Uriel

"There is greatness to be found in war. The glory of facing a worthy foe. The courage of the soldier who overcomes his fear. The honor of fighting for a worthy cause, and the justice of toppling a despot. But never forget what it is we fight for."

-Uriel Flamebearer, Seraph of the Fifth Angelic Legion

Uriel is the Seraph of the Fifth Angelic Legion, the Heirs of Fury, and is one of the Ascendant Ynochim, who remained loyal to their father after the Fall of Lucifer and their other brothers. One of the greatest warriors in service of Eden, Uriel is also one of the most moral of his brothers, possessing a strong sense of honor and a disdain for those who harm the weak. Given that many of the false gods fall right into that category, Uriel was an implacable enemy to them, and to this very day, he is known as one of the most ferocious warriors within Creation.

Early Life
Uriel was the fifth born son of Ynoch to be crafted from the Prime. Like his older brothers, Gabriel and Raphael, he was brought on excursions from their father's palace by Lucifer, where he was given chances to interact with the mortal denizens of Eden. Cursed with a short temper, Uriel often got into fights with his siblings, and threw tantrums with minimal provocation, and was by far the rowdiest of all his brother growing up. This lead to many chastisements from his brother, Michael for his lack of self control, and for the fact that he often picked on his brothers, Gabriel, Azazel, and even little Gadreel. Worse still was the fact that his younger brother, Abaddon, worshipped him, and emulated his behavior. Uriel's father Ynoch pointed this fact out, and instilled in him the desire to master his feelings, but it was Lucifer who influenced events so that Uriel would be provided an outlet for his temper.

Vengeance for Bubbles
When Uriel was young, he and the brothers close to him in age often were shown about Eden by Lucifer, who showed them various spots within the realm. Uriel eventually came upon a large pond in one of Eden's jungles, where a huge fish resided, which he named Bubbles. Uriel would often feed Bubbles small animals, taking great delight as the enormous fish leaped out of the water to devour them. Unfortunately, Bubbles was eventually killed by a wandering tribe of mortals, who roasted him over a fire. When Uriel came upon them, they offered the child some of their food, invited him to sit by their fire away from the biting bugs, which sent the boy over the edge. The enraged young Seraph then slaughtered the entire tribe to avenge the death of his friend. This butchery prompted a fight with Gabriel, which resulted in the mountainside forest near their home suffering a significant wildfire. Despite being two years younger, Uriel bested his brother, and required the intervention of Lucifer to be pulled off of him.

Subsequent Chastisement
After their fight was interrupted by Lucifer, Uriel and Gabriel were brought before his father Ynoch for chastisement. Ynoch listened in silence as Lucifer explained what he knew of the altercation, before Ynoch asked Gabriel to recount his version of events. As Gabriel told their father that Uriel had murdered an entire tribe of mortals, and he had started a fight with him because of it, Uriel interrupted, shrieking that they had deserved it for killing his Bubbles. When Gabriel retorted that he was a stupid evil murderbully, Uriel tried punching him again, only for his fist to be barred by a wall of light conjured by his father, who sternly ordered Uriel to control himself, and to stop acting like a petulant toddler, which shamed Uriel into silence. Ynoch then told Lucifer and Gabriel to leave, and that he needed to have a private talk with Uriel.

Uriel squirmed beneath his father's gaze, and when asked to recount his version of events, he did so in a subdued and fearful manner. He could sense his father's anger, and feared what he might be punished with. Ynoch told Uriel how disappointed he was in him for killing the mortals in a fit of anger. Bubbles had been his friend, yes, but those mortals didn't know that, and they needed to eat, he said, and they had even offered him their food. Killing them had been wrong, Ynoch explained, and made very sure that Uriel understood why. He then explained to Uriel, that, in addition to being a horrid child, causing trouble for everyone who looked out for him, that he was also a coward and a bully, setting a horrible example for his younger brother Abaddon, who was often his partner in crime. Uriel was flabbergasted by this, but Ynoch rightly pointed out that Uriel never annoyed or picked fights with Michael, Lucifer, or Raphael since they had all put him in his place for trying. After hearing his father's condemnations, Uriel burst into tears, saying that he was sorry. After a moment, Ynoch embraced him, and told Uriel that while he accepted his apology, he wanted Uriel to do better, and informed him that he would still be punished for the incident with the mortals who'd eaten Bubbles.

