Author's Note: PS: oh, yeah, this is coming from a Trader. One of the things that I have to make clear. I figure that Marc's got some blessed good psychologists on staff. :)
It is important to remember that there will be
distinct differences in personality between those
angels that have never experienced the horrors of
Falling and those that have. Despite our best
efforts, the latter still often bear deep
psychological scars: rather than condemn out of hand,
we of Heaven must learn to recognize these lingering
symptoms of mental illness, the better to help their
unfortunate holders to finally heal.
As a general note, there is a definite tendency for
demons to overcompensate for their former Diabolic
attitudes and mannerisms. This is not a hard and fast
rule, but it should be considered ... especially as it
may not always be a positive step towards
psychological well being. This overcompensation is
often masking deep-seated insecurities and fears:
neither have any place in Heaven.
Below is a short list of statistically-common
personality traits, first by Choir, then by former
Word. The reader is cautioned to not treat this
material as anything but the most general guidelines:
every angel is an unique individual, with unique
traits and problems.
Seraph: Most former Balseraphim tend towards a severe
hatred of Lying: this will, of course, include
activities that most humans do not consider lying at
all. They will also, as a rule, dislike holding
Roles, as the necessary mild deception (even by
inference) necessary to hold one sets off warning
bells in their heads. Those without this condition
are often not at ease with other Seraphim: the Choir
does not look kindly on those who can hear a lie
without wincing. This second type does make a good
diplomatic representative, however, especially when
the need is for calmness in the face of mendacity.
Cherub: Former Djinn are renowned for their savage
defenses of not only their attuned, but anyone or
anything that is associated with that attuned. They
are even more prone towards destroying threats than
their new brothers and sisters: take this into account
when assigning a duty to one. Also be prepared for
what seems to be an excessive display of emotions:
former Djinn revel in actually caring, and being able
to express such caring.
Ofanite: Former Calabim show the widest range of
common personality quirks. They tend to be fairly
evenly divided into two groups: those who take
excessive care to not damage anything, and those that
most emphatically do not. The first type will be
humiliated if they accidentally crush a blade of
grass; the second will think nothing of finishing off
a wounded demon by dropping him into a tree shredder.
Both of these conditions should be worked on whenever
possible.
Elohite: For the most part, former Habbalah tend
towards the absolute, unyielding supression of any
emotion from their thinking and actions (rather than
merely preventing emotions from affecting their
decisions). Oddly enough, they often still retain
whatever tendencies towards carnality that they might
have had before their Redemption (although they will
discard truly outre or immoral forms of alternate
sexuality). This can cause tensions in a group
setting until the new Power can come to a new
equilibrium.
One trait that many Redeemed Elohim share is
reluctance to commit to violence: they are so careful
of their new nature that they subconsciously hesitate
before acting on impulses that might be evocative of
the Habbalite mindset.
Lilim: Bright Lilim are stereotypically bright-eyed,
happy, happy, happy and generous to a fault. This is
fairly accurate, but take care to watch for
indications that the Gifter is beginning to burn out:
depression is surprisingly common in this Choir. The
reader is also cautioned to remember that most new
Bright Lilim have a tendency to 'imprint' (to use the
human term) on anyone that shows them special
consideration. Taking undue advantage of this is
morally reprehensible, and our colleagues in the
Divine Inquisition are perfectly justified in their
loathing of the practice.
Kyriotates: Former Shedim have an undeserved
reputation for being cowardly: it's not their personal
courage that's being tested, but their confidence that
they can protect their hosts. Those serving
Archangels that can provide them with vessels are some
of Heaven's staunchest fighters: the rest will
eventually learn better habits, if given proper
encouragement.
One thing that most former Shedim do have a
legitimate problem with, however, is in dealing with
minor acts of evil. They usually have encountered -
in fact, they usually have committed - such heinous
acts of depravity that it takes them time to recognize
the essential wrongness of, say, a purse-snatching.
