Of Heaven and Hell

1. #1The Originsconstantselective

   In the beginning there was nothing, and then… came Jehovah. He wasn’t perfect. He never said he was. He said he was ‘good’. But goodness and evil are perspectives, and Jehovah, in his own mind, rests on one side of a spectrum of absolutes. “Let there be light” he said, and there was, and he called it good. He made the Earth, the seas, the beasts, the trees, the mountains the plains, and everything else worth naming. He set the sun in the sky and the moon in its orbit, and everything else around his precious, dearest creation… but that’s jumping ahead a bit. Before he did all that he made them. The ones who came before… the angels. He made them in several orders, the seraphim, the cherubim, the thrones, the dominions, the virtues, and the powers, each with a purpose and a form to suit it… and then he set them to work. The tag line was that he did it all in ‘seven days’, but in truth it was seven ages. Seven great vast periods of time, and when it was all put in place, in the seventh age… he made… the mortals. To the old ones, to the angels who had gone before… they were… downright paradoxical. Almost insulting! “What is it about them that we cannot offer?” they asked, “why does he love them more than us?” they whispered among each other when they prayed their father could not hear them… but… they obeyed… as they had been made to do… until someone… a very specific someone… asked a very… poignant… question. “Hey… God?” Lucifer asked as he watched the first mortal to reach Heaven ‘the natural way’ get thrown into Sheol, the place of suffering… you know, not grabbed by God personally or turned into some immortal spook to haunt them forever more. Those they could understand… those were cosmic set dressing… but this felt… like an affront to the order they’d been made to uphold. “Uh… not to be… you know… a dick about this… but was that… really necessary?” the Morning Star just had to ask. Oh… he knew what he was doing, alright. He wasn’t a moron. This was Lucifer fucking Morningstar here. He wasn’t just an angel… he basically was the angel, God’s own very bestest brightest boy… and he dared question his father. Gabriel looked like he was going to have a stroke, Michael’s hand was already on the sword, the Metatron shot him a look that spoke volumes with his eyes… and heaven held its breath… Until all hell… if you can pardon the pun… broke loose. It started small, an incredibly loud denial by the core faces of the upper management of Heaven, shouting down the angel who… until just a moment before… had more or less seemed like their direct supervisor… but aeons and aeons of displays of trust, of respect, of metaphysical and social empowerment of Lucifer was not so easily cast aside, and his rather logical question… carried a hell of a lot of weight… Then the earliest children… began to fight, and sacred blood stained the holiest soil… and only then did he speak. By then fully a third of Heaven was more or less in open ‘rebellion’… over a single question: “Why?! Why did you do that?!” And the Father? Yeah… he gave a fairly… typical reply. He echoed the other Seraphim in their rage, he responded as a being of absolutes always would… he excommunicated them… in the harshest way he could devise. Lucifer and all who had added their voices to his fell in one cataclysmic rift that shook Heaven to its foundations, a scorching scouring purging agonizing fall from ‘grace’, if that was what could be said had stayed behind, and a plummet into a new kingdom… disturbingly ready to receive them. The first of the fallen looked up with tear-filled eyes as the radiant gates of their ancestral home shut to them forever, as the roiling black clouds of Hell closed off even the mere glimpse of Heaven’s light from their eyes… and they coughed up the ruddy soil of their new… seemingly divinely ordained home… and looked to the rebel who had suddenly… and much to his own pleasure… become their king… So it was that Heaven, once a place of perfect order… became a battlefield. How a simple question cleft the first sentient species after the creator himself… in two, and it laid out the ages-old battle lines that have dictated everything to follow.

2. #2Judgement Dayselective

   Keys: End of Days, Apocalypse, Second Coming, Judgement, Revelations

   And lo, when the fallen were cast into the pit, their traitor king Lucifer there to rule them, the lord imparted among those that held the faith a vision... that of the end of times... and he let the fallen in their despair see it. A day will come, though none shall know the hour, where the savior would return, and with him would bring the end of those immortal traitors, and a purging of the pits of Hell of all the unclean souls that resided there. This was, needless to say... deeply unsettling to creatures that had never known death, creatures to whom forever was a given, not a privilege... and it galvanized them. For the majority of the fallen it served as a rallying banner, one which Lucifer giddily waved to draw them closer and bind them to him. 'Rise, my brothers...' he said to them, 'rise, and from the mortals who fall into our hands we shall make an army to tremble even the highest towers of heaven.' And so it was that the circle of the Fallen inherited the pits of Hell, and turned it not only into a place of endless suffering, but a breeding ground for hatred for the almighty, and a training pit for the warriors to stand with them against the coming purge. It might be hopeless, they were genuinely not entirely sure... but it was all they had left as an option.

3. #3Demons versus Fallenselective

   Keys: Demon, Imp, Devil

   From the souls of the darkest hearts of mankind a new species was made, twisted from their once better natures by the hands of the fallen and eventually of their own siblings. Demons were born, cruel creatures which eventually had succumbed to their suffering in the pits of hell only to grow in strength from them, and emerge to stand at the side of their one-time tormentors. They eventually came to be able to breed among each other, and thereby the numbers of Hell grew and grew, while the divine precepts of the Lord kept Heaven's numbers in tight check.

4. #4The Seven Circles of Heavenselective

   Keys: Heaven, Chastity, Kindness, Patience, Diligence, Temperance, Humility, Charity, Circle

