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  e23.sjgames.com
  Stock #37-3312
  Version 1.1  October 15, 2006
  STEVE JACKSON GAMES
  ™
  In Nomine was written by Derek Pearcy 
  based on an original game by CROC
  By Eric A. Burns
  Based on the character
  created by S. John Ross
  Additional material by 
  Elizabeth McCoy and 
  William J.  Keith
  Illustrated by Dan Smith and
  Ramón Pérez
  Playtesters: Janet Anderson, Chris Anthony, Mandy
  Bowyer, S. DiGiovanni, Randolph Finder, Brook
  Freeman, Jordan G., Maurice Lane, 
  JL Hatlen Linnell, Kris Overstreet, Rev. P. Kitty
  AN e23 SOURCEBOOK
  FOR IN NOMINE® 
  AND GURPS IN NOMINE® FROM
  STEVE JACKSON GAMES
  SUperiorS:
  LITHEROY
  ®
  
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  2
  GURPS IN NOMINE
  This Superior expansion includes material both for
  the traditional In Nomine rules and GURPS In
  Nomine. Converted characters have been only slight-
  ly “normalized” – they are straight conversions, using
  the rules in Chapter 9 of GURPS In Nomine. The
  only exception is in levels of Discord; in a normal
  conversion, an adapted Frequency of Submission
  table (pp. CI10-11) would be used. For simplicity,
  Discord has been taken “straight,” with the default
  GURPS Basic Set, Third Edition or GURPS
  Compendium I mechanics. Human characters have
  also been rounded or approximated in some cases.
  Note that Songs have had the -5 applied for use
  outside the celestial realm. If these characters go to
  Hell or Heaven, they will have +5 to all Songs.
  Extra Hit Points and
  Reduced Hit Points
  Many converted GURPS characters have Extra Hit
  Points for physical, mental, and celestial combat. The
  physical advantage is written as Extra Hit Points for
  the vessel in question. Extra Hit Points (Mind) are
  bought with the -50% Limitation, “Only for mental
  combat,” and Extra Hit Points (Soul) are bought with
  the -20% Limitation, “Only for celestial combat.”
  Reduced Hit Points for Mind Hits and Soul Hits have
  the same Limitations. See pages 27 and 28 in GURPS
  In Nomine for more information.
  Power Investiture and
  Essence Control
  The GURPS In Nomine advantages Power
  Investiture (p. IN27), and Essence Control (p. IN31)
  are both included in the Basic Celestial Template (pp.
  IN9-10). Non-player celestials are assumed to have
  the default 9 levels of Essence Control, and have allo-
  cated their initial Power Investiture levels to Power
  Investiture (Corporeal) 3, Power Investiture (Ethereal)
  3, and Power Investiture (Celestial) 3. Any totals list-
  ed in the descriptions include these levels plus any
  additional purchased.
  Word Forces and Power
  Investiture (Word)
  In In Nomine, Word Forces may be substituted for
  Forces lost during celestial combat. In GURPS In
  Nomine, this is Power Investiture (Word), represented
  as levels of the Longevity advantage [5], only usable
  as many times as it has levels (-50%). Each time Soul
  hits go to 0 or less, as per p. IN146, the celestial may
  choose to sacrifice a level of Power Investiture (Word)
  instead. Each level of Power Investiture (Word) also
  confers a level of Essence Control [1], even above and
  beyond what HT would permit; this is counted in the
  total Essence Control number. However, it also counts
  as additional disturbance per level when going celes-
  tial, just as regular Power Investiture (realm) does, and
  is lost if a level is sacrificed in celestial combat.
  As a rule of thumb, possessing a Word at all grants
  Celestial Rank equal to one-third of the levels of
  Power Investiture (Word); round up. Insignificant
  Words, such as those Lucifer assigns to some demons
  as punishment, are exceptions, and may grant no
  Celestial Rank at all. Other advantages, such as Rites
  or Servitor Attunements, are figured individually.
  Page References
  Rules and statistics in this article are specifically
  for the GURPS Basic Set, Third Edition. Any page
  reference that begins with a B refers to the GURPS
  Basic Set – e.g., p. B102 means p. 102 of the 
  GURPS Basic Set, Third Edition. Page references
  that begin with CI indicate GURPS Compendium I,
  and IN to GURPS In Nomine. For a full list of abbre-
  viations, see p. CI181 or the updated web list at
  www.sjgames.com/gurps/abbrevs.html.
  Contents
  LITHEROY: SERAPH ARCHANGEL OF REVELATION . . . . 3
  Dissonance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
  Babblesnakes and Labyrinths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
  Choir Attunements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
  Bright Lilim of Revelation (Restricted) . . . . . . . . . . 4
  Servitor Attunements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
  Secret Songs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
  Distinctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
  Special Distinction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
  On Revelation and Prophecy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
  Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
  GURPS Point Breakdowns for Litheroy . . . . . . . . . 8
  LITHEROY REVEALED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
  Names, Appearance, and Manner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
  Variations on a Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
  The Word of Revelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
  Twists of the Labyrinth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
  History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
  Knowledge, Wisdom, Lightning, and Revelation . 13
  The First Demon Prince of Secrets . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
  Twenty-Three Years of Revelations . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
  Personality and Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
  Politics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
  Truth, Science, and Humanity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
  The Reference Librarians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
  Untwisting the Labyrinth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
  Objective Journalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
  LITHEROY’S ABBEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
  The Pool of Siloam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
  The Eel Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
  The Chambers of Discovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
  LITHEROY’S SERVITORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  Litherites, Revealers, Snitches, Babblesnakes . . . . 26
  Litheroy’s Tethers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  Sample Servitors of Litheroy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  Chamuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  Chamuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
  Efion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
  Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
  Efion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
  The Achievement of the Traitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
  To Serve Lightning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
  Revelation and Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
  Choirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
  Word-Bound Servitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
  The Terminators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
  Dealing with Judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
  SEEDS OF REVELATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
  Secrets Unearthed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
  The Game is Afoot! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
  
  THE WORLD IS WAITING
  TO BE REVEALED, IN
  ALL ITS GLORY.
  Nothing can reach its potential until taken out of hiding,
  and light in dark places robs the shadows of their rest.
  Litheroy and his servants see to it that nothing remains con-
  cealed, and that darkness is never allowed to lie undisturbed.
  Litheroy is a contradiction, a Seraph who has made a real
  effort to understand the nature of humanity, simply out of a
  fascination with the concept of secrets. His success is only
  partial, and he depends on his servants on Earth to help him
  find out more. He exists in a constant state of wonder that
  God’s most complex creation spends so much time hiding
  from itself. His own desire to uncover everything is compa-
  rable to a human urge to open up an anthill or peer inside the
  shell of a turtle . . . only more so.
  Litheroy’s angels are noted for their curiosity. They see
  themselves as an army in a very particular war – the war
  against the Labyrinth, the tendency of humanity to fold itself
  over and over in secrecy until everyone is paranoid and alone.
  They respect the concept of privacy, but must often have the
  details explained to them in their quest to shake humanity free
  from its desire for secrets.
  When Litheroy appears on Earth, he prefers to be seen as
  an aging man with a sparse beard and piercing eyes. He wears
  rumpled clothing that suggests he’s been climbing through
  ancient ruins for the past few days and hasn’t had time to
  wash up (often, this is true).
  DISSONANCE
  Litheroy’s angels respect both the letter of the truth and
  the spirit behind it. It is dissonant for the Servitors of Litheroy
  to lie to anyone, for any reason. If they answer a question, it
  must be with the truth, eschewing tricks of language. They
  are not compelled to tell the whole truth, but a partial truth
  that creates deception is as dissonant as a lie. When it comes
  to blurting out the inconvenient truth that leaves other agents
  slapping their foreheads in dismay, a Litherite will out-Seraph
  the Seraphim. Asked if he is a police detective, an ordinary
  Seraph might reply, truthfully, “I’m assigned to investigate
  this case,” and hope for misdirection. A Litherite might, at
  best, answer with a question and hope the questioner would
  subside. A Litherite Seraph, of course, would answer “No.”
  The one secret these angels may not reveal is that of their
  Heavenly nature . . . but they still cannot lie about it. If they
  are asked if they are angels (or other questions about their
  Heavenly nature), the Servitors of Revelation must either not
  answer at all, or say “I can’t answer that,” or something sim-
  ilar. Telling the truth about their celestial nature is subject to
  disciplinary action from their Archangel . . . but it is not dis-
  sonant. After all, it’s true.
  Roles are forbidden to the angels of Revelation, because a
  Role is a lie not just to others, but to the Symphony itself.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  3
  Litheroy
  Seraph Archangel of
  Revelation
  DISSONANCE
  MYTHS
  Servitors of Litheroy hate secrets. They hate
  hidden things. They hate not knowing things. They
  hate remaining silent when they are questioned, or
  sitting on the answers when they know someone
  else is ignorant. They really hate concealing a
  secret that harms someone (anyone!) else. They
  have little concept of what other people consider
  reasonable privacy. They are, in short, nosy and
  inclined to tell everything they find out, and
  Litheroy is the most nosy and open of them all.
  Enough of his Servitors partake of this attitude that
  it is frequently believed they become dissonant if
  they do not answer a question, or allow a secret to
  exist. Demons are the commonest sources of this
  misinformation – which a Litherite would be quick
  to correct! – but Servitors of Jean have been known
  to speculate on the topic as well.
  
  CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS
  The attunements granted to Litheroy’s Servitors reflect
  their role as Heaven’s agents of revelation, magnifying their
  own abilities in areas appropriate to rooting out hidden
  things.
  Seraphim
  (restricted)
  Litheroy’s fellow Seraphim are among the finest detec-
  tives in Heaven. Whenever they invoke their Choir’s reso-
  nance, roll d666 normally, and then the player decides which
  of the three dice is the check digit. (Yes, the player could
  choose a low check digit, or even deliberately make a roll
  fail! However, choosing to not know something would be
  anathema to one of these angels, or even – at the GM’s option
  – dissonant.)
  Cherubim
  (restricted)
  If one of the Cherub’s attuned items is ever deliberately
  hidden from him, or (in the case of living things) ever hides
  from him, the angel will know immediately, and may make
  an immediate reso-
  nance roll. For this roll,
  ignore the check digit
  (except for purposes of
  Interventions). Treat
  any success as though
  it had a check digit of
  6, and if the roll fails, it
  doesn’t interfere with
  near-future use of the
  resonance at all.
  Ofanim
  Masters 
  of 
  the
  chase, the Wheels of
  Revelation cannot be inconvenienced by locks or seals, pro-
  vided they are in pursuit of something hidden, or of someone
  trying to hide something (including himself). Locked doors
  will unlock at a touch, security systems will turn a blind elec-
  tronic eye, and so on. The Wheels are on their own for get-
  ting out afterward, though, and living beings may still opt to
  bar their way.
  This attunement extends to computers, so long as the
  Ofanite has enough familiarity with technology to get to the
  password-protected information in the first place. (The GM
  need not require Computer Operation skill, but an angel with
  no understanding of computers will be hard-pressed to even
  turn the thing on.)
  Elohim
  Whenever one of Revelation’s Powers uncovers a hidden
  truth, object, or person, he knows immediately why it was
  hidden (but not by whom). The revelation must be expressed
  in a simple sentence – “the gun is hidden because it’s a murder
  weapon,” or “the child is hiding because she thinks monsters
  are chasing her.”
  Malakim
  The foes of these Virtues cannot hide. After the Malakite
  has fought an enemy, he will always recognize that enemy in
  the future, even in a different vessel! (For concerned demons,
  redemption will usually cancel this effect . . .) Further, the
  Malakite can see through any cover his opponent hides
  behind and exploit any weak points it may have. This requires
  a successful Perception roll, and reduces the penalty by the
  check digit, though it cannot be reduced below 1.
  Kyriotates
  If Litheroy’s Dominations are possessing animal predators
  (wolves, birds of prey, sharks, etc.), they have Tracking/6,
  and are considered familiar with the territory they occupy.
  (This can be bought by other Choirs, but only functions while
  they are in vessels of animal predators.) The Area Knowledge
  aspects are available to any other hosts they might be in at the
  time, but the Tracking is connected to the keen senses of the
  hunter, and restricted to that body alone.
  Mercurians
  (restricted)
  The Intercessionist resonance for politics and association
  makes these angels excel at rooting out conspiracy. When
  applying his resonance to a group, a Mercurian of Revelation
  will know, on a check digit of 3 or higher, exactly who in the
  group is sharing secrets, and who (if anyone) is being kept out
  of the loop. On a check digit of 6, he’ll know what those
  secrets are.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  4
  BRIGHT LILIM OF
  REVELATION
  (RESTRICTED)
  If Litheroy has any Bright Lilim, or acquires
  any, they also receive boons when the natures of
  Choir and Word co-mingle.
  Like Litheroy’s Seraphim, such a Gifter can
  choose which die is the check digit when she uses
  her resonance to discover any non-obvious Need
  (as per expanded resonance, p. 51 of the Infernal
  Player’s Guide). If she attempts to geas someone to
  reveal a truth that was hidden, her Celestial Forces
  are an additional penalty to the target’s resistance
  roll.
  
  SERVITOR
  ATTUNEMENTS
  I Tell You Three Times
  The angel may tell any secret he knows to any one person
  and be believed, even without proof . . . once he repeats the
  secret three times. (There is no time limit between tellings,
  either.) The hearer’s further response depends on the secret; if
  he doesn’t feel personally involved, he may well believe it
  completely but never act on it or repeat it. This costs the angel
  1 Essence if he speaks to his subject in person (payable on the
  third recitation), or 2 if he writes it down or otherwise records
  it for the recipient to find later (the Essence is spent immedi-
  ately, and only the intended recipient will be affected by the
  message). The secret must be true!
  Key to the Locked Mind
  Litheroy’s Servitors are masters at getting people (and
  celestials, for that matter) to open up to them. The Litherite
  can spend 4 Essence to divine the necessary “key” to opening
  up a dialogue with a resistant being – ultimately leading to
  true trust and the revelation of secrets (or so the Litherite
  hopes). This key can be a conversational point, a favorite
  hobby, or even an object. The attunement doesn’t grant spe-
  cial knowledge beyond the existence of the key – a Litherite
  might learn that playing a game of checkers is the key to get-
  ting through to a withdrawn child, for example, but won’t
  learn how to play the game or gain any special skill at it. In
  the case of an object, the attunement does not give the
  Litherite the location of or route to the object, but the
  Litherite has a mental image of it and will recognize it on
  sight.
  If the key is successfully used with the target (at the GM’s
  discretion), the Litherite immediately gets a new reaction roll
  from the target with a bonus equal to his total Forces. If this
  roll succeeds, the target will talk with the Litherite for at least
  10 minutes times the check digit of the reaction roll, and if the
  Litherite asks a question the target would be reluctant to
  answer, the target must make a Will roll minus the check digit
  of the reaction roll to resist answering. If the reaction roll
  fails, the target will respond based on the new failed roll’s
  check digit, even if he was positively inclined toward the
  Litherite before.
  Sense of Significance
  Angels with this attunement, when seeking to reveal hid-
  den things, can know the import of any clue they find with a
  successful Perception roll. An angel searching for a kid-
  napped child who finds a smear of blood will know at a
  glance that the blood is the kidnapper’s, not the child’s, and
  (with a high enough check digit) that it contains traces of
  drugs that will lead to the culprit’s favorite dealer. Finding a
  piece of torn cloth in the next room, the angel will instinctive-
  ly know that it has nothing to do with the case, and will not
  be distracted by it.
  The Perception roll is made by the player, and will pick up
  a number of helpful clues equal to the check digit. At the
  GM’s option, this can either be a number of minor clues equal
  to the check digit, or a lesser number of more significant
  clues. So, when investigating a robbery and getting a check
  digit of 3, the angel might find three minor but significant
  clues (recognizing which muddy sneaker print is the robber’s,
  finding a torn piece of cloth from his T-shirt), or one or two
  more significant clues (realizing a security camera across the
  street would have recorded the crime). On a failed Perception
  roll, the Servitor loses access to the attunement for a number
  of hours equal to the check digit.
  Untangling the Labyrinth
  These Servitors have been given a special understanding
  of navigation. When confronted with any kind of map or
  directions – spoken or written – they know if the directions
  are accurate, and understand directions perfectly. These
  Servitors also recognize blind alleys, misleading route mark-
  ers, and other means of confusing the trail on sight. This
  attunement doesn’t allow the Litherite to recognize shortcuts
  or other deviations from the directions they have been given
  (though the Ofanite resonance may apply as usual). Maps that
  contain puzzles or other cryptic clues will still need to be
  solved before the path can be followed, but the Litherite will
  instantly know if his solution is correct. These Servitors can
  also complete maze puzzles on paper as fast as they can draw
  the line.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  5
  SECRET SONGS
  Many Superiors have Secret Songs, but not
  Litheroy. If he learns about the existence of a Song
  hitherto unknown to him, he announces its presence
  to the world (even though he won’t necessarily
  teach that Song to others). Those Archangels who
  have access to Secret Songs are careful not to let
  Litheroy or his Servitors know it.
  Servitors of Revelation do have an Affinity with
  the Songs of Opening, however.
  
