@setgm me

William (#2330) has changed the GM of this room to William (#2330).

Jesdyn has made Jesdyn's local name Neil

StevenE has made StevenE's local name Ekur

fadethecat swings into the room on a bit of rigging.

fadethecat has made fadethecat's local name Draco

Jesdyn has made Jesdyn's local description Neil is much too stressed to 
think of a snappy description this session. Pretend he made some pun on 
Mercurian and let it slide.

fadethecat has made fadethecat's local description A silver ferret 
wearing these adorable little ferret-sized spectacles.

Neil . o O ( If that came across wrong, /I'm/ fine. Neil's just shaken 
up. )

The GM says, "Allright.  The last log is up and it's probably wise to 
review the conversation you just had with Gabriel to recall what you're 
working on and any ideas you had on how to go about it."

The GM says, 
"http://earl.of.sandwich.net/In_Nomine/Civis_Game_Logs/Session_024_Jul02_
06.txt ."

Jesdyn [to William]: Read it at work. We OOC worked out that we're 
dealing with supernova related events, although are darn worried at the 
idea that Gabriel only killed a /singular/ star. Is the other natural or 
Belial's handiwork? And which came first?

Jesdyn [to William]: You're not gonna answer, sure, but it's what we're 
working on.

Draco has a text doc open with what Gabriel said, since Draco wrote it 
down in the notebook. Handy reference.

Neil . o O ( Okay. Possible options. Ask allied pantheons for info about 
supernova? More research in the Vale? Cross-check with Dorotea? Blame 
Eli? )

The GM says, "OOC, Supernova 1987a happened before the Fall, tens of 
thousands of years before the relatively close by Crab Nebula burst, 
which happened after the Fall."

Jesdyn [to William]: I'd wondered about that, too.

The GM says, "Time of arrival minus light years away.  :^)"

Neil . o O ( Do humans get more inspired when they see supernovae? Is 
this a positive change; if so, should we blow up more stars? )

The GM says, "If I understand the last plan you mentioned, you guys were 
heading to the Volcano to ask around about stuff?"

The GM says, "Or was there another option on hand?"

Neil nods. "We were headed there anyways, and there have to be angels who 
remembered the trouble from the last time."

The GM says, "Allrighty then."

Ekur suggests, "Let's head to the Volcano, talk to prophecy-interpreters, 
see what they can tell us.  Certainly servants of Fire are a likely group 
to know what 'killed a star once' would mean."

------------- Arc 6: Fire from the Sky, Part 3 ------------------

As a theologian and Hindi/Sanskrit speaker, Ekur adds, "Kundalini is a 
yogic term for mothering intelligence behind yogic awakening and 
spiritual maturation.  Apparently that's at risk.  Ties in with the bit 
about increasing capability for instruction and destruction."

Draco nods, making little notes in his book and occasionally underlining 
bits of what he's recorded. "I suspect the mention of killing a star is 
from before my time. Research does seem advisable." He looks around Civis 
wistfully for a moment. "Even if it is a pity to leave when I've just 
barely arrived. Still, circumstances permitting, I intend to return 
later."

Neil wonders aloud, "That sounds an awful lot like Destiny's sort of 
talk..."

The GM says, "The Volcano is very near by.  Obviously, the Judgmentmobile 
can't go with."

Neil pats the Judgmentmobile and tells it to stay put. Judgment's Sigil 
should -- hmm.

Neil switches the logo and plates to Revelation's.

The GM says, "O_o"

Ekur nods.  "Since the Volcano is a conveneintly nearby tether from here 
to Heaven, it's also on the way to the Library."

The GM says, "Easily done.  <ooc> Though I'm curious why."

Jesdyn [to William]: I can't remember if Gabrielites are on bad terms 
with Judgment or vice versa. I know there's bad blood there.

Jesdyn [to William]: Any I don't know if the Pax Dei applies to ethereal 
allies who aren't in Heaven anyways. Better avoid the trouble altogether. 
The Tellingpeoplemobile probably won't mind.

Ekur says, "<ooc> So, er.  You're using the sigil of Revelation for 
deception?"

Jesdyn [to William]: If this is completely silly or unnecessary, we can 
just wipe that scene-fragment and move on.

fadethecat [to StevenE]: There's something beautiful about that, yeah.

The GM says, "Canonically (and after hashing the Laws of Heaven out at 
great length on the mailing list, with input from Beth), the bad feelings 
are mostly on the Gabrielites' side, 'cuz you were obviously jumping to 
conclusions when the Boss couldn't have been doing anything wrong.  On 
your side, Gabrielites are in for closer questioning as a rule, but the 
charges were dropped.  Unlike Eli, Gabriel is not presently *accused* of 
anything."

The GM says, "Anyway, you can do it and undo it with a moment's thought, 
so it's not a big deal."

The GM says, "You head out of Civis on foot, and the trip up the Volcano 
is as short as was the trip down.  An Ofanite of Fire greets you at the 
Heavenside rim of the Caldera.  'How may I assist you, pilgrims?'"

Neil defers to Ekur.

Neil . o O ( And Draco. )

Ekur says, "We just were spoken to by the Archangel Gabriel.  We wish to 
provide the message for recording, and seek assistance in 
interpretation."

Draco straightens up from his perusal of his notebook. "That and gather 
any other potentially relevant information available on short notice."

The Ofanite says, "Ah, then you're definitely looking for the Dictorium."  
A flicker of flame indicates one of the highest towers in the Citadel.  
"They'll be very pleased to accept the prophecy and assist with 
interpretation."

