in_nomine-digest Monday, April 1 2002 Volume 01 : Number 2585 In this digest: Re: IN> An Error In Judgment IN> I'm baa-aack... IN> This might take a bit o' explaining Re: IN> IN : New Person - Hopefully with a new question Re: IN> I'm baa-aack... IN> Old Person with a New Answer IN> New Discord Re: IN> I'm baa-aack... Re: IN> I'm baa-aack... IN> Easter, Part I IN> Easter, Part II Re: IN> Easter, Part II Re: IN> Easter, Part I Re: IN> Easter, Part I Re: IN> Easter, Part II Re: IN> Easter, Part II Re: IN> Easter, Part II IN> Happy Easter to you too, Moe IN> Trust ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 18:31:10 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: Re: IN> An Error In Judgment Okay, lets keep a running score board: Pro Con ____ _____ Vapula Redeemed David killed Ca. Nybbas Redeemed Haagenti has a mind Dominic has a girlfriend Janus is dead that may or may not be Novalis Eli has made up with Dominic Valefor is now in Janus' position I don't know if these are all strings of a complex web, but it is looking increasingly interesting... Josh ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 16:24:33 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: IN> I'm baa-aack... ...well, I wasn't away for long, really. Just a quick Easter visit home to see the folks and friends. Still, I didn't take any IN books with me, the better to recharge the batteries for the coming week. Worked, too. Anyway, here's a little something to answer the question posed to me on Friday night by a friend: "Is there a Demon of Wedgies?" My answer was, of course, "Not yet..." :) Moe Nelson Calabite Knight of Derision Demon of Wedgies Original Concept by Matthew Streight Corporeal Forces: 5 Strength: 12 Agility: 8 Ethereal Forces: 2 Intelligence: 2 Precision: 6 Celestial Forces: 5 Will: 12 Perception: 8 Word-Forces: 2 Vessel: hulking guy/5 Skills: Dodge/5, Fighting/5, Large Weapon/4 (Club), Ranged Weapon/4 (rifle) Songs: Entropy (Corporeal/1, Ethereal/6, Celestial/3), Motion (Celestial/5), Shields (Corporeal/2, Ethereal/4, Celestial/2) Discord: Paranoid/6 (he used to have Angry/2, but he got that taken care of really quickly after he got his Word) Attunements: Calabite of Dark Humor, Prank, Knight of Derision, Demon of Wedgies Demon of Wedgies: Nelson can use his resonance to inflict Mind Hits, provided that he gives his target a wedgie at the same time. Rites: Guess. Nelson used to be the Freak's Freak: that is, big, violent and dumb as a post. Well, he's still that way, but now he's also a paranoid big, violent and dumb Freak. Of course, there's also the question about whether 'paranoid' is a justifiable descriptor: after all, paranoia is defined as the irrational fear that Somebody's Out To Get You... It all went down like this. Up until quite recently, Nelson was just another Servitor of Dark Humor, cheerfully abusing anyone and anything that he could get away with. Being just bright enough to plagiarize, he took his inspiration from the stereotypical playground bully. Even then, the Calabite liked giving wedgies: when done right, it served his Word quite nicely. True, being able to turn some poor bastard's underwear into a hat wasn't the surest road to promotion, but it had the virtues of reliability. There's always somebody ready to laugh at a good wedgie. All in all, Nelson was fairly set. That was before the infamous Kronos Incident. In his more lucid moments, Nelson damns himself for a fool for going into the Archives in the first place. He should have just left the stupid Impudite of Fate be - but, no, he had to go bother the twerp on his own turf. Said twerp had hid himself well, though: so well that Nelson never actually did find the bugger. But the Calabite did come across the Prince of Fate, though. A Prince of Fate with his back turned to a Freak of Dark Humor who was almost transcendently pissed off with everything about his surroundings at the time. For what it's worth, Nelson tried to restrain the impulse. He failed. Interested scholars have asked him since then to answer one of the lesser mysteries regarding the Prince of Fate: boxers or briefs? And what color? Alas, Nelson cannot answer them: he has apparently blocked the actual details from his memories - besides, a belated rush of oxygen to the brain caused him to keep his eyes closed during the procedure. This was almost certainly wise of him, considering that the mere exposure of Kronos' undergarments was enough to cause the sudden explosion of virtually every entity's head within 100 yards. Indeed, there were only three survivors of the Kronos Incident: The Prince of Fate, Nelson (no doubt within the eye of the metaphorical storm, as it were) - and Lucifer himself. Apparently, he had