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 Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:20 am
CREATION OF ALL
To most mortals the story of how it all began is as believable as a child's story. There are many different incarnations of the birth of the universe. Some have more truth in them than others. But no one has it written like the Angels of The Heavens do. So, to begin, we shall start at the Big Bang.
Before there was the universe there was only a single, dull light amongst the Great Nothingness. Within it there was incomprehensible power, a gigantic mass of everything that ever was and anything that ever could be. Then suddenly time began. There was a huge explosion as the balance was disturbed and it shook the Great Nothingness like never before. Light and sound erupted, it echoed across the expanse further and further for ages and ages until it eventually faded away. This was the Big Bang. The essence of life spread far and wide, slowly condensing and forming the cosmos, whilst the essence of death filled the pockets of the gaps between. The Great Nothingness was filled with what we call the Great Expanse, or more commonly known as the known universe. From the Big Bang Life & Death, Vice & Virtue, Order and Chaos scattered. These are known as the Six Parallels.
In the centre of it all there was a new radiance however, where Life had prevailed. The Heavens were born, a realm surrounded by the essence of its own light, with spires of gold and silver where light and sound came together into physical being. There was no sun, yet the world was blessed with brilliant light and warmth. The world was alive, and from it came the first beings of life, the embodiment of all that is light. Angels. Eventually, as their world expanded, High Angels were born, seraphic aspects that represented the most important values of The Heavens. The static on any radio or any television is the living reminder of the Angels living somewhere in the centre of the Great Expanse. It is the echo of their souls, the thrum of their sound.
And in the farthest reaches, where the light faded and was replaced by darkness the Underworld was born. At the edges of what is now known as the Great Expanse, and within the voids between, the Underworld claimed the souls of the dead when they strayed too far - often those with no real place to go. It's known as the shadow of the Big Bang, whilst the High Heavens were born, the Underworld is what was left. As time moved forward so too did the Underworld, and in time, it grew and grew, collecting souls and expanding like a shadow that claims all it touches. In a universe so expansive, such a place is still a rare phenomenon to discover. The realm of the Underworld that is most close to the edge of the Great Expanse is also known as the In-between, a realm that is material but not-quite, and so is also ethereal. It is death, and it is nothingness, it is existence and non-existence at the same time. After a time, the Angels realised the Underworld could not be left unguarded, and the High Angel with no title found his birthright; to become the High Angel of Death. This gave life to the Fallen the angels that devoted themselves to the cause of the High Angel of Death, guarding the Underworld from even their own.
Thousands of years later, Earth came into being and civilisation grew until one day hunter gatherer society watched a star fall from the skies. This was the most important moment in Magic Earth's history, for it was the Occulanium. It was worshiped for centuries at Stonehenge and it eventually bestowed its divine light upon its most devoted. They became the Eternal, and together they used the Occulanium to create a new world - Magic Earth. A world within a world, separate and hidden.
And now you must wonder, what about the Burning Hells? The first mortals came from a realm beneath The Heavens, where light and creation met. A war-torn world of two kingdoms, Aria and Demonaria. When the two kingdoms collided the precursors to the Eternal War began. The High Angels watched from their sanctuary and did nothing to sway the tides of battle. During this time such strong and abhorrent faith of the Demonarian Kingdom lead to the aspects of the Burning Hells to be given life and form The Aspects of Evil, the Greater Demons. This became known as the Birth of Choice. They were named after the kingdom that made them by the angels themselves. Demons. Upon discovery of the demons the High Angels decreed to eradicate all of Demonaria. Aria rejoiced, and for a time the demon threat was eradicated. In-time, the Arians began to turn their hate upon one another and just like before the demons of Demonaria began to show themselves, beings that could rejuvenate from death. Once again the High Angels cast their decision to eradicate the threat, including the Arians that spawn the very Aspects they live to oppose. One, however; the High Angel of Reason, voted to scatter the Arians across the cosmos so they might watch the repercussions of their actions. An action that would unknowingly create the Stellari.
Ever since, the Angels of the High Heavens have waged a war on the Demons, who belong to the realm of Hell, a place far out of reach, filled with the despair, hatred and suffering of all mortals in existence.
