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Entry tags:
- !event,
- #npc,
- abel nightroad: martyr,
- akua sahelian: sovereign,
- amos burton: lover,
- caitlyn kiramman: champion,
- ciel: martyr,
- emet-selch: champion,
- himeka sui: wanderer,
- howl: celebrant,
- jayce talis: visionary,
- johnny joestar: firebrand,
- koriel xii (dextera): lover,
- misa amane: lover,
- rand al'thor: martyr,
- syrlya: champion,
- tartaglia (childe): firebrand,
- yuuta okkotsu: lover
EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (GODSBLOOD)
Sovereign Citizens
GODSBLOOD
At the height of the Sovereign's moon, Vaeka Lovenskol's execution is announced. Outside of the City Hall, a dignitary of Achamoth is flanked by an entourage of Kenoma, reading the words of Regent from an unfurled letter: Vaeka stands accused to conspiring against the Regent and abetting the fugitive menace known as the Pleroma. Though the details are not made public, rumors spread quickly, some far more wild than the actual truth. The full truth, after all, is something only the Regent's agents and the Pleroma themselves know, and even to them the manner of her exposure is unclear.
Though losing a proud daughter of an influential family, there seems to be little that the people of Godsblood can do besides accept it. After all, they are still a city of the Regent's empire, and for all the freedom they've enjoyed, there are limits. If she was truly aiding the Pleroma, the sworn enemies of the Regent - and in an organized manner, if the rumors are to be believed - can they truly object? Or would challenging the Regent's claim simply invite more death?
As with many things, the families of Godsblood are torn. Tensions are thick for the five days leading up to Vaeka's appointed execution by hanging, with everyone having an opinion and few wanting to go on record talking about it too loudly. As such, the people's frustrations come out in other ways. Bloodites are uncharacteristically unfriendly to strangers in this time, keeping to their own and treating everyone else with overt skepticism.
Those that have arrived as part of the Regent's official envoy, or seen guarding Vaeka, will receive a particularly icy reception. No longer are the Kenoma curious wanderers on personal business. Now, they are here as the hands of the Regent; few of the Godsblood citizens are foolish enough to challenge them outright, but they are ever an honest people.
Early on, the Kenoma and the rest of the Achamite contingent sent with them will be able to take over a jail in downtown Godsblood to hold Vaeka until her execution, clearing out all other Bloodite prisoners and employees in the meantime. This means they have a relatively secure position to guard their prisoner from, which is a good thing; after all, the Regent did outright invite the Pleroma to stop them, and Pleroma are nothing if not stubborn.
EXECUTION DAY
After five agonizing days of waiting and several high visible conflicts between the Pleroma and Kenoma, finally the hour of Vaeka's execution arrives. A gallows is set outside of City Hall, ready to welcome its newest victim, and a massive crowd has gathered in an spirit of anxious anticipation. Some worry that violence may break out in the streets, even without the Pleroma's agitation, but gradually the minutes tick by and the gallows remain empty.
First one minutes passes. Then five. Then fifteen. Slowly, it becomes clear to the people of Godsblood that Vaeka will not be arriving. Are the rumors true? Has she been saved? Have the Pleroma been successful, despite all odds?
As the hours pass and the crowds disperse, Vaeka Lovenskol is not officially reported as either living or dead. Fortunately, Godsblood is a place where information has a way of getting around, whether those in charge like it or not. Some are saying that she was seen being whisked away as if by powerful magic, following a bloody fight at the jail in which she was being held. Where did she go? Maybe her supposed connections to the forest people did her good, some surmise.
The days following Vaeka's failed execution carry a strange and uncertain energy. Where before there was tension and distrust, Godsblood now finds itself in a surreal reality where the Regent's word is apparently not absolute. Then again, do they really want a repeat performance?
First one minutes passes. Then five. Then fifteen. Slowly, it becomes clear to the people of Godsblood that Vaeka will not be arriving. Are the rumors true? Has she been saved? Have the Pleroma been successful, despite all odds?
