TEXT: ™
  In Nomine was written by Derek Pearcy 
  based on an original game by CROC
  By Elizabeth McCoy and 
  Kris Overstreet
  Additional Material by 
  James L. Cambias, Kenneth Hite, 
  and Matthew D. Grau
  Illustrated by Ramón Pérez
  Edited by Elizabeth McCoy
  Editorial Assistance: Stan!; Fade Manley; and
  Jennifer Shih, Baronne of Nitpicking
  Playtesters: Chris Anthony, Eric A. Burns, 
  Genevieve Cogman, S. DiGiovanni, Emily Dresner-Thornber,
  Alain Ducharme, David Edelstein, Jordan Grooms, Brian Hogue, 
  William J. Keith, Maurice Lane, Paul May, Christopher Pipinou,
  Unni Solås, Earl Wajenberg, James Walker
  Cherub Archangel of
  Protection
  An e23 Sourcebook for In Nomine
  TM and GURPS
  ®
  STEVE JACKSON GAMES
  Stock #37-3314
  Version 1.0 – November 2009
  ®
  Managing Editor ✠ Philip Reed
  GURPS System Design ✠ Steve Jackson
  In Nomine Line Editor ✠ Elizabeth McCoy
  e23 Manager ✠ Steven Marsh
  Errata Coordinator ✠ Warren MacLauchlan McKenzie
  Marketing Director ✠ Paul Chapman 
  Director of Sales ✠ Ross Jepson 
  Production Assistant ✠ Nikola Vrtis
  Prepress Checker ✠ Will Schoonover
  Art Director ✠ Will Schoonover
  TM
  
  CONTENTS
  GURPS In Nomine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
  ZADKIEL, CHERUB ARCHANGEL
  OF PROTECTION . . . . . . . . . . 4
  Dissonance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
  Protection’s Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
  Choir Attunements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
  Sample Malakite Oaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
  Bright Lilim of Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
  Servitor Attunements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
  Distinctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
  Zadkiel’s Lullabies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
  Higher Distinctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
  Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
  Rites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
  Invocation Modifiers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
  Zadkiel’s Aegis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
  GURPS In Nomine Point Costs . . . . . . . 8
  ZADKIEL IN DETAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
  History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
  The Grand Old Matriarchy?. . . . . . . . . . . 9
  Personality and Outlook. . . . . . . . . . . . 10
  Portraying Zadkiel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
  How Muslim Is Zadkiel?. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
  Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
  Muslim Garb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
  Zadkiel and Free Lilim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
  Politics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
  When Zadkiel Says No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
  Faith and Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
  Conflicts of Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
  Protection’s Flame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
  Greed’s Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
  Ethereal Politics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
  The Rumor Mills Grind 
  Exceedingly Fine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
  God’s Will Be Done. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
  A Different Shield: 
  Variations on a Theme. . . . . . . . . . . 19
  A Tactical Error. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
  2
  C O N T E N T S
  GURPS, Warehouse 23, and the all-seeing pyramid are registered trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated. Pyramid, In Nomine, Zadkiel, Cherub Archangel of Protection, e23, 
  and the names of all  products published by Steve Jackson Games Incorporated are registered trademarks or trademarks of Steve Jackson Games Incorporated, or used under license. 
  Zadkiel, Cherub Archangel of Protection is copyright © 2009 by Steve Jackson Games Incorporated. All rights reserved.
  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this material via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only author-
  ized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
  ABOUT IN NOMINE AND GURPS
  Steve Jackson Games is committed to full support of In
  Nomine and GURPS players. Our address is SJ Games, P.O.
  Box 18957, Austin, TX 78760. Please include a self-addressed,
  stamped envelope (SASE) any time you write us! We can also be
  reached by e-mail: info@sjgames.com. Resources include:
  New supplements and adventures. In Nomine and GURPS con-
  tinue to grow. See what’s new at www.sjgames.com/in-nomine
  and www.sjgames.com/gurps.
  e23. Our e-publishing division offers In Nomine and GURPS
  adventures, play aids, and support in PDF form . . . digital copies
  of our books, plus exclusive material available only on e23! Just
  head over to e23.sjgames.com.
  Pyramid (www.sjgames.com/pyramid). Our monthly PDF
  magazine includes new rules and articles for GURPS, system-
  less locations, adventures, and much more. Look for each
  themed issue from e23!
  Internet.
  Visit us on the World Wide Web at
  www.sjgames.com for errata, updates, Q&A, and much
  more. To discuss In Nomine and GURPS with our staff and
  your fellow gamers, visit our forums at forums.sjgames.com.
  The In Nomine Superiors: Zadkiel web page can be found at
  www.sjgames.com/in-nomine/zadkiel.
  Bibliographies. Many of our books have extensive bibliogra-
  phies, and we’re putting them online – with links to let you buy
  the resources that interest you! Go to each book’s web page and
  look for the “Bibliography” link.
  Errata. Everyone makes mistakes, including us – but we do
  our best to fix our errors. Up-to-date errata pages for all
  GURPS releases, including this book, are available on our
  website – see above.
  Mailing List.
  Much of the online discussion of 
  In Nomine
  happens on our e-mail list. For more 
  information, 
  including 
  how 
  to 
  subscribe, 
  visit
  www.sjgames.com/in-nomine/lists.html.
  In Nomine IRC. We also support online roleplaying 
  channels for In Nomine. If you’d like to start a MOO or 
  similar Internet environment for gaming In Nomine, 
  please 
  check 
  out 
  our 
  policy 
  information 
  at
  www.sjgames.com/in-nomine/angelmush.html.
  
  ZADKIEL’S CASTLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
  Tethers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
  Teamwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
  WE GUARD THE GUARDIANS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
  H.A.R.P. Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
  Protectors, Defenders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
  The Logic of Female Vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
  Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
  More Important Than Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
  Character Points and Generosity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
  Redeemed Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
  Trial by Fire: Renegade Demon Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
  Choirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  Modes of Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
  Sample Servitor of Zadkiel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
  Creation in Service to Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
  Jobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
  Stealth Songs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
  Who to Protect? Who to Teach?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
  Sample Saint of Zadkiel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
  Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
  Serving Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
  Laying Down the Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
  Dealing with Judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
  Close, but Not Too Close. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
  ADVENTURE SEEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
  Is This Really the Right Thing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
  To Love, Honor, and Protect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
  Guardians of the Sangreal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
  Lend a Hand? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
  3
  C O N T E N T S
  GURPS IN NOMINE
  This expanded Superior write-up includes
  material both for the traditional In Nomine
  rules and GURPS In Nomine. Converted
  characters have been only slightly “normal-
  ized” – they are straight conversions, using the
  rules in Chapter 9 of GURPS In Nomine. The
  only exception is in levels of Discord; in a nor-
  mal 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
  or GURPS Compendium I mechanics. Human
  characters have also been rounded or approxi-
  mated 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.
  The default Tech Level for GURPS In
  Nomine is TL7.
  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 allocated their initial Power
  Investiture 
  levels 
  to 
  Power 
  Investiture
  (Corporeal) 3, Power Investiture (Ethereal) 3,
  and Power Investiture (Celestial) 3. Any totals
  listed in the descriptions include these levels plus
  any additional purchased.
  Page References
  Rules and statistics in this book 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 ref-
  erences that begin with CI indicate GURPS
  Compendium I, M is for GURPS Magic, and IN
  refers to GURPS In Nomine. For a full list of
  abbreviations, see p. CI181 or the updated web
  list at www.sjgames.com/gurps/abbrevs.html.
  
  Cherub Archangel
  of Protection
  The world is harsh; I will give you solace.
  Zadkiel is a Cherub, originally a Servitor of
  Flowers, and though one might feel that her Choir
  alone qualifies her for her Word, it was her blazing
  love for humanity that won it. She wants to Protect
  and, more, she wants to Protect humanity – their
  bodies, souls, laws, creations, and everything which
  sets them apart from the animals of the field. It’s not
  true protection if all you can win is survival; even an
  Impudite can protect a mortal’s mere life.
  Zadkiel straddles the lines between the peace and
  war factions in Heaven. She is a jack-of-all-trades,
  spreading her attention and her Servitors as far as
  she can. She backs up other Words, and tries to fill
  the gaps in their perspectives. To Flowers, she would
  be the shield wall and the shield-bash. To War or the
  Sword, the fortifications and medics. She is impor-
  tant, but she is more likely to support others than
  claim a niche of her own.
  She is heavily involved with the lands of the
  Faithful. Where other Archangels left Islam and the
  Islamic nations to mad Gabriel and Khalid,
  Archangel of Faith, Zadkiel saw a world that needed
  her. She sought Khalid, and whether or not she
  found him, she returned with praise for the words of
  Muhammad. The Quran says that everyone who
  turns to the true religion will have protection;
  Zadkiel tries to provide it.
  She has not embraced the trappings of Islam in the
  same way Khalid has – she prefers a female vessel –
  but she often appears in a chador, smelling of roses
  and cinnamon, with her face covered in henna tat-
  toos. She also takes the form of a comforting mother,
  a soot-stained female firefighter, or a tired cop. Her
  hands are strong and gentle, whether holding a flam-
  ing sword or carrying a child to safety.
  Her Servitors are protectors of the weak, the inno-
  cent, and the deserving. She does not demand that
  they follow Islam – only that they be willing to give
  their lives to save the glorious favored of God:
  humans.
  DISSONANCE
  To fail to protect is to fail the Word. A Protector
  cannot refuse to protect any mortal who is not on an
  irrevocable path to Hell. Hellsworn Soldiers, sorcer-
  ers, and those who cause harm to others are all
  potential targets – but even then, it’s a good idea to
  err on the side of salvation. Every life is precious to
  these angels, so much so that having to choose which
  mortals to rescue can cause dissonance.
  4
  Z A D K I E L
  PROTECTION’S PRONOUNS
  Zadkiel, like Novalis, prefers female form. But
  where Novalis finds this a personal choice,
  Zadkiel would have all her Servitors resonate to
  the theme of the mother – the protector of the life
  and culture. She does not grant male vessels eas-
  ily, to the point where even her allies and associ-
  ates gently question her obsession with vessel
  gender. It’s just a body to most well-adjusted
  celestials, so why care?
  They may be right, but Cherubim are stub-
  born. Zadkiel is sure that her Word is better
  served by “female” Servitors. Thus, while many
  of her Servitors have neutral or even “male”
  body-language and attitudes, the default pronoun
  for a Servitor of Protection is “she.”
  (A Protector new to the corporeal realm might
  use “she” as the “gender unknown” pronoun; this
  is a suitable GURPS Quirk. Demons do listen for
  this behavior, but enough humans share it that it’s
  not an obvious tip-off. Most Protectors quickly
  grasp the common usage.)
  The Quran says that everyone
  who turns to the true religion will
  have protection; Zadkiel tries to
  provide it.
  
  CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS
  Seraphim 
  (partially restricted)
  Humans become more talkative about
  themselves when they are in the presence of a
  Seraph of Protection. Remaining silent
  requires a Will roll, but no one has to resist
  (someone with a shameful secret may be
  relieved to find someone to confess to!).
  When Zadkiel’s Seraphim hear a human
  engage in self-deception, they automatically
  recognize it as such and know why the human
  deceives himself; this aspect is restricted to
  Seraphim.
  Cherubim
  (restricted)
  Zadkiel’s Cherubim either choose or (more
  often) are assigned one particular human in need
  whom they must protect at all times. A Cherub of
  Protection is highly attuned to her special charge;
  successful resonance rolls are considered to be check
  digit 6 for that specific human. (They may attune to
  other humans or objects normally, without a bonus.)
  Cherubim of Zadkiel are forbidden from using their
  assigned humans as Servants.
  Ofanim
  (restricted)
  When a human is in danger, the Wheels 
  of 
  Protection 
  respond 
  with 
  remarkable 
  speed. They may triple the normal benefits 
  of a movement-oriented resonance roll – but 
  only to rescue a human or to seek help!
  Elohim
  (partially restricted)
  With a glance or touch, these Powers recognize
  humans intent on self-destruction. On a successful
  resonance roll on these individuals, treat the check
  digit as 6.
  Malakim
  Zadkiel’s Malakim cannot be stunned or fall
  unconscious in battle until their vessels die or their
  Mind Hits drop to zero.
  5
  Z A D K I E L
  BRIGHT LILIM OF
  PROTECTION (RESTRICTED)
  Like other Archangels, Zadkiel wants to redeem
  Lilim. Unlike most others, she bids her Servitors
  actively target Tempters as potential redemption
  candidates, and has involved herself personally at
  least once. Despite this intense effort, she has no
  higher a success rate than other Archangels, and
  perhaps less success retaining them.
  A Bright Daughter who remains with Zadkiel may
  automatically sense a Need to be protected with
  touch or eye contact – but only from the greatest
  danger perceived by her target.
  SAMPLE MALAKITE OATHS
  Foremost among the common oaths of
  Malakim of Protection are:
  ✠ Never allow a righteous human to come to
  harm, when it is my choice.
  ✠ Never slay a human, except in direct defense
  of another human’s life.
  Other, less common oaths of Zadkiel’s Virtues
  include appropriate ones from Faith’s (Superiors
  3: Hope and Prophecy, p. 77) as well as:
  ✠ Never abandon those under my protection,
  for any reason.
  ✠ Give freely to those in need, regardless of my
  own needs or desires.
  ✠ Always aid the unjustly persecuted, even my
  enemies.
  ✠ Slay or bring to justice any who murder a
  human under my protection.
  ✠ Never use terror or threats to gain my ends.
  ✠ Never raise my voice in anger.
  Zadkiel insists that oaths beyond the basic four
  be proposed to her beforehand.
  
  Kyriotates
  (restricted)
  Kyriotates serving Zadkiel gain no disso-
  nance if a host’s body is damaged (but not
  killed) during an attempt to rescue the human
  from a dangerous situation. In any other situa-
  tion, they gain dissonance normally.
  Mercurians
  People feel safe and relaxed around
  Mercurians of Protection. These angels gain an
  additional +2 Charisma when dealing with
  humans, up to a maximum of +5 Charisma.
  SERVITOR ATTUNEMENTS
  Aura of Divinity
  The Aura of Divinity creates an immobile
  ten-foot globe of divine protection around its
  user. No demon or being of ill intent may pass
  through the barrier of the Aura by any means;
  beings of good will may enter or exit freely. The
  Aura also provides armor against physical attacks,
  and a bonus to resist non-physical ones. This
  armor or bonus is equal to twice the user’s Forces
  in the realm of attack. (Example: An angel with 4
  Corporeal Forces, 3 Ethereal Forces, and 2
  Celestial Forces can create an Aura with a
  Protection of 8 against physical attack, a bonus of
  6 to resist the effects of the Ethereal Song of
  Entropy, and a bonus of 4 to resist a Balseraph’s
  resonance or a Celestial Song of Motion.)
  The Aura costs 4 Essence and takes one round to
  erect. It lasts until the performer leaves its area, is
  soul-killed, sent into Limbo, or, in the case of
  Trauma, arrives at her Heart (In Nomine, p. 67). It
  cannot be broken by any attack.
  Bodyguard
  An angel with Bodyguard may blend into the
  background behind a chosen individual so well that
  anyone must make a Perception roll to sense that
  anything is there. People avoid the “invisible” angel
  without realizing it. The attunement requires a
  minute of concentration, costs no Essence, and cre-
  ates no disturbance. It ceases when the angel creates
  disturbance, calls attention to herself, or moves out
  of line-of-sight of her subject.
  This attunement is akin to, but different from, the
  Ethereal Song of Form. Bodyguard costs no Essence,
  always succeeds, and can remain in effect indefinitely.
  However, any aggressive act, even carrying a weapon
  in hand, breaks Bodyguard’s effect, and the angel
  must defend her subject or become dissonant! Zadkiel
  is the Archangel of Protection, not Spies.
  If someone spots the angel despite the attunement,
  he may attack her without penalty. Finally, mechan-
  ical or electronic sensors and cameras are not fooled.
  Bodyguard fogs nearby minds; it’s not invisibility.
  Succor
  Succor grants a subject respite from pain – physi-
  cal and emotional, natural or supernatural – for a
  duration equal to the user’s Corporeal Forces in
  hours. The angel must touch the subject, and may
  use the ability on herself.
  DISTINCTIONS
  Zadkiel grew up in the freewheeling ranks of
  Flowers; while a Distinction still means something,
  she expects her angels to earn respect by displaying
  wisdom and skill rather than simply commanding
  from the altar of their title. Servitors of Protection
  will obey a Vassal, and Vassals and Friends will obey
  Masters, but they do so with little or no formality.
  Vassal of Protection
  A Vassal can sense evil intent by rolling Perception
  plus Celestial Forces. A check digit of 1 only detects
  danger in the immediate vicinity; a check digit of 6
  allows the Vassal to point directly at the person with
  evil intent.
  6
  Z A D K I E L
  ZADKIEL’S LULLABIES
  Like most Superiors, Zadkiel knows the Songs of
  Correspondence (Liber Canticorum, p. 66), the
  Songs of Fruition (Liber Canticorum, p. 70), and
  the Songs of Pestilence (Liber Canticorum, p. 73),
  but does not teach them without good reason.
  Zadkiel most commonly grants Numinous
  Corpus: Wings, the Songs of Harmony, Shields,
  and Solace (Liber Canticorum, p. 55), and her own
  discoveries, the Songs of Seals (Liber Canticorum,
  p. 51). She also knows the Secret Songs taught by
  Novalis, including Laughter (Liber Canticorum,
  p. 71), but angels requesting the Song of Ecstasy
  (Liber Canticorum, p. 68) are likely to spend time
  guarding Heaven’s walls, instead.
  
