From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Sun Oct 22 21:57:07 2000 Return-Path: Received: from lists.io.com (lists.io.com [199.170.88.15]) by pyramid.sjgames.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id VAA08074 for ; Sun, 22 Oct 2000 21:57:07 -0500 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.9.3/8.9.1a) id VAA32070 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Sun, 22 Oct 2000 21:56:18 -0500 Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 21:56:18 -0500 Message-Id: <200010230256.VAA32070@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 #1867 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 Sunday, October 22 2000 Volume 01 : Number 1867 In this digest: Re: IN> A Challenge vignette Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Outmatched Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm IN> Zedekiah, Servitor of Judgement Re: IN> A Challenge vignette Re: IN> A Challenge vignette Re: IN> A Challenge vignette Re: IN> A Challenge vignette Re: IN> A Challenge vignette IN> The Use of Cherub Resonance Re: IN> A Challenge vignette Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - A Lesson for One Re: IN> The Use of Cherub Resonance IN> Is my collection complete? Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: On the Fly IN> Michael's Challenges: Business is War ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 18:04:52 -0500 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> A Challenge vignette - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elizabeth McCoy" To: Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 5:54 PM Subject: IN> A Challenge vignette [snip] > [And then there's this one...] > > "The trials are supposed to test strength! Cunning! Endurance! Not be > glorified contests..." > > The Djinn Princess of Nitpicking scowled at the shining Seraph. "Endurance, > right here." > > And Michael knew that it was True, and was shaken to his bones. "But still..." > > The Djinn handed him a little Impudite and a diaper bag. "Babysitting. > No help from your relievers or Servitors. 48 hours." > > Iolanthe looked up at the Archangel of War, cooed at him, then nosedived > into his chest to teeth on his scales. In spite of himself, Michael found > his throat vibrating to the syllable of, "Awwwwwww..." Oh, that is simply NOT FAIR! *ROTFLMBOAPMP* - -- Chuckg ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 18:16:15 -0500 From: Santiago Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: Outmatched Uthniel flitted about the Halls of Creation, keeping under control the sparse dust that accumulated in Heaven and ensuring that all the machines of creation were kept in working order, much as he had done for the past several decades. While no one made much use of the equipment these days, making sure it worked was still important, as there were occasional artist and visionaries that came to work, and who was to say that Eli himself might not return at any moment? One day, as the little reliever was cleaning the stained glass windows in the north wing, he overheard some of the blessed souls discussing the events of the day, and one of them spoke of a great challenge which the Archangel of War had laid out. Somewhere deep within Uthniel, a spark of an idea dawned... Laurence flipped through a list, checking off a few entries. "Next up is some reliever of Creation that wants to challenge you." Michael's eyebrows peaked, and a look of inquisitive amusement crossed his face. "Indeed...I hope he's not going to try the same thing that imp did--I'd expect more creativity from one of Eli's gang..." "No, instead he appears to be proposing another combat by proxy." The Seraph's face took on the expression of one angry at being mocked. "What? You're not going to tell me that some reliever has servitors, are you?" "Not at all. He seems to propose choosing anyone." Michael subsided, and replied in a more pensive tone, "Well, I'm certainly impressed by his audacity--show him in." The massive door to the chamber swung open, and the little servant of Heaven was let into the room where the two archangels were conducting their deliberations. The many eyes focused on him, and the voice that went with them boomed out, "I am intrigued by your challenge, yet is sounds much like some I have fought before. Explain to me what I have to gain by accepting it." A voice that seemed impossibly small squeaked out into the vast room, still reverberating with the echoes of the last statement. "Oh most esteemed and holy sir, the terms of my challenge are thus: We shall assemble a group from the hosts of Heaven, all of whom