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

🐦 howl

[dragonmount]

[ from above —

rand's bright hair might make him a little more noticeable, in the chaos of battle. if you look down at the right time, and the right place. rand has been fighting tooth and nail to make it to the pyres and release the captives, less heedless of the other chaos around him than determined to achieve this task. he has to trust his friends and allies to hold their own. he has to believe they can save himeka and abel before it's too late.

he has to, so he does, all white-knuckled conviction. either he leaves achamoth with his friends, or he doesn't leave achamoth at all. it's that simple. he fairly glows with how much of the Power he's drawing upon — and to other magic-users, this is a more literal thing, threads of bright light and reeking darkness that swirl around him as he forms weaves and casts his magic. howl may not even need to be looking down, truthfully: because more than once, rand's channeling spirals into the sky, darkening clouds and drawing down jagged arcs of lightning. it doesn't occur to rand to look up when he does, with so many threats right there on the ground, with the sanctifier drawing fire from the kenoma elsewhere in the courtyard. who else would be up in the sky? ]

[galdorleod]

[ Who else but a feathered behemoth, the very same from whom Rand stole the fair spoils of combat in Godsblood?

It's the unmistakable signature of magic that captures Howl's attention at first. The only time he's seen spells like this was when he fought Akua, but these are different enough that he can tell it isn't her. Once he angles himself above their source to get a good look, a sharp pang of anger roils through him, because that bright head of hair gives Rand's identity away.

Yes, they've got some unfinished business, don't they.

Even from high above, Howl's wings are so massive and flap so powerfully through the air that the sound gives his presence away. Assuming Rand is not so busy with his spellweaving that he can't look up at the noise, he will catch a few seconds' glimpse of the monster shooting towards him at breakneck speed, like a peregrine falcon about to plunge its talons into an unsuspecting pigeon. ]

[dragonmount]

[ the battle is loud — hectic and noisy in a way he's beginning to get used to, but only beginning to — but the sheer sound of howl's wings, of his body hurtling through the air, is enough to make rand look up. thank the light for that, because who knows what might have happened otherwise? but he does look up, catch sight of something huge and black flying towards him, and reflexively throws himself out of the way.

there are trained fighters here in horos who could've moved more elegantly; but he's back on his feet reasonably quickly regardless, wheeling to face the thing that would've attacked him with a snarl. he spins a fireball between his palms before shooting it towards the creature, hoping to slow it down if not land a hit. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Howl's enormous taloned bird feet crash so hard into the ground that the sidewalk splits with a long, loud crack. He watches Rand tumble out of the way, but does not pursue him. He saw that flash of shock on his face, and he liked it. The monster in him, evoked by a heedless overindulgence in this transformation spell, wants to see it again. He spreads his enormous wings wide, screams a shrieking, growling roar, and does not move from his spot as Rand sends the fireball his way.

The attack hits him almost point-blank. Howl snaps his jaws at the flames and flaps his wings hard, flirting with the fire as it singes his feathers and burns his existing wounds. This feels just like how Akua's fire felt, back when they fought, although the attack he suffered from Akua was much harder and more desperate than this quick fireball.

It's as Howl has suspected since that day: this fire doesn't hurt. Not like it should. He can feel its heat, and he can tell it's scorching him to some degree, but the pain is bearable. It's just like when he'd stick his hands into Calcifer's fire — his friend, his fire demon, the old source of his power, the jailer of his heart. ]

IS THAT ALL?

[ Howl's voice is deep and gravelly, inhuman, originating not from the movements of his lips and tongue (neither of which he has at the moment) but from someplace in the back of his long neck. He shakes his feathers, casting off the feeling of Rand's fire magic, and glares at his foe. Enraptured by his own anger, seeking satisfaction of his hurt pride, channeling an excess of magic to maintain this form, the wizard wants to see Rand attack him again. He should know better than to toy with a foe like this, but that can be said of so many of Howl's decisions. ]

[dragonmount]

[ it's as the fire soars through the air to the creature, as it roars and spreads its wings, that rand realizes he knows what this is. who this is. the wizard howl, as akua had called him, and a horrid monster. well, there'd been no denying that when rand caught a glimpse of him with an ally's shard back in godsblood, and there's no denying that now. his eyes widen with the recognition, stay round when the fire lands but does nothing.

but no, if this man can use magic, then why not? why shouldn't he be able to dispel something as simple as a quick weave?

is that all?

and his jaw sets, the pulse of the Power around him (pure light and awful darkness) grows as he draws on more of the Source. his eyes start to glow with it, all white and burning, as he summons more and more of the One Power to him. not enough to burn him from the inside out, but getting closer. much closer. he knows what akua would say about letting himself be baited by an enemy that'd had enough power to destroy her of all people, but she isn't here now. he is. and his own pride, though he wouldn't call it that, rankles at the taunt.

in response, he splits the Power into two weaves: one sent downwards, and one spiraling up into the sky. thunder growls overhead as four or so streaks of lightning zig-zag down to where and around howl stands; and at the same time, the cracked sidewalk beneath him starts to tear itself apart. ]

[galdorleod]

[ The tantalizing prickle of glowing eyes and mounting magic spurs the wizard into action. He opens his maw wide, shrieking ferociously at Rand just as he sends his spells upward and downward. Howl deftly hops forward, a distinctly bird-like maneuver, as the cement underneath him starts to break and crumble, but the bolts of lightning are not so easily dodged. One of them was aimed so close to where Howl jumped to that it arcs in his direction, filling the air with the scent of ozone before paralyzing him with a horrible, arresting pain.