  Friend of the Guard
  A Friend can sense a human in need of protection,
  by the same means as with the Vassal Distinction.
  Master of the Watch
  When using the above Distinctions, a Master
  always knows her target – human in need or poten-
  tial attacker – on sight.
  HIGHER DISTINCTIONS
  Zadkiel’s organization is not big enough to
  warrant having many Distinctions. Some dozen
  Ambassadors work as liaisons with other Words,
  to advance Protection’s cause in Heavenly cir-
  cles. Each is a personal friend to Zadkiel, as well
  as politically savvy (sometimes more so than
  their Archangel), and they may make promises
  in their Superior’s name. In return, Zadkiel pays
  attention to their calls; if they can’t handle
  something, she will respond to their invocation
  within seconds. She rarely needs to, for not only
  are they vastly competent, they work more in
  Heaven than on Earth.
  RELATIONS
  Zadkiel wants to protect Heaven, too – though
  most of the major Archangels do a fine job of that.
  Political protection from strife and factions is
  sorely needed at times, though, so Zadkiel tries to
  be friendly with almost everyone. Still, some
  Archangels rebuff her, finding her methods and
  goals at odds with their own. This attitude is typi-
  cally returned. For Zadkiel, it’s not merely political,
  it’s intensely personal, even as she tries to remind her-
  self that every Archangel was granted a Word by
  Allah’s grace.
  Allied: Novalis, Gabriel, Marc, Yves (Novalis is
  Allied in return)
  Associated: Everyone else except . . . (Blandine,
  Gabriel, and Laurence consider themselves Associated)
  Neutral: David, Jean, Jordi (David, Dominic, Eli,
  Janus, Jordi, Marc, Michael, and Yves are Neutral)
  Hostile: None (Jean is Hostile to Zadkiel)
  RITES
  ✠ Spend two hours tending to a human in need.
  ✠ Rescue an innocent human from mortal danger.
  Expanded Rites
  Zadkiel grants these not as rewards, but as tools for
  Servitors going into dangerous situations.
  ✠ Spend four hours on watch or guard duty.
  ✠ Spend one hour teaching someone self-defense.
  ✠ Slay a demon threatening or exploiting a human.
  ✠ Rescue a police officer or other public defender
  from mortal danger. (+2 Essence)
  CHANCE OF INVOCATION: 3
  INVOCATION MODIFIERS
  Add an additional +2 to any roll for invocation
  of Zadkiel if the invoker is in imminent need of
  protection.
  +1
  An alarm, such as a burglar alarm, smoke
  alarm, etc.
  +2
  A shield of some kind.
  +3
  A suit of armor.
  +4
  A fortification built to protect the forces of 
  Good.
  +5
  A mother protecting her young.
  +6
  Someone giving his life to protect another.
  7
  Z A D K I E L
  ZADKIEL’S AEGIS
  Zadkiel’s favorite shield is her Aegis (Liber
  Reliquarium, p. 98), a celestial artifact occasionally
  loaned to her most trustworthy servants. It projects
  a mobile Aura of Divinity that requires no Essence,
  with a power equivalent to 6 Forces in all realms.
  (In GURPS, this is PD 10, DR 50+, and a bonus of
  26 to resist supernatural attacks.) Demons looking
  on its smooth, reflective surface are dazzled (-2
  penalty) by a light visible only to them, and cannot
  directly target the bearer of the shield. The massive
  shield weighs nothing to the bearer, who is
  immune to all pain, stunning, or unconsciousness.
  An angel bearing the Aegis ranks, temporarily,
  second only to Zadkiel herself. Her orders are to
  be obeyed without question or debate. Usually
  every bit of this authority is required; Zadkiel only
  loans the Aegis to an angel assigned to desperately
  dangerous tasks.
  
  Zadkiel believes that in the hearts of humans, the
  first solace, the first protection, the first love is a
  mother. It’s the ideal. It’s the survival of the species.
  And it’s the core of Zadkiel’s soul. The mother bear
  protects her cub with ferocity and power; human-
  ity is Zadkiel’s cub. The mother human sings to
  her children, raises them in the traditions of their
  culture, and tries to make the world a better place
  for them; Zadkiel would be that mother to all
  humanity.
  Some of this is undoubtedly Novalis’ influence. The
  Word of Flowers includes many resonances with fem-
  inine principles, and Zadkiel was a Cherub of Flowers,
  meant to take on the hurts of humans in their stead.
  Zadkiel in Detail
  8
  Z A D K I E L
  GURPS IN NOMINE POINT COSTS
  Here are the GURPS In Nomine costs for
  Zadkiel. These are only the point breakdowns;
  for the details, consult the main text.
  Seraphim: A resonance booster, adding No
  Roll Required (+66%) to humans engaging in
  self-deception only (-30%) [10]. Symphonic
  Influence (You want to talk about yourself), with
  Humans Only (-20%) and No Roll Required
  (+66%) [44]. 54 points.
  Cherubim:
  Resonance 
  enhancement
  (Successes are critical, +60%; Only for special
  charge, -5%) [15]. 15 points.
  Ofanim: When protecting humans, these
  Wheels may triple the benefits from their Speed
  and Physical Boost resonance aspects without
  tripling the risk of failure. Add Super Running ×6
  (for a total of ×9), requiring a resonance roll
  (-60%), and only to rescue or seek aid for a
  human (-30%); the limitations exceed the maxi-
  mum and are treated as -75%, for 30 points.
  Their Visualization gains a +100% enhancement,
  only to rescue or seek aid for a human, -30%, for
  14 points. 44 points.
  Elohim:
  Symphonic Knowledge: Self-
  destruction (No Roll Required, +66%; No
  media use, -66%; Limited Scope, -50%) [15].
  Resonance enhancement (Successes are critical,
  +60%; Only for self-destructive humans, -5%)
  [17]. 32 points.
  Malakim: High Pain Threshold [10], with the
  enhancement that it applies to ethereal damage as
  well (+50%). 15 points.
  Bright Lilim: Resonance enhancement (No
  Roll Required, +66%), linked to the limitation
  “Only for subject’s greatest perceived danger”
  (-30%) [7]. 7 points.
  Kyriotates: Adds the limitation “Can take
  damage in rescue attempts” (-20%) to their Choir
  Dissonance Condition. 3 points.
  Mercurians: Charisma +2 [10] with the limita-
  tion “humans only” (-20%). 8 points.
  Aura of Divinity: New power, 50 points.
  Bodyguard: New power, very loosely based on
  the Inherent Magic of Hide and Avoid (p. M58).
  50 points.
  Succor: New power, akin to Healing (p. CI57).
  15 points.
  Vassal of Protection: Celestial Rank +1 [5];
  Symphonic Knowledge: Evil Intent [30], with a
  bonus to its roll, averaging +3 [4]. 39 points.
  Friend of the Guard: Celestial Rank +1 [5];
  Symphonic Knowledge: Human needing protec-
  tion (Limited scope, -20%) [24], and a bonus to
  the roll, averaging +3 [4]. 33 points.
  Master of the Watch: Celestial Rank +1 [5];
  replaces the bonuses to rolls with the enhancement
  No Roll Required, adding 32 points. 37 points.
  Ambassador of Protection: Celestial Rank +3
  [15], and an Invocation bonus to call Zadkiel [50].
  65 points.
  Basic Rites: 4 points
  Invocation Base: 4 [10 points]
  Dissonance: Dissonance Condition [-5] tied
  to a Sense of Duty (Innocent humans) [-10]. -15
  points.
  Protectors have a Taboo Trait: mundane
  humans as Servants [0]. With the Duty owed to
  their Archangel [-15], it costs -16 points to be a
  Servitor of Zadkiel.
  
  But some is her own burning idealism, the heights
  she aspires to. Khalid can be the Father of Faith;
  she will be the Mother whose Protection allows
  faith time to grow.
  Many humans, and even some angels, expect that
  Zadkiel will be intimidating. They imagine a virago
  with indigo-stained skin and a flaming sword, or a
  crop-haired Joan of Arc. What they see . . . depends
  on what they need to see, to feel safe. She has access
  to the Elohite resonance, and several preferred
  forms: the smiling, amber-skinned woman in a hijab;
  the laughing black woman in a tignon; or the slightly
  chubby pale hausfrau with a kerchief around her
  head and a plate of pie in hand. She is delighted to
  hear and tell good stories, or offer a warm shoulder
  or hug to any who need it.
  HISTORY
  Zadkiel was created as a reliever, not a full-
  fledged Cherub; she chose her calling. Her earliest
  memories have dimmed somewhat, and she didn’t
  have many Ethereal Forces back then. But she
  sometimes speaks of the death of Oannes and the
  trial of Michael as if she remembers them person-
  ally, and the “Christ mystery” as if it were recent
  when she was new. She fledged around 1500
  B.C., and Novalis sent her to a set of villages
  in Italy, about fifteen miles inland from the
  Tiber River.
  Romulus and Remus, according to Zadkiel’s 
  stories, were real people, rescued by a shep-
  herd and his hot-headed, promiscuous, “wolf-
  bitch” wife – and not Zadkiel in a lupine vessel,
  she would like to make clear. The incident
  that became the legend of the Rape of the
  Sabine Women got its happy ending due to
  Zadkiel’s influence in the service of Flowers;
  better to have peace and reconciliation instead
  of strife. (It should be noted that Zadkiel
  enjoys a good story, and hers are embellished
  to the extent possible in the angelic language.
  Between that and the vagaries of even celestial
  memory, Zadkiel is a less reliable narrator than
  historians might hope.)
  Forestalling a war based on the abduction and
  forcible marriage of another tribe’s daughters, wid-
  ows, and a few already-wedded women is no small
  thing. Novalis was so impressed that she sponsored
  Zadkiel for the Word of Protection.
  Around 600 B.C., the Etruscans, north of the
  Tiber, conquered Rome. The new Word-bound had
  her hands full trying to moderate excesses without
  interfering too much. At least, without interfering
  more than Novalis would allow; if demons were
  involved, the kid gloves could come off. According
  to Zadkiel, there were a lot of demons.
  Rome wound up benefiting from the Etruscans’
  greater technology and cultural innovations bor-
  rowed from the Greeks, while keeping most of their
  existing social structure. In 509 B.C., the Romans
  drove out their Etruscan king and founded a Senate,
  becoming a Republic. Shortly thereafter, Zadkiel’s
  efforts were recognized before the Seraphim
  Council and deemed useful enough that they
  shouldn’t be restricted to Rome. The new Archangel
  of Protection was elevated in 500 B.C.
  Zadkiel immediately launched herself and her
  Servitors (many of them Flowers volunteers) into
  spreading the concept of protection of people and
  their basic cultures. Now accepted in Seraphim
  Council politics, she began trying to protect her fel-
  lows from the shortcomings of their own Words and
  policies – for the warlike, she sent Servitors to be
  medics and counselors; for the peaceful, she sent
  guardians and defenders. Since she was assigning
  angels to areas that already had angels, this set a 
  pattern of spreading herself thin which has contin-
  ued to the present day.
  Around 200 B.C., the Commander of the host,
  Uriel, took over the job of Archangelic patron to
  Rome. Overworked, Zadkiel had little time to spend
  in her old haunts, but her few words about the mat-
  ter indicate a certain resentfulness about the matter.
  Some of her Servitors and sympathizers even suggest
  that Uriel’s tactics eventually produced the very cor-
  ruption his Word of Purity should have prevented.
  9
  Z A D K I E L
  THE GRAND OLD MATRIARCHY?
  Some humans insist on treating Zadkiel’s ideals as the
  literal truth. If the Archangel of Protection insists that
  mothers are the keepers of culture, to be emulated by
  angels, then all wrongs and ills can be traced to the cruel
  and domineering patriarchy!
  This is not what Zadkiel intends to convey, and she gets
  frustrated whenever it crops up among Soldiers or mun-
  danes aware of the War. Unfortunately, the sort of people
  who latch on to such theories are rarely the sort of people
  who will listen to explanations about archaeology, history,
  or how fathers also passed on the flame in ancient times.
  
  Then came the trials of Gabriel and
  Uriel. Zadkiel understood that preda-
  tory ethereal spirits were a threat to
  be protected against, but disliked
  Uriel’s methods. More important to
  her was the way Khalid withdrew
  from Heaven, and in the five years
  between that and his formal investi-
  ture as Archangel, Zadkiel searched
  for him. Whether or not she found
  him, she began to say more and more
  good things about Islam, and pro-
  claimed her official support for the
  religion around 800 A.D.
  She also began manifesting in Middle
  Eastern vessels and garb, which had the
  added benefit of terrifying demons
  more than her prior forms.
  Since then, Zadkiel’s career has fol-
  lowed much the same lines: She tries
  to protect the lives and cultures of
  humans, and the “weak spots” in her
  fellow Archangels. She secondarily
  promotes her own Word, teaching the concepts of
  charity, self-sacrifice, and care for one’s fellow
  man. Although not one of the War’s front-line
  generals, her use to Heaven and its ultimate goals
  has never been questioned.
  PERSONALITY
  AND OUTLOOK
  “Och, I’m a pacifist all right. We pacifists have to look
  after each other. How could we ever hope for peace with
  people like Yifter around to stir up trouble?”
  – Charles Sheffield, “Killing Vector”
  Zadkiel is a Cherub. She loves. She protects. A child
  of Flowers, she knows that forgiveness and mercy are
  blessings and balm. When dealing with her
  Servitors, or humans who have not sold their souls
  (literally or metaphorically), she is patient and kind.
  Even those who have failed, even those who have
  sinned, if they have sincere repentance – she offers
  salvation. Cynics are sure she’s too good to be true.
  Her generous, forgiving nature does not apply to
  Hell, and is the most obvious break with Novalis’
  teachings. Spawn of Hell are not children to be
  mothered. They are threats to be warded against.
  When there is actual abuse of humans, her temper is
  extremely short. She believes humanity can never
  reach its true potential until there is security, and so
  long as there are threats to peace, that security is
  impossible. Ideals of peace and harmony are useless
  without action.
  Unfortunately, Zadkiel has a great weakness as a
  commander in the War: Just as she helps without
  counting the cost, she fights without discrimination.
  To her, anyone who threatens humanity needs 
  to meet Allah’s justice. She’s learned, painfully, to
  conserve her forces and keep her defenses strong, but
  she also speaks of heating up the jihad against Hell.
  Zadkiel and Islam
  Then ask them whether your Lord has daughters and
  they have sons. Or did We create the angels females while
  they were witnesses? Now surely it is of their own lie that
  they say: Allah has begotten; and most surely they are
  liars. Has He chosen daughters in preference to sons?
  What is the matter with you, how is it that you judge?
  – The Quran, translated by M.H. Shakir, 
  sura 39, verses 149-154
  The Archangel of Protection predates Christianity
  and Islam. Her first charges were in pagan Rome,
  and her core values and personality were set in com-
  fortable patterns when she went looking for Khalid.
  Converting to Islam did not change her personality
  and mindset; she announced her support because the
  religion resonated with what she already believed:
  that for those mortals who seek to do good, angels
  shall be their guardians.
  10
  Z A D K I E L
  PORTRAYING ZADKIEL
  In many ways, Zadkiel is the epitome of what angels
  should be: kind, sincere, and nurturing. GMs should
  emphasize her maternal qualities. To her servants and
  most humans, she speaks softly and lovingly. She also
  speaks softly to her enemies, but it is the growl of a
  lioness protecting young cubs.
  Protection Is Maternal?
  Maternal, paternal, parental . . . Is it truly vital to the
  Word that the Archangel of Protection manifest as female?
  Objectively, the answer is “probably not.” It could even
  be argued that Zadkiel sabotages her scope by focusing so
  much on one manifestation of protective ideals. Her focus
  on maternal feelings without the usual human baggage of
  mate and sexuality is confusing to humans – but it makes
  sense to most other Cherubim.
  
  Unlike Khalid, Zadkiel does not feel it necessary
  to manifest as “male.” Female is not her gender or
  sex; it is merely a manifestation of her maternal
  nature, her drive to protect without hesitation and
  love without reserve. She sees no need to take a
  male vessel just because the angelic phrase, “angels
  do not have true genders, nor breed like ethereal
  spirits do with humans,” had an unfortunate trans-
  lation into a corporeal tongue. (Whether or not
  Gabriel spoke angelic when dictating the Quran to
  Mohammed is unknown; she doesn’t say. Zadkiel
  assumes it must be the case, else Gabriel herself
  would not take female form.)
  She still muses upon some passages (in particular
  within suras 37, 43, and 53), but she feels that Allah
  could not have created Novalis – and through
  Novalis, Zadkiel herself – with natures that resonate
  with female principles if He did not approve.
  Naturally, she’s debated the matter with blessed
  souls, Servitors of Faith, and Khalid himself. For that
  latter’s rather cogent argument that female vessels
  confuse humans, she has mustered a collection of
  rebuttals, seeking to persuade him via his Elohite
  affinity for logic; see p. 22.
  Zadkiel spends even less time worrying about
  doctrinal issues than Khalid does, and does not feel
  compelled to focus all her attention on Muslims.
  Allah is merciful, and so long as one sincerely
  believes – which is not a problem for a Cherub –
  and does good, “they shall have their reward from
  their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall
  they grieve.” From the outside, this may look as if
  she takes the religion lightly, and in some ways she
  does. However, she cleaves passionately to what
  she sees as the heart of the matter: respect God,
  love Him, and do His will as best you can, and He
  will care for you.
  PRIORITIES
  To Zadkiel, humanity is the most important thing
  in the universe. Allah has decreed it, and she feels it
  in her bones. She works ceaselessly, not only to pro-
  tect and support humans, but also to encourage them
  to protect others in turn. She looks forward to a day
  when Heavenly help will no longer be required;
  every man will be willing and ready to go to the aid
  of another.
  11
  Z A D K I E L
  HOW MUSLIM IS ZADKIEL?
  This is up to the GM. Clearly she was not
  Muslim enough to “count” to Khalid when he felt
  abandoned – and even betrayed – by the other
  Archangels during the Crusades. (Of course,
  Zadkiel’s brand of protection often involves
  seeming “invisible” – see p. 6.) GMs wishing
  strongly religious Archangels could play up her
  horror at the Crusades, and focus her attention
  more toward Islam after that; Khalid would still
  object to her as a “female angel,” thus preserving
  much of his canonical state.
  A less-Muslim Zadkiel has the same view
  toward Islam as Dominic has toward Christianity:
  It’s a good set of rules for humans to live by. Why
  is it not perfect if it was touched by Prophets, who
  were touched by God’s will? Because humans
  aren’t perfect, and giving them divinely perfect
  instructions wouldn’t have worked to steer them
  on the correct path. With non-equal treatment of
  the sexes, tribal warfare, and demonic or ethereal
  interference already entrenched, the Quran was
  the best that could be done to guide humanity
  without denying it free will. She supports the reli-
  gion but, paradoxically, does so less once Khalid
  begins recovering and can be more objective
  about it.
  This expansion presumes Zadkiel’s religious
  state is in the middle of those two points; she is
  touched by all the references to Allah as guardian,
  and is more personally involved in Islam than
  Dominic is in Christianity, but she is less of a
  “true believer” than either Khalid or Laurence
  are in their respective faiths. The Quran was dic-
  tated to humans and not everything in it is meant
  for angels, but it takes study to determine which
  is which. If Allah had meant for it all to apply,
  then Gabriel would not have appeared to
  Muhammad – he would have appeared to the
  Seraphim Council! After all, Zadkiel was present
  when God removed Uriel to the Higher Heavens
  and set Laurence in his place; she knows God can
  intervene when it’s urgent.
  
