From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Sat Feb 7 17:06:41 1998 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 RAA31992 for ; Sat, 7 Feb 1998 17:06:40 -0600 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.8.7/8.8.5) id RAA01049 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Sat, 7 Feb 1998 17:09:08 -0600 Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 17:09:08 -0600 Message-Id: <199802072309.RAA01049@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 #614 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 Saturday, February 7 1998 Volume 01 : Number 614 In this digest: Re: IN> [B5] Morden Re: IN> [B5] Morden Re: IN> [B5] Morden IN> Reproduction and Heaven and Hell IN> Unausprechlichen Kulten Re: IN> [B5] Morden IN> [B5] Morden IN> A couple Artifacts... Re: IN> [B5] Morden IN> Re: IN Mailing List - Morden Re: IN> Re: IN Mailing List - Morden Re: IN> By Any Other Name IN> 33 AD (was Re: IN> By Any Other Name) Re: IN> 33 AD (was Re: IN> By Any Other Name) Re: IN> 33 AD (was Re: IN> By Any Other Name) IN> The Death of Yves ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 23:31:02 -0500 (EST) From: Mark Kinney Subject: Re: IN> [B5] Morden On Fri, 6 Feb 1998, Austin George Loomis wrote: > Within the past couple of weeks, they've been rerunning the episodes where > Londo does his deal with Morden, and IMO, the Shadows' agent is a Lilim -- > his using a male vessel is just a convenience. > > The question is, in IN terms, who would his Superior be? > Malphas. Strength is gained through conflict. Evolution must be served. alberich@iglou.com | Mark Kinney | http://www.iglou.com/nations "Worst case of testosterone poisoning I've ever seen." -- LtCmdr. Susan Ivanova, "Babylon 5: A Voice In The Wilderness" ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 20:34:32 -0800 From: Armand Subject: Re: IN> [B5] Morden >Within the past couple of weeks, they've been rerunning the episodes where >Londo does his deal with Morden, and IMO, the Shadows' agent is a Lilim -- >his using a male vessel is just a convenience. > >The question is, in IN terms, who would his Superior be? > >Comments, anyone? I would have to say Baal. The Shadow only care about making conflict for the young races. This is so that they can achieve a higher sense of being. Baal gets my vote. Armand ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 06 Feb 1998 23:07:22 -0600 From: Aaron Subject: Re: IN> [B5] Morden > Within the past couple of weeks, they've been rerunning the episodes where > Londo does his deal with Morden, and IMO, the Shadows' agent is a Lilim -- > his using a male vessel is just a convenience. > > The question is, in IN terms, who would his Superior be? > > Comments, anyone? i'm going way out on a limb, here. But i'm going for the complicated approach. He's a Fallen Elohim of Stone. That would make just a Habbie serving no one, who still thinks he's serving Stone. That way he can make the younger races stronger and more independent and use a hell of a lot nastier tactics to do it. aaron ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 00:09:52 -0500 From: David Edelstein Subject: IN> Reproduction and Heaven and Hell >>>In the beginning of Heaven and Hell, there are the scenes where first and angel and then a demon are judger for their part in mating and the conception of a "child". When the demon is judged, the judgement includes having his forces separated and added to th forces of the offspring, then the binding of the result into a corporeal body. Then Asmodeus says that eventually the Host will come looking for him. If the forces are separated and added to those of the offspring, does that not mean the demon ceases to exist? So if the Host come looking for him, they would not be able to find him?<<< Yes and no. The demon (Carpus) will cease to exist -- his Forces will be added to those of the offspring. So anyone looking for *Carpus* won't find him. But that's not to say the Host couldn't track down the offspring, through a combination of "detective work" and possibly tracing the remnants of Carpus's Forces that exist in his (and Apphiael's) offspring. And it contains Apphiael's Forces too.... - -David ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 05:47:14 +0000 From: Jo Hart Subject: IN> Unausprechlichen Kulten (Inspired by Maya, Em's Cult of Uriel, and a pair of compasses that bit me when I was tidying up) Disclaimer: No offence intended to any individuals or groupings -- this is just a game depiction. - --- "We pray to the East. We pray to the West. We pray to the Lords of the New Church." 'Lords of the New Church', Tasmin Archer - --- Level 1. ~ Brother, if you are reading this document it is because a good friend ~ has given it to you. He may be the best friend you will ever have, and ~ be encouraged in that the proof of his regard for you is that you hold ~ this paper in your hands. You are invited to read further and to begin ~ an understanding of the nature of our group, of which you may have ~ heard a variety of rumours. The truth is that we comprise a dedicated ~ fraternity who seek to understand the world in which we live, and to ~ promote charity, good works and mutual support in order to aid the ~ communities around us. We have been pursuing these goals for a very ~ long time. - --- Some theologians hold that each archangel personifies an aspect of the divine, so dedicating oneself to any single