Ekur nods.  "Thank you.  Could you give us directions?"

<OOC> You would all know what this is.  It's where Gabriel's servants 
collect records of any prophecies she's uttered.

Ekur <OOC> And they have cherubs who do cross-referencing!

William [to StevenE]: The Ofanite glances at an aproaching patrol, sings 
a brief communication of military jargon with them, and says, "I'll do 
you one better, come on in."  It spins down toward the Citadel.

Draco thinks happy thoughts about cross-referencing and indices.

Ekur follows the Ofanite.

Draco spreads his wings, now that he's back in celestial form, and glides 
through the air behind the Ofanite.

Neil quietly follows.

The GM says, "The Ofanite leads you across the long bridge where lava 
plays on either side and the bronze walls shimmer in the rising heat.  
'If you've never been here before, be advised that the Caldera and some 
of the wards can be painful to the touch,' says the Ofanite."

Draco coils himself into a nearly Ofanite-like spring, the better to not 
accidentally touch anything. "Thanks for the warning."

The GM says, "You arrive at the stone promontory in the middle of the 
lava.  He leads you into the massive structure and up flight after flight 
of stairs.  As you go, he cheerfully points out this or that artwork and 
the occasional Tether-locus.  The most impressive one, the Sun-Tether, 
occupies a plaza all its own, visible below a balcony on which he stops 
next to an open door.  'Here's the Dictorium,' he says.  If you have time 
to be a tourist later, you might enjoy checking out what the core of the 
Sun looks like from celestial form.  Just tug on anybody that's passing 
by, we love art lectures.  See ya!'  And he zooms off."

The GM says, "The sound of faint tings of small metal instruments on 
metal can be heard from a floor of the tower above where you are."

Ekur says, "Well, let's head on up.  There'll probably be cherubim on 
guard whom we'll have to ask permission to enter from."

The GM says, "The Cherub is waiting just inside the door, a sphinx-like 
lion resting a book between its paws.  It looks up as you enter.  'Well 
met, travelers,' it says in a deep voice.  'How may I assist you?'"

Ekur repeats, "We just were spoken to by the Archangel Gabriel.  We wish 
to provide the message for recording, and seek assistance in 
interpretation."

"Did someone say they brought a new prophecy?"  A Seraph extends several 
feet of head and neck around the edge of a stairwell in the back of the 
room.  "Sweet, I'll be right down!"

Draco has had the chance by now to copy out a few more sets of his notes 
for this sort of thing, and rips sheets out of his notebook accordingly. 
"I hope I didn't garble any of it," he says, fixing the copies with a 
critical eye. "I was...somewhat distracted by circumstances at the time."


The Cherub chuckles.  "I believe that means you're welcome in.  Teresa 
will assist you momentarily; please have a seat," and he indicates a 
glass-windowed area with several seats and a table.

Neil glances over one to double-check it... of course, he /was/ the 
circumstances, so he's not much help either.

The Seraph swiftly comes down the stairs with notepaper.  "A good strong 
Resonance will doublecheck any of the details on that, I'm sure, although 
fresh paper copies are very handy..."

William [to fadethecat]: Where'd you start making notes from, the 
'deceived by their self-deception' line?

fadethecat [to William]: Yes, exactly. With a few notes added about the 
surrounding circumstances and the gist of the question asked before she 
began talking.

Neil perks up with professional interest. "Really? I thought Superior 
ineffability would hinder that."

Draco begins passing out copies. "I didn't record much in the way of 
background chatter, but should be able to reconstruct some from memory if 
you believe it could be relevant. I stuck to what the Archangel said and 
what was said directly to her."

Anna says, "I'm Anna, by the way... oh, it does sometimes, usually when 
the communication was via an altered state of consciousness.  But if the 
words were physically delivered, then we can check the recipient's memory 
of that."

Anna looks over the notes.  "Civis, Marches... oh, interesting, she 
usually stays on Earth... hm.  So she was exacting punishment on some 
fae, was she."  *makes a note*

Ekur says, "And we'd really like some assistance with interpreting the 
statements, since it seems to bear directly on our responsibilities in 
Civis.  And something happened in 1054 AD which may have been related, 
but I don't know much more than the date."

Anna finishes reading, examines the paper and spends several Essence 
resonating the writing.  "Looks accurate, very good, very good."  She 
looks up.  "1054?"

Ekur says, "Yeah.  There seems to be some odd interactions between human 
dreamscapes and domains, and the only reference I got from my fellow 
Dreamers was apparently to a 1054 report from deep Marches."

Anna thinks momentarily.  "Oh, yeah.  1054.  Crab Nebula.  Last known 
appearance of the Supernova Tether.  That'll play havoc with the Marches, 
allright."

Ekur looks to see if his companions have anything intelligent to say.  If 
they don't, he just says, "Supernova Tether?"

Anna says, "Thing with the Supernova Tether is, it's an outrageously 
powerful Fire Tether but it's really short lived.  It's not even the same 
Tether from appearance to appearance, i.e., it's not transient, just a 
new Tether.  So no Seneschal."

Ekur says, "Okay, it's a powerful but short-lived Tether.  How does it 
affect the Marches?"

Draco is taking brisk notes on all of this. "About how often do this 
Tether form?"

Anna sits up and begins lecturing.  "The physical events that initiate a 
supernova take weeks or months, but once they begin there isn't a force 
in the Universe short of a pre-Fall Archangel that can stop them, so the 
Tether potential starts building immediately.  It actually arrives 
several months *ahead* of the Tether itself.  Now...

