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

[lifespanned]

You want me to....... tell you where the rest of the Kenoma are?

[ There's a faint note of disbelief that she can't keep out of her voice, though she's able to narrowly avoid outright laughing at the suggestion. Her brows furrow in exasperation, not that he can see it, and her eyes briefly glance behind him, wondering if this is some elaborate set up to make her let her guard down. When nothing turns up, her gaze falls back to him, and she takes a slight step back, definitely enough to take her shoe out of his lowered view. ]

There's no way I can do that, [ She says that part bluntly. ] I mean, think about it! Would you tell me where your friends are?

[ And she also happens to have insider knowledge that there's a larger play at hand— information straight from the Regent. Delaying the Pleroma is of the utmost importance. She'll draw this out as long as she can, then. ]

What you actually mean is, 'can you tell me where Himeka and Abel are,' right?

[ Her words aren't haughty, they're straightforward, almost casual. She'll test the waters before deciding how to proceed. There's only so long they can play at being conversational - but Misa seems to regard even the serious matter of Himeka and Abel's rescue with a light hand, whether or not that's intentional. ]

[salvageable]

[ There go her feet, as weird as that was to type. The corners of Dokja's mouth pull down into a frown and he takes a step forward to try and keep her in (somewhat) view.

And to answer her question, no, he most certainly would not tell her. But he'd been trying to do this the easy way... At the mention of Himeka and Abel in such a casual manner, he tenses, his other hand curling but not yet reaching for the sword resting against his hip. It'll be hard to fight when he can't see all of her, but he'll do it if he has to. While she's done no personal wrong to him, she's still part of those endangering the lives of two people he cares about. ]

... Right.

[ It's a response that's grit out from between clenched teeth. He's starting to pick up on the fact that she's trying to draw this out. ]

Tell me where they are, Misa, and I'll leave you alone.

[ Sounds like a fair trade! ]

[lifespanned]

Leave me alone?

[ Perhaps (insensitively) comically, she asks about that incredulously, backing up another step. He's right— she is going to try to draw this out, and refrain from giving out Himeka and Abel's location for as long as possible. It's not personal, it's just business. She has the advantage, after all; they're in her home field, and much as Dokja avoids her gaze, she can still make a move on him so long as she can see him.

He doesn't need to know that yet, though. Him looking at the floor like that... she wonders how well he can really fight in those conditions. ]

Is that supposed to be some kind of threat...? I told you, I'm over here because I'm staying out of it.

[ The implication being that he'd be whaling on a poor, innocent bystander with no combat abilities. Woe is she! ]

[salvageable]

[ WHO RAISED YOU, YOU LITTLE PUNK

This is? Getting more and more annoying by the second? Dokja's already on edge with the upcoming execution, and now he's left dawdling due in part to his own incompetence in getting separated from the others. And now it's being made worse by Misa dragging this out. When she steps back, he advances, and this time, his hand does go to the hilt of his sword. ]

It is a threat.

[ His voice is grim as he finally draws his blade from its sheathe, though he doesn't point it at her just yet. Fighting blind is going to be a near impossible task, but he figures he can just slash away in her general direction. ]

You can both stay out of it and stay alive by telling me where to find them.

[lifespanned]

[ THIS SLANDER? SHE'S GIRLBOSSING IT?

Misa's eyes flick to his hand at his sword, and her heartrate begins to pick up, genuinely beginning to wonder if she's in over her head. Could she risk it, provoking Dokja? Her mind wanders to the severity of Gen's injuries from his little death match with the man before her, and it makes her weigh her chances with more care than she might usually. She doesn't want to die here, nor is she particularly keen on sustaining any kind of injury this early in the day. Still, if the Kenoma are to be believed, Dokja is a credible threat. Delaying him is a worthy cause.

One worth a little risk. A little. ]

Oh, so you're gonna try to kill me. [ She has the audacity to sound a little accusatory here, not backing up anymore than she already has - she simply moves closer to the center of the pathway, stepping horizontally. Misa keeps her blade drawn, watching his arms and hands like a hawk, preparing her strategy in her head, as calmly as possible. ] How would that help you find them? I'm one of the only ones who knows where they are. And I'd only tell you on a condition.

[ That she is one of the only ones to know where and when the pyre will be set is a lie; that she would only tell him on a condition... is also a lie. But she says it with a tension, as though she's risking herself by even uttering the words I'd tell you. The groundwork of her haphazard plan is set - she needs only to know if he's going to attack outright, or try to weasel more information out. She's prepared to respond to both. ]

[salvageable]

[ Oh, he's seeing this game that she's determined to play and he doesn't like it a single bit. He keeps his hand over his eyes so they're hidden from view when he narrows them in suspicion, but just know that they are there and they are angry.

