Asmodeus

"War is the crucible where the spirit is forged. In the fire of war, the spirit is tempered, or the spirit breaks. The more trying the war, the stronger the spirits of those who emerge from the flames."

-Asmodeus, the Iron Lord, Seraphim of the Tenth Angelic Legion

Asmodeus is one of the Fallen Seraphim, and the master of the Tenth Legion of the Ynochim, the Ironborn. A skilled warrior and masterful commander, Asmodeus can rightly claim to be one of the greatest generals in Creation. During the First Angelic Conquest, he conquered countless worlds, typically those that were the most heavily defended, enduring long, brutal sieges without complaint. However, it wore at Asmodeus, who was at heart, an architect and craftsman, to have to use his skills to wreak destruction. Moreover, he was also greatly embittered by the fact that his deeds did not earn him and his legion the praise and acclaim he thought they deserved.

Early Life
Asmodeus was brought into being by Ynoch in the fortieth year of the Bronze Age. The tenth out of fifteen brothers, Asmodeus was part of the younger clutch of siblings, though he was significantly older than most of his younger brothers. The brothers who proceeded and followed him, were Azrael, two years his elder, and Raziel, who was four years younger than him.

Growing up, Asmodeus was a shy, quiet child. He enjoyed reading in the palace library, preferring books about heroes who went on adventures and ended up marrying beautiful princesses and founding great kingdoms, and during his first few years, he would often pester his brother Azazel, to read such tales to him before bedtime. He also took to building all sorts of things with his hands, which was his greatest pleasure. When the time eventually came for him to begin training at war, he was displeased at being taken away from doing what he enjoyed, stubbornly complaining all the way through, until his father expressed his disappointment at how immature he was being. From then on, Asmodeus did his best to emulate his older brothers and earn his father's approval.

The Mother Duck
"The babies won't stop following me around!"

"You're a true Mother Duck, Momo."

"Don't call me that! You can say my name totally fine!"

-Asmodeus and Gabriel

When Asmodeus was four, his first younger brother, Raziel was born. As soon as he could walk, Raziel became troublesome for Asmodeus, following him around wherever he went. As two more brothers, Mephiston and Bael, each born one year after the other, they mimicked Raziel in following Asmodeus around, much to his annoyance. Gabriel, after having witnessed it one day, dubbed Asmodeus "The Mother Duck", and his three younger brothers "The Three Ducklings". Eventually, Asmodeus resigned himself to their company, and even the irritating nickname "Momo", which arose because Mephiston initially had trouble saying his name, before Mephiston and the others simply got used to using it. When he was eight years old, Azazel introduced him to the arts, particularly sculpting, which Asmodeus took a great liking to. Initially, he was quite peeved when the four year old Raziel demanded that Azazel start teaching him too, taking away the privacy Asmodeus preferred, but allowed that Raziel could be his assistant, which was agreeable to all involved. Later that same year, the Mother Duck and his ducklings began to take out trips into the woods together, to scour them for supplies they had read about in the library to help Asmodeus build toys for them. Asmodeus would hold both Raziel and Mephiston by the hand, while Baby Bael rode on his back in a strap-on chair of Asmodeus's own design.

Eventually, Azazel, who had continued the tradition of reading bedtime stories with the three new brothers, found Asmodeus ousting him from the role, as he desired to demonstrate his prowess with the book, and took special delight in reading to Baby Bael. However, his happy role as the Mother Duck was brought to an end after the birth of Samael, shortly before Asmodeus's tenth birthday, as he was brought out into the practice yard to begin training as a warrior.

The Iron Tempered
Initially, Asmodeus proved to be a great pain to the brothers assigned to oversee his training. By the time he began to train as a warrior, Abaddon and all brothers who had come before him were all grown and trained, leaving him with his brothers Gadreel and Azrael to train with as peers. During his first week of training, the already grumpy Asmodeus quickly grew frustrated at the fact that both of his usual opponents tended to employ underhanded tactics against him, most commonly, throwing sand in his face or tripping him. Azrael in particular was quite adept at making him slip and then gutting him while he was down. After several days of this, Asmodeus angrily threw down his weapon after being defeated, and began to walk from the field, only to be intercepted from Michael, who sternly ordered him back. Asmodeus furiously ranted about how he hated fighting, how his older siblings didn't fight fair, and he wanted to go and play with his little brothers.

