EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (GODSBLOOD)

[aionmods]

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?

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.

Comments

[chronosynthesis]

The universe being demolished is also going to have disastrous implications. [Perhaps not ones they have to see now, but...]

The people of Horos will need to join the fight for their own lives and freedom. But I agree that Godsblood is in the best position to lead that, and where we can currently provide the most support.

[inutilis]

It's been the Regent's goal for... well. Long as the Bloodites been alive and their father's fathers have been alive; living with such a threat over their heads makes it seem less and less real, I'm sure.

[ people tend to worry about tangible things: how to put food on the table. how to make their lives comfortable. the prospective end of it all is a bit abstract, a bit much, for the average person to digest Abel imagines. ]

But seeing the Achamites here in Godsblood for the first time in a long time... seeing that the Regent fell short of their objective - it might be the first step in helping us foster some hope among them. Of a world free of that threat.

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya glances down as he pulls the lid off the soup. Oh-- that actually smells good.]

It won't last. The Regent is driven, and that threat is going to be creeping closer to them every day. It will be violent.

[They're on borrowed time, and Syrlya's used to that. The stress is almost comforting, because he wasn't really sure what to do with himself without it once the dragon cycle was broken.]

... Have you heard anything from Venera?

[inutilis]

[ it does smell good - one benefit of being rather food-obsessed is having sniffed out all the best places to get something delicious for cheap... at least Abel can provide Syr a full belly if nothing else. ]

From those I managed to reach out to, things are a bit dicey there. They're doing what they can, though-- and trying to ferry some of the refugees over this way soon. I'm not sure what they'll do long-term, but I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[chronosynthesis]

To Godsblood? [Syrlya pauses, pursing his lips into a thin line.] Do we know who will be receiving them here? We wouldn't want to smuggle them our of Venera only for them to get arrested here if the Regent's forces haven't cleared out.

[inutilis]

No... I'm afraid I don't know any of the specifics, it was just mentioned in passing. But if you reach out to Mr. Ryunosuke, he might be able to give you some more information.

[ Ryunosuke is a strange little fellow, but a good soul, Abel thinks. ]

I'm sure our friends over there are using all due caution, but it wouldn't hurt to see if there's anything we can do on our end to help, you know?

[chronosynthesis]

Right. [He tears off a piece of bread to dip it in the soup.] So long as we'll be out, we should keep an eye on the movement of the Regent's forces, Aions and Achamites alike. Make sure that they don't walk refugees right into their path.

[inutilis]

Mm... we'll be trying to find out how the populous feels about things, too. Their opinions and the rumor mill might tell us where we need to help before things get further out of hand, I think.

[ both for the Bloodites and Aions alike.

and to that end... Abel begins pulling to his feet with a smile. ]

But for now...? Just turn your focus to taking copious amounts of naps and eating soup, my friend. Ah-- speaking of, is there anything I might get you to make you more comfortable? Any supplies I can bring back here for you or any of the others that drop in?

[chronosynthesis]

No, I'm all right. [He shakes his head, lifting his gaze to Abel while holding the bread midair.]

Be careful out here. [And then he finally takes a bite.]

[inutilis]

[ he gives Syr a mock salute - yes sir!! - and begins ambling in the direction of the door.

...he pauses just short of it, though-- looking back at his friend with a softer, more sincere smile. ]

Please take care of yourself, alright? I hope to see you in much better shape in a few days.

[ and with a tiny wave, Abel will leave him to his food and rest. ]