From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Tue Apr 29 16:18:05 1997 Return-Path: Received: from lists.io.com (lists.io.com [199.170.88.15]) by pyramid.sjgames.com (8.8.5/8.8.5) with ESMTP id QAA27823 for ; Tue, 29 Apr 1997 16:18:05 -0500 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.8.5/8.8.5) id PAA20674 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Tue, 29 Apr 1997 15:05:28 -0500 Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 15:05:28 -0500 Message-Id: <199704292005.PAA20674@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 #145 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, April 29 1997 Volume 01 : Number 145 In this digest: Re: IN> What's in a Sin? Re: IN> Skill Rolls, Getting Things done. Re: Odd notions (Re: IN> Faiths) IN> You should be dancing... Re: IN> Original Sin IN> Re: Remiel and Comics IN> Re: in_nomine-digest V1 #144 Re: IN> Thanatos, Archangel of Death Re: IN> Original Sin Re: IN> Re: In Nomine Combat IN>Introduction and adventure seed (Long) Re: Word of Anarchy (Re: IN> Demon Prince Bazur) Re: IN>Word needed Re: IN> Re: in_nomine-digest V1 #144 IN> Problems with an adventure Re: IN> The IN Collections Re: IN> Skill Rolls, Getting Things done. Re: Word of Anarchy (Re: IN> Demon Prince Bazur) IN> Archangel of Children IN> Know Your Diabolicals: #3, Judgment ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 10:29:00 -0400 (EDT) From: IQJason@aol.com Subject: Re: IN> What's in a Sin? Daiv writes: "I'll bet you a cyber-nickel that this is going to turn into a long discussion thread about Homosexuality, as a sin or not? or, rather, as an evil or not?" Been there. Done that. Wrote up the celestial. yours, still here but awful busy, - -j ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 10:44:33 -0400 From: "John Karakash - Lucent ASCC" Subject: Re: IN> Skill Rolls, Getting Things done. On Apr 29, 1:56am, Scott Turnbull wrote: > Subject: IN> Skill Rolls, Getting Things done. > Just wondering if anyone had the same perception as I when it comes > to general systematic successes in IN. It seems that accomplishing > tasks are just way too hard, especially for 'mundanes'. As stated in > the IN book a stat of 3 is considered average for a human. This plain > means that normal folk have an almost nil chance of succeeding at > anything unless they have a considerable skill in it. Case in point for > me was in the IN game I play in..... A character with a 3 Agl and no > climbing skill wanted to climb an 8 foot chainlink fence. Given the > default for climb of (Agl-1) the chance is a 2 on 2d6!!! Even if the GM > rules its an easy task and give the +2, it's still only a 4 or less on > 2d6. I make a lot of use of skill modifiers and automatic successes. Unless harried, I wouldn't even make someone roll for chain-link fence. If they were in a hurry, I'd still give them a +4 or so. If _really_ rushed, roll normally and use the check digit to see if the dobermans caught up to them. O;) - -- ___________________________________________________ / \ |John Karakash - Lucent Technologies (formerly AT&T) | | (919)380-4629 | | "A fundamental principle of economics is that the | | more you tax something, the less you get of it. | | In this country we tax success most of all." | \___________________________________________________/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 97 11:08 EDT From: Walter Milliken Subject: Re: Odd notions (Re: IN> Faiths) >In an IN universe, I'd be willing to look at it that way -- celestials >fit themselves into human beliefs almost as much as they influence >human beliefs. It's simpler that way. Sort of the "when in Rome..." approach? - ---Walter ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 11:19:57 -0400 (EDT) From: IQJason@aol.com Subject: IN> You should be dancing... Found this on rec.games.frp.misc, written by Ken@kenjo.demon.co.uk (Ken Walton). I don't think it requires much of a preface. ;) Seraphim consider it frivolous to dance on the head of a pin. Cherubim dance on the *point* of a pin, to prevent anyone else accidentally pricking themselves. Ofanim don't stay still enough to dance on the head of a pin. Elohim may stand looking cool on the head of a pin, but wouldn't want to look as though they were enjoying themselves. Malakim only dance on the head of a pin if the point is firmly stuck in a demon. Kyriotates dance on the heads of several pins at the same time. Mercurians will only dance on the head of a pin if the music's good. ...and if you see any Grigori dancing on the head of a pin, inform your Superiors immediately. yours, - -j ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 16:54:31 +0100 (BST) From: Mike Gallagher Subject: Re: IN> Original Sin Hi, all, Here's my first post to this list, so I'll put my twopence worth in on this topic. On Tue, 29 Apr 1997, Earl Wajenberg wrote: > Moriah will be able to comment authoritatively on this, but for > an amateur assessment: > > Almost everyone agrees that the human race is screwed up to some > degree. "Original sin" is just the theological name for that > cussedness in human nature