EVENT #6: BY HEAVEN OR HELL

[aionmods]

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.

Comments

🔫 caitlyn; girlbosses @ tall places

[expiera]

[Achamoth is under assault. Rightfully so: not only were the Pleromas lured with bait they cannot refuse, coming to collect their own has been long, long overdue. There's plenty of them that can replace the very ones they seek to save, but if any Kenoma is interested in doing that, it won't be Ciel. This entire ploy started with one objective, so that goal is what she plans to wholly dedicate herself onto.

Which makes this sheer coincidence, landing atop the open roof of a building to adjust her footing and finding it already occupied. It's brief, barely an instant, but a moment is all it takes. Blue crosses blue, and the women halt.

Enforcer Kiramman.

Equipped with a cleaver-like blade at the moment, Ciel is wholly alert but makes no attempt to engage.]

...

[superbshot]

[Caitlyn had been moving from roof to roof, keeping clear of the ground and using her height advantage to do what she did best. Covering fire, disruption, and generally making a nuisance of herself without risking an in person engagement that could overwhelm her or pin her down. She has several objectives tonight, logistics oriented as well as rescue, and she can't afford to waste time.

She's getting her bearings, using some of the information given by her new 'friend' when she finds herself not alone. Her rifle immediately comes up, locked onto the newcomer's forehead. As in Venera, she doesn't pull the trigger. Not yet, but her eyes have a steel to them they didn't have before.]

Hello, Ciel. Fancy seeing you here.

[expiera]

Enforcer Kiramman.

[It's as much of a greeting as she can return. It was a mistake to be friendly with the Pleroma, Ciel fully understands that now after the Kenoma's assignments in Venera and Godsblood. (Or is she the one who got too complacent, visiting Godsblood on a frivolous and personal whim just weeks prior to that?) In hindsight, she really should have stayed reserved and taciturn, like the very first time they confronted each other back inside that cavern.

It is what it is, however, and they both know exactly why they're here today. She doesn't flinch at the rifle being trailed on her forehead, but does adjust the grip of her blade that is effectively large enough to block gunfire.]

I advise against wasting your ammunition. [Which may not even be physical, come to think of it, but details.] This won't be like Godsblood. You'll not have an easy target.

[Unlike Misa, as the implication may hint. There are others who may rush Caitlyn on sight for what she's done, but unlike her peers, Ciel is not one motivated by revenge. That may ironically be what makes dialogue possible, but what is there even to say to each other at this point? The Kenoma have a colossal dragon to occupy, and the Pleroma have their own to save.

...]

[superbshot]

Yes, I've heard about your regenerative abilities. I'm reasonably confident I can overcome them with enough shot.

[That's a shot in the dark, actually. She's heard that Ciel recovers from injuries that should kill her several times by now, and she's got a feeling that this is the case. A bit like a troll, or someone hopped up on Shimmer, but without being either of those things is where her thoughts had landed.

She had no illusions that they were going to walk away from each other without a fight this time, and in truth she'd almost been anticipating it. Ciel almost always seemed to be in the places a sniper would favor, and her agility was difficult to miss. She half expected the woman to seek her out, either for Misa's sake or because she was sure that Ciel saw her as an easy target.]

If you expect me to give up and let myself be taken like you took my compatriots, you're mistaken. I'm not a soft target, either.

[None of the Kenoma knew, yet, just what she could really do. She'd avoided front-line fighting with anyone save Ciel once, in the cave. How curious that this woman would likely once again be the first to see her new abilities.]

You should probably save your energy for Estinien, in any event. He's likely to be looking for you.

[expiera]

You're welcome to try.

[There's no sense arguing, especially when Ciel herself isn't sure of the exact extent to her regeneration other than the certainty that it's been soundly nerfed. WIt took a whole day to heal, after Estinien bit her through the throat right before the Pleromas escaped from the cave. Her particular brand of immortality was tied to another soul that should no longer be, so suppose self-perception of how inhuman she is did the bulk of the work in ensuring that her incarnation on Horos is an adequate reflection, however pale.

