From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Sat Aug 15 05:47:08 1998 Return-Path: Received: from lists.io.com (lists.io.com [199.170.88.15]) by pyramid.sjgames.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id FAA25509 for ; Sat, 15 Aug 1998 05:47:07 -0500 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.9.0/8.9.0) id FAA04369 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Sat, 15 Aug 1998 05:42:15 -0500 Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 05:42:15 -0500 Message-Id: <199808151042.FAA04369@lists.io.com> X-Authentication-Warning: lists.io.com: majordom set sender to owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com using -f From: owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com (in_nomine-digest) To: in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Subject: in_nomine-digest V1 #918 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, August 15 1998 Volume 01 : Number 918 In this digest: Re: IN> Cycle Books and Stuff (*No* Spoilers) Re: IN> Lilim Traps (Re: Dissonance question) Re: IN> Real Life In Nomine 0:) Re: IN> Real Life In Nomine 0:) Re: IN> Cycle Books and Stuff (*No* Spoilers) Re: IN> IN writing & future books IN> Superiors book Re: IN> IN: Songs of Tattoos Re: IN> Cycle Books and Stuff (*No* Spoilers) Re: IN> Angelic Hearts IN> Re: IN- IN writing & future books Re: IN> IN writing & future books IN> Another Angelic Superior. Re: IN> Disgruntled Demon IN> IN: London hath returned ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 17:53:44 -0500 From: Matt Lee Subject: Re: IN> Cycle Books and Stuff (*No* Spoilers) >I think you could do just fine with Night Music, FotM, and Final >Trumpet. The adventures in The Marches and H&H are nearly irrelevant to >the main plotline, as best I can recall. FotM and Final Trumpet are >*very* tightly coupled, you probably wouldn't be happy with just one or >the other. Thanks a lot, Walter, for all of your suggestions. Your timing couldn't be better either as I was just about to go out to get some books :) I'm probably going to pickup Night Music and one of the Players Guides (the other which I will get soon afterwards, this is sortof a little buy 1 maybe 2 books, get a few more in a week or two for my birthday) and then when Final Trumpet's out, I'll get FotM and Final Trumpet. I'd get The Marches (I think the ethereal spirits and stuff sound cool plus sorcerers would be fun) and heaven and Hell later when I need a little extra stuff like that to throw into the game, and once I have a job :-\ Thanks again Matt Lee mattlee@execpc.com http://www.execpc.com/~mattlee/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 98 18:53 EDT From: Walter Milliken Subject: Re: IN> Lilim Traps (Re: Dissonance question) >>What if it was a demon-with-attitude and it /needed/ to get the lilim to do >>something without having to pay a geas for it? :) (Maybe to add a notch to >>its bedpost or boast to its friends or something) >>(Don't laugh. I had a War balseraph NPC whose main ambition in life was to >>sleep with a lilim without having to pay, because it would have been so >>good for his rep.) > > I think the Balseraph has just gotten one of those Needs that >a Lilim just *can't* fulfill. (Unless she can manage to maneuver one >of her *sisters* into doing it as a freebie for the Bal?) All she needs to do is sucker a Bright into it.... - ---Walter ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 98 19:00 EDT From: Walter Milliken Subject: Re: IN> Real Life In Nomine 0:) > I've just had a very curious thought: why is it that God (Derek >Pearcy) remains aloof from his creation, Actually, God is SJ. I'm not exactly sure what that makes Derek.... Derek did hang out on this list some in the early days, but I suspect the volume overwhelmed him. I know SJ is too busy to read all the lists and newsgroups related to his games -- that's what he has netreps (like John) and Line Editors (like Elizabeth) for. > while his Archangels (Archangel >Beth, Walter Milliken, David Edelstein, etc.) have to do all of the >explaining and dirty work? :P I think it's mostly because we have either time or good net access or both... not all of the other writers and editors do. Also, I think we four (adding John Karakesh) have been responsible for a lot of recent canon, and of course Elizabeth is responsible for *everything* these days.... - ---Walter ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 19:43:29 -0400 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: Re: IN> Real Life In Nomine 0:) At 7:00 PM -0400 8/14/98, Walter Milliken wrote: >[...] of course Elizabeth is responsible for *everything* these >days.... "Except the stuff where I wasn't LE!" Beth cries in her Litany of It Wasn't My Fault. - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor GURPS, Roleplayers, In Nomine stuff; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 19:29:39 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time) From: "Emily K. Dresner" Subject: Re: IN> Cycle Books and Stuff (*No* Spoilers) > The adventure in Heaven and Hell doesn't really use Heaven or Hell, that > I recall -- it's set in New York, actually, and mostly stays there, as > far as I remember. This adventure is relatively mediocre, in my > opinion, and is only peripherally related to the main plot line, as far > as I know. The sections on Heaven and Hell are OK, and possibly useful, > especially for background material. Actually, Heaven and Hell gets the award for "being thrown across the room in a fit of rage". Do not run a spontanious "angels going through hell to see how bad it really is" session using this book as a guideline. You all have been warned. Did you know the writeup for Hell is nearly as long as the adventure? (Okay, that's stretching. It's 20 pgs vs. 14 pgs.) But you count in the art and the NPCs and the plethora of plot seeds, and there really isn't much there in the way of raw information. So I mine it, take a little from here and there, what has the potential to be interesting, and add onto it. So that actually was a positive experience. Before then I was just adding to Shal-Mari, and after, I started adding all sorts of cool bits of Hell. I can't help it, I'm a compulsive world builder. :) > In general, the best things in the cycle books so far, for me, have been > the Superior writeups. These are almost uniformly *quite* good. > Additional rules material is a bit uneven; some of it very good, and > some fairly sloppy, though I don't think I'd call any of it outright > *bad*. Yup. I agree with you right about... there. It's why I buy them, at any rate. - - Em ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 16:48:19 -0700 From: Gryph Clarke Subject: Re: IN> IN writing & future books Walter Milliken wrote: > Suggestions are always welcome, as well as comments on what is and isn't > wanted in the books. As it happens, most of the suggestions on new book > ideas have already been thought of, but not necessarily all. You asked for it. ;) Actually, I just wanted to send this out while I was thinking about it. (I'm seven months pregnant and can barely remember my own name right now, so I have to do things while I'm thinking about them.) If there is a book I would love to see, it is one dedicated to the humans and less-than-angels, like the section in Night Music. I know it's a game about angels and demons, but humans are incredibly important, and actually a good deal of fun to play. We have a house rule that a Soldier (most especially of God) can eventually work their way to angel...Soldier first, then Saint, then Reliever, then Angel...if they are dedicated enough, work hard, etc. (Someday, I'll even get off my keister and finish my Website.) I would truly adore to see more on how humans play a role in the War, the things they do, etc. There. Now I won't forget. - - Gryph Angel of...you know, I know I'm the angel of SOMETHING...I wonder what it was.... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 20:18:39 -0400 (EDT) From: Casca Subject: IN> Superiors book On Thu, 13 Aug 1998, Matt Lee wrote: > Nomine) So my point being, I like the idea of saying "This series fits > together and advances our setting" and also at the same time giving some > new superiors and expanding on others (a Superior book isnt the worst idea > but with or w/o it these books make sure you still get new superiors a > little bit at a time and don't have to a) wait for a big superior book or > b) stop getting new superiors after that book's done) and as for the Speaking of which, -will- we be seeing a Superiors book? I'd sure like see one, especially if the portraits were in color like in the main book. It'd also be a great place to put thos spiffy Superior rules Walter keep alluding to. - -- 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 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 20:26:23 -0400 (EDT) From: Casca Subject: Re: IN> IN: Songs of Tattoos On Fri, 14 Aug 1998, -=|horsefly|=- wrote: > i've been tinkering with this since Thursday morning when i was trying to > get some sleep. i still don't have a Celestial version, and my copy of IN > is at home, so any comments, criticisms, or suggestions (if somewhere > within the real estate of Politeness) will be quite welcome. Note that > most of the mechanics are rather vague at this stage. I can give an idea for the Celestial version, but don't ask for mechanics. Celestial: This Song allows an angels' Celestial form to appear as that of a demon of the requisite Band, and vice versa. Malakim, of course, gain no use from this Song, and Lilim simply appear Bright. An Intervention when using this song could have....dramatic consequences. - -- 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 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 20:39:03 -0500 From: Eeyore Subject: Re: IN> Cycle Books and Stuff (*No* Spoilers) Walter Milliken wrote: > In general, the best things in the cycle books so far, for me, have been > the Superior writeups. These are almost uniformly *quite* good. > Additional rules material is a bit uneven; some of it very good, and > some fairly sloppy, though I don't think I'd call any of it outright > *bad*. I'll offer a dissenting opinion here. I wouldn't call the Superior write-ups bad, because I try not to criticize something for being something that it wasn't intended to be, even though that's what I wanted. I was looking for something that gave more answers and filled in more structure in the IN universe. While true of all of them, it was most apparent in the Lilith write-up; that's probably because I was looking forward to it so much. I wanted information about what her relationship with Lucifer actually is, how she got the position of Princess Freedom, etc. Specifics, in other words. What the write-ups actually give is more personality description and more details about how its subject will interact with other characters. They usually have a nugget or two that I find interesting; in Lilith's case it was the section headed "The Secret Ingredient" and some more rites, attunements and, perhaps, distinctions. Most of the write-ups have a distressing tendency to have lots of stuff I'd already inferred from already published material. This isn't uniform; the ones for Saminga and Laurence in Night Music stand out above the rest. In all, if you buy books based on the Superior write-ups, I'd go for the ones where you don't feel as secure in the characterization of the character rather than because you would like more background information on them. J. Michael Neal ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 20:56:18 -0500 From: Eeyore Subject: Re: IN> Angelic Hearts Walter Milliken wrote: > > but don't > >say that morality has nothing to do with it. > > Certainly human morality doesn't, which I believe was what the original > poster was trying to imply. As the original poster, I suppose I need to clarify what I meant. It wasn't _human_ morality I was concerned with. I was perfectly content to stick to what the inhabitants of heaven consider to be right and wrong. It was more the conflict between angelic morality on a small scale, which the dissonance conditions reflect, and a bigger picture view of what the right thing to do is. The specific example I was refering to was the dilemna that Mira Klein is caught in in Fall of the Malakim, but it has other applications as well. For instance, a Cherub that had attuned to Mira, but didn't resonate until it was almost too late to stop her, and the only ways left to do so would harm her. It was almost more theoretical a point than anything else, since these kind of situations, where taking a dissonant action is really the only way to accomplish something that really needs doing from a big picture perspective, should be pretty rare. But I could come up with them, and I didn't like the feel that these kinds of actions could lead