that is responsible for this perpetual > screwed-up-ness. [snip] > How this works into In Nomine, I'm not sure, except that it means > no human character is ever altogether pure. But you weren't in much > danger of making that mistake anyway, were you? This looks to me like the Destiny/Fate dichotomy; Original Sin is the stain of guilt on our souls that we were born with due to the sin of Adam and Eve (dragged up from distant memories of a Catholic education) and it signifies that we are born of sinners and are capable of sinning. That looks like the stain of Fate that humans have to rise above. Even if they achieve their Destiny it will have been harder because they had to resist their Fate in the same way as, theologically, even saints have this stain of Original Sin to pay off in Purgatory. You could say that even if a saint never sinned in his life he would still have the capability that was his Fate to atone for before he rises to Heaven. Or, since Purgatory doesn't seem to exist in In Nomine, before he rises from Heaven to the higher planes with God. Mike Gallagher | "HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. m.gallagher@dundee.ac.uk | TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL | MEETS THE RISING APE." ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 12:17:17 -0400 From: Jason Griffey Subject: IN> Re: Remiel and Comics > Bonus Essence to the first person who can name the two > most important comics I drew from to create Remiel. > > Kestrel, who can do good guys, too Well, the bringing back a musician reference is from The Crow by J. O'Barr (a wonderful comic, and highly recommended). I think the name Remiel is from one of the angels in Neil Gaiman's _Sandman_ that rules hell after Lucifer leaves...once more, a classic work of comicdom, and a necessary read for certain aspects of IN. The storyline where Lucifer gives up hell is listed in the back of IN... it's called The Season of Mists, and is simply a beautiful story... So, how'd I do?? Jason, who can use some essence to speed up the writing of his thesis... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 11:47:47 -0500 (CDT) From: rogue@ez-net.com (RogueLdr) Subject: IN> Re: in_nomine-digest V1 #144 > >i have a question for those with more wisdom than i. in IN the songs >usually have three versions. do the different versions have to be used on >their respective planes (corporeal song on the corporeal plane) or can >any be used anywhere? > > >jahon the wonderer They can be performed anywhere, for the most part. Obviously, some might not have any effect- Corporeal song of Form in the Celestial plane, for example. >Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 15:21:13 -0400 (EDT) >From: gibsonc@nku.edu >Subject: [none] > >i have a question for those who have a system for combat. i have run a >few games of IN but combat is a bitch!! i have started adding strength >into damage becuase otherwise a fistfight could go on for days. if anyone >out there has a good working system, please post it up! > >jahon I've found that the best way to do it is seriously cut the number of body hits. my formula is (STR+CorpForce) * Vessel level. Also, for a more deadly game, you might want to have damage equal double or even triple the check digit. > I hope that someone is keeping track of these newbies and >sending them the *correct* way to sign up? > > >- --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com // emccoy@jade.mv.net >GURPS characters, Roleplayers; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ Oh, uhm, we thought *you* were doing, ArchBeth. >------------------------------ > >Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 17:51:14 -0400 >From: Elizabeth McCoy >Subject: Re: IN> Thanatos, Archangel of Death > >At 2:13 PM -0500 4/25/97, Shadowcat wrote: >>On Fri, 25 Apr 1997, tom timberlake wrote: >> >>> I don't know how, but you beat me to it! [...] >>> he was also going to be known as the Angel of Release, not >>> Death---release from pain, from consciousness through the little death >>> of sleep, and from life when the time arrived. [...] >> >> What about "Le Patit Mort" ?? ;-) and no I don't meen a little >>short guye in a hooded robe with a scycle, though the one on XXXenophile # >>9 is cute. > >What's wrong with Le Petit Mort from XXXenophile #9? (Or a card, IIRC.) >Though I suspect, from Rites and oppositions, that this would be >an Angel of Creation... > >> Now see what you got me started on AchBeth. ;-P > > (:O:) (Kyrio smiley #3) > > >- --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com // emccoy@jade.mv.net >GURPS characters, Roleplayers; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ [snip Servitor Of Kobal's idea of fun] >Cymrys >'Laugh, and the world laughs with you. Prank a Malakite, and you're on your >own...' Now THAT was classic!!!