed state (GM's call). More often, he will send an order to the nearest group of Stonites or their allies to aid the angel.

David in Detail

History

The Cherub Archangel of Stone was the shaper of the Earth's crust and forger of its mantle. With the aid of his angels (among them Albor, Malphas, and Magog), he split the tectonic plates and established the cycle of geologic 'life' on the young planet. As life began to evolve and learn, David shifted his focus towards brotherhood and gathering together, encouraging the early humans to build shelters for themselves, and work together to overcome problems.

When God declared the humans 'hands off', David was willing to comply. He had given them enough guidance and could now see how they would succeed or fail on their own. David never really considered how the other angels might have felt, and the Rebellion took him completely by surprise.

One moment, it seemed everything was fine. The next moment, half a dozen of his attuned were soul-killed! Torn through with dissonance, David turned to see Lucifer leading a small army through the golden streets of Heaven, killing all who stood in his way. Mad with rage, David tore into the murderers, avenging the deaths of his fellow angels. Nothing could have prepared him, however, for seeing his creations, Malphas and Magog, fighting on the side of the Lightbringer! When Uriel sprouted wings of black and chains of gray, David was only moments behind him, his outrage and fury transforming his nature, his dissonance wrapping itself into his Malakite Oaths.

Within moments, Michael was there, challenging Lucifer to single combat. David, spying Baal rushing to his master's aid, blocked his path like a massive boulder. It was in vain, however, as Jordi managed to distract Michael long enough for Lucifer to deliver the killing blow. As all of Heaven fell silent, Laurence (who had apparently blossomed into a Malakite as well) took his place at Lucifer's side. Somehow, most of Heaven decided to follow the swordsman... David only remembers the bile rising up into his throat.

Then, Exile. The angels marched slowly into Hades... and the gates swung shut behind them, locking them in forever. David sat in the craggiest part of Hades for many years, contemplating what had happened, lacking for answers to give his Servitors. When Yves passed away, he stopped trying to find the answers altogether.

Eventually, Lilith unlocked their prison, and showed the Exiles a path back to the world they knew. David ventured forth... and discovered a world where the Symphony was unraveling. A world sucked dry by the Host. A broken world, falling apart at the seams. A world without God.

And David realized the truth... and returned to Hades... and immersed himself within the earth, to wait for the end of it all.

Personality and Outlook

David doesn't care. He's given up completely. If a chance comes up for him to achieve an honorable death, he'll take it without a second thought. Anything less than that would be abandoning his group completely, and his Oaths won't allow that. But if he's destroyed while defending Hades from the forces of Heaven... then he could rest in peace.

David's Oaths

Sworn when he made the transformation into a Malakite, these Oaths have been with David since the Rebellion, and are the primary reason why he still exists today.

I. "I will not suffer an insult to myself or the Order of Things when it is my choice."

Some say David has skirted this Oath many times; the discussion of his organization amongst the other angels has not always been particularly flattering. Fortunately for David, it is difficult to hear such things when entombed within solid rock.

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

David expects that his words will be obeyed without question, and that his organization will follow the proper chains of command.

III. "I will not betray any group to which I have sworn allegiance to."

David cannot give up completely, for he has sworn allegiance to his organization of Servitors. It is this Oath which has David teetering on the edge of Dissonance constantly, and it is this Oath which keeps David alive, day to day.

IV. "I will not act unless I am acting for the glory of God."

David despises politicking and machinations. He swore this Oath to ensure that he would always act nobly and virtuously. Of course, the Oath says nothing about inaction.

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Life Without a Leader

David didn't bother declaring any of his Servitors as "in charge" during his leave of absence. Despite his apathy, however, the unity of Stone eventually asserted itself. First, however, there was anarchy. Not chaos, just anarchy - each Davidian would follow David's dissonance condition, and their supervisor (if any), but everything else was left up to the individual, with no guidance, no rewards, no discipline. David lost almost one quarter of his angels in the first decade of Exile. Many of them chose to simply disband; others found service with other Archangels. The remainder struggled on, with small losses every year to defection and suicide.

