EVENT #1: THE EMPTY THRONE (PT 2)

[aionmods]

The Empty Throne Pt 2

ESCAPE

As more and more of the prisoners awaken to the Pleroma's power, it soon becomes clear that conflict is inevitable. Strength that was locked away blossoms once again, and simply waiting is no longer an option; those that remain in the cavern have made their choice, and they will not be kept there so easily.

By means that may not be immediately apparent, the Pleroma have found themselves able to cast a spell that will ensure their freedom... but only if they can last the half hour it may take to complete. Whatever this power, Xishen, the Aion orchestrator of the Kenoma's ritual, seems able to sense it. As it begins, she will appear at each of the Kenoma's sides.

"The Pleroma has taken hold of them," she says. "Stop them now, or when you see them again, it will be as your mortal enemies. If you believe in the Kenoma's promise, take a stand. The Regent is watching."

For those that heed her, it will not be hard to find the congregation of Pleroma, the first seeds of their teleportation magic taking form. What's more, the fires of their hope have been stoked by this new chance at survival, granted them a surge of energy born of the Pleroma, compensating for the poor state of their bodies. The tension comes to a head, between those that would follow the Regent's path towards a better universe, and those that would seize the wild power of the Pleroma to escape.

Whatever violence ensues, eventually it will come to an end. Despite the Kenoma's efforts, the teleportation spell will come to fruition, enveloping the Pleroma in a sea of light and warmth. The Kenoma can only watch as fractals of blinding color whisk the Pleroma away.

VALLEY OF INNOCENCE

You will find yourself at the Shrine of the Innocent, surrounded by a valley of flourishing wildflowers. As you step from the shade of the monument, you will find your arrived here just in time to enjoy a warm spring spring morning, the sound of birds and gentle breezes tickling your ears. The sun slowly drifts past the horizon, its rays reaching out to you, as if in comfort. The air itself is alight with a strange aura of peace, as if committing violence here would be a sacrilege. There are no man made structures as far as your eyes can see.

Flowers of all shapes and sizes can be found here, and so can fresh water and various fruits and berries. All of them are safe to eat, and seemingly grow in abundance. There are animals here as well, all the common types one would expect from a place like Earth, with the occasional odd addition. While you can try to hunt them, you will find yourself unable to follow through on any attempts to hurt the creatures here. In turn, they regard you as familiar, and will fearlessly wander close as they inspect these new arrivals. In the distance, you may even catch sight of what appears to be a unicorn, only for its ephemeral shape to disappear from sight just as quickly.

The Pleroma will find safety and comfort here for a time, before they recover enough to travel onward. At some point during the afternoon of the first day, they may spot the occasional humanoid figure moving in the distance; when attempting to move in their direction, they will find an assortment of clothing set out across the grass as if in offering. It will come in many sizes but in mostly plain colors, fitting a general aesthetic of 'things a fantasy peasant might wear'. There will also be some blankets, wrapped cheese, jams, jerky, and bread left alongside them.

While there are trees and brush enough to find shelter, the Pleroma will find they hardly need to while resting here. The weather will be picturesque, a comfortable temperature even at night, and there will be no disruptive rain or aggressive wind. Of course, nothing lasts forever, and even though there could stay here for days, what if the Regent's forces are on their way? Once again, they must find the strength to carry on.

THE TRIWATER

As the Pleroma vanish, those claimed by the Kenoma are left in the darkness of the throne room. The Hylician soldiers are clearly agitated by the fighting, but Xishen herself seems unflustered. She will only sigh before quietly coming to the aid of any Kenoma that still need it, providing some light healing magics and explaining that their work here is over. With the Pleroma gone, all that's left to do is to return to Achamoth.

Things move quickly from there. The camp grounds are packed up, and soon enough the Kenoma will be ushered towards the river at the edge of the forest, to board a particularly large river vessel. As the Hylician soldiers prepare to go their separate ways, you will be told that you are to take the Triwater river to the capital city of Achamoth, where you will finally meet your new master, the Regent. The vessel is big enough for all of you, and it will set off the moment everyone is boarded. Suddenly, the world of entrapment and ruins you've been living in since your arrival will be left behind, leaving you to ponder the nature of your future.

The boat itself is well equipped and comfortable for what it is. A variety of colorful hammocks are hung in the lower decks and are open to be claimed for the journey back, which will take a day or two. The Kenoma will be offered a change of clothes of a similar style to what they already have if necessary, and there are plenty of blankets and cushions available to make life in the hold more comfortable. There are dice available for games of chance as well as some mystifying decks of cards that seems to have twelve suits with five cards each, themed around the Legacies. The twelfth suit is for the Regent.

Though the sailors controlling the vessel will mostly keep to themselves and leave the Kenoma alone, one of them will occasionally play harp music on the deck. Though they probably don't actually need help running the ship, they will let the Kenoma help them with chores and ship running tasks if they are so inclined; generally speaking, these sailors just seem like normal people, albeit a bit shy of their passengers. If you're polite to them, they may even gives you a river tour of Horos. On this ride alone, you'll get to see several magnificent bridges spanning the Triwater's width. At night, you are treated to a clear spring sky filled with stars.