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!! ArchBeth, I do hope you're posting that! Cymrys- got any more for us? [snip IN PBEM} >me too > >kestre1@aol.com I'd like to join one, as well. Hell, with everyone wanting to, we could form our own. Does anybody know how? >Does anyone have a suggestion for Word bound Celestial under the following >Superiors: Andrephealus- Homosexuality, Bestiality, Sadomasochism Dominic- Justice, Confession, Law, Interrogation Novalis- Joy, Rainbows, Friendship Help at all? >Any and all would be appreciated,even those that are slightly "silly" :) > I'd give my right arm to be ambidexterous! > Crowe T. Robot-MST 3K [snip Remiel] >Bonus Essence to the first person who can name the two >most important comics I drew from to create Remiel. > >Kestrel, who can do good guys, too I'd say one would be Sandman. Maybe Hellblazer or Preacher for the other? [snip stuff about game mechanics making skill rolls too difficult] >Cheers, > >Scott I can see what you mean, Scott. here's my take on it. Humans have been on Earth their whole lives. They're used to the common things they encounter (chain link fence). So I give them auto-successes on a lot of things that normal humans can do. Celestials have not spent their whole lives on Earth. They aren't as familiar with chain link fences, aren't as used to their bodies. They have to roll for things like that. It works for me. Any other ideas? [snip Ruzael, Angel Of Roses] Very nice indeed! - -Rogue, He Who Does Not Know About PBEMs ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 12:30:37 -0500 (CDT) From: Shadowcat Subject: Re: IN> Thanatos, Archangel of Death On Mon, 28 Apr 1997, Elizabeth McCoy wrote: > At 2:13 PM -0500 4/25/97, Shadowcat wrote: > > What about "Le Patit Mort" ?? ;-) and no I don't meen a little > >short guye in a hooded robe with a scycle, though the one on XXXenophile # > >9 is cute. > > What's wrong with Le Petit Mort from XXXenophile #9? (Or a card, IIRC.) > Though I suspect, from Rites and oppositions, that this would be > an Angel of Creation... Nothing, I think he is cute, and yes there is a card for him. I realy should try and figure out how to desighn him. Shadowcat ******************************************************************************** There is no Saint with out a past ; and no Sinner with out a future ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 97 12:43:08 EDT From: "Iota (Tom Wenisch)" Subject: Re: IN> Original Sin On Tue, 29 Apr 1997 09:26:18 -0500 Earl Wajenberg said: > >How this works into In Nomine, I'm not sure, except that it means >no human character is ever altogether pure. But you weren't in much >danger of making that mistake anyway, were you? > No Angelic or Infernal character is altogether "pure" either. I have trouble thinking of Yves, Dominic, and Michael as pure all at the same time. Pure to their Words, maybe, altogether pure, something else entirely... -Iota (Tom Wenisch) Note: This Tagline left intentionally blank. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 12:44:45 -0400 (EDT) From: gibsonc@nku.edu Subject: Re: IN> Re: In Nomine Combat i have found this to be effective in cutting down the fight time. also, it makes the players rely on themselves and smarts rather then being a bunch of angels with uzis (gives new meaning to 'touched by angels').Also they are supernatural and i would think that they could punch pretty damn hard!! jahon On Tue, 29 Apr 1997, Kim Foster wrote: > At 03:21 PM 4/28/97 -0400, you wrote: > > > >i have a question for those who have a system for combat. i have run a > >few games of IN but combat is a bitch!! i have started adding strength > >into damage becuase otherwise a fistfight could go on for days. if anyone > >out there has a good working system, please post it up! > > I have toyed with idea of adding str to HTH and Pre to Ranged. > I'd give my right arm to be ambidexterous! > Crowe T. Robot-MST 3K > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 10:54:08 -0700 From: "Christopher Jackson" Subject: IN>Introduction and adventure seed (Long) Hello, I'm Chris Jackson, and I'm just joining the list now. (I've been reading the digests for weeks, but I thought I'd wait until I finally got a hold of the actual game before I stuck my foot into my virtual mouth. Anyway, my copy of In Nomine just arrived last friday (anybody else notice how much the hardcover looks like a year book?) and my players are still looking at the book and thinking up characters. I have an adventure in my head, but I want to run a few introductory sessions first and let everyone find out about the universe and their characters' place in it, plus I would like to tailor things to fit the individual characters. So here it is. Anyone who can find a use for it, please do, and if anyone could give me tips, that would also be appreciated. I'm sure I'll run this eventually, but probably not in this exact form. THE MILTONIC VERSES (for angelic characters) set-up - Professor John Vincent, english professor at whatever big university is closest to the campaign, has just made a great splash in literary circles, claiming to have found two lost books of Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost was, everyone thought, first written in ten books, and then later expanded to twelve for the next publication, in order to more closely follow the format of such