Unmoved, Michael put him back onto the sands, but from then on, Asmodeus took every opportunity to sneak away and avoid his training. Oftentimes, however, his brother Mephiston would tell him that he shouldn't be breaking the rules, and even ratted him out to Michael and Raphael on several occasions, much to Asmodeus's anger and hurt. This continued for several weeks, and many of Asmodeus's older brothers made overtures to him to convince him to stop. So eventually, he received a talk from Ynoch himself, who expressed to Asmodeus how disappointed he was in his actions, especially with how poorly he had acted towards his brothers, who were all trying to help him. Ashamed, Asmodeus promised his father that he would do better, and would never complain about it again.

Progression
And he kept that vow. Ynoch decreed shortly thereafter that it was time the sons that had completed their training as warriors, rather than just practicing among themselves, begin assisting Michael in training their younger brothers to fight and in other skills. Asmodeus found himself most gravitating towards the tutelage of Uriel, who always went out of his way to make sure his charges enjoyed the training sessions with him, and was more patient then Michael, and less pushing then Abaddon. And at the suggestion of his brother Lucifer, Asmodeus asked for Uriel to introduce him to the mysteries of the forge. Asmodeus rapidly began to excel under Uriel, eventually coming to surpass him as master of the forge, crafting all manner of spectacularly forged items.

Role Model
As Asmodeus grew, he steadily earned the respect of his brothers through his numerous accomplishments. In the simulated wargames he and his brothers played, he excelled. In personal combat, he slowly grew to be among the mightiest of his brothers, with his raw strength being surpassed only by Raphael. He was learned and scholarly, having found more practical uses to reading than Azazel before him, and he made sure to introduce all of his younger brothers to the palace library, where Bael and Metatron in particular found joy. His brothers Raziel and Samael he introduced to the intricacies of architectural design, and the three spent many hours plotting out grand constructions which they planned to one day build together, and received frequent input from Azazel on such matters. Additionally, Asmodeus alongside Raphael also imparted to Mephiston, Raziel and Metatron skills for administration. Asmodeus's teenage years were the happiest of his life, but they could not last forever.

Great Pilgrimage
When Asmodeus was well into his adulthood, his father Ynoch declared that it was time he and his brothers ventured to the realms beyond Eden, embarking in pairs on Great Pilgrimages. Each of them, bar Michael, who it was revealed had already explored the worlds beyond with their father, would be split into pairs, with each journeying to one of the further realms together. Asmodeus, to his delight, was paired with Azazel, one of his favorite brothers. The two, along with their other brothers, were each gifted one of the Stars of Glamour by their father, to help mask their power and allow them to walk in secret among the mortals of the realms.

The pair set off in the guise of a pair of travelling artisans, and they eventually reached the Earthrealm of the Olympian Freehold, the dominion ruled by the gods of Mount Olympus. As the brothers travelled together in a cart drawn by a mule, filled with jewelry, clothing, and other goods that they had made, they at first were delighting by the world, for they found countless thriving cities, brimming with art and culture. But soon, they began to witness the ways of the gods that ruled there, and when they left, their hearts were set against the rule of the capricious deities.

Transformation of Arachne
Early in their travels, Asmodeus and Azazel heard tell of a great weaver by the name of Arachne, who was said to be able to bring to life any scene within the strands of a tapestry. Given their artistic proclivities, the two brothers agreed that they would venture to look upon her works. After some travel, they travelled to the weaver's home, where they found a huge crowd had gathered, to look upon Arachne's work. The brothers were awed by her skill, and Asmodeus, shy as he usually was, found himself so stirred that shouted from the crowd that she was the most skilled at her craft in all the world. Arachne agreed, and declared that she was greater even than the great goddess Athena. An old crone within the crowd warned against such folly and hubris, telling Arachne that her gift in part must come from the goddess, only to be scornfully dismissed. It was then that the crone revealed herself to be Athena, as Asmodeus and his brother looked on. A contest was initiated between the two, with Athena depicted various instances where mortals foolishly competed against the gods and lost, while Arachne depicted how the gods tricked and seduced mortals, particularly the many lecheries of Zeus. When the works were done, it was clear that Arachne's was superior, but Athena, enraged at her defeat, tore the work asunder, and struck Arachne across the face, knocking out most of her teeth and dislocating her jaw. Asmodeus, though horrified, kept his cool, remembering his father's order to remain hidden, and had to physically restrain Azazel from interfering. Arachne, ashamed and in pain, attempted to hang herself right there, taking up some cords of string, but Athena prevented her from doing so by transforming her into a huge spider.

