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Chaosium Digest Volume 13 Number 02
Chaosium Digest Volume 13, Number 2
Date: Sunday, February 25, 1996
Number: 1 of 1
Contents:
Update: Chaosiana (Danny Bourne) MISC
Summonings of the Air (Geoffrey C. Grabowski) NEPHILIM
Third Circle Summonings (Geoffrey C. Grabowski) NEPHILIM
Editor's Note:
This week, some great Summonings for Nephilim that originally appeared
on the Nephilim ML. I've already got a few adventures lined up for
coming weeks, one concerning a priest of Chardros, and another
revolving around Nazis, Ectogoggles and Hitler's Ghost, but don't let
that stop you from sending contributions in. I've noticed in
particular that Pendragon gamemasters have been quiet in recent
months: send your articles this way!
One other note: Chaosium is trying to contact an old artist, Nick
Smith. He is rumored to be working for some magazine as an art editor
or something related. If anyone has any knowledge of his location
Chaosium would greatly appreciate it. Contact chaosium@aol.com if you
have any information.
Shannon
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Discussion will concentrate on the role playing games published by
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--------------------
From: Danny Bourne <d.bourne@bbcnc.org.uk>
Subject: Update: Chaosiana
System: Misc
Due to hospitalisation of the editor of Chaosiana, the magazine will
be indefinitely delayed: until at least Convulsion 3D, which is July
'96. Sincere apologies to all our contributors and those who have
expressed an interest, but, once again, events beyond our control have
proved problematic.
[For more info on Chaosiana see V9.9]
--------------------
From: "Geoffrey C. Grabowski" <gcgst1+@pitt.edu>
Subject: Summonings of the Air
System: Nephilim
SEALS, THE REALM OF ELEMENTAL ILLUSIONS
---------------------------------------
The Fleet-Winged Kerubim, Those Who Gaze Upon the Mirror,
Whisperers In Dusky Fields
Circle: Seals
Ka-Element: Air
Threshold: 48%
Contract: 14
Rupture: Flight
Duration: One Message
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Partial
Description: Upon completion of this invocation, the Pentacle seems
empty, but those who listen closely can hear the sounds of faint
whispers from within it. The caster recites a message and a specific
recipient, and then breaks the pentacle. The Kerubim then carry it to
the designated recipient, regardless of distance, in but the blink of
an eye.
The message is parroted into the ear of the recipient in the
Summoner's voice. While the message is always transmitted perfectly,
it is spoken only once, and is delivered regardless of the recipient's
situation. Only beings of station higher than the Kerubim can overhear
the message as it is delivered tothe recipient, and only beings of
higher station than Remiel (see below), who rules these Kerubim, will
reveal it. Intelligent beings of lesser station than Remiel, like the
Implacable Ministers or The Prince of the Salt of Wisdom may act upon
the overheard contents, but will not divulge them.
SEALS, THE REALM OF SPIRITUAL AND ELEMENTAL COMPREHENSION
---------------------------------------------------------
The Messengers of the Silver Mirror, Baronets Armored in the Winds of
the Underworld.
Circle: Seals
Ka-element: Air
Threshold: 90%
Contract: 24
Rupture: Capture
Duration: Until Next Wedneday
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: This invocation must be performed in a high open place,
like a flat roof or a hilltop, at dusk. When it is completed, murky
figure clad in hooded grey robes materialize from the shadows and
breezes trapped in the pentacle. They bear a mirror in one hand, and a
sharp bronze dagger in the other. They smell strongly of lightning and
freshly turned earth. They speak only in hot whispers, and have a dark
sense of humor that often manifests in their speech and actions. Those
who look into the mirror often see strange visions of what is
happening elsewhere in the world. The Messengers know much about the
happenings of the occult world, and will gladly converse with the
summoner unless they are ordered to act as guards. While they do not
give away information, they delight in dropping obscure hints, and
appreciate those who share similar tastes.
The Messengers may be commanded to guard the summoner or any one other
being present at the invocation. They then seems to depart, becoming
invisible (in truth, they remain near by, immaterial but visible to
Ka-vision). If the summoner is attacked when the sun is not in the
sky, the Messengers will materialize to defend her. They will do all
in their power to protect the caster, but are not prescient, and so
cannot protect them from drive-by shootings, snipers, car bombs and
the like. The Messengers can also be set to guard a place or thing,and
used to prohibit entry or prevent theft or escape. They will still
manifest only at night when guarding places or objects. The Messengers
can be harmed only by magical weapons, or by weapons made from bone or
iron (not steel).
