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Chaosium Digest Volume 23 Number 01
Chaosium Digest Volume 23, Number 1
Date: Sunday, January 11, 1998
Number: 2 of 2
Contents:
The Devil Arcanum and the Future (Nick Christoforidis) NEPHILIM
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From: "Nick Christoforidis" <nchr@math.auth.gr>
Subject: The Devil Arcanum and the Future
System: Nephilim
PREFACE
I wrote the following text before _MAJOR ARCANA_ was published, so
there may be some inconsistences with the official version of the
Devil Arcanum. Still, what follows can be a L4 Secret of the Devil;
the plan for the creation of the Dragons can be revealed by the Devil
Egregor, Peribsen, to a select powerful few of the initiated
Kherti. This Secret can be added to the Devil Arcanum information with
minimum changes to the published material. Dragon Gates exist and are
used below; 'Ari-Kheperu is a most valued technique, and only those
highly trained in it can manifest the Dragon Metamorphosis mentioned
below.
Of course any comments are welcome, as are further ideas for
mini-plots, specific quests, or more details for the Dragon Age in
2077 AD.
THE ELEMENTAL DRAGONS
The members of the Devil Arcanum believe that only by reveling in what
the other arcana call "the madness" or Khaiba, can they reach their
true glory, in a state similar to the KaIm state.
The initiated members of the Devil know magical techniques to increase
their Ka, but through the process they must be cut off from all
Elemental Fields except for one. The initiated Devils become
mono-elemental creatures, with a great Ka value in their chosen
element. Also, they gain the ability to choose the form of Khaiba that
would be manifested in them, like a second Metamorphosis. Most Devils
chose Gigantism or Elementalism, and Fire as their Ka-Element.
Their Metamorphosis is changed, too. They can alter the shape of their
Metamorphosis, in the last stages, according to their will and true
nature. Most Metamorphosis tend to be similar to the Khaiba forms,
and in some cases it is difficult to tell if a Devil is in Khaiba or
has a complete Metamorphosis.
Only the most powerful and knowledgeable Devils choose the Dragon as
their Metamorphosis. The material metamorphosis of the Dragon is
manifested as a peculiar fusion of gigantism and elementalism: the
simulacrum almost ceases to exist as the human body grows to titanic
sizes. At the same time it gains characteristics specific to the
Ka-Element of the Devil: a fire Devil may sprout huge wings, talons
and fiery breath to be as a mythical dragon, while a air Devil may
become like a huge hurricane.
The spiritual aspect of the Dragon is pure instincts. The
"metamorphosed" Devil becomes its element and thinks as its specific
Ka dictates. The different spiritual aspects of an element cycle in
the devil's mind for great periods of time. The Fire Dragon may be
born in fire and could be destructive enough to level a city, but as it
moves it may creatively inspire whole towns.
Only one Dragon of each element may exist at any given time, due to
their immense power and abilities. That gives a total of Five Dragons,
maximum: there exist no Dragons for other ka fields yet (but the
future is uncertain...)
The plan of the Devil Arcanum is to prepare five Nephilim for becoming
Dragons. When all Five Elemental Dragons are created--each of them
with total undestanding of its element--they may join to form a unique
superbeing. This will herald the coming of the Age of the Dragons.
Specific Dragons
Some Dragons have been created. The Elemental Dragon of Water, aka the
Kraken, exists at least from the 15th century. Sailors' tales of giant
kraken and sea-serpents are based on true appearences of the Kraken,
during its period of "movement" and "difficult to control" aspects
("the water of earth must rise to cleanse the world", as per the
rulebook). During the last 100-150 years the Kraken is in its "inner",
"occluded", and "perception" aspect: no one will ever find it where it
hides, while it perceives whatever passes by in the world and has a
considerable "echo" in the magic fields.
In New Rome, (Constantinople) c. 350 A.D., an attempt was made to
enforce agartha on a Phoenix nephilim, according to the text of the
Egyptian Book of the Dead and through the use of sacred
architecture. For many reasons, the attempt was hasty and failed
(there are much more details, maybe another post...). The Phoenix was
entombed without the proper preparations and could not reach
agartha. Due to the architecture of the tomb, when the simulacrum died
of old age, the phoenix did not return to its stasis, and remained
free within the tomb, but imprisoned inside. After many centuries of
isolation, it succumbed to madness and a permanent state of
Khaiba.
This tomb is buried still, but many archeological digs currently are
taking place in the area and it is bound to be unearthed. After 1600
years of confinement the phoenix will be released with a destructive
rage. It is only a step away from becoming Dragon, only lacking the
training to control its metamorphosis or Khaiba. The Devils will
immediately sense the event and race to reach the Phoenix before other
arcana. They plan to guide the phoenix through the last stages and
make it the Elemental Dragon of Fire (that was a scenario idea, where
the characters may become familiar for the first time with the Devil
"master" plan).