  DISTINCTIONS
  Vassal of Inquiry
  When these angels ask questions, they know if their sub-
  ject is lying or being evasive. Indeed, they can detect hidden
  truths when they hear anyone speak. This power picks up out-
  right lies, half-truths, and misdirections, but the Vassal only
  knows “something is being concealed by these words.” (It is
  akin, but not identical, to a Seraph resonance, continually
  operating at the check digit 1 level.)
  Friend of the Quest
  This Distinction grants an intuitive knowledge of hidden
  things. The angel automatically knows if something has been
  deliberately hidden within a number of feet equal to his
  Perception. This reveals trip wires, secret passages, the key
  under the welcome mat, the bruises under the makeup, the
  derringer in the vest. It gives the specific location of the hid-
  den object as well as the general category of what the object
  is. A hidden passageway is self-explanatory, though the
  Friend may have to work out how to get inside. In the case of
  concealed items, the angel would only know someone has a
  weapon hidden up his sleeve, not what kind of weapon.
  Master of Discovery
  Those with this Distinction can look upon any living being
  and know what secrets they are victims of. A woman whose
  husband is cheating on her; a spy with a posthypnotic sugges-
  tion planted in his skull; a child who is eating school lunches
  that were made with condemned food by the lowest bidder –
  all of them carry an aura visible and readable to the angel, who
  will know both the nature of the secret and those responsible.
  SPECIAL DISTINCTION
  Seeker
  Among Litheroy’s Servitors, there are a few who have
  dedicated their existence to solving the unsolvable. Drawn by
  the calling of their hearts, they seek to unravel the ineffable,
  the unknowable, and the irresolvable puzzles and paradoxes
  of humanity and Heaven alike. When Litheroy recognizes a
  Servitor’s calling is true (and the subject of his calling is wor-
  thy), along with a career of exemplary service and skill,
  Litheroy grants his only Special Distinction: Seeker. ASeeker
  follows the path of his heart, calling upon the resources of the
  Abbey as needed to continue his journey to the unknowable
  truth. Some quests, both past and present, include Seeker
  Mothias, seeking the truth of the Divinity of Jesus Christ;
  Seeker Chamuel, Angel of the Quest for the Holy Grail, who
  seeks both the Grail and understanding of its nature; and
  Seeker Elspeth, who strives to understand the nature of mor-
  tal and celestial free will and how it relates to destiny and fate.
  This is not considered a “Higher Distinction.” A Seeker
  does not command his fellows any more than he would refuse
  the commands of a Friend of the Quest. However, it is under-
  stood that in situations where the object of his Quest is
  involved, the Seeker can ask for whatever assistance he needs
  and other Litherites will help to the best of their ability. A
  Seeker can also have another of Litheroy’s Distinctions, and
  some Seekers have also petitioned for and been granted
  appropriate Words connected to their quests.
  At a cost of 7 Essence, a Seeker can enter a fugue-like
  state for 10 minutes. During this time he experiences a vision
  related to one question or puzzle (often related to his quest,
  but not always). The vision will be symbolic instead of liter-
  al, and must be correctly interpreted to be understood. Other
  attunements and Distinctions such as Sense of Significance or
  Untangling the Labyrinth cannot be used to help interpret the
  vision. The nature of the vision is ineffable, and its meaning
  can only be suggested, not made plain.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  6
  ON REVELATION
  AND PROPHECY
  The nature of Revelation is literal, not
  metaphoric. Prophecy, particularly the prophecies
  of Gabriel, are of great interest to Litheroy and his
  Snitches, but do not come naturally to them. The
  plainspoken Litherites do not easily relate to
  prophecy. Prophecy can be confusing and is rarely
  clearly understood. Litheroy is happier speaking
  plain truths to those who listen.
  However, the Seeker Distinction approaches at
  least the trappings of prophecy. Some Litherites
  believe this is because where most Servitors of the
  Word of Revelation work in very real-world areas –
  acting as detectives, archeologists, and (anony-
  mous) journalists – the Seekers work in the ineffa-
  ble and the philosophical. For those Seekers, the
  questions cannot be answered no matter how much
  effort is put in, so Revelation takes on a new form.
  When asked about his own experiences using
  the powers of a Seeker, Litheroy has said he has
  never tried it. The Distinction’s abilities are meant
  to unravel the unanswerable question that domi-
  nates the Seeker’s existence. The question that
  dominates Litheroy’s existence is the nature of
  humanity. If Litheroy used the Seeker Distinction
  to gain insight into the answer, it would be an
  acknowledgment that the nature of humanity is
  ineffable and unknowable. Litheroy does not
  believe that to be the case, and so his own quest
  continues without the elements of prophecy to
  guide his path.
  
  RELATIONS
  Litheroy is firmly against involving himself in Heavenly
  politics, believing it impossible to engage in politics without
  hiding something. While his company is pleasant, any
  Archangel with something to hide avoids him – which suits
  Litheroy, who is usually deeply engrossed in his latest mys-
  tery or quest. When he does mingle, he is one of the few of
  the hosts of Heaven who feels truly relaxed in the company
  of Dominic – at least, on his own behalf. Dominic’s all-con-
  cealing Cloak (Liber Reliquarum, p. 93) does tend to perturb
  Revelation.
  Jean and Litheroy are often in direct conflict, since Jean’s
  interpretation of his job involves keeping all non-human
  innovations and revelations away from mankind. Janus gen-
  erally avoids his company, since Litheroy wishes to uncover
  the Archangel of Wind’s movements and purposes. This
  means that Litheroy’s Servitors get underfoot and disrupt the
  Wind’s schemes far more often than the Windies might like.
  Allied: No one (and none consider themselves Allied with
  Litheroy)
  Associated: Yves, Michael, Laurence (Laurence is
  Associated with Litheroy)
  Hostile: Jean, Janus (Jean is Hostile to Litheroy)
  Rites
  • Work at solving puzzles (word, jigsaw, etc.) for at least
  three hours.
  • Convince someone to confess a long-kept secret.
  • Expose a corrupt judge or policeman. (+2 Essence)
  Expanded Rites
  • Spend at least two hours uncovering long-lost treasures
  (note that this can as easily apply to digging out yearbooks
  hidden away in a box in someone’s attic as to the Ark of the
  Covenant).
  • Debunk a faker or charlatan in front of at least five
  people.
  • Explain the subtext of a story to someone in a way he
  can clearly understand.
  CHANCE OF
  INVOCATION:  2
  INVOCATION
  MODIFIERS
  +1 A puzzle book, untouched
  +2 A puzzle book, completed in ink
  +3 Successfully guessing what’s in a wrapped gift
  +4 A penitent man who “comes clean” about a secret despite
  the consequences
  +5 Exposing secrets that drastically change the reputation of
  a celebrated or significant historical figure
  +6 Publicly exposing a plot of international significance (or
  discovering a plot of the Prince of Secrets!)
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  7
  
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  8
  Here are the bare-bones point breakdowns, providing
  the point costs for Servitors of Revelation. Consult the
  main text, pp. 4-7, for the descriptions of the effects.
  (Remember: in GURPS, check digits are typically
  replaced by degree of success.)
  All Litherite vessels must have the advantage of
  Zeroed [10]; this is counted as part of the Servitor pack-
  age, since Litheroy does not make any other kind of ves-
  sel.
  Seraphim: Litheroy’s Seraphim effectively have the
  Luck advantage (p. B21) when they make a resonance
  roll; it is not restricted to once per hour of real time. If
  they roll an Intervention (Divine or Infernal), they must
  stop rolling – even if they had one or two rolls left – and
  use that result. Naturally, they never get more than three
  rolls per a given use of resonance! The breakdown is
  Extraordinary Luck [30], usable at any time (+10%,
  based on calculations for Marc’s Seraph Choir attune-
  ment as per GURPS In Nomine; this enhancement is not
  suitable for use without accompanying limitations, such
  as “only for resonance”), only for resonance (-50%),
  which cannot avoid hostile Interventions (-10%). 15
  points.
  Cherubim:
  Resonance enhancement, adding “or
  attuned is hidden” to a Cherub’s Danger Sense (p. IN46),
  reducing the limitation to -20% and adding 2 points;
  Resonance enhancement (Successes are critical, +60%;
  Failures do not burn out resonance, +30%; only immedi-
  ately after the attuned is hidden, -20%; only once per hid-
  ing of the attuned, -20%) [18]. 20 points.
  Ofanim: New power, loosely based on Remote
  Control (p. IN95). 40 points.
  Elohim: Symphonic Knowledge: Reason for Hiding
  (No roll required, +66%; Limited scope, -40%). 38
  points.
  Malakim:
  Symphonic 
  Knowledge: 
  Enemy
  Recognition (No roll required, +66%; Limited scope, -
  30%; Must have fought subject, -30%) [32]; Symphonic
  Knowledge: Weaknesses of Cover (Limited Scope, -
  20%) [24]. (As usual, the check digit is replaced by the
  degree of success; the penalty can never be reduced past
  -1.) 56 points.
  Bright Lilim: As with Seraphim, a form of Luck
  applied only when using their resonance to discover a
  non-obvious Need (p. IN69); the penalty to uncover such
  Needs still applies (Extraordinary Luck [30], usable at
  any time (+10%), only for resonance (-50%), only for
  non-obvious Needs (-10%), cannot avoid hostile
  Interventions (-10%) [12]). Resonance bonus averaging
  +3 (Only added for contest to “set” Geas to reveal a hid-
  den truth, -30%) [3]. 15 points.
  Kyriotates: When in a predator host (or vessel, for
  other Choirs), these angels gain Tracking (M/A) at IQ+3
  [8], Area Knowledge (M/E) at IQ+1 [2], and Survival
  (Appropriate Environment) at IQ [2] with the limitation
  “Only when in a predator host or vessel” (-10%). 11
  points.
  Mercurians:
  Resonance enhancement granting
  knowledge of who is sharing secrets (and who is not)
  with a degree of success of 6 or less, and knowing what
  those secrets are with a critical success (+50%). 15
  points.
  I Tell You Three Times:
  Symphonic Influence:
  Believe Truth (No roll required, +66%; Must repeat truth
  three times, -10%; Costs Essence, -20%). 41 points.
  Key to the Locked Mind:
  This is a supernatural
  influence skill, considered to be Mental/Hard and bought
  at IQ+3 level [10], with the enhancement of No Roll
  Required (+66%), and a cost of 4 Essence (-40%). If the
  subject’s reaction roll is Good or better, he temporarily
  gains Truthfulness while talking to the user – an enhance-
  ment worth +50% – and will talk with him for at least (10
  × 1d) minutes (+20%). 19 points.
  Sense of Significance:
  Symphonic Knowledge:
  Clues [30]. The number of clues is equal to the degree of
  success – and the degree of failure indicates how long the
  attunement is off-line. 30 points.
  Continued on next page . . .
  GURPS POINT BREAKDOWNS FOR
  LITHEROY
  
  American virtues are daylight virtues: honesty, integrity,
  plain speech. We say yes when we mean yes and no when we
  mean no, and all else comes from the evil one.
  – Richard Rodriguez, “Night and Day.”
  NAMES,  APPEARANCE,
  AND MANNER
  Litheroy is known as “Litheroy” to his followers, to his
  friends, to his confidants, and often to his enemies. Whether
  in Heaven or on Earth, Litheroy does not adopt a pseudonym
  or any more protective coloration than is required by the Law
  of Heaven. If he could, he would simply appear as a Seraph
  at all times and be done with it. He does not adopt titles,
  which to his thinking are little better than pseudonyms – and
  the less said about pseudonyms, the better. The three excep-
  tions to this rule are titles that he feels do adequately describe
  him, minimizing confusion and perhaps giving insight into
  who he is: Archangel, Revelation, and Father.
  “Archangel” is self-explanatory. Litheroy is an Archangel,
  and it would be disingenuous to not answer to the title. While
  he thinks a person’s name is preferable to formality, he recog-
  nizes that the formality makes others comfortable. Being
  called by his Word is less palatable, but still acceptable.
  While Litheroy does not subscribe to the theory that the
  Word-bound is the Word (he feels no celestial can fully
  embody a concept, and no concept can fully describe a celes-
  tial), he recognizes that when someone refers to “Revelation”
  in common discourse, he means the Archangel of Revelation.
  Finally, he accepts “Father” as the Abbot of Litheroy’s
  Abbey. It is proper for his Servitors and pilgrims to the Abbey
  to call him by that title, because it makes his position clear
  and tells visitors who’s in charge. He recognizes that his
  Servitors use “Father” in a paternal sense as well, and
  Litheroy is content to allow this. While his role is more com-
  plicated than fatherhood, he recognizes that he is the father
  figure for his Servitors and accepts this responsibility.
  Note that while he accepts “Archangel” as a title, he does
  not like and will not respond to “Lord” or “Lord Archangel.”
  The Lord is an accepted way of referring to God, and
  Litheroy sees no reason to confuse the issue. Other titles and
  glorifications are likewise rejected as deceptive. He is
  Litheroy – that should be sufficient for anyone. His Servitors
  respect his wishes, though a Litherite will often refer to his
  Archangel as “The Abbot” when speaking of him. Other
  angels (and more than a few demons) refer to Litheroy as
  “Babblesnake.” The one time it was done to Litheroy’s face,
  he wasn’t offended – it seemed descriptive enough – but he
  pointed out that since his Servitors are also called bab-
  blesnakes, it wasn’t precise enough without a qualifier like
  “Head Babblesnake” or “Archangel Babblesnake.”
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  9
  Untangling the Labyrinth:
  Intuition, with the
  enhancement of no roll required (+66%), and the limita-
  tion “only for physical directions and deliberate camou-
  flage” (-40%). 19 points.
  Vassal of Inquiry: Celestial Rank +1 [5]. Symphonic
  Knowledge: Hidden Truth (No roll required, +66%)
  [50]. 55 points.
  Friend of the Quest:
  Celestial Rank +1 [5];
  Symphonic Knowledge: Hidden Things (No roll
  required, +66%; Limited scope, -10%; Severely limited
  range, -50%) [32]. 37 points.
  Master of Discovery:
  Celestial Rank +1 [5];
  Symphonic Knowledge: Harmful Secrets and Those
  Responsible (No roll required, +66%; Only secrets,
  -10%) [47]. 52 points.
  Seeker: One level of Celestial Rank [5] that applies
  at all times, as they have been granted a Distinction,
  which inspires respect. They also have Celestial Rank +3
  [15] (total of +4) that only applies when the object of
  their Quest is involved (-40%) [6]. They gain a form of
  Intuition [15], which costs 7 Essence (-70%) and must be
  interpreted to be useful (-20%) [2]; however, limitations
  beyond -75% are lost, so 4 points. This is a total of 15
  points.
  Dissonance Conditions:
  As a Dissonance Condition
  [-5], Truthfulness [-5] and the Quirk of “no Roles” [-1].
  Taboo Skills of Fast-Talk and Acting [0]. This is -11
  points for most Choirs, but -6 points for Seraphim – they
  already have Truthfulness as a Dissonance Condition.
  Rites: 8 points.
  Invocation Base: 4 [10 points]
  Total Servitor Cost:
  2 points; 6 for Seraphim, -8 for
  Kyriotates (who have no vessels).
  GURPS POINT BREAKDOWNS FOR
  LITHEROY (CONTINUED)
  Litheroy Revealed
  
  (It is worth noting that insulting Litheroy to his face tends
  to be unsatisfying, at best, as he seems incapable of taking
  offense and often asks for clarification far beyond what
  would make the name funny or hurtful.)
  In Heaven, Litheroy prefers to appear in his true form: a
  Seraph of unusual size, snow-colored, with iridescent eyes
  that look everywhere at once. His serpent’s head darts from
  side to side, wanting to miss no details, and his full wings are
  often dingy from crawling under desks or through caverns.
  When appropriate, he wears monk’s robes displaying the rank
  of an abbot. On the rare occasions that he appears human in
  Heaven, he adopts what most consider his “usual” human
  form – an older man of pleasant demeanor and great energy,
  wearing those selfsame monk’s robes.
  On Earth, when conducting one of his projects, Litheroy
  generally wears a vessel like his “human form” – it’s best, he
  feels, that he appear as others expect him to, to avoid confu-
  sion. His clothing is generally rumpled but well-made,
  designed for exploration or work, and it’s inevitably covered
  in dirt or dust. He never dresses to encourage his (nonexist-
  ent) vanity, and if he ever wears a suit it’s because he’s been
  told that otherwise he won’t be allowed in to see something
  he wants to. On his own, however, he has been known to
  wear vessels of all kinds of human beings, male or female,
  young or old, of any race or culture, and dressed in a variety
  of ways. Litheroy’s driving desire to understand humanity
  has led him to try to see the world from many viewpoints.
  However, he always answers only to the name “Litheroy,”
  even in a female vessel, and never hides who he is unless
  bound by Heavenly Law. Even the nickname “Roy” rankles
  his sense of the truth, and he will take the time to quietly cor-
  rect the hapless speaker even after multiple mis-namings.
  Litheroy is enthusiastic and friendly, never seeming to
  take offense or get angry. He sometimes seems disappointed
  when confronted with deceptions and betrayals, but his
  demeanor is a mild one. His smile is quick, though small, and
  he is happy to talk to anyone. His conversations are dominat-
  ed by questions, but they aren’t unpleasant ones. At the same
  time, Litheroy is extremely plainspoken – he doesn’t dissem-
  ble and he doesn’t speak with discretion. He will blurt out the
  secrets or embarrassing personal details of those he’s talking
  with to the worst possible people, then look puzzled when the
  victim of his indiscretion takes offense. And, though he does
  smile, he never seems to laugh.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  10
  VARIATIONS ON
  A THEME
  Naturally, Litheroy should be tweaked as need-
  ed to fit the style of campaign he’s being used in.
  Truth is subjective, after all . . .
  The Wide-Eyed Innocent: The Archangel
  Litheroy is as naïve as he appears. Utterly trusting,
  certain that any lies he encounters must be mistakes
  on the part of the speaker (needing immediate cor-
  rection), easy to manipulate, Litheroy is comic
  relief . . . or tragedy waiting to happen.
  The Crusader: Litheroy isn’t just passionate
  about the truth, he is fighting a war against decep-
  tion, and any tactic short of lying is acceptable. In
  this variation, Litheroy is an open enemy of Jean as
  well as Hell, actively working to subvert the
  Archangel of Lightning’s machinations and defying
  the Seraphim Council when they seek to rein him
  in. That Litheroy hasn’t been Outcast means he has
  some powerful patron (possibly Laurence – or even
  Dominic) supporting him. This Litheroy makes an
  excellent enemy for Jeanites or even Servitors of
  Marc who are negotiating with Hell.
  The Patsy: Litheroy is nothing more than a tool,
  and his Servitors are little more than agents of the
  Inquisition (or War!) with a degree of deniability. In
  this variation, Revelation becomes a dark thing
  indeed, as Litheroy’s energies are turned to uncov-
  ering uncomfortable secrets in Heaven or as dispos-
  able intelligence pawns in the War on Hell (or
  both!) Litheroy himself is isolated, kept apart by
  those he trusts . . . the scion of Revelation sadly
  kept insulated from the truth.
  The Outcast: On the other hand, Litheroy’s
  burning need to embrace humanity may have
  caused him to jump entirely the other way, throw-
  ing himself into the world as firmly as Eli, aban-
  doning his Abbey and Servitors and devoting him-
  self entirely to the subject of the Labyrinth. This
  would be of even greater concern to Heaven than
  Eli’s own self-exile, as Litheroy’s Seraph nature
  makes going to ground potentially dissonant.
  Rumors abound that Litheroy is near Falling . . . or
  has already Fallen . . .
  
