From owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Tue Nov 2 22:48:18 1999 Return-Path: Received: from lists.io.com (majordom@lists.io.com [199.170.88.15]) by pyramid.sjgames.com (8.8.7/8.8.7) with ESMTP id WAA14369 for ; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 22:48:17 -0600 Received: (from majordom@localhost) by lists.io.com (8.9.3/8.9.1a) id WAA29545 for in_nomine-digest-outgoing; Tue, 2 Nov 1999 22:43:56 -0600 Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 22:43:56 -0600 Message-Id: <199911030443.WAA29545@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 #1389 Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com Sender: owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Errors-To: owner-in_nomine-digest@lists.io.com Precedence: bulk in_nomine-digest Tuesday, November 2 1999 Volume 01 : Number 1389 In this digest: IN> Can't Spell S_ccess Without You Re: IN> Falling Archangels (Yves) IN> lilith and freedom IN> More Dominic Re: IN> Re: IN> <( =?iso-8859-1?Q?=A9=BF=A9?= )> Find Out What They Don't Want You To Know! Re: IN> adam and co Re: IN> Dominic Discussion (Re: Nicole Fluff) Re: IN> Gabriel & Dominic IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) IN> Redeemed Princes (Malphas) Re: IN>Demon of blackmail Re: IN>Demon of blackmail Re: IN>Demon of blackmail Re: IN> Redeemed Princes (Malphas) Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) Re: IN> Gabriel & Dominic Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) IN> The Original Malakim Re: IN> The Original Malakim Re: IN> The Original Malakim IN> The Unattached Re: IN> Redeemed Princes (Malphas) Re: IN> Gabriel & Dominic IN> Asmodeus, Archangel of the Infinite Game ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 06:08:41 From: Subject: IN> Can't Spell S_ccess Without You I DISCOVERED A BUSINESS THAT PROVIDES A 5 FIGURE INCOME WITHIN THE VERY 1ST MONTH. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO NET $1000 YOUR 1ST WEEK, AND OVER $10,000 YOUR 1ST MONTH? MAKING MONEY FROM YOUR HOME WILL NEVER BE EASIER THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO SELLING YOU WILL NEVER TOUCH THE TELEPHONE THERE IS NO LARGE INVESTMENT JUST A CONSISTENT WEEKLY PAY CHECK ANYONE CAN DO THIS BUSINESS & I MEAN ANYONE. BUT DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-811-2141 ID #55373 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 14:19:15 -0000 From: "Liam" Subject: Re: IN> Falling Archangels (Yves) From: Ben Glickler > Yves > Demon Prince of Secrets this is a cool write-up, my only problem with it is that if Yves fell the war would be lost, IMO. in fact, Yves might only be able to fall if the symphony chose its fate liam ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 11:54:47 CST From: "jonh smith" Subject: IN> lilith and freedom > Yep, that's why she works for Lucifer. Yep...totally free, just like >her >daughters. True Freedom has no strings like a Geas-hook or a 'favour' you >-must- >repay. That sounds more like a -bargain- than a favour. I always thought >Lil's >Word ran more like 'Freedom as long as you're the biggest'. > Well, thats the problem with existential freedom. It ain't liberty. you always have the freedom to do something, but you aren't at liberty to do so. You have the freedom to disobey lilith. she then uses the essence she gained through your disssobedience to kick your sorry demonic butt all the way to sheol. It is also the paradox of freedom. it can't exist for one without interfering with the freedom of another. freedom for the biggest is the law of the universe. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 13:43:04 -0600 From: David Edelstein Subject: IN> More Dominic >>>using my above reasoning it is noit necessarily a sin in other religions, and if Dom wasn't so big on Catholicism he may not have prosectuted Michael.<<< Wrong. Michael's trial was way pre-Christian era. - -David ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 14:47:02 -0500 From: Walter Milliken Subject: Re: IN> Re: IN> <( =?iso-8859-1?Q?=A9=BF=A9?= )> Find Out What They Don't Want You To Know! At 11:45 -0500 11/1/99, Ben Glickler wrote: >> cronies (with Vapula) are as busy as ever. Damn Demon of Spam...anyone >> ever (or intend to) do a writeup of it? > >The Demon of Spam would have a horribly boring writeup before the advent of >the Internet. All he had going for him was one half-decent Weird Al song >and a ton of canned meat. I don't know about that -- if the Cold War had turned hot, his Word could have gotten pretty important. After all, there was a ton of that stuff in every fallout shelter in the US in the late 1950s. Maybe he was angling to get moved under Belial.... - ---Walter ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 18:53:37 -0500 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: Re: IN> adam and co At 9:44 PM -0800 11/2/99, Steel Angel wrote: >Prodigal wrote: > >> The latter would scan more closely with the translations of Genesis I've >> read, with God inflicting the ability to get pregnant upon Eve as part of >> punishing her and Adam for eating the forbidden fruit. > > *waits for Archangel Beth to comment on -this- one* (See? The demons are right. God's a jerk.) [If I have to say on