Eventually, the gangs formed. Like-minded Masons began gathering together in permanent groups - some democratic, some with an acknowledged leader. Each gang had their own particular ideals and methods of furthering the Word of Stone. Some were militant, and began fighting the War in earnest. Others were more pacifistic and believed in the building up of groups and communities. Many fell in between. Over time, alliances and enmities formed, and the slowly shifting political map that is the Gangs of Stone came to be. Stone had finally become active again, though admittedly in a very unfocused manner.

After several centuries, a large majority of the gangs became frustrated with the ineffectiveness of their (dis-)organization, and began gathering to discuss a solution. After several decades of discussion, the Word-Bound Masters of the Granite Hand decided to create a ruling council. And so it was formed....

The Council of Stone

While not accepted by all of the gangs, it was accepted by the majority. More importantly, Hades was overjoyed. Stone now had a central authority, could coordinate large-scale projects, and could mobilize with relative ease. A council of eight cannot act as quickly as a lone Archangel can, but since David was slow to act anyway, the difference actually turned out to be quite minor.

The members of the Council are:

Albor, Seraph Angel of Geology

Albor is the oldest and most powerful member of the Council, having served David since before the creation of the Earth. Though Schryk acknowledges her as "Council Head", she (like the rest of the council) considers it a group of eight equals. Albor favors David's common approach to a problem, believing in carefully weighted, conservative choices, favoring a long-term approach to things. She prefers to act only when necessary, so as not to waste resources, and likes to deliberate and meditate upon a situation thoroughly before coming to a conclusion. In a critical situation, she does not waste time unnecessarily, but also refuses to act rashly.

Albor tends to get along well with Blandine and Raphael, and is often the first Council member approached by the other Archangels.

Lamoriel, Cherub Angel of Miners

Note the Word: "Miners", not "Mining". In fact, Lamoriel served under the Seraph Angel of Mining before his elevation to the Council. The youngest and weakest member of the Council, Lamoriel is actually one of David's strongest remaining Cherubim. This often causes conflict within Schryk and the other Malakim of Stone, who must balance the Cherub's choir and position with his youth and relatively weak Word.

Perhaps acknowledging his inexperience, Lamoriel tends to be fairly quiet and uninvolved on the Council. Most often, he'll simply agree with the majority; once in a while, however, he'll form a particular opinion about something and hold to it stubbornly, arguing even against the combined wills of the rest of the Council. He wins some... he loses some... and he always sulks when he loses. This has earned him a reputation as an easy-going guy who can turn into a bit of a spoiled brat at times, but he's generally liked (if not incredibly well respected).

Lamoriel is often approached by other Archangels (particularly Ogiel, who he gets along with fairly well) with ideas that might not go over well with the others. If they can get him excited and interested in the idea, he'll pitch it to the Council until he's blue in the face. More often, however, he just doesn't care about it.

Ullienders, Ofanite Angel of Avalanches

One would think that with a Word like Avalanches, Ullienders would be somewhat hot-headed and favorable towards violence. One would be right. The infamous arguments between Ullienders and Albor have, at times, spawned betting pools from interested spectators - sometimes over the winner, sometimes over whether it would come to blows. Intelligent and wise, the Ofanite is no fool; he simply does not believe in wasting time or sparing the rod.

Ullienders is the greatest proponent of the War faction, and is often courted by Ogiel, Uriel, and Baal (whom he listens to with a healthy degree of mistrust). Unfortunately, his rashness can weaken his debating skills at times, hurting his position on the Council floor.

Schryk, Malakite Angel of Endurance

Respectful, proper, formal, and polite - Schryk does not start arguments on the Council floor, and does not join into those in progress. He will discuss and even debate, but will quietly wait for silence when the yelling begins. Favoring a heavy-handed, interventionist, but conservative approach, he is usually one of the last members to come to a decision. When that decision is made, however, nothing less than David himself will change it. In times of debate, he tends to become somewhat patronizing towards Mermeces and Salem, but never to the point of obvious insult.

Schryk often finds himself working in the same vein as Dominique and Uriel (which he approves of) and Baal (which he does not). The former will often approach him, but Schryk is willing to give anyone a fair hearing before deciding whether to petition for them in the Council.

