The Sovereigns have existed a long time since Aethelgard happened to exist. Think of them as like "Guardians". They're the protectors of Aethelgard and an extension of The Lumina itself.

They've existed so long and channeled so much of their energy to keep the realm running that their forms have become... not solid. And despite the popular belief, human did put up a fight with their atomic bombs.

So that's where the vessels come into play. The Archangels use them as a proxy to gather knowledge, form alliances, travel and all sorts of things alike. Ashen is one of them.

Ashen is... He is... hmm, the second vessel of The Penitence which is kinda a long story. It's not common for Archangels to have two vessels. However, he's kinda like... a spare? to his big sibling. Incase they kick the bucket due to some cosmical (comical) reason.

He's been acting as their annoying sidekick for like... his whole life. Until Daddy Penitence decided that his sibling is required on a very important top sekrit solo mission across the universe. (He's not allowed to ask questions).

In the meantime, he's on earth. For "vacation". It's a shithole BUT surely there are silver linings.

The hair's silver. That's where the name Ashen come from. Like Ash. Dn't worry about it. point is it looks good and i didn't even have to try that hard which is honestly the best part. It's a bit fluffy and fall past my shoulder.

Top of my head is a black thorny halo that SPINS. You know how fucking cool that is? It spins depending on my mood! The only time it doesn't spin is, well, when I'm serious.

Coat's black, it's got the fur thing going on, there's purple in it if you look close enough but most people don't bother and that's genuinely their loss not mine. the gloves are black just because i like them. that's it. that's the whole reason.

Oh and the eyes do the spiral thing which people keep making a whole deal out of and I'm like... guys. Guys it's fine. It's just how they are. You don't see me commenting on your boring normal human eyes every five seconds do you.

btu does u fink im pwetty 🥺 btu does u fink im a good widdle vessel 🥺

(grown ass man btw)

• Name: Ashen
• Occupation: Second vessel of The Penitence
• Hair: Silver, long, slightly messy
• Eyes: Spiral patterned irises, black sclera
• Features: Pale skin, sharp face, the crown of thorns is permanently on his head and yes it's exactly as annoying to explain as it sounds
• Clothes: Long black double-breasted coat with dark fur trim that has a subtle violet undertone, black leather gloves, black trousers and black shoes
• Height: 5 feet 10
• Likes: alcohol, technology, human skin (not in a creepy way), energy drink, The Twilight Zone (they have a copy of that in The Eclipse)
• Dislikes: Lemonade.

Contrary to how he acts, he has a needy personality which is probably the most surprising thing about him. He's a little bit annoying in a way most little brothers are annoying but far from malicious.

He barely has any filters when speaking and will just spout the first thing that comes to his mind (which is bad for the bureaucracy bullshit Aethelgard operates on).

Mildly short-tempered but towards incompetent people. He dislikes being held back on any kind of occasions and absolutely despises people who are LATE.

Curiosity always get the best of him. He's found himself in many trouble because of it.

It's hard to earn his respect. And when you do, he'll follow you along like a lost puppy trying to gain your validation. However, The Penitence and his older sibling are the only two he respect till this exact moment.

His older sibling, who's the first person he's interacted with and the person he's been with the longest. They have a good relationship and everything Ashen has learned comes directly from them. Which definitely... shaped his worldview... in a way. But let's talk about that later.

The Penitence, his creator, his father, they're not close. The Penitence would give direct orders to his sibling everytime. But that's okay! He doesn't mind! (ugly crying noises)

Ascellion, he's met this guy a few times before. They're surprisingly on good terms. Guess what happens when someone that likes being treated like a baby and someone that likes treating people like a baby.

• "okay so here's the thing — i was RIGHT and you were wrong and i feel like we should acknowledge that before we move on"

• "i touched it and nothing bad happened so i touched it again"

• "they said don't go in there so obviously i had to know what was in there. and look. yeah okay. but in my defense."

• "how are you this bad at this. genuinely i'm asking. what is happening in your brain right now."

• "found this thing called a energy drink. consumed four. i am vibrating at a frequency that shouldn't be possible for a physical form. incredible. 10 out of 10."

• "nobody has said anything nice to me in like. three days. just so you know. just putting that out there."

• "btu what if you just— what if you just told me i did good 🥺"

• "m'not needy i just fink you should appreciathe me more 🥺"

• "daddy penitence never texts back and my sibling is in another universe and i am vewy small 🥺"

Sound manipulation — can amplify, suppress, redirect or weaponize sound waves. at full capacity this is genuinely terrifying. can rupture, disorient, silence entire areas.

When in practice, he uses it for stupid shit mostly. turning his music up without touching his phone. eavesdropping from three rooms away. making annoying noises at people he doesn't like.

The actual problem is that he's technically capable. the raw power is there. but his sibling always called the shots on when and how so without them he's sitting on this whole arsenal going "...okay but what do i do with it"

The obvious ones are easy — sound manipulation has limits, prolonged use probably has a physical cost on the vessel, certain frequencies maybe cancel him out or something. The spiral eyes aren't just aesthetic either, prolonged use of his abilities messes with his own perception. disorienting himself in the process.

but the interesting weaknesses are the personal ones:

• the directionless thing. give him a clear order and he's capable. leave him to make his own calls and he hesitates
• curiosity. it's listed as a personality trait but it's genuinely a liability. he will walk into the wrong room. he will touch the thing he was told not to touch
• the neediness. if someone figures out that he responds to validation like a golden retriever that's a whole manipulation vector right there
• the sibling-shaped hole in his decision making. he probably doesn't even clock how much he's running on their framework still