Ogiel, Malakite Archangel of Resistance (Exiles)

Too much of the world is under the heels of our enemy.

Ogiel never gave up. Really, that's the important thing to remember about him. Even when Michael died, he didn't give up. Even when the Rebels took Heaven, he didn't give up. Even when every other Loyalist was herded into what was supposed to be perpetual exile, he didn't give up. Even when he spent a thousand years fighting a lonely war, without resources, without reinforcements, without allies, he didn’t give up. Ogiel sacrificed his essential innocence on the altar of duty without a qualm, and is ready to sacrifice himself if it would mean the salvation of his cause.

It'd be a relief, really.

Dissonance

Servitors of Resistance are descended from those few remaining Servitors of War that were able to obey Michael's Last Order. They learned the value of falling back on that dark day - it made possible the First Incursion a millennia later - and thus Ogiel has modified Michael's old Dissonance requirement. Now, it is only dissonant to retreat without orders if the situation is not completely hopeless.

Organization

Ogiel invented the cell system during his years in the Marches, and sees no reason to change now. His Servitors are grouped in small bands, all of which have a specific target or responsibility. Before the First Incursion, communication between these bands was limited on a strict "need to know" basis: formally, this has been relaxed, but the bands still tend to be fairly insular. Not even Baal or Uriel knows of all of Ogiel's resources. What they don't know they can't reveal.

Choir Attunements

Michael originally created some of these Attunements. Ogiel respects his old commander's judgement, even if he recognizes that it wasn't perfect. He isn't afraid to adapt them, however.

Seraph

Seraphim of Resistance can recognize an honest fanatic on sight… and a dishonest one. By making a Perception roll, they can cause the latter to give themselves away in front of their more devoted peers. This can range from a public confession to being 'accidentally' caught in their hypocrisy, depending on the situation.

Cherub (partially restricted)

Cherubim of Resistance are immune to all attempts to make them reveal secrets or information about their attuned. Only a Superior may circumvent this. The Cherub may also instantly go into Trauma, at will (although those with the Malakite Attunement below may choose a different route). Other Choirs may also purchase the ability to instantly enter Trauma: it is otherwise restricted.

Ofanite

Unchanged from the Ofanite of War Attunement.

Elohite

Unchanged from the Elohim of War Attunement, except now the angel Attunement works on sight (more accurately, sights. Elohim make up most of Ogiel's snipers).

Malakite

The angel may, at any time, decide to trade his existence for one last shot at his enemies. Simply put, the angel explodes. The Servitor's own Forces determine damage: each Corporeal Force will burn away a level from each of the victim's vessels; each Ethereal Force will cause 6 points of Mind Hits; and each Celestial Force will strip away one of the victim's Forces. Double damage for the appropriate plane: for example using this Attunement on the corporeal plane will strip away 2 vessel levels per Corporeal Force. Everyone within 5 yards will be caught in this blast: anyone actually touching the angel will take double damage (cumulative with above). There is absolutely no way that the angel can avoid permanent, complete soul-death if he chooses to activate this Attunement: obviously, you can only do it once.

Word-bound Servitors of Resistance that use this Attunement may add their Word-Forces to their Ethereal for calculating Mind Hits. For every full multiple of Mind Hits inflicted, add one level to the Ethereal Forces Discord inflicted; these extra levels will disappear at the rate of one per day. Laurence of course, considers to be treasonous the rumor that having this damage inflicted upon someone while in a dead zone will result in the extra Discord being permanent.

The only way to guard against this is through the Song of Shields: if the victim has one up, then they will be completely protected from the damage… of the appropriate type. The only way to not suffer any damage at all would be to have all three Shields operating simultaneously.

Many other Servitors of Resistance take this Attunement: in fact, not doing so is (in some quarters) considered an indication that you're not a real Servitor of Ogiel's.

(sidebox)

The above is an exaggeration, actually: Ogiel has many Servitors who don't need this Attunement as part of their jobs. Besides, universally handing out an Attunement that only works once, then destroys the holder, is not going to be cost-effective by any means. However, the perception that all gung-ho Servitors of Resistance have the ability to turn a raiding party into a bunch of injured, Discordant, force-stripped casualties is very useful. It encourages attackers to press their assaults just a bit less firmly, and makes them just a bit more reluctant to pursue, because there are enough Servitors with this Attunement out there that you just never know. Of course, it also means that when opponents do decide to accept their losses, the fight will be memorable, but that's all part of the game.