For eons, the Light battles with Evil. The Dark encroaches on Creation. And Destruction teeters on the edge of Good. An endless war of the Six Parallels that continue the sands of Time.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:51 am
THE OVERWORLD
The Overworld is a name given and shared by Magic Earth and Non-magic Earth. The former being the world we (mostly) within, and the latter being the mundane world we actually live in. But within the Overearth there can also be several other 'realms', pockets of existence that are separate to the others.
The Creation of Magic Earth. As said already, Magic Earth was created from the magnificent powers of the Occulanium, an immensely powerful artefact made by the High Angels themselves. The Occulanium was lost at the beginning of the Eternal War and after thousands of years it appeared in the form of a fallen star in ancient England. Stonehenge was built around it and after centuries of worship it's power seeped out to a gathering known then-after as the Eternal. They were granted inhuman powers, extreme stamina, strength, longevity and magical ability. Over the years they learned to control these powers and from them came the first of the Magic-earth Humans, humans with inhuman ability. After a thousand years the Occulanium had been studied so much that the Eternal wanted to use it's powers to create an experimental world, and thus Magic Earth was born.
The Spirit World is a realm local to Magic Earth. It is known very well in Zakernand and the Oracle looks over it to keep the balance of life and death in order, to see beyond and mend what might be broken. The Spirit World is an imprint of Magic Earth, like an echo of its original self. The Spirit World is where all that is not quite life or death resides, it is where the voices of the world itself reside, spirits of nature, of water, of air and the like. It is not a place for mortals. However, ancient legends speak of the strongest of the first Elementals venturing into the Spirit World, but they did not return. Some Necromancers (of the good kind) look to it in faith. It is also the core of all faith in Elemental culture.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:53 am
THE HEAVENS "Unfortunately, I am unable to tell you the resilient hierarchy of Heaven in detail as i have the depths of Hell. I dread to admit, that it would seem in the events of the Burning Invasion more information was scavenged about Hell than Heaven. When the Angels came to Magic Earth to defend Non-magic Earth from the demons of Hell from getting through, not all the greater Angels of the Inner Sanctum came to aid on the front line. Rather, they delivered their mighty power from above. It is also strange to note than many writings about the Angels similarly tell that the Angel's avoided making contact with mortals verbally.
I can, however, divulge information of Injustira, the Angel of Justice and Zurial, the Angel of Vigour. Injustira is perhaps most famous for the origination of the Order of Injustira, now known as the Injustira Syndicate. Which has evolved over the years from an anti-demon force to a guild of order and tranquility. Within the Inner Sanctum Injustira governs Justice and assures it is given where ever possible. During the Burning Invasion Injustira was one greater Angel that defended our world. I would be blessed to see such a being. Injustira was said to be an angel that emitted beams of pure white light that evoked justice from the very eyes of all who saw him. Artwork of such a being is hard for me to uncover, as many pieces were made by the Injustira Syndicate and are rarely found outside the private libraries.
