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Entry tags:
- !event,
- #dionys,
- #innocence,
- #xishen,
- abel nightroad: martyr,
- amos burton: lover,
- anduin wrynn: sovereign,
- barnaby brooks jr: lover,
- bruno madrigal: martyr,
- ciel: martyr,
- claude von riegan: seeker,
- dorothea arnault: celebrant,
- emet-selch: champion,
- estinien wyrmblood: firebrand,
- eustace: firebrand,
- father paul hill: martyr,
- han sooyoung: artisan,
- himeka sui: wanderer,
- howl: celebrant,
- jayce talis: visionary,
- jonathan crane: sovereign,
- kaeya alberich: lover,
- kim dokja: martyr,
- koriel xii (dextera): lover,
- kotetsu t. kaburagi: champion,
- liem talbott: champion,
- majorita: firebrand,
- makoto ("m"): firebrand,
- meteion: innocent,
- rand al'thor: martyr,
- ryunosuke naruhodo: champion,
- sebastian michaelis: celebrant,
- tartaglia (childe): firebrand,
- wrathion: seeker
EVENT #6: BY HEAVEN OR HELL
By Heaven or Hell
THE BURNING
Achamoth, as it turns out, is no stranger to public killings... the burning of two Pleroma, however? That's special. Abel and Himeka's upcoming execution date seems to be regarded by the city's populace as something akin to a holiday, with the upper crust of the social stratum fighting for positions of prominence in the festivities, including the best possible seats. It's been decades since any Pleroma have been brought to heel in Achamoth, and it would only be prudent to place yourself at the forefront of this exciting new trend. There's a sense of pageantry to it: ritualized ceremonies, public sermons, and strange religious 'décor' are all part of the process.The city is in the throes of these preparations when the two Pleroma captives are finally brought to a central square not far from the Citadel's front gates. Two burning pyres have been set up for them, about ten feet apart. While Abel and Himeka's bodies are chained to their stakes, their shards will be handed off to Silco, Ciel, and Makoto to be brought along separately. The set up of the execution is thus: while their bodies are ravaged by flames, their shards will be bound to an altar in advance of the pyre. Via a kind of alchemical 'fuse', the pyre being lit will trigger a reaction that will gradually result in a explosion on the altar just large enough to destroy the shard in turn. The shards will be bound in position with a series of jewelry-like metal prongs that could be pried away, but would take some time to do carefully.
As the Pleroma make it to the city, the sun will be setting on the 17th of Firaseri, with the execution about to be underway. The pyres will not yet have been lit, but are fully prepared. All Kenoma will be called upon to guard the city, with the warning that the Pleroma are mounting a raid to rescue their imprisoned comrades. For Kenoma both new and old, it's a time to test your mettle. Those that defend Achamoth valiantly can expect to be rewarded.
INNOCENCE ON FIRE
The city of Achamoth looms ahead, a seat of power in Horos in every fashion. It sprawls outwards, claiming the lands around it in a lazy confidence. The spires of the city grow up and up like a mountain, dragging the eye towards the Citadel. The walls that surround it are modest in height as if offering a challenge to any foolish enough to attempt to climb them. Who would? The Regent's eye is ever-present and the guard towers that line it like beaded pearls on a string are reminders that nothing goes in or out of the city without notice. Openings in the towers and the walls threaten the use of projectiles while dark, shimmering crystals float above with the quiet hum of protective magics. Only a fool would breach these borders.Initially, getting into the city unmolested will be a considerable struggle for the Pleroma. It's military is robust, its fortifications solid, and even without the Kenoma's added resistance, the sheer numbers could be considered insurmountable. Stealth could get them some of the way, but its sentries are watchful, and immigration is strictly controlled. With faith alone driving the Pleroma towards their goal it's fortunate, then, that something is there to answer their call.
Estinien will feel the presence of the Innocence Entity rise up in him again, and this time it is offering him a choice. He may utilize its power to save the ones he loves, while risking both the brutality of the Regent's defenses and the threat to his own soul by channeling such power. It will stand with him against the darkness, it says, if it is truly his will. Emboldened by the power of the Firebrand and his love for his comrades, it is no surprise that he accepts.
Light will flood the sky above Achamoth, an ethereal aura combatting the encroach of the night. From a great miasma of wings and flame, a colossal dragon emerges, coiling above the city skyline. Its luminescence rains down upon the city, and all Achamites exposed to it will be enchanted into finding the idea of committing acts of violence unthinkable, at least so long as no violence is brought against them in turn. With much of Achamoth's defenses having lost the will to fight, only the Kenoma will stand in the Pleroma's way as they penetrate the city, making their way to Abel and Himeka's pyres.