If anyone is interested in staging a campaign based on the above idea,
it is a good idea to have four of the Five Dragons already created,
with Aristar (the Phoenix) being the last. This would make the race to
Aristar more exciting and important.
The Bermuda Triangle may be the area where the Moon Dragon resides
(currently in its "illusion", or "deception" aspect). Any ideas for
the Earth or Air Dragons?
A VISION OF THE FUTURE
The future reveals itself reluctantly, even to the most perceptive
nephilim seers. What will happen when a piece of the future is found
in the present?
In The Age of Dragons
The plan of the Devil Arcanum is completed in 2077 AD and the Age of
Dragons begins immediately. The Five Elemental Dragons succeed in
creating a gate that will enable them to transit to the next
evolutionary stage. They perform the Summoning of the Breath of the
Dragon. When invoked, the Breath is united with each of the Five
Dragons and out of them one being is formed: the Celestial Dragon, a
"Nephilim" (in fact an Agarthan+) that has mastered the Five Elements
and is able to use Solar-Ka and Orichal-Ka.
The whole planet is transfered to the Dragon Realm, the subtle plane
of the Devil Arcanum. All the nephilim not belonging to the Devil, are
left behind, forced into exile in other Realms. Only a few manage to
remain on Earth, but their powers are even more limited than before.
The new reality is made only for Devils: the elemental fields around
earth are changed radically, so that only mono-elemental beings can
use the magic energy. Orichalka fields are no threat to devils as they
no longer neutralize the enforced elemental Ka fields; orichalka
exists still, but only as one more magic field, almost as powerful as
the Solar field. No new nephilim are born from these fields. All devil
nephilim gain the status of an Elemental Dragon.
Also, due to the changed nature of the Elemental Fields, the Elemental
Beasts (see the GM's companion, the rulebook & Shannon's additions in
the Chaosium Digest) may survive for much longer periods of time on
earth. They are generally more powerful and free to roam every
place. The Devils establish whole areas where specific types of beasts
exist and are studied carefully.
The Devils control earth and humanity, but they do not use terror
methods or tyranny. Tarsis is revived and the whole site becomes the
House of the Dragon, where the Celestial Dragon dwells, usually
alone. The towers and spires of Tarsis reach high into heaven and can
be seen from across Europe; there, in the highest towers, a handful of
powerful Dragons live and study with their master.
Humanity is treated with dignity by the devil-dragons. The devils
become benefactors for the humans and help them in many ways. Most
combat-oriented secret societies cease to exist; their use of
orichalka poses no threat. Those societies with considerable influence
are entrusted to regulate the behaviour of human groups and nations,
as the devils are mostly concerned with their studies and
research. Magical awakening of humans is encouraged by the devils, but
those individuals that show great potential are closely monitored.
Still, there is one area of research that no human is allowed to
perform: the research of intelligent machines, computers, or
artificial intelligence. The devils want the human brain stimulated
enough, to reach its full capability, to awaken the dormant parts of
the human mind. (They have a secret purpose for humanity, but no
details are known).
The few non-devil nephilim that remained on earth found sanctuary in
ancient Atlantis. There, beneath the sea, they formed the headquarters
of the Core, a secret society with the purpose of studying devils and
understanding their plan (isnt it ironic? A nephilim SS!). The Sun
Pyramid in Atlantis allows them to exist secretly without being
noticed by the devils; it also bestows enough usable magic energy to
sustain the nephilims and help their research.
The Core
A few powerful nephilim had foreseen the radical change that would
take place on earth and made preparations for the event. They sought
sources of magical energy of a permanent nature and great potency.
They created Plexi and searched the surface of the earth for agarthan
gateways. They collected numerous artifacts and masterpieces, and many
special alchemical Athanors. They created golems for servants,
helpers, and companions.
The Core managed to make Atlantis manifest again on the earth, just as
the Breath was invoked. The violent changes in the magic fields and
the need for balance, even in a reality formed for one specific group,
were important factors for their success. The members of the Core were
mostly initiated members of the Wheel of Fortune, the Magician, the
Hermit, the Chariot and the Sun arcana.
The Sun Pyramid was the most glorious building of Atlantis and still
remains a wonder. It was build using the most sophisticated sacred
architecture techniques ever known, a product of Saurian conception.
It acts as a tiny solar system: its peak collects solar Ka which is
filtered and distributed along its five sides, one for each element.
Strong elemental fields are formed around the structure, while on each
side there exists a permanent plexus of the corresponding element. At
its Peak a Nexus is formed on Sundays (when the astrological modifier
is +7 or greater).
