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Ack. Damnit, worldbug. Came to me in the shower, probably because of all the discussion on the list. Backwards IN, except not really. All the standard IN mechanics are the same, but written a little Dark, and it assumes more flexibility for celestials than they might really have, in canon. God is still good, it's just the angels who have become screwed up...
The first subtle departure from IN canon happens after the Trial of Michael, in 1580 B.C. When God pardoned the First Seraph, Dominic withdrew from the Host for a time of contemplation to reflect on the meaning of God's intervention. He thought about the sin of Pride, about the Rebels, and about all the terrible losses humanity and Heaven had suffered from the demons. When we returned, he made a small alteration to Heavenly Law: Pride was no longer a sin, as long as it was Pride taken in the destruction of the enemies of God. Originally, the 'enemies of God' included only demons. As the pagan religions became more and more of a burden, however, this was extended to Ethereals and their worshippers. Warriors and battle-inclined angels rode a rising star, seeking out and destroying demonic and ethereal influences where they could be found. The angels as a whole became more offensive than defensive.
For various reasons, Zadkiel never became the Archangel of Protection...defensively-minded Words started to be granted less and less often by the Seraphim Council, to the dismay of Novalis and David. The former Cherub begins fostering ever more defensive cults and gangs on the corporeal plane, attempting to help humans band together against demonic influences...this backfires, as (helped by Malphas), these gangs use their strength to oppress others. Novalis, meanwhile, finds herself more at odds with the rest of the Council. She persuades Eli to intervene several times on direct behalf of Jesus Christ, hoping that his message of love and peace will spread. She considers the effort a failure with the Savior's death, and becomes despondent.
Yves attempts to turn Heaven from the growing mindset of Pride and cold cruelty in the name of God, but Michael resists, violently, on what he percieves as an attack on his Word. After several scuffles on the Corporeal Plane, he demands that Judgement try the Archangel of Destiny and all his Servitors for giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Dominic brings Yves to trial, with a heavy heart. Yves pleads guilty to sheltering demons from War's wrath, and to deliberately attempting to undermine War's operations on earth. He offers no defense for his actions except, "The proper lesson remains unlearned." Destiny is confined to a room in the Council Spires, and all of his Servitors have their vessels recalled. From now on, they are restricted to shepherding the Blessed Souls, and offering advice to the other angels on how to bring humans to their destiny on earth. They are forbidden, one and all, from having any contact with demons.
Yves never sends Gabriel to dictate the Koran. Gabriel still recieves the directive from God, but as Yves' version of the Koran is never revealed by the Library, there is no Trial for Heresy. Khalid begins to rise to power as a consummate demon hunter among the Islamic nations. The Elohite has a gift for inciting the faithful to scourge demons and ethereals from their midst. Gabriel becomes troubled...the increasingly warlike Heaven is starting to edge towards cruelty, but the loyal Archangel does not know how to stop it. He remains the Host's premiere courier.
The Purity Crusade begins. The Marches are devestated as Uriel and his Servitors sweep through. Unlike in canon, there is no call before Council, for the Crusade has nearly the unanimous support of the other Archangels. Novalis is the notable dissenter, with Gabriel abstaining. It is finally Blandine who ends the Crusade...in full angry Cherub mode, she uses a tremendous surge of power (felt in all areas of the Marches and most of Heaven and Hell) to completely /block/ the Heaven-Marches Tether in her tower. She orders her Servitors to mind-kill any angel found in the Marches who is not personally authorized by her. The Purists, unsuspecting of an attack from other angels and not as strong Ethereally as the Dreamers, as cut down in droves. Uriel splits his remaining forces and attempts to lay siege to the tower. Already damaged from fighting gods and spirits, he is no match for Blandine, and is torn apart. Blandine releases the dregs of his forces, including the Angel of the Sword, Laurence, to return to Heaven and carry her warning: The Host is no longer welcome in the Vale, if they come with weapons in hand. Beleth sends her first messenger to Blandine, believing the Cherub nearly ready to join her at last.
