in_nomine-digest Tuesday, September 25 2001 Volume 01 : Number 2390 In this digest: Re: IN> IN Fic - Aurelius, Pt 2 Re: IN> IN Fic - Aurelius, Pt 3 Re: IN> Fwd: Grigori Re: IN> Fwd: Grigori IN> Ozma's Ethereal opinions IN> A scene where the ST doesn't know what to do.... IN> Aurellias IN> Fwd: A new God Re: IN> A scene where the ST doesn't know what to do.... Re: IN> Aurellias IN> The first day is the hardest - The Game IN> Humanity Attunement Re: IN> Humanity Attunement Re: IN> A scene where the ST doesn't know what to do.... Re: IN> Ozma's Ethereal opinions IN> Successors: Layliel, Archangel of Darkness IN> IN Fic - Final Transmission, Pt 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 18:36:18 -0400 From: "Jeffery Watkins" Subject: Re: IN> IN Fic - Aurelius, Pt 2 wow, Wow, WOW! That was magnificient. What a twist from where I thought the story was going. I liked how you wrote the Archangels as well as Yves Library, very comfortable. I mean by comfortable is you give the reader that this must be how they always are without having to state it. It flowed and I loved the predicament you have crafted. Onto to the next part. Jeffery _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 19:16:12 -0400 From: "Jeffery Watkins" Subject: Re: IN> IN Fic - Aurelius, Pt 3 Quite a twist. This type of problem is something so Balseraph, its a surprise its never come up before. Great presentation, I found myself really pulling for Aurelius, which just means I got caught up in your story. Also, thanks for writing Dominic as someone actually pleasant yet you kept him true to his word. Great balance and I look for to its continuation. Jeffery > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 20:49:48 -0700 From: "Perry Lloyd" Subject: Re: IN> Fwd: Grigori > >Just out of curiosity: Were can I et the best information regarding the > >Grigori from? Both from the official supplements, unofficial texts or > >fiction/non-fiction books. GURPS In Nomine has their resonance mechanics and dissonance conditions within its pages . . . > >There's a campaign idea in my head - and its rumbling to let loose with some > >inspiration.... any help would be greatly appreciated. Flying monkeys, that's what I recommend. That and "spam powered energy weapons" :) Hrm . . . the two could be combined quite easily, I'm afraid. - -Perry perrylloyd@hotmail.com pl312993@oak.cats.ohiou.edu http://www.geocities.com/perrylloyd Qu'est qui de vert devient rouge et frappe frénétiquement à la porte ? Un scout dans un four à micro-onde. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 22:51:27 -0400 (EDT) From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" Subject: Re: IN> Fwd: Grigori On Mon, 24 Sep 2001, Perry Lloyd wrote: > > >Just out of curiosity: Were can I et the best information regarding the > > >Grigori from? Both from the official supplements, unofficial texts or > > >fiction/non-fiction books. > > GURPS In Nomine has their resonance mechanics and dissonance conditions > within its pages . . . And the definitive (IMO) translation of these mechanics into In Nomine itself is at http://www.amadan.org/Innomine/Grigori.html as done by our own David Edelstein. - -- Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian, Q4B4L! Meow! We're the only HONEST church. We tell you we want your money. The OTHER churches say "god" wants your money. It's a lie. They can't even admit they're gonna take that cash and buy hookers with it! We buy hookers AND show you the pictures! -- Sister Decadence ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 00:40:19 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> Ozma's Ethereal opinions [Great continuation of the Ozma series. After reading this last set I can imagine that the one Ethereal in the Servitor book (a samurai whose name escapes me)would be interested in the new Uriel.] Really? It's a pity I don't have a copy. I'm sure he would be a very interesting character. [You also confirmed what I thought the reaction to the Lovecraftian Etherials would be, which works great since I am using them in the game as well.] Simply put Ozma sees the good in everyone. Ozma: There is no good in these. See? [Question: have you determined what her reaction (and theirs) would be to the greys or the benevilent brothers, the two (or more) UFO Ethereals? Mmm...I wonder if they can classify as a pantheon on their own...] Alittle bit right here for you.... Hundred Acre Woods: While I admit the prospect of returning for young Master Robin to make more cow eyes at me is slightly disconcerting there is nothing like a herd of rampaging Heffalumps to smash Hell's legions. "I must admit I'm glad that demented little fellow with the television glasses and glittering jacket left with his attempts to write Kanga married to Owl and abusing Roo. Oh bother i'm forgetting something. It's hard to get