in_nomine-digest Sunday, March 31 2002 Volume 01 : Number 2584 In this digest: Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> New Contest IN> Ab Explicatione Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> New Contest IN> Cafeteria Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> Cafeteria Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> New Contest Re: IN> Cafeteria Re: IN> Cafeteria Re: IN> Cafeteria Re: IN> Cafeteria IN> Tattered Update Re: IN> Limits on Remote Control Lightning Attunement... RE: IN> Limits on Remote Control Lightning Attunement... IN> IN : New Person - Hopefully with a new question Re: IN> Cafeteria Re: IN> Limits on Remote Control Lightning Attunement... RE: IN> Tattered Update IN> An Error In Judgment ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 21:38:32 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> New Contest >From: "Josh Moger" >Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com >To: >Subject: Re: IN> New Contest >Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 15:24:51 -0500 >Yeah... when the first human reaches nine forces, you'll understand... Bad news. Adam, Eve, and Lilith all had ten. - -- Chuckg _________________________________________________________________ Join the world s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 21:38:51 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> New Contest >Bad news. Adam, Eve, and Lilith all had ten. Correction. Fifteen. - -- Chuckg _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 17:02:35 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: Re: IN> New Contest >>Bad news. Adam, Eve, and Lilith all had ten. > >Correction. Fifteen. > >-- >Chuckg > Indeed. All created specially by God for the purpose of study in an artificial environment. Josh Sides, this isn't exactly supposed to be a study in canon. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 14:10:31 -0800 From: Kish Subject: Re: IN> New Contest Josh Moger wrote: > > >>Bad news. Adam, Eve, and Lilith all had ten. > > > >Correction. Fifteen. > > > >-- > >Chuckg > > > Indeed. All created specially by God for the purpose of study in an > artificial environment. ...and three other people throughout history have had fifteen forces naturally. Several more have had nine or more Forces. > > Josh > > Sides, this isn't exactly supposed to be a study in canon. That, otoh, is a convincing reason to ignore the canon on the subject. :-) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 18:23:58 -0500 From: EDG Subject: IN> Ab Explicatione With special thanks to Maya. :) - -EDG - -- On the grass of the Mall in Washington, DC, a couple lay on their backs, their fingers laced. One was dressed in warm-weather hiking gear, his pack off to the side, within easy reach; the other had a simple sun-dress on, tie-dyed in a starburst of reds and oranges. Above them, the Washington Monument stretched toward the sky, where fireworks blossomed in the night air. "Nice," she commented, as a blue firework exploded into shimmering sparks, each of which burst in green. "Very nice. I only wish the circumstances were different." "Well, the President had to do *something*," he said. "Two national disasters in six months is a little hard for a fractious country to handle. At least this is encouraging solidarity." "You know that's not what I meant." He looked over. "He left of his own volition," he said quietly. "There was nothing we could do about it; he kept to himself so much that even I was hard-pressed to see his moods. At least he still considers himself allied. At least he only transplanted himself to a grove in the dreamlands." "Unlike some we know." He squeezed her hand. "That was uncalled for." "No, it wasn't. Self-deprecatory, yes, but then, I'm not exactly being cruel to myself when it's true, am I?" He smiled and turned back to the sky. "Truth." ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 19:57:48 -0500 From: "Jonathan 'Caraig' McDermott" Subject: Re: IN> New Contest >Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 15:24:51 -0500 >From: "Josh Moger" >Subject: Re: IN> New Contest >And when that human unfurls his black wings for the first time... > >It will be another statement of Purity. *Gnrk!* I don't know if this is going to hurt Moe's brian or not, but it certainly hurt mine. This makes for a very interesting contrast to the little tidbit earlier about the "monastery" Lucifer kept in the Lower Hells devoted to his worship. (Not to mention the IN Anime possibilities....) Thank you for this disturbing tidbit. =) - --- Jonathan McDermott http:\\caraig.home.mindspring.com - ------------------------------------------------------------- "I'm a wild and an untamed thing, I'm a bee with a deadly sting...." -RHPS ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 19:13:44 -0600 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> New Contest From: "Josh Moger" > > Enjoy. Nice work. Wow. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 23:35:08 -0500 From: EDG Subject: IN> Cafeteria This is not pleasant. (5K) - -EDG "Why didn't you call me?" The man stopped, a cheeseburger halfway from the tray to his mouth. "What do you mean?" he asked. "You told me you'd get in touch when the operation was over. Why didn't you?" The newcomer took a seat opposite the diner. His posture was perfect, his demeanor beguilingly calm as he folded his hands in front of him. The cheeseburger made its way back to the tray, where it fit snugly into its paper wrapper. "I haven't called you," replied the first man slowly, "because the operation is not yet over." "What do you mean? Half of California lies in the ocean, our agents in Washington have been in and out while the nation celebrated to forget its losses, and we have the information we need to bring down the Host. The operation was a success. Do you understand?" "I understand perfectly well, Jan," said the diner, now visibly annoyed. "You think the operation was a success. But my end of the bargain is not yet sealed. David remains loyal to your employer, and he has gained a valuable new ally today in the form of someone almost as experienced here as Nybbas was. Speaking of Nybbas, your meddling in David's affairs cost us one of our brightest rising stars. It is only the fact that two of the most seminal media personalities of the last century have left this realm that convinces me that our luck still holds even a little. And you call the operation a success?" He took a bite out of the cheeseburger. "I still have damage control to take care of. And you're lucky we're alone in this room; you'd have revealed us all. You should be more careful in your speech, friend." Another two bites, and the cheeseburger was gone. "It is my job to shake things up, is it not?" asked Jan. "And you know full well that damage control has never been high on my list of priorities. I've let that imbecile run around with my gifts for long enough to demonstrate that." "Enough," said the other, opening another cheeseburger. "I can see that this was a mistake. I should have known from the start. You are a valuable contact, Jan, but you are far too unreliable to be trusted with even such a trivial task. I'm taking command of this operation, Jan, and I'm afraid there's not a damned thing you can do to stop me." "And what the hell do you expect me to do? I defected for you!" "I appreciate that, Jan, I truly do. But I'm afraid your usefulness has reached its end." He raised his hand, and a trio of burly men, armed to the teeth, stepped into the room, followed by a thin man with patchwork clothing and a grin that stretched for miles. "Val, I believe you know our guest. Jan, I have taken the liberty of allowing Val here to replace you as my lieutenant." He leaned closer, stage-whispering: "I would have given it to him, but you know as well as I that he wouldn't want it unless I let him think he was stealing it." Returning to his original posture, he smiled broadly. "In the time it has taken you to react, three Songs have been sung. The repercussions will be obvious in a matter of moments, but by then I expect to be long gone." "But - what?" Jan stood suddenly, attempted to flee and found that he could not. "What is this?" "This," said the other, quietly, unwrapping a third cheeseburger, "is a betrayal. My brother would have loved it - anything for a laugh, you know - - but unfortunately he seems to be indisposed at the moment. Drowning will kill you, and even we Princes go through Trauma when our only manifestation dies. It's the same thing I've done to you, you know." He laughed. "Nobody ever accused the Great Consumer of being original." Looking at his watch, he nodded in beat with the second-hand for a moment, then looked back up. "You have ten seconds to tell me why you shouldn't be replaced. Go." Jan stammered. "I don't - I didn't -" All of his considerable fast-talking skill was failing him. "You have no right to do this!" "No," the diner said. "I have the right to do anything I please. And right now - " He looked at his watch again. "I please to remove an obstacle. Val?" Jan hadn't even the time to scream before Val had cut his throat, and then there was only the sound of knives slicking for many seconds. The first man looked up again, in the middle of his fifth cheeseburger, when Val said his name. "Good," he said. "Excellent. Val, you know what you have to do. Boys, clean this up, please." The three burly men stepped forward and began pulling mops, buckets, and kitchen-sized trash cans out of large backpacks that nonetheless seemed too small to hold them. Val, meanwhile, had transformed himself into a perfect facsimile of the man whose pieces were now lying on the floor. "Extraordinary. Had I not seen it done, I would not believe it. The charade has begun, Jan. Let them know that Valefor has died an ignoble death, and we shall see how they react." He picked the sack of cheeseburgers up and started for the door. "Since when have *I* been known for damage control, you blithering idiot?" ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 23:40:17 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: Re: IN> New Contest >...and three other people throughout history have had fifteen forces >naturally. Several more have had nine or more Forces. > Actually, I am curious about this post, who were the three other people (Abel, Cain, Seth)? >> >> Josh >> >> Sides, this isn't exactly supposed to be a study in canon. > >That, otoh, is a convincing reason to ignore the canon on the subject. >:-) Thank ye, and thanks to everyone else for comments. Tis nice to feel noticed. A much pleased, despite the evergrowing blip, Josh ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 23:45:22 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: Re: IN> Cafeteria Dear God! Haagenti has a mind!! A MIND! Wow. I think this is really the first time I've seen Haagenti execute an original and comprehensive plan. Frightening. Interesting take on the Hungry Prince. Josh ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 23:50:30 -0500 From: EDG Subject: Re: IN> New Contest At 03:24 PM 3/30/02 -0500, you wrote: >A Statement of Purity This is slick. I'd like to see the logical consequences of this (first human transforming, rules for gameplay in a world where humans have been known to transform...). :) - -EDG ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 21:22:37 -0800 From: Kish Subject: Re: IN> New Contest Josh Moger wrote: > > >...and three other people throughout history have had fifteen forces > >naturally. Several more have had nine or more Forces. > > > Actually, I am curious about this post, who were the three other people > (Abel, Cain, Seth)? It doesn't say, just, "Six people throughout history have achieved the maximum of human potential--fifteen Forces. Of those six, three were Adam, Eve, and Lilith." (Paraphrased.) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 21:36:56 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> New Contest - --- Josh Moger wrote: > When the first human reaches nine forces... you'll > understand. Interesting... ===== Michael Walton, #US2002023848 "In film, the director is God. In documentaries, God is the director." - -- Alfred Hitchcock __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 00:39:57 -0500 From: "Eric Bertish" Subject: Re: IN> Cafeteria So EDG, how long have you been working on this campaign setting? This is far too developed to be spur-of-the-moment posting. Are you shooting for another Dark Victory-style setting? - -- Casca ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 01:06:25 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: Re: IN> Cafeteria >So EDG, how long have you been working on this campaign setting? This is far >too developed to be spur-of-the-moment posting. Are you shooting for another >Dark Victory-style setting? > >-- Casca > I don't know. To me it seems less Dark Victoryish and just a middlin to low contrast game with some bumps in the road on either side. I mean, while we do have a pretty unprovoked earthquake from David, we also have a Demon Prince redeemed. While we have a kinder, gentler Dominic, we also have a reverse Janus/Valefor plot. Course, that intelligent Haagenti does skew things toward the Darker of contrasts... Josh ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 01:14:10 -0500 From: EDG Subject: Re: IN> Cafeteria At 01:06 AM 3/31/02 -0500, you wrote: >I don't know. To me it seems less Dark Victoryish and just a middlin to low >contrast game with some bumps in the road on either side. I mean, while we >do have a pretty unprovoked earthquake from David, we also have a Demon >Prince redeemed. While we have a kinder, gentler Dominic, we also have a >reverse Janus/Valefor plot. >Course, that intelligent Haagenti does skew things toward the Darker of >contrasts... Don't forget the Catholic Vapula, and the fact that a certain Archangel is hanging out with *two* people she's not supposed to be... ;) - -EDG ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 01:12:45 -0500 From: "Eric Bertish" Subject: Re: IN> Cafeteria > I don't know. To me it seems less Dark Victoryish and just a middlin to low > contrast game with some bumps in the road on either side My bad, I was vague. When DV first came out, it started as a series of vignettes by the author. I detect a similar trend here. - -- Casca ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 06:35:54 +0000 From: "Jonathan Walton" Subject: IN> Tattered Update Yes, I know, "it's about time." I agree completely. So, what do we have for you crazy heresy-heads? Funny you should ask. Recent Updates to "The Tattered Symphony Netbook": Lucifer, Regent Archangel of Light http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-host-lucy.html Complete Choir Writeups of Cherubim, Elohim, Mercurians http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/choirs-cherubim.