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"The Angiris Council is comprised of the five archangels who hold dominion over the High Heavens. They determine the laws by which all angels must abide. Each of them embodies a pure aspect of creation: valor, justice, hope, fate and wisdom."

- Selathiel, Angiris Scribe(src)

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.[1] Over time, however, the Council's unity and members has diminished, including the absence of Archangel Malthael. Currently, Imperius is the de facto leader of the council.

Membership[]

Image Name Aspect Description
Imperius7
Imperius Archangel of Valor Current leader of the Council and the Heavenly Host. A mighty warrior, but also prideful and rash. Formerly close with Tyrael, but their relationship became strained after Tyrael's advocation for humanity at the end of the Sin War. Wielded Solarion, the Spear of Valor. Corresponding domain is the Halls of Valor.
Tyrael
Tyrael

Aspect of Justice/Wisdom
(formerly the Archangel of Justice)

The "maverick" of the Council. Formerly an impartial dispenser of justice, his disposition changed at the end of the Sin War, which put him at odds with Imperius. Aided humanity secretly through the Horadrim, chose to become mortal when called to answer for his actions. Has since taken on the aspect of Wisdom in addition to Justice. Wields El'druin, the Sword of Justice. Corresponding domain was the Courts of Justice.
Auriel
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. Compassionate, but nonetheless willing to fight when it's necessary. Wields Al'maiesh, the Cord of Hope. Corresponding domain is the Gardens of Hope.
Itherael
Itherael Archangel of Fate Mostly aloof, though is closest with Auriel. Reads Talus'ar, the Scroll of Fate, which allows them to see future events. Corresponding domain is the Library of Fate.
Malthael
Malthael

Angel of Death
(formerly Archangel of Wisdom)

Former leader of the council. Was once a noble being said to cherish all life. Malthael's persona darkened after the disappearance of the Worldstone. After its destruction, he abandoned the High Heavens and supposedly wandered the halls of Pandemonium, seeking answers to the unknowable mysteries of life and death. Eventually returned to Sanctuary at the head of the Reapers, having since become the Angel of Death. Once carried Chalad'ar, the Chalice of Wisdom. Corresponding domain was the Pools of Wisdom.

History[]

Creation Tree from the Book of Lorath (Diablo)

Creation Tree from the Book of Lorath

"At the center of the High Heavens lies the Crystal Arch, said to be formed of Anu's spine. When it vibrates in perfect harmony, an angel is created, embodying an aspect of what Anu had once been. The purest of these became archangels, and five rose above the rest to lead the host of the High Heavens."

The Eternal Conflict[]

"Led by the Angiris Council, their unity made them an indomitable force for light and rightousness."

The Angiris Council formed early in the history of angels. The Crystal Arch gave birth to angelkind, and the purest angels (those who were most in tune with one of the five virtues of Anu) became archangels. Of the archangels, five rose above the rest to form the Angiris Council.[2] They designed the architecture of the Silver City.[3]

Angiris Council

The Angiris Council

The Angiris Council led their forces in the Great Conflict,[1] including on the battlefield itself. When united, the Council could be unstoppable.[4] Initially, the Council was led by Malthael.[5] However, the Council was not without dissonance, a case in point when Imperius slew Diablo on an impulsive decision, despite the suggestions of Tyrael and Auriel that it would serve their cause better if the demon was taken prisoner instead. On his final breath, Diablo mocked the Angiris Council's so-called unity after being slain.[4]

The Sin War[]

Angiris-Comic

The Council decides the fate of Sanctuary

The Angiris Council became aware of the existence 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 convened to discuss the fate of the world. Imperius opted for eradication. Auriel and Itherael voted for the world's continued existence. 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.[6]

Seeds of Discord[]

"So much for your unity..."

