Bael

"The world has answers to every question, for those bold enough to seek them."

Bael, the Loreseeker, Lord Seraphim of the Thirteenth Angelic Legion

Bael is one of the Fallen Seraphim, and a prominent Lord of the Abyss. Ever the most learned Son of Ynoch, he and his Thirteenth Legion, the War Sages, spent much of their time during the Angelic Conquest scouring the realms they conquered for knowledge and seeking out the mysteries of the universe. Having studied the secrets of the Divine Dominions and the myriad magics of Sorcery, Bael possesses a frightful and encyclopedic knowledge of the universe. He is without a doubt among the most learned individuals of esoteric lore in all Creation, and claims to be its most powerful sorcerer, a claim which few can contest. Since he Fell, his former desire to see all mankind enlightened and brought into a peaceful age of pedagogy has transformed into an all consuming lust for knowledge and power.

Early Life
Bael was the thirteenth-born son of Ynoch, following Mephiston and preceding Samael. Once Bael was able to walk, he imitated his older brothers, Raziel and Mephiston, in following their brother Asmodeus around incessantly. Their brother Gabriel, after witnessing the event, dubbed Bael and the rest of the trio as "The Three Ducklings", and Asmodeus as their "Mother Duck", much to the latter's annoyance. Asmodeus did warm to them eventually, constructing a basket in which he carried little Bael on his back as they scoured the wilderness together, looking for components which Asmodeus would use to build toys for them.

As he grew, Bael proved to be a precocious, inquisitive child. According to his father Ynoch, his favorite word as a boy was "why". During his first few years, he delighted in having his father and older brothers read stories to him, with Azazel and Asmodeus being his favorites. Once he became old enough to read himself, Bael spent most every moment he had in the palace library, pouring over tomes and old scrolls, until his brothers introduced him to the arts, a pursuit which he enjoyed as well. After that, with more of his day occupied, Bael began spending most of his nights sneaking out of bed to read, being caught several times until Ynoch mirthfully decreed that he would simply be allowed to take his books to bed with him.

Pre Fall
Before centuries of Abyssal corruption took hold, Bael appeared as a lean, athletic young man with short black hair, and eyes the color of amber. Always the least physically impressive of his brothers, Bael was slender and somewhat short. Though he had a fairly well honed physique, his body was not very imposing. Bael's wings, when unfurled, where streaked with silver, grey and white.

Post Fall
Centuries within the Abyss have twisted Bael in both mind and spirit. Now, Bael looks much like a figure carved from a tree. His flesh is made of smoke dark wood, with spikes protruding in various places. Veins and carved scars can be found running across his flesh, glowing with orange light. Bael's head is demonic to look at, with a great pair of horns rising up from his skull, and another set curving outwards from his jaw. He possesses no visible nose, and his mouth is filled with needle sharp wooden teeth. His eyes are ever emanating a ghoulish orange light.

Personality
Once, Bael was a proud and noble being. That is no longer the case. Bael is detached from the feelings of "lesser beings", having no qualms about using nearly any creature he comes across as a pawn or an experimentation subject, and finding twisted amusement in their suffering. Once virtuous and just, he is now a consummate schemer, able to lie and manipulate as easily as he breathes. The lives of others are nothing to him, even his own soul-scions. But Bael is cunning enough to pretend that they still hold value to him, solely for the purpose of maintaining his power over them.

His lust for knowledge is the one thing that remains constant. Only now, it has consumed him, and become warped and twisted from what it once was. Once, he sought knowledge so that he could better himself and those around him, and spread it to all. Now, Bael seeks knowledge for the purposes of power and domination, and hoards it away jealously.

In his quest for power, Bael's strength has grown, and with it has his arrogance. Ever witty, his wit has turned condescending and snide. Always proud, he now has a tremendously swollen ego, and he regards himself as the most intelligent being in all Creation. Truth be told, this belief does have merit, as Bael's intellect has always been positively staggering. Bael is confident in all he does, but still, he is extremely patient and wary, ready to wait for centuries to let his myriad schemes bear fruit.

The being that Bael is now is scarcely recognizable, even to his own brothers. Were his past self to meet his present one, he would be utterly horrified at the monster he has become. If any vestige of the being he once was remains, it is a pale flicker, burning dimly within the blackness of his soul.

Stats
Power Level: 4

Traits
Strength: 7

Dexterity: 8

Endurance: 8

Intelligence: 13

Charisma: 9

Perception: 13

Skills
Academia: 13

Artistry: 9

Brawl: 6

Charm: 7

Command: 10

Craft: 8

Deception: 11

Empathy: 12

Intimidation: 10

Intrigue: 12

Leadership: 8

Marksmanship: 8

Medicine: 11

Melee: 9

Occult: 13

Performance: 4

Seduction: 4

Stealth: 9

Stewardship: 10

Survival: 9

Torture: 11