| “ | Mudung's Monster, a towering eyeless grasshopper. It has two long, spiral horns and it never appears to be perturbed or surprised by any happening. Its indigo exoskeleton is wrinkled. It was created by the human goddess Mudung Deepperplexes and is of a part with fate. | „ |
| ~ One of nearly infinite pre-generated possibilities for an angel. |
| “ | We have unleashed the echo of a forgotten divine retribution! | „ |
| ~ In-game annoucement of finding an angel in a unique volcanic walls. |
Angels are horrendously powerful, gigantic, procedurally generated boss creatures in the indie management simulation game Dwarf Fortress. It is possible to play as angels in the game's "Adventure Mode", but only if the player's dwarves conquer a vault in "Fortress Mode" beforehand.
Due to the procedural generation of the world, coupled with the fact that many elements can be customized by the player, the strength, threat level, placement and physical form of angels vary greatly.
Angels, and their variants, are the absolute strongest creatures in the game, acting as the "final bosses" of the game if playing in "Adventure Mode". Despite being called "angels", they have a dark and malevolent purpose. The "archangel" is the peak of strength out of any other creature.
History[]
The detailed history of angels are never greatly expanded upon, though at some point, they were made to be servants by deities and relentlessly guard vaults constructed by demons by any means necessary. These vaults are implied to exist from a "time before time", with the angels themselves also possibly existing during this era.
Gameplay[]
Four possible sprites (out of many) for angels.
In the original version of the game, or if classic ASCII graphics are enabled in the premium version, angels are represented by an "Ä" in gameplay, though the color is different depending on which variant it is. In the premium version, they will appear as black, mysterious looking creatures that can be different depending on the appearance generated for them. This is similar to how megabeasts and demons are shown.
Being randomly generated by the game, angels can take any form, any shape with nearly any form of attack. Even forms that make little to no logical or sense can be created. Their form is related to the deity and sphere of influence the angel is connected to.
All angels are able to swim and breathe underwater, as well as act as powerful building destroyers. They are immune to traps, pain, fear, nausea, stunning, exertion, dizziness, fevers and any sort of poison. Unlike their demon counterparts, angels do not seem to be universally immune to fire. Assistants and Soldiers are able to equip items and freely open unlocked doors. Some angels have access to a syndrome called "divine sickness", whose effects are randomized, but typically include effects such as vomiting blood, blisters, numbness and nausea.
Angels are usually not encountered in "Fortress Mode", as they never leave the vaults they are guarding. However, dwarves can be sent on missions to recover artifacts in these vaults, which will most likely result in the angel brutally slaughtering anyone who enters. Killing angels in a vault will eventually have them respawn after an unknown amount of time. It is possible to come across an angel by mining through an unusally volcanic wall, which causes the announcement "We have unleashed the echo of a forgotten divine retribution!" to appear.
As angels cannot be permanently defeated due to having the ability to respawn, this makes them them the only creature in the game to have this ability. Although the means of angels respawning are unexplained, it is possible that there is some sort of power angels have where they can resurrect themselves. However, it is more likely that the related deities are forcing the angels to come back and guard the vaults again, even if the vaults are already completely raided by a player.
Personality[]
Mysterious, obedient and murderous, the angels stop at absolutely nothing to guard whatever divine treasures lie inside a vault. It is unknown if the angels guard things due to choice or by force, but the latter is more likely. Their intelligence, attributes and combat skills are unmatched by any other creature in the game, and only the best players with extremely high skills will be able to defeat them. Being placed into existence for the purpose of guarding divine treasures, they have no interest in seeking out their enemies.
Despite all of these strengths and traits, angels are generally uncommunicative and hostile, and will never be normally part of any society, despite the game's code allowing such a thing.
