J. L. Oryin
Azazel
Biography
Azazel is a towering Grigori and former Guardian of humanity, created to protect mankind from the Malfiens that hunted and corrupted them. Born in the Celestial Kingdom of Kolob, he possesses immense strength, fire-forged wings, a soul-destroying celestial blade, and the intrinsic abilities of an eternal Celestial.
His fall began when compassion drew him into the mortal world. After rescuing a woman named Celine from possessed attackers, Azazel took human form, fell in love, and abandoned his celestial position to build a family with her. When the Guardians were blamed for the chaos that followed, Azazel lost his wife, his children, his power, and his freedom. Betrayed by his brother Samyaza, he was condemned to the Pit of Eternal Darkness for more than 4,500 years.
Freed by Athalon, Azazel becomes his protector, ally, and friend. Still weakened by the enchantments placed upon him, he returns to a world transformed by his absence and discovers that Samyaza is attempting to release Typhon. Burdened by grief but driven by honor, Azazel takes up his sword once more to stop his brother and prevent humanity from suffering the fate he once failed to prevent.
Known names and identities
Azazel
Az, used by Athalon
Guardian
Grigori
Fallen Celestial
Azazel does not use a concealed identity or alternate persona. During his time among early humanity, however, he condensed his celestial energy and materialized in the form of a mortal man.
What he is
Azazel is a Grigori, one of the elite fire-winged Celestials created to serve as Guardians of humanity. The Guardians were charged with protecting mankind from Malfiens and other supernatural threats while avoiding direct interference in human development.
Born in Kolob in 2548 BC, Azazel is an eternal celestial being created by S’Rasta. He is considerably larger than an ordinary Celestial and possesses the intrinsic abilities and resistances of his kind.
Azazel became one of the Fallen after abandoning his appointed position to live among humanity with his mortal wife, Celine. He was blamed for the corruption that followed the Guardians’ departure, stripped of his armor and much of his power, and imprisoned in the Pit of Eternal Darkness around the time of the Great Flood.
Natural appearance
Azazel is a towering, stone-skinned Celestial approximately fifty percent taller than the ordinary eight-to-ten-foot Celestials. His body is perfectly sculpted, with lean, heavily striated muscles beneath dark Bardiglio-marble skin.
Deep white veins run through his stone-like body and glow brightly when his celestial energy is strengthened. His eyes produce an intense white light capable of piercing the supernatural darkness of the pit. His long hair is white and can glow when his power is active.
Azazel possesses enormous wings formed from white-hot, fiery feathers. When released, they erupt from his shoulder blades as brilliant plumes capable of burning through nearby Malfiens.
His voice is polyphonic, powerful, and harmonic. Athalon compares it to a power chord played on an electric guitar.
Azazel’s blood has a mercurial appearance, while his tears are silver.
Mortal form
Azazel can condense his celestial energy and materialize in the form of a mortal man.
He first assumes this form when he intervenes to save Celine from three possessed attackers. The mortal appearance allows him to interact directly with humanity without exposing his full celestial form.
The physical details of this mortal guise are not provided.
Abilities
Intrinsic Celestial abilities and resistances
Eternal life
Survival through extreme cosmic events
Supernatural strength
Movement at the speed of thought
Flight
Teleportation
Enhanced senses
Celestial healing
Cleansing supernatural corruption
Reading and examining memories
Detecting magical interference
Telekinesis
Summoning his celestial sword
Summoning and dismissing his Holy Armor
Generation of holy fire
Destruction of corrupted souls
Transformation into a mortal form
Blessing mortal flesh
Slowing human aging
Suppression of illness
Transfer of divine essence
Ability to function without food or sleep
Azazel’s full natural power remains restricted following his imprisonment. He can still access abilities connected directly to his celestial essence, but their use places abnormal strain upon him.
Celestial physiology and endurance
Azazel is eternal and was designed to survive extreme cosmic events. Under normal conditions, Celestials do not fatigue, require sleep, or need food, although they may eat for enjoyment.