that...] - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor GURPS, Roleplayers, In Nomine stuff; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 19:02:13 -0500 From: Elizabeth McCoy Subject: Re: IN> Dominic Discussion (Re: Nicole Fluff) At 5:18 PM -0800 11/2/99, Azrael wrote: >[Mechanics of Dominic's Sword thing] >> >> I don't call that one useless. I call that one Demon Hamburger. (Or "the Sword of Judgment" from time to time...) >I didn't know the exact mechanics I thjought you had to stand around, and >the hits could be dodged etc... If the GM is nice, you can dodge, but the angel doesn't have to stick around, by my reading of it. (Dominican invokes sword on Badass Calabite. Dominican smirks, waves, and uses his remaining 2 Essence to ascend. Calabite is now going to either Die Messily, or descend to his Heart. This works even better if you've managed to get him to waste all his Essence before you invoke your sword. This is what your fellow triad members are good for.) And so you dodge, maybe (though by my reading, it's not allowed; Smite has a dodge-allowed notation, and Heavenly Judgment doesn't). Eventually, even if you have Dodge/6 and Agility 12, you're going to get an Intervention, which will either be great and save you, or bad, and, well... So, 50-50 chances at best that the favorable Intervention will show up first. Feeling lucky, Hellspawn? O;> - --emccoy@nh.ultranet.com // arcangel@io.com In Nomine Line Editor GURPS, Roleplayers, In Nomine stuff; Art: http://www.io.com/~arcangel/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 19:50:44 -0500 From: Ben Aldred Subject: Re: IN> Gabriel & Dominic >Not that the IN version of the genesis of Islam matches the orthodox >Muslim view anyway... Just a brief narration of what the orthodox view is. Mohammed is lying asleep in bed when the archangel gabriel appears in his room. He(In Muslim theology Gabriel is male) walks over to Mohammed's bed takes a pillow...and begins to smother Mohammed with it. Mohammed wakes up and Gabriel says to him "RECITE!" Mohammed, still struggling under the pillow says in a muffled voice "What should I recite!?" Gabriel, still holding the pillow over Mohammed's head says again "RECITE!" Mohammed, with less and less air and more and more panic, says "What should I recite!?!?" Gabriel, still not satisfied with the answer, continues to hold the pillow over Mohammed's head and says a third time "RECITE!" Mohammed then spontaneously begins reciting the Qu'ran and Gabriel removes the pillow from his head. Just goes to show the Archangel of Fire works in mysterious ways. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 17:06:19 -0800 (PST) From: David Barr Subject: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) The discussion threads concerning our Beloved Arch Line Editor's (tm) Delicate Condition started me thinking about saying something pointless about how it will all be worth it yadda yadda yadda (which I thought about just long enough to remember that, by virtue of that pesky little Y chromosone, I should keep my mouth shut on this issue), But then I thought, Hey, She is the line editor. Therefore she has access to literally thousands of user email accounts (well, email accounts, any way). The potential to make her offspring teenage years specataculalry emabarrasing are exactly as hard as it is to post Baby pictures to the list. (sayeth the LE / Parent / Arch Princess "Clean your room or the world will see you naked on a bear skin rug!!") So, to make this a legit post, of Who does (or would) the Demon of blackmail serve? Secrets leaps to mind, now that I think about it...any other candidates? - -Daiv ===== reply to my home address -> daiv@cruzio.com my mother once said that boy is stranger than a three toed barking frog - -Daiv __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 19:09:59 -0600 From: "Prodigal" Subject: Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) From: David Barr > So, to make this a legit post, of Who does (or would) the Demon of > blackmail serve? Secrets leaps to mind, now that I think about > it...any other candidates? IMC, it'd have to be Kronos. Blackmail, after all, is the use of someone's secrets to push them toward their Fate. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 18:26:03 -0700 From: "Ben Glickler" Subject: IN> Redeemed Princes (Malphas) Malphas Archangel of Individuality "The world of variety, full of unique possibilities." After Malphas' duplicity in the Final Trumpet, even Lucifer's dark humor no longer appreciated the Prince of Factions. Isolated and alone, deserted by his ally Kobal, Malphas had become the ultimate faction. In an act of desperation, Malphas fled Hell and was exiled to the Marches. His discovery by Blandine's Menunim was one of chance; weakened and cut off from his powerbase in Hell, Malphas nearly fell victim to a roving band of Tsayadim. One of the Menunim, an inexperienced fledgling named Celaymiel, reached out to the battered Demonic Prince, summoning her superior as she did. Malphas, for the first time in his existence, felt hope, and as the Tsayadim and Menunum looked on, Blandine wrapped her arms around his tattered Forces and prayed. The Redemption of Malphas was a painful one, and it nearly failed. His Forces flitted