In Nomine RPG feeler

[Various]

IN NOMINE DEALS WITH RELIGIOUS THEMES IN A SOMETIMES TONGUE-IN-CHECK MANNER. IT PURPOSEFULLY DEVIATES FROM THE CANON OF MOST ANY RELIGIOUS TRADITION. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

In Nomine is a game about a Cold War between Heaven and Hell. This is a feeler to see if there's interest in an RP set in this universe. This would be in the 'spirit' of the game as I don't think dicebot handles it's quirky system well.

I will be trying to summarize In Nomine in terms of D&D, because that's what most RPers know. The rough parallel to races are the choirs for angels and bands for demons. There are seven major choirs and seven major bands. The rough parallel to classes are your superior (your heavenly/hellish boss). In heaven, the superior is called an Archangel (in Nomine this is a title, not a choir). In Hell, the superior is called a Prince(ss). There are 13 major Archangels and 14 major Prince(sse)s. Each choir/band has a special ability and a special thing that can cause them spiritual harm. Each superior gives special abilities to their servants and has special rules that if violated that can cause them spiritual harm if violated. This harm is called dissonance in game (there is a lot of musical symbolism in the game).

I will give a little something about each type, mention their special ability (called resonance), and their dissonance condition (what can harm them spiritually).

Choirs.

Seraphim. The holiest of angels. They are living lie detectors. They gain dissonance if they themselves lie. Their true form is a heavenly winged snake.
Cherubim. These angels are charged with protecting things. They can track the thing/person they are protecting. If it dies/is destroyed, they gain dissonance. Their true form is a giant winged animal (say, a gorilla).
Ofanim. These angels are fast. They can move quickly and get to their destinations by the quickest route possible. If they stop moving, they gain dissonance. Their true form is a constantly spinning wheel of fire.
Elohim. These angels are beings of objectivity. They are living mood rings. If they act on their own emotions, they gain dissonance. Their true form is like a Grey alien.
Malakim. These are warrior angels who all post-date the Fall. They see whether or not a person lives up to the ideals they preach. They have their own rules that they must follow, and if they don't they gain dissonance. All Malakim must have vows to 1) not allow evil to live if they can help it and 2) not allow themselves to be captured by demons. They have at least two more of their own. They CANNOT fall.
Kyriotates. These angels cannot (with rare exception) have vessels and can only come to earth by possessing someone/something. Powerful ones can possess more than one host at once. They gain dissonance if they leave the host worse off than when they found them. This includes losing a limb and losing a job. Their true form is a horrific cloud of limbs and parts of faces.
Mercurians. These angels are the most human-like. They can detect relationships and social connections. If they kill a human (but NOT a demon pretending to be a human), they gain dissonance. They look like traditional angels.

Bands.

Balseraphs. Fallen Seraphim. They warp the world to fall into the lies they tell. If they're caught in their own lies, they gain dissonance. Their true form are winged serpents too.
Djinn. Fallen Cherbim. Like the Cherbim they are trackers. They gain dissonance if they get attached to the object of their obsessions. They cannot harm their obsession without the object's expressed permission. Their true form is a chimera of other animals.
Calabim. Fallen Ofanim. They turn their old abilities outward and become engines of destruction. They send out energies from their body through cracks in their true form but if they try to attack and miss, they gain dissonance (although they can send it to another target). Their true forms are red-skinned, bat-winged people.
Habbalah. Fallen Elohim. They are demons who can force emotions on others. If they fail, they can either feel the emotion that they tried to inflict or gain dissonance. They are insane and believe they are still Angels. Their true forms are tattooed, pierced, and scarred.
Lilim. Lilim are created in Hell by Lilith. They deal in favors. If she does something for their victim, the victim is supernaturally bound to do something for her. If the victim resists this, the Lilim gains dissonance. Their true forms are green humans with small horns.
Shedim. Fallen Kyriotates. They can only possess one host at once and can (with rare exception) only possess humans. They must induce their host to commit worse and worse acts of evil. If they don't, they gain dissonance. Their true forms are hellish masses of limbs and body parts.
Impudites. Fallen Mercurians. They are basically psychic vampires, taking life force with a touch. If the kill a human or allow one to be killed, they gain dissonance. They look like humans with leather wings and both horns and a tainted halo.

