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 Shops are open, and its people are withdrawn but superficially friendly when meeting strangers.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

[emblazer]

[ The barrage of sword blades outlasts his shields, leaving Thoma to bear the tail end of Kaeya's attacks, trying to stop them by holding his spear perpendicular to his body. The spear's shaft manages to take some of those blows before it slips out of his grip without warning. Thoma's hand had been too injured before to maintain a solid grip, and the icicles are dissolving the last of his flames until he's completely defenseless.

But it's enough.

He bought Kaeya's target enough time, and by now, one of the other Pleromas has likely intervened to direct them to the boats. He can go down in peace knowing that much as he catches Kaeya's sword with his left hand mid-swing, letting it slice through his vambrace and cut his palm.

His smile is tired as he glances up at Kaeya. ]

How come you didn't just freeze me and keep running after them if you had access to hydromancy powers now?

[subsist]

( ooc. this was short... but thoma can call out if you'd like to keep going or smth. or i will just touch your butt during the raid. 🙇‍♂️ )

[ what thoma says appears to break kaeya out from his frantic reverie. it's a loaded question, one he isn't sure that he has an answer for right now. regardless of that, it manages to stop all of his attacks, makes him take a step back, followed by another, and another until he's created enough of a distance between the two of them.

it's true— he could have just as easily put an end to this soon after the fight begun, because isn't that what he always likes to say? that cryo is more effective when it rains. so why didn't he just go for it? ]

...

[ it looks like he has nothing to say for himself. this fight is over, he decides, because he knows his targets are long gone by this point. thoma is coming out of this much worse than he is, but he realizes that this is his loss no matter what. he turns to leave before anyone else comes, leaving the pleroma to figure out how he'll get himself out of here.

he's sure someone will come help the guy out. or so he hopes. ]

[emblazer]

[ ooc: No worries! They can butt-touch during the raid. In the meantime, Thoma sent a gift with Childe. ]

[ His body aches too much for him to do much then watch Kaeya retreat quickly as if Kaeya himself had now just realized he'd been holding back. It might have been an unconscious gesture, but it's one Thoma appreciates as he's sure he wouldn't have been able to save Kaeya's target otherwise.

At least it's proof that Kaeya's humanity hasn't been completely stripped, but Thoma isn't naive enough to think he'll be fortunate the next time they meet. As much as he'd like to avoid to fighting, it's getting less and less likely that he'll survive long if he doesn't, and he can't afford for his shard to be broken in this world.

There are two people waiting back home for him, just like he knows Kaeya has his own allies, even if he may not believe they're still alive. Maybe next time they meet, he'll have better proof to offer that Teyvat still stands. ]

Goodbye, Kaeya...

[ It's murmured more to himself as Thoma sinks even further and catches his breath, already anticipating the next fight up to come. ]