in_nomine-digest Tuesday, August 27 2002 Volume 01 : Number 2755 In this digest: Re: IN> Why do we have wings? Re: IN> Why do we have wings? Re: IN> Brass and Steel? Re: IN> Azrael, AA of Passage Re: IN>How Furfur Redeemed (Alternate Universe) IN>Eli in Ethereal IN> Ether Time Re: IN> Why do we have wings? IN> The Heavenly need for Cool IN> Demon of Power Tools Re: IN> Why do we have wings? Re: IN> advice needed IN> Why do we have wings? Re: IN> Trout of Truth Re: IN> The Songs of Age Re: IN> Trout of Truth Re: IN> The Songs of Age Re: IN> IN / Reign of Fire *spoilers* Re: IN> Snow Globes Re: IN>History of Alternate Universe Re: IN>History of Alternate Universe RE: IN> Hello everyone Re: IN>Eli in Ethereal RE: IN> advice needed Re: IN> Why do we have wings? RE: IN> advice needed Re: IN> Hello everyone IN> Triad 314 - Techno Remix (PT 1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 17:12:10 -0400 From: EDG Subject: Re: IN> Why do we have wings? At 09:03 AM 8/28/2002 +1200, you wrote: >Although it does raise the question.... why does a being need wings if it >is created in an environment with no gravity? Mid-air control. Without gravity, and without a place to push off, a wingless creature would have no way to return to the Earth. Maybe Jacob's Ladder isn't the only way to the Higher Heavens... and maybe *that's* why angels have wings and humans don't... ;) - -EDG ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 17:16:10 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: Re: IN> Why do we have wings? Terry Jackson wrote: > > Although it does raise the question.... why does a being need wings if it is > created in an environment with no gravity? Well, even if there was no gravity, wings would still be useful if there was air, though they'd be used only for thrust, not lift. There appears to be air, or a celestial equivalent, in the human-inhabited part of Heaven, at least. I did, however, come up with a less anthropomorphic set of celestial appearances, which I could re-post if there is interest. Earl ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 14:25:00 -0700 (PDT) From: Mandy Bowyer Subject: Re: IN> Brass and Steel? - --- Phillip DesJardins wrote: > Anyone know if the Brass and Steel MUSH (In > Nomine MUSH that got mentioned a while back) is > still around? Or did it just fall over of its' own > accord? > > Phillip, Mercurian of Novalis > The Happy Shiny Mercurian > > Brass and Steel is indeed still around and has a small but active player base. It can be found at brass.muville.com 2323 Mandy __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 17:44:39 -0400 From: "Jeffery Watkins" Subject: Re: IN> Azrael, AA of Passage OH thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!! Thanks Moe! To the rescue...on my list, I know, insane numbers of superiors for a game, Azreal had not been listed as what he was because I was still deciding...This is sooo perfect and your Noha-Abarim are perfect for the effect I wanted the Angels of Death or in this case Passage to have. Though I shouldn't be surprised it was you. Its not like I haven't co-opted a lot of your creations, including your Eli the Kyriotate, and your Oops Cycle into the game. Thanks again...its good to be back!!! Jeff =) _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 18:46:40 -0400 From: "Jeffery Watkins" Subject: Re: IN>How Furfur Redeemed (Alternate Universe) Nicely done. I like how you got Furfur from Hardcore to Zeal, it makes sense in context to what he was. This sounds like its going to be a very well thought out game. And you've given me ideas as well...maybe I will have Furfur redeem later on in the timeline as well. Thanks for the food for thought! Jeff =) _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 13:30:22 +0200 From: "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" Subject: IN>Eli in Ethereal With all the Fallen Eli's and other AA's I almost feel like keeping an umbrella handy. Has anyone done anything with the idea that Prometheus and Empetheus (not sure of the spelling of the second one) who are the Titans of Forethought and Afterthought, are broken aspects of Eli? Or Ethereal echoes? Prometheus sided with the Gods against the other Titans because he could foretell the future and knew the Titans would lose. He then defied the Greek Pantheon in order to bring mankind