one of them is not only serving God's will but actually and literally serving the divinity directly. Services rendered to one of His lietenants are services rendered directly to Him. How can it be said that God is hiding His face when divine glory blazes from thirteen facets for anyone with an eye to see? Should it be any surprise that amongst angelic servitors, there are some who are so dedicated and devoted that the lines can become blurred and service becomes worship? In what has become a time-honoured way to recruit soldiers and servants, a celestial begins a a quiet movement to attract mortals who have a natural interest and inclination for the word he serves. He can help them to organise, to be more effective, to perceive the glory of dutiful service to his superior -- to spread the word. Is it the angel who gets caught up in the mortals' resolve and forgets which power he really serves? Or is it the mortals who hear the message and venerate the messenger they can see, who consoles them with miracles and shines with the light of heaven? All archangels expect loyalty from their minions. Some expect more than that. Sometimes their most devoted servitors go too far... but how far is too far? When does adoration become obsession? - --- Level 2. In a quiet stone chamber, a group of men in ceremonial costume gather to repeat the ritual words of meditation which are written in locked books and take solemn vows of secrecy. Raptly they dedicate themselves to a master who will protect them and give them the strength and knowledge to protect each other. They swear binding blood oaths, dedicating essence and service and faith. And their god answers. - --- In general there are two varieties of angelic cult. Those which spring up amongst groups of celestials, and those which involve mortals. It is difficult to say which is more pernicious. Celestials most likely to be involved are the most utterly dedicated and intense. Cults can spring up from innocent and earnest groupings who sincerely want nothing more than to serve their superior's word. What is unknown is how many superiors are prepared to turn a blind eye to overenthusiastic service, as long as their orders are being carried out competently. - --- Level 3. From the annals of the inquisition. Inquisitio transcript -- C-623-76 26-1-98 YEHEZKIEL: Explain to me again the nature of the meeting which my colleague attended. ARRAM: I and my servants gathered together to praise my mistress and to offer thanks for our recent successes. Y: You offer thanks and kneel to an eternal fire, and dedicate essence to it in the form of blood. A: Yes. That is correct. Y: Do you understand why that is wrong? A: I serve the word of fire. We punish the cruel. My mistress is pleased with the things I have done. Y: You have incited mortals to worship falsely in this way then? Has Gabriel encouraged this? A: How can you hope to understand? You miserable scavengers, who take no glory in your own work but have to destroy that of others -- you are unfit to even speak Her name. Y: Answer the question. A: *pause* I have begged Her to honour us with Her presence. Y: Does she know? A: Of course She knows. She knows everything! She sees the secret corners of all hearts and seraph, She will strike YOU down in Her own time. Your kind are a blemish and a hindrance to Her work and you will all pay. - --- Story Ideas: One of the angels discovers that their servant is quietly worshipping their own superior and recruiting friends and acquaintances to share in the experience. Do they nip it in the bud, or encourage it? An angel is invited by a more senior mentor to join a celestial cabal. Only after they are already involved does it become clear that there is something involved which might be described as heretical? Do they go along with it? Some angels are sent to infiltrate a suspected cult by their superior. Is the cult doing more good than it is harm? Does the superior really want the cult closed down, or are they just scapegoats? What will they do when the inquisition turn up and find proof that they have been involved? Campaign Ideas: The most ubiquitous cult is David's Freemasons. Shrouded in secret rituals and centuries of tradition, they protect their secrets rabidly, claiming to be simply an organisation which tries to build society up. They honour masonic rites, and wear the tools and clothes of stonemasons, recognising a 'supreme architect' as a source of power. How much temporal power David controls this way may never truly be known - -- he plays building blocks with society in the same way as he does with stone buildings. As a malakite and a pillar of heaven, David has never aroused the ire of the inquisition. Maybe he should. He hasn't forgotten the insult of being overlooked to lead God's armies. He has an oath which prevents him from forgiving a slight. As long as Dominic is more concerned about Michael and Eli, his own operations continue unblemished. David is determined that Dominic WILL continue to be more concerned about Michael and Eli -- after all, Michael could have supported his bid. Eli could have armed his followers. He has an entire cult of mortals at his disposal .. will PCs find out why Eli really became so discredited. And what is that interesting looking statue that has been in the park for the last 70 years? - --- jo (the word is butter -- spread the word) - ---------- "I like getting into hot water, it keeps me clean." G. K. Chesterton jhart@btinternet.com -- http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~jhart/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 01:34:02 -0500 From: "Kirt A. Dankmyer -- aka Loki" Subject: Re: IN> [B5] Morden >The question is, in IN terms, who would his Superior be? Considering the Shadow philosophy is later revealed to one where evolution can only be achieved through strife, good options (in order of likelhood, IHMO) are: Malphas, Baal, and Vapula. