"Led by the Angiris Council, their unity made them an indominatable force for light and rightousness."
-Deckard Cain^[1]

The Angiris Council is the ruling body of the High Heavens. It initially consisted of five archangels, each of a particular aspect said to represent the chief virtues of Anu.^[2] Over time however, the Council's unity and members has diminished, including the absence of Archangel Malthael.

MembershipEdit

Image	Name	Aspect	Description
	Imperius	Archangel of Valor	A ruthless angel, he is the current leader of the Council. A long time confidante of Tyrael before the breakup of their relationship, due to the latter's desire to protect humanity.
	Tyrael	Archangel of Justice (former title)	Intervenes with affairs in the mortal realm on behalf of humankind many times throughout the series, before finally becoming one himself twenty years after he destroyed the Worldstone.
	Auriel	Archangel of Hope	The voice of reason and pillar of diplomacy in the Council and its only female member. She is also closest to Itherael.
	Itherael	Archangel of Fate	Reads the endless Scroll of Fate, which allows him to foretell events. He is also the closest to Auriel.
	Malthael	Archangel of Wisdom (former title)	The former leader of the Council, he now wanders the halls of Pandemonium in search of lost knowledge that has escaped him. This comes as a result of the Worldstone's destruction by the hands of Tyrael.

HistoryEdit

The Great ConflictEdit

As the Great Evils were of Tathamet, the Angiris Council was of Anu, and both sets of leaders led their forces in the Great Conflict.^[2] and both sets of leaders led their forces on the battlefield. When united, the Council could be unstoppable. However, they were not without dissonance, a case in point when Imperius slew Diablo on an impulse, despite the suggestions of Tyrael and Auriel that it would serve their cause better if the demon was taken prisoner instead.^[1]

The Sin WarEdit

The Angiris Council became aware of the existance of Sanctuary and its nephalem denizens, both world and beings the product of unions between angels and demons. It was the Council's initial edict that the world and its people be destroyed, viewed as "abominations." However, Uldyssian's sacrifice gave the Council pause and it conveened to discuss the fate of the world. Imperius opted for erradication. Auriel and Itherael voted for the world's continued existance. Malthael abstained. Tyrael, who had been expected to side with Imperius and thus doom Sanctuary to destruction (a tie would mean the original edict would be carried out), sided with humanity, moved by Uldyssian's sacrifice. Sanctuary and its people would be left to choose between light or dark, and after a pact with Mephisto, both Heaven and Hell agreed to respect its neutrality.^[3]

Seeds of DiscordEdit

So much for your unity...
Diablo mocking the Council^[1]

The events of the Sin War had ensured that the Great Conflict would take on a new paradigm, one that boded ill for the Angiris Council as much as the Prime Evils. The ceasefire did not sit well with Imperius—robbed of an enemy to fight, he became something of a "legalistic tyrant." That Tyrael had not sided with him at the conclusion of the Sin War was another thorn in his side. Furthermore, Tyrael would continue to act on his own, aiding humanity despite the edicts of the Council. Auriel continued to act as a bridge between the two angels but Malthael was another story. It was said his mood darkened after the the creation of Sanctuary. After the destruction of the Worldstone, he simply vanished.^[2]

And the Heavens Shall TrembleEdit

You cannot judge me. I am justice itself! We were made for more than this! To protect the innocent! But if our precious laws bind you all to inaction...then I will no longer stand as your brother.
Tyrael's parting words^[4]

By 1285,^[5] the remaining lords of Hell were threatening Sanctuary, and Tyrael and Imperius came to blows over the issue. Ultimately, Tyrael forsook his immortality, becoming mortal and descending to the world to guide a new group of heroes against the forces threatening their world.^[4] In this they were successful. However, Diablo had made plans as far back as the Dark Exile^[6] and through the Black Soulstone and Leah, became the Prime Evil, with all the evils of Hell merged into one being. Besting Imperius outside the Diamond Gates and shattering them, he led his forces into the High Heavens.^[7] Auriel and Itherael were captured while Imperius was left to fight a losing battle. Thanks to Tyrael and his mortal allies however, Auriel and Itherael were rescued and the tide turned in Heaven's favor. Imperius was not so eager to side with the "abominations" he'd condemned 3,000 years ago, but it became a moot point as he was incapacitated and the heroes defeated the Lord of Terror regardless.^[8]

As new light dawned on Heaven, Tyrael retook his place among his breatheren, though this time, standing as Wisdom.^[9]

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Wrath
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Book of Cain
3. ↑ The Veiled Prophet
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Diablo III, Act II Intro Cinematic
5. ↑ Diablo timeline
6. ↑ Diablo III Collector's Edition DVD
7. ↑ Diablo III, Act IV Intro Cinematic
8. ↑ Diablo III, Act IV
9. ↑ Diablo III, Act IV Ending Cinematic

External LinksEdit

• Diablo 3 Lore: The Angiris Council