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

[hundredpower]

Barnaby's hazy consciousness leaves him totally unprepared for Emet-Selch to yank the splintered wood out without warning, and he lets out a strangled howl of agony as the offending object is torn out of him, sitting up and seizing Emet-Selch's wrist as if in an instinctive rush of fight-or-flight adrenaline.

"Damn you--!" he gasps, breathing hard, before the soothing sensation kicks in, and his death grip on him slackens. In the moment he'd forgotten he had healing magic at all, and was convinced for a second he'd truly been trying to kill him.

[tohell]

While waiting for his own opportunity to strike the behemoth, J had seen the dragon's retaliation to Barnaby's attack as it happened. Had it been anyone else but this man or Makoto, J would have left the soldiers to provide a rescue effort or at the very least salvage their shard. The Regent couldn't fault him for not playing cleanup crew, when it wasn't like there weren't plenty of hands for the job.

But when Barnaby goes down, there's no question about whether he'll simply leave the man to an unknown fate or not. J takes flight, avoiding the dragon's attention by flying low and moving over to the rubble just in time to watch Emet-Selch's bedside manner rouse Barnaby to full consciousness.

Landing some feet away, so he doesn't kick up unnecessary dust, J approaches as a green halo of power bleeds out from Barnaby's torso along with a decent amount of blood. Along the way there's a muttered question directed very quietly at the man suffering first a beam and now a fist through his middle. Given the lack of heat in his words, it's clear that his motivation is concern and not ridicule, "Honestly, Barnaby. Look at you. Am I to keep a constant watch over you to ensure your safety?"

As he stands over the scene with arms crossed across his chest, a look of grim consideration flickers through J's eyes. For a moment, he almost appears to think better of interfering. But then, with a nod of acknowledgement towards Emet-Selch, the demon kneels down behind the injured man in order to try and gently lift Barnaby's head onto J's knees.

Meanwhile, J doesn't insult Emet-Selch's intelligence by reminding him of the very clear and present danger of the dragon responsible for this mess, so when his gaze slides over, he cuts his responses down to the basics. "How much time do you need?"

He's not certain of how expedient one can be when healing a penetrating wound through the abdomen, so J doesn't hold his breath that this will be a quick affair. The best he can do is pose an option reserved for very few of his allies, "I can provide a distraction to keep the dragon's attention elsewhere, if this is going to take a while."

[lachtara]

Soldiers who panicked on the battlefield while being tended to are nothing new. Emet-Selch grumbles something akin to spiteful under his breath as Barnaby grabs at him. He concentrates on the spell in spite of it, a rushed conjuring of magic that is frustrating in its slowness.

As another arrives and begins to paw at his fellow Aion, Emet-Selch flicks him a look out of the corner of his eye. Ah.

"It makes no difference of how much time I need, rather how much time I have." Emet-Selch raises his hands above Barnaby's torso and curls his fingers as he strains to make the spell quicken. "He will not be healed completely but it will be enough to ensure he survives."

Emet-Selch ceases his spell and stands, flicking his blood-soaked gloves off and onto the ground. There are still many injuries left to be tended to; Gashes, head wounds, perfecting this rushed seal, and the like. The survival of their city needed to take precedence or there would be many more like him.

He turns and speaks to J, "See that he gets to safety and I will heal the rest after our battle concludes." He turns to head off. "Surely that will earn you his attention, assuming you are still in pursuit of it."

[hundredpower]

Once the healing has begun to progress and J makes his appearance, the fight seems to truly go out of Barnaby. He has no idea how the demon always seems to be there at his lowest possible moments, always, like a twisted vision of a guardian angel, but it's fortunate in this instance, if only so when he lets go of Emet-Selch, he has J's knees to rest against instead of slumping back to the floor.

"I should have retreated sooner," he mutters, which is the only concession he'll give that J has a point. He was too reckless again. Otherwise he'll let the two converse while his own attention wanders, closing his eyes to try not to focus on the lingering pain or how much blood there is.