Spheres[]
All the spheres in the game - and by extension - possible appearances and mannerisms of angels, can be seen here:
| Sphere | Parent spheres | Child spheres | Friend spheres | Precluded spheres | Associated string and properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGRICULTURE | FOOD, FERTILITY, RAIN | it looks constantly to the sky for rain | |||
| ANIMALS | NATURE | FISH | PLANTS | it growls, buzzes, clicks and generally makes a varied racket | |
| ART | DANCE, MUSIC, PAINTING, POETRY, SONG |
INSPIRATION, BEAUTY | it is decorated with intricate patterns | ||
| BALANCE | it is perfectly symmetric | ||||
| BEAUTY | ART | BLIGHT, DEFORMITY, DISEASE, MUCK | it is strikingly beautiful | ||
| BIRTH | CHILDREN, CREATION, FAMILY, MARRIAGE, PREGNANCY, REBIRTH, YOUTH |
it is covered with a filmy sac | |||
| BLIGHT | DISEASE, DEATH | BEAUTY, FOOD, FERTILITY, HEALING | nearby vegetation seem(sic) to shrink away from it | ||
| BOUNDARIES | COASTS | the pieces of its body are carefully separated by markings | |||
| CAVERNS | MOUNTAINS, EARTH | its moans seem to echo no matter where it resides | |||
| CHAOS | WAR | DISCIPLINE, ORDER, LAWS | it spins wildly, lurching and howling | ||
| CHARITY | GENEROSITY, SACRIFICE | JEALOUSY | it seems very pleasant | ||
| CHILDREN | BIRTH, FAMILY, YOUTH, PREGNANCY | it never misses an opportunity to jump in puddles | |||
| COASTS | BOUNDARIES | LAKES, OCEANS | it appears to be covered with rocky crags | ||
| CONSOLATION | MISERY | it radiates a sad kindness | |||
| COURAGE | VALOR | it makes those around it feel brave | |||
| CRAFTS | CREATION, LABOR, METALS | it appears constructed | |||
| CREATION | CRAFTS, BIRTH, PREGNANCY, REBIRTH | small objects seem to pop into existence around it | |||
| DANCE | ART | FESTIVALS, MUSIC, REVELRY | it whirls, skips and jumps whenever it moves | ||
| DARKNESS | NIGHT | DAWN, DAY, LIGHT, TWILIGHT, SUN | it is difficult to see clearly even in bright light | ||
| DAWN | SUN, TWILIGHT | NIGHT, DAY, DARKNESS | it always turns to welcome the rise of the sun | ||
| DAY | LIGHT, SUN | DARKNESS, NIGHT, DAWN, DUSK DREAMS, NIGHTMARES, TWILIGHT |
it hums pleasantly when the sun is high in the sky | ||
| DEATH | BLIGHT, DISEASE, MURDER, REBIRTH, SUICIDE, WAR |
HEALING, LONGEVITY, YOUTH | it has a rattling exhale | ||
| DEFORMITY | DISEASE | BEAUTY | its body is bent and misshapen | ||
| DEPRAVITY | LUST | LAWS | it slavers uncontrollably | ||
| DISCIPLINE | LAWS, ORDER | CHAOS | it moves with great focus | ||
| DISEASE | BLIGHT, DEATH, DEFORMITY | BEAUTY, HEALING | it bears malodorous pustules [ODOR_STRING:death][ODOR_LEVEL:100] | ||
| DREAMS | NIGHT, NIGHTMARES | DAY | the details of its form are easily forgotten without deliberate concentration | ||
| DUSK | TWILIGHT | NIGHT, DAY | it never looks toward the sun | ||
| DUTY | ORDER | it is utterly still when not taking deliberate action | |||
| EARTH | METALS, MINERALS, SALT | CAVERNS, MOUNTAINS, VOLCANOS | it looks very solid and stocky | ||
| FAMILY | BIRTH, CHILDREN, MARRIAGE, PREGNANCY | it appears to be closely related to every other of its kind | |||
| FAME | RUMORS | SILENCE | fanfare follows it wherever it goes | ||
| FATE | LUCK | it never appears to be perturbed or surprised by any happening | |||
| FERTILITY | AGRICULTURE, FOOD, RAIN | BLIGHT | it appears to be very healthy | ||
