Abaddon

"All warriors must spill blood, and shed it. Blood is the seal of our devotion."

-Abaddon, the Red Vengeance, Lord Seraphim of the Seventh Angelic Legion

Abaddon is one of the mighty Seraphim who brought all Creation to heel, commanding the Seventh Angelic Legion, the Bloodthirsters. Once, he was one of the most brutal of his father Ynoch's generals, taking upon himself the burden of butchery, to wield fear in his father's name and ensure the utopia promised by his Dream was brought about sooner because of it. However, the duty he had chosen weighed heavily on him, and upon learning of Ynoch's original identity as the tyrant Ra, Abaddon's feeling of betrayal was absolute, and he joined his brother Lucifer in rebellion against their father. Since then, he has descended into a state of barbarity that he never knew before, as centuries residing within the Abyss of Tartarus has corrupted his mind, and he has transformed into what he once dreaded becoming: A blood hungry monster, who reveled in chaos and slaughter for its own sake.

Early Life
Abaddon was the seventh of Ynoch's Seraphim sons, following Azazel by a year, and being three years senior to Gadreel. Abaddon was among the most troublesome of his brothers, a fact which mostly resulted from his admiration and emulation of his older brother Uriel, who was impulsive and quick tempered. Abaddon mimicked both of those qualities, and intensified them both. Most unfortunately, he also emulated Uriel's habit of picking on their more docile brothers. After Uriel began to reform his behavior, Abaddon did eventually come to follow, especially after he was given an outlet with which to unleash his inner ferocity.

Aftermath of the Bubbles Incident
When Abaddon was five, an altercation between his brothers Uriel and Gabriel occurred, which ended with both of them beginning combat training before the hitherto traditional age of ten. Abaddon wished to join in as well in order to remain in Uriel's company, but was told that he was too young to do so. Disappointed, Abaddon went off to find Raphael, who had been given some time off from training in order to supervise the toddler Gadreel. Abaddon found Raphael playing with Gadreel in one of the ponds in the palace gardens, and decided it would be funny to interrupt them. He did so by leaping off the small waterfall which flowed into the pool, unleashing a mighty splash which sprayed them both and set Gadreel to crying. Abaddon's little brother had been walking on the water's surface, and the splash had broke Raphael's concentration, and with it the power that was keeping the water tense enough for Gadreel to walk on.

Raphael was not amused. As Abaddon splashed him again, his big brother set Gadreel outside the pool, then seized Abaddon by the scruff of his neck and dunked him under the water. It first Abaddon had fun trying to squirm away, but after he was unable to break Raphael's grip, he began to panic, as he was held under too long. Raphael realized that too, and let him up, finding that Abaddon was bawling his eyes out. Raphael apologized profusely, and tried to give Abaddon a comforting hug. Initially, Abaddon thrashed about wildly, trying to get away, but soBon found all his panic seeping away, and he calmed down, accepting his brother's apology on the condition that Raphael teach him how to breathe underwater, which his big brother did. Years later, Raphael would inform him that that day was the first time his painbearing gift ever manifested, and Abaddon was its first subject.

Great Pilgrimage
With Abaddon and his brothers having grown to manhood, their father Ynoch sent them forth from Eden, so that they might observe the way that the other realms of Creation were ruled. Each of them was to be paired with one of their brothers, and to travel in secret to the domain of one of the godly pantheons. Abaddon found himself paired with Raphael, and the two of them journeyed to the realms ruled by the brutal Teohuacan. Abuse against the mortals there was universal, and the blood hungry gods demanded regular sacrifices from their mortal subjects. The both of them were enraged by what they witnessed, and Abaddon was so wroth that he suggested that they cast off their disguises and take the battle to the monstrous gods of the pantheon. Only Raphael's reminder that to do so would violate their father's will stayed his hand. Later, the pair were present when Buluc Chabtan, the pantheon's leader, burned one of his mortal subjects alive, watching from within the crowd. Raphael, who could feel the victim's pain, was close to revealing himself and attacking the god, but Abaddon stayed his hand, reminding him of the decree their father had given to them.

