From 73407.515@CompuServe.COM Tue Mar  4 18:10:36 1997
Date: 04 Mar 97 02:08:16 EST
From: Moriah - Steve Jackson Games <73407.515@CompuServe.COM>
Reply-To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com
To: in_nomine-l@lists.io.com
Subject: IN> The Marches Canon(?)

   Here's a basic summary of what is, I believe, canon for The Marches.  A 
few details were filled in by me for consistency.  Comments are welcome.  Do 
people working on THE MARCHES need to know Other Stuff?

   If you have an idea which adds a new piece of the universe, and you're 
wondering if it could fit (or looking for a rationale to make it fit), please 
shoot it to me via email before you commit a lot of words and time to it.  
I'll be happy to get right back to you all on it.

   Don't forget to weasel a bit on the status of the old gods.  Rather than 
say "Odin was as powerful as Yahweh," it is better to say, "Odin says he was 
once as powerful as Yahweh," or, "It is rumored that Odin was once as 
powerful as Yahweh."

=============

O. REALMS: The Ethereal -- The Marches
   1. The Marches are divided between Beleth and Blandine
   2. The Far Marches exist beyond the area of the Marches which they
      control
      a) adventure seed: celestials battle for control of the Far Marches
   3. Residents:
      a) Dead humans whose souls enter the Marches to keep dreaming
      b) Dreaming humans create a dreamscape into which celestials, with
         the right abilities, can enter
      c) Creatures of myth and legend -- in protection on Beleth's side
         or retreated to the Far Marches
         1) some of the gods are 'supported' by worshippers ('idolaters'
            to the angels)
         2) human worshippers provide Essence
         3) it takes a sizable number of Essence to support a stable
            dreamscape in the Far Marches, a dreamscape large enough to
            provide a home for many Ethereal Spirits
      d) Memunim -- Choir of Hope (Blandine's side)
      e) Pachadim -- Band of Fear (Beleth's side)
   4. Dreams
      a) dreamscapes possibly exist while the person is awake or dead,
         but perhaps only Beleth and Blandine would have access to that
      b) while in Blandine's realm, a failed skill roll in a dream with a
         Check Digit of 6 will move one into Beleth's realm, along with
         any visitors in his dreamscape
      c) while in Beleth's realm, a succesful skill roll in a dream with a
         Check Digit of 6 will move one into Blandine's realm, along with
         any visitors in his dreamscape
      d) celestials require a Will roll to sleep (a failed roll requires a
         half hour wait to try again) or a Will roll to awaken
         1) they don't have their own dreamscape; they can see the
            dreamscapes of humans around, and observe their contents
         2) only special Songs and Attunements and Resonances will allow
            one to enter another's dreamscape
   5. Going in and out
      a) when anyone in Corporeal realm enters the Marches through the
         mind of a human dreamer, their Corporeal vessel remains in the
         Corporeal realm asleep
      b) when anyone enters the Marches through a physical means, such as
         an Ethereal Tether, their Corporeal form vanishes from the
         Corporeal world; they can only come back to earth through another
         physical route
      c) the Towers are Celestial Tethers.  In them, Celestial Form is the
         rule.  Outside them, rules of Ethereal manifestation take place.
         The 'ethereal form' is mostly anything, usually a dream-like
         version of their last physical form, or it is like their
         celestial form.
   6. Ethereal Existence
      a) It's all in the mind.  Ethereal existence is fluid and malleable.
         One can have control over one's dreamscape, although many
         dreamers don't realize that.
      b) Visitors to a dreamscape need some sort of mechanic in order to
         participate in a dreamscape.  Those who are aware of the nature
         of their dreamscape (Ethereal Spirits, lucid dreamers, e.g.,) may
         invite others into their dreamscape.
      c) In order to interfere or actually takeover a dreamscape, there
         needs to be some sort of mechanic.  For a celestial in a
         Mundane's dreamscape, it's not too hard.  Taking over the
         dreamscape of a god with many worshippers is nigh impossible (for
         an individual, at least)

 -------------

   Other areas to explore:

   1) Pagan priests.  Treat as Ethereal Soldiers (humans with 6+ Forces -- 
see the Humans and Soldiers Canon sheet) who only know Ethereal Songs (except 
that they know all three types of the Songs of Dreamin).  They can use Relics 
that have Ethereal or Dreaming Songs only.

   2) Worshippers.  Treat as Mundane humans, some of whom have the Potential 
to become priests.  Their rituals generate two points of Essence: one for 
them, one for their god.  At times, they may be asked by their priest to 
perform a ritual that transfers all their Essence to the god.  (Though they 
don't know that that's what's happening.)

   The god occaisionally (some do it randomly, some depending on the 
situation) grant boons to certain worshippers.  This lottery system of being 
shown favor is one of the hooks that keep worshippers coming back for more, 
even they may be drained of Essence now and them.  Other hooks: agreement 
with the philosophy of the god; psychological needs; rebellion against the 
Judeo - Christian - Islamic status quo, etc....

   3) Ethereal spirits summoned by sorcerers from their point of view.  

   4) Ethereal spirits manifesting on the Corporeal world in a vessel.

   5) The status quo of the mythic Ethereal spirits in the Far Marches and in 
Beleth's realm.

   6) Other types of Ethereal Spirits (I like the idea of Ethereal Spirits 
who've 'gone native' in the Far Marches -- they are now pure thought and, 
like a dream, can become almost anything in a thought.)

Peace,

Moriah