Each Archangel and Demon Prince(ss) has a Word, a fundamental concept in the world that they embody. They give each of their angels/demons a boon (a special ability called an attunement) and another way to be spiritually harmed if they mess up. The dissonance conditions for each master/mistress is listed. I did not list the attunements for space reasons. I will give three examples to illustrate the idea of restriction (in theory any angel/demon can have any of their boss's attunements. However, some attunements deal with resonances (an angel/demon's special ability) and so are useless to other choirs/bands).

When dissonance gets too much it becomes something called Discord, a physical/mental manifestation of spiritual harm (for example, an afflicted angel might be purple or paranoid). Dominic's Ofanim can see it on Earth (anyone can see it in Heaven). This has nothing to do with resonance, so any of Dominic's angels can do this if they know how. Djinn of Malphas can cause anyone they are attuned to to hate any other person/thing for a few hours. This is tied to resonance, so only Djinn can do this. Impudites of Kobal have an attunement that is partially restricted. They gain essence, the energy that powers angelic/demonic abilities, if they play a cruel practical joke on a human (any of Kobal's demons can benefit from this part), if the human dies as a result, they don't generate dissonance (this only matters to Impudites).

Archangels.

Blandine, Archangel of Dreams. Her angels cannot take their true form on Earth except in a special 'gateway' to Heaven (called a tether). They cannot sing Celestial songs (songs are basically spells) on Earth. If they are assigned to watch a dreamer, the angel must warn the dreamer of any danger to the dreamer that the angel is aware of. She concerns herself with the dream world (the Marches).
David, Archangel of Stone. His angels cannot start a fight or use ranged weapons. He concerns himself with literal stone and humans joined together for mutual protection.
Dominic, Archangel of Judgment. His angels cannot punish greater than the crime, allow such punishment to happen, or ignore heresy in angels. They behave as Heaven's internal affairs.
Eli, Archangel of Creation. Eli has been MIA for decades. His servitors are loaned to other Archangels but DO NOT gain their dissonance conditions.
Gabriel, Archangel of Fire. If they do not punish the cruel every few days, they gain dissonance. Gabriel concerns herself with both literal fire and passion. She is widely seen as insane.
Janus, Archangel of Wind. His angels cannot stay in the same place for more than three days. For the RP's purposes, each boroughs of New York is a different place. Janus may or may not be Valefor.
Jean, Archangel of Lightning. His angels cannot let certain technologies into human hands or leave demonic technology unopposed. Jean deals with literal lightning and technology.
Jordi, Archangel of Animals. His angels cannot hold human lives above animal lives. Jordi loathes civilization itself.
Laurence, Archangel of the Sword. His angels cannot disobey his orders in word or spirit. He is the general of Heaven. He strongly supports Roman Catholicism.
Marc, Archangel of Trade. His angels cannot break their word. He his neutral to most, as a good businessman is.
Michael, Archangel of War. His angels cannot flee from battle without a direct order. He was the general of Heaven, now he concentrates on individual valor.
Novalis, Archangel of Flowers. Her angels cannot perform or allow more violence than necessary. She deals in literal flowers and the concept of peace (she's a hippy).
Yves, Archangel of Destiny. His angels cannot take direct action that move humanity toward Hell. He deals with what brings one to Heaven and knowledge.

Archangels vary in how close they are to each other. While some are allied, in terms of team dynamic, hostility is more relevant. The worst angels will do to each other might be to not aid one another or actively attack one another (except in Heaven itself). Blandine is hostile to David, Jean, Marc, and Michael. David is hostile to Marc. Dominic is hostile to Eli. Gabriel is hostile to Dominic. Janus is hostile to Laurence. Jean is hostile to Jordi, Michael, and Novalis. Jordi is hostile to Jean, Marc, and Michael. Laurence is hostile to Eli, and Novalis. Michael is hostile to Blandine, Dominic, Novalis, and Yves. Novalis is hostile to David, and Michael.

