Raziel

"Mastery of weapons or magic can make a foe formidable. Mastery of the self makes them truly deadly."

-Raziel Firmheart, Lord of the Eleventh Angelic Legion

Raziel, commonly known as Raziel Firmheart or the Bulwark of Eden, is one of the Seraphim, a son of Ynoch, and leads the Eleventh Legion, the Evershields. Raziel is one of those sons who remained loyal to their father when his brother Lucifer rose in rebellion, and was among the most staunch of their foes. His military genius was a contributing factor to the victory of many of the battles waged both during their civil war, and the Angelic Conquest before it, which brought the godly pantheons to their knees. While his prowess as one of Creation's finest battle commanders is rightly feared and respected, Raziel's name is not one that is synonymous with terror, like many of his brothers. He is well known for his prowess as architect and administrator, as well as a warrior and general,

Early Life
Possessed of fourteen brothers, Raziel found himself following four years after Asmodeus and proceeding Mephiston by one. As he aged, Raziel proved himself a bold and outspoken little boy. Whenever he was faced with any sort of quandary, he would confront it head on, and use his considerable mind to find the swiftest and most direct path to overcoming it. Whenever he had a goal, he would also take the most direct path towards reaching it. In both, he was relentless.

Among Raziel's favorite things to do was to build and grow. He loved to make things with his hands, planting gardens and raising up structures, and making pretty things, though he was more talented in crafting resilience than beauty. Still, Raziel's appreciation for beauty as a boy was always great, and one of his greatest hobbies was collecting mementoes and odd items which he liked.

Unlike some of his other brothers, Raziel did not chafe under the authority sometimes enforced on him by his eldest siblings. The harsh training in combat and command, which took him away from his preferred hobbies, was just another obstacle to be overcome to him.

The First Duckling
When Raziel became able to walk, he fixated himself on his brother, Asmodeus, the youngest of his older siblings. Raziel followed him everywhere, much to Asmodeus annoyance, which only grew worse when the subsequent siblings, Mephiston and Bael, emulated him. Gabriel, after witnessing the event, dubbed Asmodeus the "Mother Duck" and the other three his "ducklings". Raziel, as the eldest duckling, was often known as "Duckling One".

When Raziel was four, he barged in on Asmodeus when he was receiving sculpting lessons from Azazel, demanding to be allowed to join. Asmodeus allowed that Raziel could be his assistant, much to Raziel's delight. Though he was not as skilled in the art as either of his brothers, Raziel took great pleasure in the craft, mostly due to the time it allowed him to spend with Asmodeus.

As Asmodeus grew into his role as Mother Duck, he began to take Raziel and his fellow ducklings on trips into the woods and mountains, which the brothers would scour for materials, which Asmodeus would use to make toys for them. Asmodeus, eager to demonstrate the reading prowess he learned from Azazel, would oftentimes read stories to his ducklings, which Raziel always sat through attentively. Though he would have many more wonderful times with his brothers, Raziel was never as happy and untroubled as he was in those days. They came to an end when Raziel was six, and Asmodeus turned ten, and he was made to spend most of his hours in war training.

The Ducklings Sundered
Without Asmodeus to lead them, the Ducklings began to waddle together less and less. Initially, Asmodeus often snuck away from training to play with them, but Mephiston, dutiful and obedient as he was, tried to tell Asmodeus that he shouldn't break the rules, and tattled on him to Raphael and Michael several times. Though not an angry boy, these acts of "betrayal" infuriated Raziel, causing him to one day confront Mephiston, demanding that he stop being a tattle tale. Mephiston replied that Asmodeus was being naughty, and stated that he would keep telling on Asmodeus until he decided to be good again. Enraged, Raziel launched into a tussle with Mephiston, easily thrashing his little brother. He was stopped, however, by the tearful intercessions of Bael. Raziel's anger was replaced by guilt, and he tried to apologize, only to be confronted by Raphael, who picked up Mephiston and dragged Raziel squealing before Michael. His eldest brother decreed that as punishment, Raziel's toys would be taken away. Worse still, after Ynoch was informed of the incident, Raziel received a chastisement from his father, who sternly told him that it was his duty to defend and support his brothers, not fight with them. Though ashamed, Raziel was at least partially satisfied when his father admonished Mephiston for tattling on Asmodeus.

This event, coupled with the fact that Asmodeus had finally decided to stick to his training, caused the eternal gathering of the Mother Duck and his Ducklings to separate. Raziel was greatly upset by this, and was most distraught by the fact that Mephiston and Bael were both afraid of him for quite a while afterwards.

Having seen what his anger could do if left unchecked, Raziel resolved to never let his temper get the better of him from then on. And for the most part, he always kept it in check. But for a few rare occasions.

The Conclave of Shangri La
Before he was summoned by Ynoch to the Conclave of Shangri La, Raziel had successfully conquered the Orisha Pantheon alongside his brothers Asmodeus and Samael, his fellow members of the Pyramid. Samael had come to Raziel before, proposing the idea that he ask Asmodeus for assistance in the campaign, so as to help mend the old rift that had sprung up between the two brothers. Raziel, who himself wished to end the rivalry that had sprung up between them, had agreed. When they received their summons to the Conclave, the three travelled together, leaving most of their legion behind to finish repairing the damage that had been done during the campaign.