As the hours pass and the crowds disperse, Vaeka Lovenskol is not officially reported as either living or dead. Fortunately, Godsblood is a place where information has a way of getting around, whether those in charge like it or not. Some are saying that she was seen being whisked away as if by powerful magic, following a bloody fight at the jail in which she was being held. Where did she go? Maybe her supposed connections to the forest people did her good, some surmise.
The days following Vaeka's failed execution carry a strange and uncertain energy. Where before there was tension and distrust, Godsblood now finds itself in a surreal reality where the Regent's word is apparently not absolute. Then again, do they really want a repeat performance?
QUESTIONS
What is the best way for Aions to travel to Godsblood?
For Pleroma, this is very easy, as they are likely to either already live there or be able to easy take Greentruth's portal. For Kenoma, they may come directly from Achamoth by boat as part of the Regent's envoy or arrive via Eustace's portal which is set up in a shed a fairly long jaunt outside of town. Once there has been some time to get established, Misa will be setting up another portal leading straight to the prison where Vaeka is being stored.
Are the Kenoma permitted by the Regent to kill other Godsblood citizens?
Though the Kenoma are authorized to kill any Bloodites that try to physically fight them, they are expected to keep things clean. The Regent prefers to only punish the guilty, and having the lines be clear will create less of a hassle in the future. Generally, Godsblood is not in a state where physical resistance is likely to happen unprovoked.
For Pleroma, this is very easy, as they are likely to either already live there or be able to easy take Greentruth's portal. For Kenoma, they may come directly from Achamoth by boat as part of the Regent's envoy or arrive via Eustace's portal which is set up in a shed a fairly long jaunt outside of town. Once there has been some time to get established, Misa will be setting up another portal leading straight to the prison where Vaeka is being stored.
Are the Kenoma permitted by the Regent to kill other Godsblood citizens?
Though the Kenoma are authorized to kill any Bloodites that try to physically fight them, they are expected to keep things clean. The Regent prefers to only punish the guilty, and having the lines be clear will create less of a hassle in the future. Generally, Godsblood is not in a state where physical resistance is likely to happen unprovoked.
no subject
Now, I'm not surprised you aren't used to this sort of thing, you aren't a military guard or soldier.
But, I'm wondering if you aren't referring to a different aspect? You don't have to, but I'll listen and try and give advice, if you want. You're really close to Tonia's age, I think, so...
no subject
She turns her gaze away from him to look vaguely toward the city. ]
... I was always taught that I should use my skills on spirits alone. Killing living people was strictly forbidden. I may not be killing our prisoner without my own hands, but I also don't think that absolves me of responsibility.
[ She wonders if that sounds like a petty concern. They are in a war, after all. People are going to die no matter what. ]
no subject
[ he speaks slowly, as if picking his words carefully: and he is, because it's too easy to just show what kind of monster he's become. Gray still has hope left in people and the world, it seems, and he can't bring himself to be the one to shatter that. He does everything he can to protect his siblings until it's impossible, so there's no reason to do anything different with Gray. ]
You definitely can look at it as having responsibility in her death if she dies just as much as you can look at it as having no responsibility at all. Neither are wrong.
.. Make no mistake though, Vaeka isn't innocent and she knew the risks before she decided to join the resistance. There's nothing terrible about what you're doing since the resistance would do just the same with people from our side. It's unfortunate and could have been avoided if things went differently, at best.
— Hey, why did you join the Kenoma, Gray? Were you forced? I have everyone I met during your arrival a choice, but I realize many of the others might have not.
no subject
Anyway, to answer his question— ]
Mr. Eustace told me to come along with him to Achamoth, so I did.
[ ... Yep. ]
sorry I thought I replied to this already omg
Just know that regardless of your personal feelings, you aren't doing anything inherently wrong here, either. Vaeka willingly broke the law, and plenty of innocent people have died from the Resistance's actions. For them, what they perceive as the needs of the many will always outweigh the few. If the Pleroma aions weren't here, I don't think anyone would come for her since I'm pretty sure one of her own betrayed her.
We're just upholding justice here... even if one can argue about whether the means of justice is justifiable.