have agreed to fight on either of our behalves. Each of us shall select a champion from among this group, and they shall face off in whatever manner of combat they so choose. There are two lessons to be learned from this. The first is that not all weapons are suited for all foes, and that some trump others. The wise general must select his implements carefully, for he cannot use all at all times. The second is a lesson of trust. The good general must be able to select the best soldier for a task, then leave the resolution of the matter in the hands of others." Michael replied thoughtfully, "So I see. You means to make it a test of skills not as warriors but as commanders, and to even the odds by selecting from the same pool." Laurence felt the need to add his own words. "Still, your eons of experience as commander dwarf the skills of our ambitious but young friend. On what basis could he even select a champion? I fear such a battle would be most uninteresting." "Remember, Laurence, even the youngest lieutenant can invent a crazy plan that will fool the most grizzled veteran, rare as it may be. I will accept, but with one caveat--what do you offer me if you should lose, young one?" "Most ancient and revered one, I being a humble reliever, I have little to offer to one of such a great a stature as yourself. I have nought but a boon of my own to give. However, if you rightly feel this is lacking in fairness, then I propose that there be no prize for the winner, and the trial be fought only for honor's sake." Something deep within Michael was touched by such a display, prideful as it may have been. "Very well, we meet tomorrow at noon." The reliever beamed with happiness and bowed while chirping how honored he was. All through the night, Michael thought of his choice. Laurence himself was a keen fighter, though still young for an archangel, and an older, more cunning foe could defeat him. If the reliever chose Janus, choosing Laurence would not be so wise. What then of Janus himself? Not a bad choice, but could he be trusted at all times? Michael was loathe to stake the outcome of the trial on someone so subject to variation. Likewise, Gabriel, if she could even be found. Perhaps Yves, for he was wise indeed. Yet what if he claimed that it was his opponent's destiny to win. No, still too unpredictable. Jean, on the other hand, was a dangerous foe, when one took into account his razor-sharp wit, knowledge of the symphony, and array of gadgets. Yet, did he have the will needed to face down an opponent, rather than fence over the centuries, as his agents did with Vapula's. Hmmm... The next day, as noon approached, all the archangels which had gathered for the previous challenges appeared one by one, preceeded and followed by a great many of their servants, turned out by news of the unusual challenge by one so insignificant of one so great. Laurence stood at the center of the growing crowd, flanked to either side by Michael and Uthniel. The little reliever seemed amazingly relaxed, and waited patiently. Michael appeared to be deep in thought, his many eyes lingering over those in the crowd, giving careful consideration to the measure of each. At the appointed time, Laurence raised his hand, and a hush fell over the gathered angels and souls, each quite interested in the outcome of this unorthodox matchup. Laurence then announced in a loud voice that carried to the further reaches of the assembled members of the Host, "As declared yesterday, Michael, Archangel of War, and Uthniel, reliever of Creation, shall face off at this time. Each shall select a champion from among those present, and the two shall square off in the manner of their choosing. All those who do not wish to be under consideration as the champion of either side, please step back from the crowd." A few moved back, though most remained in place, either unafraid of being chosen for such an honor, or certain that they would not be chosen. "When you have made your decisions, please inform me." Uthniel spoke almost immediately, "I have made my decision." All eyes were staring at the tiny being, shimmering in the rays of light from above. "Very well," replied Laurence, "please tell me alone." Uthniel flitted over to Laurence's ear and whispered something. The Malakite's face blanched at the sound of what he heard, and seemed about to say something, then regained his composure and managed to speak, "Michael, have you selected your champion?" "No, I am still considering all those present." The reliever then spoke up, "If it would enable you to choose more quickly, I am willing to disclose my choice of champion." Michael