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 03:48:52 -0500 From: Stacy Stroud Subject: IN> [B5] Morden Austin George Loomis opined that B5's Morden is a Lilim (I agree), and then asked: >The question is, in IN terms, who would his Superior be? > >Comments, anyone? Hmm . . . you're a first-time viewer? No knowledge of later seasons? Or are you "catching up" in the sense of re-watching or filling in gaps? 'Cause there's a pretty obvious answer, but it relies on information that isn't fully confirmed until the climactic episode of the whole Shadow arc. A bit of spoiler space, in case it's needed . . . (sorry, Beth, if this is terribly inappropriate for the list): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Based on the Shadow agenda as revealed in the 3rd-season finale, I'd say that Malphas is the appropriate Superior for Morden. I'd call Justin a Balseraph. David fits fairly well as the Vorlon Superior, with the dual emphasis on hard testing and communitarian values. Despite his occasional Kyrio trick, I'd call Kosh a Cherub (which nicely illustrates the difference in social skills between high-divinity Cherubim and low-divinity Mercurians, in spite of their mutual focus on humans). Ulkesh (Kosh II) is either a stereotypically nasty Malakite, or one of those coldly manipulative Elohim that Beth occasionally talks about. Lorien is Yves . . . or at least, he gave me more ideas on portraying Yves than anything else I've seen. Any other ideas? Stacy Stroud sstroud@uky.campus.mci.net ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 09:13:32 -0500 From: Nana Yaw Ofori Subject: IN> A couple Artifacts... Three Artifacts that have been floating around in my head for awhile. Chopsticks of All 'Round Coolness These are a pair of ordinary-looking chopsticks, eight or so inches long, and made out of wood, with a Power of -5. Malakim of Creation get their standard bonus, if they make the Precision roll to activate their attunement. So you're not a Malakite of Eli? Not to worry. There's one other thing that the Chospticks of All 'Round Coolness do. They're Dodge Talismans. But what thery do is more appropriately called a parry. Furthermore, any material object can be parried with them, even bullets. And if the Dodge roll reduces the damage to 0, the weapon is caught between the chopsticks at the owner's option, snd requires winning a contest of strength for the opponent to pull free, and the chopsticks won't help you "dodge" while holding something. Grinning evilly afterwards is optional. Chopsticks of All 'Round Coolness cost 2 points/level. Celestial Filter Celestial Forms don't reflect photons. Instead, they are apparently seen by a reaction between the mind and the Symphony that gets processed as vision. One of the things this means is that Celestial Form images cannot be refracted by lenses (so they don't show up in photographs, or appear any larger through telescopes), or seen in mirrors (so binoculars and periscopes are useless) It's incredibly hard to prove that a bat-winged snake appeared in your office and mind-controlled you to shoot your boss if the security cameras didn't pick it up. Hence the Celestial Filter. A celestial filter is a filter made to fit over the end of a camera, telescope, binoculars, or other such instrument. A Celestial Filter resolves a Celestial form and converts that appearance into photons for the instrument, so you can take a picture of that Balseraph, and get it on "Inside Edition." Should you decide your life is worth that. . A Celestial Filter resolves a form as if it had a perception of twice its level, but still has to roll like everyone else. If the filter has a higher perception than its owner, it mightIts owner can spend Essence to improve these chances, but unlike most Relics, a typical Celestial Filter has no Essence reservoir. Celestial Filters cost 1 point per level, be they built for a camera, video-camera, glasses, or other optical device. Dissonance Sinks These are Celestial Artifacts with one purpose, and one purpose only. They allow the owner to shift Dissonance from himmself into the artifact, permanently. One point of Dissonance per level of the artifact can be shifted, and this Dissonance can never be removed from the artifact. Note that a Dissonance Sink doesn't prevent a Celestial from Falling, Being Outcasted, Going Renegade, or Gaining Discord, it just removes the Dissonance after the effects have been suffered. It's also a pretty dangerous artifact to posess. Every note of Dissonance subsumed into a Dissonance Sink is a note of Dissonance that you aren't making amends for, a note you aren't telling your Superior about, and a note that isn't hampering your chances of success should you decide to go Renegade or Outcast. These are not things to flaunt when servitors of Judgement or The Game stop by. Most commonly, these items are found in the hands of Outcasts and Renegades, who need them more, and are