been just passing by. After the Lightbringer stopped shrieking with laughter, he gave Nelson the Word of Wedgies on the spot. Nelson has not enjoyed the experience, much. Kobal was happy enough to provide him with a Distinction for his trouble - there's a rumor that the Laughing Prince has somehow managed to acquire a close up photo of Kronos' expression at the critical moment - but the new Knight does not have any commensurate responsibilities. Furthermore, his former colleagues avoid him like the veritable plague. Well, actually, everybody does. Kronos may have been unable to vaporize the Calabite on the spot, thanks to Lucifer's obvious favor, but the Prince of Fate is quite aware just how temporary that favor can be. Once it dissipates - well, so will Nelson. At least, that's the smart bet. Experienced Kronos-watchers are actually quite impressed by how long the Demon of Wedgies has lasted, in fact. Despite Nelson's best efforts, he has encountered Kronos on several occasions, and each time the Prince has had a slightly puzzled smile on his face as he calmly looked over the sweating Knight. Obviously, whatever it is that's coming is going to be epic, considering how long it's taking to come to full fruition. Obviously, this is not sitting well with Nelson. He's a nervous wreck by now, but wouldn't you be? His dissonance levels keep fluctuating - the Calabite is too busy trying to find a place to hide to properly serve Dark Humor - thus explaining his impressive level of Paranoia. Somewhere, deep in the foggy recesses that serve for his mind, the Calabite knows that this should trigger the interested gazes of the Game, which just gives him one more thing to try to ineffectually watch out for. He needn't bother. The Game is just as keen as anyone else is to see what Kronos will eventually come up with as a response... ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 02/24/02(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 16:40:11 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: IN> This might take a bit o' explaining Right. I was attending Easter Mass this morning in my old parish. There's a particular song that's fairly popular in my area: it's essentially an intercessional. The choir sings various Saints' names, followed by the congregation singing "Pray for us". It's more interesting than it sounds, assuming that you actually happen to recognize the Saints being petitioned: the names are often chosen for their scansion and rhyme more than anything else. Frex, I had to smother a laugh when Jerome was petitioned (based on his particular deeds in life, I suspect that he has a whole lot more to worry about right now), followed very shortly by Origen (who got condemned as a heretic on at least four or five different occasions, presumably just in case it didn't take the first time)... but I digress. Anyway, seeing as one of the petitioned was "Michael and all angels", and I believe in equal time, and I think that this would be a useful bit of background material for some campaigns, and, well, I liked writing it... here you go. Eventually I'll find a midi or wav or something for the tune. The scansion isn't perfect, but then neither was the original. :) Moe "Hey, if it was OK for St. Brigit to get petitioned this morning..." Lane Antiphon 1: All ye / Holy / Servants of the Lord, pray for us. Antiphon 2: For all / Servants / Lost to Heaven's sight, hear our prayers. Seraphim Most-Holy, pray for us, Cherubim Protectors, pray for us, Ofanim Wheels of Fire, pray for us, Even-handed Elohim, pray for us: Malakim, stern Virtues, pray for us, Kyriotate Dominations, pray for us, Mercurian Friends of Man, pray for us, Watching Grigori, pray for us: Antiphon 1 Michael who is like God, pray for us, Dominic Judge of Heaven, pray for us, Litheroy the Seeker, pray for us, Novalis font of Mercy, pray for us: Blandine our Dream-Warden, pray for us, Zadkiel always Guarding, pray for us, Christopher the Wise, pray for us, Gabriel winged Envoy, pray for us: Antiphon 1 Janus harbinger, pray for us, Jean the Spark of Reason, pray for us, Faithful Muslim Khalid, pray for us, Laurence perfect Paladin, pray for us: David greatest Mason, pray for us, Jordi King of Beasts, pray for us, Eli Master Craftsman, pray for us, Heaven's Steward Marc, pray for us: Antiphon 1 For Uriel the Purest, hear our prayers, For Raphael the Martyr, hear our prayers, For Oannes Ocean-Queen, hear our prayers, And for vanished Song, hear our prayers: For all those felled in battle, hear our prayers, For all those now in Exile, hear our prayers, For all those lost to Grace, hear our prayers, And for the Morningstar, hear our prayers: Antiphon 2 ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 