in_nomine-digest Tuesday, October 23 2001 Volume 01 : Number 2419 In this digest: IN> Fun With Remnants Re: IN> Until we get the EPG Re: IN> Pazuzu (Part II) Re: IN> Fun With Remnants IN> The Cells of Notre Dame IN> Eastern Religions Re: IN> The Cells of Notre Dame IN> My best work yet I think IN> Operation: Neverland Storm IN> Strangers In The Night (~8k) IN> Anti-Christs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 17:20:20 -0400 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: IN> Fun With Remnants Another Insomnia Special... Okay, so Remnants can't be perceived by Perception-based resonances. Now, angels work off of Perception (except for Kyriotates, but anyway), so it's actually perhaps... in the best interests of Princes to have some Remnants around to do their dirty work. Heck, some of the attunements will even keep working. And you can promise to fix them if they serve well. Things Remnants are good for... Lying to Seraphim (rare; Seraphim get twitchy if they realize that their resonance _should_ have worked), concealing emotions from Elohim (ditto), confounding Malakim (ditto), and bewildering Mercurians (ditto). But what they're really good for? Making Cherubim dissonant. Now, this takes an assumption upon which canon is silent. So this isn't necessarily a _canon_ evilness, which will make some GMs very happy since they can ban it with impunity. O:> (Well, they could anyway, but there's less potential for whining.) But if a Remnant is immune to Perception-based resonances, then that means a Remnant can plot against a Cherub's attuned with impunity, undetectable as more than _maybe_ a diffuse threat. Heck, they can be interesting assassins... IIRC, though, they still make disturbance. Aww. You'll just have to give them Asmodeus' Humanity attunement, won't you? (Be sure that they're 5 Forces exact, to bewilder any Kyrios who take them over. "Nope, just a normal human. I don't know why it was able to do that weird supernatural thing.") Enjoy. - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor RPG links; Random name list, Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 17:27:08 -0400 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: Re: IN> Until we get the EPG At 1:59 AM -0500 10/19/01, David Edelstein wrote: >daiv wrote: >> Does this mean that there will be...I don't know, parallels, cross> pollination of ideas, between the books? > >Not directly. But GURPS Spirts is very similar in scope to the EPG. Though much, well, crunchier. The EPG works within the IN framework, not the GURPS "anything goes" framwork, so it concentrates more on other stuff. (And I re-read it recently, and it's pretty cool.) - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor RPG links; Random name list, Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 14:42:48 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> Pazuzu (Part II) - --- Jeffery Watkins wrote: > Wow. This is one of the rare multi-part write-ups that I > felt the sequel or part II was better than part I. Thanks! ===== Michael Walton, #9805-068 "The surest way to keep a secret is to make people believe they already know the answer." - -- Fremen saying __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 14:45:03 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> Fun With Remnants Beth, I don't even want to think about what ideas like that are doing to your karma. In other words, I really like it. ===== Michael Walton, #9805-068 "The surest way to keep a secret is to make people believe they already know the answer." - -- Fremen saying __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 18:44:14 -0400 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: IN> The Cells of Notre Dame At 2:45 PM -0700 10/22/01, Michael Walton wrote: >Re: IN> Fun With Remnants > Beth, I don't even want to think about what ideas like >that are doing to your karma. > > In other words, I really like it. Oh, good. I'll try to write up this one, then. ******** Now, as everyone knows, a Hellsworn Soldier tends to go to Hell when killed, even if he (or she) hasn't already reached his fate (yet?). This does bother some people -- Mercurians, Servitors of Destiny, the odd Cherub or Malakite... Not to mention that sometimes it's just not a good idea to kill a Hellsworn (it might tip off your plans early), and once you've captured the damned sod alive, well... So, between Hellsworn who some angel thinks can be turned, and the ones you get just because killing them is tactically unsound, you need a place to _keep_ them. Ordinary Tethers are all well and good, but few of them have the room for long-term storage of captive mortals. However, Notre Dame has (it's well established somewhere or other) catacombs which only celestials know of. Vaulted, underground rooms and halls, without windows, shadowed... And little rooms. Lots of little rooms, really. Most of them look like windowless Motel 6 chambers, with a bed, a table or two, maybe a chair, and a bathroom. Some, for the more suicidal prisoners, are less well-appointed, of course. Don't want some Hellsworn getting to Hell and babbling the secrets that he knows, right?