The Archangels are the descendants of Lukas. They built a mighty empire above the clouds and claimed the Skylands as their home. Tasked with protecting the races of Saron, the Archangels are built for battle. Their swords are kept sharp and their wings are kept free should trouble arise. Some Archangels are scholars or poets, but foremost they are and always will be warriors.

The Archangels are a prideful and noble race. They are among the best warriors and fighters in the universe. Their All Father, Lukas the Seraph, was a heavenly being. Also called the Great Guardian, Lukas was tasked with the purpose of defending Saron from attack from both within and without. After his fall his children of the Archangels took over his mission to preserve peace in the 52nd world.

 

History

Origins

Lukas the All Father was one of the first beings in Saron’s existence. He was brother to Crono, the father of the Cronozears. Lukas, like his brother, had children born unto him to help him in his duties toward Saron. Lukas had two children, a son and a daughter. The son’s name was Seethes, the daughter’s Golgotha. Golgotha born more children, and thus truly began the Archangel race. Seethes, however, did not bear children. Lukas protected Saron for near a century before becoming corrupted by darkness, and rebelling against God. He and the first three generations of Archangels entered the Heavens and battled for the sake of chaos in order to destroy the Creator. Lukas and his kith lost the battle and were imprisoned in Ralakade for their sin. Lukas, now called the Dark One, and the first three generations of Archangels, now called the Exdeva, became subjected to the curse of Ralakade, and rotted.

After the Rebellion the remaining Archangels wandered about lost. Their leader and father had turned against their own teachings and been smote by God. After this time of division, one Archangel stood up and proposed that they as a race reunite. This Archangel’s name was Light. Light gathered those he trusted and traveled to the newly formed Skylands. They claimed the Skylands as their new home and began to build a city. This city, built directly above the Creator’s Mountain, became known as Arcane. More and more Archangels came to Arcane in search of refuge and the city became great. Light became the king of this city. More cities sprouted up, and soon an empire began. King Light insisted that, since Lukas had rebelled against God and rotted, they as a people should follow and serve God for the purpose of becoming great like they had once been. The Archangels turned their face toward God, and the Creator blessed them and made them a great nation.

Restoration Age

The period after Lukas’ Fall was spent surviving as skirmishes and corruption ravaged the world of Saron. The Grasslands dried up and the Temwolveri trekked to the Ten Realms as Crono’s sons did their best to keep chaos from ensuing. It was at this point when the Archangel Empire was just beginning. Once order had been restored to the Ten Realms the Archangel nation began to grow and thrive. Government was established and contracts were signed. Trade routes were created and the Archangels and Cronozears became neighbors. The Archangels were the first race to truly find peace after the Rebellion.

Shadow Age

The Shadow Age began when Seethes and his rallied band of rebels set out to retake Saron. Seethes, the first son of Lukas, had escaped the fate of his father and brethren, fleeing the south of Saron to hide in the Caverns of Time. The Caverns of Time kept Seethes young for centuries. Over this period of time he lured Archangels to him and poisoned their minds with lies. His followers, later called the Sect of Shadows, came to believe that Lukas and his ideologies were correct, and the Creator was evil. Once he had a sizable force, Seethes set out to conquer Saron. With hundreds willing to give their lives to him Seethes caused much devastation. Seethes left ashes in his wake as he blazed through the world of Saron. Eventually in a final confrontation Seethes and the Sect of Shadows were stopped by the Archangel Army. The battle, known as the Battle of Twilight, caused the most casualties in history other than the Rebellion.

The Great War

One-hundred-eighty-years of peace settled upon the Archangel Empire after the Battle of Twilight. The empire reached its pinnacle of power and was the grandest it had ever been. At this time a man called Ares entered the throne room of King Alomar of the Archangels. Ares proposed the idea that God was not just and kind, but instead uncaring and evil. Ares met with the king several more times over the course of six months, after which time Alomar declared war against God. This was the beginning of the Great War.