older epics as the Odyssey, Aeneid and Illiad. Now, when it comes to literary studies, most angels and demons, like most humans, Just Don't Care. Milton, however, is a special case. Not only is his subject matter and eventual influence on human religion important, but throughout his life he claimed that the Holy Spirit was his muse, and that Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained were both dictated, at his request, by the same Holy Spirit. Further more, the small excerpts that have been released to the press not only mention Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, but include angels named, among other things, Dominic, Eli and Novalis. Naturally the angelic heirarchy are interested, and Yves dispatches his Servitor Benjamin, Elohite Angel of Literary Criticism, to investigate. Since Benjamin is a scholar, not a fighter, the players' characters are asked to accompany him and ward off any diabolic interferance. If the document is genuine, than Benjamin, in his Role as a publisher, will attempt to secure the publication rights. The players meet with Benjamin, he examines the documents, declares them genuine, and insists that the angels do whatever they can to aid in publication. Professor Vincent, meanwhile, has been negotiating with other parties, led by (as yet unnamed), Calabite Demon of Deconstruction, who's word involves wrenching any small degree of meaning out of a text. Vincent can't decide between the two prospective publishers, and the demon of Deconstruction plays dirty. Still, the players should be able to outmaneuver him, or outfight him, whichever is required. Benjamin insists that the text is published as soon a s possible. The text - If the players ever get a good look at the text, they will find it to be an expansion of the visions of the future Adam is granted. In this version, assorted angels appear to Adam and explain the future importance of their work and Words. It seems slightly utopian, but frighteningly accurate. This document does seem to be able to possibly promote a little, tiny increase in faith, which is a Good Thing. Problems - The first major problem that the players need to become aware of is that the person they think is Benjamin isn't. He's a Balseraph of Kobal, who has ambushed the scholarly angel of Criticism, dealt with him quite easily, and then appropriated a very similar vessel. He is so insistent on publishing the manuscript because it's all part of a very complex prank. Within a week of the players first becoming involved, the Ethereal version of the Song of Forgery (Invented by this (also unnamed as yet) Balseraph) will wear off. The meaning and placement of the words will shift slightly, but enough to make the work and the angels within look silly and naive. the next day, the Celestial version of the song of forgery will wear off, enabling any Seraph to detect the basic untruth of the document, making the players, if they've been pushing for the publication as "Benjamin" has suggested, look foolish. Finally, the Corporeal version of the song will vanish, revealing the physical document as an obvious forgery, destroying Dr. Vincent's reputation and leading to his suicide. Servants of Kobal find that kind of thing immensely funny. Go figure. Last note: I've made the Angel of Criticism and Demon of Deconstruction Servitors of Yves and Kronos instead of Eli and Nybbas because Destiny and Fate seem to involve themselves most heavily with books. I haven't really worked up details for the Song of Forgery yet, and probably won't. It's mostly a plot device. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 12:19:06 -0500 (CDT) From: Thany Subject: Re: Word of Anarchy (Re: IN> Demon Prince Bazur) On Tue, 29 Apr 1997, Peter Frederick wrote: > Dear Elizabeth, Thany and list > At 11:45 PM 28/4/97 -0500, Thany wrote: > >On Mon, 28 Apr 1997, Elizabeth McCoy wrote: > >> It's Lilith's. };> > >But, by following this particular Word under any Archangel/Prince would > >be a contradiction of the Word itself. > >(...by the same principle that disqualified me for the Word of Apathy. > >Phooey. :P) > Exactly what I was thinking. It would have to be a Free Lil with the firm > friendship of both Janus and Valefor. Then how would you be Bound? As I understand it, you have to clear a Word by a council of He(aven)(ll), and a Free Lilim would have little or no ties left with either one. - -- "Illuminati Do they truly rule the world? You're not cleared to know." Disclaimer: They're my opinions, but they're your problem. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 13:37:00 -0400 (EDT) From: "Paul F. Strack" Subject: Re: IN>Word needed On Mon, 28 Apr 1997, Kim Foster wrote: > Does anyone have a suggestion for Word bound Celestial under the following > Superiors: Andrephealus * Different Kinds of Sex: Felatio, Cunnilingus, Missionary Position, etc. * Different Styles of Sex: S&M, Bondage * How about the Demon of Sleeping Your Way up the Corporate Ladder > Dominc * Angels for different law enforcement agencies: Police, FBI, Judges, etc. * Angels of different kinds of Judgment: Poetic Justice, Vengeances, Mercy * Angel for the different things justice maintains: Doctrine, Loyalty, Discipline, etc. > Novalis * Angels for different kinds of plants: Oaks, Rose, Herbs, etc. * Angels for the ways humans interact with plants: Angel of Gardens, Farming, Weaving (cotton), etc. * Secondary aspect of Novalis like Peace, Love, etc. Just a few quick ideas. Paul Strack | Madness takes its toll. pfstrack@math.unc.edu | Please have exact change. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ World of Darkness Page - http://www.math.unc.edu/Grads/pfstrack/wod.html In Nomine Page: INC2 - http://www.math.unc.edu/Grads/pfstrack/innom/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 97 14:04 EDT From: Walter Milliken Subject: Re: IN> Re: in_nomine-digest V1 #144 [Rogue:] >> I hope that someone is keeping track of these newbies and >>sending them the *correct* way to sign up? > >Oh, uhm, we thought *you* were doing, ArchBeth. She's not in charge of the list, just the archives. >[snip IN PBEM} > >>me too >> >>kestre1@aol.com > >I'd like to join one, as well. Hell, with everyone wanting to, we could >form our own. Does anybody know how? Yes. First, you find a Shedite to possess the victim you've chosen to GM.... - ---Walter ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 10:58:29 -0700 From: "Robert Coon" Subject: IN> Problems with an adventure I've been hard at work lately on an adventure in which the Diabolical team should most likely be lead by a Servitor of the not-yet-released Fluerty, Prince o' Drugs. (Horribly enough, I'm titling it "Angel Dust". Don't hurt me.) Anyway, I'm wanting to spring this sucker on some new players, but I gots no stats for any of Fluerty's guys, and was wondering who could be the likely patron of this bit of mayhem. It involves the tainting of drugs with a rather nasty Diabolic chemical that enhances the effects of a drug and instantly addicts someone in a very nasty way to it. I was thinking Andrealphus would be likely the best of the choices, but what do you people think? And how would Fluerty take someone stepping in on his business like that? Rob Coon ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 13:45:57 -0400 (EDT) From: "Paul F. Strack" Subject: Re: IN> The IN Collections On 29 Apr 1997, Moriah - Steve Jackson Games wrote: > OK, can someone tell me who has what collections of IN stuff at what sites > and their current state (under construction [yes, all sites are under > construction, but I mean *really* under construction]; moving; maintained by > X; etc...). I'd like to get our Official Site to point to you guys, but I'm > getting confused as to who's who. My page is more or less up and running: INC2 - The In Nomine Collection II http://www.math.unc.edu/Grads/pfstrack/innom/ It's being maintained by me, Paul Strack. The eventual plan is that my site and Archangel Beth's site will be mirrors of one another, but that is still in the works. Hopefully eventually both sites will have everything. I'm fairly certain Jason is retiring his site. I expect it will still exist, just not be updated with any frequency. Paul Paul Strack | Madness takes its toll. pfstrack@math.unc.edu | Please have exact change. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ World of Darkness Page - http://www.math.unc.edu/Grads/pfstrack/wod.html In Nomine Page: INC2 - http://www.math.unc.edu/Grads/pfstrack/innom/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 17:50:48 GMT From: w_mazur@primenet.com (Walt Mazur) Subject: Re: IN> Skill Rolls, Getting Things done. On Tue, 29 Apr 1997 01:56:06 -0500, Scott Turnbull wrote: > ...a stat of 3 is considered average for a human. This plain >means that normal folk have an almost nil chance of succeeding at >anything unless they have a considerable skill in it. Case in point for >me was in the IN game I play in..... A character with a 3 Agl and no >climbing skill wanted to climb an 8 foot chainlink fence. Given the >default for climb of (Agl-1) the chance is a 2 on 2d6!!! Even if the GM >rules its an easy task and give the +2, it's still only a 4 or less on >2d6. I think this is a characteristic of all systems: there's a continuum between ordinary tasks you never roll for and the skills listed. You can't really set an absolute limit on the plusses and minuses, just a guideline. At some point, the GM has to know the odds of rolling the dice and estimate the real world conditions. In this specific case, consider: +/- Climbing Action Who fails - ---- --------------- --------- +10 one step feeble people (Ag=1), very rarely +9 normal stair feeble people, rarely +8 circular stair a klutz (Ag=2), very rarely +7 ladder a klutz, rarely +6 wide mesh chain link fence a klutz, often; or a normal, rarely +5 tight mesh chain link a normal person, often +4 a steep slope normal often; climbers, very rarely +3 a very steep slope climbers, rarely +2 a very easy climb (such as a practice wall in a sporting store) poor climbers often, good ones, rarely +1 an easy climb good climbers rarely slip or fall 0 a moderate climb even good climbers may fall - -1 a hard climb even good