frowned, a look of worry furrowing his brow. "You are aware that doing so would give me an enormous advantage, do you not?" Laurence hesitantly managed to utter, "Michael, perhaps it would be best if this were done." The Archangel of War's expression deepened to one of severe concern. "Very well, if you as judge deem it a wise decision..." "He has chosen you, Michael." A gasp of shock swept through the crowd as his words hit their stunned ears. "I can only rule it to be a legal choice. You did not step out of the crowd when given the opportunity." Silence was the only reply his old companion gave him. "Have you made a decision?" "I do not know if there is a decision I can make. By the rules of the trial, I must fight my own champion honorably, and do my best to win. Thus, to win the trial, I must choose someone I feel can defeat me. I can win the battle to lose the war, or win the war by showing I can be beaten. Either way I lose." His speech was followed by a tense silence that hung in the air with an oppressive heaviness. "It appears you have found a way to turn my best weapon against me, young one...I concede." - -- Santiago ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 17:28:02 -0600 From: "ben" Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges - Eye of the Storm > > Well, how it's usually worked here before is that the story that got the> most applause was usually 'the best'. I wish it weren't so. When I come back after the weekend, the messages with the most "applause" (spam) after them are typically the ones I delete immediately. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 18:33:43 -0500 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: IN> Zedekiah, Servitor of Judgement Something entirely unrelated to the current story event... an NPC or PC for use when you want the party's resident Seraph of Judgement to *not* be a stiff... Zedekiah, Seraph of Judgement Corporeal Forces: 2 Strength -- 4 Agility -- 4 Ethereal Forces: 3 Intelligence -- 7 Precision -- 5 Celestial Forces: 4 Perception -- 6 Will -- 10 Vessel: Human Male/2 Role: None Songs: Charm(Celestial/3), Tongues(Celestial/3) Skills: Fast-Talk/4, Detect Lies/3, Emote/4, Savoir-Faire/2, Ranged Weapon (pistol)/2, Dodge/3, Knowledge(Psychology)/3, Knowledge(Accounting)/2, Knowledge(The Game)/2, Knowledge(Hell)/3, Driving/1, Lockpicking/1, Attunements: Seraph of Judgement Discord: Fear/3 (Falling) HISTORY: Zedekiah is a bit unusual for one of Dominic's Servitors. He *doesn't* walk around like a humorless IRS agent wannabe all day. He *doesn't* immediately cry "Heresy!" upon discovering that an angel actually dares to have even a bit of a social life, or says 'Great, here comes another hyena' as a form of greeting, or greets the arrival of Judgement servitor by waving a beer mug in one hand and going "Whazzuuuuuup!". (Indeed, in the last instance he left the half-drunk Servitor of Wind who'd tried that on him sitting there surprised as Hell when 'Zed' grabbed him by the shoulders and went "Whazzuuuup!" right back at him, with a genuine smile on his face.) So why is Zed such an outgoing type of guy, when he works for a Superior notorious for his lack of humor and rigorous expectations? Because compared to his *old* job, his new boss and new organization are pure Heaven. Zedekiah was fledged over 700 years ago... as Aranthaxus, a Balseraph of the Game. He had a successful if not overwhelmingly distinguished career in Asmodeus' service, rigorously hunting down and targeting his fellow demons for execution. His particular specialty was counter-intelligence and undercover work. He made a specialty of infiltrating other groups of demons by pretending to be a servitor of another Prince entirely, and gaining their trust while they told him everything (well, "everything" by demonic standards, at least)... in his day, he'd posed as Servitors of Kobal, Valefor, and Mammon, among others. And then after he'd gathered the evidence necessary to hang another bunch of demons as traitors, Asmodeus would pull him out, send in the Calabim, and give him his next assignment. Backstabbing, report-altering, double-dealing... you name it, he'd done it. He'd even done a tour of Earth duty, scouting out angels who were likely Falling candidates and helping give them that last little push. Aranthaxus was playing the Game exactly as it was supposed to be played. Then they assigned him to infiltrate Alaemon's Conspiracy... who, naturally enough, found out his secrets and blackmailed him with them. Before long, Aranthaxus was having to lie to both sides, and then *all* sides, just to keep his skin intact from hour to