Jandil, Elohite Angel of Metamorphic Rocks

Another of David's oldest angels, second only to Albor in seniority, Jandil can often be found entombed near David in Hades, meditating upon (and occasionally attempting to resonate upon) its Superior, who does not seem to notice his presence. Jandil feels that this gives it a deep insight into David's mind and speaks in the Council as such - its opinions there are thus not its own, but what it feels David's opinions would be. Whether the other members agree that its 'communion' with David is real this week or not generally depends on whether it's agreeing or disagreeing with their positions at the moment. It's definitely the wild card on the Council floor.

Jandil is the only Council member that Vapula feels safe approaching, and even then its reaction is often sporadic. As David has not made his feelings known on most smaller, specific issues, there is a lot of room for interpretation. The GM may wish to determine Jandil's reaction to any given subject with a random die roll.

Andethiel, Kyriotate Angel of Architecture

The only pacifist of the Council, Andethiel believes strongly in never striking the first blow. It favors new and progressive approaches to things, but doesn't like to act until necessary, especially regarding violence in any way. Often overruled by the rest of the Council, on many of its standpoints, it tends to be somewhat depressed most of the time... some would say the others don't respect its opinions, but most would say its opinions are respected but not always in keeping with the way of Stone. Either way, Andethiel tends to sigh a lot.

Eli, Haagenti, and Novalis will often court Andethiel's vote in the Council, though in truth, the Kyriotate is often flattered enough by being approached that it will champion anyone's cause that does not go against its morals.

Mermeces, Lilim Angel of Jewelry

One would think that with a Word like Jewelry, Mermeces would be vain and somewhat obsessed with Corporeal status and wealth. One couldn't be more wrong. One of David's hardest working and pro-active Lilim, Mermeces believes strongly in broad interpretation and conscious promotion of Words. The concepts of birthstones and the 'mystical powers of gems' (believed in by older cultures and Newer Agers) are hers. She is currently assembling a cadre of jewelry angels under her (i.e., the angels of Diamond, Ruby, Jade, etc.), each with the goal of interpreting their Word through the 'meaning' of their gemstone. Unfortunately, this project (along with her many others) gives her less time for politicking, and she is the only Council member to regularly miss meetings or arrive late. When she does participate, she tends to favor innovative and imaginative solutions to problems, but her words carry little weight. It often takes her more effort than it's worth to promote her ideas, but she occasionally comes up with a solution that is too undeniably perfect for the others to discount.

Lilith and Eli, whom she gets along with for different reasons, often approach Mermeces. Those who've struck out with Lamoriel will sometimes come to her as well, though she becomes offended if she discovers that she was a 'backup plan'.

Salem, Mercurian Angel of Cities

The third oldest of the Council members, Salem believes strongly in humans banding together for community. Some find her views on individual humans a bit... odd... for one with such a humanocentric Word. While she is in love with the way humans can build a community from nothing, growing it into a bustling city over the course of a century or two, she doesn't particularly like most humans on a one-to-one basis. She has no problem with 'weeding out a few troublemakers' to help ensure the growth of a town. On the Council floor, Salem tends to be pro-intervention - she isn't particularly conservative or progressive, and not particularly in favor of or opposed to violence. She's definitely pro-humanity all the way, but believes that they are a renewable resource. And she's very, very persuasive (though the others know all of her best rhetoric by now).

Every Archangel, at one point or another, has come to Salem to make a case for something. She is a fair listener, doesn't show much bias towards any particular Words (excepting Factions, of course), and is a wonderful and respected debater. Every Archangel also knows by now that Salem isn't always the best Council member to go to... as she has no qualms about changing another Archangel's plan or proposal to suit the needs of her own agenda and projects. Archangels who don't want their proposals modified will generally avoid Salem.

Role in the War

Since the formation of the Council, Stone has taken a more active role in the War. Typically, Stonites are assigned to one of the following types of missions:

Community - Angels of Stone excel at building (and rebuilding) towns, villas, armies, and so on. From purging the Host's influence from a small town to organizing and training a guerrilla strike force to retake a Third World country, the Davidians are the ones assigned to the job.

