Samael

"Every conflict is nothing more than a contest of wills. The moment your opponent's will breaks, and they give in to despair, victory is yours."

-Samael Ruinstorm, Lord Seraphim of the Fourteenth Angelic Legion

Samael is the fourteenth son of Ynoch, and the Seraph of the Fourteenth Angelic Legion, the Doomguard. One of the Fallen Seraphim, Samael followed his brother Lucifer and his other brothers in rebellion against their father. Ever dour and reclusive, centuries within the Abyss have twisted him into a being of pure hatred and malice, whose foremost desire is to bring the world around him to utter ruin. Known for his relentlessness and unforgiving nature, Samael's name is still feared by those who were crushed beneath his heel in the Angelic Conquest.

Early Life
Samael was born the fourteenth out of fifteen brothers, the eldest of which were already well into manhood at the time of his birth. He felt that he had a great deal to live up to, being possessed of so many highly accomplished older brothers. As a result of this fact, young Samael was initially extremely shy, to the point of introversion, thinking of himself as utterly inferior to his siblings, and afraid of trying his hand at any of the skills they had already mastered, sure he would embarrass himself. As such, during his first years Samael often would seek out seclusion, often necessitating that his brothers search for him.

When he had a chance to be alone, however, Samael found a great enjoyment in building things with his hands. This fact was discovered by Gadreel when Samael was four, who brought it to the attention of Azazel. The Sixthborn of Ynoch then decided to bring Samael out of his comfort zone, convincing him to accompany Azazel to speak with their brothers, Asmodeus and Raziel, whose main pastime together was building things. Though shy, Raziel and Asmodeus were both warm and accommodating to him, and with Azazel's encouragement, he gradually came into his own with them. When a tower he had built by himself was shown to his father Ynoch, who praised the work as a mighty construction, Samael felt pride for the first time. Together, he, Raziel and Asmodeus became a close knit trio, dubbed the Pyramid by their brother Gabriel, both for their numbers and their love of construction.

When it came to the lessons in battle that all of Ynoch's sons went through, Samael demonstrated himself to be utterly relentless and enduring. He was one of the only one of his brothers who actually sought to train under Abaddon, whose brutal regimens led most of their other siblings to shun training with him in favor of Michael or Uriel whenever possible. Samael, conversely, was stubborn to a fault, and thrived under Abaddon's harsh guidance, becoming one of the most resilient of all their siblings with his help.

Battle Training
"If you can keep as tough as you just did, Sam, you'd best start training with me."

-Abaddon to Samael

As was tradition for the sons of Ynoch, Samael began training in the arts of war at the age of ten. Michael presided over the event, but Ynoch and several of Samael's other brothers, also doing their daily training, were also present. Among the number were Asmodeus, Raziel, Mephiston and Bael, all still in the process of training, as well as Uriel and Abaddon, those who enjoyed fighting best. Metatron was also present, observing with their father upon the balcony that overlooked the training sands.

After he was instructed in the basics, Michael offered Samael the chance to challenge a brother of his choice during his first duel. Samael's fellow members of the Pyramid, both veterans of the training grounds for several years, had previously explained to him all the battle capabilities of their other brothers.

Most expected Samael to challenge one of the brothers who were closest to him in age, such as Bael or Mephiston, in the hopes of fighting an opponent closer to his level. But with Ynoch watching, Samael was determined to demonstrate his courage before his father. As such, he picked a brother who was not only among the most skilled warriors, but also the most ferocious and unrelenting: Abaddon.

Samael's choice was shocking, but the outcome that followed was not. Samael was mercilessly slashed and pummeled into submission by Abaddon's unyielding viciousness, having his sword arm cut off by his older brother. While several observers berated Abaddon for being so brutal with Samael during his first time, Michael silenced them, declaring the fight was not over: Samael was getting up. Bloodied, battered, and missing a limb, Samael stubbornly refused to submit, despite the tremendous pain he was in. Annoyed, Abaddon disarmed and decapitated Samael, destroying his Temporal form. Yet no sooner had Samael's body dissolved than he had formed a new one, and demanded that Abaddon turn back to face him. Two more times Samael was struck down, yet each time, he returned to take up the challenge again. The third and final time, Ynoch intervened, and told Samael how proud he was of him for refusing to give up, in front of all his gathered brothers. A cheer, started by Bael, rang out among the observers, and Samael received further praise from them. Even Abaddon was impressed, and asked Samael to continue training with him, if he was willing to continue being so tough. Beaming with pride, Samael agreed. It was one of the happiest moments of his life.

