Meserach, Demon Prince of Sloth

Tags

Asmodeus, Deadly Sins, Deceased, Djinn, In Nomine, Janus, Meserach

“Sloth” by Jacques Callot

Although Meserach was never granted a word by heaven, he was one of Janus’s most powerful negotiators. Outside of the Archangels themselves there was hardly a celestial in heaven who could say no to this charismatic Cherub.

At first he used his ability on Janus’s behalf – redirecting angels so they and their creations would better serve the Wind. He was so effective, he started compelling the lesser angels to accomplish his tasks for him. In time, he came to view himself as a lesser archangel – first accomplishing Janus’s tasks, then setting about some of his own, all without ever leaving his place of rest.

Furfur, the Demon Prince of wait, why is Kobal still laughing?

Tags

Calabite, Furfur, In Nomine

Let’s face it, hardcore music has hardly been one of the world’s great evils. It hasn’t even had a particularly large influence. Lucifer gets around this hang up in Night Music by granting Furfur the whole of Hardcore, but if you look at how Furfur behaves through the rest of the Revelation cycle – he’s really just a flash in the pan.

Where is he now?

My favorite theory is that Furfur ended up knee deep in debt to Andrealphus and now serves as the Baron of Hardcore (Pornography).

Andrealphus, Archangel of Love

Tags

Andrealphus, Archangel, In Nomine, Mercurian, Pre-Fall

Before his betrayal at the hands of god, Andrealphus was one of the more promising Archangels of heaven. For a full history, see Superiors II.

Design Note

I have tried to capture two competing themes in developing Andrealphus the Archangel. He is the bright mirror to the Demon Prince of Lust – certain aspects of each should be reflected in the other. He is also the Angel of Love, not just one aspect of it, but the whole of Love. That is a lot of territory to cover. I am reasonably certain that the Angels of Love are balanced with the Demons of Lust, but small tweaks may be necessary to truly make them equivalent.

The Infernal Fee

Tags

Distinctions, In Nomine

What follows are some thoughts on Infernal Distinctions (and how to make them into more than just a free attunement).

The Knight’s Fee

Upon being elevated to knighthood, a demon may lay claim to an estate (or fee) within their Prince’s domain. The size of estate will depend on the region of hell. A Knight in Sheol or Abaddon might have a creepy if stately manor, while one of their peers in Shal-Mari would be lucky to claim a storefront or penthouse apartment.

Beelzebub, First Demon Prince of Corruption

Tags

Beelzebub, Deceased, Djinn, In Nomine

Beelzebub from Shin Megami Tensei

“The world is rotten, exploit it while you can”

Beelzebub was always something of an enigma. A great Djinn Prince who ruled alongside Lucifer and Baal until he stuck his neck out a little too far and got it lopped off by Uriel. It is assumed that he fell from heaven like the all of the first princes – but if so his discord was so great that none have been able to figure out who he was originally. Most think he was a great Cherub of Jordi, some think he served the enigmatic Archangel of Death, and a few whisper that he is no demon at all, but an Ethereal God posing as a Prince of Hell.

Mammon Ascendant

Tags

In Nomine, Mammon

Mammon from the Spawn Comics

Mammon is presented as a minor and somewhat ineffectual Demon Prince who is too obsessed with money to have properly cared for his infernal holdings. To me this is utter poppycock. All it takes is one look around to see that money and greed run things regardless of whether you are a have or a have not. It is not the only force that runs things, but it certainly is not an also-ran.

Sandalphon, the Fastest Angel in Heaven

Tags

In Nomine, Intervention, Jean, Lucifer, Metatron, Ofanite, Sandalphon, Shekinah

Sandalphon from Shin Megami Tensei

First Appearance: Angelic Player’s Guide pg 34

In Nomine canon does not provide much information on Sandalphon. Aside from Choir (Ofanite) and speed, the rest is left to the imagination.

The DC: Vertigo version is clearly a poor choice for inspiration, as the Vertigo universe puts Sandalphon on the side of the demons (though interestingly, not on the side of Lucifer). Then again, comics have never been the best source for angel lore.

Archangels & Demon Princes Updated!

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Liber Neglecta

The list of In Nomine Archangels has been updated and the list of Demon Princes is now live. I have done my best to list every location where game mechanics appear for these Superiors.

Heresy of the 3rd Fall

Tags

Dark Malakite, Heresy, In Nomine, Malakite

There is a whisper in the secret places of Heaven that the host has not suffered two falls, but three: Lucifer’s defection, the corruption of the Grigori, and the birth of the Malakim. No Archangel will publicly acknowledge such a rumor, and no Seraph or Malakite is ever likely to hear it spoken aloud – but it is present and persistent.

Basis for the Heresy

The Heresy of the 3^rd Fall relies upon three things.

1. It is incredibly difficult for an angel to change its nature. That’s why angels suffer dissonance and discord when they act out of character. Generally speaking, the only time an angel undergoes a transformation is when they fall.
2. Much like Demons, Malakim do not fall, they just keep accumulating dissonance and discord ad infinitum.
3. The purity of the Malakim rests entirely on the word of Uriel who was originally one of the Seraphim. Lucifer was also one of the Seraphim until he transformed. The angels of Heaven simply did what they always do, and took it on faith that Uriel was true to his Word. But if Uriel was acting on Heaven’s behalf, why was he recalled?