The pair remained among the pantheon for only a mortal year, before they had suffered all they were willing to stomach of them. They departed home for Eden, but promised one another that one day, the pair of them would return, and together bring utter ruin to the barbaric gods of the Teohuacan.

Preparations for War
Upon their return home, Abaddon and Raphael found that they were the first of their siblings back. Michael and Ynoch had begun raising and training levies from Eden's mortal population, and training them for battle. After their arrival, Ynoch revealed his Dream to his sons, using the Dominion of Thought to show his vision of Creation freed from the rule of the false gods, with the peaceful rule of Ynoch and his Seraphim guiding the world in its place. Abaddon and Raphael did not hesitate to swear themselves to the fulfillment of the Dream.

Afterwards, Michael brought Abaddon to the recruits he had been in the process of training. Abaddon was given charge of supervising their training, while Michael shut himself into the palace forge, and Raphael had busied himself with writing a book. Abaddon, as he had been when drilling with his brothers, was a harsh taskmaster, and greatly increased the difficulty of the training regime Michael had devised. During the month that Michael was sequestered in the forge, many volunteers found themselves unable to meet Abaddon's exacting standards.

At Ynoch's command, neither Abaddon nor Raphael was allowed to disturb Michael's work within the forge. When he emerged, he came bearing gifts. For Raphael, he had forged a mighty warhammer named Penitence, while Abaddon recieved twin axes, named Reaver and Render. When Raphael exclaimed that his hammer was the finest thing Michael had ever crafted, Abaddon replied that the axes were surely their betters, since they had after all been forged for his hand. The brothers all shared a laugh with their father at that.

Conquest of the Devas
Some years into the Angelic Conquest, Abaddon allied with his brother Mephiston in order to subjugate the pantheon of the Devas, bringing the Sinreapers and the Just Wardens together. As the information they possessed suggested that the Devas would be stubborn and severely resistant to being conquered, Mephiston proposed that they engage in unrestricted warfare against them. Though Abaddon had never had qualms about crushing heretic gods and the armies that fought beneath them, it was not Abaddon's nature to seek to harm the innocent. It was loyalty to his father, and Mephiston's arguments that such brutality was needed to make the Dream a reality that drove him to agree to his brother's plan.

And so, the two brothers began their harsh war, uncaring of the death toll that they inflicted. The barbarity of the invading Ynochim stiffened resolve against them, and Abaddon found himself wondering more and more if such violence was worth it, even as they marched inexorably onward, unhindered by morality. The Devas adopted guerilla strategies against the invading legions, making use of the numerous thick jungles that filled their realms, and of the great beasts that lay within. As the Seventh Legion suffered the heaviest losses from these attacks, Abaddon decreed the utter extermination of all such great beasts, and laid many of the jungles to waste with fire from the skies.

Given the heavy casualties they sustained, Mephiston suggested that they reach out to one of their brothers for reinforcement. Abaddon was against the idea, both out of a sense of pride, but also out of shame, as he did not wish for his other brothers to witness the extent of what he had done. Eventually though, he acquiesced, seeing the sense in Mephiston's suggestion. As such, they called upon Bael and his Thirteenth Legion, the War Sages, for aid. Though Bael was initially pleased to offer his aid, he was horrified by the way which they had been waging war, as Abaddon had feared. As Mephiston did his best to convince him of the logic of their ways, Abaddon remained silent, unwilling to speak and plagued by guilt and doubts.

The Atrocity of Kyrat
As the three Seraphim and their armies prepared for the assault on the Devas capitol realm, Kyrat, tensions between them reached a breaking point. They had learned that most of the Devas had amassed there, but that Shiva and his son Ganesh were amassing a final army to reinforce them. Mephiston called for them to be ruthless once more. Bael refused utterly, and threatened that if they tried to carry out the planned course, he would alert the Devas to their plans. In the spur of the moment, Abaddon knocked Bael unconscious. Filled with anger and confusion, Abaddon readied himself to unleash his frustrations on the Devas as Mephiston mentally dominated Bael's officers into ensuring the Thirteenth Legion did not intervene in the coming attack.

