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Entry tags:
- !event,
- #innocence,
- archduke j: visionary,
- barnaby brooks jr: lover,
- estinien wyrmblood: firebrand,
- eustace: firebrand,
- father paul hill: martyr,
- kaeya alberich: lover,
- kim dokja: martyr,
- kim kitsuragi: martyr,
- liem talbott: champion,
- majorita: firebrand,
- makoto ("m"): firebrand,
- meteion: innocent,
- ryunosuke naruhodo: champion,
- tartaglia (childe): firebrand,
- yuya sakaki: lover
EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (VENERA)
Sovereign Citizens
VENERA
In contrast the Aion's last visit, they now arrive in Venera on a completely average day... or so it seems. Unlike Godsblood, Venera has been given no warning as to what's about to befall it; the Kenoma are simply authorized to arrive and begin their bloody work without fanfare. Even their entourage of Achamite soldier don't stick out that much; in the time since the plague left, the city has refilled with occupying forces. Notably, the Hylician ones seem to be keeping out of the way, almost as if they've heard some things and would rather not be involved too closely in what's to come.As opposed to the ghost town it was during the plague, Venera is now reasonably active, with most attending to their usual business. Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers. Initially, the targets of the Kenoma hit list will have no way of knowing what's coming for them, but after the first couple attacks word will begin to spread. Those that have recently been engaging in seditious behavior will become harder to find, leaving their usual homes and workplaces to stay elsewhere, and making other attempts to escape the Regent's attention.
Once those alerts have been raised, the Kenoma will have to engage in more detective work to find their targets, questioning other Venerans and seeking out fugitives in the homes of their family and friends. In the meantime, some of those who believe they are in danger may become desperately enough to seek out the Pleroma directly, imploring them for aid. Unfortunately, seeking out one sect may just as easily draw the attention of the other. Most uninvolved Venerans will be too terrified to intervene one way or another, reluctant to aid in the persecution of their neighbors but fearful of consequences. If your Aion travels openly, it will take some effort to pin them down long enough to hold a conversation.
SEEDS OF DESPAIR
Several days into the culling of Venera, the Aions will have witnessed the city gradually withdraw into itself. The streets become vacant as more and more people decide it isn't worth the risk to be seen outside, abandoning work and play alike to hide out in their homes, refusing to answer their doors to all except the most desperate pleading. Those that can't avoid their daily obligations are quiet and morose, trying their best to remain unseen and unremarked upon.
If your character has been observed as a Kenoma, either now or in their previous visits to the city, the citizens will look upon them as if they are the messengers of death. If you are seen as a Pleroma, they will resist your gaze, as if fearing your presence alone might leave them marked. In rarer cases, you will see those with stronger spirits, with glares of hatred or determination. They are powerless now, but seeds have been sewn, and whether they are the seeds of despair or of action are yet unclear.
By the time the Kenoma's hit list has been fully addressed, several have been killed and several more have been rushed from their homes to flee the city entirely. There have been holes left in the tapestry of the community they were once part of. One way or another, their absence will be felt keenly by those they left behind.
If your character has been observed as a Kenoma, either now or in their previous visits to the city, the citizens will look upon them as if they are the messengers of death. If you are seen as a Pleroma, they will resist your gaze, as if fearing your presence alone might leave them marked. In rarer cases, you will see those with stronger spirits, with glares of hatred or determination. They are powerless now, but seeds have been sewn, and whether they are the seeds of despair or of action are yet unclear.
By the time the Kenoma's hit list has been fully addressed, several have been killed and several more have been rushed from their homes to flee the city entirely. There have been holes left in the tapestry of the community they were once part of. One way or another, their absence will be felt keenly by those they left behind.
QUESTIONS
What is the best way for Aions to travel to Venera?
Estinien has plans to get an early start for the Pleroma by teleporting to the Lover's shrine and flying somewhere closer to set up a portal from the ocean caves near the Godsblood Lodestone to a spot of farmland closer to Venera. Paul will be setting up a portal directly from Achamoth to one of the Achamite outposts in Venera.
How much force can the Kenoma use while interrogating Venerans?
While they are generally not permitted to kill Venerans who haven't tried to physically fight them, they will be permitted to apply both physical and mental pressure upon those that refuse to provide them with information regarding the whereabouts of their targets. This duress should be proportional to the resistance the Veneran is offering. The Regent is not inviting them to terrorize Venera on a level to a level they cannot reasonably blaim themselves for.
Estinien has plans to get an early start for the Pleroma by teleporting to the Lover's shrine and flying somewhere closer to set up a portal from the ocean caves near the Godsblood Lodestone to a spot of farmland closer to Venera. Paul will be setting up a portal directly from Achamoth to one of the Achamite outposts in Venera.
How much force can the Kenoma use while interrogating Venerans?
While they are generally not permitted to kill Venerans who haven't tried to physically fight them, they will be permitted to apply both physical and mental pressure upon those that refuse to provide them with information regarding the whereabouts of their targets. This duress should be proportional to the resistance the Veneran is offering. The Regent is not inviting them to terrorize Venera on a level to a level they cannot reasonably blaim themselves for.
no subject
I know who all the targets are, yes. You should know that they're being arrested, they will be imprisoned for a duration, and after a sham trial, they will be publicly executed. [Tight anger constricts his throat. That kind of injustice could never be allowed to stand in Sternbild, and he can't abide it here, either.] In that sense, you have multiple windows of opportunity in which to rescue them.
