From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Fri Mar 23 10:43:48 2001 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 KAA26967 for ; Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:43:47 -0600 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.9.3/8.9.1a) id KAA12855 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:48:32 -0600 Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:48:32 -0600 Message-Id: <200103231648.KAA12855@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 #2122 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 Friday, March 23 2001 Volume 01 : Number 2122 In this digest: Re: IN> Soap Opera In Nomine IN> Some new Numina... Re: IN> irritating things Archangels do... IN> March 22, 2001 (PK) IN> The Cadre (Part I) IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> irritating things Archangels do... Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> Some new Numina... Re: IN> Some new Numina... Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> irritating things Archangels do... Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Re: IN> Ditty ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 21:35:06 -0500 From: "Kirt Dankmyer, aka Loki" Subject: Re: IN> Soap Opera In Nomine > > Try it once, you'll thank me. > > Maybe after the nightmares and the twitching stop. Speaking of which, I ran a game once that started going the Soap Opera route, though on a smaller scale than Mr. Phipps suggests, since we weren't *trying* for that feel (at least I wasn't). The players wanted a mixed game (angels and demons), so everyone was either an Outcast or a Renegade, staying in this house (actually a rogue Tether of Secrets, though I never told them that) that masked them from detection. (Their "rent" was to do little jobs for the Seneschal, who worked for the Renegade Demon of Conspiracies.) Nearly all the players had taken a healthy amount of the Lust Discord, and, well, things just got out of hand, especially since the Lilim in the group sensed all sorts of interesting Needs and arranged things appropriately. The fact that she and a Seraph (who was also a PC) had had a torrid affair as part of their backstory (each thinking the other was a human) also added to the Soap Opera factor... I ended the game when it started to resemble Real World: Celestials too much. Plus, I was moving out of state. ;) -Loki ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 23:38:38 -0500 From: "Rolland Therrien" Subject: IN> Some new Numina... I just got done watching Spawn on Fox, and I got myself some ideas. (No, not that kind of Idea. I think that one may have been done before) I got myself some ideas inspired by the special effects. Numinous Gladius Songs of Weaponry. These songs are an alternative to the Numinous Corpus that Jean and Eli developped during the Dark Ages, to give to Angelic agents, at a time when the Numinous Corpus made Celestials too obvious (Nobody believed someone with large claws was an Angel), and weapon Artifacts for every agent where a strain on the budget at times. So Eli and Jean developped the Numinous Gladius, variations of the Corpus, and later on Vapula managed to reverse-engineer the technology. Instead of creating weapons from a Vessel's bio-mass, simply used the raw elemental mass to create artificial armors and weapons. Otherwise, these songs work much like the Numinous Corpus songs do: Spend a single point of essence, make the song check, and if you do, you can use activate or disactivate the Weapon at will for a number of Hours equal to the check digit. Attacks made with the Numinous Gladius are made using the character's Weapon skills. Armor: Once activated, this Song allows you to cover yourself with a suit of armor with a protection equal to the song level, with markings reflecting your celestial heritage. This protection is cumulative with the Corporeal Song of Form. Blades: This song works much like the Corpus of Claws; This allows you to create a hand-held blade weapon out of thin air, such as a dagger or sword, and with a Power of +1 for every level of this ability. All attacks made with this ability need to be made with the appropriate Weapon Skill. Axes: A variant of the Numinous Gladius of Blades created by Michael himself (He was glad to finally be able to create Axes at will), this song allows you to create a Small Axe (With a Power of +2 and an Accuracy of 0 at Level 1) or a Battle Axe (With a Power of +4 and an accuracy of -1 at Level 4 and Beyond). Missile: This song allows you to create muscle-powered projectile weapons (Throwing Knives, Bow and Arrows, Throwing Stars) which can be used to attack an opponent at a range of yards equal to your corporeal Forces. The accuracy and Power of this weapon is equal to the level purchased. I'm