[tohell]

"But you didn't," he concludes, dismissing his companion's belated realization with the same quiet yet resolute tone as before. If Barnaby realizes the reckless nature of his actions, he needs to do so before he nearly gets himself dissipated or worse, not after the fact.

Between the looming threat of the dragon rampaging in the sky above them and the possibility of nearby Pleroma coming upon the scene and using Barnaby's injury to their advantage, now's not the time to chew him out. J's focus shifts to what is immediately vital, and settles on abiding with Emet-Selch's wise advice. He needs to get Barnaby away from a scene that likely drew plenty of unwanted attention and ensure he makes it behind the fortified walls of the Citadel. With plenty of soldiers nearby, J makes use of having a few worker bees at his disposal to dictate orders at.

"You two, hurry back and deliver a message that there's a wounded Aion on their way," he instructs a pair of youthful soldiers that still look eager to take action in comparison to those who are a bit more seasoned. Better to give them a task to expend some of their restless energy on, so they too don't end up like Barnaby and rush headlong into danger.

"And If you can find someone skilled in the art of healing, instruct them to head to Barnaby's room. Tell them to bring anything they might use to alleviate pain and address his other wounds." While J entrusts that Emet-Selch will make good on his word to return to finish his work, there's no need for unnecessary suffering. "We cannot expect our dear healer to personally attend to everything."

Their proximity to the Citadel makes for good luck, when several soldiers come by with something like an archaic stretcher. Dated as most technological advancements here are, it's not made of metal and plastic like the modern sort, but composed of two long wooden poles, with thick burlap-type fabric hanging between them. It should support a man's weight with enough give that makes the transport more comfortable than lying on a hard plank.

With one soldier holding the poles at either end, their companions start loading Barnaby onto it. J can't know if there are any stipulations to Emet-Selch's healing, and if there are ways to accidentally break his spell by abrading or disturbing it. So he instructs them to pick Barnaby up with as much care as they can manage, while making efficient work of the process, "Careful, don't jostle him any more than necessary."

"If you've got him secured, hurry up and go. I'll take up the rear and cover you," he adds with a flick of his hand, sending the well-trained soldiers to immediately set off towards the Citadel.

[hundredpower]

Barnaby winces slightly as he's loaded onto the stretcher, but he doesn't complain. Emet-Selch had done the best he could to seal the wound, which so far is managing to hold, but inevitably his insides still feel like they're on fire with each little movement, to say nothing of his other lesser injuries, so he'll have to endure it for now until they have another healer to hand.

Still, it's frustrating -- he'd always known his powers were nothing special, not with the kind of limitations they have, but he'd still tried his hardest to use them to achieve what he could, and that had been his route to success. Here, it seems he's already coming up against the limits of what he can and can't do compared to everyone else.

When the soldiers start to carry him back to the Citadel, he calls back to J, "You should rejoin the fighting. Don't worry about me." After all, if Achamoth and the Citadel fall, fussing over him won't be of use to any of them.

[tohell]

"I hate to be a bore and state the obvious, but after getting yourself impaled you're in no position to make those suggestions," he adds curtly. Barnaby is too battered to be influencing anyone's decisions at the moment. And now that he's lying in his own blood, with a hole in his abdomen, it's a little too late to ask those closest to him not to worry.

Either way, he promptly denies Barnaby the opportunity of simply sending him away en route to their destination. As the troupe moves onward at a decent clip, J may seem to be lagging just behind like some apparently useless tail. But while he can't take to the air without drawing the dragon's attention their way, his third eye is constantly busy moving in various directions to scope out potential hidey-holes their enemies might decide to pop out of at any given moment.