past the image of Eyeore defended by a little girl with a flaming sword." The UFO Realms: Not so much a realm but a collection of related dreams I most certainly do NOT approve of alien abuction and medical experimentation...or the molestation issues. If you want to learn about humans I kindly direct you to this copy of Gray's anatomy. I don't much care for the MiB covering up such safety issues either..... But if the alternative is answering this fellows questions I'm not sure if I want to deal with their help. (The below is a bit of a conversation to sum up their opinions) "I'm telling Scully Oz is real." "Mulder I'm pregnant and I don't know who the father is, I don't need this right now." "It's not my fault your a big ho. OW!" "I'm pregnant Mulder, blame it on horomones." "Listen Scully it all fits! Princess Ozma is actually the Archangel Uriel returned from covalescing with God after wiping out most of the Mythic Creatures. Aliens are actually dream creatures distantly related to the fey and the conspiracy is run by a Demon Prince named Alameon." "and I suppose Dorothy is a Seraphim." "As a matter of fact..." - -Charlemagne _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 02:28:27 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> A scene where the ST doesn't know what to do.... This occured recently in one of my campaigns.... A Demonic PC of my campaign is a servitor of Baal and had the misfortune to end up face to face with a summoned form of the Archangel Laurence in the middle of a battle. So the PC had his character challenge Laurence to a duel. Now this fairly stunned me but relatively speaking it was an appeal to Laurence's pride and sense of fair play that I think Laurence was willing to tackle. The PC said he'd like the duel to with the Sword of Jesus...the word with a Malakim of Laurence the judge....a seraph to verify. Laurence intrigued by the Djinn and intending to rend him free of information said the stakes. "I believe I can prove my Master Baal a more just God than your lord to one of your servitors." Laurence's self control was all that kept him from cutting him down and the Djinn offered his own redemption or destruction at Laurence's hands if he lost but Laurence would have to let him go unmolested for the night if he won. Now I consider myself a pretty good debater and Laurence felt it proper that the Archangel beat the insignificant worm at his own game. Unfortunately the fellow pushed all the right buttons with the Purity Crusade, Withdrawal, and the Malakim's own fear. The Seraph thus registered in all fairness her doubt and the Djinn frankly won the arguement. I have no idea how to react to Laurence suffering what seems like his first note of dissonance if he lets him go, Baal's reaction to it, or if Laurence will just cut him down anyway. - -Charlemagne _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 02:30:10 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> Aurellias Eeesh. Though one simply questions why Yves doesn't have a guy walk in with Divine Logic.... "The Interconnectedness of Choirs" and prove he's a balseraph. Okay it wouldn't work and I love this PC. Great job all round. I especially liked Dominic's reaction "This is an abomination." - -Charlemagne _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 02:31:46 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> Fwd: A new God Great job Alex. It might be interesting if this "Ethereal God" suceeds in his quest and..... then... Nothing. It raises some interesting interpretations if the "New God" might actually be the Original having worked his way backwards. - -Charlemagne _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 01:44:05 -0500 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> A scene where the ST doesn't know what to do.... From: "Charles Phipps" > > lost but Laurence would have to let him go unmolested for the night if he > won. > I have no idea how to react to Laurence suffering what seems like his first > note of dissonance if he lets him go, Baal's reaction to it, or if Laurence > will just cut him down anyway. Since he gave his word to let him go for the night, he is as bound by that as a Malakite servitor would be if its AA told it not to kill a demon for one night. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 01:15:56 -0700 From: "Brian Rogers" Subject: Re: IN> Aurellias I figure the Divine Logic would work. But the Balseraph would just re-resonate himself a minute later. After all, he's a Balseraph; the truth is what he says it is. :) Brian - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charles Phipps" To: Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 11:30 PM Subject: IN> Aurellias > Eeesh. > > Though one simply questions why Yves doesn't have a guy walk in with Divine > Logic.... > > "The Interconnectedness of Choirs" > > and prove he's a balseraph. > > Okay it wouldn't work and I love this PC. Great job all round. I especially > liked Dominic's reaction "This is an abomination." > > -Charlemagne > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 23:10:29 +1100 From: "james walker" Subject: IN> The first day is the hardest - The Game The demonling ran around the corner and ran straight into his quarry. "Sorry Miss! Message for you from Ackachad! He wants to see you immediately! He's in his office!" 