Let’s learn about Balseraphs – The Liars, a Band of Demons in the tabletop role-playing game In Nomine. In Nomine is a role-playing game designed by Derek Pearcy and published in 1997 by @Steve Jackson Games. You can learn more on the official website here: http://www.sjgames.com/innomine/ or the Wikipedia page here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Nomine_(role-playing_game). You can buy In Nomine products here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/12199/Steve-Jackson-Games/subcategory/28908_30775/In-Nomine?affiliate_id=50797
Time Stamps:
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:27 About
- 0:53 Resonance
- 1:31 Dissonance
- 2:23 Manner and Appearance
- 3:29 Game Mechanics
- 5:16 Outro
About In Nomine
Written by Derek Pearcy + Illustrated by Dan Smith
Edited by Jeff Koke, Steve Jackson, and Susan Pinsonneault
Cover art by John Zeleznik (first printing) and Christopher Shy (second printing)
In Nomine is a modern roleplaying game in which the players take the part of celestial beings – angels and demons – as they struggle for control of humanity and themselves. The celestials, powerful though they may be, are merely pawns in a much larger game being played by their Superiors, the Archangels and Demon Princes. Based on the best-selling French RPG by the wonderfully diabolical Croc!
In Nomine won the Origins Award for Best Graphic Presentation of a Roleplaying Game, Adventure, or Supplement of 1997.
Transcript
Cold Open
You aren’t able to believe a word they say, even if they happen to be telling you the truth!
Intro
Welcome to Eviliv3, the live media commentary show that answers the question, how do you know you can trust a demon? Subscribe if you’re new to the channel, because today we are continuing our In Nomine series with this episode, Balseraphs – The Liars, A Band of Demons.
Discussion
No other Band of demon is as malicious as the Balseraphs. They are second only to Lucifer in their ability to deceive. This deception doesn’t end with a potential target of a lie; however, the Balseraphs are wholly wrapped up in their own lies as well. As the rest of Creation sees the Band as the universe’s biggest Liars, Balseraphs don’t see it that way. They aren’t even concerned about others’ points of view at all.
Resonance
The resonance of a Balseraph, their very nature is wrapped up in their own paranoia. They see the symphony itself as a reinforcement of their perspective, which keeps thier Forces from disbanding altogether. This all means that through a minor exertion of will, a Balseraph may extend their personal symphony into other people’s hearts, imposing their own paranoid view of the world on them. This allows them to convince and coerce with expert skill, but a Balseraph must be careful, for while they may never acknowledge it, they may find themselves tripping over their own lies.
Dissonance
Balseraphs are the polar opposite of the Seraphs. While Seraphs are incapable of lying, so too are Balseraphs, from their point of view that is. This means that to create a lie, a Balseraph must first create an entire reality within themselves in which the lies they tell are true. Not possibly true, or near truth, but whole, absolute truths. This certainty is at the heart of the Balseraphs Resonance. But that then means that if a Balseraphs lie is found to be contradictory, if it is discovered to be a lie, their synthetic reality fractures, and they generate a note of Dissonance. But that’s not all, if a victim somehow finds the strength of will to see through a Balseraph’s lie, they will generate a note of dissonance as well.
Manner and Appearance
It is easy to imagine a scruffy looking miscreant to be a liar. But the Balseraphs recognize this as well, and therefore take great care with their appearance, nearly as much as with their lies when in the Corporeal Realm. While in the Celestial Realm a Balseraph looks like a Seraph, a many-eyed, winged serpent. Balseraphs do well to shroud themselves in mystery and reserve; it serves them well with their resonance.
Other Bands don’t ever question the Balseraphs, as it implies they are gullible, as if they wouldn’t lie to you. This not only makes the other look stupid, it’s illogical, they know the Baleraphs are liars, it’s what they are known for! Balseraphs are also freakishly paranoid of the fallen. As they never tell the whole truth, they cannot believe anyone else does either, and they trust other Balseraphs the least. Balseraphs see themselves as stringed instruments, from guitars to violins. The delicacy, precision and grace required to play these instruments, only reinforces their smug vanity.
Game Mechanics
A Balseraph is able to invoke their resonance, persuading a number of people equal to his Celestial Forces, at the same time! When in combat however, it can only be used on a single person, and requires 3 turns of uninterrupted concentration. This prevents the Balseraph from doing anything but avoiding taking damage.
The target may attempt to resist the lie with a Will roll, but it is not a contest; the victim only needs to roll his own will or lower. If the victim successfully resists the Balseraphs lie, it prevents the demon from using their resonance on the same victim for a number of hours equal to the check digit of the victim’s roll. But if the check digit is 6, the demon suffers a note of Dissonance. The Balseraph may remove the note by applying their resonance on the victim at a later date.
If the victim fails their Will roll, the Balseraph can influence him for a number of minutes equal to the check digit of the Balseraph’s roll. Knowing the nature of the Balseraph, their celestial counterparts the Seraph may add their Celestial Forces to the Will roll as well. Once the Balseraph makes their resonance roll, even a Detect Lies skill check reveals nothing. This naturally only extends to lies that cannot be refuted by empirical fact, like gravity for example. Dissonance gained by failing their resonance only earns the Balseraph a single note at a time.
As you can see it is difficult to ever trust a Balseraph, even when you are on the same side. But having a Balseraph on your team does make life interesting and they are always capable of twisting the minds of your enemies. I would encourage any Game Master of Player to consider including a Balseraph in their games, if for no other reason than to sow distrust.
Outro
Thank you for watching today’s In Nomine episode. Subscribe and ring the bell if you are new to the channel. Don’t forget to click the like button and comment to let others learn about this award winning role-playing game and this channel.
And as always, remember that evil spelled backwards is live, so get out there and Be Evil!