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Aion Mods ([personal profile] aionmods) wrote in [community profile] aionlogs2022-08-18 12:17 pm

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.

undertheweight: (erry day I'm swashbucklin')

Zenos (we all go down in flames)

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-20 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
Blink, and you might miss him.

Wrathion has done his level best to escape notice, for now. The gothic architecture of Achamoth has helped him in this endeavor; he has attempted to blend in with the figures that are worked into the support columns of most buildings. He's worried about being too visible, still--burning red eyes don't exactly give one advantage to hiding in shadows, after all, but he's not there to be a hero. Not yet (if at all). He is there to be a distraction so that others can do their jobs. And from his vantage point, he spots a very likely target.

The man is large, at least a full head taller than Wrathion himself; better armed and armored, well encased in black plate. And that is a scythe on his back. For a moment, the dragon wants to laugh--he's got some improvised bits of wooden armor over his chest, belly, back and shoulders, but... He'd been in Godsblood. He's got a fishing gaff, for the Aspects' sake...

He must be mad. He doesn't have a choice.

Wrathion jumps down as soundlessly as he can, catching the haft of the gaff before it can clatter against the ground. He picks up a rock--a simple rock. It's a good thing that this man has that head above most of his peers, the crown of long, golden hair reflecting the light of the torches, the light of the Sanctifier above.

He tests the weight of the rock in his hand, edging out from the corner of the building. He marks where the nearest alley entrance is. How hard he might have to throw to hit--it should work...and flings the rock at all that golden hair.
fightforthejoyofit: (ugh)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-20 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
For all the festive atmosphere pervading the city, there is no joy in this.

He owes it to her to watch. Owes her more than that, probably; a hero might well be tempted to do something reckless and idiotic - some kind of grand gesture followed by a doomed last stand, maybe - but that part's never been his to play and besides, the heroes of Pleroma will come. It is not in their kind to simply abandon a friend to burn.

Granted, as time goes on, he becomes less and less certain of that fact, pacing the perimeter of the square like a caged great cat - that the entire city is on edge means he does not need to mask his agitation, for it likely reads as Hunger For Battle rather than Concern on Himeka's behalf, given his reputation. Have the Kenoma driven them back? Was an assault on Achamoth itself doomed to failure before it began?

And then the sky ignites, and he grins. The Eikon is... well, awesome, in the true sense of the word. This, then, will be a fight for the ages. This will-

Ow.

Zenos' head whips in the direction the blow had come from, searching for whoever had the audacity to throw the rock.
undertheweight: (little old me?)

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-20 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
There, in the shadows. Oh, good. That had worked, and Wrathion had gotten his attention. He had hoped so.

Theatrical as ever, the dragon offers the big man a wild-eyed grin, and he bows to him, then beckons at him. Though...he doesn't look like much, compared to Zenos himself. (Were he asked, Wrathion would admit he looked ridiculous.)

That does not stop Wrathion in the slightest. He slings the gaff off of his back, fully prepared to engage in battle--but his way. He flexes his shoulders, loosens his stance, and lifts his chin in pure defiance.
fightforthejoyofit: (what fresh bs is this)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-20 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
... seriously?

Zenos does not know this man, and while that in itself is no indication of his quality or lack thereof (there are many here he does not know, on both sides of the war) he looks like he came here to fish, not to fight, and there is a literal Eikon right there. One which still needs to be made to bleed for its audacity in trying to cow him back in Venera.

So he rolls his eyes, hefts his scythe, and turns his attention back towards Worthier Prey.
undertheweight: (I think not!)

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-21 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
So that's the way it is, is it? Can that mass of meat even fly? Wrathion thinks not. Oh, he supposes the fellow can climb or find himself a trebuchet to be launched, but...

The idea of this massive being being thrown through the air is an amusing one, and Wrathion laughs outright at it.

His magic here is much, much reduced, but he still has one or two little tricks up his sleeves (such as they are). The flame he casts--it's not much at all, maybe a sphere a fingertip or two across, but it is still fire. He next lobs that--not at the man's head, this time, but so that it spatters off a pauldron. (He can't bring himself to set that glorious hair alight, if he's honest.)

He may not be worthier prey, but he certainly is tenacious!
fightforthejoyofit: (unimpressed)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-27 08:27 am (UTC)(link)
Irritating. The term is irritating.

He's not going to leave him alone, though, is he? Very well. Zenos supposes he has time to swat one gnat before moving on, if the man really is determined to die here. He does not look around, not yet, but with a heavy sigh of obvious distain throws one hand out in the direction the fireball had come from, sending a ripple of energy in that direction, shattering cobblestones and raising the ground beneath in jagged spikes.

