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

[galdorleod]

[ Well, you did, is what Howl wants to say, a bitter and insensitive jab that would speak more to his denial than to anything Dextera really did. But as soon as he thinks it, his attitude softens. They both hurt each other — and of course they did, considering what was happening, the circumstances they found themselves in on that day. Thankfully, the moment of bitterness is gone before Howl spits out out the cruel and impulsive words. Perhaps he's too shaken by their new horrible circumstances and lingering discomfort of facing his Dextera... or perhaps he really did manage to reach him, so some degree.

The outstretched hand. Dextera is... trying to touch him. The only people whom Howl has permitted to touch him since Godsblood are the handful of allies he's ferried to the Sanctifier so far. He hasn't wanted anyone to touch him after his body changed, no longer able to expel the entirety of his own magic. Who would want to? And now, again defying reason and expectation, Dextera is reaching out. It's... is bizarre the right word...?

Howl turns his head to face Dextera fully now. He watches his fingertips brush through the long outer layer of feathers on his chest, still expecting him to pull away in fear or disgust. He should be afraid of him, to want to withdraw and protect himself. It's what any logical person would do, so why...? ]

...I'M THE ONE WHO HURT YOU. I...

I WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS. [ he murmurs. guarded, confused. it's the truth, but Howl himself feels a bit mystified that he's saying it aloud, and to an enemy no kess. ] BUT THERE'S NO HOPE. THERE'S NOTHING. I WISH YOU UNDERSTOOD.

[passio]

[ there was a time when dextera would have shuddered away. even without memories, he would have known a form like this isn’t natural and denied it out of fear. he’s had time, though, to grow and adjust not only to the people he met in his own world, but those not quite human in horos, either.

he worries for howl now, an entirely different feeling than being afraid of him. the feathers aren’t right. they bring dextera no joy to brush against, the way he’s imagined it would be to hold a bird in his hands. ]

…

[ he allows howl to talk, giving him space to sort through his scattered emotions the way dextera wishes people would have given to him. if he were being completely fair, he would have left by now to let howl figure it out in peace—but dextera is still a little selfish, even when he thinks he’s being as generous as possible. ]

I know… I know you don’t think there’s any hope, but I…

[ his fingers twitch and loosely grab a handful of feathers, though his touch is still mercifully light. ]

I’ll die if I think like that.

[galdorleod]

[ The curl of fingers against his coat gives Howl a kneejerk urge to pull away, but he hesitates and manages to control himself. His eyes dart down to the hand buried among his feathers. This is... weird. This feels weird, and Howl can't even tell if he hates it; he can sense the earnestness behind Dextera's thoughts. He knows the risk that his friend is taking by reaching out like this, metaphorically and literally.

After another pregnant beat, Howl's legs bend and fold underneath him, lowering his heavy body down into a seated position. The movement pushes Dextera's hand deeper within his feathers, until it touches the skin and muscle underneath; a silent acceptance of being touched. He's curled up on the cement now like a bird sitting comfortably in its nest, but the tension within him over this meeting is still palpable. ]

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? DEXTERA. [ Death is inevitable, for all of them. He has to know that. ] YOU KNOW I'M RIGHT. YOU FEEL IT TOO. DON'T YOU?

[passio]

[ dextera is afraid to touch people too closely, like this. it feels as if the muscles in his wrist are trying to jerk out so that he can cause no harm, but he wants to do this. howl has accepted him, and dextera doesn’t want to reject another person out of fear of what he might do.

he’s torn between wanting to lean in and run away; the magnetizing pull of either means he doesn’t do anything, remaining frozen with his fingers buried between quills ]

…

[ of course he does. he isn’t immune to howl’s despair, or to anyone’s. the pleroma keeps his head above water because he wants it that way, but he’s in control of his own feelings nonetheless. he’ll fall if he gives himself the chance to. ]

…I do, but… I’m not living for myself… so I can’t die for myself, either…

[galdorleod]

[ A long, deep breath expels from Howl's nostrils — the monstrous, oversized version of a heavy sigh. He can feel Dextera's dueling impulses, and knowing that one of them is to pull away, he struggles even deeper with his friend's determination. Is it the Pleroma's influence, tainting his true desire? Or is it really, still, the lingering shadow of his brother and the fight he'd left behind in his old world...?

As long as the Aions are trapped here in this world, clashing together as its demigods, none of them are living for themselves. ]

...LITTLE BIRD.

[ The monster's voice somehow sounds distinctly more gentle, despite being just as inhuman. Howl speaks at a quieter, less demanding volume, dipping his head lower so that Dextera can still hear him over the fighting that rages outside the alleyway. ]

STAY IN ACHAMOTH. COME BACK WITH ME. I'LL PROTECT YOU... AND IF YOU WERE TO COME VOLUNTARILY, I KNOW YOU'D BE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS.

[passio]

…

[ isn’t it so tempting?

compared to their quiet conversation before and the fight they had last time, this finds itself in the perfect middle of those extremes and makes it hard to deny the earnest offer. being protected, being valued—it’s not that dextera hasn’t found acceptance among the pleroma, he has, but it’s undeniable that the people who want him by their side are under the regent’s control. in spite of it all, they want him there.

his resolve wavers. ]

I… I can’t. [ somehow, guiltily, he feels less sure of himself than he had when he denied howl before. ] I have to help Himeka and Abel…

[galdorleod]

[ The answer is disappointing, but not surprising. And unlike the kneejerk disgust that Howl has felt when hearing other Pleroma express the same sentiment, Howl can accept Dextera's feelings for what they are, in this present moment. In response, he stays silent, leaning against the palm buried in his feathers ever so slightly. The silence is... comforting. It always has been, between them. ]

I WON'T GIVE UP ON YOU.

[ Howl lowers his head slowly, until he's completely relaxed and curled up on the cement. His neck curls until his snout is half-buried in the feathers of his body, a distinctly bird-like posture that still allows him to look up at Dextera with one blue eye. ]

...I WON'T ATTACK YOU AGAIN, EITHER. LET'S NOT FIGHT AGAIN.

[ Even as he knows he can't entirely promise that, in every circumstance, he's feeling determined to try. What's the point of trying to fight Dextera if he also wants to save him? It doesn't make sense. ]