The House of the Second World, they were The Seventh House. The Slayers have dominion over endings and death, they can destroy the things of the physical world, command the spirits of the dead, and even enter the realm between life and death known as Twilight.

They were the shadows in the valley of death.

Favored Attributes Resolve, Dexterity, Composure

House Lore: Lore of Death, Lore of the Realms, Lore of the Spirit

Ereshkigal, the Visage of the Realms is one of the Apocalyptic Forms available to the Fallen, specifically those of the House of Halaku.

The Ereshkigal appear to be garbed in black robes and have long, skeletal fingers, strongly resembling classic Grim Reapers; perhaps they resemble something else as well. Their faces are always hidden in shadow, and they make no sounds as they pass. They do not have wings, but are masters of moving into and out of the Shadowlands, and their sense of direction is uncanny. Monstrous Ereshkigal become brooding shadows, dark and menacing, and reflecting the dark power of Oblivion

The Ereshkigal differ from the rest of the Halaku most greatly; like some other Lores, theirs was created after the Fall. The Nergal and Namtar wished to keep human souls from fading or disappearing after they were cursed to reap the souls of humanity, and so the Halaku created a Realm where the dead could hide from their ultimate fate. Before the Fall, many who became Ereshkigal were those who helped destroy failed experiments with life. As they struggle to return from the Abyss, they cannot remember much of what they created, and the presence of Oblivion, as well as who put it there, is a mystery to them.

Image: Ereshkigal, Visage of the Realms Angels of the Second World manifest as dark figures wreathed in tendrils of ghostly mist that shift and writhe from moment to moment, occasionally reflecting the angels’ thoughts in strange, symbolic forms. Only their eyes, colored in shifting patterns of gray and black, hint at the bleak world beyond the mortal realm. Their wings are like tangible shadows.

Torment: Ereshkigal who surrender to their Torment are walking portals to the land of the dead, exuding an aura of loss and despair that chills mortal hearts. Their voices are bleak and sepulchral, and their eyeless stare gives the boldest heart pause.

(In ancient Mesopotamia, Ereshkigal was the goddess in charge of the underworld.)

Namtar, the Visage of Death is one of the Apocalyptic Forms available to the Fallen, specifically those of the House of Halaku.

The Namtar are silent, black-winged creatures wrapped in robes of mist. No matter how gentle and safe a Namtar acts, the form of death strikes fear into those who see it and are not prepared for it. When they become consumed with Torment, their presence saps the life from everything around them, they become cloaked in shadows, and they don't feel pain, love, or much of anything anymore.

The ultimate recyclers, the original purpose of the Namtar was to simply remove life from an object with a simple touch, and then return the materials of the body to the earth. After being cursed to use their powers on humans, which was never the intention of their existence, the Namtar were distraught. Some began building realms where their beloved souls could be safe from the Nergal. They attempted to sooth humanity's fear of death by helping develop rites of mourning, such as funerals. Some Namtar came to enjoy their new job, and were cast into the Abyss already greatly removed from the world around them.

Image: These angels are shadowy figures whose face and features are hidden in dark shadows. A pall of silence surrounds these figures, and their feet never seem to touch the ground. Black raven feathered wings wrap around them like a cloak, and their skin is white and bony like a bleached skeletons.

Torment: Monstrous Namtar exude the cold aura of death, draining the life of every living thing around  them. Flowers wilt in their passing, children grow glassy-eyed, and the old feel mortality grip their heart, while their wings appear as thick ash.

(Namtar was the Mesopotamian god of death and messenger of Ereshkigal and Nergal.)

Nergal, the Visage of Spirits is one of the Apocalyptic Forms available to the Fallen, specifically those of the House of Halaku.

Angelic Nergal are silent, and never seem to touch the ground. They pass without trace and are beautiful to behold, and they can always perceive the presence of incorporeal souls. Tormented Nergal become bloodstained, shadowy monstrosities that howl with the voices of the damned, ready to snatch spirits away without a moment of thought or tenderness.

The Nergal once worked hand in hand with their fellow Halaku the Namtar, doing spiritually what the Namtar did physically. The Nergal took the life given by the Dagan and recycled it back into the universe; like many Halaku, their job took on a new and horrible meaning when it was applied to humans. Many Nergal became comforters of the dying, but were unwilling to part with the souls who went somewhere beyond their reach. Many began helped souls to anchor themselves to the things they loved and allow them to remain. They eventually helped the Namtar in the creation of a realm of spirits to keep them from wandering endlessly through the living world. The Nergal are also loosely connected with vampires, and they feel quite lucky in their punishments compared to those forced upon Cain.

Image: The angels of the spirit world appear as pale, serene figures reminiscent of the images of human saints, beautiful, silent and remote. Like others of their House Nergal move without noise or effort, seeming to glide along the ground as they move. The air itself seems to wrap about them like a robe of night, conjuring the image of the cowled ferryman of human myth.

Torment: Monstrous Nergal are stained with the blood of the dead, their alabaster skin are streaked with lines of crimson and black. Their eyes are orbs of clotted blood, and when they speak, their voices howl like the spirits of the damned.

As Angels: The Angels of Death were given the melancholy task of undoing all the wonders that their peers created, ending lives and erasing great works so that others may follow in their place. Like the other Celestials, the Reapers loved humanity and dedicated themselves to keeping Eden vibrant and dynamic, but mankind in its ignorance regarded the death of animals and plants with fear and sadness. Their reaction pained the Reapers, who longed to explain themselves to humanity.

The Pitt: The Slayers were not as tormented by The Pitt as other Fallen, they knew of bleak worlds already, but they again found themselves unable to make things right as they watched their brethren grow into more and more depraved monsters.

The Return: Slayers find themselves in a world that has suffered greatly in the absence of those meant to govern the ways of aging and death.

Possession: Slayers are drawn to several kinds, to those who have spent a lifetime helping others, or devoted to a framework of thought that focuses on the next life at the expense of their current one. Another kind are those whose souls have been worn down to nothingness by banality and neglect, who run blades across their skin simply so they can feel.

Factions: Very few Slayers are Luciferans, having never been fiercely loyal to Lucifer. There are more Faustian Slayers, but most of the House that are focused on humanity's potential actually become Reconcilers instead, turning their passion toward rebalancing the world as it was before the loss of Paradise. The Cryptics attract quite a number of layers, because the abstract and investigative nature of the faction suits them. The Raveners attract their fair share as well. The members may say they have various reasons; that they are carryingout their Creator-given duty, or that in the absence of God they have become the judges of mankind, but some just want existence to turn to burn to nothing.