Let’s learn about Mercurians – Friends of Man a Choir of Angels 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
- 0:26 About the Choir
- 0:45 Resonance
- 1:55 Dissonance
- 2:48 Manner and Appearance
- 3:37 Game Mechanics
- 4:43 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
They are the least divine of the choirs, after the exile of the Grigori.
Intro
Welcome to Eviliv3, the live media commentary show that answers the question, can you let an angel down gently? Subscribe if you’re new to the channel, because today we are continuing our In Nomine series with this episode, Mercurians – Friends of Man, a Choir of Angels.
Discussion
Mercurians are known as divine diplomats to the heavenly socialites. They have developed politics, and are inarguably the arbiters of taste. They are known for bringing the discipline of abstract structures to the Corporeal Realm. It is safe to say, after the Grigori, that Mercurians are the most human of angels.
Resonance
With a choir as in tune to the political patterns of the Symphony, it’s no wonder their resonance, their very nature as angels is tied up in it. A Mercurians’ perceptions are so acute, that they can enter any room, and immediately understand the complex web of social connections between the people within it. The complex web of work, family, friends, religion, politics even knowing what they care most about as well are simple to understand for Mercurians on the individual human level.
Mercurians are admittedly the least-divine of the Choirs, but it’s in their nature, so they run with it. They tend to become arrogant, judging others by their aesthetics, insisting that style is important, and worth the effort. Due to their inherent love of mankind, even those poor souls without a fashion sense, are seen as sympathetic to the Mercurian. Their friendly natures make them wonderful conversationalists, who genuinely care what the person has to say. Not even humanity likes itself as much as Mercurians do.
Dissonance
Due to their resonance and love of humanity, it is Dissonant for Mercurians to be violent toward humans. Mercurians understand violence as the antithesis of politics, and a dampener of reason. This may be engaged in during the heat of passionate emotion, but they will earn notes of Dissonance for it. To any other being than humans however, look out, Mercurians enjoy giving into their more passionate emotions and violent urges, but they prefer to direct it toward demons, especially their Demonic counterparts, the Impudites.
To be clear, Mercurians are not advocating for violence or peace, they simply prefer to use socio-political means to end a conflict. It’s when these negotiations break down, that the Mercurians have no problems picking up the sword, as it were.
Manner and Appearance
Mercurians appear as the traditional Western image of an angel, when they are in their Celestial forms, they appear as winged humans with smooth skin, a bright smile, and an open heart. When they travel to the Corporeal realm, they will inevitably create an attractive vessel, unless they are intentionally using an ugly one for political reasons. There is always intention behind a Mercurian’s appearance. Traditionally you will find them being the best-dressed in a room, and often the most suave.
When it comes to music, a Mercurian prefers the instrument closest to hand, be it singing, clapping, stomping their feet, or all of the above. They allow the music and the moment to sweep them away. I would imagine them being filled with joy in a Baptist church for example.
Game Mechanics
When it comes to the game mechanics of their resonance, a Mercurian can determine the social standing of anyone within a number of Yards equal to the angel’s Forces. Some exceptionally perceptive Mercurians may also be able to tell what others call the subject, and what peripheral relationships they maintain between family and friends.
The results of the successful check digit range from knowing how a person feels about themselves, all the way to seeing their entire background as if it were written across their face, even knowing the relationship forces that control their life! This knowledge lasts for ten minutes minus one for every point of the successful check digit. This means that the more precise the reading the quicker the period.
As you can see, Mercurians are a choir which is not only close to humanity but celebrates it! Other angels may be puzzled by their unconditional acceptance of humans, but they recognize it’s their nature to be this way. I would encourage you to try a Mercurian character, you may even resonate with the Choir.
Outro
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And as always, remember that evil spelled backwards is live, so get out there and Be Evil!