Angels

There is no greater form of divinity in the universe than the Sephiroth, the angelic Winged Ones. Except of course, for their Father: God Himself.
-History of the Divine Planes

Basic Information

Anatomy

It is difficult for beings which are not Divine to see and comprehend the appearance of an angel. Humans are especially prone to fear at sightings of them. Angels have the capability to shift their appearance at will to suit their needs and preferences at any given time. Biblical accounts of angels with six wings, covered in eyes, or blazing with divine flames are accurate. However, angels usually choose to appear in a human-like form when they visit the Mortal Plane, especially those which are guardian angels or otherwise interact with humans substantially.  

In a human-like form, the only differences between an angel and a human are wings (angels can have one pair or several), enhanced musculature and bone structure allowing for greater strength and speed, divine golden auras (which humans often mistake for halos,) and loud/thunderous voices.

Genetics and Reproduction

Angels do not need to reproduce sexually. God creates them from divine matter among the stars.
Sometimes, the souls of especially holy, pure, or righteous people will take on an angelic form after death, at the discretion of God and the Archangels.

Growth Rate & Stages

Most angels are born fully grown, except for those angels which are created as children. Young angels comfort the mortal souls who died at young ages, as well as the parents of those who died before their children were grown.  
Angels do not age beyond the time of their creation, and so they remain eternally youthful, They cannot grow old (unless they were created as an elderly being) and they cannot die of natural causes.

Ecology and Habitats

Angels cannot exist outside the Plane of Light for any substantial length of time. The plane and its environment is perfectly attuned for the Garden of Eden and for the health of the angels. Angels who spend too long outside Heaven are prone to illness and weakening of the magic tied to their natural divinity. Angels usually depart in pairs or groups so that they can help any ill companions back to the Plane of Light to be healed under the Father's care.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They have no definitive nutritional needs except for a sort of ichor drink, which they need about once a week for good health. However, since angels are similar to humans, and some of them were once human souls, they enjoy eating and drinking for pleasure. Each angel will have their own personal tastes when it comes to food. 
Angels can produce any foodstuff with magic. They can also use the Garden of Eden for fresh food, as it automatically replenishes what the residents of the plane pick or harvest.
They are universally allergic to apples.

Biological Cycle

Because angels do not age and the climate of the Plane of Light is mostly unchanging, they are not affected by the passage of time or seasons.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Angels see one another all as siblings, as they are in the eyes of God their Father. They have no true hierarchy in their society apart from God and the Archangels, who serve as the closest confidants of God.

Facial characteristics

Can have any of the many varying facial characteristics or features of humans.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Can live anywhere within the Plane of Light, but most prefer to stay near its center where the Garden of Eden and the House of God are located.

Average Intelligence

Angels are not omniscient like God, but they are highly intelligent and would routinely score in the equivalent of the genius range on a human IQ test.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Angels have enhanced human senses, and are able to see or hear clearly from great distances with practice and focus. They also have a form of aura-sensing which allows them to read the emotions of mortals and other divine beings. Angels with close relationships can often sense one another's emotions.

Some of the very oldest and most venerated angels, such as the Archangels have a form of telepathy between themselves, but most angels do not have this ability and have little idea how it works.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

All angels have Divine names which end in -al or-el, which usually means "of the Lord." These are unisex, but of limited number, so a fairly large number of angels choose to be called other names outside formal situations. These may be the names of a human important to that angel, the name of a saint, or a name they adopted on a journey through the Mortal Plane. For those human souls which attained Divinity after death, they may keep the name they used in their life on the Mortal Plane, or adopt the name of a family member, or the place they were from.

Major Organizations

Angels are divided into several "classes" depending on their duties within the Plane of Light

• Archangels-God's closest consorts

• Guardians-Assigned to look after specific humans or groups of humans throughout their life, and then mentor them when they pass on to Heaven

• Sentries-Protect the Gates of Heaven and train to fight against demons

• Musicians-The leaders of the angelic choirs, often double as keepers of angelic history, which they recount through epic ballads

• Couriers-Responsible for delivering prayers to their respective saints, and sometimes working miracles or delivering visions to humans

• Gardeners-Caretakers of the Garden of Eden's plant and wildlife

Beauty Ideals

Angels are not much for physical beauty, as they believe they were all made perfectly in the image of their Father. This means they can have no true physical "flaws." They do however, appreciate a fine pair of wings, which usually denotes some combination of large size, soft feathers, bright colors, and/or intricate patterns.

Gender Ideals

Angels do not have an inherent binary conception of gender as many humans seem to. They may take on a male or female type of appearance, but most of them align with either no true gender or a mix of several genders.