away like so much smoke as he underwent the transformation from Shedite to Kyriotate. His Word was torn from him, his Princehood vanished, and he nearly vanished with it. No-one is sure how or why Malphas gained the Word of Individuality at this time, but he did -- and in doing so, not only survived his Redemption but, riding a rising tide of individuality, emerged with most of his former power intact. It is speculated that this was Kobal's final joke, and the mission for which God had chosen him. Hell's greatest cause, Individuality, had become a Divine Word. Malphas' swift ascent to Archangel status seems to be a nod to this theory. Conversely, Kobal's continued existence in Hell casts doubt upon it. Malphas pursues his Word to make humanity stand up, not as a collective, but as a collection of individuals. Everyone, he has discovered, has something valuable inside, just waiting to get out and be recognized. He no longer pursues individuality to the point of selfishness, nor does he deny the existence and worth of others. Instead, he sees all individuals as something special and unique. The Word of Individuality applies not just to people. It also applies to fashion trends, art, literature, and concepts. Anything that has the conviction to stand up and be heard falls under Malphas' conceptual Individuality. Malphas, never a warrior, nonetheless values his more combative servitors. Humanity often looks up to great warriors as heroes. Despite his redemption, Malphas is a sad, quiet, lonely figure. He sees clearly how far he fell, and he sees clearly how dark he was when last he walked in Heaven. He doesn't want the forgiveness or sympathy of the Host; he just wants their understanding. DISSONANCE It is dissonant for servitors of Malphas to disregard or degrade the individuality of others. This includes ridicule or demeaning treatment. They also refrain from using stereotypes. In many ways, this reflects the way Seraphim act. For example, they would not assert that the police force is bad; instead, certain officers are bad. His servitors will never just call a cop a cop -- after all, that cop has a name. CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS Seraphim - -------------- Blessed with the ability to make any individual stand out in the Symphony, these Seraphim may surround any being with an positive aura that can only be seen with a successful perception roll, and even then only by Angels. The aura also grants the being a +1 to their charisma, even if others cannot see it. Seraphim of Malphas can maintain as many auras as they have Celestial Forces, and may take the aura away at any time. They may always see the auras they have created. Cherubim - -------------- Cherubim who work for Individuality may only attune to one individual at a time, but know that person intimately well. They will not learn someone's dark secrets this way, but can recall any positive fact about their attuned. These Cherubim may attune to multiple objects, but only one individual. Ofanim - ----------- Wild individualists, these Ofanim function as Malphas' messengers. They may always add the check digit from a resonance roll to the check digit of the roll the resonance is enhancing (as in the Angelic Player's Guide), and will not suffer dissonance if they fail. They will still suffer any physical repurcusions from a failure with a high check digit... Elohim - ---------- Elohim are too objective to appreciate the subjectiveness of individuality, and few work for Malphas. Those who do are valued greatly for their insight, as they can see, with the application of their resonance, what a person values most in himself, and what makes that person most unique. Malakim - ------------ As iconic heroes, Malphas's Malakim are inspiring to their allies. Anyone witnessing one of these Malakim fighting a demon gains a point of essence, if they join the fray, as though it were a rite. Kyriotates - -------------- Few Kyriotates work for Malphas; it is dissonant for them to possess more than one being at a time when in his service, and many find this far too constraining. As a trade-off, they have access to the memories of their host. Anything they do that would build up the host's self-worth counts as a rite, and gives them a point of essence. The host also gains a point of essence when this occurs. Mercurians - ----------------- Mercurians working for Individuality are masters of compromise. They may add their Ethereal Forces to both the skill level and the check digit of their Fast-Talk skill. If they spend a point of essence while negotiating their compromise, those present must make a will roll to avoid being agreeable. SERVITOR ATTUNEMENTS I am - ----------------------- By asserting "I am" to the Symphony, this attunement allows an angel to channel the divine. Any Intervention rolled for a number of minutes equal to the angel's celestial forces times ten will be a Divine Intervention. This costs three essence. On a Pedestal - ------------------------------ With a glance and a point of essence, an angel with this attunement may pick out the being with the strongest sense of individuality in a crowd. Since demons tend to be strong individualists, they can often be seen with this attunement. DISTINCTIONS Vassal