Raphael

Archangel Of Knowledge
"The world is full of wonders, and the glory of the ALMIGHTY (God) will reveal itself
to those who seek it out."

[Dissonance] [Choir Attunements] [Servitor Attunements] [Distinctions] [Relations]

[Rites] [Invocation]

Raphael ("God has healed"), the Archangel of Knowledge, was not one of
the first angels created, but a very early creation, present when the Earth was given
form and substance. Raphael was the most beautiful of all the angels (with the
exception of Lucifer) -- Raphael's Elohite androgyny did not give the Power a sexless
look, but rather, all the grace and comeliness possible of either gender. No one could
look upon Raphael and not perceive the Archangel as a paragon of
feminine and masculine beauty.

(There is a legend that Raphael was the first of the Elohim, and that because the
angel was too beautiful, all the Dynamis that followed were deliberately formed less
perfectly, lest they not be as objective as Raphael and succumb to pride.)

Raphael exhibited boundless curiosity early on, and was given the task of
recording all information, all knowledge. Only an Elohite could be given this task,
since anyone else with access to all knowledge might not use it objectively, and thus
could attempt (even unintentionally) to usurp God's role. Raphael maintained the
Heavenly Library, and Servitors of Knowledge filled it with bits of knowledge
brought from the farthest reaches of the universe. Although Raphael's role was often
underestimated, the Archangel of Knowledge was certainly one of the most powerful
Superiors who ever lived -- arguably the most powerful of all the "second generation"
Archangels (those who followed the first seven -- see the Game Master's Guide, p.
92).

Raphael (along with Gabriel and Eli, under Yves' direction) was instrumental in
bringing religion to mankind. Raphael's Word did not only apply to rational
knowledge, but also spiritual knowledge -- it was at least as important that humans
know God as it was for them to know the workings of His creation. Raphael
encouraged the scholarly traditions of the Hebrews (and is often credited with
teaching mankind literacy), and helped spread Christianity to overwhelm paganism,
which Raphael loathed nearly as much as Uriel for its irrationalism and separation
from the Divine. The Archangel of Knowledge remained neutral during the Islam
debacle and Gabriel's trial, which some took to indicate disapproval. (Raphael did
later support Islam, though, and came to be one of the four Archangels most honored
by Muslims.)

In 1008 A.D., Legion, the (second) Demon Prince of Corruption became a threat
so dire that Heaven and Hell allied for the first time to destroy the renegade Shedite
Prince. In that battle, Raphael made the ultimate sacrifice; every iota of energy in the
Archangel's being and Word was directed at Legion's celestial form. Legion was
destroyed, but Raphael was no more.

(Another legend -- there are many regarding Raphael -- is that centuries later,
Archangel Eli discovered an amazingly talented Remnant that was beyond his ability
to heal, and brought him to Rome, where he became the artist known as
Michaelangelo.)

Following Raphael's demise, most angels of Knowledge transferred to Yves'

service, as the Archangel of Destiny took over most of Raphael's duties, and the
Divine Library. Some (particularly those who were involved in the spread of religion)
chose to serve Gabriel or Khalid instead. Thus, there are a fair number of angels still
alive who possess attunements and Distinctions of Knowledge. The dissonance
information, Rites, politics, and invocation modifiers given below only apply in a
historical or alternate campaign where Raphael still lives, of course.

DISSONANCE
Angels of Knowledge should encourage humanity's natural curiosity. It is
dissonant for them to prevent or hinder a human from obtaining information, even if
that information would be harmful. However, they are not required to help someone
find knowledge (though it is encouraged, unless that knowledge is dangerous).

CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS
Seraphim (Restricted)

Raphael's Seraphim are among the wisest of their Choir; and can read the Truth
of the Symphony in written words. They do not receive penalties to their check digit
(In Nomine, p. 57) when applying their resonance to recorded media. (It's up to the
GM whether a Seraph with this attunement in the modern day would be able to apply
it to film, electronic reproductions, and the like. One could argue that Raphael's Word
still applies to all forms of knowledge, but one could also argue that without Raphael
around to "upgrade" the attunements, they still only function as they would have when
the Archangel was alive.)