  Unfortunately, the pressing needs of humans in
  danger and of angels fighting the War distract her.
  It’s more important for Zadkiel and her followers to
  be Protection than to spread Protection among oth-
  ers. Only when humans and angels don’t need succor
  can Zadkiel allocate her limited resources toward
  humans in protective services, such as ambulance
  drivers, police, and fire fighters.
  Zadkiel has mixed feelings about recent times, par-
  ticularly as it affects her Word. While medicine and
  research preserve life and culture, religious charity is
  tainted by scandals and cynicism, and self-defense
  can be an arms race or a banding together of gangs –
  David’s territory, and one of the places where their
  worldviews collide. The nuclear threat hangs heavi-
  est over Zadkiel’s head; that the potential for so
  much destruction rests in so few hands frightens her.
  Zadkiel and the War
  The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
  – Rudyard Kipling, “The Female of the Species”
  Zadkiel doesn’t care about the War, per se. If the
  demons stayed in Hell, she would ignore them. She
  might even tolerate them on Earth. However, the
  flip side of a Cherub’s love is a Cherub’s avenging
  Nemesis attunement (Angelic Player’s Guide, p. 30),
  and Protection embraces all of humanity. Revenge
  for the victimized is also protection for the survivors.
  It is for the sake of mankind, not righteousness, that
  Zadkiel fights.
  Zadkiel wants all predatory demons removed from
  Earth (and preferably from existence), but not at the
  expense of humans or Heavenly goals. Zadkiel only
  authorizes an attack against demons if it will neither
  weaken Protection’s defensive efforts elsewhere nor
  endanger more humans than it protects. All too
  often, angels of Protection watch as demons walk
  free, confident that the angels will not risk a fight.
  Zadkiel loathes this stalemate, but accepts it when
  the other options are worse.
  12
  Z A D K I E L
  MUSLIM GARB
  Not all of Zadkiel’s Servitors are stationed in the
  Middle East. Not all of them are Muslim – as
  Novalis is regarding female forms, so Zadkiel is
  regarding religious forms, so long as the drive to
  protect humanity is intact. She imposes no dress
  code on her angels, but prefers to keep her own
  head covered, and approves of other angels who
  respectfully do likewise. If it’s not incompatible
  with her surroundings, she wears a hijab, the tradi-
  tional Muslim head scarf. Around Khalid,
  Servitors of Faith, and anyone else who would be
  reassured, she adds a head-to-foot black gown, the
  abaya or chador. When she is attempting to make a
  point, she will even wear the all-concealing burqa.
  In other areas, she emulates the nomadic
  Tuareg – where the women are bare-faced, and
  the men veiled – wearing their indigo robes that
  stain the skin. She especially favors this image
  when holding a flaming sword and smiting
  demons or hostile ethereals. So do her Malakim.
  Many of Zadkiel’s Servitors have adopted a lib-
  eral Islamic tradition: sunglasses as a symbolic
  face-covering. Happily, this also protects against
  the Lilim resonance.
  ZADKIEL AND FREE LILIM
  Lilith is the only member of Hell’s hierarchy
  Zadkiel does not despise. Zadkiel believes that
  Lilith is not merely redeemable, she’s still human
  – and, as such, deserves love and protection.
  Zadkiel won’t tolerate abuse of humans by Lilith,
  but neither does she support the Princess’
  destruction.
  This feeling does not extend to most of Lilith’s
  bound “demonspawn,” but the Free Lilim get
  Zadkiel’s passive protection. Zadkiel’s Servitors
  are under orders not to attack Free Lilim unless
  a human is in direct jeopardy. Even then, the
  angels should only force the Lilim away; if she
  flees, they may not pursue.
  This order disturbs the Inquisition, but
  Zadkiel claims that Free Lilim are closer to
  redemption than those bound to a Prince. She
  cannot bear the thought of an even partly
  human being shut off from the love of Allah.
  (There are rumors for other reasons for this
  mercy; see p. 18.)
  
  When provoked, she becomes an
  implacable enemy with incredible patience.
  If it takes a hundred years for Laurence to
  permit a retaliatory strike, she will wait a
  hundred years . . . and then the blow will
  come: swift, thorough, and final. Zadkiel’s
  opportunities to retaliate come too seldom
  to settle for less than total victory. Her
  patience is not infinite; sometimes only
  direct orders from Laurence have stayed
  her hand when demons killed humans
  under her protection.
  Though Zadkiel is usually in favor of
  assaults against Hell’s forces, her concern
  for humanity keeps her from being a true
  “War party” member on the Seraphim
  Council. Zadkiel knows that any decisive
  confrontation between Heaven and Hell
  will destroy Earth as it is known today.
  Even if the Earth survives Armageddon, the
  Last Battle will bring great death, suffering,
  and fear. Zadkiel wants to spare humanity
  as long as possible, and only drastic circum-
  stances will cause her to change her position (one
  possible motivator is in The Final Trumpet, p. 67).
  Ideally, the War would be not a land battle, but a
  convoy operation – protecting fleets of human souls
  from the demonic raiders as they travel to Heaven –
  and no humans would be at the final battle at all.
  Zadkiel’s Word
  Zadkiel is the Protector. Although she focuses on
  humanity, she does not short her fellow angels on
  love, assistance, and solace. Both on Earth and in
  Heaven, she and her Servitors offer rest from the tri-
  als of life and the War, a sympathetic ear, and all help
  that is in their power to lend. Perhaps most impor-
  tantly, Zadkiel keeps some great warriors among her
  followers, to rescue innocents from those who
  threaten them.
  Zadkiel has a simple goal – safety for those in need.
  They must feel and be secure. People should protect
  each other, not out of fear or self-interest but from
  love and concern for fellow creatures under God. If
  all beings – human, ethereal, and celestial – accepted
  this philosophy in their hearts, Protection’s victory
  would be complete.
  POLITICS
  On matters related specifically to the War,
  Zadkiel practically defines the “middle ground.”
  She supports stronger defenses and overwhelming
  retaliatory attacks, but only if humans would not be
  endangered. If demons aren’t involved, she sides
  with Novalis, calling for leniency, love, and forgive-
  ness. Naturally, this means neither extreme entirely
  supports her.
  Zadkiel tries to maintain good relations with virtu-
  ally every angel on the Seraphim Council, keeping
  herself open to compromise or exchanges of favors.
  She does not hold a great deal of power, but her
  voice sometimes shifts the balance between the hard-
  line and peaceful factions. On occasion, she even
  brings the two sides together for a common solution.
  Archangelic Opinions
  Zadkiel tries to see the best in all the other
  Archangels, sometimes to the point of “Polly -
  annaism.” She rarely gets the same attitude in return.
  Blandine: Zadkiel’s Word is vital to humanity.
  Frightened sleepers forget to dream. (We provide the
  blanket Blandine’s dreamers snuggle under. She and I
  really aren’t all that different. We just have different tasks
  set to us.)
  David: Her priorities are wrong. When it comes
  to the War, no one better understands the impor-
  tance of defense. But she’d rather coddle humans
  than teach them to protect themselves. (David’s love
  for humanity is so strange and sad to me. His methods
  hurt the very people he should be strengthening. He needs
  to learn from Novalis that harsh conditions stunt growth.)
  13
  Z A D K I E L
  WHEN ZADKIEL SAYS NO
  Zadkiel wants to wipe out all threats to humanity:
  demons, parasitic ethereals, even wicked humans. In her
  early days, she tried . . . but discovered that defenders do
  not have the luxury of unrestrained attacks. She has
  learned to conserve her strength, giving priority to pro-
  tecting against attacks. She will no longer jeopardize a
  human to wipe out a demon.
  In the heat of combat, Zadkiel expects her angels to
  go for the throat, killing as many demons as possible.
  Hunting expeditions, however, are not encouraged. An
  angel of Protection who goes to Zadkiel for permission
  to seek and kill a particular demon will usually be
  refused. She is gentle and sad about it, but firm.
  Unfortunately, her patient, detailed explanations for her
  refusal seldom convince her angels . . . possibly because,
  in her innermost self, she doesn’t believe them either.
  
  Dominic: Zadkiel is a Cherub. Her loyalty to her
  followers clouds her judgment. Her focus on retalia-
  tion sometimes exceeds her abilities. When she is
  focused on humanity, though, she can be effective.
  (Dominic loves deeply, and therefore seems harsh. I think
  he needs to learn to trust again – but of course, it’s hard to
  help him.)
  Eli: Zadkiel wants to be the world’s mother and
  protect us from ourselves. Love her to pieces, just
  like her mum, but she needs to remember that
  children grow up. (Where is he? I worry for Eli, but
  even more for his poor orphaned followers. He has a
  responsibility to them, and the sooner he wakes up to it,
  the happier I’ll be.)
  Gabriel: She is the fire of the hearth that warms
  the heart and comforts the fearful. Few are more
  loyal, more loving. (She hurts so much. So often
  betrayed, so often disappointed, her Word violated – and
  yet she keeps faith with Allah. How can I not be there
  when she needs me?)
  Janus: You can’t shield humanity from the storm
  forever; you have to teach them to ride it. She’s
  gotta learn that things change. (Janus can’t help him-
  self, but I don’t think he’s capable of understanding
  what his wind can do to the unsuspecting. He tries to
  make it right, at least.)
  Jean: Humanity must not depend on angels. Like
  Novalis, Zadkiel is unaware of how much overpro-
  tection she advocates. She would be more useful if
  restricted to fortifications and reacting to actual
  demonic interference. (Allah forgive me, but Jean is
  cold-hearted and arrogant. Humans suffer and die for
  want of the knowledge he hoards, but he doesn’t care! He’s
  too willing to sacrifice others, thinking he understands
  Allah’s plan better than anyone.)
  Jordi: Why does she waste her time with humans?
  They don’t need protection. The rest of Earth needs
  protection from humans. (Jordi and I don’t have much
  to do with each other. Perhaps it’s better that way.)
  14
  Z A D K I E L
  FAITH AND PROTECTION
  There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right
  way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore,
  whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah
  he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which
  shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
  – The Quran, translated by M.H. Shakir, 
  sura 2, verse 256
  Khalid, counted a minor Archangel (and
  detailed in Superiors 3: Hope and Prophecy),
  has mixed feelings about Zadkiel. In his less
  sane moments, he despised her for her “half-
  measures” – if she worshipped Allah, and saw
  the truth in Muhammad’s words, why did she
  continue to affect a female shape? Why did she
  not concentrate herself in the lands where Islam
  ruled, with Khalid?
  Even the recovering Khalid is disturbed by
  these questions, but he cannot doubt her sincer-
  ity and devotion to humanity, or her faith. When
  the other Archangels had apparently abandoned
  him, she fought against demons and malevolent
  ifrits, even though he refused to acknowledge her
  “heretic” presence. Though the lines of commu-
  nication and trust are battered and all but broken,
  he is reaching out to her once again. Because of
  what and who she is, Zadkiel reaches back.
  CONFLICTS OF METHODS
  Zadkiel’s vision of God’s will is not always
  shared by her fellows.
  Jordi’s relations with all humanocentric
  Archangels (including Zadkiel) are cool.
  Zadkiel favors protection of endangered ani-
  mals if it doesn’t harm humans, so they’ve
  worked together . . . but not often and not
  closely.
  Zadkiel’s differences with David and Jean
  share a common root. Where Zadkiel would
  shelter humans, Stone and Lightning want
  them to solve their own problems. Zadkiel
  believes David’s methods teach xenophobia and
  test mortals beyond their limits, and decries
  Jean’s policies as cold-hearted. David accuses
  Zadkiel of not allowing humans to be strong,
  while Jean instructs his Servitors to not waste
  resources assisting Protectors unless it other-
  wise benefits Heaven.
  
  Laurence: I don’t question her loyalty. She’s the
  support crew to our advance line. But she overex-
  tends herself constantly, weakening herself and
  thereby Heaven. Greater restraint would keep her
  ramparts strong. (I think we complement each other very
  well, the sword and shield. I keep the humans secure; he
  prepares them to face their fears. He may cleave to
  Catholicism, but he values humans as he should.)
  Marc: I appreciate the help against Mammon. We
  don’t always see eye to eye, but Zadkiel’s widespread
  efforts mean we all owe her a favor or two. (We have
  similar goals in Council, where he’s in his element. Good.
  I can direct my efforts elsewhere. I favor big Trade projects
  when I can – Marc’s successes tend to touch many you’ll
  never see, and leave them more secure.)
  Michael: Don’t mistake withdrawal for cowardice
  in her case. Her angels want to be on the front lines,
  and they fight well when they’re called. Her priori-
  ties are just off when humans get involved, that’s all.
  (Michael hasn’t forgotten what we’re fighting for. He
  loves humanity almost as much as I do. I just wish his
  Servitors were more careful about the noncombatants.)
  Novalis: She has such a blind spot where demons
  are concerned. They could be brought back to the
  light so easily. She has so much love to share, why
  can’t she spare a bit for them? (Mother . . . I love her
  deeply, but we do not see eye to eye sometimes. She under-
  stands love, but she doesn’t understand that love means
  protecting your own. If the demons are so ready for
  redemption, let them prove it.)
  Yves: Protection can inspire some to reach their
  destinies. Angels can interfere with destined crux-
  points. Zadkiel lives for others, loving without
  always understanding, pleased to do her job. (Yves
  tries his hardest to comfort humanity. He’s made mistakes
  – as have we all! – but he sincerely cares about everyone.
  And he always seems to know just what to say to make the
  fear and hurt go away.)
  Princely Opinions
  Andrealphus: I understand all about chains for
  my sweet little children. Come down here to me, my
  pet; I have chains enough for all of us, and I will pro-
  tect you for as long as you could possibly ask. (Traitor,
  befouler, vile creature. Andrealphus is a predator. How can
  he pervert the comforts of love and companionship into
  such horrible tortures?)
  Asmodeus: She interferes far too often. For
  someone who claims to despise demons, she pro-
  tects quite a few Renegades who otherwise would
  lose the Game. Her foolish loyalty to the needy
  shall betray her. (I don’t care what demons do to one
  another, but he does it to humans as well. He makes a
  mockery of the laws they make to protect the weak. He
  fosters paranoia and terror among the innocent. It
  brightens my day whenever one of my flock foils
  Asmodeus’ carefully arranged plans.)
  Baal: Don’t underestimate her, or her followers.
  Zadkiel is a potent foe. Since her forces can be
  avoided easily, do not seek a confrontation. When
  we meet face to face, though, her shield will break.
  (How many human souls have been lost to your promises
  of glory, Baal? How many carry your standard on Earth,
  not knowing you intend them for a sacrifice? Perhaps you
  knew loyalty, once; now you are every bit the betrayer that
  your dark master is.)
  15
  Z A D K I E L
  PROTECTION’S FLAME
  Since Zadkiel first gained her Word, there have
  been close ties between Protection and Fire. Fire
  keeps away dangerous animals, warms dwellings,
  cooks food to remove bacteria and parasites, and
  destroys the cruel. In turn, security gives rise to
  new inspirations and new ideas, sparking change
  and growth in humanity.
  Aside from that synergy, Zadkiel’s presence is a
  soothing one, much like Novalis’. Unlike her par-
  ent Archangel, Zadkiel has no objection to occa-
  sional smiting, which makes her even more
  welcome. For centuries, many angels were shared
  or even transferred between Fire and Protection.
  This has led to assumptions that they share Choir
  Attunements (Seraphim of Protection, in particu-
  lar, have this reputation). In reality, many of Zad-
  kiel’s older angels carry Fire’s Choir Attunements
  in addition to Protection’s – but without the disso-
  nance requirement to hunt down the cruel.
  Even today, angels of Protection who earn the
  Archangel of Fire’s favor may receive her Choir
  Attunements. Likewise, angels of Fire frequently
  earn rewards from Zadkiel for defending the help-
  less, or slaying the wicked. Zadkiel deplores the
  necessity of killing any human, but she agrees with
  Gabriel that the cruel must meet Allah’s justice.
  
