The Empty World | The Empty World Sequence [complete | rewriting]

Extras: Guide to Characters

Shade - a Vampyre,  born Human in Alexandria, Egypt at the turn of the common era. He was transformed by the Nephillim Azyur Ka, under the direction of Lucifer, with the intention he be their agent on Earth. Shade encountered Angels opposing Lucifer in the settlement of New Eden and subsequently took a neutral position in their Angelic conflict, which ultimately earned him the enmity of Lucifer. Shade is generally reclusive, but nevertheless influential in Darkling circles, being idolized or despised by various other Vampyres and Halfangels. Most Humans are unaware of him, as he writes novels under a pseudonym and sometimes works as a musician under various stage names. (Conceived as something like The Starscream to Lucifer, but not as actively backstabby as the original. 'Shade' is the English equivalent of the name he would have chosen in Greek, but is the name he uses for himself through most of the story. Symbolically it can work on several levels.)

Helen Jewel - A hereditary witch, maiden name Helen Templeton, she found work for an organization researching Darkling, and encountered Steven during a raid on the building where he and Shade were both living. After marrying Steven, Helen struggled with the politics of Darkling Rights versus need for Human safety and attempted to compartmentalize her professional and private life. (She fits some tropes due to her turn from antagonist to hero; her given name (Helen) and maiden name (Templeton) each reference a different real person known to the author, though the character herself is not based on either.)

Joy Lesleigh Fortnight - An engineered being who is a Human female in most respects, created by Jibril to be a muse-like agent of Joy in the Empty World (Earth). Unknown to herself, she was eternally young and programmed to enter a fugue state every decade, at which point she was updated with a new identity. During her decade as Joy Lesleigh Fortnight, a Gothic Rock musician in New York City, she encountered Shade's brood of Vampyres, including some who had encountered her in past versions. Joy's experience with the Vampyres, particularly becoming enthralled by Julien, left her in a state of desperation that eventually led to her death. Being resurrected by Vampyre blood corrupted her programming. (Somewhat Perky Goth. In bond-girl fashion, her name sounds like Joy for tonight...or Joylessly for the night.)

Zerachiel - An Angel and Archon of the Order Aishim. The Regent of Death and twin to Gabriel, whom she split from in a fission-like event. (Based on various underworld and death figures, including the Angel of Death, Persephone of Greek mythology, and Ereshkigal of Sumerian mythology.)

Raphael - An Angel and Archon of the Order Seraphim, a physician, and tutelary of the Sun. He has held the title Regent of Dream, presumably after Gabriel and before Jibril. He retains some influence in matters of inspiration and museship, though he is not a member of the Children of Night. His daughter, Maeve, was granted asylum in Dream on his account. (Based largely on the archangel and saint Raphael of Judaeo-Christian tradition, and also partly on Apollo of Greco-Roman mythology.)

Remiel - An Angel of the Order Tafsarim and tutelary of Mercury, and sometimes Archon of his Order. He is always simultaneously dark-skinned and light-skinned, though many beings are only capable of perceiving him as one or the other at a given time. (Based on the angel Remiel of Judaeo-Christian tradition as well as the Greco-Roman gods Hermes/Mercury. On some level he also homages 'speedster' characters inspired by Hermes/Mercury...whom he originally inspired.)

Hyacinth - A Human follower of Apollo. He's a Lacedaemonian originally from the city of Sparta. (Based on Hyacinth of Greek mythology. The author likes that "Lacedaemonian" looks like "Lace Demon" even though it sounds like La-ke-dai-mon-i-an.)

Duma - An Angel, once Archon of the Tafsarim, who fell and eventually became one of the nine Satans, and who remains among the Children of Night as Regent of Silence. (Based on both the angel Dumah in Judaeo-Christian tradition and the god Dumuzi in Sumerian mythology.)