His body is tremendously durable and resistant to hostile environments. He moves through the extreme heat, sulfur, and supernatural conditions of Purgatos without the physical distress experienced by Athalon.
Even after thousands of years in captivity, the loss of much of his power, and prolonged supernatural suppression, Azazel remains strong enough to overpower Malfiens, lift massive prison barriers, and fight creatures comparable to him in size.
Supernatural strength and speed
Azazel possesses enormous physical strength. He can lift Athalon with little effort, remove heavy prison gates, send enemies into the ground with a stomp, and contend physically with powerful Malfiens and Celestials.
His movement can reach the speed of thought. When carrying Athalon from the pit to the catwalk, the sudden acceleration leaves Athalon lightheaded and nauseated.
Azazel’s size and reach make him particularly dangerous in close combat. Even while weakened, he can engage several Malfiens simultaneously and destroy them within moments.
Flight
Azazel flies through enormous wings composed of fiery celestial feathers.
When two Malfiens leap onto his back, his wings erupt from his shoulder blades as white-hot plumes. The feathers burn through both attackers, boiling their blood and leaving them fatally wounded.
His wings allow him to travel at extreme speed, carry others, and strike from the air. During the battle against Samyaza, Azazel crosses the battlefield in a streak of light and collides with his brother in midair.
Teleportation
Azazel can teleport himself and others between distant locations.
His ability is severely weakened when he first escapes the Pit of Eternal Darkness. His initial attempt to teleport with Athalon causes their bodies to vibrate and flicker without transporting them.
After receiving energy from Syn’s miniature Dyson sphere, Azazel becomes strong enough to teleport back to Kolob. His dependence upon the device confirms that the enchantments placed upon him continue to suppress his natural power.
Healing and cleansing
Azazel can heal severe injuries by channeling divine essence into another person.
When Athalon frees him, Athalon is suffering from extensive lacerations, massive internal bleeding, and a blade wound passing through his torso. Azazel touches him on the temple and closes the wounds before they can kill him.
Because Azazel’s power is restricted, the healing leaves scars that should not ordinarily remain.
Azazel also cleanses Athalon of the supernatural influence left by the Tsalmaveth femur. He removes the dark presence and confirms that no trace of the cursed Malfieness remains within him.
Memory examination
Azazel can enter another person’s mind and examine memories.
While healing Athalon, he searches his mind to learn what has happened during his imprisonment. He sees fragments of Athalon’s recent experiences, recognizes his natural aptitude for combat, and discovers that portions of his memory have been deliberately blocked.
Azazel identifies the obstruction as ancient magic associated with the Darkness. His interference also begins loosening Athalon’s suppressed memories.
The connection works in both directions. Athalon inadvertently witnesses portions of Azazel’s past, including the loss of his family and his thousands of years in captivity.
Telekinesis
Azazel can move heavy objects without physically touching them.
When Athalon asks him to free the prisoners held throughout the pits, Azazel sweeps his arms upward and sends numerous cage doors flying into the air.
Because his power remains suppressed, using the ability on that scale exhausts him and forces him to one knee.
Blessings
Azazel can bless mortal flesh to resist illness and age at a greatly reduced rate.
He repeatedly blesses Celine so that her fragile human life will not pass as quickly compared with his own immortality. His blessing allows her to remain with him for many generations while they raise their family.
The blessing does not make Celine immortal or protect her from being killed.
Transfer of essence
Azazel possesses enough control over his divine essence to consider transferring it into another being.
When Athalon appears to have been killed by Samyaza, Azazel prepares to sacrifice himself by giving Athalon his essence. He believes the transfer may restore Athalon before his soul passes too far beyond the veil.
The transfer is interrupted before Azazel completes it, so its full result is not demonstrated.
The cleanest explanation is that Azazel’s sword is an essence-bound celestial weapon. It is not a separate object he carries or stores somewhere. It exists in a dormant, incorporeal state within his divine essence and is therefore inseparable from him while he exists.