too tired to continue these tonight, but I intend to create Numinous Gladius of Firearms next. >=) - -Exit the LoneWolf ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 20:43:57 -0800 From: "Phillip Des Jardins" Subject: Re: IN> irritating things Archangels do... > Nabiki Tendo's got nothing on Marc. *g* > > -Exit the LoneWolf Blasphemer! We all know she's a favored vessel of Lilith. Phillip Mercurian of Eli in service to Novalis, Angel of Otaku ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 01:39:34 -0500 (EST) From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" Subject: IN> March 22, 2001 (PK) Attis' Staff One of the lesser known artifacts left lying around after the purification of the Ethereal pantheons, this staff resembles nothing more than the root of a tree. Detailed analysis of its origins will reveal it as a simple ruddy pine root, dug out from a tree on Mt. Dindymus. It does not appear as an artifact on the Corporeal Plane, but can be used by anyone capable of controlling their Essence. Its abilities, however, do not cost the user any Essence! Instead, the item has "charges". When found, it will usually have 1d6-2 such "charges" in it. For one "charge", the user can create plantlife (small saplings, light shrubbery, heavy grass, moderate amounts of flowers) in a 100-yard radius. Or for one "charge", the user can bring all dead plants back to life again in a half-acre radius. Or for one "charge", the user can cause all living plants within one acre to grow as if four months had passed (2 years for trees). For some reason, violets (and only violets) are affected at distances up to ten times as far. Servitors of Novalis *love* this thing. Until they run out of "charges", and do a little bit of investigating. The only way to recharge the staff is to cover it in the blood of a human who has willingly castrated himself in the name of Attis. Yes, *willingly*, and yes, in the name of Attis. Lunatics who do it for fun and people forces (or Geased) into it are no help at all. Each such treatment adds charges equal to the Corporeal Forces of the human; it can hold up to 12 such charges. There is *no* other way to use the abilities within the staff. Sometimes mythology isn't pretty. ATTIS' STAFF Relic/6 (Variant Corporeal Song of Life? Creation?) 18 pts Larger "Essence" Capacity +6 +12 pts Self-powered +0 pts Very tough to destroy +2 pts Impossible to detect in the Corporeal realm +5 pts Requires blood from a willing castration as "Essence" -5 pts Owner cannot power Song with his own Essence -3 pts Total Cost: 29 points - -- Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian, Q4B4L! Meow! When you're having a bad day, remember: It takes 42 muscles to frown, but only 4 to pull the trigger of a decent sniper rifle. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 21:49:51 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: IN> The Cadre (Part I) This is a two-parter. I've been thinking about this one ever since Eric put the idea into my head. Rough draft, and it may get longer as it goes along. After all, I haven't even scratched the surface of my favorite deceased authors... :) Moe The Cadre (With apologies to Eric Alfred Burns, who may be regretting bringing this up right about now) The espionage service run by Marc, Litheroy and Zadkiel is, of course, dependent on humans - both living and blessed souls - to operate. The right mortal in the right place can make all the difference, after all. However, there's a problem: there are times when an operation needs someone with inherent abilities greater than those of even a Soldier, but still capable of acting in the Symphony without disturbance. In short, they need a Saint. Unfortunately, Saints are rare, and most of them are already spoken for. Besides, most Saints are more interested in helping specific individuals than in being a generic troubleshooter, and their Archangels don't argue. If only there were a group of organized blessed souls, versed in a wide range of subjects, comfortable with technology and inherently predisposed towards shaking up the established order... Oh, wait. There is one of those. The trick is prying them out of either the Library and/or the Halls of Progress. "The Right Honorable St. Robert's Cadre of Malakim" is a bit of a misnomer: there's only one angelic member, and he's an Ofanite. St. Robert didn't start up the club, either: it got its start with St. Jules and St. Herbert (both of whom have since ascended the Ladder) as a sort of combination reading society and celestial writer's workshop. However, when St. Robert showed up in Heaven, he galvanized the group into something a little more - vigorous. The current name stuck after their first corporeal 'mission': apparently, the surviving demons are still convinced that they