The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Introduction

The world of In Nomine is one of conflict and war, a battle that's raged since the Fall of Lucifer and with him a full third of the Heavenly Host. It's not merely a War over land or people, it's a War for reality itself, to control God's creation: Reality, the Symphony. In this war there are players and the played and the players are the ones who have all the right Songs to sing.

Content

In Nomine Liber Canticorum is (literally to the latin "speakers") a book of Songs, additional supernatural abilities available to Angels, Demons, Imps, Humans, Saints, Undead and Sorcerors alike. This is the book that puts the true power of the Symphony in the hands of the GM and players, the how and why of direct manipulation of reality.

But more than just a list of neat powers to play with (and beg your Game Master for), Liber Canitorum includes an explanation of the cosmology of the interrelationship between Songs and the Symphony, rules for sponaneous song-creation, truely advanced Singers, as well as collections of Songs lost with dead Archangels and Demon Princes, Songs that are Demon Band, Angel Choir, or Ethereal Spirit specific, and an entire section devoted Secret Songs.

With over 200 songs above and beyond those presented in the core rules, all at the fingertips of GMs and players, who couldn't be happy with this supplement! Plus, the powers are generic enough to be adapted to just about any game system. Both GMs and players should be pleased with the burning feather feature: songs that are powerful enough to possibly seriously imbalance a campaign are clearly marked. Truely a treasure trove.

Artwork and Layout

The cover is elegent and the artwork in the interior plentiful, but as with many of SJGames recent books, some of it is unfortunately recycled. As a purchaser of most of the In Nomine line, I recognize much of the art as appearing other books in the line. There's also some art first seen in GURPS publications, including GURPS Mage I believe (funny that, what with the reality manipulation parallels). However, what's recycled has been because it's good, and there's also a fair amount of new In Nomine artwork from several different artists. The layout is straightforward and easy to follow and there's even a keen index and reference list in the back!

Conclusion

This is a must-have for all In Nomine GMs and should certainly be on the wish list of any players who want access to higher/deeper levels of power, from subtle and mystical to loud and in your face. Finally, it's nice to know HOW and WHY Songs work.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

In Nomine Liber Canticorum: the Book of Songs
Author: James Cambais, Alain H. Dawson, David Edelstein, Kenneth Hite, Elizabeth McCoy, Walter Miliken Category: game Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Line: In Nomine Cost: $19.95 Page count: 128 ISBN: 1-55634-354-X SKU: 3312 Capsule Review by Perry M. Lloyd on 05/04/00. Genre tags: Fantasy Modern_day	Introduction The world of In Nomine is one of conflict and war, a battle that's raged since the Fall of Lucifer and with him a full third of the Heavenly Host. It's not merely a War over land or people, it's a War for reality itself, to control God's creation: Reality, the Symphony. In this war there are players and the played and the players are the ones who have all the right Songs to sing. Content In Nomine Liber Canticorum is (literally to the latin "speakers") a book of Songs, additional supernatural abilities available to Angels, Demons, Imps, Humans, Saints, Undead and Sorcerors alike. This is the book that puts the true power of the Symphony in the hands of the GM and players, the how and why of direct manipulation of reality. But more than just a list of neat powers to play with (and beg your Game Master for), Liber Canitorum includes an explanation of the cosmology of the interrelationship between Songs and the Symphony, rules for sponaneous song-creation, truely advanced Singers, as well as collections of Songs lost with dead Archangels and Demon Princes, Songs that are Demon Band, Angel Choir, or Ethereal Spirit specific, and an entire section devoted Secret Songs. With over 200 songs above and beyond those presented in the core rules, all at the fingertips of GMs and players, who couldn't be happy with this supplement! Plus, the powers are generic enough to be adapted to just about any game system. Both GMs and players should be pleased with the burning feather feature: songs that are powerful enough to possibly seriously imbalance a campaign are clearly marked. Truely a treasure trove. Artwork and Layout The cover is elegent and the artwork in the interior plentiful, but as with many of SJGames recent books, some of it is unfortunately recycled. As a purchaser of most of the In Nomine line, I recognize much of the art as appearing other books in the line. There's also some art first seen in GURPS publications, including GURPS Mage I believe (funny that, what with the reality manipulation parallels). However, what's recycled has been because it's good, and there's also a fair amount of new In Nomine artwork from several different artists. The layout is straightforward and easy to follow and there's even a keen index and reference list in the back! Conclusion This is a must-have for all In Nomine GMs and should certainly be on the wish list of any players who want access to higher/deeper levels of power, from subtle and mystical to loud and in your face. Finally, it's nice to know HOW and WHY Songs work. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

In Nomine Liber Canticorum: the Book of Songs

Introduction

Content

Artwork and Layout

Conclusion