  Beleth: She cannot resist us forever. Fear is
  stronger than love. Her efforts are futile. (Pose and
  posture all you like, Beleth. I do not fear you. Your servants
  are nothing but the bogeys I chase out from under chil-
  dren’s beds. You cannot endure when your victims stand up
  to you.)
  Belial: It’s so much fun to watch Zadkiel’s precious
  mortal pets scream as everything they called theirs
  goes up in smoke. Almost as much fun as when the
  fire consumes them as well. How kind of her to
  gather the fuel for the barbecue. (Belial’s not just
  insane; he’s cruel. Pointlessly cruel. He doesn’t care about
  humans except as fodder for his flame. For Gabriel’s sake,
  especially, I hope someone puts an end to him soon.)
  Haagenti: She doesn’t concern me. But I saw one
  of her angels run into a burning building to save an
  old lady. He’d just gone back in to get her puppy
  when the building collapsed! Ha! All that for a hot
  dog! (Haagenti’s a bad example. Thankfully, he’s too con-
  cerned with stuffing his own maw to be anything more.)
  Kobal: I wish I’d been there with Haagenti that
  day. It would have been the only remotely amusing
  thing I’ve seen from Zadkiel’s minions. Toying with
  their devotion is so trite, really, and she just Doesn’t
  Get It. She’s such a perfect straight man it’s a waste
  of time to even set her up. But if those rumors about
  her are true . . . (Kobal goes on and on about people not
  getting the humor, but I think Kobal’s the one who doesn’t
  get it. Laughter is a comforter in hard times, a relaxation,
  a bond between people, and he shatters those bonds for
  his own perverse sense of humor.)
  Kronos: I do not worry overmuch about
  Zadkiel’s interference in my plans. Her Servitors
  cannot be everywhere. Soon enough, she shall
  overextend her heart, and then the seeds of her
  fate shall be sown. (Kronos isn’t just evil. He’s insid-
  ious. He sneaks in where you aren’t looking and with a
  tiny push he sends lives crashing to the ground. He is
  possibly the worst enemy I have.)
  Lilith: She’s as tiresome as Novalis, and at least
  as persistent. The best policy, of course, is to grit
  one’s teeth and not do anything to damage their
  charming assumptions. (Oh, Lilith, why do you
  stray? You do not belong among the ranks of Hell. Why
  is your heart dead to the joy of love, the pleasure of self-
  less giving? One day you will understand . . .)
  Malphas: Poor deluded Zadkiel and her ties
  that bind. What good are your ties when nobody
  is around? Quit deceiving humanity, Zadkiel;
  when they need you, you will have fluttered off to
  a new obsession. (I’m not the one who’s deluded. Love
  and loyalty are the Truth of the Symphony, not your
  paranoid isolation. We shall stand together and send
  you back into the abyss again and again.)
  Nybbas: Oh, please. Apple pie and unconditional
  love? The audience demands CONFLICT! Give us
  some shouting, some slamming doors! Still, I have to
  admit, the angry mother and fanatic jihad bits get
  good ratings now and then. (He poisons minds and
  destroys souls with his garbage. He tells people they are
  worthless and makes them believe it. If he ever saw the
  true value of reality, and the extent of his crimes, those
  empty eyes would shed a million tears.)
  Saminga: You can’t protect people from death.
  Even angels die sooner or later. Zadkiel’s weak.
  Humans are weak. I am the only true strength. (He’s
  foolish, bumbling, mad – and oh so dangerous. Don’t
  underestimate his servants. They destroy the souls of
  humans and call it eternal life. They must be extermi-
  nated, but with caution.)
  Valefor: I love a challenge. It’s just not fun to steal
  something if it’s not guarded! (More show than sub-
  stance, praise be to a merciful Allah. His thefts destroy
  human security and confidence, but things can be replaced.
  People are far more precious.)
  Vapula: She irritates me sometimes. Once she took
  a hundred experimental subjects from us – five days
  before the experiment would have been completed!
  At least she only found the control group . . . (He’s a
  Punisher, that’s all that need be said. He sees humans as
  disposable. Someone has to clean up his garbage.)
  16
  Z A D K I E L
  GREED’S PROJECT
  I love the feather-winged twit. She prattles about protect-
  ing, loving, trusting . . . she makes it so easy for someone with
  real strength to come in and take it all.
  – Mammon, Balseraph Prince of Greed
  Mammon (Superiors 4: Rogues to Riches) takes
  advantage of Zadkiel’s indiscriminate approach to the
  War (p. 10). He focuses on only a few humans, corrupt-
  ing them and then turning them loose on the rest of
  humanity. He also rewards undermining Zadkiel’s
  Tethers, ambushing her angels, and the destruction of
  those Zadkiel most wants protected. She is an
  Archangel, and his credit in Hell could be much
  increased if he brought her down – especially if he then
  showed up and befriended a new-Fallen Djinn.
  Angels of Protection should expect demons of Greed
  to cross their paths often – even if their Archangel
  believes Mammon is a broken Prince.
  
  Other Opinions
  Humanity: The reason we exist. There is nothing
  more important.
  Soldiers of God: Proof that God is right about
  humanity. They have the potential for true glory.
  One day they may surpass us.
  Soldiers of Hell: Potential wasted. Somehow we
  must bring them back to their destiny before they are
  lost to us . . . but not at the cost of the innocent. Do
  not hesitate to kill them if there is no other option.
  Sorcerers: I don’t know which are worse: the
  fools who willingly work with demons for their
  own gain or the lunatics who believe they can play
  with demonic power and use it for good. Either
  way, they sit on the fishhook and Hell is waiting to
  reel them in – if the ethereal predators don’t get to
  them first.
  Undead: The single greatest tragedy Hell has
  perpetuated, save perhaps the Fall itself. There
  must be some way to reverse the process – there
  must! I can’t accept that a human soul can live and
  yet be lost to Allah.
  Ethereals: Mm. I really don’t know. Too many of
  them are parasites, and must be kept away from
  Earth at all costs. But the Symphony creates them
  from human thoughts, human needs, human wishes.
  There must be something of value there . . . some-
  thing worth protecting.
  Zadkiel, God, and Lucifer
  Zadkiel was born after the Fall. She doesn’t
  remember the glory of the Lightbringer in the
  morning of the world. Her concepts of that time are
  quite simple: How could Lucifer have been so
  deluded as to think angels were more important than
  God’s children?
  Zadkiel regards humanity as the children of
  God, blessed by the Almighty with greater poten-
  tial in all things. She has no doubts about the right-
  ness of God’s Plan. If she doubted God, then she
  would have to doubt humanity as well, and this is
  beyond her comprehension.
  Zadkiel does not pretend to understand either God
  or Lucifer. She seeks to follow God’s will in all things,
  since she believes the greatest good to humanity is
  found there. As for Lucifer, she alternates between
  total hatred and deep regret: The Lightbringer, who
  could have done the most good for humanity, now
  works toward its ultimate destruction.
  17
  Z A D K I E L
  ETHEREAL POLITICS
  She’s impossible to trust. Even if you love humans,
  even if you want to protect and guide them just as
  much as she does, you have to watch your step. We need
  humans to survive! And yet if we lay a finger, even in
  tender caress, on a human . . . She’ll turn on you if you
  trust her.
  – Euterpe, Greek Muse
  Zadkiel has mixed opinions about ethereal spir-
  its, and tends to treat them as individuals. Some –
  predatory ifrits in particular – are to be slaugh-
  tered, but others can be useful.
  Ethereals associated with the protection of
  the defenseless are to be encouraged. Zadkiel’s
  sympathies are strongest (but not strong) with
  protective nature spirits, such as the totems of
  the Americas, the loas of Africa and the
  Caribbean, and the ever-flowing spirits of the
  Dreamtime.
  Zadkiel’s two pet projects are Athena and Odin,
  who are both noted for being intelligent and
  canny. Strategically, they would be useful allies
  against demons of Beleth and predatory spirits.
  Personally, she holds some affection for Athena
  from her days in Rome, and Odin has protected
  his people well. If either of them would only
  accept their position as subservient to Allah and
  mankind, and aid Heaven in driving back the
  Infernal threat, she would guard their backs and
  sponsor them in any way she could.
  Odin is too canny and polite to laugh in her
  face, but he rarely speaks with her. Athena is too
  cultured – and perhaps too desperate – to lash out,
  but while she’ll help in certain protective matters
  (she, too, has an Aegis), conversion is unlikely at
  this time. Still, both have occasionally assisted to
  rein in their tricksters – such as Hermes,
  Dionysus, and Loki – or impersonators thereof.
  Zadkiel knows Allah is merciful.
  
  THE RUMOR MILLS
  GRIND EXCEEDINGLY FINE
  Though Zadkiel is, in general, “good” in a way
  that only a Heavenly creature can be, there are still
  cynics. Hell likes to smear any Archangel, and
  redeemed demons or “friendly” ones can spread
  these lies to Heaven. Many rumors proliferate that
  are too trivial to bother with, or because they obfus-
  cate something the Superior wants obscured.
  Dominic, of course, checks into rumors. If no trial or
  inquisition follows . . . well, she must not be guilty.
  (Or at least not guilty enough.) Zadkiel believe
  rumors and speculation don’t need much attention,
  and that old history is personal. This is all the
  encouragement some people need.
  (For more rumors that might crop up, see the adventure
  seed Guardians of the Sangreal, p. 37.)
  Zadkiel, Wild Child?
  Even some angels can’t believe that Zadkiel was
  always dedicated to the ideals of Protection, or the
  ideals of Flowers. Angels are fallible, too, and some
  of them have heard of the occasional spat between
  Zadkiel and Novalis.
  Servitors of the stricter Archangels assume
  Zadkiel was as lax and freewheeling as any other
  Servitor of Flowers; this is probably closest to truth.
  Those with a romantic bent suggest that
  she lost a beloved human – lover, mate, or
  child – to demons (or friendly fire), that
  she fought with Novalis about her policies
  of peace-first (because of that?), that she
  ran away and wandered on Earth (maybe
  pregnant!), that she was Outcast or . . .
  Fallen! A few stories, amazingly kept alive
  in spite of the angelic language of truth,
  claim she was actually a Cherub of Stone
  who Fell and was redeemed by Novalis.
  Even Zadkiel herself can be rendered
  speechless at times.
  The Prodigal Daughter
  Some angels speculate that Zadkiel is
  soft on Lilim because of blackmail Lilith
  holds over Zadkiel. Others note that
  Dominic would uncover that quickly. It’s a
  popular rumor – especially in Hell – that
  Zadkiel has children with human lovers.
  It’s also public knowledge that Zadkiel
  wants to recruit any Daughter of Lilith
  who’s the least bit redeemable.
  Some clever demons, and a few concerned angels,
  have made an obvious conflation: Sometime in the
  past, Zadkiel had an affair with Lilith (who is well-
  rumored to have affairs with most Superiors). And,
  from that union . . . somewhere out there is a Free
  Lilim made from the co-mingled Forces of Princess
  and Archangel.
  But Zadkiel doesn’t know which one.
  The Ur-Cherub’s Attuned
  Although no one knows for certain, most celestials
  assume that Zadkiel, the Cherub of Protection, has a
  special human she’s closely attuned to. Which partic-
  ular human? That’s the puzzle.
  Zadkiel doesn’t discuss the topic with most angels.
  If Zadkiel does have a special human in her personal
  charge, Novalis or Yves might know. Laurence, as
  Commander of the Host, might have given Zadkiel
  the assignment.
  While any human personally protected by a
  Cherub Archangel should be of vital importance to
  Heaven and the War, rumors fly that Zadkiel uses her
  Choir Attunement for personal reasons. If she
  watched over her descendants, that would feed off the
  melodramatic tale of a lover whose death caused
  Zadkiel to fight with Novalis. A variant suggests that
  Zadkiel likes to act as an adoptive parent, creating a
  string of low-profile natural leaders among humanity.
  18
  Z A D K I E L
  GOD’S WILL BE DONE
  More and more, Zadkiel is coming to a view close to prede-
  termination – at least for angels. This is something that expo-
  sure to Islam has wrought; prior to conversion, she believed
  more in angelic free will. However, predetermination makes
  sense to a Cherub bound to the ultimate Cherubic Word. An
  angel who is doing God’s will is doing God’s will. An angel who
  is not doing God’s will is (even if unwittingly) doing Lucifer’s
  and needs to be guided or smacked back into line. Dissonance
  is a sign that one has strayed and should beg Allah’s forgiveness
  while returning to one’s appointed place.
  As a hand of Allah, Zadkiel is more comfortable with her
  flaws. She was created to protect, defend, and avenge. It’s her
  purpose. Other Archangels have other purposes, and it matters
  less to Zadkiel that she has no major niche of her own. She is
  not failing her Word; she is fulfilling it as she was meant to do.
  This attitude has dropped some angels (particularly Elohim)
  into Hell, but there are many more still in Heaven, transcen-
  dently content with their roles. Zadkiel is one of them.
  
  Some even claim that she attunes to human lovers,
  while others believe that Zadkiel wants to be the
  mother of humanity, not just individual humans.
  Sloppy Work and Human Rumors
  To Zadkiel and her overworked angels, protecting
  humans is more important than protecting the
  secrecy of the War. There are a lot of stories among
  humans about mysterious strangers who show up,
  help out, and vanish again. Not all of these are about
  Protection Servitors; still, Zadkiel doesn’t discourage
  such interventions. Thus, every decade or so, some
  poor team of angels is supposed to look into these
  mortal tales and perform damage control. (This is
  one of the sticky points between Zadkiel and Khalid
  that has nothing to do with religion and everything
  to do with their dissonance conditions.) If there’s
  ever a leak big enough, Zadkiel might find herself on
  trial for revealing the War to mortals.
  Maybe that’s why some demons try to do good
  deeds now and then.
  A DIFFERENT SHIELD:
  VARIATIONS ON A THEME
  Zadkiel can have many nuances, but the motherly
  theme runs strongest. The sillier or darker a setting,
  the more intense the mother-image can be.
  Mommy Dearest
  Dark Zadkiel has never overcome the anger which
  caused her original break with Novalis, and paradox-
  ically takes it out on those she loves. Fury dominates
  her personality. Shrewish and demanding, she is not
  above using guilt and terror to coerce her Servitors.
  Zadkiel Dearest does not hold humanity to the
  same standard. When humans fail her expectations,
  “they don’t know any better”; when they surpass her
  wildest dreams, she rants, asking why her Servitors
  can’t be more like the creatures they’re protecting.
  NPC Zadkielites tend to be paranoid and dysfunc-
  tional, for obvious reasons.
  More disturbingly, she knows that if there is no
  danger there is no need of her. Perhaps her policy of
  “letting demons go” is just to keep her in business.
  (A dark, silly Zadkiel would be the patron of the
  Mafia: Archangel of . . . “Protection.”)
  Dear Sweet Mumsy
  “Mumskiel” works best in a fluffy, satirical, or
  deeply dark setting. She’s the perpetually bubbly,
  incredibly optimistic type who sets teeth on edge.
  She lives in a world of her own, oblivious to any
  wrongs her Servitors or her precious little babies (the
  human race) might do.
  She appears as the universal apron-wearing
  grandma, gray-haired and a bit chubby from sam-
  pling the World’s Best Apple Pie she bakes every day.
  She spoils humans rotten, smothering them with
  protective love and affection. A human with
  Mumsy’s attention can write off doing anything the
  least bit risky ever, ever again. And she’s immortal.
  Eventually, they’ll all get her attention.
  The Jewish Mother
  Instead of a relatively recent Muslim slant, Zadkiel
  might have been “conventionally” religious all along.
  Of course, she’d be Jewish from the angelic side – the
  Jews had their duties, and in return, God made a
  compact with them which was to be honored and
  carried out by the angels.
  The GM would have to determine what Zadkiel
  was doing during World War II, and what she is
  doing now regarding Israel. From being forcibly
  restrained (lest she destroy the Nazis – or now, the
  Palestinians – and provoke an unsanctioned
  Armageddon) to self-restraint in the face of dire dis-
  sonance, it would not be easy for such an involved
  Cherub to keep the covenant. Still, the God who
  watches over Israel never slumbers nor sleeps – and
  neither does Zadkiel.
  (In a satirical campaign, it would be no surprise if
  stress occasionally made her mutter to her Servitors,
  “You’re too thin.”)
  19
  Z A D K I E L
  A TACTICAL ERROR
  Zadkiel discovered the Songs of Seals (Liber
  Canticorum, p. 51) shortly after becoming an
  Archangel. In her early zeal, she taught versions of it
  to many helpful ethereal spirits, in an effort to prevent
  intrusion into human dreamscapes, hold doors
  closed until friendly spirits could sleep their escape to
  the Marches, or keep demons in place long enough
  to use the Celestial Song of Tongues to call her.
  Unfortunately, she was too successful. The knowl-
  edge of the Songs reached critical mass among ethe-
  reals with the strand of Structures (Ethereal Player’s
  Guide, p. 36). Now any such being can potentially
  learn the Songs of Seals, and Zadkiel has sworn off
  teaching ethereals any but the most common Songs.
  
