EVENT #3: THE COST OF INNOCENCE

[aionmods]

The Cost of Innocence

INVESTIGATION

As the Aions arrive in Venera, they will find the natural beauty of the city in sharp contrast to its uncomfortable aura. Though the sun still shines and flowers still bloom in a place filled with physical vibrancy and life, the air itself is impossibly still, as if wind no longer blows. You can taste the stagnancy of it when you breathe, and the pleasant sights only make that feeling of absence more haunting. The streets are mostly empty, with most of the city's residents hiding away in their homes, fearing the touch of whatever illness has caused this. That is, all the citizens besides those most affected, who wander the streets in a lifeless and painless daze.

Normally, Venera would be occupied by both Hylician and Achamite soldiers, but it quickly becomes apparent that both have abandoned the city, only guarding its furthest outskirts. Their reasons vary: the Achamite soldiers seem to take religious objection to the feeling of the city, believing it to be some trickery of the Innocent, while the Hylicians simply see it as a plague they have no interest in catching or spreading. Because of this, it will be easy for Aions of both sects to explore with little pushback from any form of law enforcement. The Kenoma will be directed into the city with warnings about the potential physical and spiritual danger while Pleroma will be able to sneak in mostly unbothered. After all, no one is eager to follow you.

Most shops and businesses are currently closed, though some uninfected individuals still nervously keep watch over their workplaces, fearing potential looting. It's difficult, but not impossible, to find people to talk to, and while the most plentiful wanderers are the infected, the reactions from those with their minds still intact will vary. Some will be eager to speak to anyone who looks like they're trying to do something about their situation, desperate for any source of outside help. If revealed you are an Aion, this may either entice them even further or cause them to retreat, as if fearing that you are somehow to blame for their plight. For those that are enticed, it will become clear that they hold onto faith that Aions are in Horos to save them, and will tell these new arrivals whatever they can without discriminating between sects.

The base level information that can be found is thus: the infection began at the same levels it has been in the rest of Horos, only for the numbers of the afflicted to rapidly accelerate upon the coming of the Innocent's Moon. Some see it as a form of divine punishment for their cooperation with the Regent, while the less cooperative citizens see it as a malady brought about by the Aions themselves, their only hope being that they will be able to clean up the mess they made. Some citizen have managed to corral their inflicted loves ones into their rooms and will be willing to introduce you; most of these individuals are past the point of conversation, and seem fully lost to whatever fantasy world they are experiencing. They are disinterested in eating or drinking and it seems like, without help, they are destined for a slow death of starvation and atrophy. That is, if their apathetic state doesn't result in a severe accident, as it has in many cases already.

Any other clues will take more dogged investigation. It will be a day or so after the majority of Aions have arrived in the city that the first signs of their own infections become clear.

HEAVENLY BODIES

The first to feel its effects will be the Innocents, Lovers, and Celebrants; like a voice has fully awakening to them, whispering of how their touch can be the cure to the others' pain. It bids them to take their fellow Aions into their loving embrace, to share this gift, as only suffering lies ahead. It expresses without words that it will be a shield for their Aion kindred, and that those that accept will become their outstretched hands to a cosmos that craves peace. Any form of physical contact with those three Legacies will either introduce or rapidly accelerate the infections experienced by the others, this effect only becoming more intense if the wielder intentionally forces the power of this strange entity into their victims.

Even without that accelerating touch, however, other Aions are not necessarily safe; the infection will still seep in, albeit more slowly. All Aions may experience a growing feeling of connection to the infected Venerans, as if the energy within them is being drawn into their their own bodies. As the Aion's symptoms worsen, the the ones suffered by the Venerans will gradually lessen, though not go away entirely. It seems that the Aions soaking up this strange power is enough to take the edge off of what is happening to the citizens: but at what cost?