Having had to drag Azazel away from the crowd, Asmodeus and his brother eventually took refuge in the local tavern, where they discussed what they had witnessed. Arachne had been arrogant, to be sure, but a young girl like her being overly proud of her skills did not warrant such a response from Athena, who had behaved in an utterly petty and vindictive manner after she had been proven inferior. They were overheard by one of the locals, who advised them not to speak so ill of the gods, lest they suffer the same fate. This would be the first of many abuses of power Asmodeus and Azazel would witness during their time in the realms ruled by Olympus.

Destruction of Salmonea
Another event Asmodeus witnessed of the Olympians abusing their power was the destruction of the city of Salmonea. Ruled by an arrogant king named Salmoneus (who had changed the name of the city from Eleia to a name after himself), the citizens had recently been ordered to worship their monarch, who had begun to impersonate Zeus. Asmodeus and Azazel, while there, beheld Salmoneus riding through the streets on a chariot one evening, dragging behind pots and skins to imitate thunder and hurling torches to imitate lightning. Azazel found the spectacle very amusing, and the two left the city to continue their travels. Less than an hour after the brothers had set off on the road, however, storm clouds gathered, and Zeus's voice thundered from the sky, proclaiming that Salmoneus would be punished for his blasphemy. A single bolt of lighting crashed down, illuminating the land for miles around, and reducing the entire city to nothing but a smoking, melted crater.

Preparations for War
After spending their years abroad, Asmodeus and Azazel, made their way back to Eden, being the second last pair to do so. Having witnessed the tyranny of the godly pantheons, they were in agreement that they deserved to be cast down. Asmodeus was in full support when his father revealed his Dream to him after he and Azazel returned, and even more so when Ynoch's plan to conquer and subjugate the False Gods to bring the mortals under his father's rule. This task was what he and his brothers had trained their entire lives for.

Sentiment Unyielding
One of the first steps towards their preparations for war was the palace Asmodeus had grown up in being replaced with something more defensible. For this task, Ynoch turned to Asmodeus. But the tenth son was overcome by sentiment, and he could not so easily erase his childhood home. Disappointed, Ynoch instead sought out Asmodeus's brother Raziel, who saw that the task was done, reducing their old home to rubble, and overseeing the construction of a new, mighty citadel. This planted the first seed of resentment in Asmodeus towards his brother, both for his perceived callousness, and the fact that he had succeeded where Asmodeus had failed, earning their father's approval while Asmodeus caused his disappointment.

The World Engine
Yet there was more for Asmodeus to do. As the most skilled inventor of his brothers, Asmodeus was brought in to be one of his father's primary assistants, alongside Bael, in designing a great device which would fuel the union of the realms into one for Ynoch's Dream. Their other brothers assisted as well, but he and Bael, alongside their father, were the primary architects. The mighty machine took years to complete, even with all their power focused upon it, for it was to be the first and greatest of its kind, the impetus of the union of all Creation.

Farewell Gifts
As his elder brothers set off to war with their Legions, Asmodeus labored upon the World Engine alongside his father and Bael. However, for some of the brothers he was closest with, he personally forged special weapons. When his brother Uriel first ventured forth to battle the Shen Pantheon, Asmodeus created him a mighty blade of fire named Wrathbringer, capable of splitting into two and then fusing back to one, to give Uriel flexibility in his preferred aggressive fighting style. Likewise, for his brother Abaddon, Asmodeus crafted an axe known as Render.

First Campaign
When Asmodeus and the Tenth Legion were first sent out into the field, they were put under the command of his eldest brother Michael and the Godbreakers, the First Legion. The pantheon they were to fight against was potent, violent, and malicious. Theirs was a civilization so vile that Michael declared that they deserved to be utterly wiped out. Asmodeus agreed. Thus began the start of a long and brutal campaign, which lasted over two years. The records of what had occurred were sealed and locked away by Michael's decree, but when Asmodeus returned from the trial, he was changed. Both he and his legion emerged hardened by the horrors they had witnessed, and the brutal battles they had fought. His shift was noticed by even his closest brothers. Always quiet, shy, and often a loner, Asmodeus became vastly more reclusive, and had developed a bit of a temper, brought on by the stress of what he had witnessed and done. Still, given how adequately he fought, Michael recommended him for a command position over their younger brothers and their new legions. Azazel, while not aware of what exactly had transpired, still learned of Asmodeus's heroism and resilience from Michael, and dubbed him and his legion the Ironborn.

