Chaosium Digest Volume 14, Number 4 Date: Sunday, April 14, 1996 Number: 4 of 4 Contents: Nephilim Australis Incogito, Part 4 (Timothy Ferguson) NEPHILIM -------------------- From: Timothy Ferguson Subject: Nephilim Australis Incogito, Part 4 System: Nephilim PRIOR INCARNATIONS IN AUSTRALIA These historical periods are not "Great Awakenings". Instead they form a continum during which your Nephilim may have been conscious. During the earliest incarnations, the small Australian population leaves it mostly free of Secret Society and European Nephilim influence. The Aboriginies do not learn to smelt metal, so Orichalka remains hidden and secret in Australia until the Europeans arrive. Note: The Bainu A mysterious group with sailing ships may have visited Aboriginal communities before the 1600s. As we do not know who they are, they may have been the first importers of Stases into Australia. These people are called the "Bainu". Pre-contact Australia Australia is first settled by waves of immigration from southeast Asia, beginning at least 40,000 years ago. Not all of the original Australians were modern humans, some being huge ogrish creatures who, so far as we can tell, lived in peaceful communities alongside "gracile" people. Australia may have had up to 500 tribes of Aborigines, each with its own language or dialect. Although their lifestyles are similar enough that "Life Experience (Traditional Aboriginal)" gained in various lives can be added together, "Speak (An Aboriginal Language)" and "Religion (Tribal Ceremony)" are fresh skills for each simulacrum. In the Simulacra below "Surivival" substitutes for the dozens of "Craft..." skills that a well-rounded nomad would require. Those from this period must take an Australian Metamorphosis from the list in the next chapter. This period may be selected multiple times, although Robusta may only be taken once, as the first incarnation. If it is rolled later, it should be re-rolled. 01-20 Robusta Human 21-40 Torres Straight Islander 41-70 Hunter (Male) 71-00 Gatherer (Female) Robusta Human: The Nephilim's host was one of the Robusta ogres. Its skills are the same as "Hunter" below. Toress Straight Islander: The islands of the Toress Straight contain a fishing and farming culture which is non-nomadic and is not closely related to either the Papuans to the north or the Aboriginies to the south. Boat (fishing) or Farm Hunt (Fishing) Life Experience (Toress Straight Islander) Melee (Spear) Natural Lore Religion (Tribal Ceremony) Scan Speak (An Islander language) Swim Hunter (Male): The mainland Aboriginies tended to be nomadic, although hamlets did form in areas where food was plentiful. Generally, hunting of large animals was men's work and gathering women's work, although this is not necessarily a reflection of status, since gathering gave women economic power. Art (Sacred Paintings or Sacred Dances) Hunt Life Experience (Traditional Aboriginal) Meele (Boomerang or Spear and Woomera (Spear-thrower)) Melee (Wadi (Club) or Axe) Natural Lore Religion (Tribal Ceremony) Scan Speak (An aboriginal language) Survival Gatherer (Female): Art (Sacred Dance or Sacred Painting) Hunt (both women and men caught small game) Life Experience (Traditional Aboriginal) Melee (Wadi (Club) or Axe) Natural Lore Religion (Tribal Ceremony) Scrutinize Speak (An aboriginal language) Survival Available Techniques: In Australia Summoning is the basic technique, not Sorcery. Gaining the assistance of totemic spirits fits Aboriginal customs better than the raw personal power of sorcery. Alchemy is a foreign concept, not used until the Europeans bring it with them to Australia. Available Techniques: All three Circles of Sorcery All three Circles of Summoning Stasis Event: Dies either of accident or natural causes. Usually the death of the PC will create a sacred site, where a priesthood will keep their stasis. Local geographical peculiarities will be explained as the effects of the PCs actions or the remanants of their body. In Alcheringa, or to the Awakened, the site will seem obviously unnatural. A cave interior might, for instance, look literally like the huge rib-cage of a dead snake. Stases: Quartz Crystal Australite (meteroite) Bone tool Weapon Clapstick or digeredoo (musical instruments) Bullroarer (a piece of woode twirled on a string to create a noise. Used to warn women and children away from men's rituals. Mick uses one in "Crocodile Dundee"). The Age of Discovery: From 1616 until the founding of the first colony various explorers touched the Australian coast. They serve either themselves, the Temple or the Wheel of Fortune. People from the Indonesian archiapelgo made regular contact with northern Australia, to trade sea cucumbers, between about 1605 and 1903. 