EVENT #2: HEARTS LIKE YOURS (ACHAMOTH)

[aionmods]

Achamoth

A DEITY'S WELCOME

After only a day or two on the river, the newly christened Kenoma will arrive in the city of Achamoth. The architecture is the more striking things about it, as if its skyline has been built up and constantly improved over many centuries. It's clear from even the riverside view that there is an artistic tendency towards building humanoid shapes into the supports and detailing of structures here, creating the strange effect of placing hundreds of silhouettes in your peripheral vision. If you ask the sailors why its like that, they will simply say it's the way its always been. Any metaphorical seed was planted long before anyone here was born.

The Citadel can be seen even from the entrance of the city, a towering spiral that looms over the rest of the land around it, lit from within by various magical energies. That's your destination, you are told. Soon, you will be passed into the care of the Citadel's staff, and will be sure to meet with city's elites not long after.

They aren't wrong. When you show up at the port closest to the Citadel, the street are always lined with people waiting to greet you. It's easy to recognize now how diverse the population of Horos can be, with many of those waiting showing off unusual heights, colors, and appendages, though appearances that are typically 'human' are still the most common. Most of them wear dark outfits with a gothic flare, with mask-like facial adornments apparently being fashionable. They cheer and chant as you come down from the boat, tossing flower petals and small gemstones onto the path you walk upon. This continues all the way to the Citadel.

Once you are inside, up winding paths of stairs, you will be shown to your new quarters to rest. You're each assigned a lavish bedroom with servants stopping by ever so often, offering to bring you food, clothing, or other items of comfort. There are a variety of soaps in your room's private bath. You are told that if you take a liking to any individual servant that you may claim them as your permanent retainer, though you are not required to. Their dispositions range from euphoric to be serving you to quiet and shy, but there is a notable lack of resentment.

After about a day of rest, you will be brought an official invitation by one of the servants. Apparently, the Regent has requested your presence for supper that evening. It is not optional.

THE FEAST

A few hours before suppertime, one of the servants will arrive to take you 'clothes shopping' for something appropriately formal to wears for your meeting with the Regent. In practice, this means taking you to one of several changing rooms filled with costly formal wear. The styles and sizes are diverse, which makes sense when you are informed that they are a collection of offerings from local weavers and seamstresses, some of which have been waiting for an owner for quite some time. From an Earthly point of view, there is a wide spectrum of cultural aesthetics, though most of them lean towards the same dark colors and gothic sensibilities that you saw the citizens of Achamoth wearing. Headpieces and artistic masks are plentiful, but not mandatory though the servant will tell you they are in vogue. A servant will be able to make alterations to your clothing with magic to achieve a proper fit.

After that, you have a couple more hours to prepare before you are invited to a lounge-like area for pre-meal drinks. You can get almost any kind of cocktail you can imagine, including some you can't, and will be allowed to chat each other up for about an hour before the feast begins. Some small appetizers are available, and soft, rhythmic music plays in the background. If you look for her, Xishen is present as well, dressed in a black evening gown with golden accents that flicker like stars in the night sky, her long hair pinned up into a messy bun and decorated with hair-sticks. As usual, she seems to be avoiding company for the moment, though she is keeping an eye on everyone. Perhaps she's counting heads to make sure there are no stragglers.

When the time arrives, two huge doors are opened, leading you into a room that looks like a mixture of a dining room and a cathedral. Ahead of you, three long takes are connected together in the shape of a triangle, with a large throne positioned at the point furthest into the room; it is presently empty. You'll be instructed to take a seat, basking in the multicolored flames of the candles and torches lighting the room. As you find your places, all seats will be filled except for the throne up front, with Xishen at its side. All you can do now is await your host.

[Mealtime interactions with the Regent can be threaded here. They will arrive right after the first course has been served.]

EXPLORATION

Having survived supper with the Regent, the next few weeks are essentially yours to plan. Though the Regent indicates that there is work for you to do on the Horizon, for now your orders are to simply rest and prepare. You'll have access to the Citadel's armory to acquire any basic armor or weaponry you could need; though none of what's on offer seems to be enchanted, it is undoubtedly the work of a master. Clothing is much the same as it was for the formal wear you picked out, though you will find there are more practical offerings available as well. If you don't find anything to your tastes, you are also welcome to go out on the town with a generous allowance from the Regent's own coffers.

Clothing isn't the only thing you can get out in the city, though. While there are material goods of many kinds available, the most tempting thing for many residents is the raw hedonism of the city's entertainment district. It has just about anything you could imagine, from day spas to gambling to brothels, and none of it is contained by the burden of law. Any Achamite entertainment seen as too intense to face daylight would certainly not be for the faint of heart.

The locals haven't had enough time to recognize the city's new Aions on sight, but if they see your shard or or any other sign of your status, you are bound to attract a lot of attention. You're a celebrity in these streets, and while it can get you plenty of favors or even unsolicited offerings, it can also be quite overwhelming. In many cases, Achamite's religious fervor exceeds their survival instinct, at least in terms of the ones most likely to bother you. They will back off if threatened by you, but they will take politeness as an invitation to continue.