in enough trouble already. Dissonance Sinks come in a number of forms, such as checkbooks (For that "Bribing the Symphony" look), and "Get out of Jail Free" cards. By far, the most common version of these rare artifacts is a 17" cuddly plush doll that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Archangel Dominic. There's aslo an Asmodeus version, but whoever is making these things doesn't make nearly as many. Dissonance Sinks cost 3 points/Level. = http://www.io.com/~beholder ===================== nofori@pop3.utoled.edu === Nana-Yaw "The Fish" Ofori, Freelance Soldier of Heck, presenty serving Jaraith, Shedite Baron of Nightmares, the Demon of NONONOAUUUAARRGGGHHH!!! ===== ><{{"> ============ "Life's a Fish, then you Fry." ======= <"}}>< ====== ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 10:11:52 -0500 From: Frank Lazar Subject: Re: IN> [B5] Morden >>The question is, in IN terms, who would his Superior be? > with my respect for B5, I was going to stay out of this, but I couldn't help myself. :) Morden - 8 Force Soldier of an Lilim of Kronos. He knows how to make a deal and through him, many of met their Fate. Kosh Elohim Servitor of Blandine. Picked up a note of Dissonance when he assumed Celestial Form to rescue Sheridan. Keeps himself hidden at all times. Kosh 2 Habbalite in service to Belial. Sinclair/Valen Soldier in service of Yvves. Sheridan Soldier in service of Michael. (Dominic is going to have a word about this "cult of personality". :) Lorien A Celestial from the Higher Heavens under strict limiations. Elric and the TechnoMages Mercurian and Soldiers in service to Jean. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | _ | | We are dreamers, shapers, singers and makers. /_\ | | We study the mysteries of laser and circuit, // \\ | | Crystal and scanner, holographic demons, \\ //___\\ | | And invocations of equations. \\ // \\ | | \\__// \\ | | These are the tools we employ. And we know... many things. \\ | | \\ | | | Frank Lazar http://www.interactive.net/~fmlazar | \\ | - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 09:43:23 -0600 (CST) From: Austin George Loomis Subject: IN> Re: IN Mailing List - Morden On lFri, 6 H 29 AT (Sadderday, 7 FeBlueberry 1998 eV), James Dibenedetto wrote, re Morden in IN: > > Actually, he's exactly what I'm playing in a PBEM game...the *only* > superior I can imagine him serving is Malphas... > Sounds like a possibility to me, but the Lilim of Factions attunement doesn't seem to me like it fits (then again, maybe you play him as a different Band - -- Balseraph could work, or Habbie). When I went and looked at the Book, the Lilim attunements of Fate and the War seemed most apropos. YMMV, of course. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 15:55:34 +0000 From: Jo Hart Subject: Re: IN> Re: IN Mailing List - Morden At 09:43 07/02/98 -0600, you wrote: >On lFri, 6 H 29 AT (Sadderday, 7 FeBlueberry 1998 eV), James Dibenedetto >wrote, re Morden in IN: >> >> Actually, he's exactly what I'm playing in a PBEM game...the *only* >> superior I can imagine him serving is Malphas... >> >Sounds like a possibility to me, but the Lilim of Factions attunement doesn't >seem to me like it fits (then again, maybe you play him as a different Band >-- Balseraph could work, or Habbie). Different band sounds good. If he was a lilim, he wouldn't have needed to ask people what they wanted ;) - ---------- "I like getting into hot water, it keeps me clean." G. K. Chesterton jhart@btinternet.com -- http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~jhart/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 16:57:33 GMT From: geographic@mindspring.com (Lee Davis) Subject: Re: IN> By Any Other Name On Thu, 22 Jan 1998 14:01:46 -0500 (EST), Emily Dresner wrote: >This is true. It is better to focus, maybe, on Superior opinions in >general. My players want to see history, I would rather not. It's not >something I even agree on with my gaming sewing circle, for various >reasons. I'm very picky about historical accuracy, and I have a bad >tendancy to demand sources. > >But if in the same supplement we get "Here is the entire suggested layout >of Dominican Society" and "Here is Dommie in the >Spanish Inquisition" interaction, but what can you do> I would call the supplement an enormous >win, and a definite step in the right direction. > Em, you sound like one of my players. And me. So far, I've twisted cannonical history all out of shape anyway, but it gives me ideas (for example, the Fall happened around 33 AD in my campaign). New superiors are great and cool if you're starting a new campaign, but I, too, would rather get to know the original 26 better. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 20:14:03 +0000 (GMT) From: Steve Jessop Subject: IN> 33 AD (was Re: IN> By Any Other Name) On Sat, 7 Feb 1998, Lee Davis wrote: > Em, you sound like one of my players. And me. So far, I've twisted > cannonical history all out of shape anyway, but it gives me ideas (for > example, the Fall happened around 33 AD in my campaign). I'm curious as to how that works: the first thing I can think is how come the Jews had already known for centuries that Baal, Belial and Asmodeus, to name but three, were demons? Are their demons just ethereals IYC? Have the DPs therefore ripped off the names and, to some extent, the roles, of those ethereals. Don't know of you use the idea, but it is conceivable (if blasphemous) that Satan was a servant of God tempting Jesus on his instructions, as a final trial before the Passion. I can go into more detail on a 'nice Satan' tangent if anyone cares, although not to the extent of genuine academic study. However, I guess that sort of thing could sontribute to Satan's Fall? On a note related to my first point, here is an 'Evil Canon Request (TM)' What was Belial's name before he Fell? 