From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Tue Oct 24 12:37:48 2000 Return-Path: Received: from lists.io.com (majordom@lists.io.com [199.170.88.15]) by pyramid.sjgames.com (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id MAA23227 for ; Tue, 24 Oct 2000 12:37:48 -0500 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.9.3/8.9.1a) id MAA13538 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Tue, 24 Oct 2000 12:36:27 -0500 Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 12:36:27 -0500 Message-Id: <200010241736.MAA13538@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 #1872 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 Tuesday, October 24 2000 Volume 01 : Number 1872 In this digest: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: On the Fly Re: Thoughts About Michael (was Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: IN> Michael's Challenge: The Value of Combat Re: IN> A note about the Challenges... IN> Higher Heavens High -- The Expansion Set IN> Why everyone should love Lilith IN> Re: Pathetic little leeches (was Thoughts About Michael) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 11:26:44 -0500 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: On the Fly From: "Krishnaswami, Neel" > > Hey, chefs do that. :) Hmmm, Geena Davis as a vessel for Michael... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 16:42:34 GMT From: daiv@cruzio.com Subject: Re: Thoughts About Michael (was Re: IN> Michael's Challenges: > > Ohhhh them's fighting words, and I'm pretty sure some people on this list> are *pretty big* Lilith fans. > > > Yeah, but not everyone on this list has dedicated their life to kissing > the posterior of Lilith fangirls. > > -David > True. But some of us have dedicated large amounts of time / effort / energy to kissing up to the Beloved Archangel Line Editor and List Admin. It seems a healthy hobby to maintain. Hmmmm... The Demon of Sucking up. An Impudite? No, wait. A Balseraph, yes? Under Malphas... first comes the Caffiene then come the ideas, thoughts, dreams motion by the cup - -Daiv ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 13:00:21 -0400 From: "Yeager, Alex" Subject: IN> Michael's Challenge: The Value of Combat This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. - ------_=_NextPart_001_01C03DDB.E4B76410 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" My alternative, without taking anything from what has gone before. ***** The Bazaar was even more tightly packed with Celestials than normal, with angels and relievers leaning out of the buildings on either side to get a glimpse into the center of the square. Commerce Park had been overrun as soon as the announcement was made that the next challenge had been issued. "Misa?" Marc asked, gesturing. A Cherub stepped up to the table at the center of the Bazaar and set two boxes down in front of Michael and Laurence. Marc nodded, then opened the smaller cardboard box. "Ten ATM cards, imprinted with Head of a PIN, and exchangeable as necessary to reflect modern technology," Marc said, fanning the cards out and flashing them in the light. Michael nodded. Laurence leaned in to Michael. "Do you really think money is a sufficient answer to a boon from-" Michael raised his hand. "Of all the challengers I have had, do you believe that Marc is unable to match value for value? He knew what I had offered, he has made an offer he feels is equivalent, and it is an offer I find acceptable. I agree." Laurence sighed, replacing the lid on the first box and setting it to one side of the table. Marc reached for the second box, a plain wooden box with a small lock, and produced a key. Marc smiled. "My challenge. Inside this box are two identical hunting knives, Corporeal in nature. Each are quality weapons, but unremarkable in their value or capability. Each participant will be given a knife, and will meet back here in one week's time. At that time, each participant may use any Corporeal weapons they have in their possession, provided that those weapons have been obtained from the value of this knife ONLY." Marc picked up one of the blades, and held it up for all participants to see. "All transactions to obtain these weapons must be made by the participants only, and no proxies shall be involved in these transactions, either as middleman or direct participant. No one aware of this challenge may be involved in any of these transactions, either as buyer or seller. No additional value shall be added to these weapons, and no change to their nature is allowed. Whatever arsenal these weapons can be parlayed into within one week is allowed for our final combat. No Attunements or Songs will be allowed, until the combat has ended. Violation of these terms will result in immediate forfeiture of the contest." Michael picked up the other blade, a small smile on his face. "Aren't you afraid that this might get a bit...messy?" Marc laughed. "Laurence has the right to move the battle to any location appropriate to the weapons we have, either participant may yield before combat starts based on the weapons produced, and the combat will be considered over at the first attack by either of us that does one or more Forces' worth of damage. I