fire and for his audacity, Zeus bound him to a mountain and had an eagle fly in every morning to eat his liver. He also could sculpt clay and breathe life into it and make animals and fantastic creatures. His brother, Empetheus, was imperfect, forgetful and had the same gift of sculpting, but could only create hateful monsters. Maybe they were both Eli with a split personality and a sack full'a Primordial clay? Just a thought induced by too much coffee, not enough sleep, and the image of Eli falling out of the sky on my head. DS1 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 15:04:40 +0200 From: "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" Subject: IN> Ether Time The more think about that Song, the more I think it could work. Must be important, it's keeping me awake. The intent would maybe become better served if the Ethereal version of Song of Time evoked the essence of the desired stages of life. An adult effected in reverse would gain the joyfulness and free spirited sense of wonder of a child. Maybe even some of the excitement and yearning for change and growth. Were an adult effected with the forwards version, he might get past that midlife crisis that makes all his dreams seem hopelessly lost as he gains an appreciation for the good things he has done and the security of knowing he's had a full life. A child effected forwards would gain the some possession. Some of the sense of well being and "having your head together", which would be especially useful during the tumultuous teens when nothing seems to be coming out the way you want and college is looming in the future and everyone else seems to have figured things out but you've still don't know what major to pick, have pimples and freckles in embarrassing places and are waiting for the clue fairy to give you the secret to getting a term paper done without missing your first date with the "perfect match" your best friend just called you about and OHMYGAWD! The cat just threw up on my favorite shirt now what am I going to wear!!!!!!! What you would not get would be the ennui of boredom of the "been there, done that" crowd. Effect a child with the reversing version, and maybe they remember how good it felt to let Dad and Mom take care of them. Give them an appreciation for their parents, or make them perhaps understand someone younger than themselves and maybe give a kid a chance. Maybe even, when put on a hard-bitten gang banger trying to talk his younger brother into his first drive by shooting so he can be in the gang, it might give him a momentary epiphany of innocence lost, and turn that moment of Fate for both into a moment of Destiny. Hmm.... I could almost make two Songs out of this, but I'm too tired to come up with Celestial and Corporeal versions. In an infant, it might not make much difference either way. Everything is already new and exciting, except when it's nap time and then nothing keeps you awake. And you could hardly be more at peace than having someone cater to your every whim. And the reality check is, who wastes three to five essence putting Songs on the little ankle-biters anyways? And of course there are dozens and dozens of more situations where it might come into effect, but the side effects, the accidental cause of harm, is much less, in my opinion. To appeal to strongly to the Creationists and Flowerchildren, I want it to appeal to the deeper meanings of their words. And this would have the added benefit of pretty much being useless to demons, unless you're a Lilim trying to get a Geas out of cheering someone up. DS1 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 11:47:22 +1200 From: "Terry Jackson" Subject: Re: IN> Why do we have wings? Except that in the Celestial Realm, movement is based off your Perception of the world around you, not your physical characteristics. You think that's air you're breathing? It's only the perception of it that is important. Humans have lungs - even when they're dead that they "need" to fill with oxygen. I imagine that Celestials "perceive" air when they need to interact with a human in Heaven. Everyone has missed the obvious reason why some Angels and Demons have wings. It's coz they look cool. A Malakite with big, black, ****off wings looks a damn-sight more impressive than just a black, shadowy guy. I think God understands the need for Cool. It's