hour, until his personal vision of reality simply couldn't keep consistent with all the new twists and turns of the actual ongoing situation. Failing resonance rolls added up, the dissonance built up, and the Discord showed up, until his only hope of survival was to go Renegade. And as an *experienced* Gamester, he was fortunate enough and knowledgable to make it. But after spending several very miserable and paranoid years on Earth, starting at every shadow and jumping at every loud noise, Aranthaxus had finally had enough. He was sick of lying, sick of being afraid, sick of having to betray and deceive everyone he talked to just to keep breathing from minute to minute. Survival was worthless without something to survive for, and more than he'd wanted anything else in his entire life he Just Wanted It All To *Stop*. So when he walked straight into a tether of Dominic and introduced himself as a Renegade Balseraph of the Game, the only thing he was hoping for was that they would kill him *quickly*. And in all the millennia he'd been alive, Dominic didn't think he'd ever seen a demon who was happier about being Redeemed, even though several of his Forces had to be burned away in the process. (Zedekiah was *quite* messed-up when he first approached Dominic...) Wanting to leave his old life as far behind him as it could possibly be managed, Aranthaxus took a new name -- Zedekiah. meaning "The justice of the Lord", which he credits as why he was Redeemed rather than destroyed. After all, his *old* boss would have just... While Dominic could sense the Truth at this newest angel's vast relief to finally be out of the clutches of Hell, that didn't mean that he would cut him any slack. Zedekiah served the typical probationary and observation period required of Redeemed in Dominic's service, working diligently at the various routine tasks he was assigned in Heaven and rigorously following the ideals of Judgement and avoiding every opportunity to backslide... even if he did have problems with that irreverent streak. After a slightly longer than average period of probation (due to that Discord), in due time Zedekiah was invested with his Servitor Attunement and inducted into Dominic's service as a full-fledged angel... .. and then Dominic had to figure out where to assign him. Triad duty was right out -- he simply couldn't project the 'stern, humorless, diligent' image that Triads are supposed to keep up in their dealings. Assignment to a Game-triad was most *definitely* out. Keeping him in Heaven was a possibility, but a servant with his experience in both the corporeal realm and significant familiarity with the ways of demons would be wasted on routine administration. And then Dominic thought of your PC's party, and how they could possibly use someone experienced and yet unconventional to keep an eye on their activities as a regular observer... PERSONALITY: As mentioned above, Zedekiah is the antithesis of 'uptight'. He'll laugh, he'll joke, he'll kick back and put his feet on the furniture, he'll be sympathetic to a friend's problems. Part of this is simply out of relief that he finally *can* do this -- the rigorous behavior required by his old supervisors in the Game would make the most uptight supervisor in Judgement look like the Archangel of the Wind. At long last, 'Zed' is finally in a place where he can relax, unwind, and say what's on his mind *without* having it to be a lie or an infiltration tactic. After centuries of having to continually 'live' either the 'Gestapo officer' role of a Gamester or the various undercover roles of his assignments, he's where he can finally be *himself*. And he's reveling in it. But there is another reason... Deep-down inside, Zedekiah is *scared*. You don't shake that many centuries of Balseraphic propaganda that easily, not even when you once helped to write it. Zedekiah can't quite shake the last vestiges of the gnawing fear that the Game *wasn't* lying, and that Heaven really *is* as repressive as Hell in its own way. Zedekiah's horror at the thought of his old life, and of ever having to go back to it, had become a full-blown Ethereal Discord during his Renegade years and even his Redemption hadn't purged him of it entirely. Every time he pushes the boundaries of convention (although not genuine misbehavior), every time he acts against the stereotype of 'stern, humorless Judgement', and every time he *fails* to get more than the most mild censure for it, that failure to have the Fist of God crashing down on him is what reassures him that he's *not* really working for the "Heavenly Asmodeus". Zedekiah cuts up because he's *allowed* to cut