- Diablo mocking the Council(src)

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 is said his mood darkened after the creation of Sanctuary. After the destruction of the Worldstone, he simply vanished.[1] In light of his absence, Imperius took over leadership of the Council,[7] where division continued to exist between him and Tyrael.[1] During this period, the Council eventually relented to the pleas of Urzael to let him take leave to find his master.[8]

And the Heavens Shall Tremble[]

"You cannot judge me. I am justice itself! We were meant 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(src)

By 1285, the remaining lords of Hell were threatening Sanctuary.[9] Tyrael believed that only by allying with humanity could Heaven survive Hell's onslaught, but instead, the Council put him on trial, believing that his destruction of the Worldstone had endangered Creation.[10] Tyrael and Imperius came to blows over the issue. Ultimately, Tyrael forsook his immortality, becoming mortal and descending to the world to guide the Nephalem against the forces threatening their world.[9] In this they were successful. However, Diablo had made plans as far back as the Dark Exile[11] 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.[12] Auriel and Itherael were captured while Imperius was left to fight a losing battle. Thanks to Tyrael and the Nephalem, however, Auriel and Itherael were rescued and the tide turned in Heaven's favour. 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 Nephalem defeated the Lord of Terror regardless.[13]

As new light dawned on Heaven, Tyrael retook his place among his brethren, though this time, standing as Wisdom.[14]

Light and Shadow[]

Imperius in Reaper of Souls Intro

The Council presides over the Black Soulstone

The Council members later discovered that the Black Soulstone remained in Heaven, and guarded it. The soulstone's malignant influence began to spread across the realm, bringing discord into the realm. Imperius and the other archangels refused to move the stone, so Tyrael, after reforming the Horadrim, was forced to abscond with the artifact[15] and seal it in Sanctuary. Malthael, having become the Angel of Death, intervened, incapacitating Tyrael and claiming the Black Soulstone for himself.[16]

Later on, Malthael led his Reapers to attack all of Sanctuary. The Angel of Death retreated to the Pandemonium Fortress in order to alter the Black Soulstone to capture all of the demonic essence lingering within humanity. But what shocked the angels the most was when Malthael attacked the Pandemonium Gate in Heaven to prevent the Nephalem from entering. This drew all of Heaven into conflict against the Reapers and in the end, Malthael fell.[17]

Trivia[]

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This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.
  • When it came to designing the members of the Council, Tyrael served as the base inspiration, as per his earlier introduction. Thus, each character was provided with their own core imagery while preserving a unified look among them.[18]
  • According to Hindu mythology, the Angiris (or Angiras) is a group of celestial beings who are descendants of the Fire God Agni and the Goddess Agneya, and responsible for watching over humans performing Yagna (sacrifices) and protecting the sacrificial fires. [19]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Book of Cain
  2. Book of Lorath
  3. Diablo Immortal, Empyrean Arch Portal
  4. 4.0 4.1 Wrath
  5. 2013-12-01, BlizzCon 2013 – Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Preview Panel Transcript. Blizzplanet, accessed on 2014-01-14
  6. The Veiled Prophet
  7. Diablo III, Imperius, Archangel of Valor
  8. 2013-11-03, Reaper of Souls - Urzaels Journal Sound Files. YouTube, accessed on 2014-02-09
  9. 9.0 9.1 Diablo III, Act II Intro Cinematic
  10. Diablo III, Act II, Unexpected Allies
  11. Diablo III Collector's Edition DVD
  12. Diablo III, Act IV Intro Cinematic
  13. Diablo III, Act IV
  14. Diablo III, Act IV Ending Cinematic
  15. 2013-09-11, Diablo III: Storm of Light — Coming in 2014. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2013-09-12
  16. 2013-08-21, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Opening Cinematic. YouTube, accessed on 2013-08-22
  17. Diablo III, Act V
  18. The Art of Diablo III
  19. Turner, Patricia; Charles Russell Coulter (2001). Dictionary of ancient deities. Oxford University Press US. ISBN 0-19-514504-6.

External Links[]

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