to Falling. But I was, I think, staying within a definition of morality that applied to angels in the IN universe. J. Michael Neal ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 18:47:37 PDT From: "Bartholomew Hammerly" Subject: IN> Re: IN- IN writing & future books Gryph wrote: > >You asked for it. ;) > >Actually, I just wanted to send this out while I was thinking about it. (I'm seven months >pregnant and can barely remember my own name right now, so I have to do things while I'm >thinking about them.) If there is a book I would love to see, it is one dedicated to the >humans and less-than-angels, like the section in Night Music. > >I know it's a game about angels and demons, but humans are incredibly important, and >actually a good deal of fun to play. We have a house rule that a Soldier (most especially >of God) can eventually work their way to angel...Soldier first, then Saint, then Reliever, >then Angel...if they are dedicated enough, work hard, etc. (Someday, I'll even get off my >keister and finish my Website.) I would truly adore to see more on how humans play a role >in the War, the things they do, etc. I agree. It would be truly nice to see some more "human" write-ups. One of the problems I've had with the game is the inflexibility of the forces for use with the mortal coil. I've come up with the idea of the fractional force (good for use with a cat that has some intelligence). As long as the forces total the same, what's the difference? > >There. Now I won't forget. > >- Gryph >Angel of...you know, I know I'm the angel of SOMETHING...I wonder what it was.... > How about the Angel of Fertility? Quick question for all who want to respond. Kyrios of Michael can actually use a vessel in the Corporeal realm. Are they allowed to use two vessels, and split themselves likewise (be a human and and wolf, with no time limit, and no dissonance for leaving your vessel worse off)? Bart Hammerly Calabim of Fire "Time is the fire in which we burn." He's back! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 23:40:03 -0400 From: "Matthew D. Gandy" Subject: Re: IN> IN writing & future books Walter Milliken wrote: > Beyond that, there's an outline for another Cycle, and a half-dozen or > so "core book" ideas, all of which sound interesting. I've been arguing > that we need to run a survey here to see which ideas people like the > most. > I think a survey on the SJGames site would be a real useful idea--I know they did it at least twice last year (once for the GURPS CD-ROM and once for GURPS reprints). I have a strong feeling (as many messages and chat recommendations have already mentioned) that a Human Player's Guide would be well-liked. - -Matthew D. "Demiurge" Gandy still looking for the face I had before the world was made ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 01:41:07 EDT From: Akumsa@aol.com Subject: IN> Another Angelic Superior. What can I say? I am either Incorragable, or Insane. Hmmmm... shall I next make an Angel of Insanity? EEEK! :) Sharon, Angel Of Families. Originally a Servitor of Flowers, Sharon is in a kind of angelic gray area. Sh is not powerful enough to be considered an ArchAngel, but she is too powerful, and involved with her own word, to really be considered one of Novalis's servitors. (Note: Yes this is an Area I exploit a lot since I only have the main book, and nothing else) She seemed t specialize in families when she was a servitor of Novalis, thus Novalis sposered her for her word when she was ready. Sharon never had more than a note of Dissonance, a record which was unheard of in heaven or its infernal counterpart. After an unnecessarily detailed exploration of her past. Dominic's best men declared her fit to the Seraphim council. That was Sharon is a Mercuiran, well suited to her role as the Angel of Families. Like most members of her band, she is against killing humans unless absoultely necessary, but unlike her former superior, she understands that families need to fight occasionally. It helps encourage feelings. On this subject, she and her former master do not agree, but otherwise they get along. Originally, Sharon embraced the Christian Ideals of a family (and thus Laurence and Dominic supported her very well), but the coming of the First and Second World Wars forced her to adjust her word somewhat. Now she believes that there can be such things as single parent families. (Though she is still grappeling with the idea of parents of the same sex. She does not believe it help further her word, family or no.) She sends her servitors out to encourage Opposite sex marrages, and vehemently refuses to aid those familes of a same sex marrage. Sharon is not doing to well in the modern age, as diabolical infulence has introduced new concepts about families she cannot bear. Her greatest Enemy is Andrealphas, whose Lustful ideals destroy the family. Towards these demons, Sharon expects NO kindness, but only a merciful and quick death. He heavly allies are easy to spot, She is closely allied with her former master, Novalis, and the two groups work well together. She is also associated with Eli. Though somewhat shocked by his behavior, its well known that creation and families go hand in hand. Dominic, once her staunch ally, borderlines between hostile and associated, depending on the circumstances. He does this for both her association with Eli, and her embrace of Christian Ideals (Dominic is no fool, even he realizes that in order to promote christianity, he needs allies.) She is also allied with Christofer, as children are an important part of a family. Because she is not fully an archangel, she has little or no servitor attunements. Not all choirs serve her, and those that do are scarce in number. Still, she is a growing influence in heavenly affairs. Dissonance It is dissonant for a servitor of Families to accidentally or purposely incite an argument, start a fight, or otherwise cause any kind of rift in any family, UNLESS under orders, or as is part of thier job. If the latter, doing so unnecessarily will cause AT LEAST a note of dissonance. Chior Attunements (Note: Few Chiors Serve the Word of Families. Listed are the Attunements for the Chios who DO serve.) Cherubim Its the job of the Cherubim to track down members of a family who have run away for ANY reason. Their resonance automatically succeedes (no roll is needed) towards these people. A possession of some kind is need for this to work. They easily get