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Historical Background
Current Background

Historical Background
Note that while most of this is based upon canon In Nomine history, there do exist many changes to reflect my take on the game world.

Once upon a time, more than 6 billion years ago, there was absolute nothingness, the absence of all things ...

In this non-space, this total nothingness, there suddenly came into being an idea, a thought which awoke in an explosion of silence. This idea projected itself upon reality, bringing forth four dimensional space, The Marches, and the Corporeal Realm. Although unaware of its own birth, it felt one day, after a good dozen million years, the need to exist. To this end, it created the stars, the suns, buoys which turned in the darkness, pulsars, and quasars which would act as guiding lights to the sailors of the future, planets upon which this idea decided it would create powerful beings and give each a name and a form.

But, before having created the heavens above, this idea had decided that it needed to have its own proper name. It therefore created a being which wouldn't be the most powerful being, but would always be the most wise. And this Soul, this first-born, gave this idea a name: God. And then it named itself, Yves. And thus, this is how Yves created God after God had created Yves. Then God created the first Angel, whom Yves called Michael which means "Who is Like God." Yves then names Creation the Symphony, reflecting the way in which all things act in concert.

After another few dozen million years, once the planets were done cooling and God had started the processes which would culminate in life, God desired to create more. Above the Dreamlands, the Marches, God created a place to house His angels who would work to Glorify Him. This place Yves named Paradise. God then went about creating a multitude of beings whom He create more or less in His image, but with the precision with which he had created Yves. Their role was to act as messengers, to go where He wished and to act out His wishes. He granted them nine different names to tell them apart: Seraphim, Cherubim, Ofanim, Malakim, Elohim, Kyriotates, Mercurians, Angels and Archangels. Although there are no Malakim as of yet, God assures Yves that the name will be one day be necessary. Among this names, He chooses Angel to generalize. The Metatron comes into existence as a God's voice, to communicate God's wishes to his Angels directly, rather than always through Yves.

Among the Angels, he chose the first generation of Angels to receive the most responsibility. Thus, the first promoted, in order, Yves, Gabriel, Malphus, David, Beleth, and Blandine to Archangel status. Michael asked why he had received no title, and God assures him that he will be granted one soon enough. With the sentiment felt between Beleth and Blandine, Yves names Love. Andrealphus, though a recent creation, champions Love, and is soon named an Archangel for service. He is the first Angel to be promoted to Archangel status due to excellent service alone (rather than being combined with age and experience). The first Seraphim council is formed.

Janus, Jordi and Oannes truly enjoy playing in the corporeal realm. Janus discovers how to move air and cause the water to dance by blowing across it. He shows the trick to Oannes and soon Janus is named Archangel of the Wind and Oannes Archangel of the Waters. Jordi discovers how to manifest in living beings, and thus is named Archangel of Animals.

In 67 million B.C. Saminga is created, and upon his first visit to earth, witnesses the extinction of the dinosaurs. In 500,000 B.C.E., Lucifer and Jean teach humans how to use fire. Lucifer is quite impressed with the monkey's ability to learn. In 25,000 B.C.E. religion is recognized as the Marches are being populated by the creatures of human imagination (and not merely the dreams of the earth and its animals). Of all the animals on earth, humanity is becoming the most selfish. Jordi decides to wipe out humanity, but through the Metatron, God asks Michael to talk Jordi out of it, which he does. He still regrets not doing it. At about the same time, Lucifer discovers humanity's innate unconscious connection to the Symphony and shares his knowledge with the rest of the Host.

In 23,000 B.C., Yves announces that humans are to be left alone and that the Corporeal plane is now off limits to Angels. Many of the angels (especially Lucifer) are dismayed by this. Through Lucifer's persuasive presentations at the Seraphim Council, and at Jean's suggestion, it is decided that an experiment is necessary to discover humanity's true nature. Shortly thereafter the Eden Experiment takes place. Novalis, Angel of Flowers creates the garden at the Metatron's request. Adam and Lilith are created, and Lilith refuses to serve Adam but to act as an equal as she was created. She uses her free will to leave the experiment. Eve is created as a replacement. After several years, Ophis, a Servitor of Ba'al sneaks in and taints the experiment. God calls the experiment inconclusive and forbids further Celestial intervention. Dominic places the Cherub Jophiel at the gates of Eden, and Mariel, Archangel of Memory hides the garden from discovery. Lucifer has a long talk with God, through the Metatron, but is not satisfied.

