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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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

[zauneyete]

[ Silco couldn't help but smile at Gen. He'd almost asked a very silly question, since Silco could hardly predict for how soft of heart Gen was. He'd been forged in the fires of revolution and then chilled and made hard by betrayal. He had always been different than Vander, of course, or Benzo, or the others in their gang.

That did not mean that Silco was the spiteful, hateful man he was now. No, that took time, and effort, and nearly half a decade of isolation and planning revenge.

Silco took a long sip of his drink, and made Gen wait for him to didn't respond. Milked it, really. ]

Of course I do.

However, I can only provide so much in one day. You'll have to be in need, for me to provide it.

[epiprocta]

[ Silco relishes in that question, dragging it out before deigning to answer it and Gen ... waits in silence without so much as a hostile snarl. Which in and of itself says plenty about his current state of mind. So stressed out and anxious his thoughts are a mess, Gen's barely even conscious of that long pause before he hears Silco's words -- his gaze had slid away from the other man to stare into the middle distance, and only snaps back into focus at Silco's words. ]

... sure, whatever.

[ Somewhere at the back of his mind it occurs to him that Silco's wording is a little strange. 'Provide so much in day.' Like he's formulating this stuff on a daily basis? -- whatever. That's not his business, and he's distracted enough that he doesn't want to make it his business.

Gen takes another bite of that food, feeling it grit tastelessly between his teeth as he deadpans, ]

I'll do my job. But I'm keeping an eye out for the Pleroma -- bet getting'em out of the way sooner would be smarter. I'll contact you if I think I could use the boost.

[ He says it so confidently, like he's at ease with the thought of relying on some mystery drug to carry him through such a high-stakes fight; too bad the pale-knuckled, twitchy grip he maintains on his form betrays him. ]

[zauneyete]

[ Silco leaned back in his chair, and nodded. ]

Oh yes, please do. Or, just hope I'm around, if you run into too much trouble.

[ Well, how could he be that close? Don't worry about it Gen, you'll find out in a few days. ] I don't doubt that our...opponents will be here, waiting for their chance to strike. The Regent promised as much, hadn't they? We'll need to be on our guard, all while we do what the Regent asks.

[ It's a heavy request, really. Do all that they can, to take on what the Regent asks of them, and also take out the Pleroma. Silco didn't doubt that there were more like Gen, who were straining at the seriousness of the Regent's orders. That weren't going to be able to Follow Through.

He would have to work harder, to make up for where they lacked, and convincing even one seemed fruitful.

The target stood from his table, and started to leave. Silco watched him, with a pair of mismatched eyes. After a few moments, and when the target was halfway down the road, he stood. ]

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to be on the move.