However, I feel that unless they're arrested, I should protect their identities. You all hounding them down may just lead the Kenoma right to them, and a conflict then would only escalate matters to a dangerous degree. But if you have any kind of coordinated plan beyond swooping around in the sky terrorising the city, I would like to hear it.
[...Yes, he's complaining about Estinien. How can he possibly trust the Pleroma to exercise discretion after seeing that?]
no subject
What--oh, you mean Estinien? [Yeah, they're all aware of Estinien.] Well that's--pretty distracting for all the guards, right?
[He doesn't know if that's actually Estinien's intent or if this is just how he is, and it happens to work in their favor. But he doesn't need to figure that out right now.]
Naruhodo and... Cid, they have a plan to get anyone targeted out of Venera. Since it's always full of the Regent's soldiers, even after the Kenoma leave. But we're trying not to be noticed while we do it.
[He pauses, his brow knitting as he regards Barnaby.] And isn't this dangerous for you to do alone? If one of us is caught, the Regent already--[He considers a gentle turn of phrase, but... there's no point beating around it.] wants us dead. But if they find out you were helping people instead of turning them in...
no subject
Well, perhaps a little more than the Kenoma. He doubts the Pleroma have traitors in their ranks.]
Of course it's dangerous. But I can defend myself -- these people can't.
[He has no intention of getting caught, but he's already accepted the consequences should that come to pass.]
no subject
He opens his mouth but stops before a sound comes out, and his expression shifts slightly at he regards Barnaby in a different light than where their conversation started.]
Um, can I ask something? After this... are you still going back to help the Regent?
no subject
[He has no reason to believe he'll be treated any better than the Veneran rebels -- if anything, it could be worse, given the unique position of influence and prestige Aions have in Achamoth. Any defying that would be made an example of.]
Perhaps I'll stay here, or find somewhere else to lie low for a while. I'll figure it out. [He waves a hand dismissively. He's used to getting by on his own, and he'll find a way to do so here, too.] Unless there's anything else you need to know, I should go.
no subject
We want the same thing, right? To protect these people. If you know who the Regent is going after... that means every other Kenoma does too. Wouldn't it be better to work together, instead of alone against a bunch of people that are?
[Presumably, the Kenoma dedicated to the Regent will be working in tandem and there's the usual heavy guards presence. Yuya can't imagine trying to do this alone is really going to be more successful, and he's worried about the people they won't find in time.
And, also...] We could help you, too.
no subject
[Former professional, whatever. The point being is that Yuya is a child, and he still has no real assurances the Pleroma have a concrete plan.]
If you want to help, tracking down the Kenoma would be the easier task. Worry about them instead of about me.
no subject
He shakes his head.] You don't have any reason to trust me any more than I do to trust you, but we don't have a lot of time to prove it! Right now people are already being hunted down. If it's to save them... isn't it worth giving each other a chance again?
no subject
... All right. It's better than wasting time arguing about it. I'll give you the list of names we've been issued. Can we...?
[He reaches toward his own chest as if to extract his Shard, but he'll wait for Yuya's response first to make sure he's comfortable with them using Communion.]
no subject
Yuya doesn't acknowledge it. Instead he holds his shard close in both hands and focuses on communion and finds--it's easier than he expected despite Barnaby being a Kenoma. Not as easy as other Pleroma, but...]
You're a Lover too, right?
no subject
He focuses on his own Shard, and in some ways, he's not surprised to find another Lover. Perhaps they're common with the Pleroma as much as Kenoma.]
I am. [The answer is tinged with a desperate sadness he can't hide over their connection, even as he hastily tries to sweep it aside to focus on business. After a few moments of concentration, Yuya will be presented with a list of names. Some have their professions, or various locations or general neighbourhoods they might be found in too, but he hasn't included detailed notes for the interest of brevity -- and for many of them, he simply hasn't found many leads yet.]
All the Kenoma were given this list. Any other information is based on my own investigations so far.
no subject
Thank you. I'll make sure this gets to Naruhodo and Cid, and we'll find them. [A pause.] And I'll let them know not to fight you if they see you, so we don't get in each other's way.
[It's about working together, after all. Even if they can't be seen on the same side.] I'm Yuya. You can call me if you need anything, okay? Once all these people are safe... I want to help you, too.
[He understands, though, that Barnaby has to take the risk until the Venerans are safe.]
no subject
Likewise if you need anything, tell me. I can protect you if you run into trouble, or if you have questions, I can share more information.
[They'll worry about what comes next after that -- for now, saving the citizens takes priority.]
no subject
He replaces his shard back into place, then draws his hood back up. He points behind him.] I'll go... this way? So nobody sees us leave together.
no subject
Good idea. Stay safe. [Barnaby will let him go first, just to make sure there are no eavesdroppers lying in wait to ambush Yuya the second he turns the corner. Once he's satisfied he's away in one piece, Barnaby leaves in the opposite direction.
He just hopes he made the right decision in trusting them with this.]