'Who is Ackachad? And what does he want?' "He's my boss! He handles security in the main room, and contracts with The Game! Don't want to keep him waiting miss!" 'Bet?' "Yes miss! You can't afford to get a reputation as unreliable miss! Not with potential employers miss!" '[sigh] Lead me to him.' "Yes miss!' - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ackachad grunted to himself, noting that the debutante Tanstaafl was heading to his office. What a good little girl. He'd make her regret that. It wasn't as much fun as making her regret being a bad little girl, but it'd do. He stretched in the squeaky chair, his back trotters scraping across the desk, and then slumped down again; his snout still buried in a copy of PlayDamned. He continued to flip through it as that demonling lead in the Tanstaafl; heard the intake of breath as the demonling started to speak; the rapid retreat of the demonling when he recognised his bosses mood. Behind the magazine, Ackachad permitted himself a smile. Nice to know that he was maintaining the appropriate discipline. He continued flipping through the magazine. 'Well?' the Tanstaafl demanded. Ackachad slowly put down the magazine, and picked up a file from on top of a pizza box. " Free Lilim; Name Alya. Created this morning. Since then has spent over an hour in the company of Satarma, one of the most boring Free Lilim in existence; you has not yet left the Guildhall; you are already riddled with Geas-hooks. Anything I've missed?" 'What is this all about?' "Was my summary accurate and complete?" 'I demand to know..' "Was my summary accurate and complete?" 'I am Alya, yes; and I've spent some time with Satarma, and I haven't left the Guildhall. Now what is this all about?' "And you claim to serve Freedom? To be a Free Lilim?" 'Of course, now what..' "So, while supposedly serving Freedom, you've imprisoned yourself in this building, stood around allowing Satarma to bore you to tears rather than walking off - blazes, if you can't get out of a conversation I hate to think how you'd react to a prison - in short, shown nothing even vaguely resembling individuality, independence or free spirit since your birth? Correct?" 'What do you mean?' Alya's voice had changed dramatically. The arrogance which was all demons' birthright had dropped away, and was replaced by doubt and fear. Ackachad's face remained deadpan, but his dark little heart was burning with glee. He had never understood why his Dark Lord was hostile to Freedom. Break all the rules? By all means. But remember that it's a rule, to break all the rules; we can arrest you for abiding by the rules, because you've broken Lilith's rule - and we can still arrest you for breaking rules. Damned if you do, damned if you don't - but then, this is Hell! "What I mean is this: You chose - if that's the right word - to be a Free. You are breaking the spirit of Lilith's dissonance conditions. This is treason - to Lilith; to your Sisterhood; to Lucifer; to Hell." As always, his timing was perfect. Behind him, the TV set was on, even though he had turned the sound down. A long boring series of ads had drawn to a close, and the program was back on - a live execution of a traitor by The Game. The victim, a incredibly Discordant Calabite looked arrogant and unimpressed as he was marched to his death. They all felt it; the evening rush of essence. Alya perked up - this was the first time she had ever felt the effect, after all. Ackachad barely noticed. All around Hell, demons would be spending the essence to power TV sets, radios, pay to enter the movies - anywhere they could watch this execution. The biggest effect was on the traitor. His head snapped up, and he turned to face an Impudite guard; both were grinning. Ackachad smiled to himself; they never learnt. Of course, they only got one chance. The traitors smiled grew more fixed; turned to fear, to horror. Sorry, traitor - your 'friend' the Impudite didn't believe you; won't use your essence to teleport the two of you to safety, so that you can prove your innocence. The Calabite squirmed, his futile struggles delighting the viewers. His guards dragged him forward, and began to heave, laughing at his struggles. Ackachad found it a little boring, to tell the truth - after watching the first dozen or so impalings it got a bit stale. Watching Alya's face was a delight though, her face going pale, until she looked almost jaundiced. Her terror was obvious. Yes, my dear, that could be you... "Now, given that you clearly are too much off a stick-in-the-mud to be Free, what are we going to do with you? Hmm?" 