It's by no luck of Barnaby's that they make it safely past the Citadel's entrance and hustle the patient to his room. The healer J requested is already waiting. A frightfully withered man of extended age, he stands solemnly beside an array of concoctions and medicines already laid neatly out on a nearby rolling cart. A round, soft-looking woman who must be his aid bustles around him to nervously arrange all the vitals and pills she takes from his satchel. Together they seem like a strange if not complimentary team.

As the soldiers transfer Barnaby to his bed, J remembers that Kivander is present. With a friendly draw of one arm around the man's shoulders, the demon ushers Makoto's retainer to a distant corner of the room with a warning, "If you let him leave before he fully recovers...."

J reaches to straighten Kivander's jacket with near affectionate fussing, before leaning in and whispering in his ear, "I'll grant you a swift and indefinite stay from your present duties."

"I have a feeling your master would mourn your absence greatly, so do try not to give me a reason to upset him," he says, with an air that implies J is somehow mildly inconvenienced by the idea. This threat is the last sentiment he leaves with the man he expects to hold Barnaby captive in his room. With that plan in place, J strides over to where the healer is patiently waiting their turn with the patient, and gives their set-up a little once-over. As if doing her best to stay out of J's way, the aid slides to stand behind her coworker, like a little field mouse that senses a viper slithering her way. He doesn't pay her much mind, beyond a toothy smirk at her nervous energy.

The fact she clearly perceives an aura of danger about the demon suggests she's one of the smartest people in this room.

"See that you anesthetize him if the pain gets to be too much. Or if he's uncooperative in heeding any instructions Emet-Selch may have on his recovery." Hopefully the man takes J's suggestions to heart, since he doesn't say a word and only offers a deep bow in the demon's direction. No matter, after squaring all of this away J finally returns to Barnaby with hands on his hips to take in the sorry state he's in, "I expect you to stay put until Emet-Selch has finished his work and given you permission to leave, is that clear?"

[hundredpower]

Barnaby's only half-aware of what's going on, barely clinging to consciousness by the time he's laid on the bed for treatment, but he does manage to pay attention long enough to notice that little exchange with Kivander. It rankles him; it's not hard to guess what J is getting at, even with the whispering. Green eyes open slightly, unfocused, but fixing on J from across the room.

"There's no need to threaten the life of the man I just saved," he says wearily. "I will wait until I've been treated."

He's raring to rejoin the battle sooner rather than later, but he also doesn't want to be a further hindrance.

"And thank you," he adds, forcing himself to sit up slightly against the cushions. If only to show that he means it, that they aren't just the groggy half-delusional words of someone ready to pass out. "I know I've always been troublesome for you, but you've cared for me regardless. So..."

He trails off vaguely. He's never been particularly good at conversations like these, and he's even worse at them knowing they have an audience, but his gratitude is offered nonetheless.

[tohell]

"Well, if you have the strength to eavesdrop, then you must be on the mend," said as he gradually sits on the side of Barnaby's bed, acting not the least bit offended that the contents of his private conversation have been shared with the class. His little ploy worked. J couldn't care less that the methods were slightly different from what he'd planned. In fact, it's a better outcome overall if Barnaby willingly behaves himself and doesn't put up a struggle by trying to return to the fray too early, knowing that Kivander's life is at risk if he does.

Surprisingly, the demon listens to Barnaby struggle to offer up his thanks with patience that seems unbefitting of a monster that's crawled out of the depths of the underworld. But J has listened many times to the frustrated monologues of someone else, struggling with feelings of self-loathing and boundless fury, as Makoto professed his guilt over his obsessions or his hatred of a world that never gave him a chance. Sometimes, despite all the innumerable differences, J sees a strong similarity between the two Aions he's taken under his wing. They're both so wholly reckless and absent of a reasonable man's sense of self-preservation, that at times he wonders which one will self-destruct first.

"This routine of yours, of apologizing to others and wallowing in self-loathing after nearly getting yourself killed..." he poses the start of a question almost conversationally, then pauses in his thoughts. For a moment J initially doesn't make eye contact, instead appearing to be idly checking his nails for breakage. But in reality he's observing where Barnaby's life blood has dried, wedging deep into nail beds, seen as fingers curl inward over his palm. "Doesn't it feel a little trite to you by now?"