| FESTIVALS | DANCE, MUSIC, REVELRY, SONG | MISERY | it skips and twirls as it moves | ||
| FIRE | METALS, SUN, VOLCANOS | WATER, OCEANS, LAKES, RIVERS | a sheen around it always seems to rise upward | ||
| FISH | ANIMALS | OCEANS, LAKES, RIVERS, WATER, FISHING | it only looks comfortable when it is in the water | ||
| FISHING | FISH, HUNTING | it always moves carefully around water | |||
| FOOD | AGRICULTURE, FERTILITY | BLIGHT | it has the delicious smell of freshly-baked goods [ODOR_STRING:freshly-baked goods][ODOR_LEVEL:100] | ||
| FORGIVENESS | MERCY | REVENGE | it is impossible to hold a grudge near it | ||
| FORTRESSES | WAR | it is very sturdy-looking | |||
| FREEDOM | ORDER | it eagerly moves from place to place | |||
| GAMBLING | GAMES, LUCK | it changes between two colors intermittently | |||
| GAMES | GAMBLING, LUCK | it giggles at random | |||
| GENEROSITY | CHARITY, SACRIFICE | it makes those around it want to give up their possessions | |||
| HAPPINESS | REVELRY | MISERY | it seems to smile constantly | ||
| HEALING | DISEASE, BLIGHT, DEATH | it is surrounded by a gentle atmosphere | |||
| HOSPITALITY | it radiates an aura of welcoming | ||||
| HUNTING | FISHING | it inspects the ground intently as it moves | |||
| INSPIRATION | ART, PAINTING, POETRY | flashes of energy pulse across its surface intermittently | |||
| JEALOUSY | CHARITY | it appears to be a very bitter creature | |||
| JEWELS | MINERALS, WEALTH | its whole body appears to be faceted in a symmetric fashion | |||
| JUSTICE | LAWS | it seems eager to pronounce judgment on others | |||
| LABOR | CRAFTS | it appears very deliberate in its actions | |||
| LAKES | WATER | COASTS, FISH, OCEANS, RIVERS | FIRE | it moves ponderously | |
| LAWS | DISCIPLINE, JUSTICE, OATHS, ORDER | CHAOS, DEPRAVITY, MURDER, THEFT | it has a very stark look about it | ||
| LIES | TREACHERY, TRICKERY | TRUTH | it seems unerringly honest if one does not concentrate | ||
| LIGHT | DAY, RAINBOWS, SUN | DARKNESS, TWILIGHT | it returns surrounding light with a new vibrance and intensity | ||
| LIGHTNING | WEATHER | RAIN, STORMS, THUNDER | it crackles with energy | ||
| LONGEVITY | YOUTH | DEATH | it always seems to be looking far into the distance | ||
| LOVE | it stares longingly at those nearby | ||||
| LOYALTY | OATHS | TREACHERY | it never abandons its companions | ||
| LUCK | GAMBLING, GAMES | FATE | it changes direction suddenly at times | ||
| LUST | DEPRAVITY | it has an unnerving stare | |||
| MARRIAGE | BIRTH, FAMILY, OATHS, PREGNANCY | it heckles those it meets that are not married | |||
| MERCY | FORGIVENESS | REVENGE | it always seems like it is on the verge of crying | ||
| METALS | EARTH | CRAFTS, FIRE, MINERALS | it appears to have sharp shimmering edges on many parts of its body | ||
| MINERALS | EARTH | JEWELS, METALS | it has an angular appearance | ||
| MISERY | TORTURE | CONSOLATION, FESTIVALS, REVELRY, HAPPINESS | it has a distinctly depressing moan | ||
| MIST | it is difficult to see clearly | ||||
| MOON | NIGHT, SKY | it changes color with the phases of the moon | |||
| MOUNTAINS | CAVERNS, EARTH, VOLCANOS | it is very solidly built | |||
| MUCK | BEAUTY | there is a foul reek about it | |||
| MURDER | DEATH | LAWS | it cannot abide anything that lives | ||
| MUSIC | ART | DANCE, FESTIVALS, REVELRY, SONG | SILENCE | it sounds clear tones as its body moves in time | |