When leaving the Citadel, a servant will usually try to accompany you, though they will stay behind if you order them to do so. They insist that it will be easier for you to get around with a dedicated guide, but in the end you're the one in charge.

QUESTIONS

How does my character picking a retainer work?
All Kenoma are offered the opportunity to take on an NPC retainer after arriving at the Citadel. This retainer will be an NPC created and played by you. They will be available day and night to attend to your character's needs. These servants understand the Regent largely from a religious perspective and will not have any outspoken anti-Regent sentiments, though they may or may not be nervous about their new master. Generally speaking, though, this is in a new job jitters sort of way, as working in the Citadel is considered to be a job of great cultural and religious significance. They want to do a good job! You are free to develop your retainer's personality and relationship with your character. If your character (or you) are not interested in having a personal retainer, they will instead be served by a rotation of unattached servants.

How much money are Kenomas given for shopping?
They will be given an emerald's worth in jools, which is 1000 units. This is about how much a minimum wage worker makes in two months. They will continue receiving spending money on a monthly basis, though the Citadel itself will take care of all of their needs. On an OOC level its safe to say that average city expenditures will be covered by the money they are given, though they are welcome to invest that money in making more money if they have to skills to do so.

What sorts of things are there in the entertainment district? Is anything illegal?
Almost everything is legal in Achamoth when it comes to entertainment, and there is not much government oversight in the way anything is run. This means that most 'entertainment' you can imagine is both present and largely unregulated, and it doesn't need to be underground on account of how permissive Achamite law is. Brothels, drugs, and even bloodsport are all fair game... technically, participants in brothels and bloodsports must be willing but that 'consent' can be pretty nebulous. 'Extreme' bloodsport is generally hush hush (those that are particularly graphic and unpleasant, or basically torture) and behind closed doors mostly just to avoid causing a fuss.

The one thing there is official rulings on, straight from the Regent, is the enforcement of 'age of consent' and laws against child abuse. Children are generally not allowed to participate in those skeevier activities and there is a cultural expectation for people to raise their children properly, though this still goes wrong fairly frequently. It's just one of the things that is actually punished. Adults, however, have fewer innate protections.

Comments

no worries at all!!

[lifespanned]

[ She gives an enthusiastic nod, her eyebrows raising faintly. ]

I was surprised too. I guess the Regent cares more that we tried hard in spite of that?

[ Because she also couldn't help but notice that "not being prepared or trained" ended up being the most popular excuse of the night. The thing that set the two of them apart, then, is that a fear of not being able to do enough hadn't held them back. If she had to guess, the Regent values loyalty and a willingness to try in the face of adversity above all else. ]

Or, they're just happy that we both thought that Matt guy was stupid for what he was doing. I saw that glare you gave him!

[ She laughs, covering her mouth with a curled hand - and it's pretty mean spirited, as she is taking full enjoyment out of his public embarrassment at the table. The Regent's disapproval of him, along with their praise of Silco and Misa for what are clearly shared clashes with him, had made her feel morally superior for what she'd done to Matt in the end. After her short laugh subsides, she adds on more thoughtfully, even triumphantly: ]

He really got in trouble.

[zauneyete]

[ Silco made his own indelicate, rude sound, a snort through his nose. Misa's mean spirited laugh doesn't even phase him, and in fact, he looks a little amused by it himself. His hand touched his lips, as if to cover them from saying something rude, but even so... it doesn't do much. ]

Well, perhaps next time he won't take it upon himself to decide who's doing the right thing. [ A beat. ] We can't have people who are wrong making decision for us, can we?

[ Misa found the bitchiest older man on the planet, lucky her. ]

Did he get in your way too? Or are you just a delighted onlooker?

[lifespanned]

[ Oh, a comrade in mean girl-ism... she feels seen. Her smile turns to something more serene, her chin tilting up in haughtiness. ]

He didn't get in my way exactly... but I saw how he was getting in everyone else's. I did what I could to stop him, but there wasn't much I could do once he started using magic. A regular weapon can only go so far....

[ There may have been a literal knife in the back, but she doesn't say it so plainly here. ]

To be honest, I thought I'd get in trouble just for hurting someone from our side, you know? But now I know how the Regent feels about people like him.

[ All of this had only told her that it's totally okay to call out or harm those that are deserting or betraying the Regent's intent - which is important information to have. Doing anything that could be perceived as helping the Pleroma would probably result in the same reaction, so she knows to be very careful who she rubs elbows with. ]

[zauneyete]

[ Silco nodded along. It was good information to have, particularly since there were some distinct... weak links in the chain. Sure, if they were normal, obviously Silco and Misa would have more room to grow, but that didn't mean that they weren't helpful. Clearly, Misa was willing to go after someone like Matt -- and who knew what other magics he had lurking about? Silco had no mind for it, Magic, and he'd never had much interest in it.

