[hider=Azhriel, God of Souls] [h3][center][b]Azhriel[/b][/center][/h3] [center][i]The Judicator, Lord of the Underworld[/i][/center] [center][b]God of Souls[/b][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/lUcbtLk.jpg?1[/img] [url=https://i.imgur.com/7Ll04Kw.jpg]Ancient Mural[/url] | [url=https://i.imgur.com/TudoKUm.jpg?1]Judicator Form[/url][/center] [center][b]Realm:[/b] [i]Neberziel, The Underworld.[/i][/center] Despite its name, Neberziel is not technically under anything. It is a completely separate realm, although a physical entrance may be found situated on a remote island towards the southern-east most direction of the world. This is called the Pit of Ahael and often mistaken for being the Underworld itself, given the sheer depth of the Pit. Inside the realm of Neberziel is rather barren. An endless, stone-grey canyon littered with bone cages suspended from chains and the odd emerald-flame. The canyon stretches on forever in all directions. Indiscriminately situated on the canyon floor is a hulking metallic throne, forged by Ferran as a gift to the Lord of the realm. Placed mere feet in front of the throne is a well-worn chopping block with dried bloodstains for decoration. It is here where the dead are served judgement kneeling as they wait. Echoing wails of those long passed can be heard in the distance. They originate from the River Oberon which is located beyond the canyon to the west, though it seems to be inaccessible by any normal means. It is here where the Souls of the Damned remain, forever floating by. However there is no noticeable current and the river seems to meander and split in several directions at once. Merely gazing upon it is enough to elicit feelings of nausea for any mortal fortunate enough to witness it. In order to aid him in governing the dead, Azhriel has enlisted the servitude of four souls who were once powerful living beings known as the Ashen Guard. These four loyal avatars oversee the general influx of Souls and take turns at standing guard at the Pit of Ahael. Though their Souls have been reinstated into new forms, they are still considered dead. Hidden somewhere deep inside Neberziel is a cavern that hosts the Soul of an Old God. Details of who they were or how they came to be killed are lost to all but the Lord of the Underworld. Azhriel rarely visits the Old God though when he does, it is usually out of some dire need for knowledge or direction. There aren't many among his brethren who know of this Soul but even in death, faint remnants of their once-great power can still be felt. [b]Biography:[/b] A God dedicated to the Balance of All Things. Azhriel's birth was one of necessity, to guide the Souls of those lost in death. Due to Ragnagedon's murderous tendencies, Azhriel was forced to focus on the numerous amounts of Souls lost to the Fire God's hand, sifting through the mountains of dead deciding whom should be allowed to live again and whether the deceased may rest in peace or misery. Over time, his power has expanded to allow him to reside over all Souls that inevitably pass on. As the Lord of the Underworld, Azhriel is undeniably protective of all Souls he welcomes into his embrace. Good, Evil, Chaotic or Lawful. No matter the judgement, they each become his children and he would see the end of all other realms in order to protect them. Other Gods have, at times, tried to seduce him in order to utilise the Souls of the Damned for their own gain, some have even tried to kill him. But not one has succeeded. Buffed heavily by his Judicator Form, Azhriel has fought back every attempt to gain forceful entry into Neberziel. As a Judge, he remains unbiased to the occurrences of the other realms. From the petty squabbles of his fellow Gods down to the territorial battles waged between the fledgling Humans, Azhriel refuses to choose a side. Throughout his tenure, Azhriel has remained neutral of all things except for the actions of the God of Fire. He is stalwart in his duties and truly believes in the balance that must be maintained between both Life and Death. That Ragnagedon continuously attempts to upset this balance, whilst falsely professing to be of the same heritage, exists as the only thing that actually irks him. [b]Misc:[/b] - Azhriel pays no mind to his own age. As a result of this, he doesn't exactly remember when he was born. Only that Ragnagedon's murderous rampages annoyed him greatly during his early years. - It is possible for any being, Divine or otherwise, to bargain with Azhriel using their Soul as currency. The true ramifications of this have not yet been fully explored, but Azhriel conducts almost all of these deals fairly without any hidden conditions. Azhriel learnt this power from the Old God that resides in Neberziel. - Despite having his own personal realm, Azhriel spends a lot of his time wandering across the mortal realm searching for lost Souls, leaving the defence and general running of Neberziel to his Ashen Guard. - Has been known to answer to "Ash" on occasion, mostly from his fellow Gods however. [b]Notes:[/b] - - - - [sub][sub][b]"Put that on my Tabula"[/b][/sub][/sub] [/hider] [hr][h2]Relationships[/h2] [hider=Azhriel's Divine Judgement (of his siblings)] [list] [*]Oao [color=Green]"I've seen darkness envelop the Souls of a [i]thousand[/i] men, yet none of those were as dark as she."