  THE WORD OF
  REVELATION
  revelation:
  1. The disclosure or communication of knowledge to man
  by a divine or supernatural agency. b. A source of enlighten-
  ment. Obs. rare.
  2. An instance of such communication of knowledge to
  man; something disclosed or made known by divine or super-
  natural means. b. A striking disclosure of something previ-
  ously unknown or not realized.
  3. the Revelation (of St. John), the last book of the New
  Testament; the Apocalypse. b. So in pl., the Revelations. c.
  Pl., without article. Also Book of Revelations. d. Applied to
  other works of a similar kind.
  4. Disclosure of facts made by a person; exposure of
  something previously disguised or concealed.
  5. (With capital initial.) A proprietary name for a make of
  leather goods, used esp. to denote an expanding suitcase.
  6. attrib., as revelation-discovery; revelation-day, the Day
  of Judgement; revelation-gate (?).
  Hence revelational a., of or pertaining to revelation; reve-
  lationer.
  – Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition
  To Litheroy, all of the universe can be classified in one of
  two states: that which is understood, and that which is not yet
  understood. With understanding comes comprehension, sym-
  pathy, empathy, and peace. Without understanding, there can
  be only supposition, fear, confusion, and chaos. Revelation is
  not merely Litheroy’s Word; it is his holiest of sacraments.
  Through revelation, one grants the gift of understanding, and
  thus the world itself.
  Most Archangels define their worldview by their Word,
  but few are as unabashed about it as Litheroy. To Litheroy, all
  pain and suffering in the cosmos derives from an inability to
  understand one another, and all evil derives from deception.
  The clearest example of this is Hell itself; all demons turn
  away from the Symphony, which tells them the Truth, and
  focus on an internal symphony they can tailor to fit their
  whims. Fighting Hell is necessary, and destroying demons
  before they can spread their lies further is mandated, but it is
  far better to make them understand the truth. In revelation
  comes acceptance, and eventual redemption. There is no
  other possibility.
  Litheroy’s Word also fuels his insatiable curiosity about –
  and love for – humanity. Humanity twists the truth around
  itself, obfuscating apparently for its own sake – the very
  antithesis of Litheroy’s love of plain, simple truth. And yet,
  when the truth they are hiding (or hiding from) is revealed,
  the results are cathartic. The human soul is transformed by
  revelation, and bettered when truths long concealed are
  finally revealed. And yet, despite this lesson, the human goes
  from his epiphany a changed man . . . and immediately
  buries himself in a new set of half-truths and self-deceptions.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  11
  TWISTS OF THE
  LABYRINTH
  It is widely held that the Labyrinth is Litheroy’s
  metaphor for the enemy. Contextually, it is a fair
  observation. A labyrinth conceals with complexity,
  using blind alleys and puzzles to obfuscate the one
  correct path in and out. The very word “labyrinth”
  conjures up images of dark halls and fearful turns.
  However, if you asked Litheroy about the
  Labyrinth, he’d deny any negative connotations to
  the word. After all, a labyrinth looks like it has
  many answers. It looks like many possible paths
  will take you to your goal. In that same way, many
  people (and angels) believe that there are many
  routes to the truth, to understanding, to perception
  . . . to anything, really. And they believe that any
  path is acceptable if it gets you there.
  Litheroy does not believe this. In his eyes, there
  is one true solution to any given problem. Any
  other solutions may take you close to the center, but
  they won’t actually get you there. And sometimes
  you can put tremendous time and energy into fol-
  lowing a blind alley, convinced that if you just fig-
  ure out which turn you overlooked, you would
  arrive at the truth. Some investigators refuse to let
  go of their blind alley, even when it becomes clear
  it can’t possibly bear fruit.
  This, to Litheroy, is the core of the Labyrinth.
  You must always keep in mind that until you arrive
  at the truth, and verify you have arrived at the truth,
  you might be in a blind alley. You must be prepared
  at all times to retrace your steps and check every
  possible turn, no matter what “intuition” tells you.
  The Labyrinth is a philosophy. And, when you
  solve a labyrinth puzzle on paper, you mark your
  path, so all who come after can see the solution,
  revealed in all its glory.
  Humanity, Litheroy feels, exemplify the
  Labyrinth. Human beings twist and turn and hide
  themselves and hide from themselves. But Litheroy
  knows that the true path can be found.
  
  One would think this trait would alienate the Archangel of
  Revelation, but instead it fires his spirit and zest. Humans fas-
  cinate Litheroy, because he doesn’t understand how they can
  live under those conditions. It is as though they build a
  labyrinth around themselves, then complain of loneliness
  when it is done. Every day, Litheroy tries to comprehend this
  glorious, contradictory creature, taking joy in each new reve-
  lation, taking heart after each new mystifying setback. He is
  convinced that the core questions of humanity can and will be
  solved, and the mystery of humanity revealed. And when it is
  . . . when the human soul and human character have become
  fully understandable even to the most remote of Seraphim . . .
  then Hell can have no traction against the inexorable,
  inescapable, glorious truth. Once humanity is understood,
  fully and completely, then any lie Lucifer and his demons
  come up with will be easily dispelled.
  It will just take a while to get there.
  Outsiders looking in at Litheroy and his organization are
  often sympathetic to Litheroy’s drive to not only find the
  truth, but reduce it to the simplest truth possible (though
  never so simple that the truth gets glossed over). However,
  they are eternally frustrated at Litheroy’s inability to be dis-
  creet. Everyone in Heaven values truth, and Litheroy is the
  greatest investigator Heaven has – but knowledge is power,
  and it makes little sense to squander any advantage by
  spreading knowledge far and wide.
  These people forget that Litheroy’s Word is not
  Investigation or Understanding or even Truth. Litheroy’s
  Word is Revelation. It is not enough to learn the truth. The
  truth must be spread to all who will hear, and those who
  won’t hear must be forced to listen. Any culture that prizes
  secrecy – be it Alaemon’s Conspiracy, the Central
  Intelligence Agency on Earth, or the Seraphim Council itself
  – subscribes to a dangerous vice: the need to keep the truth
  from others. This is, at its core, the selfish need to conserve
  power and prevent true spiritual growth. Sparing someone’s
  feelings with a little white lie (or, just as bad, saying nothing
  at all) only sets them up for later heartbreak and humiliation
  – and gives them reason to feel betrayed to boot. And if
  you’re not willing to have people find out you did something,
  don’t do it. If you do something, you owe it to yourself and
  the universe to own up to it.
  Litheroy himself exemplifies this. When humiliating
  things happen to him – and every Wind Servitor gets it into
  his head to try to humiliate Litheroy at least once – Litheroy
  humbly accepts what has happened and tells everyone, using
  his experience to teach others. He never loses his good
  humor, and he accepts misfortune and even ill will as just
  “things that can happen.” This usually increases Litheroy’s
  esteem in the eyes of others, and brings shame upon the
  pranksters. Janus doesn’t bother warning his new Servitors
  not to try to embarrass Litheroy – he feels that the lesson they
  learn introduces a productive change in the Servitors’ actions
  and attitudes.
  HISTORY
  Truth, naked, unblushing truth, the first virtue of all 
  serious history, must be the sole recommendation of this 
  personal narrative.
  – Edward Gibbon
  Unlike many Archangels, Litheroy was created after the
  Fall, not before it. In fact, Litheroy was created, almost
  immediately after the Fall, by the Archangel Raphael.
  Raphael recognized, with Elohite objectivity, that in the wake
  of Heaven’s losses new Servitors would be needed –
  Servitors not shackled by memories of Heaven before the
  Rebellion – both to fill in the gaps and to bring a fresh per-
  spective to the work ahead. Litheroy was one of the first of
  this group, and distinguished himself early on. Energetic and
  optimistic, Litheroy worked diligently to spread Knowledge
  to Heaven and Earth alike. He helped force Heaven to con-
  front the truth – a third of the Host did rebel, did Fall, and
  were sealed away in Hell . . . for the moment. He helped
  Heaven adjust and get back to work.
  Litheroy was also distinctive in his appreciation of
  humanity. Where Seraphim as a breed were focused more on
  Heaven and the drive to join the Trisagonists, Litheroy was
  far more interested in the corporeal and humanity. It is
  thought Raphael intended this result, in hopes of bringing the
  Most Holy closer to the needs of Earth.
  Litheroy was very successful at what he did. When the
  Seraphim Council convened for the first time (in 22,000 B.C.,
  625 years after the Fall and Litheroy’s creation), the newly
  created council invested Litheroy – already at the very top of
  Raphael’s organization – with the Word of Revelation. While
  still a Servitor of Knowledge, Litheroy had become one of
  Raphael’s most valuable agents and tools both in Heaven and
  on Earth.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  12
  
  Litheroy’s Word made him a natural leader in the cause
  of spreading Knowledge, and he directed Raphael’s
  Servitors with passion. He also was given the task of passing
  certain Knowledge on to humanity, which was appropriate
  for the Angel of Revelation. He began building Raphael’s
  organization on Earth, always mindful of God’s Law and the
  injunction against revealing Heaven’s true nature, but also
  recognizing both the need for humanity to understand good
  and evil, and Heaven’s need to understand humanity.
  He was so skilled at this that after the demons slipped the
  bonds of Hell and the creation of the Grigori, Litheroy acted
  as Raphael’s liaison with those Servitors – mostly of Stone –
  tasked with integrating and training the Watchers for their
  roles as observers and teachers of humanity (and sentinels
  against infernal activity). Litheroy did this gladly, appreciat-
  ing the Grigori’s acute perceptions as tools for investigation
  and revelation. He also found himself the spearhead of
  Raphael’s new war with Secrets and Oblivion, at first seek-
  ing to drive the secrets Gebbeleth hoarded into the light of
  Revelation, then later opposing Mariel’s push to consign
  truth to Oblivion. Through all of these trials, Litheroy never
  lost his optimism or his humble joy in truth.
  Litheroy’s role changed again some 5,000 years after the
  Grigori’s creation. Litheroy was the one of the first Servitors
  of Heaven to discover what at first looked like a new breed of
  human being, but turned out to be the monstrous Nephallim.
  The Word-bound Seraph took this information to Dominic,
  only to be brought into the confidence of – and ordered to
  silence by – Dominic and Eli, the Archangel of Creation, who
  had discovered the Nephallim’s horrifying origins as
  angel/human crossbreeds. Though it was Eli more than
  Litheroy who had ferreted out the shame of the Watchers,
  Dominic noted the Angel of Revelation’s zeal and skill, and
  remembered it later.
  He was not the only Archangel to take notice of the Angel
  of Revelation. One of the key battlegrounds for Heaven and
  Hell was the Roman Empire, where Uriel’s patronage was
  undermined by Andrealphus and Beelzebub, Demon Prince
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  13
  For eons, Raphael was the key actor in the develop-
  ment of human education. She worked with her close
  allies, Jean and Yves, to encourage the philosophy, sci-
  ence, and humanities of the people of Earth. When the
  demons escaped Hell and returned to the world, Lucifer
  set not just one but two Demon Princes in opposition to
  Raphael: Gebbeleth, Balseraph Prince of Secrets, and
  Mariel, Princess of Oblivion. The angels looked to the
  wise – and manipulative – Elohite Archangel of
  Knowledge to counter both demonic propaganda and
  infernal misinformation.
  Raphael saw herself, Jean, and Yves as a trinity of
  sorts: Lightning as Science and Mathematics, the
  understanding of the physical; Destiny as Philosophy
  and Wisdom, the contemplation of the eternal; and
  Knowledge encompassing elements of both, bridging
  the realms of the spirit and the mundane. Yves was con-
  tent to let Raphael direct philosophical development
  and education, as it freed him to concentrate on individ-
  ual destinies and other projects. Jean, on the other hand,
  was more active in the process, willing to defer to
  Raphael, whom he respected greatly, but also willing to
  argue with her in Elohite debate – if only to ensure that
  her logic was sound.
  That she wished to avoid bias from her fellow
  Power was the overt reason she cultivated the Angel of
  Revelation as a trusted advisor, and to Litheroy’s
  mind, it is logical enough. While Litheroy was not an
  Archangel, he was uncowed by rank and he had 
  independently developed a philosophy in opposition to
  Jean’s. Where Jean was conservative in the means of
  encouraging and shaping human scientific progress,
  insistent that humanity was not ready for most truths,
  Litheroy wanted to express complete truth to humani-
  ty, in all things, and trust in their ability to evolve and
  grow. Raphael listened to Litheroy and Jean both, syn-
  thesizing their opposing theses into plans both could
  accept. When Litheroy ascended to Archangel of
  Revelation, his voice became even stronger, and the
  balance between his openness and Jean’s caution
  became codified and almost ritualized. Jean and
  Litheroy might not have cared for each other, but with
  Raphael in the mix they were able to work closely and
  even harmoniously.
  Until 1008 A.D., anyhow. Jean never believed that
  Litheroy’s Word and elevation were entirely explained
  as a “balance” to his own logic; they were Elohim, and
  therefore capable of ignoring bias. He suspected that
  she wished to use Litheroy against the Princes of
  Oblivion and Secrets. However, whatever other plots
  Raphael might have had perished with her. If Yves
  knew of them, he has said nothing.
  It is worth noting that after the death of Raphael, a
  majority of her Servitors entered Jean’s or Yves’s serv-
  ice, an echo of the original trinity. Of those remaining,
  most entered Litheroy’s service, and are among his
  most dedicated Heavenly servants.
  KNOWLEDGE,  WISDOM,  LIGHTNING,  
  AND REVELATION
  
  of Corruption. Litheroy passionately fought Beelzebub’s
  influence, uncovering corruption throughout the provinces
  and analyzing the Demon Prince’s movements and habits.
  Naturally this information was passed by Raphael to Uriel,
  then Lord Commander of the Heavenly Host, who was able
  to use it to predict and confront his nemesis far more effec-
  tively. It enabled the Archangel of Purity’s 300-year cam-
  paign against Corruption, ultimately resulting in the
  destruction of the first Prince of Corruption. Uriel did not
  forget the role Litheroy played.
  However, while Litheroy had the support of
  Knowledge, Judgment, and Purity, it was a different
  event that led to his ascension. The founding of
  Christianity brought Revelation to the forefront of
  humanity. Christianity was largely founded on divine
  revelation. Gabriel had announced the conception of
  Jesus Christ to his parents, and appeared to shepherds
  and brought tidings of his birth. The final book of the
  Bible, as it evolved, was titled The Revelation of St.
  John, or just Revelations, and concerned knowl-
  edge being sent down from Heaven to Man,
  revealed in all its glory through divine inspiration.
  As Rome turned to Christianity, prophets and scholars and
  seers alike spoke of revelations from Heaven. Litheroy’s
  Word grew tremendously during this time, though he was
  disturbed that so many of these “revelations” were false,
  and corrected the record whenever he could. As a strong
  follower of Raphael, Litheroy was also a part of
  Raphael’s, Yves’, and Gabriel’s efforts to spread
  Christianity throughout the world.
  With his Word burgeoning with strength and
  Revelation seemingly inexorably linked with
  Christianity, Litheroy finally seemed to be growing
  out from under Raphael’s shadow. When Rome
  officially converted to Christianity under
  Constantine, and the Council of Nicea convened in
  325 A.D., Uriel and Dominic took the opportunity to
  declare their open support of Christianity, and the
  Seraphim Council took several steps in response. One
  of those steps was to recognize Litheroy by making
  him Archangel of Revelation. To this day, the connec-
  tion of Litheroy’s ascension to Christianity is reflected by
  his Cathedral near the Halls of Worship. New Archangels typ-
  ically have Cathedrals that abut their former Superior’s, but
  Litheroy’s Cathedral was closer by far to Uriel’s.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  14
  While the conflict between Litheroy and Alaemon
  is well known, it is easy to forget that for 15,000 years,
  Litheroy led Knowledge’s war with Gebbeleth, the
  Balseraph Prince of Secrets. Though lacking the
  strength of an Archangel, Litheroy was a powerful
  Servitor of distinction with a Word that gave him
  insight into investigating and exposing the very things
  Gebbeleth based his own existence on. It was natural
  that Litheroy would top the Balseraph’s enemies list,
  just below Raphael herself.
  However, Gebbeleth never had the intensely per-
  sonal dislike of Litheroy that Alaemon has (or appears
  to have, anyway). If anything, Gebbeleth grew to enjoy
  the challenge Litheroy represented. He used the Angel
  of Revelation to test his own Servitors by fire – if a fol-
  lower of Secrets could successfully conceal informa-
  tion Litheroy actively sought, that Servitor would be
  rewarded in the Lodge Gebbeleth had formed within
  his organization. If a follower of Secrets deceived
  Litheroy, Gebbeleth’s pleasure and patronage grew.
  As for Litheroy himself, Gebbeleth was ambivalent.
  Certainly, the Angel of Revelation’s complete honesty
  rankled the Demon Prince of Secrets, but at the same
  time Litheroy was far from the most discreet of
  Servitors. He was high up in Raphael’s service and a
  trusted advisor to Raphael herself, and many of the
  concerns the Seraphim Council has today over
  Litheroy’s lack of discretion can be traced back to
  information leaks Gebbeleth was able to capitalize on,
  thousands of years before the birth of Christ – not the
  least of which was the very existence of the Grigori
  Choir, which cost Heaven a vital advantage in the War.
  Through it all, however, Raphael never chastised
  Litheroy or tried to change his methods. In fact, with a
  typical Elohite’s resourcefulness (and manipulative
  nature), she grew adept at feeding select tidbits of
  information to the enemy through Litheroy . . . not that
  the Angel of Revelation ever knew it was happening.
  After Gebbeleth disappeared (a fact even Litheroy
  didn’t suspect for centuries), the Lodge of Gebbeleth
  began to lose its effectiveness against the powerful
  Angel of Revelation. This was compounded by
  Litheroy’s ascension to Archangel – suddenly, their
  most persistent enemy had resources the semi-
  orphaned Gebbelites couldn’t hope to match. This
  forced their alliance with Mariel, Demon Princess of
  Oblivion, and she began to devote her resources to
  fighting the Archangel of Revelation directly. Mariel
  adopted the Lodge of Gebbeleth as her own and pro-
  tected them until her own destruction. It was during this
  battle that Litheroy began fighting to rescue both
  knowledge and antiquities from oblivion – a fight that
  he continues today with his interest in archaeology.
  THE FIRST DEMON PRINCE OF SECRETS
  