jobs working for a family law court, or helping a set of parents locate thier lost child. Malakim Its the job of Sharon's Malakim to PROTECT families from Abuse, both from without and within the family. Each time they do this, they regain once essence. Lilim As Sharon is one of the Few angels to actively help out in converting Lilim, She is one of the Few angels who has a attunement for them. Sharon's Lilim may, with a glance, know the SIMPLEST way to heal a rift or problem in a family and what the problem is. All members of that family must be in view, and the Lilim's Resonance works with a bonus to the roll equal to her celestial forces. Mercurian Those Mercurians who serve the word of Families shine in any argument. They can, just by looking at a person, telll what they are arguing about (even if the participants dont really know), why, and when the problem actually started. Look for them working as Councilors and priests. Servator Attunements. Family Fued. With once essence, the Angel may INSTANTLY calm down any group or family to the point where they, though still holding to thier ideals, are open to a compromise. Essentially, they say: "Shut up and listen!" Victums may resistwith a will roll. Relations (as above): Allied: Novalis, Christofer Associated: Eli, Dominic Hostile: Janus Enemy: Andrealphas Basic Rites: - - Spend 1 hour reading Family Law cases. - - Contribute in some way to the easing of pain in a family (due to the loss of a member from death, running away, jail, ect.) Chance of Invocation: 5 Modifiers: +1 A copy of Martha Stewart's Living +2 A family law trial +3 Near a happy family +4 In any place designed for Families that is well used by them (I.e. Mabey a musem, but NOT McDonalds) +5 After catching a parent who is skipping on alimony/child support +6 After defeating a plan of ANY demon designed to seperate a family ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 07:32:04 +0900 From: Simon Hailes Subject: Re: IN> Disgruntled Demon At 12:50 PM 14/08/98 EDT, you wrote: >>I have never liked the angle atvantage but reading heavan and hell I am >>pushed over the edge. > >>as a player of demons and a GM with many demons Chars. The disatvantages (in >>short) suck. It is like SJgames doesn't want you to play demons. > >You have to remember that Angelic Celestials have God and the entire cosmos on >their side, while Infernals are merely the underdogs (granted, that's >arguable) rebelling against the rest of existance. >Angels are supposed to be mightier than demons, Lucifer doesn't plan on >fighting a one-on-one battle. The infernal strategy is to not rely on >individual power as much as sheer mass numbers. > >And how can you possibly say SJGames is emphasizing Angles when the Infernal >Players Guide is soooo much cooler and better written. > >Also<> >Who ever said Hell was supposed to be relaxing? > >-Twitch- >Me, as a Prince who operates out off Shal-Mari, the greatest place in the Cosmos, barring the Upper Heavens. Where else for the price of a couple of essence can you get a drink, a table dance, and the best schnitzel eaten outside of Germany? On a more serious note, if you dont like the angels of Final Judgment, show them the door, its your game, Steve Jackson cant make you keep them there. Simon Hailes > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 03:22:07 PDT From: "Martin Arnold" Subject: IN> IN: London hath returned Okay' it's been a while (and these replies are probably weeks out of date, but...) London has returned you lucky people! Nice to be back (I gather FotM is now available?) St. Paul's Cathedral (A Tether to The Sword) "A huge dun Cupola, like a foolscap gown On a fool's head - and there is London town!" (Don Juan, Lord Byron) Dedicated to both Laurence and London's patron saint, St' Paul's is the cathedral church for the diocese of London (covering all London north of the Thames). It's a public church in contrast to the royal role fulfilled by Westminster Abbey. Back in the 7th century, this was England's first major Christian temple; in its medieval incarnation, it was the single largest building in the land. It was rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire. Despite this, St Paul's gas shared more with the commercial world than the spiritual. Back in the Middle ages, the cathedral was itself a kind of market with horses and stalls selling beer and vegetables to all-comers. An attitude that still pervades as the first thing that confronts visitors is a cash register. Inside, the adornments begin with Grinling Gibbon's choirstall coverings and carved wreath, Jean Tijou's sanctuary gates. More recent additions include Holman Hunt's own copy of his painting 'The Light of the world'. Today around 100 people keep the cathedral. The scene of Nelson, Wellington and Churchill's state funerals (along with Princess Diana, I believe). Thanksgiving services for Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and the Silver Jubilee's of George V and the current Monarch. It's also a vast 19th and 20th century sculpture court. Since 1970 the cathedral has accepted statues of national benefactors, heroes (Nelson, Wellington, Gordon and Kitchener), writers (Dr. Johnson, John Dunne), artists (Reynolds, Constable, Sargent and Munnings), politicians and musicians and many others, including a memorial to those lost on the Falklands and Korean wars. On entering, with screen and organ now removed, there is a view of the building's length. The Dean's staircase is under the Southwest tower. Right under the dome, Wren's epitaph, translated, reads: "if you seek his monument, look around you." Down in the crypt, the largest and most impressive in Europe, the words are repeated above his gravestone. One of the simplest in the Cathedral. Wren himself wanted no memorial. Although burials no longer take place here, some 200 memorials can be seen. Much in the Crypt speaks of heroism and bravery, but overwhelmingly the tragedy of war is illustrated by the monuments contained within. The Chapel of the Order of the British Empire honours those who have given distinguished service to their country at home or abroad. Also known as St Faith's Chapel. Nelson's Tomb: Nelson died at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. His body was preserved in a keg of naval brandy and placed within four coffins before burial in the crypt. Wellington's Tomb: Wellington's tomb is made of Cornish porphyritic granite supported with