Like their master, Remiel (see below), the Messengers detest Nephilim
bound to act as a Homonculous. If summoned by a homonculous and
ordered to guard the homonculous' master, they will be quite lax about
their duties, and will slay the homonculous if they are ordered to
guard it from theft.
All Characterisitics: 16
Action Points: 4
Weapons: Bronze dagger (1d6 damage) 75%. This is a magic weapon, and
vanishes with the Messenger.
PENTACLES, THE REALM OF HIDDEN KNOWLEDGE
----------------------------------------
Remiel, Prince of the Silver Mirror, Viceroy Enthroned In the Eye of
the Storm
Circle: Pentacles
Ka-element: Air
Threshold: 40%
Contract: 30
Rupture: Capture: The Nephilim loses one point of Ka and one important
memory, then Remiel departs.
Duration: Time to execute one task.
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: Remiel appears as a thin, beautiful man with dusky skin
and a scholarly appearance. He is dressed in white robes, and wears a
circlet of silver about his head. In his right hand he carries a
silver mirror, and in his left hand he bears a silver censer, the
fumes of which smell of roses and lightning. A sickle of crystal hangs
from his belt. His voice is pleasant, like a summer breeze, and his
eyes are light grey. He has a pleasant demeanor, and tries to be
helpful to the summoner.
Remiel is the Messenger and the Master of the Western Wind. He can
relay, perfectly and instantly, any message of any length to any being
anywhere there is air. Remiel delivers the message in person, and does
not await a reply. The person to whom the message is addressed need
not be specifically known to the summoner; a message addressed to 'the
nearest inner circle member of the Emperor Arcanum' will also be
delivered. The message wil always be delivered in private, and there
is no way to overhear or record what passes between the summoner and
Remiel or between Remiel and the recipient of the message. Remiel will
perform this service at no cost to the summoner.
If the Summoner sacrifices one point of Ka, Remiel will memorize a
message of any length, to be delivered upon the death or (for a
Nephilim) discorporation of the summoner. The recipient of the message
must be designated when Remiel is given the message, and the message
can be cancelled (but not altered) if Remiel is summoned again, though
the point of Ka is not refunded. Nephilim often use Remiel's services
to ensure that their Stasis will be recharged in the event of their
untimely demise.
Remiel will also, at not cost, use the fumes from his censer to dispel
any noxious smell, poison gas or stench. He cannot dispel effects of
this sort caused by beings of a higher station than his own.
Remiel will also, at no cost, cause any weather phenomenon to halt and
disperse for one hour. After the hour has elapsed, the air phenomenon
will begin again at exactly the same intensity as when it was
suspended. For a sacrifice of one point of Ka, Remiel will dispel any
weather phenomenon, replacing it with a gentle wind from the west.
Remiel cannot effect weather phenomenae caused by beings of a station
higher than his own.
Remiel will decipher any Air invocation dealing with wind and weather
at no cost. In all other particulars, this is identical to Gabriel's
ability to decipher Moon invocations. Remiel will not help decipher
his own invocation.
Remiel will teach any invocation dealing with The Silver Mirror for
one point of Ka.
Remiel will free any being captured by his servants, but demands the
sacrifice of any one engraved spell of the second circle or higher of
any form of magic in exchange.
Remiel cannot bear the sight of a Nephilim imprisoned as a
Homonculous, and all contract attempts made by a homonculous will
automatically fail. In these cases, Remiel will call on the Messengers
of the Silver Mirror (see above) to slay the Homonculous and kill or
carry off its master. Many Nephilim who know this learn the invocation
of Remiel in hopes their master will order them to cast it, should
they be made into a homonculous.
--------------------
From: The Raindog <gcgst1+@pitt.edu>
Subject: Third Circle Summonings
System: Nephilim
Here is a series of Third Circle summonings I cooked up recently.
They're not related to the Lord Principalities of the Gates, and are a
little less dangerous for Nephilim to use.
THE KEYS, THE REALM OF ELEMENTAL LORDLINESS
-------------------------------------------
The Realm of Elemental Lordliness is a powerful Realm that contains
many of the beings of Atziluth: Kings and Queens of different parts of
the Elemental Fields. They are very useful to Nephilim, but often
demand very high prices for their services. Many Aggarthan Nephilim
deal regularly with these creatures, as do some Inner Circle
initiatates of the Arcanum.