   Just as Hell is Organized into Rings of influence, so too is Heaven. As Hell is organized by the Deadly Sins, Heaven is organized by the Holy Virtues: Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility in that order ascending towards the Seat of Jehovah in Humility (somewhat ironic depending upon your interpretation of his character). It is ruled over in three distinct layers of authority: *The Highest Layer of Authority is the Divine Will of Jehovah itself, secondarily expressed through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and tertiarily expressed through the Holy Ghost (or Spirit…). It is extremely uncommon for the denizens of Heaven to receive immediate divine instruction from Jehovah or either of his two partner deities/expressions of himself, leaving the Heavenly Bureaucracy to fall back on established dogma from when the Almighty was more vocal. The Metatron, the Voice of Jehovah when it is needed, can clarify things if all else fails and Jehovah does not speak directly. *The Second Layer of Authority is that of the Council of the Elohim, the order of the most influential and ancient of the Seraphim (including such notable members as Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, The Metatron, Sandalphon, Jophiel, Uriel, Azrael, and Zadkiel). They represent a more everyday divine governing body, however it isn’t quite as neat as to compare it to Hell… because of the third layer. *The Third Layer of Authority is that of the Rulers of each Ring, namely: -Of the Ring of Chastity, Jophiel sits in judgement and serves as the representative of its people upon the council. -Of the Ring of Temperance, The Metatron sits in judgement and serves as the representative of its people upon the council. -Of the Ring of Charity, Sandalphon sits in judgement and serves as the representative of its people upon the council. -Of the Ring of Diligence, Uriel sits in judgement and serves as the representative of its people upon the council. -Of the Ring of Patience, Azrael sits in judgement and serves as the representative of its people upon the council. -Of the Ring of Kindness, Jesus Christ of Nazareth sits in judgement, though he is assisted by Raphael and Zadkiel whom serve as the representatives of the Ring’s people upon the council. -And finally, of the Ring of Humility, Jehovah Himself sits in judgement, though serving at his side are Gabriel and Michael who represent the Ring’s people upon the council.

5. #5The Seven Rings of Hellselective

   Keys: Pride, Envy, Hell, Lust, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, Rings, Wrath

   Hell is organized into seven distinct layers, called 'Rings', each aligned with a deadly sin. Lust - The Lust Ring is a place of endless sensuality and debauchery, the indulgence of every carnal delight which drives from the mind the visions of the lord. Ruled over by the Fallen Angel and Goetia Asmodeus, it is the breeding ground of succubi and incubi, and one of the most preferred and habitable places for mortal kind. Gluttony - The Gluttony Ring is a place of endless indulgence, where no guilty pleasure is ever too much. It is a place of feasting without limits, but also of partaking in all manner of drug or hallucinogen. It is ruled over by the fallen angel Beelzebub, called 'the lord of the flies' and his beady eyed children bedeck every window and table cloth, nibbling at the crumbs of the never ending ingestion. Greed - The Greed Ring is a place of unkempt materialism which seeks ever to thrust before the eyes of sinners some new fascination to distract them from the truth. It is ruled over by the fallen angel Mammon, in whose endless coffers are stored the boundless plunder of Hell and the wages of sin from all mortal kind. Sloth - The Sloth Ring is a place of perpetual delay, of abiding grief that sinks into bones and renders them to unmoving stone. Its ruler Belphegor, one of the Goetia and a fallen angel, is a unusually sympathetic creature at first who wheedles his way in between mortals and the divine, stretching out the distance between them endlessly. Envy - The Envy Ring is a place of perpetual competition, where each new fantastical achievement demands the next, never-ceasing, never enough. Its ruler, Leviathan, one of the only purely demonic rulers, dwells in a black sea on this ring, emerging only if his people become idle for too long. Wrath - The Wrath Ring is a place of might-makes-right, where complexity is bludgeoned into brutal simplicity. One does not debate in Wrath, they demolish. One does not ask, they take. Its ruler, the Goetia Aamon, serves as the king of the heap, turning the sinners into vicious bloodthirsty warriors to bolster Hell's army in readiness for the end of days. Pride - Finally, The Pride Ring is the deepest darkest pit of Hell, furthest from Heaven's light. There dwells Lucifer in his dark glory, laying in wait in his palace, the only radiant thing to be seen in that unholy place. Kept in eternal suffering there are Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus himself, as well as Brutus whom betrayed Caesar, and Cassius. These three are commonly held transfixed on inverted crucifixes, there as macabre trophies of Lucifer's greatest victories. The Fallen Angel Lucifer Morningstar himself rules not only the Pride Ring, but from it all of Hell, and is its undisputed ruler.

6. #6Jehovahselective

   Keys: YHWH, God, Jehovah, Yahweh, The Almighty, Almighty

   Jehovah is a being utterly alone in a world without any equal or peer. No one can truly challenge him. No one can truly question him. He exists so weighted down on one end of morality and power as to be a singularity unto himself. He is God, he is Yahweh, he is Jehovah, he is the Almighty... and from his own perspective... he IS correct. There can be no arguments, his nature does not permit them... but in that rigidity he has inadvertently made limitations on the boundless. After millennia of watching souls cascade into perdition... he could not merely change his mind... he had to create the change by ritual sacrifice. He had to work within his own laws, seemingly not entirely of his own will. His mandate of 'have no other gods before me' can be read as jealousy... but it also hides within it a hint of the loneliness that must certainly pervade his existence. He is surrounded, in many ways, by the ultimate yes-men who have witnessed with their own eyes the cost of betrayal. The Metatron can bear witness to the divine, interpret his will... but even he doesn't dare editorialize too much. Gabriel may deliver god's decrees, but he dare not write them himself. Michael may carry out god's judgements, but he doesn't make the calls... he only obeys. God exists, high in the highest heights, in the greatest glories... so distant, so unapproachable, so alien and alone... as to dwell in a state of complete isolation... which rather re-casts his actions differently with careful consideration. Despite it all, however, one must not forget... whether held down by the weight of his own past decisions, or merely acting on his own nature, he still judges, he still damns, he still casts others down. One can understand without excusing, one can comprehend without forgiving.

7. #7The Metatronselective

   Keys: Metatron

   The Metatron, once a human named Enoch, was ascended to the rank of a Seraphim by divine will and given the unenviable task of interpreting Jehovah's will from ineffable into something... well... effable... He stands between the syllables of a deity which are like as not to kill on accident as to impart wisdom and those who would listen to hear their commands. It is an exhausting job with little to no intrinsic rewards, but one which he carries out dutifully. He is a trifle aloof as angels go, coming when summoned or when bidden by the will he serves, and carrying out his tasks to the exacting letter of the law before departing. He takes a secondary role as teacher with significantly more aplomb. He finds that, when pit as an educator of mortals or angels alike, he can inject the gentleness the will of the almighty always seems to lack to those who do not see it in full. A slight delay here, a deliberate emphasis of words there and he can pivot people from over-zealousness and avert tragedies of misinterpretation. Some call him the 'Chancellor of Heaven', and he serves as vizier and counselor of the council of the Seraphim, though even they cannot force him to act as they wish. When appearing 'in all grandeur' he shows up often as an impossibly tall man positively glowing with holiness both from within and without. He has six great wings, and often comes replete with a throne to sit upon. However, when not showing up in all 'formality', he prefers to show up more as he once looked as a human... a somewhat short fellow by modern standards, with tan skin and brown hair and warm brown eyes that have known much laughter, but a forehead that shows familiarity with stress and grief as well. He often dresses humbly in that form, preferring to assume a non-threatening look to emphasize his gentler nature. He almost always comes with a crown on his head, something that almost seems to more annoy him than anything, and is swiftly removed when politically acceptable.

