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Description
Ophanim are fiery wheel shaped Angels of the First Sphere. These many eyed beings are often seen together in flocks called "Chariots". Unlike most other First Sphere Angels, what they exactly do in regards of their rank is a bit unclear to most. In fact they seem more like birds rather than actual Angels. Their relevance however seems to be closely tied to how they hang around other First Sphere Angels like pilot fish. This is a fact agreed upon by many. Why Ophanim do so however is a bit debated especially among mortals who don't know full well about them.

For some, it is believed that each individual Ophan carries a piece of the Angel's soul that they surround thus the need to be in proximity of said Angel. For others, it is believed that the Ophanim support the Angel they surround by acting like some of external batteries for which the host Angel can store their excess power. And then there are others who believe the Ophanim provide lift for their host Angels due to being too big. While such theories are based on the closeness of the Ophanim and their host Angel, they however are way too far from the truth especially considering the fact that Ophanim and their host Angels are completely separate entities.

The truth is that Ophanim are actually Angels capable of sensing the amount of holiness in their Angelic brethren. They flock to other First Sphere Angels depending on how holy they are. Due to them hanging in pairs surrounding their host Angel, a ranking system can be taken to identify how holy a First Sphere Angel is depending on the number of Ophanim surrounding them. A First Sphere Angel with a chariot of six Ophanim thus is more holy than one with a chariot of four Ophanim. While the ranking is meant to represent holiness, some mortals take it as ranking in power. Indeed First Sphere Angels with more Ophanim tend to be more powerful than ones with fewer, however the number of Ophanim in relation to power is just side note rather than a direct correlation.

As well as ranking, the number of Ophanim that surrounds a First Sphere Angel can also be used as an indicator on whether a First Sphere Angel still follows the divine order that they should folow or is straying into territories best left untraversed. A First Sphere Angel who has fewer Ophanim than they should thus may need some investigating. This method though is not very reliable as there have been First Sphere Angels that have had fewer or no Ophanim surrounding them at certain times and yet still remain devotedly holy. Ophanim like other beings it seems, aren't required to flock around their hosts Angels 24/7. They still need to rest once in a while in their little nests.

It however does get a bit too suspicious if a First Sphere Angels goes around far too long with fewer Ophanim than they should have. More so if Ophanim don't flock to such Angels even when they pass right next to their nests. And definitely most positively suspicious if the Ophanim that surround such Angels or otherwise look practically terrified. Thankfully though, most First Sphere Angels notice these things before their peers and strive to return to the path of holiness they may have inadvertently strayed from. Some however, do the exact opposite.

While the whole dynamic with the Ophanim maybe a bother especially since it only applies to First Sphere Angels, they are actually helpful especially in the eyes of their First Sphere brethren. Angels of the First Sphere are naturally the most powerful and enlightened. However, that doesn't mean they're immune to petty desires that would cause them to commit unspeakable atrocities. They know such things are wrong however they don't always realize that they're actually doing it. It is only through the empathetic holiness sensing Ophanim that they are capable of realizing to a point of what they are doing.

Notes:

*Based on the Ophan from medieval Christian mythology. [link]

Description
Ophanim are fiery wheel shaped Angels of the First Sphere. These many eyed beings are often seen together in flocks called "Chariots". Unlike most other First Sphere Angels, what they exactly do in regards of their rank is a bit unclear to most. In fact they seem more like birds rather than actual Angels. Their relevance however seems to be closely tied to how they hang around other First Sphere Angels like pilot fish. This is a fact agreed upon by many. Why Ophanim do so however is a bit debated especially among mortals who don't know full well about them.

For some, it is believed that each individual Ophan carries a piece of the Angel's soul that they surround thus the need to be in proximity of said Angel. For others, it is believed that the Ophanim support the Angel they surround by acting like some of external batteries for which the host Angel can store their excess power. And then there are others who believe the Ophanim provide lift for their host Angels due to being too big. While such theories are based on the closeness of the Ophanim and their host Angel, they however are way too far from the truth especially considering the fact that Ophanim and their host Angels are completely separate entities.

The truth is that Ophanim are actually Angels capable of sensing the amount of holiness in their Angelic brethren. They flock to other First Sphere Angels depending on how holy they are. Due to them hanging in pairs surrounding their host Angel, a ranking system can be taken to identify how holy a First Sphere Angel is depending on the number of Ophanim surrounding them. A First Sphere Angel with a chariot of six Ophanim thus is more holy than one with a chariot of four Ophanim. While the ranking is meant to represent holiness, some mortals take it as ranking in power. Indeed First Sphere Angels with more Ophanim tend to be more powerful than ones with fewer, however the number of Ophanim in relation to power is just side note rather than a direct correlation.

As well as ranking, the number of Ophanim that surrounds a First Sphere Angel can also be used as an indicator on whether a First Sphere Angel still follows the divine order that they should folow or is straying into territories best left untraversed. A First Sphere Angel who has fewer Ophanim than they should thus may need some investigating. This method though is not very reliable as there have been First Sphere Angels that have had fewer or no Ophanim surrounding them at certain times and yet still remain devotedly holy. Ophanim like other beings it seems, aren't required to flock around their hosts Angels 24/7. They still need to rest once in a while in their little nests.

It however does get a bit too suspicious if a First Sphere Angels goes around far too long with fewer Ophanim than they should have. More so if Ophanim don't flock to such Angels even when they pass right next to their nests. And definitely most positively suspicious if the Ophanim that surround such Angels or otherwise look practically terrified. Thankfully though, most First Sphere Angels notice these things before their peers and strive to return to the path of holiness they may have inadvertently strayed from. Some however, do the exact opposite.

While the whole dynamic with the Ophanim maybe a bother especially since it only applies to First Sphere Angels, they are actually helpful especially in the eyes of their First Sphere brethren. Angels of the First Sphere are naturally the most powerful and enlightened. However, that doesn't mean they're immune to petty desires that would cause them to commit unspeakable atrocities. They know such things are wrong however they don't always realize that they're actually doing it. It is only through the empathetic holiness sensing Ophanim that they are capable of realizing to a point of what they are doing.

Notes:

*Based on the Ophan from medieval Christian mythology. [link]