a block of Peterhead granite. The Treasury: Many of the Cathedral's treasures are kept here. Over the centuries much has been seized by the state or stolen in a major robbery in 1810. There are over 200 items of liturgical plate lent by churches in the London Diocese as well as the Jubilee Cope worn during the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in 1977. Whispering Gallery stands 100 feet up, so called because you can murmur with your face to the wall and be heard with crystal clarity on the other side, 107 feet away. James Thornhill's series of paintings depicting the life of St Paul stretch hall the war around the gallery. Carrying on up you reach the Stone Gallery, Inner golden Gallery and the Outer Golden Gallery, offering panoramic views across the city. Seneschal: Armenta (from Night Music) is the Mercurian in charge of the cathedral. The Dean, Archdeacon of London, and other Chapter members (Chancellor, Treasurer, and Preceptor) are all her servants. Here she is Wordbound to St Paul's itself. However, she has had some help in maintaining the Tether (particularly during WW2, which, as a result, the cathedral escaped with little or no damage) from Marc's Seneschal in London (see later). This has added to the commercial aspect of the church however, but done little to diminish its power to The Sword. Special Rite: Armenta has the following rite in the Tether: Give a sermon that encourages honour or inspires courage +1 essence. The problem with Armenta is that, whilst an honourable servitor, she is a little frustrated with her word in the modern world. Her best friend is Marc's Seneschal who is getting concerned about her (is she becoming bad for business?). She has her sights set on running the Heavenly armoury at the Abbey (and has already been passed over for this position before), and feels that if she doesn't get this, well-deserved, duty she may start looking elsewhere... Westminster Abbey (Heaven's Meeting-Place in London) An architectural masterpiece of the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries, Westminster Abbey also presents a unique pageant of British history - the Confessor's Shrine, the tombs of Kings and Queens, and countless memorials to the famous and the great. It has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous other Royal occasions. Today it is still a church dedicated to regular worship and to the celebration of great events in the life of the nation. Neither a cathedral nor a parish church, Westminster Abbey is a "royal peculiar" under the jurisdiction of a Dean and Chapter, subject only to the Sovereign; and as far as Heaven is concerned - it is their major fortress in England. Under the jurisdiction of Laurence - the Commander of God's Armies - it holds, deep within, some of Heaven's mightiest weapons and relics ready for the Final War - along with one of it's most startling secrets. Edward the Confessor, a curious and in some ways a remote English monarch, the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings sought to re-endow and greatly enlarge a Benedictine monastery on Thorney Island close to his palace of Westminster. Unfortunately, when the church was consecrated on 28 December 1065 he was not present and died a few days later. His mortal remains were entombed behind the High Altar. The only traces of this Norman monastery is to be found in the round arches and massive supporting columns of the Undercroft in the Cloisters. This now houses the exhibition of treasures but was originally part of the domestic quarters of the monks. Among the most famous ceremonies that occurred in the Norman Abbey were the coronation of William the Conqueror on Christmas day, 1066, a grim proceeding which taxed all his resources of nerve and endurance and the canonisation of Edward the Confessor in 1161. The Norman Abbey was destined to survive for only two centuries. In the middle of the 13th century, Henry III decided to pull down the Norman Abbey and rebuild it in a new architectural design. It was a great age for cathedrals: in France it saw the construction of Amiens, Evreux, Chartres, and in England Canterbury, Winchester and Salisbury, to mention a few. King Henry III briefed his architect, Henry de Reyns and sent him abroad to study the contemporary developments in architecture. Under the decree of the King of England, Westminster Abbey was designed to be not only a great abbey and a place of worship, but also a place for the coronation and burials of monarchs. Every monarch, since William the Conqueror with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII was crowned in the Abbey. It was natural that Henry III should wish to translate the body of the saintly Edward the Confessor into a more magnificent tomb behind the High Altar. Where Edward is buried, kings and their consorts cluster around --- Henry III, the second founder of the Abbey; Edward I; Richard II; Henry V under his Chantry Chapel, and a galaxy of others. Thus began a process which has continued to this day. Over three thousand people are either buried or memorialised in Westminster Abbey. Notable among these is the Unknown Warrior, whose grave, close to the west door, has become a place of pilgrimage. A creative new addition to the Abbey was the glorious Lady chapel built by Henry VII which now bears his name. The banners of the Knights of the Order of the Bath which surrounds its walls, together with the Battle of Britain Window at the east end, designed by Hugh Easton, give colour to a building which the craftsmanship of Torrigiano in the tomb of Henry, first of the Tudor monarchs. It was not until two centuries later that a further addition was made in the western towers, designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor. Little remains of the original medieval stained glass, once one of the Abbey's chief glories. The great west window and the rose window in the north transept date from the early eighteenth century but the remainder of the glass is nineteenth and twentieth century. History did not cease with the passing of the medieval monastery at the Reformation. Queen Elizabeth I, buried in one of the apsidal chapels of Henry VII, refounded the Abbey as a Collegiate Church, a Royal Peculiar not subject to the rule of any bishop with the Sovereign as Visitor, and laid down its constitution in a charter granted in 1560. Thus the Abbey was reshaped and newly patterned to discharge a distinctive yet