in_nomine-digest Tuesday, January 8 2002 Volume 01 : Number 2506 In this digest: Re: IN> Historical settings IN> The Sephiroth Re: IN> The Sephiroth Re: IN> I can't say I like Valefor much. Re: IN> Lovers talk. Re: IN> Historical settings IN> Re: in_nomine-digest V1 #2505 Non sequitor (was Re: IN> Hey Moe...) Re: Non sequitor (was Re: IN> Hey Moe...) IN> IN/Lensman (was Re: Non sequitor) Re: IN> IN/Lensman (was Re: Non sequitor) IN> The Seven Deadly... Princes? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002 21:26:40 -0800 From: "Phillip Des Jardins" Subject: Re: IN> Historical settings > For some reason, the image of Ryoko, Lilim Demon Princess of Space Pirates > is coming to mind here Lilim? Ryoko? Calabite, pure and simple. Phillip, the Happy Shiny Mercurian "Hey! That's not what we use vessels for, mister!" ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 01:50:30 -0500 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> The Sephiroth Something I came up with while watching my Neon Genesis Evangelion DVD. This one is dedicated to Moe....and Misato. The Sepiroth "Lord Dominic! Lord Dominic!" a certain conscience of the Archangel said with a huff and run. "Yes?" The Archangel of Judgement said as he engaged in a sacred rite of his word. "I hope you realize it is a minor infraction to interrupt during flea bath." "Oh dear Most Holy you realize Jordi hates those. The fleas always go back to complain to his Chief Kyriotate." Bronwyn said before he stepped back into the gravity of the news. "We've recieved a message from the Angel of Double Agents." Dominic rolled up his sleeves to keep them from going back into the suds. "Oh wonderful, is it another ecology of some horrible monster again?" "Err not quite. A Book has been stolen from the Archives of Asmodeus...half a book actually." Bronwyn said as he looked over his shoulder as to not catch a glimpse of the sacred judge's arms, which had a Mickey Mouse watch on one wrist...a relevation a non-Archangel was unable to accept. Dominic looked up. "Half a book?" "Meow!" Solomon looked concerned, grasping the events sooner than the Seraph of Judgement. "Yes another half of the Book has...dissapeared from the Library of Yves's...err locked room." Bronwyn said with a blink. Dominic arose and walked immediately towards the Groves of Michael. He did not stop to greet any of his servitors of acknowledge the fact that he was dripping cat fur and celestial bubbles. Michael was currently in a chess game to Novalis who was twittering on about how much nicer it would be if the chess pieces could get along. "A peace or cease fire option if you will." Novalis smiled and moved her horsey deliberately away from the nearest piece so it wouldn't be tempted kill anyone. "That's not the point Novalis...." Michael looked up. "What do you want Hyena?" "The Sepiroth has been stolen." Dominic said as Michael nodded "I'll break the news to the Commander of the Host, Thank you." *** The Sephiroth The Sephiroth or roughly speaking "The Map to Heaven" is a text that was compiled by Dominic and Asmodeus so many years ago with the Laws of God entirely written upon them. These were not the mere laws of Good vs. Evil for without the Fall such concepts were entirely semantic really but the fundemental laws of existence and what makes what. The Map was meant to be a gift for the race that had yet to emerge and when the 10 and 22 steps were properly followed would result in the transformation of a normal celestial spirit of a human into an Archangel. The tests were ardourous but both Dominic and Asmodeus knew that of the information they compiled it was power unimaginable. The Sephiroth was given physical form at the center of the Garden of Eden where the object Dominic hoped would serve as an inspiration for mortals to achieve the status of the divine while Asmodeus yearned both to see mortals put to use his hard work even as he considered them beneath it's glories. The experiment worked out differently than either suspected as Adam and Eve did not explore the mysteries of the Tree but took one of the fruits from the test and learned of evil....and were cast out for the experience before learning anything more. Lilith as a full mortal however DID learn the secrets of the Sepiroth and took the information when she was banished. Work of Lucifer or pity of God no one knows for sure but the Tree was ripped in half when Asmodeus tried to steal it's secrets for Hell. If the Information could make a mortal into a being as powerful as an Archangel then what could it do for an already powerful spirit? Dominic