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Aion Mods ([personal profile] aionmods) wrote in [community profile] aionlogs2022-08-18 12:17 pm

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.

gravings: (002)

[personal profile] gravings 2022-09-03 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ She can't really argue with that logic, but his suggestion freezes her in her tracks. Her reaction comes from an illogical place, she knows that, but the thought of anyone looking at her face that closely opens up a yawning hole beneath her so that it feels like she's falling.

She stops short of entering the alley. It's unreasonable, but in this one matter she isn't ready to compromise. ]


If you do that... I have to ask you not to look at my face.

[ It may very well be impossible, but that's her condition. ]
emblazer: (157.)

[personal profile] emblazer 2022-09-03 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It is a little difficult to achieve, but he'll do his best to choose a blank spot on her forehead or hair and just not focus on anything else. He doesn't want Gray to feel uncomfortable, even if Thoma has already seen all sorts of wounds and maladies before just from the nature of how things are back home. ]

Sure, don't worry about it. I'd offer to cover my own eyes while I re-dress your wound, but that would make wrapping you up properly a bit too hard.

[ He situates himself on the ground, crouched so they could be close in height, and lays his spear down before pulling out all the bandages and first aid materials he has in his travel pack so she can see them. He then gestures to the spot in front of him. ]

You can trust me. I won't do anything you don't want, and if it makes you feel better, I can also show you some of my scars or even my forehead pimples.

[ Wearing a forehead bandana nearly all the time does have its drawbacks. ]
gravings: (072)

[personal profile] gravings 2022-09-05 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ She's torn between the frustration of being unable to adequately explain her issue and the absurdity of his suggestion of showing off his pimples. She might laugh if she weren't so seized with panic at the sight of Thoma near eye level. She might even prefer that he try to bandage her blindly, but the result would probably just be worse than the job she's already done.

She shakes her head firmly to signify that no pimples need be bared as she steps closer to him, her head turned low, her breath becoming irregular. She closes her eyes as she stops approximately in front of him. She trusts that he wouldn't betray her; it's purely her own issues that make this difficult.

She forces herself to even out her breathing, touching her hand to her heart so that she can ground herself in its beating. ]


It isn't that... I'm sorry. I know it's a strange request.

[ She grips the sides of her hood with tight fingers before lowering it slowly as if it were tape to be peeled off. There's really nothing extraordinary underneath except for the braided bun her long hair is neatly bundled into. Even so, she seems to wilt as if expecting some unusual reaction from him.

Once that's done, she does some actual peeling of the stained bandages from her face. The wound beneath was caused by a single large blow, a whopper that crosses her face at an angle; it's a mass of a raw welt that eats across the bridge of her nose and bleeds into one eye, which she tactfully keeps closed. ]
emblazer: (164.)

[personal profile] emblazer 2022-09-06 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ Was she really that worried how he'd react to her wounds? As far as he can tell, even though they're a bit harsh-looking, he's not that horrified at the sight of them. He's definitely seen worse, considering Inazuma is a place heavy with conflict, and they'll probably look even better once he cleans them out.

He grabs a small, clean cloth and pours some water from his canister onto it so he can start gently dabbing at the welts on her face, being careful not to aggravate them. ]


Probably good I found you when I did. The last thing you'd want is any of this getting infected. Gangrene doesn't play around. Kind of wish I had on-the-spot healing powers.

[ There are a couple of healers on their side now, but Thoma isn't sure he feels comfortable bugging them to help the enemy –is even less sure they'd agree. While he may not be keen to view every Kenoma as terrible for simply choosing the side that best suited their needs, he knows others are less egalitarian in their views. They may even be inclined to view Thoma as a traitor for providing aid.

His shoulders sag, wishing they'd be more willing to listen and choose other options outside of violence. Then Gray wouldn't be bleeding all over herself like this. ]


You let me know if it stings at all. I'm being as careful as possible until you can get to the Regent's own healers. Do they even have any...?