just a shame Rex hasn't picked up on that yet....;) >>Although it does raise the question.... why does a being need wings if it >>is created in an environment with no gravity? > >Mid-air control. Without gravity, and without a place to push off, a >wingless creature would have no way to return to the Earth. > >Maybe Jacob's Ladder isn't the only way to the Higher Heavens... and maybe >*that's* why angels have wings and humans don't... ;) > >-EDG Eryiel The Angel of Torment Malakite of Fire _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 19:58:43 -0700 From: Harukami Subject: IN> The Heavenly need for Cool >I think God understands the need for Cool. It's just a shame Rex hasn't >picked up on that yet....;) Oddly enough, I'm currently writing a story where Rex considers Redeeming because of all the really Cool /good/ things out there... Harukami ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 17:12:41 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Forman Subject: IN> Demon of Power Tools Lurker for a while, rarely a poster: just wanted to share an NPC from a recent Diabolical campaign of mine. Some details aren't fleshed out, and the story may seem disjointed. Bear with me; I don't have all the time I'd like to spend on my favorite hobby. Tauser Demon of Power Tools There is nothing interesting or earth-shattering about an electronic drill or a table saw. Tauser's Word is invoked when a power tool is used for purposes other than what they were intended. The more insidious, destructive or perverse (or perverted) the use, the better. Tauser is the host of a local TV show, “It's Your House”, where he ostensibly helps people improve their homes by dispensing good advice and exhibiting tools and techniques of the trade. He is generally helpful to his viewers. Tauser is dumb but he’s not stupid; a grossly inaccurate show would be cancelled very fast. Instead, Tauser encourages his viewers to exalt the dark aspect of his Word by occasionally demonstrating inaccurate use of a band saw, jigsaw, jackhammer, power drill or any other tool that runs on motive power supplied by anything other than human muscle. As a result, Tauser rarely demonstrates the use of a power tool without throwing in some small kernel of inaccuracy; better to do that than push humans toward the brighter side of his Word. Adventure Seed Tauser’s direct superior is Letushim, the ancient Demon of Tools. Tauser’s smashing success both on television and in the promotion of his Word has the Demon of Tools sweating in his overalls. Letushim fears that it won’t be long before he’s groveling for leniency when Tauser makes a bid to Vapula for his Word. If Tauser’s meteoric rise of the last few years continues, then Letushim’s days are numbered. The characters can come into this situation on either side; Tauser might need them to spread some nasty rumors about Letushim, or the Demon of Tools might need the PCs to arrange for some kind of cataclysmic accident on the set of “It’s Your House.” STATS: Tauser (Rocko Tauser) Demon of Power Tools Balseraph Captain of Technology FORCES Corporeal: 6 Strength: 12 Agility: 12 Ethereal: 4 Intel: 4 Precision: 8 Celestial: 3 Will: 8 Percep: 4 ROLE: TV Host/5 Status/5 VESSEL: Human/4 Rocko is a large, broad man with a barrel chest and thick, hairy arms. He always dresses in flannel shirts, blue jeans and a leather tool belt. He smiles easily and laughs a lot, especially when people tell him how much they love his show. The laughter is a joyous cackle when the fan is missing some digits. SPECIAL RITES Tauser gets +1 Essence when a viewer who takes his "advice" is killed. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 12:01:38 -0700 From: "Phillip DesJardins" Subject: Re: IN> Why do we have wings? Nice. Meaningful, yet simple. I'll have to post this plot see I'm working on sometime soon now. Phillip, Mercurian of Novalis The Happy Shiny Mercurian ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:17:54 +0000 From: "Janet Anderson" Subject: Re: IN> advice needed > >How do I > >maintain group cohesion if I just stick these angels > >together? If they dislike each other what are their > >incentives for staying together and cooperating? Having had entirely too much experience with problems like this, both in face-to-face campaigns and PBEMs, what I did with my current PBEM was