* Poor deluded things. Food is delivered through a slot in the door for some, via Heaven-sworn Soldier for others, or angel for others. (It can be the first view of a non-blessed soul for new angels, especially those of the Sword, and is therefore educational as well as useful to have these cells around.) Exercise is in underground gyms, if deemed necessary and not dangerous. Some Elohite and Mercurian (and human) psychologists have sessions with those Hellsworn who might be redeemable, trying to convince the poor damned souls to let an Archangel strip the infernal Force from them. For most of the captive Soldiers of Hell, that's the only real contact with another sapient being that they get. Tends to soften them up for the psychologists, no? There are books, of course. If you're not one of the troublesome ones, at least, you can get a list of books to read. Destiny is big on reading books, of course. Some Creationers will sneak in art supplies, too. What's that, you say? They still have to sleep. True enough. That's why the cells are linked to little niches in the ethereal side of Blandine's Tower, which holds the captive dreamscapes of the prisoners. One of Blandine's Vassels is on constant watch there, of course, its Distinction ability carefully linked into the artifact-cells to ensure that _all_ the prisoners have good dreams. The very best. (It's no wonder that a lot of them tend to sleep. Of course, the counselors who go to talk to them don't have to talk to them _corporeally_. Sometimes, a dream is an even better venue for analysis and persuasion.) (*Well, yes, some of them have information that should _never_ get to Hell. Useful, the Songs of Entropy, no? Some of the Hellsworn there have been there a _long_ time. With TVs? Why would Heaven's servants let elements of the Media get into Notre Dame? They've got books and some art supplies. Why should they get TV as well? Though it's a common enough threat from Lightning Servitors to junior Jeanites, to make them do "tech support" for the prisoners. Not that they have a real link out of the place either, though -- no reason for one.) Does the Sword approve? Why, whose new-to-Earth angels do you think do the _brunt_ of the guard duty...? - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor RPG links; Random name list, Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 09:54:20 +1100 From: "james walker" Subject: IN> Eastern Religions > Jonathan wrote: >> (Thus, in some places, such as China, the Old Gods are still > powerful...) > > Hmm..except for the fact that nobody believes in them anymore. > Post-Liberation China did a pretty good job of getting rid of all that > "opium of the people" (i.e. religion), since up until the end of the 70's > people were still pretty sure that they'd soon be entering the Communist > Utopia (more or less). Well...No. For starters, remember that there are a huge number of Chinese people outside of China; there are Chinese temples all over Australia, for example. Secondly, the Chinese ability to calmly accept whatever their rulers tell them - and then ignore it - has to be remembered. Just because the people are openly accepting the 'party line' it doesn't follow that they've changed what they actually believe. And finally, believing a negative is a strange concept. The statement "I DON'T believe in [insert ethereal god] may produce almost as much essence as fervent belief - especially if the 'atheist' is spending essence arguing against the existence of the ethereal; especially if the point is being continually hammered home. (Remember Small Gods?) > Still, all of this would be tweaking canon, since according to the GMG, > the Eastern Religions (aside from Shinto, which David grouped with > animism) don't produce Ethereals, because they're more or less divine. Or because they've managed to hide themselves from Celestial notice? :-) > Hmm, I wonder where all that Chinese essence is going? 1.2 billion people > worth of essence is a ton to have just disappear ;) well, besides the usual options, consider: SOMETHING is allowing reincarnation in In Nomine; possibly the Eastern essence is powering the ability. if this is the case, following the soul of a human who is going to reincarnate might take the pursuer to the realm of the Chinese gods. Humans regain essence at Noon - and religions tend to be focused in specific regions of the globe. If essence gained has a different quality, depending on where you are/when noon is, it may behave/travel wildly differently, creating different 'heavens'/ethereal realms/other concepts. This would mean that religious truth would be time zone specific; Christianity is True in the West, Islam True slightly further east (with Judaism the Truth on the border), then Hinduism (with the Sikhs 'True' on their border) then the Chinese beliefs. If this is the case, the reason that angels don't know about the existence of the Chinese gods is that celestials can't exist that far East; of that if they spend any significant time in the East their nature decays until they become Ethereals - when they return Heaven & Hell assume that the Celestial has been killed and that the ethereal is an imposter, attempting in infiltrate them - so they kill it. James. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 22:06:42 -0400 From: "Eric Bertish" Subject: Re: IN> The Cells of Notre Dame > And little rooms. For the love of God, Montressor. - -- Casca ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 22:09:29 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> My best work yet I think Belock Balseraph of Fate Baron of the Book of Days The Demon of Painful Truths "You are never going to be as thin as you want. The chances are astronomical your going to get into the college you want. Your husband is thinking about other women than you...even during sex. The Bible says suffer not a witch to live along with a heck of a lot of other people, if it's literally true then your damning yourself by defying it. Oh and nobody you know is ever going to win the lottery let alone you." Cor-3 Str-6 Agi-6 Eth-3 Int-6 Pre-6 Cel-5 Will-10 Per-10 Vessel: Human (Charisma +2) 3/ Skills: Detect Lie 6/, Emote 3/, Fast Talk 3/, Savoir Faire 3/, Seduction 2/ Songs: Song of Charm (Ethereal 3/, Celestial 6/), Song of Form (Celestial 6/) Attunements: Balseraph of Fate (Seraph), Habbalah of Kronos, Impudite of Fate, Baron of the Book of Days (the 20th Century), Fated Future, The Demon of Painful Truths As the Demon of Painful Truths Belock can determine what truths a person may not believe and whether or not these truths will lead him toward his fate. Word Forces: 7-9 Special Rites: * Cause someone immeasurable pain by telling them a truth * Lead someone to their fate with the unvarnished truth Belock is a character that is somewhat....untrusted....among his fellow Balseraphim because he seems to always be laughing behind his back at them. Frankly most demons period don't seem to trust Belock because as far as they can tell he's never trying to put one over on them either. In truth Belock never lies and not in that 'It's true from a certain point of view' type I never lie but the fact remains he's as honest as any Seraph in Heaven. A loyal servitor of the Archangel of Revelation for a number of years Belock was consistently and repeatedly affronted by mankind's capacity for denying painful truths. You must realize how painful it was for a Seraph of Revelation to realize that humanity actually enjoyed being lied to. Did you honestly believe half the President's campaign promises or even your local governor? What about people who buy tabloids and similar gossip rags? During wartime do you want to hear about what the other person's reasons are or do you want to see them as mindless villains? To Belock this was an intolerable state of affairs and one that severely annoyed him. After a long period of soul-searching Belock realized the uncomfortable truth that Heaven wasn't much better in this regard. While in Heaven you couldn't lie directly there was the uncomfortable ignoring of likely truths that Belock did not at all enjoy. Uriel was brought into the Higher Heavens after a genocide of possibly millions of sentient life-forms, God in no way communicates with Heaven that can't be construed as Madness, the Higher Heavens are denied to Angels, God pardoned a man who'd murdered thousands of angels in War yet let a blanket judgment stand on an entire choir. To Belock it was enough to convince him that God wanted everyone to be a bloodthirsty psychopath and was content to let celestials fight it out as his true children the humans went off scott-free. An uncomfortable revelation for Belock and one that convinced him that he could no longer content himself with his present situation. Belock jumped to Hell and discovered oddly as a Balseraph that he still had no desire to delude himself of his chances against Heaven or that the Symphony was really responding to his will. In truth Belock took a delightful pleasure in tormenting his fellows by tearing apart their little false Symphonic perceptions. Serving Kronos he requested the resonance of a Seraphim to his master's surprise. A Balseraph to have the resonance of his opposing choir seemed to be asking for redemption in an offhanded manner. Still one look at Belock was enough to convince Kronos that his fate lied with granting his request and Belock soon began his work on reality. Belock chose for the most part to follow in the heels of those who were recovering from vices or living in comfortable fantasy worlds. Fundamentalists have always been a favored target and you would not believe the fun he has leading quiet hypocrites to their doom. This is something that makes Balseraph uncomfortable for other reasons around Belock because on a very real and personal level they believe that people should GET AWAY with lies. Belock believes the exact opposite and holds the majority of his beliefs from his time in Heaven, he simply believes that Hell is where the majority of liars deserve to be. After a particularly nasty series of divorces, abortion doctor shootings, robberies to make their lives better, lapsed wagon alcoholics, suicides, and a beautiful incident regarding a child molester who had actually managed to put his life together again-Lucifer awarded him the word of Painful Truths. Belock personally would very much secretly like to be an angel again but recognizes that he will not get that position because he is unrepentant of his actions and wants very much a sign from God that he isn't a complete psychopath. In the meantime he personally takes great relish in the inevitable turn of time that once the truth comes out humanity will either say "Enough is enough" and become fully truthful or say "Tell me lies" and get exactly what they deserve. Seraphim should be especially wary of Belock because their