"...not every supernova provides a Tether.  Most didn't, until humanity 
showed up.  Since then, only those that have some significant impact do.  
Kepler's supernova didn't..."  She closes her eyes sadly.  "That one came 
from the constellation of the serpent, and was triggered twenty millenia 
ago.  You can guess what caused that."

Neil says, "Wait, I can?"

Anna eyes Neil.

Ekur says, "Oh, my.  Well, that helps explain the reference to Kundalini.  
'Coiling like a snake', or 'serpent power'."

Neil says, "No, seriously. Are you saying the Fall /caused/ a supernova?"


Anna says, "Yes.  There's a big universe out there, and it doesn't sit 
idly while events in Heaven and Hell pass by.  When the Fall happened, it 
wept a single tear, which shone on Earth in 1604."

Ekur hmms.  "Lucifer, of course, was identified Biblically as a bright 
star who fell."

Anna says, "Human astrologists don't have much right, but they're right 
that supernovae presage new ideas -- the flow of inspiration and thoughts 
through this Tether is enough to alter entire paradigms."

Ekur says, "Like Kepler overthrowing the Aristotle-Ptolemy model of the 
universe."

Draco looks at his notes. Looks back up at Anna. "You /did/ say you 
usually had warning as potential built up, though?"

Anna nods.  "The Supernova Tether is technically a forked Tether.  
Practically speaking, it's a three-way Tether.  It links the Citadel of 
Fire, an unpredictable point in the Far Marches, and the point on Earth 
where the observation is first made.  The potential discharges as humans 
having unusually effective influence on Marches Domains and Tethers both 
divine and infernal."

Draco ripple-blinks, three pairs of eyes in succession. "Always the Far 
Marches, and nowhere else in the Marches?"

Anna says, "Quite right.  Never the Vale, as far as we've recorded.  The 
Vale is the home of *familiar* ideas.  The Supernova Tether draws strange 
ideas from... wherever unknown ideas sit in the Far Marches, I guess."

Neil smiles. "Been there."

Anna listens to her resonance at Neil for a moment, and evinces impressed 
surprise.  "The Bright Lady *does* pick the most interesting and 
qualified personnel, doesn't she."

Ekur says, "Well.  Then the root event that's allowing Civis to be 
attacked is not something we can stop, unless an Archangel of Time Travel 
has been created while I wasn't looking.  Or, I guess, will be created in 
the future."

"I have some experience with the Far Marches myself, though I'm not sure 
how useful it's likely to be under these circumstances," Draco says. 
"Still, better than no experience, I'd wager."

Anna says, "Then the Black Order has already started making its move?"

Neil says, "Ah. A /Black Order/ -- I wondered how that Shedite 
capitalized on the opportunity so quickly."

Ekur says, "I caught a Shedite riding a human dreamer into Civis to 
destory the Hindu temple there."

Neil . o O ( I wouldn't mind learning what she pinged out of me later, 
though. )

Ekur <ooc> Well, that's a typo, but "de-story" is somehow apropos for 
"destroying something in the Marches".

Jesdyn [to StevenE]: Literary deconstructionism is a felony in Civis.

Anna says, "Aaah.  Then perhaps it *has* begun."  She gets very serious.  
"Around the time of Kepler's Supernova, the Black Order learned of the 
potency of the Supernova Tether.  They reasoned that the person who 
triggered it would gain some benefit from the event, and furthermore that 
if the observation was made under the proper circumstances the celestial 
end of the Tether would appear in Belial's Domain.  They missed their 
chance then and with S Andromedae, but presumably they're trying again 
now."

Anna says, "Without a Seneschal, the Tether just might be vulnerable to 
having their people at the corporeal and Marches ends of the Tether 
warping the environment.  God help us if it's infernal ideas that flood 
the human race for the next 200 years."

Draco's wings go all a-ruffle. "Let's not have /that/ if we can help it."


Ekur hmms.  "Gabriel mentioned that she killed a star once.  I wonder if 
Belial could be strong enough to do the same thing?"  he coughs, and then 
says, "What can you tell us about the Black Order?"

Anna says, "Personally?  Pretty much the same things everyone knows.  
There are some prophetic references, well we think they're references, 
I'd have to hunt them down..."  <OOC> From the CPG, the Black Order is a 
fairly well-known organization of Sorcerers under Hatiphas' tutelage.

Neil traces along the edges here. "So they want the wrong person to see 
it at the right place and the right time. If this is a useful goal, and 
we have several months to prepare, should we try and arrange our own 
candidate? Maybe a Role? Or should we try to neutralize it so that nobody 
sees it and has a chance to influence the corporeal world in either 
direction?

Neil says, "Should we have an ethereal discover it? Should we build a 
GIGANTIC SPACE UMBRELLA to shield Earth from its relevatory rays?"

The Cherub rumbles from his book, "It's a Tether, I don't think a Role 
would do any good.  There's going to be *some* human that first sees it."


Draco pokes his feathers back into place. "Tethers so intimately 
interfered with in the creation usually fail. I do wonder why they'd 
believe this one would be different. But then, it's a very different sort 
of Tether."

Draco angles his head over towards Neil. "I like the idea of a gigantic 
space umbrella," he says, "though I think it would be impractical under 
the circumstances."

Neil replies to Draco, "If this Tether fails Gabriel may not burn down 
Civis again and we don't risk humanity tuning in to NNN. I'm having 
trouble seeing a downside."

Draco flicks a wing vaguely. "I was wondering how we'd put it up, among 
other things. And, really, if a supernova is going all metaphysical on 
us, a physical solution is unlikely to be ideal."

Neil says, "I'm a big believer in physical solutions."