01-10 Maccassan (Sumatran) Trader 11-30 Marine (See Soldier in "Chronicle of Awakenings", p.35.) 31-00 Sailor (See Deep-Sea Sailor in "Chronicle of Awakenings", p.35.) Nationalities for Europeans can be Dutch or English. Don't forget to alter the name of the Life Experience skill to (Sailor near Oz). Sumatran Trader: The character's host was a Sumatran who visited northern Australia to barter for trepang (sea cucumber) with the indigineous inhabitants. Bargain Boat Hunt (fishing) Life Experience (Maccassan) Meele (Knife) Natural Lore Speak (Maccassan) Speak (Northern Australian Aboriginal Dialect) Swim Marine and Sailor: Marines and sailors on the voyages of exploration were occassionally hosts to Nephilim. More often officers within each crew were in the service of the Wheel of Fortune, seeking out new resources for their Arcanum. During this time, characters may roll instead on the pre-contact list, to simulate taking an Aboriginal simulacrum. If "Robusta human" is rolled an alternative should be selected, possibly "Maccassan Trader". Some Secret Societies shipped Stases to Australia believing it to be uninhabited. Death: Either of an accident while sailing or old and in bed. Stases: If a European, see "Chronicle of Awakennings", p.36. If Maccassan: Either roll on the Pre-Contact table or select another item that seems right for you. Early Sydney In 1788 the first colony is founded in Australia, in Sydney Cove. The colony was basically a prison camp for British urban offenders. Aside from Arthur Philip, the Governor, virtually none of the convicts had farming experience and the colony was unable to feed itself for many years. If you desire an Aboriginal Simulacrum, roll on the pre-contact table, substituting Maccassan Trader, from "Age of Discovery" for "Robusta". 01-50 Convict from Urban Background Use "Urban Rabble" in "Chronicle of Awakenings", p.40 after changing the Speak skill to (English) and the Life Experience to (Sydney, 1788). 51-60 Convict from Rural Background As "Farmer" in Pre-Dynastic Egypt but subsitute Craft... for Boat, change over the Life Experience and make the language spoken (English). 61-70 Marine: "Chronicle of Awakenings", p.35. 70-90 Sailor: "Chronicle of Awakenings", p.35. 91-00 Officer: Officers of the Marine Corps and of visiting ships have either the skills of a sailor or a marine, but also have "Business" to reflect their mercenary activities in early Sydney and, as they were usually literate, have "Read/Write (English)" Death: 01-30 Starvation 31-50 Disease 51-70 Age 71-90 At sea 91-95 With violence in Sydney 96-00 Speared by Aboriginies, or died living in their communities. Occult Techniques: Study of magical techniques would have been extremely difficult for those with as little leisure time as the early Australians. Although all Circles of each art, save the Philosopher's Stone, may be taken, Alchemy must be justified to the gamesmaster, as most people lived in prisons or communal barracks with no private place for anathors. Similarly, the highest Circle of Sorcery requires justification, as occult texts are scarce in the colony. Stasis: 01-30 Naval Equipment (Navigation equpiment, ships pulleys) 31-50 Convict gear (Balls and chains, whips.) 51-70 Aboriginal artifact (Roll on Pre-contact table). 71-80 Marine's weapon or pat of marine's uniform. 81-90 Gentleman's item bought out from Britain. 91-00 Ladies' item bought out from Britain. The European Expansion: In the period between 1813 and 1873 the interior of the continent was explored. This first date marks the crossing of the Blue Mountains by a trio of explorers, opening up a fertile hinterland for the colony. Until this time it was believed that Aborigines only lived on the coasts; this was proven incorrect. Clashes between the Aborigines and settlers occured frequently at this time, due to theft of tribal land by settlers and theft of grazing animals by Aborigines. Many Irish people settle in Australia at this time; some are Nephilim transported by the theft of their Stases. Transportation of convicts ends. If you want an Aboriginal simulacrum, roll on the Pre-contact table, but ignore "Robusta Human", substituting "Maccassan Trader". If you want a European simulacrum, roll on the Early Sydney table, with the following change: 41-50 Overlander Overlanders are drovers of cattle, pushing herds along stock routes to the markets