Blandine is declared Outcast by the Seraphim Council. God, for reasons of his own, does not invest any other Archangel with the title of Commander, and thus Michael reassumes that title on his own. He lays out new Articles of War, outlining what now counts as giving aid and comfort to the demonic enemy. Dominic, although troubled, believes Michael has the favor of God and that his Pride is justified. He makes the Articles into Heavenly Law. The Articles make it increasingly difficult for any candidates for Redemption to be evaluated. Redemptions fall off in the next few centuries, and by 900 A.D., have stopped altogether within Heaven proper. As this happens, the number of Cherubim in Heaven starts to decrease...fewer are made, and more are disappearing.
900 A.D.: Novalis Outcasts herself, along with all of her Servitors who wish to follow her. Pursued to earth by Warriors, many of the peaceful angels are murdered or driven into Falling. It is noted by Jean that Flowers had spent a large amount of time with Yves before going Outcast. Destiny's visitation rights are suspended while the evidence is weighed. They are never returned. In Hell, about this time, Kronos appears as the Prince of Fate.
Legion goes mad, and Dominic and Asmodeus negotiate a highly delicate truce in order for Heaven and Hell to unite to destroy the Shedite. Lucifer is present at the last battle of the war, but does not intervene, and Raphael sacrifices herself to destroy the Prince of Corruption. Immediately, Michael's forces turn on the demons and slaughter quite a few of them...including the demon Haagenti, already wounded from the fighting. For reasons known only to himself, Kobal is observed to spend the next few months in Hell laughing and weeping. Dominic manifests his first level of Discord.
Lucifer goes missing. He is not seen again for nearly 500 years. He reappears in 1500 A.D., and destroys Kronos, before visiting each of the remaining Demon Princes, privately. After this meeting, Beleth makes her way, physically, to the White Tower, and up to Blandine's room. Outwardly, at least, the Archangel and Demon Princess reconcile to guard the Marches and its dreamers from Michael's forces. Kobal and Malphas are observed to change their dissonance conditions...older demons notice that Kobal's new dissonance is /much/ closer to Laughter than Dark Humor. Baal's operations remain unchanged, but the Prince of the War and the Prince of Darkness are observed beating Belial up one side of Sheol and down the other. After this 'reeducation', the Prince of Infernal Fire shifts his focus onto Michael, and /away/ from innocent people. Baal keeps close eye on him. Saminga figures out which way the wind is shifting, and unwilling to reform, flees to the Corporeal, along with many of his Servitors. Asmodeus and Baal make hunting down Servitors of Death a secondary priority, and whittle the numbers down. The change of emphasis in Hell is formally named the 'Reformation'. The damned are released, by Lucifer's orders, from torture and soul-death, but are largely confined to the Lower Hells. They are still tapped for Essence, just in nicer ways, and the few who seem more useful than dangerous are allowed to assist in the rebuilding and fortification of Hell. The new focus of the War: Depose Michael and the other War-faction angels, restore Yves, Blandine, and Novalis to Heaven. It is rumored, although Lucifer does not confirm, that the Lightbringer attempts to try Redemption himself, once this task is accomplished.
Vapula is elevated to Prince, but is a feverent Reformist. Andrealphus is seen to take Blandine and Beleth's reconciliation, however tentative and fragile it is, badly. He shows signs of dissonance and Discord, but refuses aid from Lucifer. His Servitors likewise begin to display caring attitudes and serious dissonance. Alaemon is raised to Prince of Secrets, and works on covert operations to try and undermine Heaven, and make contact with the elusive Novalis for the purposes of an alliance.
Nybbas rises with the invention of television. The Media sets itself as Creation's rival, drawing Eli's ire. The term 'ratings war' has never been more appropriate, and much of the gang violence in L.A. can be traced to either the Demon Prince or the Archangel striking at one another.
As the situation stands, the War is considerably hotter than it is in canon. Angels are less concerned about human casualties, especially anyone who even /might/ be Hellsworn. Heaven doesn't really care about humanity, except where they provide useful leverage in the War...Blessed Souls are treated with distracted kindness, but no real attention, except by the frustrated legions of Destiny angels. Saints are far easier to become but fewer in number, and more involved in the war...most Archangels treat them as special shock troops, now, for eliminating pockets of Hellsworn. Many humans are put off by this, and few apply for second lives. Hell no longer makes Undead, /except/ for Saminga and his minions. However, Hell no longer kills off Soldiers who start to become powerful, either, and they go for a better class of people, these days. Many of their recruiters focus on good people, and don't require damnation...Heaven is still a reasonably nice place for humans to be, for now, and any good people who are damned are just going to get swept up at the gates by Final Justice, anyhow. Hell still is willing to take a more varied and dark group of people...these days, Heaven is even more picky about who they allow to serve in life. A quick breakdown:
Heaven
Michael - Commander of the Host, leader of Heaven. Proud and furious, Michael has become cruel in his determination to strike down rebellion. His 'no surrender' philosophy has become a doorway to fanaticism, and any demon or Hellsworn meeting a Warrior is quickly cut down. Laurence now serves him.
