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Anger of Angels
Other Famous Angels While the archangels tend to get the most attention from religious scholars, hundreds of other named angels appear in the literature of various religions. A few of the more interesting or unusual ones appear below. Abdiel (LG seraph Pal15): Abdiel (“servant of god”) is the great angel who routed “Ariel” (but see below), Arioc, and Ramiel (angels in Samael’s host) during the war in Heaven. Abdiel is a fierce fighter, and even Samael reeled from this angel’s mighty sword stroke. He is called the unshakeable, faithful, and unseduced. Anael (LG principality Clr15): Anael is a chief of the principalities and one of the angels who assisted in the creation of the world. He is a guide to kingdoms in the mortal world and has dominion over the moon. As a powerful angel concerned with the planets, he makes sure that prayers from the mortal world ascend properly through First Heaven onward to Second Heaven. Ariel (LG malakite Clr10): Ariel (“lion of god”) is an Angel of the Earth† and the Wind†, and is often associated with birds. He also assists Raphael in the curing of disease. He frequently enters battle in a fierce lion-headed form, which endears him to cherubim. He sometimes assists those guarding the divine thrones in Seventh Heaven. Ariel is not the same angel routed by Abdiel as noted above. The confusion stems from a work by a mortal scholar who named Ariel as one of Abdiel’s three defeated foes. The defeated angel is probably a bearer of a Nomina Barbara† easily confused with Ariel’s name. Azrael (NG dynama Clr10/Angel of Destruction5): Azrael (“vow of god”) is an Angel of the Earth† and the Waters†. He is sometimes called “the Ancient.” It is his job to separate a mortal’s soul from the body at the time of death (an honor he earned for his role in providing the dust from which Adam was created). It is said that he writes constantly in a large book, then erases what he writes (the writing being mortal births, and the erasing mortal deaths). Azbuga (NG hashmalite Clr20): Azbuga (“strength”) is one of the attendants to the heavenly thrones. Some say his rank is superior to Archangel Metatron, for Azbuga was once a secret divine name. His chief duty is to take the worthiest new arrivals to Heaven and clothe them in righteousness (typically reserved for great heroes or influential clergy), so they may serve as saints. Spellcasters call upon him to heal illness and expunge demons. Barachiel (NG seraph Ftr10/Rog10): Barachiel (“lightning of god”) is sometimes listed as an archangel. He is a prince of the seraphim and of Second Heaven. He is an Angel of Chance†, Lightning†, Pisces, and Scorpio (see Angel of the Zodiac†). Bath Qol (LG hashmalite Clr20): Bath Qol (“heavenly voice”) is an Angel of Announcement†. One of the few angels in traditional literature consistently depicted as female, she represents prophecy, especially in latter times when true prophecy has all but died out. She rarely speaks on her own behalf, preferring to let her deity speak through her as needed. It was her voice that called out to Cain after Abel’s murder, “Where is thy brother Abel?”
Camael (LG dynama Pal15/Angel of Destruction†5): Camael (“he who sees god”) is chief of the dynamis and personifies divine justice. He is sometimes listed as an archangel, and he is worshipped in some cultures as a war god. He leads an army of 12,000 angels, which is used to surround the deific thrones when Heaven falls under attack. Dumah (LG malakite Pal15/Angel of Destruction5): Dumah (“silence”) is an Angel of Silence† and of the stillness of death. He carries a flaming sword that can turn into a rod of fire, and he is said to possess a thousand eyes. As well as leading armies of angels of destruction, Dumah is also responsible for punishing the souls of the especially wicked in Hell. Hashmal (LG hashmalite Clr15/Fire-Speaker5): Hashmal (“the splendor of god’s divine countenance”) is chief of the hashmalim and the first fire-speaking angel. He has transcended his original form and now always exists in a spherical fire elemental form in which are suspended the letters of his celestial brand (see Chapter Eight: Prestige Classes for information on fire-speaking angels). He directs the actions of all other hashmalim. Iofiel (LG principality Clr15): Iofiel (“beauty of god”) is a prince of divine law, a regent of the motion of the planets, and an aide to Metatron. It was Iofiel who drove Adam and Eve out of Heaven after the Original Sin. Iofiel was sent to watch over and guide the sons of Noah after the great flood. Israfel: (LG principality Pal5/Clr10): Israfel (“the burning one”) is an Angel of Music†, resurrection, and song. He began instructing Mohammed in the duties of a prophet (a task completed by Gabriel). He has four wings, and it is said that six times a day he looks down into Hell and is so affected with grief at the sight that his tears would drown the world if the gods did not hold them back. Jehoel (LG seraph Clr10/Pal10): Jehoel is an Angel of Fire† and one of the chiefs of the seraphim. His primary responsibility is to keep Leviathan (a great and ancient sea dragon that will be freed at Armageddon) in check. When the patriarch Abraham visited Heaven, it was Jehoel who related to him the course of human history. Kochbiel (NG grigori Wiz15): Kochbiel (“star of god”) is an angelic prince of the stars. Among the first grigori to come to the mortal world, he taught mortals the science of the constellations. In some faiths he is a fallen angel, cast out of Heaven for fathering children with mortal women. Lucifer (NG seraph Pal10/Clr10): Lucifer (“light giver”) is an Angel of Light† and an angel of the morning star. Often confused with Samael (Satan), Lucifer is a good angel and sided with Heaven against Samael’s forces. Also known as the Morningstar or the Lightbringer, he is said to be the brightest angel. Melchisedec (LG malakite Pal20): Melchisedec (“the god is my king”) is the “king of righteousness” and “most beloved of god.” He is an Angel of Nourishment† and Repentance†, and one of his roles is to redeem wayward angels. He fed and cared for the many animals in Noah’s ark so they would survive the Flood.
