Comments: Authenticated sender is From: "Bodhi" Organization: University of Alberta To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Date: Tue, 1 Apr 1997 08:15:17 +0000 MIME-Version: 1.0 Subject: IN> Heirarchies... group project? Sender: owner-in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Precedence: bulk Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Here's a proposed group project. Well, I've been mulling about a number of different projects to tinker with, and the one thing that got to me was a lack of standardization with regards to the heirarchy at the upper levels. I mean, sure there are archangels, but who is underneath these guys? It is no fun knowing which general you serve... you'd better know your major, your lieutenant, and your seargeant, no? While I recognize that this is little more than window dressing for some games, for other styles of play, perhaps which emphasize the celestial politics side of things, this information is vital. Knowing your archangel is one thing... knowing exactly where you sit in the heirarchy of that archangel is probably more important. So, I decided to tinker with a couple of word-bound angels, and see if I couldn't get a skeleton of a heirarchy going. I know that these wouldn't represent ALL the angels, but it might represent a good backbone to work off. It would't be difficult, then, upon the creation of a new character, to simply insert them in the chain of command. They could be placed at the very bottom level of the ladder, but then could be transferred up when they gain distinction. They could even be transferred laterally if they aren't working out, so to speak. I figure I'll do the list in the following manner. Note: for explanation, I'll make an analogy to "Military" rank, although civilian angencies usually have at least three levels of rank for their own internal purposes, as well. Each list starts with an archangel, analogous to the rank of "General" for that Word. Under each archangel, there should be at least THREE level-three distinction Angels, analogous to the "top-brass" for that Word. Under each level-three distinction Angel, there should be at least three level-two distinction Angels, analogous to the commanding-officers. I will leave it up to the various GM's to come up with their own level-one distinction angels, analogous to the platoon seargeants. The PC's should then start at the bottom of this ladder. This doesn't mean, of course, that you can't jump the ladder and get help immediately from someone MUCH higher up than you. Of course, it is interesting when you DO jump the ladder and find that you get somebody's nose out of joint! Even better, different individuals up the chain should have different personalities, which you have to deal with NO MATTER WHAT! This means, sometimes, that you'll find eager and ambitious commanders, or commanders that steal credit, or what have you! Much nicer than the simple..."Oh, I'll talk directly to my archangel" approach. And finally, this heirarchy should be a collaborative effort, ever-changing through the insightful input of people on this list. Edits, changes, etc. are more than welcome... they're necessary to guarantee a finished heirarchy that people are "comfortable" with. Note: I am NOT comfortable with heirarchies, and I tend not to "work and play well with others" (which is one reason I did not pursue an Intelligence career more strenuously...), but I DO recognize that such things are, if not necessary, then at least ubiquitous! Thus, try not to see this as an attempt to "bring regimented, oppressive order to the chaos that currently exists", but rather to "add another level of role-playing background for GM's and Players alike". This is something to toy with, and enjoy, and ultimately, it should provide players with a feeling of being "in the know" when it comes to their own Word, instead of being "left in the cold" and not really knowing what their role as an angel is supposed to be!! Example: (I'll use an archangel I wrote up, so I don't steal somebody' else' ideas right off the bat... but I won't complete the example. Each angel should include a complete description or their interests and personality. Later on, we'll re-vamp each one and , at the very least, include statistics, rites, attunements, etc. NB: This is just an example, off the top of my head! Foucault, Archangel of Numbers 1. Abidah, Angel of Constants, Elohite Master of Destiny 2. Gilboah, Angel of Pure Mathematics, Cherub Master of Destiny 3. Hashub, Angel of Physics, Ofanite Master of Destiny 1.a. Hegei, Angel of Precision , Seraph Friend of the Atom - Responsible for precisely calculating the constants, thus finding the Truth in that which is Precise. (friend to 2.a. Sephar)(hostile to 2.b. Peleg) 1.b. Jarib, Angel of Preservation, Malakite Friend of the Atom - Responsible for Preserving and Maintaining the Constants, and making sure that they are always Absolute! 1.c. Mene, Angel of Manipulation, Kyriotate Friend of the Atom - Responsible for those situations where a constant must be changed, and then making sure that it is brought back to its proper position again. Note: linked to Songs, since they all change Universal Constants temporarily, and then those constants need to be "cleaned up" again. 2.a. Sephar, Angel of Calculation, Elohite Friend of the Atom - Responsible for Precise calculation of relationships between numbers, people, any variables. (friend to 1.a. Hegei) 2.b. Peleg, Angel of Estimation, Ofanite Friend of the Atom - Estimation brings about general knowledge, without the need for undue precision. Focus on trends, general tendencies, etc. (hostile with 1.a. Hegei, 2.a. Sephar) 2.c. En-Rimmon, Angel of Integration, Kyriotate Friend of the Atom - shows that all things are simply part of sub-sets of other things. The individual isn't important, only the category and class. (very long-minded, allied to ALL) 3.a. Palal, Angel of the Clockwork Universe, Seraph Friend of the Atom - Responsible for showing that the Universe runs according to a never-changing plan... God's Will. 3.b. Dathan, Angel of Relativity, Mercurial Friend of the Atom - Responsible for showing that all things are Relative, and depend upon one's perspective and context. 3.c. Upharsin, Angel of the Quantum Leap, Ofanite Friend of the Atom - Responsible for showing that the shortest distance between two points may be to just get there right now!! Once the heirarchy was completed, we could "finish off" each angel, and write up rites, attunements, etc. PROBLEM: What are the Canon rulings on the extent of attunments for angels? I mean, does the Master level of distinction include the ability to give attunements to each choir separately, or just an individual servitor attunement, or what? I'm not sure. If anybody knows, please tell me. So, is this the sort of project people are interested in, or is it too "ordered" for most people's likes? If anybody is interested in doing this with me, then let's talk. If this thread dies out, then I'll know there's no interest, and I'll turn my attentions elsewhere. No Problem with that, I just want to know where to best spend my efforts. Walk in Beauty, Rob Wolff / Bodhi rob@v-wave.com