Angel

Angels are the native denizens of Celestia, and as such are holy Spirits. However, they are placed above the Celestials, as they are the Progenitors of all creatures under that species' umbrella. They could be considered Holy Elementals, but that is not a title oft used to describe them. This is likely due in large part to their role in religion - especially Izarity. To refer to them as "elementals" may detract from the position they are meant to inhabit. It also wouldn't be entirely accurate, as Elementals are typically made by Progenitors, or are born when a Spirit or element-based creature's energy returns to their native cosmos, reforming as pure mana. Angels being among the Firstborn would place them outside of the designation. As Spirits, there are various levels of power that they possess, generally able to be categorized into one of four levels. As the level increases, the number of Angels that exist at that level diminishes greatly. This goes from hundreds of thousands at the bottom to 5-12 (depending on the source). The first of these levels is the Lesser Angelicum. Angels given this title are not even considered to be among the Progenitors by many scholars, and are instead believed to be fragments of greater Angels formed in the same manner as an Elemental - born when a greater Angel is killed in the Bellum Aeternum. This is specifically because wounds inflicted by a Demon are believed to shatter the Spirit of an Angel, as they explode in a flash of light rather than dissolve into ethereal sparks like they do when killed by other means. Angels of the Lesser Angelicum are not able to exist in the mortal world without a tether of some kind, and lack the strength to possess creatures with a Soul. A favorite host for Angels at this level are birds, especially owls and eagles. That said, though they are tethered to the material, they have also cut off their connection to Celestia, and thus cannot use magics of any kind. They do, however, retain their mental faculties, allowing them to impart heavenly wisdom to mortals. For that reason, birds are held in high regard by those that revere Angels. Above them are the Ophilim. These are Angels that are also incapable of inhabiting the mortal world without a tether, but they are able to do so in the body of one who bears a soul. This process will transfigure the mortal in question, causing them to morph into a form that is heavily influenced by their image of Angels. This generally means having seven golden eyes, a faint glow to their skin, and the ability to create ethereal wings. Most mortals, however, don't consent to having their Soul and, consequently, their mind pushed aside so that an Angel can walk around the mortal world, thus making these Angels more rare than the other ranks, as they don't do non-consensual possession like Demons. These Angels are also capable of possessing the inanimate, but, like the Lesser Angelicum, this would cut them off from Celestia, so they tend not to do it. Still, in this form they are capable warriors, so those that do often serve as immortal guardians of holy sites. Above those are the Gibborim. These Angels are able to inhabit the mortal realm without any material connection. They typically look like very large mortals - roughly 7-9ft - with massive wings and luminous golden skin. Their role in Wyrth will vary from Angel to Angel, but the Gibborim don't condescend without reason. They are immensely powerful, able to sustain their form for weeks without having to return to Celestia, as well as being very capable warriors. A large part of the reason for their lack of a presence in the material world is their role as the elite soldiers of the Bellum Aeternum. While the Ophalim are the primary fighting force, bolstered by contingents of the Lesser Angelicum, a single Gibborim can defeat an army of hundreds of Demons. This makes them very unlikely to spend time on the affairs of mortals. Finally, there are Archangels. Accounts vary on the exact number and identity of these Angels, but they are powerful enough to be revered as gods by many religions. However, as "Angels" primarily exist in a staunchly ditheistic religion, Archangels would never be called gods by those that would confer the title. Still, many Skepsologists that have studied the shared mythology of Wyrth theorize that the Archangels are, in fact, many of the gods found in other religions. For example, it is believed that the Archangel Azrael is also the Lord of Iron found in Lách Doire and in the Dumylan legend of the Profaned Lords. Similarly, it is believed that the Courtier of Church of Ancients and the Child as taught by Holy Theotria - already believed to be the same individual - may be Iriel, the Archangel of Passion. Given that they are so powerful, they are more than capable of sustaining their material bodies for years if so desired, as well as make more Angels. Though the entirety of the Angel race is considered as a Progenitor, the Archangels would be the ones to truly hold that distinction, as they are the ones that brought the rest forth.

Civilization and Culture

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

As Ophalim are capable of possessing mortals - it is their preferred method of material existence - they are the primary parents of Seraphs. Gibborim and Archangels also have physical forms, and thus are able to procreate with mortals. Some scholars believe that Celestial creatures like Unicorns exist thanks to Lesser Angelicum procreating with others while they are possessing beasts, but this is unsubstantiated.

Genetic Ancestor(s)