in the regional capitals. Overlander Build (campcraft) Farming First Aid Hunt Life Experience (c 19th Australian) Ride Rifle Scan Speak (English) Causes of Death: 01-30 Sickness 31-60 Age 61-80 Exposure 81-90 Went back to England and died there 91-00 Clashes with Aboriginies Magical Techniques: All save Philosopher's Stone are available, but Alchemy and Grand Secret Sorcery must be justified to the Gamesmaster. Stases: Use the table for Early Sydney. The Gold Rushes: In the period between 1850 and 1880 gold was discovered in many parts of Australia. Miners flooded out from the towns into the goldfields and emigrated to this country to try their luck. Generally, the money was made by those who sold the shovels and the grog, rather than the miners themselves. Large numbers of Asains immigrate to Australia at this time. Their market gardens provide vital foodstuffs in many communities. In some places they suffer terrible racist violence. In others, they intermarry with the European population. Increasing taxes and charges upon miners eventually led to a revolt on one of the fields. The fortress the miners set up was overwhelmed by soldiers with little difficulty, but the "Eureka Stockade" became an Australian cultural icon. 01-50 Urban gold-digger 51-80 Immigrant Gold-digger 81-90 Storekeeper 91-95 License Inspector 96-00 Bushranger Urban Gold Digger Bargain Build Craft... (Profession) Craft (Mining) Conceal Fist/Punch Life Experience (Australian Goldfields) Speak (English) Immigrant Gold-digger As above, but split the Life Experience Score into two skills, for instance L.E. (Goldfields) and L.E. (China C. 18th). Also, add a Language skill to reflect the immigrant's homeland. Storekeeper Bargain Business Craft... Fast Talk Life Experience (Australian Goldfields) Read/Write (English) Speak (English) License Inspector Bargain Law Life Experience (Australian Goldfields) Read/Write (English) Rifle Ride Scan Speak (English) Bushranger Bargain Hide Hunt Life Experience (Australian Goldfields) Ride Rifle Survival Speak (English) Causes of Death: 01-25 Crime on the gold-fields 26-40 Killed at the Eureka Stockade 41-55 Went back to country of origin and died there 56-70 Died of disease 71-00 Died of age Stases: 01-50 Mining Gear 51-75 Item bought out from Britain 76-85 Aboriginal Artifact 86-95 Soldier's weapon or equipment 96-00 Antique bought out from Britain or China, roll on an earlier period from the sourcebooks. The Depression In 1890 the global depression struck Australia. Many men took to the roads, finding seasonal work where they could. In the cities the union movement formed. It becames a mainstay of Australian political life until the end of the Twentieth Century. By this stage of Australian history, the vast majority of the white population lived in the cities, not the country. This has continued up to today, with over 85% of Australians living in the urban areas, mostly in the south-eastern corner. Town Labourer Bargain Craft... Craft... Fist/Punch Life Experience (1890s Australia) Speak (English) Town Professional As above, but replace the two Craft skills with others that are "Professional" like First Aid and Medicine, or Law and Business. Also, add Read/Write (English). Farmer As Pre-Dynastic Egypt, but with altered Life Experience and Speak skills. Swagman Swagmen were wandering labourers. The most famous one is the ghost in "Waltzing Matilda" which many Australians feel should be our anthem. "Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong under the shade of a coolibah tree..." Bargain Craft (Shearing) Fist/Punch Law (Swagmen were vagrants and often fell foul of the law.) Life Experience (1890s Australia) Scrutinize Speak (English) Survival (This skill reflects the ability to find water and shelter. Europeans are notoriously incompetent when it comes to finding bush tucker. Swagmen had a steady diet of flour, tea and meat when they could buy or poach it.) Causes of Death: 01-50 Old Age 50-75 Sickness or violence 76-95 Emigrated to Britain then died. 96-00 Killed by the early Secret Socieities. Stases: 01-30 Item of value imported from Britain 31-60 Farming tool 61-70 Aboriginal artifact 71-81 Tool of urban professional 81-90 A piece of jewelery made at this time 91-00 An everyday item from turn-of-the-century Sydney The Federation 1901 was the year that the Commonwealth of Australia was founded. Prior to this, each colony was a self-governing militocracy. The new capital, Canberra, was placed exactly between Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest cities. Its chief architect had a wife who was also an architect and who helped in the design of buildings. The original designs show that this assistant architect was familiar with Sacred Geometry, especially one Chinese style and applied it in the design. Australia has the highest standard of living in the world. 