The battle which followed would soon be known as the Atrocity of Kyrat, and marked a turning point within the Angelic Conquest. Abaddon unleashed his fury and his legion upon the realm, slaughtering all they came across, and crushing any enemy god who came out to meet him, filling the land with corpses and leaving the streets of each city awash with blood. Mephiston, meanwhile, devoted himself to torturing enemy gods as they were captured, and broadcasting their agony telepathically for all to experience. When Bael's Legion arrived near the end of the battle, taking up the few surviving civilians and threatening any who attempted them harm with battle, Abaddon gave the order to end the butchery, and went in search of Bael himself. He found the Loreseeker in the midst of a furious attack on Mephiston, enraged at the atrocity that had been committed. Abaddon arrived in time to help subdue Bael, though overcoming his sorcerous power at the height of his fury was no easy task.

Submission of Shiva
Whilst Abaddon and Mephiston surrounded the army Shiva had amassed with their three legions (Mephiston had once more enthralled the minds of the Thirteenth's officers), Bael remained restrained, an illusion conjured by Mephiston standing in his place. As Mephiston threatened Shiva, Abaddon was engrossed in the memories of what he had done, screams of pain and terror echoing around his skull. When it seemed that Shiva was about to attack him and his brother, Abaddon readied himself for battle, as it was something he understood, and foes were easy to hate. When he witnessed Shiva instead fall to his knees, weeping, after Mephiston threatened to torture his son Ganesh as he had his wife Parvati, Abaddon felt sickened. They had attained victory yes, but had broken the spirit of a proud warrior and slaughtered those to weak to fight back. The Lord of the Seventh could not find any joy nor pride in what he had done. Only shame and revulsion.

Buildup
Bael was freed after the final submission of the Devas, and Abaddon was present as Mephiston once more tried to convince him of the necessity of their actions. Bael responded with scorn and disgust, calling his brothers brutes and monsters, no better than the heretic gods their war sought to depose. Abaddon, in his heart, knew that his brother was right. Yet still, the words angered him. Shame turning to fury, he vented his frustrations on Bael, declaring that he was simply a weakling who lacked the will to do what was necessary to bring about their father's Dream. Mephiston broke from the silence he had held as Bael reprimanded them, and tried to convince him to their way of thinking a final time. Once more, he was ignored, and Bael demanded custody of all those gods that they had tortured. Wracked by guilt, Abaddon immediately consented. He waited with trepidation when Mephiston paused to consider the demand, and was relieved when he two acquiesced. After Bael departed, Abaddon remained apart from Mephiston brooding on their actions until he received the summons from his father to the Conclave of Shangri La, to answer for his crimes.

The Conclave
As the Conclave was called, and Abaddon learned that his father would preside over it, he resigned himself to face whatever punishment awaited him, for he knew it was deserved. Still, he could not keep the fear of what was to come from his heart. Abaddon, in his fear, discussed the predicament with Mephiston, and agreed that he ought to be the one to present their arguments before their brothers.

As the first day of the trial began, and the mortal witnesses of the Atrocity were brought forth, Abaddon was transfixed by their recounting of events. Every choked sob was a knife, twisting in his heart. As his brothers raged as they listened to the tearful recollections of the mortals, Abaddon had to fight to keep himself from crying, knowing the evil that he had committed, and wilting beneath the scorn he received from his brothers. When Gabriel, calmest and gentlest of all his brothers, was driven to such fury that he teleported to Abaddon's side and struck him a blow that knocked out several of his teeth, the full weight of what he had done bore down on him. And it made him angry. Mephiston came to Abaddon's aid as he was attacked, telepathically stunning Gabriel, to be in turn knocked to the ground by Uriel, who was himself tackled from behind by Samael. The fact that his old protégé came to his aid gave Abaddon some heart, but all his fears returned as Ynoch furiously separated the combatants before anything else could transpire. His brothers were right to be so angry, he knew, and whatever punishment they decided on would be well deserved.