climbers may fall - -2 a very hard climb the best climbers fall regularly - -3 El Capitan top climbers die often - -4 or glass buildings unclimbable without extreme skill and lower special equipment ... - -15 a mirror-smooth horizontal ceiling, Teflon coated, oiled even Archangels fall if they don't fly Maybe where the system (any system) stops making sense if you stick to its limits (-2 for IN), that's where you should stop having PCs roll. I think in IN's particular case, it's important not to have people rolling too often: about 1% of rolls will be interventions; if people roll too often, too much of the game will be divine or infernal intervention settling things for the players instead of the players doing the job. Chance of at least one Intervention Rolls: 20 40 60 80 100 Chance: 17% 31% 43% 52% 61% So if you have five players and don't want interventions to happen often, you better keep them down to just a few rolls a session. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 14:36:58 -0500 From: Earl Wajenberg Subject: Re: Word of Anarchy (Re: IN> Demon Prince Bazur) >>Exactly what I was thinking. It would have to be a Free Lil with the >>firm friendship of both Janus and Valefor. >Then how would you be Bound? As I understand it, you have to clear a >Word by a council of He(aven)(ll), and a Free Lilim would have little >or no ties left with either one. Get the Word of Anarchy from Lucifer, then use the strength of that very Word to work your way to freedom. Lucifer might let it happen if he thought the Lil's free actions would work in hell's favor. Or maybe the Lil pulled a fast one on Lucifer. Unlikely game mechanics, but it happens all the time in folklore. And a Lil trying to work free *might* have an ally in Mom -- Lilith. She might like to see it happen just to run a test case, since we gather from the book that *she* hopes to be free one day. Earl Wajenberg ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 13:43:58 -0500 From: Carmen Clemons Subject: IN> Archangel of Children Yes, I'm still at it. I'm not so sure about the Malakim attunement, does anyone have another suggestion? Naarai Archangel of Children Naarai and her servants are charged with protecting the children of the world. Naarai is a Cherub. Her celestial form looks like a giant winged deer. When she manifests in the Corporeal or Ethereal Realms, she most often takes the form of a kindly-looking grandparent, although she frequently takes the form of other people who are associated with children; teachers, social workers, pediatricians, owners of ice cream and candy stores, and so on. Naarai has been an Archangel for centuries, but has played the political game, and thus has remained one of the lesser Archangels. Her worst time period was at the start of the Industrial Revolution, when children were often used to perform the most dirty and dangerous of jobs. However, although the enactment of the first child-labor laws helped quite a bit, Naarai's Word is far from safe. Abuse of children is still rampant in many places across the Symphony. Dissonance Angels of Naarai earn a point of dissonance for allowing a child to be abused. Actually abusing a child earns the offender at least a point of dissonance, as well as some other punishment from Naarai. Choir Attunements Seraphim When confronted with a Seraph of Naarai, abusers tend to see themselves as what they really are. The Seraph can, with a successful Will roll, impose his resonance on his target, forcing them to see the lies they have been telling themselves. This can be resisted. Cherubim Cherubim of Naarai have a highly developed martyr instinct. With a touch, they can transfer any pain from a child to themselves. This differs somewhat from the Cherubim of Novalis - while Naarai's Gaurdians can take on the damage to a child's mind or soul, and the damage to the child's body will no longer hurt, the child's body remains injured. Ofanim Ofanim of Naarai can instantly transfer themselves to the closet of any child in the world. Elohim Naarai's Elohim can read children easily. With a glance and a successful Perception roll, they can determine a child's greatest fear and its source, even if the child is not currently feeling fear. Malakim The attack of Naarai's Malakim does double damage to anyone who has intentionally harmed a child. Kyriotates Kyriotates can possess children's toys, up to twice their total Forces. While possessing the toy, the toy can move, talk, and do anything the Kyriotate could do while possessing a human. This is limited by the form of the toy in question. Mercurians The sight of a Mercurian of Naarai is enough to make any child happy. If the Mercurian plays with the child a while and makes a successful Will roll, the child will feel happy for a number of hours equal to the check digit. In addition, the child will have a bonus to the target number of his next will roll equal to the Mercurian's check digit. Bright Lilim Naarai's rare Bright Lilim can automatically learn the greatest need of any child with a touch. In addition, the Bright Lilim gains a +2 when using her regular resonance