From 73407.515@CompuServe.COM Fri Feb 28 16:38:47 1997
Date: 28 Feb 97 18:53:58 EST
From: Moriah - Steve Jackson Games <73407.515@CompuServe.COM>
Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com
To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com
Subject: IN> Saints and Sorcerers

   OK.  Time to settle the problem of saints and sorcerers.

   1.  We'd like to keep the metaphysical distinction between humans and 
angels.  While there are similarities, we don't want celestials to be 
over powered humans.

   2.  The big differences so far:  Humans don't have Resonances, 
Dissonances, or are Word-bound.  Celestials are structured to be part of the 
Symphony representing the Symphony itself, they resonate with part of it and 
are so bound to it that it creates Dissonance and Discord to go against that 
nature.  Humans are more of free agents.  Disobedience to self, ideals, or 
Superiors does not fracture their being (though they may have to suffer 
consequences of their actions).

   3.  Death.  For celestials, it's just a broken vessel.  They might switch 
vessels, inhabit another human, or suffer a little Trauma before coming 
back.  For humans, Death is a Real Big Thing.  Heaven or Hell is in store for 
them -- and it's supposed to be no more earth for them.

   Soldiers of Hell try to get around this by becoming mummies.  They never 
die, at least not naturally.  Thus, they never have to deal with Hell.  For 
them, death is a Very Big Thing, since it destroys their souls, too, bound to 
their corporeal form.

   Soldiers of God are supposed to go to Paradise when they die.  The 
natural inclination to go to the upper heavens is very, very strong.  Some, 
though, stick around Heaven wanting to still serve in the War (for a variety 
of reasons -- but most angels will not want help from the ones with bad 
reasons).  These are the Bodhisattvas.  Some of the Bodhis, when proved 
worthy, are given a Vessel to inhabit and get to go back to earth.

   But death for these *Saints* should still be a problem.  They shouldn't be 
allowed to continually incarnate willy-nilly, not worrying about death at 
all.  So, I propose that for each death, the Saint must make some sort of 
roll to not give up the War and ascend to the upper heavens.  This will teach 
all human PCs never to take death lightly.  Death is always a sacrifice for 
humans -- it is the final and ultimate moral choice to make.  

   For celestials, death can be very inconvenient.  For humans, it eventually 
has a finality about it.

   4. Patron Saints.  Humans can't be Word-bound, but they can receive 
attunements.  Word-bound angels have a distinction for Saints, namely, the 
Distinction of 'Patron'.  There you go, Patron Saints.  The attunement of 
this Distinction should allow the Saint to work to help further that Word.

   5. Sorcerers.  SJ is right that any human who can control a demon will 
soon have that demon's Superior showing up to make him into an oily grease 
mark.  And Dominic will send that Prince a thank-you note.

   Sorcerers can summon, but they can't control.  They'll have to bargain.  
Unlike Soldiers of Hell who get tricked into service, PC sorcerers know not 
to trust their demon supervisor.  PC sorcerers will trade service for power.  
Kill a Saint, get an Attunement; blow up a Cathedral, be made a mummy; and 
so on.  Bargaining and contracts... for real.

   PC Demons could always run up against stupid NPC Sorcerers and play them 
for a laugh (as in Feast of Blades).

   Sorcerers can summon and control ethereal spirits.  This is the contest of 
Wills.  The looser servers the winner (for a period).  Also, get Familiars, 
Imps, and Gremlins involved!

Peace,

Moriah