Seraphim, also referred to as angels, are beings from Eretz. They are characterized by a mostly humanoid appearance, save for a pair of fiery wings on their backs. The seraphim have been at war with the chimaera for centuries.
History[]
According to legends of Eretz, the universe was originally full of darkness, and was inhabited by creatures called the Gibborim who feasted on light and used the darkness to hide their ugliness. Eventually, a race of warriors learned about the Gibborim, and set out to defeat them. Once they defeated the Gibborim, they created all of the stars, and they created their children “the seraphim” in order to spread their light. The true home world of the seraphim is the adjacent world to Eretz called Meliz. Meliz harbored all known seraphim in its prime, but was eventually swallowed by the Cataclysm, causing survivors to flee to Eretz. Their memories were erased by the magi and they were told the story of the godstars in it's place.
Razgut, the fallen seraph and a grotesque creature, was once a beautiful angel. Razgut belonged to one of the many seraph tribes that inhabited the seraphim's home world, Meliz, long before the seraphim colonized Eretz. He was among the six selected Faerers by the magi to explore and map other worlds and carry their light across the Universe. Great monsters called Nithilam followed them back, and the Faerers returned to Meliz to warn their people. Despite the warning, only a few seraphim were able to escape to Eretz, by use of another portal, while the rest of the population, along with Meliz, were devoured by the monsters. Razgut and the other Faerers were charged with the blame and sentenced to exile. His wings were ripped out and his legs broken, before being thrown out through a portal that connected Eretz to Earth.
In the early days of the Empire’s first expansion, many centuries ago, the seraphim had come to what they viewed as a “wild land of primitive, hostile beast tribes and civilized and subdued it.” For example, they built massive aqueducts.
Characteristics[]
Almost all seraphaim save for the stelians, have an animosity with the chimaera races. They all have massive fiery wings on their backs and are known to be stunningly beautiful. Their wings easily span twelve feet, and every feather is its own lick of fire. Their flight is graceful and powerful. Because of the fire within them, seraphim can never get cold and don't understand why people shiver. They are typically white in complexion.
Society[]
The seraphim have discriminatory views concerning the chimaera, authority, and their own ideology that stem primarily from their own myth of creation and their ingrained, socially appropriated cultural values. Strict martial training from a young age instills a reverence for authoritarian figures as well as a unit-like mentality. Though such attributes are particularly important during times of war, this can cause a lack of growth in the culture as a whole as it suppresses the more artistically inclined population. Because of such respect for the authority of their leader, seraphim are taught not to question his assertions. It is for this reason that they unquestioningly wage war against the chimaera. More whimsical and personable aspects of society, including love and family, are downplayed and martial prowess is necessary in order to gain respect and climb in social status. Thus, physical coercion is essentially canonized and exalted above all other aspects of the society. The emperor's infamous words that were thundered from the heights of the Tower of Conquest is drummed into every seraph's consciousness, "The beasts must die." They are all beautiful to such an extent that physical appearance is next to meaningless among them.
The Empire's military force is divided into three legions. One of which is the Misbegotten, made up of Joram's bastard children. The elite legion is the Dominion, which is led by Jael. They wear white. The Second Legion is the largest by far of the Empire's forces, and is sometimes called the common army.
Groups[]
- Magi: Seraphim sorcerers, murdered by chimaera in the Warlord's uprising.
- Silverswords: Also called Breakblades; seraphim that guard Joram's palace. They are only chosen for their physical looks and not for their skills. They are eight feet tall.
- The Misbegotten: The third legion of the Empire's military force; made up of Joram's bastard children.
- The Dominion: The elite legion of the Empire's military force; led by Jael.
- The Second Legion: The largest of the Empire's forces; sometimes called the common army.
- Stelians: Race of seraphim who live in the Far Isles and still have magic.
- Chavisaery: Race of seraphim who were revered as prophets and were destroyed with Meliz.
- Faerers: A group of twelve seraphim chosen by the magi to explore other worlds. They broke into two smaller groups of six seraphim, one of which became the Fallen.
Language[]
Seraphim have their own language referred to as Seraphic, which Karou learned to speak using a Lucknow. Stelians are known to have a softer accent than other seraphim. They call those who appear sympathetic to the chimaera "beast-lover." It's the gravest insult one can give. Their language is susurrous, without hard consonants.
Known Vocabulary[]
| Seraphic | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Nithilam | The mayhem when is all is lost; opposite of sirithar. |
| Kata | A ritual performed by the seraphim used to center oneself and to achieve sirithar. |
| Sirithar | The state of calm in which the godstars work through the swordsman; opposite of nithilam. |
Known Seraphim[]
- Akiva
- Arieth
- Bethena
- Byon
- Carnassial
- Dvira
- Doria
- Eidolon
- Elazael
- Festival
- Hallam
- Hazael
- Hellas
- Iaoth
- Jael
- Japheth
- Joram
- Kala
- Kleos
- Liraz
- Melliel
- Nevo
- Nightingale
- Noam
- Razgut
- Scarab
- Stivan
- Yav
Trivia[]
- All seraphim have Hebrew names or names inspired through Abrahamic religions.[1]
- A phalanx of seraphim is made up of twenty blocks of fifty soldiers, totaling one thousand.
- Seraphim are referenced in Strange the Dreamer, as beings "who had come on wings of fire and cleansed the world of demons."[2]
- Use of the emperor's honorific is law.