02/24/02(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 16:46:43 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: Re: IN> IN : New Person - Hopefully with a new question - --- "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" wrote: > 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. Well, seeing as IN's base characters are pretty much cinematic, better at everything than humans and able to pick up all sorts of abilities virtually by osmosis, I'd say that it'd depend on the GM. If and when it comes up in my game, I'll probably insist that players spend points to be able to understand anything complex in a language that they don't know - and definitely spend points to communicate those concepts at all. Other GMs might just shrug and let it go as a special effect of celestialness. > Rob > (Who also wonders, Who is the Angel of Surface to > Air Missiles?) I dunno. Why don't you tell us? :) Moe ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 02/24/02(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 20:05:48 -0600 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> I'm baa-aack... - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Maurice Lane" To: "IN List" Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2002 6:24 PM Subject: IN> I'm baa-aack... [snip] > [...] For what it's worth, Nelson tried to > restrain the impulse. > > He failed. Only you, Moe. Only you. *shaking head* - -- Chuckg PS -- *ROTFLMBO* ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 19:28:54 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Walton Subject: IN> Old Person with a New Answer - --- "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" wrote: > Rob > (Who also wonders, Who is the Angel of Surface to Air > Missiles?) SAMael, of course. ===== 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 22:55:49 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: IN> New Discord The Bad Luck discord strikes indiscriminately, angelic and demonic sufferers have been reported to the Judgement and the game. Curiously, Kobalites aren't the demons who have this most often. No, strangely it's servitors of Kronos who carry that dubious honor. Huh. Funny that. Bad Luck discord: Level 1-2: Minor blips in life. These sort of things have to be roleplayed. Let the GM hide your car keys (but not at the start at a highspeed chase- at least not at this level) or have you be unable to find the information you need at a library. Mostly just annoyances. Level 3-6: The GM rolls the 2d6 at the beginning of the game. At (2d6- the level of discord) times during the session, the GM decides when the character falls prey to his/her bad luck. Yes, it seems that those with a higher level of discord get off easier. Well... no. While they do have fewer times when their bad luck gets them, but when it does their luck becomes spectacularly bad. Sure, a celestial with level 6 discord may have only one bad time during their campaign, but when it happens... GM's are encouraged to smile nastily. It should also be noted that high levels of the Bad Luck discord seem to be accompanied with growing levels of Paranoia. Josh ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 23:06:53 -0500 From: "Eric Bertish" Subject: Re: IN> I'm baa-aack... > Original Concept by Matthew Streight Am I the only person who finds this screamingly apropos? ;) - -- Casca, whose .sig was lost when he re-installed his OS. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 23:50:06 -0500 From: "William J. Keith" Subject: Re: IN> I'm baa-aack... >> Original Concept by Matthew Streight > >Am I the only person who finds this screamingly apropos? ;) > >-- Casca, whose .sig was lost when he re-installed his OS. - -- Casca "Many people hear voices when no-one is there. Some of them are called mad and are shut up in rooms where they stare at the walls all day. Others are called writers and they do pretty much the same thing." --Margaret Chittenden, writer There you go. Fringe benefit of getting some of your posts archived. :^) William ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 20:59:52 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: IN> Easter, Part I I think that this will be the last thing for the night: it took longer to write than I thought. Just getting the last bits of the Easter Sunday charge out of my system. BTW, if the two angels in this piece aren't screamingly obvious by the end of the story, say so and I'll fix it in the second draft. :) Moe The angel held the wrapping in his hands, peering at it as if there was some message hidden in the linen folds. There was not: only mystery. Something about it, though, caused him to put the cloth gently back down upon the