'Belial' is Hebrew for 'worthless', so it was almost certainly not that. If it was, I for one don't blame the poor guy for going a bit funny in the head after millenia. Steve. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 17:03:04 -0500 (EST) From: Emily Dresner Subject: Re: IN> 33 AD (was Re: IN> By Any Other Name) > Don't know of you use the idea, but it is conceivable (if blasphemous) > that Satan was a servant of God tempting Jesus on his instructions, as a > final trial before the Passion. I can go into more detail on a 'nice > Satan' tangent if anyone cares, although not to the extent of genuine > academic study. However, I guess that sort of thing could sontribute to > Satan's Fall? In ANSWER TO JOB (I'm not done yet, yes I know it's only 103 pages, go away I've been busy) Jung talks about this whole concept rather quite a bit. On and on and on with big rambling speeches is more like it. I thought I would go off on it when I actually finished the book, so I can read the punchline, so to speak. > On a note related to my first point, here is an 'Evil Canon Request (TM)' > > What was Belial's name before he Fell? 'Belial' is Hebrew for 'worthless', > so it was almost certainly not that. If it was, I for one don't blame the > poor guy for going a bit funny in the head after millenia. > On a side note.... in my game all the Demon Princes save Lucifer and Asmodeus changed their names after they Fell. I have no explaination for this, it was just one of those arbitrary world decisions. - - Em, Demon of the Mean Itchies. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 07 Feb 1998 22:03:09 +0000 From: Jo Hart Subject: Re: IN> 33 AD (was Re: IN> By Any Other Name) At 20:14 07/02/98 +0000, you wrote: > >Don't know of you use the idea, but it is conceivable (if blasphemous) >that Satan was a servant of God tempting Jesus on his instructions, as a >final trial before the Passion. I can go into more detail on a 'nice >Satan' tangent if anyone cares, although not to the extent of genuine >academic study. However, I guess that sort of thing could sontribute to >Satan's Fall? I did actually write a few notes on a traditional Jewish view of angels and suchlike which I a) got a bit bored with and b) don't think looked very interesting to actually game in ... but this is basically what it had to say about Satan: Within every mortal exists both the inclination to do good and the inclination to do evil. It is the job of the angels to test humanity by giving them the opportunity to make those choices. Satan is the accusing angel, who marshals the forces of the evil inclination. He is also on the Seraphim council. Satan, the Accusing Angel: He is in charge of focussing the evil inclination and presenting every mortal with the opportunity to choose evil, if they so desire. This is usually interpreted by other parties as being Evil. Sometimes (often) it is. He still inhabits heaven though. When a man dies and is judged, the accusing angel presents the case against him. Not all angels can see the grand plan, but it does seem to be part of the scheme of things that they are sometimes required to oppose each other, using mortals as their battlefield and forcing people to make choices in the process. Every time someone sins, an accusing angel comes into being. God compassionately sustains the evil force, so that the sinner can have the chance to repent. (In this worldview, there is no concept that an angel can fall) jo - ---------- "I like getting into hot water, it keeps me clean." G. K. Chesterton jhart@btinternet.com -- http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~jhart/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 18:02:06 -0500 (EST) From: Casca Subject: IN> The Death of Yves On Wed, 4 Feb 1998, Kirt A. Dankmyer -- aka Loki wrote: > >Considering that I killed Yves last game session, they're closer to being > >in shock right now. ("Didn't think I'd whack a major Archangel, now did > >you?") > > Ooooh, you gotta tell us more about this. I think, instead, that I will let one of my players do the telling. I must have done something right when telling the story, for I have recieved well over 100 Kb of replies from my players. A few things you should know: 1. The adventure was a modified Feast of Blades. 2. Kronos and Nybbas were working together to get the Dagger for some unspecified reason. 3. In my campaign, I have changed the name of Yves to Gabriel, because I have always seen Gabriel as an angel concerned with prophecy. The Word of Fire is a subset of the Word of Justice, embodied by the Archangel Rafael. Justice is a combo of Fire and Judgement. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am Adriel. I was there. I was there when Destiny conquered Secrets. I was present at that one, true moment. I was the initiator, the one who triggered the event. I was the small, lone Seraph that handed over the instrument to Gabriel, the instrument of evil that Gabriel destroyed himself to destroy. I ended that chapter of Gabriel's existence. And it was I who caught that which was once an Archangel, the oldest and most wise of us all. And it was I who carried the remnant, in tears and in reverence, back to Heaven. This is my story. When I think of the beginning, it seemed so simple. A mission, much like others I had done. I craved activity, yearned for a place in the battle. Serving the Word of War is like that. Nothing is as grating as doing nothing to help the struggle. So, when Michael sent me down to support a small group of angels in San Francisco, I did more than accept the mission. I leapt at it. Sometimes, I think that Michael might have chosen another. One more suited to what lay ahead. Someone who could have, perhaps, prevented it. I contacted the others readily enough. A chaotic little group. Very little direction in their efforts. But, it was not my place to provide direction. Michael expressly forbade it. I was to provide fire support, and try to keep the disturbances in the Symphony to a minimum. Looking back, I performed rather poorly in that regard. The group was trying to track down a cultist who was carrying a very powerful infernal relic. The Dagger of Bythinia, which contained an insane Demon Prince. Gebbeleth, the Demon Prince of Secrets. Unfortunately, the group was having a very hard time finding the man--the dagger did not want him to be found. There were also others searching for it--servitors of Fate. It was a race to find him before Hell did. To make matters worse, there were distractions in the form of servitors of Nybbas, who were setting up for a major operation. We hunted, but did not find. We asked, but not the right questions. We battled, but not at the right time. We understood, but only too late. In the end, it was a Servitor of Kronos that took possession of the blade. When it happened, was not where I should have been. I was tired of the fruitless search. I wanted a direct fight, and couldn't find one. I was frustrated and drained. So, when it happened, I was unprepared. And being unprepared betrays the Word of War. This was my failing, not my first, but one of the most important. It was not the last. Once the minion of Fate had the blade, we all could hear it. The Malakite and I rushed to the scene. We both knew that this was the absolute last chance we had. We engaged the Balseraph. He was strong and prepared, but we were desperate. We were also very fortunate. The battle turned against him, and I managed to rip the dagger from his grasp. I rushed to the nearest Tether, knowing that I had to get the relic to Heaven, where Hell could not reach it. My companions prevented the Balseraph from following me. When I reached the Tether, I tried to ascend. I had thought that we had won. Gebbeleth had other plans. He would not ascend with me, and we became locked in that place between the Earth and Heaven. I knew I would not be able to stop him from awakening. I knew I was not strong enough to confront him, or force him into Heaven. In desperation, I called for help. I called for Gabriel. And he came, bright and glorious. I am not sure why I didn't summon my own Superior, Michael. I suppose I thought Gabriel would know best how deal with it. But, I am not really sure. All I know is that, when I cried for help, it was Gabriel's name I shouted. He came to me, in that space between. He smiled at me. After all my failures, he smiled. I didn't deserve that smile. He said that the dagger couldn't be taken to Heaven now--Gebbeleth was awakening. But neither could he be released. My heart quaked, not because I didn't see a solution, but because I _did_. Somehow, I knew what was going to happen, and also knew that I was powerless to prevent it. I aged ten thousand years in that instant. When Gabriel extended his hand for the dagger, I gave it to him. I remember his face before he left--calm and serene. He was fulfilling his Word at its highest level. It was his time, and he accepted it with absolute joy. And yet, before he left, he spared a glance towards me. I felt him seeing into me, seeing all I could ever hope to be. And he smiled. He smiled for me. It was the greatest gift I could ever hope to receive. And I never earned that smile. Then, he descended. On Earth, he rose, faster that anything I have ever known. As he rose, Gebbeleth awoke and fought him. Gebbeleth screamed and raged, and Gabriel only smiled. They rose, higher and higher, Gebbeleth fought for his life, and Gabriel fought for his Word. That is, I think, the most essential difference between Heaven and Hell. As they rose, I followed, as fast as I could manage. I could not hope to be of help, but I wanted, at least, to be an observer. I wanted, needed, to see this perfect moment, burn it into my memory, so that I could tell others. So that it would never be forgotten. I could do this much for Gabriel. I owed him so much more. When they reached the peak of their flight, their conflict ripped each other's Forces apart. They shattered, in a bright blaze, seen across all of creation. And everywhere, everything was silent. The Symphony was silent in observance of their passing. And then what was left of their Forces streamed down, showering the Earth. It was then that I found, and gently caught, the last remnant of Gabriel. A few small Forces, just barely holding together, was all that was left of the Archangel of Destiny. And, with the greatest respect, I carried it back to Heaven. The entire Host