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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.
Yuya Sakaki | Lover | Pleroma
[It's decided, in the end, that it's best not to lead a portal directly to Greentruth just in case. So in the hours before people are setting off, in groups of staging the portals and those waiting to pass through them, it's important to set up the staging ground just outside Godsblood where they'll be able to receive Himeka and Abel... and whatever other injuries take place in their retrieval.
It's not as heroic as assaulting the citadel, but someone does need to stay behind and keep an eye on the portal. Not that fellow members of Godsblood's resistance aren't capable, but... this is a place Yuya can perhaps do more good with less risk of messing it up for everyone else. Less risk if he's unable to defend himself.
He's swallowed that bitter pill that he's not strong enough now. Still, for those who are preparing to leave, he implores:] Be careful, okay? I mean... as much as you can, I guess. When you have Himeka and Mr. Nightroad... we can welcome them back properly together.
[Perhaps it's a bit much of hope that this won't end with further death (for them, at least). But he thinks about what the Innocence Entity said... and maybe, when there's nothing to prove him wrong, he can believe in something far-fetched.]
[for Meteion]
[Of course... once everyone else has left, it turns out watching the portal is largely boring work. The rare Bloodite that comes within sight seems uninterested in coming any closer and mixing themselves up in Aion affairs.
Yuya's sitting on the ground, absently poking at the rainbow motes that float around him. His finger just goes through, of course. Maybe he could try and play with some sort of cantrip... fire? Can he try and make fire?
Perhaps luckily, before he gets too far in that thought he looks up at Meteion--who also stayed behind. He can't blame her for not being eager to go back to Achamoth when the Regent surely knows she's gone.] ... Do you know how to wrap a bandage?
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Not that everyone has overlooked her, but she hasn't told Zenos anything of substance. Nor would she.]
Why? I've seen it done, but---oh! [Meteion makes a little hop. It makes sense, even as she touches her chin. Of course he's worried. She is too. She can't blame Yuya for that.]
You're right, better to do something than simply...sit, do nothing, and worry.
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Do you need me to show you how to make one? I've already made you feel bad in the past. I don't like it, and I don't want to do it again if I can help it, you know?
[Meteion offers Yuya a tentative smile. He's exactly right, that they will need more bandages. It's not an idea that she likes, but the truth of the situation is that in this situation, what Meteion wanted didn;t matter. That was the way things were. But she reaches out to touch Yuya's shoulder gently, before beginning to fold the bandage slowly, so he can see what she's doing.]
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[She couldn't really help that the whole situation meant he had to be nervous about kenoma... or that his acting skills really need some brushing up.
Maybe they just shouldn't dwell on it. He clears his throat.]
... You've done this before? [He has some experience but geballt with injuries a lot less severe than they keep getting.]
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[Meteion shrugs, then.] It kept some of the more mischievous familiars from getting into trouble at times, as well. At least the ones with hands.
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[Meteion is nodding, there, though her expression is sad.] My sisters and I were made to explore space--well, more my sisters were. I was the control--the terminal. I stayed with Hermes.
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Huh... [That sounds very sci-fi.] So they got to experience the universe but you had to stay behind?
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He'd asked them to find what meaning there was to life in the universe, you see. And...they didn't find one.
[They didn't find an answer to Hermes' question. They didn't find an acceptable answer, and so the Meteia decided as a collective that the answer, then, was death.]
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[No wonder they were disappointed with the result, right? He pauses.] What did they...
[As he speaks, the words of someone else start to fill his head and is makes his trail off. This voice--he knows it.
Aions of this new dawn... I have honored your choice... fight... if you will... and I will follow...]
... They. Uh. [He stares blankly at Meteion, trying to gauge if she heard it too.]
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Oh, my sister! Guard yourself well, and guard Estinien, too!
[But she's worried nonetheless. During the time that Meteion had endeavored to speak to the Innocence, they (she?) had sounded so very weary to her. She could only hope and pray for their safety, and Estinien's as well.]
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There's a twist of regret in his stomach. He wishes he had learned more about her in their talk, not just imploring her to understand them. But she wouldn't, or couldn't, focus on herself above them. Age so much loss... maybe she lost sight of herself, too.
He should... maybe try to talk to her more, when they make it back. Pry out the person underneath that power. That she reached out even as far as they are...
He blinks rapidly, reaching to wipe tears before they fall. He doesn't even know what to say.] She must be going with Estinien...
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But no. My sisters could find no answer to Hermes' question. So they decided that since they could not find it, it must not exist. So the Meteia felt that the kindest solution, then...was to end the universe's suffering. Upon learning that...our creator went mad. He used a machine to erase his memory, and the memories of a few others he trapped with him in the facility. He allowed me to escape and join my sisters.
[Best to continue her tale, in the hopes of providing distraction.]
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That doesn't stop him being apprehensive about the mission, however, so he doesn't blame anyone like Yuya who can't or won't fight for not tagging along. When he's stopped before he steps through the portal, he pauses to regard the younger teen. He looks around Cyril's age...]
You really care about them, don't you?
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He purses his lips and nods once.] They're my friends. I mean... they're a lot of people's friends but--yeah. They're important to me.
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I'll do what I can to avoid injury. We'll be headed into enemy territory directly... I risk much worse if I'm caught unawares, that I know.
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Himeka has done so much for me, I can't stay behind if there's a chance to save her.
[He's no fighter, so he won't be one of the people charging in to rescue her directly, but if what little he can do is enough to change her fate, to rescue Himeka and Abel both...]
She's helped me. Many, many times before.
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Think about it this way: things will only escalate from here.
Everyone must do what they can for the sake of this world. Even among the Resistance, there are those who cannot fight, but they find other ways to support those who can.
Though I'm no soldier by trade, I've chosen to fight.
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He doesn't have the stomach for violence he used to.
But he starts himself out of those thoughts.] I'll be here to help when you get back! This is too important for me to drag everyone else down, but I can... watch the portal?
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[As determined as he is, he's not about to suggest others do the same, of course.]
Whatever that part may be.
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Still--you all take care of each other. At least... make sure everyone's shards get back.
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We're not going to be leaving anyone behind.
[They won't get another chance, after all.]
We'll bring them home.