It is known by the Core that the Sun Pyramid does not contain an
infinite amount of Solar Ka, and that the peak cannot collect as much
sun energy as it used to do in the original Atlantis. So, solar-ka has
to be regularly recycled and fed back to the pyramid. Also, due to the
changed nature of the planet, the elemental fields of the Pyramid can
reach no further than a few miles from the peak. These facts have
stalled the progress of the Core, as its members are unable to act
while away from the Sun Pyramid. Still, the inner chambers of the
Pyramid have not been explored, and there are many discoveries to be
made inside, for sure.
The nephilim that later formed the Core had been contacted in 1997 by
a nephilim whose first incarnation was in the future! A handful of
other nephilim had already spoken with it in their past lives, and
joined the Core.
The Traveler
This special nephilim was the last one to be born on earth. It was
created from the same energy that created the Celestial Dragon, the
Breath. It lived its first life in the Dragon Realm without ever
making contact with the Core, not knowing of their existence then. It
was hunted viciously by the devils, and was finally captured.
In its 2077 AD lifetime it had no need for a simulacrum, nor did it
know that it could possess one. It was invisible to normal vision, but
many humans were awakened and finally the devils were notified of its
existence. They had no explanation for this nephilim, so they needed
to find it and study it. They experimented with it magically, they
forced it to incarnate in human hosts, and they tried to bind it to a
stasis. They tortured it for decades. They noticed that it was equally
able to influence ALL five fields of this reality (i.e. it had same Ka
rating at each field) as if it was a dragon, a mono-elemental being;
it also had great potential for manipulating Solar-Ka, like the
stories told of the Jesus Incident. Fortunately for the devils, it had
no magical training in any technique.
Then one day it vanished.
The Traveler is bound to incarnate backwards in time. In other
incarnations it needs to find a simulacrum; no changes were made then,
so orichalka is bane. But, it never had a particular stasis. In every
incarnation it just vanished after a variable period of time.
Its second incarnation was in 1997, when it desperately searched for
other nephilim to help it. It hated all devils for what they had done
to it in 2077, and was always afraid to be caught again. When it
unterstood that in this reality other nephilim existed as well as
devils, it opened its heart and talked to many nephilim about the
future. Many of them had already predicted similar events to those
recounted by the Traveler and realized the importance of the
situation. These nephilim formed the Core.
At first they sought to neutralize the whole Devil Arcanum, but that
was impossible. Then they tried hampering the creation of the Dragons,
but a lot of support was needed and except for Temperance, no other
Arcanum offered assistance. Thus, they started to prepare for the
coming Age of the Dragons. (These nephilim are supposed to be the PCs,
embarking on many quests to make the preparations for their project.)
The Traveler told them that no other nephilim existed in 2077 except
for devils, so they searched for ways to help them remain
unseen. Simple cloaking spells were not enough, as the magic fields of
the future would be different. There were two ways to cope with the
problem: either to become like the dragons, mono-elemental beings, or
to prepare a pocket-reality according to their magical needs. The
choice was obvious, but almost impossible. The creation of a
pocket-reality was a feat of vast proportions and they had only a few
decades before the Invocation of the Breath. The Core chose to use an
already existing reality: Atlantis.
And then, the traveler vanished again.
Its History Revealed
Its following incarnations were almost every 100 years, with an
average lifespan of 60-70 years. At first it talked about the Age of
Dragons to many nephilim, but they had no further evidence
(predictions, omens, etc) related to the rantings of this madman. With
each incarnation its knowledge increased, and the traveller become
wiser: it understood the importance of secrecy and kept its knowledge
to itself and a select few.
It was incarnated in England and was known by the name Merlin. Legend
has it that he was the Devil's Son, and lived backwards in time. The
first reference to the Breath of the Dragon was made during this
period (remember the movie Excalibur?). It was also incarnated in
Jerusalem, revered by many as Jesus. It is the one and only Fool, a
unique nephilim, the most cryptic and private of all.
Its power grew with each incarnation in the past. It witnessed humans
behaving like animals, and in Sumeria it taught other nephilim the
basics of Sorcery. In ancient Atlantis it appeared suddenly before the
gathered KaIm during a ritual, and was believed to be a summoned
vision of their future.
It walked with the Saurians, and found that its perceptions were
increased beyond all limits; it could see the whole planet in its
mind's eye, and all the magic fields around earth were accessible to
it in a single moment.
Its final incarnation was at a time that earth did not exist. It
witnessed magic energy flow from the sun and through the planets. The
energy gathered around the Traveler, seeking a powerful receptacle and
the magic fields started to fuse with it. The energy coagulated and
formed the Grail, the Basis of Reality, the Traveler's Stasis.
[thanks to everyone participating in discussions in the nephilim
mailing list, more specificly for the "incarnation from the future"
idea]
Nick Christoforidis
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