"...angels didn't exist any more than vampires and werewolves did."[1] -Grier Childe
In both the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and the Fallen Angels series, Christian mythology is the dominant paradigm, but it is also entwined with classical mythology as well. For instance, The Scribe Virgin has several attributes that are similar to the Greek goddess, Pallas Athene, while The Omega appears to be a combination of the Greek cthonic god of the Underworld, Hades, mixed with elements of the Judeo-Christian fallen angel, Lucifer, and the dark Zoroastrian god, Aka Manah.
The Creator made two children, the Scribe Virgin and The Omega, and then made the Angels afterwards.
Angels[]
At some point in the creation of the universe, before the presence of mortals on Earth, The Creator, the ultimate divine presence in the cosmos, made a class of semi-spiritual beings, which he called Angels.
Angels are, to put it succinctly, un-aging servants to The Creator's will who reside in Heaven when not working.
Abilities[]
The Creator assigns them cosmic duties, such as guiding the souls of mortals to their proper after-life resting place, blowing up stars, or helping an individual mortal to achieve their destiny. To complete these tasks, Angels have been given specific abilities and special magical powers that mortal species do not necessarily possess. Not all abilities are universal amongst them, one might be able to activate locks and another might not.[2] All Angels
- are immune to disease and aging
- can phase their corporeal bodies at will, morphing into a ghost-like state or becoming completely invisible.
- are telepathic
- can dematerialize, however, they're blocked by metal constructs in much the same way as the other races that can dematerialize.
- can hide in shadows and remain unseen, much as Shadows can. They can also read the emotional grids of those around them, much as Sympaths can.
- blood seems to contain different properties from those of mortals, for instance, at least one of them is known to bleed contagion and disease.
- are healed by sunlight while on earth.
- can cast spells of protection, exorcism, and summoning to varying degrees of ability.
Hierarchy[]
There is a hierarchy among the Angelic ranks, which is most clearly demonstrated in the Fallen Angels series.
Archangels[]
- During Creation, the archangels were made to be guardians of Heaven and the Manse of Souls. The five of them were meant to be a balance of particular qualities, like fingers on a hand.
- Archangels can become fallen and another angel may be made an archangel if one dies.
- Currently, the roles are filled by Bertie, Byron, Colin, and Nigel; Jim refers to them as the Four Lads.
Soldier Angels[]
- Middle rank, these are Angels currently doing the work of The Creator without complaint or failure.
Fallen Angels[]
- Bottom of the heap, these are Angels who have either failed in a task given them by The Creator or who have rebelled against The Creator's will, but they have been given a second chance to make-up for their transgression. Until they do so, however, they are not allowed to enter Heaven.
Physical Characteristics[]
Angels have retractable wings and silver blood that smells like flowers. Despite having a physical body, Angels do not cast a shadow nor are they truly immortal; they can be killed and they can commit suicide. While on earth, they require sleep and food[4]
Angels are as varied in look and personality as mortals. They have their own personality quirks and can feel deep emotion. They also have very physical appetites for food, recreation, and sex. They form bonds of love and hate, the same as mortals.
Angels appearing in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series:[]
- Lassiter (Fallen Angel until Lover Reborn, when he regains his status as a Soldier Angel)
Angels appearing in the Fallen Angels series:[]
- Jim Heron (Human turned Fallen Angel turned Soldier Angel eventually)
- Adrian (Fallen Angel)
- Eddie (Fallen Angel)
- Nigel (Archangel)
- Colin (Archangel)
- Byron (Archangel)
- Bertie (Archangel)
Demons[]
Demons are Fallen Angels who either failed to regain their status as Angels, or have chosen to turn away from The Creator altogether and cannot return to Heaven as a result. Their forms are twisted by the evil they commit, turning them into monsters. They act like parasites, getting into a target's head over time and influencing their actions until they're the right level of evil, then the demon ensures a "mortal event" or rather series of events that follow like dominos.[5]
Demons are, in a phrase, un-aging servants of chaos and destruction.
Abilities[]
As Demons retain much of the special magical abilities they once had as Angels, they are still immune to disease and natural catastrophe, and they can phase their corporeal bodies at will, morphing into a ghost-like state or becoming completely invisible. They can also fast-travel to locations, much as Vampires can, and can hide in shadows and remain unseen, much as Shadows can. They further have the ability to read the emotional grids of those around them, much as Sympaths can.
They collect items of the person they're targeting, forging a bond between them, that allows the demon to seize control of the human's soul. Gifts are much more powerful for this purpose than stealing something, so are metals, and the more things they get, the stronger the tie is. Sex is another way they can get their claws into someone.[6]
Hierarchy[]
There is a hierarchy among the Demonic ranks, which is most clearly demonstrated in the Fallen Angels series:
- The Damned (there is only 1 at a time)
- Soldier Demons (these are Demons who are currently doing the work of The Damned without complaint or failure)
- They look like smoking shadows.
Physical Characteristics[]
They are as varied in look and personality as mortals, but they all appear to be withered, bestial versions of their former selves (usually with wings, claws, and fangs); they reek like rotten garbage.[7] Some Demons have the magical ability to glamour their appearance, so they look attractive to others (however, underneath their magicked skin, they are still their hideous, mutilated selves). Although they are sexless in their true forms, some have a preference for certain genders when assuming human guise.[8]
Demons have their own personality quirks and can feel deep emotion, and at least one is known to suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that manifests in hoarding. They also have very physical appetites for food, recreation, and sex. They form bonds of obsession and hate, the same as mortals.
Demons have dirty-grey blood[8] that, when sprayed from a wound, turns into pellets similar to buckshot and stings like acid upon contact with skin.[7]
Despite having a physical body, Demons do not cast a shadow nor are they truly immortal; they can be killed and they can commit suicide.
Weaknesses[]
Salt can act as a barrier, making it more difficult for a demon to enter an area.[9]
When attacking a demon, one should aim for the centre of the chest.[7]
Demons appearing in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series:[]
Demons appearing in the Fallen Angels series:[]
- Devina
- various unnamed Soldier Demons