Converting the Demons of Gaiman’s Hell

Tags

Andrealphus, Asmodeus, Baal, Free Lilim, In Nomine, Kobal, Nybbas, Sandman

I’ve been thinking a bit more about the demons that appeared in the Netflix adaptation of The Sandman.

Having a collection of demons can, in many ways, make it easier to convert them into In Nomine characters, because we can compare them against each other. I discussed them briefly last week, but here they are again. This will involve some spoilers, so if you are planning to watch The Sandman and haven’t done so yet, I’d suggest you do so before continuing.

The Songs of Falling

Tags

Baal, Falling, In Nomine, Songs

The Songs of Falling were originally developed as an oath of loyalty that would resonate with the Symphony like the Song of Truthswearing does, but the Symphony changed in The Fall, and the song became dissonant.

Bonus: The War, Networks (Digital), Dreams (Ethereal), Nightmares (Ethereal)
Essence Cost: 1
Disturbance: 3

25 Years of Baal

Tags

Baal, IN 2022, In Nomine, Wordbound

“Baal” by Trows

As one of the eldest Celestials, barely a second of Baal’s existence has passed since the Fall itself. As far as the Demon Prince is concerned he hasn’t even had a chance to swing back since David sucker punched him and threw him from Heaven.

But to The War, 25 years is more like a month. Changes in the upper command are unlikely, but there would have been plenty of opportunities for field promotions for those soldiers willing to throw themselves into the thick of it.

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General Thoughts

Tags

Baal, Duchies, Generals, In Nomine, NPC, Wordbound

Although I am not revisiting Baal’s Generals just yet. I have stumbled across (or developed) some good ideas for when I get around to restructuring the Prince of The War’s hierarchy.

Megidophon, General of The Final Battleground

Tags

Apocalypse, Armageddon, Baal, Balseraph, Final Battleground, Wordbound

It is well known that Baal anticipates having his final showdown with Michael after the 7th trumpet sounds. That fight itself is supposed to settle the last battle. However, Baal is neither a prophet nor a fool: he knows that fortold encounters do not always play out as expected, and so someone will be leading the armies of hell when Baal finally faces off with his old friend.

Megidophon is that someone.

Nagasaki Tower

Tags

Baal, In Nomine, Revelation Cycle, Tethers

There is a striking scene near the end of In Nomine’s Revelation Cycle where all the Princes of Hell (except Kobal) gather in on the rooftop garden of a Nagasaki skyscraper that just happens to be the exact hypocenter of Fat Man: second and last nuclear weapon ever deployed in war.

The symbolism is palpable, but the scene (or rather it’s setting) is quite racist. It’s based on the rather gross presumption that the Japanese would build a skyscraper anywhere.

In fact, nothing is built at the hypocenter of the Nagasaki explosion except a single memorial cenotaph.

Esquire of the Soul

Tags

Andrealphus, Baal, Beleth, Distinctions, In Nomine, Kobal

In feudal England, an Esquire of the Body was equal parts valet, courtier, and bodyguard. They also had access to their lord’s private chambers, assisted in privy tasks, and acted as confidant. Many would go on to become notable lords in their own right, but some chose to pass up elevations to higher rank because they had greater influence, privilege, and luxury by living on as their lord’s personal squire. Techically Knights of the Body also existed (though it appears that they may just have been Esquires of the Soul who had been knighted), but since In Nomine‘s Distinctions are already complex to track, I think “Esquire of the Body” or rather “Esquire of the Soul” can be used no matter the rank.

Baphometh, Corruptor of the Templars, Demon of Knights

Tags

12 Force, Baal, Distinctions, Djinn, In Nomine, Knight, NPC, Wordbound

For all his corporeal popularity, the Djinn Baphometh is only a March Lord (Marquis) and Feudal Marshal in the armies of The War. He was one of many similarly named demons sent to earth to break the faith of mortal crusaders under the direction of Lawrence and Khalid. As such he is about as respected as a demon can be in the Far Marches (and will often be granted higher honors that his immediate superiors during state visits).

More recent projects have included nurturing the Klan through the 70s and helping KT International get off the ground. He considers the new “knights” to be marks and pompous assholes, just as they should be, but is not yet prepared to reveal himself in his full glory.

Zhennes, Lilim of Secrets, Patron of Secretaries

Tags

11 Force, Alaemon, Asmodeus, Baal, Duchies, Gebbeleth, Lilim, Secretary, Vapula, Wordbound

Though she has been significantly weakened by word drift and celestial combat, the Demon of Secretaries was once among the most powerful of Lilith’s Daughters.

Gebbeleth commissioned the creation of Zhennes some time during the 4th century BC, but it wasn’t until after his disappearance in the 13th century that she really started to shine. By the 15th century Zhennes was one of Asmodeus‘ more active surface agents, and as part of her efforts to slow the redemption of runaways she successfully secularized clerical duties away from the clergy.

Valkyrie Players Guide (Abbreviated) Pt. 2

Tags

Aesir, Baal, Freya, In Nomine, Janus, Michael, Mini Guide, Nybbas, Odin, Valkyrie, Vanir

Playing a Valkyrie

By canon, the average valkyrie has 7 Forces, but I would recommend that a PC Valkyrie Start as a 9 Force ethereal who has attained their godhead.