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Entry tags:
- !event,
- #dionys,
- #innocence,
- #xishen,
- abel nightroad: martyr,
- amos burton: lover,
- anduin wrynn: sovereign,
- barnaby brooks jr: lover,
- bruno madrigal: martyr,
- ciel: martyr,
- claude von riegan: seeker,
- dorothea arnault: celebrant,
- emet-selch: champion,
- estinien wyrmblood: firebrand,
- eustace: firebrand,
- father paul hill: martyr,
- han sooyoung: artisan,
- himeka sui: wanderer,
- howl: celebrant,
- jayce talis: visionary,
- jonathan crane: sovereign,
- kaeya alberich: lover,
- kim dokja: martyr,
- koriel xii (dextera): lover,
- kotetsu t. kaburagi: champion,
- liem talbott: champion,
- majorita: firebrand,
- makoto ("m"): firebrand,
- meteion: innocent,
- rand al'thor: martyr,
- ryunosuke naruhodo: champion,
- sebastian michaelis: celebrant,
- tartaglia (childe): firebrand,
- wrathion: seeker
EVENT #6: BY HEAVEN OR HELL
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.
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.
no subject
He stops as Vader does, cocking his head at the boast, the assumption that Vader is so good that he'll spare Amos, just like that.
(Amos wouldn't, but he wouldn't offer the warning, anyway.) ]
Talk a big game for someone who just got here, huh?
[ And is in enemy territory, at that. Though as Amos speaks, Vader should feel himself growing heavier, gravity intensifying in the area around him; on him, specifically, aiming to weigh him down. (He will never not go for underhanded tactics. If you aren't playing dirty you'll end up dead.) Maybe Amos can throw off some of the machinery he's using; maybe he can just slow him down. Either way, once he's satisfied he's gone far enough — gravity's intensity doubling, maybe a bit more than that — he aims to swipe at the panel on Vader's centre of mass with his sword, something that's simultaneously an attempt at a quick strike and a probe.
It's his first guess, at least. ]
no subject
A sound that was almost a laugh, almost a snort follows Amos's question. And then the pressure came. That garners a different reaction, an almost appreciative hum of intrigue. Amos's Aion powers had manifested in the form of gravity manipulation? That was curious, though the increased weight hardly put a strain on him. He was personally responsible for training some of the Empire's elite, and high gravity worlds were favored for such exercises. He was used to it and while it was annoying, it was more a distraction than a serious threat at the moment.
The sword strike, however, earns a real response. Vader's sword came up to parry Amos's blade, metal scraping along metal as he deflects the blow with one hand. His free hand extends, palm splayed, and an invisible force shoves Amos backwards a few paces.]
A feeble attempt. You hold that weapon like a child that has found a stick.
[Vader steps in then, shifting from one form to another, a form based around power to a more dexterous fencer's form. His sword darts in for a swift jab at Amos's shoulder, retreating just as quickly. It's not really meant to be a deep stab, simply a means to convey the gulf of skill between the two of them.
If he were to really think on it, Vader would probably compare this to his first real duel with Count Dooku, a thought that does some what amuse him.]
no subject
Even people who are used to space travel feel it when thrust gravity doubles up on them. And against every other person on Horos he's used it on, it's had an effect. Slowed them down, if not outright took them out of the fight. For Vader to just treat is as a curiosity—
And then he's got to hold onto his blade as well as he can, fingers clenching around its handle as Amos is suddenly thrust back out of absolutely nowhere, no wind, no nothing. It hits him, then, that Vader probably actually can back up his talk with walk.
... Shit.
Amos clenches his teeth, hissing in pain as Vader's strike connects just below his armour plate, making his point. His eyes never leave his mask, though, glaring at him. Alright, he's outmatched. Doesn't really matter. Can't matter. Amos knows from recent experience that having a sword is still better than not having one at all, so he brings it back up at the same time as he pushes himself, increases the gravitational pull on Vader to three times that of Horos' natural gravity. Something's gotta slow this guy down; this has to be enough.
He steps forward, aiming a slash with all his strength for that panel again; it really does feel like his best bet. Okay, he's a child with a stick; kids with sticks can still fuck people up, so let raw strength and Achamoth's high quality weaponry do his work for him — it's gotten him this far. ]
no subject
I can feel your desperation, Amos. Perhaps you're beginning to understand.
[The intensified gravity pressure around him does have an effect. The cybernetics in his armor need time to adjust to the force of it, and he does slow briefly. Unable to retreat from the heavy slash quickly enough to safely avoid it, Vader pivots to the side to offer a narrower target and slides his own sword up against the other man's to deflect it.
It's less graceful than before but the grate of steel against steel rings out, the metal grinding against metal sending up sparks as the two weapons collide. Amos's rakes down Vader's all the way to the handguard, blades locking. Vader flicks the fingers of his free hand, and beneath Amos's feet the ground begins to shift, cobblestones shifting and crumbling when wide sinkhole a few feet deep in the street opens up. More telekinetic Force ripples outward, a wave of it forcing them apart.