It should also be noted that Ogiel, naturally, has this Attunement. The amount of destruction that it could unleash at Superior-level is most emphatically one of the reasons why the situation in the Marches remains a stalemate. From Ogiel's point of view, trading himself for the Commander of either the Watch or the Host (he can only dream of ever being able to get within range of the Lightbringer) would be worth it: his Servitors know how to fight without direct supervision.

(/sidebox)

Lilim (restricted)

Charismatics of Resistance are the ultimate femme fatales. They add their Celestial Forces to any attempt to befuddle, confuse or beguile another into being set up for an ambush.

Kyriotate (restricted)

Kyriotates of Resistance can steal vessels from a celestial that is either in Trauma or unconscious. To activate, the Domination must touch the celestial and make a normal resonance roll. The Kyriotate may not possess anything or anyone else while 'borrowing' this vessel, and the possession only lasts for a number of days equal to the check digit: however, should the vessel be destroyed, the Kyriotate will not suffer Trauma after it materializes next to its Heart.

Mercurian

Mercurians of Resistance can look into someone's eyes and know what act or event will simply be too much for them to bear without trying to strike back.

Ogiel doesn’t have many Mercurians serving him.

Servitor Attunements

Howl

Identical to Michael's old Attunement of the Same Name. All Servitors of Resistance must take this Attunement upon character creation.

Booby Trap

The angel may pump an item full of Essence: however, this Essence will rapidly destabilize once any other individual holds the item. This will normally happen after one day, although the Michaeline can set the time from anywhere between a second and 24 hours with a Will roll. Note that, once the Essence is put into the item, it cannot be used by anyone - including the entity that put it there.

Once the Essence destabilizes, it does damage equal to 3x the Essence spent (type determined by what plane the poor unfortunate happens to be in at the time). There is no limit to how much Essence can be pumped into the item (which will, incidentally, also suffer the same amount of damage when the Essence finally cooks off). Servitors of Resistance quite enjoy getting their hands on Heaven's Blades: those moronic Laurencians can't or won't stop trying to get the relics back…

Bannerman

Angels with this Attunement can look at a crowd and recognize both the formal and informal leaders. All successful attacks against said leaders gain a +1 to the check digit.

Unfortunate Consequences

By spending 4 Essence, the angel may double the level of any Ethereal or Celestial Discord (or Disadvantage) possessed by their target (maximum remains 6) for one hour. The target may resist with a Will Roll, minus the original level of the Discord. This is, unfortunately, an excellent way of making sure that there are plenty of atrocity stories floating around about one's enemy.

Tunnel Vision

This dangerous Attunement is used to foster rashness in one's enemies. When used, the target will focus on the holder of Tunnel Vision, and only him or her. The target must make a Will Roll at -3 to do anything except attack or pursue the angel. The angel may only affect one individual with this Attunement at a time. The effects end after 24 hours, but the pursuit may not.

Distinctions

The Michaelines spent their formative years in the Marches, and illusion became their dearest friend in that time. Ogiel still has a few Servitors with Michael's old Distinctions, but he prefers to use the ones designed for his chosen arena.

Vassal of Misdirection

The angel, for 2 Essence, can produce an illusion that he's in a slightly different location. This will add 3 to his Dodge and subtract 3 from anyone trying to Dodge one of his attacks. This effect lasts for one combat.

Friend of Ambushes

These angels are even better at not being seen. In the ethereal plane, they fade into the surroundings, automatically taking on the appearance of what would be normal for the area (-4 to all rolls to detect their presence while not actively in combat). In the corporeal plane, they gain Move Silently/4 (or add 4 to their skills).

Master/Mistress of Assassins

Ogiel's Masters and Mistresses are under automatic sentence of death in any area controlled by Heaven. This is because they can take on the appearance (including celestial form) of any entity that they've personally killed. They can only maintain the illusion for a number of days equal to their Celestial Forces, but during that time only a Superior can pierce through it. Of course, this ability will not provide mannerisms or memories, but a skilled actor can still do quite a bit of damage before discovered.

Relations

Ogiel tries to stay aware from politics. He works with Uriel and Blandine as part of his duties (and supports both of them, no matter that Blandine would rather not have his help), and of course is involved with what passes for a war faction in Hades. He also retains a certain working relationship with Lilith, as a vestige from the even lonelier past, and struggles painfully to avoid seeking out Novalis. Other than that, he only works with the rest of the Exiles when a mission requires it.

