From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Tue Nov 21 00:25:45 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 AAA08427 for ; Tue, 21 Nov 2000 00:25:44 -0600 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.9.3/8.9.1a) id AAA16058 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Tue, 21 Nov 2000 00:24:46 -0600 Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 00:24:46 -0600 Message-Id: <200011210624.AAA16058@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 #1932 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, November 21 2000 Volume 01 : Number 1932 In this digest: Re: IN> Re: Cain Re: IN> Difficulty getting something to gel. Re: IN> The Angel of Communism IN> David's female Guise Re: IN> The Angel of Communism Re: IN> Zadkiel Seed Re: IN> Re: Cain IN> The Archangel of Death Re: IN> The Archangel of Death Re: IN> A little Something for the Holidays... IN> Archangel of Friendship (revised) Re: IN> Re: Cain Re: IN> Re: Cain IN> Angel of Communism Re: IN> The Angel of Sacrifice Re: IN> Magic ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 20 Nov 2000 22:58:15 -0000 From: "-=|horsefly|=-" Subject: Re: IN> Re: Cain On Sun, 19 Nov 2000 14:58:35 -0800 (PST) Michael Walton wrote: > >--- BillionSix@aol.com wrote: >> Excellent post, Moe! I'm printing this one! One question, though. >> Does Cain talk like Vincent Price? > > The real question is, can he _rap_ like Vincent Price >(get THAT inside joke if you can)? "'Funk of forty-thousand years' indeed! The man was off by twice that amount!" ;) -=|horsefly|=- "Cuz this is THRILLER!" ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 17:15:24 -0600 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> Difficulty getting something to gel. From: "Walter Milliken" > > Song (the exiled Grigori Archangel), now in service to Stone (since hymns > are generally cooperative communal music). Now that I've been reminded about Song, I would have the Angel of Hymns be a Kyio of Song, IST Faith. It would have originally been IST Creation after the Grigori were banished, but would have switched to Khalid when he was awarded his Word. I would have Stone be Allied to Hymns, of course. :) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 18:21:39 -0500 From: "Krishnaswami, Neel" Subject: Re: IN> The Angel of Communism Santiago wrote > > I'd say that these days, he's been working with some servitors of > lightning on open-source software to convince the public of the > effectiveness of a group working selflessly towards a common goal. Er, the demons of Bogosity, Premature Optimization, and License Flamewards are better fits. Consider: what is BSD's mascot? Could it be...Satan? ;) > It would appear, however, that Vapula managed to get his ideas > implemented in Netscape 6... Netscape 6 can't possibly be Vapulan. The tag has been taken out. - -- Neel Krishnaswami neelk@cswcasa.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 18:29:16 -0500 From: "Charles Phipps" Subject: IN> David's female Guise Here's a write up for David's female guise, I'm going to use her so comments/suggestions are welcome. Deborah David rarely appears in his female guise and a lot of angels in Heaven (let alone demons) have even never heard of David having a female guise. Older angels will remember Deborah which is the common name for referring to her, the two names more similar to what they stand for then some people realize. Astute readers will remember the story of Deborah in which a prophetess and wife of a good man drove a tent peg into the skull of a attacker of the Children of God. Those who were present at the encounter will take note that the tent peg of the general was unusual in that it was made of stone.... Deborah as a soldier of Stone took her name from her Archangel's female guise which is that of a pleasant looking if broad shouldered and muscled woman in dignified dress. Ironically David despite his preference for naked male vessels does indeed take clothes for his female to show modesty...one of the reasons he does not take it more often. Deborah while arguably more nuturing and a return to the Cherubic ideals that David help long ago is still stern, hard, and very demanding....many liken her to the wife they would never like. Deborah primarily works among David's less visible operations which involve in modern nights have women joining together in strong femmine sisterhood and promoting higher morality. Deborah has taken a strong interest among her cherubs in promoting shelters for battered women and takes no small pleasure in having them tear the attackers apart if they ever dare strike their attuned again...on this end David and Zadkiel are very close. - -Charlemagne Zadkiel lover Help Sudanese refugees with a donation for the bridge of hope christmas fund 1800-424-8644 And for free food this thanksgiving: Http://www.thehungersite.