The strike leaves Howl dazed. Were it not for his oversized form, such magic might have disabled him completely. But there is no time to recover, no time to contemplate what-ifs. As he stumbles, trying to get his muscles to obey his commands, he still has his instincts and his own well of magic to draw from — you didn't think you'd just be fighting a giant bird, did you, Rand?

A watermelon-sized chunk of sidewalk twitches as Howl seizes it for himself. That twitch is the only warning given before it suddenly and violently hurls itself in Rand's direction, spurred by Howl's command. ]

[dragonmount]

[ one of his lightning bolts striking true is satisfying, at least. but the truth is that, while he knows that howl is more than just a giant monstrosity, that howl can channel (no, use magic) for himself...rand had forgotten in the heat of the moment.

so he'd expected a more direct attack — something involving talons, for instance, or those huge wings — than the piece of sidewalk that shakes itself loose and throws itself at him. more fool him. hadn't gen done much the same not long earlier, and don't his ribs still ache for it? his reaction time suffers for the split second of surprise; while he reaches out with the Power to shatter the projectile to pieces, and while that means he isn't struck by something big enough to break his bones, the rain of relatively smaller pieces is still enough to draw blood and momentarily ensnare his attention.

his arms had gone to protect his face, but he throws them out now, releasing a concussive force with every intent of throwing howl backwards, and ideally into something. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Howl is still shaking his muscles free of the lingering numbness when the invisible force hits him. It sends the wizard tumbling, awkwardly falling feet over head for a solid few seconds, a mess of disheveled feathers and lanky bird legs. But the sheer size and weight of this form prevent him from tumbling too far, and as his body comes to a rest, he finds that the blow has helped shake the remnants of Rand's lightning from his limbs.

Shaking his head, Howl growls and leaps upwards, launching himself back into the sky while there's still an opening to do so. His body aches from being rattled backwards on the ground, but if he can put some distance between them again, he can find another opportunity to strike with his talons. As he beats his wings once, twice, three times, rising higher into the air, he keeps his eye on his foe below, knowing he's likely to attempt attacking him again. What other tricks could he have? Or will he try to flee? ]

[dragonmount]

[ he swipes at a cut that's opened up around his hairline — and better that than his eyes — to clear his vision of blood as he braces for a next attack. but it doesn't come, at least not immediately. instead, the monster flies up, and up, and up, and there's a long moment where rand watches him go.

it really would be too much to hope for that howl will just leave him, wouldn't it. he looks to the pyres and back to the creature, jaw tightening. he'd rather run than fight, his priority with himeka and abel, but leading another enemy over to them would only make things worse. he's tiring too, even with saidin burning through him, and he can't afford that either.

howl must be familiar by now, how it looks when he starts to summon lightning. but the threatening rumble overhead is likely its own warning. ]

[galdorleod]

[ It would be too much indeed to hope that Howl would choose to withdraw from this fight when he still has so much fight in him. Rand's furtive glance towards the pyres only stokes Howl's aggression further. That the Pleroma are willing to go this far — invading the city, destroying buildings, putting no thought to the innocents that will inevitably get caught in the crossfire — over a measly two people is borderline unconscionable. The air around Howl tingles as Rand's spell starts to coalesce, and knowing he only has a few seconds to make his next attack, Howl starts to perfect the angle of his next dive.

But then — an ear-splitting roar cuts through the wizard's focus. The Sanctifier, only a few hundred yards above them in the sky, has a scream that demands everyone in the city to pay attention to them and them only. Howl, too, cannot help but look away from Rand and back up at the massive dragon blocking out most of the sky.

Damn it. He's letting this fool distract him... letting his hurt pride override his better judgment. Narrowing his eyes, Howl glares back down at Rand. ]

YOU. [ Howl's inhuman, growly voice is loud enough to reach him on the ground. ] WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

[dragonmount]

[ a measly two people — and that, rand would say if he knew, is precisely why he'll never join the kenoma. why he'd promised amos a month ago to come kicking and screaming if that choice is ever taken away from him. there have been moments he's sympathized the sect's goals, motivations that nearly swayed him to temptation. but he'll not look at a person, a person bound and unable to fight back, and consider their life a worthwhile sacrifice for a cause.

he went willingly to give his own life for his world. he'd make the same choice a thousand times over. he makes the same choice in horos every day. he'd be at peace with dying today, here in this square, if it gave abel and himeka that much more of a chance to be free.

but his lightning weaving is distracted by the sanctifier's cry. sloppy — akua would surely reprimand him. but at least howl seems equally distracted. of course; the dragon is a much larger threat than rand. it's the chance estinien bought them.

he'd have to be stupid to answer that question. there's no point to not answering that question, of howl has access to ciel or amos or misa or — the list goes on. and the longer howl spends with him, even if it's just another minute, is the longer the sanctifier has one less enemy.

he calls, ]

Rand al'Thor. [ and, with a cant of his head, ] Remember that. You'll see me again.

[ he was born for the likes of this kind of battle, and he'll probably die in one. this won't be the last time he clashes blades with a member of the kenoma. ]

[galdorleod]

[ And it's good Howl is not hearing any of Rand's thoughts either. For as much as Rand is willing to sacrifice his life for his allies, he doesn't seem to hesitate to sacrifice the lives of others for his allies either. The mass destruction being wrought on the city, where hundreds of thousands of Achamites live — not Aions who can recover from death, but regular people — is proof enough of the Pleromas' selective morality.

Or, at least that's what the Kenoma coiled tightly around Howl's soul would say. ]

RAND AL'THOR... TELL MADAM AKUA I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER AGAIN.

[ Something akin to a laugh rumbles from within Howl's throat. Then, with heavy flaps of his wings, he swerves away, heading back towards one of the main spires to rejoin the others. ]