Once the Angels of the Wild, warriors without equal, the Sixth House can command animals and plants alike, as well as shaping and reshaping them flesh of other beings.
They are the Beasts.
Favored Attributes Strength, Stamina, Presence
House Lore: Lore of the Beast, Lore of the Flesh, Lore of the Wild
As Angels: The House of the Wild was granted dominion over every living thing that crawled, flew or slithered across the earth. They were a proud
House, and as the wilderness spread, the Angels of the Wild wove the countless strains of life into an intricate tapestry of beauty, majesty and power.
Aruru, the Visage of the Flesh is one of the Apocalyptic Forms available to the Fallen, specifically those of the House of Rabisu.
Fallen who have the Lore of the Flesh as their primary Lore become idealised versions of their mortal hosts who engender awe because of their stunning perfection. If Aruru become lost to their Torment, they become horrid masses of twitching flesh that constantly grows and regrows, and their jaws unhinge to swallow anything.
The Aruru were once considered the most powerful of the Rabisu. While the Zaltu shaped creatures and the Dagan gave it life itself, the Aruru were responsible for the subtleties; the interaction of life with the body, the interaction of the body with the environment, emotion, and countless other ways to ensure that the living creatures created by the Dagan and Zaltu could survive. After they fell, those who clawed their way out of the Abyss found themselves with a shadow of the power they once mastered. Some Aruru remain proud of their creations in humanity, while others are horrified by what humans have brought upon themselves through their carelessness.
Image: The angels of the flesh, who can alter their forms more dramatically hone their physiques to that of Greek gods. Their power exalts the mortal shell that they inhabit, removing any blemishes or deformities and refining their original features to perfection. In a way, this makes their appearance just as alien and wondrous as the shimmering apparitions of their Celestial kin.
Torment: These Aruru bear little resemblance to human beings, their original shape being lost in a swollen mountain of undulating flesh. Muscle, bone and organs roil and shift from moment to moment without the Fallen's conscious control.
(In ancient Sumerian mythology, Aruru is another name for Ninhursag, the earth-mother goddess and among the oldest gods in the pantheon. She was a consort of Enki, the highest and wisest of the gods, and created vegetation. Her sadness when Enki journeys to the underworld is said to have made the earth go barren and cause the seasons.)
Ninurtu, the Visage of the Wild is one of the Apocalyptic Forms avaliable to the Fallen, specifically those of the House of Rabisu.
The Ninurtu reflect what they helped create; those who worked with trees may stand tall and sturdy, while those who worked with vines may be slender but strong. The Ninurtu can reflect the colors of the flowers and leaves they adore, and some resemble the classic Greek satyr, with hooved feet. High-Torment Ninurtu grow larger and more unkempt, resembling nightmarish growths one might find in a dark forest.
While their fellow Rabisu the Zaltu handled all of the animals, the Ninurtu were busy with the plants of the world, creating countless varieties and possibly outdoing the Zaltu for sheer variety. Many of the Ninurtu were content to let humanity alone, but a few of them wanted to work with humans, protecting them from the plants that might harm them. The few who became rebels used their plants as living warriors, but all for naught. After their time in the Abyss, very few Ninurtu feel fond of humans, or anything else in Creation for that matter. Some of the Ninurtu would be content to stop humanity from destroying their wonderous creations; just as many would be happy if everything was eliminated.
Image: The Ninurtu manifest as an amalgam of the flora that thrive beneath their aegis. Their skin is commonly covered by intricate designs of deep greens, reds and blues, along with other vibrant colors. Their eyes change like the seasons, ranging from pale gray to deep summer green.
Torment: Monstrous Ninurtu are darker of hue. They grow cruel thorns across their body and they exude the kind of forbidding menace reserved for the deep forests where daylight never touches.
(Ninurtu is another name for Nin-girsu, the Sumerian god of fertility and irrigation.)
Zaltu, the Visage of the Beast is one of the Apocalyptic Forms available to the Fallen, specifically those of the House of Rabisu.
The Zaltu reflect their realm of power more literally than any other Fallen. They look like the creatures they once created. Fur, feathers, and scales make up the skin of the Zaltu. Many move with grace and strength befitting their forms. Claws and teeth are also appropriate, but unlike the other Fallen, the Zaltu who appear with these appendages are not High-Torment. Rather, High-Torment Zaltu are revealed by their horrific diseased appearances. Wounds are torn through the skin of some, while others foam at the mouth, and still others resemble nothing so much as walking corpses. A Tormented Zaltu is a creature out of many humans' nightmares.
The Zaltu's role in creation was fairly straightforward. They created every creature, from the tiniest microbe to the great blue whale. The physical form of man even fell to these creature, and the Zaltu took the job on with honor and developed affection for these creatures that would be the greatest of their creations. But then, Michael declared the humans fair game for animals to hunt, and the Zaltu were horrified as their creations killed one another. Initially, the Zaltu who rebelled were on the side of the humans, but their outlook changed when they returned from the Abyss. Humans proved themselves to be capable and adaptable, and now many of the Zaltu rush to save their other creations from what they once considered their masterwork.
Image: The angels of the hunt are fearsome in form, stalking through the darkness with panther-like strength and supple grace. The appearances of these Fallen are many and varied, but most are powerfully muscled with large, golden eyes that glow like coals in the moonlight. They speak in a low, liquid rumble, and their howls chill the blood for miles when they hunt.
Torment: Zaltu who are lost to their Torment look emaciated and diseased, their skin grows a layer of fur that is filthy and matted with blood. Their joints crack and sinews snap as they grow to beastial proportions. Flecks of foam drip from their wicked jaws, and their skin thickens into a tough hide of gristle and nerveless flesh.
or going unconscious.
The Pitt: At first, the Devourers accepted their exile stoically, but separation from the living world eventually took its toll. They felt betrayed by Lucifer’s absence from The Pitt. For many, anger and pain grew, and they reverted more and more to their feral nature, trading reason and guilt for debased instinct.
The Return: Upon their escape from The Pitt, the Devourers were shocked to discover how much the world had changed. The humans they fought and suffered for had forgotten all they had been taught, raping the world of its dwindling resources and driving whole species into extinction.
Possession: Many are drawn to those who deal with violence on a common basis, soldiers, drug dealers and police officers. However, it is also true
they are drawn to those who put themselves against great odds (e.g. fire fighters, political activists) especially those who’ve been emotionally scarred bytheir trials. Unsurprisingly, Devourers are also drawn to those who protect nature.
Factions: Devourers tend to fall into one of two factions, depending on how well their convictions weathered the agonies of Hell. Many use their newfound freedom to reform ranks, and continue in their cause as Luciferans, or they choose to burn itall down and seek bloody revenge on the Creator’s beloved children as Raveners. Outside these two factions, the next largest group are Reconcilers. Weary of bloodshed and only wishing to rebuild the gardens. Cryptics and Faustians are rare for Devourers.