have no desire to incapacitate you, Michael." Michael's grin grew wider, in marked contrast to the obvious panic on several other faces, including Laurence's. "I appreciate your concern for my health, Marc. I will see you again in one week." ***** The small table at the center of the Bazaar was set up, but except for a few helmeted heads peeking out of the surrounding buildings, the square was deserted except for Michael, Marc and Laurence. The combatants stood on either side of Laurence, who was frantically scanning a stack of messages at one end of the table. Laurence finally looked up. "We are prepared," Laurence sighed. "A variety of combat sites have been selected or prepared, we have set up viewing capabilities at said sites, and we have several teams ready for damage control or Healing. All spectators have been warned of potential risks, and," turning to Michael, "although absolute neutrality in all aspects was attempted, we were forced to employ several of Marc's Servitors for some specific tasks. Do you agree to abide by the outcome of this combat, despite any possible edge overlooked?" Marc looked at Michael. "Absolute neutrality was written into the contracts, and I personally asked each Servitor so used if they fulfilled their tasks in such a way as to give me any advantage. Their answer, to a Being, was no." Michael nodded. "It is Truth. Shall we begin?" Laurence turned to Marc. "Please present your weapons, so that we can determine which of our-" Marc reached into an inner pocket of his suit, and pulled out the hunting knife from the previous week's meeting. He set the knife on the table and stepped back. Laurence froze for a few moments, then began to splutter. "This is unbelievable - how could you - if you intended to forfeit all along -" Another object clattered onto the table. Laurence looked down and saw the first knife's twin slide across the table and stop against Marc's blade. Both Marc and Michael were grinning at each other. Laurence picked up both blades, unable to speak. He held up the knifes, looking for answers in the weapons themselves. Marc's eyes sparkled. "You do know how to read a contract." Michael smiled. "'No added value' - from the Archangel who invented the idea of a salary. You and I have had enough discussions about the value of one's efforts for that lesson to stick." Realization dawned on Laurence's face. "You mean if he had spent any time trying to trade his weapon..." Marc nodded. "He would have been in breach of the contract by having added 'value' - his time, certainly not valueless - and would have lost. It is important to remember the value of actions as well as objects, and if this exercise helps others of the Host remember this point, it has been time well spent." Marc turned to Laurence, who was beginning to count on his fingers. "Not to mention slightly profitable." Michael stretched his arms. "However, Marc, you still owe me a fight today." Marc began to remove his jacket. "Agreed. Shall we dispense with the knives and go two out of three falls?" ***** Michael sat at his fireplace, absently shuffling the nine remaining ATM cards. A Seraph stood by, watching him. "Yes?" Michael set down the cards and turned to the angel. The Seraph spoke slowly, measuring his words. "If the purpose of this challenge was to test the combat abilities of each Superior, why were you so pleased with Marc? Surely you bested him easily in actual combat, once you saw through his subterfuge." Michael picked the cards back up and stared into the fire. "Some years ago I knew a Soldier named Morris Paine. American, religious, a well-trained and disciplined man. He fought for the United States in World War One. In the latter part of that war, he found himself on a battlefield in France, facing several hundred men with only himself to stop the advance. He fought as bravely as any man I've ever seen, stopping push after push single-handedly." The Seraph waited while Michael continued to look into the flames. "He died. He shot until he ran out of bullets, threw grenades until his supply was exhausted, and used his bayonet and knife before they were stripped from him. He's buried on the battlefield he defended. He fought with as much passion, skill and purpose as anyone I've seen - celestial or otherwise. "He died - but what would a hundred more bullets have done? Five more grenades? More practice at hand-to-hand combat? He fought to the best of his ability, but with different tools or training, he may have lived out the day after all." Michael put the ATM cards back on the side table, and folded his hands under his chin, his face lit by the fire. "When the time comes for us - for me - to fight, I will be as prepared and ready as I can make myself. And Marc, who knows the value of all things, is tasked to make sure all that preparation is not wasted. Marc makes sure that Heaven keeps track of all the Host's assets - even unto a second of an Archangel's time. I owe it to God - and Marc - to put each of those seconds to the best use I can." ***** Alex Yeager North US MIB RD/Cheapass Games Demo Monkey - ------_=_NextPart_001_01C03DDB.E4B76410 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Michael's Challenge: The Value of Combat