01-20 Urban labourer 21-40 Urban professional 41-50 Bush Poet 51-60 Early politician 61-90 Pastoralist 91-00 Boer War Soldier: Urban Labourer Urban Professional These two are the same as the previous entries, but Life Experience should be (Australian Federation). Reading is common by now. Decide if your character should have Read/Write (English). Bush Poet Art (Poetry) Bargain Fast Talk History Life Experience (Federation Australia) Read/Write (English) Speak (English) Early politician Bargain Life Experience (Federation Australia) Psychology Read/Write (English) Speak (English) Two "Professional skills" such as Business and Farm or Medicine and First Aid. 60-90 Pastoralist Like "Pre-Dynastic Egyptian Farmer" with altered linguistic and life experience skills. 91-00 Boer War Soldier Australia sent forces to the British wars in what is now South Africa; this set a pattern followed until World War Two where Australian forces were sent to wherever the Empire needed cannon fodder. Fist/Punch Life Experience (Federation Australia) Melee (bayonet) Read/Write (English) Ride Rifle Scan Speak (English) The First World War Australia was a combatant in the First World War. It suffered the highest level of casualties per capita of any country. Australian forces trained in Egypt then were butchered at Gallipoli. Fresh forces marched along the Road of Conquerers through the Middle East, picking up many Nephilim at this time. In Australia, small cenotaphs are raised in most towns. These may have some magical purpose. They are the foci for the main display of Australian nationalism each year, A.N.Z.A.C. Day. As per "Chronicle of Awakenings", but Australian soldiers in the Middle East tended to have "Ride" in addition to their other skills. The Second World War During the Second World War Australia was left undefended from the Japanese by the fall of Singapore. Desperate battles occured along the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea. The Burma deathmarch dragged Australians through southeast Asia. Once America entered the war, large numbers of Americans were stationed in Northern Australia, MacArthur's "Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier". During this period Nephilim from Papua New Guinea, Southeast Asia and the Americas came to Australia in large numbers. War brides carried some indigenous Nephilim to the United States once the war was complete. Australia decided to "Populate or Perish" after the War, drawing in all of the white immigrants who were available, including many Nephilim fleeing the wreckage of Italy. As per "Chronicle of Awakenings". The Mineral Boom The mineral boom begins in 1942, with the Australian economy regearing to ship out raw materials to the world. Many Earth spirits are awakened at this time, including many Mimi and Narguns, described below. Creatures awakened in the 1940s have a wide choice of simulacra. It's best just to use the many simulacra provided for the modern day in various supplements, tinkering with them so that they do not have inappropriate skills. The 1950s until today During the brushfire war in Vietnam, Australia supported the American alliance. Huge numbers of immigrants flooded into the country from Vietnam and other parts of the world. During, the 1980s the Asian Engagement and Multicultural Diversity policies of the governement altered the structure of Australian society. Today, about 1/6 of the people in Australia were born in another country. Extended to include people whose parents were born overseas, Australia has one of the "newest" poulations in the world. This also means it is a melting pot of Nephilim and magical traditions from the other continents. IN CONCLUSION Thanks to all who offered encouragement when I first suggested the writing of this document. Thanks also to Sam Shirley, Penelope Love and Mark Morrison for allowing me to rework the _Terror Australis_ material. Timothy Ferguson, the 10th of April 1996. -------------------- The Chaosium Digest is an unofficial electronic 'zine about Chaosium's Games. To submit an article, subscribe or unsubscribe, mail to: appel@erzo.org. The old digests are archived on ftp.csua.berkeley.edu in the directory /pub/chaosium, and may be retrieved via FTP. The birds sing a pretty song.