were dealing with the Virtues, not a bunch of former genre writers. The Cadre doesn't precisely meet: it's more like that there's always a few around in the public stacks of the Library, a particular section of the Halls of Progress, or (most likely) the nearest bar convenient to either. They keep meaning to gather in one place, but, well... you know how science fiction writers can be (especially when every book ever written on Earth is inches from your trembling fingers). The Cadre started off as a warehouse of information: while most celestials have a superior (pardon the pun) memory for data, mortals usually have a better idea about what's actually important - and, besides, angels are notoriously bad at fathoming human motivations. So, if anyone asks, the Cadre can make excellent consultants. Marc asks quite often. From there, it was a small step to consulting in the field. The Cadre enjoys that quite keenly. ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 03/04/01(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 21:51:04 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: IN> The Cadre (Part II) And here's some of the participants. Again, sorry, Eric. :) Moe Below is a list of some of the most prominent members of the Cadre, with their interests and in what arenas they might be encountered. Note that most Cadre operations will have only one member (if that) actually on Earth: there's been only three occasions where more than two were involved in the same mission and on the corporeal plane at the same time, and only one of those occasions had more than three. Incidentally, a group of three or more Cadre members is called a Convention. St. Robert (Saint of Lightning): Not the best engineer, not the best author (although every Cadre member is secretly convinced that he or she is the best author in the bunch) and not the best combatant, St. Robert still runs the Cadre. As much as anyone can be considered to run this bunch of anarchists, of course. Anyway, the reason why is simple: most of the younger members decline to argue with Bob. It's practically blasphemous. Besides, he does have a flair for leadership, and an unending font of ideas. Jean finds that having him around for his younger angels (who also decline to argue with St. Robert) to bounce ideas off of is efficient: when he can get away, St. Robert acts as a coordinator - and tries his best to get on an Earth missions himself. So far, he's been unsuccessful. There's always something coming up at the last second to keep him from going. He'll do it one day, though. Just see if he doesn't. 'St.' Isaac (Ofanite of Creation IST Lightning): The others just knew it, once they got up to Heaven. There was no way that any human could have written that many books on that many topics for that many years unless they didn't have to either eat or sleep. More than one Cadre member felt posthumous vindication for their good-natured envy of the bastard. Anyway, since his 'retirement', Isaac naturally drifted into the company of the Cadre (they've declared him an honorary Saint). His typical Cadre missions involve ... well, there isn't a common theme, actually. Isaac goes in mostly as a scout for Marc's Collation Department. He's good at doing a quick and dirty analysis of the situation, then calling for the right Cadre specialist (assuming that one is needed at all). Also, he apparently also takes the time to drop off book ideas to some of his posthumous collaborators, much to the good-natured disgust of his peers. Doesn't the angel know when to quit? St. Howard (Saint of Flowers) St. Howard has been in Heaven for quite some time for a Cadre member. His allegiance to Flowers makes sense: when you've spent your life single-handedly redefining the horror genre, you want some peace in your soul afterwards. However, St. Howard's knowledge of esoteric matters has taken a sharp curve upwards since he died, thanks to the opportunity to read the really forbidden tomes. His Cadre missions usually involve Sorcery and/or the Undead, as he's the Cadre's recognized expert on both. Interestingly enough, St. Howard has a bit of an issue with Saminga. Apparently, the arrogant poseur was the one responsible for him dying of cancer (the fact that St. Howard could create fictional characters that were scarier than Saminga could ever hope to be apparently rankled). St. Howard would like to return the favor. After all, it's certainly a strange enough aeon these days: who knows? Maybe Death can die... The Other St. Howard (Saint of War) Well, it's that or call him the Other St. Robert. That would be even more confusing. The Other St. Howard quite enjoys being a Saint of War: for one thing, he's got a really, really good vessel now (just as strong, fast and with all the iron thews one could