My alternative, without taking anything from what has gone before.

*****
The Bazaar was even more tightly packed with Celestials than
normal, with angels and relievers leaning out of the buildings
on either side to get a glimpse into the center of the square.
Commerce Park had been overrun as soon as the announcement was
made that the next challenge had been issued.

"Misa?" Marc asked, gesturing.

A Cherub stepped up to the table at the center of the Bazaar
and set two boxes down in front of Michael and Laurence. 
Marc nodded, then opened the smaller cardboard box. 

"Ten ATM cards, imprinted with Head of a PIN, and exchangeable
as necessary to reflect modern technology," Marc said, fanning
the cards out and flashing them in the light.  Michael nodded.

Laurence leaned in to Michael. "Do you really think money is a
sufficient answer to a boon from-"

Michael raised his hand. "Of all the challengers I have had, do
you believe that Marc is unable to match value for value?  He
knew what I had offered, he has made an offer he feels is
equivalent, and it is an offer I find acceptable. I agree."

Laurence sighed, replacing the lid on the first box and setting
it to one side of the table.  Marc reached for the second box,
a plain wooden box with a small lock, and produced a key.

Marc smiled.  "My challenge.  Inside this box are two identical
hunting knives, Corporeal in nature.  Each are quality weapons,
but unremarkable in their value or capability.  Each participant
will be given a knife, and will meet back here in one week's
time.  At that time, each participant may use any Corporeal
weapons they have in their possession, provided that those
weapons have been obtained from the value of this knife ONLY."

Marc picked up one of the blades, and held it up for all
participants to see. "All transactions to obtain these weapons
must be made by the participants only, and no proxies shall be
involved in these transactions, either as middleman or direct
participant.  No one aware of this challenge may be involved in
any of these transactions, either as buyer or seller.  No
additional value shall be added to these weapons, and no change to
their nature is allowed.  Whatever arsenal these weapons can be
parlayed into within one week is allowed for our final combat. 
No Attunements or Songs will be allowed, until the combat has
ended.  Violation of these terms will result in immediate
forfeiture of the contest."

Michael picked up the other blade, a small smile on his face. 
"Aren't you afraid that this might get a bit...messy?"

Marc laughed.  "Laurence has the right to move the battle to any
location appropriate to the weapons we have, either participant
may yield before combat starts based on the weapons produced,
and the combat will be considered over at the first attack by
either of us that does one or more Forces' worth of damage. I
have no desire to incapacitate you, Michael."

Michael's grin grew wider, in marked contrast to the obvious
panic on several other faces, including Laurence's.  "I
appreciate your concern for my health, Marc.  I will see you
again in one week."

*****

The small table at the center of the Bazaar was set up, but except
for a few helmeted heads peeking out of the surrounding buildings,
the square was deserted except for Michael, Marc and Laurence.
The combatants stood on either side of Laurence, who was
frantically scanning a stack of messages at one end of the table.
Laurence finally looked up.

"We are prepared," Laurence sighed.  "A variety of combat sites
have been selected or prepared, we have set up viewing
capabilities at said sites, and we have several teams ready for
damage control or Healing.  All spectators have been warned of
potential risks, and," turning to Michael, "although absolute
neutrality in all aspects was attempted, we were forced to
employ several of Marc's Servitors for some specific tasks.  Do
you agree to abide by the outcome of this combat, despite any
possible edge overlooked?"

Marc looked at Michael.  "Absolute neutrality was written into
the contracts, and I personally asked each Servitor so used if
they fulfilled their tasks in such a way as to give me any
advantage.  Their answer, to a Being, was no."

Michael nodded.  "It is Truth.  Shall we begin?"

Laurence turned to Marc.  "Please present your weapons, so that
we can determine which of our-"

Marc reached into an inner pocket of his suit, and pulled out
the hunting knife from the previous week's meeting.  He set the
knife on the table and stepped back.

Laurence froze for a few moments, then began to splutter.  "This
is unbelievable - how could you - if you intended to forfeit
all along -"

Another object clattered onto the table.  Laurence looked down
and saw the first knife's twin slide across the table and stop
against Marc's blade.  Both Marc and Michael were grinning at
each other.