That also explains why he can dismiss the sword and summon it again from light.
The Celestials who imprisoned Azazel could strip away his Holy Armor because the armor was an external possession granted through his position as a Guardian. They could weaken his abilities, but they could not permanently take the sword without severing part of his essence or destroying him.
The enchanted chains solved that problem by suppressing his ability to externalize his essence. While bound, the sword remained part of Azazel, but he could not manifest it. Once Athalon broke the seal and the chains disintegrated, that particular restriction ended. Azazel remained severely weakened, but summoning the sword required only enough power to draw out something that was already part of him.
This wording should fit naturally into the character sheet:
Celestial sword
Azazel wields an enormous long-handled celestial sword summoned from a concentrated beam of light.
The sword is not an independent weapon or an object stored elsewhere. It is bound directly to Azazel’s divine essence and exists within him in an incorporeal state. When summoned, a portion of that essence is externalized and condensed into physical form. When released, the blade dissolves back into light and returns to its dormant state within him.
Because the sword is an extension of Azazel’s existence, it cannot be permanently confiscated without severing his divine essence or destroying him. The Celestials who condemned Azazel could strip him of his Holy Armor and suppress most of his abilities, but they could not remove the weapon itself.
The enchanted chains used to imprison him prevented Azazel from externalizing his essence. While he remained bound, the sword was inaccessible even though it continued to exist within him. When Athalon broke the seal and the chains disintegrated, Azazel regained enough access to his essence to summon the blade, despite the remaining enchantments severely limiting his other powers.
The inscription reflects Azazel’s name and serves as the blade’s identifying essence-mark. No other being can naturally summon or claim the weapon because it is not separate from the Celestial to whom it belongs.
The weapon’s physical structure remains intact regardless of Azazel’s condition, but the amount of holy energy flowing through it depends upon his available power. While weakened, the blade can still cut through and consume ordinary Malfiens, but its fire and destructive force are diminished against exceptionally powerful or protected beings.
That final distinction also helps explain why the sword obliterates ordinary Malfiens but fails against Tef’Lon and cannot permanently destroy the Stitcher. The blade itself is present and functional; Azazel simply cannot channel its full celestial power while the suppression enchantments remain active.
The weapon passes effortlessly through ordinary Malfiens and causes their bodies to burn from within before crumbling into ash. It can also cleanse or destroy the corrupted essence contained within them.
The blade is less effective against exceptional beings. It cannot penetrate Tef’Lon’s unnaturally invulnerable body, and its holy fire inexplicably fails to permanently destroy the Stitcher.
Holy Armor
Azazel once possessed a complete set of Holy Armor associated with his former position among the Guardians.
The Celestial Warriors stripped him of the armor when he was condemned as one of the Fallen. It was later displayed in Kolob’s armory as a reminder of his supposed betrayal.
When Azazel returns to the ruined kingdom, he discovers that the armor still recognizes him. Upon touching its engraved cuirass, the armor breaks into particles and surrounds him in an explosion of golden embers. Each piece attaches itself to his body before the full suit disappears to await his summons.
Its acceptance suggests that Azazel retains some connection to his former celestial authority despite his fall and condemnation.
The Dyson sphere
Azazel’s powers remain suppressed by the enchantments placed upon him during his imprisonment.
Syn discovers that the star-like energy produced by his fusion core temporarily strengthens Azazel and counteracts the force draining him. He gives Azazel a miniature Dyson sphere ordinarily used to power an EL-55 Energy Lance.
When Azazel places it against his chest:
The white veins within his skin glow
His eyes become intensely illuminated
His physical strength increases
His natural abilities become easier to access
His teleportation becomes functional again
The sphere serves as an external power source rather than an intrinsic ability. Azazel dislikes depending upon it and hopes the Celestial Elders can remove the enchantments suppressing his true power.