Zurial, the Angel of Vigour is less known to my knowledge, except i do understand gold is highly connected with Zurial. He evokes the very aspect of Vigour and assures all he is in contact with, and watches, does not seep below morals and turn to evil. During the Burning Invasion, i have read that Zurial often referred to the greater Angels as a union, as one higher body in the Inner Sanctum, unlike that of Hell which has one leader, Valial. It is also written that Zurial is an excellent swordsman, commanding as many as 12 golden blades at a single time." - Horad Caiin The Heavens is the polar opposite of the Underworld, it is bright, it is pure and it is magnificent. Where spires adorn the golden rays of the sun and the ground is nothing less than clouds beneath the monumental buildings of the Angels, the aspects of good reside. Here, you will find as followers:
The High Angels & The Inner Sanctum
Notable Other Angels High Angels
((This post in Out of Character and information given here is not likely to be known by characters within the guild's world)) Here you will find the High Angels that make up the ruling body of all the angels of the Heavens. Please note, that any reference to an angel from the Overworld (any mortal realm, any realm that is not the Heavens) will always (if seen) remark on an angel's hood. For no mortal or non-angel may ever see the face of a divine being, faces gives away far too much to their enemies, faces are not what make an angel, it is their beliefs. Anyone to have ever been lucky enough to see any angel in Occulas would have only seen but a void where their ace should be. Be warned, though many like the Injustira Syndicate and certain groups of Asmodius may look up to and rever the angels, the angel do not look down at the mortals and feel so warmly.  Zurial, High Angel of VigourZurial is the Leader of the Inner Sanctum and is the Aspect of Vigour. He rules the body of High Angels that have become one unifying bond in the hopes of keeping their world tranquil and perfect. Zurial's light is the most golden, and his Wing of the Heavens are the Towers of Vigour, these monolithic towers of majestic gold surround the Inner Sanctum itself, the most sacred and most central structure in all of the divine realm. It is here that the High Angels gather and it is here that their Wings convene. Zurial is also the commander of the Army of Light, made up of all the best fighters of the Heavens. Within the Towers of Vigour, physical strength and good health is adored, respected and perfected by the angels of Vigour.  Injustira, High Angel of JusticeInjustira is one of the most respected High Angels by Zurial, he is the Aspect of Justice, and he governs the Halls of Justice. East of the Inner Sanctum, great bridges span out across the clouds leading to them, and the gigantic structures are heavily decorated in silver graceful, points and edges. Stained glass adorns all the windows, and great towering wings carved of the whitest stone guard every entrance, every exit. More than often, the Halls of Justice are arranged in threes, or rooms will be perfectly spherical with a triangular pyramid glass ceiling. It is here that justice is practised, most of the time harsh, but for all of the Angels of Justice, it is for a worthy cause and is meant for the best of their future. It is here, that they judge betrayers, that they judge the actions of mortals ever since the Burning Invasion, and it is here... that demons have been tortured.  Mesraphael, High Angel of ReasonMesraphael is the most mysterious of the five, he is the Aspect of Reason, governing the Labyrinth of Reason. West of the Inner sanctum the Labyrinth of Reason will be found, it is said to be one of the most ancient Wings of the Heavens, and it is shown by the condition of the structures. Though, perfect, they are dull, but all that can be seen from the heavenly outside is the front archway and towers. It is strange, a place that appears to be dull yet still resonates a feeling of divine power, still gives off its own beauty and its own light. As the labyrinth vanishes into the golden clouds of the Heavens, inside Mesraphael has his own heavenly light. It is a pale purplish-blue that descends from the vacant ceilings, it is as if the Heavens are in a never-ending state of midnight, with no moon, and no stars, nothing but that hue of colour over them. The corridors are long, and the winding staircases are frustrating, but the Angels of Reason know their way, for they've studied and believed in wisdom and fate for far too long, understanding that everything happens for a reason, and that they will find there way.  Scentiel, High Angel of SincerityScentiel, the Aspect of Sincerity is - if we may label them so - the only female of the High Angels, and she rules the Sincere Meadows. This Wing can be found south-west of the Inner Sanctum, and deep within these divine gardens of light and pale colours, and golden fruit, you will find the source of the tranquil rivers that flow through and fall to the never ending void below the Heavens, it is here, you will find the Cascade of Sincerity. In the meadows the angels of Sincerity have believed in honesty, in truth, in faith and integrity to keep peace and all good reason. Scentiel is known to have good relations with Lysandiel, often understanding his motives to redeem, whilst the others would not.  Lysandiel, High Angel of RedemptionAnd finally, we have Lysandiel, the Aspect of Redemption. His Wing is known as the Monastery of Redemption, and can be found South-east of the Inner Sanctum. The structures of the Monastery are grand and golden, they tower high and they dwell low, grande courtyards open to the sky whilst majestic halls cover your mind from unwanted interuptions. Archives and galleries reside here, artefacts and successes are all cherished here by Lysandiel and his angels of Redemption. In these halls, and in the courtyards, the angels here decide what makes any living thing worthy, what makes it redeemable and good. As the other High Angels argue their opinions, it is Lysandiel's place to argue the but, to provide balance and certain ends. Notable Angels
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:57 am
Here is the hierarchy of Hell, the different sections of Hell, and also a chapter on the Underworld. Below shows the order of which these chapters appear:
Demons
The 3 Greater Demons
The Prime Demon
Please note: these posts are written by fictional scholar, Horad Caiin
Demon
 
Although the term 'demon' is used for all the monstrosities of Hell, I feel that it is the easiest way to familiarise ourselves with the lowest form of minions from Hell. Through ancient tomes i've learned that these creatures can vary in size, shape and form. And amongst these demons can be higher or lower ranks. Old scholars wrote how during the Burning Invasion the demons usually looked to, and took diabolical orders from larger of the kin. I cannot say for sure exactly how this system works, but Hell is indeed a diplomatic world just as our own. Although demons are a rarity on our world, i hate to say that these are the most common kind of demon any adventurer will find. I myself have dreadfully seen such things with my own eyes... from Bloodholme they appear without warning in small groups. This is the doing of the Scarred (refer to my lore of the Scarred chapter, and see right for picture) who dabble with dark magics and sometimes successfully summon demons straight from the fiery depths of Hell itself.