Conquest of the Beznadi
Asmodeus's first command position came about when he was put in charge of his brothers, Raziel and Mephiston, and their legions, the Eleventh and Twelfth. The three legions were arrayed against the pantheon known as the Beznadi, whose former leader, Svarog, had initiated the war torn era of the Bronze Age by leading an unprovoked war on the Olympians. The conflict lasted four months, and both of Asmodeus's brothers were shocked by the change in his disposition. He was colder, angrier, and more brutal, executing a relentless, grinding campaign which lead to victory after victory. During that time, Asmodeus, still scarred from the horrors he had witnessed and unleashed alongside Michael, only sought his brothers out to plan battles. When Raziel convinced Mephiston that Asmodeus needed space, the Iron Lord misinterpreted their not seeking him out as a lack of care, hardening his heart against them both and spurring the harshness of his battle plans.

The Ironborn suffered the brunt of the losses by Asmodeus's own design, as he himself lead the more difficult battles and elements of the campaign to spare his brothers the burden. Yet the death of so many of his soul-scions took its toll on him, and Asmodeus found his rage building with every battle. After taking the capitol realm of Zemja Bogov, and capturing the leader of the Beznadi, Perun, Asmodeus took him to Krasivya, the peaceful, idyllic realm of Vodan, Perun's uncle and adopted father. In order to exact revenge for the casualties of his legion, Asmodeus decreed that everyone in the realm where Perun had grown up would be put to death. His legion began to fulfill the order, but were interrupted by the arrival of Asmodeus's brothers. Bitter words were exchanged, but Asmodeus brought the atrocity to an end. But the act grief-fueled butchery would but a black stain upon his heart and his reputation for the rest of his days.

The Conclave of Shangri La
Along with all his brothers, Asmodeus attended the Conclave of Shangri La, at the summoning of his father. At the time of the summoning, he was in the midst of a project with his brothers, Samael and Raziel, of restoring the realms of the recently conquered Orishas after having defeated them together. The campaign had originally been Samael's idea, and unbeknownst to Asmodeus, was an attempt to draw two of his most favored brothers back together, and restore the Pyramid.

Asmodeus witnessed to the testimony of the mortal and godly victims of atrocities that had been committed by his brothers Mephiston and Abaddon, and was somberly reminded of his own misdeeds back at Krasivya years ago. As squabbling between the brothers broke out, Asmodeus did not have much chance to engage in the brawl that occurred before his father ended it. Later, when Uriel was driven to a violent outburst by the words of Mephiston, Asmodeus restrained him as their father admonished Uriel.

After Gabriel decried the actions of the two Butchers, Asmodeus was next to take the floor and voice his opinions on the matter. Thinking back to how Mephiston had forgiven him after the Butchery of Krasivya, Asmodeus elected to forgive him as well, and also pointed out that unlike his own actions, theirs had been done with some level of practicality in mind. He stated that he would forgive their atrocities, and urged his brothers to do the same. Asmodeus's words furthered the resolve of the Butchers, and opened the floodgates for their other supporters as well.

However, the old rift between himself and Raziel was opened again by his words, and Asmodeus found his brother taking the stage to recount the damage that Asmodeus's conduct had wrought during the campaign against the Beznadi. This hurt and angered Asmodeus, as he had hoped that Raziel had put the grievance behind them. Still, Asmodeus was filled with smug satisfaction when Lucifer sided with him and the others in the argument, overwhelming even the words of Azazel, which had almost convinced Asmodeus that he had been wrong.

Aftermath: The Rift Renewed
Following the Conclave after Ynoch and most of their other brothers had departed, both brothers sought one another out, each furious at the stance the other had taken. An argument between them broke out, as Asmodeus reprimanded Raziel for not recognizing the sacrifices that must be made in war and for the sake of the Dream, while Raziel scorned Asmodeus as an unthinking brute fit better for breaking down walls than building anything. That particular insult struck a nerve for Asmodeus, who flung himself at Raziel. Fortunately for the nearby landscape, they had all taken on Temporal form for the Conclave. As the two struggled, their brothers attempted to separate them. Gabriel had his skull caved in by an errant blow from Asmodeus, while Metatron's arm was broken as he tried to restrain Raziel. The fight was ended by Azrael, who had ascended to Elysian form rather than directly confront his physically superior brothers, conjuring shadows that pulled them both apart. Subsequently, Asmodeus stormed off angry and ashamed of himself, returning to his legion and rapidly pulling them out to begin the next campaign. As Ynoch had decreed that newly conquered realms would be governed by whatever legion had the firmest hand in bringing about their compliance, Asmodeus departed the realms of the Orishas without pressing any claims to their governance.

