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In Nomine: Gilroy, Angel of April Fool’s Day Merchandise

April Fool’s Day fake products have been part of commercial society since the 1600’s, but saw a rise in the 1990’s that was only heightened with the ubiquity of the Internet. Gilroy shows us that these pranks can sometimes be divine.

Gilroy

Angel of April Fool’s Day Merchandise

Mercurian of Creation in service to Trade

Corporeal Forces – 2   Strength 4   Agility 4   
Ethereal Forces – 5   Intelligence 12   Precision 8   
Celestial Forces – 3   Will 5   Perception 7   
Word Forces – 4   
Vessel(s):Human Male/4 (+1 Charisma)     Body: 24
 
Role(s):Creative Strategist/4
 
 
Skill(s):Artistry/4, Chemistry/5, Computer Operation/6, Detect Lies/3, Driving/1, Electronics/5, Emote/3, Engineering/4, Fast-Talk/3, Language: Klingon/3, Language: Elvish/3, Savoir-Faire/4
 
Corporeal Song(s):Charm/4, Harmony/2
 
Ethereal Song(s):Charm/4, Harmony/4
 
Celestial Song(s):Charm/4, Dreams/1
 
Attunement(s):Mercurian of Creation, Abracadabra, Mercurian of Trade
 

Gilroy is a younger angel, one of Eli’s last before the Archangel began his “walkabout.” Placed under the care of the Archangel of Trade, Gilroy was fascinated by products that provided creativity and excitement in the guise of humor. Prank toys like whoopee cushions, joy buzzers, squirting flowers—the lies that humans could tell that brought them closer together were of great interest to the Mercurian. Even more tantalizing to the Friend of Man were corporations that introduced fake products on the first of April—especially when the products proved popular enough to become real.

The young angel began working in various board rooms and meetings as a creative consultant, specializing in April Fool’s Day gags and encouraging humans to think of items that were not only funny but realistic enough to encourage actual development. While he had some minor successes in the 1980’s and 90’s it was through the Internet that Gilroy’s work on April Fool’s Day products truly took off.

Gilroy petitioned for the Word of April Fool’s Day Fake Products in 2004, after the tech website Pocket-Lint announced Apple had launched a mobile phone add-on for their iPod and, with their joke article, encouraged the actual production of the device. The Seraphim council altered the Word to April Fool’s Day Merchandise, broadening the scope of the Mercurian’s influence to not only fake products, but any items manufactured for the holiday. It was under the assigned Word that Gilroy also began to work with Christopher, Archangel of Children, to help market safe, but funny, prank gifts to bring children joy.

Despite being granted the Word, Gilroy is monitored carefully by Dominic. The Mercurian’s Word is still tied closely to falsehoods and, despite the young angel’s intentions, has potential to backfire. For that same reason, Kobal has also taken an interest in the angel; it might only take a small push for the Friend of Man to Fall.

Gilroy is good-natured and gregarious, though he does tend to have some mannerisms he picked up from spending time with a number of young advertising executives. He tends to call people “bro,” or “brah,” and his exuberance can often be overwhelming to others. If the angel senses he’s pushed any boundaries or is coming on too strong, he’ll quickly back off and make amends. The young angel believes that humanity can be served by a combination of humor and commerce and is focused on making the most of his Word.

For some examples of April Fool’s Day fake products that became real, read Polygon’s article on ThinkGeek’s pranks and daltile’s article on overall pranks.