aionlogs | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ himeka's words had been hard for him to take, that day in godsblood.

but he's had time with them. to think about the sentiment, to fit it into his worldview, into his life here in horos. there was a time when allowing himself such a thing would've been so easy. of course he'd say such a thing to nynaeve, or egwene, or mat, or perrin; of course they'd feel the same for him in turn. but then everything changed, and he's still struggling to understand the ways he's changed with it all. himeka, and his other friends here, have shone a light for him when he needed it. the least he can do is try to return the favor.

there's such a fond smile in return for her, and a nod at her agreement. and, light, the sound of her laugh is so welcome, as it had been before, as abel's was. every little sign that things are inching closer to alright. he can feel the edge of dokja's anxiety, but he doesn't share it...at least, not at first. there's a prick of worry as abel replaces his shard and seems to be — distressed? overwhelmed? and he's about to look backwards when abel's head goes back to his shoulder,

and startles a breathed out laugh from him, just for a second. dokja responds before he can, which is maybe just as well because he isn't even sure how he would. he makes an attempt to keep a straight face, but also abel of all people will be able to tell how his shoulders shake from suppressed laughter. ]

Can you really imagine me using cologne? [ asked as he starts moving, hurrying to keep pace with dokja. they really can't take too long, and they've lingered already. still, he keeps that out of his voice. ] I'd just look and smell daft, trying.

[ he imagines he smells like blood and smoke and ozone and sweat and the light only knows what else. but he's pretty sure dokja doesn't actually ?? have rabies ?? so that's about the level of seriousness we're operating on here. which is why he adds, ]

Dokja's wrong, anyway. I didn't say that.

[ but we're leaving open the possibility that he might've implied that. ]

[ This is it--this is what they missed out on. Light-hearted banter even in the most dire of consequences, the reminder that no matter how dark their fates may seem, there is a light at the end to look forward to. To hold onto. And they were holding on for these people, these people that they refused to give up on and who didn't give up on them in turn.

It really should be said that Dokja is taking one for the team because few people are able to carry Himeka for any long distances, being the tallest person on Horos. Yet she's chuckling as she leans forward herself, tightening her hold a bit as Rand deftly shrugs off both Abel's almost delirious appraisals and Dokja's remarks. ]

Ah...

[ Well, if that's the case... ]

...is it a little snot you're missing, Dokja?

[ She has plenty.

She sniffles. (Threateningly?) ]

[ yes... this absolutely is it - what both he and Himeka had been trying to keep alive the past few harrowing weeks between one another, revitalized and given new life having found strength from their loved ones. this is precisely why their spirits hadn't broken, how they were able to keep the faith and persist despite the odds--

the warmth of connections; the preciousness of bonds both Abel and Himeka will not relinquish for anything.

he cannot help but feel that previous Misty Eyed-ness beginning to get the better of him; it's just-- the relief, you see? ah. no-- no, it's ah. very suddenly... raining. specifically on this portion of Achamoth. this section right here, to be exact. there's a very precise cloud; look, the weather phenomenon in other worlds isn't something any of them should dwell on, but the priest may be petulantly burying his face in the crook of Rand's shoulder, and wiping his nose with a sniffle perfectly timed to complement Himeka's.

they may have, perhaps, Leveled Up in jail. please be afraid. ]

[ HE DOESN'T HAVE RABIES

Light exasperation flits across his expression once Himeka joins in, but there's a fondness there hidden by the fact that he's taken the lead and no one can properly see his face, thank goodness. He's prepared to treat her threatening sniffles as a joke, a light-hearted retort on the tip of his tongue, but then he's practically bowled over by the emotions that come off of Abel thanks to their shared Legacy.

He swallows thickly and tightens his hold on Himeka. Geez, he's trying to keep it together until they're a safe distance away. Preferably back home, even, to have an emotional response to what has been a nightmare of events.

But it's been a long, extremely stressful raid. He's watched a loved one die right in front of his eyes, killed by someone he loves in the same way, and he's shaken. Rattled. Rescuing Abel and Himeka had managed to yank his mind away from it for just a moment, lost in the fray with everyone else, but now that they're starting to pull away from it and the feedback of emotions are kicking in, he's not sure how much more of his composure he can keep. Relief, guilt, happiness, grief.

He'll sort through it all later.

Anduin's shield comes up in the distance. For now, he focuses on getting there. ]

[ it could drown him, the waves of emotion that come off abel, and then dokja. wouldn't it be so easy? there's sadness there, though not all of it, but even the brighter emotions are — painful. he can't know the cause of every feeling that ripples through the martyr legacy in this moment, but he can know some, guess at others. sympathy swells in his chest, and — well, it has been a long raid. he's done things he once would've never dreamt possible of himself, and that'll be something to square with later. and the giddiness of his relief has roots in grief that predates horos, doesn't it?

(we've lost too many people already. i can't lose anyone else.)

so he breathes in, bracingly, as they run. he can't pretend his own feelings aren't a ragged tangle, not with the connection between himself, and dokja, and abel, but he can reach for some measure of calm. there had been nights on the road to tar valon when he wasn't sure mat would make it to morning, and he'd kept his composure for his friend's sake even then.

maybe it's that memory that guides his choice now. he starts to hum softly, easily missed amidst the tumult of battle around them — but abel, at the very least, has to be near enough to hear. just some old mountain lullaby, a tune no one else in horos would recognize, a favorite of his mother's when he was very small and very fretful. and audible or not, that's something that starts to unfurl in their bond, like the slow bloom of a flower: the memory of being loved, gently soothed, and protected. something to hold onto, as they head towards the golden brightness that promises more friends, more aid. ]

EVENT #6: BY HEAVEN OR HELL

no subject

i'm sorry dokja

i'm (s)not 🤧

gently put my hands around prince's neck

also puts my hands around prince's neck