Various symptoms will manifest in afflicted Aions with outcomes far more diverse and devastating than what the Veneran civilians have experienced. Visionaries, Firebrands, and Artisans will suffer the most catastrophic symptoms, the clash between their spiritual natures and that of the Innocence being the most extreme. This malady is characterized by its innate desire to quell its victims of their resistance, smothering them in artificial peace, even if it has to deprive them of their bodies and minds to do so.

It is not without treatment, however. It will gradually become apparent that feelings of intense suffering or upset are capable of purging the infection, that clash with painful reality seeming to wake them up from their trance and reduce or eliminate physical symptoms. The more intense the distress, the more effective it will be. Fortunately, this heightening of Aion spiritual energy has the added consequence of making empathic communion connections far more acute. Instead of just transmitting and receiving emotions and thoughts, Aions will find themselves more easily able to enter the delusions and memories of their kindred, drawing them out and manipulating them for this purpose. The catch is that they will only be able to access what is on the surface of the other Aion's mind.

When an infection is reduced or expelled this way, the energy causing it seems to be dispelled from the city, lowering the intensity of its ambient effects. While similar can be done to Veneran citizens to help treat them, the energy will not leave, and will either go into the Aion casting it out or return to the nebulous source of Innocence and eventually infect someone else. Something about going through the Aions specifically seems to act as a filter, as unpleasant of a way as it is to help.

IN THE SILENCE

For those unlucky enough to develop complete, or near complete, infections (IE. a full Innocence petrification) a presence will awaken within them regardless of their Legacy. It will urge them to join with it, to embrace the peace it offers, and to become the extensions of their will in this ravaged world. With an infection of this intensity, there will be little they can do but to hear its call. What exactly this would ultimately entail is unclear, but there is the sense that his entity is looking to join with you on a spiritual level. If your character becomes infected to this degree please let us know under the Committed Actions toplevel below along with the context of that transformation and whether or not they are being cured from it. You may receive some additional information in return!

QUESTIONS

What is the best way for Aions to travel to Venera?
The quickest travel paths are for Kenoma to take a boat from Achamoth, which will take about a day, and for Pleroma to teleport to the Celebrant's shrine and take either a carriage or river boat to the city (there are offshoot rivers not marked on the setting map). The riverboats would be the faster option option of the two, and would also take about a day. The carriages/delivery carts would be slower and take a couple days, but have relay access to horses and therefore could keep going overnight. Characters with flight are also able to use that, though flying right into the city might cause a bit of spectacle. Then again, none of the local law enforcement is eager to chase you at the moment.

Are Veneran civilians experiencing the same symptoms as the Aions?
Veneran civilians are only experiencing apathy/loss of self/daydreaming and maybe the loss of pigments/color for advanced cases. The more body horror orientated effects are Aion only and are being caused by their body's spiritual makeup.

Can 'cured' Aions be reinfected?
Yes! Even if cured or treated, symptoms can return or worsen again. This will keep happening until the build up of Innocence energy in Venera is entirely expunged, at which point the illness will fade away across the continent. Whether or not the Aions mere presence will be enough to trigger that is yet unknown, but it does seem to be helping lessen the effects suffered by the civilians, at least.

How long does the infection period last in Aions?
Chronologically, we are considering the infection period of the plot to last 2-3 days.

Comments

Communion Reports - OTA to Kenoma

[lachtara]

Eventually, the need arises to travel to the 'front lines' to address the happenings in Venera. What an unfortunate chore.

As he busies himself with readying to leave, there is an unspoken tension from the Communion. It feels as though someone is trying to reach him but having some amount of difficulty - or perhaps apprehension - in doing so. Emet-Selch focuses his attention on the link and asks flatly, "Yes?"

Perhaps whoever it was would respond in kind.

[subsist]

The struggle mostly comes from the fact that Kaeya is beginning to feel an odd sense of peace creep up on him, as if telling him that he shouldn't really be worrying too much about what's happening. He has a reason for why he he's attempting to contact Emet-Selch, but oddly enough, he can't seem to remember what it is now.