Demon Princes(se)s.

Andrealphus, Prince of Lust. His demons cannot feel true affection for any human or gain dissonance.
Lilith, Princess of Freedom. She is not technically a demon. She is the mother of the Lilim. She does not have regular servitors, but when someone does work for her, if they accept restraint or orders that aren't freely negotiated, they gain dissonance.
Asmodeus, Prince of the Game. His demons gain dissonance from disobeying Asmodeus or aiding a renegade (a demon who has fled Hell). They are Hell's secret police. He deals with both 'the Game' (basically bureaucracy) and literal games (like chess).
Baal, Prince of the War. His demons cannot flee from battle without a direct order. He is Prince of THE War (eg the war between Heaven and Hell). He is Hell's general.
Beleth, Princess of Nightmares. Her demons cannot take their true form on Earth except in a special 'gateway' to Hell (called a tether). She concerns herself with the dreamworld (the Marches).
Belial, Prince of Fire. His demons cannot be burned by their own schemes. He more or less only embodies literal fire.
Haagenti, Prince of Gluttony. His demons must force humans to consume (be it cheeseburgers or clothes). His true form is a mix of garbage disposal and caterpillar.
Kobal, Prince of Dark Humor. His demons cannot go a day without laughing at others' misfortune or making others laugh at it.
Kronos, Prince of Fate. His demons cannot take direct action that move humanity toward Heaven. He deals with what brings one to Hell and knowledge.
Malphas, Prince of Factions. His demons cannot go more than a day without creating divisions between people. He pretends to be best friends with all his demons.
Nybass, Prince of Media. His demons must spend at least an hour a day doing something media related (from being a news anchor to posting on the internet). He is the youngest major prince.
Saminga, Prince of Death. His demons cannot encourage life at all (say, giving someone water). He uses a lot of zombies and mummies.
Valefor, Prince of Theft. His demons cannot stay in the same place for more than three days. For the RP's purposes, each boroughs of New York is a different place. Valefor may or may not be Janus.
Vapula, Prince of Technology. Most of his demons are given Hellish gizmos. They can't let them fall into human or angelic hands. Hell's resident mad scientist (who thinks he's an angel).

The demons are more hostile to one another than angels (naturally). They are expected to outright eradicate servitors of their enemies. Andrealphus considers Saminga to be his enemy. Asmodeus considers Valefor to be his enemy. Baal considers Malphas to be his enemy. Haagenti considers Asmodeus to be his enemy. Kobal considers Asmodeus to be his enemy. Kronos considers Kobal, and Valefor to be his enemies. Malphas considers Saminga to be his enemy. Saminga considers Andrealphus to be his enemy. Valefor considers Asmodeus, and Kronos to be his enemies.

The Minors.

There are some bosses that aren't quite as big. These are the RC Colas or Big Reds to the Pepsis and Cokes. They can be taken as bosses but keep in mind they will be minor players in Heaven or Hell.

Christopher, Archangel of Children. His angels cannot patronize children or harm them (even inadvertently). His Kyriotates cannot possess children.
Khalid, Archangel of Faith. His angels may not allow evidence of the celestial realm to fall into human hands. They may not kill any human who has true, unquestioning, unselfish faith in SOMETHING beyond himself. He strongly supports Islam.
Litheroy, Archangel of Revelation. His angels cannot keep secrets or lie. The only exception is that they are allowed to maintain the secrecy of the War itself. They cannot refuse to answer a question (except when asked by an enemy). They cannot have roles. Any secret they find that is harmful to ANYONE must be revealed.
Zadkiel, Archangel of Protection. Her servitors cannot fail to protect any human who is not in direct league with Hell itself (eg their soldiers). Incidentally, she has an interesting juxtaposition in that she encourages Islam and generally refuses to allow her angels to appear male.