THE SIX INVOCATIONS OF HERMES, EMPEROR IMPRISONED BY THE DAUGHTERS OF WRATH
Hermes was a powerful elemental emperor, equal in his own way to
Adonai. He waged a great war with the Five Branches of the Tree of
Life before the days of the Saurians, and imprisoned two of them
(Raphael and Ariel). When the Terminator struck Earth, it disrupted
the Elemental fields, allowing the two imprisoned Branches to escape.
In a great struggle, Hermes was made prisoner, himself crucified on
the Tree of Life by the countless daughters of the Swords of the Five
Branches of the Tree of Life. His essence was broken into five parts,
to be summoned and used by the Nephilim as they wished. Some Nephilim
say that is was Hermes whispering from the Tree of Life who made
Prometheus go mad and end the Golden Age. Of the six invocations that
follow, five are useful and safe, at least when compared to, for
example, the invocations of the Lord Principalities of the Gates. If
the Caster is posessed by any of the five forms of Hermes, Hermes will
use their body in an attempt to complete the sixth invocation. While
it is unlikely to succeed, it is likely to force the Nephilim in
question to reincarnate shortly thereafter.
Hermes Enshrined in Silver and White, Master Thoth, Knowledge Embodied
in Peerless Form
Circle: Keys
Ka-Element: Air
Threshold: 50%
Contract: 40
Rupture: Possession
Duration: One Service
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: Hermes appears as a thin man, with pale blue-white skin,
clad in robes of white. On his feet are ivory sandals with white
wings, and about his head is a wreath of laurel. He bears a book in
one hand and a staff in the other. His lips are thin and bluish and
his fingernails and skin have a pearlescent sheen. He could easily be
mistaken for an angel.
In this form, Hermes is the Master Thoth, Master of Knowledge. He is a
great friend to Eolim, and will gladly give them such advice as he can
on scholarly matters and pursuits.
In this form, Hermes can teach any skill or any spell of Sorcery or
Summoning, save those which bring forth the Daughters of the Swords of
the Five Branches of the Tree of Life (ie, Invocations of the Realm of
Violence) and those which deal with beings of higher status than this
incarnation of Hermes (ie, the Principalities of the Gates and various
other beings). He must be paid one point of Ka for each spell taught,
and the Nephilim must also sacrifice a point of Ka immediately to
inscribe it. When he teaches skills, he requires one point of Ka for
each 10% of the skill taught, unless it is a magic skill, in which
case he will require 1 point of Ka for each 1% of the magic skill
taught. He will freely teach the invocation of Hermes Triumphant at no
cost.
Hermes will, at no cost, correct any spell of Sorcery or Summoning,
exactly as per Gabriel of the Realm of Hidden Knowledge.
For this invocation to work, the caster must have summoned up and have
in their hand one of the Daughters of Lul Faltenin. They must use it
to slay a dove, and throw the pieces into the pentacle, commanding
Hermes to appear while holding the sword high.
Hermes Clad in Scarlet and Bronze, Fleet Mercury, He who Strides, With
Brazen Wings
Circle: Keys
Ka-Element: Fire
Threshold: 50%
Contract: 40
Rupture: Possession
Duration: One Service
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: Hermes appears as a thin brown-skinned man clad in robes
of scarlet. He carries a bronze rod in one hand, wears a bronze
diadem, and is clad in brazen sandals, from which protrude bronze
wings. His muscles are corded, and he has no fat upn his body. In this
form, Hermes is a great friend of Pyrim, and will give them such
advice as he is able.
In this form, Hermes is the master messenger. For one point of Ka, he
can instantly take any message to anyone, named generally or
specifically, without fail or chance of interception, and will deliver
a reply to the recipent. He always delivers the message in private,
and nothing in the universe can overhear the message or the reply. He
can take multiple messages to multiple persons, requiring one point of
Ka for each person after the first.
Also for one point of Ka, Hermes can transport the summoner to any
place on earth, instantly, no matter how it is warded, guarded or
protected. The only place he cannot enter are Orichalka plexi and
nexi. The location must be named specifically. One cannot say, 'take
me into the presence of the Grand Master of the Templars' or 'Take me
to the Golden Fleece'. Hermes will not transport anyone but his
summoner.