hope for). For another, Michael lets him go down to Earth even when there isn't a Cadre mission going on. The Other St. Howard exists, purely and surely, to kick ass and take names, and his Cadre missions reflect that. Wielding a sword that could gut an elephant is optional, but deeply appreciated on the rare occasions when it's germane. And, yes, he does wear sandals, and always keeps an eye out for a jeweled throne to crush with them. Hollywood will do: the movies weren't too bad, but the casual rip-offs were a bit insulting. St. Randall (Saint of the Sword): Often called 'St. Randy', for reasons that become obvious very quickly. Frankly, Laurence is happy that St. Randy has other interests: he doesn't fit the Archangel's conception of a proper Saint (which drives Laurence quietly mad, because St. Randall has a faith that you could bounce rocks off). St. Randall is the Cadre member most often picked for missions that don't involve much combat, but do require a certain flair for the dramatic. He also works with Litheroy's Consultants in their investigations: few mysteries can stand up to their nose for the Truth and his ability to explain incomprehensible human behaviors in terms that angels can understand. St. Randall also has a certain facility for disguise - and an even better one for improvisation. He may need both when his wife shows up and starts demanding to know why he's got three Bright Lilim of Flowers living in his residence... St. Phillip (Saint of Divine Fire): Madness is a slippery concept. A shame that no one realized that he was a Prophet until he came to Heaven: it would have made things much easier all around. St. Phillip is certainly happier now that people aren't looking at him oddly whenever he comes up with an insight at ninety degrees to established reality. The Cadre finds this insight useful: he's been in many multiple-member missions (although he rarely, if ever, goes solo on Earth duty), and his musings have invariably been crucial to the mission's success. He also apparently has Gabriel's private phone number, which is a potent weapon, indeed. However, it's only reliable when the alternative is to have St. Phillip end up dead, alas... St. John Ronald Ruell (Saint of Dreams IST Destiny - or is it the only way around?) He's the Ethereal expert of the Cadre (heck, he's directly responsible for a lot of the most modern ones, after all), and his natural facility with languages has only increased with exposure to the Library. St. John Ronald Ruell doesn't participate in missions directly, but he could; he's the only one of the top Cadre members who was an honest-to-God Soldier (Destiny) in life, and he hasn't forgotten the moves. However, he's a much better resource when he's firmly in the stacks, with a cell phone at his ear and several Servitors of Archives and Destiny ready to fetch him whatever he needs for his emergency research. The pen _is_ mightier than the sword, when it's in St. John Ronald Ruell's hand. ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 03/04/01(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 00:07:34 -0600 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) From: "Maurice Lane" > > St. Randall (Saint of the Sword): This is the only one I couldn't place... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 01:50:16 -0500 From: Whistling in the Dark Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) At 9:51 PM -0800 3/22/01, Maurice Lane wrote: > >Not the best engineer, not the best author (although >every Cadre member is secretly convinced that he or >she is the best author in the bunch) and not the best >combatant, St. Robert still runs the Cadre. Who on the list is as good a combatant as Saint Robert? The man was *dangerous.* Though, Saint Edward Elmer (simply called "Doc") could and would outfight him, so I guess that answers the question. Heinlein himself described him as the obvious archetype for the Gray Lensman, right down to physique and combat ability. I've seen pictures of him in uniform as a WWI Cavalry soldier, and can believe it... Poul Anderson's frail these days, but when he was younger he was a demon with a sword... one day.... (Saint Edward is a Saint of Lightning, generally working in Engineering and R&D. However, he's a fair hand with a sword and a crack shot, and often gets sent on missions for the Cadre when a cool head and keen eye are needed. His vessel has gray eyes and the look of eagles, and seems to have its head turned by red haired nurses on more than one occasion. The rumors that he has a relic in the form of a jeweled bracelet, containing the Ethereal and Celestial Song of Tongues and a number of Talisman skills... well, rumors start so easily....) >He'll do it one day, though. Just see if he doesn't. So. Are there any Tethers on