  While Litheroy was happy to be associated with a religion
  that he found fascinating (and full of mysteries to unravel), he
  was not a dogmatic Archangel. Far more interested in inves-
  tigation than indoctrination, and totally uninterested in the
  politics of the Seraphim Council, Litheroy isolated himself
  from the rest of the Archangels, and counted only Raphael as
  an ally. Litheroy was a more important and more effective
  agent of Heaven when he served Knowledge than as an
  Archangel himself – without Raphael’s governance over him,
  Litheroy embraced his philosophy of openness and truth over
  all other things. Even Uriel began to exclude the Archangel of
  Revelation from sensitive meetings, though he never had a
  word of complaint about the Seraph. For his own part,
  Litheroy obeyed any commands the Commander of the Host
  gave him, and always gave Uriel unembellished, blunt advice
  when he felt he should. Uriel valued both traits, and accepted
  Litheroy’s philosophy as pure, if nothing else. Following
  Uriel’s recall, Laurence accepted the Archangel of
  Revelation’s aid in the same spirit – but also kept the same
  precautions.
  Though less integral to the overall War effort, Litheroy
  continued to faithfully serve, acting as a foil to Jean where he
  could, working closely with Raphael, studying the mystery of
  humanity, and exposing lies, deceit, and secrets to the glare of
  revelation. It was a magnificent time for Litheroy . . . but it
  came before a terrible blow to the Archangel. Not having
  been alive for the Fall, Litheroy had never experienced either
  the terrible pain of loss nor the bitter feeling of betrayal the
  way the ancient angels had. Both were to come to him, first
  with the death of Raphael, and then with the crowning of one
  of his own Fallen as the Prince of Secrets, replacing
  Gebbeleth as a particularly vicious enemy of Revelation.
  Raphael’s loss came first, when she sacrificed herself to
  destroy Legion. Suddenly denied his one true, unremitting
  ally, oldest friend, and creator, Litheroy took the death of
  Raphael hard. Jean was also crushed by the death of his col-
  laborator, and while the two would become increasingly
  intolerant of one another over the centuries following, they
  were able to comfort one another in the wake of her death.
  Even the destruction of Litheroy’s most dogged enemy,
  Mariel, in the aftermath of the Legion affair could not heart-
  en Litheroy. Still, he had a role to fulfill and a job to do, and
  he did them, not concealing his grief but not letting it impede
  him. Though Raphael’s sacrifice hurt, he understood it. So
  long as he could understand, he could accept.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  15
  TWENTY-THREE
  YEARS OF
  REVELATIONS
  Though he was linked with Christianity at the
  time of his ascension to Archangel, the most signif-
  icant boost in Litheroy’s Word after his ascension
  came from the founding of the third Abrahamic
  religion. Islam came about when Gabriel visited the
  Prophet Muhammad from 610 A.D. to 632 A.D.,
  bearing divine revelations that Muhammad turned
  into the Quran. All devout Muslims accept the
  divine inspiration of the work, testifying that the
  words are not Muhammad’s, but Heaven’s, passed
  through Muhammad. This belief strengthens
  Litheroy’s Word, which he is comfortable with,
  knowing it to be based on truth. Whether the Quran
  represents the true will of God or not – Litheroy
  does not pretend to know – it unquestionably came
  from Gabriel and Yves, and therefore there is truth
  in the Muslim claims of authorship.
  Khalid, the Elohite Archangel of Faith, under-
  stands that Litheroy benefits from the Quran’s
  influence on the Word of Revelation and is content.
  Litheroy is not a Muslim any more than he is a
  Christian or Jew, but Litheroy acknowledges the
  power of Faith and is deeply devout. Khalid does
  object to Litheroy’s methods. He believes Litheroy
  seeks to explain matters that humanity should not
  question in the first place, but instead accept on
  faith. Khalid’s dissonance conditions are directly
  contradictory to Litheroy’s, and their goals could
  not be further apart. However, as the Law of
  Heaven states that angels may not reveal them-
  selves to the world, Litheroy is content to leave the-
  ology in Khalid’s hands (for now), and concentrate
  his efforts on secular matters – matters that put him
  in conflict with Jean.
  There may come a day, however, when
  Revelation and Faith openly oppose one another,
  despite their shared interest in Islam.
  
  This was a comfort he did not have when a new Prince of
  Secrets was crowned in the year 1800 A.D. – and was appar-
  ently Alaemon, a former Mercurian of Revelation and creat-
  ed by Litheroy himself. While it cannot be confirmed that this
  Alaemon is the same celestial being that Litheroy knew (see
  Superiors 4: Rogues to Riches), this new Prince of Secrets
  used extensive knowledge of Revelation’s methods to attack
  Litheroy’s Servitors and organization, seize valuable assets,
  and bury important secrets. Litheroy was shocked and deeply
  hurt, but accepted the challenge and began to fight back,
  exposing Alaemon’s conspiracy as completely as he could. In
  the centuries that followed, the two have largely been stale-
  mated, and a significant portion of Litheroy’s energy and
  resources has been devoted to confounding Alaemon.
  PERSONALITY AND
  OUTLOOK
  For all men live by truth, and stand in need of expression.
  In love, in art, in avarice, in politics, in labor, in games, we
  study to utter our painful secret. The man is only half himself,
  the other half is his expression.
  – Ralph Waldo Emerson
  Compared to many Superiors, the Archangel of
  Revelation is straightforward. He says what he means, holds
  little back, and answers questions he is asked. There are many
  who, confronted with this almost humble creature, believe
  Litheroy to be naïve. Even simpleminded. Certainly lacking
  in sophistication and perhaps even childlike.
  They are very, very wrong.
  For a Seraph, Litheroy is very knowledgeable about the
  world and how it works. He understands that human beings
  (and most celestials) value privacy and discretion. He simply
  knows they’re wrong. Utterly wrong. Sometimes tragically
  wrong. And he does not coddle that wrongful thinking, regard-
  less of whether he hears it from a 16-year-old girl lying to her
  parents or from Laurence, Archangel of the Sword, Lord
  Commander of the Heavenly Host and Defender of Heaven.
  Litheroy knows this costs him the support of many of his fel-
  lows, and willingly pays that price.
  What Litheroy is, at his core, is earnest. His demeanor is
  always serious, even if he has a smile on his face. He takes
  joy in truth and in his work, but does not laugh. He answers
  sarcastic questions honestly and literally. He never assumes a
  question is rhetorical. In fact, he finds that by answering
  “rhetorical questions” he can force the questioner to question
  his own assumptions. Any question is important enough to be
  answered. Any assumption is important enough to be chal-
  lenged. Any secret is important enough to be exposed.
  In devoting himself to the Corporeal and the question of
  humanity, Litheroy is trying, ultimately, to understand. He
  accepts on faith that humanity is important – God has decreed
  it, and Litheroy believes it. To Litheroy, it is now absolutely
  necessary to understand why humanity is important. God
  would not so favor a creature of Earth without good reason,
  and it is incumbent upon God’s servants to decipher that rea-
  son. Further, he has learned to love humanity deeply in his
  studies. He truly enjoys human beings. He enjoys listening to
  them and reading their books and uncovering their antiquities
  and examining their culture – in exactly the same way an
  entomologist loves ants, studies the structure of ant colonies,
  unearths the fossilized remains of ant colonies, and enjoys
  learning about the unique culture that forms within ant
  colonies. While Litheroy is the Seraph who most loves
  humanity and strives most diligently to understand it, he lacks
  the essential perception of who and what mankind is. He
  remains one of the Most Holy, the Choir most distant from
  humanity, and the youngest of Mercurians has insights that
  Litheroy will seemingly never comprehend.
  To his credit, Litheroy accepts the truth about his under-
  standing of humanity. And to his credit, he is not discouraged.
  He forges ever onward, following the paths of the Labyrinth
  one by one, certain one of them will one day lead him to the
  truth.
  Priorities
  Litheroy’s priorities are straightforward: Reveal hidden
  truths and penetrate deceptions wherever they are found.
  Spread truth whenever and wherever possible, debunking
  rumor, supposition, and outright falsehood. Oppose the
  Demon Prince of Secrets and his efforts to both conceal valu-
  able information and hurt the Servitors and Word of
  Revelation. Study humanity and gain both insight and under-
  standing in them, while giving them back the cultural heritage
  lost to Secrets or Oblivion. Penetrate the secrets of Hell and
  support the War in any way possible, following the orders of
  the Lord Commander of the Host when needed.
  If asked to elaborate, Litheroy will go into depth on each
  point, but the core remains the same. God and the Symphony
  love truth and abhor lies. Everything else is window dressing.
  Views on the War
  As he often states, Litheroy is convinced that if all partici-
  pants in the War understood each other, there would be no
  demons left and the War would be a distasteful memory. By
  hiding from one another, the demons deny the truth, becoming
  miserable and spreading misery.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  16
  
  Litheroy wants nothing more than to make his infernal
  enemies understand. But he believes, quite firmly, that they
  have made a choice. A stupid, wrong-headed, tragic choice.
  And as a result, the demons are less important than the human
  beings they try to lead into deception. While Litheroy would
  gladly redeem any demons who could be made to understand
  the depths of their mistake . . . his Servitors’instructions are
  to fight demons first, and to convert them only if no innocents
  are in danger and a perfect opportunity presents itself. As
  tragic as the self-deceptions of demons are, the horror of the
  lies they perpetuate on humanity always take precedence.
  Unlike many angels, Litheroy has more sympathy for
  Hellborn demons than for Fallen ones. When an angel Falls,
  he is denying the truth that is his birthright, and therefore is
  committing the greatest sin imaginable. Litheroy is sympa-
  thetic, and will always help that demon see the error of his
  ways, but he believes there is a harsh justice in that demon’s
  destruction. In contrast, a Hellborn demon has been lied to for
  its entire existence – it has had little chance to learn the truth,
  so it cannot be said to be denying the truth. Litheroy believes
  those demons deserve a chance to understand their own
  nature, and the nature of what has been denied them.
  However, he does not believe that chance should ever come
  at the expense of Heaven or Earth.
  In fighting alongside his fellow angels, Litheroy is a good
  soldier. He obeys the Lord Commander and the Seraphim
  Council, and directs his angels to obey in turn. He seeks the
  advice of Michael, Dominic, and Yves, and implements those
  suggestions. And though he is often excluded from corporeal
  operations because of his lack of discretion, he never keeps
  information he learns to himself. He knows that the Litherites
  are valuable intelligence gatherers, and he makes certain that
  what they know is passed up the line as swiftly as possible.
  POLITICS
  . . . in politics, there is a distinction, unknown to science,
  between Truth and Justice.
  – W.H. Auden
  Not to belabor a point, but Litheroy doesn’t participate in
  politics. If he learns something valuable to an Archangel –
  even an Archangel he is hostile to – he lets that Archangel
  know as directly as possible. If he opposes a given plan, he
  explains how and why he is opposed to all who will listen.
  And if he learns something that another angel or Archangel
  wishes to remain secret, he tells everyone – embarrassment is
  a small price to pay for eliminating a desecrating lie from
  Heaven.
  One would think his fellow members of the Seraphim
  Council would despise Litheroy. However, for the most part
  that isn’t true. Litheroy is absolutely honest, true to himself,
  and true to the principles of Heaven. Every Archangel who
  isn’t himself a Seraph has Seraphim in his service, and knows
  how difficult it is for them to conceal the truth. So rather than
  oppose Litheroy or undermine him, his fellow Archangels
  simply . . . exclude him. In fact, the entire concept of “secret
  committee meetings” of the Seraphim Council dates after
  Litheroy’s accession. Before then, a word from Michael or
  Uriel was enough to ensure silence on the part of all Council
  members. Litheroy simply doesn’t keep silence without inter-
  cession from God or a specific commandment from the
  Seraphim Council . . . and the latter is not nearly as certain as
  the former. It is easier on everyone to simply leave Revelation
  out of the loop.
  Archangelic Opinions
  Although Litheroy refuses to play politics with the other
  Archangels, it does not keep him from having opinions of
  them, nor they of him. And as befits the Archangel of
  Revelation, his opinions are freely and unflinchingly
  expressed.
  Blandine: I have noticed Litheroy and his Servitors spend-
  ing time in the Marches, trying to unravel the mystery of
  humanity. They are not disruptive. They observe and learn.
  They ask questions and listen to answers. They do not attempt
  to impress their agenda onto the dreamers. I appreciate such
  respect. (A fascinating Archangel, though so lonely. It seems
  to me that Blandine’s pain comes from hiding from the truth
  – even if Beleth redeemed tomorrow, I don’t know that she
  would return to Blandine. The sooner Blandine accepts the
  truth of what has happened, the sooner she can put the pain
  behind her and move on.)
  David: Competent enough. Litheroy promotes his Word
  and opposes Hell. What more could we expect of him? I keep
  him at arm’s length, though – he digs in the ground and under
  stone, revealing things that should remain hidden. I think he
  would have dug Magog out if he had known where to shov-
  el. (Sometimes the most painful way to lie is not to say any-
  thing at all. David’s silences conceal his heart and give rise to
  rumor and hard feelings. I wish we could sit down and talk,
  but he won’t speak.)
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  17
  
  Dominic: If every angel were a Servitor of Revelation,
  my duties and heart alike would be light. It is said Litheroy is
  indiscreet – would that all angels had this “vice.” His devo-
  tion to unraveling mysteries and unearthing secrets is unques-
  tioned, and his motives are refreshingly pure. He can probe
  too deeply sometimes, however, and will not be satisfied eas-
  ily when his curiosity is piqued. At least he came to me after
  a truly egregious error in judgment . . . (Oh, my brother
  Seraph, seeker of truth and Divine Inquisitor. Don’t you
  understand? If they would just explain themselves openly,
  you could help them make good choices. And if you would
  reveal yourself to them, and be open with them, then they
  would trust you. So long as they lie . . . so long as they hide
  themselves . . . then your burden will be as heavy as that
  unfortunate cloak. Won’t you let us help you bear that bur-
  den? I would, if you’d let me.)
  Eli: I always liked him. Cute kid, really. And creative, too.
  These days, I have to keep away from him, though. (I don’t
  understand. If he has a good reason to be down on Earth, then
  he should tell us. If he doesn’t, he should come back. Either
  way, he’s hurting all of Heaven with his secrets, and that’s
  just not fair. Still . . . I wonder what he’s learned about
  humanity. And I wonder if he’d share his insights with me
  when he returns.)
  Gabriel: The flickering light of the torch reveals the con-
  tents of the chamber, but shadows are cast as well. That which
  you see is not what is truly there. Comprehension takes more
  than sight. Understanding comes from within. Do not be
  fooled by surfaces, Revelation. Do not be fooled by what you
  see. (We once worked very closely together. Gabriel used to
  be a part of my life and even fueled my Word – what was the
  announcement of the birth of Christ if not Revelation? What
  was the appearance to the shepherds, telling them not to fear,
  if not the power of Revelation? What was the Quran itself, if
  not the essence of Revelation? We have to help Gabriel back
  to sanity. She is too important to leave as she is.)
  Janus: Litheroy? Litheroy’s like a little brother, you
  know? He’s like the little brother who not only isn’t cool but
  doesn’t care about being cool. He’s the little brother who
  tells on you not to get you in trouble, but to keep you out of
  trouble. I have no beef with him, but he can make things dif-
  ficult for me. (I just don’t understand Janus. Chaos just con-
  fuses people, and confusion scares them. If you have to be an
  agent of change, why not do it through education? As it is,
  he causes a lot of trouble and needs to be reined in.)
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  18
  It seems odd. A Seraph and an Elohite, both
  Archangels, both tasked with guiding the development
  of humanity, and both once very close associates of the
  Archangel of Knowledge, should at least be able to
  accept each other’s differences. And yet, Jean and
  Litheroy compete with one another, and promote their
  own agenda, at each other’s expense.
  Jean has attempted to explain his philosophy to
  Litheroy. At length. There is a natural growth and
  development process, which humanity must undergo.
  Even as Charlemagne was not ready to have machine
  guns and mortars on the battlefield, so mankind is not
  yet ready for the deep secrets of the universe. Further,
  by exploring those secrets for themselves, human
  beings can discover new, innovative ways of putting
  them together. While Jean understands the rules of the
  universe in precise detail, he does not know every way
  those rules can be expressed or applied. Humans (and,
  Jean is forced to admit, Vapula) often hit on those
  expressions if they’re forced to blunder around in the
  dark, searching for the answers. And of course, some-
  times humanity discovers things that culturally it’s just
  not ready for (especially when influenced by demons
  of Technology or other supernatural meddlers). In
  those cases it’s important to manage humans’ efforts
  and keep them from hurting themselves.
  Litheroy, on the other hand, believes passionately
  that human beings have the capacity to deal with the
  truth. So long as human beings blunder through the
  Labyrinth unguided, they not only make mistakes but
  hurt each other. They are left open to the depredations
  of Vapula. They mistake supposition for reality, and
  they end up hurting themselves or others terribly, often
  for theories that are completely wrong. If the truth were
  revealed, humanity would have to adjust to it. But
  Litheroy knows humanity could make that adjustment
  as it has made so many others, and then, with a founda-
  tion of reality instead of theory to go on, continue to
  grow unimpeded and undamaged.
  Both want what is best for humanity. Jean wants
  humanity to achieve for itself. Litheroy wants to trust
  humanity with the truth. Neither can be said to be
  wrong. But there is simply no reconciling the two posi-
  tions without intercession from a party they both
  respect. Raphael once filled that role. Today, only Yves
  could hope to take her place between the pair . . . and
  Yves has not chosen to do so.
  Because of Litheroy’s inability to play politics, Jean
  has the upper hand when convincing the Seraphim
  Council to follow his desires. On the other hand,
  Litheroy is not shackled by the need to consider the
  Council’s interests before moving. Where Jean must try
  to predict the Council’s wishes and weigh his actions
  accordingly, Litheroy simply does what he feels is
  right, whatever the consequences. More than once, this
  has proven to be to Heaven’s advantage.
  TRUTH,  SCIENCE,  AND HUMANITY
  