  Zadkiel’s Cathedral broods at the edge of Heaven,
  part of the defensive perimeter around Novalis’
  Glade. Four concentric walls studded with towers
  connect to the greater cordon surrounding Heaven.
  Walls pierced by firing slits guarded by Zadkiel’s
  finest warriors.
  Inside, things are different.
  The inner keep of the Castle of Protection radiates
  both security and serenity. The great central hall,
  known as the Living Room, feels warm and inviting.
  Thick Persian carpets line the floors. Delicious
  smells waft through the air.
  Zadkiel’s angels and the human souls who follow
  her Word are the Castle’s staff, along with some loyal
  dog souls and a few geese. Aetius keeps watch on the
  walls, while Jane Addams helps find mortals in need
  – but most of Zadkiel’s servants work on Earth, only
  returning for healing, respite, or Trauma.
  Zadkiel’s angels store their Hearts safely in the cas-
  tle keep. Next to the chambers where the Hearts rest
  is the Zadkiel’s sitting room and office. She is often
  there, always willing to hear petitions.
  It should be noted that while Zadkiel’s office
  shows her affinity for Islam, she does not impose it
  upon the rest of her people. She, and those of her
  Servitors who also follow the religion, do so within
  Khalid’s Mosque – frequently in full abaya so that
  they will not upset any new blessed souls there.
  The Living Room
  Nearly all corridors in Zadkiel’s Castle lead to the
  Living Room, and Zadkiel’s angels prefer it to any-
  where in Heaven for resting, relaxing, or just hang-
  ing out. No matter how many (or few) angels and
  blessed souls are gathered in the Living Room, the
  chamber feels cozy. When many angels gather, the
  chamber is a luxurious hotel lobby; for a handful,
  the room is five steps wide.
  Portraits of Zadkiel’s Servitors line the walls, easy
  chairs and sofas provide seating for all comers, but
  there is no viewscreen present; Zadkiel believes that
  comfort means people, and that a room with a tele-
  vision or scrying pool is distracting.
  The Trauma Ward
  The Ward is deep within the foundations of the
  Castle, even more secure than the vaults housing
  the Hearts of Zadkiel’s Servitors. There,
  Ministering Angels (Heaven and Hell, p. 66) care for
  those who have not awakened from their Trauma in
  months . . . years . . . or centuries. Other Archangels
  are free to volunteer their own Servitors (as patients
  or caretakers) for their own reasons, but Zadkiel
  sends her own angels there as a penalty for disso-
  nance (p. 24). For every note of dissonance Zadkiel
  removes, the angel must spend an uninterrupted
  week caring for the patients there.
  The Bailey
  Just inside the main gate of the castle is a broad,
  open space. There, angels of Protection and blessed
  souls train for battle against the forces of Hell –
  with emphasis on defense.
  The instructors at the Bailey, mostly Dempseyites
  (see p. 33), have a reputation throughout Heaven for
  teaching, above all else, that a good offense makes
  the best defense. They know tactics for getting a
  noncombatant out of a combat zone; they train to
  defend positions with fanatic fervor; and, somehow,
  most days include at least one ear-shattering kaboom.
  TETHERS
  Zadkiel’s Tethers tend to be small, obscure loca-
  tions that are cozy and inviting, providing a profound
  sense of reassurance to those who shelter within.
  That nice old lady down the street who always has an
  open ear, a hot meal, and a little bit of money to 
  get people back on their feet might be a Seneschal.
  20
  Z A D K I E L
  Zadkiel’S CaStle
  TEAMWORK
  Often, a Protector is the sole guardian for a
  human, or the lone backup fighter sent to rescue
  Servitors who found more trouble than expected.
  There just aren’t enough of Zadkiel’s angels to go
  around. Still, Protectors prefer to work in teams.
  Zadkielite training includes the basics of team-
  work from the very beginning. Tactics is a com-
  mon skill – tactics for combat between
  individuals, small combat units, even armies.
  This training is especially useful when defending
  Tethers, where manpower is always available for
  a team effort.
  
  21
  Z A D K I E L
  The shelter that provides meals to the hungry and
  beds to the homeless, the rehab center that treats its
  patients with care, the center for battered women,
  the halfway house helping people get off the streets
  – any of these are possible Tethers of Zadkiel. It’s said
  that one of her most notable Tethers is in the
  Switzerland Red Cross headquarters, but Zadkiel
  doesn’t discuss tactical information with those who
  don’t need to know.
  Zadkiel is reluctant to appoint Word-bound
  Seneschals; in her view, an angel Word-bound to a
  Tether is under a death sentence. Most of her
  Seneschals are only attuned (Liber Castellorum,
  p. 30). Some Word-bound ones transferred from
  others (especially Novalis) when Zadkiel was ele-
  vated. She demands her angels obey all her Word-
  bound Seneschals as superior officers, out of respect
  for their great sacrifice.
  In GURPS terms, a Word-bound Seneschal of
  Protection has an extra level of celestial Rank, at least in
  the eyes of her fellow Servitors.
  H.A.R.P. HOUSES
  H.A.R.P. (Homes Away from Rape and
  Persecution) provides secret havens for victims of
  rape, abuse, and other threats to women and chil-
  dren. The organization conceals its houses’ loca-
  tions, ensures security against intrusion or attack,
  and trains its clients to defend themselves, both in
  courts of law and on the streets. The original
  HARP House became a Tether to Protection,
  and since then Zadkiel’s angels have infiltrated
  the organization. Now, in addition to its original
  purpose, H.A.R.P. provides support for angels
  who need to stay out of sight while remaining on
  Earth to fulfill their duties.
  Most HARP House workers are ordinary
  humans, ignorant of the War, but at least one
  Soldier of God is placed in every HARP chapter
  to organize Heavenly activities. Actual HARP
  Houses fall under the protection of one or two
  angels, who assist other angels in need and help
  protect, teach, and comfort the mundane clients
  of the organization. Angels of other services also
  work with H.A.R.P. now and then (p. 31), usually
  as transporters, short-term bodyguards, or other
  support crew.
  HARP House is a fictionalization of similar organ-
  izations which exist in real life to protect the abused.
  GMs may wish to substitute a real group in individual
  campaigns.
  We Guard the GuardianS
  PROTECTORS, DEFENDERS
  Serve the Word of Protection with all your heart,
  mind, and soul. Fragile humans are more precious
  than life, and angels need a passionate, burning urge
  to protect them. Those who do not dream of pro-
  tecting have no home in Zadkiel’s service. She and
  her angels strive to impress her ideals upon new
  Servitors. She grieves when this urging drives angels
  away, but it produces the desired results: Her
  Protectors are devoted to her cause.
  By the standards of many other celestials,
  Protectors are as humanity-mad as Mercurians.
  Maybe one mortal must die to save a hundred, but it
  is never right. Every human’s life is worth more than
  a score of angels. Protectors would rather risk them-
  selves than glorious humanity.
  The priorities Zadkiel sets for her Servitors are
  simple:
  1. Protect Humans. First, last, and always,
  humans must be protected. Eliminate their fears,
  assure their safety, and restore their courage. Destroy
  any threats to life, security, and freedom (especially
  threats posed by demons), but without endangering
  more humans or weakening Heavenly defenses. Each
  human must be reminded that Allah, be he Merciful,
  stands with the devout in the fight against evil.
  
  2. Help Angels in Need.
  When humans are not jeopard-
  ized, Servitors of Protection aid
  angels who need backup when a
  fight goes wrong, a place to hide
  and heal, or just a hundred rounds
  of .343 high-velocity ammunition.
  Lives are more important than
  mere territory. Zadkiel expects a
  position to fall if its defense would
  mean forsaking another. Other
  Words have weaknesses, and her
  angels must fill in those gaps in the
  defenses. Thus, many Protectors
  are jacks-of-all-trades.
  3. Promote Protection. True to
  the ideals of Protection, abstracts
  like Word-promotion come after
  the needs of real people – a focus
  that weakens the Archangel, though
  it benefits humans. When they can
  be spared, angels of Protection work
  with humans to overcome fear,
  hatred, suspicion, and selfishness.
  Usually, they only have time to
  encourage and aid humans who are
  already trying to do that – they pro-
  tect the protectors.
  For her part, Zadkiel rewards
  success, forgives failure, and gives
  her angels great latitude to serve
  her Word.
  What’s in a Gender?
  Not all of Zadkiel’s Servitors
  share her insistence on linking
  Protection with female human ves-
  sels. Slightly less than half don’t care what gender
  their corporeal bodies are, so long as they have
  enough mobility to do their jobs and spread ran-
  dom acts of protection. The others are split into
  four attitudes: those who agree whole-heartedly
  with Zadkiel, those who identify more with male
  vessels and “male” notions of protection, those
  who do it out of respect for their Archangel’s
  beliefs, and those who don’t care personally but do
  believe that political or social issues are better
  addressed with female vessels.
  That said, Zadkiel very much does prefer to
  grant female vessels. She’ll select male vessels for
  some jobs, but most male Protectors spent time
  patiently assuring Mother of the importance of
  this particular vessel for the job, and reminding her
  that fathers and brothers are also protectors and
  need good role models. This is considered a “rite
  of passage” by the Brothers (p. 33), to be under-
  taken with good humor. Some of her Muslim
  angels also request male vessels to avoid confusing
  humans. Zadkiel goes over her arguments about
  why this is not necessary (above), but without
  anger. Her people are allowed to disagree with her
  or simply reiterate that they don’t trust themselves
  not to be confusing.
  22
  Z A D K I E L
  THE LOGIC OF FEMALE VESSELS
  As noted on p. 11, Zadkiel has discussed the “gender matter”
  with Khalid from time to time. As Khalid is an Elohite, she
  gathered many reasons to justify her decision to favor female
  vessels. These are her top six.
  1. She believes that Allah would not have made her what she
  is, had He not intended this result. She considers this is Allah’s
  will because she is not dissonant; thus, He must see no flaw.
  2. She wants her Servitors to understand and harmonize with
  the deep maternal urge to protect that she herself feels. (See p. 10
  as to whether protection and maternity are really linked.)
  3. Female vessels may often slip by unnoticed, to work
  minor miracles of protection without drawing attention.
  When a child feels an unseen hand pushing him away from
  the well, who regards the woman across the square, balanc-
  ing a jar on her head?
  4. Many humans think of women as “harmless” or “protec-
  tive.” It’s often easier for Zadkiel’s Servitors to win the trust of
  the victimized while in female form.
  5. Cruel humans and demons both tend to pick on
  “weaker” victims – seeding the “target” population with
  angels who can handle such predators will make the remain-
  ing predators more wary.
  6. The prohibition against female angels is actually a mis-
  translation of the original angelic, and therefore has no bearing
  on anything. Though both Khalid and Zadkiel have delicately
  attempted to find out what language Gabriel was speaking
  when he dictated the Quran to Muhammad, the Archangel has
  never given them a straight answer. Still, Zadkiel can point to
  Gabriel’s current gender; if Gabriel had spoken Allah’s true
  words against female-seeming angels, then the Prophet of
  Heaven would not now take that vessel!
  
  ORGANIZATION
  He looked back. “You? I know you! You trust beyond
  reason!”
  She met his eyes steadily. “Yes. It’s how I get results
  beyond hope. As you may recall.”
  –Lois McMaster Bujold, A Civil Campaign
  Zadkiel and Novalis have similar leadership styles.
  Instead of following a chain of command, the angels
  of Protection gather for a mission and break apart
  when it is done. Zadkiel’s angels are supposed to go
  out and act – take care of business, seek out those
  who need their help, and give it. It’s as common for
  a 9-Force Protector to seek out a Vassal or Master
  and ask for a task force as it is for a Vassal to round
  up angels for an assignment.
  The only angels who are immune to such requests
  are Zadkiel’s Ambassadors, because they are too busy
  in Heaven. Even Masters are expected to help when
  asked, and to ask for volunteers rather than
  ordering other angels into action. (In emer-
  gencies, those with Distinctions get obedi-
  ence first and questions later. Protection is
  casual about rank, not stupid.)
  The exceptions to this “earn respect
  before ordering” tradition are Zadkiel’s few
  Word-bound Seneschals (pp. 20-21) and
  any bearer of Zadkiel’s Aegis (p. 7). Not that
  they have to throw their weight around –
  they get plenty of help just by asking. Still,
  they need not explain anything. And some-
  times they don’t.
  Zadkiel provides instruction in a vast
  range of disciplines, but there are no unified
  training programs for her Servitors, save for
  Songs and teamwork (p. 20). Protectors are
  free to explore interesting avenues of
  knowledge, and encouraged to pick up a
  smattering of abilities in many different
  areas. They are expected to learn a few
  combat skills, but the specific skill sets vary
  as widely as the other areas of learning
  Zadkiel provides.
  Aside from irregular check-ups, Zadkiel
  does not keep her servants on a leash.
  When Zadkiel does drop in, however, she
  questions her Servitors thoroughly. Zadkiel
  worries about her angels almost as much as
  she does about humanity, and keeps a sharp
  lookout for those who might stray from
  righteousness.
  Zadkiel cooperates fully with Dominic on
  any major violations of the Heavenly code, but (like
  most Archangels) regards her angels’ conduct as a
  family affair. With few exceptions, Defenders can
  rely upon her support and love, and they return this
  loyalty many times over.
  Rewards and Punishments
  No matter how bad the situation might be,
  Zadkiel gives gentle encouragement and love. She
  rewards success with generous, thoughtful gifts. She
  reluctantly doles out punishments for those who
  have strayed, but forgiveness comes as soon as the
  erring servant mends her ways.
  23
  Z A D K I E L
  MORE IMPORTANT
  THAN WORDS
  Even for a minor Superior, Zadkiel has very few Words
  in her service. Most concepts related to Protection also
  relate to other Words, and more powerful Archangels take
  priority. The Angel of Self-Defense serves David, and has
  for many centuries. Further, Zadkiel’s angels focus on
  humans to the exclusion of the politics required for gaining
  Words, and don’t raise objects or concepts above people.
  In the Seraphim Council, Zadkiel focuses on defending
  humans and persuading other Archangels to retaliate
  against aggressive demons. Servitors seeking a Word have
  their Archangel’s sponsorship and moral support, but for
  practical support, they’re on their own.
  Most of Zadkiel’s few Word-bound are specialized: the
  Angel of Last Stands (the third Cherub to hold that Word,
  in constant conflict with the Kobalite Demon of Famous
  Last Words); the Angel of Caution, a Kyriotate Master of
  the Watch; or the Elohite Angel of Intervention, who bat-
  tles the Malphan Shedite of Intervention’s attacks on hap-
  piness and family ties by the corruption of well-intended
  acts. One of Zadkiel’s Seraphim recently became the new
  Angel of the Right to Bear Arms, while a Mercurian is cur-
  rently before the Council to plead her case for the Word of
  Gun Control. Sadly, the Angel of Stockades’ Word was
  tainted by internment camps in World War II, making her
  a shadow of herself.
  Zadkiel and her Servitors
  offer rest from the trials of life
  and the War.
  
  Like most Archangels, Zadkiel commonly grants
  Resources as rewards; Rites, attunements, or
  Distinctions are bestowed if she feels the next assign-
  ment will require them. To her mind, giving a boon
  puts pressure on the recipient to do more – possibly
  more than the angel can – and asking that would be
  against Allah’s will. She’s more generous with Songs,
  but prefers the personal touch of presents. These gifts
  need not be practical; after a Cherub rescued seven
  children from a bordello serving Lust, she was
  placed on the list of beta testers for a new version of
  her favorite first-person-shooter computer game.
  Zadkiel assigns punishments personally, as Mother
  to her angels. She does not punish failure; only lack
  of effort, egregious carelessness, or deliberate dis-
  obedience merit anything more severe than disap-
  pointment. Trivial acts, such as disrespect to other
  angels, seldom result in more than a quiet lecture.
  Spectacular errors earn a long stint of guard duty on
  Heaven’s walls, interspersed with study or training
  sessions to shore up the weaknesses in the angel’s
  skills or attitudes.
  Zadkiel never uses dissonance or Discord as pun-
  ishments, nor does she allow either to linger. If the
  requirements of a mission, or the need to protect or
  rescue a human being, brought dissonance on an
  angel, that dissonance is expunged.
  If the angel could have avoided dissonance, she
  will get an earful about how her actions harmed
  herself and others. Dissonance is, after all, a sign of
  transgression against Allah’s will, refusing the path
  that one was meant to walk. The circumstances
  will determine the nature of the punishment: a
  week at a Tether, weeks or months guarding the
  walls of Heaven or the Trauma Ward (p. 20), some
  noxious duty, or even indefinite assignment to a
  Tether as security. (If Zadkiel is very annoyed, 
  the offending angel may be sent to a Tether of
  Lightning.)
  Any Servitor with more than two notes of disso-
  nance, whether converted to Discord or not, may
  receive punishment up to and including Force-strip-
  ping if her explanation isn’t true enough for
  Seraphim and objective enough for Elohim.
  Commonly, she loses all Distinctions, Servitor
  Attunements, and material support. Such angels are
  often recalled to Heaven; humans are too precious to
  be protected by unreliable Servitors.
  Extreme violations of Heavenly law (e.g., consort-
  ing with demons or using the Song of Fruition to
  bear young with a human) go to Dominic’s
  Inquisition for trial. Even then, Zadkiel will ask for
  mercy for a penitent.
  In most other matters, Zadkiel is lenient compared
  to the Inquisition; this encourages her Servitors to
  come to her when they stray. On the other hand,
  those angels closest to Zadkiel prefer to confess to
  someone else. Zadkiel’s disappointment can sting the
  heart of a Protector more deeply than even a painful
  Force-stripping.
  24
  Z A D K I E L
  CHARACTER POINTS AND GENEROSITY
  When sending someone into a tough situa-
  tion Zadkiel might logically grant a Rite,
  attunement, or even a Distinction – whether
  the character has the points for it or not! Here
  are some suggestions for the GM to keep
  Protector PCs from overwhelming their less-
  mothered fellows.
  ✠ Starting characters can be assumed to have
  been granted any additional attunements because
  they were sent down quickly. Point costs don’t
  need to be worried about, since they are already
  assessed and this is part of their back-story.
  ✠ Though she’d like to, Zadkiel cannot grant
  the boon at this time, since she is over-taxed else-
  where and doesn’t have the energy to spare. She’ll
  give the Servitor a different reward (that doesn’t
  cost character points).
  ✠ The GM may withhold several points per
  session to pay for a hasty boon. However, the GM
  should never withhold all experience points to
  pay for something the GM chose to grant.
  ✠ The player can ask for the PC to be sent into
  a sticky situation, spending earned points to get a
  desired ability. This is an opportunity for the GM
  to come up with an adventure where the boon
  will be useful.
  ✠ The GM can decide that all Superiors do this,
  as “mission insurance” when sending someone
  who might not fit the job description, or otherwise
  reward their Servitors. (Keep track of who got
  what, to avoid inadvertently playing favorites.)
  