Post Fall
Presently, Asmodeus's form has diverged massively from what he once was. He retains his general humanoid shape, having a powerful, muscular body, and a set of retractable wings, but elsewise, he is greatly changed. Metallic spikes protrude from his elbows, and both his fingers and toes are tipped with black metal claws. His wings are dark, their edges sharp and razorlike, composed almost entirely of organic metal. Upon is head is mounted a pair of backward curving horns, and his face is positively ghoulish, with his nose having faded to the point that one can see through the nasal cavity and into the burning flames within Asmodeus's body. His mouth is also horrific, monstrously wide, and filled with jagged teeth of black iron. Within his maw, one can see emerald flame, which also glows dimly through the rest of his body, as when Asmodeus bleeds, fire comes out. Additionally, Asmodeus never wears armor anymore, as his flesh is now coated in organic metal of his own design.

Personality
The modern day Asmodeus is a far cry from the being that he once was. Where once he was a quiet, inquisitive youth, whose foremost desire was to build and invent great works, now, he is consumed by envy, bitterness, and a hopeless sense of being alone.

On the surface, Asmodeus comes off as furious and driven. His waking moments are spent brooding over all manner of slights, making battle plans to defend against his brothers and the other denizens of the Abyss, and contriving to fortify his holdings and designing new engines of destruction. He is gruff and short tempered, having little tolerance for any speech that is not short and direct, and often reacts to any form of bad news with rage that frequently turns violent.

As one might expect, Asmodeus is stern and unforgiving, and never lets an insult go unanswered, and is constantly unleashing torrents of verbal abuse with little provocation. His underlings find failure met with scorn if they are lucky, and beatings if they are not. Still, despite his unpleasant temperament, Asmodeus typically restrains himself sufficiently not to kill failures, as he retains a keen mind, and knows that failure is an excellent teacher.

Asmodeus's keen intellect has not dulled in his years in the Abyss. He still has a mind for logistics and invention, and takes tremendous sense of pride in building the realms he rules into indomitable fortresses, filled with the most devastating weaponry he can devise. If given the chance, he will boast of the mighty bastions he has constructed, and the foes he has ground to dust beneath his heel.

Along with his wits and his perverted love of building, Asmodeus has also maintained his legendary stubbornness, a trait that can matched by only a select few of his brothers. Once set on a goal, he will pursue it relentlessly. Once a decision is made, his intractability is legendary.

Yet despite all this, the chief emotion that dominates Asmodeus is loneliness. He is resentful, bitter, and envious, yes, but above all, he is alone. He has no one to share his accomplishments with. His brothers loathe or ignore him, and his soul-scions are too busy vying to rise through the ranks without rousing his ire to draw much affection from him. His greatest desire was always to do great things, and to be loved and admired for him. But now, there is little felt towards him but fear and hate, and that fact eats at his heart.

Ynoch
Asmodeus always wanted to make his father proud. Every grinding siege, every world razed, every fortress cracked open was all to earn his father's love and respect. Never once did he refuse any hardship, and when given a task, he would see it through to the end, all in the hopes of earning exaltation in the eyes of his father. Asmodeus never felt as though he received the recognition and praise he deserved from his father, and as such, steadily grew to resent him for how he lavished favors upon his other sons, especially Asmodeus's younger brother and one time protégé, Raziel. He was deeply wounded by what he perceived to be Ynoch taking him for granted. After his Fall, Asmodeus's thoughts towards his father have turned to almost pure bitterness. All the ideals Ynoch espoused, and all the pain he inflicted and endured to bring about his Dream were for naught, in his eyes. Yet also, he feels a tremendous sense of guilt in betraying his father, deep down in his core, beneath his bitterness and rage. All he wanted was to make his father proud, and bring his Dream into reality, but now, Asmodeus feels he is forever Ynoch's foe, with no way back to forgiveness.

Michael
Michael is one of the few brothers that fills Asmodeus with trepidation. Having served under him under one of the most brutal campaigns of the Angelic Conquest, Asmodeus was witness to the cold and calculated brutality Michael is capable of. Furthermore, unlike with many of his other siblings, Asmodeus is not confident in his ability to defeat Michael on the battlefield, and knows full well that he stands no chance against him as a warrior in one to one combat. However, Asmodeus believes it within his means to overcome Michael as a commander if not as a duelist, seeing such a confrontation as one of the greatest challenges he will ever have to face. As such, he is cautious of him, even somewhat fearful, but is completely willing to face him down one day. When that day comes, Asmodeus knows his status as one of the finest generals in Creation will be utterly unquestioned if he proves the victor. Still, he is not eager for it, both because he is wary of Michael's prowess, and because he is still haunted by betraying Michael and beating him to a pulp all those centuries ago.