That's the general sense the other man on the other side of the line will be able to glean from Kaeya once their connection finally becomes much clearer.

"Hello," almost sing-songy, at ease, "Shall I try contacting you at another time?"

[lachtara]

The question on Emet-Selch's face is clear. Why contact him only to offer to do it later, and why sound so... lackadaisical about it all?

"You have my attention now." Sigh. "If you will indulge me with how the city fairs?"

[subsist]

The halfheartedness doesn't really go away when Kaeya speaks again, but he does try his best to be informative as he brings up what he has to report. "We're not much closer to figuring out what ails this city, but we are encountering a few..." He trails off, a beat too long. "... curious complications."

You'd think he would be supporting that statement with more information, but it almost seems like his thoughts can't focus enough to make this easy. He flickers between wanting to ask how Achamoth is doing, to what Emet-Selch himself is up to at this very moment, all of which are coming through the communion without much restraint. Odd, given what he's usually like.

And then, when he finally remembers what he's supposed to be doing, he huffs quietly. Amused.

"Ah, right— Complications. Whatever this is, it's begun to affect Aions too."

[lachtara]

After the first sentence, Emet-Selch can think about nothing but a silently implied 'AND...'? But he waits for a few moments for his fellow Kenoma to finish that thought, hoping the tense silence would be enough to coax him on.

He does get a response eventually. Another careless one, much to his dismay. "...'affect' them in what way?" He asks flatly.

[subsist]

If only Kaeya still has the capacity to care about Emet-Selch's growing annoyance, no matter how subtle it is, but he seems unbothered as always. Perhaps the other Aion can see the way his eyebrow raises when asked, as if wondering what he meant by that.

"Oh, you know... Dazed looks. No sense of self-preservation. Much like the locals' symptoms that we were already aware of," the more he talks, the harder it is to remain focused. His mind is wandering yet again, picturing white feathers and white flesh. He finds himself looking down at his own two palms as if expecting to see something that's not quite there.

"There's something else." When he manages that much, it's as if he gains a sudden burst of clarity. Emet-Selch might be privy to nonsensical whispers that Kaeya is desperately trying to ignore. Whispers that beckon him bring peace to those who are in need of it. "Wings. Porcelain skin. I—" Won't you come and find me? "It's affecting Aions physically too."

...

"We might be in trouble, I think."

[lachtara]

"You don't say." It comes off flatter than intended, but the general sentiment is there.

He had not talked to this boy much, but their conversation gave him enough to identify how he conducted himself. This was nothing like their last conversation. If a sense of lethargy truly plagues those with the illness, then it stands to reason he may be seeing some ill effects. Not to mention the faint whispers he can just make out.

"I will be there as soon to help where I may. My research efforts here have not yielded much information that can be of use." Emet-Selch continues his busy. "Has there been any progress on a cure?"

[subsist]

"No," and it's not clear which part he's saying that in response to. At least, not until he continues, "No, you shouldn't— I'm not entirely certain how it's spreading. It might not be safe."

That's about as far as he can get with his warning because something feels as if it's beginning to take over. The connection between them sudenly feels tenuous at best, faraway and floaty, as if Kaeya himself is no longer steady. There are hints of a struggle, but they're not ones that last forever, and soon enough, when his voices becomes much clearer, he sounds... oddly at peace.

"How strange. When did I grow wings?"

Casually, not worried at all.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch looks up at attention when the connection between them begins to feel strange. Though he doesn't profess an expertise in this link, this feeling is not something he has experienced before. It's as noticable as sudden silence.

At the mention of wings making themselves known in such a casual way, he begins his work again in earnest. Now he must go with a response like that. "...I will be there tomorrow." With everything gathered he makes for the door. "How fair the rest of your comrades?"

[fightforthejoyofit]

The first report Zenos sends, when they arrive in Venera, is curt, almost professional - we are here, we have commenced investigations, stand by for future updates.

