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When I first heard that Steve Jackson was doing a 'magic items' book for its classy In Nomine game I was very underwhelmed. SJ games had just done the excellent Warehouse 23 book with plenty of shiny and evil devices, such as the (FNORD) and the (DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS), that could easily be worked into the IN mythos. Why go to the well again? I bought the book when my local game store didn't have the Angelic Players Guide and I was very surprised.

The book is divided into several sections. Artifacts (the general name for funky items) didn't get much of an explanation in the main In-Nomine rules and this books not only clears up the questions, it gives ideas, exapmples and plenty of items that can easily be turned into a McGuffin for an adventure. A McGuffin, incidentally, is an item that is pivotal in an adventure. This book has everything from Magic Eight Balls (an attempt by Nybbas to cash in on ouija boards) to Concealable Weapons. Ever wonder how those pesky Highlanders hide their swords in those short jackets? There are three types of artifacts in the In-Nomine world. Coporeal artifacts are items that are attuned to the celestial and will always be at hand unless destroyed. Etherial artifacts are items more along the lines of the classical "Sword +1", giving bonuses to skill usage. Relics are the items that have funky powers and there are plenty of expected ones as well as some of the quirky ones that SJ Gam! es seem to do so well. Another great section details Artifacts that the Superiors have and there are some interesting ones there. I personally like Kronos's pocket watch.

The book is a definite improvement over the rambling layout of the main rules and has an index in the back, which immediately gives the book a boost in my eyes. This book is a great buy for the In Nomine GM looking for that special something to keep the players up at night.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Liber Reliquarum
Author: Various Category: game Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Cost: $19.99 Page count: 128 Capsule Review by Rob Wieland on 03/09/98. Genre tags: none	When I first heard that Steve Jackson was doing a 'magic items' book for its classy In Nomine game I was very underwhelmed. SJ games had just done the excellent Warehouse 23 book with plenty of shiny and evil devices, such as the (FNORD) and the (DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS), that could easily be worked into the IN mythos. Why go to the well again? I bought the book when my local game store didn't have the Angelic Players Guide and I was very surprised. The book is divided into several sections. Artifacts (the general name for funky items) didn't get much of an explanation in the main In-Nomine rules and this books not only clears up the questions, it gives ideas, exapmples and plenty of items that can easily be turned into a McGuffin for an adventure. A McGuffin, incidentally, is an item that is pivotal in an adventure. This book has everything from Magic Eight Balls (an attempt by Nybbas to cash in on ouija boards) to Concealable Weapons. Ever wonder how those pesky Highlanders hide their swords in those short jackets? There are three types of artifacts in the In-Nomine world. Coporeal artifacts are items that are attuned to the celestial and will always be at hand unless destroyed. Etherial artifacts are items more along the lines of the classical "Sword +1", giving bonuses to skill usage. Relics are the items that have funky powers and there are plenty of expected ones as well as some of the quirky ones that SJ Gam! es seem to do so well. Another great section details Artifacts that the Superiors have and there are some interesting ones there. I personally like Kronos's pocket watch. The book is a definite improvement over the rambling layout of the main rules and has an index in the back, which immediately gives the book a boost in my eyes. This book is a great buy for the In Nomine GM looking for that special something to keep the players up at night. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Liber Reliquarum