rough stone slab. It was dark inside the tomb - dark, at least, to human eyes - but the angel could see well enough. It wasn't really a tomb, just a natural cave that had been expanded a bit by human hands. A slab of stone: a place or two for a torch, or perhaps a lamp of oil; a great circular stone to serve the place of a door. The air was dry, and there was a faint smell of blood, sweat and vinegar in the air. The rough half-dirt, half-stone of the floor showed where several people had carried or dragged in a heavy object. "But no body," muttered the angel. "Did they drag it in, then drag it out again?" He looked at the wrapping again. They were stained and slightly bloody, and looked precisely like the sort of shroud that was used by the humans in this region to clothe their dead. But it had been empty when the angel had appeared - and there was something about it that had confused him... His thought was broken by quiet words behind him. "Your Hunt seems to have led you to an unusual place." The first angel turned. "A unusual place indeed, brother." His face flushed as he realized that his emotions were visible on his face. Vainly restraining his habitual open smile, the angel continued, "But one worth the visit, I think. What is this place?" The second angel's voice was dryer than usual. "A tomb, brother." The first angel rolled his eyes, not even realizing that he had done so. "Well, yes ... but there's more here. I can feel it! There was a sound, and I came down to see, and..." He stopped. The second angel's expression was eloquent in what it did not say. "Yes, yes, I'm being enthusiastic again," continued the first angel. "I'll start over. I was flying above - I wanted to greet the sunrise in the air - and just as the sun rose above the horizon, I felt something happen on the ground below me. The Symphony itself seemed to call out in triumph, just for a moment... and I followed the echoes to here. I can still hear it, if I listen hard enough." The first angel's face grew thoughtful. "But I've never heard quite its like before. Have you?" His head cocked. "For that matter, how did you find me?" The second angel calmly sat. "The answer is, I did not: I was merely tracing the sound myself. You must have been nearly at the center of it, for it was very faint from where I stood to greet the sunrise, and I was not too far from here. It is likely that we may have been the only angels to hear it at all. As for what it is - I am not certain, but I have heard something like it thrice before. No more than a millenium or so ago." The first angel reflected almost-sourly that there are few more annoying things in the universe than being both immortal, and less than a century old. It was a familiar reflection, and as usual held little in the way of comfort. The second angel looked about with cool eyes that missed nothing. "Do you know whose tomb this is, brother?" At his companion's rueful headshake, the older angel nodded. "No reason for you to know, actually. This was the tomb of the wandering preacher that had been executed several days ago." The younger angel's face cleared. "Ah. The healer." One of the older angel's eyebrows raised elegantly. "So, you were familiar with the man?" The younger angel nodded. "Not to speak to, of course, but I've heard some stories from Mother - she seemed to be interested in the human for some reason. He apparently liked to talk in parables and cure diseases. He also had a talent for seriously annoying the local priests. I supposed the last part was what got him executed for sedition by the civic authorities." He frowned. "I don't like the ways that this local Empire puts people to death." "When you get older, you will find that few ways of putting people to death are likeable," replied the older angel. He thought for a moment. "Or perhaps not. At any rate, there was more to him than that ... possibly." For some reason, the younger angel was finding it very easy for once to restrain himself from idly kicking loose rocks around. "Oh?" "Yes. It would seem that Dominic showed an interest, as well - at least enough to send his best Inquisitor to judge the origins of the man. The conclusions were ambiguous, but potentially profound. We were preparing to watch over him, but..." the second angel raised one hand. "Events on Earth moved faster than we had anticipated. His death seemed to indicate an end to useful speculation." The first angel looked around. "Very well - but now we have a tomb where the Symphony shouldn't be tangible, but is, and where a body should be tangible, but isn't. Where did it go?" His companion raised both hands. "I do not know." Just then, a sound came from the stone that served as a door. Slowly the rock moved as