Punishment and Development
Uriel later was told by Lucifer that he had convinced Ynoch and Michael that long grueling hours of combat training would be a good penance for his misdeed, as well as give him an outlet for all his energy and anger. Uriel was immensely grateful to Lucifer for what he had done, and gave him a hug, and promised that he would do his best to improve himself, an oath which Lucifer solemnly accepted and said he would hold him to.

As a result, Uriel began his training as a warrior at the age of seven, three years before Lucifer and Raphael had. This prompted Gabriel, who was nine, to join in as well, with Lucifer's help in convincing their father. Though Abaddon wanted to join as well, being five, Uriel told him he was too little, and had to wait. Abaddon was immensely disappointed, so Uriel beseeched Lucifer to ask their father if Abaddon could join them when he turned seven too. Lucifer agreed to broach the matter with Ynoch when the time came.

With an outlet to channel his fury, Uriel soon grew into a dedicated and ferocious fighter, becoming one of the foremost warriors amongst his siblings.

Maturation
Over the next few years, Uriel's combat training provided him an outlet for his temper, a vessel with which to channel his boundless energy. Additionally, Uriel made a tremendous effort to be nicer to his brothers, and even began to actively dissuade Abaddon from picking on them whenever he saw them doing so, though much of his time was now taken up by training. When Abaddon turned seven, he was allowed to partake in early combat training, thanks to Lucifer's advocacy, which allowed Uriel to see him more often.

Uriel also developed a talent for blacksmithing after receiving some instruction from Michael and his father, surpassing Michael's relative competence to become quite skilled at the art. In the art of personal combat, however, he was truly masterful. By the time he was an adult, only Lucifer and Abaddon equaled his skills, and only Michael surpassed them. Uriel spent the most time sparring against Abaddon, as they were evenly matched, and unlike Lucifer, Abaddon was not wont to employ arcane powers against him.

Due to his skill as a warrior, Uriel assisted in training many of his brothers how to fight. He was not as exacting as Michael, nor as intense as Abaddon, nor as encouraging as Lucifer. Uriel's training brought with it the joy he found in combat, which was felt by all the brothers who practiced beneath him, and his sense of humor ensured that sessions with him were always lively.

Mentoring Asmodeus
In addition to training his brothers to fight, Uriel also took over the role of instructing blacksmithing, with Michael acknowledging his superiority in the craft and allowing him to completely supervise any such instruction. Uriel recognized that Michael bore him some resentment for this fact, but eventually dismissed it. Of all his brothers, none prospered in the forge beneath Uriel's tutelage as Asmodeus did. The shy, quiet child found his calling in the forge, coming to completely surpass Uriel as a craftsman. Though initially Uriel was mildly jealous, he quickly got over it, and was very pleased that Asmodeus had found something which made him so happy.

The Nephilim Incident
Following the hidden birth of his nephew, Nephilim, Uriel was sought out by his brother Lucifer, in an attempt to convince him to join the coalition of Seraphim planning to persuade their father to be lenient on Azazel for breaking his edict against siring halfborn offspring. Uriel was shocked by Azazel's casual violation of one of their father's orders, but was initially persuaded by Lucifer's argument that, whatever Azazel's crime, the child he had fathered remained an innocent. While Uriel was in the midst of deliberating his course, he suddenly received a telepathic summoning from his father. Though Uriel heeded the call obediently, he still informed Lucifer that it was his father who had called him, and of the anger he sensed within the summoning.

Uriel found himself before his father alongside Abaddon, and was commanded alongside his brother to bring Azazel and his offspring before him. Uriel was concerned over the clear anger his father was displaying, but nevertheless agreed to carry out his will. On the way, he and Abaddon conversed about the fury Ynoch was immersed in. Abaddon revealed that Samael had come to him initially with the news, and Abaddon had convinced him to tell their father, lamenting his actions when Uriel described how Lucifer had approached him. Uriel was even more disturbed when Abaddon told him how Samael had defiantly refused to tell Ynoch where their brothers were, and how he had confined him to a cell in Temporal form for his defiance. Still, the brothers reassured one another that all would be well, and it was their duty to do as their father ordered.

