Bardiel of the Haze
Sept 24, 2008 9:47:37 GMT -6
Post by Admin on Sept 24, 2008 9:47:37 GMT -6
Bardiel of the Outlands, of the Haze, of the Blackened Hands
Basic Personality:
He has a twisted and carefree sense of humour. Often acting foolish and unintelligent, Bardiel is dangerously aware of those around him, the real and imaginary. Friendly enough on the outside, Bardiel has no real concern for the feelings of others and shows little self control. Impulsive, irresponsible and insane, little remains of the angel Bardiel once was.
Brief History:
Once a revered Son of the almighty Angelic Host, Bardiel was a powerful Angel of impressive skill. Unwavering in his faith, it was Bardiel’s responsibility to train aspiring warriors as the Host’s master at arms. He was a warrior priest who for millennia dedicated his entire being to the art of warfare. Soon the passionate lure of bloodshed and death drove him to obsession. The Seraph, seeing Bardiel’s single minded devotion as a promising tool, took an interest in him.
When Lucifer rebelled Bardiel fought in the war that followed. Still, they say, his soul was troubled as he slew those he once called kin. When the first war finally ended Bardiel’s unease grew as more and more of his brothers fell like autumn leaves from Heaven. Finally he begged the Holy See for a chance to rescue his lost comrades. Surely, he believed, their redemption could not only be found in death. His plea was granted and Bardiel was sent to Hell for the first time.
Few alive truly remember what happened during Bardiel’s short lived crusade through Pandemonium. Obscure histories written in shaky hand tell that Bardiel and a small cadre of likeminded angels made it all the way to Lucifer’s throne. Whether what transpired was an assassination attempt, a sanctioned duel, a kidnapping, a peace embassy, a massacre or all of these things depends on who’s asked. Regardless, Lucifer carved open Bardiel’s chest and planted within a small seed of darkness- dooming him to die a slow, painful death. The Armistice was shaken but did not break.
Defeated, Bardiel tried to return home, but thanks to Lucifer’s taint the gates would not open for him. Denied his return into Heaven, Bardiel returned to Hell and wandered its Outlands, intent only on killing the mindless and unspeakable beasts that lurked there. For an age he continued training to become more powerful, travelling further and further towards the Edge. However the corruptive energies of the abyss were starting to affect him, eroding his mind even as it mutated his body.
After more then 1000 years of wandering something crawled its way up to the pearly gates, broken and horrifying beyond measure. Lucifer’s curse had taken root and the sinister force which ate at Bardiel was consuming him. In reaching for the gates, pitifully seeking entrance, his hands were burnt to the bone and Bardiel was cast from Heaven for the third and final time.
Powers and Abilities: (See Race-Fallen)
Labyrinth Mind: Bardiel’s crazed mind can easily resist another’s mental influence.
Phase: Bardiel’s body’s grasp on reality is just as fragile as his mind’s. With Lucifer’s curse drawing him into the abyss and the Crucifix tethering him to this plane, Bardiel can step out of phase with reality, becoming ethereal for a short time.
Eternal Warrior: As a symbol of office from his time in heaven Bardiel’s flesh has been bound and sealed by minor sigils of protection. These wards make his skin as hard as stone and help to turn harmful spells.
Without Peer: Bardiel’s skill with the blade is legendary, as his chief duty in heaven was the martial training of recruits. Bardiel is hard pressed to find his equal once there’s a sword in his hand.
Monster: With the Crucifix of Servitude removed Bardiel will inevitably transform into this, or he can succumb to speed up the process. As a monster Bardiel swiftly looses control of all his actions and reason, but is granted terrible physical abilities supplemented by this new form. The Crucifix of Servitude is the only known means to reverse the transformation.
Fatal Weaknesses:
The Ever-Wound: The physical manifestation of Bardiel’s corruption. It’s a large, noxious “X” shaped scar over the left side of his chest. It acts as a crack in his stone skin armour which leaves his heart vulnerable. This brand of festering corruption allows him to painfully sense holy artefacts.
Forsaken disciplines: While a master swordsman, Bardiel has spurned all other weapon styles. Throughout his existence he has never so much as fired an arrow.
Numb: Bardiel’s enchanted skin and destroyed hands greatly limit his sense of touch.
Madness: Bardiel is quite mad, even for a Fallen. He suffers frequent delusions, hallucinations and outbursts of random neurotic behaviour. This insanity can manifest at the worst possible moments. Unlike other Fallen, Bardiel’s madness prevents him from using his natural empathetic abilities.
Disgrace: With the Crucifix of Servitude around his neck Bardiel is repelled from interfering directly with the Angelic Host.
Leaden: While he wears it, the Crucifix of Servitude significantly impedes Bardiel’s speed, both on the ground and in the air. It also causes him to tire himself quickly, and occasionally distracting him with blinding pain.
