Iblis, Cherub Archangel of Glory (Host)

By Matt Walsh

Once Baal's aide-de-camp, Iblis came into his own shortly after the First Incursion. While Laurence and Zadkiel are cautious, Iblis is bold and daring. He's also arrogant, vain, and boastful... but it's difficult to argue with results. He commands Heaven's strike force, and does it well; and Iblis personally has never lost a battle.

Over the last couple of centuries, Iblis has also expanded his Word somewhat. Or, rather, his Servitors have, and Iblis wasn't about to stop them. Fame, stardom, and notoriety all fall under Glory of one form or another; for an Archangel who so disregards humanity, his organization has a surprising amount of Corporeal pull.

Celestially, Iblis resembles nothing so much as the traditional Western depiction of a dragon... a little smaller, perhaps, but not much. When he has to go corporeal, his Vessels tend to be men in their late 20s, dashing and muscular. Swords are out of fashion in most human societies these days, but he'll wear one anyway. He'll give lessons, too, if asked politely... or rudely enough...

There is no glory in losing. Iblis' Servitors suffer Dissonance from ever admitting defeat... about anything. Falling back but continuing a battle is fine; following a direct order is acceptable; but any act of retreat or surrender that isn't in response to a direct order is Dissonant. Dying in a Vessel isn't Dissonant in and of itself; if the death accomplished something or proved some sort of point, that's OK.

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While not the sole property of Angels of Glory, this Discord manifests most often in Bravos suffering from Word-Dissonance. Effectively, it filters out undesired facts and opinions: the higher the angel's level of this Discord, the less likely he is to notice that others might hold unflattering opinions about him; at its highest levels, one could walk up to the afflicted angel and insult them to their face, and they wouldn't hear a thing, so sure are they of their superiority.

In game terms, whenever someone insults or criticizes the afflicted angel, he must roll against (13 minus twice the level of the Discord) on d666 to notice. Subtler put-downs might penalize the roll, at the GM's option.

An unexpected side effect of this Discord is that it provides a defense against the Communications Servitor Attunement: A Sharp Tongue. However, generally angels who can't tell when they've annoyed their war-chief don't have a terrifically long career...

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To Iblis, Glory is about proving oneself victorious, and therefore superior. A large part of this involves actually being victorious, and you can't win if you don't play. For this reason, Iblis is firmly in Heaven's war camp, and ever his rare non-combatant Servitors are expected to know how to fight. A true Servitor of Glory should be willing to fight for what he or she believes in, at a moment's notice.

Glory is also surviving when you had no right to do so. Iblis values cunning and resourcefulness above the ability to follow orders, and expects his leaders to do the same. By the same token, he prefers that his Servitors speak frankly to him... while still remembering who they're talking to, of course.

Finally, Glory is about recognition. Performing a great act is glorious, but even more so is having your battle immortalized in song and story. Servitors of Iblis go out of their way to make sure that people know what they've been up to, and many of them follow obscure chivalric codes so that those around them can tell that they're in the presence of a Great Warrior by his actions. Most of Iblis' non-combatants have a great deal of skill at creative expression; their job is to make sure that people remember what the warriors have done.

(Ibleans, Glory-Hounds, Berserkers, Bravos, Arrogant SOBs)

Glory-Hounds travel in packs; not only is it nice to have witnesses around, but the Servitors of Iblis have a bad habit of biting off more than they can chew. This doesn't stop them from going off on personal quests every now and again, but the natural place for a Berserker is in a war-band. The "officer" of one of these bands always has a first- or second-level Distinction; Iblis' Masters are reserved for large-scale planning and special missions.

To deal with the 'no admitting defeat' restriction, Ibleans have developed an elaborate system of courtesy towards each other. This helps them deal with sticky moments like the end of a mock combat where one angel has just been disarmed; it allows the victor to claim triumph without implying defeat on the part of his opponent. The circumlocutions involved in the Angelic tongue can make exchanges between Ibleans incomprehensible to other angels. They have been known to extend such courtesies to other angels that they've deemed worthy of respect... but with undertones of "you've lost, but don't feel bad because you lost to the best."

Iblis is more than happy to recruit from Laurence's and Zadkiel's armies; the angels thus recruited are typically the sorts who don't have the patience or discipline to work out in the organizations of those stricter Archangels. Iblis likes to do this often, if possible; the nature of his organization is such that he needs new recruits frequently.