worshipful role in a modern age. The monastic Community had now gone, and was replaced by a Dean and twelve prebendaries, minor canons and a large lay staff. Part of the staff, under the High Steward, was responsible for the civil government of the City of Westminster. Even today, a daily pattern of worship is offered 'ad gloriam Dei'. Special services, representative of a wide spread of interest and social concern, are held regularly. In 1965-66, the Abbey celebrated its 900th anniversary, taking as its theme 'One People'. Such a theme seemed to be fitting for a church which, through a long history of involvement with the developing life of the English people, has produced a world-wide outreach, and in this outreach experienced the inevitable tension between the absolute claims of God's kingdom and the relativities inherent in the life of man in society. The Nave: Measuring 103 feet high, it is the tallest in England. The north aisle of the nave has become crowded with memorials and stones to politicians, earning the nickname Statesman's Aisle. The Choir and St. Edward's Chapel: Behind the High Altar is St. Edward's chapel, the epicentre of the abbey and Tether itself to the eternal City. Around the Coronation Chair are memorials to medieval kings. The 13th century chair, made of gilded wood, contains the Stone of Scone, the most sacred symbol of the Kings of Scotland which was stolen by Edward I and brought here in 1279. Of the tombs the finest has to be the golden memorial encrusted with jewels which Henry III built for Edward the Confessor. Al that remains now is the base. Poet's Corner: Geoffrey Chaucer was buried in the south transept in 1400 and ever since other poets and writers have vied to be placed next to him after their deaths. Few of the writers commemorated here are actually interred here; among the genuine ones are: Samuel Johnson, Browning and Tennyson. Shakespeare had to wait 130 years for his memorial, and William Blake 150. It has been declares full though. Two non-poets have the finest monuments of all: Handel, holding pages from his Oratorio, on the west wall; and the soldier-statesman John, Duke of Argyll and Greenwich, to the left of Handel, surrounded by figures symbolising Liberty, eloquence and Wisdom. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior: Of the many monuments here, this is perhaps the most moving; the Tomb is located just in front of the west door, a simple grave covered with a black slab. It contains one anonymous soldier, symbolising more than a million who died on the British side alone in WW1. He was buried here on 11 November 1920 in soil brought from the battlefields of France and Belgium. This is one of the most significant relics because it functions as Michael's main Corporeal War Vessel when the Final Battle comes. The soil is significant because it sustains the vessels energies, mush like a Body Bag. This vessel, needless to say, is extremely powerful and no-one can breach the coffin without Michael's strict permission (and the seneschal, and him, will know instantly!). Chapter House, Pyx Chamber, Abbey Museum: A pretty cloister leads to three annexes to the abbey. The octagonal Chapter House, used aporadiscally as a meeting-house for mediaeval parliaments; the Pyx Chamber, named after the box (or Pyx) containing standard pieces of gold and silver. These coins are still checked and counted in a ritualistic ceremony in Goldsmith's Hall in the City; finally Abbey Museum contains many treasures once displayed inside the church proper, including the military gear Henry V used at Agincourt, along with waxwork effigies of royalty and other VIP's that were once used in funeral; processions. There are a few it the lesser relics here (guarded of course). Seneschal: Everyone knows that the celestial charged with protection of this most potent of tethers is indeed someone special, but not even Laurence himself is 100% sure oh is true nature. This role was appointed directly by God himself. Yves, of course, knows. And now, so do you... Uriel, former Archangel of Purity, has the role of Seneschal of Westminster Abbey. Actually, to be more accurate, it's really one aspect of Uriel. To simplify things; after his recall to the presence of God, he was given a new duty while young Laurence oversaw his primary role. Uriel was 'split up' into several different beings - all aspects of himself, only somewhat less 'blinding' (and thus more geared toward the corporeal world). God gave him the task of overseeing every one of Heaven's main strongholds (Westminster Abbey, for one, Notre Dame, and others all over earth and the universe). Basically Uriel (although referred to by another name - or names) is an extremely powerful Kyriotate-like celestial with one role and one role only. He bears no ill-will for his new duty (how can he go against God's edict?), nor toward Laurence who doesn't yet know, although 'Uriel' serves under Laurence in the everyday running of the Tether. As far as things are concerned, Uriel is just another Seneschal with the odd special rite, Word and attunement. Unless called upon to act by God directly no-one will ever really know his secret. He posses, just like a Kyriotate, the Abbey itself and rarely shows his true form (a Kyriotate for all intents and purposes). He, like Armenta, is Wordbound to the Abbey (in fact Uriel is Wordbound to all the sites he protects), and has the following rite: Go into honourable combat with a weapon from the Armoury (but only against a suitable foe) +1 Essence. Uriel can also attune himself to everything within the Abbey so as to make sure nothing gets lost! And only he knows where the good stuff is kept (the location is effectively a direct link to crypt beneath the Chrch of the Sword in the Eternal City. In quiet times Laurence himself can be found here, when London calls, in discourse with St. Edward, and many of the other saints popular to London. The Bank of England (A Tether to Trade) "Money, it's a hit; But don't give me that do-goody-good bullshit" (Pink Floyd) Once described by the playwright, Richard Sheridan, as an 'elderly lady in the City of great credit and long standing'; the bank's record as guardian of the nation's finances is well known. It rescued London from bankruptcy in the 17th century, resisted the temptations of the South Sea Bubble and kept the country's economy buoyant during the Revolutionary wars with France. However it has had a tough