But he does hate. He hates Laurence and Beelzebub for their treason, hates Iblis for his insidious aping of the Archangel of War, and simply loathes Zadkiel with all the passion borne from a vendetta. They return the favor. And there isn't a word in any corporeal or celestial tongue that can adequately describe his opinion about Lucifer.

Host

Hostile: everyone except

Enemy: Beelzebub, Gebbeleth, Iblis, Laurence, Zadkiel

Exiles

Allied: Blandine, Uriel

Associated: Baal, Lilith, Novalis

Neutral: everyone else

Others:

Associated: Fleurity, Gabriel

Neutral: Mariel

Hostile: Jordi

Rites

: Hunt down and kill someone invading your territory.

: Cause someone to join a resistance movement.

: Successfully spring an ambush.

Chance of Invocation: 3

Modifiers

+1 A sniper rifle.

+2 A booby-trap.

+3 A successful ambush.

+4 A booby-trap that's caught its intended prey.

+5 The immediate aftermath of an area where his Malakite Attunement has been used.

+6 The eve of a successful guerrilla uprising.

History

Ogiel doesn't like to remember his last day as a Wheel.

Things were just going so wrong. Ogiel back then wasn't the brightest angel in Heaven, so the subtle warning signs of impending trouble went completely over his head. One moment, everything was peaceful: the next, the Holy City was filled with smoke and fire and blood. For a while, he thought that he would be, too: but he had his Really Big Stick, he had his comrades, and he had his Archangel with him. Ogiel fought down the siren call and fought on, true to his nature.

Then he lost his friends. Then he lost his Stick. Then, worst of all, he lost his Archangel. Lucifer had struck Michael down. That was impossible ... but there it was. The smoke and fire and blood came back, and this time Ogiel let them into his soul. His howl of rage could be heard across Heaven, and wherever a Servitor of War heard him, he or she howled too as their wings blackened and sharpened.

Ogiel should have died that day, but Michael retained enough strength, for just long enough, to gasp out orders to retreat and fall back. Ogiel didn't want to. He so badly didn't want to obey orders, just this one time, but he did. He cut through the Rebels, gathering Servitors of War as he went, for they looked upon him and knew he was bearing Michael's Order. The throng of new Malakim broke free and fell back to the Marches. The victorious Rebels chose not to follow.

Ogiel spent the next thousand years teaching them the folly of that decision.

Ogiel might not have been too smart before the First War, but that changed soon. He had to become smart. He had to become smart, and tricky, and sly. He had to learn how to trade space and troops for time. He had to learn how to gain allies and information. He had to learn how to ambush, how to show no mercy, how to make his enemy fear his very name. Ogiel had no choice: the other Servitors of War followed his lead, as the bearer of the Order. A thousand years later, he was still the leader of what were now called the Michaelines, and still fighting without hope.

Then he met up with Lilith. She had a plan. Ogiel had known about the Exiles, of course, but there wasn't a blessed thing that he and his could have done to save them at the time. Now there was something he could do. The First Woman was certain that she could break the others out of Hades, but she needed a diversion for long enough. Ogiel and his Michaelines gave her that diversion. It cost them cruelly, but they were able to keep Heaven distracted long enough for the First Incursion to succeed.

After it was over, and Ogiel brought in his reduced force, he was declared first a hero, and then the Archangel of Resistance. He has spent his time since then pushing back both the enemy and the unraveling of the Symphony itself. He knows of no other life to lead anymore - and even if he did, his oaths to his lost Superior would keep him bound to his duty. By now, the other Exiled Archangels simply accept him as an absolutely emotionless and unbending force of nature.

They've never seen sitting alone in his Cathedral, turning two rotted, pitted pieces of wood over and over in his hands. They never see his eyes, lost in remembrance of those old days when he was fire and not ice.

They've never seen his tears.

Personality and Outlook

The central truth about Ogiel, the emotion that rides him, is his deep shame. All of the Exiled Malakim suffer from this, in one form or another, but his is in many ways the most acute.

Nothing that Ogiel ever accomplished has ever convinced him that he is worthy of his position. The example of Michael stands before him like an accusing ghost… and let's be honest, shall we? The Archangel of War died because his Servitors - the angels that swore to stand at his side for all time - failed him. Ogiel failed him. Ogiel should have embraced the lure of black wings the instant that he felt their call: instead, he shrank away from it, and the power it offered to strike at the Rebels. That killed his Superior: never mind what Lucifer did, or Baal did, or Jordi did, or even Laurence did. Ogiel only cares about what he didn't do.