Dominic - Head of the Divine Inquistion. Dominic holds deep doubts about Michael's method of running the War, and regrets the loss of Yves and of Redemptions. But he believes, ever since God pardoned the First Seraph, that Michael is closer to God's Will than he, himself.
Gabriel - Heaven's courier. Still male-aspected, Gabriel is Dominic's devoted follower...their Servitors often work in concert. He never took the mantle of God's Wrath from Jean, and his angels work primarily on inspiring people to follow Michael and on coordinating the War effort.
Eli - The Archangel of Creation regrets the loss of Novalis and Blandine, but has never forgiven Hell for what he sees as their part in the corruption of the Grigori. His Servitors work most closely with Stone, hunting down the remainder of the Watchers, and with Marc, supplying relics and supplies for the troops.
David - David encourages gangs and mobs to wipe out any demonic, or supposed demonic, influence within their midst. He feels doubt in his heart, and has since Yves was locked away, but refuses to speak or act against the rest of the Council.
Janus - Janus has embraced chaos above all. His servitors are feared throughout Hell, and if the humans knew about them, they'd fear them, too. They sweep into a town and destroy all Infernal elements with no regard for stealth or subtlety...when Malakim of Janus come together, they often boast about Disturbance totals from killing Hellsworn.
Jean - The Archangel of Lightning has retained the mantle of God's Wrath. He is proud and ruthless, cutting down Infernal projects even at the cost of innocent lives. He doesn't truly believe that humanity is capable of much, and will spend time scrutinizing /any/ innovation, no matter how small or helpful, for signs of infernal tampering. If he finds any hint of it, the innovation is brutally suppressed.
Jordi - Jordi remains an Archangel on the fringe. He secretly aids Novalis as much as he can, and has become her ears and eyes on the Seraphim Council. All the same, he doesn't really see anything wrong with taking the fight to the demons, and does not trust any protestations of 'reformation' on Hell's part.
Marc - Marc remains in Heaven as a voice of moderation, but one that is valued only for his skill in manipulating corporeal economies. He has become Heaven's spymaster in truth, scouting out and destroying demonic financial operations in order to retain what status he does have in Heaven.
Yves - Destiny remains imprisoned. He has not attempted any breakouts, and warned his Servitors before his incarceration to not attempt any on his behalf. Nonetheless, many Shepherds are starting to mutter amongst themselves that there /must/ be freedom for their Archangel.
Hell
Andrealphus - Andrealphus is not a happy Impudite. The reconciliation of Beleth and Blandine has shaken him to his core, and Beleth's refusal to answer any of his questions about the relationship hasn't helped. He's started allowing himself to care, and the Discord is tearing him apart. He is not ready to admit that he was /wrong/, but he no longer believes he was right.
Asmodeus - The Game remains, perhaps, the most unchanged of Reformation Hell. Lucifer has changed the rules, but the game still goes on. Asmodeus' current project is a concerted effort to pry Dominic out of Heaven long enough to talk to him...unlike in canon, the two do not generally cooperate in Reformation.
Baal - Baal has been given a new set of marching orders by Lucifer. No longer does he use humans as cannon fodder, but he's still ruthless in his determination to see Michael brought low. Now he's just got an edge of moral superiority to justify /his/ Pride.
Beleth - Nightmares has reconciled with Dreams on Lucifer's orders. She makes no secret that she still does not love Blandine, but she is willing to spend time with the Archangel to create a unified plan of defense for the Marches. Nevertheless, the Demon Princess has noticibly begun to soften...
Belial - Fire is on a very short leash. Lucifer and Baal pick almost all his targets now, and 'observers' that ensure that he doesn't destroy more than what he's ordered to are common. He's considering joining Saminga in Renegadehood, soon, but first he has to win the Princes' trust enough to be granted some lead time...