advertise for players with character concepts that "played well with others." (For example, I discouraged Servitors of Dominic or Novalis, both of which can be Royal Pains in the Wazoo for, ironically, the same reason: a disinclination to consider anyone's wishes except their own. Not, in my opinion, a desirable trait either in angels or anywhere else.) It was, in my opinion, spectacularly successful and the group I ended up with is so good that I keep wondering when something will happen to mess it up. Janet Anderson _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 21:20:57 -0400 From: BC Petery Subject: IN> Why do we have wings? > "(Hush.) The symbology is at once clear and subtle, simple and multi-faceted. > Feathers work together to lift a bird. The naked wing, alone, cannot fly. So > we are reminded that we do not fly alone. Further, feathers warm birds, as > our Creators love warms us. Demons, on the other hand, fly alone and cold." "But what about bats?" asked the INitpicker. "Aren't they warm blooded?" =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "I'm an INinny!" -Pete Pete, Demon of Misinformation http://www15.brinkster.com/ugwump/IN/index.html ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:19:08 -0500 From: "Gregg Forge" Subject: Re: IN> Trout of Truth >From: Cameron McCurry >Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com >To: In Nomine List >Subject: IN> Trout of Truth >Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 12:26:47 -0400 >Quite simply, the Trout of Truth provides (In the words of one of >Litheroy's Elohim) "A keen insight to the blindingly obvious." The >person, demon or angel so battered suddenly realizes a point the >wielder >was trying to make. For instance, it could a Servitor of the >Wind that >robbing the Tether to Mammon might not be a wonderful idea. >An angel >ofNovalis may realize that a certain amount of violence >would not be out >of line. Wow. My Archangel actually knew the Song I thought I'd found... Cool beyond words. An artifact with the Celestial Song of WTF built in... Kamika-Z, flustered. _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 16:32:55 +0200 (CEST) From: Unni Solaas Subject: Re: IN> The Songs of Age On Tue, 27 Aug 2002, Ryan M Roth wrote: > Just thought I'd toss out that image, as well as the image of dozens of > people fleeing in terror from a rampaging 6-month old. :) Goo-goo, > indeed. Asterix & Son. Just read it. - -- language, n; an intangible artificial construct for obscuring one's meanings and intentions to others. -ppint. Unni Solaas ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:56:49 -0500 From: "Gregg Forge" Subject: Re: IN> Trout of Truth > >How about the clue-by-four? > >To quote someone else on this list: "The puns!! They burn!!" > >Now my headache is gone. > >Replaced by a nasty migraine. That's not nearly as bad as the LART. Aka Loser Attitude Readjustment Tool. Not to be confused with the Nail-Studded-Bat called Hint... Kamika-Z, busy making a few Relics... _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 19:39:00 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> The Songs of Age - --- EDG wrote: > Ethereal: The Ethereal Song of Age alters a person's > mindset and maturity > level, raising or lowering it by a number of years equal > to the check digit > multiplied by the Essence spent. This does not actually > age the target, > but it can return a business executive to the Terrible > Twos Christopher would love this. > or cause an > infant to be as calm and collected as he would be at 25. I don't know about you, but I haven't met many calm and collected 25-year-olds. Then again, I'm over 30 -- my standards for that are a little different. 0;> > This Song's > effects last for a number of days equal to the > performer's level of skill in the Song. This seems pretty powerful to me. A duration in hours would be more balanced, IMO. > Celestial: The Celestial Song of Age displays the entire > life experiences > of the target to the performer (and only the performer), > as though the > performer were living through them, over the course of a > single round. I can see the Game declaring this Song forbidden for all demons. For those who don't see why, what do you suppose the effect of this Song would be if the target were, say, the Holiest Man on Earth? Or a Prophet? =====