managed to spirit away his half but to this day is terrified that the information Asmodeus did deliver to his master is responsible for things like Hellish Words and Infernal Interventions. Privately Dominic and Asmodeus came to the agreement that while both would expend no amount of effort trying to acquire their work from the other they would make sure that the work never fell into the hands of other Archangels or Princes of Hell or Heaven's forbid lesser angels or humanity. Fragments have escaped however before and Saminga is known to have acquired some which may yet explain Legion and his continued existence despite his gross insanity. The recent loss of the Sephiroth from both resting places more or less implies that someone is going to go through the 17 steps and what effect that may have on the world at large is catastrophic let alone the Future of the War itself. God forbid that this might be even worse than Dominic imagines and Kobal hasn't posted the darn thing on the internet. Of course who stole it and what he intends to do about it is another mystery. Appearence The Sepiroth can appear as anything in the Material World from a Tree to an apple to a large heavy set tomb to a fire surounded blonde guy who menaces video game heroes to large bunch of robots but that's neither here nor there. In the Celestial or Ethereal Planes the Book takes on the appearence of a glowing ball that any Celestial instinctively knows is the ANSWER to it all. Personality The book is an artifact that is self aware though only dimly and more focused on it's fufilling it's existence purpose than many Archangels. Divided into different segments it will never reveal the next part of itself until the trials of the first segment are completed. Major Paths of Wisdom Dominic's Part is the "High concepts" of the Book which are ten steps and the most powerful, the Sephira which are the "big picture" as opposed to Asmodeus's part which are the "lesser picture" Suggested uses for the Major Tests based on actual Kabbalah (as far as I can tell, this is meant for entertainment purposes after all so forgive me if I get this wrong) 1. Malchut ("Kingdom")- The Earth Test is actually the easiest that for the ascension to take place an Angel must take a vessel or a human to be born into the suffering realm of Earth...quite the daunting task way back when. 2. Yesod ("Foundation")- Independance this is a test that requires one to become seperate from all crutches in one's life. A Angel might have to outcast himself as a Demon go renegade or a human to "abandon all his wealth to follow the true path" 3. Hod ("Honesty")- The Book will now start to take a more active roll in the player's life as he is forced to come to terms with his real motivations and all self delusions are stripped away about what he truly feels...A Shedim may learn he is merciful, a Seraphim may learn he believes there is no such thing as truth, an Elohim may learn he feels not acting on emotion is blasphemous. and at no point shall an angel or demon escape his true reason for seeking the Sephiroth's power 4. Zetzach ("Victory")- The test of unselfishness in the case for In Nomine for game balance purposes (demons in a strict interpretation of this should have failed automatically long before this) becomes the point where the first visible benefits come to pass where an Angel or Demon devotes himself fully to a cause or ideal that infuses him. Usually the book demands a supreme sacrafice to test how far he is to go for this... Should he suceed he becomes a worded celestial of his own accord...a mortal who suceeds at this point can no longer be classified as human in mindset. 5. Tiphares ("Splendor")- This test moves a person's devotion to seeing just how far he's really ready to go to take the final plunge to complete enlightment. The power becomes agony incarnate as continued devotion trips away all things from the celestial being that impede him to his path to Enlightment. Any weakness from his chosen path must be obliterated and temptations purged. 6. Chesed ("Mercy")- The virtue of obediance is something that is among the most difficult of trials because any one who makes it through five has probably offended royally his former masters but this reastablishes the ties to other beings.... Making restitution, alliances, or realizing after the hellish ordeals how everything fits together in your new cause. 