The Fall. 22,625 B.C.
After recruiting 1/3 of the Host, Lucifer leads his rebellion. In his last private talk with God, he slays the Metatron, whose death scream is heard throughout Paradise. At the sound of the Metatron's wail, Uriel, formerly a Seraph, becomes a Malakite, the first of many to turn, including David. After bitter fighting, Michael, the first Angel, kicks his younger brother out of Heaven, cursing Lucifer that he, the light bringer, might be surrounded by eternal darkness. Upon the issuing of Michael's curse, the Lightbringer and his fellow rebels plummet to the farthest reaches of Creation and are trapped in Hell (for a time). Michael is made Archangel of War and is made general of God's armies. Belial is named Demon Prince of Fire and sets fire to Hell, to provide light and heat. The ban on celestial intervention is lifted, but God insists on subtlety.

In 22,000 B.C., Dominic is elevated to Archangel status, and forms the Divine Inquisition to root out any possible remaining sympathies for the former rebels. Marc becomes the first Archangel elected to the position by the Seraphim Council. Novalis (with considerably more debate), becomes the Second. Archangels begin organizing their Servitors into formal hierarchies. A mere seven thousand years later, Lilith frees the diabolicals from Hell and into the Marches, and there to Earth. Beleth begins constructing her tower. Lucifer names Lilith the Princess of Freedom. Bit by bit, the Demons begin to act more openly.

The Disaster
To combat the Demons, the Seraphim council vote to petition God to create the Grigori, a 10th choir to watch over humanity. God agrees, almost as a matter of course, and the Watchers are sent to Earth to guard humans against Diabolical influence, though they are forbidden to become too emotionally close to the humans. The Disaster occurs in 11,600 B.C., when the Grigori succumb to lust, and, led by their Chief Azaz'el, conspire against God. The majority of the Grigori sign a statement of refusal to obey God's wishes and take wives from among the human women of Earth, to whom they teach forbidden knowledge and the secrets of Heaven.

The Grigori's wives give birth to Nephallim children, half-human, half-celestial monsters who consume all and everything to satisfy their immense appetites. Dominic tries the Grigori and finds them guilty; the Seraphim Council votes to cast them out of Heaven. The War begins in earnest as Angels and Demons do battle across earth, causing immense disturbances to the Symphony and slaughtering many, many humans.

By 2000 B.C. Ethereal spirits have become very powerful pagan deities, sometimes rivaling the power of an Archangel. The Seraphim Council declares that something must be done, and Yves suggests promoting monotheism as a way to cut off Ethereal spirit worship. Abram (Abraham) leaves the city of Ur and makes a pact with God, becoming the Patriarch of Judaism, and eventually of Christianity and Islam.

Oannes traps and destroys his former servitor, Vephar, the Demon Prince of the Oceans in 1700 B.C. Belial destroys Oannes in 1627 B.C., in the battle the island of Thera explodes, leading to the collapse of the Minoan civilization. In 1600 B.C. Gebbeleth, Demon Prince of Secrets, disappears. No one notices.

Michael's Trial
Michael is tried in 1580 B.C. by Dominic for Pride, for promoting pagan personality cults, and creating too much Disturbance with his actions. Michael is found guilty, but God acquits him. Michael steps down at the leader of the Host. He is replaced by Uriel.

.30 years later Saminga arrives in Egypt. He begins studying the necromantic arts, becomes very proficient (with some help from the Egyptian Gods), and earns the Word of Death. By 1500 B.C., the Egyptians have started to remove mummy brains to thwart Saminga. In 1200 B.C. Saminga is made Demon Prince of Death. Lucifer grants him Abaddon.

In 859 B.C. Magog, a Kyriotate of Stone and Angel of Fortitude, has been patronizing the Hittites, the Assyrians, and the Sea Peoples, spurring them on to conquest so that he can strike directly at Saminga in Egypt. When David confronts him about supporting worshippers of Ethereal deities and the Hittites' and Assyrians' pitiless war practices, Magog falls and Lucifer crowns him Prince of Cruelty. David and Khalid, angel of faith, force Magog and his followers beneath the Egyptian desert, God intervenes through David and imprisons them there.