Michael Walton, #US2002023848

"There are two things that stand in the way of happy marriages

-- men and women." -- Rev. David Moore

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:43:07 -0600 From: "Steven E. Ehrbar" Subject: Re: IN> IN / Reign of Fire *spoilers* Rens Houben wrote: >>Firstly, it would make a great IN Campaign... Uriel didn't manage to get >>_all_ the dragons. a few were in trauma, and now they're back. and they're >>pissed... >> >> > >Well, if you were just flying around, minding your own business . . . > . . . demanding monthy virgin sacrifices for not burning the town down . . . - -- Steven E. Ehrbar ehrbar@softhome.net stevenehrbar@elp.rr.com We have to go forth and crush every world view that doesn't believe in tolerance and free speech. - David Brin ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 19:44:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> Snow Globes !!! I love this! =====

Michael Walton, #US2002023848

"There are two things that stand in the way of happy marriages

-- men and women." -- Rev. David Moore

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 19:46:43 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN>History of Alternate Universe - --- Sirea Theyal wrote: > Well, first off, I'd like another name aside from > Alternate Universe, it's long and dull -_-; Feel free to use the term that I use: Mirror Symphony. =====

Michael Walton, #US2002023848

"There are two things that stand in the way of happy marriages

-- men and women." -- Rev. David Moore

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 19:53:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN>History of Alternate Universe - --- Josh Moger wrote: > I'm wondering if the Beleth would actually retain her > Word of Fear as the > sole remaining Archangel dealing with the Marches. > Perhaps a Word-upgrade > showing that she has been entrusted with mankind's > dreams? Seeing as Fear includes the fear of God, Mirror Beleth has a pretty important Word. In this universe she'd be one of the big players on the religion front (possibly it was Beleth who dictated the Koran to Mohammed in this reality). =====

Michael Walton, #US2002023848

"There are two things that stand in the way of happy marriages

-- men and women." -- Rev. David Moore

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:07:34 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: RE: IN> Hello everyone - --- Richard Angelo wrote: > I don't have a clue yet > can I get back to you on that? Hey, another Reliever (or maybe Imp, in this case)! Relax, Richard, we haven't lost anyone during Fledging yet. Well, just that one time... };> > Can anyone think of some Words for Vegas? The Demon of Strippers is canon (Impudite of Lust; Night Music, p. 86). I suppose there could be demons of Showgirls (probably a Lilim or Impudite serving Lust or the Media) and Slot Machines (Calabite of Technology; Attunement is to use Calabite Resonance destroy someone's inhibitions against playing slots?). The Demon of Glitz (Balseraph of the Media) probably hangs out in Vegas a lot. Then there's the Demon of Loan Sharks, a Servitor of Greed who is one of the rare male-aspected Lilim. =====

Michael Walton, #US2002023848

"There are two things that stand in the way of happy marriages

-- men and women." -- Rev. David Moore

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:16:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN>Eli in Ethereal - --- "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" wrote: > Has anyone done anything with the idea that Prometheus > and Empetheus (not > sure of the spelling of the second one) who are the > Titans of Forethought > and Afterthought, are broken aspects of Eli? Or Ethereal > echoes? Not to my knowledge, but Eli would certainly approve of these two. Prometheus ("forethought") represented sound judgement in planning one's actions while Epimetheus ("afterthought") represented the ability to learn from mistakes. Both of those are qualities that a creator needs. =====

Michael Walton, #US2002023848

"There are two things that stand in the way of happy marriages

-- men and women." -- Rev. David Moore

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 05:15:54 +0200 From: "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" Subject: RE: IN> advice needed - -----Original Message----- From: Janet Anderson [mailto:dorigen@hotmail.com] what I did with my current PBEM was advertise for players with character concepts that "played well with others." Janet Anderson Where did you advertise? Is there a list/board somewhere? I'd like to get into a PBEM game somewhere, but have had little success in In Nomine. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:26:16 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Walton Subject: Re: IN> Why do we have wings? This is way cool. Thanx Beth! =====