Alaemon, Demon Prince of Secrets. His demons cannot give any answer to anything without holding SOMETHING back. They also must hide something of value every day. This thing can be physical value ($20) or less tangible value (evidence that would convict/exonerate an alleged burglar).
Fleurity, Demon Prince of Drugs. His demons cannot discourage the use of drugs and must actively encourage their use daily (unless they have a role that supersedes this, such as a DEA agent).
Furfur, Demon Prince of Hardcore.* His demons cannot back down from a fight and must speak their mind (eg they can't spare feelings).
Mammon, Demon Prince of Greed. His demons cannot give away ANYTHING for free (not even the time of day).

* If we do the Revelations cycle, he is forbidden initially as his potential ascension is part of the plot.

Songs.
Songs are a bit like spells. I will not list them here. If you wish to give a rough outline of what you'd like to do, I can give you the gist of the songs that might work for that. There are utility songs that (say) find lost things or destroy locks. There are combat songs (like might which adds to an attacker's physical, mental, or spiritual attack strength). Each song creates ripples in the universe that other angels and demons can hear.

Roles.
Angels and demons (may) have roles. These are their 'masks' on Earth. This isn't Ithamar, the angel, it's Mike Smith, the botanist. As far as humans are concerned, they are that person. They come with birth certificates, and all that jazz. An angel with the role of a professor has an office at such and such university. Although, depending on the individual angel they might have JUST the bare minimum, or they might have all the network of friends and experiences on Earth that any true human would have. Humans themselves don't HAVE roles. They are naturally part of mortal society. Kyriotates, Shedim, and Malakim rarely have roles.

A role helps as any action taken within the scope of the role does not cause ripples in reality that other angels/demons can hear (or at least creates less). So, say a demon in the role of a playboy billionaire drunkenly crashes his sports car into the side of a building. This normally would create ripples as a demon did SOMETHING to destroy the car. However, crashing a sports car is within the realm of what a playboy billionaire does, so some (or all) of this noise is muted.

Three Parts of the World.
There are three planes of existence. The celestial plane is divided into Heaven and Hell. The ethereal plane is called the Marches and is the world of dreams. The corporeal plane is Earth itself.

There are aspects I'm leaving out, but this is the crash course.

The Campaign Itself.
Option 1. There is a Cycle in the In Nomine books called Revelations where across five books, the characters eventually try to cause or prevent the Apocalypse. It is initially set in Austin, Texas but eventually goes world wide.

Option 2. This would be more character driven and set in New York City (I am not from there, it's just a big place). It would be more episodic.

Allowed Character Types.

While the game expects most players to play Angels or Demons there are a few options.

There are four types of celestial being. Angels are those who have not Fallen (or who were demons but who saw the Light) and are still in the good graces of Heaven. Outcasts are Angels but are not in the good graces of Heaven. Even talking to them is dangerous for an Angel and Dominic actively hunts them down. Demons are those who have either Fallen or who were born in Hell and are still in league with Hell. Renegades are Demons but are no longer in league with Hell. Even talking to them is dangerous for a Demon and Asmodeus actively hunts them down. Any of the above are fine for this campaign.

Some angels/demons are Wordbound. They focus on an aspect of creation so much that it becomes their entire worldview. Only the Seraphim Council (think the College of Cardinals but for angels) or Satan can grant a Word. No PC angel/demon can start as Wordbound. Except in one case (Lilith), humans can never be Wordbound.

Other angels/demons have Distinctions. These are sort of like titles in a feudal system (the demons even call theirs "Knight", "Captain", and Baron"). One gets a Distinction through faithful service to their master/mistress. It is possible but very rare for humans to gain Distinctions. No PC angel/demon or human can start with Distinctions.

You may also play as a human. For practical purposes, a human would either need to be aware of the nature of the War between Heaven and Hell or they will be aware very soon (in TV terms by the end of the 'pilot'). In universe these war-aware humans are called Soldiers of God/Hell respectively. They are typically assigned to a lesser angel and don't deal directly with an archangel. While they are expected to serve a Word, they have more free will than angels/demons and so don't have dissonance. They are almost universally weaker than a given angel or demon though. Humans are fine in this campaign if they meet the beginning criteria.

There is a third possibility, an ethereal. This includes the old pagan gods (Loki, Mercury), figments of the collective unconscious (the concept of Elvis), and certain aspects of dreams that manage to survive (say, a lizard creature from someone's nightmare). They will not be allowed as PCs for this campaign.