[ that doesn't really give Childe any insight on if she might be better off a Pleroma versus a Kenoma, though. Afterall, someone can side with the Kenoma and have a conscience just like someone with no conscience can join the Pleroma. As much as the Pleroma he's met would like this a to be good versus evil, this is not what the two sects represent. ]
But, hey, we can talk more about it if you like, but it's also okay to just get our minds off it for a bit, too. For example, what did you do back home? You're pretty young to have a job but you're really disciplined. [ he was really discliplined by her age, as well, on his wall up the ranks to becoming an elite in the Fatui... but that's military. Great seems like she has something a lot different in terms of responsibility. ]
you're good!
She listens to Childe's reasoning and nods slowly, thinking that his logic is certainly sound. She doesn't pretend to know better than the law... though it should be said that she often has a poor understanding of laws in general. She does as she's told as well as she can, as much as she can. Justice? She doesn't pretend to know what that means beyond the bright-eyed caricatures depicted in cartoons.
It's probably too childish of her to think that she might be able to get through her entire life without killing anyone, especially as a current participant in a war. It's hard to simply throw away the teachings of people who were important to her, but in this case, is it really reasonable not to?
She'll stew on that for a bit longer... especially with Childe shifting the topic away. ]
I did have a job. A few, actually.
[ Is that strange? She very much lacks a normal frame of reference, but she feels like laziness is a sin. ]
I was a gravekeeper in my home village... then an apprentice to a magus. Ah, and I had a part-time cleaning job too.
[ Sometimes she wishes she could get a part-time cleaning job in Achamoth... ]
no subject
You've had a lot of responsibilities already then.
...Listen, though. There's a good chunk of the Kenoma aions that are here for you already. I'm sure this would ring true for any of them, but if there ever comes a time when the burden of being a Kenoma is weighing on you, let me help you. If you need to kill but can't bring yourself to do it, just call me and I'll do it for you.
You don't need to force yourself into these sorts of things unless it's absolutely unavoidable.
no subject
... Thank you. But if it ever came down to that, I couldn't put the burden on someone else.
[ Walking away from the scene wouldn't make her feel any less guilty. She's already sure of that. ]
Is killing that easy for you?
[ She asks with out judgment. She knows she's come to like many people with blood on their hands. ]
no subject
Either way, it seems like she's even more independent than imagined. Not a bad thing, of course. Just... unfortunate to him— if only because it's the one thing he does actively try to do: keep children like his siblings from ever suffering the reality and cruelty of the world, including playing the villain. ]
no subject
I wouldn't like to reach that point... but I don't want to run away from my responsibilities if I can help it.
[ A beat. ]
... Though I wonder if the rest of you can see it that way. I'm sure I must seem like a child.
[ Second only to... maybe Majorita? And that's a big maybe. ]
no subject
he hopes she never has to see that.
he knows it's only a matter of time before they all see it.
he smiles playfully in response with an airy chuckle, and his tone is highly encouraging when he speaks. ]
It may be hard for me to see it, but that's only because I'm past the point of no return. I can't do such a thing myself, even if I wanted to, and neither can many of the others.
The truth is... our opinions on this particular choice of yours don't matter because of this very fact. It's not you being a child other than that you still can decide how and what you wish to live by.
The only thing I ask is that you don't let anyone sway you away from this ambition until you prove to and decide yourself that you can't do it.
I know it doesn't mean much coming from me since we aren't very close, but I'm cheering you on all the way, and will support you in whatever you ultimately find out about yourself, Gray.
no subject
If there were other kids in the Kenoma even younger and less prepared to fight than she, then she would see all sense in sheltering those kids from having to participate in violence for as long as possible. It's really only her distaste for people bothering themselves over her that keeps her stubborn. As soon as possible, she'd like to stop seeming like a child in need of protection. ]
Thank you. You're always so supportive...
[ Though she doesn't know why. ]
no subject
Childe gives a wave to her before moving to go off but stops just before he gets too far away. He'll turn around and speak a little quieter. ] Of course... if all else fails for you... The Regent's way isn't the only way. Don't forget that.
[ of course that's traitor talk so be can't elaborate on it nor is he willing to risk anyone hearing him saying such a thing to her. He hopes Gray can figure out her path here and not be afraid to walk down it, whatever it may be.
With those words he leaves. ]