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

[dragon_rider]

[ Hiccup finds his gaze follows Gray's. The sight isn't something one ever wants to see - there's little doubt in his mind the city will come away completely unscathed at the size of the battle being undergone (let alone the dragon). Even so, it's a far cry from the first time he's seen such acts - Peaceloving though he may be, war has always found them in the past: ]

Isn't that half on what you guys do? Your Regent?

[ He says you, but he only half means Gray directly - She is one of them, part of the Kenoma. She quantifies that matter. If she fights them, then he knows there are others who will meet her with aggression. He might not want to, but that didn't fail to include him either. ]

They want a war. [ They, meaning the Regent, of course. ] They're not going to stop until they get it. All we want is to take our people home.

[ It's mostly the truth. There are surely some who will attack on sight now - he knew as much, but they'd only been driven to that from the hostility provided them. He can't blame them for being defensive just as much as he can't blame dragons. It's in someone's nature to attack when they feel threatened. ]

[gravings]

[ It would have been nice if he could have assured her that the Pleroma had strict plans to withdraw once they got Abel and Himeka, but that was probably wishful thinking. It takes a certain amount of outrage to launch an attack quite like this, on a huge city on relatively short notice. But Gray understands because she's seen Abel and Himeka for herself. The Regent is skilled at pushing the Pleroma's buttons. ]

Then you'd better get them quickly. But be careful... I'm sure the Regent has planned for everything.

[ Well, maybe not everything — the dragon is surely unexpected? — but Gray can't imagine the Regent baiting the Pleroma like this without a big plan in place. ]

[dragon_rider]

[ Hiccup knows for a fact that it's stupid for them to be here. There's no way this wasn't a trap. They'd known that from the moment it was planned, but they can't leave behind their own - Even if it was smarter and wiser of a thing to do. Estinein would have left without them and then what? What would that make them and where would that put them?

He thinks most of them don't want war, but only that they have to accept it for what it is. It's something he wrestles with, reminds him of Berk. Aside from full blown war and risking everything and everyone we love, I don't know what else we can do, he said it once before and he says it to himself now more often than not.

He sighs.]

Yeah, we know. But what do you do against a guy who can... Do everything they have already?

[ Bring them here? Force them to the place it had? Shown no mercy to its own citizens simply for being kind? The Regent is a powerful person and none of them are under the impression this is quick and easy... Even so. He's here, perhaps resigned to his assumed fate at the end of things.

Resigned as he is, he turns to the girl with green eyes glinting in the embers of the light above: ]

But where does that put you? Are you going to fight?

[gravings]

[ She looks to him slowly, her expression unharried by his question. She's had plenty of time to think about her feelings on the situation, and though she doesn't have all the answers, she at least has one or two. ]

I don't want to see Father Abel or Miss Himeka killed. I don't want to see the people I care about in the Kenoma killed either. Maybe those things are contradictory, but...

[ If there's a chance at doing both, then she has to try for it. Maybe that means letting the Pleroma have their shot, however much that exposes them to the Regent's devices; they're strong and resourceful, as their efforts a month ago proved. ]

I'll fight as much as I need to, to make that happen. And I don't think that involves fighting you, Mr. Hiccup.

[ He too isn't the type to fight more than is absolutely necessary. ]

[dragon_rider]

[ The battle rages on just beyond them. The ground beneath vibrates in the shockwaves of the action. Strikings of fire light the sky. In this way, the reality of the situation they've found themselves in eagerly reminds him of the stakes they have. This is a war of people who had been forced into it, with no real choice. Thrust to act as pawns and soldiers and to stop being human to survive in it.

But it's so, so difficult to forget your own humanity. Especially in a war where they're told it's to end it all - The sides are different but even so... Gray is very much the picture of why he can't give up on those on the Kenoma's side. There are people who'll suffer just as much from being there, that aren't all bad. Victims of circumstance. He'd failed her once before hadn't he? Maybe - Maybe she wouldn't have been there at all if not for that failure (it's best not to think like that).

Wounded though he may be, it's never been fear that's stopped him from attacking Gray right now. No, she's right - If ever there was an option, he would never choose to fight here. Even so... He's no fool, those words are directly against what the Kenoma wants. ]

They won't let you do that. We both know that.

[ He doesn't elaborate who they is, because he's certain they both know that. Already, it's been proven they've had no qualms destroying any dissenters in their way.

Hiccup's mouth remains in a thin frown. He does not deny there will be no fighting between them. It was obvious already. Still, his heart is heavy with the state of... everything. ]

There are Pleroma who'll attack you if they see you - You've... earned a bit of a reputation for yourself. I'm impressed. [ From the way he says it, lightly in-toned it's not that in she could fight. But that she'd choose to go so aggressively. Or maybe he's not there, either. He thinks she's got too straightforward a nature. ]

What's going to happen to you later - when all this fighting is over?

[ It's a more abstract question, he realizes, not given the right direction. He means when - not if - the Regent finds out where her heart lies. There's certainly no way... They'd allow such sentiments, right? He waits to see how she takes the question. ]

[gravings]

[ She wonders if he's actually impressed as much as she wonders about this so-called reputation of hers. More importantly, there's the matter of the Regent and what will happen to her later. She could put those questions off while floating amidst the big, bustling expanse of daily Achamoth life, but here surrounded by violence and destruction, it does spell a thing or two out for her. ]

The Regent can be surprisingly lenient with their followers. Though that might be changing now...

[ There's little to no chance that the Regent will be de-escalating after this, and there will probably be less and less room for soft-line Kenoma like herself to stay passive. Even she can see that. ]

Lately, they've been disciplining those of us who act against their wishes. I don't know the details, but it... changes something in them.