was gathered in the Eternal City, wanting to know what happened, and fearing that they already knew. All of their eyes focused on me, and that which I carried. Blandine was the one that stepped forward, with that calm, simple yet grand presence that no other had. She lifted the Forces of Gabriel from me, and spoke. She said that she would now be the guardian of those Forces. As she embodied Hope, she would wrap Gabriel in the hopes of those who would see him return. She accepted his servitors as her own, until such time as he could return once more. Nurtured in the hopes of Heaven, Gabriel would one day join us again. It was his Destiny. Thus Blandine spoke. An old Elohim of Destiny, with whom I had traveled, was so moved that he willingly gave up his own Forces to Gabriel, returning what he had once been given, so that Gabriel's return would come all the more quickly. Another of my companions, a Mercurian of Flowers, started to sing. He was quickly joined by others, and soon all of the Host had joined. I don't know if I can describe the power of that song. It was grand and beautiful, and somehow vast beyond dimension. Its reverberations lifted up Heaven, brightened the Earth, and made Hell tremble. Such was its strength, that I was able to feel a sense of victory for a time. For a time. It did not last long. Soon I began to feel unease. A kind of disquiet I could not readily explain. Something was wrong, I am a Seraph, it is my role to determine the Truth. I wandered, trying to find the Truth of what I was feeling. Eventually, I found myself in the Groves. It wasn't I surprise that I was drawn there--I had spent the majority of my short existence in training there. For twenty earthly years I trained there, before I was given duties on Earth. A very short time, really--it was a great honor to be given such duties, especially for one so young. But I had always considered the Groves my home. As I wandered through the trees, I became aware of the others. Watching me, whispering when they thought I could not hear. 'There is the one,' they said, 'the one helped Gabriel achieve his Destiny. There is the Seraph who brought him back to us.' Eventually, groups of them approached me, groups made up of nearly every Choir, every Superior. There were many of them, most much older and more experienced than I, angels who had been my tutors, partners and rivals in training. Even a few who had been past up when I was sent to Earth. I asked them what they wished of me. They wanted to meet me. They wanted to honor me. They wanted to pay me their utmost respect, for, in their eyes, I have played a role in an event that would be forever more remembered. I was part of a legend, a legend that had reached the whole of Heaven. It was then I knew what was wrong. The Truth of it was, I had failed. I had failed in every important thing I had set out to do. My failure was so great that it required the death of an Archangel to repair. And they wanted to honor me for it. I could not imagine a sicker joke. I could almost hear Kobal's chuckles echo up from the Pit. I turned around and left them. No one stopped me. I suppose those Elohim that were present prevented the others from following--they, no doubt, knew what I was going through, and knew that I needed to work it out for myself. I returned to Earth. I didn't plan or think where I was going. I just moved. I was too caught up in my thoughts. I moved, black and morose, through the streets of San Francisco, a horrible wandering that eats at the spirit. It was a minor disturbance that broke my dark mood. It was a Calabite, to be sure. He had just used his infernal resonance to destroy a garbage dumpster. I don't know why he did it--perhaps he was just throwing off some tension, so that his dark power wouldn't build to uncontrollable levels. Maybe he just needed to take his anger out on something. He wasn't the only one. He never saw who had killed him. Not even a glance. One moment he was basking in the afterglow of his entropic forces, the next moment his rib cage had been shattered from behind, a nice exit wound for the heart I now held. But it meant nothing. I looked at that heart, and realized that nothing had changed, I was still at fault. I could slaughter a million infernals and it would change nothing. I dropped the still warm organ, cleaned my hands on his clothes, and moved on. And so I sank deeper into misery, deeper into the thought that I had betrayed my Word and Heaven through failure. The streets seemed to move me, for I could not have been moving myself. And yet I moved, passing through strange and unfamiliar territory but never interrupted, hindered, or challenged. I just moved. Until I stopped. When I did I found myself in an old junkyard. Not just a junkyard, though. It was a graveyard, a graveyard for trolley cars. San Francisco brought its famous cars here to sleep when they could no longer run. They rested here in peace, having served their function. I envied their simple rest, and wondered if I could have the same. It seemed so peaceful. I found one that was very old. I went inside of it, mildly surprised at its good condition. In a daze, I wandered to the back of it and found a seat. I wished that oblivion would claim me, and believed that I wouldn't be allowed that peace. I slept, for the first time ever. I have never before visited the Marches. Not my area. I respected them, though, if only as a battleground