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

Investigations/Around the City - OTA

[lachtara]

a.) Exploring
Emet-Selch wanders the streets upon his late arrival. The uneasy quiet here is telling that something is not quite right, further supported by the sight of people laying in the streets or standing as they stare at nothing in the sky. His gaze searches the area and he oh-so-casually steps over the bodies of any of the city's natives that lie in the road as he makes his way through.

He sees someone on the far side of the square underneath a trellis of hanging flowers - which also seem to have been flecked with a noticeable white color. Regardless of whether they are Pleroma or Kenoma, he approaches them and comes to a stop at their side. "One must wonder what awaits us here if the guards themselves would rather not venture inside."

b.) Investigating CW: Slight Gore
Now, what of this illness?

The sight of one inflicted individual seems to capture his attention. Emet-Selch makes his way to them and crouches down at their side to get a closer look. The person is marred with white feathers and their complexion is beyond deathly pale. They clutch a fist full of feathers, it seems that they sought to pull them out. They writhe in pain, crying and muttering about someone who they beg to 'forgive' them. One cannot help but notice that they all share the same pale features and lethargy as one touched by a Sin Eater would.

He reaches for them and puts a hand on the side of their face. Some of the sickly white bleeds through to his fingertips. The cries are cut noticeably short as they begin to crumble away in his hands.

b!

[salvageable]

It's been a couple of days since Dokja's arrival to Venera and he's already grown accustomed to the near lifeless bodies littering the streets. He's heard vague stories of slow recoveries for the city's people once the Aions converged upon this place, but in some sort of a reversal, it seems like it's now the Aions themselves who are succumbing to the contagion. There's a correlation here that he hasn't been able to fully grasp just yet, but with his mind holding stronger than most (for once), he's at least able to continue in his investigations.

Which leads him to come across this disturbing scene. Dokja wordlessly watches on as the sick individual crumbles away before it fully registers what it is he's seeing, and then he's hurrying over to try and yank the man away from the already disintegrating form.

"What do you think you're doing?"

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch glances back at whoever it is that has approached him and shoots them a look. "What do you think I'm doing, having a cup of tea?" He huffs and gets to his feet.

"I am trying to see if there's anything to be done for this one but they are far beyond help." Without being touched, the ligaments of the townsperson crack all the more.

[salvageable]

Having... a cup of tea? That's not what he would have supplied as his first or twentieth guess, but okay.

As soon as this stranger gets to his feet, Dokja is incredibly annoyed at having to look up at him. Literally who makes people this tall and for what reason is it necessary?

But back to the matter at hand. Dokja releases his hold on Emet to take a step back, gaze returning to the prone figure on the ground. "I don't know about beyond help, but for your sake, don't touch them." His tone implies a genuine warning rather than a threat.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch glances at his hand which has the slightest tinge of white to it now, just the same as the person he was attending. "So it seems..." Since arriving he had only managed to explore. This is the first that he's tried to interact with the afflicted directly.

"Does that hold true for all, regardless of severity?"

[salvageable]

"I'm not sure. I've just seen some of the infected Aions try to spread the sickness with touch."

Keeping his distance from the infected hasn't helped much with his own investigations, but it has helped him keep a mostly intact mind. That clarity is what has him leveling a cautious stare at this stranger. An unfamiliar face usually means...

"... Kenoma?"

[lachtara]

Ah, only a Pleroma could say such a thing and have it come off as almost... accusatory. He pays it no mind, however.

"Yes, as it so happens, I am of the Kenoma." He puts a hand on his torso and dips his head by way of introduction. "Though I would prefer the name Emet-Selch."

a!

[passio]

Dextera knows well that Emet-Selch is not a friend to the Pleroma, as none of the Kenoma are, but their encounter before had been cordial—Dextera remembers him as even being friendly, although most people would probably not categorize it that way. That’s the only thing that keeps him from skittering off at the sound of a voice, but there’s a guilty look on his face as if the man is capable of reading Dextera’s mind for the solutions he was already turning over in his head.

As the guilt subsides, though, his natural bend to authority takes its place. He looks to Emet-Selch without running away, though his head is bowed slightly, and his expression seems to ask only one thing: what can they even do here?

[lachtara]

The expression, demure hunch, and the question in his glance are all silently noted. Ah, the flicker of fear he's so often seen in the eyes of others. Even so, Emet-Selch does not comment on them.

He passes by and pauses as he gets a few steps ahead of the boy. Emet-Selch looks over his shoulder and leers expectantly. "Well? Are you coming or has your enthusiasm for exploration dulled?"