Lucifer
Lucifer was a confidant and beloved mentor to Asmodeus as he was for most of their brothers. Asmodeus always appreciated that Lucifer's ear was ever open to him, that Lucifer frequently voiced the love and respect he held for Asmodeus, and that the Morningstar sought him out during his periods of isolation. When Lucifer called, Asmodeus would answer. When Lucifer began his rebellion, Asmodeus joined him, and as they Fell, the loyalty and desire to prove himself Asmodeus felt towards Ynoch shifted towards Lucifer. Yet the corruption of the Abyss has caused Asmodeus's bitter heart to sour even to the Lightbringer, and Asmodeus became convinced that Lucifer did not show him the respect and honor that he was due. Lucifer would still have his devotion, but not until the moment he rightfully acknowledged Asmodeus as his greatest general.

Raphael
Asmodeus once sought to emulate Raphael's strength, dauntless courage, and unflinching loyalty to their father in an effort to earn Ynoch's approval. However, he was always somewhat put off by how little affection Raphael showed to him, and how almost all their conversations involved lessons on duty and how loyalty was it's own reward. Still, Asmodeus took Raphael's lessons to heart, and strived to be as loyal as him, to never flinch from any hardship to emulate their father. After the Fall, Asmodeus's opinion on Raphael shifted, and he came to view him as nothing but a mindless sycophant, who had wasted himself on Ynoch.

Gabriel
Like most of his other brothers, Asmodeus had a good relationship with Gabriel. Though shy and quiet as a child, Gabriel was good at making him laugh, and the jokes and pranks directed towards him were gentler than those unleashed on their other brothers. Even as he grew sullen and bitter, Asmodeus still always found himself warmed by Gabriel's presence. He and many other of his Fallen brothers thought that Gabriel would have joined them, given his benevolent disposition, and regrets that he was not at their side when they stood against their father. For his part, Asmodeus believes that Gabriel, as one of the softest and most agreeable of the brothers, simply was swayed by the fact that he was in proximity to their Ascendant brothers, and as such, was bent to their will first.

Uriel
There are few brothers Asmodeus feels more betrayed by than Uriel. In his younger days, Uriel stood as a pillar in Asmodeus's eyes, alongside the likes of Lucifer and Azazel in his esteem and adoration. Uriel's enjoyment of combat rubbed off on Asmodeus as his brother trained him in the arts of battle, and of all the brothers who instructed him to fight, Uriel was his favorite teacher. Asmodeus wished that he could relish combat to the same degree as Uriel, but he could never find the same lust for battle. Uriel did introduce him to one of his deepest passions, however, when he instructed him in the mysteries of the forge, which Asmodeus was always grateful to him for. After the Fall, however, Asmodeus felt deeply betrayed by Uriel, as he had thought his brother would join him in righteous rebellion. Not only that, but when they first met on the field as foes, Uriel faced him alongside Raziel, Asmodeus's longtime rival, which lead Asmodeus to believe that Uriel had chosen Raziel over him, forsaking the love they had held for one another. There are few things that instill such rage and sorrow within him as hearing Uriel's name.

Azazel
Throughout his youth, Asmodeus admired and respected Azazel for his skill in crafting things of beauty, which Asmodeus emulated, and his skill in the social graces, which Asmodeus lacked. The two shared a passion in the arts and philosophy, though Azazel was open in flaunting his, whereas Asmodeus was quiet and reserved about his own. Their bond was further strengthened during the Great Pilgrimage together, as the brothers spent years side by side. However, a rift began between them, as they stood on opposite sides of The Conclave of (Home of the Devas). They drifted further apart in the subsequent years, as Asmodeus became more irascible and isolated, while Azazel became more prideful and haughty. However, they once again fought closely after they Fell together, though in the latter years, Asmodeus was horrified upon the corruption and degeneracy that came to dominate one of his once most beloved brothers. Bitter and hateful as he is in the modern day, the very thought of the twisted monster Azazel has become fills him with grief.

Abaddon
Asmodeus and Abaddon initially had little in common other than blood. Abaddon was bold and mercurial, Asmodeus quiet and contemplative. Still, Asmodeus respected Abaddon for his courage, unflinching loyalty to their father, and relentlessness in his pursuit of victory. They grew closer together during the initial years of the Angelic Conquest, for both were dogged in hounding foes and willing to engage in brutal warfare to bring battle to a swift end. Abaddon's skill in personal combat and Asmodeus's genius tactical skills complimented one another well, and the Seventh and Tenth Legions often worked closely together. However, as Abaddon and his legion descended further into butchery and violence, they grew apart, as Asmodeus thought his brother lacked discipline and envied the respect Abaddon held for his superior prowess as a warrior, believing self mastery should be valued more than mastery of weapons. After the Fall, Asmodeus's opinion of his brother frayed even further, and now he looks upon him as little more than a degenerate savage.