In general the Servitors of Glory get along well with each other. They also get along well with other angels - even Exiles - although they do tend to be a little prickly. Challenges to single combat are issued at the drop of a hat, but once the combat is over then everything is all right again. Angels of Glory don't typically hold grudges; the glaring exception is Iblis himself, whose hatred of Baal is legendary. Of course, if the Glory-Hound lost the challenge, that's when things get interesting...

Other angels of the Host are typically more comfortable with Bravos than they are with the Sword or the Watch. People only talk about the latter two organizations in hushed tones, fearful of attracting attention; everyone in Heaven has a favorite Glory-Hound story, though. This suits Iblis down to the ground; he likes having his name on everyone's lips.

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The most useful features of humans, in the eyes of most Glory-Hounds, is that they tell stories. This means that a good way to get a lot of acclaim is to go down to Earth, ally oneself with a bunch of humans, and go around trashing other bunches of humans. Then your humans sing songs about you, and remember your (assumed) name for generations, and you can bask in the Glory of it all.

In fact, over the centuries Iblis' angels (and, very rarely, Iblis himself) have encouraged any number of warrior cults, the taking of trophies, etc., and built themselves at the hearts of national epics, many of which are still told today. Many of these sagas had the effect of creating Ethereals in the Marches... a number of whom were then recruited by Uriel for the war effort against Heaven.

Laurence didn't take well to this at all, and so charged the young Archangel with activities contrary to the interest of Heaven (how much these charges were motivated by the Archangel of the Sword's mistrust of Iblis' methods is not known). Not surprisingly, Iblis was found guilty. And then Lucifer pardoned his old Guard Captain, before Laurence could execute the sentence on him.

If this defeat still grates on Laurence, he never shows it. Lucifer is God's Regent, after all, and Iblis has proven... useful... over the years. As for Iblis, his pardon simply proved once more his superiority, and he is quite capable of accepting victory gracefully.

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Cherubim (Restricted)

Iblis' Overseers can summon to their hands any inanimate object to which they are attuned; this is typically used for weapons, although other uses have been devised. Once the Cherub is done with the object, he can send it back to where it came from for a cost of 2 Essence. (If, for some reason, two of Iblis' Cherubim have attuned to the same object and are trying to claim or retain possession of it at the same time, then a Contest of Wills ensues, the winner getting the prize. This does not happen very often.)

Once a Wheel of Glory has engaged in combat with a single individual, they can follow their opponent anywhere; they can take others along in their wake for 1 Essence apiece. This targeting fades if the opponent is killed, or after 24 hours of non-pursuit; the Ofanite cannot choose a new target until the old one is no longer a target. This pursuit invokes the Ofanite's Resonance, so the angel will typically go through obstacles at top speed unless deliberately restraining himself.

Iblis' Barons are warriors, one and all. After engaging an enemy for 15 seconds (3 rounds), they gain an effective +3 to their attacks against that opponent. This also gives them the ability to recognize an opponent that they've met before by their fighting style; this takes a Perception roll, and if the opponent is deliberately disguising his style, can be contested.

The Powers of Glory have the ability to leave a lasting impression on people. With a (contested) Will roll, they can lock a piece of information into someone's mind: a phrase, an image, a brief poem, even a snatch of jingle. The target of the Attunement will remember the information, whether they like it or not; in fact, there will be little room in their mind for anything else. This obsession will last for a number of hours equal to the angel's Ethereal Forces, giving the victim a -2 penalty to every action that requires thought or visualization in the meantime.

These angels gain no Dissonance from a host body dying out from under them, so long as it's a glorious death. (GM's call.) Also, every Domination of Glory assigned to Corporeal duty is given a bonded Corporeal artifact - usually a weapon - with level equal to their Corporeal Forces. Not only can they possess this artifact, but they gain its level as a bonus to any possession attempt on a human holding the item.

Iblis has only one Lilim in his service, at least that anyone knows about; she serves as one of his chief recruiters. With a Perception roll, she can spot humans or angels who possess the qualities that Glory values: cleverness, bravery, and little respect for authority. In a crowd, this Attunement will spot up to CD candidates.

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Some Glory-Hounds believe that Iblis gives this Attunement to other angels in his service, with the task of finding those members of his organization who are... unsuitable. This supposed cadre of secret police - "The Threshers" - identify unstable elements and put them into positions where they won't be liabilities. At least, not for very long.