  Jean: We worked very closely together before Raphael’s
  death, but even then we clashed. His methods are not mine,
  and further, they are dangerous. If Litheroy had his way, we
  would have taught Neanderthals how to make gunpowder
  and given Alexander the Great nuclear warheads – and
  mankind would be little more than our pets, performing the
  tricks we taught them. They must do it on their own. Litheroy
  doesn’t understand that. (I think Jean means well, but he’s
  utterly wrong about so many things. He does worse than
  hoard knowledge and keep humanity in the dark – he encour-
  ages their muddling around with theories that are just plain
  wrong. He let them believe in ether and spontaneous genera-
  tion and Aristotelean “science” for centuries. I wonder if,
  when Galileo was forced to forswear Copernicanism and sen-
  tenced to life imprisonment, Jean was pleased? I should ask
  him sometime.)
  Jordi: They say humanity is special. They say humanity
  is set above the beasts. They say this and they say that.
  Litheroy seems to be the only one to ask “why?” To ask what
  makes this so unnatural of natural creatures what they are. I
  wish him luck. I have nearly given up trying to understand
  them. (Jordi is always willing to answer questions about the
  animal world. He will go into depth and is patient with fol-
  lowups. He seems genuinely interested in my observations
  of humanity as well. He doesn’t usually come to the Abbey,
  but I enjoy visiting his Savannah on occasion.)
  Laurence: Although of sadly limited utility in planning
  the War, Litheroy couldn’t be easier to work with. He is
  intelligent and enthusiastic, without being zealous or impa-
  tient. His Servitors work tirelessly to expose the enemy’s
  secrets and bring intelligence back to Heaven, and
  Litheroy’s own dedication to Heaven is flawless.
  Through it all, he maintains a reverence appropriate
  to an Archangel, to the point that on occasion I take
  up the robes and observe devotions in his Abbey,
  content to know we are serving Our Lord. (A fine,
  honorable angel and an excellent Commander.
  Laurence gives me what resources and assis-
  tance he can, answers my questions, and doesn’t
  hesitate to ask for my expertise and my help.
  Unfortunately, he subscribes to the “classified information”
  vice, but we’re working on that.)
  Marc: Litheroy? Oh, he breaks my heart. I’ve never met
  an angel so devoted to understanding humanity – and that
  includes members of my own Choir – and yet he keeps miss-
  ing the point. He’s too paternalistic by far, and he can disrupt
  delicate negotiations. And he absolutely ruins any poker
  game he sits in on. But he means well, and his information
  is always – always – reliable. Naturally, I try to help his
  quests where I can, but I don’t have nearly enough time in
  my day to answer his incessant questions. (With Eli’s tragic
  self-exile, Marc is an invaluable resource on humanity.
  However, he seems to share humanity’s incomprehensible
  love of the Labyrinth, and extracting useful tidbits from him
  can be distressingly like dental surgery. Also, he seems 
  overly concerned with appearances and trappings, when
  what I’m really interested in is the human heart and soul.
  Still, he’s the best we’ve got on the subject. But I hope Eli
  comes home, and soon.)
  Michael: Some of my associates snigger about Litheroy’s
  earnestness. They call him names like “babblesnake,” and
  expect me to be sympathetic to their discomfort around him.
  Don’t they understand? Don’t they realize how much I yearn
  for a world where Litheroy’s brand of simple, unadulterated
  truth can be given free rein? I respect Litheroy more than any
  other Seraph. Even steeped in the tribulations of the world he
  never, ever compromises his principles, and his highest prin-
  ciple is truth. How could I ever denigrate that? Absent that
  world, however, I must do what must be done. (The first of
  the Seraphim. The highest of the Seraphim. I cannot imagine
  Michael’s burden, though I try to every day. I know he omits
  parts of the truth sometimes – the myth of “security” – and
  that saddens me. But to his credit, it saddens him too. In the
  meantime, I will help him any way I can.)
  Novalis: So many Seraphim are dismissive of
  humanity. Litheroy isn’t. Litheroy really loves
  humanity. He spends so much of his time among
  them, and I truly believe he wouldn’t hurt a fly. I wish
  that compassion extended to Hell; he doesn’t
  seem to hate our Fallen brothers and sisters the
  way so many do, but he is firmly committed
  to fighting them. His confederacy with
  Laurence, Michael, and Dominic speaks
  volumes. Still, he’s never had a cross
  word for me, and I’m happy to talk with
  him. I just have to be careful what I say.
  (Unlike Michael or Laurence, I really
  don’t have a problem with Novalis.
  Certainly, I admire her compassion and
  value her insight. Still, I don’t see how she
  can be so . . . accommodating of Hell. Every
  demon has turned his sight from the
  Symphony’s truth. So long as they embrace self-
  deception, our first responsibility has to be eliminating
  their threat. While I pray that means redemption, I don’t shy
  away from the sword if that’s what it takes. I’m all too con-
  scious of their impact on humanity.)
  Yves: Litheroy is a true believer. He believes that through
  Revelation the War can be won, Hell redeemed, and the
  world made whole and pure. He never loses faith. He never
  loses heart. He simply keeps moving forward. He embraces
  the grand Revelations that change nations and the quiet
  Revelations that ease individual human hearts. Through
  understanding comes destiny, in Litheroy’s world. I think we
  could use more true believers, don’t you? (I adore Yves. How
  could I not? His Library is open to all who would walk
  through its doors. His credo is plainly spoken and impossible
  to dismiss. More than peace and more than violence, he wants
  all the world to find its Destiny. I respect that. I wish . . . I
  wish he would be more open himself. He could answer so
  many questions about Gabriel and so many other things. But
  there is time yet to convince him.)
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  19
  
  Princely Opinions
  Though Litheroy is, by circumstance and even by design,
  a minor Archangel, the Demon Princes of Hell do know of
  him and do have opinions. And of course, Litheroy’s driving
  need to understand extends fully to the subject of infernal
  Superiors.
  Andrealphus: Ugh. What part of “wet fish” don’t you
  understand? I tried seducing him once. I say, “tried” because
  that . . . copulation hardly counted as seduction! He cheerfully
  agreed and spent the entire time asking questions! Nothing I
  did would make him focus on what he was feeling. It was all
  “do you like it when I do this?” and “do people like that, usu-
  ally?” and “what do they make the flavored oils out of?” And
  then he wouldn’t stop calling me with more questions. I had
  to change my cell-phone number. Just . . . ugh. (If you’re ask-
  ing me if we’ve had sex, then the answer is yes. It’s an inter-
  esting experience, though he should improve his communica-
  tion skills. Dominic had to question me afterward, of course.
  He told me not to do it again, and then wouldn’t explain what
  he found so . . . amusing. It was good to hear him laugh,
  though. As for Andrealphus himself . . . hm. I pity him more
  than anything. Don’t let his Servitors distract you from the
  truth. If you get the chance, make them confront that truth
  themselves. It can bear fruit.)
  Asmodeus: Litheroy’s strategy is a limited but acceptable
  one. He deceives himself if he believes he doesn’t have one,
  of course. Still, there is something to be said for open play –
  and only a fool underestimates an opponent who doesn’t keep
  his hand hidden. Not all games reward bluffing, after all. In
  the end, however, his limitations keep his position weaker
  than it might otherwise be. (One of the greatest enemies of
  Heaven. The essence of the Game is hidden – feints and
  bluffs, twists and unexpected moves. Where Alaemon con-
  ceals by Word, Asmodeus conceals by nature. That’s what I
  despise most about Hell. Asmodeus must be terribly lonely.)
  Baal: Inconsequential. I respect his sense of honor and his
  determination, but he is so woefully inept a warrior that coun-
  tering him is of little priority. He was more dangerous with
  Raphael to guide him. Sometimes, he can be useful for get-
  ting choice facts into Heaven, however. (Baal is everything
  Michael is not. A liar who believes he’s telling the truth. A
  traitor who cloaks himself in the trappings of honor. A thug
  who believes he is a prince. If we could just cut through his
  web of self-deceptions and imagined insults, I think we could
  save him. Until then, he must be stopped. Human beings are
  suffering every day because of him.)
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  20
  THE REFERENCE
  LIBRARIANS
  There is nothing quite as tantalizing to a
  Litherite as Yves’s Library. A Cathedral that con-
  tains all recorded knowledge of all times, past,
  present, and future, is almost dazzling to the aver-
  age babblesnake, who could throw himself inside
  its halls and read everything he could get his hands
  on and be perfectly happy for all eternity.
  Obviously, this vice can’t be indulged.
  However, Litheroy and his Servitors recognize the
  tremendous value the Library has both in divining
  the truth and in understanding mankind. So, to most
  efficiently exploit the Library’s resources, Litheroy
  has organized an order of his Servitors, called his
  Reference Librarians. Requests for information
  from the Library typically have to go through one
  of these angels, who then will either coordinate the
  search or give advice to the Servitor before he
  makes his own pilgrimage. They also catalogue and
  index the folios Litheroy’s scribes produce. It is
  said some Reference Librarians have been given
  the ability to step from the Abbey’s folios right
  through to Yves’s Library.
  
  Belial: I don’t like him. I don’t like him! In the old days,
  when you burned things, that was the end of it. You burned
  them and then they were gone. Consumed. Burnt! Now
  there’s arson investigation and clues and things to reveal at
  burn sites! Fire. Doesn’t. Reveal. Kill him. Kill all of his
  wretched kind. They’re weak, so it won’t be hard. (All the
  charm of Saminga, all the danger of Haagenti. Belial and
  Mariel always worked to similar ends. Belial destroys what
  we would reveal. He cannot be permitted to succeed – and
  he’s held Fire hostage too long. Fire should reveal and
  inspire, not consume and destroy. It’s sad, really.)
  Beleth: A little bitty annoyance, but still an annoyance. He
  is all too willing to talk peoples’fear out of their heads, and we
  can’t have that, can we? I sometimes think he’s too stupid to
  be scared himself, but he does have fears of his own. Everyone
  has fears. Help Alaemon make him even less relevant than he
  is. (All Beleth’s power comes from misunderstandings and
  secrets. Nightmares are born in lack of knowledge. If people
  truly understand each other, they have nothing to fear. If 
  children understand the monster in their bedroom is really a
  pile of clothes on a chair, they won’t fear it. In the end, Beleth
  has no strength we don’t give her, and we don’t have to give
  her anything.)
  Haagenti: I got bigger things to worry about than Litheroy.
  Like lunch. Any given lunch, really. (When Haagenti con-
  sumed Mariel, I believe he took something of her nature on.
  He doesn’t lie often – or particularly well, compared to others
  – but he consumes. And what he consumes is lost to oblivion.
  That can’t be permitted.)
  Kobal: Possibly the worst audience on the face of the
  Earth. He doesn’t even make a good straight man, because he
  tries to explain the joke he’s in the middle of. And he doesn’t
  get embarrassed. Ever! The most humiliating things happen
  to Litheroy and he just shrugs, moves on, and tells everyone
  within earshot what happened! I mean, Andrealphus slept
  with him and all Litheroy did was tell everybody! I hate
  Litheroy. (I’ve been told by people I trust I don’t have much
  of a sense of humor. I try to understand humor. I really do.
  Maybe it’s Kobal’s influence – I just don’t see how anyone
  thinks he’s funny, whether in Heaven or Hell. He seems to be
  in a lot of pain, don’t you think? I wish I could talk things
  over with him.)
  Kronos: A useful pawn for Heaven, who can also be a
  useful pawn for Hell. He’s rarely an effective foe, because
  explaining someone’s fate to him doesn’t necessarily prevent
  him from reaching it. Still, he can be an effective counter to
  Jean when properly utilized. (Mysteries cling to Kronos. I
  don’t understand him. There’s something about him that just
  isn’t . . . right. He’s exceptionally dangerous, and every soul
  lost to Fate is truly lost, so he must be opposed. But the only
  way we’ll ever defeat Fate is to understand Kronos, and right
  now there are too many unanswered questions.)
  Lilith: Litheroy is bad for business. He gives away things
  we would sell, and he’s almost incapable of making a deal.
  Once I tried to get him to trade information for information,
  but I’d hardly put the deal on the table before he told me
  everything I wanted to know and a considerable amount I
  didn’t want to know. And not only didn’t I have a hook into
  his soul, it almost felt like I owed him. Fortunately, his
  Servitors are easier to tempt and less guileless in general. (I
  wish Lilith weren’t so wrapped up in her own self-deceptions.
  If she could let go of the past and let go of Hell, she’d be an
  invaluable resource. I mean, she’s a human being who has
  seen the world of angels and demons from the inside. Think
  of the insights she must have. But she doesn’t like to talk
  about herself. Well, maybe next time.)
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  21
  UNTWISTING THE
  LABYRINTH
  No conflict of Litheroy’s is as complex and vis-
  ceral as the one he has with Alaemon. The Demon
  Prince of Secrets claims to be devoting his entire
  existence to the destruction of his former Superior.
  Litheroy has responded with zeal, fighting hard
  to eliminate Secrets and if necessary destroy
  Alaemon along with them. He has made adjust-
  ments to his organization to cover the weaknesses
  Alaemon has so fervently attacked.
  As far as Alaemon himself goes, however,
  Litheroy is far more hurt than he is angry. It is far
  worse than betrayal. Litheroy has had Servitors Fall
  before, and while he hates that fact with all his heart
  he understands in what way they failed before they
  Fell. But Alaemon . . .
  Litheroy just doesn’t understand Alaemon. He
  doesn’t understand the animosity that Alaemon has
  brought into the conflict. Even Gebbeleth didn’t
  seem to take Litheroy or Revelation as a personal
  affront.
  Litheroy will not permit the Demon Prince of
  Secrets to further injure Revelation, Revelation’s
  Servitors, or Litheroy himself. He will do whatever
  is necessary to both stop Alaemon and defeat him.
  And he will do everything in his power to destroy
  the Conspiracy utterly.
  But more importantly, Litheroy is going to
  understand Alaemon. Completely. Even if it kills
  both of them in the process.
  
