How all the mess went down. The Celestial Wars
When did the Celestial War Begin?
The Celestial war started in 2022 and broke out across the world. The fighting between Celestial's, namely Nephilim and Elohim devastated several cities. During war times the Elohim captured San Francisco while the Nephilim captured The Vatican.
The Celestial war started in 2022 and broke out across the world. The fighting between Celestial's, namely Nephilim and Elohim devastated several cities. During war times the Elohim captured San Francisco while the Nephilim captured The Vatican.
The First War had moved forward in a fairly even fashion until the time of Roman Emperor Constantine. When Constantine converted to Christianity (due to mage trickery), the god Ael (often referred to as Jehovah, Yahweh, or simply "God") consumed the pneuma of a vast number of gods, all appropriated by the Romans from other cultures. This gave Ael a disproportionate amount of pneuma, which allowed Him to ramp up his elimination of the other gods. Thus began the Dark Ages, and the Western destruction of anything having to do with "false gods".
But, Ael had existed before the time of Constantine, long before mankind began recording its religions. One of the eldest gods, if not the eldest (though many gods claim this designation) he was one of the first to figure out how to create separate realms. He did so in creating Heaven. Along with this realm, he created the Angelic Host, a group of entities to charged with carrying out his will.
At the head of the Angelic Host, he put the strongest, kindest, and wisest among them, Lucifer. Lucifer, most dearly loved by all of his brothers and sisters, was privy to the full expanse of Ael's plans.
What happened next is hotly debated by scholars and contested virulently by various parties.
The Angels say that Lucifer grew jealous, either of God's power, or of God's love for mankind. Mankind had Free Will, and the ability (to some extent) to choose their own fate, the Celestials did not. Others said Lucifer became mad due to the overwhelming power and responsibility thrust onto him by God. Some even claim that Lucifer went so far as to make a pact with a rival god, essentially tricking that god to give up his godhood to Lucifer; in essence putting Lucifer on the same level as God.
The Demons say that Lucifer found out secrets about Ael, and Ael's plans which were cruel and damning. They believe that Lucifer learned Ael intends to not only destroy other gods, but thousands upon thousands of races, planets, and realms...until only Heaven existed. This horrified him.
In the end, for whatever reason, Lucifer confronted God. For his treachery, he was cast out of Heaven with his followers. It was believed that without God's Grace, the Fallen Angels would simply cease to exist. But Lucifer had been prepared. Either the theories are right about him becoming a god, or he'd stored an enormous amount of pneuma up during previous battles to destroy other gods. Chased across a hundred universes by their brethren, the Fallen Angels eventually found a place to hide -- Hell.
Hell is a shattered realm. It was originally created by the god 'Satan', who wished to opt out of the First War completely and simply exist in peace. In order to do so, he created a realm so protected, so hidden, that nobody could enter it. And nobody could leave it.. Unfortunately, this also meant that Satan, alone with his peace for thousands of eons, went summarily insane. Because of it, Hell became a strange and dangerous place, containing everything from lakes of fire, monster filled chasms and fields of a thousand tortures, to magnificent and awe-inspiring sights such as glowing waterfalls, cities of glass, and the onyx palace from whence Satan ruled. But Lucifer found a way into Hell. He merged with Satan, absorbing the mad god's remaining pneuma and taking control of Hell. Of course, some people do say that he absorbed much of the madness along with the pneuma. But nobody is willing to say that to his face.
Ever after, Lucifer and the Fallen Angels, now known as Demons, have been at constant war with the Angelic Host. At the same time, they must navigate the scores of other gods and would-be gods looking to destroy or capture what they have built.
On Earth, this war has been necessarily subtle. At least, it WAS subtle, until around the time of D13 and Convergence's arrival. When these things occurred, something...happened. The pathways to both Heaven, and Hell, and very likely a great many other realms and universes...began to unravel, close, or shatter. Every side blames another. The Angels say the Demons did it. The Demons say the Angels did it. Etcetera, etcetera. It is possible, however, that Ael and Lucifer both have gone dormant due to the sudden severe loss of pneuma generating outlets, and that all they have constructed is crumbling. Nobody has personally seen either of them, or most other gods, in many, years. It's also possible that these realms and pathways are crumbling because of whatever phenomenon brought Convergence to Earth. The two may be connected. Nobody, not even the Celestials, seems to know for certain.
For now, the Celestials now trapped on Earth have lost their connection to the major source of their powers -- their home realms. Without access to this wealth of pneuma, they have resorted to getting it in the best way they know how -- killing each other. In 2022, war broke out across the globe as Celestials began fighting each other more openly, both attempting to take control of places of high pneuma generation, and simply draining it from their enemies on the battlefield. Currently, the future seems bleak both for the Celestials and the other races caught up in their violence.
(page source HERE)
But, Ael had existed before the time of Constantine, long before mankind began recording its religions. One of the eldest gods, if not the eldest (though many gods claim this designation) he was one of the first to figure out how to create separate realms. He did so in creating Heaven. Along with this realm, he created the Angelic Host, a group of entities to charged with carrying out his will.
At the head of the Angelic Host, he put the strongest, kindest, and wisest among them, Lucifer. Lucifer, most dearly loved by all of his brothers and sisters, was privy to the full expanse of Ael's plans.
What happened next is hotly debated by scholars and contested virulently by various parties.
The Angels say that Lucifer grew jealous, either of God's power, or of God's love for mankind. Mankind had Free Will, and the ability (to some extent) to choose their own fate, the Celestials did not. Others said Lucifer became mad due to the overwhelming power and responsibility thrust onto him by God. Some even claim that Lucifer went so far as to make a pact with a rival god, essentially tricking that god to give up his godhood to Lucifer; in essence putting Lucifer on the same level as God.