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 17:35:56 -0600 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN> The Angel of Communism From: "Krishnaswami, Neel" > > Netscape 6 can't possibly be Vapulan. The tag has been taken > out. Sounds like a victory for Jean. ;;;) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 19:52:02 -0500 From: Marc Bowden Subject: Re: IN> Zadkiel Seed - --On Monday, November 20, 2000 14:38 -0800 Michael Walton wrote: > Moe, you truly wound my favorite Archangel. Shielders using bananas > as weapons, I ask you! Remind me to hurt you when I stop laughing. > O;> > Ferigblug's mind leaps back of its own accord to his long-ago orientation to corporeal agency and combat. A Welsh drill-sergeant's unpleasant voice snapping out, "Today, we will be learning how to defend yourself if you are attacked...with...a bananna!" Marc. Just Marc. Elohite Angel of Salvation (Practicing the art of Not Being Seen) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 16:53:41 -0800 From: "Bevan Thomas" Subject: Re: IN> Re: Cain Actually, if you go by Parliament of Rooks in Sandman: Fables and Reflections; Death came to take Abel's soul. However, Morpheus asked Abel if he wanted to go into the Dreaming instead. Abel agreed to go with Dream. After a while, Abel got lonely and so Dream brought Cain into the Dreaming as well. Keep in mind that this is a cutesy version of the story which Abel tells Daniel. This would suggest that Abel is a dream-shade and Cain is either a dream-shade or an Ethereal spirit who looks like Cain. As both Lucifer and the Furies recognized Cain and say that they cannot kill him due to his mark, that would suggest that he is some sort of dream-shade who has been reborn. As for why they can kill Abel, and not Cain, even if both of them are hypothetically dead.... For reasons of his own, God has said that killing the dream-shade version of Cain still brings down his wrath. By the way, in that story, Cain says that at that the beginning of time, neither he nor Abel looked remotely human. Which makes one wonder what they looked like. However, another interesting note is that Eve in that story says that she is not Cain and Abel's mother. Which makes one wonder who exactly that Eve is, presuming that she's anything besides the transforming Female Archetype/goddess figure (perhaps that's all she is. The archetypal woman created in the Dreaming) - ----- Original Message ----- From: Whistling in the Dark To: Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 1:10 PM Subject: Re: IN> Re: Cain > > *Abel* seems to be an Ethereal. Cain, on the other hand, doesn't. The > Furies weren't allowed to touch him, but could destroy Abel as just a > dream. Eve we have no information on, other than the Furies avoided > her. > > My feeling is Cain went into the Dreaming and went to work for > Morpheus on the condition that his brother be brought back, and > Morpheus did so. But that's just my theory. It would be like finding > Cain in the Marches, having him meet an Abel that rose from folklore, > and treating him (and killing him) as his brother. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 17:27:07 -0800 From: Charles E Smith Subject: IN> The Archangel of Death >Death Angels: >There *are* real angels in the Astral realm, servitors of the >mysterious, reclusive (but canonical) Archangel of Death. Yeah! More on this guy sometime would be nice.<<< Since canon seems to be silent on this guy, I figure why not take a stab at him...or her? :) - ------------------------------------------ Sorantine-Archangel of Death Choir: Malakim Oaths: Never to allow an evil to live, Never to surrender to Hell, To one day destroy the Demon Prince of Death, To comfort those in need when at all possible. "Death need not be bitter and painful. Go forth and comfort those in need." Sorantine is a rather mysterious and ancient being, on the order of Dominic, Baal, and Michael. Like those three Superiors, Sorantine did not recieve her Word until after the Fall, although her circumstances were somewhat different from theirs. Originally, Sorantine was a Seraph of Dreams, serving in the Marches on the inspirations for the dreams that were to come to humankind. All of Heaven stood unified in those days, with no knowledge of Darkness, or pain, or death; a true paradise above to mirror the one below. Sorantine's path to her position began with a relationship, in a similar way to the relationship between her Superior, Blandine, and her lover Beleth. Although none now know it save Blandine, Sorantine was once in love with Calis, a Mercurian of Fear. Since Dreams and Fear worked so closely in those times, it was not considered unnatural for such a relationship to come into being. Blandine, deliriously happy in her relationship with Beleth, was happy to see her Servitor also fall in love and gave Sorantine her full blessing. Sorantine's