The second, a day (or some days? Time is becoming rather soupier, the more of it which passes) is... very much not that. In the time between reaching out and Emet-Selch's response his attention wanders enough that the flat yes? has him bristling with an irritated what do you want, old man? before remembering that no, he invited this.

... why, exactly did he invite this?

Emet-Selch might well be able to detect, under the message Zenos actually sends back - an equally-flat "Are you still in Achamoth?" - both the seductive whisper of the contagion suggesting wouldn't it be easier to just hang up, walk away, maybe have a nap in the sun somewhere? and the almost-draconic snarl of oppositional defiance that's currently answering it.

[lachtara]

It's... strange. So strange that Emet-Selch has to take a moment before replying. "I am still in Achamoth, but I will be departing for Venera momentarily." In fact, he makes for the door now.

"What is the status of those in Venera." It comes across as an order he might give someone under his rule.

[fightforthejoyofit]

... where is Venera? He's in-

- no. He is not in Doma. Or Ala Mhigo. Or anywhere else his mind has wandered to lately. Emet-Selch's tone helps a little, in that it stokes that defiance further, makes it marginally easier to ignore the whispers. For the time being, at least.

"Unchanged, for the most part; I would go as far as to say stagnant. The obvious comparison is to the Tempered, though any Purpose driving them seems conspicuous in its absence." He does not know enough of aetherology to say more than that; this is very much the sorcerer's ballpark, not the warrior's. There is a half-beat before he adds "Aions are not immune to the contagion."

[lachtara]

One cannot help but draw a comparison between the appearance of 'Tempered' individuals and the usual source of such an affliction: Eikon's. But there is no mention of such a thing existing in this world...could there be some equivalent?

"How many of our own have been afflicted?" Considering it implies that someone must have succumbed to know that they are not immune.

[fightforthejoyofit]

"Somewhere between 'some' and 'all'."

Not a helpful answer, he knows, but it's the best he can do right now; even were the contagion not clouding his own mind, there is a world of difference between half-remembered theorycrafting and actually not being able to fob the majority of direct responsibility off to a more capable retinue. That any of the various plates are balanced, let alone actually spinning, is an achievement.

"Tell me your studies at least yielded something of value."

[lachtara]

... What an unspecific number. Emet-Selch sighs; this is turning into an unfavorable situation quickly.

"Not as much as I would prefer. The city has remained out of conflict for some time given its subservience to the Regent. They are a resource-producing location, meaning it will be of strategic value for any ruler." Although that likely need not be said. "That also means there are many who will come and go for trade." Peddling their wares and shipping goods, as it were.

"The city lives in fear of the Regent. If we are associated with the Regent's loyalties, it will make this task more difficult to achieve." Making the task ever more difficult.

[fightforthejoyofit]

"More than that. They seem to believe nothing happens, for weal or woe, but that one of Our Kind is its author. If you are to come here" - and underneath that, the feral thing growls do not come here; this is not a place of honour and the foreign one sings of the serenity that awaits - "then hide your shard."

A long, bone-weary sigh. The optimism he'd felt on the boat ride over seems several lifetimes away, and very stupid in hindsight. "Its strategic importance is such that, I assume, razing the place entirely remains firmly Off The Table?"

[lachtara]

"Indeed. As troublesome as it is, we cannot let Venera fall. Unless you have great affection for the idea of starvation." Burning it would be a simple solution. It seems that fate is determined to make things ever more difficult.

"That means we must look to preserve as many of its people as possible. There is no point to have a city devoid of inhabitants."

[hikikosaurus]

There's apprehension every time Alphys tries to reach out mind-to-mind this way. For all that their induction to the Kenoma involved leaking their worst experiences and feelings out for all to see, it still feels too revealing to share her thoughts themselves, unfiltered by satire and self-mockery to reshape it the way she could her online ventings. She pushes on anyway.