Living on Borrowed Time: Lucifer’s curse will eventually drag Bardiel’s soul into the abyss, leaving behind a twisted lifeless body. While Bardiel endures the burden of the Crucifix of Servitude he significantly delays this process and may see to his destiny as he wishes. While transformed and freed of the Crucifix the void strengthens its grip on him and draws Bardiel rapidly toward a blissful demise.
Magical Items:
Crucifix of Servitude: A mysterious and powerful Holy artefact on a heavy chain that was gifted to him by a mysterious figure in white. The immense weight of the Crucifix (offset by its small size) limits Bardiel’s full potential and abilities, but so long as he wares it, it prevents him from transforming and losing his soul. The Cross is also an anathema to other denizens of hell; a fact Bardiel exploits to the best of his abilities.
The Crucifix of Servitude works by anchoring Bardiel against the pull of the Abyss as well as painfully burning away the excess corruption growing in his body. The cross can be strengthened by tethering other souls to it; this is accomplished by a sort of contract which binds Bardiel to the contractor through the Crucifix. In this way Bardiel can delay his curse further.
The twin swords Ash: From his charred and blackened hands Bardiel can still call forth the two swords of flame he commanded before his fall but, just as he, they have changed for it. Veins of glowing ambers run down the length of the black, rust covers blades. In their wake falls a curtain of choking volcanic ash. They are wielded so skilfully that they are like extensions of Bardiel’s own arms.
Non-magical Items:
Full plate armour and undergarments: Poorly kept, too big for him and scavenged from the Frozen Waste.
Hood and bandages: to conceal his appearance.
Small backpack: Just that. It fits comfortably between the shoulder blades, allowing for unhindered flight, and carries a number of uselessly helpful items such as rope, fabric, a knife and a mirror.
Earth gold: In a small leather pouch for the manipulation of humans.
Appearance:
Bardiel stands easily over an intimidating seven feet, with sinewy structured mussels and a lithe build of a mountaineer. Despite his height Bardiel often appears shorter as he is bent at the waist under the weight of his Crucifix. The skin of his hands and feet are charred to the bone, as if they had been left in a fire, giving the scorched appendages the appearance of claws. Bardiel’s face remains a pure, if tarnished, gold, which frames his eternally young and beautiful features. His feathery hair is grey and comes down to his slate green eyes. Bardiel’s continuously malting wings may first appear black but are in fact simply covered in layers of ash, which cascades around his form as he moves. This ash stains and smears whatever Bardiel is wearing. He often conceals his face and hands in linen bandages.
Basic Personality:
He has a twisted and carefree sense of humour. Often acting foolish and unintelligent, Bardiel is dangerously aware of those around him, the real and imaginary. Friendly enough on the outside, Bardiel has no real concern for the feelings of others and shows little self control. Impulsive, irresponsible and insane, little remains of the angel Bardiel once was.
Brief History:
Once a revered Son of the almighty Angelic Host, Bardiel was a powerful Angel of impressive skill. Unwavering in his faith, it was Bardiel’s responsibility to train aspiring warriors as the Host’s master at arms. He was a warrior priest who for millennia dedicated his entire being to the art of warfare. Soon the passionate lure of bloodshed and death drove him to obsession. The Seraph, seeing Bardiel’s single minded devotion as a promising tool, took an interest in him.
When Lucifer rebelled Bardiel fought in the war that followed. Still, they say, his soul was troubled as he slew those he once called kin. When the first war finally ended Bardiel’s unease grew as more and more of his brothers fell like autumn leaves from Heaven. Finally he begged the Holy See for a chance to rescue his lost comrades. Surely, he believed, their redemption could not only be found in death. His plea was granted and Bardiel was sent to Hell for the first time.
Few alive truly remember what happened during Bardiel’s short lived crusade through Pandemonium. Obscure histories written in shaky hand tell that Bardiel and a small cadre of likeminded angels made it all the way to Lucifer’s throne. Whether what transpired was an assassination attempt, a sanctioned duel, a kidnapping, a peace embassy, a massacre or all of these things depends on who’s asked. Regardless, Lucifer carved open Bardiel’s chest and planted within a small seed of darkness- dooming him to die a slow, painful death. The Armistice was shaken but did not break.
Defeated, Bardiel tried to return home, but thanks to Lucifer’s taint the gates would not open for him. Denied his return into Heaven, Bardiel returned to Hell and wandered its Outlands, intent only on killing the mindless and unspeakable beasts that lurked there. For an age he continued training to become more powerful, travelling further and further towards the Edge. However the corruptive energies of the abyss were starting to affect him, eroding his mind even as it mutated his body.
After more then 1000 years of wandering something crawled its way up to the pearly gates, broken and horrifying beyond measure. Lucifer’s curse had taken root and the sinister force which ate at Bardiel was consuming him. In reaching for the gates, pitifully seeking entrance, his hands were burnt to the bone and Bardiel was cast from Heaven for the third and final time.