Kobal - Kobal, like Lucifer, is highly likely to Redeem should Hell be successful. The Demon Prince has begun to embrace Laughter again, and targets his cruel impulses only on war-faction angels...he considers humilating a proud warrior more fitting and effective than killing them.
Malphas - To all observers, it appeared that Malphas easily switched from corrupting mankind to disrupting the angelic coalition. Certainly he made no fuss when Lucifer demanded he change his dissonance conditions, and no fuss when Lucifer restricted his targets. He just smiles, nods, and follows orders...
Nybbas - Media is locked in a vicious, underground battle with Creation for control of the airwaves. Nybbas tries to soften the popular image of demons, create more sympathy for demonic ideals, and condemn the rigid, angelic mindset, but angels are still more popular. He's been trying to consult with Blandine and Beleth for ideas, recently.
Vapula - Vapula is an ardent Reformationist, in no small part because spreading his brand of inspiration /really/ irritates Jean, and testing Jean is Vapula's dream. His Servitors focus on throwing wrenches into the works of Heaven's tech, and encouraging humanity to experiment.
Lilith - Freedom is...bemused. On the plus side, humans in Hell are no longer subjected to tortures and slavery, and she herself no longer has to walk the tightrope of Lucifer's favor. However, if Hell wins, and Lucifer Redeems...what happens to her? She gives aid to Hell, but is making plans for her own survival, above all else.
Others
Blandine - Dreams holds her side of the Marches, and most of the friendly ethereals flock to her banner. She can and will destroy any angel who sets foot in the Marches with her permission, as well as any demons or ethereals who harm her dreamers. She knows Beleth does not love her, but remains steadfast and loyal, hoping that one day, the Djinn will let herself feel, again.
Novalis - Reduced to a bare handful of angelic Servitors, the Archangel of Flowers roams the earth, trying to turn Heaven and Hell both from war. She has recruited a significant number of Soldiers to make up for her lack of angels, and may even be trying to contact the last Grigori...
Saminga - Bitter and vicious, Saminga is still up to his old tricks. He indiscriminately kills on both sides of the War, and creates Undead to make up for his almost-extinct demonic Servitors. He's trying to persuade Belial to join him in exile, speaking of their joint rule in Hell, once they get rid of the obviously-insane Lucifer.
Lucifer - No longer an absent ruler, the Prince of Darkness oversees the Reformation with dark, pain-filled eyes. He no longer believes in the Rebellion, and would Redeem if he could. Of all the Demon Princes in Hell, only he and Kobal properly realize what the Reformation /means/, in the end.
God - God is mostly silent. When he sends fair Gabriel prophesies, the Ofanite finds himself travelling to Earth more than Heaven, and even to Hell. It is rumored that it was Gabriel's prophesy at the end of the Legion War that triggered Lucifer's long absence and self-examination.
The first subtle departure from IN canon happens after the Trial of Michael, in 1580 B.C. When God pardoned the First Seraph, Dominic withdrew from the Host for a time of contemplation to reflect on the meaning of God's intervention. He thought about the sin of Pride, about the Rebels, and about all the terrible losses humanity and Heaven had suffered from the demons. When we returned, he made a small alteration to Heavenly Law: Pride was no longer a sin, as long as it was Pride taken in the destruction of the enemies of God. Originally, the 'enemies of God' included only demons. As the pagan religions became more and more of a burden, however, this was extended to Ethereals and their worshippers. Warriors and battle-inclined angels rode a rising star, seeking out and destroying demonic and ethereal influences where they could be found. The angels as a whole became more offensive than defensive.
For various reasons, Zadkiel never became the Archangel of Protection...defensively-minded Words started to be granted less and less often by the Seraphim Council, to the dismay of Novalis and David. The former Cherub begins fostering ever more defensive cults and gangs on the corporeal plane, attempting to help humans band together against demonic influences...this backfires, as (helped by Malphas), these gangs use their strength to oppress others. Novalis, meanwhile, finds herself more at odds with the rest of the Council. She persuades Eli to intervene several times on direct behalf of Jesus Christ, hoping that his message of love and peace will spread. She considers the effort a failure with the Savior's death, and becomes despondent.
