The Higher Planes, sometimes called the Celestial Realms or the 'Heavens', are a collection of regions possibly located in another dimension or some other place separate from the material universe. Like most regions located beyond the Middle Plane very little is known about this place other than what human myth tells us and what its denizens deign to describe.
The Celestial Realms are home to Angelic creatures, these entities are beings of order and harmony and they are eternally at war with the Demons of the Lower Planes. Unlike the Demons, Angels very rarely interfere with the mortal world and so The Society generally holds a wary neutrality when it comes to Angels, that said any Angels that is deemed to have violated the terms of any treaty signed by both Humanity and Angels is deemed to be a fugitive and therefore fair game to any Society operative that stumbles upon it.
The ranks of the Angelic Hierarchy are as follows:
The First Sphere
Seraphim
The most powerful of the Angelic castes, their name means 'Burning Ones' and they have a great affinity for fire and light. Seraphim appear as tall humanoids, radiating heat and light with six wings of red and gold, two covering their feat and two covering their bodies and two for flight. The most feared and most powerful of all the Seraphim is the Archangel Michael, Prince of the Seraphim and General of all the Angelic Hosts. Four Seraphim supposedly stand before the Divine Throne, constantly chanting praises for an entity Angels refer to as 'The One' or 'The Light' and which some earthly religions believe to be God.
Of special note amongst the Seraphim are the Seven Archangels; Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Azrael, Barachiel and Sariel. These are the seven highest of the Seraphim who stand before the Divine Throne itself, and it is generally understood that these beings are the rulers of the Heavens. Whilst the Angels claim to be led by 'The One' hey have offered no proof as to the existence of his being and The Society therefore does not recognise it as an extant entity, instead believing that the Seven Archangels are the true rulers of the Higher Planes.
Cherubim
The Cherubim have four conjoined wings covered in eyes and have four faces: of a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a man. They are said to have the stature and hands of a man and the feet of a calf, though they are sometimes said to have the body of lions and the feet of oxen. Cherubim are sometimes known as the spirits of life and they are closely linked to the Thrones. Cherubim guard the way towards the Divine Throne as well as the Tree of Life in Eden.
Ophanim
Also known as Erelim, Arelim or Thrones, and also Wheels because of their appearance; a wheel-within-a-wheel configuration he colour of beryl, the rims covered with hundreds of eyes. These creatures are supposedly living embodiments of justice and authority. These beings have not been seen in the Middle Plane since the raising of The Veil.
The Second Sphere
Hashmallim
Known also as Dominions, these are Angel-Lords, they presider over nations and regulate the activities of all the lower castes of Angels. These beings are rarely seen by Man, but they can be distinguished from normal human-form Angels by their bright radiance and the glowing spheres at the top of their sceptres or at the pommels of their swords.
Virtues
Also known as 'Strongholds', these are the Angels who supposedly order the heavens and ensure that the cosmic order is not upset, supervising the movements of planets, stars and other celestial bodies. These creatures are rarely seen, as their tasks very rarely bring them into contact with mortals.
Powers
Also called 'Authorities', these creatures are the bearers of conscience and the guardians of history, working closely with the Angels known as Principalities. These Angels are warriors, and they are fanatically loyal to their cause. Some believe that no Power participated in the Angelic Rebellion that spawned the Demons, whereas other believe that Lucifer, the instigator of the Angelic Rebellion and its leader, was the lord of the Powers and their chief before he was cast out. Whatever the truth, these beings make up the heavy-hitters of the Angelic ranks and any Mortal seeking to defeat one would require a great deal of weaponry and men. The Powers are, indeed, very powerful, but an Aetherian should be able to defeat one in battle, thankfully there hsn't been a major incursion of Powers into the Middle Plane for two thousand years.
The Third Sphere
Principalities
Also called 'Princedoms' or 'Rulers', like the other two Angelic castes of the third sphere, are messengers and soldiers of the Angelic Hosts. The Principalities wear crowns and carry sceptres. Their duty is to be to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions and bequeath blessings to the material world. Their task is also to oversee groups of people, they are supposedly the educators and guardians of the realm of earth and are said to inspire mortals to pursue paths such as the arts and sciences.
Archangels
The archangels are not to be confused with Archangels, archangels are the second lowest Angelic caste and oversee the Malakhim, whilst Archangels, specifically the Seven Archangels, are the seven highest of all the Seraphim; the ruling council of the Higher Planes, assuming that the 'One' entity does not really exist.
Malakhim
The Malakhim, 'messengers', re the largest and lowest of the Angelic castes, also called Choirs. Generally known simply as 'Angels', these beings are the most active in the mortal realm; acting as agents and messengers of the rest of the Hosts. Malakhim aren't particularly powerful, though in times of war they have been known to take up arms and form the mainstay of the Angelic ranks, lending numbers rather than power to the Hosts of Heaven. Despite the fact that a well-armed and trained operative should have little trouble dispatching Malakhim, it is best noted that attacking a Malakhim Angel unprovoked could result in a declaration of war from the Higher Planes. If, however, the Malakhim is in violation of the Golgotha Accords or the First or Second Treaties of Sinai, then under the terms of those agreements the Malakhim loses all protections and is a free target.