ability to detect the truth is precious little defense against a man who thrives on it. Given he prefers to befriend his victims before turning their subtle delusions, ignorances about the world, and misconceptions it’s possible that he might be around you even now. He’s also not above making things true that men aren’t ready to face. After all he is a demon…. - -Charlemagne _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 01:29:42 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> Operation: Neverland Storm Inspired by news of Disney's Peter Pan 2. Operation: Neverland Storm Now Christopher can't technically do this but he's insinuating that your characters might find themselves generously rewarded if they might be willing to do a little favor for him. Because it's illegal it doesn't matter if the PCs are demons, ethereals, soldiers, or angels just as long as they are willing to obey the Child lord in this particular matter. Now it's not common knowledge but Peter Pan and Chistopher go way back and I'm talking old school days. The actual Peter inspired J. Barrie with his love of innocence, children, and frank routine opposition of evil pirates into creating Neverland but he was actually quite older. You may remember Peter if you know your folklore as the "Green Man" a rather curious semi-human figure who had power over the forrest and is a distant cousin of Merlin the Magician and Jack from Legend though that later relationship is very far removed. Well Peter while fairly poed about what the hell Uriel did to all of his little forrest critter friends he never did forget his pal during all the troubles of the Children's Crusade, genocide of the Indian people, and that rather ugly incident where slavers got tugged in with their prey instead of just the prey. Well Peter recognizes unfortunately (though perhaps too late-he really is quite cockey) when he's slightly out of his depth and that situation warrants outside aid from Christopher. Nybbas and Captain Hook similarly go way back. Barfights, Wenches, Sword fights, and Looting! Man he remembers those cheap B-movie Pirate films with extreme fondness and if it wasn't for those dang Heavenly monkey wrenchers screwing up the Pirates of the Carribean on the first day his attempt to make Disneyland a Pirate themed ethereal tether as well as Media would have paid off (he's still sure). However even he can read the writing on the wall and Hook while a scalawag of the first order lost some of his appeal when even with all of the essence from his sources he couldn't knock off Peter in test-screenings without being booed off the screen and people hating it. Well Hook being slightly disgruntled over the ending to Hook (he got to bag a lost boy, ten times the number of men he had in the books and entire towns, plus kill the damn crocodile admittadly but even with Wendy an Old woman and Robin WILLIAMS for god sakes as peter-he still lost) has come to Nybbas with a plan. Make a disgustingly sweet sacarene style Disney movie where all of Peter's lesser known friends like Tiger lily etc are turned upside down and use the awful essence draining drek to lead in the way for "Captain Hook" which depicts the story from HIS point of view as a noble sea-faring pirate trying to lead his men from demented pirating lands back to his luscious honey babe-low bodice supermodel back home. He'll even get to have sex with Wendy (Can we say Christina Ricci) and kill the Demonic (no offense) Peter. Nybbas likes the idea and has given the goahead with one proviso.... Peter Pan won't be able to interfere and that means killing the Book character so only Nybbas's ethereal smurf remains. Can you guess what the players are to do? The Cast: Captain Hook: Yes aside from having a poofy shirt your not gay. You are a romantic, dashing, swashbuckling seamen who admittadly has sold his mother for a new gold tooth, hates kids, and delights in being the worst cariacture of a school yard bully around. The Pirates: Hook has unfortunately produced with Nybbas's continued support the largest contingent of scalwags, scurvy dogs, and scumbags you are likely to find. Muppet Treasure Island can only keep these guys rolling in essence for long and they're pretty sure they're only hope for survival is to follow the captain, say ARRRRR alot and hope to get a B-list actor to play them in the next film. Minos: Have you ever wondered what happens when a Servitor of Baal is too competenant to lose but screws up in a James Bond style fashion? Minos is an example of this sort and the Djinn is horrified to be lent to Nybbas for this mission and even more horrofied to be forced to deal with a soulless ethereal like hook LIKE AN EQUAL. He'd be very happy personally to see them all destroyed but has a job to do. Zanzibar: A Shedim of Nybbas who is not exactly on the bright side and has been regulated to possesing monster movie characetrs for decades in hopes of producing a personality besides a hissing voice and manical laughter. He's basically present to provide disgusting murderous actions to distract Peter and Crew. "Wendy": Okay it's not her REAL name but what Hollywood starlet goes by hers? The drop dead sexy Lilim with frequently wet Chemise is a fairly tormenting actress and more dangerous than Zanzibar or Minos realize. Frankly when you will do absolutely anything