  Malphas: What a lovely little angel. He proves every-
  thing I’ve been saying, really. See, all Litheroy wants is for
  everyone to be fair and open with one another. Like all
  Seraphim, he’s dedicated to the Truth with a capital “T.”
  And he’s completely open about all his goals. And what is
  Heaven’s response? They keep secrets from him, they avoid
  him, they set up secret meetings away from the Seraphim
  Council specifically to exclude him . . . factionalism, pure
  and simple. And then when he does learn their secrets, he
  tells everyone, and inflames passions all around him. Long
  may Litheroy seek. (Malphas embodies the corruptive
  nature of Shedim. He corrupts associations, turning them
  against each other and fomenting hidden agendas. How
  ironic, really – a Shedite is a corrupt Kyriotate who can only
  see one point of view, and yet Malphas breaks people up
  into their own separate points of view. I wonder if that
  means we can redeem him.)
  Nybbas: You ever hear of a Murrow’s Ghost, babe?
  They’re the ones who sit in the back of news stations and
  whine about objectivity and hard news. That’s Litheroy all
  over – he’d turn every newspaper into an encyclopedia.
  He’d turn every television station into PBS. Not the good
  stuff, either! He’d wanna know why a purple dinosaur!
  He’d want to know how that dog got big and red! And he’s
  putting his nose in my business! Angels of Objective
  Journalism and Investigative Journalism causing trouble . . .
  he better figure out the exposé goes around and the exposé
  comes around. (I don’t pretend to understand Impudites yet,
  but Nybbas seems pretty typical of their breed. He’s all
  about flash and appearance, not about substance. So long as
  he dominates the mass media, he can obfuscate the truth and
  force propaganda on humanity. We can’t let him succeed at
  that any more.)
  Saminga: When Litheroy is ready to investigate the ulti-
  mate truth, I’ll be glad to help him get there. Otherwise, he’s
  nothing to me. (A horrible creature, but one worth studying.
  There is much we don’t understand about the process of death
  that, absent contact with the Archangel of Death, we’re not
  going to learn. And certainly much we don’t understand
  about the nature of the undead. The more we can learn about
  both, the stronger our weapons against Saminga. And if our
  understanding becomes complete enough, perhaps we can
  find a way to rescue the undead from their curse.)
  Valefor: You know, if I wanted to commit a crime in
  Cabot Cove, the first thing I’d do is kill off Jessica Fletcher.
  That “amateur detective” bitch gets her nose into everyone’s
  private business and then blabs her mouth off to everyone.
  Silence her, and you can kill everyone you want in that town
  and never get caught. You get my meaning? (So many mys-
  teries cling to Valefor. Who is he? Where did he come from?
  What is his relationship to or with Janus? Who was his
  Superior before he got his Word? How did he get Genubath’s
  Word? Where did Genubath go? Did Valefor really get a book
  from Yves’s Library? If so, how? And why? So many ques-
  tions . . . and I think both Heaven and Hell want the answers,
  don’t you?)
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  22
  OBJECTIVE
  JOURNALISM
  Though it hasn’t really begun to track on either
  Heaven or Hell’s radar yet, there is a battle brewing
  between Revelation and the Media that could get
  vicious . . . and given the relative power levels
  involved, deadly for Litheroy.
  Litheroy cannot and will not stand for media
  spin, doctoring, hyperbole, or propaganda dis-
  guised as journalism. While the Angel of
  Journalism herself is a Servitor of Destiny, Litheroy
  has gathered Word-bound angels related to honesty,
  integrity, and investigation in journalism, led by his
  Angels of Objective Journalism and Investigative
  Journalism. Litheroy simply does not accept that
  the purveyors of fact in human society apply their
  own agendas, distortions, and deceptions to the
  truth they purport to present.
  Nybbas has noticed this, and has every intention
  of wiping Revelation from the face of the
  Symphony in response. To date, however, he has
  tried to use the tools he always brings to bear. First,
  he attempted to corrupt and absorb Revelation, to
  get it working for him. That failed because
  Revelation refused to accept partial truths (much to
  the disgust of the Demon of Sensationalism).
  Next he tried innuendo, lies, distortions, and
  exposés. The problem is, Litheroy and his Servitors
  typically have no skeletons in their closets, and
  Litheroy is willing to admit to anything he’s done in
  the past; even in the corporeal realm, Litherites
  have no Roles to besmirch. Further, spreading
  rumors about Litheroy seems to be impossible,
  because there is nothing that Litheroy “won’t digni-
  fy with a reply.” In fact, he’ll disabuse any false-
  hood at length. And, since Litheroy never conceals
  his movements, there are no unaccounted-for min-
  utes that Nybbas can twist into sinister intent.
  This is utterly contrary to Nybbas’ experience,
  and he’s having some difficulty dealing with it. The
  most obvious course of action is for Nybbas to
  attack Litheroy with force instead of subtlety, but
  Nybbas is an Impudite, and that’s not the way he
  thinks.
  However, Nybbas is not a fool, and he is begin-
  ning to understand the nature of his foe. And as he
  adapts his weapons and brings more of his
  resources to bear, the much less powerful
  Archangel of Revelation could be in significant
  danger.
  
  Vapula: Though it can be lonely and frustrating to be so
  misunderstood, I can take heart that someone in Heaven does
  understand. Not only is Litheroy an effective agent against
  Jean – and a vocal critic of Lightning’s methods – but he is
  passionately devoted to revealing all of Lightning’s secrets to
  the world. If he manages to succeed, the benefits to scientific
  inquiry will be robust – we should be as supportive as possi-
  ble. And regardless of his success, find out everything
  Litheroy and his Servitors know. It shouldn’t be that difficult
  – just ask. (If I ever begin to doubt my opinion of Jean’s
  methods, I have only to look at Vapula to reaffirm my resolve.
  Vapula is the embodiment of the “scientific process,” and his
  methods create destruction and horror. If Jean revealed the
  secrets of the universe to humanity, Vapula would melt away
  to nothing. If we taught humanity how to do all the things
  they seek to do, the Word of Technology would die in
  Vapula’s breast. Absent an epiphany on Jean’s part, we must
  do all we can to learn what Vapula’s up to and contain the
  damage he causes.)
  Humans and Others
  Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any
  human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not
  a little disguised, or a little mistaken.
  – Jane Austen
  Humanity: God has told us that human beings are very,
  very special. So special that He wanted to leave them alone,
  but the demons would not allow that, so we must walk among
  them. Absent the ability to leave them alone, we must do all
  that we can to understand them – understand their delightful
  ways, their perceptions, the way they can influence the
  Symphony without perceiving it. Understand how they can
  choose to follow their fate and why they would reject fate for
  destiny instead. Understand how they can use fiction – fic-
  tion – to reveal truth to one another, and learn how to distill
  that truth so we can give it to them without couching it in
  ambiguous terms. Human beings are wonderful.
  Soldiers of God: Among the most valuable resources we
  have. They can go places we cannot, they can fit into their
  world in a way we cannot. We do not disguise ourselves in the
  Symphony with Roles, which means we need our Soldiers to
  perform certain tasks. More importantly, however, they have
  insight into the human condition, which we can learn from.
  They also serve as an example, to Heaven and God Himself,
  that humanity can accept the existence of angels and still
  remain true to themselves. Value them. Use them.
  Hellsworn: A terrible shame. We must do everything to
  make them understand their choice, in detail. It’s not too late
  for them. It’s not too late. But if they insist on damning them-
  selves there’s nothing we can do. That may be the greatest
  tragedy of them all . . . and the greatest triumph of Hell’s lies.
  Help them.
  Sorcerers: These are the most tragic of Hell’s soldiers,
  and yet the ones we must have the least sympathy for. They
  have sold their birthright for a lie, and they perform terrible
  acts in the name of selfish desire. We must try our best to cap-
  ture them, and we must learn everything they know.
  Everything they have done. I’m terribly, terribly sorry, but we
  can’t afford to be gentle about it.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  23
  
  Ethereals: Deceptions given form. They are lies that live
  off of humanity’s Essence. They are interesting, given that
  they form out of humanity’s impressions – perhaps they are
  created in similar ways as Tethers or even the shaping of
  Words. This bears further investigation. But if you see them
  out of the Marches, intercede. And if they claim to be gods,
  remind them and all who listen of the truth. They can’t abide
  the truth.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  24
  She saw in the rainbow the earth’s new architecture, the
  old, brittle corruption of houses and factories swept away,
  the world built up in a living fabric of Truth, fitting to the
  over-arching heaven.
  – D.H. Lawrence, The Rainbow
  In the south quarter of the Eternal City, in the place corre-
  sponding to where the legendary Pool of Siloam lay in the
  City of David, Litheroy’s Abbey can be found. Where most
  Archangels’ Cathedrals are grand, sweeping affairs, the
  Abbey (it has never had any other name) is a quiet place, sub-
  dued and beautiful in its simplicity. It resembles a 15th-cen-
  tury abbey of considerable size, made of plain, unadorned
  granite. The gardens are carefully tended by robed Servitors
  and relievers of Revelation, along with those blessed souls
  drawn to this place. There are many fountains and pools on
  the grounds, from the Eel Pool (p. 25) to a pond where koi
  borrowed from Jordi’s Savannah swim. The pathways are
  crushed green stone, and make a pleasant sound underfoot as
  one walks. There is a Zen garden, expertly tended by a
  blessed soul who lived during Japan’s Kamakura period.
  While many inhabitants of Heaven have never heard of the
  Abbey, those who appreciate a place for quiet meditation and
  contemplation become regular visitors to the grounds. Even
  the Servitors of the Wind respect the serenity of the scene,
  though they make changes here and there when they think
  they can get away with it.
  The Abbey is run as a monastery, reflecting the role
  Christianity played in the growth of the Word of Revelation,
  and the role monasteries have played as centers of scholarship,
  research, and the distribution of knowledge. To Litheroy, a
  14th-century monk illuminating a manuscript contributed
  more to Revelation than almost anyone of any other time. The
  Abbey reflects that tradition, and Litheroy endorses the wor-
  ship of God, as the bells ring for Vespers each day.
  There is one interesting difference between Litheroy’s
  Abbey and the abbeys and monasteries it is modeled after.
  There are towers and turrets and rooms and chambers aplen-
  ty in the abbey, but there are no doors. No doors in the rooms
  where Servitors rest, no doors in the chambers where
  Cherubim guard the Hearts of Litheroy’s corporeal agents, no
  doors in the archives where relievers illuminate and scribe
  documents on all that is learned and all that is known, no
  doors anywhere. Litheroy understands privacy, on an intellec-
  tual level . . . but he does not practice it. Those things so valu-
  able they may be stolen even in Heaven, Litheroy gives to
  Laurence or Dominic and lets those two deal with such items
  as they will. (Of course, he makes no secret of these gifts.)
  Litheroy’s Abbey
  
  Litheroy is the Abbot, referred to as Father and dressing
  the part when on the grounds. However, Litheroy is often
  absent, devoting his time and energy to his archeological
  projects and to studying the question of Humanity first hand.
  He is never more than a fast transition away, though, and no
  one could accuse Litheroy of abandoning his post as Eli has.
  THE EEL POOL
  One artifact not only known to be on the grounds but
  utterly undefended – though admittedly difficult to steal – is
  the Eel Pool. Reflecting pools are a common feature of
  monasteries, but this one is special. For the cost of 1 Essence,
  a visitor can open up a window onto any outdoor scene on
  Earth, keeping it open for viewing for up to a half-hour. The
  view is of a specific perspective – changing the perspective
  of the view costs another Essence. No communication or
  transit is possible through the Eel Pool.
  Servitors use this section of the gardens to meditate on the
  Labyrinth, and to explain the metaphor to those who visit.
  Too many leave assuming the Labyrinth is the enemy of
  Revelation, as opposed to a philosophy, but the Servitors con-
  tinue to try. They give free access to any who want to use the
  Eel Pool, though someone who disturbs the serenity of the
  gardens will be asked to leave.
  THE CHAMBERS OF
  DISCOVERY
  One of the greatest honors a Litherite can have is to be
  commemorated in the Chambers of Discovery. These
  rooms contain replicas (or even antiquities made into
  minor celestial artifacts) from the most significant rev-
  elations Earth has known since Litheroy’s accession.
  Many of these are archeological in nature, decorated
  to memorialize the reclaiming of human history from
  Oblivion, but there are also rooms commemorating
  other revelations. One room, for example, honors the
  revealing of the Quran to Muhammad by Gabriel.
  Another celebrates the giving of the golden tablets to
  Joseph Smith. And still another commemorates the
  discovery of the DNA double-helix by Francis Crick
  and James Watson (and particularly the way Rosalind
  Franklin’s photograph led to the revelation). Even though
  Litheroy opposes Jean’s policies regarding scientific develop-
  ment, he recognizes true revelations when they are made by
  human beings, in all fields of endeavor.
  Some of the rooms in the Chambers of Discovery com-
  memorate places that later became Tethers to Litheroy. In
  most of those Tethers, the end-points of the Tether are stabi-
  lized in the Chambers of Discovery themselves. For example,
  the Tether in King Tutankhamen’s tomb in the Valley of the
  Kings in Egypt terminates in the Chamber that celebrates its
  discovery.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  25
  THE POOL OF
  SILOAM
  After taking the Lodge of Gebbeleth and its
  struggles as her own, Mariel, Princess of Oblivion,
  struck at Litheroy wherever she could. Revelation
  was anathema to the Fallen Angel of Memory, who
  wanted nothing more now than to consign all
  memory to nothingness.
  One of her most satisfying victories was the
  destruction of the Pool of Siloam. The temple pool
  served as the water reservoir for the residents of
  Jerusalem, and was the corporeal point that corre-
  sponded with Litheroy’s Abbey in Heaven. While
  of little tactical value (at the time, the Pool was not
  even a Tether), it provided satisfaction to both
  Mariel and her new Gebbelite followers. Litheroy
  was profoundly disturbed by the loss of the Pool of
  Siloam, but recognized that he had higher priorities
  and conceded this victory to his enemy.
  In the week of June 1, 2004, in what today is the
  city of Silwan, city officials performing excava-
  tions for sewer work uncovered stairs leading to a
  temple. Summoning archaeologists, they authenti-
  cated the site. The Pool of Siloam had been redis-
  covered, and began to be restored as a major
  archaeological project.
  Khalid was the nearest Archangel, and the first
  to notice the stirrings of Tether formation fol-
  lowing the discovery. He could easily have
  claimed the new Tether as his own – the
  Pool of Siloam was used by the ancient
  Jews as a gathering place and even as a
  mikve, or ritual bath. However, with
  Elohite logic, Khalid could see the
  benefit of an overture to Revelation,
  recognize that Faith might have some
  difficulty holding on to such a Tether,
  and judge the value such a public dis-
  play of generosity and compassion
  would have in bridging the gap between
  him and the Seraphim Council. At the
  next meeting of the Seraphim Council, he
  made a public gift of the Tether to Litheroy,
  who was able to stabilize it.
  All Litheroy knows is that this site means a great
  deal to him, and he is very grateful. He still dislikes
  Khalid’s methods, but that doesn’t change the ges-
  ture. In honor of this discovery, Litheroy has asked
  for Servitors of Faith to decorate an appropriate
  room in the Chambers of Discovery, which they
  have agreed to do.
  
  LITHERITES,
  REVEALERS,
  SNITCHES,
  BABBLESNAKES
  Litheroy’s Servitors are noted for their humility and their
  affection for their Archangel. They’re also noted for their ded-
  ication to duty, which is convenient because their corporeal
  duties are among the hardest any angels must perform. Their
  lives are devoted to the pursuit of their highest ideal: truth.
  Any deception must be rooted out. Any falsehood made pure.
  And yet, they cannot be truthful.
  More heartbreaking – and more difficult – is the need for
  faith in everything they do. For Litheroy, it comes easily; the
  Archangel of Revelation knows that God is in His Heaven
  and man is on Earth, and that there is an answer to all ques-
  tions. He is certain, and does not doubt. His Servitors, on the
  other hand, have to have faith in Litheroy . . . and Litheroy
  isn’t exactly shy about admitting when he doesn’t know the
  truth.
  And yet, despite the difficulty of the work, the distance
  other angels keep from Litherites, and the painful need to
  accept so much on faith while being devoted to only verifiable
  facts, the Servitors of Litheroy maintain a humble serenity and
  joy in their existence. It might not be easy, but Litheroy says
  it’s important . . . and Litheroy only says true things.
  SAMPLE SERVITORS OF
  LITHEROY
  CHAMUEL
  Angel of the Quest
  for the Holy Grail
  Elohite Seeker and 
  Master of Discovery
  Corporeal Forces - 3
  Strength 5
  Agility 7
  Ethereal Forces - 6
  Intelligence 12
  Precision 12
  Celestial Forces - 6
  Will 12
  Perception 13
  Suggested Word Forces: 7
  Vessel: Human/5 (older male), Charisma +1 (distin-
  guished)
  Skills: Artistry/2 (Poetry), Dodge/3, Fighting/3,
  Knowledge (Grail Folklore/6, Theology/4), Languages
  (French/5, Latin/5), Large Weapon/2 (Spear), Move
  Silently/3, Ranged Weapon/3 (Pistol), Tactics/2, Tracking/4
  Songs: Affinity (Corporeal/4, Ethereal/3, Celestial/2),
  Attraction (Celestial/2), Calling (Corporeal/4, Celestial/2),
  Direction (Ethereal/2, Celestial/2), Dreams (Corporeal/1),
  Memory (Corporeal/3, Ethereal/3, Celestial/3)
  Attunements: Elohite of Revelation, Elohite of Destiny,
  Elohite of Faith, Key to the Locked Mind, Sense of
  Significance, Untangling the Labyrinth, Angel of the Quest
  for the Holy Grail
  Special Rite: Entertain a child with a tale of the quest for
  the Holy Grail (anything from King Arthur to Indiana
  Jones)
  Special Ability: As the Angel of the Quest for the
  Holy Grail, Chamuel can see at a glance if someone
  has ever encountered the true Grail in their past, and
  whether they realize it or not.
  Chamuel was one of Litheroy’s first
  Servitors, and has always been loyal. For many
  years, he was an active Litherite, chasing down
  secrets, fighting oblivion, and bringing the
  power of revelation to humanity wherever
  possible. As an Elohite of Revelation,
  Chamuel was highly analytical, cutting
  through mysticism and superstitious belief to
  the core of truth within.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  26
  LITHEROY’S
  TETHERS
  Tethers to Revelation tend to reflect both spiritu-
  al revelations and secular ones. Many of Litheroy’s
  Tethers have to do with archeology, but Litheroy’s
  involvement in archaeology has prevented Tethers
  from forming at other important sites. Litheroy’s
  most significant Tether is the Tomb of King
  Tutankhamen in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, which
  was discovered by British archaeologist Howard
  Carter without Litheroy’s assistance. The excavated
  site of the City of Troy, which Litheroy was deeply
  involved with, has no Tether connected to it at all.
  There are also Tethers associated with religious
  revelation, whether that revelation can be shown to
  have been inspired by Heavenly agents or not. The
  most significant of these religious Tethers is This Is
  The Place State Park in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  Litheroy’s Servitors
  