The second day was given over to the gods who Abaddon had crushed in battle and Mephiston had crushed in spirit with his tortures. As the traumatized deities took the entire day to recount their experiences, Abaddon had plenty of time to contemplate the fate that awaited him. As the third day came, when the sons of Ynoch would deliberate on what was to be done with the Two Butchers, dread filled Abaddon's heart as he saw that Uriel, one of his closest friends, was first to take the stand to speak out against him. Uriel delivered a scathing speech, denouncing his Butcher brothers as cowards who were more suited to murdering mortal children than fighting godly warriors. The words cut him deeply, especially coming from such a treasured brother, and provoked Abaddon into a rage. He made to advance on his brother, but was restrained by Raziel and Samael, and shrank beneath Ynoch's furious reproach. As Mephiston rose to the stage to give rebuttal to Uriel's words, Abaddon hardly paid attention, his mind instead focused on the atrocities he had committed, and he barely noticed Uriel's outburst. Gabriel's short, brief consternation cut him deeply. "What you did was evil. And you both know it." He could not help but agree.

It was to Abaddon's great surprise as he found many of his brothers suddenly beginning to speak in support of him, led first by Asmodeus, then followed by Samael and the others. The brief buoying of his spirits rapidly faded, as the rest began once more to denounce him. When only Azazel and Lucifer remained to speak, Abaddon was sure he would face the most soulcrushing speech in his existence. And Azazel delivered, calling them out for violating every ideal of the Dream, and sinking to the depravities of the vilest of the heretic gods. After his speech, it was all Abaddon could do to stop himself from throwing himself to his knees and begging for forgiveness. Tears filled his eyes, but he called upon his magic to burn them away.

And then Lucifer spoke. He voiced his disappointment, but to the shock of all, he gave his support for the autonomy of the Seraphim to rule their legions as they saw fit, and was the deciding vote that allowed the Two Butchers to avoid punishment. None was more shocked by Lucifer's decision than Abaddon himself, who had never been more stunned or more grateful in all his life. If Lucifer had not condemned him, then maybe there was hope after all.

Aftermath
Following the Conclave, Abaddon remained in Mephiston's company, and soon found himself sought after by Lucifer. When he and Mephiston attempted to express their gratitude for his support, they found themselves silenced. Both of them had gravely disappointed him with their actions, Lucifer informed them sternly. Abaddon, having apparently deserted his focus of casting down tyrannical gods in favor of butchering their mortal subjects, should instead of referring to his legion as the Sinreapers, take the name of Bloodthirsters in its place, to better reflect his new practices. Angry and ashamed, Abaddon snapped that he would accept the name, if that is what Lucifer thought of him, and fled the scene.

When he was alone, Abaddon finally let his tears fall, lamenting what he had done. Overcome by emotion, Abaddon flew after his father, and upon catching up with him, collapsed at Ynoch's feet, sobbing and begging for his forgiveness. His father raised Abaddon up and took him in his arms, telling him that he had done nothing to require his forgiveness. Ynoch had given Abaddon his trust when he had given him his legion, and he told his son that that trust had not wavered. He knew that Abaddon's actions had been borne from loyalty and love to his father, not malice or cruelty, and no father could be angry at a son for such a thing. The deaths of so many were painful, yes, but in the long term, those that came after would be better for it, as worlds would now be more swift to yield to him, enabling Abaddon to sooner bring about their Dream. Now, Ynoch told him, Abaddon must decide whether he wished to bear that burden upon his heart again, or walk a gentler path. Either way, Ynoch would still be proud of him.

Abaddon dried his eyes, and swore that he would never falter again.

Pre-Fall
Before his Fall, Abaddon was amongst the most beautiful of his brothers, though he never capitalized on his beauty. He possessed sharp, well defined features, dark red eyes, and hair that shone like bloody fire, which he preferred to wear long. Abaddon's skin was rather pale, though not outrageously so, and his body was broad and powerful, covered in dense, compact muscle from countless hours of combat practice. He had several scars upon his face, though none served to mar his appearance overmuch. Following the events of the Conclave of Shangri La, Abaddon began to develop a pair of fangs as a result of his warped opinion of himself. Initially, they were retractable, but as Abaddon began to view himself in a more and more monstrous light, they steadily became more pronounced, to the point where their tips always poked out from his gums.

Fallen
Abaddon is shackled to his corrupted form, and as such can no longer appear in a heavenly visage. Instead he takes the form of a colossal fanged demon, two great spiked wings protruding from his, blackened and hard as steel. His maw is fanged with dozens of teeth, each razor sharp, and a great mane of serpents flows from the back of his head. His eyes burn a fierce yellow, shining madly with a twisted and uncaged power.