several people on the other side pushed at it. Listening to the tone, the older angel remarked, "Several women in a controlled state of hysteria: it is likely that they are former followers of the deceased who wish to ritually prepare his body for a proper burial. I suspect that finding us here will only cause their emotional state to further degrade: thus, we should depart." The younger angel frowned. "Or at least go intangible." At the other angel's look, he continued, "After all, they may actually know something about their teacher's body. Someone will eventually ask us about this, and I want to be able to give as full a report as possible." The older angel nodded. "A legitimate point." The two angels assumed celestial form and waited for the humans to enter the tomb, careful to do nothing to suggest their presence. Well, the younger angel did materialize enough to give a precise shove at the stone, the better to get it to move, but that act was hidden well enough. The second angel didn't even bother to comment. The response of the humans, upon seeing the empty slab, was obvious enough: mixed shock, anger and bewilderment at the apparent violation of the tomb. The perfumes and oils that had been brought up the hill were carelessly dropped as the three humans searched frantically for any sign of their former teacher. The older angel nodded. :They show no sign of knowing any more than we do about the disposition of the body.: :Yes:, replied the younger, :and now they are leaving. Seeking help, perhaps? But one remains...: The new object of their attention had dropped to her knees and began to weep in great tearing sobs. Both angels looked closer, their unique senses keen to her inner soul. :Some Dishonor... in the past, and easily overshadowed by the Honor she has shown in the past days:, noted the younger. The older replied, :And currently almost overcome with grief at her loss. Not to the point of despair, yet.: ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 02/24/02(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 21:00:48 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: IN> Easter, Part II Easter, Part II To their surprise, the woman had raised her head at the 'sound' of their discussion. Looking right at them, she wildly cried, "Who... who are you?" The same thought - Aware of the Symphony - went through the two angels' minds. Making the best of the situation, they both assumed corporeal form to stand above the kneeling woman. It was clear that her thoughts were muddled enough to simply assume that they had 'stepped from the shadows'. The older angel spoke first. "Woman, why do you weep?" She began to cry again. "He's ... he's gone, and I don't know where they took him! Wasn't it enough for them that they killed him? Why can't they leave him alone?" Her sobbing was rich in pain. The second angel knelt to her. "Please... please. Do not weep. He has come into his own, and that is reason for rejoicing, not tears." The woman seemed not to hear him, but she clung to one of his arms as if it was the only thing keeping her from drowning in her own tears. Awkwardly, the young angel patted her head as she poured out her grief, his eyes beginning to feel hot and oddly scratchy. He looked up at his companion. His brother shook his head. "Let her weep. That is all that we can do for her." The three remained there for some time. Eventually, the woman's sobs went from full to dry and racking: the younger angel's own eyes were wet from unfamiliar tears; the older angel's own eyes remained dry, but his posture seemed stiffer than usual, as if he had steeled himself to not betray any sign of grief. They remained frozen in their tableau until the two angels heard the sound of someone climbing the path. Carefully lifting and supporting the woman, the two brought her outside, where a man stood waiting, his own face showing signs of pain and loss. He reached out for the woman, who collapsed into his arms, still softly begging, "Where did they take him... please tell me where they took him... why can't I find him?" Above her cradled head, the newcomer nodded. "I will care for her." He paused and looked at the two angels, carefully. "Thank you for being there for her." The older angel replied, "We could do no less." The man actually managed to smile. "You would be surprised how many have managed to do less, these past few days. Surely you will be rewarded in Heaven for your aid. But do not let us keep you from your journeys. The others will be here, soon, and there are things that must be resolved." He looked down. "And forgiven." The two angels, mindful of their own tasks (and the somewhat different customs of the local humans here), took the hint gracefully