Very little is known of t Higher Planes, except that it's supposed capital is known as the Eternal City. No mortal has ever been to the Higher Planes, with the potential exception of the poet Dante Alighieri, though his cosmology does differ from known descriptions by Angels. It is possible, however, that the Higher Planes are perceived by mortals in whatever way our minds can comprehend due to their transcendental nature.";
The Celestial Realms are home to Angelic creatures, these entities are beings of order and harmony and they are eternally at war with the Demons of the Lower Planes. Unlike the Demons, Angels very rarely interfere with the mortal world and so The Society generally holds a wary neutrality when it comes to Angels, that said any Angels that is deemed to have violated the terms of any treaty signed by both Humanity and Angels is deemed to be a fugitive and therefore fair game to any Society operative that stumbles upon it.
The ranks of the Angelic Hierarchy are as follows:
The First Sphere
Seraphim
The most powerful of the Angelic castes, their name means 'Burning Ones' and they have a great affinity for fire and light. Seraphim appear as tall humanoids, radiating heat and light with six wings of red and gold, two covering their feat and two covering their bodies and two for flight. The most feared and most powerful of all the Seraphim is the Archangel Michael, Prince of the Seraphim and General of all the Angelic Hosts. Four Seraphim supposedly stand before the Divine Throne, constantly chanting praises for an entity Angels refer to as 'The One' or 'The Light' and which some earthly religions believe to be God.
Of special note amongst the Seraphim are the Seven Archangels; Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Azrael, Barachiel and Sariel. These are the seven highest of the Seraphim who stand before the Divine Throne itself, and it is generally understood that these beings are the rulers of the Heavens. Whilst the Angels claim to be led by 'The One' hey have offered no proof as to the existence of his being and The Society therefore does not recognise it as an extant entity, instead believing that the Seven Archangels are the true rulers of the Higher Planes.
Cherubim
The Cherubim have four conjoined wings covered in eyes and have four faces: of a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a man. They are said to have the stature and hands of a man and the feet of a calf, though they are sometimes said to have the body of lions and the feet of oxen. Cherubim are sometimes known as the spirits of life and they are closely linked to the Thrones. Cherubim guard the way towards the Divine Throne as well as the Tree of Life in Eden.
Ophanim
Also known as Erelim, Arelim or Thrones, and also Wheels because of their appearance; a wheel-within-a-wheel configuration he colour of beryl, the rims covered with hundreds of eyes. These creatures are supposedly living embodiments of justice and authority. These beings have not been seen in the Middle Plane since the raising of The Veil.
The Second Sphere
Hashmallim
Known also as Dominions, these are Angel-Lords, they presider over nations and regulate the activities of all the lower castes of Angels. These beings are rarely seen by Man, but they can be distinguished from normal human-form Angels by their bright radiance and the glowing spheres at the top of their sceptres or at the pommels of their swords.
Virtues
Also known as 'Strongholds', these are the Angels who supposedly order the heavens and ensure that the cosmic order is not upset, supervising the movements of planets, stars and other celestial bodies. These creatures are rarely seen, as their tasks very rarely bring them into contact with mortals.
Powers
Also called 'Authorities', these creatures are the bearers of conscience and the guardians of history, working closely with the Angels known as Principalities. These Angels are warriors, and they are fanatically loyal to their cause. Some believe that no Power participated in the Angelic Rebellion that spawned the Demons, whereas other believe that Lucifer, the instigator of the Angelic Rebellion and its leader, was the lord of the Powers and their chief before he was cast out. Whatever the truth, these beings make up the heavy-hitters of the Angelic ranks and any Mortal seeking to defeat one would require a great deal of weaponry and men. The Powers are, indeed, very powerful, but an Aetherian should be able to defeat one in battle, thankfully there hsn't been a major incursion of Powers into the Middle Plane for two thousand years.
The Third Sphere
Principalities
Also called 'Princedoms' or 'Rulers', like the other two Angelic castes of the third sphere, are messengers and soldiers of the Angelic Hosts. The Principalities wear crowns and carry sceptres. Their duty is to be to carry out the orders given to them by the Dominions and bequeath blessings to the material world. Their task is also to oversee groups of people, they are supposedly the educators and guardians of the realm of earth and are said to inspire mortals to pursue paths such as the arts and sciences.
Archangels
The archangels are not to be confused with Archangels, archangels are the second lowest Angelic caste and oversee the Malakhim, whilst Archangels, specifically the Seven Archangels, are the seven highest of all the Seraphim; the ruling council of the Higher Planes, assuming that the 'One' entity does not really exist.
Malakhim
The Malakhim, 'messengers', re the largest and lowest of the Angelic castes, also called Choirs. Generally known simply as 'Angels', these beings are the most active in the mortal realm; acting as agents and messengers of the rest of the Hosts. Malakhim aren't particularly powerful, though in times of war they have been known to take up arms and form the mainstay of the Angelic ranks, lending numbers rather than power to the Hosts of Heaven. Despite the fact that a well-armed and trained operative should have little trouble dispatching Malakhim, it is best noted that attacking a Malakhim Angel unprovoked could result in a declaration of war from the Higher Planes. If, however, the Malakhim is in violation of the Golgotha Accords or the First or Second Treaties of Sinai, then under the terms of those agreements the Malakhim loses all protections and is a free target.
Very little is known of t Higher Planes, except that it's supposed capital is known as the Eternal City. No mortal has ever been to the Higher Planes, with the potential exception of the poet Dante Alighieri, though his cosmology does differ from known descriptions by Angels. It is possible, however, that the Higher Planes are perceived by mortals in whatever way our minds can comprehend due to their transcendental nature.";
