Ennoia

Ennoia was born into the strict world order of the 5th Age. She was among the Favoured, being not a natural channeler but possessed of a bloodline which meant the ability might be passed down to her descendants. As such her life was dictated by the ruling High Ones, who would decide whether or not she would ever marry or have children. Ennoia never questioned this as the natural order, proud to know any children she had would one day take their own places in the intricate tapestry of the High One’s rule. It was a position which also afforded her great privilege, including an extensive education and a revered place in society.

For many years she was a disciple of Archangel Jophiel, who presided over art and wisdom and was one of the few women who held positions of note within the regime. Both sensible and studious, Ennoia became a favoured diplomat in the great coastal city of her home. She was known to be a learned woman who respected order, had a startling memory, and was of an amenable and dutiful disposition.

Her work brought her into regular contact with dignitaries, including those from other orders within the High One’s rule, but particularly those who guided humanity directly. Samyaza was one such visitor, a greatly respected figure and the leader of the Watchers, each member of whom had been personally selected by his gift to read the truth of a soul. It was through this diplomatic connection she first met the warrior Barachiel.

Though Ennoia was not entirely unaccustomed to attention, Barachiel’s was different: it was both direct and pure, immediate and unwavering. She was used to admiring others from afar, a glow in her chest she usually mistook to be rooted in respect rather than attraction, and never gave much more note than that. His love was overwhelming, and swept her quickly in its path. He was and remains the greatest and only love of her life, though in her innocence for recognising such emotions it took her longer than most to realise it.

None would have ever suspected Ennoia of a rebellious act. Yet when many years later Barachiel came to her bearing news of Samyaza’s permission, she gave up everything to become his wife: her revered position, her home, her reputation, her vows. She trusted in the sanctity of the Truthseer, and truly believed the union was ordained. And it was, in the way of fate. Yet it was not blessed. By the end she would lose everything, even her name forgotten and twisted into something far darker.

The grigori’s Watch was ended, and for a time Ennoia was the happiest of her life. Their small community thrived and grew. She delighted in the free collaboration and selfless sharing of knowledge, instantly committed to the cause of utopia. Her adoration of Barachiel only grew in those early months of marriage, when she began to realise the enormity of what they would both become a part of. Her natural affinity for organisation quickly made her integral, and she heavily favoured democratic process and fairness. Hers was the quiet voice of wisdom and reason. In essence, she flourished.

It was still in those early days that Naamah, Samyaza’s wife, first came to her in secrecy and shared in confidence that she was a channeler, something she dared not tell another soul. In naivety Ennoia always presumed Samyaza himself knew, for a marriage contained no secrets, but she never asked or betrayed the trust. Naamah revealed that Ennoia’s blood meant she was able to learn it too, if she wished. Whatever Ennoia’s decision, for both their safety she cautioned Ennoia to keep it to herself, and Ennoia took the counsel to heart.

The years continued to pass, and her family with Barachiel grew. The children Ennoia had once envisioned becoming a part of the High One’s regime instead became her greatest joy. She had always been taught to fear the Nephilim, the unregulated children of channelers, and yet all she felt was love as she raised them to kindness and tolerance and integrity.

The unrest grew slowly. At first just rumours here and there sowing doubt in El, Azazel’s growing restlessness, the first stirrings of a more open rebellion than their peaceful community had allowed before. Ennoia was astute, and she noticed it all, yet watching her children blossom and grow and raise their own families blinded her to the consequences. Her faith in the High Ones had already withered. It was their futures she worried for, for they were all Nephilim and if Azazel brought them war they would suffer. Their freedom was the only thing that would rally her to fight, yet even then hers was the persistent voice of reason and peace. If they continued down this path then soon the High Ones would no longer be able to ignore them. But Azazel was beyond such reasoning, and too many followed his words. Even Samyaza seemed grim to the inevitable.

In all that time Ennoia never doubted Barachiel, for she always believed his honour made him beyond reproach, and trusted he would always protect them, even if the world around them began to crumble. So she never noticed the signs of change in him, nor the soft whispers being placed in his ear. Lucifer was both favoured of El and brother to the Archangel Michael, and most had taken his presence among them as a sign that the Watcher’s disbandment was tacitly sanctioned by the High Ones. Though it was Gabriel who finally tricked Barachiel into believing his wife’s disloyalty, it was Lucifer who ensured the rage of envy went so far as to claim the life of a brother in retribution. In surprise and horror Ennoia begged Barachiel to seek forgiveness – to think of their family, to think of her – but he was relentless. It was but the first chink in a fracture that ran deeper than anyone had realised. Civil war erupted, and brother began to turn on brother. Amidst the chaos, Azazel finally incited open rebellion against the High Ones themselves.

The Archangels were summoned, and devastation followed. The war was bloody, the Watcher’s bloodlines slowly erased even when their families scattered or had not been part of the conflicts. In desperation Ennoia embraced the forbidden and made something terrible of herself, yet she failed to protect her family, and after the final death she broke. By the end Barachiel was captured and condemned to Duidain. She had remained by his side but his betrayal had frozen what was left of her heart, for she came to blame him for their loss. Though in the end he was the only thing she had left, and though her love never faltered, there was no forgiveness to be had; she abandoned him in pursuit of vengeance.

Grief hollowed where once there had been softness and honour, and her legacy became a monstrous story often repeated as a warning of the heinous consequences of succumbing to the Power. She was the fallen woman, seduced by temptation into betraying the High Ones, remembered for having lain with the demon of envy, Behemoth. Eventually she was killed by the sons of Naamah and Samyaza, a foolishness which revealed them from hiding and resulted in their own deaths by the Archangels.

Ennoia’s tale is ultimately a tragic one, her memory and achievements besmirched by her loyalties and choices. If she is remembered at all, it is as the dread Leviathan.