Angelus

Angeli (or Angel-Touched) are a rare and radiant race of men born with celestial power flowing through their very blood. Revered, feared, and endlessly mythologized, these beings walk among mortals cloaked in human flesh — yet capable of ascending into awe-inspiring angelic forms. Whether glowing with divine light or wielding heavenly weapons in their exalted Archangel state, every Angelus embodies a fragment of the divine.

Though theoretically immortal, Angeli often walk a fragile line between sacred duty and personal longing. Their beauty is legendary, their presence magnetic, and their roles in society both exalted and burdened. Curiously, despite their holy origin, Angeli are far from asexual. Many live rich emotional and physical lives — some even scandalously intimate by mortal standards.

Subspecies or Subtypes

The Angeli are divided into several known subtypes, each reflecting a distinct manifestation of celestial purpose, personality and power:

• Aetherialis – The Enlightened: Rare Angeli with the strongest connection to the divine source.
• Luminari – The Radiant: Harmonious and charismatic Angeli with balanced abilities.
• Vigilanti – The Watchers: Martial Angeli who act as protectors or avengers.
• Oraculi – The Seers: Prophetic Angeli with access to visions and divine insight.
• Errantes – The Wanderers: Solitary Angeli searching for meaning or redemption.
• Obscurati – The Dimmed: Traumatised or doubtful Angeli with unstable powers.
• Excordati – The Lost: Fallen Angeli, disconnected from their original path but not demonic.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Angeli possess a humanoid anatomical structure with two arms, two legs, and an upright bipedal stance. Though outwardly similar to baseline humans in their base form, their physiology is inherently different on a cellular and metaphysical level.

Angeli are universally male (in any case, no female Angeli are known), with idealized physical proportions — tall, symmetrical, and often appearing in flawless health regardless of age. Average height ranges between 1.85 m and 2.10 m, though taller und smaller individuals are not uncommon. Their musculature is dense yet elegant, optimized for both endurance and graceful movement. Bone density is slightly increased, giving them resilience without compromising agility. Their skeletal structure is similar to humans but subtly refined, with higher joint flexibility and minor anatomical adaptations around the spine and shoulder blades to support their transformation.

In their Angel Form, a pair of wings manifests from the upper back. These wings, though ethereal, are physically in appearance, tangible and biologically supported by a secondary muscle group anchored to the scapulae and ribcage. The wingspan typically ranges from 3.5 m to 4.5 m, depending on the individual's size and class.

Their skin may take on a golden or radiant hue in transformed states, and their eyes often glow faintly with inner light. A halo — either symbolic or partially material — appears above the head, unique in shape and intensity to each Angelus.

In Archangel Form, an Angelus appears larger than life, surrounded by an aura of divine energy. A radiant armor manifests, sometimes minimal in design, and a weapon of symbolic and spiritual significance is conjured. This form is not just physical but partly metaphysical, with apparent shifts in perceived gravity, temperature, and emotional resonance around the Angelus.

Despite their ethereal qualities, Angeli remain fully biological beings. They breathe, eat, sleep, and reproduce, though at greatly diminished needs. They are also capable of engaging in physical intimacy, often described as heightened or overwhelming by human standards.

Notably, Angeli do not age unless they choose to. At any point in early adulthood, they may halt their aging process entirely through will alone, though some continue to age into maturity and eventually die a natural death.

Biological Traits

Angeli are a humanoid, all-male species with distinct divine traits that set them apart from humans and other magical beings. While sharing a baseline of beauty, longevity, and enhanced physiology, notable variations exist across classes and individuals.

Height

Ranges from 1.70 m to 2.40 m, with Errantes and Vigilanti often on the taller end of the spectrum. Cherubs remain permanently smaller due to their arrested development.

Weight & Build

Despite a tendency toward lean, muscular builds, Angeli possess surprisingly dense musculature and bone structure, allowing for greater strength and resilience. Weight averages vary by class: Vigilanti are notably heavier due to enhanced physical traits, while Oraculi and Obscurati often appear more fragile.

Life Expectancy & Aging

Angeli are biologically immortal and may choose when to cease aging—typically after their first transformation during puberty. Those who do not make this choice age slowly and may die of natural causes, often entering "retirement" by ascending the mythical Berg (The Mountain), where they live in spiritual seclusion.