Affiliations and organizations
S’Rasta
The Grigori
The Guardians
The Fallen
The Celestial Kingdom of Kolob
Celine and their children
Athalon Klamath
Syn Darkmatter
Temporary alliance with Zayne Dubois D’Entremonte
Celestial forces opposing Samyaza and Typhon
Azazel was originally a Guardian assigned to protect humanity. After abandoning his position, he became one of the Fallen and was separated from the rest of the Grigori.
Following his escape, he allies himself with Athalon and later fights beside Syn and Zayne to prevent Samyaza from releasing Typhon.
Connections
S’Rasta: S’Rasta is Azazel’s creator and the supreme authority whose laws governed the Guardians.
Azazel continues to recognize S’Rasta’s authority even after his fall. When Athalon appears to die, Azazel pleads with S’Rasta to breathe life back into him.
Celine: Celine is Azazel’s mortal wife and the mother of his children.
Azazel first encounters her while she is being attacked by three men possessed by Malfiens. Although the Guardians are forbidden from directly interfering in human affairs, he assumes a mortal form and rescues her.
He later visits Celine regularly, teaching her and her people how to create and wield weapons and armor. Their relationship develops into love, and Azazel abandons his position as a Guardian to build a life with her.
Because Celine is mortal, Azazel repeatedly blesses her flesh to slow her aging and protect her from illness. They raise a large family together over many generations.
Celine and their children are killed when the Celestial Warriors descend upon the Fallen and catastrophically flood the land. Their deaths remain the greatest source of Azazel’s guilt, grief, and anger.
Samyaza: Samyaza is Azazel’s brother and the former leader of the Guardians.
Azazel initially trusts him enough to reveal his relationship with Celine and describe the emotions he discovered among humanity. Samyaza becomes fascinated with mortal life and later convinces the Guardians to gather upon Mount Hermon and form a pact to abandon their service.
When the Celestial Warriors attack, Azazel believes Samyaza dies alongside the other Fallen. He later discovers that Samyaza survived, blamed him for the rebellion, and was rewarded while Azazel remained imprisoned.
Azazel realizes that his brother used him as a scapegoat to escape punishment. He later learns that Samyaza allied himself with Tef’Lon, attacked Kolob, and attempted to release Typhon.
Azazel reluctantly fights Samyaza despite the pain of raising his sword against his own brother. Each strike becomes an expression of grief for Celine, his children, the Fallen, and everyone harmed by Samyaza’s betrayal.
Athalon Klamath: Athalon frees Azazel from the Pit of Eternal Darkness by using Ava’s enchanted flame to break the seal holding him.
Azazel heals Athalon, removes the lingering influence of the Tsalmaveth, and discovers that ancient magic has blocked portions of his memory. He becomes convinced that Athalon’s arrival was not accidental and that fate brought him to the pit for a greater purpose.
In gratitude for his freedom, Azazel promises to accompany Athalon and help him discover how he entered Purgatos and why his memories were taken.
Their alliance develops into a genuine friendship. Azazel advises Athalon, protects him, respects his courage, and gradually becomes accustomed to his sarcasm and unfamiliar expressions.
When Samyaza apparently kills Athalon, Azazel breaks down and prepares to sacrifice his own existence to restore him. Athalon’s return fills him with hope, and the two ultimately fight side by side against Samyaza.
Syn Darkmatter: Syn initially detains Azazel and Athalon after they enter Asphodelos, believing they may endanger the city.
Syn discovers that the energy from his fusion core counteracts the force suppressing Azazel’s powers. He gives Azazel a miniature Dyson sphere, greatly strengthening him and allowing him to access abilities that had become unreliable.
Azazel respects Syn’s desire to protect the inhabitants of Asphodelos and later fights beside him against the Stitcher and Samyaza.
Zayne Dubois D’Entremonte: Zayne regards Azazel as a dangerous escaped Grigori and initially intends to return him to captivity.