As the Pleroma forge ahead, this draconic being that was once Estinien Wyrmblood will guard from the skies, drawing the attention of the Kenoma towards it and it threatens to bear its might against the Citadel itself. Fortunately for the Kenoma guarding the city, they will know that the Regent has a plan. All they must do is hold off the beast long enough for the Regent to wield their own strength in turn. The battle against this creature will take place here, with combat rules being explain in this OOC post.
As the power of the Innocent washes over Achamoth, those of its Legacy, or those marked by its Promise or Touch, will hear it speak on the winds in a chorus of voices:
Aions of this new dawn... I have honored your choice... fight... if you will... and I will follow...
FIREBRAND RISING
Beneath the moon of Firaseri, however, the Innocent isn't the only force at play. Firebrands of both sects will find themselves spurred on by a rush of Legacy-based power, as if inspired by the tumultuous environment of an anti-authoritarian raid. How precisely this manifests will depend on which side they are fighting for.❖ PLEROMA
The Firebrands among the Pleroma raiders will feel a sense of vindication and rightness come over them, set as they are to challenge the Regent's rule. Their powers will be amplified during the battle, and those that witness them and are inspired may find their performance boosted. The nature of these enhancements is fairly flexible. For the Firebrands, the use of their regular skills and abilities may be amplified beyond normal boundaries, whereas those following in their wake may find themselves with usual endurance that allows them to push their their usual limits.
❖ KENOMA
The Firebrands of the Kenoma's inspiration is more complicated in nature, given their roll in defending Achamoth's status quo. However, they will find themselves bolstered while facing the pacifying might of the Innocence Entity. Firebrands will experience a natural resistance against any Innocence based attacks that would stop them from fighting, and will be able to use this blessing to rally NPCs that would otherwise be rendered useless to their cause, in defiance of the entity's command for peace. In general, they will see a boost in strength while fighting the raid boss in particular, unable to be deterred from their goals.
In general, all Firebrands will feel untethered by their regular inhibitions, fighting for their desires at all costs. Abilities intended to bind them or control their will, will be largely ineffective, and they will find shields both physical and magical particularly easy to break through.
QUESTIONS
Q: What is the best way for Pleroma to travel to Achamoth?
A: Akua and Estinien are both setting up portals from Godsblood to the outskirts of Achamoth from which to begin mounting the assault. Caitlyn will be providing a back-up in the case either of those portals go down.
Q: Can my character make use of the chaos and try to raid the Citadel?
A: They can try but there will be mod rolls involved for any attempts. NPCs inside the Citadel will not be affected the same way the NPCs outside in main area will be. We do not want it to seem like the Citadel is defenseless otherwise.
Q: If Kenoma cause damage to the city during the raid, how will the Regent feel? Will there be consequences?
A: It should try to be avoided, but the Regent will understand if there is collateral damage in battle as long as they aren't being careless about it.
Q: Is the "no-combat aura" completely incapacitating NPCs?
A: No, it is only stopping them from aggressing the Pleroma. If they or their property are attacked they will defend themselves, and are otherwise operating with a normal level of cognizance. Kenoma Aions can order them out of the area to avoid being hurt if necessary.
BOSS BATTLE:
Q: I would like my character to take part in the battle but want to limit the outcomes in a way that isn't too devastating. Is that possible?
A: We think in that case we would basically only be acknowledging the possibilities between the "The attack either misses, is ineffective, or it triggers a counter attack from the boss." and "The attack hits with moderate effectiveness, as determined by the nature of their action." range. So, you can't get taken out, but you also can only deal moderate hits at best. You could still trigger a counter attack from the boss, but the damage taken from that is more flexible and free form than the 1-5% zone. If you make an attack with this restriction just add a little OOC note to your initial attack tag.
Q: How can a support character engage in the combat?
A: If your character is providing support, you may team up with an attacker to submit a "group attack". This means that your character is putting their effort towards supporting that attacker character that round, and will not be able to submit their own separate action. In exchange, that attack will receive two mod rolls instead of one, and the attack itself will be based on the more favorable of the two rolls. (Sort of like rolling with an advantage in modern D&D.) We will make as many rolls as there there are character combining their effort and select the best of them.
If any character rolls in the 1-5% zone they will still be taken out, however. Click the link above for more information.
Q: Can my character take a hit for another character after a mod roll?
A: We would be willing to accept this in the case of the defender taking the hit for the attacker, which would mean that if it's a 1-5%, they would be taken out in the attacker's stead.
A: Akua and Estinien are both setting up portals from Godsblood to the outskirts of Achamoth from which to begin mounting the assault. Caitlyn will be providing a back-up in the case either of those portals go down.
Q: Can my character make use of the chaos and try to raid the Citadel?
