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 NEW ELECTRONIC RESOURCES The Eternal Champion Mailing List eternal@nochet.demon.co.uk The Eternal Champion mailing list at Nochet is dedicated to the discussion, appreciation and enjoyment of the role playing possibilities in the works of Michael Moorcock. Role playing has been massively influenced by the ideas and fantasies of this great British author, such as the battle between Law and Chaos, multiverses, plane hopping, demonic weapons and doomed heroes. Discussion will concentrate on the role playing games published by Chaosium Inc: Elric!, Stormbringer and Hawkmoon. Having said that, any role playing matters, or indeed not-very-role-playing matters connected with Moorcock or the Eternal Champion are quite legitimate. To subscribe send an email to: listserver@nochet.demon.co.uk with the message subscribe eternal in the body text. -------------------- From: Danny Bourne 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" 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 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 -------------------- The Chaosium Digest is an unofficial discussion forum for Chaosium's Games. To submit an article, subscribe, or unsubscribe, mail to: appel@erzo.org. 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