From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Mon Aug 16 22:41:16 1999 Return-Path: Received: from lists.io.com (majordom@lists.io.com [199.170.88.15]) by pyramid.sjgames.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id WAA25620 for ; Mon, 16 Aug 1999 22:41:16 -0500 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.9.3/8.9.1a) id WAA17358 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Mon, 16 Aug 1999 22:37:04 -0500 Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 22:37:04 -0500 Message-Id: <199908170337.WAA17358@lists.io.com> From: owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com (in_nomine-digest) To: in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Subject: in_nomine-digest V1 #1308 Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Sender: owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Errors-To: owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Precedence: bulk in_nomine-digest Monday, August 16 1999 Volume 01 : Number 1308 In this digest: Re: IN> IN Timeline Re: IN> Geases vs. Remnants and Undead IN> Campaign Seed - Kaichaman's Challenge Re: IN> Angel of Cookies Re: IN> Pyramid Re: IN> Angel of Cookies IN> Australian Fantasy - Wrightson's Wirrun Trilogy Re: IN> Angel of Cookies IN> A thought on the Book of Servants IN> Blair Witch, yadda yadda Re: IN> Blair Witch Project Re: IN> Blair Witch, yadda yadda ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 21:30:17 -0500 From: Shadowstar Subject: Re: IN> IN Timeline At 9:07 PM -0500 8/15/99, Amo Nympham wrote: >is there an official IN Timeline out there? or perhaps a not-so-official one >compiled by a fan? if not, I'll put forth the time to craft and maintain >it. The official timeline -does- exist. It'll be in the forthcoming GMG (written by David Edelstein). If you're a Pyramid Subscriber, you -might- be able to take a look at the playtest files (It's only $15 a -year- folks!). . . Even though the book 'officially' looks to be in its final draft stages, and about to head off to print anyway. . . *grin* Still. . . Be seeing you, - - Tafka J. = shadowstar@centuryinter.net # Balseraph of Fate, Marquis of Delusions of Grandeur * http://www.best.com/~lyceum/shdwstar/in-nomine ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 10:35:15 -0400 From: John Karakash - Lucent ASCC Subject: Re: IN> Geases vs. Remnants and Undead Elizabeth McCoy wrote: > >Hmm -- an interesting question that has never come up before. But if Geases > >and Geas-hooks are indeed hooks into the SOUL, then they should not affect > >Remnants, since they no longer have souls. The same thing would be true of > >undead! > > I thought undead had souls -- but their souls were bound into their bodies, > so that when the body was destroyed, so was the soul. Whatever the justification, we can't let Undead weasel out of paying off their Geases! ;) The account and paperwork would just get horrendous, oy vey! - -- ___________________________________________________ / \ | John Karakash - Lucent Technologies/Bell Labs | | (919)388-2665(COOL) MIB2300 | | | | The power to tax involves the power to destroy. | | -Chief Justice Marshall | \___________________________________________________/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 00:50:47 +1000 From: "C.S.Innes" Subject: IN> Campaign Seed - Kaichaman's Challenge Kaichaman's Challenge by Christopher Innes Here's a (admittedly longish) campaign seed which explores the idea of God as a superpowered ethereal spirit. Note that it doesn't have to take place in a campaign setting where God is an ethereal. Sorry in advance if I've made some errors. I'm new to In Nomine, but I find the game, and the number of different campaign tones it can generate, very interesting. - ----- The greatest proponent, perhaps even the originator, of the God-as-Ethereal theory is a powerful, extremely secretive ethereal known as Kaichaman. One of the Australian Dreamtime Spirits, he claims to remember the true History of God and the Celestials. While they are the Marches Kaichaman approaches them. A shadowy figure half-hidden by a voluminous cloak, he begins to tell them his story: - ----- The Beginning of God "I call God Adonai. I will not call him by his true name. That could attract his attention. In any case, Adonai existed as a small local diety for thousands of years. Then sometime in the 14th century BC he began to grow in power. But he was still weak. Had the other ethereals united we could have crushed him. But we were disunited. We did nothing. And his power grew so slowly it did not alarm us." The Separation of Heaven and Hell "By the fourth century BC Adonai had drawn many minions to his service. He then did a surprising thing. He sent many of them into the Marches to create a new realm. I believe that this event occurred with his blessing. The existence of Hell makes it easier for Adonai to portray himelf as an All-Good God." God's Rise to Power "In the first century AD Adonai's power grew suddenly and dramatically. Many ethereals were alarmed and sought to attack him. But as Adonai had grown in power their power had waned. Adonai had become virtually invincible. However he was not yet powerful enough to go to war against the other ethereals." A New Religion "By the fifth century, Adonai was the most powerful ethereal of all. But still he was not satisfied. He instigated the founding of a bold new religion. This gave him access to vast quantities