Most other angels dismiss this as sheerest fantasy. Iblis, they feel, isn't subtle enough to be able to keep something like this very secret; besides, it seems that the ranks of Glory need every angel they can get. Iblis himself has never been asked for comment, of course; such a question could be very dangerous to the asker.

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By spending 1 Essence, the angel can reduce the Will of everyone in their vicinity by 1 point for as many hours as the angel has Corporeal Forces. Angels of Glory are immune; all other Symphonically aware beings can spend 1 Essence to counter the effect (and retain immunity from further uses for as many hours as they have Celestial Forces). A being currently under the effect of the Attunement cannot be affected by further uses.

Angels of Glory are known for their penchant for fighting on through wounds that should prove fatal, not collapsing until after the battle. This Attunement allows the angel to convert Essence to Hits (Body, Mind, or Soul); each point of Essence becomes a number of Hits equal to the angel's Forces in whichever Realm they are activating the Attunement in. The angel must spend all of the Essence he or she possesses on the Attunement. This effect lasts until the end of the battle, at which point the phantom Hits disappear. There is about a minute's lapse between the end of the fighting and the Attunement shutting off, giving the angel's companions a chance to apply whatever Songs of Healing might help.

By spending 1 Essence, the angel can recount - in properly dramatic language - one event to which they were witnesses. The story as it is told will take visible form, creating a three-dimensional 'bird's-eye' view of the epic. If they are in physical contact with another angel or a human, then the Iblean can instead tell the story of something that the other individual witnessed... as long as the Glory-Hound knows when or where the desired event took place. This is a subjective recounting, and generally glosses over any details that might be unflattering to the subject.

The angel can make a talisman from a memento of a defeated enemy. The trophy must be taken within an hour of the battle; turning it into a talisman requires 3 Essence and a certain amount of ceremony (keeping vigil over it, calling upon God's name, that sort of thing) lasting three hours for every level of the talisman. The skill imbued in the trophy is something suitable to the nature of the opponent, and not subject to the angel's choice. Note that the enemy had to have been a worthy opponent for this to work (GM's call). Talismans made in this fashion are temporary; typically they lose one level of potency per week, though exceptions have been known.

The angel is given a special Vessel (level equal to his Celestial Forces), traditionally in the form of an unnaturally large, anthropomorphic wolf, but other variants have been known. It comes equipped with two Numinous Corpi (always on, chosen when this Attunement is given) and automatically regenerates Body Hits equal to the angel's Corporeal Forces every hour - even when the Vessel is not in use!

Unfortunately, while in the Vessel, the angel temporarily gains the Aura, Berserk, and Vulnerable Discords, at a level equal to his Celestial Forces; the Vulnerability is usually silver, but others have been seen. If killed while in this Vessel, the angel will automatically expend one Essence and switch back to a normal Vessel; if the angel is out of Essence or Vessels, he enters Trauma as normal.

Promotion tends to be quick in Iblis' organization, primarily because of the high turnover rate. Typically any angel that has served Glory well for a couple of centuries has a Distinction of some sort.

The angel can issue a mental call, audible only to other Servitors of Glory (and anyone else to whom Iblis has granted an Attunement or Distinction) within (10 x CelF) miles. The Knight can communicate a simple message through this medium: "Danger", "Battle is engaged", or "Pursuing quarry" are typical. Glory-Hounds who hear the message will also have an instinctual sense of where the Knight is. (Iblis also grants his Knights a "device" - heraldic sigil - with which they can identify themselves. This confers no special power, but is a great honor.)

An angel with this Distinction is typically placed in command of a war-band. The Chieftain can form a mental link with any and all angels under his command; the participants can communicate back and forth on a fairly primal level (emotions and impressions) and have a general sense of each others' whereabouts; the Chieftain himself can speak to his angels over the link.

An angel with this Distinction can sway others to her side with the force of her presence. Spending 1 Essence will "turn on the charm"; anyone in the Master's vicinity for the next (Master's Will) hours will be caught up in the action, hanging on the angel's every word and gesture. A Will roll may be made to resist this initially; a human who fails this will be hopelessly in thrall to the Master. Angels who miss their Will roll will still be fascinated, but can make another Will roll to resist performing an action that the Master orders.

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Typically, Iblis exercises a certain amount of care in selecting his Bards. A Glory-Hound with this Distinction is generally assigned to a specific Word, always a Word for which the angel has some sympathy. So Bards to the Sword are capable of taking orders and acting in a disciplined fashion; Bards to Innocence are master storytellers; Bards to Holy Mysteries can follow (and even contribute to) the most abstruse philosophical speculation. Iblis has no particular qualms about starting fights, but would rather do so strategically when it comes to nominal allies under Lucifer's banner.