Laurence picked up both blades, unable to speak.  He held up
the knifes, looking for answers in the weapons themselves.

Marc's eyes sparkled.  "You do know how to read a contract."

Michael smiled.  "'No added value' - from the Archangel who
invented the idea of a salary.  You and I have had enough
discussions about the value of one's efforts for that lesson to
stick."

Realization dawned on Laurence's face.  "You mean if he had
spent any time trying to trade his weapon..."

Marc nodded.  "He would have been in breach of the contract by
having added 'value' - his time, certainly not valueless - and
would have lost.  It is important to remember the value of
actions as well as objects, and if this exercise helps others
of the Host remember this point, it has been time well spent."
Marc turned to Laurence, who was beginning to count on his
fingers.  "Not to mention slightly profitable."

Michael stretched his arms.  "However, Marc, you still owe me a
fight today."

Marc began to remove his jacket.  "Agreed.  Shall we dispense
with the knives and go two out of three falls?"

*****

Michael sat at his fireplace, absently shuffling the nine
remaining ATM cards.  A Seraph stood by, watching him.

"Yes?" Michael set down the cards and turned to the angel.

The Seraph spoke slowly, measuring his words.  "If the purpose
of this challenge was to test the combat abilities of each
Superior, why were you so pleased with Marc?  Surely you bested
him easily in actual combat, once you saw through his subterfuge."

Michael picked the cards back up and stared into the fire.  "Some
years ago I knew a Soldier named Morris Paine.  American,
religious, a well-trained and disciplined man.  He fought for
the United States in World War One.  In the latter part of that
war, he found himself on a battlefield in France, facing several
hundred men with only himself to stop the advance.  He fought as
bravely as any man I've ever seen, stopping push after push
single-handedly."

The Seraph waited while Michael continued to look into the flames.

"He died.  He shot until he ran out of bullets, threw grenades
until his supply was exhausted, and used his bayonet and knife
before they were stripped from him.  He's buried on the
battlefield he defended.  He fought with as much passion, skill
and purpose as anyone I've seen - celestial or otherwise.

"He died - but what would a hundred more bullets have done? Five
more grenades? More practice at hand-to-hand combat? He fought
to the best of his ability, but with different tools or training,
he may have lived out the day after all."

Michael put the ATM cards back on the side table, and folded his
hands under his chin, his face lit by the fire.  "When the time
comes for us - for me - to fight, I will be as prepared and ready
as I can make myself.  And Marc, who knows the value of all
things, is tasked to make sure all that preparation is not
wasted.  Marc makes sure that Heaven keeps track of all
the Host's assets - even unto a second of an Archangel's time. 
I owe it to God - and Marc -  to put each of those seconds to
the best use I can."