Mammon is named Demon Prince of Greed in 700 B.C. In 600 B.C. Eli is working with the prophet Zoraoaster, in Persia, to promote monotheism. Eli begins wondering how to give humanity a more direct connection to God. Zadkiel is promoted to Archangel of Protection in 500 B.C. Three hundred years later, Uriel begins promoting the Roman Republic (later Empire) in an attempt the pagan God they worship under control.

Demogorgon, the powerful Demon of Destruction, is destroyed by Belial amidst speculation that Lucifer is about to crown him Prince, in 146 B.C. About one hundred years later, Uriel creates Laurence.

In 6 B.C. Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus Christ. When the Jesus fails to pass through Heaven, Dominic starts a file on the soul, to inquire as to his true nature. Yves, Gabriel, and Rapheal work together and somehow cause Christianity to spread so rapidly that by 60 A.D. it begins cutting off some of the pagan Gods (not those of the America's, Africa, Asia or Australia, however) from their worshippers. Because this marginal success Michael stops considering Christianity a step away from the true path, but he becomes hostile to Yves at this time. At their deaths, the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ascend into Heaven. They are just as confused as everyone else at the absence of Jesus Christ in Heaven, and so ascend to the upper reaches of Heaven.

The Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. Constantine begins making Christianity the official state religion of Rome. Uriel and Dominic both declare their support of the faith. Litheroy becomes the Archangel of Revelation. Six years later Laurence becomes the Angel of the Sword. In 400 A.D. Haagenti is created and spends the next 600 years as an abused familiar. At about this time, Catherine becomes Angel of Women. In 445 A.D. Uriel slays Beelzebub, first Prince of Corruption. 

By 610 A.D., certain Archangels have begun to feel that Christ was too lax, and that it's necessary to create a religion that's "harder," these angels being nostalgic for the glory at the height of the Roman Empire. These angels being Khalid, Eli, and Gabriel. After Khalid had spoken with Yves at great length about the desire to create new, tougher, more rigorous religion, Yves sends Gabriel to visit the prophet Mohammed with their ideas. Thusly, he receives what will become the Qu'ran over the following 25 years.

Mohammed dies in 632 A.D., Dominic summons Gabriel to Heaven to try him for heresy. The Archangel of Fire storms angrily out of the Seraphim Council, and begins his self-imposed exile from Heaven. Soon thereafter, Gabriel begins assuming female form more often.

The Purification Crusade
The Purification Crusade begins in 715 A.D. Beleth offers ethereal sanctuary in her realm, for a price. Some pagan gods choose to retreat into the Far Marches instead. As Islam spreads, Khalid finds himself on opposite sides of the battle-field from Uriel in Poitiers, France in 732 A.D. as Christian and Islamic warriors clash.

After Uriel's forces have purged the Earth of the creatures of myth, he turns his force to the Marches. Unable to tolerate any more destruction, Jordi and Blandine combine their petitions to stop Uriel. He is called before the Seraphim Council, but refuses to repent any sins. God stops the trial before Judgment can be cast, and God calls Uriel up to the higher reaches of Heaven. Laurence is elevated to Archangel status and is made General of the Host in Uriel's place. Five years later, a relieved Khalid is named Archangel of Faith, but just as quickly begins withdrawing more and more from the Seraphim Council, spending more time one Earth as Islam flourishes.

Valefor appears for the first time in 793 A.D. He steals the Word of Genubath, Prince of Rapine; Genubath disappears and Lucifer makes Valefor the Demon Prince of Theft. Unable to ascertain the new Prince's origin, Asmodeus places him under investigation. In 900 A.D. Kronos first appears, as the Prince of Fate. Legend has it that Lucifer discovered Kronos' talent much, much earlier.

Legion, a Shedite Servitor of Saminga, learns how to possess multiple hosts. Lucifer is pleased and names him Prince of Corruption. Legion soon goes mad, and he begins possessing humans by the dozens, then by the hundreds. Heaven and Hell join forces for the first time in order to destroy him in 1008 A.D. Rapheal, Archangel of Knowledge, finally sacrifices herself in order to ensure Legion's destruction. During this battle, the young demon Haagenti distinguishes himself. Kobal takes a shining to him and adopts the creature as his "brother."