Courtship Ideals

Angels do not court and marry, as they are all siblings in the eyes of God. Most experience little in the way of romantic attraction, and they are not sexual beings.

Relationship Ideals

While angels lack any courting rituals, they do, however, place high value on the relationships known as soul pairs. These are best defined as intense bonds of devotion and care, fulfilling a sort of platonic soulmate role. Soul pairs can include only two angels, or multiple "couples" who are all mutually devoted.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Angels consider Sephirvoca their native language, which they use to communicate with each other and sing hymns to God.
 The majority of angels are polygots because their enhanced intellect allows them to learn any human language in a relatively short amount of time.

Common Etiquette Rules

It is considered a serious breach of etiquette for an angel to touch another one's wings without permission. They are very sensitive and must be handled with great care. This gesture denotes a type of strong intimacy, and is usually only undertaken by soul-pairs.

Common Dress Code

Prefer to wear long, flowing tunic garments, or other articles which closely resemble the Greek and Roman toga. They usually go barefoot or wear sandals. Often wear some form of golden jewelry, such as a circlet, or a crown of leaves.

Each angel has a tattoo of a divine glyph or symbol somewhere on their person, which usually denotes something about their unique divinity, temperament, or a memorable deed.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Angels should strive to be true "instruments of God" by devoting themselves to service and extending the same patience and mercy to humans as God does for them, as His children.

Common Taboos

It is considered the highest offense for an angel to question the will of their Father or to question His plan for the Planes. Most angels also reject violence, except in cases where it is necessary for fighting the influence of evil.

History

As God has existed before all things, so too have His servants, the angels. The humans of the Mortal Plane are His flock of sheep, and the angels of the Plane of Light are His winged flock. The Archangels Micheal, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel have always been the four Consorts of God and have always existed with Him. All of the other angels have come forth through the will of God and His Divine creative power, often at the request of the Archangels (who wished for siblings and companions to help them in their work overseeing the human race.)
One of the most significant historical events on the Plane of Light was the fall of Lucifer and his allies, who were cast onto the Plane of Dark Fire. Not long after this, the angel Amitiel was born. She would become Mortem and herself be sent to Hell as a Fallen Angel and the first of the Four Riders. Within a few mortal years of her Fall, the angels Halaliel and Nuriel Fell to become Infirmum and Esuriit. Their final companion, the angel Zazriel, would not come to them until a few centuries later.

Common Myths and Legends

By this time, much of the life stories of the Four Riders has become mythic in nature, with the very youngest angels doubting they are real beings at all. The older angels, especially the Archangels, know them and the stories of their deeds to be true, but since most angels will never encounter the Riders in person, they choose not to correct them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

• Angels are mostly peaceful beings, and take a deep and compassionate interest in the lives of the mortal beings of God's creation on their Plane. They are especially curious about and attached to humans, who they see it as their duty to assist, protect, and guide.

They have a natural state of mistrust and even enmity towards demons because they seek to corrupt all that is good in God's creation.

Lucifer, Lord of the Demons, is a being to which they respond with anger, fear, and a grudging respect in acknowledgement of the true potential of Lucifer's destructive power

Fallen Angels are largely objects of pity, although sometimes the confused sorrow turns to scorn.

Scientific Name

Sephiroth "Winged Ones"

Origin/Ancestry

Their ancestry is largely unknown because God creates them at will and they do not reproduce on their own. Angels have no distinct racial or ethnic traits. Their appearance can take on any of the colors or shapes as those of humans on the Mortal Plane.

Lifespan

Angels are functionally immortal and can only die from some type of demonic activity (wound, magical corruption, etc.)

Average Height

Varies along with the spectrum of human height. Most angels are somewhat taller than their human counterparts, with the tallest reaching between 8-8.5 feet.

Average Weight

Varies along with the spectrum of human weight. Because most angels are a bit taller than humans, they also tend to weigh more.

Average Length

Wingspan ranges anywhere from 3-15 feet, depending on the size of the angel and the number/pairs of wings.

Average Physique

Usually in better overall physical condition than humans, with enhanced strength and speed. They have a regenerative healing factor which can repair any wound not caused by the weapons of demons. The wings contain as many nerve endings as the rest of the body put together. They are the most sensitive part of the body, and more prone to injury.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Can have any of the array of skin tones of humans. The same goes for hair and eye color, although they can also have colors outside the typical human range. The most common eye color is gold. Wings can be any of a huge array of colors, patterns, and markings. They often resemble the plumage of an angel's favorite bird.