of Essence. Enough Essence for his greatest achievement." The Reordering of Creation "In a single day in the sixth century Adonai reordered Creation. Heaven and Hell become entirely separate from the rest of the Marches. Every angel and demon had their memories changed. Many of the ethereals too. But I was in the Far Marches. My memories remain mostly intact. So I can remember the truth." Uriel's Crusade "After reordering Creation, the very first thing that Adonai did was to attack the other ethereals. He robbed them of their Essence, Tethers and Words. And of course he achieved this theft and destruction through Uriel's Crusade." Why God Keeps Himself Hidden "Adonai cannot allow any celestials or ethereals to meet him in person. If this happened they would instantly recognise his true nature. Thus Adonai must keep himself isolated from the rest of Creation." - ------ In all likelihood Kaichaman is deluded. But the characters are drawn to what he says. They listen attentively as he continues.... - ----- "I have told many others these things. But what I am about to tell you I have told no others." "I was exploring the Far Marches when Uriel began his campaign. I survived, but I lost much of my power. For the next millenia I kept a low profile and continued exploring the Marches." "But then the British invaded Australia. I watched as my people were almost destroyed. Thanks to the depredations of Uriel I could not help them." Tears can be seen in his eyes. He pauses before continuing. "Ever since then, for the past two hundred years, I have devoted myself to discovering the true nature of Adonai. I wish to find a way to humble him. To strip him of his unnatural power. To turn him back into a normal ethereal. I may have found a way to achieve this." - ----- The characters can see that Kaichaman is deeply embittered, possibly unbalanced. But they continue to listen. - ----- "I believe the secret of Adonai's power is that he has bound himself to a Word. The Word of Monotheism. Every time a human prays to the One True God, or even believes in One True God, Adonai gains Essence." "But for the moment this is irrelevant. Of greater importance is the reasons why Adonai withdrew Uriel before the Purity Crusades were complete. One reason may be that the Crusades were drawing too much of Adonai's strength. But the main reason could be that Uriel found out Adonai's true nature." "I have tracked Uriel's final movements in the days before his ascension. He entered a remote region of the Marches, apparently to reconnoitre it. Soon afterwards he was forced to ascend. This region could contain the secret of Adonai's power, a secret which Uriel discovered." "I have persistently tried to enter this region, but I am always blocked. I feel that Adonai himself has set wards around it. No ethereal or celestial may enter. But mortals might be able to do so. The centuries of isolation have not been kind to Adonai. He grows lonely, twisted, forgetful. He might overlook humans." "I am giving you the opportunity to explore this region on my behalf. If you accept I promise to reward you as much as I can. If you decline I will cloud your memory and leave. You will forget all that I told you." "But only accept if you share my desire to destroy Adonai's hidden source of power. There is a very small chance that this Forbidden Region contains the means of doing this. If you find it, you must use it. You must use it quickly, before Adonai can turn the legions of Heaven and Hell upon you." - ----- If the character's accept and really wish to depower God (Kaichaman will be able to sense if they are lying) Kaichaman will quickly take them to the Far Marches. The adventure has began. If God is not an ethereal, there are two reasons why Kaichaman is blocked from this region: Firstly, it could be that it really does contain something powerful. Perhaps an ancient ethereal who has been gathering his strength for the past few centuries. Or perhaps this is the final stronghold of the Tsayadim (the lost servitors of Uriel). Secondly, Kaichaman's unconscious might be blocking him from entering. There is really nothing there, and if Kaichaman were to discover this his delusions would be shattered. If God is an ethereal then this region could be everything Kaichaman expects it to be. The characters have an opportunity to trigger a form of Armageddon - - a form of Armageddon that would see both Heaven and Hell humbled. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 10:31:37 -0400 From: John Karakash - Lucent ASCC Subject: Re: IN> Angel of Cookies Elizabeth McCoy wrote: > >Also, is it possible for a remnant to acquire celestial forces in game at a > >later point? > > KARAKASH! FAQ! (If this is already in the FAQ...?) > > Yes, if the GM wills. Otherwise, no. (In general, Remnants do _not_ > get new Forces. The GM only lets them do so if the GM has something > special in mind.) Corporeal Players Guide, P.93. Basically it says that Remnants can gain new forces like any celestial, EXCEPT for celestial forces which require the intervention of a Superior. > >Also Are there guidelines for a word bound who wishes to create EXTRA rites > >or develop a new attunement? > > Why, yes, in the forthcoming GMG (which I just finished editing and I'm > not going to type more stuff in because my fingers hurt...). (i.e. buy the book) ;) > >Lastly, I have noticed that some celestials have choirs attunements from > >different