enough, although the younger angel found himself faintly reluctant to leave. Carefully waiting until they were out of sight before resuming their celestial forms, the two continued on their original task of finding and excising a particularly nasty Shedite that had been infesting the area lately. Resting after said excision, the younger one turned to his brother. "A question. Back in the tomb you said that you had heard something like that sound before. Where?" The older angel looked off into the distance. "A bush. A mountain's summit. A box." He turned to his brother. "I somehow know that I will hear it again, someday." The younger angel grinned. "Careful that you don't start anticipating the moment. We couldn't have that." His grin faded as he looked up and contemplated the field of crosses where they had finally run the Shedite to ground. "I still say that crucifixion is a disgusting way to kill a man. Remind me to discourage it, if I ever get the chance to make that disgust known." "Of course." The older angel looked at the setting sun, his eyes unblinking. "It occurs to me that we never checked the relationship of that man to that woman. Curious. I suppose that he was a relative, or a fellow follower of their slain teacher." "Really? I got a completely different impression," replied the younger angel. "I see what you mean, though. Well, I was going to investigate further, anyway, but now I think that I really have to." He smiled. "You may be ready to wait patiently for the next time you hear that song, but I think that I'm more suited to getting to the bottom of this one." His brother nodded. "It seems suited for you. No doubt you will work things out to your satisfaction without too much difficulty." He paused. "So, what was your 'completely different' impression of that man?" The younger angel looked up at the first stars of night. "Actually, I got the oddest feeling that he was the gardener." ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 02/24/02(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 00:29:37 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: Re: IN> Easter, Part II > >"Actually, I got the oddest feeling that he was the >gardener." > > snip Okay, I admit to not getting that reference, but that's probably only because I'm a lost little Jew in a world of Christian history. But I really enjoyed the rest of it. Nice bits of Reality de Moeticae as well (the mother reference and Dominic's tempter). And I really shouldn't be surprised by this, but the two angels' identites were clear by the fifth or sixth paragraph. It was the combination of Hunt and brother I think. No two prominent angels, that I could think of, could be call brother other than Khalid and Laurence. And the respective pings of Mary Magdelene were also interesting to read. One question though, should we know who the shedite is? Josh ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 00:31:35 -0500 From: "Steven E. Ehrbar" Subject: Re: IN> Easter, Part I Maurice Lane wrote: >BTW, if the two angels in this piece aren't >screamingly obvious by the end of the story, say so >and I'll fix it in the second draft. :) > Laurence and... Yves? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 00:51:49 -0500 From: "William J. Keith" Subject: Re: IN> Easter, Part I >Maurice Lane wrote: > >>BTW, if the two angels in this piece aren't >>screamingly obvious by the end of the story, say so >>and I'll fix it in the second draft. :) >> >Laurence and... Yves? Laurence is pretty clear. The older angel, from his Resonating, sounds like an Elohite. From the earlier experiences he describes, I expect it was Khalid. William ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 23:51:52 -0600 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> Easter, Part II From: "Josh Moger" > > One question though, should we know who the shedite is? Because it seemed a rather blatant reference to Legion, I figured that it was Laurence and Uriel that Moe was writing about. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2002 01:17:38 -0500 From: "Josh Moger" Subject: Re: IN> Easter, Part II >> One question though, should we know who the shedite is? > >Because it seemed a rather blatant reference to Legion, I figured that it >was Laurence and Uriel that Moe was writing about. > I didn't get the sense that it was Uriel, since the second figure resonated emotions, not honor, that and Uriel would be Laurence's father, not brother. And as for Legion... I admit the bible reference does seem to make sense, but I'd be surprised that Laurence and Khalid wouldn't have soul-killed the shedite, not just sent him to Trauma. Josh ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 12:00:32 +0000 From: "cassandra benner" Subject: Re: IN> Easter, Part II I thought it was Khalid and Laurance. But then again, its a shame there no litheroy, this would have been a great thing for him... Speaking of khalid/laurance, the 1st part mentions that one of the angels is only a hundred or so years old, i forget as i have no books to hand, who is older, laurance or khalid? Cas *Knowledge is power. Power corrupts. Study hard. Be Evil.