What was even worse was the way that he was treated as some kind of hero for keeping the fight going while the rest were imprisoned. He wasn't heroic at all: he had the luxury of an order. The last order that Michael gave, and Ogiel will never, ever admit to anyone that he was glad to be told to run away. This deep, deep shame has fueled every single one of his 'heroic' actions since then: it's only through the insanity of combat, the deadly game of move and countermove that Ogiel can even partially forget his own Mark of cowardice.

And, of course, by now he knows that he isn't fit company for the others. He can only relax when plotting to kill an enemy of Hades, his hands have spilled so much blood that he doesn't know why they aren't red, and he dares not show any emotion at all. If he shows emotion, then the others might show it back. They might take it as an indication that he could be worth knowing. They might even end up trusting him.

Just like Michael did.

Role in the War

Ogiel's official job (and those of his Servitors) is to make as much of the ethereal plane a 'no-go' zone for the Host as they can. They have spent thousands of years learning the Marches, and can by now slip anywhere and strike in places that Heaven doesn't even realize are dangerous. Ogiel knows every pantheon that can be persuaded, cajoled or terrorized into aiding the Exiles, and shows no compulsion about using whatever tool comes to hand. He won't break those tools without need, however, and he considers himself to be the ultimate tool himself.

In recent times, the lack of the Mark has made Servitors of Resistance very useful in infiltration missions, both on earth and into Heaven. Even after all this time, there are still artifacts and resources undiscovered by the Rebels, and Ogiel's people are the natural choice to acquire them. He himself has never returned to Heaven since the First Incursion. He doubts that he ever will.

On the corporeal plane, the Archangel foments resistance movements to every sort of tyranny under the sun. Due to the degraded nature of the universe, some of these movements may not be very palatable to the average person, but Ogiel tends to look at ends before means. His angels do what they have to do.

However, everything above is just one of the 'official' job descriptions. What Servitors of Resistance consider to be their proper job is to, simply put, die. They die efficiently, trading their lives for an acceptable number of the enemy. They die while stopping nefarious plans. They die as part of elaborate exercises in disinformation. They sometimes die just because it would confuse their foes. Their Archangel not only approves; he fully plans to do the same himself, someday. The only reason that Ogiel hasn't yet is because he's never been in a position where the tradeoff would have been worth it.

Superior Opinions

Andrealphus - "The humans say that all you need is love. Look at Andrealphus and tell me whether you believe that. Luckily, he's delusional."

Asmodeus - "I am aware that he is not an Enemy Superior. He's still starkly dangerous."

Beleth - "I am actually glad that there is a Superior devoted to Fear: it's the most useful Word held by the Traitors. It's such a wonderful tool that it should be fostered."

(sidebar)

Fear and Resistance

Ogiel loves Fear.

Note that this isn't even remotely equivalent to "Ogiel loves Beleth": such a thing is impossible, if only for the fact that Ogiel doesn't dare love anyone (they might love him back, and that wouldn't be safe for them. It wouldn't be safe at all). However, the Archangel of Resistance retains a certain respect for the Archangel of Fear, for various reasons.

The first is the Word itself. Fear is one of Ogiel's primary tools, after all: without it, his Servitors would find it very difficult indeed to accomplish their tasks. It's Fear of the Michaelines (and what they will do if cornered) which ever so slightly hinders Host angels in combat or pursuit. It's Fear of Ogiel's infiltrators that keeps Laurence wrapped up in keeping Heaven under a million watchful eyes. It's Fear of Ogiel himself, and what he'd do if he ever got into range, that helps keep the most powerful Archangels of the Host always in touch with Heaven. Nobody knows if the explosion of an Archangel could penetrate another Archangel's defenses, but everyone can imagine the Symphonic Dead Zone that would result at the very minimum. In short, Beleth's and Ogiel's Words are (from Ogiel's point of view, at least) symbiotic.

Secondly, and more importantly, Beleth is the only regular opponent that Ogiel can respect as a foe. Laurence is a warped traitor too engrossed in rooting out corruption in all the wrong places. Zadkiel is a coward who hides it by picking a spot to guard and then resolutely ignoring everyone who doesn't try to assault it. Iblis is simply stupid and frivolous. Demogorgon might be effective, but he is rarely capable of sustained effort.