Of course, the above applies only to Archangels of the Host. Iblis does have Bards assigned to all of the other Archangels; those working "with" inimical Archangels are mostly used as provocateurs, to taunt and goad and gloat. Naturally, this is a dangerous position to be in for an angel, but that's OK. Bravos love danger. Besides, most of them appear to be blustering fools, not usually worth the bother of killing, and prone to accidentally giving away too much. And that, too, is what they're there for.

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These angels are the messengers used to co-ordinate joint tactics with other war-bands. They can recognize every device ever given out by Iblis to a Knight (or other Distinguished Servitor). Also, they can embed messages or memories into items, in such a way that only a Servitor of Glory (or, one suspects, of Memory or Communication) can retrieve them.

This Distinction is given out by Iblis in recognition of a truly spectacular success. There is no fixed power that goes with it, though Iblis will often invent a new Attunement on the spot that suits the deed of the new Champion. While not within the standard chain-of-command, Champions are respected by all of Iblis' Servitors. The full title includes a reference to why it was granted; so an angel might be "Champion of the Parting Seas", or "Champion of the Battle of Hastings".

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Iblis is well known for giving out this Distinction to any angel of the Host that catches his eye with a noteworthy deed. There are rumors that he has also named Exiles to the ranks of Champions... even, some claim, one of Ogiel's most trusted lieutenants. Iblis enjoys the fact that the rumor exists, but only a fool would ever ask him for the truth of the matter.

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Iblis does not play politics, and does not like intrigue. This leads a lot of Archangels on both sides of the fence to underestimate his intelligence and potential subtlety. The Archangel of Glory judges his fellows according to his conception of honor: not Laurence's "Order of Things", but personal integrity.

Host:

Allied: Laurence, Zadkiel

Associated: Demogorgon, Jean

Hostile: None

Enemy: None

Exiles:

Hostile: Ogiel, Uriel, Nybbas

Enemy: Baal

Other:

Associated: Beelzebub, Mariel

Hostile: Jordi, Gabriel

: Defeat a worthy opponent

: Have someone tell a story of your greatness in your presence

(The following Rites have sometimes been granted as rewards for exceptional service)

: Be recognized in a public place

: Spend 4 hours writing memoirs

: Force an enemy in superior numbers to retreat (+2 Essence)

+2: Single combat with a worthy opponent

+3: A song extolling the virtues of battle

+4: Triumphant on the field of battle

+5: A ceremony of recognition of worth

+6: A festival of triumph

Iblis was, he claims, the first angel that Baal created. For millennia he was the Archangel of Valor's able assistant, pursuing causes with the diligence that only a Cherub is capable of. He looked upon the rise of humanity with little interest; angels had been first, and were clearly superior, and so he thought little more of it. So he was somewhat surprised to head that humanity was considered to be of the utmost importance by Those On High.

Important? Those little monkeys? How could one even think that? He, Iblis, was a son of fire; he would never bend knee before a son of clay. When Lucifer recruited Baal for the rebellion, Iblis was right there with him. During the battle itself, Iblis fought bravely, with a ferocity that astounded even his creator. With the rebels' standard unfurled behind him, Iblis slew more angels than any other that day.

And, of course, they were victorious. Lucifer and his forces took the day, and Iblis felt a fierce pride. Until, that is, Baal left.

To this day Iblis does not understand why his mentor chose Exile over the fruits of victory. Where was the Valor in that? They had won; why act as though they had lost? Iblis learned to hate Baal that day; he hated the Archangel of Valor for rejecting what had been rightfully earned.

Iblis himself was given the Word of Glory, and became a Servitor of Light: Captain of the Presence, the personal bodyguards to Lucifer himself, and the Regent's most trusted messengers. Iblis enjoyed it immensely. The ordinary angels of Heaven looked upon him with respect and awe, and even Archangels who had seen the Cherub in battle treated him with some slight deference. It would have been a good way to live out his existence, if the Loyalists hadn't broken out of exile.

Of course, they couldn't have that. Iblis recruited about half of his Guardsmen to join him in a daring plan; the remainder - too cautious or too cowardly to join the crusade - he left in the command of a Kyriotate of Light named Saminga. The Angel of Glory and his strike force went out to do battle with the Exiles, handing them little defeat after little defeat, and always too quick and too unpredictable to get caught. Iblis' name became a watchword in Heaven for daring and cunning.