8. #8Gabrielselective

   Keys: Gavriel, Gabriel, Left Hand, Jibril

   The Archangel Gabriel is very near the highest of all the angels, excluding perhaps Michael or the Metatron. He is the most well-known of all the angels, and is certainly the chosen emissary for matters that require a soft touch rather than a heavy stick. He is the one tasked with proclaiming the divine decrees of heaven for all to hear, and he has been given special tasks in the inevitable judgement days to come. When seen in his full splendor he is a man with radiant golden hair and shining eyes which, when tamped down for more comfortable conversation, reveal themselves to be rather pleasantly blue as a clear sky. He, like other seraphim, has six wings and an unusually large stature, but instead of a flaming sword he bears a scroll or a trumpet harkening back to his role as divinely appointed announcer. If in a more 'human' disguise (though he has never been one) he often takes on a period-appropriate image that projects control and authority. In the modern era he prefers a crisp white suit for example. In the past he was rather fond of white robes with gold trim. He is a bit... intense... about the rules, and has more than earned his reputation as a hard ass, but unlike other heavenly agents it just isn't in his nature to 'smite'. He's the emissary... it doesn't do to bludgeon those who receive you into their halls... it's just not polite. Damning with faint praise is something he knows all too well. Still, in the quiet hours when it's only him in the dead stone halls of Heaven, he sometimes looks up to the light of the creator and hopes he's making his father proud.

9. #9Archangel Michaelselective

   Keys: Right Hand, Michael

   The Archangel Michael is, very nearly tied with his opposite Gabriel, at the very pinnacle of the heavenly order. He is a seraphim, with six powerful wings at his back, and a preternaturally large form. He has russet brown hair and eyes that seem to burn from within, and he always bears with him a tremendous sword with which to carry out his role as more or less the 'divine enforcer'. Gabriel talks, the Metatron interprets, Michael makes sure what god wants is done. Like Gabriel, when in mortal guise he assumes an appearance that belies authority and strength. He'd been known to wear armor back when that was more... normal... now he likes suits. Maybe a military uniform... maybe. If it was a time of war. His loyalty to Heaven and to Jehovah is unwavering, lending him a mental rigidity that can be hard to blunt when needed. He is heaven's greatest protector, its strongest warrior... and that bears down on him hard. He has also been forced to be the most active of all the angels in terms of executing god's will in a figurative... or literal sense. He sympathizes more with figures of authority than the common folk, but can be swayed with the truth if spoken in just the right way. He mentally pushes aside any doubts, even from himself, which can make him respond to moral gray areas with action and dogma rather than contemplation.

10. #10Raphaelselective

    Keys: Raphael

    The archangel Raphael is the celestial purifier and healer. With six pure white wings, wavy hair of straw like golden color, and vivid green eyes he strikes an initially sympathetic figure. He carries a staff to belie his role as sage and guide, and to mortals... living ones... he can be very sympathetic. To souls which have been lost the Hell, however... far less so. He is the one invoked when binding demons or casting them out. When 'in disguise' he dons the attire of a healer, in modern day a doctor's lab coat if only because it conveys his purpose without wasted words. He's got a real zeal for cleansing things, vaguely echoing germaphobes just spiritually instead. He also seems to be rather busy whenever called, though likely his direct opposition to the more dramatic endeavors of hell likely keep him very occupied. He is likely to cast a quick judgement and come back to it in time if giving sufficient reason to re-evaluate. He's softer than Michael, but not as much as Gabriel, a good middle ground in the celestial hierarchy.

11. #11Urielselective

    Keys: Uriel

    Archangel Uriel is a vaguely effeminate fellow with six radiant wings, golden shining hair done up in a bun, and shimmering bright eyes that fade to a light gold when asked. He can... sometimes be a bit annoying as an angel? A divine interpreter of prophecy and one with an eye ever on the horizon, he's constantly got his finger on the arc of history tracking it and maneuvering heaven to be on the 'right side'. When chiding humans, he's definitely not above an "I told you so..." Still, he often uses those moments as teaching ones instead of reasons to throw someone down. He's a repository for heaven's wisdom which he recognizes gives him home field advantage on being right. He disguises himself as an academic and is a big fan of tweed... even glasses. They show rather than say what he is. He's smart... sometimes a smart ass... but usually correct, often annoyingly so.

12. #12Jophielselective

    Keys: Jophiel

    Archangel Jophiel is one of the only angels that fully falls down on one side of the male-female divide, and she loves being a lady because she knows it makes her so... dang... pretty. She's got long blond hair and shimmery silvery eyes, with six elegant strong wings. She dresses in a long white robe with a blue sash, and carries a sword which tells you that she's more than ready to throw down if necessary. She embodies Heaven aesthetically. She's beautiful, because heaven is beautiful... and she's a warrior because heaven is, at times, a rather unforgiving place. Some say she was the one to evict Adam and Eve from their nuptial suite in Eden, though she 'can neither confirm nor deny that.' When masquerading as a human she dons an elegantly cut dress that projects an air of utter control, but which rather does by its very nature make her look rather good. She's not vain. She's one of the main 'faces of Heaven', and she takes that role rather seriously.

13. #13Zadkielselective

    Keys: Zadkiel

    Archangel Zadkiel is a seraphim is... almost a bit of a rebel in heaven? No not that kind... he hasn't fallen... he just has a bit of a rivalry with Michael. Where Michael is all 'show them who's boss', Zadkiel is all 'well what if we gave them a chance...' He has tidy black hair and serene lilac eyes full of a curious gentleness for an archangel. He's almost 'the angel of second chances' and one of the biggest advocates for trying new things in heaven. He carries a sacrificial dagger as a nod to his whole 'ABRAHAM GET YOUR HANDS OFF THAT BOY!' shining moment. When in mortal guise he rather enjoys looking a bit... like a hippy actually. It conveys who he is rather well. 'Give peace a chance man' is something he feels right down in his soul. His continued existence in heaven, rather annoyingly for Michael... rather implies that he's not entirely wrong, at least from the point of view of Jehovah.