The very next year, Haagenti becomes Demon of Gluttony. He grows rapidly in power, gathers an army and sweeps through Hell, devouring Meserach, Prince of Sloth, before Lucifer makes him a Prince. Upon his ascension to Prince, he devours Mariel, who had become Princess of Oblivion. In 1054, the Catholic church officially splits into the Western (Catholic) Church, and the Eastern (Orthodox) Church. Dominic sides with the Catholics.

In 1212 A.D. the Children's Crusade prompts Christopher being named Angel of Children, if only shut up the Demons of Kobal. In 1348 A.D. Dominic and Asmodeus collaborate openly for the first time to remove Makatiel, Renegade Demon Prince of Disease who had intended to wipe out humankind with Black Death. With improved relations between Dominic and his former Servitor, Dominic is informed that Jesus did pass through Hell after his death, but had only stopped to speak with Lucifer and Kronos and then free a few choice souls before leaving. This evidence convinces Dominic that the file on Jesus the Christ must be reopened.

The Witch hunts of the Inquisition pushes the state of women in Europe into a dark corner. Hatiphas, Demon of Sorcery, is fanatically promoting her word, to insure that actual sorcerers, or "witches," are discovered often enough to promote the Inquisition and hopefully ensure that Heaven supports it. An angel of Laurence serving Dominic, Joseph, is named Angel of the Inquisition. In is during the vote in the Seraphim Council to promote Joseph to Archangel Status that Catherine, Angel of Women, is carried into the room by the soul of Joan of Arc. The Seraphim Council watches in horror as Catherine's forces are literally fading away. In a barely audible voice, Catherine begs the Council to stop the persecution of women. Novalis immediately grants Catherine a transfusion of Forces and Essence. Refreshed momentarily, Catherine gives an eloquent speech to the council, and it is decided that Heaven will stop supporting the Inquisition, but instead work to end it.

It is believed that during the time of the Inquisition the Bureau first came into existence.

With the opening of Africa to Islam and Christianity in the 1500's, the Vale is explored and expanded to include the dreamers of Africa. Lilith declares her personal war on the African slave practices; her active participation serves to turn Heaven more neutral towards the practice, while the rest of Hell finds no reason to support her.

Laurence's Lesson
Martin Luther was meant by Laurence to try and reform the Catholic Church in 1571 A.D., but it inadvertently sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Accompanied by a Servitor of Janus, Christopher Columbus sails to the Americas in 1742; with the discovery of more pagans, Dominic and Laurence begin their plans to convert them to Christianity. Blandine expands the boundaries of the Vale again to include these new dreamers. Meanwhile, Malphus and Kronos send agents over to the New World as well. Overzealous angels and humans begin the destruction of the Native American's culture, either through conversion or through slaughter. Blandine, in an attempt to protect whom she sees as primarily benevolent spirits in the Marches, furiously petitions the Seraphim Council (fruitlessly) to stop the slaughter. To prevent another Gabriel, and possibly losing Heavenly access to the Marches, Yves steps in to calm the Cherub down.

Lilith claims a tremendous victory with the United States' Declaration of Independence in 1776. Agents of Yves report to the Seraphim Council that her claim is unjustified and that if anyone should be credited, it is Janus and Yves. In the latter half of the 18th century, factories have begun to sprout throughout England, Vapula is quietly elevated to Demon Prince of Technology. By the close of the 18th century, Alaemon, once a Mercurian of Revelation, becomes the second Prince of Secrets.

Restless Dreams
Dominic's inquiry discovers uncovers Blandine's probable treachery: she has been helping Ethereal deities to escape to the Far Marches. However, Dominic acquits her on grounds that her actions are in accordance with her Choir, and because her efforts have been drawing power away from Beleth, and therefore Hell. Laurence and Marc create a team of dream-trained angels who are sent into the Far Marches to discover what they can. Despite being accused of treachery, Blandine demands the right to run the Marches as she sees fit. The Seraphim Council votes to allow Blandine control over the Ethereal Deity situation, so long as she accepts the aid of Laurence. Soon thereafter, the Archangel of Dreams and the Archangel of the Sword spend many long hours in her tower discussing how to handle the situation.

The rising on the power generated by the opium wars in China, Fleurity is granted the Word of Drugs in 1864. A mere 20 years later, with the invention of television, Nybbas is named the Demon Prince of the Media. He quickly takes over recently emptied Perdition.