Pre Fall
"I love to fight, because I never feel so alive as when pitted against a worthy foe. There is honor in that. But there is no honor in the others I kill. I know that. I take no joy when my legion and I butcher innocents for the purpose of sowing terror. But it must be done. Fear of denying my father's armies will bring about his Dream that much swifter. The price of peace is payed in blood. If I can bear the brunt of that cost, and spare my brothers the burden, I do so gladly."

Before his Fall, Abaddon was a proud warrior, but reluctant butcher. Possessed of a fierce competitive spirit, he loved to pit himself against his brothers in all manner of contests as a boy. This aggressive need to challenge himself and prove his skill spurred his drive to better himself in combat, and led him to become a proud and fierce warrior in adulthood. One of Abaddon's greatest enjoyments during that time was the thrill of testing himself against worthy opponets, and any who had the strength and courage to stand against him in honorable battle were sure to earn his respect. Courage, in his view, was one of the foremost virtues that any individual could demonstrate, and cowardice one of the vilest of sins.

In terms of his general disposition, Abaddon was one of the harsher personalities among his brothers. Like his brother Azazel, he was something of a perfectionist, and strove furiously to improve his craft. He held his subordinates to the same exacting standards, feeling that their performances were a reflection on him, and any who trained at his feet could expect a brutal and unforgiving regimen. His pride left little tolerance for less than stellar achievement. Unlike Azazel, however, Abaddon was quite unskilled in the gentler arts of social interactions, and his single minded determination towards being a great warrior caused him to largely lose sight of life's other pursuits.

When interacting with others Abaddon was blunt and direct in his speech, quick to anger and slow to forgive. Possessed of a sharp tongue, Abaddon had no qualms about pointing out the flaws of anyone he interacted with, and was always quick to answer insult with insult with little provocation. He was not without humor, however, as Abaddon was always possessed of a dry wit and propensity for black humor, which deepened as the wars of the Angelic Conquest dragged on and on.

While Abaddon was stern and unforgiving, especially towards those who stood against Ynoch and his Dream, to whom he was notoriously unmerciful, he was not without his softer side. While he loved to fight and was an intimidating presence, he did not take any joy in causing harm to those he viewed as innocent, and had a special soft spot for children, to whom he was often uncharacteristically tender and protective. This stemmed largely from the fierce loyalty and protectiveness he felt towards his family, especially his younger brothers. Any threat to them was one of the surest ways to drive him into a frenzy of rage.

Loyalty was one of Abaddon's noblest characteristics, and he admired others who displayed it, even enemies. Abaddon was not outgoing, and was in truth, somewhat prone to lonesome brooding. While he did not make friends easily, once his loyalty was earned, it was iron forged. Any who secured his trust and affection could expect an implacable and ferocious defender, and a confidant who would never hesitate to point out when they had erred.

Though he had his virtues, Abaddon's flaws were many and deep. Even before his fall, there was darkness within him. One of his greatest vices was his pride. So rarely did he encounter challenges on the battlefield, he slowly became more reckless and bold in his campaigns. Additionally, while he was quick to point out the flaws in others, Abaddon did not take well to his own shortcomings being discussed. Such a thing was sure to make his temper flare. Furthermore, he often dwelt on failures that were pointed out to him, though to his credit, he usually did try to fix them, and would usally thank whoever made the observation that helped him, after his blood had cooled. In addition, Abaddon was quick to grow angry much like his elder brother Uriel. Unlike Uriel, however, when the initial heat of Abaddon's anger dimmed, it often continued to simmer for long periods of time, and could be made to flare up again repeatedly.

Perhaps the most dangerous of Abaddon's flaws before his fall was his lack of mercy towards foes, and willingness to utterly destroy his and his family's enemies. He was single minded, thought in absolutes, and was notoriously unforgiving of threats who spurned his offers to accept their surrender, which were always harsh and uncomprimising. Abaddon was never a patient individual, and those foes who did not bend to him quickly would be crushed beneath his boot.