to determine the need that makes an adult abuse children. Servitor Attunements Invisible Friend By spending 1 Essence, the angel can be completely invisible to all but a single child for one day. The angel can drop this invisibility to show himself to an adult, but then must spend another Essence to reactivate the attunement. Gentle Teacher By spending 1 Essence and making a Will roll, the angel can cause a child to be inclined to learn something from the angel. This lesson can be anything from a school lesson to something like "don't take candy from strangers". Distinctions Vassal of Children The angel can cause any adult within his line of sight to remember what it was like to be a child. Friend of Toddlers The angel can, a number of times a day equal to his Celestial Forces, cure any illness in a child. For the next week, the child will be twice as resistant against catching any new diseases. Master of Youngsters The angel can, at a glance, tell how an adult feels about and treats children. Relations Allied: Novalis, Yves Associated: Blandine Hostile: No one Basic Rites - - Spend three hours playing with children. - - Donate at least ten toys to needy children. Chance of Invocation: 3 Invocation Modifiers +1 A child's toy +2 A drawing or painting made by a child +3 A three-dimensional project made by a child +4 A playground +5 A PTA meeting +6 A children's charity ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 15:19:28 -0400 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: IN> Know Your Diabolicals: #3, Judgment #3: As delivered by a Servitor of Dominic (Judgment) [When I first undertook this, I had this strong temptation to run through the *Choirs* and *Archangels*, and then footnote it, "Oh, and there are demons out there too." But I didn't. Though it's easy enough to stereotype Judgment (*Nobody* likes Internal Security), it's probably, well, unjust. DominicNet should have little complaint here.] Bands ===== Balseraphs: Look well. This is what awaits a tainted Seraph. Paranoia and lies, substituting for the bright and perfect Truth. Their perverted personal symphony can fool even an angel, sometimes even a Seraph, for short periods of time. This can lead to dissonance for the angel. Especially be careful around the Balseraphs of Fate, who can immitate angels. Djinn: Cherubim who abandon their charges and give in to apathy -- and the pain of loneliness. When questioning Cherubim, an Elohite in the triad is often useful, to detect the frst stirrings of apathy and cynicism. They are capable of stalking angels, and some will even attempt to stalk *you*. They are one of the demonic substitutes for Malakim. Calabim: The fire and swift movement of Ofanim, turned to destruction and only destruction -- by their demonic resonance, or by their own hands. The other most common substitute for Malakim in Hell. When not indulging their entropic natures, they may have an attitude much like that of a Seraph or Elohite -- where the Ofanite is motion, a Calabite is stillness. Nearly all Calabim are Discordant; this seems to have something to do with their resonance -- it rends them even as it attacks others. Habbalah: Elohim who have lost balance, and all sanity. Other demons will admit, at least to themselves, that they are demons. Full of shame and fear, Habbalah cling to the delusion that they still serve the Symphony. A falling Elohite is a dangerous, subtle thing, hard to root out because of this delusion -- and because only a fully-Fallen Habbalite is likely to manifest uncontrolled emotion at any time. An Elohite should always be part of a triad questioning another Elohite, but be careful -- if you encounter a Habbalite instead, their resonance can quickly cripple your Elohite, and possibly even cause *him* dissonance. Lilim: These demons are the most dangerous to angels, as they see *anyone's* desires and needs, and enjoy collecting debts. *Especially* from angels. A seemingly sympathetic Lilim can quietly assemble any number of "little favors," and then place them on an unwary angel all at once, binding him to something that may be dissonant to his nature. They must, however, make eye-contact -- it may be safe enough to question a non-violent one if you are wearing sunglasses. Note that these are one of the Bands most likely to be associated with by angels -- and question carefully any angels near a Lilim who is Geas-bound to help them. To deal with a Lilim is bad enough; to acquire one of her debts from Lilith herself... Shedim: Evil, subtle things -- no longer able to experience multiplicity, these Fallen Kyriotates become twisted to sadism, perverting the Kyrio need to safeguard their hosts to a need to destroy the host metaphorically and literally. Perhaps it is fury that they are confined to one vessel at a time. If a Kyrio cannot respond to you from more than one vessel, be wary and have the Seraph of the triad ask questions. Kyriotates and Shedim can be hard for even a Cherub to track; questioning of a Kyrio should be somewhere far from potential "escape-hosts," and with all the current hosts present and accounted for. If