Reproduction & Gender

Angeli are exclusively male. While they do not reproduce naturally among themselves, rare interbreeding with humans or magical surrogates (under mystical or divine circumstances) is theorized. However, no female Angeli have ever been documented.

Sexuality

Angeli experience human-like sexuality. Homosexual attraction is not uncommon, though it often manifests in deeply emotional, spiritually charged bonds. A notable biological quirk: most gay Angeli are strictly passive, their nerves tuned to perceive certain forms of pain as pleasure—a trait often misunderstood or fetishized by humans.

Subgroup Traits

• Aetherialis – Glowing eyes, exceptionally powerful auras, near-effortless transformation.
• Luminari – Balanced traits; considered the ‘ideal’ Angelus form by many.
• Vigilanti – Hardened musculature, faster reaction times, innate combat instinct.
• Oraculi – Unusual eye colors, often appearing dreamlike or distracted, hypersensitive to aetheric fluctuations.
• Errantes – Often display physical anomalies (e.g., asymmetrical wing growth), symbolic of their unrest.
• Obscurati – Dull or muted glow, trouble sustaining form or flight, hypersensitivity to emotion.
• Excordati – Distorted halos (or none at all), residual power surges, aura instability.

Genetics and Reproduction

Angeli are a male-only subspecies of Homo sapiens caelestis, born exclusively to human mothers under rare and largely unexplained celestial conditions. They do not breed among themselves, nor can they father Angelus offspring — their nature is not inherited through conventional genetics but believed to be the result of divine influence, karmic echoes, or ancestral celestial contact.

Birth and Inheritance

Despite their supernatural traits, Angeli are biologically male and physically compatible with human reproduction. However, their children are always human, never Angelus — the celestial spark does not pass down. Each Angelus birth is a unique, one-off phenomenon. Scholars argue whether this “divine spark” is granted by celestial forces, triggered by planetary alignments, or awakened in response to the mother’s spiritual or emotional state during conception.

Pregnancy & Development

Pregnancy progresses normally, though many mothers report unusually vivid dreams, spontaneous nosebleeds, or radiant skin while carrying an Angelus. Births are rarely complicated but always followed by subtle, almost reverent silence in the room — even non-believers describe a “presence” when an Angelus enters the world.

Reproductive Traits

While fertile and sexually active, Angeli do not reproduce with each other, and same-sex relationships are common, especially among Angelus who find emotional and physical fulfillment more easily with others of their kind. Interestingly, most homosexual Angeli exhibit a highly receptive (often passive) sexual dynamic, which some believe is tied to their unique neurochemical response to pain and pleasure.

Aging & Immortality

An Angelus matures at the human rate but may, at any point after full maturity, choose to stop aging. This decision is usually unconscious, triggered by spiritual clarity, emotional fulfillment, or divine purpose. They are theoretically immortal and do not succumb to illness, though trauma, powerful magic, or emotional collapse can still destroy them. If they do not “freeze” their age, they will continue aging and eventually die, though often later than normal humans.

Growth Rate & Stages

Angeli grow at the same physical rate as humans until adolescence, when their celestial nature begins to manifest. Puberty is the crucial turning point for every Angelus, as it often triggers their first transformation — either into their Angelic Form or, in exceptionally rare cases, their Archangelic Form.

Childhood (0–12 years)

During this stage, Angeli are largely indistinguishable from human boys. Some families suspect their child is special due to unusual calmness, strange lights in dreams, or a radiant aura under moonlight. However, no clear supernatural traits are visible until puberty.

Awakening / Puberty (13–18 years)

The onset of puberty marks the “Awakening” of an Angelus. Emotional turmoil, spiritual conflict, or intense physical stress often catalyze their first shift into Angelic Form — wings, golden glow, and a halo. This event is highly emotional and sometimes dangerous, especially for those who are unprepared or suppressed by fearful families.

Some few Angeli never fully return to their human form after this transformation. If the shift occurs very early — around the age of 10 or 11 — and the Angelus remains mentally and emotionally anchored to that age, he may become what is known as a Cherub. These eternally childlike Angeli remain physically and spiritually locked in their youthful state. They are exceedingly rare, and often taken under the guardianship of the Elders, who bring them to "the Mountain" — a sacred place of seclusion, reflection, and protection.