Gadreel
Asmodeus holds Gadreel in contempt, like nearly all his other brothers. Once, he respected his cunning and ingenuity, though he thought Gadreel's preferred methods of war prevented him from learning true grit like Asmodeus himself did. After the Fall, and Gadreel's subsequent flight from the Abyss, Asmodeus's feelings towards his brother turned to anger and contempt. In his eyes, Gadreel is a weak willed coward, whose years of waging war primarily through subterfuge resulted in his will breaking when faced with a true test of character. Still, no matter his scorn for the Whisperlord, Asmodeus has not forgotten the ties of blood and family that bind the two together.

Azrael
Of all his Ascendant brothers, Asmodeus fears Azrael the most. He was always vexed by his cunning and low tactics as they trained together as boys, though he came to appreciate Azrael's efficiency and pragmatism as they fought together in the Conquest. However, when they became enemies, and Azrael committed an unspeakable act of torture upon the very soul of their brother Azazel, Asmodeus came to fear the Lord of the Ninth. Azrael's ruthless use of stealth and assassination became the stuff of nightmares to the enemies of Eden, and Asmodeus lives in terror of Azrael one day stealing past his defenses and visiting the same pain upon him as he did Abaddon. In truth, he fears Azrael even more than their brother Mephiston, for unlike the Soulhaunter, Azrael is not driven by desire to cause suffering and elicit fear, but by a mind that is utterly cold and calculating.

Raziel
Raziel was once one of Asmodeus's closest brothers. Along with their younger brother Samael, they often worked together on various construction projects during their childhood. Asmodeus served as a mentor to Raziel during their younger years, and as they grew older, a friendly rivalry sprang up between them. But the seeds of enmity were planted when Raziel was made to perform the task of rebuilding their childhood home into a fortress, after Asmodeus initially failed to do so. After Asmodeus's brutal first campaign alongside Michael, he retreated into solitude, and Raziel, unbeknownst to Asmodeus, elected to give his brother space as they fought together against the Beznadi. Asmodeus, meanwhile, misinterpreted the move as a sign that Raziel did not care about his well being. The atrocity Asmodeus visited upon the realm of Krasivya drove a rift between them that never fully healed. Thereafter, their rivalry became fueled by anger and resentment, as Asmodeus threw himself towards the most grueling assignments in attempts to outdo his brother and earn their father's approval. As Raziel's less brutal combat doctrine and more open manner earned him more and more acclaim from their father and brothers, Asmodeus's resentment festered and turned to envy, then to hate. During the civil war that followed the Fall, Asmodeus's foremost goal was to humble and humiliate his brother, and to this day, he believes Raziel stole the love and adoration from their father and brothers that should rightly have been his. Yet still, somewhere deep down, Asmodeus knows his fate was wrought by his own design, and recalls the love he once felt for his younger brother, and laments the wonders that they should have built together.

Mephiston
Asmodeus once cared deeply for Mephiston, and is one of the key contributors to the Lord of the Twelfth's competence in logistics and administration, as well as justice, which he inspired by sharing with him old heroic tales from the library in Ynoch's palace. During the Angelic Conquest, Asmodeus and Mephiston initially drifted, as Asmodeus resented his brother for not seeking him out during his period's of isolation as they fought the Beznadi together. The bloody end of that campaign further drove a wedge between them, as Mephiston was vocal in denouncing Asmodeus's crimes. Ironically, Mephiston would eventually become just as harsh as Asmodeus himself had been that day, and then even more mindlessly brutal, which caused Asmodeus a great deal of worry. After the Fall, as Mephiston descended into madness and sadism, Asmodeus came to fear his brother for his terrifying insanity.

Bael
Asmodeus set Bael down the path to knowledge seeking in their childhood years, and into adulthood and throughout the Conquest, they remained quite close, both being rather scholarly and learned men. However, like so many other brothers, Bael was driven away from him during the The Conclave of (Home of the Devas), for Bael was the first one who had protested Abaddon and Mephiston's barbarity, while Asmodeus vindicated it. Still, Bael did reconcile with Asmodeus, and he too became a bit more harsh, as his obsession with knowledge and the mysteries of Creation grew. After their Fall, Bael grew even more reclusive then Asmodeus himself, and the Iron Lord has had little contact with his brother, only wondering what plots he hatches within his dark tower.