of Individuality - ----------------------- This level of distinction makes the celestial immune to possession. Kyriotates have no fear of being "bumped" from their hosts. Friend of Assertion - -------------------------- An angel with this distinction may "lend" their will to another being. The lending lasts for only a number of minutes equal to the angel's Celestial Forces, but may be renewed with a thought. The angel's will is lowered and the recipient's will is increased for this duration, both for an equal amount. Will cannot go over 12 or under 1 as a result. Only one being can benefit from the lending at a time, and the lender may terminate the lending at any time. The amount of will granted is up to the angel using the distinction. Master of the Unique - --------------------------------- A Master of the Unique may create a rite upon gaining this distinction. Their rite will be unique to them alone, and must be approved by Malphas. RELATIONS Malphas tries to keep to himself. He is uncomfortable in his new role, but has no regrets about what has happened. There are other Archangels who are dedicated to building up the individual, and Malphas tends to get along with them well. Others distrust him, remembering his old demonic attitudes. Dominic dislikes Malphas, finding his isolation too similar to his Demon Prince ways. Laurence also dislikes Malphas, but can find no fault with the complete support that the Archangel of Individuality grants him. Surprisingly, Malphas complements and assists David's goals in strengthening humanity, and the two work together well, as Malphas makes individuals strong and David makes them work together. Blandine likes Malphas a great deal, and worries for him. Malphas has become something of a popular figure amongst her Menunim. Celaymiel, the Menunite who aided in Malphas' Redemption, is often seen at the Archangel of Individuality's side. Malphas has, through her, begun to learn love. Malphas himself is hostile to no-one, trying to stay as far away from his old factionialized world as possible. He will cast his vote to achieve compromise, rather than support one side or another. Allied: Blandine, David Associated: Yves, Novalis, Michael Hostile: No-one BASIC RITES * Play a sport that makes you shine as an individual for one hour * Give a rousing speech * Lead a group CHANCE OF INVOCATION: 2 Invocation Modifiers +1 A news article about an individual +2 A biography +3 An autobiography +4 At the United Nations +5 A unique and very valuable work of art +6 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, original copy ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 17:26:52 PST From: "Du Dawei" Subject: Re: IN>Demon of blackmail Some demons and angels have words of their own, why must they always serve some other archangel or prince? I always thought that was rather stupid, actually. The Angel of Death is the Angel of Death. Why should he serve Destiny or whatever? He is his own "person" without having the rank of Archangel. One of the reasons I have come to get so frustrated with the SJG In Nomine universe is because it is so uptight as to who serves who. Whatever happened to serving God for God's sake? The politics get to the point where you might as well play white wolf games and they got out of hand a long time ago. My two cents, Dave BTW, I read that Zadkiel referred to Novalis as her patroness. Whoever wrote that line threw Zoroastrian/Judaic angel mythology right out the window...and made for a sappier game. Give me grit, give me gore, give me angels as terrible creatures who serve God's every whim without questioning why...haven't seen any of that in the "official" universe. Ah well, you can't keep everybody happy all of the time. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 18:37:21 -0700 From: "Ben Glickler" Subject: Re: IN>Demon of blackmail > window...and made for a sappier game. Give me grit, give me gore, give me > angels as terrible creatures who serve God's every whim without questioning > why...haven't seen any of that in the "official" universe. Ah well, you > can't keep everybody happy all of the time. Laurance. Dominic. Malakim. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 19:06:04 -0700 From: "Ben Glickler" Subject: Re: IN>Demon of blackmail > window...and made for a sappier game. Give me grit, give me gore, give me > > angels as terrible creatures who serve God's every whim without > questioning > > why...haven't seen any of that in the "official" universe. Ah well, you > > can't keep everybody happy all of the time. > > Laurance. Dominic. Malakim. Laurence, too. Nitpicking m'self? In a three word post? Can I go blind doing that? > Ben Ben ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 21:16:40 -0500 From: Whistling in the Dark Subject: Re: IN> Redeemed Princes (Malphas) This... is excellent. A perfect blend of Malphas as we know him and Malphas in the Symphony. I much prefer those who open to their Words in Redemption to the "Contrary Redemptions" we hear so much about in these discussions. - -- Eric Alfred Burns It was then I felt my heart break like a in-sabre@annotations.com fragile Scooby Snack upon the harsh teeth of http://www.annotations.com Reality -- and it's been broken ever