Raziel was infuriated and disturbed as he heard the testimony of the victims of his brothers, Mephiston and Abaddon, though unlike many of his brothers, he maintained his composure throughout. The acts of the former especially disquieted him, as he was surprised that one so usually logical and just as Mephiston would engage in such barbarism. The entire incident reminded him uncomfortably of the Butchery of Krasivya that Asmodeus had perpetrated, and the fact that Mephiston, who had so loudly cried out against Asmodeus's actions, would engage in something just as horrid was greatly disquieting to him.

As the first argument broke out between the brothers, Raziel did not participate much before Ynoch separated them. When Abaddon was provoked by Uriel calling him a coward, however, Raziel worked alongside Samael to restrain him.

When Gabriel admonished Abaddon and Mephiston for their actions, Raziel was hopeful that Gabriel's consternations would make them repent. When Asmodeus, who Raziel was just coming to grow close to again, spoke out in favor of the atrocities, and worse, with his words suring up the flagging resolve of the Butchers, Raziel was livid. Still, he maintained his composure, allowing Samael to take the stage in support of Asmodeus, which angered and disappointed him further. Still, while he was angry at Samael, he blamed Asmodeus's influence for having swayed Samael, further stoking his fury towards the Iron Lord. Raziel stood silent and fuming as Raphael, Michael, and even Azrael, the consummate minimalist, all lent their voices in support of the Butchers.

Finally, Raziel felt compelled to speak, and with anger towards Asmodeus at the forefront of his mind, recounted the Butchery of Krasivya and how Asmodeus's harsh stratagems had devastated the lands they wished to conquer. Making an appeal through pragmatism, Raziel argued that such actions caused a drain on resources, as such damaged worlds needed to be brought up to the standards of the Ynochian Ascendancy, and cost world building legions such as his own a great deal of effort. Raziel's statements set the groundwork for many of his brothers to follow him in opposition to the deeds of the Two Butchers. When Lucifer lent his voice in support of the autonomy of the Two Butchers, Raziel was initially flabbergasted, though after some analysis, he came to understand Lucifer's point of view, and consoled himself with the fact that the Lightbringer supported the Butcher's independence, not their actions.

Aftermath: The Rift Renewed
Still, following the Conclave, Raziel remained livid, and stayed behind as his father and several of his brothers left, seeking out Asmodeus, who sought him in turn. A heated argument began between the brothers, with Asmodeus telling Raziel that he did not recognize the sacrifices in their war that must be made for the Dream. The support of savagery in the Dream's name infuriated Raziel, and he retaliated by calling Asmodeus an unthinking brute who was more suited for breaking walls than building them. This prompted Asmodeus to attack Raziel, and a brawl ensued. Though they had taken Temporal forms, their fight was still ferocious, with Raziel breaking Metatron's arm as he tried restraining him, and Asmodeus caving in Gabriel's skull. The brawlers were separated by Azrael, who had taken the time to ascend to Elysian form instead of interposing himself between his stronger brothers, and Raziel found himself pulled away by restraints of conjured shadow. As Asmodeus stormed off, Raziel remained behind, still irate, though he managed to grunt an apology to his injured brothers before he himself fled in fury.

When he arrived back to his legion, Raziel found that the Tenth and Asmodeus were already departed, leaving him and Samael to tend to the realms they had conquered. When Samael attempted to talk to him on the matter of his disagreement with Asmodeus, Raziel coldly refused, ignoring his attempts and instead continually switching to the subject on how they would divide the realms of the Orishas in accordance with their father's new decree. This infuriated Samael, who declared that if that mattered to him more than his relationship with his brothers, then he had no purpose being here. He and the Fourteenth departed shortly thereafter, leaving Raziel alone and despairing. Of course, in times of despair, Raziel's policy has ever been to drown himself in projects, and so he set about to remaking the realms he and his fellow members of the Pyramid had conquered in his image.

Personality
Raziel is stoic and stubborn, willing to work endlessly towards his goals. Beneath that, he holds a great esteem for his fellows and siblings and a wary respect of the fine works of others. He enjoys his constructions and crafts greatly, and is more than willing to work with others towards a fine goal.

Powers
A mighty dominion over the earth and a great intensity of forge-power, among others.

Skills
Mastery in defense and architecture. Also good with metal and crafting in general, really.

Stats
Power Level: 4

Traits
Strength: 11

Dexterity: 7

Endurance: 12

Intelligence: 11

Charisma: 8

Perception: 10

Skills
Academia: 10

Artistry: 8

Brawl: 8

Charm: 4

Command: 12

Craft: 9

Deception: 4

Empathy: 6

Intimidation: 9

Intrigue: 4

Leadership: 9

Marksmanship: 7

Medicine: 7

Melee: 10

Occult: 6

Performance: 2

Seduction: 2

Stealth: 6

Stewardship: 11

Survival: 6

Torture: 4

Quotes about Raziel
''Lucifer: "Our brother is stubborn. He will break before he bends." ''

''Asmodeus: "Then I will break him." ''

-Lucifer and Asmodeus, speaking of whether Raziel can be made to surrender.