  Outcasts and the Fallen
  Zadkiel never Casts Out an angel. No crime, no
  matter how vile, justifies that betrayal. Her angels
  can come to her at any time and receive a fair and
  merciful hearing, and she will support them in their
  hour of need. She opposes exiling angels from
  Heaven as a punishment, for she believes casting
  someone out is just like casting them into Hell. Even
  death is more merciful.
  Should one of her angels crack or hide her Heart
  and flee to Earth, Zadkiel’s trust and support van-
  ishes. If an accidental Outcast goes straight to a
  Tether to make a complete confession, Zadkiel will
  give her another chance. An Outcast who hides has
  begun to work against Allah’s plan, and accepted
  Lucifer’s lie of Pride. Zadkiel turns her back on
  that angel, saying, “She has died. I do not know
  this heretic.”
  Of course, Zadkiel seldom lets it get that far. She
  sees every Outcast as a traitor to Allah and will not
  allow one of her own to Fall if she can prevent it . . .
  especially if preventing it means the Outcast does
  not live to further betray Heaven.
  If an Outcast angel of Protection survives, evades
  capture, and eventually Falls – rare indeed – Zadkiel
  will move Heaven and Earth to see the Fallen dead.
  Nothing is more dangerous to Protection than
  betrayal, and to Zadkiel, Falling is the ultimate
  betrayal. Zadkiel will pay almost any price for proof
  that a Fallen angel of Protection is soul-killed.
  Even if, by some incredible circumstance, the
  Fallen Protector is redeemed, she is still dead to
  Zadkiel. An angel who has betrayed Allah once will
  never, ever be trusted again.
  REDEEMED ANGELS
  Zadkiel shares Novalis’ hope that all demons
  might be redeemed someday, but really, it’s easier to
  kill them. (Aside from Lilim; see p. 12.) Despite her
  deep anger toward Lucifer’s rebels, however, she
  does accept some demons for redemption. Some
  even come to her for redemption, despite Hellish
  propaganda that Zadkiel is an insane killer.
  Zadkiel’s requirements are strict. First, she does
  not accept Fallen angels; those who have betrayed
  Allah once are not welcome in her presence. If they
  are sincerely seeking Heaven, she will offer safe pas-
  sage to a Tether of Judgment instead.
  The repentant demon must be willing to give up
  all selfish desires in favor of the needs of humanity,
  proving his sincerity through consistent good
  works. This may not be easy! Further, a Seraph
  and another angel must speak for the demon
  before Zadkiel will appear. These restrictions pro-
  tect the demon, by reducing the chance the he will
  die from insufficient repentance. (It does work; if
  she agrees to attempt redemption, the subject usu-
  ally survives.)
  A penitent may fail to live up to Zadkiel’s expecta-
  tions, or decide that redemption is harder than going
  Renegade. Such demons are transported to a Tether
  of Judgment – in chains, if necessary.
  Zadkiel doesn’t have very many redeemed angels,
  and she watches them very carefully. This is inspired
  by love, not spite. She always worries that a soul born
  in Hell could be drawn that way again. The
  redeemed find Zadkiel especially kind; Zadkiel
  knows which of her own need her love the most.
  25
  Z A D K I E L
  TRIAL BY FIRE: RENEGADE DEMON JOBS
  Zadkiel has no shortage of deniable or haz-
  ardous jobs for those few demons who seek her
  out for redemption. One common task is bring-
  ing Essence to ethereals cooperating with
  Protection; it’s trivial, but gives demons some-
  thing to do while a proper mission is arranged.
  Common tasks for repentant demons have
  three components. First, they involve humans –
  either rescuing them or eliminating an infernal
  predator. Second, the demon’s former allegiances
  are disregarded; the penitent is expected to betray
  former associates without qualm. (Yes, this is
  ironic, considering Zadkiel’s opinions on angelic
  trust.) Lastly, the assignment is always dangerous
  to the brink of suicide. The demon’s commitment
  to Heaven must be total, and self must be placed
  second to the will of Allah.
  Zadkiel always secretly assigns at least one angel
  to keep an eye on “her” Renegades, to see how
  they operate when “alone.” The angelic overseer
  may make her presence known – especially if she
  must protect any humans involved – but Zadkiel
  will take this into account when deciding whether
  or not a demon has passed her test.
  
  Protection’s redeemed receive no formal
  training. Zadkiel and her elder Servitors give
  advice and guidance, encouraging the new angel
  in her new job. Zadkiel treats ex-demons as
  newly fledged angels, calling them “fledglings”
  until they have earned their Choir Attunement.
  Redeemed demons receive their Choir
  Attunements for achievement. Successfully
  defending a human from demonic attack is the
  most certain way to “graduate,” but recently
  redeemed angels are never assigned to protect
  humans directly. Preventing a suicide, bringing
  families back together, or protecting communi-
  ties from outside forces may also merit promo-
  tion. Sometimes, no specific act is required;
  Zadkiel may grant the Choir Attunement as a
  gesture of trust to the redeemed after a brief
  trial period.
  CHOIRS
  The Defenders serve a Cherub Archangel
  with a Cherubic Word, so it’s only to be
  expected that the Cherub opinion will be valued
  more than usual. Fortunately, not all Cherubim
  of Protection act like God’s gift to bodyguard-
  ing; likewise, though most Defenders fall into
  general patterns, there are exceptions – espe-
  cially for player characters.
  The Cherub’s Cherubim
  Cherubim of Protection so dedicate them-
  selves to defense that they alarm some angels,
  including other Cherubim. Zadkiel’s Guardians
  say if you’re not guarding, you’re not living.
  They train constantly. Tracking is a common
  skill among them – people need Protection even
  before you get close enough to attune. Many collect
  languages – if you can’t speak Spanish in Spanish
  Harlem, your questions won’t get many answers.
  Last, first, and always, there are weapons. When not
  training with them, the Hayyoth are cleaning or
  repairing them, checking backward and forward for
  the slightest hint of failure.
  When not on assignment, Cherubim of
  Protection seek people who need help. Tethers and
  angelic contacts may know of assaults on Infernals,
  someone might need backup, or a mundane could
  use a hand walking home after work. Such freelanc-
  ing is like a stick of gum for a cigarette addict – it
  helps, but it doesn’t satisfy.
  Fortunately, boredom is rare. Every Archangel
  (even Jordi) has humans they want Protected, and
  Zadkiel rarely has enough Guardians to go around.
  Occasionally, the Archangel assigns a Cherub to a
  Saint or Soldier as a partner. These pairings act as
  special agents in mixed angelic groups, ensuring that
  the most urgent missions of Heaven contain both
  Protection and mortal viewpoints. Further, the
  human is the Protector’s boss, being the expert on
  Earthly matters, and any other angels had better
  treat him as at least an equal.
  Zadkiel’s Cherubim regard themselves as the elite
  of their kind, honed and refined nigh unto perfec-
  tion. This attitude rarely endears them to others of
  their Choir.
  26
  Z A D K I E L
  MODES OF ADDRESS
  Zadkiel dislikes the impersonal title of
  Archangel. Like Novalis, she prefers “Mother.”
  Unlike Novalis, Zadkiel insists: not Mom,
  Mommy, nor Mama, though some Servitors of
  Novalis call her “Aunt” or “Sister.” Zadkiel does
  not use any diminutive term such as “dearie,”
  “kid,” or any abbreviation of her Servitors’ names.
  She also avoids the term “child,” out of considera-
  tion to Christopher, Cherub Archangel of
  Children. Instead, she uses the angel’s proper name
  or appropriate alias or Role for the angel in ques-
  tion. She also permits other angels to call her by
  her name alone, as long as they do so with respect.
  When being excruciatingly formal, one Servitor
  is a Zadkielah, while several are Zadkielot, but
  Zadkielines or Zadkielites are far more commonly
  used terms. To each other, they are Protectors,
  Defenders, Sisters (and Brothers). Among
  Protectors, a 9-Force fledgling is entitled to the
  same respect as a Seraph Master of the Watch. The
  fledgling should follow the Master’s instructions, of
  course, but the Master will strive to be worthy.
  Demons refer to angels of Protection (and
  Flowers) as Mother-Hens, mocking their intense
  concern for human safety. The term has spread to
  certain groups in Heaven; Servitors of Stone and
  Lightning often feel it captures the Zadkieline lack
  of sense. A few Protectors have adopted the label –
  the mother hen counts her chicks and keeps them
  warm and secure – but most resent it as the insult
  it’s intended to be.
  
  Seraphim
  Seraphim of Protection prefer Roles that combine
  authority and nosiness. They seek to unravel the
  self-deceptions that surround and endanger others.
  In Heaven, they monitor their fellows for fatigue,
  heartbreak, and bitterness.
  Empathy with humans comes hard for Seraphim,
  but Zadkiel’s have learned the Truth can cut deeper
  than a blade. They must administer it gently, with
  carefully chosen words. They gain nothing if a
  revealed self-deception is rejected by a resentful sub-
  ject. Still, it’s a struggle to hold back the truth, and
  Zadkiel’s Seraphim are quiet beings who demon-
  strate their goodwill with handshakes, hugs, and
  caresses. They get along especially well with
  Seraphim of Creation, Flowers – and Animals.
  Ofanim
  Not everyone has a personal guardian angel – but
  there are Ofanim. The Wheels patrol neighbor-
  hoods, cities, even entire regions, watching for anyone
  in trouble. Many are helicopter pilots; they love to
  keep a chopper’s eye view of the world, with the radio
  channel open and hot for any requests for backup.
  27
  Z A D K I E L
  Sample Servitor of Zadkiel
  CELINE
  Seraph of Protection
  Corporeal Forces – 3 Strength 7
  Agility 5
  Ethereal Forces – 3
  Intelligence 8
  Precision 4
  Celestial Forces – 3
  Will 6
  Perception 6
  Vessel: Human/2 (female, mid-20s), Charisma +1
  (attractive, trustworthy)
  Role: “Celine Trist,” Counselor/3, Status/2
  Skills: Detect Lies/1, Dodge/3, Driving/1, Emote/1,
  Fast-Talk/4, Fighting/3, Knowledge/3 (Psychology),
  Ranged Weapon/2 (Pistol), Savoir-Faire/4
  Song: Harmony (Ethereal/3)
  Attunement: Seraph of Protection
  CELINE, SERAPH
  OF PROTECTION
  677 1/2 POINTS
  ST 16 [20]; DX 13 [-10]; IQ 18 [45]; HT 16 [20].
  Speed 7.25; Move 7.
  Dodge 8.
  Advantages: Basic Celestial Template [480]; Choir
  (Seraph) [26]; Choir Attunement (Seraph of
  Protection) [54]; Combat Reflexes [15]; Essence
  Control 9 [0]; Role (Counselor) 3 [15]; Vessel
  (Human woman; Attractive; 8 Extra Hit Points) [75].
  Disadvantages:
  Reduced Alertness -4 [-20];
  Reduced Hit Points (Mind) -1 [-2]; Reduced Manual
  Dexterity -4 [-12]; Servitor of Protection [-16]; Weak
  Will -4 [-32].
  Quirks: Tries to stay “in-character” for her Role [-1].
  Skills: Acting-16 [1/2]; Brawling-14 [2]; Detect
  Lies-15 [1/2]; Driving (Car)-13 [1/2]; Fast-Talk-19
  [4]; Guns (Pistol)/TL7-15 [1]; Psychology-18 [4];
  Savoir-Faire-20 [4].
  Languages: Angelic (native)-18 [0]; English
  (native)-18 [0].
  Songs: Harmony (Ethereal)-15 [4].
  Celine Trist appears to be a talented young civil
  services worker, a family counselor just out of college
  with all sorts of ideals still jangling in her head. Her
  first few cases already show marked improvement,
  and her superiors discuss her record for possible
  career advancement and promotion in her near future.
  In fact, Celine is a Seraph, recently established in a
  Role on Earth. She prefers to remain within her Role
  and relieve the people she counsels of their deadly
  self-deceptions. As a Protector, sadly, she is forced
  into physical means of defense more often than she’d
  like. When her Ethereal Song of Harmony fails to
  stop an attacker, her unregistered .22-calibre pistol
  does the trick.
  Celine is always impeccably dressed and totally
  proper with her manners. Despite this apparent per-
  fection, she has few problems getting people to open
  up to her. She greets her clients with warm smiles, hav-
  ing learned to accept the imperfections of humanity . . .
  although she can always work for improvement.
  Celine is a balanced In Nomine starting character. To
  make her a balanced GURPS In Nomine character, she
  would need to lose 17 and a half points – remove her
  Combat Reflexes, and give her Guns-14 [1/2] and Savoir-
  Faire-19 [2].
  
  Zadkiel’s Wheels generally serve as watchmen for
  Tethers, bases, safe houses, and angelic groups on
  Earth. Some are formidable warriors, but their pri-
  mary function is messenger – particularly the mes-
  sage of, “Come quick, bring all your friends, and
  don’t spare the ammo.”
  In recent years, many Wheels of Protection have
  taken Lassie as their mascot. They understand the
  troubles that can befall someone bringing help to an
  injured or trapped human. And every last one of them
  has felt the annoyance of getting people to under-
  stand that, yes, Timmy fell down the well again.
  Elohim
  Zadkiel has few Powers; they rarely share the deep
  and overwhelming love for humans Zadkiel holds,
  but do understand loving the culture that keeps
  humans from barbarism. These Dynamis provide
  the brakes for their fellows’ runaway adoration for
  mortals. It makes them unpopular, but they know it’s
  important work.
  Elohim of Protection do believe in protecting
  humans, though. Humans need angelic help to
  counter supernatural corruption; the Powers deliver
  it with a light touch, encouraging humans to do the
  right thing on their own. Save someone from a fire
  and you’ve saved one life – save a firefighter from
  despair and you’ve saved many more.
  Elohim prefer deep-cover Roles that permit them
  to do their work and move on after the human is on
  the path of Protection. Once started, forward
  momentum takes care of the rest.
  Malakim
  Zadkiel’s Malakim are virtually all female. They
  form an insular group, known as the Sorores
  Honoris, or “Sisters of Honor.” They are both pro-
  tectors at large for humanity and backup for other
  angels. An angel sent into Diabolical turf often has
  a Soror Honoris lurking behind, guarding against
  sneak attacks.
  Like many of their Choir-mates and unlike most
  other Protectors, Zadkiel’s Virtues seek out evil to
  slay when not on assignment, and rarely give Mother
  a chance to say no. If no demons are
  convenient, there are always human
  murderers, crime lords, and corrupt
  politicians. A crooked cop’s badge
  makes a nice trophy, even if paid for
  with a stint guarding Heaven’s walls.
  All things being equal, the Sorores
  Honoris would rather be on Earth, back-
  ing up raids to free human slaves or rid-
  ing along with SWAT teams to storm a
  drug lord’s den. The Sorority enjoys
  combat in a righteous cause . . . and to
  their minds, the only righteous cause is
  the protection of the innocent.
  However, most of Sorority will cover
  up a note or two of dissonance in
  another Malakite – if the dissonant
  Malakite is in danger of death, and is
  working to expunge the dissonance and
  mend his or her ways. Protection is
  needed, even if it means setting King against King,
  and Malakim don’t risk Falling.
  A small but significant minority of Zadkielite
  Virtues disapprove of mercy for the dissonant. A dis-
  sonant Malakite is a danger to everyone. It’s like let-
  ting a rabid tiger make its den in an elementary
  school. These Virtues, who prefer male vessels to
  distinguish them from their fellows, are not popular
  with the Sorores Honoris – but it is concern, not anger,
  which makes their brothers speak out.
  Kyriotates
  Least attached to any one gender, Dominations
  are Zadkiel’s reserve forces and solo spies. In violent
  situations, they are the troops of last resort.
  Normally, they watch and listen, taking no action
  beyond the minimum necessary. Not even the most
  paranoid Hive has a greater concern for its host than
  Zadkiel does, and her assignments reflect this. Most
  prefer to take over mortals in danger only when
  there’s no other option.
  28
  Z A D K I E L
  CREATION IN SERVICE
  TO PROTECTION
  Considering how much Eli and Zadkiel both love humans, it’s odd
  that Eli didn’t send more of his Servitors to Protection. Or perhaps
  not. Creationers in Zadkiel’s service are treasured allies, but no more.
  Zadkiel may feel the orphaned Creationers are every bit as much fam-
  ily as her own Servitors, but Creation takes risks and tap-dances where
  sensible angels fear to tread. Creationers are ultimately outsiders.
  Even the most prejudiced Zadkieline acknowledges that all Eli’s
  angels need defending, though. Until Zadkiel realizes that they’d be
  safer confined in Heaven, the Defenders will work with them . . . and
  if Dominicans come around, the Protectors close ranks – sometimes
  quite creatively.
  