since. http://www.annotations.com/~journal --Johnny Bravo ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 23:18:25 -0500 (EST) From: "Rev. Pee Kitty" Subject: Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) On Tue, 2 Nov 1999, Prodigal wrote: > From: David Barr > > > So, to make this a legit post, of Who does (or would) the Demon of > > blackmail serve? Secrets leaps to mind, now that I think about > > it...any other candidates? > > IMC, it'd have to be Kronos. Blackmail, after all, is the use of someone's > secrets to push them toward their Fate. Come on... it is absolutely, DEFINITELY Alaemon, Demon Prince of Secrets! And it's a Lilim. - -- Rev. Pee Kitty, of the order Malkavian-Dobbsian Meow! "Anything sounds profound if you put it in quotation marks and sign it Anonymous." -- Anonymous ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 19:00:58 PST From: "Perry Lloyd" Subject: Re: IN> Gabriel & Dominic > >Not that the IN version of the genesis of Islam matches the orthodox > >Muslim view anyway... > >Just a brief narration of what the orthodox view is. Mohammed is lying >asleep in bed when the archangel gabriel appears in his room. He(In Muslim >theology Gabriel is male) walks over to Mohammed's bed takes a >pillow...and begins to smother Mohammed with it. Mohammed wakes up and >Gabriel says to him "RECITE!" Mohammed, still struggling under the pillow >says in a muffled voice "What should I recite!?" Gabriel, still holding >the pillow over Mohammed's head says again "RECITE!" Mohammed, with less >and less air and more and more panic, says "What should I recite!?!?" >Gabriel, still not satisfied with the answer, continues to hold the pillow >over Mohammed's head and says a third time "RECITE!" Mohammed then >spontaneously begins reciting the Qu'ran and Gabriel removes the pillow >from his head. Just goes to show the Archangel of Fire works in mysterious >ways. >Ben Hell yeah! I wish I could comment on my on-line game here, but . . . but, my players read the list! Ahhhhhhh!!!! - -Perry perrylloyd@hotmail.com "Plots and Plans. What everyone should have to cook with." - Elizabeth McCoy (personal interview 3/23/99) ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 22:15:18 -0500 From: Ben Aldred Subject: Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) At 11:18 PM 11/2/99 -0500, you wrote: > > >On Tue, 2 Nov 1999, Prodigal wrote: > >> From: David Barr >> >> > So, to make this a legit post, of Who does (or would) the Demon of >> > blackmail serve? Secrets leaps to mind, now that I think about >> > it...any other candidates? >> >> IMC, it'd have to be Kronos. Blackmail, after all, is the use of someone's >> secrets to push them toward their Fate. > >Come on... it is absolutely, DEFINITELY Alaemon, Demon Prince of Secrets! >And it's a Lilim. > I think it could just as easily in some ways be a Djinn of the Game. All that following around collecting information. Catching people who don't play by the rules. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 22:17:13 -0500 From: Whistling in the Dark Subject: Re: IN>Demon of blackmail (servitor of nitpicking?)(fluff) At 11:18 PM -0500 11/2/99, Rev. Pee Kitty wrote: >On Tue, 2 Nov 1999, Prodigal wrote: > > > From: David Barr > > > > > So, to make this a legit post, of Who does (or would) the Demon of > > > blackmail serve? Secrets leaps to mind, now that I think about > > > it...any other candidates? > > > > IMC, it'd have to be Kronos. Blackmail, after all, is the use of someone's > > secrets to push them toward their Fate. > >Come on... it is absolutely, DEFINITELY Alaemon, Demon Prince of Secrets! >And it's a Lilim. Ahh... the Lilim of Secrets. The ultimate blackmailers. The ultimate spies. And yes, Blackmail is very much a Word under Secrets, but I have a suspicion it predates Alaemon getting that Word... which probably means it's one of Gebbeleth's Servitors, and they're not the same.... - -- Eric Alfred Burns It was then I felt my heart break like a in-sabre@annotations.com fragile Scooby Snack upon the harsh teeth of http://www.annotations.com Reality -- and it's been broken ever since. http://www.annotations.com/~journal --Johnny Bravo ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Nov 1999 22:24:35 -0500 From: Jerry & Virginia Phillips Subject: IN> The Original Malakim I was curious. I've read the APG and all of the Revelations series concerning the Malakim. What I'm interested in is those superiors who are now currently Malakites but were once members of another choir. I know that David was a cherub and I've come to the conclusion that Uriel was most likely a seraph. My question is this. What was Laurence originally or was he a Malakite "right out of the box?" To my recollection, there is nothing in any of the current text that answers this for me. Also, should I wait for Superiors 1 for the answer? Anyone? Tom Servitor of Destiny, Elohite of Obscure Questions - -- vphilli@erols.com The Truth Is Out There http://members.xoom.com/harfordstampclub/harco~1.htm Harford Co.,MD http://members.xoom.com/susso/sso.htm Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra witmic Women In The Money Investing Club Aberdeen, MD ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 19:39:01 -0800 (PST) From: The Alien