EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (VENERA)

[aionmods]

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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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.

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.

Comments

[vivificantem]

If people were as strong as you believe them to be - if righteousness and justice were a stronger force than evil - then all of our inherent goodness should have purged the world of suffering and sin a long time ago. We've proven that we're not enough.

[Again, it's even-tempered to a fault; it's the sort of thing that he probably should be getting at least somewhat emotional about, but he...isn't. Just that same unnatural calm.]

[youngprodigy]

You're thinking far too black and white.

[The unnatural calm is deeply unsettling, but still Cid is going to try.]

The Ascians committed terrible atrocities, but they did so because they were as desperate to save their world as we were ours. Though their loved ones perished millennia ago, it was still as raw as if it had happened yesterday. Had we failed and they succeeded, it would ultimately have changed very little. Just who became the victors, and whose story continued to be told.

The best we can do is keep pressing forward with hope tomorrow is a better day. Joy cannot exist without sorrow, and to think otherwise is the height of folly.

[vivificantem]

You're thinking only of the people for whom it can get better. There are those that don't have the benefit of hope like that.

[He shrugs. Shifts a bit, though he isn't moving to approach.]

I've seen it in others; I've been there myself. It's a position I wouldn't wish on anyone, and it's one that far too many experience solely so others can have the privilege of hope.

[youngprodigy]

So we return to Fandaniel, who believed because he was miserable, the entire star needed to die.

Joy cannot exist without sorrow. Your "new" reality will be naught but an empty husk whence there was once beauty.

[vivificantem]

Do you have anything to say that isn't "but where I came from" or "joy can't exist without sorrow"? At this point you've said nothing but, and I'm almost starting to wish you would go ahead and stab me already.

[youngprodigy]

[Cid says nothing.

He just turns to leave.]