<OOC> Do please continue discussing ideas, and feel free to make any 
relevant rolls for bodies of knowledge you care to access, I'm going AFK 
for not more than two minutes.

Draco ripple-shrugs, a long wave down his form. "I'm really not a 
scientist or astronomer. I don't know what would be involved in setting 
up that sort of shield. However, I would prefer not to try to, um, 
metaphorically quench a major act of Fire, not unless we have no other 
choice. I do not believe this War is best fought by avoiding changes 
simply because the enemy may be attempting to take advantage of them as 
well."

Ekur sits in thought.

[snip skill roll; announce Draco_Astronomy_Default succeeded ]

Neil says, "God told us to act subtly in corporeal affairs. Two hundred 
years of Heaven whispering into Humanity's ear does not sound like 
/subtle/. "

Ekur says, "I wonder.  Laurence probably would like to have the Vatican 
Observatory notice it first."

Anna sits up indignantly.  "I beg your *pardon*.  Inspiration is the act 
of taking human ideas and helping them manifest, and that's what the 
Supernova Tether does without us interfering.  The only question is what 
kind of ideas they'll be."

The GM says, "Speaking of astronomy, Draco, it crosses your mind to 
wonder where, in fact, the supernova will be first... as Ekur points out 
as well, observed."

Draco says, "Well. Do we know which star it's coming from? Former star, I 
suppose. And if so, can we go crunch some numbers and find out what bit 
of the Earth is going to be pointing in that direction when the light 
arrives?"

Ekur says, "Anna, any prophecies about supernovae, especially in late 
1986 or early 1987, could be quite helpful to us."

Anna says, "I'll try to reference the ones we've got, but it will take a 
while.  They don't usually come right out and say it.  Stars, 
Kundalini..."  She taps the paper.  "Obviously, the one you've got is 
going to be the most indicative and relevant.  You might even have the 
answer to which one buried in here."

"We did come here to dig," Draco says, and flips open his notebook to 
study the original copy again. "I begin to feel as if I should have taken 
the time for that course on prophecy and interpretation through the 
millennia."

Anna says cheerfully, "We provide those, if you'd like to sign up for 
one!" and grins.

Ekur says, "I think for the moment it would be best if we headed over to 
the Library to ask some more questions.  If you'd be kind enough to 
gether anything apparently relevant in the prophecies?"

Draco swivels upright brightly. Then recalls current responsibilities. 
"Maybe later..."

Anna says, "Of course.  I can't say how long it will take me to track 
down anything that look like immediately relevant cross-references, but 
I'll try to get back to you within a day.  Will you arrive here or should 
I have the report sent somewhere?"

Neil says, "So. Find out where it'll be seen. Find out who Hell wants to 
see it, beat them until their eyes swell shut, find good candidate to 
observe it instead. Keep archangels, ethereals, and humans from leveling 
Civis all the while. "

Neil says, "Could be worse."

Ekur says, "Hmm.  I'm not sure we'll be able to get back here -- things 
tend to get a bit crazy.  If you could send it to my office in Civis, 
that would be wonderful."

Neil says, "I could still be doing my psychology homework."

Draco claps Neil on the back with a wing. "Sounds like fun. Let's hit the 
library."

Anna says, "Will do," and heads upstairs.

Ekur hmms.  Considers what he knows of Kundalini on the way to the 
library.  (Theology roll?)

The GM says, "Fire away."

Ekur rolled 14 versus 18 and succeeded by 4.

William [to StevenE]: Since *my* knowledge of the subject comes from 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini , as well as a few kooky web 
sites, I think we're safe in saying you're good with any information on 
that page that predates the 1980s.

Jesdyn [to William]: Have we made great strides in understanding 
counterfactual constructs in the last 25 years?

William [to Jesdyn]: As a matter of fact, the neurological basis of 
religious experience has become better understood since the advent of 
high-resolution MRI.

The GM says, "For example, persons experiencing a sense of 'oneness with 
the Universe' or a 'cosmic consciousness' tend to have suppressed 
activity in an area of the brain that normally interprets our body 
boundaries and personal space.  :^)"

The GM says, "For the In Nomine setting, however, that's far too terribly 
sensible and biochemical to be true.  ;^)"

The GM says, "The Dictorium has a direct connection to the Library -- 
being a repository of written knowledge in Heaven, after all -- and down 
one flight of stairs you find yourself in a wing of the Library filled 
with copies of the Zohar, various theosophic texts, books on divination, 
and the like."

<OOC> God, has it been 25 years since 1981?  I remember 1981.  :^/

"This," Draco says, in a voice full of chipper anticipation and 
reverence, "calls for a card catalog. Or possibly a few relievers. Let's 
split our areas of research and see what we come up with individually, 
then go over the results to see if they shed any additional light on each 
other."

Neil says, "Right."

Ekur says, "Okay, which areas are we each taking?"

Neil looks for a copy of /Prophecy And You: A Reliever's Guide To 
Infallible Pronouncements That Angels Of Stone May Also Read/.

The GM says, "The Library decides it *likes* anybody that finds card 
catalogs that exciting.  A good old paper card catalog, roughly the size 
of 
http://www.newenglandancestors.org/images_nehgs/library-of-congress_rdax_
185x229.jpg filled to the brim, is helpfully available around the next 
corner."

Draco pulls open a card catalog drawer, and bounces. "Oh, /fun/. Ah. 
Whoever's oldest should probably take researching historical reports 
about the previous instances of this Tether, as he'd have greater 
personal context to put them in." He twists his head back to look at the 
other two. "I'm about two thousand. You two?"