[Keidance]

This was actually one of my favorite my favorite RPG's in the day. I would definitely be interested in playing. The content and the use of resonance and dissonance always made actions, however they were taken in game, far more layered in regards to the character and how they interacted with the greater in game world about them.

[Various]

If you ended up playing would you be more likely to play an Angel (or their allies), or a Demon (or their allies)? Nothing set in (servitor of) stone, just triangulating.

[Keidance]

I would love to play a Habbalah, in all truth. :)

[Kolbrandr]

Would you be using a system of some stripe for this?

[Lovely Item]

I enjoyed this game, but I sucked so badly at it...

[RubySlippers]

If I can find my rulebook I'll play I love Lilim and other demons.

[Empyrean]

I love Lilim too! Free or Bound, I'd love to play one. :)

[Various]

Questions/comments/responses in order.
@Kolbrandr
I would for my own actions, but otherwise it would be narrative-based. In other words on one's honor to not just dodge every attack. This is because dicebot can't handle the d666 as far as I could find messing around with it.

@Lovely Item
It would be more setting than system.

@RubySlippers & @Empyrean
Lilim are great, but TNSTAAFL (There's No Such Thing As A Free Lilim.) Mother NEVER calls in that last Geas.

Overall:
So we have 3 demons so far. Considering that E is MUCH bigger than the average tabletop group, it could easily end up structuring itself like an ensemble cast thing. We'll see how it goes!

[Empyrean]

That's true. Personally I'd either go with a "Free" Lilim on the make or maybe one bound to Lust, or Factions. Possibly Technology. Or even the Game. Decisions, decisions.

Any particular Songs restricted at character creation?

As for the Revelations Cycle? It's pretty cool, but I always felt it could be kind of railroady.

[Various]

That's fine. It just had an epic feel. I'd prefer episodic slice of life with demons and angels, but both options are on the table.

Good question about songs. For now any common song in Liber Canticorum without a feather mark is fine and dandy. Any with a feather ask first.

As for superiors:
Lust is a bit on the nose for E XD. Factions would be fun especially in a group, being a stirrer. Tech reminds me of a character from Liber Servitorum who was a Techy and it made a point that she liked beakers and test tubes because they didn't argue or annoy her. The Game is one who would by necessity have to be VERY quiet about who she works for, even by demonic standards, to avoid a fragging.

A question not asked but relevant, as I doubt there's many IN rps on E ever, for now, standard setting for contrast/brightness etc. Heaven is generally considered the good guys; Hell is generally considered the bad guys. Many rank-and-file demons aren't that bad but rank-and-file angels can sometimes be jerks.

[Empyrean]

Episodic slice of life works. :)

I could see going with Technology in that case. Brilliant geek girl mad scientist type who works in the academy system and takes issues with guys claiming that the hard sciences are only for men. Also: trying to make her mark on Earth to score points in Tartarus.

[Various]

It's tempting!     . . .     . . .      . . .       I'll see myself out.

[Lovely Item]

I've never run into a copy of Liber Canticorum... Plus it's been a looooong time since I played, so I don't really remember songs coming much into play. I know my cherub was trying for the word of Cat, but I will need a bigger refresher course before I can remotely consider joining. Sorry. :(

[Various]

The songs are effectively spells. Maybe it's play style, but my group used songs all the time. Granted, the core book's songs are a bit sparse. Liber Canticorum adds a lot more songs even for those considered common.

The songs are built around themes with up to three 'sister' songs across the three realms of reality (body, corporeal; mind, ethereal; soul, celestial). For example, there is a suite of songs called ''Ice". The corporeal song of Ice basically creates an ice blast. The ethereal song of Ice numbs the mind. The celestial song of Ice creates a thin layer of ice (useful for slip and falls etc.)

Knowing one does not mean you know the others but if you DO know more than one version (say both corporeal and ethereal), if you successfully sing your song, the results are a little better because of your greater understanding of the truest nature of the song suite.