*****
Alex Yeager
North US MIB RD/Cheapass Games Demo Monkey

- ------_=_NextPart_001_01C03DDB.E4B76410-- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 10:06:11 -0700 (PDT) From: Maurice Lane Subject: Re: IN> A note about the Challenges... Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 18:08:37 -0500 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: IN> A note about the Challenges... >Specifiaclly, the ones that involved Michael being >taken -- physically -- by surprise. > >The Malakim of War attunement would make that kinda >hard to do... > >*shrug* > >No biggie, just a note. Can't speak for others, of course, but it wouldn't signify for mine. The Malakite of War Attunement warns about upcoming _danger_: I _suppose_ that you could argue that "about to be personally embarrassed because you didn't bother to take your opponent seriously" counts, but it'd be a fuzzy position to defend*. Phbbth. :) Moe *Now that I think about it, has that alarm _ever_ gone off for Michael? When was the last time he was ever in personal danger? Would he even recognize the quiet bell tone, if/when it ever happens? Do these questions have any real relevance? :) ===== In Nomine stuff: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Everything else (not that there is, right now): http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/main.html Last updated 9/5/00 (this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Messenger - Talk while you surf! It's FREE. http://im.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 17:17:34 GMT From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: IN> Higher Heavens High -- The Expansion Set I just caught up to the In Nomine: Toon Pyramid article with the high school football game, and the various Superiors on the field... http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/login/article.cgi?1858 *LOL* However, if we really must translate In Nomine into a high school campaign, with Football, then let's start translating... The Higher Heavens High Campaign Expansion Set: The "Good Kids": "Larry" (he prefers to be called 'Laurence', but almost nobody does) -- (Sophomore, kinda.) One of the more notable prodigies of Higher Heavens High, Laurence skipped a grade in junior high school *and* got academic credit for his freshman year courses due to summer coursework (so he's starting out as a sophomore) to get here, and he's still kind of sensitive about being the younger kid. Bright, charismatic, and overachieving, he's already involved in several school clubs, is a state-champion fencer, and just made captain of the Football Team, where he plays quarterback. Which, seeing as how Higher Heavens High is a Football-crazy school, just catapulted him to the position of Big Man On Campus by default... and he's got no idea how to handle that yet. 'Larry', with his ultra clean-cut young-movie-star good looks, is one of the guys that the girls (except those who think he's too young) all go craaaaaaaaaaaaazy over... not that he's noticed. Well-known for being one of the most honorable yet most uptight guys in school, Laurence has yet to actually date. Laurence occasionally feels insecure standing next to... "Big Mike" (Senior.) -- *Everybody* knows Mike. He's actually a pretty good student, but that's not what everybody knows him for. The most athletic kid in school by a ridiculous margin, Mike is an umpteen-letter man who's on every varsity sport the school has and the guy who led Higher Heavens High's wrestling team to four national championships. He's also the the guy who Larry just beat out this year for the job of captain of the Football Team, in an upset that left *everybody* jaw's dropping. (Some of them wonder if that one snotty Bad Kid who's always trying to start fights between other people didn't switch some paperwork in the principal's office just to try and split the Good Kids up...) But contrary to popular (and Larry's) belief, Mike doesn't mind being displaced at all -- it means that now he can just concentrate on nothing but having fun playing Football, rather than actually have to be responsible for anything other than his own position. (Mike plays fullback, naturally.) Plus, he's graduating this year anyway, so it's about time they started breaking in someone new. Mike's already got his Annapolis entrance application filled out and approved, and he's going into the Marine Corps. Mike's reputation as He Who Is Not To Be Confronted is all over the school and half the town... honest and straightforward (as well as ruthlessly blunt) to a fault, "Big Mike" is either your best friend or your worst enemy. Fortunately, he saves the 'enemy' part only for The Bad Kids. Mike has pretty much every girl not already mooning over Larry or Val (that is to say, over half the girls on campus) hoping that he'll ask them out, but although he does date occasionally he's never gone steady with anyone. Big Mike would rather throw sixteen Football games in a row and wear a ballerina outfit on the 50-yard line during the Homecoming game than admit that he has a big crush on... [1] "Novy" (Junior.) -- Novalis Sunflower Earthchild is her full name (nobody had told her parents that Woodstock was over a loooooooong time ago), but even the teachers just call her Novy. If you can handle 60's philosophy, lectures on Vegan diet, flowers, and an outlook on life so sunny and positive that she makes even that creepy psycho Bad Kid 'Sam' need insulin shots, Novy is the best friend you can possibly have. As the resident shoulder to cry on for at least half the school, Novy's unconditional love and acceptance of just about everything (except fighting, "testosterone sports", and some of the really ickiest of the Bad Kids) has left Higher Heaven's High's social worker with absolutely nothing