Araxiel

== Background ==

Ryunosuke was an artist trapped between worlds, torn between cultures as a native-born Japanese living in the U.S. and trying to merge the influences of both with not only his lifestyle, but his music. There were hits and misses, highs and lows, and that dichotomy only grew as notoriety and wealth granted more options, more avenues to explore, and more (and less) freedoms. The lifestyle reached a climax after a high-speed crash, reckless driving during one of the many nights spent trying to outrun his concerns. The demon found a body devoid of a strong soul, and attuned to its own personality.

Now, the latest shift in styles and genre have him rebranded as Datenshi, the band taking on number of gothic, neoclassical, and visual kei elements along with stage names to shed their previous personas. Recent appearances have seen him in full costume even offstage, and current acts have him lowered from the ceiling while sporting a pair of wings, playing up his image of a fallen angel.

Questions

• Who were you before the fall?

While many of his House worked beneath the waters to create wonders, Araxiel remained above the waves but always near, attempting to draw the mortals out to sea. He watched the futility of creating great things under the water, only to have them unseen and ignored, and so attempted to beckon the humans out towards the horizon, away from land, to explore and wander and discover all that could be. While a rare few would give themselves to the sense of adventure, many more did not; content to stare across the depths, perhaps with a wistful thought, and turn away.

• How did you fall?

Seeing his efforts spurned, the works of his brethren ignored, Araxiel slowly grew bitter towards the humans. It wasn't their ignorance, but their willfulness to remain so that troubled him. How could these be the greatest of His creations, when they were content to waste their limitless potential and gifts? It wasn't a desire to follow Lucifer that eventually called him to rebel, but dissatisfaction. The angels had been forced to work unseen, their efforts unappreciated, for beings that were clearly inferior despite His words.

• What did you do during the war?

At first merely a messenger, the need to take a more active role was eventually forced upon him. He became a speaker for the cause, a voice to sway the hearts and minds, to bolster morale unify those who would stand against God and his loyalists. In so doing, he was spared committing many atrocities of war himself, but spurred others on to commit acts of great heroism, sacrifice, or horror as the need arose.

• What about your vessel awakened you?

A desire for adoration was shared with vessel and demon, the former wishing for fame and attention, and a drive to finally have the long-due appreciation and respect in the latter.

• What are your goals?

With an escape from hell and a second chance, Araxiel longs for everything he feels he's been cheated of: attention to and appreciation of himself and his abilities. He regrets the rebellion only insofar as how it denied him Heaven, and so seeks to create his own paradise on earth; a place of luxury and comfort, power and devoted followers, and absolute loyalty.

• How do you view humanity?

Humans are a poor joke told by God, who then punished Araxiel for not laughing. Trapped in hell and forced to watch them play out their existence, he's only been reaffirmed of his beliefs: humans are ungrateful, weak, corruptible, flawed. There are a few who aspire to be greater than they are, and just as a few would answer his calls to leave the shore, he can't help but recognize them for it. As a whole, however, he holds no fondness for the pretenders.

Stats

Name: Ryunosuke Koyasu. Stage Name: Datenshi True Name: Araxiel

House: Defiler Faction: Faustian Nature: Gallant Demeanor: Bon Vivant Willpower: 6

Attributes

Strength: 1 Dexterity: 3 Stamina: 2

Charisma: 3 Manipulation: 2 Appearance: 5 (Attractive)

Perception: 2 Wits: 2 Intelligence: 4 (Creative)

Skills

Alertness: 1 Awareness: 1 Dodge: 2 Empathy: 5 (Motives) Expression: 5 (song-writing) Intuition: 2 Leadership: 1

Etiquette: 3 Melee:3 Performance: 5 (Guitar)

Academics: 1 Occult: 1 Religion: 1 Linguistics: 2

Flaws

Eccentric Appearance: -1 Cultural Snob: -1 Defensive: -1 Lustful: -2 Ghoulish Sense of Humor: -1 Impractical Dresser: -1

Merits

Angelic Aura: 1 Smooth: 1 Enchanting Voice: 2

Backgrounds

Resources 4 Fame 3 Pacts 2 Influence 1

Virtues

Conscience: 1 Conviction: 3 Courage: 2

Lores Lore of Longing 3

Revelatory Form

Low Torment-

Sea's Beauty (3) Enhanced Intuition (1) Enhanced Empathy (1) Beckon (3)

High Torment-

Unearthly Glamour (2) Lyrical Voice (1) Lordly Mein (3) Improved Dexterity (2)