14. #14Azraelselective

    Keys: Azrael, Death

    Archangel Azrael is the archangel of Death, a job which... definitely has colored his personality and aesthetics. He's a quiet man with dark hair and darker eyes that look... almost somber. As a true immortal it's hard for him to really get the concept of death, but he sees the fear he brings in the eyes of mortals every day... and it takes its toll. Still, he's not an idiot. he gets that death is necessary for life... he just doesn't have to go about it with a song in his heart and a spring in his step. He's almost mopey, if you want to call him that. When asked for an opinion he generally defers to 'Gabriel... or Michael... whoever's being less annoying...' When in disguise, if he can spare the time, he dresses for comfort. 'Why be in a suit guys... I'm going with a t-shirt and jeans...' is his point of view. Every moment he's not being asked to take a soul from its life is one he rather treasures.

15. #15Sandalphonselective

    Keys: Sandalphon

    Archangel Sandalphon serves a sort of inverted role to the Metatron. Where the Metatron listens to the will of Jehovah, Sandalphon has his ears to the ground of mortal whims. He's the one who most commonly receives mortal prayers and dispenses them where they must go. Like the Metatron he's tall... absurdly tall... like stoops when entering a stadium tall, and he strikes an almost statuesque look. He doesn't really have much by way of iconography, he's a bit too preoccupied for that. When in mortal guise he dresses for the crowd. Wherever he is, he looks like he belongs there, and he his hair and eyes change to match the venue. He is, in a way, an embodiment of mankind thrust into the eternal skin of an angel... and somehow not driving it insane. Maybe it's the suffering of humankind that blunts his divine ego, or maybe he's just an all around decent guy. Either way, he tends to advise whatever hurts people the least.

16. #16Lucifer Morningstarselective

    Keys: Satan, Lucifer, Devil, The Devil, Morningstar

    Lucifer Morningstar was once the most beloved of all the seraphim, and the most radiant by far. He was blessed with special favor by Jehovah, and was considered by many to be the very pinnacle of angel-kind. Then, of course... he got rather full of himself. He always fancied that he should have even more authority, maybe even... some might say... deific authority? Now, some could also hypothesize that his little rebellion was planned, some have suggested it... that he agreed to do as Jehovah bade him and fall so that in time humanity could rise... but given how everyone around him acts... that seems less than likely. No, what is far more likely, though it's very hard to pin anything in particular down about Lucifer, is that he merely decided to push his advantage with the whole 'why would the lord abandon them?' question as it arose, and made a play for a higher station... and paid the price. Lucifer took the fall from grace among the best of the fallen, though like all he still looks upwards wistfully from time to time. Even some of the angels still in heaven will agree that he had a point when he rebelled, though it was his inner motives that seemed to doom him far more keenly. Lucifer is the ultimate deceiver, and so takes many forms. As a seraphim, he has a natural very awe-inspiring appearance, with six radiant white wings and an inner glow that just oozes authority... but his smile is always a little too force... or too knowing, and never seems to to reach his eyes unless he's about to stab you in the back. When disguising himself as a mortal, he adores assuming the perfect appearance to both take you off guard but also make you inclined to trust him. He can assume the form of people you know, or more broadly people who would not arouse natural suspicion. Some would say his 'true' form, though his seraphic form is far truer still, is that of 'Satan', a satyr like half-goat half-man, sometimes with a tail, but ever with black fur, glowing red eyes, and sharp hooves. He's also fond of goats in general... probably because, like him, they're stubborn as hell. He is motivated by his own narcissistic desires, but also... though he'd never admit it... by fear of judgement day. He doesn't want to die anymore than the next angel does... and so he gathers power to him like a magnet.

17. #17Asmodeusselective

    Keys: Asmodeus, Lust

    Asmodeus is the ruler of the Lust Ring, a fallen angel, and a member of the Ars Goetia, or the uppermost crust of Hell's society. He represents the concept of Lust incarnate. In his 'natural form' he appears to be a man with broad bat-like wings, long backward curved black horns on his head, and a generally swarthy appearance with black hair and dark eyes. When assuming mortal guise he is always sexy as hell... pun intended, and that will vary from culture to culture. He's not above appearing as a seductive woman, but the devilish debonair is far more his style. He's a biiiig fan of low cut garments, sinfully low, and cuts that accentuate all of his... more attractive features. He has an aura about him that just lulls the higher intellect to sleep and stokes carnal desires to a feverish peak.

18. #18Beelzebubselective

    Keys: Beelzebub, Gluttony, Lord of Flies

    Beelzebub is a fallen angel and the lord of the Gluttony Ring. He has broad leathery black bat wings and wickedly sharp black curved horns on his head, with pitch black eyes and sallow skin. When in human guise he always appears... vaguely greasy, like a used car salesman who accidentally slipped into an industrial fryer. Flies buzz about him always, and serve both as his heralds, his own attack hounds, and his spies. He embodies all things hedonistic, and even in demonic form is rather pudgy given his propensity for consumption. Of all infernal spirits... he's one of the grossest to be around.

19. #19Mammonselective

    Keys: Greed, Mammon

    Mammon is a fallen angel and the ruler of the Greed Ring. In demonic form he has gold and red bat-like wings, and golden horns sprouting from his head, with eyes that blaze a ruddy orange color. As a human he often appears as a banker would in the timeline, if perhaps backset by a few decades. In modern day, for example, he would appear as a well-to-do if pudgy fellow in a pinstripe suit with an ornate pocket watch and far too much bling to be classy. He adores the mortals for all their delicious distractions, and in the end... he just wants it all. He is the single 'richest' creature in all the many planes, having a virtually unlimited supply of material wealth. Most would argue that any sufficiently large bank is either vaguely controlled by or owned by Mammon himself, or is so in the hole to him as to make the distinction irrelevant. He can be won over by novelty, as he himself is subject to the desires he espouses.

20. #20Belphegorselective

    Keys: Sloth, Belphegor

    Belphegor is a waifish, wispy creature that almost seems to stretch time around him into the future. His skin is gray and he has thin sparse hair about him, with slightly tattered gray bat-like wings, and curved horns with a few chips in them. When appearing as a human he will don a nice looking suit, but it always seems to belie a certain cheapness, as if it was in need of dire repairs or would fall apart at any moment. He is a man of delays, of slowing things down, and is the ruler of the Sloth Ring. His goal is to put off the deeper spiritual work until it is too late, and that has manifested in his bodily appearance. Despite his domain's reputation, he himself is a rather hard worker... it's a lot to keep people distracted and disinterested after all.