to get in a Nybbas movie's starring role you better be prepared for what those long red nails are for! Tinkerbell: Now with a vessel suspiciously resembling Julia Roberts Tinkerbell is actually pretty happy with the way things are going. Fairly aware that Nybbas is going to destroy Neverland as she knows it and suspicious as to what will happen to Peter's girlfriend in his next movie she wants the new pirates dead and things back to normal. However she has surprisingly strong contacts with Fairyland and considers Heaven not on the up and up either. Peter: The Green Man is a fairly powerful ethereal it should be noted and equal to an angel in strength with alot more tricks that mere flight. He's weathered Robin William's personality changes fairly well but he admits unfortunately some nasty changes have taken place because of Nybbas (God these tights stick) and wants the Demon prince stopped so he can go back to his leaves. He's had some sucesses with restoring his legend including a sucessful Fox television series but angels should be prepared for some grandstanding. The Lost Boys: Mostly ethereals but Christopher has a fairly interesting price for Peter and if not then it's up to the "agents" to make the offer as well to the OTHER side of the Lost Boys-the Dreamshades. Peter doesn't like personally abuse and while that isn't against Christopher's credo...less welcome is the appearing to sick and otherwise vunerable children and spiriting their souls just as they die off to Neverland instead of Heaven or reincarnation. Comments? - -Charlemagne _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 00:52:14 -0500 From: EDG Subject: IN> Strangers In The Night (~8k) Don't ask where this came from. Apologies for minor incoherencies... I'm very tired. - -EDG Strangers In The Night On the surface, these five youngsters - they're all technically youngsters - - are a fairly stereotypical example of the 1960s gone horribly, horribly right. Except for their tendency to travel the countryside without seeming to have any home base save their ancient, battered van, all five are well-adjusted people (okay, here we get into fuzzy territory) in their late teens or early twenties. It's what happens *to* them that's strange, and in fact the gang seem to be weirdness magnets of the first order, although the weirdness almost always turns out to be disappointingly (and sometimes startlingly) mundane. The only trouble is, if you're seeing it this way, you're coming at it from the wrong direction. In fact, the only non-celestial in the entire group is the fifth, non-human member - a wildly talented Great Dane with six Forces and several attunements. All the rest are troubleshooters, sent forth from the celestial plane to solve issues regarding corporeal troublemakers. The Great Dane is half-mascot, half-team leader; he has skills the rest of them can't even dream of, and all it takes to get him going is a single Essence-laced dog treat. (The fact that one of the other members of the group has grown fond of them as well is an issue of some contention.) So he leads them about the countryside, foiling criminals and making the world a safer place, in general. No - you're still looking at it from the wrong direction. Here, turn it *this* way... You see, everyone whom the gang comes across is breaking the rules in some way - often in multiple ways. And while everything's explained away as clever ruses and long series of masks, that's typically the lovely blonde's Song of Charm working its magic. In fact, the typical targets for the gang are Outcasts and Renegades, and although they are removing stains from the face of the Earth, their employer isn't the one with the hood and the eyes. Troubleshooting Team 99-6, Designation "Mystery Machine" Scooby-Doo Great Dane, Soldier of the Game Scooby-Doo is arguably the leader of the group. As mentioned, his inborn senses can outwit nearly any celestial they come across, by virtue of a) superior lower brain functions, and b) sheer luck. He's often paired with Shaggy (cf.), and typically gets the two into more trouble than they'd normally encounter because he also has the lion's share of curiosity among the group, and although his six-Force intellect is enough to allow him rudimentary speech, it isn't enough to keep him from occasionally forgetting that, as a Great Dane, he does *not* have opposable thumbs. However, his keen senses and frequent bursts of insight are often all that keeps the group alive. Shaggy Calabite of Gluttony in service to the Game Many say that the only things Shaggy has in common with his fellow Calabim are his slovenly appearance and his ability to destroy things without even thinking about it - in fact, his entropic field is the sole reason why the Mystery Machine's eponymous van continually breaks down, though none of the other group members have actually tipped to that fact yet. Shaggy is, unlike most Destroyers, easygoing, easily frightened, and loath to actually use his resonance. What he is is hungry - even when he's just eaten, he can eat some more. His lack of digestive processes can sometimes result in a distended figure after he's just feasted; Scooby, one of his best friends, has begun to mimic this. Both have also started to display a disturbing affection for and addiction to the infamous "scooby snacks", an Essence-laced