Created by: Karsimir

Note - the phrase 'Celestial Angels' is used to distinguish these angels from other entities that may be referred to as angels. The angels and sects detailed below generally don't bother making this distinction, they refer to other forms of angels as 'false lights'.

In the most basic form, the embodiments of world and star, the spirits of celestial bodies. They are said to keep the stars in the sky, they are said to keep the world able to receive the sun's warmth. They are said to be agents of cosmic order, although recorded encounters with these beings overwhelmingly present the same motive - they wish for the world to thrive.

Some question whether it is this world or any world they wish to thrive, although it stands to reason that the angels most commonly heard of on Erde are the ones who turn their benevolence this way. Others do not believe in other worlds. One can pray to the stars without any academic study of the science of astrology.

Religions have formed around these entities, since as distant, powerful entities with spheres of influence, they function very much like gods. Indeed, the term Archangel applies to those celestial beings who exist as both angels and gods. Mostly this applies to the Third Sphere of angels, the Devas, who interact most directly with mortals, although it is not unknown for Planetars and Solars (the Second & First Spheres, respectively) to gain their own mortal followings.

First Sphere - the Solars.

These are the angels of a solar system. Their relationship to the various sun-gods is unknown. Possibly none. They don't seem to mention each other. Note that whether the planets move around the sun or not is not explicitly known, even among churches to the Angelic Pantheon.

The Solar most known to Erde is Emerithon, the Bright One, the Seeker, the Illuminator, Giver of Wisdom. When prayed to as though a god, his spheres of influence are warmth, hope, wisdom and enlightenment.

Second Sphere - the Planetars.

These are the angels which push planets, either keeping them on their axis or moving them in orbit. Even a stationary world is said to be held in place by a planetar. Despite this, on rare occasions a planetar can potentially be summoned into a direct manifestation upon Erde. This involves a colossal amount of energy, both to summon the planetar and to sustain it's presence. Even then, the planetar only stays for a short time, measured in hours for a task of great importance. Attempts to keep the planetar longer results in all kinds of celestial wrath descending on the summoner in an effect known as a 'Cascade' - where multiple devas and planetars of barren worlds manifest (with servants) to secure their brethren's release.

A few times in Erde's history a Cascade has been deliberately engineered because it allows an army of angels to manifest in the area. This was only done in times of direst need. One planetar, when asked what he would do if returning to the stars would mean abandoning innocents to suffer, he answered, "I will weep."

Best known among the Planetars on Erde is Ydren, who is also worshipped as a god of strength.

Third Sphere - the Devas.

These are the angels with the most direct interaction with the mortal plane. They watch over 'lower' beings, and are most often looked upon as the messengers of the Heavens. Their areas of responsibility vary, they can be patrons of mortal professions, of nations, or even of groups of animals.

One noteworthy Deva would be Amaranda (which Julen knows the details).

Centres of worship:

Unlike regional gods, the presence of the Angelic Pantheon is mostly low-level and widespread, typically throughout the Western world. Many sects exist, ranging from organised religions to mystics. Most sects are autonomous, with minimal communication with each other. This means that regional differences are expected, and so are seldom treated as cause for concern.

That said, when a sect perverts the Teachings of Angels sufficiently, messengers inform other sects of this, and that sect may be branded Heretical. Crusades launched against Heretical Sects are not unknown, usually with many sects gathered together. These are uncommon events however.

That said, a collection of holy sites exist in several cities beyond the sea south of Verre Zon. Altreas of the gleaming spires is the main example, base of a large knightly order and semi-autonomous church.