Before Judgment
The Unmarked
Living souls move through the mortal world with loyalties still forming. Their fears, desires, wounds, promises, and deeds draw the attention of both Divine and Infernal Houses.
The living heart of the conflict
Mortals
Heaven seeks to save them. Hell seeks to claim them. Yet every mortal remains more than a prize: each possesses the power to choose, resist, surrender, betray, redeem, and change the course of another soul.
Divine Claim
Marked by Grace
A soul touched by the Mark of Grace becomes a focus of protection, restoration, and guidance. Angels work to preserve the mortal’s freedom while leading them toward salvation.
Infernal Claim
Marked by Punishment
A soul bearing the Mark of Punishment becomes a focus of temptation, corruption, damage, and possession. Demons seek to deepen the mortal’s fall until the claim is complete.
Why Mortals Matter
Every choice shifts the balance.
- Targets of InfluenceHouses gain ground by saving, corrupting, protecting, tempting, restoring, or breaking mortal souls.
- Authors of ConsequenceA mortal may accept guidance, reject temptation, betray a protector, seek redemption, or willingly embrace corruption.
- Bearers of DeedsTheir needs and conflicts create the work through which angels and demons prove loyalty to their Houses.
- Living TerritoryInfluence over a mortal can alter families, communities, alliances, and the reach of an entire House.
- Sources of ConflictRival Houses may compete over the same mortal, interrupt one another’s deeds, or defend an existing claim.
- Paths Yet UnwrittenJudgment may lead toward Grace or Punishment. Only those denied by every House may later choose the Unhallowed road.