But Beleth? Beleth understands how to fight, and does not shrink at doing it properly. Ogiel is thankful that direction of the War in the Marches is not under her supreme command: if it was, it would make his life much harder. The Archangel of Resistance, in fact, has pretty much conceded that the parts that she holds are not fertile ground for his attentions: however, as long as the situation remains stable he can free up his own Servitors towards operations in Heaven. He can work around her: destroying the Archangel of Fear might make things better in the short term, but Ogiel's long range plans do require a certain complacency from the Host. Better to leave a known quantity in place. Ogiel imagines that his only worthy opponent shares this professional respect. It would startle him very much indeed (and, possibly, in a very deep and almost dead corner of his mind, sadden him as well) to find out the terror that his very name would instill in her.

(/sidebar)

Beth - "I really don't understand why she dislikes me so: yes, yes, I did borrow a few books on unconventional warfare without telling her first. I had every right to; it's not my fault that Heaven forgot to revoke my lending privileges. Besides, I sent them back when I was done with them."

Demogorgon - "What is it about The Host's Ofanite Superiors? Aren't any of them stable? This one is particularly mad: I've had to clean up one too many of his 'repair' jobs. Even the Marches can't withstand his casual mayhem for too much longer."

Gebbeleth - "If he wanted so badly to be just like Yves, he should have picked his sides better. Of course, he isn’t even a good imitation, so we're better off without him anyway."

(Sidebar)

Mockery

Other Archangels of the Host have earned Ogiel's enmity: Gebbeleth has earned his contempt.

The Archangel of Resistance still remembers when he was reunited with the Exiles. He's never revealed to anyone how badly - how frighteningly badly - he wanted to see Yves again. The Archangel of Destiny could explain things, Ogiel was sure. He could explain why the Malakite had to rip apart his very being and soul to fight his lonely war - and even if he couldn't explain in terms that Ogiel could understand, at least Yves would know. Yves was always able to make things better, just by being there.

It was Novalis that had to show the Malakite the place where Yves died. It's said that Ogiel's face froze at the sight, and has never changed expression since. The Archangel of Resistance was cold before that day, but still possessed of a certain wry humor. After that day, he was ice.

This helps to explain Ogiel's hatred of Gebbeleth. Every mannerism, every gesture, every pretentious and deliberately obscure (from Ogiel's point of view, at least) utterance seems to be a conscious mockery of the Archangel of Destiny. This is intolerable, and Ogiel plans to inform Gebbeleth of this personally, just before he disembowels out the Archangel of Holy Mysteries. Until then, doing the same to Gebbeleth's Servitors and sending him the fragments is an acceptable substitute.

There is a quiet part of the Archangel of Resistance that realizes that this is simply the transference of Ogiel's feelings of impotence and grief at the death of God onto a convenient target - but, frankly, he doesn't give a damn.

(/sidebar)

Iblis - "Glory? He thinks that this is glorious? I hope he continues to do so, with any luck right up to the point where he's led his forces into a gallant last stand. That should be easy enough to arrange."

Israfel - "One of my Shades once told me that he could never bear to hear Beethoven, because it made him weep and want to treat people gently. Strange that another could so well sum up my opinion about Israfel."

Jean - "Was your apparatus, your experiments, your status that important to you? Fool: the things that he judged greater than his honor are so easy to destroy. I, every so often, quite enjoy reminding him of that."

Kobal - "He's worse than a traitor. He's a bumbling traitor. I have his Servitors killed as a simple precaution, except when they can be better used to interfere with someone else's operations with their well-meaning incompetence."

Laurence - "The only real dispute I have with Uriel is over which of us has better claim to wipe out Laurence's betrayal with Laurence's blood. I look forward to having the argument… after Laurence is in chains, and hanging on our every word and gesture."

(Sidebar)

"Noogies!"

The Archangel of Resistance is actually fonder of Laurence's chief Servitor than he is of Laurence himself. To Ogiel, Magog is like an indestructible chew toy: no matter how hard you hit him, he’ll pick himself up and come back for more. Ogiel likes to stop in occasionally on Magog's forays into the Marches to casually rip off a Word-Force or two, just because:

A), he can. Magog may be tougher than most Archangels, but he isn't tougher than all of them - besides, there isn't a blessed thing that the Word-bound can do about it. Magog doesn't have enough offensive capacity to seriously hurt a War Faction Archangel. Ogiel likes to remind the Angel of Fortitude that almost being a Superior doesn't mean jack in the big leagues;

B), Ogiel has a mild suspicion that Laurence might not be too broken up if his chief angel didn't make it back from a mission someday, and that it must annoy the Archangel of the Sword no end that Magog keeps surviving things that he had no business surviving. That Essence ultimately comes out of Laurence's pocket, you know;

and

C), it does tend to keep down the number of times that Magog visits the Marches.