Adulthood (18+ years)

After the first transformation, most Angeli learn to shift between their Human and Angelic Forms. With training, some even access their Archangelic Form — a manifestation of pure divine force, used sparingly due to its overwhelming nature. At this stage, an Angelus may choose (consciously or unconsciously) to stop aging. Those who do not make this decision will age slowly but steadily, retaining their powers but eventually reaching death at an advanced human age.

Final Stage: Withdrawal to the Mountain

Unlike mortal beings, Angeli do not die in the conventional sense — nor do they vanish in flashes of divine light. When an Angelus reaches an age where his physical, emotional, or spiritual strength begins to wane, he may choose to withdraw from the world. This is known as the Pilgrimage to the Mountain.

Ecology and Habitats

Angeli are not bound to a specific ecosystem or environment — they can be born anywhere and live among humans in cities, villages, or even remote areas. Their celestial nature allows them to adapt to a wide range of climates and conditions, from bustling industrial metropolises to quiet countryside communities. However, this adaptability is cultural and environmental, not instinctive.

A city-born Angelus, accustomed to cobblestone streets, gaslight, and social salons, would find himself deeply out of place in the wilderness. The same applies in reverse: a rural or forest-dwelling Angelus might be overwhelmed by the density, speed, and etiquette of urban life. While their physiology can endure almost any environment, their upbringing and social imprinting heavily influence where they feel at ease.

Angeli rarely form their own settlements, choosing instead to live within human society, often blending in or assuming roles that match their natural charisma and talents — healers, judges, artists, or spiritual guides. Though they walk among mortals, they often remain a step removed, observed with reverence, fear, or desire — depending on the culture and local superstition.

Some, particularly the Errantes, deliberately seek isolation, wandering far from human settlements in search of clarity, meaning, or escape.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Angeli possess fully functional human digestive systems and are capable of consuming all types of mortal food. They do not require a special diet, nor do they draw power from food in any mystical way. Despite this, many Angeli are naturally drawn to lighter fare, such as fruits, grains, and fresh vegetables.

While they can digest meat without issue, many Angeli choose to avoid it, either out of personal ethics, spiritual inclination, or an intuitive discomfort with consuming living beings. This is not universal, and cultural norms vary—especially among Vigilanti or Errantes, who may be less restrained in their dietary choices.

Angeli do not hunt or forage in the traditional sense and usually obtain their food through normal social means—trade, cultivation, or communal sharing. Their relationship with food tends to reflect their overall ethos: balanced, intentional, and quietly graceful.

Behaviour

Angeli are often perceived as serene, noble, and wise—though this is more projection als Realität. While their divine heritage grants them a natural poise and grace, their behavior varies widely depending on age, class, and life experience.

Young Angeli tend to be naive, curious, and idealistic, shaped by sheltered upbringings and lofty expectations. Many struggle with the contrast between their celestial nature and the chaotic realities of mortal life. As they mature, Angeli often develop strong internal codes—rooted in concepts of justice, compassion, or truth—though how these are interpreted can vary dramatically between individuals and classes (e.g., a Vigilanti’s sense of justice may be quite different from that of an Errantes or Excordatus).

Psychologically, Angeli are empathic and introspective, often burdened by the weight of their own perceived purpose. They experience emotions deeply, though they may not always express them openly. Intense emotional bonds, especially romantic or spiritual, are common and often seen as sacred. They rarely form large groups, preferring meaningful dyads or triads over crowd dynamics.

In conflict situations, most Angeli avoid aggression unless provoked or morally compelled. Vigilanti and older Aetherialis may exhibit assertive or even stern behavior, especially when they sense divine laws being violated. Toward perceived predators or threats (including Daimos), reactions range from compassionate caution to cold distrust—a mirror of their inner conflicts between celestial mercy and mortal fear.