Michael Walton, #US2002023848

"There are two things that stand in the way of happy marriages

-- men and women." -- Rev. David Moore

__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 05:28:51 +0200 From: "Bergeron, Robert F., DS1(SW)" Subject: RE: IN> advice needed > >How do I > >maintain group cohesion if I just stick these angels > >together? If they dislike each other what are their > >incentives for staying together and cooperating? Humm, hurrmmm... I openly tell players in my Face to Face games that I have no desire to spend hours and hours each game forcing them to work together. They can either find reasons for their Malikim of Judgment to cooperate with the Bright Lilim of Fire, or they can spend the day watching everyone else play the game I'm running. Well, I wish I could tell them that. Mostly I had to tell them their Barbarian had to get along with the Magician or they could watch us play all day, but that's because of the accursed D20 obsession rampant in Norfolk. I have a good deal of fun helping them come up with reason for cooperation and some of the best games have been when the Paladin and the Assassin are former lovers who fell out but are now cursed to always protect one another. Been a blast doing similar things with other game systems and given a bit of thought you should be able to come up with a reasonable connection between any pair of AAs, even Dominic and Michael agree that Hell needs to get the smack down laid on it. But I see no reason to deal with constantly twisting logic in order for one player to continue with a selfish concept that brooks no cooperation with the other players. The times I get together with friends to play is for fun and some camaraderie, not for arguing and bitching all day. Same goes with PBEM games. If I am not having any fun writing, you can bet it won't last long. I can deal with a lot more dissension in an e-mail game, because it is more suited to individual play. No one has to sit and watch while other people are taking their turn and plotting isn't eves dropped upon. DS1 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 23:33:47 -0500 From: "Gregg Forge" Subject: Re: IN> Hello everyone > Ok as you may have guessed from the subject line I'm new to the list, >well I have been lurking a bit while reading my In Nomine books, and I like >to say hello to everyone on the list. Greetings, and other associated appropriate salutations. Have a loaf of essence! > > Now that the pleasantries are out of the way here comes the >questions.... > Alright... > What books are really needed to run the game? I have the >Basic, GM Guide, Infernal and Angelic Guides. Can you suggest any >more? Why, yes I can... 1) A Pyramid Subscription (because of the Ethereal Player's Guide), 2) The Corporeal Player's Guide ('cause humans ain't just cannon fodder!) 3) Game Master's Guide, ('cause it rocks on toast) But you can do just fine with what you already have. Not that we won't pimp more to you.... > Also what books while not really needed add alot of enjoyment to the game >and are nice to have? 4) In Nomine Anime, cause I said so. (^_^) > > What type of game do you find works best? Angelic or Infernal? The >players I've got are good types and could run either. (I'm hoping) Start Infernal. Work your way up. *rimshot* > Right now I'm thinking hard about starting the game in Las Vegas, any >info that people have on Vegas would help, as in who runs the place in >terms of Demon Prince. By my thinking almost any Prince would love to have >Vegas, Andrealphus, Kronos, Nybbas, Valefor seem on first thought to be >likely choices. Although considering how organized a Vegas casino is run >maybe Valefor is not good choice, hmm. Also what would Heaven's stance on >Vegas be? > You know, if you have a chance, drop me an e-mail; I've got this rather amusing little In Nomine: Anime setting that is inspired by the grand tradition of OAV series, telling of a rebuilt Las Vegas in the tradition of Tokyo, and the most ineffable mortals of both Western and Eastern mythology living in the city as a bartender and a gourmet chef. Kamika-Z ...In Nomine: Anime OAV Series City of Sin! Whee! _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 04:50:43 +0000 From: "Michael Cleveland" Subject: IN> Triad 314 - Techno Remix (PT 1) Author's Note - Sorry it's taken so long to get back in. I've been battling a really severe bout of depression that damn near got the best of me. Still, better late than never - with a little editing and fixing up, and with a whole lotta drugs and therapy, both Firefly and Triad 314 are back in business ... - ------------ "So, what are we going to tell him, Muriel?" The Seraph slowly turned her head to face the Ofanite that was in the driver's seat. "Well, I don't think we should be in any trouble on this one, Laris. I mean, we were approached to defend another member of the Host from another Servitor of Judgment. Technically we probably didn't have to do it, but I don't see there having been a problem with our actions." "But you know how the Boss hates us dealing with Creationers, Muri." >From the backseat of the convertible, a voice rumbled, "Only when we're doing prosecution. We've never done defense before. This should give Dominic something new to scream at us about..." Muriel shook her head. "No, I don't think so. We've been accused of being overzealous in our investigations, but never in our sentencing. They've always received a fair trial, and even Dominic knows that we're not the type to decide