[passio]

There’s a bit of—something, that Dextera can’t place, in the way he says enthusiasm. Enough that Dextera feels himself bumping up against the word, but it’s still different in a way they both understand. He can’t really protest it.

He nods, closing those few steps between them in a hurry.

Logically, he shouldn’t be assisting anyone on the opposing side, but most of the people that they parted from in the cavern do not seem to relish the brewing war between them. In moments like this, where it seems a common cause is drawing them together, it feels once again like the relative peace of their captivity. He watches Emet-Selch out of the corner of his eye, surveying him.

[lachtara]

He walks along slowly at first, his steps kept purposefully lagging in case his young company chose to catch up with him.

"We will note areas of interest first. Then move to less important areas as we gain our bearings. Given the city center is at the heart of the city, let us begin there." Emet-Selch idly explains as he heads to the city square.

"Unless you have a different suggestion?"

[passio]

Dextera catches up with Emet-Selch and then slows just a step behind, like a duckling lagging after its mother. He only bobs his head in to Emet-Selch’s view, just into his periphery, to ‘speak’ with his expressions. To the question, he shakes his head.

As they move through the streets, the city is clearly dotted with afflicted citizens. Some of them seem worse off than others, and even as the two Aions walk toward the center, Dextera is able to observe the variety of reactions—some people drag their ill family members out of the way, while others seem to be looking for an opening to speak to the newcomers.

[lachtara]

It's somewhat difficult for Emet-Selch to be able to determine what he wants - or read his expression - when he's lagging just out of the typical line of sight. So before they go any further, Emet-Selch sighs, reaches back to put his hand on Dextera's back, and gently tries to coax him to walk at his side.

"We will have a more engaging conversation if I can see you."

A

[dragon_rider]

For a city under the Regent's control, Hiccup can't help but think it's too easy to get into. The soldiers that would usually guard it are well outside of the walls and seem keen to ignore anyone going in — as if noticing them would mean having to go in. It reminds him a lot of the talk of Odin's Scourge and how quickly people ran the other way and refused to do anything more. Unfortunately, the Scourge turned out to be real and he knew better than to think this was some passing phase —

It's a plague sweeping the country, after all.

Instinct told him he shouldn't have come, but his desire to learn and help dragged him there anyway. Thankfully, this early on in their stay, it's easier to not immediately get infected. He's only spoken to a couple of passing Venerans who looked healthy, offering to carry their groceries home for a few passing words. Most are skeptical, reasonably, occasionally someone is willing to talk — It's why he's saying his thanks and stepping away from a doorframe when Emet finds him.

He's a man that Hiccup recognizes from the time they were talking about potential enemies, but he doesn't show it in his expression. "Oh, I could wager a few guesses. None of them pretty," he mentioned with a shrug of one shoulder, a wave of a hand of the other, "I'm more interested in why they're so unwilling to help their own people and expect us new guys to have any idea on how to fix it." Like, really, it doesn't make much sense to him — Some of the Venerans were blaming them, but he's not sure why.

He's pretty sure he hasn't seen anybody concocting strange illnesses, but maybe he's watching the wrong people.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch shifts his gaze to the boy. The statement is... funny, in a way. So much so that the corner of his mouth tugs back into the slightest smile at hearing such optimism.

People often focus on their own lives without consideration for those around them. As long as their own lives can continue with as little inconvenience as possible, then why lift a finger for the sake of altruism?

"I gather the natives have not welcomed your help with open arms?"

[dragon_rider]

"Would you if you thought the world was ending?" Hiccup inquired readily, the and you blamed the person on the other side of the door for it goes unsaid. He can't blame the people for thinking that. It's like dragon hunters and those who wanted them for war, if Aions appeared and the regent wanted them of course they'd go looking and try to take what they want — For as much as he wants to believe in others, years of rescuing dragons have taught him that much.

Still he frowns slightly, more to himself than at the man as one hand rubbed at the back of his neck. "If the people here know anything, they're not looking to share it," Hiccup mentioned, off-handedly, "it's more like they're... trying to hide it until it goes away?" Will it go away? He's not so sure, but the people seem to think secluding themselves is the answer and he's not sure about that one.

[lachtara]

The mere notion of someone else considering what he would do at the world's end provokes a noisy smirk of amusement out of him. Oh, brother.

"Just as well. If they remove themselves from the streets, at least it will end in fewer messes to clean up." Keep those who were not sick away from those who were. Remove variables for them to think about. "Which leaves us and our persistence to do what they will not. Assuming you are persistent enough?"