Intraspecies dynamics are typically respectful, though not without tension. Class and spiritual alignment often dictate social standing, and Excordati or Obscurati may face subtle ostracism despite not being enemies.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Angeli possess remarkably high cognitive capabilities, often surpassing even the brightest human minds. Their intelligence is characterized not just by speed of learning and adaptability, but by an uncanny innate familiarity with knowledge or concepts they encounter for the first time. This manifests as a form of echoed memory—as if recalling fragments of ancient wisdom that was once known but long since forgotten.

However, this intuitive knowing is never complete or current; it resembles a faded imprint or a dream half-remembered. For instance, an Angelus encountering a new language may instinctively grasp the basic structure or emotional tone of it, even without formal exposure. This ability is thought to stem from their connection to the Himmlischen Ursprung, a metaphysical source of knowledge woven into their very being.

Different Angelus classes exhibit distinct areas where this instinctive intelligence shines:

• Aetherialis: Cosmic patterns, divine law, magical theory
• Luminari: Philosophy, diplomacy, cultural fluency
• Vigilanti: Tactics, battlefield memory, judgment under pressure
• Oraculi: Symbolism, prophecy, psycho-emotional readings
• Errantes: History, myth, metaphysics, cross-cultural understanding
• Obscurati: Trauma reading, existential questions, emotional nuance
• Excordati: Human behavior, manipulation, survival knowledge

While all Angeli can become scholars or polymaths if they choose to, most operate from a mix of instinct, revelation, and observation, rather than direct academic study. Their minds are sharp, associative, and often deeply empathetic, allowing them to see patterns others might overlook—though not always to act on them in logical ways.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Angeli possess sensory capabilities far beyond the human norm. Even in their human form, their eyesight, hearing, and reflexes are enhanced, allowing them to detect minute shifts in their environment — from the flutter of a heartbeat behind a door to the shimmer of a lie on someone's lips.

Vision

Angelus vision is adapted for a broader spectrum of light. They can perceive ultraviolet and magical wavelengths, making them uniquely suited to spot hidden signs, lingering auras, or the taint of corruption. In transformed states, their eyes may glow faintly and allow them to see through magical illusions or darkness as though it were daylight.

Hearing

Their hearing is precise enough to isolate individual voices in a crowd or follow a whisper carried on the wind. Some higher-class Angeli (particularly Oraculi and Aetherialis) can hear “divine harmonics” — faint resonances left behind by strong emotions, oaths, or spiritual presences.

Touch

Touch is both a sensory and empathic channel for Angeli. Physical contact, especially skin-to-skin, may allow them to sense emotional states, intentions, or hidden injuries. Some describe it as "feeling the truth beneath the flesh." This sensitivity is amplified in Angel and Archangel forms.

Extrasensory Abilities

Many Angeli possess celestial senses — unique extrasensory perceptions that differ by class:

• Oraculi often receive visions, premonitions, or symbolic dreams.
• Vigilanti may sense danger or sin, instinctively drawn to moments of moral crisis.
• Aetherialis report a constant awareness of celestial currents, allowing them to align with divine will or react to metaphysical imbalances in a room.
• Obscurati sometimes experience fragmented or "bleeding" perceptions — sudden floods of memory, emotion, or presence not their own.

Angeli are also instinctively aware of other celestial or infernal beings, even in disguise. They can "feel" one another, especially when nearby, and may recognize the unique soul-pattern of another Angelus or Daimos through proximity alone.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Despite their celestial appearance and innate connection to otherworldly powers, Angeli do not possess a unified culture in the conventional sense. Their upbringing is often shaped by the traditions of their host families, local customs, and personal mentors—especially among the Errantes and Oraculi. While Angeli share a strong sense of beauty, symbolism, and ritual, they do not form structured societies of their own.

Interestingly, many Angeli maintain a complex relationship with organized religion. Mortals often revere them as divine emissaries or living saints, yet the Angeli themselves tend to regard such institutions with quiet skepticism. Faith—as an inner, personal truth—is something many Angeli deeply value. But the dogmas, hierarchies, and rigid interpretations of organized belief systems often leave them uncomfortable, or even quietly critical.

Some see this as humility, others as arrogance—but for the Angeli, it is simply the result of long observation and a deeper understanding of the fine line between reverence and control.

by Maverick, the Wild (via Sora)

Genetic Descendants

• Luminari

Scientific Name

Tactus Angelico