“Unto the people of Arcane, Sanctuary, and the Skylands, I, King Alomar the Highest, make a proclamation. As of late an issue has been brought to my attention. Through the words of one who is enlightened beyond comparison I have discovered a disconcerting falsehood that rests at the heart of our city, our kingdom, and our world.

“For centuries previous, we have been led to believe that our creator and God is the source of our goodness, of our life and of our faith. Yet, as is known by all, our All Father, Lukas, suffered and suffers for his denying of God’s absoluteness and authority. It has been brought to my attention that Lukas’ betrayal may not have been mistakes made through a marred mind as we thought, and mayhaps hoped. Instead, mayhaps Lukas had found enlightenment and truth in the place all truth resides, in a place long lost to our people. Therefore, it is my belief that we should revisit and rethink the testaments of old.

“In said testaments of old we hear that Lukas defied the Creator and lost his sight and wings because so, however, we are called to defy evil things and establish new boundaries, rules, and testaments by a higher power in hopes of bringing order to the chaos and world we live in. One being who found enlightenment came to me and revealed to me these truths found in the place where truths reside, and through such conversations and lessons that were provided to me I, too, have found enlightenment.

“Tis my hope that all subjects and associates, of Lukas’ blood or not, will follow me to the path of enlightenment and free our world from the bonds of evil that have plagued us for these centuries. Wherefore, I, King Alomar the Highest of the Archangels, Descendant of Lukas, do declare war on God. This war shall begin immediately and without hesitation with means to carry on until the very end. Such is my proclamation. Laud Lord Lukas.” -The Declaration of War, delivered by King Alomar on the fifth month in the thirtieth year of his reign

The Archangels fought against the Cronozears and humans with the intention of slaughtering innocent blood to anger and sadden God. Their first attack was on Storm-Rake, and the spark ignited a flame of passionate bloodshed which lasted five years. Battles took place at River Mock, Oawa, and the Southeastern Plains of Death, as well as many others. Alomar was killed in the fourth year of the war, and Crow Lumenson took his place as leader of the Archangel nation. Lumenson became known as the Guardian, and also commanded the Archangel Army. In the end both the races of the Archangels and Cronozears were nearly wiped from the face of the world. The Cronozears won the Great War, but it was a bittersweet victory. Archangels were killed and exiled as punishment, some even thrown into Ralakade. It would take the Archangel people several decades to heal from this tragedy.

Government

Politics

The Archangel Empire, also called the Archangel Nation, is a monarchy. A single king or queen sits on the throne. This monarch has complete power over everything from taxes to army movements. But the monarch doesn’t rule the empire alone.

There are approximately eleven floating islands that make up the Skylands. The central and largest of these islands is Sanctuary, where the capital City of Arcane is built. There are also “capitals” on the other ten floating islands. Each island hovers above one of the Ten Realms (except for Sanctuary, which hovers over the Creator’s Mountain). One man or woman rules one of these “capitals” in the Skylands. They are of noble blood, and are, in a sense, the monarch of their own Skyland. Each of these leaders must obey the king and pay taxes, however. Thus, there are the citizens, who answer to the noble families, and the noble families answer to the king.

Army

The Archangel Army is traditionally led by three generals. Each of these generals is very close to the king or queen of the Archangels, and usually act as advisers to the throne. The generals are usually male, with only on exception in history during the time of the Great War.

The only time in history when the Archangel Army was not led by three generals was during the final year of the Great War. During this time Crow Lumenson, the Guardian, was given power over the whole of the Archangel Army as well as the role of lead adviser to the Archangel throne. The Guardian did his job expertly, but as much as he did, the Archangels still lost the Great War.

There are seven ranks in the Archangel Army: Foot-soldier, soldier, lieutenant, centurion, captain, paladin, and general. Most armies in Saron, such as the Temwolveri Army, use a similar system.