Yves attempts to turn Heaven from the growing mindset of Pride and cold cruelty in the name of God, but Michael resists, violently, on what he percieves as an attack on his Word. After several scuffles on the Corporeal Plane, he demands that Judgement try the Archangel of Destiny and all his Servitors for giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Dominic brings Yves to trial, with a heavy heart. Yves pleads guilty to sheltering demons from War's wrath, and to deliberately attempting to undermine War's operations on earth. He offers no defense for his actions except, "The proper lesson remains unlearned." Destiny is confined to a room in the Council Spires, and all of his Servitors have their vessels recalled. From now on, they are restricted to shepherding the Blessed Souls, and offering advice to the other angels on how to bring humans to their destiny on earth. They are forbidden, one and all, from having any contact with demons.
Yves never sends Gabriel to dictate the Koran. Gabriel still recieves the directive from God, but as Yves' version of the Koran is never revealed by the Library, there is no Trial for Heresy. Khalid begins to rise to power as a consummate demon hunter among the Islamic nations. The Elohite has a gift for inciting the faithful to scourge demons and ethereals from their midst. Gabriel becomes troubled...the increasingly warlike Heaven is starting to edge towards cruelty, but the loyal Archangel does not know how to stop it. He remains the Host's premiere courier.
The Purity Crusade begins. The Marches are devestated as Uriel and his Servitors sweep through. Unlike in canon, there is no call before Council, for the Crusade has nearly the unanimous support of the other Archangels. Novalis is the notable dissenter, with Gabriel abstaining. It is finally Blandine who ends the Crusade...in full angry Cherub mode, she uses a tremendous surge of power (felt in all areas of the Marches and most of Heaven and Hell) to completely /block/ the Heaven-Marches Tether in her tower. She orders her Servitors to mind-kill any angel found in the Marches who is not personally authorized by her. The Purists, unsuspecting of an attack from other angels and not as strong Ethereally as the Dreamers, as cut down in droves. Uriel splits his remaining forces and attempts to lay siege to the tower. Already damaged from fighting gods and spirits, he is no match for Blandine, and is torn apart. Blandine releases the dregs of his forces, including the Angel of the Sword, Laurence, to return to Heaven and carry her warning: The Host is no longer welcome in the Vale, if they come with weapons in hand. Beleth sends her first messenger to Blandine, believing the Cherub nearly ready to join her at last.
Blandine is declared Outcast by the Seraphim Council. God, for reasons of his own, does not invest any other Archangel with the title of Commander, and thus Michael reassumes that title on his own. He lays out new Articles of War, outlining what now counts as giving aid and comfort to the demonic enemy. Dominic, although troubled, believes Michael has the favor of God and that his Pride is justified. He makes the Articles into Heavenly Law. The Articles make it increasingly difficult for any candidates for Redemption to be evaluated. Redemptions fall off in the next few centuries, and by 900 A.D., have stopped altogether within Heaven proper. As this happens, the number of Cherubim in Heaven starts to decrease...fewer are made, and more are disappearing.
900 A.D.: Novalis Outcasts herself, along with all of her Servitors who wish to follow her. Pursued to earth by Warriors, many of the peaceful angels are murdered or driven into Falling. It is noted by Jean that Flowers had spent a large amount of time with Yves before going Outcast. Destiny's visitation rights are suspended while the evidence is weighed. They are never returned. In Hell, about this time, Kronos appears as the Prince of Fate.
Legion goes mad, and Dominic and Asmodeus negotiate a highly delicate truce in order for Heaven and Hell to unite to destroy the Shedite. Lucifer is present at the last battle of the war, but does not intervene, and Raphael sacrifices herself to destroy the Prince of Corruption. Immediately, Michael's forces turn on the demons and slaughter quite a few of them...including the demon Haagenti, already wounded from the fighting. For reasons known only to himself, Kobal is observed to spend the next few months in Hell laughing and weeping. Dominic manifests his first level of Discord.