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/choirs-elohim.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/choirs-mercurians.html Revised Writeups of Andrealphus, Gabriel, and Soldekai http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-host-andre.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-others-gabby.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-others-soldy.html Coming Soon: - - 666 NPCs by Charles Smith! (okay, exaggerating just a little) - - Haagenti and Nybbas! - - More Complete Choir Writeups! Later. Jonathan Walton Tattered Webmaster (http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/) WWIN Tattered Ensemble Admin (http://www.havencomm.com/~wwin/tattered.html) _________________________________________________________________ Join the world s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 03:51:53 -0600 From: "Wade Lahoda" Subject: Re: IN> Limits on Remote Control Lightning Attunement... A couple more questions... =) - -Something I wasn't quite clear on the response - if something is missing part of it's controls, can you still make that object do what it's controls would have it do? I'm mainly refering to locks - I know you could use the attunement to make a key turn that's already in a lock. But what if the control to the lock(the key) was not there? A door locks and unlocks, whether it's a normal key or a keypad. Can you use the attunment to make the door unlock? If so...well, it seems it makes the Attunement too powerful compared to Janus' - which ONLY opens locks, requires a roll /and/ essence. But this could also apply to things like a computer with a missing keyboard, or a radio with a missing dial. - -There's a range limit on the power - but does it require line of sight? Again, I ask because of the locks issue. Many doors can be easily opened from the *inside*, whether they are locked or not - even many keypad lock doors are locked going only one way. Can Remote Control be used on these unlocking mechanisms, even though they are out of sight("Well, I know that this door opens even when unlocked, when the handle on the *other* side is turned...") Again, I ask because it seems unbalancing if it's so easy for Lightning, yet Wind's attunment is a lot more restricted. - -So, a computer monitor has a few easily accessable controls - on, off, contrast, brightnees, etc. But it's also controled through a cable connecting it to the computer. Can Remote Control subvert *that* control - ie: make a monitor(or any other machine that is controlled by other machines) display whatever he wants? To what degree can Remote Control 'take over' a computer? A. Wade Lahoda ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 06:52:50 -0500 From: "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" Subject: RE: IN> Limits on Remote Control Lightning Attunement... - -----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth McCoy [mailto:emccoy@nh.ultranet.com] Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 7:42 PM Answered questions from... At 4:31 AM -0600 3/29/02, Wade Lahoda wrote: > I think the 'device crafted by the hand of man' part is pretty >unambigious - but 'regular controls', on the other hand... Obviously, any >electronic controls are fair game. I think equally obviously, any >mechanical controls that trigger a process but don't actually due the work >are fair game(ie: the trigger on a gun, or the gas pedal on a car). But how >far does this extend? Pretty far. O:> > Is a doorknob a control on the door, that permits the >door to open and close? Sure. >What about the lock - it's a control you normally >need the key to operate, but it permits a door to be locked and unlocked. Definitely. >What about the handle on a door - it's a 'control', by which you push on the >door to make it open or close - but it's actually the person doing the work. Push-bars, you mean? Hm. Those are held closed, and require more effort than the usual door. I might require a Strength roll. ***Okay, what about the hinges then? You're saying it could unlock a door, but not open it? Strength of some amount would technically be required, but it's the crux of what the door is for, opening and closing. >Here are some more problematic possibilities, from least problematic to most >absurd: >-the button/nozzle on a can of spray paint