The pair arrived and demanded that both Azazel and Nephilim come with them for Ynoch's judgement. Azazel refused, and Uriel feared that the situation would escalate to violence. He was all too eager to listen to Lucifer as he tried to calm the situation, and was relieved when Azazel stepped aside to allow Abaddon into the hut where the child was, after Abaddon tried to force his way in. Uriel's relief turned to fury when Azazel struck Abaddon from behind, cutting him in two with his sword. Outraged, Uriel called his own weapon forth and charged Azazel, beginning a duel that leveled much of the surrounding village. Lucifer joined in, though he focused his attention between defending Azazel from Uriel and trying to protect the village's inhabitants.

Despite his initial anger at the attack on Abaddon, Uriel's heart was not really in the fight. He had seen how furious his father was, and feared the punishment he might levy against Azazel and his son. As his anger cooled and his concern rose, Uriel's onslaught halted, allowing Lucifer to cut off his arm. Though he could have fought through the injury, Uriel took the opportunity to take himself out of the fight. He watched unmoving the subsequent arrival of Michael, and the duel he fought against Lucifer and Azazel, as well as the moment when Ynoch himself appeared, ended the fight, and took Nephilim into custody, while his two rebellious sons were confined.

After Lucifer and Azazel were imprisoned, Uriel and his other brothers were commanded never to speak of what had happened again to anyone. To his surprise, however, Uriel was informed some weeks later by Michael that they had been granted to permission by their father to speak to both Azazel and Lucifer, to resolve the situation once and for all. Uriel and Abaddon first visited Azazel in his confinement, in an attempt to apologize to him, but were shouted away before they could even speak. They next followed with a visit to Lucifer. To Uriel's relief, the Morningstar heard out both of their apologies and accepted them. But when Lucifer asked what had become of their young nephew, Uriel could only state that he did not know. Lucifer put forth the idea that Ynoch had simply placed the child to be raised somewhere else, which Uriel latched on to eagerly.

Conclave of Shangri La
Uriel was in the midst of a campaign against the Kami pantheon alongside his brothers, Metatron and Raphael, when they received messages from their brother Azazel, calling the Seraphim together. The matter that was to be discussed was the Atrocity of Kyrat, perpetuated by their brothers, Abaddon and Mephiston, who were steadily becoming known as the Two Butchers. Uriel, for his part, was disgusted and outraged by the reports he received, and declared hotly that he would go to Azazel's Conclave and see their brothers brought to justice. Metatron too, he was pleased to see, shared his feelings, though of course they were better controlled. When Raphael offered to take command of their host while Uriel and Metatron went to the Conclave, Uriel was all too willing to accept. As fate would have it, their father directly ordered that all his sons attend.

The Conclave of Shangri La began with testimony from the mortal victims of the Butchers' massacre. Uriel was among the loudest voices among his brothers which screamed out condemnation against the Butchers during the testimony. Gabriel, the most gentle of all the Seraphim, was driven to such fury that he struck Abaddon in the face. When Mephiston responded by telepathically stunning him, Uriel, hot blooded as ever, joined to support Gabriel by slamming Mephiston to the ground, only for Samael to tackle him from behind. Their fight was ended by the angry intercession of Ynoch, who commanded them all to cease acting like children and control their emotions. Uriel quieted for the moment, though his anger had not truly abated.

The meeting was adjourned for the day, and Uriel and his brothers were confined to the quarters they had erected, seething all the while. The following day was much the same, as the gods who had been tortured at Mephiston's hands recounted their experience.

Judgement
The day after, when the time came for judgement of the Two Butchers, Uriel was the first to attempt to take the stage. Though initially blocked by Raphael from doing so unbidden, Ynoch allowed him to be the first to speak. What passed from Uriel's lips was verbal manifestation of his anger and revulsion, and he scathingly denounced his brothers as honorless cowards, better suited to murdering mortal children than fighting gods. This jibe was aimed particularly at his brother Abaddon, who shared so much in common with him. It had the desired effect, almost provoking Abaddon to attack him, only to be restrained by Raziel and Samael.

Mephiston took the stage alongside Uriel moments later, speaking in defense of the actions he and Abaddon had taken. When he pointed out that on his very first campaign, Uriel had annihilated the entire Shen pantheon alongside Lucifer, the Flamebearer was infuriated, shouting that they had only brought righteous justice to tyrannical gods, and had not targeted the mortals. His brother Asmodeus had to restrain him from striking Mephiston. Uriel was pacified when his father angrily declared that the next one to attempt violence would be bound in chains, leading Uriel to seethe as Mephiston continued.

