LAMENTER "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of they people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself..." [Leviticus 19.18] "For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me". [St. Matthew 26.35-36] Lamenters are so named simply because they are so bothered by the suffering of the world. Relentlessly, they seek to relieve it. All human suffering bothers Lamenters, nomatter how much other angels might think that certain suffering is "deserved". Although they are often successful at relieving suffering, and are made happy by seeing suffering relieved, the enormity of the problem tends towards leading Lamenters into depression. Ironically, given the nature of Angels, such depression can itself sap their power to change things. When this happens, they tend to get even more depressed... REQUIRED ADVANTAGES: Alertness +2 (+10), High Pain Threshold (+10), Strong Will +5 (+20). REQUIRED DISADVANTAGES: Full Pacifism (-30 pts). ANGELIC LAMENTER Help of the helpless, no-one exhibits greater and more unconditional love of humanity than do Angelic Lamenters. Their very presence radiates warmth to those who can see their Angelic nature. Sometimes, the sadness that is the other side of the warmth is carefully hidden by the Lamenter, but even then it shows in their eyes. Immediately after something particularly lamentable has happened, many break down into open grieving of impressive passion. A triggering event could be anything from the death of a known human's spouse to an earthquake across the other side of the world. Stereo-types Apocalypt: Hasn't there been enough killing? Bachae: What they do is good, but they fail to realize how much more intense suffering is than pleasure, and hence how much more important it is. Bhoddidsatva: Their heart is in the right place, but by constantly retreating from the world, they too often fail to confront it and act against its horrors. Children of the Crucible: They do a valuable job. Fury: It seems impossible that an Angel could be responsible for such unspeakable cruelty. Yet it is so. Justicar: Justice is not compatible with mercy. Of the two, mercy is more important. Infernal Lamenter: Poor pathetic creatures. If only there was a way to help them! Mammonite: Too many Angels despise them for their pragmatism, ignoring the practical good that they do. Muse: If only they were as keen at inspiring hearts as they are at inspiring talent. Narcissite: If they want respect, they should prove themselves worthy of it. Reaper: Why on earth don't they concentrate on raising the oppressed instead of lowering the pompous? Tiamatic: With freedom comes responsibility. Let them show us their responsibility. INFERNAL LAMENTERS Infernal Lamenters are unique among Infernals in that they, like their Celestial brethren, maintain an overwhelming compassion for humanity and for the human condition. The difference between them and their Celestials are that the Infernal Lamenters have been completely overcome by despair. Reality has overwhelmed them. They desperately want things to go well for humanity, but feel powerless to help. Indeed, they feel that things must get worse and that the universal triumph of despair is inevitable. So powerful are their feelings that they radiate despair and bad luck, subconsciously forcing reality to conform to their beliefs. Stereo-types Apocalypt: If only I could believe that the world would end! Bachae: Hopeless. People can't be happy. Bhoddidsatva: Hopeless. There is no escape. Children of the Crucible: Hopeless. People can't be made good. Fury: The future is theirs. AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH! Justicar: Their pompous exterior hides a cruel, unforgiving heart. Angelic Lamenter: Lament my brothers, Lament. All your efforts are in vain. Mammonite: Hopeless. The generation of wealth only helps the wealthy. Muse: Pointless. Who cares if music prospers when humanity is damned? Narcissite: Pointless. God is gone. No-one can take His place. Reaper: Hopeless. You do not help the thin merely by slaughtering the fat. Tiamatic: Hopeless. Because there must be discrepancies in power, there can never be freedom.