-Horad Caain
The Greater Demons En'radial Lucifial  Dantézan There are 3 Greater Demons known to have walked the fiery depths of Hell, and each govern their own part of this molten depths.To my knowledge The Greater Demon's are substantially more powerful than any other demons known to man kind except for the Prime Demon. These Demon's are known as En'radial; Maiden of Torment, Lucifial; Lord of Betrayal and Dantézan; Lord of Ruin.
There is much speculation as to how exactly the Greater Demons were created, but i take this tale from the most widely accepted text:
The Greater Demons came into being from the emotions of worshipers upon the creation of the first religions and to this day are still empowered by just man's emotion and action alone. And as religions progressed and evolved, some destroyed and others created, the Greater Demons fed off the negative energies that any man would create during ceremonies, prayers and most importantly sacrifice and rituals. Enradial, feeding off all hatred, anger, lust and emotional havoc. Lucifial, drawing power from all deceit, terror and death of those that have prayed. Dantézan, growing stronger from sin, vengeance, war and physical agony.
En'radial; Maiden of Torment, is known to be a Queen of Demons, or the Arachnid Queen judging by her last appearance, she is most notably the most seducing and emotionally malevolent of the three. From old drawings I have found she is shown to be a giant spider-like monstrosity who relies not on sight but her other senses. She was also known to have had power over the burning depths of Hatred, a realm where having control over many of the succubi and smaller demons of Hell were plenty, where she would hate upon all and watch their emotional distress. It is only to some knowledge that during the jewel war En'radial was banished to prove herself worthy to the Prime Demon. This was after the two other Greater Demons celebrated in her banishment, it seems to me that each demon will try its best to conquer the others. After her failure to bring forth the powers of hell to the Overworld she was stripped of her hellish descent and left as a mortal on Bloodholme. En'radial come back to power in 2013 when she attempted a full scale attack on Shard City with her renewed Crimson Jewel, however she was defeated by the city's forces and with the aid of Shadowmancers from the Land of Crows. Her soul is now contained within the Crimson Jewel that is kept under the Injustira Syndicate's possession.
Lucifial; Lord of Betrayal, is described as a Master of Illusion, and is exceptionally the most cunning of the three Greater Demons, if i may be so bold as to put a positive attribute to any of the Greater Demons. Lucifial is most often depicted as an embodiment of secrets, a giant black cloud that silently watches and waits for his plans to unfold. He was and is known to have power of the hellish cascade of Terror where he controls his own twisted demons, where without knowledge they give in to fear. Old summoners talk of how Lucifial played a part in having En'radial exiled to the Overworld before the Jewel War, this information they took from the very demons of hell themselves. During this time, Lucifial wanted to gain supreme trust from the Prime Demon it would seem, posing as a better adviser. Over the years Lucifial had corrupted the Underworld and made it an extension of his realm of Terror, following his cunning plan to out-smart and betray the Angel of Death. This meant the souls of the dead no longer ended here to rest, instead they were tortured and transformed, many other souls wandered to become left in Limbo, otherwise known as the Spirit World. Until recently this has been the case, but now the Underworld is free from the demon's clutch once more and is recovering, yet forever fighting a battle against its new nearby threat of Terror. Lucifial's minions are better-known as the Damned, the souls of the dead that have risen as befouled beings to do his nasty work for him. His demons of hell are similarly as cunning as he is, using deception to control and over-throw their enemies smartly, but not with complete force as Dantézan would prefer.