With a sigh he sets the proof of Barnaby's near-death experience aside, pushing off the bed to stand over the man who shouldn't be moving at all, less so struggling to sit upright. J reaches with his right hand to place a warm palm on Barnaby's forehead, gently trying to encourage him to be still and lie back against the bed. "Try something new, Barnaby. Start protecting your own life with half as much dedication as you do everyone else's. Then we can skip all of that jazz, hmm?"

That's enough for now, though. He can see the exhaustion in Barnaby's eyes, that suggests what he needs most now is rest. His fellow Aion's shard has been examined by the healer, who had simply gone to work the moment J's orders landed. It's free from obvious cracks. And if the healer notices the hole, and the Kenoma filling in that empty space carved out of it, they know better than to say a word concerning what can only be the Regent's work. The healer simply nods to J that all is well, so that he may set this momentary debacle aside and return to the battle. J still needs to keep an eye out to make certain that Makoto doesn't follow Barnaby's lead. "Rest for now, and I'll see you once the dust has cleared."

[hundredpower]

Barnaby relents to the warm hand against his forehead, and lies back. He's evidently unhappy about it, or that the description of his feelings on the matter are merely a routine, but he knows he has a point, so he gives a small nod. "I'll try."

Even if it's hard to value his life knowing the world is going to end anyway, he also knows he can't be useful to the Regent or anyone else dead rather than alive. He has to survive to fight for their vision, no matter what.

He also doesn't protest to the healer examining his shard, where he otherwise might have objected to someone so much as looking at it. If anything, it's a relief to hear it hasn't been damaged further. He can barely keep his eyes open when he speaks next. "Yes. You should be careful, too." He's sure he's preaching to the (infernal) choir on that much, but none of them should underestimate what the Sanctifier is capable of.

[tohell]

"Good," he says, in a softer tone than any of the demon's prior assertive demands or bossy orders directed to all the hapless souls that have suffered them. Barnaby's slow acquiescence is all J needed to hear to steer him away from further harping upon the injured Aion and postponing his much-needed rest. J has other matters to attend to as well, when only one of two stubborn souls he's tasked himself with looking after lies safe and secure out of harm's way.

With Barnaby complacently taking to his orders, J's hand slowly withdraws so that he can straighten himself up to assess what else needs to be done. The demon is halfway across the room to beckon some of the soldiers close for more instructions when he hears Barnaby's voice. It makes him cast a little glance over one shoulder in surprise. So few have said something like that to him, once they had any comprehension of what J was or all that he was capable of.

"Don't worry about me," is the response he manages as a smile gradually settles across his features. J has little concern for his own wellbeing here, when surviving all of this isn't his end goal. A shame that Barnaby's concern is wholly wasted on a creature only biding it's time for the best way to make his final departure. But, the sentiment is something he does savor for just a moment.

Then he directs the remaining Achamite forces to stand guard outside his fellow Kenoma's door. As much as he appreciates Barnaby's willing agreement to stay, J won't stop there. He takes extra precautions to make certain nothing, not even the potential threat of enemies storming the Citadel, lure him out until he's capable of fighting.

A younger soldier, not much older than a mere child that might have been housed in the orphanage just a few years ago, is grabbed by the back of his armor as he tries to slip off along with them. J easily retrieves his sword from the boy's waist and tips his head in Barnaby's direction. "You, stay right here. If he needs anything, attend to it, since you won't be doing any fighting without this."

Holding the stolen weapon up by its handle, he makes his point clear before stepping over to the large window in Barnaby's room. As if sensing his intention, the healer's little assistant scurries over to unlatch the window's side by side panels and pull them wide, which earns her a smile from J. She really is a clever one. And with that he steps through the expanse and dives out into the open air to rejoin the fray.