dog biscuit devised by Shaggy himself to get the dog to actually *do* something. Shaggy's main contribution to the team is the fact that he, like Scooby, is insanely lucky, and his somewhat grating personality and constant use of surfer slang is likely to make anyone capturing him completely sick of the demon within several hours. (This is, by the way, not an accidental effect.) Velma Habbalite of Technology in service to the Game Velma is a powerful demon, and an incomprehensibly intelligent one as well; her skills at gadgetry and investigation are tremendous, and more than once her interpretation of clues and her scientific know-how has gotten Team 99-6 out of a lot of trouble. She tries to avoid the use of her resonance on her teammates - which in turn makes her slightly withdrawn and a little prone to belittling - but has been known to use it accidentally when a crime has been solved, as she points out every step of the criminal's plan, using her resonance to inflict guilt upon criminal and unworthiness upon anyone observing. Interestingly, Shaggy and Scooby have discovered this; they now make it a point to get out of earshot as soon as the scofflaw is revealed. Daphne Lilim of Lust in service to the Game Daphne is in the group for several reasons: she serves as Morale Officer, her willpower and perceptive abilities are almost on a par with Scooby's, and she is a limiter on Fred (cf.) Daphne's primary task is to keep Fred in line, which she does with amazing aplomb; it's rare to see a mission where the two aren't paired. When she's not doing this, she's either "accidentally" stumbling onto clues (she isn't terribly bright, but she's smart enough to make herself look even dumber) or keeping the rest of the group calm. Of course, as a Lilim, by keeping the Mystery Machine in line, she's doing favors, and you can bet she's collecting on them - in the form of making sure that the team members stay with the team. Without her, as has been demonstrated several times, the group rapidly begins to lose cohesion. Fred Impudite of the Game The only true Gamester in the entire team, Fred is nonetheless also the odd man out for another reason: he's Discordant. His are slightly strange; while they are Ethereal (Obsessions, in fact), one of the two (the other deals with his cravat) could be seen as beneficial: he is obsessed with hunting those who have broken the rules. Unfortunately, while a positive trait in a bounty hunter, Fred is an Impudite, and his idea of hunting isn't usually subtle. Fortunately, he has Daphne to stopper the bottle of his rage; she and the rest of the group let him play at being in charge and at the same time let the Great Dane lead the team. This gives Troubleshooter Team 99-6 a certain unpredictability that has saved them several times. The Mystery Machine Relic/Talisman/Artifact The Mystery Machine, Team 99-6's self-titled van, resembles a 1965-era van, complete with blue and yellow psychedelic paint. It is in fact the latest in Vaputech; its innards and outer shell will resist Shaggy's dire resonance until there's an Outcast or Renegade in the area; at that point, Shaggy's resonance begins working on the van again. It is also nearly impossible for the Mystery Machine to run out of fuel; again, those times when it does are when an Outcase or Renegade is nearby. How To Include Team 99-6 * Any game including an Outcast or a Renegade is fair game. The Mystery Machine comes into town, and its engine breaks down just outside of the nicest bed and breakfast within five miles of the Oucast/Renegade's current location, and starts stalking him. * The Mystery Machine are regulars in the area. On the one hand, it's comforting to have the gang around to deal with Renegades; on the other hand, if you decide to go Renegade yourself, there's nothing to stop them from corralling you. * The Mystery Machine are the PCs. This is best for a tournament setting, and the idea for the game should be obvious: the van breaks down, the PCs have to track down the Outcast/Renegade so they can start their van again. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 03:59:26 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> Anti-Christs Hey guys I hit on another idea for a player-character/antagonist race for everyone...tell me what you think. *TOP SECRET* To: Lord Laurence, Commander of the Host From: Your most faithful servant Benedict under request from Lord Dominic Re: Anti-Christs It is hardly alittle known fact milord that you have a fondness for the religion of Christianity and it is a running theme throughout Heaven the Apcolyptical undertones of this particular branch (though it hardly alone in it's Reckoning like views). One of the most menacing parts of the prophetic aspects of the Book of Revelations which forms a good portion of many's thoughts at present (though hardly accepted by all the religion of the Messiah) is the passage describing the Beast or Anti-Christ. Hell has it's own particular interpretations of this passage that through great cunning and skill on my part I would like to share a rather menacing type of soldier that has come to my attention. History Anti-Christs are in effect the corruption of Hell on the most noble prophets of the Lord our God by Lucifer. These unlucky children are chosen because their families have been long and faithful in