patient, dedicated love for the impulsive, reckless Calis blinded her to certain things going on in Heaven. For example, Sorantine could not be bothered to observe the growing discontent occuring as a result of Lucifer's pride and arrogance. She did not notice the fact that many Servitors of Dreams and Fear were starting to look upon the dreams of hope and love that they had crafted with increasing disgust for those who would be their recipients. She did not hear the change in Kobal's previously joyful laughter, or see the growing despondency on the face of Andrealphus. Only minimal attention was paid to her work, for every thought, every emotion, was directed to the nurturance and well-being of Calis. She felt that he had some rough edges about him but that she could fix those. Unfortunately, love blinded her to certain deep flaws in her beloved's character. Then came the Fall. Sorantine was as caught off-guard as anyone else. Suddenly, the Marches were under siege as Beleth, traitress to Heaven, led her angels in an attack on her former lover. The call-to-arms in Blandine's Tower snapped Sorantine out of her haze of love, and her anger at the sight of the former angels of Fear and the traitors to Dreams marching on the Tower was so great that she transcended her nature, transforming into one of the first Malakim. In the defense of the Tower, Sorantine's rage carried her through the first wave of enemy attackers, allowing her to run ahead to stop Beleth's forces from attacking the repository of the crafted dreams. It was during the raid on the repository that Sorantine, hacking her way through the enemy hordes, encountered an Impudite. Since it was Sorantine's first encounter with one, she didn't really understand what she was looking at at first. She was just going to kill the thing when it recognized her and called her name. Puzzled, Sorantine lowered her blade for a moment and the Impudite stepped from the shadows, revealing the distorted but still-recognizable form of Calis! The new Malakite nearly lowered her blade, but then Calis saw the trail of hacked down demons behind her and was filled with fear. He recognized that this creature before him could kill him and others like him, and if what she represented prevailed, he and those like him would face grave punishment for their treason. That fear impelled him to strike at Sorantine, regardless of what they once had between them. Sorantine tried to simply disarm the Impudite and talk him into surrender, but in the end, with her back to a wall and two Balseraphs closing in behind Calis, Sorantine had no choice. She struck her beloved down. The rest of the battle passed in a dim haze. She vaguely remembered chopping down the Balseraphs before her, and any other demon that got in her path. She wasn't really aware that the battle was over until there was no other demon to kill. At that point, Sorantine saw the body of Calis once more and raised her blood-slick sword, making ready to fall upon it and end her pain. Fortunately, she was stopped by a late-arriving Cherub and her blade was taken from her. Sorantine just walked over the corpses of the dead of both sides, heading into the Marches. Numbed by grief and pain, all she wanted to do was die. It was in the Marches that Sorantine had an encounter with the Divine. While she wept, she had taken a sharp rock and was intent on commiting suicide with it, but a gentle light from above stopped her in her tracks. No words were spoken, but Sorantine felt the presence of the Almighty, and felt the purpose of the task that was assigned to her. Having known the pain and loss of this new force in the universe called Death, Sorantine's mission was now to lessen that pain for others, and in the process transform her own suffering to a higher purpose. Once she understood and had rid herself of suicidal thoughts, she was granted her Word and promoted to Archangel of Death on the spot. Afterwards, she was instructed that she was not to return to Heaven nor make her presence known until God told her otherwise. So it was that Sorantine remained in seclusion at the far edges of the Far Marches, presiding over a small force of angels, many of whom had fled or been separated from their friends during the Great Battle. She created more in time and set up a Cathedral of her own: The Belltower. The Belltower is a massive tower of black stone with a golden bell at the top. Whenever someone dies unabsolved and uncomforted, the bell rings in sad, dolorous tones. It was from there that the angels of Death went down to the Earth to comfort the sick, the injured, and the dying. They also helped the elderly to prepare for death. This practice continued until Sorantine was recalled. Just before Saminga was promoted to Demon Prince of Death, Sorantine was visited in secret by Yves. The Archangel of Destiny, in whatever mysterious way he knows