The Domain of Light
The Aether – The Domain of Light (The Naaru & the Archangels)
“They claim to be divine, yet they bicker like kings over a throne too vast for any to hold.” – Sage Alzareth
The Aether is the radiant dominion of the Naaru, celestial beings of unfathomable power who claim to be the purest expression of divinity. Beneath them stand the Thirteen Archangels, rulers of the heavens, who impose their will upon both gods and mortals.
While they speak of righteousness, the Naaru are not benevolent protectors—they are rulers, concerned with dominion rather than mercy. They command a vast pantheon of lesser deities, worshiped by mortals who believe the Aether to be the one true force of good. Yet among the sages of the Arcane Citadel, there is doubt. If the Naaru are truly the stewards of creation, why does the First Light remain silent?
Though their greatest enemy is the Nether, the Aether has also found itself at odds with the Matron’s Weave, which challenges their claim to ultimate authority.
Power Ranking of Aetheric Primordials
- The First Light –The original source of all creation, its voice has long since vanished.
- Pelor, The Dawnfather – The highest authority within the Aether, once second only to Lucifer before his fall. A god of light, life, and renewal, he is adored by mortals but reviled by the Archangels for his defiance of absolute order.
- The Thirteen Archangels – The enforcers of divine law, each representing a different aspect of celestial order.
- The Radiant Pantheons – Gods from various mythologies who serve the Aether, some willingly, others bound by celestial decree.
- The Lesser Celestials – Spirits of light, guardian beings, and divine servitors who act as messengers and soldiers.
The Thirteen Archangels (The Enforcers of Divine Law)
- Ariel, the Earthkeeper – Guardian of the natural world, tasked with maintaining the sacred balance of creation.
- Azrael, the Comforter – Overseer of death and transition, ensuring souls pass peacefully to their afterlife.
- Cassiel, the Watcher – The silent sentinel, recording the deeds of mortals and gods alike.
- Gabriel, the Messenger – The voice of the Aether, delivering divine proclamations.
- Haniel, the Harmonizer – Bringer of peace and order, ensuring celestial law is upheld.
- Jeremiel, the Visionary – Seer of fate and destiny, guiding souls toward enlightenment.
- Metatron, the Recorder – Scribe of the Aether, chronicling the entire history of existence.
- Michael, the Defender – The Aether’s greatest warrior, leading the charge against corruption.
- Raphael, the Healer – Patron of mercy and restoration, mending both souls and bodies.
- Uriel, the Enlightened – Keeper of divine wisdom, revealing truth to the worthy.
- Samuel, the Ambitious – The only Archangel who seeks greater power, walking a dangerous path.
- Zadkiel, the Redeemer – Judge of repentance, granting salvation to the truly remorseful.
- Lucifer, the Lightbringer (The Forsaken) – Once the brightest of the Archangels, now the greatest heretic.
The Archangels rule as a council, but in truth, Michael wields the greatest influence, leading the crusade against all who oppose the Aether’s will. They despise Pelor, seeing him as a traitor to order, but are forced to tolerate his presence due to his widespread worship among mortals and lesser gods.
The Radiant Pantheons (Bound by Oaths and Power)
The Aether is not ruled solely by angels. The gods of countless mythologies serve beneath its celestial order, either as allies, vassals, or prisoners bound by divine law.
- The Olympians – Zeus, Apollo, Athena, and others, sworn to uphold divine balance, though many chafe under the Archangels' rule.
- The Aesir – Odin, Thor, Freyja, and their kin, champions of war and fate, reluctantly honoring ancient accords.
- The Ennead – Ra, Osiris, Anubis, and others, their domain over life and death intertwined with the Aether's will.
- The Celestial Bureaucracy – The Jade Emperor and the deities of Eastern mythos, maintaining cosmic harmony in their own rigid order.
Some of these pantheons serve willingly, believing in the cause of celestial order. Others are bound by ancient pacts, unable to defy the Aether without risking war or annihilation.
Core Conflict: The Fractured Light
The Aether's greatest struggle is not against external threats—it is internal strife. The fall of Lucifer fractured celestial unity, and now two conflicting ideologies threaten to tear it apart:
- The Absolute Order Faction (Led by Michael & the Archangels) – Believes that all creation must be subject to divine law, with no exceptions. They see free will as a dangerous flaw.
- The Dawnfather’s Faction (Led by Pelor) – Advocates for guidance rather than tyranny, arguing that light should nurture, not dominate. Mortals must have the freedom to choose.
This schism is an open secret among the gods. While they present a united front against the Nether and Oblivion, the rivalry between Pelor and the Archangels grows ever more heated.
Should Pelor gain enough power, he may free the Radiant Pantheons from their chains, turning the gods against their Archangel overlords. But if Michael triumphs, then soon, all existence will kneel before the Unyielding Light.
