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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
[ Her voice raises at the end, almost as though she's not 100% sure. ]
It seems like they have to, if there's going to be Pleroma around. Normal Achamites wouldn't be able to handle any missions where the other Aions might get involved.
[ It doesn't worry her so much as it does make her think that the Regent really must have a reason for provoking such a reaction— like it was some kind of test. The execution would have had to be announced, but the criminals in Venera? They could have been disappeared before the Pleroma had a chance to intervene. But maybe it's about optics. Thinking about the big picture hasn't ever really been her strong point, besides... ]
If it's the public execution you mean, this will probably be the only time they have to do it. With such an intentional call out beforehand.
no subject
She knows it's naive of her to think that trying to resolve things peacefully could at all be an option. But still, she thinks that trying to charm the Pleroma might still be easier than trying to kill them all. ]
Then you think executions might become more routine after this?
[ It sounds barbaric, but she supposes she comes from a different era. ]
I wonder if the one coming up will really help... or if it will just make the rebels more motivated.
no subject
[ By people continuing to revolt, basically. It doesn't seem the notion bothers her, with how quickly and neutrally she answers. Perhaps stupidly, she seems to have a rather detailed opinion on the subject, though she really only realizes how brazenly she's talking about it belatedly. ]
But that depends on how Horos reacts, like you said. My guess is people will get too freaked out to try much if they see it happen.
no subject
In my world, executions were never public... in most places. But maybe there would be less crime if they were.
[ Gray absolutely wouldn't want to see them either way, but she's also not the target audience. ]
no subject
Oh, there totally would be. It happened sometimes where I lived before... when people see they might die if they do something wrong, they stop doing it pretty quickly.
[ Fear is one of the strongest motivators, after all. All fine and good for people to feel their feelings about the Regent, but they should be too afraid to act out, in Misa's opinion. ]
The same would probably happen to the resistance here if things go off without a hitch. I mean, if I were the Regent, I'd probably do about the same thing... maybe with less waiting. The long days are kinda making me nervous.
no subject
What's more interesting is the fact that public executions were a common occurrence in Misa's world. Gray always took Misa for someone "modern," while public executions feel thoroughly old-fashioned. Misa seems to think of them as pretty normal, too... ]
Then... was crime not very common in your world, Miss Misa?
[ If public executions were commonplace and also successful at deterring people, then... ]
no subject
[ ...Sort of. Her smile grows a little wistful, widening even more as she takes another sip from her cup of now lukewarm tea. Thinking about the direction the world was headed before she came to Horos is such a motivator for her to stay close to the Kenoma; she's happy to talk about it, even hopes that talking about it may help others see how possible it is to change the world. If it'd been possible for herself and Light, two regular humans... who knows just how much good the Regent could do, changing the world from the foundations up? It's exciting. ]
There was someone in my world... who had the power to kill almost anyone, at any time. They started punishing all kinds of criminals, especially ones that went unpunished by the judicial system. People started noticing really quickly what was happening, you know? And I'm sure you can guess what happened to the crime rate.
no subject
[ Misa's description just seems to fit that mold... with a little added killing. But the cheesy superhero shows Gray would see on television were aimed at children, so it isn't a stretch to think that people in real life wouldn't be quite so nice about their vigilantism. And Misa seems very happy to talk about them, so they must be a decent person at heart...? ]
no subject
[ There's a dreamy note to her voice, her cheeks warming in admiration. If there's anything that could take her mind off the grit of the situation at hand, it's this. Thinking about him, her heartrate picks up, and her next words are steeped with appreciation, any tinge of grief she might have shown completely overshadowed by her near-worship. ]
They punished the man who killed my parents, so they were like a savior to me. I know a lot of people thought of them that way. It's why I want to see their dream through, here in the Kenoma... that's the true wish in my heart, Gray.
[ Because that "heroism" that Light had brought into the world can only live on through her, right? It's the least she can do. ]
no subject
Then you'd like to create a world without crime? That does sound nice...
[ A crimeless world actually isn't too far from Gray's imagination; there was very little discord of that sort back in her tiny village. But, she thinks, there are also laws that can be more cruel than crime. ]
... I don't know know what I'd want. To have what I already had before, maybe.
[ She reddens a little with her lack of imagination. It would be nicer if she could have a passionate vision for the future like Misa, but alas. ]
no subject
[ Everyone has struggle and strife in their life, right? Even if it doesn't affect a person directly, there are things in the world around them that need changing, that are impossible to go unnoticed. Misa feels sure that's a constant across the cosmos - why else would the Regent feel so convinced everyone needed their help? ]
Oh! Or maybe there's something you could do for someone you care about?
[ If she had no desire of her own— perhaps there was one she could fulfill for someone dear to her. A very Lover-ish way of thinking, but that's what Misa's mind immediately goes to when she thinks of her own plans for the world, too. ]
no subject
It's maybe simpler to address Misa's last question, but only maybe. ]
There was someone important to me... He was passionate about magecraft, but he had no natural talent for it. It always tortured him... but I wonder if his suffering and perseverence were what made him more wonderful in the end. If I made a world for him where he could become a powerful mage, maybe he would turn out to be a bad person.
[ Mages were bad people by default in her world, that was just how it was... ]
no subject
Oh, right. I didn't think of that... there's a problem, since you already like the way he is, right? But, you know, maybe if he knew it was because of you, he might appreciate you a lot... that'd be worth something.
[ What guy wouldn't feel some fondness for a girl who went to the ends of the world to grant one of their wishes?! But Gray does have a point. Misa is just... short-sighted, compared to her companion, thinking only of the immediate benefits of making such a change— rather than the long term complications that would surely arise. ]
Plus... wouldn't Gray be by his side, to keep him from becoming too wicked?
no subject
I wonder if he would even listen to me.
[ Gray would think at least a little oddly about someone coming up to her and claiming that all of her powers were thanks to her otherworldly intervention. And she isn't really confident that she could sufficiently act as someone else's moral compass... She peeks aside at Misa. ]
Maybe if I were more like you, Miss Misa... I feel like you could get anyone to believe anything.
[ It's the confidence!! ]