Neil says, "Oh, I'm nowhere near so old. I'll work the location angle, 
since I can do some mathematical heavy lifting. Transdimensional 
astrocartography sounds hard, but there's gotta be a work on it 
somewhere."

Ekur says, "Beleth created me when she was an angel."

Ekur starts making default Research rolls on the supernova tether.

Draco <ooc> tries to think of what major category that leaves, after 
current location and past occurences are covered. General prophetic 
interpretation?

Draco nods, nose-to-cards in the drawer. "If you don't mind taking that 
angle, then... Let's see. That leaves me with interpretation of prophecy 
in general. I imagine there's a great deal written on /that/."

Jesdyn [to fadethecat]: Current occurences -- what's going on /now/ and 
how to work with it or ameliorate it.

William [to fadethecat]: Could work.  You're aiming for figuring out 
which star it is, right?

Jesdyn [to fadethecat]: I'd love to line Civis with the memetic 
equivalent of sandbags to help ride this out.

Ekur says, "Oh, by the way, Gabriel mentioned she killed a star once.  
Could be the star we're looking for."

fadethecat [to William]: I believe Neil is covering the location. Draco's 
going for general "how to interpret prophecy and not make stupid 
assumptions that get you into trouble when doing so" stuff.

Ekur says, "I'm assuming that everything she said was meaningful somehow, 
and that strikes me as a big red flag."

fadethecat [to William]: Though he can certainly hit current events as 
well if, say, the investigation of prophecy turns up a lot of authors 
saying "First, assess the current situation for clues..."

The GM says, "Okay, research rolls from everybody."

Ekur rolled 11 versus 13 and succeeded by 2.

Ekur <ooc> IQ-5 or Writing-3.

Jesdyn [to William]: I'm doing math-type research and I have points in 
Mathematics; can I claim a bonus?

Draco rolled 8 versus 20 and succeeded by 12.

The GM says, "Yes, your base skill for Math is 16 so you can roll vs. 
14."

Neil rolled 10 versus 14 and succeeded by 4.

The GM says, "Right.  Y'all's turn to take five while I type up what your 
hours in the Library net you."

William [to StevenE]: Previous instances of the Supernova Tether have 
been taking place every 200 years or so, usually lasting no more than a 
few days: as long as the nova is visible during daylight.  Information 
from 1054 is sketchy since the Far Marches were recovering from the 
Purity Crusade and Heaven was still in relative shock over Raphael's 
death; also its Marches-active events took place mostly in areas 
controlled by the Tsayadim.  Kepler's Supernova in 1604 mentions activity 
of the Black Order in placing observers at regular points in the Northern 
and Southern hemispheres, though they lacked significant oceanic 
population.  Slightly earlier, SN 1006 *did* produce a Supernova Tether; 
the reported upswing was in dreams of conquest, and near that time the 
Vikings began ht North America, and El Cid came to prominence; strong 
connections are fishy, however.

William [to Draco]: Prophetic exegesis tends to break down along the 
PaRDeS rule: Peshat (literal meaning), Remez (allusive meanings), Derash 
(interpretative meanings), and Sod (secret or mystic meanings).  The 
first means, "examine the plain language of the prophecy."  This is 
basically what Ekur recommends; it would in this interpretive lens make 
sense to fish through Gabriel's history to see if she's known to have 
personally messed with any stars other than the Sun, on the theory that 
they're candidates for the impending boom.

William [to Neil]: Once the star is identified and located on the 
cosmological map, you're going to need to do some relativistic 
calculations based on the time of likely explosion.  That'll require some 
physics in addition to the math, and possibly a universal star model.  
Lightning and Creation both have these.

The GM says, "(We can assume each of you regather and relate these to the 
others.)"

Jesdyn [to William]: Relativistic? It's /light/, isn't it?

William [to Jesdyn]: Gravitational relativity.  Light wouldn't have 
traveled a straight path to get to the Earth.

The GM says, "(That's *general* relativity, if I recall the two 
correctly.)"

Draco has been busy taking notes as the other two go over what they've 
found. (Really, it can be assumed he's taking notes whenever interesting 
information is being passed on in his presence.) "On to Lightning, then? 
We do want some idea of time and position for the arrival of the light, 
and I suspect it may be difficult to locate what we need as easily in the 
Halls of Creation than the Halls of the Progress."

Ekur says, "Hmm.  A bit further research here may help, too.  Looking for 
stars Gabriel may have been recorded as affecting may well help narrow 
our search, and finding out how supernovae may be detected other than 
seeing them may help us get a jump on detecting this one."

Ekur hmms again.  "Actually, Lightning probably has people who can tell 
us about the latter."

Draco says, "It's where I would expect to find up-to-date research on 
astrological phenomena."

Neil says, "Hmm. Just don't tell them it's about the Marches."

Neil says, "It's embarassing to watch a Seraph of Lightning cover his 
ears and shout "La-la-la-I'm not listening"..."

Neil notes that since they are in Heaven, his statement read as "While a 
true statement, this is not something Neil has observed or believes he is 
likely to observe".

The GM says, "To the Halls of Progress, then?"

Draco smiles brightly. "Better yet if it did it in front of /another/ 
Seraph of Lightning. The whole thing would be recorded for posterity."

Ekur says, "Hmm.  So, say two of us head for Lightning, while the third 
stays here to look up Gabriel references regarding stars?"

Neil says, "Nah, I'll come along. They can't've /all/ read that mailing 
list."

Draco spreads his wings and points towards the Halls of Progress. "Or can 
they?"