As you make it closer to Achamoth, you'll notice the landscape shift, becoming mountainous and dotted with more and more military watch posts. The land becomes increasingly lifeless in a way that's hard to put your finger on, nature giving way to man-made creations of impressive architectural prowess. Soon, you will meet the person behind it all.

QUESTIONS

Can my Kenoma character fight against other Kenoma and/or help the Pleroma?
Yes, though if you do this you must describe what your character has done in a reply to the "Committed Actions" top-level below. This way, the mods can be aware of what happened and have your character treated accordingly. They are unlikely to receive immediate consequences if they don't hurt their fellow Kenoma, but their choices will follow them into Achamoth. If a Kenoma vs Kenoma conflict escalates into serious violence (attempted or successful) committed by the Kenoma rebel, Xishen will intervene and consequences will happen immediately which may restrict their actions until the next event post.

Can our characters leave the valley?
They can, yes, but really this event is just meant to cover the day or two they spend recovering before finding a more permanent place to go. You are free to have your character investigate the valley and probe the spaces beyond it, but please save any plans for large scale travel to the next event, which will be happening on April 2nd. The game will move into a 1:1 time ratio as of then.

Can our characters leave the boat?
Technically yes, but any Kenoma who wander too far will get in trouble. You are expected to report to the Regent, and behaving as if you are considering doing otherwise will not make an good impression.

Does the hope-based Pleroma boost last into the valley?
The boost to Pleroma characters will fade shortly after arriving in the valley, like coming down from a high. They'll have to recover the normal way from there.

Comments

[inutilis]

[ Abel surmises his (albeit very surface level and basic) understanding of Matt's person to be correct considering the other man's reaction, and while that is a boon - it's also deeply upsetting. to see someone whose heart is capable of such love for others, for the world, twisted like this...

it's wrong in just about every way it can be, isn't it? yes. ]

...This choice goes far beyond you and me. It goes beyond all of us, doesn't it? This isn't a decision any of us can make-- and even if we could... you've already made yours, haven't you? Your sword isn't the kind that should spill blood. It's not... I know it isn't.

[ another small, tiny step forward as restraint wars with desperation in his chest. please, Matt-- please see reason. please understand how utterly mad this is, this horrible path he's set himself on. ]

And if you wield it like that-- the thing you will be killing isn't just your 'enemy.' It will be parts of yourself, so... please. Please don't do this to yourself. Please come with us, alright--? I promise, we can talk about it all until we're blue in the face, and... and if you decide after everything, this is truly what you want to do, then... I'll understand, but--

[ please don't go with them. ]

[semicharmed]

[ It sounds nice. Really nice. Part of Matt's heart can't help but lift at the prospect of going with him, at the thought of more time to talk and to get more perspectives. From another priest, even.

It's the other piece--the keeper of his new resolve, the purpose that lifted him up when he was crumbling--that draws back. Matt stumbles backward in two abrupt steps, as if he knows that if Abel takes his hand again, he'll go. Matt's breath catches in his throat. At once, the sword clatters to the ground. A glowing sphere springs up around him, its transparent gold shot through with tinges of ash. ]

You don't know that, [ he says. His eyes are still wide, but now there's something flinty in them--something like stubbornness. A wall. ] You don't know anything about me, actually.

[ Matt doesn't think that's true. That's the scary part. After a moment that feels like forever, but in reality only lasts a second, he says: ]

I have to go.

[inutilis]

[ ...it feels like history is doomed to repeat itself, over and over again.

Matt draws further away, draws a sort of defensive barrier around himself that has that sinking feeling in Abel's chest growing all the more unbearable, because with it comes a twinge of realization. even if it looks like his words are hitting some kind of chord, that - if given time - he might make some kind of headway, make it through to Matt--

time is a luxury neither of them have, nor can they afford.

the priest's grip on his Shard tightens; so too does the grimace at his lips. he cannot-- and will not-- try to force this man's hand. this is a decision, a choice, he must make for himself. it breaks Abel's heart just as it has so many times before, but... the agency is in the hands of the Kenoma. their fates are their own, even if it's infuriatingly frustrating to think about it in such a way. they had been manipulated into this choice, Abel feels, and that is something he will never forgive the Regent for.

but he doesn't take another step forward. instead, there is a meager slope of his shoulders that signifies his incredibly reluctant and unhappy defeat. ]

...You won't come, then. [ softer, quieter than the impassioned words before them. ] If you have to go, and our paths are going in separate directions..

[ ... ]

Whatever you do, Mr. Matt-- whatever sacrifices you feel you must make, it's never too late to turn around. I'll be waiting for you if you should ever start walking the other way, alright--?

[ and there will be forgiveness, a hand stretched out and waiting for him should he ever find himself ready to take it. ]

[semicharmed]

[ Matt's read about what can happen to the brain in crisis. The way the animal parts of yourself take over, narrowing your focus to an aperture bent solely on survival. But even amid the hammering of his heart, the oceanic rush of blood in his ears, the way his thoughts fog in on themselves, he still finds himself thinking:

Never too late.

Like never?

That's really something.

Matt intends to say something back of equal weight. Comparable, at least. But his first step is to keep walking backward, not letting Abel out of his sight, and his second is to swallow past the hard lump in his throat. What he manages at last is a less-than-soaring-- ]

Yeah.

[ And then-- ]

Bye.

[ Before he turns tail and makes for the cavern's mouth. ]