However, Ogiel has no intention of ever actually killing Magog unless it looks like he's just about to become a full, adult Superior. Ogiel would rather rip off an arm than do Laurence a favor. Besides, then he wouldn't have Magog to kick around anymore.

(/Sidebar)

Lucifer - "One mile. That's all I need. One corporeal mile."

Malphas - "Someone who was literally of two minds about the War, apparently. I attack the one in Heaven and try my best to ignore the one with us."

Marc - "On Earth, there was once a person who tried to make some kind of accommodation with the forces of evil, in order to minimize their impact on his people. His name was Quisling. Marc will share his fate."

Zadkiel - "She talks a good game, but she's hampered by her Word. I love guards: they stay in one place if you don't bother them, and they get wedded to the idea that a particular place somehow has inherent importance. Keep guarding, Zadkiel. Keep holding that line, and never ever peer at the angels behind you. It might disturb you to see how many of them are mine."

Baal - "Everything I could say to Baal, he has already said to himself. Any punishment I could inflict on him, he has already done ten times over. He will spend the rest of his existence damning himself for a fool, so why should I do it? We have the same task now, so we must leave the past where it is. The past."

Blandine - "I know that she doesn’t like me. I think that she even fears me. Sometimes… I can see why."

David - "This was one of the great ones, once. Maybe he could be one of the great ones again, someday. More likely we might be able to call back enough of him to allow him to seek a proper death, and peace."

Dominique - "Justice is good. She may not see what I do to be justice, but it is. We will balance the accounts in the end."

Eli - "So he thinks that I don't pay attention. So what? I don't think that he knows how to cut his losses. That just means that we have different sources of strength."

Haagenti - "He's got some good moves, but I worry about the Wheels. It's not the same as when I was one. He seems to be handling it, though."

Lilith - "She's good, and she's the only other one who knows what it was really like before we got the rest out. I've never asked her for details, and she's never asked me: we don't have to."

Novalis - "Pretty-Big-Shiny-Wing-Flower-Lady. She's the only one who can make me forget things, sometimes. I have to stay away from her because of that. I can't let myself have the luxury of forgetfulness, no matter how much I want it sometimes."

Nybbas - "Without good intelligence, I am blind. Nybbas is a useful second set of eyes and ears. I pass him what snippets I might glean in exchange. A professional relationship all around, and it will stay that way."

Raphael - "I remember when she was Wisdom. I miss that Raphael, but I find the new one useful."

Uriel - "Uriel came in late, but he learned quick: unlike David, he's learned to channel his shame and hurt into nice, clean rage. He's got a knack with the ethereals that I can't match, so I leave them to him and concentrate on ambushes."

(sidebar)

Purity and Resistance

Ogiel has an interesting relationship with the First Malakite. While Ogiel has the standard Tattered Malakite oaths, he has had quite some time to rationalize his own beliefs in reference to Purity. Simply put, Ogiel lists the top of the Great Chain of Being as (in order): God, Michael, then Uriel. Lucifer rates somewhere below individual influenza viruses.

The above chain requires, then, that Ogiel defer to Uriel ... except when it would interfere with Michael's Last Order. Seeing as most things that Ogiel is involved in are affected by this Order, this effectively means that the Archangel of Resistance treats the Archangel of Purity as an equal.

Normally, this is not a concern (it was, once, but twenty thousand years is enough time for even two touchy Malakim to come to a modus operandi), but it can cause trouble between Barons of Resistance and Purity.

(/Sidebar)

Vapula - "Strange one, he is, but he's got the keys to the ordinance locker. I've heard rumors about his little project, but it doesn’t upset me. It won't effect me and mine, though: if it gets that bad, we'll be needed more than ever."

Beelzebub - "The only thing viler than a rebel is a traitor. A shame he never quite manages to get within range of my fists."

Fleurity - "I remember him. He never stopped trying to put back together what was broken. It broke him in the end, but he just kept doing his duty in spite of it."

Gabriel - "Once I thought that she might still be the Voice of God. She is not. I keep my options open, though."

Jordi - "He wishes to become the world. That just makes him easier to hit."

Mariel - "So she remembers. How she can do that and not act is beyond me."