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

[gravings]

[ Tense... Well, that makes sense. Gray can only imagine. ]

The Venerans have had to go through a lot lately...

[ She probably shouldn't be feeling sorry for them as an agent of the Regent, but here she is. Unlike with the more die-hard members of their merry crew, she doesn't feel like she needs to watch what she says around Meteion. As for the question of how she's been holding up... ]

It's probably easier here than it is in Venera. But... I wonder why the Regent chose this person in particular to execute.

[perfectlygoodbird]

It isn't as oppressive, but it's...[Meteion furrows her brow and frowns a little. There's fear and anticipation, and none of it is really the happy sort of anticipation, like one gets with a good surprise. There's fomenting anger, too. And it isn't even close to the execution date...

The entelechy shakes her head, then.]

Most things like that are because an example needs to be made. But I don't know for sure. Just what I've heard. And I don't like what I've heard. They're more sad and scared in Venera. Between the things with our Legacy and now all this...if the Regent wanted to crush their hope, they're getting what they want.

[And the bird is definitely unhappy about it.]

[gravings]

[ It seems like Gray isn't the only one who feels comfortable speaking her mind. Even if they weren't of the same Legacy, it would be clear as day that Meteion is very much opposed to the Regent's methods. Though, well, Meteion has always been very open about her feelings in a variety of ways. ]

... Are you alright?

[ She feels she needs to ask. These are strong words, and it makes Gray a little nervous for where they could lead. ]

[perfectlygoodbird]

I'm afraid. But that isn't...really unusual, is it?

[Meteion isn't exactly timid, but neither is she bold when combat is likely to go down. And the fear from the general populace sways her, as well--she has always been beholden to emotion and a victim to it, whether she wills it or not. For the moment, however, it's localized to Meteion herself, and she isn't trying to project it to anyone else. Especially not a friend like Gray.]

I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I should probably go.

[That is for so many reasons, and none of them will she speak. It's far better that Gray remain ignorant. If no one knows, no one can be harmed because of Meteion.] I want to look for Zenos, too, before I head back to Venera.

[gravings]

[ Something about this feels off to Gray. Maybe it's Meteion's haste, combined with the professed fear and unhappiness with the Regent. It all seems like a bad recipe, and Gray unsettles with worry for her fellow Innocent. ]

Miss Meteion...

[ Gray starts and then trails off immediately, unsure of what she should say to make Meteion feel better or how she can better express what's turning in her heart. ]

If there's anything I can do to help, or anything you want to talk about, please let me know. I know that things are... a little difficult at the moment. Maybe even more for us.

[ Gray and Meteion certainly have their differences, but of the Kenoma, Gray feels like the two of them are much more alike to each other than any of the rest. Gray doesn't feel like she's earned the right to be a confidante, per se, but she likes to think she can make a decent lent ear. And Meteion must have a lot on her mind, what with her unusual empathy for the people around her. ]

[perfectlygoodbird]

It'll be all right. [Though it's hard for Meteion to even attempt to say that, when she can't quite believe it herself. But the last thing that Meteion wants is for something to happen to Gray.

Like something happened to Howl. Meteion knows something did, but she can't tell what. And the entelechy doesn't want anything like that to happen to Gray. Or herself, either, but in order of importance, she finds herself coming in last.

And even now, she recalls how the Innocent Legacy cried for them both. That might be what stings the most. She gives one last furtive look around the grounds--and then, impulsively, gives Gray a hug.]

Please be safe! I'll see you again. I promise.

[gravings]

[ The hug takes Gray by surprise, but it feels natural enough to return it. She gives Meteion not quite a squeeze, but a careful (if confused) blanketing of her arms around her smaller friend for a soft second. ]

I'll be careful. Please... take care of yourself too.

[ There's some trepidation in her heart, though she can't put a pin on why. She just has to hope that Meteion knows what she's doing. ]

[perfectlygoodbird]

I can only do my best. And I will. I promise.

[Likely, it comes as no surprise that Meteion takes a step back to return to starbird form--the better to take to the skies, soon enough. She hovers there, fluttering, as if she wants to etch the moment of their parting into her heart, or mind, or both.]

Goodbye! [That might be more ominous than Meteion intends, but she circles about, once, before she soars upward and disappears from sight.]