superiors. These are only gifts which cannot be purchased in > >anyway, right? > > If the GM _lets_ you have that backstory, then you can buy them. Heck, if > the GM lets you get away with stuff... > > 99.9% of the time, though, yup, they're gifts. However, note that you can > only get an attunement for _your_ Choir from a Superior other than yours. > (Anyplace where that's contradicted in the books, it's been ERRATA.) Beth, I forget what happens if you switch superiors and your old superior doesn't remove other Choir attunements (for whatever reason). In case we didn't make canon for this, I believe, for consistency, 'reattuning' an angel to a new superior would get rid of them. - -- ___________________________________________________ / \ | John Karakash - Lucent Technologies/Bell Labs | | (919)388-2665(COOL) MIB2300 | | | | The power to tax involves the power to destroy. | | -Chief Justice Marshall | \___________________________________________________/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 11:42:32 -0400 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: Re: IN> Pyramid At 10:01 AM -0500 8/14/99, Amo Nympham wrote: >is something wrong with the pyramid message boards? for the past two days I >haven't been able to access them through the newsgroup function. You'd do better emailing Scott or Kira (I'm Bcc'ing her on this reply), rather than the list. I don't think there's anyone on this list who has any control over the message boards. - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor GURPS, Roleplayers, In Nomine stuff; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 11:50:52 -0400 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: Re: IN> Angel of Cookies At 10:31 AM -0400 8/16/99, John Karakash - Lucent ASCC wrote: >> 99.9% of the time, though, yup, they're gifts. However, note that you can >> only get an attunement for _your_ Choir from a Superior other than yours. >> (Anyplace where that's contradicted in the books, it's been ERRATA.) > > Beth, I forget what happens if you switch superiors and your >old superior doesn't remove other Choir attunements (for whatever >reason). In case we didn't make canon for this, I believe, for >consistency, >'reattuning' an angel to a new superior would get rid of them. Bingo. If you get your nature re-tuned to someone else's Word, then you lose all Choir Attunements (or Band Attunements) save those for your own Choir/Band. Your nature no longer resonates strongly enough with the Word for you to have them. (Since your Choir/Band nature still resonates with _that_ attunement, you can keep that. If your new boss lets you.) - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor GURPS, Roleplayers, In Nomine stuff; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 11:50:11 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: IN> Australian Fantasy - Wrightson's Wirrun Trilogy Mr. Innes's "Kaichaman's Challenge" reminds me: There is a fantasy trilogy that is fun reading in itself and a good source of IN ideas for Australian ethereals. It is now, unfortunately, out of print, but a little Web-surfing should still be able to get you a copy. The trilogy is about a modern young Aborigine named Wirrun. The author is Patrician Wrightson, and the titles are: The Ice Is Coming The Dark, Bright Water Journey Behind the Wind One amusing thing is the glossary of mythological beings at the backs of the books. In an introductory note, Wrightson contrasts Australia's earthy myth-creatures with European ones, which she takes to be phantasmal and wraithlike. In fact, anyone who's read much on European fairy mythology will soon recognize old motifs among the Australian fays, in new (to the reader) dressing. Earl ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 11:54:28 -0400 From: Walter Milliken Subject: Re: IN> Angel of Cookies At 10:31 -0400 8/16/99, John Karakash - Lucent ASCC wrote: >> >Lastly, I have noticed that some celestials have choirs attunements from >> >different superiors. These are only gifts which cannot be purchased in >> >anyway, right? >> >> If the GM _lets_ you have that backstory, then you can buy them. Heck, if >> the GM lets you get away with stuff... >> >> 99.9% of the time, though, yup, they're gifts. However, note that you can >> only get an attunement for _your_ Choir from a Superior other than yours. >> (Anyplace where that's contradicted in the books, it's been ERRATA.) > > Beth, I forget what happens if you switch superiors and your >old superior doesn't remove other Choir attunements (for whatever >reason). In case we didn't make canon for this, I believe, for >consistency, >'reattuning' an angel to a new superior would get rid of them. I think there's some clarification of this in the IPG, but I don't remember the exact details of what I wrote in that section -- I might have missed that case. - ---Walter ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 13:06:58 -0700 From: graveyard@cstone.net (Graveyard Greg) Subject: IN> A thought on the Book of Servants I got a copy of the Book of Servants to review for RPG.Net, and I just thought I'd say to those writers on this list that I liked it--the writing was good, the section on Ethereal Spirits was neat, and the info on Roles was top notch. This book is definitely a worthwhile addition to the Liber series. Good work, and keep it up. Graveyard Greg Gaming Outpost Assistant News Editor http://www.gamingoutpost.