As the Conquest went on and on, and Abaddon's impatience got the better of him, he began to become more willing to comprimise. Not comprimise on the harsh terms he gave to conquered realms, but comprimise on morals. Eager to see the Dream fulfilled, his already notorious lack of patience and mercy continued to wane. With the help of his brother Mephiston, Abaddon became convinced that an increased level of violence would end the war faster, and allow Abaddon to assuage himself of the guilt he felt for the suffering he had inflicted on countless worlds by finally ushering in the utopia promised by the Dream. Beginning with the Atrocity of Kyrat, he began to use fear and bloodshed into a weapon, convinced that by butchering a few, more worlds would yield to him swiftly, sparing the many. Plagued by guilt over his deeds all the while, Abaddon told himself that he must take up the burden of the butcher, and that he was sparing his brothers the harship and guilt of taking the same role. Still, deep down, Abaddon began to consider himself a monster.

Small wonder then, when he learned of his father's identity as Ra, and was convinced that the Dream was a lie, he nearly drowned in a tide of anguish. Utterly betrayed, feeling his loyalty to his father was abused and founded on deception, and that he had been tricked into being his father's beast, he began a descent into dark rage and despair.

Post Fall
"BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD FOR LUCIFER!"

Centuries of hate and pain have left Abaddon a broken husk of who he once was. Betrayed by his father and Ascendant brothers, Abaddon's wrath during and after the fall continued to deepen. In his agonized mental state, Abaddon's flaw of single mindedness seized him with a hard, rage tainted grip, and he has devoted himself utterly to the cause of Lucifer, and overthrowing their father. Forced to make war upon his beloved brothers, the mountain of Abaddon's morals were steadily eroded by the black tides of his hate. As fury and malice steadily came to dominate his mind, Abaddon gradually began to transform into the monster he had feared himself to be.

All vestiges of honor gone, the Abaddon after the Fall transformed into a savage killer. Blood, rage and fear became the drugs he imbibed to cloud his mind from his pain. The modern Abaddon revels in killing in all its forms, whether he be tearing apart a godly warrior, or ravaging a population of helpless civilians. He delights in blood being shed in his name, savoring the pain of those killed before him and finding such acts of "devotion" pleasing to his vanity.

Abaddon's temper has deepened as well. Violence now comes as easily as breathing to him. The slightest irritation can send Abaddon into a bloody frenzy, and violent beatings, dismemberments, and even being cannibalized are common to those who enter his presence. Beneath this violence fueled exterior, however, is an ocean of pain and self hatred. Abaddon despises himself utterly, and views himself as a complete monster, unworthy of redemption. He continues his existence to take his vengeance against those who wronged him, and fulfill his obligations of loyalty to Lucifer, but should the Lightbringer ever prevail and take the throne of Creation, Abaddon's wish would be to end his own life, and seek the solace of the Dreamless oblivion within the Prime.

And yet... All hope is not lost. In the depths of his soul, Abaddon still cares even for the brothers who have become his foes. Even for the father he feels betrayed him. The cause of his anguish is the fact that he feels he has no choice but to war against them, and that he has become a monster they can only ever despise.

Lucifer
Abaddon is a close confidant of Lucifer, and two have a great respect for each other.

Other Fallen Seraphim
Abaddon wants little to do with the more unhinged of the Fallen Ones, thinking they have lost their way, though he still begrudgingly interacts with them.

Uriel
Abaddon is a sworn rival of Uriel, his former closest friend, and though he still secretly wishes Uriel had joined him in rebellion, he knows it is far too late.

Skills
"If you would face Abaddon, be prepared to fight someone with ten axes instead of two."

-Ares, Olympian God of War, on Abaddon's fighting prowess

Stats
Power Level: 4

Traits
Strength: 10

Dexterity: 11

Endurance: 11

Intelligence: 8

Charisma: 9

Perception: 8

Skills
Academia: 5

Artistry: 5

Brawl: 9

Charm: 5

Command: 10

Craft: 4

Deception: 4

Empathy: 5

Intimidation: 10

Intrigue: 3

Leadership: 9

Marksmanship: 6

Medicine: 6

Melee: 12

Occult: 6

Performance: 4

Seduction: 4

Stealth: 6

Stewardship: 3

Survival: 7

Torture: 8