2. ETAPAS DEL FIN DE LOS TIEMPOS
2.1. TRIBULACIÓN
2.1.4. LA TRIBULACIÓN EN VARIAS APARICIONES
These sections outline the typical servants of each Archangel, and describe the special abilities, or attune- ments, that Archangel grants to his servants.
There are two sorts of attunements for each Arch- angel: Choir and Servitor. Choir attunements, different for each Choir, come free to members of that Choir; other angels of that Archangel must pay 5 character points each to purchase them at character. Servitor attunements are available to all servants of that Archangel, but cost 10 character points to obtain at char- acter creation. After character creation, new attunements can only be obtained as a reward from the Archangel.
An attunement generally has no Essence cost and is automatically successful during normal game play unless otherwise mentioned. In combat, an attunement takes one round to invoke; its effects start the following round.
As with Distinctions (below), Servitor and Choir Attunements may be granted to angels who serve other Words. Because they are crafted from the intersection of Choir nature and Archangel’s Word, Choir Attunements of other Archangels may only be granted to the matching Choir. (E.g., a Laurencian Seraph is not sufficiently in harmony with the Word of War to be granted the Malakite of War Choir Attunement. However, the Seraph of War attunement harmonizes with his Choir nature.) This costs 10 points for a Servitor Attunement or 5 for a Choir Attunement – if the GM permits it at all!
Archangels possess all the abilities they grant to their servants, and many more, regardless of what Choir the Archangel actually belongs to.
Distinctions
Each Archangel, except Eli, has a set of rankings with which he can reward his Servitors for exceptional service, distinguishing him from most other angels. Each distinc- tion (ranked “Vassal,” “Friend,” and “Master”) grants a special ability related to that Archangel’s Word. Distinc- tions cannot be bought with character points.
A distinction often brings command of other angels and a higher place among the Host. Other angels will respect, and demons will fear, the holder of a distinction.
One Archangel could grant a distinction to a servant of another, much as one nation may grant a military decoration to a soldier of another nation. Almost always this is done by agreement between the two Superiors.
Relations
As they battle the demons, Archangels struggle with one another over whose Word will dominate the plans for controlling humanity and waging the war on Hell. On Earth as it is in Heaven, angels do not always work well together.
Heavenly politics are complex – a web of alliances and antipathies, both formal and informal. These alliances do
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change, though not swiftly. Some archangels, such as Blandine and Eli, have dropped out of the political arena and inevitably lost influence by doing so. Jordi, on the other hand, maintains his position despite his disinterest in most issues . . . his support can be had, if one is persuasive enough, and others work hard to persuade him.
Of course, Servitors on Earth are expected to carry out these policies, giving aid to other angels in propor- tion to the degree of friendship between their masters.
To the Servitors of Archangels listed as “Allied,” angels must grant any assistance necessary, or face the wrath of their master. To the Servitors of Archangels listed as “Associated,” angels are expected to grant assistance within reason. Servitors of Archangels listed as “Neutral” are to be helped where possible – we’re all servants of Heaven, after all – but payment is expected for the favor.
Some Archangels are actually hostile to one another. The interactions of their Servitors will vary, depending on their Choirs and personalities, the exact relationship between the unfriendly Archangels, and the situation. It could mean refusal to help – even in dire need – subtle sabotage, distraction and misdirection. An especially mil- itant angel, or one who sees his Superior’s Word opposed, could even attack a rival.
Anything that actually forwards the cause of evil, of course, may cause dissonance in an overcompetitive angel. And anything so clumsy that it creates a political incident in the courts of Heaven may earn public censure, possibly softened by private rewards.
Rites
An angel can do things, beyond an assigned mission, which support his Archangel’s Word in the Symphony. These are called Rites, and they vary from master to mas- ter. When an angel performs one of his master’s Rites, he regenerates Essence.
Angels who perform significant labors for Archangels other than their own may be rewarded with one of that Archangel’s rites. Unless specified otherwise, each Rite may be used only once per day, and grants one point of Essence.
The Basic Rites listed for each Archangel are available to all his servants (see p. 51). GMs and players are wel- come to create other rites that could support an Archangel’s Word, and allow them in play if the rest of the group agrees. These would most likely be arcane Rites, granted by the Archangel only as a special reward.
Any Word-bound angel gains at least one special Rite (see p. 28) which he may share with his own Servitors.
Invocation
An angel in trouble can always call his Archangel for help, and a good servant will report to the boss occasion- nally before the boss finds it necessary to check up on
him. But the rulers of Heaven have a lot on their minds and are not easily summoned.
An Archangel’s Chance of Invocation is the (rather low) number an angel must roll on d666 to call his Archangel. Various artifacts and situations enhance the chance that the Archangel will respond. Some are uni- versal – see Universal Invocation Modifiers, p. 108 – and work for any Archangel. Special invocation modifiers, listed for each Archangel, work only for that Archangel. Unless specified otherwise, only one of these special modifiers can be used per attempt!
Invoking an Archangel takes 2 turns – roughly 10 sec- onds. No Essence is required for an invocation, but, as with all rolls, every point spent raises the Chance of Invocation by 1. Failed invocations simply have no effect.
Yes, it’s possible to summon an Archangel other than your own Superior. But it is very difficult, unless you are working with that other Archangel.
The check digit of the invocation roll can be used as a guide to the Superior’s mood when he appears, with a 6 indicating “friendly and talkative,” down to a 1 meaning “distracted, busy, grumpy.” Of course, the news the ser- vant brings is the most important thing. Even a grumpy Superior will lighten up if he gets good news, though he may not reward the bearer – and even a happy Archangel will frown when told of disaster.
An Archangel will not appear in his glory in a public place. For instance, if you summon Novalis at a Crash Worship show, she’ll be the girl who puts her hands over your eyes and says, “Guess who?”
Even a successful invocation will yield a very brief response. Typically, a Superior might appear for a few moments, minutes at most, to answer a question or receive an urgent report. If the servant is in trouble, the master might instantly translate him to a place of safety, such as a local Tether, before hearing his report. Only a few Archangels, such as David and Michael, are at all likely to jump into battle for their Servitors.
Less-pressing problems may be answered with a bit of cryptic aid, requiring the angels to solve a puzzle or deduce how to best use a tool or helper. Archangels are very busy, and help those who help themselves.