Hadn't thought of it, but reasonable. No twisting it around, though! ** So you can't change settings? Could you shift gears on a car? Why not shift settings on a bottle nozzle? >-the slide on a gun chambering a bullet Definitely. >-a winch that opens and closes a drawbridge - it controls the drawbridge, >but normally takes two large men heaving on it to move it Maybe require a Strength roll. **Again, isn't this the sole purpose of the winch? To wind and unwind? I could easily agree you can't make it's chain wrap around someone, but the winch is designed to open and shut the drawbridge. Rob ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 07:21:52 -0500 From: "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" Subject: IN> IN : New Person - Hopefully with a new question Heya... I've been on lists long enough to know it's probably a false hope, but I'll ask because I don't know. Languages. How do they work? In most game systems I've dealt with, you need at least one level, point, what-eva to even begin to understand a language. The "Default -4" seems to indicate otherwise. If I've an angel with an Intelligence of 10, then my default is 6, which is a fair average at being understood. And even an Intelligence of 5 means I know a few phrases. I actually see this as workable. I know about three words in German, can count to ten in French and from my year of Spanish back in high school, I know how to ask "Is Susan at home?" and say "This is a grand library." Maybe it's just my knee-jerk reaction from the fact that locally, everyone has been mind-sucked by the D20 monster. I want to say that IN means to have a more open outlook and allow it, but it just seems wrong. Rob (Who also wonders, Who is the Angel of Surface to Air Missiles?) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 16:03:27 From: "Daniel Gallagher" Subject: Re: IN> Cafeteria Alright, when do we get the netbook? Or, must we infer everything from the stories? If we must, I hope there's alot more if them. Good Job EDG. Daniel _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 16:10:49 From: "Daniel Gallagher" Subject: Re: IN> Limits on Remote Control Lightning Attunement... >-Something I wasn't quite clear on the response - if something is missing >part of it's controls, can you still make that object do what it's controls >would have it do? I'm mainly refering to locks - I know you could use the >attunement to make a key turn that's already in a lock. But what if the >control to the lock(the key) was not there? A door locks and unlocks, >whether it's a normal key or a keypad. Can you use the attunment to make >the door unlock? Yes and no. I think the attunement wouldn't let you just open the lock with out the key. However, it would let you manipulate the pins, allowing you to pick the lock quickly. Still, you would need the lock picking skill. But that's just my opinion. Daniel _________________________________________________________________ Join the world s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 17:00:57 -0600 From: "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" Subject: RE: IN> Tattered Update I can't get to the web.... Can anyone send me the Andy and Luic write ups? Choirs write ups would be nice, but not my choirs so not important. But I like having an idea of the Arch Angels. - -----Original Message----- From: Jonathan Walton [mailto:calligraphitti@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2002 12:36 AM To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Subject: IN> Tattered Update Yes, I know, "it's about time." I agree completely. So, what do we have for you crazy heresy-heads? Funny you should ask. Recent Updates to "The Tattered Symphony Netbook": Lucifer, Regent Archangel of Light http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-host-lucy.html Complete Choir Writeups of Cherubim, Elohim, Mercurians http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/choirs-cherubim.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/choirs-elohim.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/choirs-mercurians.html Revised Writeups of Andrealphus, Gabriel, and Soldekai http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-host-andre.