The conversation the Kenomas had over Caitlyn, once again at Silco's prompting, briefly comes to mind. Ciel dismisses it just as quickly; it's been all gossip and bias with no substance, and as a seasoned hunter, killer, she knows better than to rely on feelings and assumptions on the battlefield. She's warned the Kenoma herself about how Aion abilities are ever changing, shifting, and hypocritical as she may be at times, this is not a point to compromise on. All she's done the past five years is fight. If she can't assess her opponents adequately, then what use is she to even exist here?

Adjusting her grip on her sword, she now holds it in front of her rather than let it idle at her side. The jagged blade doesn't look practical, large enough to practically rival Ciel herself in height, but she seems to carry it with the same ease as one would a rapier.]

Our objective is already met. [A half-truth: Estinien is here, and baiting him had been the end goal all along. The state of Achamoth under the Sanctifier, however...] The fate of other Pleromas is inconsequential. You have far less to spare if you wish to save your own.

[Abel and Himeka are still chained to the square in front of the Citadel, their burning at the pyre set to go off at any moment now. Who's really in a bad position, here?]

[superbshot]

[In response to the blade being readied, Caitlyn's rifle seemed to come alive. A slow but steady buzzing sound coursed along the barrel, the chittering of electricity building around the muzzle. If her opponent was going to try and use the weapon as a shield, then the obvious thing to do would be to use something that might make that more difficult.]

It's not my mission to rescue them. [She jerks her chin towards the square up ahead, the pyre looming large in the gloom of the night sky.] There's a party heading that way, as I'm sure you've already guessed. I'm just backup, to occupy potential attackers as long as I can.

[That's all true, though there's more on her plate than this. She does intend to do some damage to the city if she can, but there's no reason to tell Ciel this. It is a war, and civility goes just far enough to be polite.]

I suppose it's just our luck to run into one another tonight. But, that's the way of things, I suppose. We should probably go our separate ways, but I don't think tonight is that night for that, is it?

[Finger square on the trigger, Caitlyn inhales, ready for hostilities to begin in earnest. She waits just long enough to give Ciel a moment to reply, or to back off. She knows it isn't happening, but it felt correct to make the offer. Here they were on opposite ends of a shop's roof in the middle of a battles, but manners maketh man.

The gun erupts with light and sound after the time is up, a jagged bolt of lightning ripping through the air, kicking up dust and rattling loose tiles. Caitlyn's moving immediately after, strafing to the side to avoid getting caught right where she'd been standing.]

[expiera]

[Well-versed in lightning magecraft, the barrel of Caitlyn's rifle sparking into activation is not missed. The hum is not entirely mechanical, and that awareness has Ciel's brows knit in response.]

Strategic as your approach may be, it does not offset the overall recklessness of your assault. [A general 'you' here, referring to the Pleroma as a whole.] Were you all simply counting on that monster to protect you?

[It's a rhetorical question that isn't looking for an answer, and as far as she would go to "insult" the opposition. The Sanctifier is truly ridiculous, but its pacifying aura that is inherently anti-Kenoma and the threat it poses to the Citadel, the heart of Achamoth, do effectively make it a good distraction and shield for the invading Pleroma Aions. It's also why this won't take long, and Caitlyn is more correct than she may think: well aware of her own combat caliber and personal role in bringing all this to fruition, Ciel knows her place. That 'place' is not here, but it should be okay, as long as they make this quick. The only objective on her agenda today is ensure that the Innocence entity falls, so she ought to get to it. She's not interested in dissipating anyone anyhow.

Similarly, the Enforcer's rhetorical question is met with silence. Was the trigger pulled first, or did the sword move first? Human eyes would not be able to tell. The rifle fires, and Ciel leaps forth and upward: the jump is superhuman, several feet into the air, and unless the bolt of lightning is homing, launching herself up would effectively put her out of the attack's way. The blade swings down the next moment--but it doesn't behave just like a blade. Its jagged segments come apart as it lashes forth like a whip, aimed not for Caitlyn but to crush the rifle in her grip. It must be glaring to anyone with combat experience, the deliberate decision to target the weapon rather than any body part from its wielder. And what of it? A show of overwhelming force doesn't need to spill blood to make its point.]