Perhaps Wrathion will take the warning. Probably not, though.
undertheweight: (erry day I'm swashbucklin')

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-27 11:56 am (UTC)(link)
That is the point, that irritation. If the big man is pursuing Wrathion, he's not pursuing someone weaker (or less clever!). Not that Wrathion could stand toe-to-toe with Zenos, but he'll make a good game of it for as long as he can.

And no, Wrathion is very bad at heeding warnings. It's part of his charm (no it isn't).

Still, he can see that shockwave coming, slinging the gaff off his back and using it to climb out of the way of it thanks to convenient architecture. It is a pity, Wrathion thinks, that he has no such control of Horosian soil, to send it back at its user. He'll simply have to make do without.

"Do not tell me someone as mighty as yourself is afraid to close with me, good fellow?" It's a taunt that jabs at both Zenos' size and his pride as a warrior, carefully calculated to wound. For his part, Wrathion just offers him another grin from where he hangs, burning eyes bright.
fightforthejoyofit: (a means to their ends)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-27 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
... so he's the witty, quipping sort of would-be hero, then. Noted. Noted too that his reactions are fairly quick, and he'd prefer to avoid rather than weather the blow. Conclusion: if he can land a single telling blow Zenos can end this quickly. Which means, much as it vexes to rise to the taunting, closing is the best course of action.

So he turns that disdainful gaze Wrathion's way, cold blue gaze meeting burning one - "Afraid you'll fall too quickly to make good sport, perhaps." - and then, quicker perhaps than one might expect from someone of his bulk (especially given how ponderous and deliberate his moves so far have been), springs towards him, hoping to bring the heavy warscythe to bear.
undertheweight: (Default)

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-27 01:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Witty and quipping, yes. Would-be hero is a stretch--by Wrathion's consideration, he's no hero at all. He'd suppose he were close enough, considering he doesn't want the world to end, if he were asked.

"Oh, never fear that," Wrathion responds, voice silky. "I've laid low bigger foes than you!"

As Zenos springs for him, Wrathion leaps, too. He hasn't got wings in this form, but proportional strength makes him able to do a convenient twist in the air. This allows him to plant a foot in the bigger man's face with good force behind it. Then to add insult to injury, he uses his momentum to springboard off, grinding his right foot and kicking back with his left to dig his heel into the big man's broad back, flipping into a crouch. He skids a bit along the ground, but reaches out with the hooked end of the gaff to attempt to trip Zenos, now. He doesn't expect to catch the Garlean's ankle, but if he does, he'll yank hard, hoping to bring him down.
fightforthejoyofit: (resonant)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-27 07:34 pm (UTC)(link)
... in retrospect, even without the Resonant, he should have seen that coming, and not been left reeling from the first strike or stumbling under the second. Which elevates this to a worthwhile distraction, at least, so thank you, strange irritating unknown man, for the reminder not to underestimate anyone here.

Once is forgivable - clearly, the lack of sport is starting to tell - but he cannot afford to be caught out again. So Zenos spits blood, grins with hunger rather than wry dismissal, and lashes out himself, bringing the haft of the scythe back to catch Wrathion square in the flank as he reaches to try and trip him (the comparative ease with which he avoids that making the first blow all the more shameful, but so it goes).
undertheweight: (really now?)

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-27 08:51 pm (UTC)(link)
He should have expected that strike, but Wrathion isn't used to such closed-quarters fighting against an opponent who outweighs him (if at all). It hits, and he stumbles a moment, tucking himself inwards to turn the stumble into a tumble, somersaulting forward with the gaff up near his body. The better to not lose it.

As the dragon regains his feet, unsteady for a moment, he whips his free hand forward, another one of those marble-sized fire orbs springing from it to soar upward into Zenos' face. It explodes but does no damage, only emitting a brief, brilliant flash of light with intent to blind.

He isn't ready to run yet, but he knows one thing: he does not want to be in range of that scythe with the full weight of an attack behind it.
fightforthejoyofit: (a notch on my blade)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-28 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
A cute trick. Zenos is mid-wheel - continuing the spin his previous strike started, intent on bringing the business end, rather than the haft, to face his opponent, hoping to catch him before he can regain his footing - when the marble explodes, flooding his vision with white light, and so the swing that comes is wild rather than targeted, a sweep in the direction he thinks Wrathion is in (quite literal blind hope) which is likely all too easy to avoid.