It was after a major battle that resulted in Uriel's forces being routed that Lucifer called his wayward Captain back to his throne. Rather than punishing him, though, the Lightbringer raised Iblis to the Council. The Archangel of Glory joined Laurence in commanding the response against the newly liberated Exiles. He took over Baal's old Cathedral in Heaven, and hung Heaven's Standard above the gates, determined to show his old Superior what Valor really was.

Iblis is surprisingly personable, for an militant Archangel. As long as those around him accept the basic premise of his superiority, he is expansive and jovial, even in the heat of battle. He is also passionately devoted to his cause and to Lucifer, and cares deeply about his Servitors. Of course, they do get killed in battle on a regular basis, but he expects this. While they're alive, he wants them to be happy; after their deaths, he ensures that they are remembered for their deeds. What more could they ask for?

One thing Iblis isn't, is stupid. He's an enthusiast through and through, and doesn't like to play political games, but he's quite smart enough to take advantage of others' perceptions of him. He judges those around him by their personal integrity, their passion for their own beliefs, and their skill. He recognizes that battle isn't the only way to prove oneself; it is simply, he feels, the easiest.

He tends to come across as arrogant and very, very vain; but his pride, he feels, is entirely justified. He has never lost a battle. He has risen to the status of Archangel through pure merit. He is a popular hero in Heaven, a figure of terror in Hades, and an object of veneration (under different names) on Earth. Why shouldn't he be proud?

Ultimately, though, Iblis is an optimist. He truly believes that one angel can change the world for the better, and hangs on to hope even in the face of the Symphony's demise. Chris's optimism is young and naive; Iblis has stared devastation in the face and walked away, and he kept smiling all the time. To some, this makes him heroic; to others, frankly terrifying.

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In the Rebellion, Iblis was first charged with carrying the Standard, to rally Lucifer's supporters into a united front. When he struck out on his own, Iblis took the Standard with him, to frighten his foes. And when Iblis was promoted, the Standard became a Superior Relic.

A war-band that carries the Standard receives +1 to all battle-related rolls. Foes who see it must make a Will roll; failure will provoke either flight or an irrational fury, according to the foe's natural temperament. In the latter case, the target will be unable to even consider doing anything subtler than tearing into battle with whatever weapon falls to hand easiest. This has had some unfortunate effects when used against Malakim of Ogiel...

It's rare for Iblis to lend out the Standard, but not unheard-of. Typically only a Master of Great Deeds or a Champion will be entrusted with it; there are, however, rumors that sometimes it will go wandering on its own volition...

God's chosen lost the battle. Since then, God has no doubt been regrouping, taking stock, and otherwise avoiding facing reality. This, to Iblis, is natural. Eventually God will come round, he feels, and realize that Lucifer was right after all. Until then, Iblis is happy to continue proving his rightness and his superiority against the Exiles.

Iblis trusts the Lightbringer implicitly. Ultimately this is why, despite having one of the least disciplined organizations in Heaven, Laurence is willing to work with Iblis. Iblis' faith in Lucifer has not wavered ever, and it seems unlikely that it ever will. He is, after all, a Cherub.

Iblis is more than capable of holding a peer in great regard while at the same time working towards that peer's destruction. He respects Uriel greatly, for example, but would not hesitate to destroy the Archangel of Purity if he was given the chance.

Andrealphus - "As many songs are about love as about war. We have little to do with each other, but I respect him."

Beth - "Stories should be told, not hoarded. But word-of-mouth is ultimately superior to written knowledge, so she isn't all that relevant."

Beleth - "Holy Fear is another aspect of the awe that Glory commands; I fear, however, that her heart is no longer in her work."

Christopher - "He has potential, I'll give the lad that, but he lacks a certain fire. He might develop into one worthy of regard."

Demogorgon - "He talks about it differently than I would, but his view of personal achievement meshes well with mine. He is a brave philosopher and a noble Archangel."

Eve - "There you go. This is the exemplar of human greatness? How then could anyone doubt Lucifer's rightness?"

Gebbeleth - "Our paths rarely cross. He doesn't truly concern me."

Israfel - "She feels the pain of reality without taking action to fix things. I cannot understand her, I fear."

Jean - "I didn't care much for him for a very long time, but at last he's beginning to loosen up. We'll make a warrior of him yet."