you are so fortunate as to be assigned a Bright Lilim (if, indeed, we have any on the force; such information is carefully guarded and no confirmations are to be given), she may be able to sense a proto-Shedite by its needs. Shedim can be driven out by rendering the host unconscious -- but direct blows will cause a disturbance in the Symphony. Impudites: These seem the least dangerous of the Fallen -- like Mercurians, they cannot harm humanity directly. Perhaps because Mercurians are already so human-like, Impudites are as well: they have the shortest distance to Fall. However, instead of being friends and helpers, Impudites are leeches and parasites, and would be filled with self-disgust if they could only look at themselves in the true light of the Symphony. They are also, like Lilim, one of the more dangerous Bands to the unFallen -- nearly harmless in appearance, rarely fighters, they can sow doubt and temptation among weaker angels. Servitors of... =============== Andrealphus: Servitors of Lust, not being given to direct confrontations, are dangerous to angels -- they are willing to talk, and more than talk. They gain distinctions for seductions -- no doubt the more seduced an angel becomes, the higher the distinction among the forces of Lust. They are *most* interested in recruiting angels of Creation -- who are notoriously weak in affairs of the flesh. If you can, question these demons for their angelic conquests. Asmodeus: These Servitors have their own concerns, which rarely include angels who are not Outcast. Baal: These demons would sooner attack an angel than speak with one, and are little threat to the nature of their opponants. They will also go after triads, of course. Beleth: These Servitors, if they become aware of you, may attempt to gain information from you. Other than that, they are a mixed threat - -- they generally work by inducing fear, not by seduction to Hellish selfishness, but some are subtle enough to try. To steal away angels of Dream is their usual ambition, if they think of it. Belial: Another group given to physical confrontation, and therefore less of a threat to the natures of our side than to their corporeal forms. Haagenti: Angels are not given to the same needs as humans -- in particular, food is not required. In general, Servitors of Gluttony are more dangerous to human psychology than angelic nature, but bear watching. An angel who hordes items, or who enjoys the trappings of humanity too much, may have fallen under the sway of one of these. Kobal: A group who, as a whole, would rather do something subtle and ironic. There is little more ironic than finding a way to trip an angel. Take these Servitors very, very seriously. Kronos: To Fall is surely Fate for our kind, and thus something these demons would work towards. They -- and especially their Balseraphs -- are very, *very* dangerous to angels in their area. They are most interested in recruiting angels of Destiny. Malphas: Another of the most dangerous set to encounter for an angel -- they specialize in breaking of bonds of trust, including those that exist between angels, or between an angel and Superior. Assisting in the removal of such a subtle creature is often wise. Nybbas: Primarily dangerous in the form of seduction to a world where selfishness is glorified, and the good guys always win through no effort of their own. Saminga: These demons are primarily concerned with making humans die, not swaying angels to their point of view, and are therefore less dangerous than others. Valefor: They would be most dangerous to the angels of the Wind, if they did not fight so. Still, they are most likely to attempt to recruit a tripped or Fallen Wind-servitor to their side, and bear watching for that alone. When Wind and Theft orbit in the same locals, ask questions -- and be *very* sure you're asking them of the correct celestials. Vapula: Another almost direct conflict -- nevertheless, a slipping angel of Lightning will be enouraged downwards by a canny demon of Technology. (Especially Lilim of Technology.) They will also be interested in Elohim and Mercurians born of Creation -- take care that none shall become available. Lilith: At once the most and least dangerous Servitors and Princess -- she cares little for corrupting angels, but should she acquire a Geas upon one, she thinks nothing of selling it to whoever will meet her price, be that human, spirit, angel or demon. Likewise, her temporary Servitors are rarely seeking Tripped converts to her ranks, as she does not keep permanent ranks. If you find that an angel has called upon Lilith, be sure to question that angel thoroughly and report *immediately* upon discovering the extent of the damage. She can be an "easy out," that will tangle an angel in Geasa against his nature until he Falls. - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com // emccoy@jade.mv.net GURPS characters, Roleplayers; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #145 ******************************* The material here is (C) 1996 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated. All rights reserved.