| NATURE | ANIMALS, PLANTS | RAIN, SUN, WATER, WEATHER | it seems most at ease when it is outdoors | ||
| NIGHT | DARKNESS, DREAMS, MOON, NIGHTMARES, STARS | DAY, DAWN, DUSK, TWILIGHT | it eerily reflects the light of the stars and moon | ||
| NIGHTMARES | DREAMS, NIGHT | DAY | it reminds those that look upon it of their most unpleasant memories | ||
| OATHS | LAWS, LOYALTY, MARRIAGE | TREACHERY | it cannot look directly at somebody that has broken an oath | ||
| OCEANS | WATER | COASTS, FISH, LAKES, RIVERS, SALT | FIRE | it always raises a part of its body toward the moon | |
| ORDER | DISCIPLINE, DUTY, LAWS | CHAOS, FREEDOM | it moves very stiffly | ||
| PAINTING | ART | INSPIRATION | its surface is always enlivened with a refreshing play of color | ||
| PEACE | it has an incredibly calm demeanor | ||||
| PERSUASION | POETRY, SPEECH | it rocks back and forth whenever somebody changes their mind in its presence | |||
| PLANTS | NATURE | TREES | ANIMALS, RAIN | it always seems to point toward the sun when it is in the sky | |
| POETRY | ART | INSPIRATION, PERSUASION, SONG, WRITING | it recites verses in a strange language on occasion | ||
| PREGNANCY | BIRTH, CHILDREN, CREATION, FAMILY, MARRIAGE | it appears to be expecting | |||
| RAIN | WATER, WEATHER | AGRICULTURE, FERTILITY, LIGHTNING, NATURE, PLANTS, RAINBOWS, STORMS, THUNDER, TREES |
it leaves water wherever it goes | ||
| RAINBOWS | WEATHER | LIGHT, RAIN, SKY | it is strikingly colored | ||
| REBIRTH | BIRTH, CREATION, DEATH | it alternates from instant to instant between sluggishness and extreme vibrancy | |||
| REVELRY | DANCE, FESTIVALS, HAPPINESS, MUSIC, SONG | MISERY | it moves with a bouncing rhythm | ||
| REVENGE | FORGIVENESS, MERCY | it has a fixed and unblinking gaze when interacting | |||
| RIVERS | WATER | FISH, LAKES, OCEANS | FIRE | its outer surface seems to flow about its body | |
| RULERSHIP | it is hard to disobey | ||||
| RUMORS | FAME | it always nods eagerly when somebody is speaking | |||
| SACRIFICE | CHARITY, GENEROSITY | WEALTH | it inspires those around it to acts of great sacrifice | ||
| SALT | EARTH | OCEANS | it makes nearby water undrinkable | ||
| SCHOLARSHIP | WISDOM, WRITING | it always seems to be deep in thought | |||
| SEASONS | its form is ever-changing | ||||
| SILENCE | FAME, MUSIC | it makes absolutely no sound | |||
| SKY | MOON, RAINBOWS, SUN, STARS, WEATHER, WIND | it has a slowly shifting pattern on its surface | |||
| SONG | ART | FESTIVALS, MUSIC, POETRY, REVELRY | it sings beautiful songs endlessly | ||
| SPEECH | PERSUASION | it pays attention carefully to anybody that is speaking | |||
| STARS | NIGHT, SKY | it appears to sparkle after night falls | |||
| STORMS | WEATHER | LIGHTNING, RAIN, THUNDER | its movement is the sound of wind and rain | ||
| STRENGTH | it looks solidly built | ||||
| SUICIDE | DEATH | it mutters to itself about death | |||
| SUN | DAWN, DAY, FIRE, LIGHT, NATURE, SKY | DARKNESS | it is difficult to look at directly | ||
| THEFT | LAWS, TRADE | it always seems to have its attention on the most valuable object in the area | |||
| THRALLDOM | its movements sound like the rattling of chains | ||||
| THUNDER | WEATHER | LIGHTNING, RAIN, STORMS | it is incredibly noisy | ||
| TORTURE | MISERY | it appears to be covered with sharp hooks and barbs | |||
| TRADE | WEALTH | THEFT | it seems most content when a fair wind is blowing | ||
| TRAVELERS | it never stops moving completely | ||||