It existed in his world, but between the city of progress, and the city of iron and glass, there was little to go around, beyond what the Hexgates offered, and he'd never even been in one. The bubble had been...surprising enough, especially after Hubert's attack, but what could one do with it? He couldn't simply manifest power, could he?

He looked over at Misa, who was a hair taller than himself. It would be infuriating, if Silco wasn't used to being shorter than everyone except his daughter. He smirked at her, about to say something incredibly bitchy. Misa was truly in good company. ]

At least he can't be that powerful of a magician, if a regular weapon was enough to stop him, don't you think?

[ He paused, considering. ] No wonder the regent was impressed, regardless of his magical ability. I wonder how we'll be able to grow, like the Regent suggested. Personally, I've never considered having power like that before.

[ Oh, but Silco craved it. ]

[lifespanned]

[ She laughs at the continued down-talking of the other man, nodding in agreement. How she'd love to elaborate on how having an all-powerful ability is, in fact, the best. Briefly, she wonders if there's any point to keeping all the Death Note business under wraps, given the state of their home worlds.... well, better safe than sorry. So, she plasters an innocent smile on her face, lighting up at the praise. ]

You really haven't? I feel like everyone thinks about it once or twice.

[ As kids, maybe. With a hum, she folds her hands behind her back, keeping stride with him as they pass by the remaining hustle and bustle of the dining hall. ]

I'm more wondering how we're going to come across it. Will it be given to us? Or do we have to go looking? I'm trying to figure out if I need to come up with some awesome power before the next time we face off with those guys.

[zauneyete]

If we decide it at all.

[ He pointed out. ] I'm also curious if it's the sort of thing that will be made manifest, borne from the fires of our conflict, or if we can... guide it. Shape it.

[ He wanted that power now certainly. Misa was right, that many kids dreamed of power, but Silco hadn't gotten that chance, and dreamed instead of getting out of the mines -- before he did so. Kids in Zaun were all too often forced to grow up too quick. Silco himself had seen plenty of them forced to take on the responsibilities of their families.

But he'd seen plenty of young folk turn to Shimmer themselves, just like adults did, looking for something to make them feel powerful. He understood it, the need, to feel in control, and powerful. Like one had the ability to exact revenge or power over their surroundings. ]

I suppose there's some merit to thinking about it. What is it they say? If you believe it, you can make it true?

[ Although, from his tone, Misa would be able to tell he thought that was likely bull. ]

[lifespanned]

I don't see why not!

[ Brightening up, she winks and laughs a bit more loudly, confidently. The Regent defied all notions of nature and reality by even bringing them here. Suddenly, manifesting an ability of their choice doesn't seem so outlandish. ]

I mean, what if someone like the Regent or Xishen is the one who will bestow powers on us? Thinking about it in advance would make us seem really prepared. [ In theory, at least. In practice, she's likely to just stick with whatever cool ability she thinks up first. ] And I wanna stay on their good sides by being useful and smart. I mean, look at what happened to that guy.

[ Misa refers with slight jest to their ejected companion, Emet-Selch, clearly not concerned in the least about his fate, either. ]

[zauneyete]

A wise decision. [ Silco admitted. ] I'm in the same boat, personally.

[ Silco wasn't a follower. He never had been. However, he also wasn't an idiot, and if someone like Emet-Selch had already stood up and been unceremoniously disposed of in a snap, Silco could recognize when a power was far too great to stand up to.

Misa could play the sycophant -- if it was an act -- but she was right that they were possibly the ones that would dispense any powers if they were going to. It was also correct that they should try to stay on their good sides. Silco was certainly keen on keeping himself both alive, and keen on acquiring the power that they'd promised. ]

Whatever power we get -- whether one we dream of, or one we are merely bestowed -- it's better than having nothing, isn't it? I don't know about you, but if we want to help the Regent... [ that's said with a bit more energy that mimicked Misa's. Not mocking, but certainly in lock step with her tone about them, ] We'll need to do our best to become useful, to stay in their good graces.

[lifespanned]

Heh, you get it. I was serious when I said I'd find some way to help no matter what, but I'm not going to say no to becoming more powerful either way. Not when there's wizards and stuff around...

[ Misa nods once, twice, three times to herself. It's at the top of the list when it comes to priorities: staying on good terms with the Regent. That much became crystal clear after this dinner. ]

Say, they said your name was Silco, right? Can I call you that? You can go ahead and just call me 'Misa.'

[zauneyete]

Well, Misa, I don't have another name to use, so... of course.

[ It's with a touch of sarcasm. Those in Zaun weren't worth of such legacies like in Piltover. There was no Mister Last Name, because they didn't have one, after all in the Undercity, being a parent's child could land one in a lifelong debt, a revenge plot, or who knows what else. ]

You're right either way. I was already attacked by one of them, you know. A wizard. [ A tight smile. ] It isn't something I want to repeat, very...painful.

[ The effect had faded, but going after Silco's other eye so soon had been... rather painful. It had left him out of commission for longer than he'd liked. ] I'd like to have an advantage next time.