Cherubs specifically would probably benefit from the Corporeal song of Healing (healing the body of their focus of attention), the Celestial song of Attraction (it behaves just like their resonance so it gives them an extra try without the possible backlash!), or one of the songs of Shields such as Corporeal (which creates a shield of wind that blocks physical attacks).     

[Kolbrandr]

Ah okay, I prefer more of a being able to use a system myself. Thanks anyway though.

[RubySlippers]

I always favored avoiding celestial of infernal entanglements but not using songs, anyway Lilim have a far more fun way to gain favors and debts that is off the radar.  >:)

[Empyrean]

This is true. *still wavering between a Free and a Lilim  or maybe Impudite of Tech* So many choices!

[Various]

An Imp of Tech would mean no overlap if there's another Lilim.

[Empyrean]

I assume we can't start as Wordbound or Distincted?

[mayovagn]

I don't know the system at all, but I am interested.

I have a digital copy of the rules somewhere I think...

[Various]

@Empyrean
Yeah, no Wordbound, not even something as absurd as Impab, Demon of Stale Bong Water. No Distincts either, those would all be in play.

@mayovagn
As I said before, it'd be more setting than system. This is because the dicebot tool we use can't really handle the quirky nature of In Nomine's D666 without a pain in the ass of requiring TWO rolls every time one would usually be needed.

[RubySlippers]

Somehow I don't want to MEET Lucifer since ,well, it might not end all to well. If I can find my copy of the rules.

[Various]

Somehow I don't want to MEET Lucifer since ,well, it might not end all to well. If I can find my copy of the rules.

Yeah there's a big thing about that in two or three of the books. Basically the first time a demon meets the Devil (and he's not there to grab them by the horns and throw them into the Lake of Fire), the demon gets to ask Satan for a favor. He being the Prince of Lies that he is, that's a very delicate sort of thing.

It does say 1. No starting PC should have already met him. and 2. If you ask for a Word, he'll give you an audience on the spot, but you might not wish he had.

For those interested who DON'T own In Nomine, because I'm doing this systemless, it's less of a thing to not have it. Basically if I'm given a character concept, I can 'translate it' or ask for adjustments as needed. For songs, if I'm given a rough outline of what you want to be able to do (I want my demon to be able to grow horns at will, throw fireballs, and fly), I can see what songs you may need (now or in the future) to do that.

[mayovagn]

GM could make all dice rolls for all the players.

[Various]

GM could make all dice rolls for all the players.

Hm. That is true. Especially if I did it physically in person instead of using the dicebot. It would also preserve the fun little side bits like divine and infernal interventions.

Still would 'translate' character concepts for the benefit of those without the books.

Yeah that's a good middle ground, Mayovagn. I'll go with that. Use the system but not the diebot.

[RubySlippers]

Yeah there's a big thing about that in two or three of the books. Basically the first time a demon meets the Devil (and he's not there to grab them by the horns and throw them into the Lake of Fire), the demon gets to ask Satan for a favor. He being the Prince of Lies that he is, that's a very delicate sort of thing.

It does say 1. No starting PC should have already met him. and 2. If you ask for a Word, he'll give you an audience on the spot, but you might not wish he had.

For those interested who DON'T own In Nomine, because I'm doing this systemless, it's less of a thing to not have it. Basically if I'm given a character concept, I can 'translate it' or ask for adjustments as needed. For songs, if I'm given a rough outline of what you want to be able to do (I want my demon to be able to grow horns at will, throw fireballs, and fly), I can see what songs you may need (now or in the future) to do that.

I rarely used songs as a Lilim my main goal was having solid mortal identities easy to hide in and gain favors in, with one for an escape option just in case, if I never used songs the Host had a hell of a time locating me as the Opposition. But needed one for well use for favors like healing and other things but rarely tried to use them much.

[Various]

That's a perfectly valid strategy in the War. Especially since Lilim as a rule tend to NOT be combat monsters.

[RubySlippers]

Well they can inspire war, depending on their superior.  >:)

[Various]

True true.

[Various]

Okay. I think I got enough at least sort of interest to give this idea a proper page. Here it is.

[mayovagn]

*Points to the proper page, wiggles eyebrows*