Uriel heard Gabriel's short and simple rebuke of the Butchers that followed with satisfaction. To his horror and shock, however, Asmodeus next spoke up to defend the Butchers. Even worse was when more brothers, including the combative minimalist, Azrael, followed Asmodeus in his support, a fact which left Uriel to bewildered and enraged to even speak. No testimony angered him more than Raphael's, who he had just spent months fighting alongside. Still, Uriel was assured to see that many more had not taken the easy road, and still stood with him and Gabriel against the atrocities that had been committed. When Uriel heard Azazel's grand speech, he was certain that justice would be served, and the one to deliver it would be Lucifer, among his most beloved brothers.

Small wonder than that Lucifer's next act struck him dumb, when, rather than utterly condemning the Butchers as Uriel had expected, he said that he supported their right to use their legions as they chose.

Aftermath
When Ynoch departed after the Conclave, Uriel stormed after his brother Raphael, who was to bear the initial brunt of his anger towards the siblings who had sided against him. Metatron had anticipated him doing so, and intercepted him first, attempted to abate his brother's anger as best he could. Not one to be dissuaded, Uriel confronted Raphael, roaring at him for his cowardice and support of the barbarism perpetrated by the Butchers. Metatron managed to calm the argument and prevent it from erupting into a brawl, reminding them that whatever their differences, they still had a war to finish. Anger still simmering, Uriel grumbled his agreement, before storming off.

Uriel shortly thereafter was enlisted by his brother Azazel to help him find Lucifer, and demand answers for his conduct. Uriel himself had planned on confronting the Morningstar, and agreed to lend his skills as a tracker to the cause. The two of them found Lucifer in Kyrat, bestriding the cities that had been brought to ruin by their Butcher brothers. While Azazel unleashed a withering condemnation of Lucifer's actions, Uriel was more direct, taking the Lightbringer by the shoulders and shaking him as he furiously demanded why Lucifer had stood in support of their siblings' actions. Lucifer snapped that no, he did not support what they had done, but he did not feel it was his right to give them commands. He was not their father, nor was he some god who thought he knew best and that all should obey him unquestioningly. Uriel contemplated his brother's words, as Lucifer tiredly admonished Azazel for his overconfidence, and Uriel for having let his temper get out of control so many times during the Conclave. Uriel realized that Lucifer was right, and he had not been thinking clearly during the proceedings, consumed with anger at the injustice that had been wrought. Feeling lost, Uriel asked Lucifer what he thought they should do in the battles to come. The Lightbringer answered that they do whatever they thought was right, before asking them to leave him to his thoughts. The pair did as he requested, but Uriel was deeply concerned by how troubled and drained Lucifer had seemed. Still brimming with worry, Uriel went in search of consultation from one more person: His father.

He found Ynoch laboring upon a new World Engine in Hara Berezaiti, a world that had been previously conquered by Azazel and his Sixth Legion. Uriel's arrival was greeted by a warm embrace, but his father saw at once that he was distraught. Uriel admitted that he was, explaining his disagreement with the actions his brothers had taken, and asked why Ynoch had decreed that the legions would now be able to rule the worlds they conquered as they wished, voicing his concern over what would befall them. Ynoch inquired if the trust he had placed in his sons when he gifted them their legions was misplaced, and asked if Uriel thought Ynoch ought to take command over the legions whose leaders Uriel did not approve of. Uriel replied that he did not wish to question his father's will, but that he thought that their behavior should be better. In answer, Ynoch's demeanor softened, and told Uriel how proud he was of him for speaking his mind, rather than simply take the easy path and remain silent, which filled Uriel with pride. Yet Ynoch also told his son that Abaddon and Mephiston, unlike the False Gods they fought against, had not undertaken their actions out of spite or cruelty, but out of the genuine belief that their deeds would save more lives in the future. He revealed that Abaddon had even come to him asking for forgiveness, and Ynoch had told him that it was not required, for Abaddon's deeds had been done out of loyalty to his father and the Dream. Ynoch reminded Uriel that the nature of war was brutal and cruel. Though the actions had taken at Kyrat were more ruthless than most, it was possible that the terror they inspired would cause future foes to surrender without bloodshed. The final words his father gave Uriel was a reminder that above all, his brothers were still his family. He had their ears and hearts, and that if he disagreed with them, rather than shunning them, he should try to convince them of a better way.

