The Rephaim

Formed almost exclusively of former Seraphs, the Rephaim seek to undermine and oppose the family they once called their own. Despite a lack of allies, they've no shortage of enthusiasm and have dealt significant damage to the Seraph network of assets and supporters.

Origins

Darius Seraph's betrayal of the family in 2042 CE and the subsequent death of the Immortal Flame was a turning point in the fortunes of the Seraphs, and marked the beginning of an ongoing crisis of faith among its members. Following Darius's defection, his mother Maria Seraph was quick to follow alongside several others who'd come to doubt the nature of the Immortal Flame and grow disillusioned with the endless cycle of violence that had reduced the family's numbers so dramatically. Forming a new group under Maria's leadership, the self-titled Rephaim immediately set themselves against the remnants of the Seraphs; as the Seraphs' power wanes, the Rephaim have only grown stronger over the years.

Purpose

The Seraph family has always supplemented their relatively modest size by having a widespread network of supporters, spreading their wealth and influence across the globe. It's a system that's always served them well, and the Rephaim know it from firsthand experience; they've turned themselves immediately to cutting away at that network one link at a time via sabotage, bribery, or assassination of the wideflung net of agents. They rely heavily on the fact that supporters often go uncontacted for years or entire generations and are unaware of the upheavals within the family, often letting Rephaim completely clean out stashed assets without ever having to reveal their true intent.
The death of the Flame was another point of schism, where every Seraph became intimately aware that the god they'd worshipped for millennia was actually a demon... and then watched it die, removing much of their guiding purpose. Desertions to join the Rephaim's ranks spiked sharply in the next several years, with those who chose to remain among the Seraphs forming a tighter and more vicious core that reoriented themselves towards revenge on the world that had destroyed their god. As a result, the Rephaim understand that their former kin are more dangerous than ever. They try to sway wavering members into leaving the family, but understand that many will never consider defection and can't be treated as anything but a threat. When it comes down to it, Rephaim will kill Seraphs if they see an opportunity.

Leadership and Organization

While Maria Seraph is the undisputed leader of the Rephaim, it's more out of practicality than any desire for command; the group has a great fondness and respect for her, and consider her a source of authority due to her experience alongside her husband when Joshua was Huntlord. Maria is able to bring her extensive knowledge of the Seraph network, her talent as a healer, and her maternal relationship with Darius Seraph and his allies to bear in a way that greatly benefits the group. She directs the group as a whole and helps its individual members with her experience and guidance.
When in the field, Rephaim tend to work autonomously or in small groups. They don't have the numbers to oppose the Seraphs head to head, and function best when acting as saboteurs or assassins who can act with maximum flexibility and freedom. There's no formal heirarchy within the group; as a general rule, younger or less experienced members tend to look to older members for authority but are still more than capable of acting on their own.

Typical Demographics

The Rephaim are as varied as the Seraphs demographically, though most who choose to join the group rather than going into hiding for a new life are of an age where they're able to fight. This can mean anywhere from early twenties up to old age. It's a fairly even mix of men and women, with many among the Rephaim having direct ties to one another; siblings, parents and children, and married couples are likely to defect together if one member does. While many of the Rephaim were Seraphs by marriage rather than blood, finding it easier to break away when they had a life before the family, there are plenty of true Seraphs among the group's ranks as well.

Quick Facts

Approximate Size: 35 members
Located In: Old World
Comprised Of: Seraphs, humans
Purpose: sabotage