The Powers of the Dark take many forms. Some are violent and overt, making direct assault against Heaven or causing destruction across the Worlds of the Multiverse. But around each stable World radiate shadow spectra where spawn more malign and subtle forces. These target souls, constantly questing for vulnerabilities in minds, sowing fear, paranoia, madness. The hours of darkness are when they are strongest, when they manifest in the form of nightmares, but they can strike at any time. Creative mortals are especially vulnerable to their attacks.
It is against these forces that Barachiel the Angel of Dreams protects. He resides in Somnium Lux, the dream realm of Heaven, in a cottage by a glittering lake where glide pale pink swans, under a rose gold sky in which true night never falls. From there the influence of his spirit protects the fragile membranes of the Worlds and their inhabitants against the incursion of the dark things of the shadow spectra. The mace he wields is a symbol of his sovereignty over dreams light and dark.
Barachiel has many visitors to his home, though they never stay long and rarely have any memory of their visit – wisps that pass through and then are gone. They are the spirits of mortals touching Somnium Lux in their sleep, their souls gaining succour from their brief proximity to the Angel of Dreams to awake with new ideas and fresh hope for the world.