Lucifer goes missing. He is not seen again for nearly 500 years. He reappears in 1500 A.D., and destroys Kronos, before visiting each of the remaining Demon Princes, privately. After this meeting, Beleth makes her way, physically, to the White Tower, and up to Blandine's room. Outwardly, at least, the Archangel and Demon Princess reconcile to guard the Marches and its dreamers from Michael's forces. Kobal and Malphas are observed to change their dissonance conditions...older demons notice that Kobal's new dissonance is /much/ closer to Laughter than Dark Humor. Baal's operations remain unchanged, but the Prince of the War and the Prince of Darkness are observed beating Belial up one side of Sheol and down the other. After this 'reeducation', the Prince of Infernal Fire shifts his focus onto Michael, and /away/ from innocent people. Baal keeps close eye on him. Saminga figures out which way the wind is shifting, and unwilling to reform, flees to the Corporeal, along with many of his Servitors. Asmodeus and Baal make hunting down Servitors of Death a secondary priority, and whittle the numbers down. The change of emphasis in Hell is formally named the 'Reformation'. The damned are released, by Lucifer's orders, from torture and soul-death, but are largely confined to the Lower Hells. They are still tapped for Essence, just in nicer ways, and the few who seem more useful than dangerous are allowed to assist in the rebuilding and fortification of Hell. The new focus of the War: Depose Michael and the other War-faction angels, restore Yves, Blandine, and Novalis to Heaven. It is rumored, although Lucifer does not confirm, that the Lightbringer attempts to try Redemption himself, once this task is accomplished.
Vapula is elevated to Prince, but is a feverent Reformist. Andrealphus is seen to take Blandine and Beleth's reconciliation, however tentative and fragile it is, badly. He shows signs of dissonance and Discord, but refuses aid from Lucifer. His Servitors likewise begin to display caring attitudes and serious dissonance. Alaemon is raised to Prince of Secrets, and works on covert operations to try and undermine Heaven, and make contact with the elusive Novalis for the purposes of an alliance.
Nybbas rises with the invention of television. The Media sets itself as Creation's rival, drawing Eli's ire. The term 'ratings war' has never been more appropriate, and much of the gang violence in L.A. can be traced to either the Demon Prince or the Archangel striking at one another.
As the situation stands, the War is considerably hotter than it is in canon. Angels are less concerned about human casualties, especially anyone who even /might/ be Hellsworn. Heaven doesn't really care about humanity, except where they provide useful leverage in the War...Blessed Souls are treated with distracted kindness, but no real attention, except by the frustrated legions of Destiny angels. Saints are far easier to become but fewer in number, and more involved in the war...most Archangels treat them as special shock troops, now, for eliminating pockets of Hellsworn. Many humans are put off by this, and few apply for second lives. Hell no longer makes Undead, /except/ for Saminga and his minions. However, Hell no longer kills off Soldiers who start to become powerful, either, and they go for a better class of people, these days. Many of their recruiters focus on good people, and don't require damnation...Heaven is still a reasonably nice place for humans to be, for now, and any good people who are damned are just going to get swept up at the gates by Final Justice, anyhow. Hell still is willing to take a more varied and dark group of people...these days, Heaven is even more picky about who they allow to serve in life. A quick breakdown:
Heaven
Michael - Commander of the Host, leader of Heaven. Proud and furious, Michael has become cruel in his determination to strike down rebellion. His 'no surrender' philosophy has become a doorway to fanaticism, and any demon or Hellsworn meeting a Warrior is quickly cut down. Laurence now serves him.
Dominic - Head of the Divine Inquistion. Dominic holds deep doubts about Michael's method of running the War, and regrets the loss of Yves and of Redemptions. But he believes, ever since God pardoned the First Seraph, that Michael is closer to God's Will than he, himself.
Gabriel - Heaven's courier. Still male-aspected, Gabriel is Dominic's devoted follower...their Servitors often work in concert. He never took the mantle of God's Wrath from Jean, and his angels work primarily on inspiring people to follow Michael and on coordinating the War effort.
Eli - The Archangel of Creation regrets the loss of Novalis and Blandine, but has never forgiven Hell for what he sees as their part in the corruption of the Grigori. His Servitors work most closely with Stone, hunting down the remainder of the Watchers, and with Marc, supplying relics and supplies for the troops.
David - David encourages gangs and mobs to wipe out any demonic, or supposed demonic, influence within their midst. He feels doubt in his heart, and has since Yves was locked away, but refuses to speak or act against the rest of the Council.
Janus - Janus has embraced chaos above all. His servitors are feared throughout Hell, and if the humans knew about them, they'd fear them, too. They sweep into a town and destroy all Infernal elements with no regard for stealth or subtlety...when Malakim of Janus come together, they often boast about Disturbance totals from killing Hellsworn.