sentence beforehand and then come up with a verdict. Besides, we weren't the ones that were being overzealous. And besides, when the Archangel of Creation sends word that he wants to make sure that a trial is just, I take that seriously. We'll be ok, Jack." Laris muttered, "Even though we lost..." Muriel whipped her head around to face Laris. "We did _not_ lose. Yitzai was guilty. That's all there was to it. It's up to the appeals triad to overturn the sentence that was handed down. For now, it's out of our hands. Besides, we put up the good fight, didn't we?" Jack nodded. "And how - I swear, when we see Dominic, he's going to be less than pleased with all the exceptions and minor sentences that we managed to rack up. Nothing like handing your Archangel a bunch of sticky-notes with 'Please smack Jack the Cherub for the sin of whatever.' to get you hustled right up the ladder of promotion, let me tell you." Laris turned back to face the Cherub as he took a curve, making everyone else's eyes widen slightly. "Man, what was with that? I mean, I've heard of people who believe in 'letter of the law' interpretations, but I've never seen you get hammered on so hard in my life! I mean, Seraphim can get harsh some days, but Judge Squavariel was just raking you over the coals for the tiny stuff. You shouldn't have gotten written up like that, Jack. If you'd only have..." "Squeaky the Freak would have just written him up again for failing to accept Judgment. The stuck up little bitch only cares about what she sees as the Truth and what she sees as Just. If she were to fall this very moment, I really don't think that her perspective on the world would change a whole lot. The woman is so self-righteous at times that I wonder if she even remembers what it means to be Truly righteous." There was a silence in the car as Jack and Laris looked mutely at each other - both of them knew of the very deep and personal animosity that Muriel held towards the leader of Triad 226. The two Seraphim had never come to blows while in Heaven, but on the corporeal plane both of them had traded more than just baleful glares and unkind words. Their 'debates' were well known amongst other Judges, and most people knew to stay well clear when the two of them had to deal with each other. After a few minutes of quiet driving, Laris spoke softly. "Muri, you know that's why Eli tracked you down, don't you? He knew you'd give it your all to try and protect Yitzai from her. He knew you'd make it a personal thing, not just a legal proceeding. " Muriel continued looking out at the road, not saying a word. After a moment, Laris continued. "Look Muri, it's ok. We're angels, not machines. Some things, some cases... even some people will get to us. It's not like what we did was a bad thing, after all -" Muriel muttered. "Yeah, yeah. Preach to the choir. I let my personal feelings cloud my reasoning. I let my anger, my pride get in the way of my judgment. I tried to beat Squavariel at her own game, and I lost." Jack reached over and squeezed the Seraph's shoulder as Laris patted her leg reassuringly. Laris shook his head, smiling. "Like you said earlier, Muri - it's not about winning or losing. It's about being Just. And even though some days it sure feels like we're getting nowhere with the job that we're doing, we _are_ making a difference. You've got to keep sight of that. Nobody's keeping score here except God." "And your Archangel." Laris chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose the old man is keeping track of things too, but that's his job. After all, if he wasn't upstairs sending us out to face angry hordes of ungrateful and uncaring infidels -" Muriel leaned back and put her hand over her face. "Then he'd be in the backseat of our convertible, sitting right behind the driver and taking notes on everything we said and did. At least, that would fit with our luck, wouldn't it, Laris?" Laris shook his head. "No way - we've got the Old Man's schedule down pat. The Most Just isn't going to show up for at least another 3 days. I mean, what are the odds... of... um..." In the unoccupied seat, a very light incandescent glow was replaced by the translucent yet unforgettable visage of the Archangel of Judgment. Settling into the seat, he looked into the rear-view mirror to meet the Ofanite's eyes. "You were saying something about the odds of the Archangel of Judgment changing his schedule without you knowing about it ahead of time. There was also something that you hadn't spoken aloud about my descending from on high to mingle with the commoners, but you haven't gotten there quite yet. Please, don't allow this 'old man' to interrupt you, Laris." Jack looked over towards the robed figure. "Most Just - welcome to... welcome to Interstate 10, your Holiness. How long have you been with us today?" Dominic turned to the Cherub seated beside him. "Long enough to get a better idea of what is said about me when I'm not around. I like to keep my schedule somewhat open for purposes just like this. So, I take it that you were trying to get away from Lake Charles before I contacted you again. Am I correct?" Muriel turned backwards to face the cowled Seraph behind her. "That's only one of many potential ways one could see our heading towards Houston. I assure you that there are several other reasons that we were going this way. The fact that we finished our latest assignment ahead of schedule and had several days to kill only heightened our resolve and expedited our timeframe, Most Just." "Of