Ekur says, "Actually, i thought I'd stay behind and look up Gabriel 
references.  You're the math whiz, you'd need to talk to Progress."

Neil nods. "Alright. Meet you back here in... when Heaven decides that we 
will have done so."

Neil is used to corporeal time.

Neil says, "Let's go, Draco."

The GM says, "(Go with Neil and Draco for now.)"

Draco waves to Ekur, and heads on off towards Lightning.

The GM says, "The Library signs obligingly point Neil and Draco past the 
microfiche readers and the online catalog terminals to the corridor by 
the holographic display relics that leads to the Halls of Progress, where 
you are met by another helpful angel, this one a Reliever growing 
Mercurian-style wings with occasional crackles of a halo of electricity.  
It greets you from behind the desk, in a respectful tone: 
'Intercessionist, Most Holy.  State your business.'"

Draco defers to Neil, who knows more about this stars and math business.

Neil says, "Somebody blew up a star. We need to figure out which one."

Draco makes a mental note about what happens when one defers to Neil.

The Reliever thinks about this for a moment.  "You'll have to define the 
question more precisely.  What information are you starting from, and 
what do you need?"

Neil says, "The Marches are all stirred up just like the last couple 
times humanity was about to see a supernova. Gabriel had a lot to say 
about nothing making any immediate sense. If Lightning's got some 
superluminal telescopes hidden away, we'd love to get some time on them."


Draco adds, helpfully, "We're trying to determine when and where the 
light from this supernova will actually reach observers on Earth."

The reliever looks a mite confused at Neil, and relievedly understands 
when Draco elaborates.  "Ah!  You have a known explosion and want to 
know... okay.  I'll forward your question to Astrometrics.  Follow the 
sprite," and it taps a code into a small keyboard that emits a glowing 
ball that bobs down several corridors.  Several minutes later, you wind 
up in a room with banks of computers on the wall and a holographic 
display of a galaxy obviously not the Milky Way in the middle.

Neil OOCly shakes his head. He was too confusing.

Draco peers about, but doesn't approach anything just yet. Card catalogs 
are much more... friendly.

An Elohite of Lightning is holding a palmtop computer.  "Please pardon 
any delays in service due to equipment," it says, "we are currently 
testing a new Elohite Attunement.  I have received your question from the 
service desk.  Starting from a known nova event, we should be able to 
easily calculate the light cone.  Do you know the time of explosion, or 
true name or Earth name of the star in question?"

Neil pings the Elohite.

[ snip skill roll; announce Neil_Resonance succeeded ]

"I don't believe we've acquired that information yet," Draco says. 
"However, we have an approximate window of arrival for the light, and 
hoped that might narrow down the results within whatever records 
Lightning keeps of supernovas across the galaxy."

The GM says, "The Elohite's name is Aquilas, he considers himself a 
contributing part of his research team and the team feels the same; 
these, and his superiors and Superior especially, are the most important 
relationships he maintains.  He is a fairly young Elohite who mostly 
enjoys his work and has not developed any hobbies yet.  His most deviant 
act was pulling some light pranks with the other young relievers."

Draco . o O ( He once replaced the sugar in the coffee break room... with 
artificial sweetener! Ah, those wild days of youth. )

Jesdyn [to William]: Just checking for problems with the beta attunement.


William [to Neil]: Nothing seems off there.

Aquilas hmms at Draco.  "Unfortunately, no.  It would be nice to have 
faster-than-light access to astronomic information, but the Voyager 2 
Tether is presently the farthest away we have away from Earth."

Draco nods, frowning. "This isn't really my area of expertise," he 
admits. "We know what we /want/ to find out, but the precise route 
necessary to reach the information isn't obvious."

Neil perks up. "How far is that?

Ekur <ooc> notes that Voyager 2 just passed Uranus in early '86, and has 
yet to reach Neptune.

Aquilas says, "Just past Uranus.  There was much celebration, until of 
course that awful accident shortly thereafter."

Neil says, "A little less than three hours warning..."

Neil says, "That'd actually be worth it."

Aquilas says to Draco, "We will be able to calculate everything you need, 
assuming you can get the name of the star in question -- when the light 
cone will intersect Earth, and where it will subjectively appear to be at 
the time."

Aquilas says to Neil, "Assuming that Voyager 2 is three hours closer to 
the event, rather than three hours farther away."

Draco nods thoughtfully. "Though if we can't work out the name until the 
light's picked up at that Tether, it's not much time to work with." He 
turns to Neil. "Which means we really ought to consider the possibility 
that the enemy has some method of discovering this sooner. They may be 
working on as little as we are, or less, but we can't count on it."

Neil says, "Gabriel, Belial, and the Black Order probably know it."

Draco says, "Then we'd better find a way to work it ourselves, and soon."


Aquilas says, "Perhaps some persual of the itinerary of the Archangel 
would be in order, then."

Neil says, "Too bad it's only months away. If it were more than four 
years away we could just blow up Proxima Centauri and steal a march on 
them."

Aquilas cocks an eyebrow.

Neil nods to Aquilas. "An associate is researching that at the Volcano."

The GM says, "Wait, no he doesn't.  Hairless."

The GM says, "But an eyebrow would have been cocked with that muscle 
motion had there been one."

fadethecat [to William]: Well, perhaps he's moving the bit of his facial 
muscles where an eyebrow /would/ be if--yeah.

The GM says, "And since Ekur has been mentioned and you appear to need 
his info, let us turn the camera."

Draco says, "Once we /have/ pinpointed the star in question, how long is 
it likely to take to get the information mentioned earlier?"

fadethecat [to William]: (And that question can wait while the camera 
turns.)