The requirements to accomplish this invocation are as for Hermes
Enshrined in Silver and White, except that the summoner must be
wielding one of the Daughters of Noubosse, and it is a salamander that
must be sacrificed.
Hermes Clad In Green and Brown, Lord of Snakes and Mercy
Circle: Keys
Ka-Element: Earth
Threshold: 50%
Contract: 40
Rupture: Possession
Duration: One Service
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: In this form, Hermes appears as a mature, thin man with a
beardless face dressed in green robes. Plain brown sandals adorn his
feet, and around his head we wears a wreath of laurel. He carries a
twisted pair of snakes on which are crucified a bird (the caduceus) in
his right hand, and his left hand is empty. In this form, Hermes is a
great friend of Faerim, and will give them masterful advice on growing
things and gardening.
In this form, Hermes will, at no cost, cause any one growing thing,
such as a plant or tree or animal, to instantly reach full maturity,
or to be healed of any ailments which may afflict it.
Hermes can also heal any wound or illness, save old age, even those
caused by Orichalka (the Ka lost is returned to the Nephilim). Hermes
requires no Ka in payment for this act, but there must be someone
present who will willingly take the wound upon themselves.
For ten points of Ka, Hermes will smite anyone who can be specifically
named with his Caduceus. The venom from this wound is instantly fatal,
and the target withers to dust in a matter of seconds. Nephilim struck
in this way are free to reincarnate as normal. Hermes cannot enter an
Orichalka plexus to do this thing, but will take the Ka and depart in
any case.
The requirements for this summoning are the same as those for Hermes
Enshrined in Silver and White, save that the Nephilim must be wielding
one of the Daugthers of Saint Fabeau, and it is a fox that must be
sacrificed and thrown into the pentacle.
Hermes Draped in Silver and Moonlight, Master Walking Unseen In
Darkness
Circle: Keys
Ka-Element: Moon
Threshold: 50%
Contract: 40
Rupture: Possession
Duration: One Service
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: In this form, Hermes appears as a tall, thin man, with
white skin, dressed in clothes of shining silver. An iron helm covers
his face. In his right hand, he holds a silver baton, and in his left
hand he holds a mirror. His feet are clad in silver sandals, and there
is a distant sound of tinkling bells and hissing as he speaks.
In this form, Hermes is the master trickster and penultimate deciever.
He is a great friend to Onirim, and will give them wonderful advice on
trickery and deception, guile and slyness.
Hermes will, for one point of Ka, make any one thing invisible and
undetectable until such time as the caster uses it. Nothing can detect
this object.
For no cost, Hermes will make any one event, even something as
spectacular as a kidnapping or assassination, be completely invisible
to those not directly involved. If the Nephilim were, for example, to
assault a Templar commandery while Hermes made them invisidble, only
the Templars in the commadery would be invovled. The police and other
templars would not find out about the attack until much later,
possibly weeks or months. Where it is impossible for this to be
covered up, as in, for instance, the assaination of a president, the
facts of the matter will be so confused that the true identity of
those who did the deed will be hopelessly lost. While he does not
charge Ka for this, he Nephilim who uses this ability should feel
assured that, at some point when it is least convenient, a great
secret they treasure, that must remain so, will become known.
Also for no cost, Hermes will allow the caster to tell one perfectly
believable lie, or convince someone to do any one thing, but if they
do so, then the same will happen to them, as above.
Hermes can also make someone into a perfect likeness of another for
three points of Ka. They will in all ways be indistinguishable from the
person they are a replica of. Though they will not possess their
knowledge, those who know the person duplicated are likely to overlook
slips the recipient of the change makes. There must be a good likeness
of the person (a reasonably clear photograph will do) present for
Hermes to do this thing.
The requirements for this summoning are the same as for Hermes
Enshrined in Silver and White, save that the Summoner must wield one
of the Daughters of Paline and it is a snake that must be slain and
cast into the pentacle.
Hermes Enthroned in Turquoise and Emerald, Lord High Architect of
Spirit
Circle: Keys
Ka-Element: Water
Threshold: 50%
Contract: 40
Rupture: Possession
Duration: One Service
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: In this form, Hermes is the Master of Spirit and
Creation. He appears as a man clad in bright green robes. Around his
head is a diadem of turquoise. He goes bare fotoed, and carries a lyre
in his right hand. In his left hand he carries a sphere of ice which
never melts. His skin is pale with a greenish tint, and the hem of his
robe is wet and dripping. In this form, Hermes is a great friend of
Hydrim, and will share with them advice on emotions and the expression
of being.