course, Muriel. But you're going to turn around and head back there right now." Everyone, save Dominic, grabbed onto the closest handle as Laris whipped the car into a spin that ended on the other side of the road, heading back the direction they came. Dominic nodded approvingly. "Very good, Laris. Now, a situation has arisen that the local Triad on scene has been unable to handle. You have been assigned to provide additional support to them, given your unique position." The Ofanite at the wheel turned to look at his Archangel questioningly. "Sir, I'm not aware of any particular status that we hold... at least, none that would cause us to be called on, sir." Dominic nodded again. "Normally, this might be true. However your last job in Lake Charles changes things." Dominic sighed heavily before continuing. "My last set of instructions had you all watching a Vapulan outpost. Now, I'm assuming that the reason that you're on the road is that you already know that this outpost no longer exists. What you may not have been aware of is that a Shedite of Technology by the name of Rekza and his associates were expected at this outpost later in the week to test some new devices. Now, it appears that a certain group of angels whose names I will not mention at this time took it upon themselves to burn down this very establishment that you were told to watch." Muriel paled as her Archangel's gaze took on the intensity that was reserved for people who were on trial. "Sir, if you'll spare me a few moments, I can explain -" Dominic turned his head to look out the window for a moment. "Did I say it was you, Muriel? I don't believe that I've officially cast blame for this as yet. Now, as I was saying, when the outpost burned to the ground, it also took out the spies that the Archangel of Lightning had in place to capture the design schematics and the original prototypes. Now, certainly the people responsible for the fire had no way to know that Jean had agents in place, and that their job was to alert their superiors who would then inform Lightning that they could begin operations. But the damage is now done - the Shedite knows he's been discovered, and both he and his entourage have started making a run for the closest Tether, which is at one of the local casinos. Fortunately, another Triad was in place to force them to take an alternate route, but in the process they've lost one of their members and the two remaining judges are in opposition as to what course of action to take." Jack reached into his pocket, pulled out a palmtop and started typing on the screen. "All right. Vapunet's got a personnel file on Rekza. If this information is correct, his typical MO has him sticking to tried and true paths whenever possible. He'll probably want to stay on the major roads, rather than try and take the back routes. File says that he'll most likely have two or three Impudites with him as escorts. That's probably how he found the Triad." The Archangel nodded. "Quite possible. I see that you still have yet to turn over that confounded Vapulan device to Lightning's R&D teams. I expect this to be done in a timely fashion - all Infernal devices are supposed to be handed over to the proper authorities. You should know this... ah. You stole another one. In that case, I expect this one to be handed over as well, once you're done using it for this assignment. And let me guess - the Djinn who owned it is dead, so you decided to make sure it didn't fall into human hands. The people in the Halls of Progress are going to be getting to know the three of you on a first name basis, I see. How many other devices did you take with you?" Muriel slumped down in her seat. "Take it. It's all in the trunk. With the exception of Jack's latest connection to Vapunet that you already know about. We'll get right on this one, sir. By the way, hypothetically speaking, what's going to happen to the angels who bollixed the mission, sir?" Dominic made a motion that roughly translated as a serpentine shrug under his cloak. "The main concern in the capture of the Shedite's hard drive and the plans. That should be your primary focus, not charges that have yet to be levied against anyone. The facility would have been destroyed anyway - if the primary objective is accomplished, I'm quite certain that the timing of the explosion could be written off as a minor error in judgment due to information not in evidence at that time, and would only appear in those angel's files as a footnote. That being said, I'm sure that your associates in Triad 226 will be anticipating your arrival." "Triad 226, sir? But -" Triad 226, Muriel. Squavariel has been informed of your impending rendezvous. I have every confidence that the two of you will find a way to make this mission go expeditiously and smoothly. I will now allow you to get back to your original conversations, though. I believe that Laris was making a comment about odds. And on that subject, let me remind you that one should not attempt to beat the odds unless one is sure one wishes to take the chances of the odds beating you." The shimmering image of the Archangel of Judgment faded, leaving Jack and Muriel looking at the Ofanite driver with looks that could vaporize even the strongest armor. The Ofanite shrugged, and focused on the road. "Hey, so Dominic varies his schedule from time to time. Who knew? OWWW!!!!" (to be continued) Michael Cleveland Gulf Coast Geotech _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #2755 ********************************