| TREACHERY | LIES, TRICKERY | LOYALTY, OATHS | it is unsettling to be around | ||
| TREES | PLANTS | RAIN | it is top-heavy | ||
| TRICKERY | LIES, TREACHERY | TRUTH | it has a tendency to laugh quietly to itself every so often | ||
| TRUTH | LIES, TRICKERY | it tenses up throughout its entire body whenever somebody tells a falsehood in its presence | |||
| TWILIGHT | DAWN, DUSK | LIGHT, DARKNESS, DAY, NIGHT | it chitters briefly before sunrise and just after nightfall | ||
| VALOR | COURAGE | WAR | it always tries to embolden any fighting in its presence with exhortations of bravery, even its foes | ||
| VICTORY | WAR | it looks very proud of itself | |||
| VOLCANOS | EARTH, FIRE, MOUNTAINS | it seems to glow brightly from within | |||
| WAR | CHAOS, DEATH, FORTRESSES, VALOR, VICTORY | it bellows and cheers without pause | |||
| WATER | LAKES, OCEANS, RIVERS, RAIN | FISH, NATURE | FIRE | it seems to flow as it moves | |
| WEALTH | JEWELS, TRADE | SACRIFICE | it always seems to be counting something | ||
| WEATHER | LIGHTNING, RAIN, RAINBOWS, STORMS, THUNDER, WIND |
NATURE, SKY | it changes appearance based on the clouds and precipitation above | ||
| WIND | WEATHER | SKY | it is surrounded by an everpresent rush of wind | ||
| WISDOM | SCHOLARSHIP | it acts with unwavering calm | |||
| WRITING | POETRY, SCHOLARSHIP | it is covered with divine writing | |||
| YOUTH | BIRTH, CHILDREN, LONGEVITY | DEATH | it appears spry and vigorous |
Variants[]
Angels come in three variants:
- Assistants - Represented by a dark yellow "Ä" or "ä" in gameplay, assistants are highly randomized bestial creatures. Vaults contain exactly 50 of them, and are the least threatening variant of all angels. They have low combat skills and no weapons or armor.
- Soldiers - Represented by a cyan "Ä" or "ä" in gameplay, soldiers have a "Talented" combat skills (which is six on a scale of fifteen). Vaults contain exactly 25 of them. Their weapons and armor are always made of "divine metals", and clothes of "divine fabrics".
- Archangel - Represented by a red "Ä" in gameplay, archangels are the closest thing to a final boss the game can offer. They possess "Grand Master" skill levels in most combat skills (which is 14 on a scale of 15), making them an unspeakably difficult foe to take down. A vault only contains one archangel at a time. Defeating one unlocks a slab related to the demon who created the vault.
Trivia[]
- There are strong similarities between the game's angels, and fallen angels in Abrahamic religions. In the religions, fallen angels are cast out from heaven for their evil or rebellious deeds. In the game, the angels - despite being called "angels" - have knowingly released evil deities upon the Earth.
- The angels have very strong similarities with Gate Guardian (also known as SCP-001) from the universe of the SCP Foundation. They are both angelic entities sent by a god to guard something on Earth, and will relentlessly protect it all costs without ever leaving their posts. Both are also unfathomably powerful, but angels in Dwarf Fortress can be killed before respawning eventually, where the Gate Guardian is invincible and cannot be defeated.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Angel - Dwarf Fortress Wiki
[]
 Villains 
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Enemies Immortal & Undead Night Creatures Vault Guardians Other | ||