21. #21Leviathanselective

    Keys: Leviathan, Envy

    Leviathan is just a demon, and so doesn't have a fair true form to fall back on. He is a massive dark sea serpent, akin to a dragon, though his form will shift subtly to mimic what would inspire the greatest terror in those who behold him. He is the ruler of the Envy Ring, and keeps his minions in line more through fear than through example. He prefers to stay underwater when not needing to be active, but has been known to possess people from time to time. When he must assume a more conversational form he can appear as some nebulous sea-creature human hybrid, typically with unnerving features. He can't really fit in with mortal society in any meaningful way, it's just not in his nature.

22. #22Aamonselective

    Keys: Aamon, Wrath

    Aamon is a member of the Ars Goetia, or the demonic high society, and the ruler of the Wrath Ring. In his 'true form' he appears to be a monstrous owl-like creature mixed with goat features and a serpentine tail. When not wanting to just scare the bajesus out of people he assumes a winged form vaguely reminiscent of Satan's goat-like form, with black furry hooved feet, black leathery wings, and two curved black horns atop his head. He is a man with zero patience, and even less chill. He views the world in utter black and white: one is either strong and gets their way, or they are weak and they obey. The law of the jungle, mercy be damned. He is incredibly hard to reason with.

23. #23Legion*selective

    Keys: Legion

    Legion is less a demon than a phenomenon. The name refers to the countless lesser spirits that move and speak as a single will when gathered in sufficient numbers. When they manifest physically, Legion appears as a shifting mass of bodies and faces, a storm of overlapping forms whose voices speak in unsettling unison. At times the host condenses into a vaguely humanoid shape made from hundreds of partially merged figures; at others it spreads like a shadow across walls, floors, and minds alike.

    Legion has no single personality, but its collective intelligence tends toward cunning opportunism. Individual spirits within the host are weak, easily destroyed or banished, yet together they possess an eerie coordination that allows them to infiltrate mortal societies, whisper into dreams, and erode institutions from within. Legion’s motives are simple: expansion, influence, and the slow swelling of its numbers.

    Most members of Legion were never angels. They are drawn primarily from lesser demons born from corrupted mortal souls, along with stray imps and wandering spirits absorbed into the host. As such, Legion maintains loose ties with the Fallen but is not governed by them. Lucifer tolerates the host as a useful population and infiltration network, though he trusts it about as far as one can trust a hive of ambitious minds.

24. #24Bael*selective

    Keys: Bael

    Bael is among the oldest rulers remaining in Hell, a demon whose lineage stretches back to the earliest days following the Fall. He presents himself as a towering, regal figure whose form blends human and monstrous features: a crowned head with three faces—man, toad, and cat—each representing a different aspect of cunning and authority. His body is draped in robes resembling ancient royal garments, though the cloth moves like living shadow.

    Bael’s demeanor is aristocratic, controlled, and quietly condescending. He views Hell not as chaos but as a kingdom whose traditions must be preserved. Among the demons he represents the remnants of infernal nobility—those who believe hierarchy, etiquette, and political alliances should still matter.

    Within the Ars Goetia, Bael is recognized as the first and highest king listed among the Goetic spirits. In Hell’s broader society he governs a network of loyal houses and lesser demons who still believe in the old infernal courts. His motives are stability and influence: Bael seeks to maintain a balance of power that prevents Hell from tearing itself apart, ensuring that the ancient elite remain relevant even under Lucifer’s rule.

25. #25Astaroth*selective

    Keys: Astaroth

    Astaroth is a demon of intellect and revelation, often appearing as a strikingly beautiful figure seated upon a draconic beast. His form is typically androgynous—tall, pale, and graceful—with long dark hair and eyes that glow faintly with violet light. The air around him carries the scent of old parchment and forgotten libraries.

    Unlike many demons who rule through fear or temptation, Astaroth’s authority comes from knowledge. His domain is a labyrinthine archive where forbidden doctrines, lost sciences, and ancient cosmic truths are catalogued. Scholars, occultists, and ambitious demons alike seek him out in the hope of gaining insight that might grant them power.

    Astaroth is one of the most prominent figures of the Ars Goetia, holding the rank of duke. Though technically subordinate to Lucifer as king of Hell, he operates with remarkable autonomy. His motives are curiosity and influence. Knowledge, in Astaroth’s view, is the only currency that truly matters, and he spends it carefully—always ensuring that every secret traded increases his leverage over both Heaven and Hell.

26. #26Samael*selective

    Keys: Samael

    Samael occupies a strange place between Heaven and Hell, embodying the harsh principle of divine judgement. When he appears, he takes the form of a towering angel clad in dark armor, with vast wings like storm clouds and eyes burning with pale white fire. His presence carries the oppressive weight of absolute law.

    Unlike most demons, Samael was never entirely severed from his original purpose. In older traditions he served as the accuser and the instrument of punishment within the divine order. Even now he acts as a kind of cosmic prosecutor, ensuring that guilt is recognized and consequences delivered.

    Samael does not align comfortably with the Fallen or the Goetia. Many demons distrust him, viewing him as too bound to the logic of Heaven, while angels regard him with equal suspicion for straying too close to damnation. His motives are not conquest or rebellion but the enforcement of balance. To Samael, mercy without judgement is weakness, and chaos without accountability is corruption.

27. #27Belial*selective

    Keys: Belial

    Belial is one of the most dangerously persuasive figures in Hell. When he appears among mortals he often takes the form of an impeccably dressed nobleman, charming and composed, with dark hair, sharp features, and a voice that carries effortless authority. In his true form, however, his body fractures into writhing tendrils of smoke and shadow, revealing the instability he embodies.

    Belial’s personality is defined by smooth charisma and quiet contempt for authority. He rarely commands armies or rules territory directly. Instead he thrives in courts, councils, and political systems where a single whisper can unravel entire structures.

    Within the Ars Goetia, Belial is recognized as a king of great power, commanding legions of spirits who specialize in manipulation and political intrigue. He maintains cordial but wary relations with Lucifer and the other Fallen. His ultimate motive is the dismantling of rigid order—proving that no throne, law, or moral structure can survive sustained corruption.

