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New game
So we finished up our long running Star Wars campaign on Friday. Now we have to figure out what we're going to play next. I've been reacquiring my In Nomine collection, so I'm thinking of running a campaign with that. In Nomine is a game of conflict between angels and demons, where you can play either side, or a number of entities in between.
In the canonical milieu of the game, the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is the True creator of the Universe, and the associated angels and demons are known as Celestials. The various pagan gods are supposed to have been borne of the human imagination, and are therefore denizens of the Marches, which is analogous to the Dreaming from Sandman comics. The Angelic side is ruled by Blandine, Archangel of Dreams, and the Infernal side is ruled by Beleth, the Archangel of Nightmares. These entities are known as Ethereals. Of course, the Ethereals claim that the J/C/I God is also an Ethereal created by humans, just one that has consolidated his power to the point that he rewrote the true history of the creation of the universe, taking credit for it.
At some point in the past, Uriel, the Archangel of Purity (in game) instituted a pogrom against the Ethereals, attempting to wipe them completely out. After he was stopped, he was called to the Higher Heavens before he could be tried, and hasn't been heard from again. Most, but not all, of the surviving Ethereals sought sanctuary in Beleth's side of the Marches, trading Essence for security. While they don't necessarily support the Infernals' goals, they didn't have much choice.
At any rate, my campaign idea will take some inspiration from another Neil Gaiman work, American Gods. I'm thinking of a scenario where the Ethereals declare war on both Heaven and Hell, and try to take back (what they regard as) their rightful, dominant place in the cosmology of the universe. I'm thinking that the players will take the roles of humans who get wrapped up in the middle of the conflict, and will let them decide which side they support, if any. I can think of several possible scenarios that can play out, particularly a Second War in Heaven, with some Angels and Demons banding together to hold onto their power, others joining in with the Ethereals, likely to manipulate them against their more usual enemies in the Celestial conflict. I think it has many possibilities, hopefully I can make it happen.
In the canonical milieu of the game, the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is the True creator of the Universe, and the associated angels and demons are known as Celestials. The various pagan gods are supposed to have been borne of the human imagination, and are therefore denizens of the Marches, which is analogous to the Dreaming from Sandman comics. The Angelic side is ruled by Blandine, Archangel of Dreams, and the Infernal side is ruled by Beleth, the Archangel of Nightmares. These entities are known as Ethereals. Of course, the Ethereals claim that the J/C/I God is also an Ethereal created by humans, just one that has consolidated his power to the point that he rewrote the true history of the creation of the universe, taking credit for it.
At some point in the past, Uriel, the Archangel of Purity (in game) instituted a pogrom against the Ethereals, attempting to wipe them completely out. After he was stopped, he was called to the Higher Heavens before he could be tried, and hasn't been heard from again. Most, but not all, of the surviving Ethereals sought sanctuary in Beleth's side of the Marches, trading Essence for security. While they don't necessarily support the Infernals' goals, they didn't have much choice.
At any rate, my campaign idea will take some inspiration from another Neil Gaiman work, American Gods. I'm thinking of a scenario where the Ethereals declare war on both Heaven and Hell, and try to take back (what they regard as) their rightful, dominant place in the cosmology of the universe. I'm thinking that the players will take the roles of humans who get wrapped up in the middle of the conflict, and will let them decide which side they support, if any. I can think of several possible scenarios that can play out, particularly a Second War in Heaven, with some Angels and Demons banding together to hold onto their power, others joining in with the Ethereals, likely to manipulate them against their more usual enemies in the Celestial conflict. I think it has many possibilities, hopefully I can make it happen.
no subject
If you're up-scaling ethereals, you might be interested in my In Nomine Voodoo cross:
http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=6388
which AAs do you see siding with the Ethereals instead of their celestial origins?
no subject
Off the top of my head, Blandine, Michael, Gabriel, Novalis, and Eli. I'm still reading all of my books, so I'm only familiar with the corebook archangels at this point. On the Infernal side, Kobal is a no brainer, and I'll probably have Saminga, Baal, Nybbas, and Beleth. Saminga and Baal aren't particularly sympathetic to the Ethereal cause, but join up because they want to be gods in their own right. Blandine and Beleth will get back together, I'm thinking, and Kobal will be along for the ride, I'll likely have him and Loki causing lots of trouble together.
no subject
(Anonymous) 2007-08-21 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)Is this taking into consideration the canonical neutrality pact of heaven and YWH and the hindu panthenon?
I can imagine an ethereal battlecry: "Remember the dragons!"
Does this mean that the affected Superiors are moving their HQs to the Marches and out of the celestial realms?
You realize that canonically, ethereals cannot enter the celestial realm...
AAs
Hmm, what is novalis' motivation? she is against armed conflicts, and adding more.
An interesting twist might be adding Yves and Kronos to the rebels.
I'm unsure on Michael, but if he is on that side, then it must be serious.
Gabriel and Eli are already seen as unstable. I think Blandine's work is not well understood, and most don't believe it affects the corporeal realm (although she and Beleth fight for 1/3 of the universe).
The most likely, IMO, perhaps Blandine, Eli, Gabriel, Janus, Jordi, Jean,
(that leaves Dominic, Yves, Marc, Laurence, Micheal, Novalis
DPs
Why not Valefor and Vapula as rebels?
Baal's Word is "the War" , the war between lucy and god... Perhaps once the "anti-ethereal" AAs are gone, he will likely turn against the pro-ethereal AAs...
I can see Nybbas wanting to be adored like a deity, certainly :)
Lilith will go with whoever calls in the most favors. As those holders fall, her loyalties may be realigned.
IIRC, Saminga is really only concerned about the death of corporeal creatures.
IMO: Kobol, Valefor, Vapula, Haggenti, Nybbas, Belial
(leaving andre, lilith, Kronos, Baal, Saminga )
Although, I suppose that Novalis, Yves, Lilith and Kronos could back out of the conflict and stay on the "old" path.
no subject
Is this taking into consideration the canonical neutrality pact of heaven and YWH and the hindu panthenon?
I can imagine an ethereal battlecry: "Remember the dragons!"
Does this mean that the affected Superiors are moving their HQs to the Marches and out of the celestial realms?
You realize that canonically, ethereals cannot enter the celestial realm...
AAs
Hmm, what is novalis' motivation? she is against armed conflicts, and adding more.
An interesting twist might be adding Yves and Kronos to the rebels.
I'm unsure on Michael, but if he is on that side, then it must be serious.
Gabriel and Eli are already seen as unstable. I think Blandine's work is not well understood, and most don't believe it affects the corporeal realm (although she and Beleth fight for 1/3 of the universe).
The most likely, IMO, perhaps Blandine, Eli, Gabriel, Janus, Jordi, Jean,
(that leaves Dominic, Yves, Marc, Laurence, Micheal, Novalis
DPs
Why not Valefor and Vapula as rebels?
Baal's Word is "the War" , the war between lucy and god... Perhaps once the "anti-ethereal" AAs are gone, he will likely turn against the pro-ethereal AAs...
I can see Nybbas wanting to be adored like a deity, certainly :)
Lilith will go with whoever calls in the most favors. As those holders fall, her loyalties may be realigned.
IIRC, Saminga is really only concerned about the death of corporeal creatures.
IMO: Kobol, Valefor, Vapula, Haggenti, Nybbas, Belial
(leaving andre, lilith, Kronos, Baal, Saminga )
Although, I suppose that Novalis, Yves, Lilith and Kronos could back out of the conflict and stay on the "old" path.