Jean - The Archangel of Lightning has retained the mantle of God's Wrath. He is proud and ruthless, cutting down Infernal projects even at the cost of innocent lives. He doesn't truly believe that humanity is capable of much, and will spend time scrutinizing /any/ innovation, no matter how small or helpful, for signs of infernal tampering. If he finds any hint of it, the innovation is brutally suppressed.
Jordi - Jordi remains an Archangel on the fringe. He secretly aids Novalis as much as he can, and has become her ears and eyes on the Seraphim Council. All the same, he doesn't really see anything wrong with taking the fight to the demons, and does not trust any protestations of 'reformation' on Hell's part.
Marc - Marc remains in Heaven as a voice of moderation, but one that is valued only for his skill in manipulating corporeal economies. He has become Heaven's spymaster in truth, scouting out and destroying demonic financial operations in order to retain what status he does have in Heaven.
Yves - Destiny remains imprisoned. He has not attempted any breakouts, and warned his Servitors before his incarceration to not attempt any on his behalf. Nonetheless, many Shepherds are starting to mutter amongst themselves that there /must/ be freedom for their Archangel.
Hell
Andrealphus - Andrealphus is not a happy Impudite. The reconciliation of Beleth and Blandine has shaken him to his core, and Beleth's refusal to answer any of his questions about the relationship hasn't helped. He's started allowing himself to care, and the Discord is tearing him apart. He is not ready to admit that he was /wrong/, but he no longer believes he was right.
Asmodeus - The Game remains, perhaps, the most unchanged of Reformation Hell. Lucifer has changed the rules, but the game still goes on. Asmodeus' current project is a concerted effort to pry Dominic out of Heaven long enough to talk to him...unlike in canon, the two do not generally cooperate in Reformation.
Baal - Baal has been given a new set of marching orders by Lucifer. No longer does he use humans as cannon fodder, but he's still ruthless in his determination to see Michael brought low. Now he's just got an edge of moral superiority to justify /his/ Pride.
Beleth - Nightmares has reconciled with Dreams on Lucifer's orders. She makes no secret that she still does not love Blandine, but she is willing to spend time with the Archangel to create a unified plan of defense for the Marches. Nevertheless, the Demon Princess has noticibly begun to soften...
Belial - Fire is on a very short leash. Lucifer and Baal pick almost all his targets now, and 'observers' that ensure that he doesn't destroy more than what he's ordered to are common. He's considering joining Saminga in Renegadehood, soon, but first he has to win the Princes' trust enough to be granted some lead time...
Kobal - Kobal, like Lucifer, is highly likely to Redeem should Hell be successful. The Demon Prince has begun to embrace Laughter again, and targets his cruel impulses only on war-faction angels...he considers humilating a proud warrior more fitting and effective than killing them.
Malphas - To all observers, it appeared that Malphas easily switched from corrupting mankind to disrupting the angelic coalition. Certainly he made no fuss when Lucifer demanded he change his dissonance conditions, and no fuss when Lucifer restricted his targets. He just smiles, nods, and follows orders...
Nybbas - Media is locked in a vicious, underground battle with Creation for control of the airwaves. Nybbas tries to soften the popular image of demons, create more sympathy for demonic ideals, and condemn the rigid, angelic mindset, but angels are still more popular. He's been trying to consult with Blandine and Beleth for ideas, recently.
Vapula - Vapula is an ardent Reformationist, in no small part because spreading his brand of inspiration /really/ irritates Jean, and testing Jean is Vapula's dream. His Servitors focus on throwing wrenches into the works of Heaven's tech, and encouraging humanity to experiment.
Lilith - Freedom is...bemused. On the plus side, humans in Hell are no longer subjected to tortures and slavery, and she herself no longer has to walk the tightrope of Lucifer's favor. However, if Hell wins, and Lucifer Redeems...what happens to her? She gives aid to Hell, but is making plans for her own survival, above all else.
Others
Blandine - Dreams holds her side of the Marches, and most of the friendly ethereals flock to her banner. She can and will destroy any angel who sets foot in the Marches with her permission, as well as any demons or ethereals who harm her dreamers. She knows Beleth does not love her, but remains steadfast and loyal, hoping that one day, the Djinn will let herself feel, again.