the Moon? And if so, has he visited the Rhysling crater? > > >St. Randall (Saint of the Sword): >Often called 'St. Randy', for reasons that become >obvious very quickly. Frankly, Laurence is happy that >St. Randy has other interests: he doesn't fit the >Archangel's conception of a proper Saint (which drives >Laurence quietly mad, because St. Randall has a faith >that you could bounce rocks off). St. Randall is the >Cadre member most often picked for missions that don't >involve much combat, but do require a certain flair >for the dramatic. He also works with Litheroy's >Consultants in their investigations: few mysteries can >stand up to their nose for the Truth and his ability >to explain incomprehensible human behaviors in terms >that angels can understand. Who *is* this? Randall Garrett? >St. John Ronald Ruell doesn't participate in >missions directly, but he could; he's the only one of >the top Cadre members who was an honest-to-God Soldier >(Destiny) in life, and he hasn't forgotten the moves. Well, Saint Robert was a Naval Officer.... - -- Eric Alfred Burns - Habbalite of Belaboring the Point ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 01:56:00 -0500 From: Whistling in the Dark Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) At 1:50 AM -0500 3/23/01, Whistling in the Dark wrote: >Who *is* this? Randall Garrett? Oh wait -- of course it's Randall Garrett. Lord Darcy. - -- Eric Alfred Burns - Habbalite of Belaboring the Point ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 07:40:14 -0500 From: Cameron McCurry Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) I admit it. I can't place a single one of them except for Isaac. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 06:54:45 -0600 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cameron McCurry" To: Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 6:40 AM Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) > I admit it. I can't place a single one of them except for Isaac. OK, lemme take a stab at it: > St. Robert (Saint of Lightning): Robert A. Heinlein > 'St.' Isaac (Ofanite of Creation IST Lightning): Isaac Asimov, of course. > St. Howard (Saint of Flowers) Howard Phillips Lovecraft. (Although actually, I'd have thought that after skirting the borderline of Nightmares, the 'redeemed' Howard would enter the service of Dreams.) > The Other St. Howard (Saint of War) Robert E. Howard. > St. Randall (Saint of the Sword): Randall Garrett. And wouldn't he go better as a Saint of Creation? *g* > St. Phillip (Saint of Divine Fire): Philip K. Dick... I think. > St. John Ronald Ruell J.R.R. Tolkien. Oh, BTW, I agree with Eric -- St. Edward Elmer just *has* to be on this crew, as St. Robert's trusted right-hand man. (He serves the Sword, of course. For he is honorable and gallant and pays his debts, even to spiders and worms.) - -- Chuckg ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 08:47:43 -0500 From: "Rolland Therrien" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) - -----Original Message----- From: Charles Glasgow To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Date: Friday, March 23, 2001 8:06 AM Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) > >Oh, BTW, I agree with Eric -- St. Edward Elmer just *has* to be on this >crew, as St. Robert's trusted right-hand man. (He serves the Sword, of >course. For he is honorable and gallant and pays his debts, even to spiders >and worms.) There's another Author out there who might be the most useful around when it comes to missions of espionnage and other Black Ops. One who was an MI6 Agent in his life, before he became a famous author. I suspect that St Ian, in service to War, would welcome the chance to go back to Earth and perfom new missions in Service to Heaven. Hell, he might even show his Ethereal creation (They keep in touch and compare notes) how it's REALLY done... - -Exit the LoneWolf ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 08:01:08 -0600 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rolland Therrien" To: Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 7:47 AM Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) > There's another Author out there who might be the most useful around when it > comes to missions of espionnage and other Black Ops. One who was an MI6 > Agent in his life A minor desk jockey who had little realistic conception of the business, as reading any of his books would indicate. St. Ian would be very skilled at pitching a yarn, but that's about the only real skill he has. - -- Chuckg ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 09:23:40 -0500 From: Whistling in the Dark Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) At 6:54 AM -0600 3/23/01, Charles Glasgow wrote: >Oh, BTW, I agree with Eric -- St. Edward