things, informed Sorantine that it was time for her to prepare for her acension to the Higher Heavens. It was hard for her to leave the world she loved, but with Yves's help she made ready, and instructed her Servitors to stay prepared against her return someday. Then, before their eyes, Sorantine was taken into the Higher Heavens, using a Divinely-amplified version of one of her own attunements to mask her very existence, so that she'd not experience the same Word-conflict Gabriel goes through with Belial. For thousands of years, the Archangel of Death has watched as Saminga made a mockery of her Word, unable to intervene. She has only watched for brief periods at a time, the frustration causing her to turn away from viewing any other parts of the War for fear of falling into despair. She understands that God has a purpose for her, one that must wait until Armageddon, but it hurts her so. She has taken an Oath that one day Saminga will fall to her blade and Death will once more be a gentle, soft necessity and not the cruel mockery Saminga has made of it. Appearance Sorantine stands at 6'2" with flowing crimson hair, dark-green eyes that can be soft and compassionate or hard and relentless, and a willowy but well-muscled frame. In her role as comforter she wears soft white robes with a hood and carries a candle to provide the light of hope to ease the pain of others. In battle she wears molded armor the black color of shadows, with a winged helmet, and carries an inky black blade that flickers with black fire. Dissonance It is dissonant for Servitors of angelic Death to reveal their presence to the world or to any Celestial or Ethereal. It is also dissonant to allow one to suffer needlessly when it can possibly be averted, or to allow one of the Undead to continue to exist if it can possibly be helped. Organization The angels of Death are commanded in their Archangel's absence by Sorantine's top lieutenant, a Seraph Master of the Realms Beyond named Ostus. Ostus is a firm angel who tolerates no dissent yet is not a tyrant. He impresses his fellow angels with the need to maintain the divinely mandated secrecy and trains them extensively, in accordance with Sorantine's last instruction (inspired by Yves): to prepare for the day of Armageddon, when Death will return from on high and sweep the battlefield at the preordained signal from God. In the meantime, within the limits of their secrecy, the angels of Death continue to work to forward the Divine Word and purposes of their absentee Archangel and to assist their fellows as much as possible. Choir Attunements Seraphim Seraphim of Death can sense down to the day the Truth of how close or how far one's death is to them. Cherubim Cherubim of Death can sense when one they are attuned to is about to die, by whatever means. Ofanim (Restricted) Ofanim of Death can add their Celestial Forces to their natural speed when engaged in battle with the undead or Servitors of Infernal Death. Elohim (Partly Restricted) Elohim of Death can exert a calming influence on those about to die or upon the recently bereaved. The number of people affected is equal to the number of the Elohite's Ethereal Forces. Malakim (Restricted) Malakim of Death can, once a day, double their abilities in one given statistic (Strength, Agility, or Precision only). Kyriotates Kyriotates of Death can pick up on the death-related fears and emotions of the hosts they possess, and by expending 2 points of Essence, can calm and relieve those fears. Mercurians Mercurians of Death can sense the emotional and social bonds between one who is about to die and their friends, associates, and loved ones. Bright Lilim (None) Sorantine has been absent from Heaven for so long that she has no idea that Bright Lilim (or Lilim in general) even exist, so she never bothered to devise an attunement for them before she left. Servitor Attunements Enshrouding Shadow Angels with this attunement may pass under any sort of surveillance and not reveal their true natures as angels of Death (Celestials won't sense them even if they used a Song in from ten feet away, Ethereals pass them by and mortals pass them by as if they were invisible). The Shadow of Death When this attunement is activated its' wielder projects an aura of shadow and darkness that strikes mindless terror into any enemy who stands before the angel. Infernals and Hellsworn act at -3 for their Willpower and Strength. Death's Vengeance When engaged against an enemy, angels of Heavenly Death may call down black fire from the Heavens to blast their foes. Servitors of Infernal Death and Undead take damage equal to the angel's Ethereal Forces tripled. Comforter Servitors of Death may project the distilled essence of Sorantine's compassion for those who suffer death and those they leave behind with this attunement. When used, those around the user feel relaxed and comforted in a