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 15:30:14 -0700 (PDT) From: Adam Gastonguay Subject: IN> Blair Witch, yadda yadda OR, it's possible that the ethereal trying to be the Blair Witch catches Lucifer's attention, and is made a demon prince. This would cause all the other's to become very angry at the thought that a demon is created from feeble human minds, but all in all, it even scares THEM. (I have been working on this for some time now, trying to get someone to encorporate Lovecraft's version of fear, but I think it fits with the Witch, too) Karonis (the Blair Witch), Demon Prince of the Unknown The world is full of cracks that no one can see into. Creepy, huh? Dissonance It is dissonant for a demon of the unknown to reveal any of the abilities he is using in order to frighten humanity. If such an ability is found out in a less than frightening manner, the demon must then surround that ability in some kind of mystery, removing the dissonance. Band Attunements Balseraph Using the twisted Balseraph resonance, a Balseraph of the Unknown may tell a creepy story that for (Celestial Forces) hours the listener will believe is happening to him/her. "Oh my God, that car has to be following me!" Djinn Djinn of the Unknown are the ultimate stalkers. If the Djinn doesn't want to be seen, or doesn't make it unusually obvious, the subject of his resonance cannot see or hear the unnamed horror lurking behind him/her. "Hello? Hello? Is there anyone there?" Habbalah Using the Habbalah resonance, demons of the Unknown can cause anxiety attacks on its victims. The victims will get an increased heartbeat, sweat profusely, but for NO reason. The person will feel that whatever situation they may be in is causing this fear, possibly instilling a phobia on that person. Will roll to resist phobia. "I've got to get out of here!" Calabim The blunt nature of the Calabim prevents them from being successful demons of the Unknown. Lillim ? Shedim Shedim of the Unknown don't usually corrupt its inhabitants. They are free from that aspect of their Band Dissonance. Instead, Shedim like to stalk victims in many different hosts, showing the same mannerisms, yet denying knowing why they just sang that old song. "Tiiiiimmmmee, is on my side!" Impudites After sucking the Essence out of their prey, Impudites suddenly change in the eyes of the now drained victim. Extreme paranoia towards the Impudite ensues. Every look is one of murderous nature, evey smile one of a quiet joke the demon has for it's subject. While this holds no bonuses for the demon, he finds it extreme fun. "Nononono...thanks, Frank, but I can drive myself home." Attunements Boo For 1 Essence, the demon may make someone hear any sound the demon desires, as long as it fits into one second. Only the subject of the attunement hears this noise, but additional targets may be affected at a cost of 1 Essence each. "What do you mean, you didn't hear that?" Irk For 1 Essence, the demon can look into a person's eyes and know what thing causes this person the most fear AT THAT MOMENT. This can be an object, statement, or person. "It's just a dog, why are you so nervous?" Rites +Have someone scream out in a fit of extreme terror, for no reason at all. +Have an accident occur, caused by a person's fear of the unknown, that leaves at least one person in critical condition. +Successfully have someone admit him or herself to an asylum. (+2 Essence) Invocation: 0 It's difficult to summon the demon of the Unknown. He enjoys the fear he instills by NOT being there to help his Servitors. +1 A room where no light is visible +2 Someone screaming in the distance +3 An Asylum _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 20:10:40 -0400 From: Frank Lazar Subject: Re: IN> Blair Witch Project At 11:56 AM -0400 8/13/99, David Edelstein wrote: > > >Now, as with many other bad movies, this one can be redeemed by looking at >it in In Nomine terms. Since this might be considered a slight spoiler, I >offer my explanation of the Blair Witch Project following a spoiler space >below: > > In that way, I'm more reminded of that Majordemon (slight play on my part :) of the Media in Los Angeles who, in order to demonstrate his power said. "Free Willy IV, push it through, but make sure it tanks." The making of "Blair Witch" might fit more appropriately into the setting than the movie itself. :) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | _ | | We are dreamers, shapers, singers and makers. /_\ | | We study the mysteries of laser and circuit, // \\ | | Crystal and scanner, holographic demons, \\ //___\\ | | And invocations of equations. \\ // \\ | | \\__// \\ | | These are the tools we employ. And we know... many things. \\ | | \\ | | | | \\ | - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 23:32:45 EDT From: BillionSix@aol.com Subject: Re: IN> Blair Witch, yadda yadda In a message dated 8/16/99 5:31:52 PM Central Daylight Time, de_vermis_mysteriis@yahoo.com writes: << Karonis (the Blair Witch), Demon Prince of the Unknown The world is full of cracks that no one can see into. Creepy, huh? >> Interesting. How's this for the Lilim. The Lilim can inflict a Geas without saying a word. The victim simply knows what he has to do and has no idea why. Rev. Brian ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #1308 ******************************** The material here is (C) 1999 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated. All rights reserved.