Uriel is an archangel. He is also referred to as The Watchman. He first appeared in Small Favor.

DescriptionEdit

Uriel, also known as the Watchman, is one of the four archangels and to date the only one explicitly named.

In Small Favor, Mab describes them as "The Prince of the Host, The Trumpeter, the Demon Binder and the Watchman." Among these four, Uriel has been described as the one who works in the shadows, acting inconspicuously, hence the reason for Harry's description of him as Heaven's Black-Ops.

As an archangel, Uriel has power on the same order as the Mothers of Summer and Winter. While such beings possess unfathomable power, there appear to be a series of complex rules regulating how they can use their power. While some "rules" appear to be breakable by entities like Lucifer or the Fallen, there appears to be restrictions tantamount to "laws" as well.

One of Uriel's main tasks–whether or not this task is shared to the same extent by other archangels is unclear–is to preserve free will. One of the methods he uses to this end is employing dead spirits in metaphorical police stations.

AppearanceEdit

In Small Favor, Uriel appeared as a little old guy with a round belly, dark skin, short curly silver hair and beard, both short. He wore Janitor's coveralls and pushed a janitor's cart.^[1]

In Changes, Uriel appeared as a tall, young man wearing a tee shirt and jeans and a farmer's duck coat. His blond hair fell over his guileless blue eyes. He snorteds when he laughed in a non-angelic way.^[2]

Biography Edit

Uriel granted Harry Dresden the power of Soulfire sometime early in or before the events of Small Favor.^[1]

At the end of Small Favor, Uriel appears to Harry Dresden in the hospital's chapel in the guise of a little old janitor, named 'Jake'. He talks about God and gives advice. He then disappears suddenly, leaving behind the janitor's cart with a copy of The Two Towers.^[1]

In Changes, Harry summoned Uriel after being severely wounded. Uriel regretfully told Harry that he couldn't fix his back, that he was limited to what he had already done. He did tell Harry that his daughter was still alive, confirming that she is indeed Harry's daughter.^[3]

QuoteEdit

"Love your child, Dresden. Everything else flows from there. A wise man said that. Whatever you do, do it for love. If you keep to that you will never wander so far from the light that you can never return."^[4]

Other Information Edit

• He is referred to as the Watchman, at least by Mab, who favours him above the other angels.^[1]

• A typical translation of "Uriel" is "God is my light." An interesting sidenote: when Harry calls Uriel, "Uri", in Ghost Story it causes Uriel to react very negatively. Logically, the implication Harry made was that Uriel was light independent of God and/or light all his own.

References Edit

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Small Favor, ch. 46
2. ↑ Changes, ch. 29
3. ↑ Changes, ch. 29
4. ↑ Changes, ch. 29