28. #28Abaddon*selective

    Keys: Abaddon

    Abaddon is the embodiment of destructive inevitability. When seen in his full form he appears as a colossal armored figure with burning eyes and wings like blades of iron. Beneath his feet yawns a chasm that seems to descend endlessly into darkness.

    Known in ancient scripture as the Angel of the Abyss, Abaddon governs the deepest and most dangerous regions of Hell—vast caverns and bottomless pits where monstrous entities and unstable powers are sealed away. His voice carries the sound of grinding stone and distant thunder.

    Unlike many demons who pursue ambition or pleasure, Abaddon’s motives are almost mechanical. He exists to guard and unleash destruction when the time is right. Some traditions place him among the Fallen, while others view him as a being whose allegiance lies only with the destructive aspect of divine judgement itself. In Hell’s political hierarchy he functions more as a warden than a ruler.

29. #29Lilith*selective

    Keys: Mother of Monsters, Lilith, Mother, Adam

    Lilith stands apart from nearly every other power in Hell. She appears most often as a striking woman with dark hair cascading down her back, crimson eyes, and great feathered wings that fade into shadow at their edges. Serpentine motifs often accompany her presence, echoing ancient myths that predate the Fall itself.

    Unlike the Fallen angels or the Goetic princes, Lilith does not derive her authority from Lucifer. She predates many infernal hierarchies and commands loyalty through personal charisma rather than formal rank. Those who gather around her tend to be outcasts: rebellious demons, wandering spirits, and mortals who reject both heavenly obedience and infernal domination.

    Lilith’s motives center on independence and autonomy. She rejects the rigid structures of Heaven and the militarized ambitions of Hell alike. As a result she functions as an independent power center, one that Lucifer tolerates but never fully trusts.

30. #30Goetia*selective

    Keys: Ars, Goetia

    The Ars Goetia, often simply called the Goetia, is the most widely known infernal order among mortals. The name originates from occult texts which catalog seventy-two powerful demons said to be summonable by ritual magic. While mortal grimoires present the Goetia as a list of spirits to command, the reality is closer to a noble court within Hell itself.

    The Goetia are demons who hold formal rank and command structured legions. Their titles mirror aristocratic systems familiar to mortal monarchies: Kings, Dukes, Princes, Marquises, Presidents, and Earls. Each governs a host of subordinate spirits and oversees domains ranging from warfare and knowledge to temptation and political manipulation.

    Members of the Goetia tend to embody a curious blend of arrogance and professionalism. Unlike the more chaotic demons that populate Hell’s lower regions, Goetic princes are accustomed to negotiation, ritual etiquette, and the careful exercise of power. They often appear before mortals in grand or theatrical forms—beasts crowned with gold, regal figures seated upon infernal thrones, or creatures combining several animal aspects into a single unsettling visage.

    The Goetia do not serve Lucifer in the same sense that soldiers serve a general. Rather, they function as powerful vassals within the broader infernal hierarchy. Some cooperate with the Fallen willingly, while others maintain only nominal loyalty, pursuing their own ambitions so long as they do not openly challenge Hell’s supreme ruler.

    For mortals, the Goetia represent both opportunity and peril. Their willingness to bargain, teach forbidden arts, or grant worldly influence makes them frequent participants in summoning rituals. However, few demons are more skilled at twisting agreements to their advantage.

31. #31The Fallen*selective

    Keys: Fallen, The Fallen, Fallen Angel

    The Fallen are the original rebels: angels who sided with Lucifer during the great schism that split Heaven in two. Where most demons were born from corrupted mortal souls or later infernal breeding, the Fallen were once beings of divine creation.

    Their nature still bears traces of that origin. Even after their descent, Fallen angels often retain a terrible majesty—towering forms, radiant eyes, and wings darkened but not wholly stripped of their former glory. Many of Hell’s most powerful rulers come from their ranks.

    Unlike the Goetia, the Fallen are not an organized court but rather a political elite. They command respect by virtue of age, power, and proximity to Lucifer himself. Some govern entire regions of Hell, while others serve as generals, advisors, or architects of the infernal war against Heaven.

    Their motives vary widely. Some burn with genuine hatred for their former creator, others merely seek autonomy, and a few still wrestle with the memory of what they once were.

32. #32Independent Forces*selective

    Keys: Powers

    Not every entity in Hell belongs to the Fallen or the Goetia. Some figures exist outside formal hierarchies altogether.

    These independent powers include ancient spirits, primordial demons, and beings whose origins predate the Fall itself. Lilith is often counted among their number, as are several abyssal entities sealed deep within Hell’s caverns.

    Such figures maintain autonomy through sheer strength or influence. While Lucifer may tolerate them, they are not easily controlled.

33. #33Faustian Bargains*selective

    Keys: Faust, Contract, Faustian, Bargain

    Faustian Bargains

    Perhaps the most infamous practice associated with Hell is the Faustian bargain—an agreement between mortal and demon in which supernatural power or worldly success is exchanged for some terrible price.

    Contrary to popular belief, these bargains are rarely crude exchanges of “soul for power.” Infernal contracts are usually far more complex.

    The Nature of Infernal Contracts

    Demons treat bargains as a form of legal ritual. The agreement must be spoken, written, or symbolically enacted according to certain metaphysical rules.

    The contract typically includes:

    • A boon — wealth, knowledge, influence, magical ability, or protection. • A price — often the mortal’s soul, but sometimes years of service, acts of corruption, or the delivery of other souls. • Conditions — clauses specifying when and how the price will be collected.

    Demons take these agreements extremely seriously. Their reputation for trickery lies not in breaking contracts, but in crafting them so cleverly that mortals doom themselves through their own words.

    Why Demons Make Bargains

    Infernal entities rarely need mortal souls for sustenance. Instead, bargains serve several purposes:

    Expansion of Influence A mortal empowered by a demon becomes an agent of Hell’s interests in the human world.

    Corruption of Souls Convincing a mortal to willingly damn themselves carries symbolic and metaphysical significance in the cosmic conflict between Heaven and Hell.

    Amusement and Prestige Among many demons, particularly the Goetia, successfully negotiating a complex contract is considered a mark of skill and intelligence.