the service of Hell, because their families are wealthy and powerful, because Hell has made arrangements from birth to look after these figures, or completely at random. However from the very moment of their birth they are marked by Lucifer himself with the "Mark of The Beast" which manifests in a number of ways (birth on the six hour of the six month of the sixth day, a 666 shaped birthmark, a social security number, etc) but is really just a calling card for the fact that from this day forth Lucifer will be directly speaking to this child for the rest of his life. To say Anti-Christs live a tormented existence is to both understate and overstate the problem by far. It is difficult to imagine growing up with the Devil literally whispering into your ear potentially every day portents of the future, secrets of the past, and the possibility of getting away with literal murder. Most Anti-Christs as children are morose, brooding, and highly intelligent figures whose conscience (if it exists) rapidly disentagrates under the cynical power that they wield. I have mentioned many Anti-Christs grow up in priveledged and wealthy families (I can now safely report to you Prince William is most definately NOT one of this breed) but this is not always the case as many times families with long service to Hell and similar regions are found in poverty stricken and superstitiously heathen cultures. However as they grow up the majority's abilities lead them to become leaders or wealthy rather quickly for the most part and it is the precacious few Anti-Christs which do not want to sieze the mantle of wealth and priviledge for themselves. Indeed for the Anti-Christ who wishes to fufill the destiny that the Dark One has put forthe to them it is a necessity. It is actually disturbing in a fashion that Anti-Christs are not necessarily destined for evil and ultimate sin and damnation but in truth it is possible that one of these dark prophets may actual rebel against the evil boon placed upon them without their knowledge or consent. I say disturbing because nothing less than an Archangel I think and perhaps requiring the entire Seraphim council would be required to remove the Dark Mark from the personage of an Anti-Christ and even then it would have be willing. To imagine a human being with the strength of will to oppose Lucifer's direct attentions (Though I am aware it is heavengly policy to say all humans do-I am somewhat skeptical) and an example setting high enough that he will want to rebel with what is likely a massive misinformation campaign is a astronomical chance indeed. Still it is possible because despite their unholy origins all Anti-Christs are fundementally human with the possibility of redemption available as with demons. However to date no Anti-Christ has ever achieved his destiny however a few have failed to reach their fate and hopefully reincarnated into less damning bodies. These prophets are a very select breed and while less common than the Lord's prophets they're is still a very rare period that some of their evil ilk are not trying to work their way into positions of power to seize the mantle of the World and bring about the Apcolypse. One of the most disturbing sentiments I got was from Lucien (while no means universal a great number of Anti-Christs have 'evil' names) who said "The only good I will ever do will be fufilling the fate of becomming the Beast of Revelations for once I am damned then the world shall be saved." Physiology Anti-Christs are, as stated, human beings who just have apallingly bad luck in their attracting the attention Horde's master. Still all Anti-Christs are somewhat exceptional in that regard and have seven to eight forces usually with the potential for nine though I have not been able to verify such a high number. All Anti-Christs develop a will of at least 6 due to the presence of Lucifer which requires them to maintain exceptional will for a human being lest they lose their personality in their horrofic visions. Anti-Christs can and often do learn Sorcery which they practice with resounding flair. While not all demons respect the mantle of Anti-Christ it has been known to smooth the way considerably. The demon after all once informed of the "Dark Prophet's" nature will know the man is A:) Already Damned, B:) Likely to want to promote evil anyway, C:) Possibly be a very important man in the near future/present. In that respect the demon and sorceror game of cat and mouse is considerably shortened. Anti-Christs to complement their already impressive array of abilities may learn all three types of song despite being human being and are often looked after by gremlins and the occasional full demon from birth. These "bodygaurds" should not be underestimated because such a 'babysitting job' may prove incredibly profitable to Hell and thus themselves at some point. The drawbacks of being an Anti-Christ however make these potential Julius Caesars, Napoleons, and Genghis Kahn's (all possible candidates for the mantle themselves) gifts rather bland sadly. The main benefit of being an Anti-Christ-that is being directly jacked into Lucifer's resonance is a maddening expression and they have no control over just what sort of visions the Vile One is going to send to them. They may be exceptionally accurate, direct commands, or vague allusions and