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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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

[lockedon]

[ In this moment, in the dark empty streets of Venera, Gen looks and acts more like the teenage boy that he ought to be than Eustace has ever seen. It would be more of a welcome sight if it hadn't taken so unnecessarily much to push him to this point, and if he weren't armless and on the verge of bleeding out. As it is, the sight is simply miserable and not one he ever wants to see again.

Hard to tell if the increasing press of Gen's head against his shoulders is due to drowsiness or something worse, but either way it's enough motivation for him to speed up his steps despite the ache that's starting to settle into his arms. He's given one small shred of hope when Gen stirs, though the barely audible words that struggle towards his ears turn that hope into immediate ash in his mouth. Despite his best efforts, his fingers spasm reflexively around Gen, a shiver of fear passing through his body. No. That won't happen. He won't let it happen. Can't let it happen because if it does, it really will be his fault.

Fear, anger, guilt all turn his voice rough, a sharp knife cutting through the air as he knocks away Gen's feeble attempt at reassurance. ]

You're not going to die. Don't be an idiot.

[ Though who's the real idiot here, him or Gen? At least Gen seems to have come to terms with any possible fate that awaits him, while Eustace remains stubbornly fighting an outcome that looms bigger and broader with each passing moment.

At least he he can see the outline of their appointed meeting spot forming in the distance, a few lights still on in the window. They'll make it there in time. They have to. ]

[epiprocta]

[ Is it better or worse that Gen doesn't respond to the hard dig of Eustace's grip tightening around him, fingers digging into his weight past his clothes? Docile in Eustace's arms, but only because he can't really feel that hard grasp. He's starting to feel awfully light-headed, his field of vision little more than a blurry wash of desaturated colors, and even Eustace's words seem to come floating to him from somewhere very far away. Fuzzy at the edges, like they're being spoken through a thick veil.

Vaguely, he wonders if Eustace is trying to comfort him. ]

's okay.

[ That's unnecessary. ]

It's fine.

[ Eustace is free to interpret those low words however he likes. Whether Gen is saying he'll be fine, or if he's fine without reassurance, or if he's fine whatever the outcome may be. Whether that's really what he means, or if they're simply the bleary words of someone fighting off the effects of hypovolemic shock. In either case, Eustace won't get the chance to ask for clarification.

Gen passes out cold the next moment, his weight straining at Eustace's overtaxed muscles just that much more in the form of complete deadweight. And though his blood's painted a nauseating, speckled trail all the way from the gardens straight to the inn, at least Eustace will be relieved to see the glow of the inn's light just up ahead, bathing its signs in warm hues that stand out from Venera's dark evening. His mission is just about done. It's simply a matter of waiting to see what happens going forth. ]