Servitors of Death with Songs of Fruition.

[tHEhERETIC]

Originally Posted by chris the cynic

The canon Angel of Death is an archangel whose name is not stated. Beyond that I can't tell you because he/she/it is mentioned in a book I don't have (Night Music) and so I have no idea what it does say about said archangel. The impression I have is that it does not say much.

--pout-- I have that book and it's not in the index, so very little indeed. Skimmed the Saminga section (I'm a bit hyper these days) and didn't see it there either.

But I'm picturing Death as above the political fray--after all it's hard to form much opinion of someone without even a name. More reclusive than most ethereals. Deeply caring, but in a long view sort of way. Cherub perhaps. The friction with Saminga would have to be addressed--maybe regards Saminga as Carnage rather than Death per se, though such sophistry dances on a Balseraph edge.

Someone with a silent, secretive cadre of angels, heavy on the relievers as they can work unnoticed and are awfully hard to question without appearing to be a bully. Despite these secrets and so much about death that is ineffable to the living, he/she/it might work with Litheroy for the souls in transit, like my gabby ghost. Ghosts are so upsetting, and if they understood the big picture they might be more cooperative in doing their part in it.

Just musing at the keyboard.

[Attercap]

Originally Posted by tHEhERETIC

--pout-- I have that book and it's not in the index, so very little indeed. Skimmed the Saminga section (I'm a bit hyper these days) and didn't see it there either.

According to the Incyclopedia, the AA of Death is referenced on page 81. Basically, it's an extremely brief mention in Druiel's writeup saying that the angel hoped to one day meet they mysterious AA of Death but hasn't yet. That's it.

[Jason]

I think David Edelstein's write-up sounds like it fits pretty well with your notion, though you may need to adjust some of the back story and Choir. Perhaps instead of being an Outcast Grigori who's still tacitly tolerated, he's the quiet, secretive Cherub you describe, still in good standing.

(One reason I personally like the idea that he's a Grigori, though: No Grigori Archangels are actually described by name in the canon -- just noted as "the Archangel of Song" -- and the Archangel of Death is never named either. Perhaps, just as the Seraphim Council believes that speaking the Outcast Choir's name disturbs the Symphony, it's considered bad form to refer to the Outcast Archangels by anything but their Words...)

[tHEhERETIC]

Originally Posted by Jason

I think David Edelstein's write-up sounds like it fits pretty well with your notion, though you may need to adjust some of the back story and Choir. Perhaps instead of being an Outcast Grigori who's still tacitly tolerated, he's the quiet, secretive Cherub you describe, still in good standing.

(One reason I personally like the idea that he's a Grigori, though: No Grigori Archangels are actually described by name in the canon -- just noted as "the Archangel of Song" -- and the Archangel of Death is never named either. Perhaps, just as the Seraphim Council believes that speaking the Outcast Choir's name disturbs the Symphony, it's considered bad form to refer to the Outcast Archangels by anything but their Words...)

Perfect--will crosspost the link to TPW. There's nothing in the history or choir that contradict what I need for story, and the mission actually takes out the need to involve Litheroy at all.

Much obliged.

[ISNorden]

In my own campaign, I drew on Jewish tradition when I designed a heretical Archangel of Death. His name is said to be Azrael, and his natural appearance is supposed to be terrifying--with hundreds of wings and eyes. (If that description doesn't scream "Kyriotate" to an IN player, I don't know what would! *LOL*)

I picture Azrael's servitors as quiet, aloof from the political infighting in Heaven, and determined to collect souls when the Symphony requires it--no later, no sooner. Saminga and his minions lead the list of his infernal enemies, but Azrael also dislikes Vapula (think of Dr. Frankenstein's original motive...resurrecting a dead loved one through science) and Beleth (who turns a healthy fear of Death into a mindless obsession).

[Matthias Wasser]

I also did an Azrael, if that means anything.

[Jason]

As a side note on Matthias's write-up, responding to the Ofanim attunement (by which angels around them don't suffer Trauma): I kind of like the idea that no angelic Servitors of Death suffer from Trauma (much as angels of Purity couldn't Fall), as Death is simply not traumatic for them. Servitors of Saminga still suffer Trauma because their Word is all about playing up Death as the greatest and most terrifying evil, so that's kind of what they expect to feel like when they "die" themselves. Angels of Death have a different take on the Word, though, as a natural and inevitable process, and they feel that to their core.

[ISNorden]

I'd use Mathias' write-up for my heretical campaign, with three changes:

1. His Choir would be Kyriotate, based on the traditional descriptions of Azrael; the idea that Death can attack from anywhere fits the Dominations as well.
2. I agree with Jason's generalization about Death servitors being immune to Trauma, regardless of their Choir.
3. I also agree with Orlin's reworking of the Vassal of Good Passage Distinction...allowing relief for unselfish deeds as well as pain for selfish ones.

All I'd need after that is a description of his Cathedral, and any PC who wanted a Death angel could play one. Thank you!