[dragon_rider]

Hiccup can't help but raise a brow and then furrow the same at the noise the man makes — Something he categorizes of reminding him of Viggo (which, he's pretty sure isn't a bad thing). The frown remaining at the implication that the virus may simply be from touch — Isn't the ones that spread the fastest more airborne?

It's not a line of questioning he voices, there's still a fair amount they don't know about all of it. "Oh, you haven't met persistent," he managed amicably, with the same talkative motion of his hands, "I'm a Viking, we have stubbornness issues." He speaks too matter-of-fact for it to be a matter of pride. Perhaps, it's just a touch more resigned.

After all, he knows himself pretty well, too. It's that thought that has him fold his arms across his chest with a breath. "So far, it doesn't add up if you ask me."

[lachtara]

'Stubbornness issues'. Is it the phrasing of those words or the personal awareness that he enjoys more?

"Then it is fortunate that we have someone as 'stubborn' as yourself to pursue answers in spite of others' unwillingness to help." Emet-Selch turns toward one of the buildings nearby. He had seen a few points of interest in that direction.

He looks back over his shoulder, "Then shall we continue that search for answers?" It's an unspoken offer to 'help' in that regard, if he wished. Although his definition of help could be very tenuous.

b!

[sunfall]

She's also been wandering the city to get a better idea of how extensive the sickness is. It doesn't seem to be affected by any of her healing, unfortunately, though her magic has at least allowed some of the people to stir towards it when they've been trapped in their malaise. It's a good enough sign that there is still hope to be had, but beyond minor and exceedingly temporary changes, nothing else seems to have worked. And those are in the cases where changes have not been so extensive.

But deeper into the city, where all seems too quiet, the people there are sometimes changed beyond recognition. She has never rightfully seen a plague with her own eyes but she has seen something similar enough before: the twisting of a person from man into monster because of a veritable excess of dark, of twili. This seems to be the opposite. And though she's fully considered the toll it took on her people, to witness someone's destruction is another matter entirely.

When she finds Emet-Selch and the person (or creature) he is with, she pauses. Her voice tumbles out before she has time to stop it. "What are you doing?" For a mercy, it isn't accusatory for the moment, though her concern is as plain as day. The look in her eyes as she watches the crumbling of the afflicted, however, betrays something else: familiarity.

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch glances back over his shoulder towards the direction of the voice. Ah, it appears that he has an unexpected observer.

The creature which he tends to lifts its hand toward her only to have it crumble away from the pull of gravity on their delicate crystalline limbs.

"Observing." He says, getting back to his feet. "This has already succumbed; halfway to dust and consumed by their madness." Emet-Selch sighs. "It seems like it would be a small mercy to put them out of their misery."

[sunfall]

Too late, then. What is left of the individual crumbles away, though the memory of its outstretched hand will linger far longer in her mind, burned there to consider. Time is not on their side; more will follow if something cannot be done. For a moment, that truth grips her. Then, her expression steels, and she further approaches.

"If they could have been saved--" Could they have, however? That's making an assumption. "How many more are in such a state and close to death? Surely something can be done to try to halt this sickness."

Even if a cure isn't possible, surely something can slow the degradation of their bodies.

[lachtara]

"Twenty or so in the city center. Another thirty in the area that borders it. Fifteen around the city's entrance. That is my count so far, but I have no ventured into each part of the city yet." If only he could find other Kenoma that are of sound enough mind to trust their reports.

Emet-Selchs tone rises with optimism. "The number of severely afflicted is going down. Although...I would hazard a guess that you would not find the explanation as to 'why' very uplifting." They were either dying or infecting the Aion's - Each reason is equally as problematic.

[sunfall]

"Does that number count the others among our own who have grown infected?" So far, she hasn't seen much rhyme or reason in that, either. If someone's been too long here in Verena... But then, does that not mean they'll all become infected in some measure? A sobering thought.

"Have you seen any abatement in infection if it is...given to another Aion?" she asks. It's not something she wants to consider, that maybe they might stand a better chance at fighting off whatever this is if it'll spare the natives, but it's still worth the question. If that's not the case, then they have limited options.

[lachtara]

"I haven't included Aions in that count, no." He shoots her a sidelong glance. "As it so happens, The Aions opposite to me seem reluctant to provide me with such information." She can likely guess which half he refers to - The Pleroma at large.

"As for your suggestion, I have not heard of anyone willing to experiment in such a way. It would require someone volunteering to take the affliction from others." Emet-Selch shoots her a questioning glance with that statement. As if to ask if it is something she would consider trying.