Cherubim (Restricted)

Raphael's Cherubim have access to any knowledge possessed by those to whom

they are attuned. They cannot read their attuned's current thoughts or feelings, but
they can read his memories. They may also use any skill or Song known by their
attuned, at the level the subject knows it, but only one at a time.

Ofanim (Restricted)

Ofanim of Knowledge can find any information they're looking for. They do not
get penalties to their skill roll when using their resonance to enhance Area Knowledge
rolls to find specific or subjective information, as other Ofanim do (In Nomine, p.
97). They may also use their resonance to reduce the time it takes to find specific
information -- as a general rule, divide the normal time to look something up by the
check digit of a successful resonance roll. Raphael's Ofanim can walk into a library
and walk straight to the exact book they need, and more often than not, open it up to
the relevant page.

Elohim (Restricted)

In addition to the normal information gained by their resonance, Elohim of

Knowledge automatically learn what information (if any) their subject is currently
seeking. On a check digit of 3+, they know why the subject wants to know this, and on
a check digit of 5+, they know what the subject will do with it or how he will react if
he gains the information he wants.

Malakim (Restricted)

It is given to Raphael's Malakim to purge information planted by the Enemy.

They may apply their resonance to the written word, and know whether it was written
by, or under the influence of, a diabolical servant. This includes lies (or truths!) told
by a demon to an innocent mundane who merely transcribed them. With a check digit
of 6, the Malakite will know if the writer was a demon. Of course, not everything
written under diabolical influence is necessarily evil -- but if a Malakite of
Knowledge determines that a piece of information was planted by servants of Hell, he
may destroy it or otherwise make it inaccessible without suffering dissonance.

(This attunement can be applied to as large or small an excerpt as the Malakite

likes. If he applies it to an entire book in which one paragraph was written by a
demon, for example, he will learn only that some of the content was written under
diabolical influence, but not exactly which content. Of course, he can start applying
his resonance to smaller and smaller sections if he wants to narrow it down . . . )

Kyriotates (Restricted)

Raphael's Kyriotates are the best teachers in the universe, as they may implant
knowledge in their hosts. After a Kyriotate of Knowledge leaves a host, he may leave
any information he likes in his host's mind. (This includes skills and Songs, though
the recipient must still pay character points for these). The host will not know how he
knows it, but the knowledge will seem to come "naturally."

Mercurians (Restricted)

The resonance of a Mercurian of Knowledge will tell him a number of skills and
Songs possessed by an individual equal to the check digit, in addition to the usual
information. (The GM determines which ones are revealed -- usually in order of
importance to the subject.) The Mercurian may use his resonance repeatedly to get
complete "skill lists," or he may determine whether or not the subject possesses a
specific skill or Song, one per resonance roll.

Raphael's Intercessionists also recognize writers, teachers, and librarians on

sight.

SERVITOR ATTUNEMENTS
Healing

Strictly speaking, this is a subset of the Word of Knowledge, but Raphael was
renowned for healing abilities (and was often mistakenly called the Archangel of
Healing), and so many Servitors of Knowledge specialized in knowledge of healing.

This attunement allows the angel to infallibly diagnose what is wrong with
someone, physiologically or psychologically, with a touch. (The angel must "lay on
hands" for at least a few seconds -- momentary skin-to-skin contact won't do it.) It
will detect injuries, diseases, poisons, and drugs, as well as dissonance, Discord,
possession, and the influence of a Habbalite resonance.

Library Card

Yves was able to continue granting this attunement after Raphael passed away.
It functions exactly like the Destiny Servitor Attunement (Heaven and Hell, p. 33).