  All that changed when Chamuel encountered the Holy
  Grail during the war against Legion at the dawn of the 11th
  century. Chamuel was part of a mixed group of angels,
  demons, and Soldiers of both sides; they were pinned down
  by Legion’s possessed troops and in danger of being slaugh-
  tered. However, after taking refuge in a ruined chapel, they
  discovered the Grail and were amazed by the sight of it. One
  demon was destroyed, but the others ultimately redeemed,
  and all of the Hellsworn Soldiers turned away from infernal
  plans and toward God. Even Chamuel’s fellow angels were
  profoundly affected, and Chamuel had discovered a mystery
  that he could not penetrate, but that both enthralled him and
  filled him with peace.
  In the terrible days that followed Legion’s destruction,
  Chamuel found himself taking comfort in his memories of
  the Grail. More than that, however, he noticed the profound
  impact the Grail had had on others. He began to study
  humanity’s own searches for the Grail – a legend, among
  their kind, but one many fervently believed in. He was
  astounded by the power that stories of the Grail held over
  mankind. Intrigued at the lengths humans would go to in
  search of it, he began to track it himself.
  Eventually, Chamuel’s attention to his duties began to slip.
  Already an angel of Distinction, Chamuel’s distraction
  caught Litheroy’s notice, and he went to ask the Elohite what
  had changed. Chamuel explained the nature of his investiga-
  tion, his findings to date, and the hold the subject had on him.
  Litheroy, after some consideration, decided that Chamuel
  should follow the calling within him and gave him his Seeker
  Distinction. After decades of following his calling, Chamuel
  earned the chance at a Word, and Litheroy sponsored the
  Elohite for the Word of the Holy Grail.
  When the Elohite stood before the Seraphim Council, he
  explained that while the Grail had affected him profoundly,
  the calling of his heart was not the Grail itself, but mankind’s
  quest for it. He sought to understand their yearning for the
  Grail, and what the Grail represented to them, rather than
  seeking the Grail itself. Upon hearing this, the Council chose
  to grant Chamuel the Word of the Quest for the Holy Grail,
  and Chamuel has served Revelation with that Word ever since.
  Today, Chamuel spends most of his time investigating
  archaeologists, antiquities dealers, and scholars who find the
  Grail intriguing. He also seeks out those who have found the
  Grail in their lives, observing how their experiences changed
  those people, and how they inspire others to seek the Grail.
  He is still a loyal Litherite, and works hard to oppose Hell and
  dispel secrets from the minds of humanity. However, so long
  as his quest remains, Chamuel remains true to it.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  27
  ST 12 [-15]; DX 16 [20]; IQ 26 [225]; HT 23 [150].
  Speed 9.75; Move 9.
  Dodge 10; Parry 8.
  Advantages: Basic Celestial Template [480]; Combat
  Reflexes [15]; Choir (Elohite) [20], Choir
  Attunement (Elohite of Destiny) [14]; Choir
  Attunement (Elohite of Faith*) [10]; Choir
  Attunement (Elohite of Revelation) [38];
  Distinction (Vassal of Inquiry) [55]; Distinction
  (Friend of the Quest) [37]; Distinction (Master of
  Discovery) [52]; Distinction (Seeker) [15];
  Essence Control 22 [6]; Extra Mind Hits +15 [38];
  Extra Soul Hits +15 [60]; Power Investiture
  (Ethereal) 6 [30]; Power Investiture (Celestial) 6
  [30]; Servitor Attunement (Sense of Significance)
  [30]; Servitor Attunement (Key to the Locked
  Mind) [19]; Servitor Attunement (Untangling the
  Labyrinth) [19]; Servitor of Revelation [2]; Vessel
  (Human; Attractive, Extra Hit Points +20, Zeroed)
  [130]; Word-bound: Angel of the Quest for the
  Holy Grail (Celestial Rank +3, Higher Purpose:
  “Seek the Holy Grail,” Power Investiture (Word)
  7, Rite (as on p.26), Symphonic Knowledge: Grail
  encounters (no roll required, +66%)) [91].
  Disadvantages: Reduced Hit Points -8 [-40].
  Skills: Brawling-17 [2]; Guns (Pistol)/TL7-19 [2];
  Literature (Grail folklore)-27/33 [8]; Poetry-25 [1];
  Spear-15 [1]; Stealth-16 [2]; Tactics-24 [1];
  Theology-26 [4]; Tracking-27 [4].
  Languages: Angelic (native)-26 [0]; English
  (native)-26 [0]; French-28 [6]; Latin-28 [6].
  Songs: Affinity (Corporeal)-24 [8], Affinity
  (Ethereal)-26 [4], Affinity (Celestial)-25 [2],
  Attraction (Celestial)-25 [2], Calling
  (Corporeal)-24 [8], Calling (Celestial)-25 [2],
  Direction (Ethereal)-25 [2], Direction
  (Celestial)-25 [2], Dreams (Corporeal)-21 [1],
  Memory (Corporeal)-23 [4], Memory
  (Ethereal)-26 [4], Memory (Celestial)-26 [4].
  * The Elohite of Faith attunement gives enhanced
  Perception, equivalent to Alertness +2 [10].
  CHAMUEL, ELOHITE SEEKER AND MASTER
  OF DESTINY, ANGEL OF THE QUEST FOR THE
  HOLY GRAIL
  1,611 POINTS
  
  EFION
  Mercurian of Revelation
  Corporeal Forces - 2
  Strength 4
  Agility 4
  Ethereal Forces - 3
  Intelligence 9
  Precision 3
  Celestial Forces - 4
  Will 7
  Perception 9
  Vessel: Human/3 (young woman)
  Skills: Artistry/2 (Writing), Detect Lies/3, Dodge/2,
  Driving/1, Knowledge/4 (Literature), Language/2 (French)
  Songs: Harmony (Ethereal/3)
  Attunements: Mercurian of Revelation, Sense of
  Significance
  Efion is a young Mercurian, assigned to corporeal duty for
  the second time. The first time, she found herself caught
  between her duty and a lie, and chose to lie, becoming disso-
  nant. Recalled from duty by Litheroy, Efion was put into
  service at the Abbey for four years, laboring under a Truthful
  Discord the Archangel imposed on her. (Not overly harsh, in
  Heaven.) Having completed this penance, she has recently
  returned to service on Earth, determined to prove both her
  commitment to Revelation and her usefulness to Litheroy.
  Efion is a literary scholar, trained both to interpret the
  truth found within literature and to write engaging essays of
  her own. She is generally sent into academic environments,
  where she brings secrets to light among the students – though
  of course her lack of a Role means she’s left to the fringes of
  academia instead of burying herself in classes and the lives of
  her classmates. However, she accepts her limitations as a
  challenge, and strives to work within them.
  ORGANIZATION
  For people outside Litheroy’s Abbey, the monastic order
  may seem to be just a metaphor, a way of giving meaning to
  the Babblesnakes’ tasks. It’s not. Litheroy has designed his
  own method of giving praise to God and organized his work
  around the concept of a monastic order, and his followers are
  expected to be both devout and scholarly. To the Litherites, the
  act of study is a pious one, and stripping away layers of decep-
  tion from God’s Truth is sacred. Litheroy’s Servitors are
  expected to cleave to monastic occupations: prayer and labor,
  including but not limited to copying and illuminating manu-
  scripts, educating themselves and others, artistic endeavor
  (always in ways that illuminate the truth, rather than obfus-
  cate it), the keeping and distribution of  historical documen-
  tation, and missionary work on Earth.
  While the Abbey is monastic, it is not removed from
  Heaven. Litherites are expected to participate in Heavenly
  affairs and cooperate with other angels. However, the dis-
  tance many angels keep from the indiscreet Litherites does
  isolate them.
  The Litherites are frugal (seeing little point to material
  goods beyond their historical value), but Litheroy’s Abbey is
  not specifically Catholic, and the Litherites do not take vows
  of chastity, celibacy, or poverty. Instead, their vows focus on
  their work – the seeking of truth, the exploration of the
  Labyrinth, the preservation of knowledge from oblivion, the
  uncovering of secrets, and the foiling of infernal plots.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  28
  EFION,  MERCURIAN
  OF REVELATION
  626  POINTS
  ST 10 [-30]; DX 10 [-30]; IQ 20 [80]; HT 14 [0].
  Speed 6; Move 6.
  Dodge 7.
  Advantages: Basic Celestial Template [480];
  Choir (Mercurian) [10]; Choir Attunement
  (Mercurian of Revelation) [15]; Combat
  Reflexes [15]; Essence Control 9 [0]; Servitor
  Attunement (Sense of Significance) [30];
  Servitor of Revelation [2]; Power Investiture
  (Celestial) 4 [10]; Extra Soul Hits +2 [8];
  Vessel (Human female; Extra Hit Points +10)
  [75].
  Disadvantages: Reduced Hit Points -3 [-15];
  Reduced Hit Points (Mind) -1 [-2]; Power
  Investiture (Corporeal) 2 [-10]; Weak Will -3
  [-24].
  Quirks: Distractible [-1].
  Skills: Detect Lies-19 [2]; Driving (car)-15* [1/2];
  Literature-20 [4]; Motorcycle (scooter)-15
  [1/2]; Writing-19 [1].
  Languages: Angelic (native)-20 [0]; English
  (native)-20 [0]; French-19 [1].
  Songs: Harmony (Ethereal)-17 [4].
  * Efion’s vehicle skills are operating from her
  IQ default, despite her having points in them.
  Efion is a balanced starting character in In
  Nomine. In GURPS In Nomine, she is 62 points
  over the Basic Celestial Template + Superior’s
  Choir Attunement + Choir Cost used as the starting
  point for constructing celestial characters (p. IN16),
  despite having -41 points of disadvantages. To
  make Efion a GURPS-native balanced starting char-
  acter with less than -40 points in disadvantages, con-
  sider removing her Reduced Mind Hits [2], her
  Combat Reflexes [-15], all of her vessel’s Extra Hit
  Points [-50] and giving her another half-point in
  each of her Driving skills (which won’t raise them
  above default, except in cases where points matter).
  Add Research-20 [2].
  
  Litherites in Heaven (and particularly in the Abbey) wear
  gray robes, generally with bare heads (for those angels with
  heads). Male and female Revealers work side by side, and
  call one another Brother or Sister. The leaders of the order
  are those who have Litheroy’s Distinctions, and projects are
  generally headed up by those with the best talent, skill, or
  experience in a given area.
  Much to the disgust of certain Lightning angels, no
  Litherite has ever taken a vow of silence.
  Rewards and Punishments
  Litheroy is not unkind, but like many Seraphim he lacks a
  certain perspective about the world. He is trying to remedy that
  but he simply can’t understand how any of his Servitors might
  become Word-dissonant. After all, dissonance only comes
  from deception, and none of his Servitors would willingly
  deceive anyone, would they?
  As a result, Litheroy grills dissonant Servitors, determining
  if they violated their Choir dissonance conditions or their Word
  dissonance conditions. If a Servitor violates its Choir’s nature,
  Litheroy is saddened and concerned, and rather than removing
  the dissonance will assign the Servitor to extended Tether duty.
  The Servitor is expected to devote himself to prayer, labor, and
  contemplation of his failure. This duty typically lasts twice as
  long as is needed to relieve the dissonance.
  Should the dissonance be bad enough to lead to Discord,
  Litheroy will recall the Servitor to the Abbey for Heavenly
  service, where his Discord, regardless of type, is clear for all
  to see. The Servitor is expected to fully explain how he
  became Discordant, both to his superiors and to the Heavenly
  Inquisition, and then labor in Heaven for a considerable
  length of time, in addition to any sentence from Judgment
  that might or might not occur.
  Word dissonance (or, worse yet, Discord from Word dis-
  sonance), utterly stuns Litheroy, every time it happens. He
  can’t accept one of his Servitors actually lying. For such
  betrayals, he usually removes signs of his favor (including
  Rites and attunements if the lie was egregious enough) and
  will often remove the dissonance only to inflict a Truthful
  Discord on the Servitor, at the same level as the Servitor had
  notes of dissonance. Litheroy will require the Servitor to
  undergo significant penance and prove his commitment to
  truth and Revelation before lifting this punishment.
  Litheroy does not truly understand the gray area his
  Servitors exist in, particularly on Earthbound duty. Tasked to
  understand humanity and conceal their Heavenly nature,
  Litherites can be caught between violating Heavenly Law
  and their Superior’s dissonance conditions. Because
  Litheroy’s intolerance in this is well known, his Servitors find
  themselves avoiding returning to Heaven until they can
  cleanse themselves – or even lying about how they became
  dissonant (not that anyone dares lie in Litheroy’s presence, of
  course). Many Fallen Litherites started on their downward
  path by concealing dissonance they could see no way to
  avoid.
  Failing mission objectives does not incur Litheroy’s
  wrath. So long as he knows the Revealer tried his best,
  Litheroy and his lieutenants rarely punish Servitors for fail-
  ure. However, they will also be painfully honest about their
  doubts the next time a mission comes up. Litherites who fail
  in several missions will find it very hard to avoid copying
  manuscripts in Heaven for centuries just to keep busy.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  29
  THE
  ACHIEVEMENT OF
  THE TRAITOR
  In the late 11th and early 12th centuries, the
  Islamic theologian and polymath Al-Ghazili
  applied the teachings and philosophies of the late
  theologian al-Ashari to found the Asharite school of
  Muslim philosophy. Contending that it was impos-
  sible to comprehend the nature of God or morality,
  and that while mankind had free will he did not
  have the power to create, the Asharites combined
  skepticism with theology, moving away from philo-
  sophical discourse and toward acceptance of faith
  without question.
  This position was antithetical to Litherite con-
  cepts and theories. However, one of Litheroy’s
  Servitors – a Mercurian named Alaemon – was able
  to influence the Asharite movement. While they
  still contended that morality and religion were
  beyond dicussion, the spirit of inquiry was applied,
  in no small part thanks to Alaemon, to scientific and
  historical inquiry. Ultimately, the Asharites took
  Muhammad’s injunction to “seek knowledge, even
  as far as China” to heart. They assumed ignorance
  was the natural state of man, but permitted man to
  engage in social and scientific innovation. These
  movements and attitudes ultimately contributed to
  the development of archaeology and anthropology
  as scientific disciplines, and were successful
  enough that from the 12th through 14th centuries,
  the Muslims led the world in technological and sci-
  entific development. Even today, the scientific
  method owes much to the traditional Islamic prac-
  tices of ijtihad (open inquiry) and isnah (citing
  one’s scientific sources).
  For these achievements, Alaemon had a chamber
  dedicated to the Asharite School in the Chambers of
  Discovery. And even today – when the Asharite
  movement is often blamed for yielding the develop-
  ment of Western civilization and the development of
  ethics to Christianity – the traitor’s chamber
  remains, open for any who wish to see.
  
  Litheroy typically “rewards” his Servitors with a hearty
  “well done.” He is a simple soul, who feels that good work is
  its own reward. If a Servitor wants an additional attunement,
  artifact, Rite or Distinction, Litheroy expects the Servitor to
  ask for it, openly, and give his reasons. If he doesn’t feel the
  Servitor has earned the perk, he’ll say so, and explain what
  the Servitor can do to raise his esteem in Litheroy’s eyes.
  Litheroy is not stingy; if he has the resources available to
  indulge a favored Servitor’s whim, he will do so.
  The ultimate reward for a Litherite, however, is to have
  some discovery he was intimately involved with commemo-
  rated for all eternity in the Chambers of Discovery.
  Changing Superiors
  It is a sad truth that many of Litheroy’s Servitors cannot
  live up to his standards. One either has the calling to
  Litheroy’s absolute truth, or one doesn’t, and those who don’t
  are expected to say so. If a Servitor finds an Archangel who
  better fits his philosophy, he is expected to explain and justi-
  fy his desire to Litheroy – after making certain the new
  Superior would welcome his service. If Litheroy feels the
  angel will continue to pursue truth and Revelation in his new
  service, he typically permits the transfer. He may allow his
  former Servitor to keep his attunements and Rites, but not
  Distinctions. While Litheroy might grant a Distinction to a
  non-Litherite, no Litherite who leaves his service may still
  hold rank within it.
  The Redeemed
  Litheroy believes, with all his heart, that redemption rep-
  resents the ultimate forswearing of Hell’s lies for Heaven’s
  truth. Therefore, he accepts redeemed Servitors not only as
  trusted companions but as living proof. Redemption itself
  embodies Revelation, and Litheroy treats those who survive
  it with respect, and honors those who perish in the attempt.
  Not many redeemed angels end up serving Litheroy, even
  if Litheroy redeems them. After the systemic lies and 
  deceptions of Hell, Litheroy’s brand of unadorned truth is
  hard to embrace. Further, Litheroy would not accept a
  redeemed Servitor until after he had been fully debriefed by
  Judgment. Those who leave such a debriefing still amenable
  to Litheroy’s methods tend to join Judgment or Destiny
  instead. Those few who do enter Litheroy’s service are gen-
  erally started in the Abbey, giving them a chance to get used
  to the life of a Litherite.
  Humans
  During Litheroy’s efforts to understand the human
  Labyrinth, he has managed to recruit many to his cause.
  Many of his “Soldiers” are more at home in a museum or in
  an archeology department than fighting Hellsworn in back
  alleys, but they are an invaluable resource all the same.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  30
  TO SERVE
  LIGHTNING
  “Like all Seraphim, I speak only truth. Still, like
  many of my fellow Lightning Servitors, you know
  I have little time or patience for the Archangel of
  Revelation. Our Lord knew this, of course. It was
  why, when the Snitch Mercurian named Jania asked
  to enter Lightning’s Service, Lord Jean asked me to
  accompany her when she went to petition
  Archangel Litheroy. He knew I would cleave to the
  truth, satisfying old Babblesnake, while retaining
  the skepticism necessary in such a situation.
  “It was excruciating for Jania. He debriefed her
  to the point of grilling her. Why did she want to
  leave? Why Lightning? When had she started hav-
  ing these feelings? What about Lightning appealed
  to her? Who had she talked to? Did someone influ-
  ence her decision? He wasn’t angry, but his clear
  bias against us made it impossible for him to accept
  her wishes.
  “Finally, emotionally exhausted, Jania slammed
  her hand down upon the desk she was sitting
  behind. ‘You just don’t understand, Father,’ she
  sobbed. ‘You’ll never understand!’
  “You know how little regard I have for Litheroy.
  But to see his shocked look of surprise . . . to see the
  hurt on his face . . . I would gladly have never seen
  that sight. If you want to know more, or know how
  he felt, you will have to ask him. I do not choose to.
  And I do not associate with Jania, Mercurian of
  Lightning, and recommend you do not, either. If she
  could hurt her creator that deeply . . . I shudder to
  think of what she does to acquaintances.”
  – Sorith, Seraph of Lightning
  