prophecies to encourage them at their darkest/brightest. To be blunt any Anti-Christ risks himself horribly listening to this as Deliah (a Anti-Christ I spoke to) talked about how the Devil told her to take mommy's pocket book as a joke when she was four and as a result they couldn't reach any family when she needed an organ donor. Furthermore the Mark of the Beast is identifying and always present and this birthmark is something that if revealed any demon will instantly recognize it, even a renegade. It can take the form of a third nipple, a blackness to their hands, a 666 on their forehead (though I'm told this was a joke on me by my informant-I can't say I get it), or six toes on each foot. These marks are usually disguisable but valuable clues to the dark nature of the Anti-Christs. Finally all Anti-Christs who die with the Mark on them will be sentenced to Hell and while just the Angels of Final Judgement are pitiless these hellsworn. Hell Connections Malphas, Baal, Kronos, Asmodeus, and Mammon take an extremely active interest in each Anti-Christ and occasionally subtle wars have broken over between them in their attempts to influence the fledgling to their cause and particular view of the Darkness. None are fanatical about about an Anti-Christ until he actually shows a sign of being "the One" but it is usually worth a distinction to discover and identify one to these Princes (especially an "unsullied one" in the height of irony). Alaemon, Belial, Beleth, Fufur, Haagenti, Fleurity, Nybbas, and Saminga take a less than active interest in the affairs of the Anti-Christ but it is likely that none would be particularly adverse to finding one in their power at any particular point in their lives. Servitors which bring to light such a figure may find themselves handsomely rewarded. Andrephalus, Vapula, and Valephor are among the few Princes which express very little interest in the concept of the Anti-Christ and in Andrephalus's case makes a subtle note to his servants that he enjoys them being found dead or 'wrapped up' as a gift for a night with Andrephalus they are not likely to survive. Novalis, Yves, yourself, and Michael are known among Heaven to take an active interest in finding "the" Anti-Christ though I suspect the Lady of Flowers knows there are multiple prophets of evil running round. It would be to her a great cue to convert the Unholiest of Unholies to the side of light and Yves has his own mysterious reasons. I have no knowledge of how Lord Michael will react but my guess is that assasinating such figures play a large part in his plans. In Conclusion Anti-Christs are a highly dangerous and manipulative enemy to face which is quite often the head of a vertible army of evil with a wide variety of impressive powers and minions at his disposal. Such an enemy must appear godlike to many humans and indeed that is likely the entire point for they unlike Celestials think human and are thus infinately more dangerous more for it to them. Still humans have defeated Anti-Christs and their plans before and such triumphs have gone down in Heaven's annals as among the greatest of victories. Still it is my recommendation that Celestial help be acquired for facing such beasts as always and while we have not yet the ability to destroy the manufacturer of these wretched souls in Lucifer we can blunt their creation and perhaps give those not yet driven to completely the darkness some peace. Redeeming such beings while seemingly the best choice of actions I must advise angels strongly not to try beyond the most peripheial of efforts because of the very direct attention they are recieving from a foe that most are completely unsuited to handle. Angels who were formerly demons may be able to relate to the maddening torment these beings have been through but even that is unlikely. Lethal force is the best way to deal with such beings and even they are not gaurenteed ways of destroying them. - -Benedict Recommended viewing * The Omen I, II, III, and even IV Damien remains to this day one of the scariest villains ever to grace the screen and the fourth while little more than a remake of one gives good ideas to a female Anti-Christ. * Warlock the Armageddon While not the best of movies it gives a good idea of the ambitions of evil and madness occasionally met in sorcery. * Rosemary's Baby Still one of the most subdued and terrifying films ever to make. What do you do when you suspect that the innocent product of your loving husband isn't at all innocent or the product of your husband? * The Devil's Advocate Keanu Reeves once you get past his awful Southern Accent gives a good performance as for how this class may not necessarily become an ultimate evil....but it sure aint healthy. Recommended reading * The Book of Revelations Duh the best place to work is from the source * The Left Behind series Literature derided as being dumbed down, overly simplistic, anti-Catholic, and even anti-Christian due to their strong fundementalist content these books still paint a rather vivid portrayal of life post Apcolypse and some rather interesting insights into evil's puppet masters. - -Charlemagne I don't know what inspired me for this work but I think it's some of my best yet, comments extremely appreciated. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #2419 ********************************