up, because it's how he reminds himself anew every day that he's no longer working for the Superior that would kill him for a single wrong remark. However, despite the fact that Zed is genuinely friendly and outgoing, that doesn't mean that he's in any way lax in his duties. As we mentioned before, Zed is terrified at the thought that he might ever become a demon again -- and that terror extends to the thought that any *other* angel might ever Fall. Zedekiah *knows* what it's like to live down there, what kind of pure Hell it is, and he'd quite cheerfully die rather than *ever* have to go back to the Bad Place. And he applies that to other angels as well. Dominic's own "It is more merciful to kill an angel than to allow him to Fall" philosophy is something that Zedekiah believes with all his heart and soul. He's a lot less uptight about the minor 'heresies' that aren't really Heresies that too many young Judgement servitors get all a-flutter over -- back when he was Aranthaxus, he had seen at least two angels who had let excessive fear of Judgement's servitors *push* them into Falling rather than into going and getting help before it was too late. But he still is constantly on the lookout for signs of genuine trouble in any other angel. Which he will, of course, report at the first opportunity. In triplicate. So while Zed doesn't act like the stereotypical Judgement servitor, he still cares about Judgement's mission at *least* as fervently as the Angel of the Inquisition does. It's just that he knows that sometimes it *helps* angels Fall if you make them too paranoid about facing Judgement... DESIGN NOTES: Zedekiah's Discord is something I came up with myself. Basically, it's there to provide motivation as to why he is the way he is. When it actually comes up in play is when Zedekiah has to face any situation where he will earn dissonance if he doesn't back off (Zedekiah is *terrified* at the thought of carrying any dissonance, because he knows where it leads), interact with demons in any extended setting (which freaks him out because that would be an opportunity for them to try and lure him back to the Dark Side -- and another reason why he's absolutely unfit for Game-triad duty even if his identity were totally obscured), or any other similar situation. Please note that the Zedekiah's Fear is of *his* possibly Falling again, not of any other angel's. He still worries greatly about that, but when it comes to the concerns of others he can at least keep his fear at a rational level. Yes, it's a bit of a stretch, admitted -- he's only Fearful of things that most angels avoid on a regular basis anyway. But in his case, it is *compulsive*, so I figured it was still worth 2 points/level of discord, as strong temptations to earn Dissonance do occur fairly if not very often. Zedekiah is a balanced starting character. - -- Chuckg ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 19:31:36 -0500 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> A Challenge vignette - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elizabeth McCoy" To: Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 5:54 PM Subject: IN> A Challenge vignette [snip] > The Djinn handed him a little Impudite and a diaper bag. "Babysitting. > No help from your relievers or Servitors. 48 hours." > > Iolanthe looked up at the Archangel of War, cooed at him, then nosedived > into his chest to teeth on his scales. In spite of himself, Michael found > his throat vibrating to the syllable of, "Awwwwwww..." Beth? Can I get my Baron of Retroactive Editing Distinction now, please? You see, I just spotted a Nitpick in what *you* wrote. You specified that Michael could have no help from his relievers or Servitors in babysitting the Impudite Princess of Cute. You forgot to specify Soldiers and/or fellow Superiors. *grin* - -- Chuckg ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 17:43:15 -0700 From: "Kish" Subject: Re: IN> A Challenge vignette From: Charles Glasgow <> Fellow Superiors? :reaches for book: David, Jordi, or Laurence (those are the Associated ones). Would you ask any of them to help you babysit? - -- Kish ICQ#: 28085879 AIM: Kish K M Kish_K@mindspring.replacewithcom ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 19:44:32 -0500 From: "Erich S. Arendall" Subject: Re: IN> A Challenge vignette > :reaches for book: David, Jordi, or Laurence (those are the > Associated ones). Would you ask any of them to help you babysit? You're bucking for a new viginette sequence there... :) Jordi: Now little one, take note of how the panther pounces on its prey. ...See Dominic over there? Show me the panther.