He pulls back with a snarl of frustration, waiting for his vision to clear.
Edited 2022-08-28 22:52 (UTC)
undertheweight: (erry day I'm swashbucklin')

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-28 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
It's time that the big man does not have. Wrathion spins away from the scythe, behind Zenos to kick viciously at the bend of the former prince's knee. The gaff isn't much, but he reverses it to slam it against the back of Zenos' head and push the big man into an inelegant sprawl.

Or so he hopes.

None of these injuries are debilitating or permanent, but if they infuriate beyond all reason? Well. Then his objective is...mostly accomplished. No need to rest on his laurels, though. Time to move.

Zenos is a hunter. Despite being blinded, he can hear Wrathion's footsteps moving away. Not departing truly--the gaff scrapes, there's a sharp, exhaled breath as though one of exertion, and the sound of a body moving. The former Garlean prince can figure this out easily. The dragon is climbing again.
fightforthejoyofit: (what fresh bs is this)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-29 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Wrathion is clearly not fighting to kill, else Zenos would be emerging from that temporary blindness with more than a bruised ego and a ringing headache. Typical of the Pleroma perhaps - born of some naïve belief that everyone deserves to live, or whatever (ugh) - but still. Curious.

Still. That clemency is no excuse for this shameful display - if anything, it is all the more reason to bring the whelp to heel. Time to focus. He listens, and when he thinks he's located the scrambling princeling throws out his hand in that direction, sending another rippling shockwave, though this one is aimed not at the boy himself but targeted to slam into the base of whatever he's climbing up, set the edifice to crumbling beneath Wrathion's grasp as Zenos refinds his feet, regains his sight.

... the Regent will likely forgive a little destruction, yes?
undertheweight: (sly grin)

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-29 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Wrathion doesn't yet know that Aions are able to return. He's not particularly soft-hearted, but he wouldn't say he was entirely unaffected by a certain priest's altruism, either.

The only thing that (barely) saves Wrathion from the shockwave is his upper body strength, and that ridiculous fishing implement he's chosen as an improvised weapon. He flips it up to catch a higher piece of masonry and hauls himself upward yet again--but even that doesn't allow him a free getaway when that masonry also breaks. (Shoddy workmanship in Achamoth? He is shocked. Shocked.) Still, the dragon's luck holds and he manages to scrabble to another ledge, with both gaff and a piece of plaster in hand.

He pauses there, panting slightly--adrenaline, mostly, and perhaps a tinge of fear--before he grins down at Zenos.

"Very good! I hope you're enjoying yourself, because I certainly am!" For the moment, Wrathion slings the gaff over his back again, and juggles the plaster chunk between both hands. This is probably the most fun he's had in a while...
fightforthejoyofit: (enshrouded)

[personal profile] fightforthejoyofit 2022-08-31 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
His head whips in the direction of the voice, eyes scanning the edifice as blur resolves into detail until... aha, there! Zenos grins darkly. There's something special about an enemy that's relishing the conflict; something rare, and precious, and worth savoring. It's a shame he lacks the time to spend on the boy (and the boy the sense to just leave, and seek him later) if he wants to get a shot at the Eikon.

(He will, as it transpires, not get the shot he craves, but he does not know that).

So end this quickly he instead, regrettably, must; he throws his scythe skywards and leaps after it, infusing the weapon with a measure of aether as he catches it, before bringing the whole thing - blade and self both - crashing down towards the ledge Wrathion occupies. It's too small to accommodate his bulk even if it were empty, but landing on it's not the point so much as - weakened as it already should be - tearing through it with the impact.
undertheweight: (I will see you burn!)

[personal profile] undertheweight 2022-08-31 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Only the gods know what someone watching this fight might think. Wrathion readies himself, watching Zenos' trajectory carefully. Waiting. Waiting. Closer.

The Garlean prince is practically upon him before the dragon leaps off the ledge--almost too close for comfort. Had he been heartbeats later, it's likely that Zenos might have struck him again; as it is, stones from the shattered ledge pepper him, but Wrathion is moving as well. A two-handed strike might be stronger, but he still has to catch himself, so!

It began with a rock; Wrathion attempts to end it the same way, arcing to strike with the chunk of masonry. He's not as strong in Visage as he might be in dragon form, but strong enough as he attempts to clout Zenos in the head with it. Should he succeed, well...

Sweet dreams, Viator.

As for the Black Prince, he takes a tumble to the ground, rolling. It's not elegant at all, and the wind is knocked out of him briefly; he lays there for a few moments, gasping for breath. But as soon as he gets it back, he beats as hasty a retreat he can, looking over his shoulder warily.