that was highly valuable. They are much more. I found myself on a line. A great division between a dark, stormy landscape, and a brightly lit, peaceful one. And I could not decide which way to turn. "What will you do?" The question surprised me. I had thought myself alone, but should have known better. No one is ever truly alone in the Marches. "What will you do?" The question came again, this time from a grey-clad woman, who walked in front of me, standing on the line. "I don't understand," was my reply. "Yes, you do. You understand very well. You have a decision to make. What will it be?" I thought for a while. A very long while. "I want to continue. To fight for the light. But I don't know if I deserve to. I may have once, but now... There is nothing I can do to replace what was lost." "Correct." I was surprised at the answer. Part of me hoped that I would be argued with. "Then there is no atonement possible." I breathed, and sank even lower. "Incorrect." I looked up, wishing, hoping. Afraid. "Even if I gave up all my Forces, it could not replace the smallest fraction of what he was." "True. It is also true that there is nothing you can do to restore him." "I don't understand." The woman gestured to the dark landscape. "Would you choose this? Would you join the Enemy?" I looked. I saw. "Never." "Then don't help them by giving up. And know that, while you may do nothing to restore Gabriel, you can do something to help him restore himself." "What is it? What can I do?" I had never wanted to know something as badly in my entire existence. "You must support Destiny. You must retain Hope. You must continue the fight, knowing that giving up is the only way for the Enemy to win. And I will help you." She reached down and placed a hand on my head. I felt the gentle, loving grace that comes with a new strength, handed down by the Highest. "I give you a special attunement. Now, with a touch, you will know the _one_ thing you can do that will most help a person achieve their Destiny. You will know what will give them Hope. You will know what you can do to make a difference. And for each Destiny you help, Gabriel will be one step closer to returning to us." She removed her hand, and I knew all she said was true. I would _know_ what I could do to help. To atone. I _could_ do something. "This power comes with a price. You must use it and help Destiny to grow. You must help as many as you can, as often as you can." She leaned over to me, so that her eyes met mine. "But most importantly, you must never allow yourself to think that what happened was your fault." I nodded, blinking away the tears of joy that had formed in my eyes. "I will do it. I will fight for Destiny until the day he returns and beyond. I will do it, even if Michael disapproves," I vowed. She smiled slightly. "Don't worry about Michael. Believe me when I say that, of all the Host in Heaven, he would understand this the best. Go now, honor your promise, and make good on your decision." I shouted with joy, turned, and rushed headlong into the bright, beautiful plains. When I awoke, I left Blandine's Tether, for Tether it was. It was a Tether that only she could have: symbolic, serene, and very, very subtle. So subtle that I didn't even recognize what it was until I had left the cable-car graveyard. But I had a new mission. And I could act on it without hesitation. For I had come to realize something, when Blandine gifted me. I had used the new power on myself. And the best thing I could do to improve my own Destiny was: not to give up Hope. ****************************************************************************** EPILOGUE Blandine returned to her tower after meeting with the Seraph. Strange, she mused to herself, how one so young and small could be thrown into history with such force. They were already calling him Gabriel's Herald. Some of the older servitors of Destiny had told her that he would be present at Gabriel's return. They believed he would help bring that return about. They had told her that it was important that he be guided, but that he must never know about his Destiny. That is not why she lead him to her Tether, where she could speak to him. That is not why she gifted him. She had other reasons. She went to the balcony where she could view the ever-changing landscape of the Marches. She closed her eyes and looked within herself, to the part that was not her. "I wish you would tell me what you saw in him--it would make him much easier to guide. But I suppose that's the point, isn't it?" A warm feeling, like a child's smile, was the only response. Blandine smiled in return. "It's so strange. He now fights for War and Destiny. Soon he'll be fighting for Hope and Dreams. And then, finally, he'll be fighting for us all." Blandine's expression become somewhat darker. "I wonder if he'll be able to shoulder the burden, when all he relies on is stripped from him." And Blandine looked out once again across the Marches. ******************************************************************************* - -- Casca, Seraph of Archives (bertishg@db.erau.edu) "...I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying...At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke." -- Isaiah 6:2,4 ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #614 ******************************* The material here is (C) 1997 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated. All rights reserved.