Neil says, "Is there any other way to detect a supernova other than 
visible light?"

Aquilas says to Draco, after a moment's thought, "4.8 seconds.  5.2 if 
the nova is outside the Milky Way but within the Local Group."

Neil says, "Space... no... cosmic! Cosmic rays?"

Ekur says, "Er, camera on me yet?  I'm at the library still, doing 
Research on Gabriel and stars."

Aquilas says to Neil, "Cosmis rays *are* light.  However, the neutrino 
burst should be detectable by Kamiokande and precede the light by a 
period dependent on the time of travel and the mode of the supernova."

The GM says, "And yes!  Camera on Ekur."

Neil . o O ( Neil looks around and resonates Kamiokande, whoever she is. 
)

Ekur continues going through the card catalog and such, looking for 
appropriate references, grabbing books, and such.

Ekur rolled 15 versus 13 and failed by 2.

The GM says, "After an hour or so, it appears increasingly likely that 
you face the gloomy prospect of having to deal with the newfangled 
computers to get any kind of efficient cross-referencing done."

Ekur looks around for a helpful Reliever.

The GM says, "One passes by and sees your querying look.  'Help you, 
sir?'"

Ekur says, "Yes, please.  As best I can tell, I need to use one of those 
computers to find the information I'm looking for, and I don't really 
have any idea how to do it.  I'm trying to find records of the Archangel 
Gabriel's interactions with stars outside of the solar system."

Ekur says, "Though I must say, these card catalogs are a vast improvement 
over what passed for indexing in the twelfth century."

The reliever chirps, "Well, that seems like a precise enough search for 
the historical databases.  Follow me!"  It heads in the direction of the 
Halls of Lightning and stops by a terminal, where it runs through a rapid 
series of input commands.  "While we're waiting for the search to 
complete, sir, I'm curious.  What did they use to index in the twelfth 
century?"

Ekur says, "The librarian's memory.  Of course, libraries in general were 
much, much smaller, but the job of a librarian was to know where 
everything was.  Rough on the humans, given that when your librarian 
died, they were at the mercy of how well-trained the replacement was."

The reliever says, "Oh, I should say so.  Writing things down is very 
important."  It says this last line with *fervency.*

The reliever says, "I should also like to add, sir, that the Library 
offers researchers tutorials in the use of the computational resources 
available to them, that can significantly improve the odds of obtaining a 
satisfactory response to -- ah, we're done!"  It looks.

Ekur says, "Once encountered a dreamshade of a monk who got lost in 
somebody's library dreamscape.  Couldn't say enough good things about the 
dewey Decimal System."

The reliever says, "Shall I assume that you are looking for an event 
substantially different from this large cluster of very similar stars 
recorded as having been created by Gabriel during Stellar Generation 1 
shortly after Creation?"

Ekur says, "Yes.  Specifically, Gabriel mentioned she killed a star once.  
I'm trying to find what star she was referring to."

The reliever taps a few keys.  "Looking for destructive events then."  
*tap tap tap*  "Two results.  One is investigation of Supernova 1006 AD, 
which the Archangel apparently suspected of being ignited at significant 
Essence cost by Belial a few thousand years earlier.  The other is... oh.  
My.  Classified.  Approval needed from any one of Archangels Gabriel, 
Eli, or Jean. to learn additional details."

Ekur says, "Well.  Interesting.  One of those is relatively easy to find 
and get answers from compared to the other two, and my companions already 
headed that way.  Thank you, Helper."

Ekur starts toward the Halls of Progress.

The Reliever says, "My pleasure, sir.  Good luck in your endeavors," and 
heads off.

The GM says, "We can cut through the details and have you arrive at 
Astrometrics.  The Reliever at the welcome desk notes that the Archangel 
is expecting you, and Astrometrics is as good a place as any to meet 
him."

The GM says, "Scenes merge!"

Neil ngghs at the idea of meeting the Archangel of Lightning on his 
home... ground.

Draco takes a moment to think extremely cheerful thoughts about the 
differences between meeting Demon Princes and Archangels, especially in 
light of his recent career choices.

Draco . o O ( Because, really, if one side is guaranteed to hate you and 
wish to dismember you, it's nice if your own side isn't also largely of 
this opinion. )

The GM says, "The holographic display in the middle of the room flickers 
and a small image of Jean appears above it.  "Servitors of Lightning 
please exit the room until called for," he says.  They do so promptly, 
and he eyes the three of you.  There is a brief hum of multiple 
resonances.  "I am here pursuant to a request for approval for classified 
information automatically generated in response to a search query 
generated for the Elohite."  He turns to Ekur.  "State the context in 
which the information is desired.""

<OOC> It's midnight, but I've got material yet on plot if people are 
still good to go.

Jesdyn [to William]: I'm still good.

fadethecat [to William]: I can keep going, but can wait if need be.

Ekur says, "Gabriel gave us a series of statements that we have 
interpreted, along with other data, to indicate a supernova will soon be 
visible from Earth, creating a supernova Tether and affecting inspiration 
of human beings for quite some time to come.  We have reason to believe 
that the Black order is going to try to twist this supernova into a 
tether to Belial, to make it a demonic inspiration.  We are accordingly 
seeking when this supernova may appear to foil this plot, and Gabriels 
statement "I killed a star" is the best lead we have."

Ekur can continue or not.