Elmer just *has* to be on this >crew, as St. Robert's trusted right-hand man. (He serves the Sword, of >course. For he is honorable and gallant and pays his debts, even to spiders >and worms.) I can see Saint Doc in the Sword very easily, though he was an engineer and scientist throughout his career and Lightning would still be an important part of his life. Hm... and we haven't put in Saint Gordon yet. Now there's a Saint of War -- honorable, but it's the cold honor of the warrior, not the shining honor of the Knight. Granted the Vessel to reflect his Dorsai heart.... - -- Eric Alfred Burns - Habbalite of Belaboring the Point ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 09:19:52 -0500 From: "Rolland Therrien" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) - -----Original Message----- From: Charles Glasgow To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Date: Friday, March 23, 2001 9:10 AM Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Rolland Therrien" >To: >Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 7:47 AM >Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) > > >> There's another Author out there who might be the most useful around when >it >> comes to missions of espionnage and other Black Ops. One who was an MI6 >> Agent in his life > >A minor desk jockey who had little realistic conception of the business, as >reading any of his books would indicate. St. Ian would be very skilled at >pitching a yarn, but that's about the only real skill he has. Oh? I was under impression the guy had done field work. If not, then I withdraw the suggestion. I just realized Heaven had a much better author to replace him on military/survival missions anyway. St Ernest Hemingway, who spends his free time hanging out with Michael and Janus' crew in the Groves. (The guy fought in WW1, and afterwards spent his life adventuring and hunting all over the globe. If this guy ain't worthy of becoming a St of War, I dunno who does.) - -Exit the LoneWolf ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 09:46:39 -0500 From: Whistling in the Dark Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) At 8:01 AM -0600 3/23/01, Charles Glasgow wrote: > > There's another Author out there who might be the most useful around when >it > > comes to missions of espionnage and other Black Ops. One who was an MI6 > > Agent in his life > >A minor desk jockey who had little realistic conception of the business, as >reading any of his books would indicate. St. Ian would be very skilled at >pitching a yarn, but that's about the only real skill he has. Categorically false. Fleming was the direct assistant to Admiral John Godfrey during WWII, and was both a theorist and directed and coordinated espionage activities. He actually travelled into the war zone on several occasions, most notably coordinating on-site the escape from Dieppe, and was highly regarded as an ingenious and innovative intelligence director. His experience was broad enough that the United States requested his assistance in setting up the OSS (and honored him "for special services" after he did so). After that, his "desk jockey" career took hold, keeping him out of the field. Still, from his desk he was given direct supervision of 30 AU, a commando-trained team most often deployed to keep Germans from destroying their records as areas were taken by the Allies. Fleming was credited with developing their methodology, which was unusually successful. Fleming went on record in later years that there was precious little Intelligence in his novels (often using that as a pun). He said that the adventure novel business needed a little tradecraft to spice it a bit, but that 95% of it was flair and gusto, not actual espionage. He thought novels actually based on International Intelligence would be boring affairs at best. In this he was wrong, as different authors proved (Le Carre being the best, in my opinion, though Le Carre's novels are generally not "adventure.") Besides which, once again, we're caught in a "taking this all too seriously" loop. This is fun. It's goofy. Look, a whole bunch of genre writers coming back from the dead to fight the forces of evil is a silly, happy idea. Ian Fleming being a master spy fits that mold perfectly -- or at least as perfectly as making Robert E. Howard a mighty-thewed warrior. Someone jumping in enthusiastically and saying "oh, there should be a Saint Ian!" doesn't deserve a deflating any more than someone proposing a Saint Arthur Conan as a master detective should have the flaws of Sherlock Holmes's methods thrown in his face. Especially when the deflating shows a lack of knowledge of the subject being deflated. - -- Eric Alfred Burns - Habbalite of Belaboring the Point ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 