Mercurians: The primary problem that most former
Impudites will encounter is overextending themselves:
they will be constantly short on Essence until they
learn to husband their resources. Of all the
Redeemed, this Choir is usually most regretful of
their former crimes: it is not unknown for a former
Impudite to spend all of his or her free time
attempting to make resitution towards every former
victim availible. Redeemed Mercurians also tend
towards being oversolicitious towards evildoers -
especially humans. Never assign one to guard over prisoners.
Andrealphus: When dealing with former Servitors of
Lust, always remember that until their Redemption,
they were permitted only one method of expressing most
emotional states. 'Emotionally starved' does not
begin to cover the result: for that matter, neither
does 'multiple rape victim'. Left on his or her own,
most of Andrealphus' former servants will either
completely repress any display of affection, or else
express such feelings at every opportunity. Neither
tendency is particularly healthy, and should be firmly
but kindly addressed.
Even after these conditions have been worked through,
it should be noted that former Servitors of Lust will
tend to a certain casualness towards consensual
romantic and/or sexual relationships (whether their
own, or those of others). Their immediate superiors
are counseled to ignore this, in moderation: it is
more important to remember that it is inadvisable to
put these angels in close proximity in sexual
predators, unless the intent is to have said predators
messily dispatched forthwith.
Asmodeus: Despite Judgement's own policies, former
Gamesters should not normally be initially assigned to
Dominic. Asmodeus' service is highly conducive to
paranoia: Redemption helps suppress this condition,
but does not remove it. The difficulty here is that
such angels are at first pathologically incapable of
admitting that they are suffering: the Prince of the
Game teaches his Servitors all too well that weakness
is a fatal disease. Dominic is quite experienced in
handling this problem, of course, but a short term of
service first in Novalis' or Yves' service will make
his task easier.
Even after they learn to trust, former Gamesters will
tend towards privacy (the concept seems to act almost
as a drug to them). Their negative reactions to even
the most innocuous attempts at humor at their expense
seems odd, but is perfectly natural, given the cruelty
of their former master. However, they do make utterly
reliable Servitors, once their respect has been
earned.
Baal: Oddly, ex-Servitors of the War usually show
little trouble in adjusting to their new state. There
is a certain tendency towards guilt, but both War and
Flowers have shown great skill in counteracting this
(admittedly, via drastically different methods).
However, their habits in the field can be
problematic. Former Servitors of the War tend
towards either strict bloodthirstiness, or else
stricter pacifism. It has been determined that the
easiest way to deal with this is to make sure that the
former Servitor of the War is assigned somewhere where
his or her tendencies are not a liability - and to
keep a constant eye on him or her even then.
Thankfully, they show a laudable tendency to follow
orders, and an even more laudable hatred of traitors.
Beleth: It is fortunate that angels do not dream, for
otherwise these angels would go mad in short order.
It can be years before a former Servitor of Nightmares
will voluntarily leave Heaven: Beleth apparently takes
the time to convince each of her servants that she
obsessively plans to personally soul-kill each and
every Renegade from her service. It is imperative
that these angels be allowed to face and transcend
their fears at their own pace.
Unfortunately, these fears never quite go away: former
Servitors of Nightmares will often overcompensate, but
each of them will retain their fear until either they
or Beleth are dead. As a result, most will find any
prospect of hastening the latter to be an almost
overwhelming temptation. Of course, this is balanced
by the fact that they are excellent at foiling the
plans of Beleth's mere Servitors, provided that their
impulse to humiliate their former colleagues is kept
firmly in check.
Belial: With the (hopefully temporary) absence of the
Archangel of Creation, the assignment of former
Servitors of Infernal Fire has become slightly more
difficult. His willingness to allow them to work out
their sudden artistic tendencies should be an example
to anyone handling these angels. While said
inclinations never fully go away, most former
Servitors of Belial will soon be able to control their
creativity to a more acceptable level.