time recently with the abandonment of worldwide currency controls in the 1970's and the changing nature of international capital has made it harder to monitor the activities of commercial houses. In 1991 it closed down the Bank of Credit and Commerce International after discovering a web of bad debts and dishonest dealings. Sir John Soane built the Bank in the 18th century, but his design proved too good for the people it was intended for. In 1925, the Bank's governors decided that they needed more space, and demolished the original and replaced it with a less imaginative design. All that remains of the original is the secure curtain wall on the outer rim of the building and the first room in the museum, the Bank Stock Office. Up until the Great Fire, the Company of Goldsmiths serviced most of London's banking needs. It was a primitive system that was only as good as its customers. When Charles II renege on a debt, five banks went out of business. Sixteen years later, when James II declared war on France, the government found itself unable to raise the funds necessary for its army. Thus it was that in 1694 a Scottish merchant, William Paterson, proposed the creation of a new joint-stock bank that would lend the government the money at an 8% interest rate with no fixed term for repayments. The proposal was an instant success; soon after Royal charter recognised the bank. As time went on the bank became the undisputed manager of the national debt; this rose from its initial 1.2 million to 12 million in 1700 and 850 million at the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815. Other innovations slowly followed. Token money evolved during the revolutionary wars against France (occasioned by an acute shortage of gold); banknotes became commonplace in the 19th century and the Bank of England became the sole issuer in 1921. The Bank was nationalised in 1946 and remains under control of the Treasury to this day. The bank's reputation for security (hence the phrase 'as safe as the Bank of England') dates from the Gordon riots of 1780, when a detachment of horse and foot guards drove the mob away. Thereafter the government provided a permanent overnight guard called the Bank Picquet. Initially the guards' only reward was an allowance of bread, cheese and beer; they were not paid in cash until 1792. For nearly 200 years the guard was a symbol of the bank's security and wore a special uniform. The Picquet was eventually abolished in 1973 and its duties handed over to a private security firm. At street level the building has no doors, save for the main entrance, or windows. Seneschal: Pyotr is in charge of Marc's territory in London. He is a hard man to work for and an even harder man to deal with. Anyone who gets involved with him better know what they are letting themselves in for; Pyotr doesn't forgive any mistakes. Those foolish enough to cross him never live to regret their mistake. Pyotr is a Malakite. That said, he isn't unfair or unkind; he just drives a hard bargain. His reputation for honour is almost as legendary as Laurence's, and he has never been known to divert for his scruples and moral centre ever. This makes him one of the most puritan celestials in London, and even the demons, which he hates, know better then to try and pull the wool over this Malakite's eyes. It is well known he has no love for the infernal seneschals in London; especially Cedron and Caveatal in charge of Westminster Palace. He has many enemies, those who have got burnt in their dealings with him, but he is more then capable of dealing with the odd disgruntled demon. For a price, Pyotr can acquire almost anything from Commerce Park; and his interest rates aren't that unreasonable. In recent times, Pyotr has helped Armenta, the Seneschal of St Paul's, out. As a result, the cathedral is a lot more commercial than Christian. This doesn't bother Pyotr who was happy to enter into a deal with his fellow seneschal. Armenta, for her part, was a little desperate for help, but took the chance. Now he's ready to call in the debt, confident that such an honourable member of the Host will have little trouble meeting his demands. Thos who know suspect that Armenta has gotten in a little too deep in her dealings with Pyotr, and think that perhaps, in the interests of heavenly harmony, that the Malakite goes a little easier on her. Quite out of the question of course. Business is business. Pyotr holds all of Marc's distinctions along with the Word 'Sterling'. His special rite is: +1Essence for increasing the nations coffers through any means. Whilst in the tether, Pyotr can transform any hard currency into Pounds Sterling from any denomination, matching it' numerical values exactly (regardless of exchange rates - unless he wishes to obey them). This 5$ becomes 5 pounds. The Tower (The Infernal Armoury) "Off with 'er head!" The appeal of the Tower of London is its long and violent history; many famous heads were parted from their equally famous bodies in the confines of the castle. Henry VIII's second and fifth wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey, who was proclaimed Queen of England in 1533, but deposed after nine days, were all executed here, while Sir Thomas Moore and Sir Walter Raleigh were imprisoned here before their journeys to the scaffold. Prisoners were brought in and out of the Tower through the Traitors Gate, still a watergate in the outer wall of the Tower, visible form the embankment. Many brutal deeds were done in this elegant prison, so its no surprise that this is the most haunted building in London; the headless body of Anne Boleyn has been seen gliding across Tower Green, and Raleigh's ghost walks the ramparts on moonlit nights! The Tower was not always a place of torture and execution; it also served as a royal palace. William the Conqueror began its construction in 1078, building the central keep, known as the White Tower because it was whitewashed during the reign of Henry III. Henry kept his menagerie here, including three leopards, given to him by the Holy Roman Emperor, and a polar bear, a gift from the King of Norway. The White Tower now houses a museum of arms and armour (including many hellborn relics). Although dark deeds had already been committed in the Tower (the 'Little Princes', Edward V and his brother Richard, were murdered in the Bloody Tower, possibly by their uncle Richard III, in 1483) it was under Henry VIII that the pace really