  Mercurians
  Mercurians are deep cover operatives, infiltrating
  human organizations to support Heavenly goals.
  They provide the interface between angels who need
  help and the mundanes who run the organizations
  overseen by Protection. From time to time
  Mercurians also get to recruit new Soldiers of God –
  but only if they have six natural Forces, and are
  totally informed of the risks (many) and the benefits
  (few) involved.
  As angels serving Protection, Zadkiel’s Mercurians
  must sometimes fight, and if a Friend must kill a
  human to save a human, she is expected to do so!
  Zadkiel will remove dissonance – if there was no
  other way available. She will likely assign the
  Mercurian to a Tether, to recover from the shock of
  harming a human.
  JOBS
  Zadkiel’s role is Protection – the defense of any-
  thing and everything. She tries to pick the most
  appropriate angel for a job, but her forces are spread
  thin. Sometimes one has to use a plowshare for a
  sword, or a shield to bail water.
  Most Protectors work on tasks which don’t
  duplicate anyone else’s work. Advocates in trials
  come from the forces of Judgment. Tethers are
  defended by the Words to which they belong.
  Even the walls of Heaven itself are guarded prima-
  rily by angels of the Sword. For the most part,
  Servitors of Zadkiel protect a particular human,
  family, or everyone in a given area.
  Some jobs do overlap; any area dominated by a
  particular Heavenly Word is likely to encounter a
  Servitor of Protection, sent to identify the weak
  points of a Word’s tactics and shore them up.
  When they can be spared from defending humans
  and aiding other angels, Zadkiel’s Servitors advance
  the concept of Protection among humans. Michael
  and David handle self-defense, but Zadkiel feels
  their focus lacks appreciation for the greater society.
  Zadkiel’s angels want to give humans empathy for
  others; they teach the reasons for taking a stand
  before they teach the skills. They want to inspire
  courage and self-confidence, so that mortals can
  defend what they love and win against the forces of
  destruction. Unfortunately, they rarely have time to
  focus on more than a few role-models, and hope
  humans will catch on.
  These are difficult goals, even without demons
  trying to scuttle projects overtly and covertly. There
  are a lot of humans, and they come up with new and
  inventive ways to harm others without any infernal
  assistance at all.
  But then, if the job were easy, Heaven
  wouldn’t be involved.
  Celestial Jobs
  Protection has a large permanent presence in
  Heaven. The Ministering Angels (Heaven and
  Hell, p. 66) who serve Zadkiel never leave; their
  purpose confines them to the blessed realm to
  care for wounded angels and broken human
  souls. The Ministers are assisted by relievers
  and souls who find joy in helping others, as
  well as young angels of other Choirs. Older
  angels of the major Choirs are either on the
  wall; mentoring students and new fledges; or
  training in defense and protection, preparing
  to battle the combined forces of Hell at the
  sound of the Final Trumpet.
  The single most common Heavenly task for major
  Choirs is sentry duty on the walls which encircle
  Heaven. Some times this assignment is punishment,
  giving angels time to contemplate their actions while
  waiting for dissonance to be removed. Other times it
  gives shell-shocked or heartbroken Servitors peace
  to recover their equilibrium. In either case, it’s quiet,
  uneventful work – and expected to stay that way till
  Armageddon.
  Ethereal Jobs
  Few of Zadkiel’s angels work in the Marches, but
  some Protectors cooperate with Blandine’s own
  guardians. Zadkiel also assigns highly trusted, dis-
  creet Servitors to two special tasks. Firstly, she sends
  emissaries to ethereal spirits who share her ultimate
  goal: the protection of human beings (p. 17). 
  29
  Z A D K I E L
  STEALTH SONGS
  Zadkiel encourages her Servitors to learn Songs
  well enough to perform them quickly and without
  obvious source. Songs of Harmony, Healing, and
  Motion are good, all-purpose miracles. While they
  still cause disturbance, only non-humans notice –
  the humans are kept safe and ignorant of the War.
  And if a demon should happen to come sniffing
  around, such that one could catch it in a dark alley?
  Zadkiel is unlikely to object to what happens next.
  Just keep your Role intact.
  
  She is particularly favorable
  toward Muslim converts;
  those are usually few and far
  between, though there are
  always rumors (Ethereal
  Player’s Guide, p. 118).
  Ethereals have a role in God’s
  Creation, 
  according 
  to
  Zadkiel; she just doesn’t
  know what it is yet. Secondly,
  ethereals 
  who 
  threaten
  humans . . . well, they’re far
  weaker targets than they used
  to be. Her spirit assassins are
  strong-Willed and intelli-
  gent, frequently Kyriotates,
  and 
  use 
  “Hashishim”
  weapons – a few to the point
  of parody (and a warning
  glare from their Archangel). There are rumors that
  these Protectors have cooperated with Tsayadim, but
  it’s hard to find an actual spirit assassin to ask.
  Zadkielites face danger from all sides in the
  Marches. Dominic’s Inquisition frowns on friendly
  dealings with ethereals (even Muslim ones), and
  Tsayadim usually attack “sympathizers” without
  question. Meanwhile, assassins are feared as angelic
  death-squads by innocent and guilty spirits alike, and
  cooperation with the Tsayadim (if true) has its own
  hazards. Add all the wild or malevolent spirits, plus
  demons of Beleth, and it’s obvious why only the most
  trusted and skilled Defenders carry Zadkiel’s Word
  into the Marches.
  That doesn’t mean that some poor Protector
  won’t occasionally find herself trying to keep her
  special charge safe from ethereals, demons, or bad
  dreams, though. Best to keep on good terms with
  the Dreamers.
  Corporeal Jobs
  Earth is where the humans are, where the War is,
  and where Protection is most needed. Specific jobs
  could include anything, but missions usually fall into
  two major categories: the “internal” and “external”
  protection of humans.
  “Internal Protection” is given to those with the
  Choir Attunements of Seraphim, Elohim, and
  Mercurians. 
  “External 
  Protection” 
  falls 
  to
  Cherubim, Ofanim, Malakim, and Kyriotates.
  Bright Lilim would straddle the two, since they see
  “external protection” Needs even in non-crisis situ-
  ations, and their Geases could be used in subtle or
  overt ways. Likewise, Zadkiel’s Distinctions can
  come in handy for either group.
  While Zadkiel would like to ensure “internal” and
  “external” jobs always go to those angels who can
  best fulfill them, sometimes the only angel who
  doesn’t already have her hands full is the one who
  gets the task. This can be a fast way to get a Choir
  Attunement; Zadkiel usually grants either the
  Malakite or Mercurian one, depending on which
  area the Servitor is “weak.”
  Jobs which could call for both sets of Choir
  Attunements, and which are near and dear to
  Zadkiel’s heart, involve guarding police officers, fire
  fighters, soldiers, caseworkers, and others whose
  duty places them in extreme danger – both physical
  and mental.
  Bodyguard: The vast majority of Zadkiel’s
  Cherubim are guarding specific humans on Earth,
  but any Servitor may be called upon to become a
  bodyguard. Zadkiel’s bodyguards must remain
  secret, lest they attract unwanted attention. Angels
  on bodyguard duty are always given a supervisor –
  either a Seneschal or bearing a Distinction – and
  should report once a week.
  Counseling: Some humans just don’t feel safe.
  This can lead to unnecessary precautions, making
  neighbors worry about the lunatic next door . . . or
  be perfectly justified, requiring a far different
  response! It’s up to the counseling angel to find the
  truth and promote security. (This may include call-
  ing for a strike team, if demonic interference is
  uncovered!)
  30
  Z A D K I E L
  WHO TO PROTECT? WHO TO TEACH?
  Zadkiel would love outreach programs for every human on Earth, but
  that would be difficult even if she were a major Archangel. Filling in the
  gaps in Heaven’s defenses makes such a goal impossible. Therefore, her
  focus is on Protection. Not teaching people to defend themselves, so much
  as personally protecting them, and encouraging humans who protect oth-
  ers. (In her ideal world, there would be so little danger that guardian
  angels could handle it all while humans were happy and safe. She knows
  that’s unlikely to happen any time soon.)
  So her Servitors are assigned to important figures in the War, people
  who seek to aid others, and mortals who cannot protect themselves. When
  they teach the ideals of the Word, they focus on uplifting the image and
  hearts of humans who already protect, either directly (police officer, fire-
  fighter, social worker) or indirectly (librarian, historian, doctor).
  
  Garrison: Protection’s garrison troops do not
  hold territory. Instead, they defend specific loca-
  tions against assault, whether armed attacks, legal
  threats, or economic sanctions. Most such loca-
  tions are safe houses, unconnected to a Tether,
  where angels or humans can heal, recuperate, or
  hide. Protectors are expected to defend these
  places with all their strength and resolve – because
  of the people within them.
  Inspiration and Infiltration: These are usually
  deep cover agents, defending others secretly,
  encouraging brave humans to defend others, or
  working to promote development of protective
  technologies: medicine, safety equipment, etc.
  They may also tap mundane resources if necessary,
  but are forbidden from recruiting for the War.
  They are there to live quietly and act when needed,
  not to make humans do anything.
  Random 
  Protection:
  Every 
  Servitor 
  of
  Protection on Earth is expected to deal out rescues,
  both mundane and miraculous. Naturally, they
  should not be caught working miracles! Fortunately,
  humans rarely recognize a Song as responsible for
  saving them in a close call.
  Retaliation: Protection’s retribution strikes are
  always carried out with overwhelming force, even if
  the threat is just ordinary humans. Physical attacks
  on demons frequently include a reserve (usually
  drawn from the “internal protection” ranks) devoted
  to rescuing human slaves. Zadkiel often briefs and
  debriefs retaliation teams herself.
  Support: Protection runs many kinds of support
  networks on Earth. For legal help, they seek lawyers
  and angels of Judgment. For wounds, they know
  healers and ambulance drivers. For weapons, they
  know Roles and Soldiers with gun shops. For laying
  down the smite . . . they know lots of people, and
  they’ll help.
  Word-Bound Protectorates: Traditionally, a
  Word-bound of Protection will pick a city or town
  and “manage” it, much as Zadkiel worked in the area
  that became Rome. This can last indefinitely, until
  the angel is needed elsewhere.
  What Goes Around, Comes Around
  Zadkielines are always willing to help out. Indeed,
  their first experiences are generally of helping each
  other. It’s a matter of respect – someone asks for help
  and, unless there’s something more pressing, you
  volunteer. Few angels would disagree with this.
  Then comes a Defender’s first experience with the
  corporeal world and angels whose primary goals are
  not only different from Protection’s, but may actu-
  ally be in direct conflict! Even when they’re allies,
  angels on Earth are much busier than in Heaven.
  “Give me five minutes” becomes “No.” This culture
  shock can be traumatic.
  Still, they work hard to stay true to Protection’s
  ideals. Desperate need is answered, no matter how
  unhelpful an angel has been in the past. Angels who
  have shown themselves respectful to Protectors (e.g.,
  by aiding them) are shown the same respect in turn,
  and frequently this works the other direction as well.
  Zadkiel’s Servitors get offended if this is called “trad-
  ing favors,” though! It has nothing to do with barter,
  deals, or haggling. It’s about respect.
  (Naturally, this perplexes Servitors of Marc, who
  see nothing disrespectful in trading.)
  One example of Protection’s expectations is the
  Saint Christopher Society (Corporeal Player’s
  Guide, p. 112), a human organization infiltrated
  by Zadkiel to give help to angels, Saints, and
  Soldiers of God traveling across the corporeal
  world. An angel benefiting from the Society may
  be called upon later to give money, help, or merely
  a ride to someone else in need – if for no other
  reason than that the Zadkielites know that angel
  and may have some idea how to contact him.
  Returning the Society’s favor is not mandatory
  but, angels being angels, the Protectors are rarely
  disappointed. (And if they are? Well, desperate
  need is always answered.)
  Protection, Humans, 
  and Mortal Volunteers
  Although Zadkiel works to spread the concepts of
  Protection among humanity, she’d like to keep
  humans out of the War. Failing that, she prefers to
  infiltrate existing human groups for Heaven’s pur-
  poses. She forbids recruitment of mundane humans,
  never assigns human Servants, and accepts Soldiers
  only grudgingly. If a human insists on “signing up,”
  his dedication is tested; all volunteers are turned
  down twice. Laurence often requests the services of
  those who persist and, as a result, the ranks of
  Zadkiel’s human servants are select indeed.
  31
  Z A D K I E L
  Each human must be reminded
  that Allah, be he Merciful, stands
  with the devout against evil.
  
  Normal humans are treated like children and
  kept as far out of the line of fire as possible. If
  they have good mundane jobs they should keep
  those, but there’s always room for more people
  who’ll help others. Typically, aware humans are
  asked to aid Zadkiel’s information network, do
  public relations work for all aspects of the Word,
  manage operations in the Earthly support organ-
  izations Zadkiel runs, and provide logistical sup-
  port for her angels.
  Soldiers of God, being tuned in to the Symphony,
  are regarded as equals in all things except combat,
  and Zadkiel punishes angels who behave otherwise.
  Still, humans are not expected to go up against
  demons, and are taught Songs geared more toward
  escape should a demon appear. Zadkiel’s Soldiers
  work to counteract Hellsworn activity and prepare
  secret safehouses. They work in gun shops, televi-
  sion stations, soup kitchens, military bases, and
  many other places.
  32
  Z A D K I E L
  Sample Saint of Zadkiel
  HORATIUS COCLES
  Saint of Zadkiel
  Corporeal Forces – 3 Strength 7
  Agility 5
  Ethereal Forces – 2
  Intelligence 5 Precision 3
  Celestial Forces – 3
  Will 8
  Perception 4
  Vessel: Human/3 (male veteran warrior with scars,
  missing right eye), Charisma +1 (brave and reliable)
  Skills: Detect Lies/3, Dreaming/4, Fast-Talk/3,
  Fighting/5, Dodge/3, Swimming/4, Small Weapon/5
  (Gladius), Ranged Weapon (Pistol/2, Archery/4),
  Tactics/4, Knowledge/6 (Roman Republic), numer-
  ous languages
  Songs:
  Dreams 
  (Corporeal/6, 
  Ethereal/3,
  Celestial/4), 
  Healing 
  (Corporeal/4), 
  Shields
  (Corporeal/5, Ethereal/3), Seals (Corporeal/5,
  Ethereal/2) (Liber Canticorum, p. 51)
  Advantage: Blessed (Corporeal Player’s Guide,
  p. 26)
  Disadvantage: Damaged Sense/1* (One-eyed)
  Attunement: Aura of Divinity
  * This is only when he is corporeal – which is, admittedly,
  where Saints usually are. In Heaven, he affects the disabil-
  ity, but his Perception is not penalized.
  HORATIUS COCLES, SAINT
  OF ZADKIEL
  675 POINTS
  ST 17 [100]; DX 15 [60]; IQ 13 [30]; HT 17 [80].
  Speed 8; Move 8.
  Dodge 9; Parry 9.
  Advantages: Charisma +1 [5]; Combat Reflexes
  [15]; Divine Favor (Can invoke Zadkiel) [10]; Essence
  Control 8 [1*]; Extra Hit Points +12 [60]; Power
  Investiture (Corporeal) 3 [20*]; Power Investiture
  (Ethereal) 2 [10*]; Power Investiture (Celestial) 3
  [20*]; Recorporealized Saint Template (GURPS In
  Nomine, p. 22) [130]; Servitor Attunement (Aura of
  Divinity) [50]; Strong Will +6 [24].
  Disadvantages: One Eye (Corporeally only, -5%)
  [-14]; Reduced Alertness -2 [-10]; Reduced Manual
  Dexterity -2 [-6]; Reduced Hit Points (Mind) -3 [-7];
  Reduced Hit Points (Soul) -1 [-4]; Sense of Duty
  (needy and heroes) [-10].
  Quirks: Resists having his eye healed; Sympathetic
  to the Olympian pantheon [-2].
  Skills: Area Knowledge (Roman Republic)-14 [2];
  Brawling-18 [8]; Bow-15 [4]; Detect Lies-12 [2];
  Fast-Talk-13 [2]; Guns (Pistol)/TL7-17 [1]; History
  (Roman Republic)-11/17 [2]; Lucid Dreaming-15
  [3*]; Shortsword-17 [8]; Swimming-17 [4]; Tactics-
  13 [4].
  Languages: Angelic (native)-13 [0]; English-12 [1];
  Greek-12 [1]; Latin (native)-13 [0]; 1 point in five
  other languages, chosen by the GM (or more, if
  desired).
  Songs: Dreams (Corporeal)-13 [16]; Dreams
  (Ethereal)-9 [4]; Dreams (Celestial)-11 [8]; Healing
  (Corporeal)-11 [8]; Shields (Corporeal)-12 [12];
  Shields (Ethereal)-9 [4]; Seals (Corporeal)-12 [12];
  Seals (Ethereal)-8 [2].
  * The first level of Horatius’ Power Investiture in
  each realm is part of his Saint template, as is his first
  point in Lucid Dreaming skill, and his initial 7 levels
  of Essence Control.
  Continued on next page . . .
  
  Zadkiel has fewer than 20 Saints. Some are defend-
  ers by arms, such as Horatius Cocles (pp. 32-33).
  Others work through society to prevent exploitation
  of others, such as General George Crook (who sacri-
  ficed his military career protesting the mistreatment
  of Indians). Finally, there are the inspiring leaders,
  such as Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. Saints have it
  better in Zadkiel’s organization than in many other
  services. Indeed, some Servitors of other angels think
  Zadkiel shows too much favoritism to her Saints,
  passing over worthy angels for Distinctions in favor
  of her pets. Protectors point out that Saints are prime
  examples of why Heaven fights, exemplars of human-
  ity’s potential who deserve every reward they get.
  Most of Protection’s Soldiers and Saints work
  alone, but sometimes a handful work together on a
  large job, drifting apart when it’s done.
  ASSOCIATIONS
  Officially, Protection is one big happy family, with-
  out division. Differences of opinion within the family
  do exist, due to disposition or policy. The minority
  view in some cases is notable enough to be named –
  if not by themselves, then by others. Interestingly,
  there are few religious differences. Despite her per-
  sonal views, Zadkiel is quick to remind everyone that
  there are many ways to respect and worship Allah.
  Mothers . . . and Brothers
  Most Servitors of Zadkiel are female-aspected,
  because it’s what Mother wants, because they respect
  her, or because they believe it suits the Word best.
  And some aren’t, for reasons ranging from religious
  belief, to political statements, to simple personality.
  The “Brothers” are sometimes teased by their sib-
  lings, and sometimes viewed as a vital balance in the
  Word – even by the same angels.
  Dempseyites
  The best defense is a good offense.
  – Jack Dempsey
  The Dempseyites (a subgroup far older than
  their name) are the most warlike among
  Protection’s ranks. Where Zadkiel sanctions cau-
  tious overkill only in retaliation for attacks,
  Dempseyites want to hit the demons before they
  can do any harm. Many are “internal protection”
  Choirs who spot victims, then alert Gabrielite
  friends to the presence of victimizers.
  Although many who leave Zadkiel’s service were
  once Dempseyites, the group as a whole enjoys
  serving Protection. They’re too aggressive for
  Flowers, dislike Laurence’s immutable discipline
  and Michael’s no-retreat directive, and love
  humans too much to accept David’s tough policies.
  33
  Z A D K I E L
  Sample Saint of Zadkiel (Continued)
  Contrary to Macaulay’s Lays of Ancient Rome,
  Horatius did not survive his leap into the Tiber
  River from the remains of the Sublician Bridge. The
  two battles, first against the entire Tuscan army and
  then against a wild, treacherous river, proved too
  much for the captain of the guard of Rome. To his
  surprise, the one-eyed warrior arrived not in Hades
  or Elysium, but at the Pearly Gates. After that, it
  was only a matter of time before he became the first
  Saint of Heaven’s newest Archangel.
  Horatius has fought many battles in the service of
  Zadkiel, and he bears his scars proudly. He has had
  Forces stripped away in combat and replaced; he has
  lost his eye again (corporeally), and resists attempts
  to restore his lost vision. He hasn’t slowed down or
  grown weary; indeed, 2,500 years have left him all
  the more able to hold the bridge.
  Although Horatius often acts as emergency rein-
  forcement in times of crisis, his main duty is not
  combat-focused. A lucid dreamer in life, Horatius
  now walks the Marches, seeking the dreams of both
  the troubled and the potentially heroic. A former
  worshipper of the Olympian pantheon, Horatius
  also acts as a special go-between, using his human
  dreamscape as a private meeting place for angels
  and ethereals.
  If a GM desires, Horatius’ missing eye could be
  linked with Odin’s Wyrd attunement (Ethereal
  Player’s Guide, p. 85); he would be found in Heaven
  more often in such a case, allowing Odin to view
  Heaven through the link . . .
  Horatius is an experienced and potent example of
  Zadkiel’s Saints.
  
