Baraqiel is the ninth fallen angel member of the Grigori.
Overview[]
Baraqiel was the 9th Watcher of the 20 leaders of the 200 fallen angels that are mentioned in an ancient work called the Book of Enoch. The name means "Lightning of God", which is fitting since it has been said that Baraqiel taught men astrology during the days of Jared or Yered.
History[]
Background[]
Baraqiel belonged to the angelic host of Watchers, who descended from Heaven to observe and oversee the development of mankind but were forbidden from interfering in their affairs. Baraqiel was partnered with Ananiel the angel of storms, Ramiel the angel of thunder and Matariel the angel of rain, even though Matariel was not among the Grigori host, to bring forth great tempests of rain, thunder, and lightning across the world.
Fall of the Watchers[]
Unfortunately, Baraqiel was among the Watchers who would cohabit with mortal women, mating with them and giving rise to a race of hybrids known as the Nephilim, monstrous yet divine giants. Baraqiel was approached by Matariel, demanding to know what roused him to commit such debauchery but Baraqiel gave no clear answer as he was bound by the sacred oath of the Watchers.
Like the rest of his fellow Watchers, Baraqiel showed humans the forbidden powers of the world. The rituals Baraqiel performed were an object of fascination for men. He brought to them the gift of tamed lightning. Despite the widespread appreciation for the fruits of this work, few volunteered to assist. Baraqiel was known not only for the power he commanded, but also his lack of respect for it. His fall was the first to prove that Watchers were not complete in their wisdom or their immortality.
Dark Reign[]
Baraqiel was not only one of the first Watchers to fall, but the first to escape from his confinement. While initially perceived as impossible, Gabriel deduces that the effects of the Convergence due to Mundus's tampering with the Infinite Corridor created fissures in the walls of his prison, effectively weakening his chains. Eventually, Baraqiel was able to free himself and was disgusted by the world's current state, declaring that he would rid this evil from Heaven's eyes with a storm unlike any other.
Baraqiel would wipe out entire villages and settlements with his storms, uncaring if there are humans there sheltering themselves from the demons that overtook their homes. His actions drew the attention of none other than Sparda, the Legendary Dark Knight, who was in the midst of his rebellion against his former demon masters. Sparda chatisized the fallen angel for his recklessness and callousness towards mortal civilians but the former Watcher simply scoffed, insulted at the fact that he is being berated by a "lowly" demon. This led to a lengthy and terrible battle between Sparda and Baraqiel, lightning and metal clashing repeatedly as the battleground grew charred and crumbled beneath the weight of their blows. Ultimately, Sparda emerged victorious against Baraqiel, defeating the once mighty Watcher with a strike that cleared the stormy skies above.
Personality[]
Baraqiel has a serious, rigid warrior-type personality. He has something of a sadistic side to him, expressing joy at unleashing bolts of great lighting across the raging tempests of the world. He views the destructive side of nature as beautiful and wondrous to behold, a view shared with Ananiel.
Baraqiel was also eager to showcase his power to mortals, and more so when he would see how mortals would come to appreciate and admire said power. He was one of the few angels that did not care much for his Nephilim children though he was ecstatic upon seeing his children display the same power of lighting as he did. In the end, Baraqiel had no sympathy for his children when they were slaughtered by Gabriel as he was one of the few Watchers that was disgusted by their acts of pillaging and cannibalism.
