Corae
Corae is a Fallen Angel of Knowledge, known in Hell as Hell's Alchemist. She willingly fell more than four thousand years before the story begins to remain with her son, Rumpel. She is the origin of the Lacrima mages and remains faithful to her mating bond with the Archangel Gabriel.
Biography
The forbidden library and her fall
While still in Kingdom Plane, Corae found Rumpel in a forbidden area of its library. He was holding a tome that he should not have been able to obtain, in a room he should not have been able to enter. The book splintered his mind.
Rather than allow her son to be cast out alone, Corae willingly fell with him. Her decision was an act of protection and loyalty to her child. As she fell, she placed her Divine Spark into a lacrima to give humans access to the magic. That gift became Bosco's Divine Crystal.
Hell's Alchemist
In Hell, Corae defended her son while building a reputation strong enough to help keep them both safe. She became known as Hell's Alchemist and created minor demonic entities to work as scientists.
She established shops on Ensla under the name Once Upon a Time. These shops make deals and contracts with humans, accepting souls and other prices.
Alchemy and souls
Corae knows how to separate the memories and personal identity held within a soul from the excess energy that would otherwise be lost during rebirth. She refines that excess energy into draughts and liquids for which the demons of Hell pay well.
The memories and core identity of the souls are given to Durvahn, head of the Reaper Clan of demons. In exchange, Durvahn provides protection, allowing Corae to preserve the energy she would otherwise have to spend defending herself and Rumpel.
Origin of the Lacrima mages
The first generation
Corae's Divine Spark is the origin of Lacrima Magic in humans. This includes the failed generation of Lacrima mages that existed before the Holy War. Many of those first mages became lost within lacrima, and their bodies themselves became lacrima.
Among that early generation, the Divine Architect is the only one to have survived with a consciousness.
The Great Lacrima: later revelation
The Great Lacrima of the world are former Lacrima mages. This truth is not discovered until Sarah Pradesh is an adult and can visit them. It is a later revelation, rather than knowledge generally available at the beginning of the story.
Bosco's Divine Crystal has its own stated origin in Corae's Divine Spark, which she placed in lacrima as she fell to gift the magic to humanity.
Family and relationships
- Gabriel: Her Archangel mate. Corae has remained true to their mating bond throughout her fall and life in Hell. She has violently eviscerated those who attempted to seduce her.
- Rumpel: Her son with Michael and the origin of Contract Magic, which led the way for Summoning Magic. His encounter with the forbidden tome splintered his mind, and Corae chose to fall with him rather than abandon him.
- Durvahn: Head of the Reaper Clan of demons. Their agreement exchanges the memories and cores of souls for protection.
Appearance
The supplied illustration depicts Corae with long golden-blonde hair, blue eyes and large feathered wings, wearing white-and-gold clothing and ornate jewelry. Golden magical circles surround her as she shields her young son from demonic threats.
Sources
- Creator-provided Corae character lore and illustration.
- Corae character illustration.
