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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It does. [Barnaby won't dance around the issue either, if Ryunosuke is going to be so forthright with his questions, some of his humour fading.] I'm aware of the risks, so you don't need to warn me or try to dissuade me from anything.

[He's heard the handwringing from some of Ryunosuke's allies, and he doesn't need to hear it again. He hasn't gotten caught so far, and even if he were, there are few Kenoma that could match him in a contest of brute strength or speed, lowering the risk further still. He's confident he has things under control.]

Ever since I made that decision, I can feel the Kenoma's grip on me beginning to loosen. But, I think I should still work separately from you all until I can throw it off entirely.

[This is honestly the best news Ryunosuke has heard in ages. If Barnaby is right... It really is possible for people to reject the Kenoma then, even after they've attuned! They just have to want it...

He gets no hand-wringing from Ryunosuke. Maybe it's because he's less aware of the dangers, or maybe it's just because the good news outweighs his worry. Either way...]

But this is... Wonderful! I'm so glad for you, Mr. Barnaby, truly...! [He's practically grinning from ear to ear.] Though, yes, you're probably right to insist on that level of caution for the time being...

[He wouldn't be able to come through the portal to Greentruth either, until he reversed his attunement all the way over to the Pleroma side. Assuming that's the path Barnaby wants to go down... Ryunosuke hopes it is. They need all the help they can get.]

[Barnaby's startled for a second by the sheer, delighted sincerity in Ryunosuke's reaction, but then he offers a smile in return. Wasn't this what his hero career had been all about? Even if he put his life at risk, if it meant helping others and making them smile, it was worth it. Ryunosuke's happiness is a reminder of that old life.]

Yes, I don't want to compromise your efforts. But if you do feel as though you need help at any time, you're welcome to call on me.

[His grasp on communion is getting shakier alongside his attunement to the Kenoma, but he'll try to take advantage of his faltering power as best he can until then.]

[Still smiling, Ryunosuke nods enthusiastically.]

And the likewise to you! I mean... [He looks a bit sheepish.] I personally am rather limited in the ways in which I can probably do to help, but I'll gladly assist in whatever way I'm able. Like if you... I don't know... Need... Help investigating a crime, or something...?

[His tone kind of pitches up awkwardly at the end. It was supposed to be a joke, but about halfway through he realized it wasn't very funny.]

Aren't we already investigating crimes...?

[Barnaby gives a wry smile. It really wasn't funny and he's just being polite, sorry buddy. Though the fact Ryunosuke is making a joke about it at all does make him curious.]

Do you have any particular experience with this sort of thing?

[Ryunosuke snorts. Alright, yours was actually funny, Barnaby, you've got him there.]

...Good point. But. Ah. Yes, you could say that.

[He shuffles a little closer under the eave of the building; they shouldn't linger here for too long, it's too risky. But. As long as he IS here, he might as well try to stay dry.]

I'm a defense attorney, back in my own world. Investigating crime scenes is... A necessary part of the job, I would say.

[Barnaby glances both ways down the alley as Ryunosuke shuffles closer, just to check they aren't being observed. It seems like they're safe for the time being, however.]

And catching dangerous criminals was mine. Unfortunately, the only court that holds any sway in this realm seems to be the one the Regent pulled us into.

[A fact that's surely more frustrating for Ryunosuke than it is for him. At least Barnaby has the abilities to operate as a vigilante here, for whatever that's worth. It does, however, stop to give him pause, and he regards Ryunosuke thoughtfully.]

... You seem like the kind of person who would become an attorney out of your own sense of justice. Is that right?

[Ryunosuke turns his head to look at Barnaby more directly, blinking in surprise. When he turns away again, he lets out a little huff of a laugh.]

It's... Flattering that you have that impression of me, but. No, actually, if you can believe it... Until fairly recently, I'd never even remotely considered becoming a lawyer. A very dear friend of mine put me on to the idea... I don't think the possibility would have ever even crossed my mind, if it weren't for him.

Edited 2022-08-05 19:55 (UTC)

Really? But you have a lot of conviction and courage.

[He's not trying to sound patronising; he means it. It takes a lot to adapt to a war like this, and be able to stand up for himself like he does, with such a normal background.]

Regardless of your reasons, it suits you.

[Seriously, Barnaby; you're going to make him blush.]

Oh! Well... That's... That's very kind of you to say...! [He grins and fidgets bashfully.] I do try my best to uphold those particular... things... Um...

[He cocks his head curiously.]

What about you, then? Apprehending dangerous criminals... Are you a police officer of some sort?

No, although a lot of my work involved working closely with the police. I was a professional hero.

[He hasn't met anyone yet who has NEXTs like his world does, and so far heroes seem to be unique as a profession too, so he elaborates.]

I would use my powers to fight crime, or rescue citizens from disasters and the like. Essentially, anything that ordinary emergency services couldn't handle.

[Unsurprisingly, Ryunosuke's eyes go rather wide at that.]

Ah! So, you already had powers, or... Or magic, of some sort, before becoming an Aion then. I see...

[A professional hero, huh...]

So of course this sort of operation must come naturally to you then...

Yes, although it's usually the criminals who are on the back foot and are forced to sneak around, not me.

[He shakes his head. It is what it is, so he isn't complaining.]

I suppose you could think of heroes as someone like the patron Aion this city once had. A person that others can look up to and depend on to protect them. Coming here before made me realise they no longer have that... so it was impossible for me to just stand by and leave them to the mercy of that creature, or the mercy of the Regent.

[There's a flame of hope in Ryunosuke's chest that's been reignited by the news of Barnaby's turn, and hearing his conviction on the matter of the Venerans makes it burn all the brighter.

He nods firmly, his smile warm.]

They'll be fortunate to have you. The Pleroma will too, ah-- Th-that is, if you should decide to join us...

[He doesn't want to be presumptuous, but. He can hope! That's just what they do over here on team good guy!]

EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (VENERA)

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