Powers and Abilities: (See Race-Fallen)
Labyrinth Mind: Bardiel’s crazed mind can easily resist another’s mental influence.
Phase: Bardiel’s body’s grasp on reality is just as fragile as his mind’s. With Lucifer’s curse drawing him into the abyss and the Crucifix tethering him to this plane, Bardiel can step out of phase with reality, becoming ethereal for a short time.
Eternal Warrior: As a symbol of office from his time in heaven Bardiel’s flesh has been bound and sealed by minor sigils of protection. These wards make his skin as hard as stone and help to turn harmful spells.
Without Peer: Bardiel’s skill with the blade is legendary, as his chief duty in heaven was the martial training of recruits. Bardiel is hard pressed to find his equal once there’s a sword in his hand.
Monster: With the Crucifix of Servitude removed Bardiel will inevitably transform into this, or he can succumb to speed up the process. As a monster Bardiel swiftly looses control of all his actions and reason, but is granted terrible physical abilities supplemented by this new form. The Crucifix of Servitude is the only known means to reverse the transformation.
Fatal Weaknesses:
The Ever-Wound: The physical manifestation of Bardiel’s corruption. It’s a large, noxious “X” shaped scar over the left side of his chest. It acts as a crack in his stone skin armour which leaves his heart vulnerable. This brand of festering corruption allows him to painfully sense holy artefacts.
Forsaken disciplines: While a master swordsman, Bardiel has spurned all other weapon styles. Throughout his existence he has never so much as fired an arrow.
Numb: Bardiel’s enchanted skin and destroyed hands greatly limit his sense of touch.
Madness: Bardiel is quite mad, even for a Fallen. He suffers frequent delusions, hallucinations and outbursts of random neurotic behaviour. This insanity can manifest at the worst possible moments. Unlike other Fallen, Bardiel’s madness prevents him from using his natural empathetic abilities.
Disgrace: With the Crucifix of Servitude around his neck Bardiel is repelled from interfering directly with the Angelic Host.
Leaden: While he wears it, the Crucifix of Servitude significantly impedes Bardiel’s speed, both on the ground and in the air. It also causes him to tire himself quickly, and occasionally distracting him with blinding pain.
Living on Borrowed Time: Lucifer’s curse will eventually drag Bardiel’s soul into the abyss, leaving behind a twisted lifeless body. While Bardiel endures the burden of the Crucifix of Servitude he significantly delays this process and may see to his destiny as he wishes. While transformed and freed of the Crucifix the void strengthens its grip on him and draws Bardiel rapidly toward a blissful demise.
Magical Items:
Crucifix of Servitude: A mysterious and powerful Holy artefact on a heavy chain that was gifted to him by a mysterious figure in white. The immense weight of the Crucifix (offset by its small size) limits Bardiel’s full potential and abilities, but so long as he wares it, it prevents him from transforming and losing his soul. The Cross is also an anathema to other denizens of hell; a fact Bardiel exploits to the best of his abilities.
The Crucifix of Servitude works by anchoring Bardiel against the pull of the Abyss as well as painfully burning away the excess corruption growing in his body. The cross can be strengthened by tethering other souls to it; this is accomplished by a sort of contract which binds Bardiel to the contractor through the Crucifix. In this way Bardiel can delay his curse further.
The twin swords Ash: From his charred and blackened hands Bardiel can still call forth the two swords of flame he commanded before his fall but, just as he, they have changed for it. Veins of glowing ambers run down the length of the black, rust covers blades. In their wake falls a curtain of choking volcanic ash. They are wielded so skilfully that they are like extensions of Bardiel’s own arms.
Non-magical Items:
Full plate armour and undergarments: Poorly kept, too big for him and scavenged from the Frozen Waste.
Hood and bandages: to conceal his appearance.
Small backpack: Just that. It fits comfortably between the shoulder blades, allowing for unhindered flight, and carries a number of uselessly helpful items such as rope, fabric, a knife and a mirror.
Earth gold: In a small leather pouch for the manipulation of humans.
Appearance:
Bardiel stands easily over an intimidating seven feet, with sinewy structured mussels and a lithe build of a mountaineer. Despite his height Bardiel often appears shorter as he is bent at the waist under the weight of his Crucifix. The skin of his hands and feet are charred to the bone, as if they had been left in a fire, giving the scorched appendages the appearance of claws. Bardiel’s face remains a pure, if tarnished, gold, which frames his eternally young and beautiful features. His feathery hair is grey and comes down to his slate green eyes. Bardiel’s continuously malting wings may first appear black but are in fact simply covered in layers of ash, which cascades around his form as he moves. This ash stains and smears whatever Bardiel is wearing. He often conceals his face and hands in linen bandages.