Subject: Re: IN> The Original Malakim References in the books, which I can't recall, have prompted me to think Laurence was created after the Fall. Oooh. I rhymed. I'd cite pages but I just got up.. Sean ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 20:46:26 -0700 From: Tim Groth Subject: Re: IN> The Original Malakim Laurence was created a Malakite after the Fall. If you have a hankering for waffles or chicken i know the place for you: http://d106-h032.rh.rit.edu/~tim/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 22:47:21 -0400 From: Douglas Muir Subject: IN> The Unattached >One of the reasons I have come to get so frustrated with the SJG In Nomine >universe is because it is so uptight as to who serves who. Whatever happened >to serving God for God's sake? The politics get to the point where you might >as well play white wolf games and they got out of hand a long time ago. Actually, I agree on this one. IMC there are a few "unattached" angels running around... no Superiors, they're just doing their thing. IMO the Superior system was much much much looser in the beginning, but the Fall catalysed it and the War has caused it to ossify. There's the constant fear of deviation, going Renegade or even Falling now; the heavenly hierarchy justifies itself as a failsafe system. I'd guess that the Word system also helps to reinforce this; most Words that an angel could try for would come under the greater Word of some AA. Still, yes, IMO the game goes a bit too far with this, with its insistence that EVERYBODY (except for Outcasts and Renegades) must have a Superior. It's a little too constraining... especially since there *is* one Unattached celestial in canon (the Demon of Insubordination, in FT, who is not a Prince but reports directly to Lucifer). It's not too hard to think of other Words that would almost require the angel or demon to _not_ have a Superior. My twist on this is to say that beginning PCs must have Superiors, but that they can work towards Unattached status... it's granted direct from the Council, and usually requires the consent of the Superior. It's a difficult goal, even harder to get than a Word; indeed, it's almost always something you try for after you've already found a Word. The angel has to prove that he can operate effectively on his own (indeed, *more* effectively) and also that he is utterly trustworthy. IMC Dominic dislikes the whole idea of Unattached angels, and will spy on or even hassle the newer ones. David and Laurence are also not too keen on it. >BTW, I read that Zadkiel referred to Novalis as her patroness. Whoever wrote >that line threw Zoroastrian/Judaic angel mythology right out the >window...and made for a sappier game. Give me grit, give me gore, give me >angels as terrible creatures who serve God's every whim without questioning >why...haven't seen any of that in the "official" universe. Ah well, you >can't keep everybody happy all of the time. Give you the GMG, which has guidelines on tuning the game to do just that (more Darkness, less Contrast). Doug M. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 23:07:52 -0400 From: Douglas Muir Subject: Re: IN> Redeemed Princes (Malphas) Nice writeup! A few comments... >Malphas >Archangel of Individuality >After Malphas' duplicity in the Final Trumpet, even Lucifer's dark humor no >longer appreciated the Prince of Factions. Isolated and alone, deserted by >his ally Kobal, Malphas had become the ultimate faction. In an act of >desperation, Malphas fled Hell and was exiled to the Marches. ...except why would this bother him? It's like dipping Belial in a volcano, or trying to make Haagenti overeat. As long as he's not in imminent danger of destruction, I think Malphas would *like* being an isolated outcast; it's so... true. >It is speculated that this was Kobal's final joke, and the mission for which >God had chosen him. Hell's greatest cause, Individuality, had become a >Divine Word. Malphas' swift ascent to Archangel status seems to be a nod to >this theory. Conversely, Kobal's continued existence in Hell casts doubt >upon it. I rather like this. After all, God should be able to astound everyone at least once in a while. >Despite his redemption, Malphas is a sad, quiet, lonely figure. He sees >clearly how far he fell, and he sees clearly how dark he was when last he >walked in Heaven. Someone remind me what he was before he Fell. >He doesn't want the forgiveness or sympathy of the Host; >he just wants their understanding. Maybe a touch of the brooding Byronic antihero here? Anyone remember Atoning Unifex, the only good thing about Julian May's Galactic Milieu series? Certainly Malphas would feel a need to put right the endless evil that he has done... >DISSONANCE > >It is dissonant for servitors of Malphas to disregard or degrade the >individuality of others. This includes ridicule or demeaning treatment. >They also refrain from using stereotypes. In many ways, this reflects the >way Seraphim act. For example, they would Plausible but a bit vague. Maybe it's dissonant to make judgements based on any fact about a person except those you know to be true? This one would be tougher, mind you. "Frank says the relic is this way." "Frank is a Balseraph, Joe. They lie." "Well, maybe most of