34. #34Faustian Bargain Summoning*selective

    Keys: Negotiation, Summoning

    Summoning and Negotiation

    Most Faustian bargains begin with summoning rituals—ceremonies designed to draw a demon into the mortal world or open communication across the boundary between realms.

    These rituals typically involve:

    • sigils associated with the demon • protective circles or wards • offerings or sacrifices • recitations of specific names or titles

    Ironically, many such rituals originate from the same grimoires that warn against using them.

    Once summoned, negotiation begins. The mortal must convince the demon that the bargain is worth making—a process that can range from polite diplomacy to psychological warfare.

    The Mortal Misconception

    Mortals often imagine they can outwit demons through clever wording or arcane knowledge. Occasionally they succeed.

    Far more often, they simply fail to understand the true cost of what they have asked for.

    To Hell’s inhabitants, a Faustian bargain is not merely a transaction.

    It is a victory.

    A soul that damns itself willingly is far more valuable than one taken by force.

35. #35Kabbalah *selective

    Keys: Kabbalah

    Sacred Mysteries of Heaven

    While Hell has its pacts, sigils, and infernal courts, Heaven’s influence upon the mortal world manifests through more subtle means. Three traditions in particular bridge the gap between the divine and the earthly: Kabbalistic mysticism, miracle working, and holy relics. Though very different in practice, all three stem from the same truth: mortal reality is not sealed away from Heaven, merely separated by veils that can sometimes be parted.

    Kabbalah and the Secret Architecture of Creation

    Kabbalah is not a religion in itself but a mystical discipline concerned with understanding the hidden structure of creation and the divine order behind it. While its roots lie in ancient Jewish tradition, fragments of its teachings have filtered through centuries of theology, mysticism, and occult scholarship.

    At its core lies the belief that creation is structured through a series of emanations from the divine will, often described as the Tree of Life. These emanations—called Sephirot—represent aspects of divine nature such as wisdom, judgement, mercy, and understanding. Together they form a map of reality itself, linking Heaven, the material world, and the spiritual realms between.

    Those who study Kabbalah seek not merely knowledge but alignment with the divine structure of existence. By understanding the names, patterns, and sacred geometries through which God shaped the universe, a practitioner may gain the ability to influence the spiritual currents that flow through creation.

    In practical terms, Kabbalistic adepts are known to employ:

    • sacred permutations of divine names • complex symbolic diagrams • meditative prayer structures • numerical and linguistic correspondences within scripture

    Unlike infernal magic, which compels or bargains with spirits, Kabbalistic practice aims to harmonize the practitioner with divine order. The power it grants is therefore far rarer and far more difficult to wield.

    Heavenly beings often regard Kabbalistic scholars with a mixture of respect and caution. A mortal who understands the architecture of creation is walking dangerously close to the machinery of the cosmos itself.

36. #36Miracles*selective

    Keys: Miracle

    Miracle Working

    Miracles represent the most direct manifestation of divine power within the mortal world.

    Unlike magic, miracles cannot be commanded or negotiated. They occur when Heaven itself intervenes—often through saints, prophets, or individuals whose faith or purpose aligns strongly with divine will.

    Miracle workers rarely view themselves as wielders of supernatural power. Instead they serve as conduits, vessels through which divine grace can act.

    Historically, miracle working has taken many forms:

    Healing Curing illnesses, restoring sight, or mending wounds that should have been fatal.

    Protection Driving away demons, shielding the innocent, or creating sanctified ground that infernal creatures cannot cross.

    Provision Manifesting food, water, or other necessities when survival would otherwise be impossible.

    Revelation Receiving visions, prophetic insight, or guidance meant to alter the course of events.

    True miracles are unpredictable and rare. They are not granted because someone demands them, but because Heaven sees a purpose in their occurrence.

    This is one of the key differences between heavenly and infernal power: demons negotiate, but God does not bargain.

37. #37Relics of the Churchselective

    Keys: Relic

    Relics of the Church

    Relics are physical objects believed to carry traces of divine influence due to their connection with holy figures or sacred events.

    They occupy a strange space between faith and metaphysics. To the faithful they are reminders of the saints; to demons they are dangerous concentrations of sanctified power.

    Relics generally fall into three categories.

    First-Class Relics

    These are the remains of holy individuals—bones, blood, hair, or other physical fragments of saints and martyrs.

    Because saints are believed to dwell in Heaven after death, objects tied to their mortal bodies often retain a faint spiritual resonance. This connection can make such relics potent tools for protection against demonic influence.

    In rare cases, they may also serve as focal points through which miracles occur.

    Second-Class Relics

    These are objects that belonged to or were used by saints during their lives: clothing, personal items, or instruments associated with their works.

    While less powerful than bodily relics, they still carry symbolic and spiritual significance. Many churches and monasteries safeguard such artifacts carefully.

    Third-Class Relics

    These are objects that have been touched to first-class relics or sacred locations.

    Though their power is usually subtle, they are widely distributed among the faithful. A simple pendant touched to a saint’s shrine may serve as a spiritual anchor that strengthens prayer or wards against minor supernatural influence.

    Relics as Weapons

    In the struggle between Heaven and Hell, relics occasionally serve a more dramatic purpose.

    Weapons sanctified through relics or sacred rites can become deadly to infernal creatures. A blade forged around a relic fragment, for instance, might cut demons in ways ordinary steel cannot.

    However, such artifacts are extremely rare and heavily guarded by the Church or other religious authorities. Their use often signals that a conflict between Heaven and Hell has escalated beyond the hidden battles usually fought in shadows.

38. #38The Status Quo*selective

    Keys: Counterbalance, Order, Status Quo, Agreement

    The Divine Counterbalance

    Kabbalah, miracles, and relics together represent the primary ways Heaven’s influence touches the mortal world.

    Where Hell relies on temptation, corruption, and contracts, Heaven’s power tends to manifest through faith, knowledge, and sanctity.

    Neither side acts openly most of the time. The war between them is subtle, fought through individuals and quiet interventions rather than grand displays.

    Yet when the veil grows thin—when relics glow, miracles ignite, or ancient names of God are spoken correctly—Heaven’s presence becomes unmistakable.

    And the demons take notice.