'I am a Free, I will show you, to judge me on one day, when I'm still learning..' Ackachad laughed, a long mocking laugh. "Girl, Ask your sisters what they did on their first day. I remember Illias - - now there was a Free! BY the end of her first day she'd crossed Shal-Mari and gate-crashed one of Haagenti's favourite restaurants. How she could run! But then she had great lungs, proved that when Haagenti bit her in half, in fact - those where the days....." He sighed. "You're already in trouble with The Game and you've been Free for less than a day. You need to survive centuries! Now, you can keep going on about how you need to be a Free, and I'll start doing the paperwork for executing you - which will cause me a lot of work I might add - or we can find you somewhere you might actually survive and do well." Alya glared at him. "So, have you spoken to any of the other booths? Seen a Word you think you could actually chime with?" She hadn't, he knew. She'd been keeping quiet, watching from a distance; but let's see what she'd overhead. 'Theft and Lust seemed like reasonable employers. I was thinking of a contract with one of them.' "Theft? Not you, girl. Have to keep moving to serve Theft, and you don't. Lust is an option, if you hurry; still, I can buy you a little time, I suppose.." 'What do you mean?' "I am going to have to put in a report stating that you will clearly rack up huge amounts of dissonance if you remain Free. If, however, you have a contract with a different Word I can say that you're checking to see if you suit that Word, so action by The Game will be delayed pending the results of that contract. If it's worth my while, of course.." He rose, and stalked out from behind the desk, towering over the young Lilim. Alya sidled away from the towering boar, fond herself being backed into a corner, flinched as the Djinn's trotter grabbed her arm - and felt more terrified than she had in her short life. Ackachad snorted and then returned to behind his desk. His eyes unfocused for a minute, ad he chanted something softly. The Symphony rang with something - he was spending essence on - what? Something that also made noise - a Song? And then he spoke. "I don't know why I waste my time with you. You claim that you're going to get a contract with Lust - maybe become a Servitor; and what is the first question they're going to ask you when you see them? ~How did you deal with Ackachad? Flirt a little? Seduce him? Play coy and get him to seduce you?~" "What will you say then? That you curled up in a corner when I suggested a little something?" He snorted. "Girl, I was trying to make it easy for you to make a name for yourself. If you'd gone up to the Lusties and said you'd got me off your back by getting on your own, you'd have had it made. But no.." The Song was taking effect, he could see. He loved the Songs of Attraction. There! The golden blush as she went all blotchy around the collar bones was very becoming. He thought about giving in, letting her 'seduce' him. Patience, patience; time enough for that later. He had the girl hooked; let's see if he could snag The Game another Lilim. "You have to blow it. Isn't there any emotion in you at all? Any desire for anything? Come with me." He walked out of his office into the central 'den' the Gamesters operated from; her green skin now totally golden with her blush, Alya followed him. Pasted to the walls were 'Wanted!' posters for every band of demon (excepting the Lilim themselves, of course). The same 'accident' that meant that posters for Lilim never made it here also meant that Shedim were over represented. Ackachad waved his arms at the posters. "Here we have the scummiest demons in existence - some of whom have murdered Lilim, I might add. That batch [he indicated a group of four Shedim] are some of the most twisted Corruptors in existence. The Game is all about stamping out this problem - and I'm..." 'Shedim are scum.' "Wasting my time with you - what was that?" Ackachad's face broke into a smile for the first time. Alya swallowed. She'd never met a Shedite, but the handful of Lilim she'd spoken with had all despised them. She'd called them scum because it had seemed to be the safe thing to say. Apparently, her remark was being taken seriously. Still, he was smiling, and for reasons she didn't really understand that was wonderful... 'I said Shedim are scum.' She racked her mind for the other things her Sisters had said about them. 'They give demons a bad name; they're incredibly vile.' Ackachad nodded happily. "You said it, girl." He slung a muscular forelimb around her shoulders, causing her to gasp. "That's why I joined The Game in the first place - whenever a Shedite gets out of line - whamo! - we fix him. 