From: Michael_A._Schumann@mit.bison.mb.ca (Michael A. Schumann)
To: nephilim@erzo.berkeley.edu
Subject: Re: Re: new metamorphoses
Date: 07 Apr 1995 13:31:11 GMT


>>And Ian, no problem for me with the Chaosium rules, because thanks
to Sam, I own them now.

At last, I wonder if I am allowed to put on the net a copy of the two
new metamorphosis published in the newspaper of the french Nephilim
player. One is an air metamorphosis, the Hurl (incarnation of the
tempest). The other is an earth metamorphosis, the sphinx (the earth
seen as a great memory of the past)... Maybe it is already planned to
include them in some Chaosium supplement. If this is the case, it
would be stupid to post a copy. Sam?

Laurent.<<

I personally, would like to see them.

On another note, I've been thinking about a dragon metamorph (who hasn't
given it thought) and have come to the conclusion that there could very
easily (based on different forklores) a different dragon for each of the
elements (although a moon dragon dosen't fit with anything I've read). What
are the thoughts out there.

Michael S.

What about eveyone posting a short paragraph about themselves? Just to get
familiar.


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From: "Isaacs, Ross" (RISAACS@main.nlc.gwu.edu)
To: nephilim@erzo.berkeley.edu
Date:          Fri, 7 Apr 1995 08:52:50 EST
Subject:       Re: Re: Metamorphoses


> From: Michael_A._Schumann@mit.bison.mb.ca (Michael A. Schumann)
> 
> I never really liked the ideas of cat or rat metamorphesis. They don't seem
> particularly mythic to me. And no, I do not wish to start that east west
> thing again!

I've been enjoying the new Metamorphosis being sent to the group.  I 
think they are all quite interesting.  I happen to think that the 
Metamorphosis rules *make* Nephilim.  I cannot imagine the game 
without them, and I think players love the idea of changing into a 
mythical being.  It's psychologically powerful.  As you can tell, 
it's my favorite part of the game.  

Michael brings up a good point - I'm not sure animals are quite 
appropriate as Metamorphosis.  On the one hand, we have the Snake, 
which was added because it is a powerful and common occult animal.  
Occultism is rife with snakes - from the two snakes of the Cadeuces 
to the snake biting its own tail.  But on the other hand, 
metamorphosis is about transforming into one of the old races - 
gnomes, trolls, phoenix, angels, etc.  While some animals are 
symbolic, they just don't have the same appeal to me as a 
mythological creature.  But I can see the Lion Metamorphosis because 
the Lion is a symbol for strength.  Perhaps I'd like it more if it 
*were* a Sphinx.  It's older, its another popular occult creature, 
and it's more *mythic*.  

On the East/West thing, I'd have to say that I'm not going to include 
rats, chickens, dogs or any other Asian astrological animal (with the 
exception of the Dragon).  (Then again, I contradict myself in the 
above paragraph.  I've already written some notes on a Tiger, Snake 
and Monkey metamorphosis for Asia.  =)  )  I guess there are some 
animals that I like, and can see as a Metamorphosis, and others I 
cannot.  What is the difference between a Lion, Tiger and Rat?  To 
me, it's personal taste.  =)

Someone else brought up a good point:  How to avoid duplication 
between Metamorphosis and creatures.  Is it a good idea to have a 
Salamander Metamorphosis and a Salamander monster?  I want to include 
a Dragon Metamorphosis and Dragons as elemental creatures from a 
Nexus.  How to distinguish the two?  Perhaps any confusion that 
arises is a good thing?  

I don't really expect answers to these questions, I'm just thinking 
out loud.  =)  I'll go now....

Ross A. Isaacs


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From: Laurent.Mynard@laforia.ibp.fr (Laurent MYNARD)
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 1995 16:33:06 +0200
To: nephilim@erzo.berkeley.edu
Subject: Dragons


I think that I already spoke on this list of a campaign called "the Breath
of the Dragon". It presents Dragons as Nephilim who voluntary cut themselves
from all their ka-element but the dominant one. They were monsters with only
one element, but with consciousness in the same time. And they grew very,
very powerful. This process took place during the elementary wars, when each
sort of Nephilim (Pyrim, Faerim, Hydrim, Eolim, Onirim) was trying to show
the superiority of its own dominating element. The monsters (they have a 
name I don't remember right now) become despots and dominated a great part
of the Nephilim. After some time, the "normal" Nephilim decided to fight
these monsters. But the despots got aware of this threat, and decide a union.
With a powerful magical ritual, they merged into a single entity, which 
possessed the 5 elements in the same amount, and which name in Enochean was
DRA-KA-ON, which became dragon (great! same word in French and English!).
But the union of all the Nephilim, who had forgotten their stupid previous
quarrels, was strong enough to defeat most of the Dragons, and to bannish the
other (or something like that).
Thus the dragon is a powerful symbol, the symbol of the complete mastery of
all the 5 elements, but without the necessary knowledge. It then turns into
despotism. Power without knowledge is a threat. Dragons can be in the same time
creation and destruction, since their power is not really controlled. In the
french rules, elemental creatures are indeed called 'dragon-effects' (in the
same way, there are various 'effects', which are generic terms used by the
Nephilim: Slomon-effect for the occult research of knowledge, Oedipus-effect
for conflicts with the family of the simulacrum, and so on).

Of course, this is only one point of view on the western myth of dragons. It
should or should not influence Ross's point of view on the Dragons. If you 
wish, Ross, I could give you more details, but I am not sure that it is
really interesting from your point of view.

It was just a small thought about Dragons.

Laurent.


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