Defense - Often working with Servitors of Resistance, Masons are commonly assigned to help defend a location. Anything from a Tether to a public school might be in need of protection - sometimes it can be obvious, sometimes it must be subtle. Occasionally the community aspect comes into play, and the locals must be assembled together in their own defense. David's Mercurians and Lilim excel at that particular job.

Offense - Stonites are often excellent combatants, and are willing to put themselves on the front lines of the War. Directly fighting the Host, whether through sneak attacks or direct frontal assaults, is a duty for which there can never be enough angels. Sometimes the offense is much more subtle, such as a pamphlet campaign to shut down a nearby Tether; subtlety is a must at times.

Superior Opinions

God: "We have failed him... and our punishment is his absence. I am sorry, Father... so sorry...."

Baal: "Am I to forget his treachery? To forgive? Let the others welcome Baal as a brother. It concerns me not."

Blandine: "Sometimes, I sit with her... and we silently stare out into the night...."

Dominique: "I understand... she cannot bear to look at the Symphony... for it would destroy her to see the Truth."

Eli: "He wastes his time on a struggle already lost... it does not matter."

Haagenti: "Annoying. He tries... let him."

Lilith: "She who opened the doors into a world which was already lost to oblivion... this was not her fault, but it brought Hades only false joy...."

Malphas: "<spit> A warped copy of my creation. If you seek some duty to pretend it will matter, then undo what he has done."

Novalis: "No surprise that she cannot see the futility of her efforts... she was never the brightest angel...."

Nybbas: "Manipulation. Misdirection. These are not tools for our side. No matter... no matter...."

Ogiel: "Ever vigilant... even should he know that his efforts are in vain, he would never cease fighting... <sigh> ...foolish, yes... yes...."

Malakim of a Feather

David does not hide his fatalistic beliefs that the rest of Hades is wasting their time - he considers Eli, Haagenti, Novalis, and the others to be misguided and foolish in their zest for the War. Yet, the Seraphim of Hades will tell you that his criticisms of Ogiel are half-hearted at best... some would even say forced.

So, why does David still (privately, if not openly) respect Ogiel's vigilance? Most feel that Ogiel is a mirror image of David... the David that did not break. The David that did not give up. The David that could never give up on his cause and would fight to the death. Perhaps, deep inside, David feels a mixture of shame and hope when seeing Ogiel... this would explain why David supports him occasionally (which is to say, far more frequently than any other Archangel), yet rarely will remain in his presence for very long.

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Raphael: "She knows... yet she fights it, as most living things do... when the End comes, she will finally know for sure...."

Uriel: [Waiting for more data.]

Vapula: "He with the 'great plan' to save us all... while I cannot call him a fool until it is unveiled, I doubt I will be saying otherwise when it happens...."

Lucifer: "The beginning of the end. There is no solace to be found in his death... but some small amount to be found in his pain...."

Andrealphus: "Love? You are a waste of Forces."

Beleth: "A wicked creature... not especially potent, however...."

Beth: "A librarian... they made an Archangel of a librarian... that was the first chuckle I had had in centuries...."

Christopher: "Is this an Archangel? Confusing... the Host has truly gone mad... as the world falls apart, so do the minds of those despoiling it...."

Demogorgon: "Ah... the destruction of the Symphony given a name... if one were to destroy destruction... it might cease... but... no, the entropy of the Symphony is unavoidable without God... might as well let it reign loose and free...."

To Fight Or Not To Fight...

David's feelings toward Demogorgon are mixed and conflicting. For the most part, David knows that Demogorgon is just a tool of the entropy which is claiming the Symphony. If he were destroyed, another tool (or tools) would come forth and resume the dissolution - at best, it might slow things down for a short while.

Yet, a small part of David is urged to fight the breakdown of the Symphony and attack to destroy Demogorgon. If there is any chance that God could return to stabilize things, it would be the right thing to do. This line of thinking rarely survives for long, however, before the despair and nihilism takes over and submerges it back into the depths of David's mind.