'Course, we can't do it all ourselves - we have bounty hunters who help. Have to pay them a fortune, but I guess it's worth it. Say..." He pretended that the thought was only just coming to him "Suppose you give bounty hunting a shot? It's a chance to play in the Corporeal, pays a mint, you seem to have the mindset." 'Yes, I could!' She said without thinking. Then her brain kicked in: 'But I don't know how to fight - I'd be no match for a Shedite!' "No problem. I'll just fix you up with a team, and they can teach you the ropes." He wandered over to a 'phone, and started dialling. "Oh, make sure they teach you how to clean and maintain equipment. The stuff's expensive; you don't want to buy your own later and then have to replace it 'cause you can't care for it." She nodded eagerly. "Hey Fred. You still going after Alastor's gang? Yeah, code 997; I've got a little lady who I think would strengthen your group. Untrained, but I reckon she's got potential. Where are you? Excellent - send the courtesy cab 'round to pick her up; she should see The Game Centre anyway. When are you leaving? That soon? No matter, she doesn't need to pack. And look after her - cause I said so, that's why! Or have you forgotten who decides whether you've earned the bounty! Good." He hung up the 'phone, and opened a safe in the wall. "Right little lady, the cab's on it's way. Fred is a real professional. Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn a lot. You'll mostly be reading Needs for the group; that's important when you're in hot pursuit of a Corruptor. In the meantime, these" he handed her some flat disks "are complimentary tokens for the games at the Games Centre. It's a good way to get a feel for things they use on Earth. You can also pay using essence, or Geases if you really want to master something. Now.." He turned her around 'accidentally' brushing himself against her. She was shaking slightly from the close contact. "remember that I've gone out on a limb for you here, so don't let me down. The cab will pick you up outside the main entrance. Good luck!" He slapped her on the rump to propel her towards the door. She jumped from the contact, and the blush returned. Not trusting herself to speak she hurried out the door, wondering why she was dreaming of coming back to boast to Ackachad of how well she'd done. And that's how she ended up working for The Game. James. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 10:37:18 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: IN> Humanity Attunement A quick question to refresh my memory: Which Demon Prince does the Humanity attunement, and what does the attunement do? Thanks. Earl ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 11:03:38 -0400 From: "Eric Bertish" Subject: Re: IN> Humanity Attunement > A quick question to refresh my memory: Which Demon Prince does > the Humanity attunement, and what does the attunement do? Asmodeus. As long as it's active, the demon spends Essence like an untrained human (all at once, no disturbance), can't go celestial,and I *think* can't perform songs or use resonances or attunements. Lasts for 24 hours, not sure of there's an Essence cost to use it. Hope that's enough... - -- Casca ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 11:50:56 -0400 From: "Eric Bertish" Subject: Re: IN> A scene where the ST doesn't know what to do.... > Since he gave his word to let him go for the night, he is as bound by that > as a Malakite servitor would be if its AA told it not to kill a demon for > one night. For that *one* night. 24 hours later, Laurence is perfectly free send servitors after him, or even the Order of the Eternal Sword if Larry is -really- cheesed off. Or -- and this is more work, but far more satisfying in the long run -- have him targetd by redemption squads. Hard Core Redemption Squads. I'm thinking Campus Crusade for Christ, but with Cherubim to hunt him down (remember Laurentine Cherubim don't need touch to attune!), Elohim to figure out what will work best, and Malakim to hold him down..... - -- Casca "Jesus loves you! Now SIT DOWN and SHUT UP while I evangelize or I'll smack you around some more!" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 12:20:55 -0400 From: "Jeffery Watkins" Subject: Re: IN> Ozma's Ethereal opinions Thanks for the answers and I loved the dialogues, particularly the last one with Muldur and Scully. LoL Jeffery _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 12:23:10 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: IN> Successors: Layliel, Archangel of Darkness LAYLIEL, Archangel of Darkness, Successor to Lucifer Take back the night. "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." -- Isaiah 45:6-8 Layliel is an ancient Elohite, created long before the Fall, by Lucifer. It rebelled against the Rebel and was left an orphan by the Fall. It soon found a new master in Yves. The Word of Destiny has under it many lesser Words related to time and time-keeping; under Yves, Layliel became the Angel of Night. After millenia of service to Destiny, though, it left to take service with the mysterious Archangel of Death. After more millenia of being apparently absent from Heavenly society, Layliel suddenly showed up one day in the chambers of the Seraphim Council. It announced that it was now, by the grace of God, Archangel of Darkness. It seems to be a member of the war faction, but its policies are rather complicated and it also desires to promote general cooperation on the Council. What complicates is relations even more ae that so many angels find its Word so unheavenly and its basic strategy alarming -- it uses Hell's own methods. Layliel's cathedral is right next to the abandonned catherdral of Light. It is a wooded mountain thick with nocturnal life and night-blooming flowers, perpetually under a sky full of brilliant stars. Layliel itself appears as a tall, slender silhouette full of stars. Its appearance is widely believed, in both Heaven and Hell, to be a sign that the End may be Near. Why else would God appoint a militant archangel pointed so directly at Lucifer? DISSONANCE CONDITION It is dissonant for an angel of Darkness to encounter evil using darkness to frighten or attack and not take steps against it. CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS All angels of Darkness can see in total darkness as if on an overcast day. Angels of Darkness can use the resonnance of the corresponding demonic band: Seraphim of Darkness not only speak the truth, they can make you KNOW it's the truth. Cherubim of Darkness can either attune to you in the normal cherubic manner or attune to you in the Djinnish manner, so as not to take dissonance if you get hurt by something else; the choice is made by the cherub when it attunes. Ophanim of Darkness can use the Calabite resonnance for destruction. Elohim of Darkness can induce emotions as well as read them. Malakim of Darkness can read needs and lay geases like Lilim. (Bright Lilim of Darkness, and there are rather a lot of them, considering, can read good and bad deeds, like a Malakite.) Kyriotates of Darkness can possess like Shedim, with access to the thoughts and memories of the host, only, if they do it that way, they can only do one host and must leave it a little BETTER than when they found it. Mercurians of Darkness can charm and suck Essence, just like Impudites. Saints of Darkness can recognize Undead by touching them. SERVITOR ATTUNEMENTS Humanity: This works just like the Infernal Humanity attunement. Nothing but Shadows: Lets you become invisible by hiding in shadow. We can then quibble about how dark is "shadow." Nightvision: Lets you roll twice on perception and use the better roll, but only works at night or in night-like darkness. Veil of Darkness: Counters all perception rolls by other characters within Ethereal Forces yards, for Ethereal Forces minutes, if the roll is equal to or higher than the others' perception rolls. Kinstrife: Get two rolls and use the best one to resist your opposite band's resonnance. Blinding: Blinds another character for Ethereal Forces minutes, when the user makes flesh-to-flesh contact (or celestial or ethereal equivalent). Silent Night: Cancels any Disturbance created by the caster in the next Celestial Forces seconds. DISTINCTIONS Vassal of Shadow: Gains a point of Essence at dusk, just like a demon. Friend of the Night: Can become intangible when in night-like levels of darkness. Master of Darkness: Can recognize Undead on sight and, on killing them, disentangle their souls from their bodies and send them to their reward (usually but not always Hell). RELATIONS Allied: Janus, Michael, Eli Associated: Laurence, David, Jean Hostile: Novalis, Dominic Janus likes the way Layliel "stole" the infernal band attunements. Michael and Laurence like having those attunements available to Heaven, though Laurence feels a tad queasy about it. Eli and Jean admire Layliel's inventiveness. Novalis and Dominic both feel angels of Darkness are dangerously similar to demons, though "hostile" really overstates their feelings. RITES * Stay outdoors all night, away from street lights, etc. (1 point) * Spend five hours in a darkened room (a movie theater, for instance). (2 points) * Spot seven shooting stars. (2 points) * Be in celestial form at local dusk. (1 point) * Be in celestial form at local midnight. (2 points) CHANCE TO SUMMON: 4 SUMMONING MODIFIERS: +1: Be in celestial form at local dusk. +1: Be in a pitch-dark place. +2: Be in celestial form at local midnight. +2: Be in a planetarium showing the night sky. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 17:16:33 From: "Michael Cleveland" Subject: IN> IN Fic - Final Transmission, Pt 1 From: Alcenor, Kyriotate of War - Intelligence Division To: Michael, Archangel of War CC: Laurence, Archangel of The Sword Re: Recon Operation X11095AZ Preface - The following file is a transcript of a recording found in central Peru on July 13, 2001. The recording has been identified as the mission recorder of Recon Unit X11095AZ with a 87% percent chance of certainty. Further analysis of the recorder will be impossible as all hard copy files and recordings have been personally confiscated by the Archangel of Judgment as of 19:31 hrs. I have also appended additional commentaries where information not contained in the transcript has become available. I feel it of pressing significance to include that the Archangel of Judgment has specifically ordered me not to give out information regarding this operation and to inform him if anyone should come looking for it. By sending you this file, I am in violation of an Archangelic decree. I hope you find this as disturbing as I did, and that I survive to continue to serve. - --------------- Beginning File Transfer ------------------- Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 05:30 Team Leader Seraph Mulcav speaking - Due to loss of contact with several servitors of Animals and Flowers in the local region, Recon Team has been ordered to the area to sweep for signs of Diabolical influence and to attempt to reestablish contact with missing servitors. At local celestial's request, team X113 has been ordered to reinforce us. Uncertain as to reason reinforcements were requested as my team has seen heavy combat before, but Elohite Zola reports that local Animal and Flower servitors show an unusually high level of fear. Attempts to ascertain causes have proven inconclusive, but the rest of the team attributes it to choice of Superiors. Have received additional orders from ranking Flowers servitor. Ordered to bring 3 Soldiers with us as guides to the forest. Am uncertain as to the wisdom of this decision, but have been assured that the Soldiers are well versed in local geography and are capable of maintaining stealth quotient. Symphony rings true, but still feel uneasy. - ------------------------ Saturday, June 2, 2001 - 05:30 Secondary Tracker Kyriotate Simone speaking - We've been searching for 4 days now, but have found little to no signs of the Flowerchildren or the Animalkin. Primary Tracker Lytal is concerned that we have found so few traces, however I am still not convinced that we are in the right search area. Ofanim Dylan and Migia insist that we are still on the right track, as are the soldiers that we brought with us. The forest here is much denser than we anticipated, and travel has been slower than we had planned. Having to stop to allow the humans to sleep has further hindered our progress, but I must admit that the decision to bring them along was wise. Malakite Kyra nearly lost her vessel due to not listening to Denise's warnings about quicksand. Mulcav has stated that he believes that this is a fool's errand and that the missing angels will either show up in Heaven or wander back into the encampment that we are heading for any day now. I don't know why, but for some reason I tend to doubt it. - ------------------------ Sunday, June 3, 2001 - 19:43 Tertiary Tracker Kyriotate Mylda speaking - We've reached the forward encampment that we were told about. There's dust everywhere - this place hasn't been used for a long time. Our human associates seem concerned, as does Zola for some reason. Reports indicated that this place was a hotbed of native activity, but if that's so, then something is definitely wrong. We've found some evidence to support the idea that there were children here at some point, as we've found several drawings and pictures hanging on the walls. Nobody told us that they had children out this far in the jungle. But then again, if better records and accountings had been kept by Flowers and Animals, we wouldn't be out here, now would we? Nellie, the only Mercurian in the group, seems concerned about something. She isn't speaking about it, but I've noticed that she has a tendency to chew on her lip when something is bothering her. I imagine that if she believes it important, she'll make sure to let us know. - ----------------------- Monday, June 4, 2001 - 02:08 Tactical Support Agent Malakite Kyra speaking - Malakite Zephram has gone missing. No one remembers seeing him leave, but the last time any of us can place him is 01:15. Cherub Omalia reported that she has an attunement on him, but could not place precisely where he was. She then became agitated and started shaking her head violently - when I questioned her about it, she just kept saying that something was very wrong and insisted that we had