Azariel

Frustrated, Taranis sought out Azariel, the star of war, sibling of Baraqel. Azariel had loved Hethe, the living god, and thought Thierrin's existence a blasphemy on Hethe's legacy. Wielding a sword of thought and shield of will, Azariel descended from the heavens in Their radiance. Determined, he continued to pursue Thierrin, undeterred by failure after failure, foiled by Samyazai's stratagems. Azariel grew wrathful, and Their wrath caused the sky to spit forth bolts of white fire from rolling red clouds. Seeing this, and the danger it presented to those around him, Thierrin offered himself to Azariel. When a stray rock drew blood from Thierrin, however, all anger fled from Azariel. The blood that flowed through Hethe flowed through Thierrin.
Hethe's words echoed in Azariel's heart. "My Father's Heaven is bloodless. I am not." It was then that Azariel turned Their back on Taranis, and offered sword, shield and loyalty to Thierrin, as They had to Hethe. During Thierrin's journeys, Azariel served as a champion in combat. It is written that armies trembled before the might of Their sword and broke themselves against Their shield. When the long journey ended, Azariel took residence in the west of Cetoile, next to Baraqel's domain. Azariel knew Their sister's eternal battle with the Dragon of the Strait was Her own. Azariel's disciples and descendants learned Their philosophy, and stood as a barrier between any ocean-borne raiders and Cetoilais lands. Azariel taught Their warriors the art of the forge, codes of honour, and imbued in them a strength of body and will.
Azariel represents the passionate, jealous and longing aspects of love. Because of Their enduring love for Hethe, widowed lovers will pray to Azariel for fortitude. Azariel's colour is a crimson red, symbolic of the blood They drew from Thierrin, and Hethe's words. Azariel is associated with endurance, fidelity, protection, steadfastness, strength, war, wrath and yellow pansies. Azariel's inheritance left for Their children are their sword and shield. The sword is held by the Azaillais Priest General, and the shield by the current Duc de Azaille. The Red Knight's descendants are often unlucky in love and are instilled with an existential restlessness. Cetoilais children with crimson eyes is said to be favoured by Azariel and destined to be accomplished, heartbroken warriors.

Description

Azariel is often depicted as a figure covered in red armor, tall and imposing. In some works, a cloak wrought of minerals is draped over the armor. Most often, Azariel's helm takes a leonine form, though it is not unknown for it to be described or depicted as a stag's head. Azariel's beauty was an androgynous one, and it is written that Azariel could both bear and sow seed. In Azariel's hand, Their sword and shield could change their form into any weapon of war imaginable. The sword, Thoux, and the shield, Nima, tend to be depicted in their current form, now static without Azariel's divine radiance. Thoux is a longsword with a crystal-clear blade of diamond and a crossguard and pommel of celestial metal; Nima is an obsidian kite shield emblazoned with the twelve-pointed star of Cetoile.

Faith

Emulating the sword and shield, Azariel's formal faith is bipartite, united by the head of his clergy, the Priest General of Azaille. The two official Azarine Orders are The Order of the Divine Crystal and The Order of the Night Shield.

The Order of the Divine Crystal

The Order of the Divine Crystal is the more martial of the two branches, placing emphasis on Azariel's role as a divine warrior. The Order takes its name from Thoux, the longsword given by Azariel to their votaries before departing Cetoile. Crystallines seek self-mastery in service of their duke, crown and church. Crystallines are initiated between the ages of seven and ten. They then undergo harsh training on a secluded island in the storm-swept strait for approximately ten years; the exact length of their training is determined by their trainer. Crystallines are not permitted to return to Cetoile until they have completed their training or renounced the order.

The Order of the Night Shield

The Order of the Night Shield places emphasis on Azariel's role as a protector and deliverer of justice. Its name is taken from Azariel's shield, Nima, bearing the star of Cetoile on a crimson field. Shieldines seek to protect and nurture peace, teach mastery of chaotic impulses, and to protect the vulnerable. Among the Shieldines are Shielders, a sect of the Order that are trained to protect individuals. People of means and importance will hire Shielders, both for their legendary skill and the prestige of having a Shielder in their service. These services come at a steep price, and the gold is fed back into the coffers of Azariel's church and the duchy of Azaille.

Azarine Holy Days

White Day. Two weeks after the Winter Solstice, this day celebrates the legend of Azariel slaying Yngamat, the linnorm of the Alblezard Range. Processions are held in most provinces in Azaille, and in many outside the duchy. The processions parade with long, sinuous dragon kites. In the most spectacular of these parades, the kites can be more than 300 feet long and are controlled by performers who make the kite dance in movements symbolic of power, control and greed. Toward the end of the procession, kites in the shapes of sword and shield harangue the linnorm, and long, red streamers are unfurled. The procession concludes with a feast, usually provided and prepared by members of Azariel's clergy.
Red Day. Held mid-spring, this day celebrates Hethe's bleeding, the marking of his mortality. Red grapes are crushed in hands or pierced with knives. Red wine flows in abundance on this day, making it an important commercial day for vinters. Some members of Azariel's clergy will ritually draw blood on this day.

Steadfast, The Mourning Knight
Deity of Cetoile

Dogma

Stand steadfast.

Domains

Endurance, Honour, Protection, Sacrifice, Strength, War, Wrath

Symbol

A crimson shield, emblazoned with a twelve-pointed star; a black sword behind.

Related

Azaille | Baraqel | The Twelve Stars