Kobal - "Utterly useless in battle. He thinks me foolish, I think him worthless. History will tell who's right."

Laurence - "Our noble strategist cleaves rigidly to his own code of honor, and for this I respect him highly. Our methods are different, but that's only to be expected."

Malphas - "He is sometimes useful, but his games are too complicated. Why control humans through guile when they'll follow you anywhere just to bask in reflected Glory?"

Marc - "Compromise is the center of his nature. I will not condemn him, but I cannot understand him. He is useful for spreading the word, though."

Zadkiel - "She does a necessary job. Her guarding Heaven means that I'm free to attack Hades."

Baal - "You had it all, and you rejected it. Why? You are unworthy of your Word, and I shall take great pleasure in separating you from it."

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As much as Iblis hates his former master, even he can't deny that their Words are natural companions. Often his Servitors will end up promoting both Words in the course of their duties, and Iblis can do little to change this.

As for relations between their Servitors... well, it can get a little odd sometimes. Angels of Valor and Glory are enemies, certainly, but they understand each other better than either side is understood by its allies. Highly ritualized duels, followed by drinking until dawn, are not uncommon between Baalites and Bravos.

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Blandine - "Whatever her intent, she often spurs humans on to reach for what little Glory they can. How can I fault her for that?"

David - "Worthless. He was great once, but no longer."

Dominique - "There is no Justice. There is proof by strength of arms, and there is noblesse oblige. No standard is absolute."

Eli - "He and his compose the songs and stories about me and mine; of course, I don't know if he knows that really, but it's true all the same."

Haagenti - "This one I like. He knows what life is about, and I will praise him well after he falls before me."

Lilith - "She set the Exiles free; it was a deed nobly done, but she shall pay for it yet."

Malphas - "I actually prefer this one to ours, though they could both go hang and it would be as one to me."

Novalis - "We both mourn the slain, in our fashion. But I have little use for her personally."

Nybbas- "Janus is gone, and the Wind blows yet. Oannes is long dead, and the Waters remain. I have no doubt that, though he may consider himself indispensable, Nybbas' fall will leave Communication untouched. And he will fall."

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A few hundred years ago, a number of Seraphim and Mercurians of Glory started to promote a new kind of Glory on Earth: celebrity. While Iblis still prefers the martial interpretations of his Word, he certainly couldn't object to his Servitors' efforts. By promoting the fame or notoriety of certain individuals, these Bravos forwarded Iblis' ideals in ways he had never even considered. Maybe the little monkeys were good for something, after all.

When Nybbas rose to power, these Servitors of Glory (led by Camael, Angel of Celebrity) saw a golden opportunity in the sudden growth of the media. As a result, Nybbas (and his Servitor Ben, the Angel of the Media) found that a lot of Words that might naturally have been theirs were already taken.

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Ogiel - "A valiant warrior. Although his Servitors use some most craven tactics on occasion."

Raphael - "Not really any concern of ours. She may have knowledge, but her allies don't use it effectively."

Uriel - "Of all the Exiles, I respect him the most. Never has he wavered from his personal honor. It will be a glorious battle when we two meet at last."

Vapula - "He's enthusiastic, I'll grant that. But building a better mousetrap is useful only if one intends to catch mice, and my interest is in bigger game than that."

Beelzebub - "I understand that he has grown into a worthy opponent. I look forward to the opportunity to test that."

Fleurity - "I respect him. He cleaves to what he feels is right, and acts on it regardless of the consequences."

Gabriel - "She alone can claim to have experienced the Glory of God. Consider her current state, and take a lesson from that."

Jordi - "Dangerous and unpredictable, he has truly lost himself in the world. He was great once, but now must perish."

Mariel - "I almost understand her. We have worked together in the past, though she has never been a warrior; she appreciates the value of a tale well told, though."

White Star - "'The Way'? We make our own way, forge our own path in this world. His so-called obedience to cosmic principles is the face of cowardice: he cannot bring himself to seize the glory that could be his."

Iblis' forces are Heaven's strike teams and shock troops; when a Tether needs storming, or a pack of Michaelines need killing, it's typically Glory-Hounds who get tapped to do the dirty work. And really, they like it that way. You don't get acclaim by playing it safe. While many Archangels of Hades are scornful of Iblis, nearly all are wary of him and his unpredictable ways.

Their ability also makes Masters of Great Deeds invaluable to Laurence's plans; often angels of less militant Words need a little push to get them on the front lines, and this Distinction usually turns the trick.