His grip on the hilt of his sword tightens and he's tense. Anyone would be able to tell just from his body language alone that he's on the precipice of a strike, one single push away from doing what he thinks he has to. He doesn't know Misa, but he does know Abel and Himeka and so that alone is enough for him to be merciless should he choose to be cruel. ]

It wouldn't help, [ he agrees, voice low and grim. ] But it would make me feel better.

[ He's no stranger to killing, after all. But he is left hesitating at what she has to say. To humor her would mean wasting even more time and he can't imagine she'd be willing to tell him no matter the condition, but if there's even the slightest chance... ]

What's your condition?

[lifespanned]

[ But it would make me feel better. Her stance visibly shifts at that, shoes scuffing against the pavement in an anxious, jittery fashion, while Misa watches his hand, keeping her own body tensed. She's no combat worn warrior, but it's clear as day that if she makes a wrong move, he'll take a strike at her. Her hands are clammy around the grip of her dagger, but she manages not to drop it, and not to back down. This is important - so important. She just needs to stay calm, and play her role well... ]

You can't tell anyone it was me.

[ He can't see her, but she makes a show of sounding nervous, anyway, biting her bottom lip. ]

You have to know by now... what happens to us, don't you?

[ The Kenoma that help the Pleroma? She doesn't remember seeing him in Godsblood, which means he must have at least heard about the several Kenoma who had strayed from the path in Venera. Her heart pounds, taking a risk like this, relying only on her ability to accurately portray a conflicted, apprehensive soldier. He is threatening to kill her, after all - would it be so unbelievable that she could be scared into folding? Or that Himeka and Abel had, in some way, had an affect on her, too? If she can convince him of that, maybe he'll believe they're at any old location she decides to give him. And she can send him on a wild goose chase. ]

Promise me that, and I'll tell you. [ Her gaze remains pinned to his hand, ready to start locking his hand in position, should the slightest motion take place. ] But you have to swear.

[salvageable]

[ People have always been a mystery for Dokja. He doesn't know how to read them. They're not like characters in stories, where their personalities and motivations are handily written down for him to consume. Because of that, he's always fitted them into molds he'd shape out for them, assumptions on top of assumptions and a delusion that he couldn't possibly be wrong.

... But hasn't he been shown time and time again that people don't fit perfectly into the shapes he makes out for them?

It's what has him hesitating now, faltering in his convictions as he hears the nervousness in her voice. He can't use Lie Detection on her without dropping his hand, and he can't risk her skills petrifying him either. So he's left floundering for a moment, part of him trying to heed the warnings his allies had left behind about Misa, but another part of him thinking to their very first encounter.

She'd only been a frightened girl back then, someone wishing for a world with only good people in it.

Maybe that's what has him fold. Or maybe it's the confidence he has in his own abilities. Maybe it's the way he'd seen Eustace change, or the way Liem had chosen to betray the Kenoma at the risk of his life. Dokja's still suspicious because how could he not be? But he's seen members of the Kenoma buckle and fall, so. ]

I swear.

[lifespanned]

[ Her pulse is thundering in her ears while he hesitates, mind unable to stop racing with imagery of him cutting her down in a single strike. She wishes she knew a little more about what Dokja usually acts like, or a little more about his past - any kind of information that would make her feel less like she's walking through a minefield, taking guesses at what he might believe.

She should feel some semblance of guilt for taking advantage of the kindness she knows is in him, from their first encounter, or for simply relying on him to act in line with his Legacy, which is evident to her just from a glance. She should feel guilt for fashioning the suffering of her comrades for her own gain and tactics, and for appropriating the anguish she has to assume they felt, before they were dragged back by the heels in to the Kenoma.

But the fact of the matter is that she just doesn't. There's no pin prick of regret or shame in her heart for playing the victim; there's only a wash of relief that opting for deception seems to have an effect on him. Not an ounce of consideration for how these actions may come back to bite her is spared, because the only thing that matters to her is getting out of the situation she's in now. If Dokja comes to hate her for taking a chance on her words now.... then she'll cross that bridge when she gets there. ]

O... Okay, then. Don't kill me right after I tell you, either. [ She swallows, readjusting her grip on her blade, as if trying to hype herself up to tell him. ] The execution is seen as a religious holiday, so it'll happen in front of the biggest cathedral in Achamoth. The Pleroma are probably heading there now.

[ A beat. ]

Go directly west from here. It's one of the tallest buildings in the city, you can't miss it. Er, I guess if you're really as bad with directions as you said, just look up...

[ That much is true; there's a towering cathedral many blocks west from here, visible on the horizon just from it's oppressive, towering size. That's where the truth ends, though, because while there may be hustle and bustle in that direction, public sermons talking about the execution, Himeka and Abel will be nowhere to be found. ]