A: They can try but there will be mod rolls involved for any attempts. NPCs inside the Citadel will not be affected the same way the NPCs outside in main area will be. We do not want it to seem like the Citadel is defenseless otherwise.
Q: If Kenoma cause damage to the city during the raid, how will the Regent feel? Will there be consequences?
A: It should try to be avoided, but the Regent will understand if there is collateral damage in battle as long as they aren't being careless about it.
Q: Is the "no-combat aura" completely incapacitating NPCs?
A: No, it is only stopping them from aggressing the Pleroma. If they or their property are attacked they will defend themselves, and are otherwise operating with a normal level of cognizance. Kenoma Aions can order them out of the area to avoid being hurt if necessary.
BOSS BATTLE:
Q: I would like my character to take part in the battle but want to limit the outcomes in a way that isn't too devastating. Is that possible?
A: We think in that case we would basically only be acknowledging the possibilities between the "The attack either misses, is ineffective, or it triggers a counter attack from the boss." and "The attack hits with moderate effectiveness, as determined by the nature of their action." range. So, you can't get taken out, but you also can only deal moderate hits at best. You could still trigger a counter attack from the boss, but the damage taken from that is more flexible and free form than the 1-5% zone. If you make an attack with this restriction just add a little OOC note to your initial attack tag.
Q: How can a support character engage in the combat?
A: If your character is providing support, you may team up with an attacker to submit a "group attack". This means that your character is putting their effort towards supporting that attacker character that round, and will not be able to submit their own separate action. In exchange, that attack will receive two mod rolls instead of one, and the attack itself will be based on the more favorable of the two rolls. (Sort of like rolling with an advantage in modern D&D.) We will make as many rolls as there there are character combining their effort and select the best of them.
If any character rolls in the 1-5% zone they will still be taken out, however. Click the link above for more information.
Q: Can my character take a hit for another character after a mod roll?
A: We would be willing to accept this in the case of the defender taking the hit for the attacker, which would mean that if it's a 1-5%, they would be taken out in the attacker's stead.
no subject
An exit? ]
What? No, no, I'm not leaving. I'm trying to remember which way... [ He turns back, waving towards two of the streets at the intersection. ] I hadn't checked yet. For people? They're not really moving on their own, so...
no subject
Bruno gets one (1) point in his favor for still prioritizing the immobilized townspeople despite the chaos still spiraling out of control around them. Honestly, Eustace should probably be closer to the pyres themselves, offering an assist to any Pleroma that need it, instead of engaging in conversation with someone technically the enemy.
But he can't sense any sort of malicious intent from this man, and his own departure from Achamoth has left him a little more contemplative and curious about the motives of his (once former) Kenoma peers. ]
Why not leave? Why stay?
[ Specifically with the Kenoma, but he doesn't add that part just yet. ]
no subject
Wh... wait, why would I leave? You mean the city or...?
[ What Eustace means escapes Bruno, which is ironic, since what Eustace means is literally escaping. It's not a thought that's actually occurred to him, that he should just leave, or that he even can, at all. Although with that question, he is beginning to realize that this may not actually be another of the Kenoma after all.
He isn't actually familiar with every single one yet but this line of questioning is, well...
He shifts back a step, away, now eyeing Eustace with a little more wariness than before. ]
no subject
You're really okay with this then? With letting the Regent torture people and then burn them alive, all because they made the mistake of being on the wrong side?
[ More questions, though again there's no judgment in his voice. It's not his place to decide who here is right or wrong, especially when his own choices up until now have been so warped. But that doesn't stop him from wanting to know, to understand the reasons that others here cling to. ]
no subject
W-well, no? I don't. I don't think that's right. There's got to be another way that isn't... that... but...
[ He doesn't know what it is, just that it isn't this. He does pause in trying to put more space between himself and Eustace for the time being, although he does look down, unable to meet that gaze as he answers. ]
no subject
His questioner apparently doesn't seem to care about his obvious discomfort, refusing to back down or stop staring. ]
But…?
[ The inquisition WILL continue until satisfactory answers are given. What might those answers be? Stay tuned. ]
no subject
I don't. I don't have a good answer. All I know is this wouldn't even be happening, right? If it wasn't for that Innocence thing?
[ And he'll flinch a little and take another small step back when that aforementioned "Innocence" thing lets out a roar in the distance, still in the midst of combat with the other Kenoma. ]
You... you're the ones running around with a giant monster. What's your excuse for that?
no subject
Still ]
He's a person, not a monster. [ Eustace might hold no particular love for Estinien, but he has to give credit where credit is due. ] He's a person who wants to save those he holds dear from being burned alive for no better reason than being the enemy.