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-others-gabby.html http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/arch-others-soldy.html Coming Soon: - - 666 NPCs by Charles Smith! (okay, exaggerating just a little) - - Haagenti and Nybbas! - - More Complete Choir Writeups! Later. Jonathan Walton Tattered Webmaster (http://www.godmachine.org/tattered/) WWIN Tattered Ensemble Admin (http://www.havencomm.com/~wwin/tattered.html) _________________________________________________________________ Join the world's largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 17:47:39 -0500 From: EDG Subject: IN> An Error In Judgment I hope I remembered the participial form correctly. - -EDG - -- "Lord Laurence," whispered Vapula, Prince of Technology, "I had thought that you might be here today." But he was alone. The cathedral rang with his whisper, soft as it was, but it did not garner more than an annoyed look from a tired acolyte. There were no other penitents at this hour: strange, for a day as holy as today. As Vapula looked around, however, a man dressed in burlap robes and cord sandals entered, and sat down beside him. "You have chosen the wrong cathedral, friend Vapula," he whispered. The Prince smiled. "You know me, then. And you know why I cannot join the mighty in their French stronghold. The Light there is too strong for me even in my sane moments. I had hoped that the Archangel I seek could join me here as well." A grin split the darkness under the other's cowl. "Laurence prefers to devote himself today. One of his aspects remains in the Cathedral of the Sword, with the blessed souls. Another spends the entire day, from the first moment in the Gilbert Islands to the last moment in the Aleutians, in silent prayer and contemplation in Notre Dame Cathedral. He spares no other attention." Vapula nodded. "What you say makes sense. But who, then, are you?" The man pulled his hood back, revealing a tanned face framed by long, loose hair. "I'm the escapee," he said. "Eli Evanescens, at your service." "I might have known," said the Prince, laughing quietly. "Why do you come to me? Is our meeting random, or strange kismet?" "I hoped you would be here today," Eli said softly. "I had to see for myself." Vapula nodded, and then stiffened as a new voice rang through the cathedral. "As did I." The voice was strong, almost overbearing, a rich baritone with a razor edge. "I had thought my Soldiers were taking lessons from their Balseraph masters until I actually saw you here." The owner of the voice was the very image of a medieval church official, with long, flowing robes in crimson and violet and a velvet tri-corner hat with gold trim. He stood at the end of the pew that Vapula and Eli shared, grinning a shark's grin. "I wish to hear that you have entrapped the Archangels of Creation and the Sword in a web of deceit and treachery. I wish to hear that your words in this church have been a carefully-planned charade. I wish to hear that your loyalty to our organization remains without question. Will you tell me these things?" "My connection to our organization has never been more solid, Prince Asmodeus -" "You lie," said Asmodeus, and shot Vapula through the head. Eli gasped and stood suddenly, Vapula's surprised expression falling inches from the Archangel's bare toes. "You are a liability now, Prince Vapula," said the Prince of the Game, nearly spitting Vapula's name as the body began to hiss and dissolve back into the Symphony. The sound of the gunshot still rang through the arches of the cathedral as Asmodeus returned the gun to its holster. "When he returns, tell him that he is no longer welcome in our organization." Eli nodded mutely, backing away slightly from the now-skeletal corpse. Asmodeus folded his arms and swept out of the cathedral, vanishing as the morning light struck him. To Eli's left, a confessional opened amid a sudden humming, and Vapula stepped out, his face straightening and regaining its sanity as the house of God claimed its effect upon him. "He... shot me." Eli nodded. "He shot me," Vapula repeated, his voice nearly breaking, "and shattered my Laboratory. The work of centuries, of millennia... gone at Asmodeus's whim." Eli walked forward as quickly as he dared, hearing the dust that was all that was left of the old vessel snap and spit as individual motes returned to the Symphony. "Come with me," he said simply. "I will help you if you come with me. You must trust me, however." Deep in the heart - not the Heart, the crystalline structure that is a demon's connection to Hell, but the very core of his soul - every demon knows a secret longing. Even though he might deny it, for fear that others might see it as a sign of weakness or treachery, it sits, waiting, pulsing, and it is undefiable. Deep in the heart, every demon looks at the sky, at Heaven above, and thinks, that is *home*. Vapula nodded. "I will do what you ask. Hell has no place for me anymore." The former Prince took Eli's outstretched hand, and together they walked to the rear of the cathedral, where the altar and lit censers stood ready. To the side, the acolyte smiled. I was loath to abandon my prayer with even a fraction of my attention, he thought, but Eli, how glad am I that you called me here. Today we have *two* who rise to be among us. ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #2584 ********************************