to find him. The Kyriotates have spread out trying to find him, but Mulcav has insisted that all of them retain one vessel here in the encampment. Nellie has been sticking close to the humans, which is typical for a Mercurian, but it seems almost like they're comforting her, rather than the other way around. Michelle, one of the soldiers, has privately told me that she's got a feeling that something is seriously wrong out here. I'm beginning to understand what she means. - ----------------------- Monday, June 4, 2001 - 08:47 Soldier of God Robert Davila speaking - This isn't the proper thing to say about angels of War, but these people are freaked out. I don't know what to make of it - the Cherub has been reversing directions on an almost hourly basis. She says that she's attuned to the Malakite that vanished, but it's almost as if she's walking in circles. The two wheels have been trying to help her, but I'm seeing looks of powerlessness on their faces too. I've been told by Nellie that Ofanim can't track a person the same way that a Cherub can, but this seems different. The Seraph in charge of things is really getting on us to pick up the pace. I guess that once he lost one of his own people in this operation, the reality of it sunk in. Myself, I understand the reality of this all too well - if I die in the line of duty, it's not like I have a guarantee of coming back, after all. I could really use a break - the girls didn't manage to get any sleep, and neither did I. Duty calls, of course... - -------------------------- Tuesday, June 5, 2001 - 03:45 Team Leader Seraph Mulcav speaking - I have decided to make camp for the night to allow the soldiers to get some sleep if they are able. The decision was made easier in a way by the fact that Omalia has now lost her attunement on Zephram. I am now quite certain that we have hostile forces out here - Zephram would not have simply walked off for no reason. All attempts to contact him have failed for the past three hours, and I am forced to declare him a loss. Hopefully, once we complete our assignment, we will find him in Heaven waiting for us. - -------------------------- Tuesday, June 5, 2001 - 04:01 Team Leader Seraph Mulcav speaking - Zola started screaming earlier, pointing out into the woods and cowering behind the two wheels. Lytal and Simone have been out in the direction that she pointed in, but have found nothing out of the ordinary. I am at a loss to explain what could have caused the Elohite to react in such a manner, but I do not need her resonance to see the terror on her face. She keeps asking us if we saw 'it'. I do not know what she is talking about, and I do not believe that anyone else does either. She has been unable to describe what she saw to me, but I have the distinct impression that whatever she claims to have seen may have been a delusion brought on by the stress of the situation. - ------------------------- Tuesday, June 5, 2001 - 23:16 Support Agent Elohite Zola speaking - My associates have told me of an incident that occurred this morning, which I am at a loss to explain. I find myself with a gap in my memory approximately twenty minutes long, during which time this supposed 'panic attack' occurred. Were we not in the middle of a mission, I would request to have myself examined by several other Elohim to have my mental stability checked. I mentioned this to Mulcav, and he agreed that once the assignment was over he would see to it that I was given the requisite time off. Zephram told me that this happens from time to time, and that I should be fine. The calm that he displays during this time of stress is refreshing, and I believe that a few hours on patrol with him will help bring my psyche back into equallibrium. (Intelligence note - Low-level analysis of the recording showed signs of a sonic disturbance somewhere in the background during this section of the recording. We have been unable to identify its source or type.) - -------------------------- Wednesday, June 6, 2001 - 05:30 Acquisition Officer Ofanite Migia speaking - Zola has gone missing. She left to get some additional firewood around 04:00, and has not been seen or heard from since. Omalia has managed to keep her attunement stable this time, and has reported that she has her position some twelve miles from here. I find this somewhat odd as I know for a fact that Zola doesn't have Celestial Motion, which is the only way she could have covered that much ground so quickly. Something is seriously screwed up around here. There's no way that we can back out of this operation, but I've got to admit that the thought of just taking the dissonance and getting out of here before any one else just drops off the face of the Earth. Michael Cleveland Gulf Coast Geotech _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #2390 ********************************