Angels

 'Angels' is the umbrella term meant to refer to the several supernatural creatures that inhabit Heaven. Angels are often classified by two subterms; Saints, who were once previously human and have since been reincarnated after death, and Heavenborns, angels that exist naturally through means such as birth, and were never previously human.

Despite frequent depictions in other media, 'angels' in Soulbound aren't limited exclusively to the most common archetypal angel - that being a human-like being with wings and a halo. Much like the demons in Going Underworld, Heaven is home to a variety of different creatures, all of which are collectively referred to as angels.

Description
Much like demons, angels come in a variety of appearances. Distinct from demons, however, is the exclusivity of anthropomorphic angels, with the exception of Familiars. Base angels have long, bovine-like ears (fluffy or otherwise), alongside a bright glowing halo. As a result of living in the skies, almost every species in Heaven has wings or, in any case, the ability to fly.

Also akin to demons, all angels are naturally skilled magic users. Whether their abilities are of cosmic proportion or hardly noticeable, all creatures of Heaven are comprised almost entirely of magic. In terms of physical strength, most angels pale in comparison to demons. Heaven's rules and regulations have caused angels to lean farther on the side of passiveness, as opposed to the wildcard lives in Hell which allow demons of all powers to emerge. Despite their lesser strength, angels still have heightened bodies which can sustain more damage than humans. Angels, like demons, aren't entirely immortal, as they can be purged from magical acts. When an angel dies, they cease to exist permanently, turning to glitter.

In terms of aging, Saints will more likely than not remain the age they died in as humans, though exceptions can be seen. For the beginning of their stay in Heaven, Saints can also have their appearances scale with their mentality - looking older or younger if they think differently. Once practiced enough, they're freely able to fluctuate their appearance. Heavenborns have a natural age cycle, growing up much like a human until the age of seventeen, in which their appearances will also scale with their mentality. Much like Saints, Heavenborn angels are capable of altering their appearance if practiced enough.

Appearance
Angels tend to have an overarching theme to their design. Most resemble animals, people; creatures commonly found in fantasy books, such as faeries, mermaids, and hippogriffs. They come in a variety of colors, appearances, shapes and sizes based on what creature their character is derived from.

In contrast to Hell, which has Sinners take on highly individualized traits, Saints almost always take on the appearance of base angels, with the rare exception. The varied and more unorthodox creatures are typically Heavenborn, spawned from the magic of God or mystical structures and landscapes already existing in Heaven, which go on to procreate.

Falling
Falling refers to the process an angel goes through when their soul is corrupt, evil, and otherwise deemed not suitable for Heaven. The Falling process bubbles when an angel has dark, intrusive thoughts, but it only begins when those thoughts are acted upon. If an angel feels remorse for their actions, the process lessens, but if not, it strengthens with every subsequent thought. It should be noted that Falling acts slower if the angel in question genuinely believes that what they're doing is right. Angels are capable of reversing the process if they act quick enough, but the state becomes permanent once one is too far gone.

When an angel has finally Fallen, their bodies experience changes, such as different hues, additions like horns or fangs, and things that paint them much closer to a demon. If the angel in question is a base angel, their wings will fade to a dark black, and their halo will slowly lose its glow until it's rotten and gray, in which case it will finally crack and shatter - signifying that the angel is far beyond redemption.

Abilities
Most, if not all, angels have some of the following traits:


 * Transformation: All angels are capable of transformation. Their ability to transform into human disguises is innate and isn't needed to be taught, however their ability to transform their appeared age is something that must be learnt and mastered.
 * Flight: Angels usually all come with wings, feathered or otherwise. Like winged creatures on Earth, angels must still learn to fly on their own. Angels who aren't in possession of wings will always have another form of flight, such as levitation.
 * Non-Senescence: Angels do not age, and thus do not die of old age and most of the other natural causes that kill humans. However, they can still be killed, such as by magic or infections.
 * Personalized Abilities: Angels have a wide range of abilities that are exclusive to certain angel types or individual angels.

Caste System
Heaven maintains a strict Caste System with angels having predetermined roles, places, privileges and purposes in the social pyramid, in order to preserve peace and prosperity. Deviation from it was- and still is- mostly unheard of, as angels have little to no reason to rebel against their higher ups. Having said that, a case that now rings infamous in Heaven's history was by Gadreel, an Archangel responsible for briefly corrupting and tainting the Garden of Eden. Gadreel's case sparked the creation of Heaven's Prison, where he remains to this day. The Falling of Lucifer, one of Heaven's most popular angels, finally motivated God to create the Caste System.