Rite of Passage

Like Library Card (above), this was originally one of Raphael's Servitor

Attunements before Yves inherited it (Heaven and Hell, p. 34). Raphael was much
freer than Yves in granting it.

DISTINCTIONS
Vassal of Knowledge

The angel can comprehend any language, spoken or written, when he perceives

it. (Yes, this includes the diabolical tongue.) This grants him understanding only -- if
he wants to speak or write in the language, he needs to learn it normally (or use the
Corporeal Song of Tongues).
Friend of the Wise

The angel has access (through the Symphony) to everything written by the hand
of man. Of course, that's rather like having access to the Library of Congress, or the
World Wide Web -- it may take you awhile to find the exact information you want.
The character may utilize any information the player can find in written form (or any
other media the GM deems appropriate -- see the Seraphim attunement, above, when
considering whether the Internet, videotapes, and the like should count) as if the
character also had that information. While the player is spending time digging for
books and looking up information, game time continues to pass -- this represents how
long it takes the Vassal to search through the vast Symphonic library in his head.

Also note that just because something is written down, doesn't mean
it's accurate! The GM need not feel any obligation to be kind to smart-alecky players
who thumb through their In Nomine supplements when invoking this Distinction . . .

Master of the Wisdom of Ages

The angel knows everything. Really.

Seriously, he knows everything that's written down. Given the sheer volume of

information in his head, though, he may not always be able to recall what he needs to
know when he needs to know it. Treat this as the Friend of the Wise Distinction,
above, except that the player has -- theoretically -- unlimited time to look things up
without any game time passing. (Theoretically because when the GM and/or players
get tired of waiting, the GM can declare that the angel is standing there mumbling to
himself.)

RELATIONS
Raphael got along with nearly everyone, rarely becoming embroiled in
Heavenly politics, despite being very much a presence in the Seraphim Council. Uriel
and Dominic both felt at times that Raphael allowed humans too much information,
but no one distrusted the Archangel of Knowledge.

Allied: Yves, Gabriel, Eli (Eli and Litheroy were allied to Raphael)
Associated: Dominic, Jean (Yves, Gabriel, and Jean were associated with Raphael)
Hostile: No one (No one was hostile to Raphael)

BASIC RITES
 Spend four hours teaching willing students
 Spend six hours studying in a library or meditating
 Learn a hitherto-unknown fact
 Write a (non-fiction) book
 Copy a book, scroll, or other tome of information (in the modern age, this Rite
would probably change from copy to disseminate widely, as in mass publishing)
 CHANCE OF INVOCATION: 2
INVOCATION MODIFIERS
(Bear in mind that these modifiers applied in ancient times, up to the Middle Ages,
when scholarly teachers and universities were rare.)
+1 A non-fiction book
+2 A Bible, Quran, Talmud, or other religious volume written by hand
+3 A library
+4 A human with a Knowledge skill of 6, teaching that subject
+5 A multi-disciplined university
+6 The site of the leading edge of research into a new field

Archangel Raphael
Each of the Archangels Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, and Metatron
has the power of healing, but Archangel Raphael has the supreme power
of healing the soul. Think about the moment when your soul hurt so
much that you didn’t know what to do. Archangel Raphael means “God
heals!”

Do you wish to pray to Archangel Raphael for help? Say these words:
“Please, Archangel Raphael, help my soul heal!” You will find your inner
peace, you will see the bright side of the problem you have and you will
feel better. You will find solutions and in the end you will be healed.

The Archangels Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, and Metatron are the
most important Archangels to help us overcome a lot of bad moments in
our life. Their specific missions must be known by us. It is mandatory
because we should know to whom we should pray.

Archangel Raphael’s color is emerald green. Wear clothes in this color

and wear jewelry that has gems in this color because you will be
protected by Archangel Raphael.

The Bible tells us about his journey with Tobias, therefore his healing
powers can work when you are going to visit another country or going on
a trip. Before you get into a plane or when you sit in the car, say this
prayer: “Archangel Raphael, be with me on this journey, please!”