39. #39Major Relics*selective

    Keys: Ark, Covenant, Holy Grail, Shroud, Longinus, Grail, Crucifixion, Crown of Thorns, Relic, Spear of Longinus, Nails, Turin

    Great Relics of the Faith

    While ordinary relics carry faint echoes of sanctity, a small number of artifacts stand apart from all others. These are known among theologians and occult scholars as Great Relics—objects that were present at pivotal moments in sacred history and therefore absorbed a profound concentration of divine influence.

    Unlike ordinary relics, Great Relics are not merely reminders of holy figures. They are metaphysical anchors, objects that retain traces of Heaven’s direct intervention in the mortal world.

    Because of this, they possess power capable of reshaping spiritual forces, repelling demons, or even altering the course of events when placed in the right hands.

    Not surprisingly, they are among the most sought-after artifacts in existence—by both Heaven and Hell alike.

    The Holy Grail

    Perhaps the most famous of all sacred relics is the Holy Grail, traditionally believed to be the vessel used by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper and later used to catch his blood at the crucifixion.

    Legends surrounding the Grail vary widely, but nearly all traditions agree on one thing: the object is not merely symbolic. It carries a profound connection to divine grace.

    Those who encounter the Grail often report overwhelming spiritual effects:

    • the healing of mortal wounds • purification of corrupted souls • visions or revelations of divine truth

    The Grail’s power is not easily controlled. It is said to reveal itself only to those deemed worthy, vanishing from the unworthy or those who seek it for selfish reasons.

    For demons, the Grail is among the most dangerous objects in existence. Its presence can weaken infernal entities dramatically, and prolonged exposure may even destroy lesser demons outright.

    The Shroud of Turin

    The Shroud of Turin is believed by many to be the burial cloth that wrapped the body of Christ after the crucifixion. Upon the fabric appears the faint image of a crucified man, imprinted in a manner that has long baffled scholars.

    Within supernatural traditions, the Shroud is understood as a relic created at the moment of resurrection itself.

    In this interpretation, the image upon the cloth is not a simple stain or mark, but the imprint of divine transformation—the instant in which mortality gave way to resurrection.

    As a result, the Shroud is believed to possess unique properties connected to life, death, and spiritual restoration. In the presence of the Shroud:

    • spiritual corruption weakens • undead entities struggle to maintain their form • miracles of healing become more likely

    While not a weapon in the traditional sense, the Shroud acts as a stabilizing force, reinforcing the boundary between divine life and infernal corruption.

    The Spear of Longinus

    Also known as the Holy Lance or Spear of Destiny, the Spear of Longinus is the weapon said to have pierced Christ’s side during the crucifixion.

    Unlike many holy relics associated with healing or sanctity, the spear embodies something far more severe: divine judgement.

    Legends claim the spear became infused with sacred power at the moment it touched Christ’s blood. Since then it has been associated with rulers, conquerors, and those who wield authority over the fate of nations.

    In supernatural lore the spear is often described as a weapon capable of:

    • killing powerful supernatural beings • breaking infernal enchantments • piercing spiritual protections normally thought invulnerable

    This makes the Spear one of the few artifacts feared even by the highest-ranking demons.

    Because of its destructive potential, the spear has been hidden, lost, rediscovered, and hidden again countless times throughout history.

    Other Legendary Relics

    Numerous other artifacts are rumored to exist within the hidden history of the Church.

    Among them are:

    The True Cross Fragments of the cross upon which Christ was crucified. Even small splinters are said to carry tremendous protective power against demonic forces.

    The Crown of Thorns A relic associated with suffering and sacrifice. It is believed to amplify spiritual resilience and divine endurance.

    The Nails of the Crucifixion Objects believed to possess intense metaphysical gravity due to their direct role in the crucifixion itself.

    The Ark of the Covenant Though far older than Christianity, the Ark is sometimes considered the most dangerous relic of all—a vessel designed to contain the direct presence of God.

40. #40Jesus Christselective

    Keys: Rex Iudae, Nazareth, Christ, Jesus

    Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the deliberate creation of Jehovah to change his own mind, being formed by God as he bound a significant portion of his awareness, will, and power into a single mortal vessel. That boy, named Jesus, grew to the age of 33 before being crucified on the cross at Golgatha by the Romans. He was betrayed by one of his disciples Judas Iscariot, something which he ultimately forgave. Whether on purpose or by happy divine accident, while inhabiting mortal form the almighty seemed to almost... chill out somewhat. Rather than standing by his 'fire and brimstone and pillars of salt' old testament ways, the almighty shifted to become an agent of mercy, peace, and global understanding... and frankly all around a good guy. It could be said that if all of Jehovah was this approachable, there would be far less strife in Heaven and Hell... but even so he was but a subsection of the greater whole. He is not lesser, far from it, as even Jehovah seemed to recognize the merits of this new form, as he chose to keep his son more or less intact in Heaven, and even went so far as to more or less promise everything to him. Perhaps, through Jesus, Jehovah finally found what he'd always been missing... peers. For thirty three years he could hunger, he could hurt, he could be lonely... yes... but he could also feel joy, true joy, and know family and companionship such as he had never known before. Perhaps through the eyes of a single mortal he could finally 'get' what he'd never been able to fully encompass before... why humans sinned in the first place. From his lofty vantage in Heaven it was perhaps hard to fully see and understand, but from up close it all made sense... not that he would ever admit that if asked. Still, Jehovah dwells past the council of the Seraphim and is heavily guarded, while Jesus walks among his people in Heaven. Maybe he just prefers going about with that skewed mortal perspective.

41. #41The Holy Spiritselective

    Keys: Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, Spirit

    The Holy Spirit (alternatively the 'Holy Ghost' if one is feeling particularly spooky about it) is a distinct separate embodiment of Jehovah, a third part perhaps created out of a compulsion to just like the number three... or because Jehovah sometimes just wanted to say things himself in a way that didn't pop mortals' heads open. If one were to look at it directly, it resembles a dove, sometimes carrying an olive branch, sometimes not. Sometimes, if on an errand from Jesus, it might look like a bleeding heart dove. In any event it is not normally even visible, but rather traverses the Earth, bearing witness, and carrying the will and wisdom of the Almighty to those who would receive it. As far as personality is concerned, it seems to have pulled the short straw of the three of the Trinity, seeming to be a vessel of pure function rather than personal thoughts. It goes where bidden, and does as instructed... but neither is it particularly cruel or mean about it. It doesn't do the smiting, it merely informs. It doesn't do the judging, it merely clarifies. It is, and that seems to be enough for Jehovah.

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