Only base angels can become Guardians and higher. When an angel is chosen to become a Guardian or higher, they are given a Familiar.

God
God serves as Heaven's ruler, governing His law across the entirety of it. While most would liken His status to that of a king, God prefers to view Himself as a father to all of His angels.

Most angels are fanatically loyal to Him. As the ruler of Heaven, God has the unique ability to create new life, and is directly responsible for the creation of several of the Heavenborn species living among Him. Infidelity displayed towards God is considered punishable by time spent in Heaven's Prison. His honorific is "My Lord".

Thrones
Throne angels are God's most loyal confidants, having been some of the first angels ever created. As a result, every Throne is a Heavenborn, and each govern a subsection of Heaven to ensure peace is maintained across the land. Thrones are incredibly powerful, and have access to files of every angel that has ever set foot in Heaven, as well as files of every human that has ever existed. If a human dies and is reincarnated as a demon, their file is permanently erased. Thrones are entrusted to give out God's orders when He's occupied, and act as figureheads for angels to learn from as they grow accustomed to their time in Heaven.

Powers
Power angels are a class created by Coral, unbeknownst to any other denizen of Heaven. Powers operate entirely on magic, and aren't 'true' angels in the sense that they have files or records. They're entrusted by Coral to venture across the Overworld in order to snuff out the lives of humans that are fit to enter Heaven. As a result of their illegitimate creation, Powers began acting on instinct, and their 'programming' began prioritizing the lives of children, as children are pure of heart by default and offer easier indoctrination at Coral's hands.

Archangels
Archangels are appointed by Thrones to lead different taskforces across the Overworld. They are commanding officers, each with their own personalized battalion of angels. Archangels are tasked with maintaining order from within their own subsections of loyal soldiers as well as the fidelity and reputation of the Overworld. Many Archangels are the captains of Seraphim choirs, and personally train those they deem fit to join their ranks.

Seraphim
Seraphim angels are assembled by Archangels, and are tasked with travelling across the Overworld to exterminate any wayward demons. As a result, many denizens of Hell know them as Exterminators. Seraphim are granted bolts of magical essence known as Fade, which is extracted from the sap of Yggdrasil. Once Fade is applied to a Familiar weapon, they're granted the ability to immediately evaporate any demon they hit; killing them instantly, in a single attack. If a Faded weapon is used on another angel, the angel's magic is temporarily disabled. Faded weapons have no effect on humans.

A quartet known as The Divine Choir - comprised of Atlas, Oswald, Bridger, and Fae - have become infamously known as Heaven's most capable Seraphim. As a result, The Divine Choir has no appointed Archangel, and instead work directly for Coral.

Cherubim
Cherubim angels are responsible for taking care of Saints that have arrived in Heaven as children. They guide them throughout their youth until they're old enough to branch off. It isn't uncommon for Cherubim to be used as caretakers for those that are Heavenborn when their natural parents are occupied. Many angels grow attached to their Cherubim guardians, and it has been an increasingly common sight for Cherubim to double down and become the surrogate parent of their appointed angel.

Guardians
Guardian angels are assigned to humans on the Overworld by Archangels, and very rarely Thrones, in order to keep them safe. Humans that are guarded are often those in need of protection, whether emotionally or physically, and usually have traits in common with their appointed guardians that will better strengthen their bond. Once the Archangel deems a guardian's job complete, they are returned back to Heaven. Guardian angels are strictly prohibited from ever revealing their status as an angel to their humans, and doing so will have the human's memory erased upon realisation from higher-ups.

Angels
Angels are the bulk of Heaven and consist of its denizens with jobs and functions that don't fit within the Caste System. These can range from the mermaids that manage Earth's waters, the faeries that manage Earth's forests, or the moths that design Heaven's architecture.

Saints

 * Atlas Powell
 * Bridger Morley
 * Fae Olivia
 * Melody Reed
 * Oswald Sterling
 * Saint Nicholas

Heavenborn

 * Coralescence 'Coral'
 * Evangeline
 * Gadreel
 * Lucifer
 * Marigold
 * Peppermint

Others

 * God
 * Saint Nicholas' Elves