Their continuing relationship with Divine Fire (and
all former Servitors of Infernal Fire will loudly -
and if necessary, violently - insist on the
adjectives) can be complex. Gabriel incorporates
those willing to burn the Cruel, and has her own
methods to handle them; the others are invariably
better suited as artists and artificers anyway.
Haagenti: These angels are often difficult cases to
handle, at first: their former Prince has conditioned
them to think of themselves as not particularly
important resources to be consumed and discarded.
Once the shock of Redemption has faded, they show a
tendency to run wild. However, Stone and the Sword
are excellent places for counteracting this; indeed,
former Servitors of Gluttony take to discipline (once
they discover that it is intelligent, reasoning
discipline) with a convert's zeal.
Indeed, a former Servitor of Gluttony should always
have access to angels serving David or Laurence, even
on the corporeal plane (and despite any nominal
conflicts in Words). Servitors of these two
Archangels are the best advisors to former Gluttons
when it comes to how to rein in the latter's
ubiquitous tendency to treat action - any action - as
a solution to any problem. Still, when properly
handled, the vigor of these new angels is a potent
resource indeed.
Kobal: Patience is not only a virtue when dealing
with an ex-Joker: it's a stark necessity. So is
avoiding loud noises, sudden movements and unexplained
laughter in their presence. This may sound
nonsensical, but the hardest problem that these new
angels face is to accept that they are not, in point
of fact, the punch line for a particularly vicious
Joke. Once they learn that, then they are well on the
road to recovery.
Some field workers have shown concern that most former
Servitors of Dark Humor seem incapable of laughter, or
anything remotely resembling a sense of humor. This
is unfortunate, but simply must be accepted. The
condition seems to fade after a few centuries, at any
rate.
Kronos: Always watch former Servitors of Fate: not
because they are untrustworthy, but because they have
the highest rate of suicide among the newly Redeemed.
The Prince of Fate casts a long shadow over the souls
of his former Servitors, and for some the shadow
cannot be dispelled by any amount of light.
Those that survive their Redemption - and integration
into the Host - require special handling. A former
Servitor of Fate on the corporeal plane will ignore
any danger, any risk, provided that he or she has a
legitimate opportunity to eviscerate their former
colleagues. This may not seem to be an issue to some
angels, but should still be kept in mind at all times.
Lilith: Actual Servitors of Freedom are rare, and
those that seek Redemption are rarer (in both cases,
due to the unceasing activity of the Game). Thus,
each individual must be treated as just that: an
individual. The only common factor is the sheer
number of Geas present in any demon serving Freedom:
Lilith's vaunted taste for her Word begins and ends
with Lilith. Indeed, it is suggested that these Geas
be removed as part of the Redemption process, no
matter the potential risk to the demon. Failing that,
any former Servitor of Lilith's should be kept in
Heaven indefinitely.
If it becomes necessary to ignore this practical
advice, then the new angel should at least be
protected with the maximum amount of defenses
available. It may not eliminate the former Servitor's
perfectly understandable paranoia, but it will provide
valuable positive reinforcement that he or she is
Truly valued now.
Malphas: The belief that former Servitors of Factions
are almost impossible to integrate successfully into
Heaven is a gross exaggeration: with proper
preparation, they are actually easy to treat. The
difficulty here is that, for once, Novalis'
organization is not suitable for counseling. Malphas
takes great care in presenting himself as the best
friend of all his Servitors: newly Redeemed angels
that once served him see through that lie, but cannot
yet determine that Novalis actually means it. Jean is
a much better choice: his calm, cool acceptance is
actually more soothing, in this specific case, than
Novalis' open arms. As long as those angels
counseling former Servitors of Factions remember this
fact, and take care to reinforce the positive aspects
of working together, their charges will acclimate
themselves without too much difficulty.