The Demons say that Lucifer found out secrets about Ael, and Ael's plans which were cruel and damning. They believe that Lucifer learned Ael intends to not only destroy other gods, but thousands upon thousands of races, planets, and realms...until only Heaven existed. This horrified him.
In the end, for whatever reason, Lucifer confronted God. For his treachery, he was cast out of Heaven with his followers. It was believed that without God's Grace, the Fallen Angels would simply cease to exist. But Lucifer had been prepared. Either the theories are right about him becoming a god, or he'd stored an enormous amount of pneuma up during previous battles to destroy other gods. Chased across a hundred universes by their brethren, the Fallen Angels eventually found a place to hide -- Hell.
Hell is a shattered realm. It was originally created by the god 'Satan', who wished to opt out of the First War completely and simply exist in peace. In order to do so, he created a realm so protected, so hidden, that nobody could enter it. And nobody could leave it.. Unfortunately, this also meant that Satan, alone with his peace for thousands of eons, went summarily insane. Because of it, Hell became a strange and dangerous place, containing everything from lakes of fire, monster filled chasms and fields of a thousand tortures, to magnificent and awe-inspiring sights such as glowing waterfalls, cities of glass, and the onyx palace from whence Satan ruled. But Lucifer found a way into Hell. He merged with Satan, absorbing the mad god's remaining pneuma and taking control of Hell. Of course, some people do say that he absorbed much of the madness along with the pneuma. But nobody is willing to say that to his face.
Ever after, Lucifer and the Fallen Angels, now known as Demons, have been at constant war with the Angelic Host. At the same time, they must navigate the scores of other gods and would-be gods looking to destroy or capture what they have built.
On Earth, this war has been necessarily subtle. At least, it WAS subtle, until around the time of D13 and Convergence's arrival. When these things occurred, something...happened. The pathways to both Heaven, and Hell, and very likely a great many other realms and universes...began to unravel, close, or shatter. Every side blames another. The Angels say the Demons did it. The Demons say the Angels did it. Etcetera, etcetera. It is possible, however, that Ael and Lucifer both have gone dormant due to the sudden severe loss of pneuma generating outlets, and that all they have constructed is crumbling. Nobody has personally seen either of them, or most other gods, in many, years. It's also possible that these realms and pathways are crumbling because of whatever phenomenon brought Convergence to Earth. The two may be connected. Nobody, not even the Celestials, seems to know for certain.
For now, the Celestials now trapped on Earth have lost their connection to the major source of their powers -- their home realms. Without access to this wealth of pneuma, they have resorted to getting it in the best way they know how -- killing each other. In 2022, war broke out across the globe as Celestials began fighting each other more openly, both attempting to take control of places of high pneuma generation, and simply draining it from their enemies on the battlefield. Currently, the future seems bleak both for the Celestials and the other races caught up in their violence.
(page source HERE)
Other areas that were affected by Elohim.
Please note, it should be assumed that there are Elohim Choirs all over the place, but these are more prominently known and listed in the lore.
- Northern Ireland, Belfast – Suffering from famine due to Demons burning crops and supplies, many believe Belfast to be aproxy war between Elohim and Nephilim.
- USA, San Francisco – Extremely damaged due to fires caused by the Angels in the Angel-Demon War. Now suspected to be a hotbed for wraith activity due to all the deaths which occurred there.
- England, London - Now the seat of power for King William V, an ancient mage coven known as the Red Cabal, and a clutch of Fae are constantly at war over control of London. It is reported to be the site of many strange occult happenings. Recently, the Angels have seized Westminster Abbey for their base in the city.
- England, York - Placed under Military control once the British Armed Forces abandoned the South of England to retreat North. Humans here are protected by a Human-Angel alliance, with the latter based out of York Minster. Due to events in the South, Mages and Fae are not welcome and soldiers are instructed to shoot them on sight.
- France, Paris - The vampire capital of Europe did not fare quite as well as New Orleans, but there is known to be some amount of stability there. Despite the Parisian Vampires not taking sides during the Angel-Demon War, the Demons burned down the cathedral of Notre Dame.
- Greece, Athens – Originally a Mage stronghold, it was burned to the ground in the Angel-Demon War.
- Italy, Rome - Initially protected by unknown means, it was later found to be controlled by Angels and was invaded, sacked and taken by Demons in the Angel-Demon War. The Papacy is widely believed dead. Persecution of Christians has been very high since the Demons took the city.
- Norway, Oslo - Oslo was much like any other post D13 city until the Angel-Demon War. Rather than being committed to either of those sides, the war spurred the Norse Shard population of Oslo to appear. Oslo is now considered a refuge for those Shards who are of the Norse gods who often keep to themselves to avoid drawing the attention of the Angels or the Demons. Due to the presence of Norse Shards, there has been a return to Viking-esque lifestyles in many surviving communities, often led by Jarls. Jarl Bjorn is currently considered the most powerful of the Jarls.
- Spain, Madrid – With the fall of the Spanish Government, the Archbishop of Madrid seized power of the city, rallying the terrified population to the Church’s banner to protect the city against further harm. With the fall of Rome at the hands of the Demons, Madrid has allied with the Angels and accepts Christian refugees from around the world in hope of making Spain the new seat of the Papacy.
- Israel, Jerusalem - Held up surprisingly well, likely due to the city's long history of facing adversity. Suffered moderate damage during the Angel-Demon War.
- Rome, Initially protected by unknown means, it was later found to be controlled by angels and invaded and taken by demons in the demon-angel war.