Vader's footing remains firm, but Amos might find the crumbling stones a little more difficult. He probably doesn't help matters by beginning to fling stones, chairs, bottles, mugs, and all manner of debris at the man.
Two can play dirty, if that's how Amos wants to be.]
no subject
Amos has no verbal response for the taunt at first; instead he grits his teeth as he tries to use raw strength to disarm Vader entirely. He fails, of course — a child with a stick might be able to get a lucky shot in, but skill is winning this one so far — though he'll keep trying.
At least until the ground under him starts to shift, starts to throw him completely off balance. Amos gives a yell of surprise, and Vader will suddenly find gravity returning to normal for him as Amos redirects its efforts all on himself, making himself weightless so as to avoid stumbling on the broken streets. He isn't good enough yet to manipulate gravity at such different intensities on two different people, and his own defence has to take priority now; especially when it seems he isn't able to do much against Vader offensively, anyway.
He doesn't even have the high ground now, because there is no ground for him. He's stuck levitating, which is great and all — until various debris starts flying at him, and any motion to block it has the potential to send him spiralling off into a different direction.
So, again: shit.
He keeps himself light, manages to use his movements from attempting to block the debris to push himself back to somewhere where the ground remains intact, where he can land safely, and where Vader barely remains in his range. Some minor cuts have opened thanks to the debris and his breathing is heavier now from the exertion, sweat lining his brow... It's really difficult to see a way he wins this one.
(It's something he'll have to keep in mind for training later. Raw physical talent really has its limitations here.) ]
The fuck is this? [ Maybe all he does have is words, and that... doesn't exactly bode well for him, either. ] Great, you can do all that. How's that helping save anyone?
[ He punctuates his question with a sweeping motion towards the pyre, sword pointing towards lit flame, and inadvertently, towards the chaos that's starting to form around it.
... Chaos that he should maybe be a part of, but if he's eating up Vader's time, that's gonna have to work, too. ]
no subject
His head cocks to the side, amusement briefly sparking inside him.]
Others will save the prisoners. My role in this drama is to occupy the defenders.
[Vader lifts his free hand, the sword arm leveled squarely at Amos. The stones from the crumbling street rise now, grabbed up by his power. Cobbles, dirt, chunks of broken stone swirl all over the hole Vader had created, continuing to lift until they are all well over his head. Shards of rock shoot out to strike a few Achamothian soldiers that felt emboldened by a nearby Firebrand, knocking them out cold.
It's then that the other rescuers begin to make their move, nearing the pyre proper.
Exactly as planned.]
Ah...right on cue.
[Vader advances slowly, his cloud of projectiles following, spinning like a miniature galaxy above his head. A few of them launch towards Amos, but he hasn't really committed to anything more than that just yet.
He's curious, just how will the man react? Will he bolt for the pyre, or will he stay to fight?]
no subject
Amos would get it if they were some of Vader's people, whoever his people are. Were. But he knows for a fact that he's never met Abel and Himeka before — it'd have been impossible — so Vader's presence here at all is something mystifying, and one he really doesn't have time to get into. He just stares at Vader, sword at the ready, even though there's no possible means for him to strike from this distance.
And then rocks start to come out of the ground, start to hit the soldiers of this city, start coming towards him. He uses his power to make the rocks that come within range of him near weightless, letting him avoid them entirely or merely glance off of him, and Amos is already tired of it.
So, fuck it. If Vader can do all of this, then it's better for Amos to keep him preoccupied than to let him help with anything meaningful.
He hoists his sword, ready to swing it down on Vader as soon as he's within range, and charges. ]
no subject
Darth Vader is petty, and he is always happy to fight.
He doesn't give a damn about the prisoners beyond the fact that they are something that the Regent and the Kenoma would like to keep. That means that he wants to make sure that they get free. Anything the enemy wants he does not want them to have, and if that means coming out to fight overwhelming odds and strike at the enemy capitol then he'll do it. The impression he has gotten is that the Regent really controls the bulk of this world, so the Pleroma do not go on the offensive often. He hopes to change this.
Amos is growing as an annoyance now. He is persistent, and his use of gravity is clever, all things that Vader actually respects enough to avoid the obvious method of dealing with him. Choking him out would not be nearly as interesting. So he meets steel with stone. The remaining vestiges of Vader's projectile cloud fly to meet the big man. Dirt, debris, shards of wood and stone, all of it gets flung at the Terran.
He imagines that Amos will do what he'd done before, defend himself with his power, so he also sends a telekinetic hammer straight at his opponent. This one is intended to knock him flying, to get him out of the way and give Vader an opportunity to deal with some of the soldiers. It may also, accidentally, send him crashing down nearer to Dokja and some of the others.
Oops?]
no subject
So he charges, heedless of the stones coming at him thanks to his own command of gravity. It's annoying. It's difficult to see through. But he can block some of it with his blade, and the damage is minimal, so he can keep going—
He is flying backwards, right into Dokja's path.
... Well, things could have been worse. ]