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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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

[killandrecycle]

[As uncomfortable as it had felt, she had to admit to herself that her abdomen felt a great deal better after Paul had worked his wonders. His healing power was clearly legitimate. That, combined with her sheer mental tiredness, meant it was in her best interest to keep her normal rude comments under control. She was a girl who frequently spoke her mind, but there was one thing even she knew better then to do, and that was to piss off the healer.]

If I had my way there wouldn't be any need to remember his face. But I can't say what the Regent is going to do. I don't understand them at all sometimes. I'm sure what they are doing is right, of course, but I wonder if it is going to be enough. What we're doing here is probably going to just make some of those rebels bolder. It won't crush their spirits entirely.

[Its as close as she's ever come to actually disagreeing with the Regent, but if anything, she just wants to see it pushed even further.]

[vivificantem]

[If he's opposed to her criticizing the Regent in such a way, it doesn't show in his demeanor; the Regent tends to be forgiving of them when it comes to criticism, as long as they don't feel the need to display it in the way that Emet-Selch did when they first arrived.]

It seems several of us disagree with the Regent's methods in ordering this particular mission to be done like this... I'm not surprised you're not pleased with it either. It leaves a lot to be desired.

[He shrugs, though.]

But then, I'm not all that good with combat and strategy. I don't know what I would do better, if anything.

[killandrecycle]

[She was probably at least somewhat unique in wishing the Regent had done MORE, however. She very much took a scorched earth policy with dealing with her enemies, with the only reason she was holding back being direct orders to do so. What would be done to her if she just did what she pleased would no doubt make her current wounds seem meaningless in comparison.]

I guess we'll see. Maybe there's some big plan we don't know about.

[There sounds like there's a little bit of doubt in her mind, but it isn't enough to get her to think anything rebellious herself. She's always been good at doing as she's told, this wasn't a new lifestyle, just a new person giving the orders.]

You might not be able to fight, but you aren't useless. The reason why someone like you was selected is obvious. I can't say the same about SOME of the people I've met. And no, I'm not giving names, so don't bother asking.

[It was a compliment? Sort of? She's not good at them.]

[vivificantem]

Well, I do tend to prefer being useful to people. So it's good to know that I've managed that much, at least.

[Her leg was damaged as well; his touch remains gentle, but utterly clinical.]

As long as the Regent can still find use for me overall, I find that to be enough.