picked up. The site of the block was on Tower green, in front of the Chapel of St Peter and Vincula, whose floor was raised in 1870 to reveal a pile of beheaded skeletons, including those of Henry's discarded wives. The Crown Jewels are kept in the 19th century Waterloo barracks, beside the chapel. Most of the jewels date from the period after 1660; earlier regalia were melted down after Charles I's execution in 1649. Queen Victoria's Imperial State Crown has many famous jewels but none so well known as the Koh-I-Noor (mountain of light) diamond on the Queen Mother's crown. The new jewels, fashioned at the Restoration, became the subject of a bizarre plot by an Irishman called Captain Blood (a servant of Janus). Blood, disguised as a priest, managed to befriend the Jewel House Keeper, who was foolish enough to sell him his pistols. Blood and a group of friends then launched a raid, but were discovered in the act when the Keeper's son turned up unannounced. One man shoved the orb down his breeches while Blood flattened the Crown with a mallet and tried to run off with it. The Tower guard caught up with the lot of them and hauled Blood before the King. Charles was so taken with Blood's cheek that, far from punishing him, he gave him estates in Ireland and a fat annual pension. Blood became a national celebrity. When he died years later, his body had to be exhumed to persuade the people that his death was not just another trick. There are two main crowns: St Edwards Crown, a heavy somewhat unwieldy piece used only during the coronation ceremony itself, and the golden Crown of state. Next are the jewelled sword and spurs, also used to annoint the new monarch, followed by the orb, bracelets and two sceptres, which symbolise the sovereign's secular and divine mission. The orb represents the spread of Christianity throughout the world; the sceptres forge the link between the monarch and her subjects, while the bracelets are an emblem of Britain's link to the Commonwealth. The ring of Kingly Dignity is a sapphire mounted with rubies while the Great Sword of State, the sovereigns symbolic personal weapon, is decorated with a lion and unicorn as well as the royal arms. The 42 Yeoman Warders (nicknamed Beefeaters - possibly because of the meat allowance they received from the Crown) have looked after the Tower since their appointment by Henry VII in 1485. The Tower has many traditions; one is the nightly Ceremony of the Keys, when the Chief Yeoman Warder locks the main gated at 10pm, after which a bugler sounds the Last Post. This ceremony has scarcely changed in 700 years, except now that it takes place under floodlight with an audience. Six Ravens live in the gardens, and legend has it that the Tower will collapse if they fly away. Their wings are clipped (and that's not the least of their problems!), but they are well cared for by the Yeoman Ravenmaster. A church that stands a short way west of the Tower, on Byward Street; from here Pepys watched the Great Fire in 1666. A more benign flame is maintained in the sanctuary by Toc H, the movement founded by Tubby Clayton to foster the same spirit of Christian comradeship he found in the trenches during WW1. Priests from this church have traditionally tended to those condemned to death in the Tower. Seneschal: Like Westminster Abbey, the Tower holds a special role in the celestial battlefield of London. Originally this was a tether of Death, but in recent times that role has diminished, as a result the demon, Lumph, who held the position of seneschal; has turned renegade having fallen out of favour with Saminga. The Demon Prince could not accept that, in the modern world, bloody executions, torture and decapitation was not the way to solve problems. One wonders, though, whether Lumph himself was more stupid in trying to bring this to his master's attention. The job then fell upon the shoulders of Asmodeus' chief Inquisitor, Nergal. Nergal was assigned to deal with Lumph and his dissension. Of more concern, though, was the vacating of one of Hell's prime real estate locations in London. As a reward for dealing with the situation without causing too much disturbance, Nergal was granted the job of Seneschal; Saminga was insulted, but Asmodeus sternly warned him to be more careful; in the future. The skewered remains of Lumph were duly sent to the Bone Citadel as a token of Asmodeus' intentions. Nergal is wordbound to the Tower and is in charge of Hell's Gestapo in England. He was responsible for transforming the place into the more useful function it serves today. Amongst the displays are some of Hell's most powerful relics; hidden in the light of day! But locked away from the tourists' gaze, in places that make the torture displays seem like a toyshop, are the real treasures. Kept under Nergal's personal scrutiny is weapons that would make even the steeliest of Malakim shudder. These are kept in readiness for Armageddon when Nergal and his most trusted servants will take up arms against the Host. Nergal holds all of Asmodeus' attunements and has survived one or two private audiences with Lucifer himself (he still has the cars to show it). Unknown to even Asmodeus, Nergal answers directly to the Lightbringer, and it was he that organised the installation of the Infernal Armoury. The Tower is one of the few places where Lucifer can be summoned - but only on an unmodified roll of 666. And the news better be good (usually only Nergal is responsible for this; if Asmodeus ever found out that Nergal has been in contact with the Lord of Hell, he would not be happy, seeing it as going behind his back. Naturally it's just jealousy). Nergal has the following special rite: +3 for bringing a renegade here, providing he is 'beheaded' at Tower Green as well. At sunset, demons of The Game present at the Tower gain an extra point of Essence instead. In keeping with the Tower's traditions, Tower Green is still the site of executions - celestial executions. In their celestial form, away from mortal scrutiny, Nergal can bind a renegade to the block whilst one of his servitors, armed with a particular relic from the Tower decapitates them. This is enough o kill the demon forever (and angel!), but can only work in celestial form. To be contnd... ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #918 ******************************* The material here is (C) 1997 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated. All rights reserved.