However, these angels will not be really suited for
long-term work on the corporeal plane until a
considerable amount of time has passed. Short
missions are fine; longer missions are acceptable, as
long as the new angel's anonymity is assured. But
each former Servitor of Malphas is certain that if
they spend too much time on Earth, he will eventually
come for the new angel and somehow convince him or her
that they wish to change sides again. There is no
real evidence to support this, but the Prince of
Factions serves as a potent personification for his
former Servitors' self-doubt and insecurity. Constant
rotation of duty is called for - or at least long-term
assignment to a Tether.
Nybbas: Former pawns of the Media remain extroverts
after their Redemption, and it's usually to hide their
abject fear at being in Heaven. These angels know
how much they were despised by the Host, back when
they were insane, and are quietly terrified that the
slightest slip will result in their immediate death or
exile. This usually translates into a deference that
can border on bootlicking: aside from the aesthetic
issue, such behavior is too much like their old
methodology to be tolerated. Counselors must take
care to build up the new angel's self-esteem, usually
by breaking down the old, flawed version first. Most
of the War Faction is quite good at doing both,
although those going through Stone's boot camp should
be carefully overseen.
Thankfully, once an ex-Servitor of the Media has
worked out his or her new outlook on life, the usual
temptations of the corporeal plane are usually not an
issue. To use the current corporeal slang term,
they've 'been there, done that, gotten the T-shirt'.
Aside from a retained tendency to pay attention to
popular culture (something which can actually be very
useful), most former Servitors of Nybbas tend to blend
in without notice.
Saminga: When a former Servitor of Death rejects his
or her Prince, it is usually extreme. Pacifism is a
universal tendency, to the point where actual
catatonia is a real danger. The acknowledged expert
in dealing with this problem is Novalis: all
counselors dealing with former Servitors of Saminga
should seek her direction in dealing with these cases.
Surprisingly, many former Servitors of Death do not
remain pacifists (those that do usually stay with
Flowers). They will remain respectful of life (making
Animals a popular choice for these angels), but will
often take great joy in using their training in
killing against the forces of Hell. Those dealing
with former Servitors of Saminga should just ignore
their often mordant sense of humor: it seems to be a
mild defense mechanism, and has no real effect on
their duties. Those continuing to worry should note
that these angels invariably keep a garden or pets,
when feasible: they may sound slightly contemptuous of
life, but it is not backed up by their actions.
Valefor: Former Servitors of Theft slip easily into
the service of the Wind: perhaps too easily, but Janus
has a proven track record in keeping these angels in
check. Those that reject the Wind as their new home
usually are not particularly difficult to counsel,
although care should be taken to keep calm and cool
when dealing with them. Ex-Magpies are easily
frightened by sudden mood swings in those that they
perceive to be their immediate superiors: it reminds
them of the frighteningly violent and mercurial nature
of their former Prince.
Vapula: Until recently, integrating these angels was
difficult: Jean has a completely different attitude
towards the scientific method, Eli is unavailable and
Gabriel ... does not always see it when they look
prone to fall into madness again. Luckily, the recent
return of Khalid to full integration with the Host has
had the happy coincidental effect of providing these
new angels with a Superior that emphasizes objectivity
while admitting the need to perceive the Divine. Like
their - twisted - former master, Redeemed Servitors of
Technology are mystics, every one (although the actual
form of such mysticism is unique in each case), making
Faith a surprisingly good fit.
Thankfully, they are usually fairly safe while on the
corporeal plane. While their usual connection with
technology is often restrained to the most effective
way to blow it up (something they take to with great
enthusiasm), the Prince of Technology almost never
attempts to make any kind of personal contact with
them. Of course, their former colleagues seldom show
the same professional courtesy: this has led to the
peculiar condition that Servitors of Lightning is
usually happier to see ex-Technologists serving other
Archangels than they are seeing ex-Technologists
serving Jean. The former type can be counted on to
provide instant backup (and bring their new coworkers
along), while the latter are more likely to suggest
bizarre (yet workable) ways to combat the threat.
Granted, the former type may also pursue a bizarre,
and highly pyrotechnic, solution, but they will at
least not insist on using Jean's valuable resources to
do so.
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