Their conflict is interrupted by Zummabbi’s attack and the larger threat posed by Samyaza. Azazel, Zayne, Athalon, and Syn eventually form a temporary alliance to stop Typhon’s release.
Although Azazel and Zayne do not share an intimate bond, Azazel recognizes his courage and willingness to fight against an enemy far more powerful than himself.
Tef’Lon: Tef’Lon is one of the first major threats Azazel faces after escaping the pits.
Tef’Lon claims to have destroyed Kolob and killed numerous Celestials. His body is so resilient that Azazel’s celestial sword cannot harm him.
Azazel later confirms that Tef’Lon attacked the Celestial Kingdom under Samyaza’s direction.
Edoicuna: Azazel has known Edoicuna since ancient times and recognizes him as a vastly superior celestial authority.
When Edoicuna appears, Azazel immediately kneels, averts his gaze, and respectfully addresses him as Dimi. Their exchange reveals that Edoicuna was unable to intervene when the Guardians were attacked because doing so would have placed him in opposition to S’Rasta.
The fall of the Guardians
The Guardians were created to protect humanity from Malfiens while avoiding direct interference in mortal development.
Azazel violated that restriction when he rescued Celine from possessed attackers. He later taught her people to create weapons and armor so they could protect themselves.
After learning about Azazel’s experiences, Samyaza convinced the Guardians to abandon their positions. Some shared forbidden knowledge with humanity, while others took mortal wives and created families. Azazel chose a quiet life with Celine and their children.
Without the Guardians maintaining their posts, Malfiens, rogue Celestials, and other supernatural forces spread throughout the world. Their unions with mortals produced powerful offspring, while many of the former Guardians became feared or worshipped as gods.
The Creators eventually sent Celestial Warriors to destroy the resulting abominations and punish the Fallen. Azazel and his brethren resisted but were defeated.
Azazel was accused of:
Abandoning his celestial duties
Corrupting humanity
Revealing forbidden knowledge
Teaching the dark arts
Leading mankind into wickedness and impurity
Azazel admits abandoning his position but denies teaching humanity the dark arts or leading the rebellion. Samyaza was the Guardian who gathered the Grigori and persuaded them to form the pact.
Imprisonment
After his defeat, Azazel was stripped of his Holy Armor and much of his celestial power.
The Fallen were separated so that they could not organize another uprising. Azazel was bound in enchanted chains, fitted with a mask covering his eyes and mouth, and imprisoned in the Pit of Eternal Darkness.
He remained there from approximately 2350 BC until Athalon released him more than 4,500 years later.
The enchantments placed upon Azazel continued suppressing his abilities even after the chains were destroyed. His healing remained incomplete, teleportation initially failed, and large uses of power caused exhaustion that a Celestial should not experience.
Personality and behavior
Azazel is solemn, stoic, honorable, compassionate, and burdened by profound grief.
He speaks formally and rarely understands Athalon’s jokes, slang, or cultural references. His seriousness creates a natural contrast with Athalon’s sarcastic personality, although Azazel gradually develops a subtle appreciation for his humor.
Azazel possesses a strong instinct to protect others. He violated celestial law because he could not watch Celine suffer, and after his release, he feels deep guilt over the innocent souls who entered Purgatos during the Guardians’ absence.
He initially hesitates to release the prisoners because he remains conditioned to uphold celestial order. He quickly recognizes the hypocrisy of remaining loyal to the system that betrayed him and frees them.
Azazel carries enormous guilt for abandoning his duties, but he refuses to accept blame for crimes he did not commit. He becomes intensely angry when Celine is dismissed as a mortal whore or when false accounts portray him as the sole cause of the fall.
His grief is most visible when speaking of Celine and their children. Although thousands of years have passed for the outside world, their deaths feel recent to him because his isolation severed him from the passage of time.
Azazel is willing to sacrifice himself for others. When Athalon appears dead, he offers his own life and essence without hesitation. Despite everything taken from him, he chooses to protect humanity once again and confront Samyaza rather than hide from the coming war.