Pre-Fall
Before his form and mind was twisted by the Abyss, Samael appeared as a huge, very pale skinned man, with a broad, bulky physique, covered in heavy muscle. Though not clumsy, grace was something his form distinctly lacked. Samael's features bore a strong resemblance to those of his brother Raziel, being square and blocky, carved as if from a stony mountainside. The color of his hair was close to Raziel's as well, but Samael's was a paler shade of white, and always kept short. His eyes, by contrast, where a pale, icy blue, while his wings where light grey-blue in coloration.

Post-Fall
After enduring centuries of Abyssal corruption, Samael's body has been warped considerably. While he retains his height, his physique has become thin and gaunt. His flesh has become bone white to match his hair, which now flows unchecked down to his shoulders. Hideous spikes, like black shards of ice, sprout from his limbs, the growths nearly completely covering his calves and forearms. Both his fingers and toes are tipped with repugnant claws. Samael's wings have distorted as well, having become batlike, the joints tipped with long black spikes, the membranes a moody blue in coloration. A small portion of his wings, where they sprout from between his shoulders, retain their previous form, a bitter reminder of who he once was. Lastly, a pair of sideways reaching horns sprout from Samael's head, and his eyes now continually burn with a pale blue light, like icy stars.

Personality
One of Samael's foremost traits has always been persistence. When he is set to a task, he pursues it relentlessly. When he has formed an opinion, he clings to it stubbornly. He is by far the most stubborn and intractable of all his brothers, surpassing even Asmodeus in his obstinacy. Add on the fact that he is savagely blunt, terse, and notoriously uncharming, and it is easy to see why he is the least socially adept of all his siblings.

One of the primary sources of Samael's iron will and utter relentlessness is rooted in the fact that, at heart, he has always had something to prove. Growing up the shadow of so many accomplished brothers, one of Samael's deepest desires was to measure up to them, and be counted as an equal, even to stand at the forefront of their ranks in prominence. The method he sought to use to achieve this was to mark himself out as utterly implacable, and so he has. The Ruinstorm has always taken great pride in his strength of body and spirit. in his endurance, and the fact that he is one of the most unswayable beings in all Creation.

In line with his unbending nature, Samael is an individual who is not one for forgiveness or second chances. Many worlds and gods who stood against him have learned that to their sorrow. Mercy is a rarity and him, as is forgiveness, usually only reserved for those closest to him, and none other. Centuries in the Abyss, however, have burned even that down to almost nothing. Now, even his own brothers will not be exempt from his numerous plans of vengeance.

Vengeance and hate are ever on Samael's mind, these past centuries. He despises most everything. The false gods, who are allowed to remain in power, even though it is less power than they once had. The mortals that Samael and his brothers once thought to free, ignorant and ungrateful of the sacrifices they once made. The lie of the Dream, and what it promised. The brothers who stood with his treacherous father against him. The brothers who convinced him to rebel against his father, only to fracture and degenerate into madness and squabbling among themselves. And of himself. Himself most of all.

Samael despises the wretched creature he has become. Once, long ago, he was a builder, who wanted nothing more than to help his brothers fill the world with great works. Once, he had respect for the lives of all those who toiled and endured hardship for a greater cause. He admired strength and grit in every form, especially from the meek and humble. Samael was deeply compassionate towards those of low station, seeing in them kindred spirits to how he once felt among his brothers. He was also greatly protective over those he considered weak, believing it was the duty of the strong to bear the burden of defending those who could not defend themselves.

Now, he finds such ideals amuse him at best. Any creature who believes in a higher calling, and works to better the lives of others is naught but a deluded fool in his eyes.

Creation is naught but despair and misery and pain. That is what Samael has discovered in the Abyss. And it is his foremost goal to teach the world that lesson. Always, when he fought a foe, his need to prove himself led to a need to dominate and break his enemy. Now, his enemy is Creation and life itself. Creation must be broken. All of its wonders and works reduced to a broken ruin.

Just as he himself has been.

Stats
Power Level: 4

Traits
Strength: 11

Dexterity: 7

Endurance: 13

Intelligence: 9

Charisma: 9

Perception: 8

Skills
Academia: 8

Artistry: 7

Brawl: 8

Charm: 2

Command: 10

Craft: 9

Deception: 3

Empathy: 5

Intimidation: 10

Intrigue: 5

Leadership: 6

Marksmanship: 6

Medicine: 8

Melee: 10

Occult: 6

Performance: 2

Seduction: 2

Stealth: 8

Stewardship: 10

Survival: 6

Torture: 8