"Ummm... Not to push you, but, are you coming?"

Some anxiety at the overreach, at what might happen if she doesn't speak up and take initiative to reach out, a thread of lingering responsibility for what others do - and a newer thread of wanting to lay down not just her crown and its responsibilities, but all need to do anything.

"It's just, I thought it was mandatory, but I haven't seen you around, and... Nobody's figured out what's causing it, or spreading it, so... we could really use the help!"

[lachtara]

"Oh? Worried that I may find myself outside of the Regent's good graces?" It's said with a hint of amusement. Half because of the mere idea of someone being concerned, and half because it's already happened once in his brief stay here.

With a smirk, he moves on. "I will arrive in Venera soon. First, I wanted to see if there was anything in the annals of the Achamoth Library that could help us. With the city under the Regent's rule, it stands to reason that they would have some public information about it."

[hikikosaurus]

She gives a bit of a nervous giggle at his question, not wanting to agree with it but unable to outright disagree - he seems the type, somehow. A hunch. Something about how in-charge he carries himself, all the time.

Instead of dwelling on that feeling, she lets off a relieved sigh. "Oh, that's... It's so obvious when you say it like that. I really should have done some reading! Instead of just rushing off..." Of course, if she had, she might have found herself 'forgetting' to get on one of the boats out. Maybe it's just as well she let the worries of making a good impression on the Regent drive her choices.

"Did, um... Did you find anything useful?" Maybe there's some key detail that will make the mystery ailment make a little more sense, to those currently dealing with the confused locals.

[lachtara]

"Not as useful as I would hope." The information in the library gives him the ever-increasing suspicion that the content there has been tailored.

"Nearly a century ago, Venera was beholden to a patron Aion. That Aion perished and the city has been subservient to the Regent ever since." Or controlled, rather. "Veneraian's fear Them; and if we are associated with the Regent's loyalties, it will make this task even more difficult." Making the task even more difficult than it needs to be.

"We must persist, however. They produce the many resources that supply our city. Meaning that unless we have a fondness for starvation, we must succeed."

[hikikosaurus]

"Y-Yeah, of course we have to figure this out! It's important for... For everyone here." For Achamoth and the Kenoma and their cause, but all the others of this world as well. Until things are actually in place for making a new one... Everyone should get to be in as much comfort as they can manage, and that includes food.

"But... Before the Regent took over Venera, it was ruled by another Aion? Just a century ago?" That seems brief, to Alphys, for all she's only a third that old - it comes with having a king who'd ruled for centuries before her. "Did it... Uh, did it sound like there's a lot of historical precedent for that? Various Aions ruling the city...?"

It might go even further in explaining the weird attitudes from the people of Venera. Not just fear of the Regent, but memory of the previous rulers who they replaced. She knows of the shrines, having woken at one... But that seemed more ancient history than that.

[lachtara]

"I cannot say; I wasn't given enough time to make my research comprehensive. That is a topic that must be explored further upon our return." If she is already wondering where he was then certainly others were too.

Speaking of that, he heads for the door. Finding a vessel may become difficult if he waited until later in the day to start this journey.

"This is one such case where a more intimate understanding of our new world would help us achieve our goal." It's said with a light sigh. He has tried to read more about Horos' history, but there is only so many hours in the day.

[hikikosaurus]

She hums with a disappointed but understanding agreement - drills and practice were never part of her routine before, and recovering from the exertion after just eats up more of her time. But it sounds like he's hinting at her, and research is one thing she's more confident of.

"Well, that kind of reading... It's f-fine with me. Especially since, well..." She releases a pang of longing for the internet, and the near endless distraction it once provided. "A-Anyway! I'll definitely help with that."

[lachtara]

"Oh?" Being offered help isn't expected but it is welcome nonetheless. Far be it from him to be capable of reading everything on his own. "Is researching such topics something you're accustomed to?"