mysterious way. Circumspection Servitors of Angelic Death with this attunement create mental blocks in the minds of those they meet. The person, after five minutes, will not remember ever having had any dealings with the angel. The Cloak of Death Angels with this attunement automatically mask any Essence or Song use without thought, making the noise of the usage simply dissipate without ripples into the Symphony. Distinctions Vassal of Death Vassals of Death may, once a day, cause the source of a person's death to be revealed to that person. Friend of the Bereaved Friends of the Bereaved may sense the person or persons nearest to their position who will die and, upon sensing, may travel to their general location with but a thought. Master of the Realms Beyond Masters of the Realms Beyond are capable of not only sensing the presence of the Undead, but they can also return an Undead to death with but an effort. In addition, Masters of the Realms Beyond may impose a barrier over the dead or destroyed Undead, eternally forbidding their return to life by any means. Opinions Since only Yves knows that Sorantine even exists, he's the only one with an opinion of her. Sorantine only has memories of some of the elder Archangels and angels. Yves: "Such a sweet young woman, given such a burden to bear. At times I have worried for her, but I know that Sorantine is strong and will fulfill her Destiny with singular grace." Sorantine's Memories on the Archangels and others: Asmodeus: Didn't he hang around with a Seraph named Dominic? I didn't know him well, but I think that he really looked up to Dominic and wanted to be like him when he grew up. Andrealphus: He has such a beautiful Word. Love suits him, it really does. I think Yves mentioned something about Andrealphus being depressed? I hope he got over it. He has too much to offer the world to be depressed. Baal: "Wasn't he Michael's friend? He always struck me as someone with an attitude problem, and maybe an inferiority complex. I hope he got help for that." Beleth: "I rather like her, and she makes Lady Blandine so happy, just like I was once. I think that she's going to have to do something about discipline though. A lot of her angels turned traitor for some reason." Belial: "It was so cute the way he trailed after Gabriel, making puppy-dog eyes at her! I think that in many ways he is Gabriel's soul-mate. I hope she realizes that. The two of them have so much in common and they would make a beautiful couple." Blandine: "My Superior. I think of her that way still, even after all this time. She was so kind and so gentle. When she was with Beleth you could see how well Andrealphus wrought with those two. I hope she's okay. I never saw her after the fighting in the Tower started." David: "He was so cute! I remember how shy and awkward he is, and that made him endearing. I do hope that he found a girlfriend. He needs someone to bring him out of his shell and teach him his own self-worth." Dominic: "Oh I remember him. A rather stuffy Seraph, kind of self-important. He definitely needed to transfer into the service of Laughter. I wonder whatever became of him?" Eli: "I liked Eli! He was a smooth-talking, silver-tongued rogue, but he had a true gift for making things. Gabriel: "She inspires dreams and passion, and without her, Heaven would be a much duller place. I hope she and Belial get together. It will do her good." Janus: *giggle* "He always makes me laugh, even now! If anything, he's even more of a rogue than Eli, but he pulls it off with style!" Jordi: "He always gave me the creeps. He was so....*intense* about everything!" Jean: "The Elohite who hangs around Raphael? Why do you want to know about him?" Kobal: "I like him a lot. He always makes everything bright and cheery! If you have a chance, you should visit his comedy performances. They're not to be missed!" Kronos: "He was creepy. I don't think I'd want him for a Servitor. He had issues." Lucifer: "I have nothing but respect for the Light. I understand that he played a role in the fighting in Heaven. Was it important?" Marc: "I didn't really know Marc too well. I guess Trade is important...maybe. He seemed like an okay sort, I guess." Mariel: "Ah yes, her." *shakes her head* "I truly pitied the poor girl. She was always stuck in the Library, filing and cataloguing the books. The dear really needed a social life. But her work was really important, because without her the Library would be chaos. I hope Raphael let her out sometimes though. I think she had a Word that suited her. What was it? Rememberance or Archives or Memory or something?" Michael: "The Firstborn of the angels is a Seraph worthy of any angel's respect. I hope he earns a Word someday. I think he would carry whatever Word he earns well." Metatron: "He was rather nice in a kind of abstract way. It must be lonely, being the Voice of God. I hope the others