them do, but I've never yet known Frank to lie to me, so..." "Aaargh!" PCs couldn't assume that Calabim would attack or that Shedim would be disgusting perverts... well, the players could assume it, but the PCs couldn't act on it until the demon made his move. Of course, if we go this route, then once in a great while the GM should let the Malphan _not_ get whacked; viz, he meets that odd demon who doesn't fit his Band personality very well. >CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS Good. Bit hard on the kyrios maybe, but okay. It occurs to me that Malphans would be better equipped than most to deal with the weird riffraff of the IN world... Outcasts, Renegades, sorcerors and undead and whatnot. After all, these people are especially individual... >SERVITOR ATTUNEMENTS > >I am >----------------------- >By asserting "I am" to the Symphony, this attunement allows an angel to >channel the divine. Any Intervention rolled for a number of minutes equal >to the angel's celestial forces times ten will be a Divine Intervention. >This costs three essence. Okay... >On a Pedestal >------------------------------ >With a glance and a point of essence, an angel with this attunement may pick >out the being with the strongest sense of individuality in a crowd. Since >demons tend to be strong individualists, they can often be seen with this >attunement. I like it. >DISTINCTIONS > >Vassal of Individuality >----------------------- >This level of distinction makes the celestial immune to possession. >Kyriotates have no fear of being "bumped" from their hosts. Handy. >Friend of Assertion >-------------------------- >An angel with this distinction may "lend" their will to another being. The >lending lasts for only a number of minutes equal to the angel's Celestial >Forces, but may be renewed with a thought. The angel's will is lowered and >the recipient's will is increased for this duration, both for an equal >amount. Will cannot go over 12 or under 1 as a result. Only one being can >benefit from the lending at a time, and the lender may terminate the lending >at any time. The amount of will granted is up to the angel using the >distinction. Very handy. >Master of the Unique >--------------------------------- >A Master of the Unique may create a rite upon gaining this distinction. >Their rite will be unique to them alone, and must be approved by Malphas. Kewl. >Surprisingly, Malphas complements and assists David's goals in strengthening >humanity, and the two work together well, as Malphas makes individuals >strong and David makes them work together. Not so sure about that... would David forget their long enmity so quickly? >Blandine likes Malphas a great deal, and worries for him. Malphas has >become something of a popular figure amongst her Menunim. I would imagine. "Even Princes can redeem! There's hope!" >Malphas himself is hostile to no-one, trying to stay as far away from his >old factionialized world as possible. He will cast his vote to achieve >compromise, rather than support one side or another. > >Allied: Blandine, David >Associated: Yves, Novalis, Michael >Hostile: No-one Possible problems with Dominic? Self assertion vs. following the rules... Associated with Janus after a while, I should think; he, Gabriel and Eli are Heaven's great individualists. Maybe friendly with Christopher too (every child is precious and unique). If you want to bring Bright Malphas into a campaign, maybe play through Final Trumpet first... and use the "Khalid Falls" option. Not only does this make a nice balance, but the GM could also hint that it reflects some deeper transformation in the Symphony, as faith degenerates into fanaticism but the individual is exalted... Doug M. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 22:37:57 -0600 From: "James Bearse" Subject: Re: IN> Gabriel & Dominic I observe that this is a wonderful example of the sleep disfunction referred to as night paralysis or "night hag" (anyone who knows more can say so) in which the subject a) Cannot move b) Cannot breathe freely c) Frequently has the vision of a looming figure above him I am told that this is the result of some sort of misfire in the brain's sleep system that keeps you from walking in your sleep (normally) so that it keeps you paralyzed even though you're beginning to wake up. Many people in history have attributed these attacks to witches or succubi; nowadays aliens are more often responsible. Interesting to think that the origin of a major world religion may lie in one man's sleepless night... Jim Bearse - ----- Original Message ----- From: Ben Aldred > >Not that the IN version of the genesis of Islam matches the orthodox > >Muslim view anyway... > > Just a brief narration of what the orthodox view is. Mohammed is lying > asleep in bed when the archangel gabriel appears in his room. He(In Muslim > theology Gabriel is male) walks over to Mohammed's bed takes a > pillow...and begins to smother Mohammed with it. Mohammed wakes up and > Gabriel says to him "RECITE!" Mohammed, still struggling under the pillow > says in a muffled voice "What should I recite!?" Gabriel, still holding > the pillow over Mohammed's head says again "RECITE!" Mohammed, with less > and less air and more and more panic, says "What should