Zariel

With a mask of bronze and eyes of fire, Zariel guarded the gaps between dimensions. Under his purview were sinners, who he expiated through painful punishment. It was not through disgust that he wielded rod and whip, but love that drove him. Before the souls of people could enter paradise, they required retribution.
Before his fall, bronze-faced Zariel was tasked with watching the portals to the afterlives and punishing those whose souls were not fit to enter the realms of their gods. Some traditions paint him as a sadistic and cruel punisher, his mace crushing sin from brain and bone and his spiked chain rending it from the flesh. In truth, he was impartial to sin and piety. He punished the souls of mortals for love of them. A king or slave, a merchant or beggar, he loved all equally. He was sent to punish Thierrin for his blasphemous existence and weigh the worth of his soul. It is said that when Zariel saw the depth of Thierrin's love for the world, the bronze of his face cracked beneath his sacred tears. In d'Etoile, it is said that he weighs the worth of those who would enter, and exacts expiation on the unworthy. The duchy of Zareth bears his name, and his blood runs in those familial lines that trace their origin to the mountainous region. To mortals, Zariel taught that pain can cleanse, and may be inflicted through love as well as hate. His scions are adept torturers, though the profession is seen by society as inhumane. They also have the ability to discern the truth of arguments with uncanny accuracy and alacrity. Thus, Zariel's scions can also be found as judges and advisors, or as lawyers, where they can combine their insight with their predilection toward torture. Zariel is associated with pain, bronze, the westerly wind and salvation. His clergy wear black robes accented with bronze, bronze masks with perpendicular lines running downward from the eyes downward, and heavy bronze chains about their necks. They are tasked with absolving the wrongs of Cetoilais citizens, and outlining appropriate reparations when no judge or jury is present.

Description

Zariel is depicted as a bronze-skinned man garbed in robes of a deep grey or green-black. Some works depict him with large wings of flame. His eyes are often closed, but are fiery when open. He holds various items of torture and punishment.

Faith

Zariel's religious order is known as the Children of Bronze. Its cathedral in Zareth serves also as a courthouse and penitentiary. A handful of Zarine judges formed The Children under the guidance of Zariel when he lingered in Cetoile. The angel assisted the judges in writing a charter. The Children judge those who present their cases to them, balancing compassion and order. They will mete out commensurate punishment, cleansing the mind and soul of both criminals and those of legal but guilty conscience. 
Prospective Children of the Bronze must first be admitted to the Zarine Guild of Lawyers, and announce their intention to join the Children. They are then permitted to shadow Children, and may assist them in their judgements and the drafting of laws. Should they be called to

Inheritance

Zareth

The Absolver, Guardian of the Pathways

Dogma

Through pain, absolution.

Symbol

A masque with a key beneath, both coloured bronze.

Domains

Absolution, Fire, Forgiveness, Judgement, Pain, Protection, Punishment, Temperance

See Also

The Twelve Stars | Zareth