[ As do most of the Pleroma who have opted to enter Achamoth this terrible day. ]
Is there no one you would do the same for?
no subject
[ That the person — not a monster, apparently — would come. They had already been preparing for a fight. It's why Bruno is already on hand to help evacuations rather than cowering in a corner somewhere, taken unawares by a giant dragon attacking the city. Of course, no one actually mentioned any giant dragons, so that part, he figures, was a big shocker.
That question, though. Was there no one he would do the same for? Bruno wilts at it, shoulders sagging and fingers clenching tightly into the fabric of his satchel he holds close to himself. Not because of any significance. It's merely common supplies in there but it does give him something to fidget with nervously, always nervous, that never changes. ]
And n-no. No. They're all... gone.
no subject
No one knows that for sure.
[ They have words spoken by the Regent and whatever prophetic dreams they'd dreamed before waking up in Horos, but neither of those are concrete promises as far as Eustace is concerned. ]
no subject
You don't get it. I know for sure.
no subject
He has to have a reason for believing this, more than others. If he does, then Eustace wants to know. ]
Why do you say that?
[ His voice doesn't belie any of his curiosity but he is more than a little curious to know what kind of proof it is this man has. ]
no subject
[ But that doesn't explain it, does it? It sounds like wild ramblings at best. He sighs and brings his head up again, setting his gaze on Eustace. He'll try, he'll try to explain even if the memory brings him pain. ]
I... I can look into the future. That's my gift. I tried, I tried over and over to find any scrap of a future for. For my home, my world, my. My family. The result was the same, every. Every time. Nothing. There's nothing left to see. They had no futures, not anymore.
no subject
Even so, he can't bring himself to accept the explanation so readily, not without confirming all other options. ]
You're sure there wasn't something... [ he searches for the right word, momentarily silent ] blocking your sight?
[ He can't say he's an expert on how powers modify and manifest in Horos, having none of his own originally, but from his conversations with Ciel in the past, they hadn't always worked exactly as expected. ]
no subject
It didn't feel like anything was. [ That answer comes after that moment of thought. ] Everything seemed to... work the same, except. There was no, well, outcome, I guess, is one way to. To describe it.
no subject
Eustace leans back on his heels. Thinks a little more as his gaze drifts past Bruno to focus on a billow of smoke in the distance. ]
And you got the same result each time? The lack of outcome?
[ He's assuming this guy tried multiple times. ]
no subject
Y-yeah. I kept looking... and looking... and... I tried every angle I could think of... every possible future. It was all the same. Every time.
no subject
But he's never been the type to discount potential facts simply because he doesn't like them, and he tucks this little nugget of information away for later persual, when people he cares about aren't in immediate danger of dying and he himself isn't in danger of getting recaptured and sent to the Citadel prisons. ]
I see. [ Sort of. To an extent. And then: ] I'm surprised you're telling me this.
[ His experiences with the Kenoma have been a mixed bag, but a good number of them have been suspicious and information-withholding more often than not (himself included). ]
no subject
Meaning the belief in what he saw as what is real, confirming what has been claimed, remains, and why wouldn't he share that with anyone he could? With anyone who asked? Is that not the role of a prophet? ]
Surprised? [ That does startle him some, to think that maybe he shouldn't actually be sharing so much of what he saw, but he shakes his head after a second to consider that. ] I just don't feel like it should be a secret, y'know? We're all told the same thing but. But you either believe it or. Or you don't. Only I know what I saw.
[ Or didn't see, in this particular case. ]
Our worlds really are gone. Everything is. It's ending. I don't think Horos is going to be safe from that same fate, either, no matter how strong the Kenoma or the Pleroma or. Or any of it is.
no subject
The explosions grow louder, the roars in the sky more desperate. He can't stand still here any longer. But before he goes, he has one more question. One last personal question for himself. ]
And you're content to wait until it's all gone? Until everything's destroyed?
no subject
Content to wait...?
[ At that, Bruno can only purse his lips into a thin line and wonder. Wonder if that's how Eustace has translated the Regent's plans, if they think differently, or if he even knows at all. After all, he has no idea Eustace was Kenoma before. He'd left before Bruno ever emerged from the cold stone hall of the lodestone. ]
Well, n-no, but I don't. I don't think it can be stopped, not exactly. But the Regent wants to see existence continues after that, at least... That's the best we can hope for... A new universe, instead of just. Nothing, forever.
no subject
And there's still a battle here he needs to fight, the whole reason he'd come back.
He thinks a few moments longer, eyes still scanning the perimeter. Then he speaks up, abruptly changing topic. ]
Left. [ Left what? ] You haven't checked there yet.
[ Checked for what? Hopefully Bruno remembers, because Eustace is already moving again, quick strides down the street as he carries on his way. ]