to do for the past three years except play solitaire on her office PC. Novalis got made Head Cheerleader even though she didn't even try out for the squad, just because all her friends wanted to do something nice for her. *Way* deep down inside, Novy thinks that Mike isn't a bad guy at all... rather sweet, in fact. If only he could find something constructive to do with all that energy instead of just wasting it on being macho... [1] [1] The Mike-and-Novy parts are inserted purely to reflect author's bias and are strictly optional. *g* "Blandine" (Junior.) -- Another child whose parents were into unconventional names, Blandine is Novalis' best friend and the school's resident poet and artistic type. She's already gotten some of her work published in established literary journals, and plans to go into a career as the more classical and dignified type of romance author. Quiet and reserved as compared to Novy's outgoing and sunny, she mostly tends to circulate in her own little circle. Her and her twin sister can't stand each other, and haven't spoken a word since their parents' divorce long ago. And neither one of them was pleased when her Evil Twin moved back into town and transferred back into Blandine's life along with the rest of the Bad Kids... Larry thinks that Blandine is the most beautiful thing that ever walked the face of the Earth, and has so far been staggeringly unsuccessful at getting anywhere near being able to communicate that. [2] [2] For fans of the "Courtly Love" saga. *g* "Janus" (Senior.) -- Every school has its own resident motorhead. Higher Heavens High has Janus. With his hyperkinetic mannerisms, his custom-tuned rebuilt V-12, and his "Need For Speed!" t-shirt, Janus is well-known to every cop in town. A walking testament as to how traffic courts can sometimes be really mind-bogglingly dense, Janus is tied with that Bad Kid 'Val' for the state record of "Most moving violations yet still hasn't lost his traffic license." -- even though he's been burning up the roadways since several years before he was old enough for his learner's permit. Janus is also tied with Kobal for the school record of "Most times called into the dean's office but hasn't been expelled yet." (Which says a lot about Kobal, given that he only transferred in halfway through the last semester.) Hyperactive almost to the point where he needs compulsory medication, Janus never stays in any one place long enough to be part of any one clique but makes sure to touch regular base with his old buddies on the Football Team. He think's Larry's a total stiff, and thanks God that he only has to put up with him for one year before he can get out of school and go pursue his dream as a race car driver, or maybe a fighter pilot, or maybe a... Janus is the school's resident track star (although Mike whips his butt in the longer-distance running due to sheer endurance), and plays plays running back on the Football Team. "David Stone" (Junior, even though he's been here 4 years -- he got held back a grade.) -- Somebody's got to be the slowest one in every crowd. In Higher Heavens High, that's Dave's job. A card-carrying member of the school's 'Brute Squad', Dave is possibly the only guy in school who can outmuscle Mike... fortunately for Mike, Big Mike still cleans up on technique and speed. A key bastion of the wrestling team and the Football Team's center, David is anything but the swiftest of players. However, his endurance and fortitude (both physical and mental) are legend... despite everything the Bad Kids did last year to try to pick on him or take advantage, Dave has lost his temper only once. (However, on the occasion that he *did* lose it, his tormentors came within a hairs' breadth of needing emergency surgery.) Ever since then, David has made himself a promise that he would never, ever, ever throw the first punch again. And very very VERY few others in school have been willing to throw it for him. They've also learned never to challenge Dave to a chili-eating contest. Dave has, without blinking, eaten things that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would have declared alerts over, and that made even Gabrielle need a drink of water afterwards... "Gabrielle" (Senior.) -- A drop-dead gorgeous red-head, Gabrielle is the first girl in school that the new boys notice. She's also the first one they learn is not exactly the best choice for a long-term relationship. Passionate and fiery, Gaby has got a world's champion case of mood swings -- every week brings her a sudden new enthusiasm in one project or subject or activity or hobby, which she feverishly pursues for a while until it's no longer new and inspiring. Then she moves on to the next one. She doesn't have any malice in her, and she's not quite as scattered as Janus is, but she still sets a really exhausting pace for anyone who tries to keep up with her -- all of her ex-boyfriends agree that while she's a great person to know, a long-term relationship with her really burns you out. She's also got a temper that's faster than tachyon particles. Anyone who gets on her bad side (fortunately, she's so mercurial that very few people ever *stay* on her bad side) is *lucky* if he can walk away -- as opposed to limping away in a strangely-bent over position while squeaking in a strangely high-pitched voice. Even Big Mike has learned when to start surreptitiously inching towards the door and let Gabrielle have a 'time out' by herself when she starts getting steamed about something... Novy and Gaby are good friends when she's calm, but Novy continually worries that if Gaby doesn't learn how to relax she'll hurt herself someday. This worry is shared by most of her other friends. Gaby is the star attraction of the cheerleading squad, even if she sometimes gets so carried