7. G'vurah ("Strength") - The virtue of Courage the Sephiroth has made it's perfect insturment but now it must be tempered and a Malakim in the Lower Hells is a good starting point for figuring out what sort of things Strength must feel....the destruction of your anti-thesis is almost certainly a part of this step. >From this point on there is no limit to the celestial's physical forces 8. Binah ("Understanding")- the Virtue of Silence (hardy har har) is a period where the Symphony becomes crystal clear to the Subject in all it's majestic glory. The test is ironically the same for everyone as you quite openly here every ounce of disturbance in the universe and all the clamouring works at once by opening yourself up to it. You must find yourself in this chaos and maintain your individuality without losing your perspective. Should you survive there is no limit to the knowledge (Ethereal forces) and skill you might possess. 9. Hohma ("Wisdom")- The virtue of devotion is the last major test before the Prize and it is putting your new found knowledge and power to the best possible effect. If you can hold your perspective and will to command the entire symphony and ironically re-learn the things lost you will pass to the final power. There is no limit to one's celestial forces at this point. Note there is a question whether Lilith actually went beyond this point.... 10. Keter ("The Crown")- The ultimate Reward. Ascesnion to Superior-dom, the Beginning of Armageddon, Entrance into the Higher Heavens, simply the answer to all your doubts, or perhaps the mantle of God yourself. Who knows what is required for such? - -Charlemagne _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002 23:12:54 -0800 (PST) From: "O. S. Kerr" Subject: Re: IN> The Sephiroth Very nice. I had a problem with the (lack of) punctuation, sometimes... Other than that, thumbs up. Owen ===== How does Cthulhu eat a Reese Witherspoon? - osk __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 06:07:35 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> I can't say I like Valefor much. - --- CsHoneyman@aol.com wrote: > there's very > little... feel... of the Word of Theft in the Valefor > write-up. Nothing seems > distinctly Theft-y. Nothing which shouts out "THIS IS MY > WORD!" Unless you assume that he _stole_ those Attunements from Janus... ===== Michael Walton, #9805-068 "It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor." -- Seneca __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 06:13:16 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> Lovers talk. Nice ending, that. ===== Michael Walton, #9805-068 "It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor." -- Seneca __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 06:19:02 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> Historical settings - --- Mike Bruner wrote: > For some reason, the image of Ryoko, Lilim Demon Princess > of Space Pirates > is coming to mind here Brings to mind the "Tenchi Muyo: No Need for Angels!" plot that someone posted long ago. But Ryoko's no Lilim -- with the chaos that follows her like a lovesick puppy, she's got to be a Calabite. }:> > Of course, this image is also competing with > imagining what the little "The World is..." spiel would > be for the Word of Piracy Well, I was actually thinking Demon rather than DP of Pirates. But if you must go the full Monty... "The world is full of booty! Set sail and grab it... aaaaaahhhhhrrrrr!" ===== Michael Walton, #9805-068 "It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor." -- Seneca __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 09:28:06 -0500 From: "Tyler Childers" Subject: IN> Re: in_nomine-digest V1 #2505 > >> > > > >> > > Anyone care to write up the Demon of Pirates? > >> > > >> > Wouldn't its Word actually be > >> > "Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!", > >> > instead? ;:;) > >> > >>Logged and noted.* > > > >No, but I am doing a AA of Space. Wanna Space Pirate? > >For some reason, the image of Ryoko, Lilim Demon Princess of Space Pirates >is coming to mind here (along with her trying to claim Laurence over the >objections of Blandine... :)). Of course, this image is also competing with >imagining what the little "The World is..." spiel would be for the Word of >Piracy (I'm thinking either "Haaaarrrr, the World be..." or (depending on >the Word being modernized) some little speech in l33t speak about Warez). > >- -- >Mike Bruner-- mbruner18@home.com > >Before you try to beat the odds, make sure you can survive the odds beating >you. > Not quite what I had in mind for my write up. But is sounds cool nonetheless. I am working on a GURPS In Nomine/Cthulhu(punk?) crossover called Pax Cthulhu. My Grigori AA of Space ties very heavily into