* In Nomine @ http://www.angelfire.com/goth/psyber/i-n.html In Nomine yahoo @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/inveritas ADnD forum @ http://www.drunkendwarfinn.co.uk ADnD stuff @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ADandD_Stuff _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 15:50:45 +0000 From: "Janet Anderson" Subject: IN> Happy Easter to you too, Moe And thank you very much. Janet Anderson _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 11:41:14 -0500 From: EDG Subject: IN> Trust I'm afraid this is rather long. Gomen nasai. -_-;; - -EDG - -- "Idiot," snarled Asmodeus as he materialized in his chambers. "Did he think I wouldn't realize his subversion? Did he think I didn't have people watching him at all times?" His voice was tight as he turned to that day's secretary, a Lilim with startlingly blue hair and a scar running down her forearm. "Make a note to double all observation details until further notice. This is a dangerous time to be a Demon Prince, and I want to be informed of any further problems as soon as they develop. Before they develop!" The Lilim nodded and made a note, then sent the piece of parchment off into the Symphony with a low hum of disturbance. Asmodeus turned to sit, but there was a form already in his chair. "You," he snarled. "What makes you think that you have the right to-" "Calm, Prince Asmodeus," said Haagenti in a cool tone. "It does not become you to make outbursts. Are you not after all a Djinn, the noblest of all demons? No, do not correct me; the Balseraphs wallow in self-deceit, their nobility degraded by their delusion. It is the Djinn who are calm, collected; it is the Djinn who are able to keep tabs on us all, and make certain that we do not fall further into ruin. And who is the chief of all Djinn?" Asmodeus almost smiled despite himself. "You may be right," he allowed. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Prince Haagenti?" Haagenti wrinkled his nose. Already his new suit was decomposing. "You and I need to talk," he said, his voice smooth. "You may be of the noblest rank, but your methods are growing... how shall I put this?... unreliable. Just this week we have lost two of our Princes to Heaven, and still more are likely to arise before this affair has ended. What do you have to say of that?" Asmodeus frowned. "Two? I knew that Vapula was possible, but... who?" "You did not know, then? Of course; your agents were killed too. The Prince of the Media is no longer with us." "Nybbas was killed in the flooding? That explains some interesting news stories recently." Asmodeus nodded. "We shall have to appoint a new Prince, I think." Haagenti's eyes flashed. "You may be of noble creation, Asmodeus, but never forget that the Nemesis assigns positions outside of your ranks!" Asmodeus was so startled by this outburst that he actually took a step back. "Of course," he said softly, recovering. "We are all grateful to the Lightbringer." He smiled. "I will have to make some... recommendations, then. As far as appointing a new Prince of the Media goes." "Have you forgotten the other?" "And another Prince of Technology. How quick you are to catch my errors!" Haagenti smiled toothily. "I know the temperament of our lord Nemesis, and I know of the trust which he places in you. It would not do to violate that trust, or cause that temper to flare. And even the best of us need reminders on occasion." Asmodeus turned back to the Lilim. "Make a note: I am to suggest a new Prince of the Media and Prince of Technology at my next meeting with the Lightbringer." She nodded, and wrote this down, but did not vanish the parchment. The Prince of the Game nodded, then returned his gaze to Haagenti. "Now that we have had our little chat, will you excuse me? I have scheduled a visit with one of my subordinates." Without waiting for the reply, he vanished in a puff of brimstone. "Very dramatic," Haagenti murmured, "but you are doing nothing but driving the nails into your own coffin." He stood, and looked at the Lilim. "It is time." She nodded, and laughed - a musical laugh - and the hum that had pervaded the chamber since she had arrived dissipated in a burst of trumpets. Her horns folded in upon themselves and disappeared with a Symphonic pop as the Song ended. "Now