[/color] Azhriel murmured, slouched carelessly upon his throne. [color=Green]"Were she not so frightened of the world, I'd be intrigued to see what she might achieve during a solar eclipse."[/color] [*]Anu'Varr [color=Green]"A sinister and cruel young temptress, though not without good reason, [i]apparently[/i]."[/color] His mind flashed back to the violent scenes of her birth. [color=Green]"Her hatred of the Humans has yet to pose a problem for me, personally. [i]Should[/i] it become one, however, I'll be sure to end her existence just as violently as it started."[/color] [*]Ferron Azhriel slams a gauntleted fist down onto the armrest of his throne. [color=Green]"I was gifted this fine piece of craftsmanship by that reclusive, old [i]bastard[/i]."[/color] He stated, smiling beneath his mask. [color=Green]"A shame he never visits, I have some cages that are in dire need of repair."[/color] [*]Hayim [color=Green]"A naive, little weedling to be sure. But only a fool would underestimate him."[/color] The Judge quickly recalls his vast army of followers. [color=Green]"Health is true riches and this little guy has it by the ocean-load. Maybe I should reach out and offer to teach him a thing or two about Life & Death?"[/color] [*]Dirka [color=Green]"I allow her to torment the Souls of those who misuse magic. Saves me a job, I guess."[/color] He said, yawning. [*]Iarus [color=Green]"Can't say I've ever had the pleasure, to be honest. But if all he does is lie, maybe I should tell everyone we met anyways?"[/color] Azhriel adjusted himself on his throne then began needlessly inspecting his staff. [*]Sommler [color=Green]"Hmm...I should ask for help to hide [i]them[/i] from the others a while longer."[/color] [*]Iva'Krorh [color=Green]"Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing."[/color] The God of Souls slowly leaned forward, an air of menace surrounding him slightly. [*]Sveiand [color=Green]"I suppose you might consider us allies."[/color] He mused. [color=Green]"His frosty temperament is stark in contrast to the fiery oafishness of his twin brother."[/color] [*]Ragnagedon Azhriel's expression contorts into an angry glare. [color=Green]"His blatant disregard for the Balance of All Things will the catalyst for his inevitable undoing."[/color] [*]Naswaru [color=Green]"Ahh, the Huntsman. The most intelligent of beasts from all that I've met. We share a common respect for each other and for the Balance. Maybe I can recruit him to bring some of the others in line?"[/color] [*]Dao Rugadh [color=Green]"For a God of Memories he certainly seems almost forgettable. If it weren't for the ridiculous amount of names he chooses to go by, I'm sure I would have forgotten about him entirely."[/color] [*]Hyperion [color=Green]"Ugh. What a pompous [i]ass[/i]. Coincidentally, that also seems to be the place he believes the sun shines from."[/color] [/list] [/hider] [hr][h2]Creations[/h2] [hider=The Ashen Guard] [h3][center][b]The Ashen Guard[/b][/center][/h3] [center][i]Wardens of Neberziel[/i][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/scigrwK.jpg[/img] [b]Gibari, The Rook[/b][/center] [i]One of the very first Souls to have been welcomed into Neberziel by Azhriel. Once a chieftain of lesser men, strong, powerful and worthy of leadership. However, he was slain as he slept by someone who coveted the same power. Even in death, Gibari exuded great strength before the God of Souls impressing him greatly. As such, Azhriel offered the man a chance to serve beyond death. To help uphold the Balance of Souls and defend Neberziel whenever the need calls for it.[/i] [center]=====[/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/KQ3XxwJ.jpg[/img] [b]Xander, The Silent[/b][/center] [i]Xander was a Soul who had taken his own life after killing his older brother in their sleep. When asked whether he would like to make amends with his brother's Soul, Xander refused once he saw what his brother had become; The Rook. Noticing the younger brother's cowardice, Azhriel enlisted his Soul to serve as Warden of Neberziel. However, the God of Souls bound him to eternal silence so that he may never be at peace with his brother's murder.[/i] [center]=====[/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/8fTZ1gw.jpg?1[/img] [b]Lyssa, The Gracious[/b][/center] [i]The result of a pairing looked down upon by most at the time of her birth. Half-Human, Half-Divine Being. An outcast for much of her life until she tried to end it. Sensing the uniqueness of her Soul, Azhriel swiftly intervened. He approached her with compassion, understanding and a simple offer. Pledge to him her Soul and he would provide it with a home and meaning. Initially, she was distrustful of the God who had suddenly appeared before her. No Divine Being had ever regarded her as anything more than an abomination but Azhriel insisted. It took some time but eventually she agreed and so the God of Souls whisked her away to his domain, enlisting the half-breed as another of Neberziel's Wardens. Since she hadn't taken her life and was already part Divine, Azhriel allowed her to retain her original form. Though her true parentage remains buried, it is no secret that her Divinity makes her the strongest of the four Wardens.[/i] [center]=====[/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/74xkvPL.jpg?1[/img] [b]Thaddeus, The Betrayer[/b] [i][/i] [/center] [/hider]