Jean thinks about this momentarily.  "I know the event in question.  At 
present, you do not seem to need to know *why* this supernova was 
created, but I anticipate a probability that you may."  He pulls a Memory 
Pearl out of a pocket of his lab coat and addresses it momentarily.  He 
tosses it out of the hologram toward Neil.  (Yes, out of the hologram; 
there is a brief flare of Essence as it teleports.)  "Keep this Pearl 
demanifested at all times until needed.  I expect that the information 
contained therein will not be accessed until you find it necessary.  I 
also expect it to be protected with all measures up to and including 
personal Force loss."

Neil accepts and demanifests the Pearl, and only then nods respectfully.

Jean says, "You may call my Servitors back in and inform them that the 
star in question is now known to humans as Sanduleak -69° 202 a.  They 
will be able to perform the necessary calculations."

Jean doesn't bother *asking* you if you have any further questions, but 
he'll resonate you to see if you do.  Do you?

Jesdyn [to William]: None that I can think of that he'd answer.

Ekur doesn't . . . I mean, he's said he's not telling us the why.

Draco is pretty much just being wildly impressed by how awesome and 
helpful Archangels are, as usual.

Neil says, "Wait, I've got one."

Jean demanifests and the holographic galaxy reappears.  His disembodied 
voice says with dry wit, "By the way, Neil, I was forwarded a copy of 
your very polite letter.  Should you wish to inform my Servitors of a 
reliable way of identifying a research sample of humans who have been 
dream-raided in a fashion that leaves us unable to ethically repair the 
damage, so that we may achieve a statistically significant sample 
population to compare to a control group, we would be eager to assist 
your research."

William [to Neil]: That answer what you intended to ask?  :^)

Jesdyn [to William]: No.

Jesdyn [to William]: I had a real one. Can we roll it back to before I'm 
objectively snarked at?

The GM says, "Ah, then he doesn't demanifest.  He turns to you.  'Yes, 
Neil?'"

The GM says, "(This is before the exit.)"

Neil says, "I'm having trouble finding any supernova that haven't been 
caused by celestial interference, direct or indirect, since the Fall. Is 
that just a bad sample on my part, or is there a deeper meaning?"

Jean says, "Anthropic principle.  Celestials deal with such events when 
they are of celestial importance.  Many hundreds of Earth-visible 
supernovae have arrived at Earth since humanity's birth without having 
been sparked by celestial interference."

The GM says, "(That it?)"

Jesdyn [to William]: Yeah.

The GM says, "He exits, with the same line as above."

Draco gives Neil a long, curious six-eyed look. But does not ask about 
the letter.

Neil listens to Jean's reply, and waits past the end of the conversation 
so as to not be backtalking an Archangel, and sighs in frustration. "I 
don't want to drag them to a lab and keep bits of their mind just out of 
reach until the Last Trump. Just give me enough time to run an ASVAB 
before "repairing" the HYPOTHETICAL damage.

The GM says, "A what?  All-Spectrum something?"

"I'd offer to help," says Draco, sympathetically, "but my Boss doesn't 
approve of random experimentation on humans. Still, if a method can be 
worked out so that it can be done safely, I can probably lend you a hand 
some time."

Jesdyn [to William]: Err. Apparently that's not the test I thought it 
was.

The GM says, "<ooc> I don't know what it is at all.  ?"

Jesdyn [to William]: I reached for a set of IQ tests and association 
exercises, and rolled the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

The GM says, "Ah."

Jesdyn [to William]: On the other hand, the ASVAB would be /a/ piece of 
data, which is better than what Neil's got now.

Ekur says, "Anyway.  Ekur asks the people in the area about Sanduleak 
-69° 202 a, and where it will be visible."

The GM says, "The Jeanite servitors filter back in and run your query."

Ekur . o O ( Hey, I'm important.  I'm a Vassal who has had his direct 
questions answered by two not-my-Superior Archangels in the last day! )

Neil has been snarked at by the same two Archangels, and for all he knows 
Dominic is next on the roster.

"Ah," says Aquilas, "good thing we didn't just run a Milky Way search.  
This one's in the Large Magellanic.  It will be visible from the Southern 
Hemisphere, and... hmm.  There's a message here with a 
Heaven-reference-frame time.  Quite a while back.  I suppose that was the 
trigger..."

Aquilas heads over to another computer and does some calculations.  The 
holographic display flickers into a Milky Way, surrounded by several 
cloudy groups of stars.  The galaxy whirls clockwise momentarily, and a 
pinprick starts glowing in one of the clouds.

Draco angles his head forward, trying to peer over Aquilas's shoulder 
without getting his head in the way. 

The galaxy begins rotating counterclockwise, more slowly.  The pinprick 
flares and throws off a translucent holographic shell that expands, 
intersects the disc of the galaxy, and stops touching a blinking point 
about two-thirds of the way out.

Aquilas says, "Here we are.  There's some necessary uncertainty of a few 
hours in the data, but it will show up shortly before midnight Universal 
Time, February 24 of next year on the Gregorian calendar.  From the 
angle, it will best be viewed from the Southern Pacific, though it will 
be in view of Chile and Argentina to start with."

Draco says, "That limits the territory from which it can be seen, 
somewhat. Potentially useful."

Neil says, "Okay, so we just have to keep a couple hundred million people 
from looking up until our man gives the high-sign."

Draco rolls a few eyes. "I suspect we'll wish to come up with a better 
plan than /that/."

Neil [to William]: Can I fade the scene? Got a good line for it.

William [to Neil]: Go for it.

Neil trails Ekur as they all leave the lab. "No, look. I saw the specs 
for an entertainment called "reality television". If we need to keep 
everyone in Brazil in their home at night, the specs said..."

-------------------- Session End --------------------