  34
  Z A D K I E L
  Serving Protection offers a compromise between
  the strict organization of the war Archangels and
  the pacifist policies of the peace faction.
  The Scholars of the Faith
  Zadkiel is not the only one to study the Quran.
  The Scholars – who are not all Muslim – research
  all the holy works they can. Some seek to reconcile
  apparent discontinuities in prophetic works.
  Others wish to understand the similarities between
  different holy traditions, bringing humans
  together with shared beliefs. Others want to refute
  hotheads who urge violence and hatred in the
  name of religion. And a goodly number of Elohim
  simply enjoy the study. They’ll find a use for what
  they’ve learned, eventually.
  SERVING PROTECTION
  If you’re a Protector, you’re family . . . and family
  doesn’t let each other down. The tightly knit
  Defenders keep close contact with one another,
  especially if they work in the same area. Newly
  assigned angels will be given contact information for
  at least one other Zadkieline angel or Soldier.
  They’re not as good about keeping track of angels
  of other Words, partly because the deep-cover ones
  don’t consider “so we can check up on you” to be a
  good enough reason to risk their Roles. Still, their
  web of connections is useful for gathering reinforce-
  ments, or tracking down lost items or people. Most
  Protectors have regular duties, but can quickly call
  up someone able to help. When a Protector falls out
  of contact, duties may be stretched or outright bro-
  ken to find out why, rescue . . . or avenge.
  The care Protectors have for one another is sur-
  passed only by their love of mankind. Even when not
  actively defending humans, Protectors love being
  around them. Of course, humans aren’t perfect crea-
  tures. Drinking, drugs, fast driving, unprotected sex,
  nuclear weapons . . . Protectors shake their heads,
  but don’t lose faith. Indeed, when foolish acts 
  produce marvelous results, Defenders are reaffirmed
  in their faith in humanity – and their faith in God;
  for Zadkiel’s angels, it’s the same thing.
  LAYING DOWN THE SHIELD
  I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I
  just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.
  – Mother Teresa of Calcutta
  Protectors are often confronted with heartbreak,
  failure, and loss – and only Allah can remain vigilant
  all the time. Angels of Protection act as a mutual sup-
  port group, gathering together to lend strength, lis-
  ten to others’ woes, and offer sympathy. If the burden
  of guardianship becomes too heavy, they retreat to
  the Castle until their balance is regained, or travel to
  one of the corporeal places where Protectors may
  relax and ease back into their normal duties.
  Changing Superiors
  Angels who develop significant differences with
  the philosophy of Protection are not encouraged to
  find a new Superior. Zadkiel does not want any angel
  driven out of Protection, or made to feel unwelcome.
  Pressuring angels to leave the service of Protection is
  a punishable offense. Still, if they cannot reconcile
  personal beliefs with the requirements of their serv-
  ice, transfer to another Archangel is better than mis-
  ery and doubt.
  When an angel requests a transfer, Zadkiel asks a
  few questions – nothing like the grilling Dominic
  inflicts, but more than Michael’s grumpy acceptance.
  Once she’s certain the angel is not switching because
  of pressure or mistaken assumptions, but truly wants
  the change, she will approve any
  transfer.
  Distinctions higher than Vassal are removed and
  Choir Attunements other than those of the angel’s
  Choir are lost, but all Servitor Attunements are left
  in place unless the other Archangel requests other-
  wise. Unusually, Zadkiel allows former Servitors to
  retain her Rites and invoke her without penalty.
  Once part of the family, always part of the family.
  Angels who transfer to Protection gain their Choir
  Attunement at once and go straight to work, usually
  in a light duty that allows them to integrate with the
  other Defenders.
  When they can be spared,
  angels of Protection work
  with humans to overcome
  fear, hatred, suspicion, and
  selfishness.
  
  Dealing with Outsiders
  From 
  a 
  Protector’s 
  perspective,
  Servitors from other Words are either
  part of the Protecting or they’re part of
  the Protected. (Or they’re part of the
  threat, but the Protectors try not to think
  such things about fellow angels.) They
  are particularly fond of Laurencians,
  who have a similar mandate to assist
  angels in distress.
  Zadkiel’s 
  angels 
  never 
  refuse
  Protection to any angel. Even annoying
  ones. Even, to Judgment’s ire, Outcast
  ones. (The trio of Protectors who shel-
  tered Eli himself and let him go? They’re
  still in Heaven, under house arrest.
  Zadkiel also wants to talk to Eli.)
  Zadkielines try to stay on reasonably
  good terms with all angels, even those
  serving Words whose beliefs clash with
  those of Protection. Jeanites may be
  aggravating, but there’s no one better to
  handle computer data. A Stonie’s gang
  may be violent and ruthless, but they
  make impressive back up. And “fly on the
  wall” just fits Jordi’s Kyriotates.
  It’s possible for Defenders to make
  friends with locals of nearly every Word,
  save Lightning – the Sparkies follow
  their Superior’s lead there, and believe
  that while a Mother-Hen may be useful
  now and then, Protection is ultimately
  bad for humans. A friendly Jeanite is
  most likely trying to redirect the
  Zadkieline’s attention and behavior.
  Relationships
  Angels of Protection regard each other as family.
  Of course, some members of the family are closer
  than others. Relationships between two Defenders
  are common – friends, lovers, mutually attuned
  Cherubim . . .
  Zadkiel’s angels often have close ties with angels of
  other services, too – especially Laurencians. Jeanites
  entirely avoid such messy entanglements with ineffi-
  cient Protectors, and most Stonies do as well, though
  there have been some notable tragic (or at least
  drama-filled) romances. Protection’s most common
  cross-Word pairings are with Zadkiel’s former
  Superior, Novalis. The Protector usually has a quiet
  role, allowing the Gardener every opportunity to
  reach out, offer aid, and seek peace. Once the angel
  of Flowers is in trouble, then the Protector steps in
  and bails him out – again.
  DEALING WITH JUDGMENT
  Servitors of Protection cooperate to the fullest
  extent with the Inquisition – mostly. Judgment pro-
  tects Heaven from heresy and rebellion, after all.
  When people feel they need Protection from the
  Inquisition, Zadkiel’s angels are caught between
  their Archangel’s Word and the desire to help
  Heaven’s policemen.
  Any number of people are occasionally Protected
  from Dominican scrutiny. It’s no coincidence that
  Fire’s interface with Judgment is called “The Shield”
  (Superiors 3: Hope and Prophecy, p. 68), considering
  how much unofficial support Zadkiel has thrown
  behind her ally. Angels of other “lax” Words 
  can likewise get Protectors to run interference.
  35
  Z A D K I E L
  CLOSE, BUT NOT TOO CLOSE
  Zadkiel’s angels, like those of Flowers or Creation, view
  good sex as comforting, life-affirming, and a fine way to
  show love. Protectors love humans. You’d think that
  Zadkiel would smile upon relationships.
  She doesn’t – at least not with mundane mortals.
  Protectors have to protect everyone, not just a lover, and it’s
  unfair to expect someone to understand without knowing
  about the War. Further, demons just adore finding some
  angel’s beloved and using that knowledge against her . . .
  A Soldier has a chance, and can understand the risks, but
  even there, Zadkiel gets worried. Better not to make
  Soldiers more targets than they already are.
  The Adopters
  In the past, children were often left orphaned or aban-
  doned, just waiting for a miracle to happen by. And mira-
  cles did. One of the rumors (see the adventure seeds, p. 37)
  about Zadkiel might have arisen from this era.
  True or false, Zadkiel sympathizes if her angels ask for
  permission to adopt a child in need – and then says no, for
  all the reasons why she tells her Servitors not to take mun-
  dane lovers.
  There are angels of Protection who try to work in adop-
  tion agencies, or child welfare agencies – but Zadkiel
  wants them to remain a little distant. They can live next
  door, but ultimately the child needs a human life. And
  that’s something which angels can never provide.
  
  IS THIS REALLY
  THE RIGHT THING?
  An Elohite of Stone approaches Protection and
  asks to stay at a local base. He says that the
  Commander of the Armies of God has sent him on
  a special secret mission. It is vitally important that his
  presence not be revealed to anyone.
  At first all goes well. True, the Elohite returns now
  and again covered with blood, but this is not unusual
  for Stonies or Protectors. However, the Elohite
  begins showing up with strange things – not trophies
  of battle or evidence, but a stereo, a painting, a stack
  of books. Sometimes he has giggling fits, other times
  rages, and occasionally offers romantic overtures to
  his hosts – disturbing behavior in an Elohite –
  although he still engages in intellectual debates over
  Stone’s priorities versus Protection’s (p. 14).
  When a triad of Judgment comes looking for the
  Elohite, though, the matter becomes complicated.
  Why is Judgment looking for him? Why is a
  Malakite of Fire lurking around the Protection
  safe-house? Is there a common factor in the
  strange objects the Elohite keeps bringing back? Is
  the Elohite suffering from Habbalite attacks?
  Some sort of Discord? Is he about to Fall? Has he
  Fallen already?
  Whatever answers the GM chooses, the angels
  must move fast to find them. If they’re justified in
  protecting the angel, they must clear him from suspi-
  cion. If they’re not justified, they need to know before
  their evasion becomes obstruction of the Inquisition.
  TO LOVE, HONOR, 
  AND PROTECT
  People throughout the Islamic world need to know of
  their God-given right to think for themselves.
  – Irshad Manji
  Zadkiel and Khalid are starting to work together,
  for the first time in centuries – even more closely
  than they ever had before. As part of this initiative,
  they are sending a “husband-wife” team to a heavily
  Muslim area in a large city of the GM’s choice. The
  team’s job is to promote better understanding of
  Islam and the Quran – and through that understand-
  ing, provide security. With cooler heads and kinder
  words, the non-Muslims in the area may become
  more comfortable with their neighbors.
  Zadkiel also aids ethereals who actively protect
  humans, though it violates Heaven’s standing policy
  and places the Defenders involved in jeopardy.
  When one of their own has fallen into sin,
  Zadkielites do whatever they can to avoid telling any
  angel of Judgment. They confront the erring Sister
  themselves, urging her to confess to the Archangel
  immediately and offering every possible opportunity
  to repent. Should dissonance progress into Discord,
  they tell Zadkiel themselves, intervening on the
  errant angel’s behalf.
  If an angel of Protection becomes Outcast, her
  fellow Defenders are as harsh as their Mother
  (p. 25). The only way to erase the stain to their
  loyal honor – and the blasphemy to Allah – is to
  bring the defector to justice, either through trial
  and repentance, or execution.
  If working against the Inquisition, Protectors take
  care never to block the Judges directly. The first line
  of defense is persuasion, an appeal to the reason of
  the Dominicans involved. If possible, Zadkiel’s
  angels will try to redirect a triad toward a more dan-
  gerous target – one not under Protection – as a
  delaying tactic. The subject of investigation may be
  relocated, preferably to a location unknown to any
  Protectors who might be questioned. If all else fails,
  Protectors may appeal to Zadkiel for support.
  Dominic does not turn a blind eye to any obstruc-
  tion of his investigators. Failure to cooperate with
  the Inquisition is always punished – and if Zadkiel is
  ever found guilty of obstruction, she will be treated
  with similar justice. Dominic has more pressing mat-
  ters to deal with, and he recognizes both Zadkiel’s
  value to Judgment and her desire for merciful judg-
  ment, but he treats her Servitors no more leniently
  than any others in Heaven.
  Zadkiel does not defend angels who defy the
  Inquisition. Keep secrets from the Inquisition, and
  take the consequences – which are not severe by
  Dominic’s standards, but Protectors would rather
  avoid them by settling internal matters before the
  Inquisition takes notice.
  36
  Z A D K I E L
  Adventure SeedS
  
  Where do player characters come in?
  One of three ways:
  ✠ If there are few players, they could be
  the team; add “children,” “pets,” or “adult
  siblings” to the family as desired.
  ✠ The PCs are an advance-team, already
  present in the area, who may or may not be
  entirely Protectors. Their job is to clear out
  any demonic infestations so that the team
  can concentrate on teaching humans.
  (Remember that the Faith half of the cou-
  ple cannot let supernatural powers be seen
  by humans!)
  ✠ The couple are, themselves, the
  Archangels! The PCs are there to watch,
  learn, and take over the Roles later. In this
  case, what is so important about this loca-
  tion that the Archangels themselves both feel
  they must be involved? Can the PCs keep
  demons from finding out? Or is this a cun-
  ning trap to lure a Prince into destruction?
  GUARDIANS OF
  THE SANGREAL
  “Sangreal bloodline” is one name for the theory
  that Jesus Christ wedded Mary Magdalene and
  fathered children – a bloodline that continued
  down the centuries, referred to metaphorically as
  the Holy Grail.
  Interestingly, there’s a Cherub of Protection who
  hinted that she believed she was protecting the cur-
  rent scion of that bloodline – just before she van-
  ished from the area. Her sisters are worried. Zadkiel
  is distracted by some other concern and hasn’t given
  any direct orders. The PCs come in when the other
  local Defender (a Mercurian) is called by a mysteri-
  ous “friend” and told that the vanished Cherub is in
  hiding, unaware that there are demons after her and
  her charge. “Your Archangel wouldn’t like them to
  be found by demons.”
  The Mercurian may have been watching too many
  soap operas, but here are her theories for who the
  charge is and why demons would care:
  ✠ The Cherub is right, and she is protecting a
  descendant of the Christian Messiah.
  ✠ According to the Friend (who may well have
  heard it from someone else), Zadkiel has left herself
  an angelic loophole – “No, I have never used the
  Songs of Fruition to bear or sire children with
  humans!” That doesn’t mean someone else never
  used the Songs on her (as attack, prank, or aiding and
  abetting) when she was a Servitor. Perhaps this is
  actually one of her descendants.
  ✠ Zadkiel has never biologically had children. But
  what if she adopted one, either recently, or long
  enough that this is a descendant?
  ✠ The Archangel was created after the Watchers
  were exiled. Surely she has no ex-Servitors among
  them and wouldn’t care about their rumored chil-
  dren . . . right? (So who’s this mysterious person who
  called the Mercurian?)
  ✠ Maybe the charge is the Holiest Man in 
  the World, of great importance to Khalid and
  Armageddon (Superiors 3: Hope and Prophecy,
  p. 140).
  At least two of these theories would be of great
  interest to some angels, especially the Angel of the
  Quest for the Holy Grail, a Servitor of Litheroy, the
  Seraph Archangel of Revelation. Perhaps that’s why
  the Cherub went into hiding? But no matter which
  of these theories is right – if any – the PCs have a
  missing Cherub to track down, and only one hint
  (e.g., a bus station and date) to do it with.
  Pity that the Mercurian hasn’t considered that this
  is all a trap, and the mysterious voice is trying to get
  angels to do its dirty work – or even lure more into
  an infernal (or ethereal?) ambush. But the PCs may
  be more paranoid.
  37
  Z A D K I E L
  LEND A HAND?
  Angels of Protection can always use someone to help
  with a mission – which might start off a given session, or
  even a campaign if things go unexpectedly. All it takes is
  one Zadkielite Servitor (PC or NPC) . . .
  ✠ Guarding a specific human for a period of time.
  ✠ Observing a known threat (usually demons) for a
  reasonable duration, to report any activity.
  ✠ Conveying a person, object, or message from one
  point to another.
  ✠ Providing material support (money, relic, etc.) to
  another angel or Soldier of God.
  ✠ Joining an assault on a demon base (Tether, front
  corporation, training base, or even just an apartment),
  or covering a Protector’s guardian duties temporarily so
  that angel may participate in the assault.
  ✠ Training a human or a group of humans in self-
  defense or weapons use.
  
  STEVE JACKSON GAMES
  STEVE JACKSON GAMES
  e23.sjgames.com
  STUCK FOR AN ADVENTURE? 
  NO PROBLEM.
  e23 is part of Warehouse 23, the online store at Steve Jackson Games. 
  Warehouse 23 is also the official Internet retailer for Dork Storm Press, Atlas Games, and many other publishers. 
  Visit us today at www.warehouse23.com for all your game STUFF!
  e23 sells high-quality game adventures 
  and supplements in PDF format.
  ● Get complete sample adventures free for
  GURPS, In Nomine, and Traveller!
  ● PDFs from the major players in online 
  publishing: Ronin Arts, Ken Hite, 
  Atlas Games, and 01 Games.
  ● New gems from up-and-coming publishers, 
  like Atomic Sock Monkey Press and
  Expeditious Retreat Press.
  ● Digital editions of out-of-print classics, from
  Orcslayer and the complete run of ADQ
  to GURPS China and GURPS Ice Age.
  ● Fully searchable files of GURPS Fourth Edition
  supplements.
  ● Original material for Transhuman Space and 
  In Nomine, with new GURPS supplements
  from William Stoddard, David Pulver, 
  Phil Masters, and Sean Punch!
  ● Buy it once, have it always. Download your
  purchases again whenever you need to. 
  Download ● Print ● Play
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/In Nomine/Superiors/SJG37-3314 In Nomine Superiors - Zadkiel.pdf