Dantézan; Lord of Ruin, is continuously referred to as a master tactician, and unfortunately a Bringer of Vengeance. Out of the three he is the greatest war bringer and is shown by artists as a giant demon with chains embedded in his skin and servants to do as he pleases in battle. Dantézan's realm is of the fiery furnaces of Destruction where he reigns power over the armies of Hell and the destructive forces and giants that malevolently rain down chaos. Alike to Lucifial, summoners learned from demons that he played a part in En'radial's exile to the Overworld, taking control over Hatred during her banishment.
In Conclusion
En'radial - Reigns over realm of Hatred and derives and creates anguish.
Lucifial - Reigns over the realm of Terror and derives and creates deceit.
Dantézan - Reigns over the realm of Destruction and derives and creates suffering.
-Horad Caain
 The Prime Demon
It is with great regret that I have come to talk about the Prime Demon, ᾉj'zᾆlíal. He is the only higher demon of Hell to not have ever existed in the Overworld, and so it is impossible for me to describe what form he may take. Through my many years of reading and transcribing, Valial, as the demons of old have once refered to the Prime Demon as, is quite dreadfully known by many titles. Although he assumes the role as Lord of Hell, it appears he has been noted as not only that, but also the Master of Terror, the God of Hatred and the Harbinger of Destruction. For this, i have become confused on numerous occasions as to who these three titles refer to, but now, reader, i have come to conclude these all mean the Lord of Hell, Valial. I believe this because all texts describe Valial to command each realm within hell, and the lords among them. I take you now to a text by a scholar of the conclave (of Declasia), who i find has some interesting things to say:
Many have tried to call us 'evil' because of our dark arts that have recently turned to investigating Hell. It is unfortunate that we delve into such magics, but we believe that without the Heavens we should have our own knowledge to fight with.Our summoners have been attuning their rituals from that of the Underworld to the world of Hell, to fully understand if this 'Prime Demon' is in fact real. Only what we found was the worst kind of demons and a much larger threat than ever. We have been the ones to let the world of man know of such a threat, and our few summoners that reversed the spell to envision, or even visit this core of Hell that Valial resides have suffered horrific mental and physical changes.
I fear that what the summoners of Declasia found, could have been the worst that all the Overworld could ever encounter. By now it was obvious that this Lord of Hell was made of the three realms evil known as Hatred, Terror and Destruction. I have come to understand that Valial draws power from the three, and the Greater Demons below him protect those realms.
-Horad Caain
Notable Demons Zarazax, Patron of Sorrow: Zarazax was known as En'radial's most favoured commander, he was most often found in the realm of Terror, Lucifial's domain in Hell, siphoning and bringing back demons that mourned so that En'radial could punish them and feed off their mental and physical agony. During his time in the realm of Terror, Zarazax grew so accustomed to the attribute and the power of mental manipulation to instil the greatest kinds of fear. It can only be thought that this was when he began swearing allegiance to Lucifial, and would divulge all that En'radial said to him to her brother, the Lord of Betrayal. When En'radial was forced to live as a mortal in the Overworld following her many failures, Zarazax's was finally able to put his undivided attention to Lucifial. When Lucifial descended upon the Overworld in the Winter of 2014, Zarazax lead an assault on the City of Crows, but failed and was ultimately decimated. Rye'Wyn, The Forsaken: Sometimes even the purest of beings are forsaken and left to rot and become changed forever. Rye'Wyn was once known as the Spirit of Wind in Zakernand, a powerful being that roamed the Spirit World and was vastly knowledgable. Somehow he was turned to deception, and Lucifial took his grasp on the spirit, transforming him into a demon of cunning and great power to invade Skyfall and murder Team Elixer. Unfortunately for the Spirit of Wind, he failed and was finally killed by Lysandiel, the High Angel of Redemption.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:58 am
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