befriended him. I'd hate to think that he had to bear the stress alone." Novalis: "Oh, she was such a sweetie! She always went out of her way to help others, and even counseled me on my relationship with Calis when Andrealphus was busy. I hope the dear is still around. She definitely deserves a place of honor and a Word. Maybe Peace or Kindness. Both would suit her beautifully!" Oannes: "I never could comprehend the mind of the Archangel of the Waters but he was a decent sort who was always reliable. I wish him the best." Saminga: "Foul, accursed creature! I used to pity him for the lonely and sad angel he was when I was around, but I see that he is nothing more than a sadistic bully now! Come Armageddon I will fulfill my Oath and put an end to the slime once and for all!" Uriel: "Michael's little brother, right? He seemed awfully uptight to me before, but I guess that's why he was given the Word of Purity. I see him around now, and he's always crying or shaking his head with a sad look on his face, but he never tells me what's wrong. I guess he has to wait here for the final battle too." Yves: "I like Yves! I don't understand half the words he speaks, but I like him and trust him implicitly. You can learn a lot from him, and if you get Yves and Metatron as your tutors I doubt that there is little you *wouldn't* know! I think God speaks to Yves in the same way he speaks to Metatron." Personality Sorantine is very friendly, open, and kind, unless you happen to be her enemy on the battlefield. Then she's all Malakite...in other words 100% lethal 100% of the time. She's quite naive, having spent the last 22,000 years in an isolated vacuum on the far edges of the Far Marches, but she knows a lot about Heaven and Earth before the Fall. She still hurts over the loss of Calis though, and blames herself after all these years. That regret tempers her actions in battle and as an Archangel. She tends not to fight unless there is no other choice and then to fight and kill cleanly. Rites Comfort a group of those who have recently lost a close friend or loved one Slay an undead Destroy a Tether of Infernal Death Chance of Invocation: 0 (She can't return until Armageddon, and then only at God's signal). ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 19:58:23 -0600 From: Matt Trent Subject: Re: IN> The Archangel of Death Charles E Smith wrote: > > >Death Angels: > >There *are* real angels in the Astral realm, servitors of the > >mysterious, reclusive (but canonical) Archangel of Death. > > Yeah! More on this guy sometime would be nice.<<< Of course you could just watch the movie American Beauty and see just how an angel/solder of death might be played. Matt Trent ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 21:17:29 -0500 From: Whistling in the Dark Subject: Re: IN> A little Something for the Holidays... At 4:48 PM -0600 11/20/00, Santiago wrote: >a spirit of bad 70s detective shows (complete with Jack Lord's Hair, >a minor artifact) I am *so* stealing this. - -- Eric Alfred Burns - Habbalite of Belaboring the Point ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 20:27:57 -0600 From: "Erich S. Arendall" Subject: IN> Archangel of Friendship (revised) I've made a few changes to the Archangel of Friendship, most noticably, the Malakite and Ofanite attunements, as well as adding in a third servitor attunement. Enjoy! Mihir Archangel of Friendship (Malakite) The world is my friend, and the enemies of my friend are my enemy. The first Angel of Friendship, a servitor of Andrealphus, fell with his superior during the Rebellion. Novalis's servitor, Iadiel, became the second Angel of Friendship, and was slain while both the Host and Horde fought Legion. It came to a shock for Mihir, a Malakite of Creation, when Eli suggested to the Seraphim Council that he become the third to gain a hold of the Word. It was then, in the late 1760's that Mihir became Wordbound. Scant years before Eli's disappearance, in 1953, Mihir was promoted to Archangel status. This was, again, prompted by the Archangel of Creation. Dominic is now convinced that this is some sort of plan of the Mercurian Archangel's and Mihir was brought in for questioning by the Seraph. To the Archangel of Justice's annoyance, the younger Archangel simply replied, "Look, even if I knew where he went - and I don't - I couldn't tell you. I can't rat on a friend, you know. Especially when they've done nothing wrong." Though Mihir quickly forgave Dominic of his interferring nature, Dominic keeps a wary eye on the Malakite. Despite his love for angels and mankind alike, Mihir despises most diabolicals. Make no mistake, he is part of the War faction. His angels are allowed to give diabolicals one chance to redeem, but little more is tolerated. Mihir wants the War over, and the quicker the better. He's seen enough friends fall as it is. Though he takes many forms, Mihir's current