go!" commanded Haagenti, and she nodded and vanished upward, through the ceiling of the chamber, speeding for Earth, and thence for Heaven, as fast as her Song of Motion would carry her. Haagenti smiled his toothy smile again. "Ah, Asmodeus," he said, sighing happily and leaning against the Prince's desk. "To have your naivete again would be refreshment beyond compare. But I have an appointment as well, I'm afraid." He checked his watch, let his second Song fade and watched as his clothing knitted itself back together. "Time to face the music." A burst of Song later, he was standing in a richly-appointed antechamber. Various demons and damned souls were milling about, obviously waiting for an appointment. Meeting with the Nemesis was a deadly business, although most of these didn't know that: unless he had summoned you, you had to wait in the antechamber until he did. If you left, your name was sure to be called as soon as you stepped out the doors; if you tried to trick him into meeting you, he would, but you were many, many times more likely to die for fooling the Lightbringer than you were to be granted a boon. Haagenti had been summoned, and the receptionist - a pale Habbalite whose scalp had been flayed to reveal a bare skull - nodded as he stepped up, straightening his tie. "Haagenti, holder of the Word of Gluttony, submits to the will of the Lightbringer," he said, dropping to one knee. The receptionist nodded again, and a door opened behind her. "Enter," called a voice from within. Lucifer's chambers were not what most would expect; in fact, they were rather spartan, considering. Although the room was spacious, there was but one decoration: the original manuscript of _Paradise Regained_, on a mahogany stand and encased in glass. His desk was oak, as was his chair. There were no cushions anywhere, no other seating, but a small shine on the floor before the desk showed where countless generations of demons had knelt. Haagenti was glad to be tall enough to see over the desk as he knelt. "My dread Lord Lucifer," he said, "you have summoned me?" Lucifer finished writing a sentence and looked up. "It has come to my attention that two of our Princes are gone from our ranks, a third is missing in action, and a fourth is dangerously close to sedition. What do you know of this?" Haagenti looked up, careful not to meet the Lightbringer's gaze. "I know that Nybbas was presumed perished in the California disaster of several days past," he said. "I know that Vapula was vessel-killed by Asmodeus for the crime of being a Catholic, and that he was last seen in the presence of the Archangel Eli. I know that Asmodeus has been acting pridefully and with great wrath in the past weeks." He stopped, and shrugged. "I know that Valefor has killed the Archangel Janus. I have not seen him since." Lucifer looked over thin, rectangular glasses at the Prince. "When was Janus killed? We had reports of his interference at a Tether in Indianapolis only yesterday." Haagenti shrugged again. "I know that Janus was killed in the past week. I watched it done. If he lives still... then my senses must deceive me, dread Lord." Lucifer nodded, apparently satisfied. "Thank you, Haagenti. That will be all." Haagenti stayed kneeling. "If I might, my lord?" Lucifer looked up. "Yes?" "How goes it?" The Lightbringer frowned, but it was not of displeasure with his Prince. "I cannot decide how to end the sixth chapter," he said. "Have you any suggestions?" "End it with a murder," Haagenti put forth. "Kill one of the major players. The readers will never expect it." Lucifer smiled. "An excellent suggestion, my dear Prince. Thank you." Haagenti returned the smile, but thinly. "Thank you, my Lord. Any other business?" "No," said the Nemesis, already writing again. "That will be all." Haagenti rose and left the chamber. As the door closed behind him, he spied another Prince entering the antechamber the same way he had, the hum of disturbance following him. "Haagenti," the newcomer said. "Baal," replied the Prince of Gluttony. "Troubling times, are they not?" The Prince of the War nodded. "Nonsense," "Prone to become more troubling soon," noted Haagenti, moving close, conversing in whispers. "I don't think so," Baal replied, and then coughed softly. "It's too bad," said Haagenti, wiping the blade on an already-red cloth, "that you won't be around for it. Unlike the meddler, I know how to make my problems go away." Baal slumped to the floor as Haagenti faded out of the antechamber, and there was nothing that the stunned demons could do as the Prince's Forces sloughed off into a Symphony that didn't even respond. ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #2585 ********************************