it. I still for the life of me cannot translate haxor. Must be my own personal dissonance or sumsuch. Cheers, Tyler. _________________________________________________________________ Join the world s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 12:17:30 EST From: Galen Silversmith Subject: Non sequitor (was Re: IN> Hey Moe...) > From: "james walker" > The last 'Tri-planar Convention' (on the long term ramifications of the > Purity Crusade) was a couple of years ago now..when are we due for the next > one? (Well, not entirely non sequitorish) So, I just started reading the lensemen series, the first book of which is _Triplanatary_. I'm not very far in, but as far as I am, the series seems to be begging for an IN crossover. Has anyone done one to date? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 13:03:11 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: Re: Non sequitor (was Re: IN> Hey Moe...) Galen Silversmith wrote: > So, I just started reading the lensemen series, the first book of > which is _Triplanatary_. I'm not very far in, but as far as I am, > the series seems to be begging for an IN crossover. Has anyone > done one to date? The issue has come up on the list before. The following questions come up: - Are the Arisians a whole race of Soldiers of God, with the Edorreans Soldiers of Hell, or are those planets just cover identities for Heaven and Hell. - Who is Mentor? A fusion of the top four Arisians, as Smith says, or one or more Archangels? - How do celestial forms work, when "humanity" is really an array of thousands of species of various forms? What does a Mercurian look like? How do you tell it from a cherub? Are some Superiors local to a planet, or are all cosmic in scope? Earl ------------------------------ Date: 07 Jan 2002 15:07:10 -0500 From: Matthew Gerber Subject: IN> IN/Lensman (was Re: Non sequitor) On Mon, 2002-01-07 at 12:17, Galen Silversmith wrote: > So, I just started reading the lensemen series, the first book of which is > _Triplanatary_. I'm not very far in, but as far as I am, the series seems > to be begging for an IN crossover. Has anyone done one to date? Earl got some points. The Cadre also bears mentioning. The Cadre is a group of Saints who are late, beloved science fiction and fantasy authors. The members include all the obvious candidates (Saint Robert, Saint Howard Phillips, Saint John Ronald Reuel, Saint Clive Staples better known as Saint Jack); further, it's become something of a List tradition for someone to write up such an author's introduction to the Cadre, or at least to Heaven, when one of our dream-makers passes on. Eric Alfred Burns and Moe Lane have both done some particularly stunning work there. The reason it bears mentioning here is that Saint Edward Elmer is, of course, a member of the Cadre, and when he was inducted a bit of fun with the Lensmen universe followed. I wrote Worsel up as a Seraph of Laurence while in a particularly odd mood (you can find him by trolling the archives a bit, or I can dig him up and forward him to you by private E-mail if you like); I'm certain that several other things along the line (and probably several better than I could ever manage) were written or mentioned, but it's the Monday after Christmas vacation and my memory is laughable at best. Matt ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 14:20:29 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> IN/Lensman (was Re: Non sequitor) - --- Matthew Gerber wrote: > I wrote Worsel up as a Seraph of > Laurence while in a particularly odd mood [groan] Please don't put that on the table again. I lose enough sleep with the baby -- having to write up the Ethereal Noshabkeming would be too much to bear... 0:> ===== Michael Walton, #9805-068 "It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor." -- Seneca __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 11:09:19 EST From: CsHoneyman@aol.com Subject: IN> The Seven Deadly... Princes? We've all heard of the 7 deadly sins. We have Andre as Lust, and Haagenti as Gluttony, Mammon as Greed/Avarice and the deceased Meserach, so where are the other 3? Anyone fancy having a crack at it? The results could be very interesting. The seven deadlies, in case it's slipped your mind, you're not Catholic/never were or for some other reason you don't know: Envy Wrath/Anger Pride Avarice/Greed Lust Gluttony Sloth So we're left with Envy, Wrath/Anger and Pride. Anyone fancy writing them up? We could do the Archangelic opposites, too... ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #2506 ********************************