09:48:53 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: Re: IN> irritating things Archangels do... Charles Glasgow wrote: > *and* can bring you a special "1812 > Overture" performance complete with *real* artillery sound effects... > brought to you live and direct by real artillerymen. The *original* artillerymen, in a few case, possibly. No, if Novalis wanted to irritate Michael, wouldn't she do something more like have instant kudze spring up all over the Glades. Or, if really ticked, poisoned ivy. Or worse... ("Triffids!? But they're *fictional*!" "They *were* fictional." "But I thought she was non-violent." "I guess she figures any celestial can take out a triffid, given enough ... time and trouble.") Earl ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 06:07:51 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) - --- Whistling in the Dark wrote: > At 1:50 AM -0500 3/23/01, Whistling in the Dark > wrote: > >Who *is* this? Randall Garrett? > > Oh wait -- of course it's Randall Garrett. Lord > Darcy. Yup. I've wanted SJG to come out with GURPS Lord Darcy for _years_. Moe ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 03/04/01(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:06:40 -0500 From: Cameron McCurry Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Thank God no one has even tried suggesting Ron Hubbard. *shudder* Personally, I would place him and his organization on the Infernal side. Now to write up the Demon of Scientology.... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 06:05:49 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) - --- Whistling in the Dark wrote: > At 9:51 PM -0800 3/22/01, Maurice Lane wrote: > > > >Not the best engineer, not the best author > (although > >every Cadre member is secretly convinced that he or > >she is the best author in the bunch) and not the > best > >combatant, St. Robert still runs the Cadre. > > Who on the list is as good a combatant as Saint > Robert? The man was > *dangerous.* Though, Saint Edward Elmer (simply > called "Doc") > could and would outfight him, so I guess that > answers the question. Yeah, well, he was on the list, but it was 1 AM, I had already done 7 of them and I was tired. You said everything about Saint Edward that I would've myself, anyway. :) > Poul Anderson's frail these days, but when he was > younger he was a > demon with a sword... one day.... > One day, indeed. One day, hopefully a lonnnnng time from now. Moe ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 03/04/01(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:07:03 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: Re: IN> Some new Numina... I *like* Numinous Gladius. I've never seen "Spawn," but it clearly resembles the way the Highlander always just "has" his katana to hand when he needs to, and is well within the minor cinematic tradition of celestials being able to conjure props at will. Suggestion: Numinous Gladius Shield works very like Armor but the sheild includes a whole coat of arms that will identify the individual; even if you've never met them, the design will have clues to Choir/Band and Word, e.g. snakes, winged animals, wheels, balance scales, black-winged birds of prey, clouds, or human figures. To a degree, this could be extended back to Armor. Earl ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:18:08 -0500 From: Cameron McCurry Subject: Re: IN> Some new Numina... Another thing I would suggest about armor is that it doesn't necessarily look like medieval armor anymore. You could shoot for a suit that looks like a layer of skin and a hood for a helmet or even kevlar and a flak jacket for a military Role. Of course, I think Servitors of the Sword are definitely going to shoot for the more traditional look. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:24:00 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Charles Glasgow wrote: > Oh, BTW, I agree with Eric -- St. Edward Elmer just *has* to be on > this crew, as St. Robert's trusted right-hand man. Oh, yes, but I wouldn't think the relationship would be quite "right-hand man" but more "respected mentor" even if St. Robert *was* the one in charge. (Yes, Heinlein was the better writer, but Smith was the elder and coined or promoted many of the concepts that later writers mined.) Earl ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:35:16 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) Oh, and how about St. Clive (usually called "St. Jack" at his own request), renouned for his insights into infernal psychology. (Screwtape is still wondering how he managed to intercept his correspondence with his late, unlamented nephew.) This one is actually in the IN bibliography. (He's also reported as actually making at least one post mortem appearance.) Earl ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 16:04:42 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) [snip] I stand corrected on the points of fact. However, re: the alleged evils of "deflation" -- nope, sorry, *somebody* has to be the balance wheel around here. >Especially when the deflating shows a lack of knowledge of the >subject being deflated. Acknowledged. On this instance I was obviously factually wrong, and therefore my advice should be junked. However, re: the whole "taking this thing too seriously" in general... naaaah. If I had been right, it would have needed saying. - -- Chuckg _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 16:06:22 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> irritating things Archangels do... >From: Earl Wajenberg >Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com >To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com >Subject: Re: IN> irritating things Archangels do... >Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 09:48:53 -0500 > > *and* can bring you a special "1812 > > Overture" performance complete with *real* artillery sound > effects... >brought to you live and direct by real artillerymen. >The *original* artillerymen, in a few case, possibly. > >No, if Novalis wanted to irritate Michael, wouldn't she do something >more like have instant kudze spring up all over the Glades. Novalis wouldn't do that -- becuase she knows darn well it would lead to the massive and unnecessary death of a lot of plants. >Or, if really ticked, poisoned ivy. Or worse... > >("Triffids!? But they're *fictional*!" "They *were* fictional." >"But I thought she was non-violent." "I guess she figures any >celestial can take out a triffid, given enough ... time and trouble.") Only if she wants to live next door to a napalm bomb test site for a couple of days... (Kudzu *deserves* the "scorched earth" approach to warfare.) *g* - -- Chuckg _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 16:07:46 From: "Charles Glasgow" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) > > Oh, BTW, I agree with Eric -- St. Edward Elmer just *has* to be on > > this crew, as St. Robert's trusted right-hand man. >Oh, yes, but I wouldn't think the relationship would be quite >"right-hand man" but more "respected mentor" even if St. Robert >*was* the one in charge. (Yes, Heinlein was the better writer, >but Smith was the elder and coined or promoted many of the >concepts that later writers mined.) True, but IIRC their real-life relationship was that of equals who respected each other, not of student-to-mentor... and since Robert is the one nominally in charge of this outfit, ergo "right-hand man". - -- Chuckg _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 10:37:51 -0600 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> The Cadre (Part II) From: "Charles Glasgow" > > Oh, BTW, I agree with Eric -- St. Edward Elmer just *has* to be on this > crew, as St. Robert's trusted right-hand man. (He serves the Sword, of > course. For he is honorable and gallant and pays his debts, even to spiders > and worms.) I have to agree with this. While he has a tendency to invent expressions that puzzle (and occasionally annoy) the archangel of The Sword, in every other way he's the archetypal soldier of Laurence. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 08:41:37 -0800 (PST) From: Maurice Lane Subject: Re: IN> Ditty Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 15:18:20 EST From: BillionSix@aol.com Subject: IN> Ditty >Excuse me for being a philistine, but these poems? >What is the name of the style being used? Filk. Specifically, stanzas set to the tune of Leslie Fish's "The Cripple's Shield Wall" (easy to sing, adequate number of lines, has a nice internal rhyme scheme). I'll have to edit a bit so that they'll scan (some contributors may not know the song), but that's no biggie. :) >And I know this has been asked, but when are we going >to see a compilation, suitable for printing? >I'd settle for just the major choirs and bands. >Prefer it actually, and just staple on the extras as >add-ons. :) Well, I can't speak for anybody else, but what I've collected so far will end up on my website as of the next update (which will be this weekend. Probably).* I'll be filling up any holes in the Choir/Bands, and whatever else inspires me. Attribution to the other contributors, of course. :) Moe *With further updates as new verses come in. ===== Liber Licentiae Moeticae: http://www.stormloader.com/users/moelane/innomine.html Last updated 03/04/01(this is usually way out of date) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #2122 ******************************** The material here is (C) 2001 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated. All rights reserved.