The forces of Heaven struggle with those of Hell within the Church from 1881 - 1902 in relation to the Pogroms in Russia against Jews. Finally, agents of Michael take steps to terminate the chief Diabolical supporters of the pogroms.

In 1901 the New Crusade Manifesto appears nailed to the door of Laurence's Cathedral.

By the turn of the 20th century, Kobal has become jaded enough to spend less and less time on earth.  Meanwhile, Eli starts assigning his angels to other Archangels.

April 19, 1906: Gaziel, Demon of the Earth, is spotted dancing gleefully down Sacramento Street during the Great Earthquake.  David and Novalis mount an army of soldiers and angels to aid in the undoing of the earthquake's damage.  Saminga and Belial grant Gaziel a distinction each for his efforts in helping cause the earthquake.  David supports American unions in the early part of the 20th century.  Ironically, so does Malphas.  Christopher pushes the passing of a minimum age law in the U.S.

The War to End all Wars
Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand visits Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, on June 28th, 1914 to direct direct army maneuvers in the neighboring mountains.  The group, aided by the demonic strike team Logan and Genevieve of Death and Fire respectively, successfully assassinates the Archduke in the name of the Freedom of the serfs.  Ferdinand's last words were reported as being a cry of concern for his wife, Sofia, who was shot immediately before him.  World War I begins, much to the joy of Kobal and Kronos.

Young Fleurity works to pass the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution under Krono's guidance.  The roaring 20's include two of Valefor's favorites: Al Capone and Dutch Scultz.  Eli reads The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot, pays the author a visit.  Beleth becomes fascinated with the Ku Klux Klan.

World War II
Mammon, Valefor, and Malphus enjoy the Great Depression of the 1930's. World War II brings Superiors into internal conflicts like never before.  David and Janus, who support the Nazi movement, come under severe attack by Michael and Marc for the persecution of the Jews and other outcasts.  Hell becomes even more divided, with two separate sides.  Ba'al, Saminga, Beleth, Belial, Vapula, Kronos, Valefor, Kobal and Haagenti come under attack for supporting the Axis Powers from Andrealphus, Malphus, Lilith, and Nybbas.  Asmodeus remains impartial.

Saminga is furious that the Nazi concentration/death camps weren't his idea.  Alaemon secretly mocks him.

In 1957, Eli goes AWOL, abandoning his Heavenly Cathedral.  Almost immediately Dominic begins taking conspicuous steps to discover Eli's true motives for abandoning Heaven.  As the space race begins in the 60's, and later with the explosion of personal computers, Jean enjoys a boost to his Word throughout the latter half of the 20th century.  Blandine mourns the loss of J.F.K. and the end of Camelot.

Vietnam is an era of conflict on the Celestial plane as well.  Novalis, Jordi, and Blandine find themselves at odds with the war-loving angels: Michael, Laurence, and David.  Janus agrees with both sides, Yves makes no definitive comments.  Ba'al, Beleth and Belial love the war.  Fleurity's power continues to grow throughout the 70's.

Christopher becomes an Archangel in 1978.  In 1986, with the advent of crack cocaine, Fleurity is named Demon Prince of Drugs.  In 1989, the Soviet Union collapses, and the Angel and Demon of Communism meet in China to discuss how to prevent the dissolution of their shared Word.  (The Angel walked away thinking that the Demon was willing to allocate his resources where necessary, while the Demon merely went off to scheme whom to corrupt next.)  The explosion of the porn industry in the 1990's cements a firm Alliance between Andrealphus and Nybbas.  In 1994, a few members of the team Laurence and Marc created to explore the Far Marches are discovered by the Tsayadim.

Renegade Calabite of Fire and Demon of Hardcore Furfur makes a bid for the Word of Rock and Roll in 1997; Lucifer admires the Demon's gall and so names him Demon Prince of Hardcore.  In 1998, the Archangel Khalid is brought back from the brink of Fall, but remains somewhat isolated from the rest of the Host.  Sensationalism about the turn of the century and the rumored Y2K bug fuels Beleth and Vapula.  Unfortunately for Vapula, Orc (Angel of Networks) is able to organize enough earthly upgrades to avert potential disaster.
 
 
 

Current Background

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