Novalis - Reduced to a bare handful of angelic Servitors, the Archangel of Flowers roams the earth, trying to turn Heaven and Hell both from war. She has recruited a significant number of Soldiers to make up for her lack of angels, and may even be trying to contact the last Grigori...
Saminga - Bitter and vicious, Saminga is still up to his old tricks. He indiscriminately kills on both sides of the War, and creates Undead to make up for his almost-extinct demonic Servitors. He's trying to persuade Belial to join him in exile, speaking of their joint rule in Hell, once they get rid of the obviously-insane Lucifer.
Lucifer - No longer an absent ruler, the Prince of Darkness oversees the Reformation with dark, pain-filled eyes. He no longer believes in the Rebellion, and would Redeem if he could. Of all the Demon Princes in Hell, only he and Kobal properly realize what the Reformation /means/, in the end.
God - God is mostly silent. When he sends fair Gabriel prophesies, the Ofanite finds himself travelling to Earth more than Heaven, and even to Hell. It is rumored that it was Gabriel's prophesy at the end of the Legion War that triggered Lucifer's long absence and self-examination.
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...did I say ow? I meant ow.
I /love/ this. It's /nasty,/ and logical, and ow. If you do anything like campaign seeds or fic set here, I definitely want to see... (And I /fear/ Asmodeus-having-gotten-his-hands-on-Dominic, too... I wouldn't think he's all that pleased at having to play white...)
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I also want to write up the Superiors that are markedly different from their canon versions...Kobal, especially.
And yes, Asmodeus is not terribly happy. Well, /Djinn/, but even so, he's not happy. Dominic has been shutting him out for centuries, and his life has been made much more difficult by not having a line of play into Heaven. And now his Boss is making Redemption noises and Michael's gone too far, all of which change the Game considerably. For a Djinn, he's irate.
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*nods* Impudites trying to be Mercurians trying to be Funny... *scritchies Kobal* What sorts of new dissonance conditions do he and Malphas have, by the by --?
*noooods!* ^_^ The one in my head is making dry, /extremely/ irritated noises about Michael being an exceptional Player -- for black. If he's playing white, as he protests he does, then he's patently sabotaging his own side. Etc. *snrks*
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Well, their old dissonance just wouldn't work for a Backwards setting, so I switched Kobal's to: A demon of Dark Humor must never prevent someone from finding the humor in a situation, no matter how dire. The joke can be black or cruel (some demons are slow learners), but Kobal now encourages his Servitors to use humor to make life more bearable, not to tear people apart. /All/ of his attunements are now changed, too, because rites-for-humilation don't fit. I need to write him up.
Malphas has changed his to: Servitors of Factions cannot encourage coalitions by word or by deed. They may refrain from speaking against one, but they can't /endorse/ it. Note that this is a much less, ahem, /kind/ change than Kobal's. Malphas followed Lucifer's orders, but more to the letter than the spirit. He's got Stuff up his sleeve. For now, though, the Factionalists work at breaking apart David and Khalid's mobs, and keeping groups of Warriors too distracted to do much damage.
Heehee. Michael believes he has a Mandate From God. He points to Malakim as proof positive that God does not reject an aggressive stance, and without the mitigating presences of Dominic, Yves, and Novalis, has become the pure embodiment of his God-granted Word. He is /not/ evil. But he is War, in its most pure form, and is determined to win. Note, in Reformation, Michael is not dissonant in any way, shape, or form. He's doing what he was always meant to do...it's just that now all the brakes have been taken off.
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*nods, scritchies Kobal* That works a /lot/ better for what he's trying to do. And mmm, writeup! :D
And I like that change, too -- just making things /passive/ instead of active. Mmm, letter-of-the-law. And hee! Malphas usually does. *pokes him with a stick* But then, Factions is a pretty hard Word to lighten up, either in a meta or IC sense. *snickers*
*nods happily* Oh, I know. <3 honest moral differences! And /really/ <3 taking Michael's mindset to its most logical (albeit dark) conclusion. It's just that my!Asmodeus would ... approve... of throwing Michael's failure-due-to-lack-of-mitigating-influence into his face and rubbing it in. *coughs* (Even the /Cherub/ Asmodeus in my head, oddly enough. But then, he doesn't like Michael anyway. *snickers*)