Physical Appearance
Uriel is the second tallest of his brothers, possessed of a broad, powerful physique. Like several of his siblings, he possesses black hair, which he usually wears somewhat long, though in contrast to most of his siblings, he usually sports a beard of some sort. He is also the hairiest of his brothers, and it has been joked that the fact is the true source of his nickname "The Great Bear of Eden". Much of Uriel's body is also marred by numerous scars, trophies taken from the foes he has battled through the ages. Uriel's eyes are a bright orange in coloration, and blaze with the intensity of a bonfire.

Personality
Uriel, despite his reputation as one of the most ferocious of all the Seraphim, is in fact among the more righteous of his brothers. He has a strong sense of honor, holding to every oath he makes, and expecting others to do the same. Uriel also despises individuals who abuse those who are weaker than themselves, which contributed greatly to his hatred of the false gods he and his brothers warred against. Uriel is also firmly against unnecessary bloodshed, usually doing his best to avoid harming noncombatant civilians when he fights, a fact which resulted in rifts between him and the brothers whose tactics resulted in high casualties and civilian deaths.

All morals aside, Uriel's blood runs hot, and he lives for the thrill of battle and the satisfaction of bringing down a worthy foe. His temper is tremendous when unleashed, blazing like a great inferno that burns down all in its path, but like fire, it burns out quickly. While it is easy to anger or slight him, he usually forgives most wrongs just as quickly, and fully recognizes the dangers of his temper. Unlike some of his brothers, he is not prone to bearing grudges. Uriel is also more than just a warrior. He also greatly enjoys time outside battle, preferring to spend it in roaring laughter, telling jokes and recounting slightly exaggerated tales of his own exploits.

Uriel's hot blood works to his detriment in that he has no patience for the dull, for he thrives on excitement He has no tolerance whatsoever for the tedium of rule or administration, which manifested itself during the conquest as he spent very little time in the worlds he conquered.

Lucifer
Uriel had an extremely close relationship with Lucifer before his fall. In their youth, Lucifer was always available as an ear for his grievances and fears, and that continued well into adulthood. To Uriel, Lucifer was a mentor, a rival, and the closest of friends. They fought side by side together in countless battles in the name of their father's Dream, shared even more laughs with one another, and each brother trusted the other absolutely. As a result, Uriel was devastated by Lucifer's fall, more than almost any of his other brothers. He was enraged and confused, wondering how Lucifer, a brother he had so looked up to, could betray them all. And in so wondering, Uriel questioned if he himself could resist falling, if Lucifer himself had. As such, when they met for the first time after the Fall, Uriel unleashed the fury Lucifer had helped him tame in their youth, and shattered the sword, Glory, that he had gifted to his brother. The anguish of Lucifer's betrayal has not faded in all the centuries since he fell.

Powers
Uriel, like many powerful Primal beings, holds basic mastery over most of the Divine Dominions. He is a fairly skilled wielder of the Dominion of Aura, employing it to invigorate his own forces and to strike terror into his enemies. He is also competent in the Dominions of Sky, and Earth. Uriel is quite well versed in Order and Light, but his greatest mastery is over Fire.

Skills
Uriel is a competent tactician and a passable strategist, experienced in commanding armed forces. However, his true calling is at the head of an army, in the thick of battle. He is a master of melee combat, and is a juggernaut on the battlefield, capable easily crashing through enemy armies and dominating foes in duels. In fields other than war, unfortunately, he leaves a deal to be desired.

Notable Equipment
Wrathbringer: His sword

Stats
Power Level: 4

Traits
Strength: 11

Dexterity: 10

Endurance: 11

Intelligence: 8

Charisma: 10

Perception: 12

Skills
Academia: 6

Artistry: 3

Brawl: 10

Charm: 5

Command: 10

Craft: 10

Deception: 4

Empathy: 6

Intimidation: 10

Intrigue: 3

Leadership: 10

Marksmanship: 7

Medicine: 8

Melee: 12

Occult: 7

Performance: 5

Seduction: 4

Stealth: 8

Stewardship: 3

Survival: 12

Torture: 4