[superbshot]

[Caitlyn had expected the jump, the frontal assault seeming to be Ciel's style from their previous encounter in the caves, that was part of why she'd moved to the side at all. Her foe didn't seem to be the type to hold back, and her agility had been well noted. The lightning had been picked specifically to bait her, but it wasn't anything that would home in, so it slams into a nearby building, rending the stone but otherwise harmlessly dissipating. The strike against her gun, however, was interesting. A little pointless, given that the weapon wasn't entirely real and could be conjured from ostensibly nothing...but that was a fact she didn't want a dangerous opponent knowing just yet.

So, as the whip comes in, she does what she was planning to do the second Ciel got in close anyway. The gun flickers out of existence, reforming in a new shape, the much shorter pistol. Her movement, coupled with the fact that the attack was aimed at a much larger target mean that the showy attempt misses. It's narrow, and the force of it sends up shards of stone tile, but the weapon remains in her grip.

The barrel flares again, this time releasing a burst of bone-chilling mist that quickly engulfs the area in front of her. The misty shot quickly settles in around Ciel, clinging to every inch of her, numbing muscles and slowing movements. Without pausing to see the effects, she leaps back and fires a second shot. This time it's one of the electrical pistol shots...but aimed at the strange whip sword, intending to force her to either drop it or get electrocuted. It's more of a stunning taser attack, not quite the bolt of lightning, so she may have some resistance to it, but it's an attack Caitlyn intends to try. She's options, and figuring out which works is strategically best, given their apparent gap in knowledge of one another.]

[expiera]

[So, two modes, and it can be switched instantly at will. It's commendable, frankly, the markswoman's flexibility and adaptability. She keeps up well too, made all the more poetic by the fact that in the world Ciel is from, 'Enforcers' also exist as a very specific group of individuals. A policing force versed in combat within magi society who hunt to apprehend those who take their thaumaturgy studies (experiments, more often than not) too far and go astray, they are the equivalent to the Holy Church's 'Executors', what Ciel truly is, inquisitors dedicated to exterminating heretical existences in God's world for humans. Enforcers and Executors seldom cross path, but as their work and functions are similar, they are by large understood as each other's even match.

And the current exchange does well to illustrate it, as the immobilizing icy blast catches her just as she attempts yanking her segmented sword back into one piece. The numbness is not threatening by itself, but effectively pulled into a trap, her expression darkens with the full knowledge that her movement has been slowed. Every second is invaluable against a learned and prepared opponent, and Caitlyn wastes no time proving just that by following up with her second elemental shot.

Which connects, and it's not only because she's incapable of dodging or parrying would not mitigate the result. 'Ciel' is inhuman. Superhuman may be the common term, but she's been made well aware since the moment she discovered her own potential that 'monster' is the only appropriate term for a thing like her. What else would one call something that doesn't die when killed? Something that could snuff out so many lives with ease? Something whose only justifiable reason in letting roam free is to act as a living weapon in service to a higher cause? That's also part of why the electric jolt is free to course through her: it'd be informative to gauge with her own body how powerful Caitlyn's shot is, her muscles numbed by cold can use a shock-induced restart, and she can still make use of her magical circuits, unaffected by the paralyzing chill that's clung onto her physical exterior. She doesn't need to move to cast reinforcement over her body and brace for the rest, lightning is her best element too after all.

...Still.

Ciel's eyes narrow further as mobility gradually returns to her, the delay it takes for her to shake off the last vestiges of the aftershock from both attacks no doubt glaring in how she doesn't motion to counter right away. She seems to have otherwise tanked that taser shot with no visible damage though, standing tall with the reassembled blade still solidly clutched in her right hand's grasp. The Enforcer is afforded an open window of opportunity for lining up her third shot, or try a different option from her diverse arsenal.]