away that she forgets the cheers. Jean (Sophomore.) -- The only thing that saves Jean from being the stereotype of the clueless computer geek is that he's a *fearless* clueless computer geek... no hiding in the lab and stepping out of the way for the big bad bullies from Mr. Vulcan, he knows when he's right and he won't hesitate to say so even if two hypergargantuan barbarian Bad Kids are holding him upside down by the ankles and about to stuff his head through the basketball hoop. (Jean did start carrying an electric stun gun to school after that episode, though.) Logical and mathematical to such a degree that he can leave 99% of the school's population scratching their heads in sheer incomprehension in 15 seconds, Jean has yet to experience anything remotely resembling normal adolescent social interaction. Still, he *is* the handiest guy in school to know when you need help with your math (or computer science, or chemistry, or physics, etc.) homework and he's never done anything really mean-spirited in his life, so he's still accepted in the fellowship of the Good Kids. OK, this ought to be a good start. The "Bad Kids": Perceptive readers will note that various Bad Kids have been referred to, some by name and others just by category. That's because last year, Higher Heavens High underwent an upheaval -- one of the worst school districts in the city got closed down by the state due to a complete and total inability to maintain either educational standards or discipline, and all the students from that school who managed to avoid jail have been split up and bused all over the district. So Higher Heavens High has been plagued by an invasion force of really grotty Bad Kids, all the ones who were too clever to get caught and expelled up to now. Last semester was a rather chaotic time when the Bad Kids showed up in the middle of the term, but this new school year has settled down into a more formalized emnity as the battle lines are drawn... why some of them have already made it onto school clubs and extracurricular activities, and this year some of the Bad Kids are even trying out for the Football Team and the Cheerleading Squad! *gasp* - -- Chuckg _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 13:23:24 -0400 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> Why everyone should love Lilith 10. She yes is one of the few female Princes with a personality that is not revolting but slightly seductive 9. She has an ambigious word that doesn't necessarily conjure up great horrors like Lust, The War, the Game, or Death 8. She doesn't go out and promote evil so much as her own morality (and even that is less) yet she STILL serves Hell and Lucifer 7. She is the only "human" princess of the entire Demonic Band. 6. She is willing to work with Heaven as well as Hell yet she charges both equally well (only hell is more likely to pay the costs-babysitting Iolanthe is after a lvl 6 geas) 5. She is the only one who can make the ever so cuddly and the only TRULY tempter based demons. 4. She has a legendary base to draw from people know like Baal, Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer, Kronos and Asmodeus. 3. She's peachy keen! 2. The geas power is just cool in general and the uses it can be made to. 1. Excellent personality in the books ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 13:36:31 -0400 From: "Krishnaswami, Neel" Subject: IN> Re: Pathetic little leeches (was Thoughts About Michael) Jo Hart wrote: > > > Was that a "Lilith and Dark Michael are actually compatible > > personalities" type of thing, or is that a "I'll trade you a Geas/6 > > for every year of my remaining life if you'll just > > *pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease* not kill me!!!!!" type of thing? > > It's a 'Lilith is a pathetic little leech that will automatically > attach itself to the most powerful-seeming creature in the vicinity' > kind of thing. This reminds me of something from my game. In it, "free" Lilim did have Hearts; they just didn't know it. Lilith created a Heart at the same time she created each of her daughters, and then very quietly sold it to the Game in exchange for her freedom. Asmodeus figured this was a good deal; Lilith went free, but every single one of her creations acted as an unknowing spy. Better still, free Lilim tended to get involved in Renegade-y activities because they "knew" that no one could be spying on them via their Hearts, and thus the Game got an intimate picture of what was going on in that world. What *I* got out of it was a neat little bit of backstory: Lilim PCs could one day find out that their mother betrayed them the day they were born. Just one more way it sucks to be a demon. :) Hm. That's actually a good thread idea: what kinds of minor torture can you inflict on demonic PCs? Not giant world-beating angst, but just the minor humiliations and quiet betrayals of trust that come with being a foot-soldier for the forces of darkness. A good way of torturing Impudites is to give them a particularly worshipful and capable human, and then let the PC get attached. Then wait. Eventually, the PC will make the mistake of leaving their human alone with a demonic thug, and when they come back their human has their eyes burned out and their fingers cut off, just because the thug got bored. This isn't *really* an actionable offense, since it was just some random human and you can't risk screwing up the plan that needs the thug. What about other bands? Any ways it sucks to be a demon specific to servitors of a particular DP? - -- Neel Krishnaswami neelk@cswcasa.com ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #1872 ******************************** The material here is (C) 2000 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated. All rights reserved.