For no cost, Hermes will play music on his lyre that is soothing to
the spirit, and will make all who hear it save the summoner calm and
reasonable, and easy to reason with (or lie to).
In this form, Hermes can, for three points of Ka, assume a form of the
caster's choosing and seduce anyone, leading them to a place of the
caster's choice for the consummation of the act. This power will even
work on Nephilim, but they can make a Ka versus Ka test to withstand
the temptations.
For one point of Ka, Hermes will explain everything about a human's
motivations and the reasons behind any one action they undertake.
This power cannot be used on Nephilim, and does not provide facts,
simply emotional and psychlogical detail, though these may amount to
the same thing. As an example, a Nephilim who asked Hermes about a
Templar who had apparently defected to aid them will not be told
'because his commander ordered him to infiltrate you ranks', but will
instead be told 'because he felt a mix of honor to uphold the ideals
of his society and fear at what his superiors will do to him if he
refused. The person need not be present a the invocation, but must be
described, so Hermes can provide an answer to 'Why did that man push
Muhammed Ayyubi in front of the bus?'
The requirements to summon this form of Hermes are the same as for
Hermes Enshrined in Silver and White, save that the summoner must
wield one of the Daughters of Malourene and that a sea-otter or
sea-bird must be sacrified and thrown into the pentacle.
Hermes Triumphant, Emperor Freed From the Bondage of the Daughters
of Wrath, Triumph of the Cunning Way
Circle: Keys
Ka-Element: Fire, Air, Water, Earth, Moon
Threshold: 90%
Contract: 70
Rupture: Flight (see below)
Duration: Until dismissed
Range: Unlimited
Autonomy: Total
Description: Hermes appears in this form in all his glory. He is a
tall, golden man carrying a caduceus of writhing snakes with a
fluttering dove crucified on it it in his right hand, and a great lyre
in his left hand. From his belt hangs a small book that contains all
the magic and knowledge that has ever been known. On his head is a
great iron helm, and beams of golden radiance flood from beneath it
and through the eyeholes. His feet and clad in golden sandals with
great white wings growing from them, and his voice in the sweetest in
the world.
In this form, Hermes can: slay anyone anywhere or heal any wound, even
those which are instantly fatal or caused by Orichalka, with a gesture
from his caduceus; go anywhere in an instant (taking the summoner with
him, if the summoner so desires); cause himself or the caster to
assume the perfect likeness of anyone or anything; deceive anyone with
perfectly convincing lies; teach any skill or spell instantly at no
cost to the Nephilim; or take any number of messages and replies to
and from the summoner and any number of recipents instantly and
without fail. Only teaching a spell or skill will cause Hermes to
depart. Otherwise, he remains until dismissed.
The Invocation of Hermes Triumphant is supremely dangerous, and almost
never undertaken, because the Nephilim who summon him temporarily free
him from his imprisonment by the Daughters of the Swords of the Five
Branches of the Tree of Life. If the Nephilim fail to make the
contract, Hermes is again freed, and may wreak untold havoc on the
world of the elements and our world as he takes his revenge on the
Five Branches. He may or may not bother to destroy the Nephilim who
summoned him if a rupture occurs, but the Five Branches are likely
enough to take care of that if he does not.
In order to summon Hermes, the Summoner must place one of each of the
five daughters of the Swords of the Five Branches of the Tree of Life
in the arms of the pentacle (this means that four other Nephilim of
the four elements must cooperate). When he arrives, Hermes will
shatter all five swords, which will never return to their wielders,
nor will the Branches of the Tree of Life ever again respond to a
summoning by the five Nephilim who conspired to free Hermes from his
imprisonment, and they will bear great enmity to the five Nephilim in
question, working freely for those who summon them in order to destroy
those Nephilim, until the Nephilim are finally returned to the magic
fields.
|Geoffrey C. Grabowski|gcgst1+@pitt.edu|Undergrad, U.Pittsburgh|Swing Heil!|
[O] Freedom of Speech (just watch what you say)
[O]Support Freedom of expression in electronic communication. Protest the CDA.
[O] militia|nuclear|Islam|IRS|NSA|FBI|fuck|EFF|bomb|rifles|freedom|liberty
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