Samael
Asmodeus and Samael were quite close throughout their childhood, as both were quiet youths, and Samael found enjoyment in assisting Asmodeus and Raziel in various construction projects together. Asmodeus felt a great deal of sympathy with him at that time, for Samael was even more shy and antisocial than Asmodeus himself had been, and took great pleasure when he had the chance to take him under his and Raziel's wing. Asmodeus rapidly grew to respect Samael for his tenacity, perseverance, and stubborn refusal to give up. The pair bonded during the Conquest over the fact that they and their legions faced some of the most grueling battles in the Conquest, and received little praise for their deeds as a result of the methods they often employed. Both admired one another's prowess and grit, and their legions often worked together closely, both before and after the Fall. The two of them both became isolationist in the later years, though Asmodeus scorns his brother's plans to lay waste to all Creation, choosing instead to surround himself in mighty fortifications while Samael dreams of bringing all to ruin. Still, he cannot help but regret deep down the loss of the bond he once shared with his little brother, and all the lost dreams they once had of building together.

Metatron
Asmodeus and most of his other brothers always saw Metatron as the little baby brother. Metatron was always respectful and diplomatic, treating Asmodeus with honor, despite the fact that they disagreed on how to conduct war. They worked most closely together in administering to conquered realms, though as Asmodeus grew ever more consumed with trying to earn his father's approval by undertaking dangerous assignments, Metatron worked with him less and less. Still, Asmodeus was always protective of his youngest brother, and was quick to come to his defense in all things. After his Fall, Asmodeus laments the fact that Metatron is now his foe, and hopes fervently that they will not cross paths, as he does not wish to have to bring Metatron to ruin.

Powers
Asmodeus is a potent divine being, and had he not been through experiences which taught him to despise deities who lord over mortals, he could easily set himself up as a god. Like most beings of his power, Asmodeus has adept proficiency in most Divine Dominions. He possesses somewhat above average abilities in the Dominions of Thought and Sky compared to his peers, and like all of his Seraphim brothers, is a masterful wielder of the Dominion of Order. However, he is even more skilled in the Dominions of Earth and Fire, and possesses legendary proficiency in the Dominion of Forge, which is one of the primary reasons he is one of the most skilled craftsman of mystical weapons and devices in Creation.

Skills
Asmodeus, like all his brothers, was trained to wield weapons and lead warriors into battle since childhood. He is a skilled warrior, possessed of crushing strength and considerable endurance, but where he truly shines on the battlefield is not in personal combat, but in abilities as a general. A logistical mastermind, Asmodeus has a mind for supplies and where best to apply them, and is ferociously skilled at applying the firepower at his disposal to shatter enemy armies and fortifications. He is one of the finest commanders in Creation, standing shoulder to shoulder with many of his brothers, and other military paragons such as Athena and Horus.

Asmodeus is also a gifted craftsman and inventor. He has crafted many wondrous architectural, artistic, and technological designs, though since the Fall, beauty has been of little import to him. Furthermore, he is also one of the greatest blacksmiths in Creation, having forged such mighty magical weapons as Uriel's sword Wrathbringer, or Abaddon's battleaxe, Render. Furthermore, he has crafted many different forms of magical devices, having played a key role in assisting his father Ynoch in developing the World Engines to unite the realms, along with his brother Bael.

Stats
Power Level: 4

Traits
Strength: 12

Dexterity: 8

Endurance: 11

Intelligence: 11

Charisma: 8

Perception: 10

Skills
Academia: 10

Artistry: 10

Brawl: 8

Charm: 3

Command: 12

Craft: 12

Deception: 7

Empathy: 6

Intimidation: 9

Intrigue: 7

Leadership: 8

Marksmanship: 9

Medicine: 6

Melee: 10

Occult: 9

Performance: 4

Seduction: 2

Stealth: 6

Stewardship: 10

Survival: 5

Torture: 7

Banebreaker
Banebreaker is Asmodeus's primary weapon, a huge spiked mace forged by his own hand. When he picks it up, it becomes shrouded with dark green flames, which can be expelled from it in the form of a beam at will. Furthermore, the spiked ball of the mace can detach, held to the haft by a string of corporeal green fire, allowing Asmodeus to spin it around for the purpose of greater reach or to conjure deadly infernos with which to block projectiles or immolate his foes. When grasped by anyone whose divine essence does not match that of Asmodeus, or does not have his explicit permission to grasp it, Banebeaker will unleash a massive gout of fire in an attempt to obliterate anyone who attempts to wield it. Banebreaker has, through a combination of Thought and Forge, been imbued with an extremely rudimentary consciousness, making it loyal to Asmodeus, able to distinguish between his allies and enemies.