I recite!?!?" > Gabriel, still not satisfied with the answer, continues to hold the pillow > over Mohammed's head and says a third time "RECITE!" Mohammed then > spontaneously begins reciting the Qu'ran and Gabriel removes the pillow > from his head. Just goes to show the Archangel of Fire works in mysterious > ways. > Ben ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 20:40:39 -0800 (PST) From: Michael Martin Subject: IN> Asmodeus, Archangel of the Infinite Game ASMODEUS Archangel of the Infinite Game "The world is a game, full of trusted teammates and worthy opponents, encompassing everything within sight." After countless millenia heading Hell's Secret Police, playing the Game, he's grown tired of it. He has encompassed the entirety of the Game, and found that the players were much more interesting. Lucifer noticed, and delivered a summons. Asmodeus turned to Dominic instead. Halfway through the Redemption process, Dominic started losing control of the process. He called upon Marc for assistance, and the process fell under control much better. Asmodeus kept his Word, with a small shift. The Hellish Game was finite, ruled over by a Prince, everyone else his pieces. Now the game is infinite, played with teammates rather than pieces, with God as the referee. DISSONANCE Angels of the Infinite Game still have to play by the rules, even though the rules are subject to change. It is dissonant for Servitors of Asmodeus to renege on a guideline upon which they have agreed, or to change a guideline without informing those the change affects. CHOIR ATTUNEMENTS The Game is played within boundaries, but the Infinite Game plays with the boundaries. The Choirs get attunements that reflect the rules that humans play by. Seraphim - -------- Agents of Truth, Seraphs of the Infinite Game can tell if the rules to a contest are running counter to the ways of the Symphony. Cherubim - -------- The people to whom a Cherub of the Infinite Game is attuned will know, instinctively, that the Cherub is trustworthy and on his side. Ofanim - ------ Sportsmen supreme, Asmodeus' Ofanim can add their Corporeal Forces to any roll where they are involved in a sport. Elohim - ------ The objective Elohim that serve Asmodeus can intuitively sense the rules that are in effect in any contest, as well as determine if those rules favor one side or another. Malakim - ------- The Blackwings of the Infinite Game have learned to play with their *own* boundaries. One of their vows is not set in stone--it changes once a week. Kyriotates - ---------- These angels may choose to possess only the Ethereal Forces of a host. The host is not ejected into the Marches, nor does he lose control of his body. The Kyriotate may give emotional impulses to the host, or voice thoughts, or suggest choices of action. Under most circumstances, the host will feel slightly disoriented or creative, but will not feel invaded. When this is done, only the subject's Ethereal Forces count against the Kyriotate's limit. Mercurians - ---------- Mercurians of the Infinite Game are charged with bringing idealistic humans more in harmony with both their ideals and the world at large. They can pinpoint when a person's code of honor is in conflict with the world at large, and which guidelines are in conflict. (For example, if a human never wants to offend anyone, but a conflict is quietly brewing between him and his best friend, the Mercurian will recognize that tactlessness is necessary here, to force the issue to a resolution.) SERVITOR ATTUNEMENTS Asmodeus kept his two old attunements (Dissonance Binding and Humanity), as they fit in with Infinite Play well. He also adds: Variant Play - ------------ At the cost of 2 Essence, the angel may change or add a rule to a contest in progress. This only works if no player objects. DISTINCTIONS These remain the same as when he was a Djinn. They are granted to those would would referee in the Infinite Game. RELATIONS Dominic is very pleased that his old Servitor is back in the fold, but the playful aspects of his Word mystify him, and he still suspects some tricks. Asmodeus has been working very closely with Marc (Trade is part of most games, after all), but the others still don't fully trust him. However, nobody has any real reason to work against him, and he himself is working too hard to fit in to deliberately antagonize anyone. Allied: Marc Associated: Dominic, Eli, Christopher Neutral: Everybody else Hostile: No one BASIC RITES * Spend an hour playing a game with friends. * Teach a new game to someone. * Show someone how to rise above the boundaries they have set for themselves. (+2 Essence) CHANCE OF INVOCATION: 3 Asmodeus still checks in with all his Servitors personally, but now it's about once every two weeks. INVOCATION MODIFIERS +1 A pair of dice or deck of cards +2 Hoyle's book of games, with variants +3 A major sporting event +4 A pickup game of softball, played for love of the game +5 A Game Designer's convention +6 A completely new game, never before seen -- Michael Martin Be kind of random and beautifully senseless. ------------------------------ End of in_nomine-digest V1 #1389 ******************************** The material here is (C) 1999 Steve Jackson Games, Incorporated. All rights reserved.