  Part of their value, of course, comes from their existing
  within the Symphony. When no Servitors of Litheroy can
  have Roles, people who do not cause disturbance and who are
  known within corporeal databases are invaluable. And while
  only Mercurians of Litheroy will admit it (and Litheroy is
  horrified to hear it), it’s useful to have assistants who can lie
  on behalf of angels without repercussions. Of course, any lies
  need to happen well away from the Litherites they’re helping,
  but experienced Soldiers of Revelation understand how to
  best serve the angels they work with.
  Litheroy and his Servitors also make use of Servants, both
  because of their convenience and to help in the Snitches’eter-
  nal quest to understand humanity. Of course, by bonding with
  a Servant and imposing their desires on them (represented by
  the Will rolls necessary to command Servants to do things
  they don’t want to do), the babblesnakes end up changing the
  very people they are trying to understand. Litheroy’s
  Intercessionists understand this, but have trouble explaining
  the concept to Choirs that are further away from man.
  CHOIRS
  Each Litherite’s duties center around two basic ideas:
  finding the truth, and spreading that truth to all who will hear.
  Even those Litherites assigned to unraveling the nature of
  humanity are working to find, or proclaim, the truth. All of
  Litheroy’s Servitors have devoted themselves to the ideals of
  truth, expressed as simply as possible to as many people as
  possible.
  All the Choirs play their part in Litheroy’s mission.
  Detectives, archeologists, and sociologists, each walks the
  Labyrinth by a different path. There are tasks and skills
  Litheroy typically assigns to specific Choirs, though as
  always there are exceptions to this. (One frequent excep-
  tion, for younger angels, is to set them to investigating
  Lightning Servitors in an area. It’s good practice in asking
  nosy questions.)
  Seraphim
  The keenest detectives among an organization of detec-
  tives, Litheroy’s Seraphim are the point men for penetrating
  Secrets or uncovering unpleasant truths. Their attunement
  makes it far more likely that their resonance will be success-
  ful, and often means that a successful resonance will yield a
  higher check digit. As a result, they are the best Servitors at
  divining the truth known, and the babblesnakes take full
  advantage of this.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  31
  REVELATION AND
  CREATION
  Very few Creationers have entered into
  Litheroy’s service. There is too much hunger
  among the Litherites to learn the truth about Eli’s
  absence for most Creationers to be comfortable in
  the Abbey. In the words of one Creation Servitor
  who served Revelation, then transferred to Destiny,
  “It’s not that they didn’t trust me. It’s that they
  wouldn’t shut up about it.”
  Those few Creationers who remain have a tough
  row to hoe. The Litherites are far more interested in
  nonfiction than fiction, representative art than
  abstract, and exposition instead of action. “Show,
  don’t tell” is not a Litherite truism. The happiest
  Creationers serving Revelation find themselves
  illuminating manuscripts or otherwise bringing
  beauty to truth, thus bringing the two sides of their
  nature into harmony.
  The more practical-minded Litherites appreci-
  ate having agents beyond human beings who can
  adopt Roles and otherwise deceive humanity as
  needed. Of course, using the Creationers in that
  way risks having to explain their actions to their
  own superiors (or to Litheroy himself).
  WORD-BOUND
  SERVITORS
  Litheroy’s lack of political acumen or capital
  means Revelation is on the short end of the stick
  when it comes to Words. There are few Words that
  suit Revelation better than Destiny, Trade, or (most
  annoyingly) Lightning, and while Marc or Yves are
  willing to cede a Word or two to their less powerful
  comrade, Jean tries to keep powerful Words (and
  therefore significance) away from Litheroy. This
  includes, most painfully, Sidney, Cherub of
  Lightning, Angel of Archaeology. What Word-
  bound Litheroy has are usually more specialized.
  However, Litheroy has managed to make the best
  of the situation. Elisa, Elohite Angel of Objective
  Journalism, 
  and 
  Janiel, 
  Seraph Angel 
  of
  Investigative Journalism, both serve Litheroy, as do
  the Angels of Evidence, Debunking, and Deductive
  Reasoning. And though Jean tried hard to sway him,
  Sandorson, the acerbic Elohite Angel of Skepticism,
  chose to enter Litheroy’s Service instead of Jean’s
  when his creator, Raphael, was slain.
  
  Cherubim
  Litheroy’s Cherubim were the vanguard in his battles with
  Mariel, Princess of Oblivion. While their original opponent is
  no more, their ability to penetrate attempts at hiding their
  attuned make them excellent foils for Alaemon’s Conspirators
  – especially when one remembers that Servitors of Secrets
  must hide something once a day, or become dissonant. They
  are often dispatched to areas where Secrets is known to be
  operating, and several Cherubim specialize in learning the
  techniques of Alaemon’s different Secret Societies.
  Ofanim
  The Wheels are the bloodhounds of Litheroy’s service.
  When an enemy is flushed, the Ofanite can’t be slowed down
  while pursuing him. As a result, Ofanim and Malakim work
  together to hunt down and destroy the enemies of Revelation
  and Heaven. They are among the Litherites most often requi-
  sitioned for service by the Archangel of the Sword, and spend
  less time studying humanity than they do fighting infernal
  powers.
  Elohim
  Litheroy’s Elohim form the core of Revelation’s scien-
  tists. Archaeologists, anthropologists, sociologists, and crim-
  inologists, the Powers of Revelation use their keen insight to
  fill in missing puzzle pieces. They understand, more than
  most, that revealing a secret is just the beginning: learning
  why the secret was hidden in the first place can lead to far
  more profound discoveries. Because of their more analytical
  natures, those few times that Litheroy must cooperate with
  Jean, he sends his Elohim. However, despite their dispas-
  sion, they remain Snitches born and bred, and Lightning
  Servitors know to keep their mouths shut around them.
  Malakim
  These are Litheroy’s combat specialists. The Virtues of
  Revelation often serve alongside War or the Sword, using
  their exceptional perception and uncanny ability to recognize
  their foes to cut through enemy deceptions. Along with the
  Wheels of Revelation, babblesnake Virtues are hunters,
  revealing Heavenly truth at the point of a sword.
  Kyriotates
  While the Kyriotate attunement is useful for hunting
  down the enemies of Revelation, Kyriotates take much fuller
  advantage of the attunement than that. A Kyriotate who pos-
  sesses a fox or coyote not only becomes an expert tracker,
  but becomes familiar with the animal’s territory. Possessing
  a few local animals can give the Domination an excellent
  picture of a broad geographical area, which can be an advan-
  tage when Litherites are in unfamiliar territory. Further, lost
  children or items are far more easily found with the
  Kyriotate’s superior tracking skills, and that in turn can make
  human beings trust the angel’s confederates more easily.
  Litheroy values the Kyriotates’ ability to see humanity from
  many sides.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  32
  THE TERMINATORS
  Litheroy’s more militant Choirs – his Ofanim
  and especially his Malakim – are the angels most
  often requisitioned by the Sword for military opera-
  tions. Laurence truly appreciates the Malakim of
  Revelation, who complement his own warriors very
  well.
  In particular, Litheroy’s Malakite and Ofanite
  attunements well suit those Sword Servitors who
  possess Laurence’s Hunt attunement, and Hunt
  suits Malakim and Ofanim of Revelation particu-
  larly well. As a result, a disproportionate number of
  Litheroy’s Malakim possess Hunt and the Ofanite
  of Revelation attunement. (Some of Litheroy’s
  Ofanim possess Hunt and the Malakite attunement,
  as well.)
  Given the relative scarcity of Malakim of
  Revelation, the common possession of Hunt among
  them, and their dogged persistence in tracking
  down and destroying their enemies, many demons
  have taken to calling these elite killers “the
  Terminators,” at least since 1984. They know
  where you are. They don’t ever stop coming. Doors
  won’t bar them. Death only temporarily inconven-
  iences them. And when they find you they show
  absolutely no mercy. Litheroy’s Malakim do not
  mind the label.
  Some demons mistakenly believe Hunt is a part
  of Litheroy’s Malakite attunement, and avoid
  engaging known Litherite Virtues at all costs.
  While any good babblesnake would correct this
  misapprehension, not many demons get close
  enough to ask.
  
  Mercurians
  The core of Litheroy’s great quest to understand humani-
  ty, the Litherite Friends of Man are the masters of exploring
  the Labyrinth. Well versed in following the twists and turns
  of the human psyche, and gifted with the ability to sense
  secrets between associated groups, Litheroy’s Mercurians
  provide tremendous insight into mankind and into humanity’s
  love of deception and secrets. The most successful Litherite
  Mercurians can unravel these webs of deceit, leaving behind
  them human beings who understand each other a little better.
  However, the seductive nature of both humanity and the
  Labyrinth have led more than one Intercessionist astray –
  Mercurians are the Revealers most likely to become disso-
  nant, and more Mercurians have left Litheroy’s service than
  any other Choir.
  And of course, Alaemon was (allegedly) a Mercurian of
  Revelation once . . . 
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  33
  DEALING WITH
  JUDGMENT
  What part of complete and utter disclosure of all
  relevant and more-than-a-little irrelevant informa-
  tion doesn’t make sense? Needless to say, Litheroy’s
  Servitors are among the very few to both volunteer
  and look forward to being debriefed by Judgment.
  In situations where Judgment is investigating aber-
  rations among the Litherites, the babblesnakes do
  everything in their power to assist.
  There are certain Dominican triads who
  absolutely dread investigating Litherites . . .
  Seeds of Revelation
  SECRETS UNEARTHED
  One of the most sacred duties that Litherites perform is
  discovering and revealing humanity’s buried past and shared
  cultural heritage. Litheroy’s well-known love of archeology
  contributes to this, and many Litherites are assigned to help
  archaeologists and anthropologists in the field. This time, the
  Litherites are helping a team uncover an ancient ritual site,
  which is apparently Native American, but of an unusual style.
  What neither the anthropologists nor the Litherites know
  is the site is not Native American. It was instead the site to a
  prehistoric cult devoted to Gebbeleth, the first Demon Prince
  of Secrets. It contains masks, fetishes, and many ancient
  secrets long locked within the Earth . . . and now is being
  stripped away, layer by layer.
  Naturally, the anthropologists and archaeologists are
  reporting their findings to the press (which any Litherite
  should encourage as a matter of course). Some ancient
  Servitors of Gebbeleth – as well as members of the Alaemish
  Secret Society known as the Lodge of Gebbeleth – recognize
  the artifacts being recovered. Several ancient relics of Secrets
  were once kept at this site, and may still be there to be found
  . . . along with Gebbelite records and hidden knowledge.
  Gebbeleth’s former Servitors – especially those devoted to
  the destruction of Alaemon – would be delighted to get hold
  of anything the archaeologists find, while returning the site to
  buried obscurity (along, they’d hope, with any archaeologists
  they could get away with killing). Alaemon, on the other
  hand, desperately wants these lost treasures from his prede-
  cessor, and will dispatch demons of his own to both subvert
  the Gebbelites’ efforts and master any secrets to be found.
  The Conspiracy will also ramp up its private war with
  Revelation, in hopes of thinning out any opposition.
  On the Heavenly side of the equation, the more that the
  anthropologists and archaeologists uncover, the more obvi-
  ous it will become that this is an infernal storehouse, not a
  true Native American ritual area. Rather than allow humani-
  ty’s understanding of their past (and the appropriate scientif-
  ic disciplines) to become corrupted by ancient demonic prac-
  tices, Servitors of Lightning, Judgment, or even Destiny
  might be dispatched to quietly secure the area, take over the
  investigation, and remove any “leaks” from the area.
  
  And finally, there might actually be ancient Native
  American spirits, relics or an Ethereal Tether to the Happy
  Hunting Grounds (The Marches, p. 102) to be found here.
  Certainly, appropriate ethereals would be interested in
  spreading interest and even establishing belief in this area.
  They might be helping the Gebbelites, the Alaemish, or work-
  ing entirely on their own in hopes of establishing a mortal
  beachhead.
  This adventure seed is the reverse of the “Revelations
  Galore” adventure seed found in Superiors 4: Rogues to
  Riches. In that seed, Alaemish characters could be recruited
  from many different sides and have many different – even
  contradictory – agendas. Litherites, on the other hand, are
  caught in the middle of this war. Player characters might be
  the original team sent to help the archaeologists, slowly find-
  ing themselves caught between factions of the Conspiracy
  and even agents of Heaven. They might be sent in by
  Litheroy to reinforce and protect the archaeologists when the
  Conspiracy’s activities become known, or to replace more
  powerful Litherites who have been recalled to help fight
  Alaemon’s stepped up activities. They may be sent to assist
  Servitors of Judgment or Destiny in uncovering the truth, or
  even sent to work against Servitors of Lightning who seek to
  conceal the truth from the mortals (and then take over the
  project themselves).
  Whatever else happens, the characters’ mandate will
  remain the same: discover the truth, and disseminate it 
  (within the boundaries of Heavenly Law). They need to stop
  anyone from stealing these secrets or artifacts, without esca-
  lating infernal or ethereal involvement, and they need to keep
  the site and its artifacts safe and open, without allowing any-
  one to bury them once more, or consign the truth to oblivion.
  And they need to ensure that the only secret of Revelation
  – the existence of celestials, Heaven, and Hell – is maintained.
  THE GAME IS AFOOT!
  Litheroy and his Servitors are not known for their love of
  fiction. They do, however, love a good mystery . . . and the
  example of a great detective. Mercurians of Revelation espe-
  cially enjoy stories of Sherlock Holmes, who represents an
  ideal human detective – one who employs the power of
  deductive reasoning and solid investigation, eschewing safe
  conclusions while eliminating all false leads until whatever
  remains, however improbable, is shown to be true.
  So, when a Sherlock Holmes appears on the streets of
  modern-day London, solving mysteries and withdrawing
  before any can question where he came from, Heaven’s own
  greatest detectives naturally take an interest.
  Apparently, there is a “detective of the street” in London,
  claiming to be Sherlock Holmes himself, investigating in dis-
  guise or at the fringe of many investigations, then making
  anonymous tips to the authorities. He has recruited a pack of
  confederates (called the Baker Street Irregulars, though this
  Holmes recruits adults as well as children) as his eyes and
  ears, and he’s making things difficult for drug dealers, petty
  criminals, thieves, and thugs in the greater Metropolitan
  London area. The tabloids have picked the story up and the
  “return of the Great Detective” has gained some tongue-in-
  cheek play in London culture.
  The characters are assigned to investigate the detective,
  working their way through his organization to find out who’s
  at the center. If it’s a human being with a fixation on the fic-
  tional detective, that’s all well and good (though of course the
  Litherites would report their findings to the proper authorities
  – one can’t expect them to lie, after all). But it seems far more
  likely it is not.
  One suspicion the characters will immediately have is that
  Holmes is an ethereal. Possibly a powerful one, at that – after
  all, a tremendous number of people believe Holmes did exist,
  and many believe he still does! Both the Abbey National, a
  bank that used to have Holmes’s traditional “221B Baker
  Street” address, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum that has
  since assumed it receive hundreds of letters a year addressed
  to Holmes (as many as 50 a week), and maintain the illusion
  by replying that Holmes is retired in Sussex, keeping bees.
  That belief, along with all of the rituals and symbols associ-
  ated with Holmes, could generate significant Essence for an
  ethereal spirit. If that spirit managed to use a Tether (perhaps
  the Baker Street museum itself) to escape, he would natural-
  ly begin to work to increase his flow of Essence by acting the
  role of Holmes.
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  34
  
  The “ethereal theory” is enough to cause Hell to take an
  interest as well. While Nightmares typically reins in ethereals
  (and would have no love for an inspiration like Holmes),
  because of the police involvement it is the Game who is
  investigating. If it turns out to be a human being instead of an
  ethereal, Asmodeus’ crew is not likely to be as charitable as
  the Litherities. The Snitches will need to follow the clues
  swiftly if they’re to discover the truth before the Game – and
  the Game will be happy to destroy clues . . . or witnesses . . .
  rather than let the angels play catch-up.
  There are many possible resolutions to the Mystery of the
  Great Street Detective. Perhaps it truly is an ethereal, or a
  human playing at Holmes. It might be a Grigori, bound to
  respond to evil but without an organization of his own. There
  may be a Servitor of Dark Humor playing a particularly elab-
  orate joke – one that involves horrible crimes being perpetu-
  ated under the cover of “investigation.” One potentially heart-
  breaking possibility is that “Holmes” is a Remnant – perhaps
  of a Servitor of Litheroy – who is confused enough to believe
  he really is Sherlock Holmes. (The Remnant of an Elohite
  Angel of Deduction could retain enough of his Word and
  nature to compensate for his lack of Perception.)
  This seed can be a lighthearted romp or a tragedy, depend-
  ing on what the Game Master desires. Regardless of who . . .
  or what . . . is at the center of the mystery, it will prove to be
  a stimulating exercise for Heaven’s detectives.
  Of course, sooner or later, a Servitor of Theft will get it
  into his head to become a Moriarty . . .
  SUPERIORS: LITHEROY
  35
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SOURCE: textdata/thevault/In Nomine/Superiors/SJG37-3312 In Nomine Superiors - Litheroy.pdf