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

[aionpcs]

Xishen is still reeling when Ciel and Emet-Selch arrive. As she feels Ciel's hand on her shoulder, she pulls her forearms down from her eyes, revealing a stream of sparkling black ichor pouring from her eyes. It's almost like the remnants of void and Innocence intertwined. Her skin and hair has a dusty sheen of white to it, as if bathed in iridescent powder.

Her eyes themselves are bleached white. Whether or not she can see at all isn't clear.

"I... just need you to hold it off. For a moment longer."

Her sect weapon is still manifested. She clings to it desperately.

[expiera]

It eats at her, not being able to assist the other Martyr in a more tangible fashion. But out of her depth with so much of this world's laws still unknown to her, including the very spell Xishen was attempting to cast, Ciel well understands her place and knows how acting out of turn may simply worsen matters instead. She's practiced in taking liberties when she can, but this is very much not the time.

"We're keeping it occupied." The Kenoma Aion collective, with their strongest out on the front lines. Emet-Selch is here too, and Ciel has firsthand experience with how the Ascian will step up and protect his allies when push comes to shove. "Is there any other way we may support you?"

Anything, anything at all. Whatever orders given she'll obey, whatever Xishen says will be done, but she has to ask. Offer everything she can without overstepping, she has to at least try before she can return her focus onto the raging battle overhead.

cw: self harm, temporary suicide, violence

[aionpcs]

"Yeah," Xishen manages, trying to keep herself steady, the ichor from her wounded eyes dripping down onto her lap. "...Collect my shard when I die."

Suddenly, there is a dagger in her free hand. She holds it out.

"By the blood of the Martyr, accept this sacrifice- !"

She digs the blade deep into her gut, gasping with agony as she does. Around them, the entropic cracks that had been stymied by the Sanctifier's light stir to life, slowly spreading outwards.

With a gurgle, Xishen coughs up dark blood.

[lachtara]

His attention is forward and focused on the beast as she speaks, but upon declaration of her 'sacrifice' he looks back just in time to see the knife plunge into her. Being witness to so much death over the years does not make him completely numb to it. His eyes widen in surprise. Then the cracks begin to bloom around them.

Emet-Selch makes a noise in the back of his throat. "...A Martyr in every sense." It sounds more like a grumble of disapproval than anything.

"We cannot stay here. Take her and leave this place." Ciel could heal and she is much better equipped at moving people quickly. He concentrates and casts a quick shield for both of them to protect both of them on their way. For what good it would do.

[expiera]

The understanding is immediate, instinctual. Just like the first time back inside that cave when Xishen accepted the Achamite sacrifice, just like the time when she offered that black-haired man the opportunity and means to stab her publicly without batting an eyelash. She moves with all resolve and no hesitation, and within a heartbeat, it was done.

There was no way in any world or any timeline that Ciel could reproach Xishen for her choice or action. Is it the bond of the Martyr? Or coincidences in how their individual lives shaped them out to be? The details aren't particularly important. What is is respecting Xishen's sacrifice, carrying out her will, and ensuring that the opportunity she afforded the Kenoma through trading away her life is NOT wasted, however temporary.

"Understood."

Emet-Selch may be justified in his distaste, and were circumstances less dire, it may idly occur to Ciel that as a dramatic man in his own right, there may be something ironic in him having an opinion about Xishen's particular brand of flair. There's a very real, very dangerous, and very massive threat bearing down upon Achamoth in this very moment, however, and as sensible as the Ascian's words are, they're not suited to the situation at hand.

"I will, once her spell is complete." Ciel stands back up and positions herself in front of Xishen, feeling the pull of the Kenoma pulse through the air as the effects of their senior Aion's last stand begins manifesting in earnest. They need to guard her until Entropy's Plea runs its course, and once the dissipation is complete, ensure Xishen's shard is safely secured and take full advantage of whatever this spell paid in blood brings them.

Dispending three Black Keys in front of them to erect an additional barrier on top of Emet-Selch's, Ciel raises her free hand to her chest and phases her own shard through her robes. She can't be in two places at once, but she knows how to compartmentalize, how to prioritize. She is absolutely ready and willing to personally take Xishen to the shrine of the Martyr immediately, but abandoning the fight here and now would squander the very purpose of why the older woman gave her life away in the first place.

So she has to stay. Try out every other option she can think of at the very least, before making a final judgment call of where she should be and what she should do going from here. That's why she's taken out her shard; she has a urgent call to make.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch's eyes furrow ever so slightly. Once her spell was complete. In other words, once she is no more.

He'd rather another Aion to fight and tried to prioritize as such, but the spell would be an ...acceptable alternative. They had no time to spend disagreeing with one another about it.

He walks forward and disappears into wisps of shadows without further comment. He has no desire to sit and watch someone bleed, especially when his talents are of better use elsewhere.