favorite is that of a young man in his mid-twenties with curly, golden hair that falls to his shoulders, and a clean-shaven, beaming face with bright blue eyes. He often is found wearing a black leather jacket, white t-shirt, blue jeans and combat boots - and has been known to speak with a slightly Russian accent. DISSONANCE Angels of Mihir earn a note of dissonance for breaking the bond of trust with anyone they consider a friend, or anyone who considers them a friend. If someone who considers the angel a friend feels betrayed the angel gains a note of dissonance, however if the actions are explained and forgiven the note of dissonance disappears. These conditions do not apply when dealing with demons, however; Mihir's angels are not encouraged to offer the hand of friendship to a diabolical. CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS Seraphim (Restricted) Seraphim of Friendship know the Truth behind convictions of friends, they can immediately recognize false friends and likely back stabbers. Cherubim (Restricted) Faithful companions and friends, Mihir's Cherubim can attune to those who have a shared friendship with the angel at no penalty to their total number of attunements. Ofanim (Restricted) At a glance Wheels who serve Friendship know the fastest way to resolve conflict to instill, or re-instill friendship. Elohim (Restricted) Objective and self-restrained but never heartless, An Elohite of Friendship can look into a person's eyes and know the emotions that may ruin friendships, they are especially adept at seeing the beginnings of jealousy, envy, and anger. Malakim (Restricted) Using a little trick Mihir learned from Yves, Malakim of Friendship also may use the natural choir resonance of a Mercurian. Rather than suffering from the Dissonance condition of a Mercurian, however, they must take the additional oath of "Unless ordered, never administer violence to my brethren or those who are honorable in their own hearts." This oath, of course, does not include diabolicals. (In other words, Malakim of Friendship start with 5 oaths.) The oath may seem to hinder Malakim from policing their own from falling, however, most are smart enough to know to "get help somewhere" and despite Dominic's attitude towards Mihir often find themselves informing their bretheren who serve Judgement of those who may be endangering themselves. Kyriotate (Restricted) Mihir's Dominations retain the knowledge of all the people their host can remember, as well as how their host feels about them and why. Mercurian (Restricted) Upon entering a room a Mercurian of Friendship can see the structures and strengths (or lack thereof) of friendships of all those present. SERVITOR ATTUNEMENTS Soothe While this power is active the angel may dispell conflict between any two people. Both targets must be within the angel's sight. The target with the higher Will may try to resist. A Friend In Need Angels with this attunement can recognize Needs in others, much like Lilim. However, unlike the Tempters, angels with this attunement are encouraged to freely help their target escape the clutches of the Need. My Friend's Enemies... While Mihir's angels are encouraged to offer one last chance to those diabolicals they used to know in heaven, if that offer is refused the angel receives a +2 to all skill and song rolls required to return the demon to Hell. DISTINCTIONS Buddy Mihir's Buddies will never have their good natured ribbing taken as an insult. They're the type of angel that can tease all day long and have everyone (including the target) laugh along. Buddies find this extremely useful in resolving tension filled situations. Companion The angel knows, with a touch, who his target has most recently befriended, and when. Comrade Angels with this rank can know the exact location and state of health (including mental and emotional) of a number of those he considers friends equal to their Ethereal + Corporeal Forces. RELATIONS Allied: All (Eli, Laurence, Michael and Yves are Allied with Mihir) Associated: None (David, Gabriel, Janus and Novalis are Associated with Mihir) Hostile: None (Dominic is Hostile to Mihir) BASIC RITES * Resolve a conflict between two friends. * Introduce two people and insure that they "hit it off". * Defeat a diabolical who has refused repentance. CHANCE OF INVOCATION: 4 Mihir tries to be there for his servitors and all other angels. As such he has a habit of rushing over as soon as he hears the call... However, not even archangels can be everywhere at once, and he will become annoyed if called upon too often for minor problems that any angel could've handled. INVOCATION MODIFIERS +1 A letter between two friend +2 A gift from one friend to another +3 The blood of a betrayer +4 The angel's best friend +5 Two humans who have been friends for over 30 years +6 A group of friends who have remained friends for over 50 years