</Sidebar>

Eve: "Another false Archangel... this one a pet of Lucifer... whatever...."

Gebbeleth: "Spreading his dogma of faith and days of reckoning, on behalf of his lord Lucifer... in days of old, this would be a perversion of Truth... now... it is merely a lie...."

Iblis: "Idiotic and annoying... if he wishes to destroy us, why has he not come through our gates? Come prove yourself, Iblis... lead the Host into our realm...."

Israfel: "She knows the Truth... and it has driven her mad... yet, when she speaks of worlds in which God still smiles upon the Symphony... I want so badly to believe her...."

Jean: "He wishes to replace God. For that, should I see him, I will destroy him. Otherwise, what does he matter...?"

Kobal: "<a long, stone-cold stare>.... The time for laughter has passed."

Laurence: "A toy soldier in a pointless war...."

Magog: "The errant child who rebelled against serving under me... now serves under a petty tyrant and fool... I have no ties to this angel."

Malphas: "My offspring... perverting my teachings and using them to erode the Symphony... I cannot forgive you, my son, but I see no point to destroying you, either... your efforts mean nothing in the end...."

David and Malphas and Malphas

David believes that the Host's Malphas is his original creation, and that the Malphas sent into Exile is a flawed doppelganger... perhaps sent along with a hidden agenda, or to keep tabs on the Loyalists. Even without a hidden Host agenda, the Exiled Malphas is clearly working against the principles of unity and brotherhood, undermining the little good left in the universe. This Malphas is no son of David's.

The Host's Malphas, on the other hand, believes in the principles of coalition and working together in groups. David is extremely saddened that his ideals are being put to use for the causes of Heaven, but cannot completely discard his familial attachment to the Archangel of Coalition. While capable of destroying the Host's Malphas, he secretly hopes never to be put in that position. Sometimes, David considers working to try to convince his son to join him in Hades... but in the end, he realizes the futility of doing so, and abandons the thought.

</Sidebar>

Marc: "A coward... trying to live as comfortably as possible in his end days... perhaps less of a fool than the others... but a coward nonetheless...."

Zadkiel: "Hmm... Laurence and Nybbas had a child... part toy soldier, part crawling insect...."

Beelzebub: "No one deserves the title which was Michael's and Michael's alone... I would enjoy hearing of his demise...."

Fleurity: "Blind... foolish... optimistic... should he one day see the truth of things, it will consume him instantly."

Gabriel: "He has spoken to me of many things... and I know of his loss... the loss of the voice of the Lord within him... sometimes he seems to accept the truth... sometimes not... it is not my place to force his eyes open...."

Jordi: "Yet another arm of entropy, assaulting the Symphony... whether destroyed or sublimated into the will of a mad angel, loss is loss...."

Mariel: "I remember, too."

Soldekai: "Hope? A lie... a joke... a false grip which sends one plummeting to the ground below when it gives... Gabriel would be better off without this one...."

White Star: "I have only heard of him... but he seems remarkably... wise for his years. Perhaps we may meet someday...."

Variations on a Theme

If You Can't Beat It...

"Perhaps God has abandoned the Symphony only to plan its replacement. When this failed Symphony finally ends, God will be able to begin his grand experiment again... and the sooner, the better."

This version of David has recently come to the logical conclusion that the best way to follow the will of God is to speed up the destruction of everything, clearing the slate for the Lord to begin anew. He has become more active in his organization again, but is now pushing his Servitors to 'test the world' in ways which it cannot possibly handle. The Host is only beginning to notice what's going on; when the truth is finally realized, David may be forced to go Outcast. [Thanks to Prodigal.]

That Which Hides Below

What if David really isn't paralyzed with depression? What if the one Archangel nobody would ever suspect of subterfuge... was hiding behind a false front? This David melds into the rocks of Hades only to emerge, unseen and disguised, to fight the War in his own way. This can be played brightly (David is trying to toughen his Servitors by forcing them to work on their own; he spends his time weakening the Host and strengthening humanity on earth) or darkly (combine this with the variation above for a David who keeps his Servitors, and the Exiles, in the dark about his plot to speed the destruction of the Symphony).