I’ve been thinking about the physical act of social distancing. Mostly about how, for years, I’ve been friends with people I’ve never met in person. Sorush is my ode to the ability to make genuine relationships through long-distance communication.
Sorush
Angel of Long-Distance Friendship
Ofanite of Flowers, Friend of the Gardeners
| Corporeal Forces – 3 | Strength 5 | Agility 7 | |||
| Ethereal Forces – 6 | Intelligence 12 | Precision 12 | |||
| Celestial Forces – 5 | Will 8 | Perception 12 | |||
| Word Forces – 9 |
| Vessel(s): | Human Male/4 Body: 35 | |
| Skill(s): | Artistry/5, Computer Operation/6, Detect Lies/4, Driving/5, Emote/4, Escape/6, Fast-Talk/3, Language: Arabic/6, Language: English/6, Language: Latin/6, Language: Mandarin/6, Lockpicking/3, Savoir-Fare/5, Singing/3 | |
| Corporeal Song(s): | Charm/4, Harmony/4, Motion/5, Projection/6, Tongues/6 | |
| Ethereal Song(s): | Charm/4, Harmony/5, Motion/2, Projection/6, Tongues/2 | |
| Celestial Song(s): | Charm/4, Harmony/2, Motion/1, Projection/6, Tongues/4 | |
| Attunement(s): | Ofanite of Flowers, Seraph of Flowers, Ofanite of Lightning, Ofanite of Stone, Vassal of Flowers, Friend of the Gardeners | |
| Special Rite: | Spend an hour composing a letter or in communication with a long-distance friend. |
Sorush was created in 602 B.C. The young Wheel watched in fascination in 550 B.C. as the Persian king, Cyrus the Great, began the organization of a courier service for the common people. While mail had previously been used for decrees of state or military, this may have been the first time wealthy common-folk could send messages to each other across great distances. The angel wasn’t sure how, but felt that this development could become a calling.
The angel continued to watch humanity through the ages, but rarely rose in rank or power. His interest in delivery services did not wane and he would often take a Role of a courier in order to deliver messages of truce and alliance. While other angels, often Ofanim or Mercurians, gained Words related to couriers, postage, and communication, Sorush had yet to find a calling. Not until almost two millennia after his “birth.”
In 1505, the Holy Roman Empire began to license its growing postal service for private use. While costly, correspondence between individuals on a personal level began to become more commonplace. For Sorush, though, this growth in the post felt like a thunderbolt. Not just communication across long distance, communication with heart. He worked with other angels in growing these services.
By the 1700’s public postal services were becoming commonplace throughout much of the world. Even famous people who never met physically began correspondence, most notably Catherine the Great and Voltaire. The angel continued his work with a high level of excitement, he could feel his Word was around the corner.
Through the 1800’s postal services grew into easily accessible public feature. And, in 1925, Sorush petitioned for the Word of Pen Pal. The Seraphim Council debated and denied the Wheel’s request. The Word felt too transitory and too much like a fad. It was Jean’s suggestion that the angel take the Word of Long-Distance Friendship, allowing for changes and growth in technology. Sorush was agog; this was a much greater responsibility than he had requested. The angel realized he had overlooked telegraphs and the rise of the telephone and wondered what else humanity might develop. He humbly accepted the offered word.
Sorush no longer overlooks new opportunities for building long-distance friendships. Over the past millennia he has helped people plant, grow, and nurture friendships via letter, postcard, magazines, and telephone. He helped set up by mail gaming groups. As technology evolved so did the Wheel’s domain, incorporating Computer Bulletin Board Service chat rooms, Usenet, email, and into online gaming. If there were places friends could be made even if they were miles apart, Sorush was there.
Though the militant David and peaceful Novalis rarely got along, Sorush was rewarded by the Archangel of Stone for helping to create support groups that spanned worldwide, allowing many to grow together as they worked with each other to overcome hardships. The angel’s overall efforts on using technology as an instrument for the betterment of humanity also earned him an attunement from Jean.
The Wheel still loves the joy and peace physical letters and gifts can bring over miles away and often takes the guise of an elderly, but spry mailman. But the angel understands the importance of long-distance relationships no matter what form they take. Whether two people are simply a household apart or a world away friendship, from the start, can begin without physical touch or sight of the other.
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