aionlogs | EVENT #3: THE COST OF INNOCENCE

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EVENT #3: THE COST OF INNOCENCE

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.

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?"

"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?"

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."

Well, if they're not going to start fighting about it, there's no reason for Dokja to become hostile. His run-ins with the Kenoma always seem to end in violence and bloodshed, so he could certainly use a break.

If that is what this is.

"Kim Dokja," he says, not entirely sure if he wants to be dipping his head in return, but he at least manages a wary smile. "I'm guessing it hasn't been very long since you arrived in this city?"

Oh. That is a name he remembers from its mention. Gen had spoken of this person and his intent to kill them no matter the cost. It would be interesting to find out for himself what is so irredeemable about this one. Out of casual curiosity, of course.

"Indeed. I arrived just recently to lend my assistance in curing what ails this city." He motions to his new acquaintance with a hand. "Are your intentions similar, perhaps?"

Look at him being completely harmless and normal and realize that it's Emet's student who is unhinged.

"I don't know if there's anything we can do," he admits. "There have been reports of the townspeople recovering since our arrival, but nothing was actively done to them."

It's then that he fixes Emet with a hard to read stare, though doubt still lurks in his eyes. "Are you actually here because you want to cure these people?" Dokja himself has yet to say if those are his intentions as well.

He relents a sigh and shrugs. "Is it so difficult to believe that my intention is to help these people?" Though it is not beyond him to guess that some might have a certain picture in their mind of what a Kenoma may be.

"I meant what I said and I said what I meant." He says breezily. "Now, if we share the same goal it would benefit us to work together, wouldn't you agree?"

Considering the Kenoma's aim is to destroy the world, Dokja thinks letting all these townsfolk die would suit that goal just fine. He doesn't know if he believes Emet-Selch, but if that's the stance that the other man wants to take, then...

"Who says we share the same goal?" Dokja asks, his tone dismissive and disinterested. "Since you and the other Kenoma are here, I wonder if you're acting under the Regent's orders? In that case, maybe I'm supposed to hinder your aid of these people."

"Very well. I will go help them and you - " Emet-Selch flicks his wrist towards a nearby bench, " - go 'hinder' me from over there, would you?"

If it was that easy to get rid of Kim Dokja, then the entire world would have done so.

"I'll watch." A mischievous grin spreads across his face and he does not budge toward that bench. "You seem like a capable enough guy. I want to see what it is you can do for these people."

Oh, is that how it is. That mentality practically begs him to make this difficult.

"As you wish." Emet-Selch continues to walk as if he intends to go to the native lounged against a nearby wall. He briefly steps behind a solid brick supporting column draped in flowers, and it is thick enough to obscure the wisps of black smoke as he teleports from sight.

Emet-Selch then re-appears behind his Pleroma acquaintance. With both hands clasped behind his back, He leans in with a wicked smirk on his face and says, "Make sure you watch closely. It would be a shame if you missed anything."

Dokja had only taken a single step forward, meaning to follow after the man, but before he can get another step in, there's a sudden voice from behind him.

While he doesn't jump in surprise, his shoulders jerk up just a bit. The smile from only seconds ago grows a little strained as he rounds on Emet-Selch. He's not exactly a fan of surprises.

"Neat trick." It's an especially dry compliment. "You're not going to go ahead and run away from me, are you?"

The fact that he'd gotten a reaction - no matter how small - fills him with such delight. Sometimes the simple joy of making someone's life slightly more inconvenient makes the day better.

"I would not be standing here now if it were my intention to run." He walks past his new acquaintance again and heads onward in earnest this time. He waves him onward. "Come, let us to the other side of the square. I will look to those who have fallen ill and you can revel in your frivolity."

There are worse roles he can fill, and it's not as if frivolity doesn't suit him, so he will act the part accordingly. He follows after the other man, quickening his pace to catch up to him in order to walk side by side rather than lag a few steps behind.

Might as well fill this time with pointless converstion as Dokja is so prone to do.

"What had you arriving so late to Venera?"

"Research." Is the simple explanation. "It would be of use if I had more intimate knowledge of the town prior to arriving here, as well as any inclinations if this has happened before."

He spots one of the townsfolk lying in the street next to several bottles of empty drink. It seems obvious what has transpired here, but he kneels by them regardless. How to investigate further without touching them....?

"What of you? Did none of your comrades see fit to accompany you?"

Ah, the meticulous type. He can relate in a way. It's why when Emet-Selch kneels down to investigate the ailing townsperson, a pair of gloves is readily and casually held out to him.

They may be on opposite points of this world's conflict, but it wouldn't do to have more of this infection spread.

"I trust them to take care of themselves. I'd rather spend my time keeping an eye on our friends from the other side."

"How considerate." Emet-Selch swipes the gloves and slips them on as he goes about his search. "Friends I never knew I had are always indicative of trouble."

He goes about rolling the person to their side as he examines the wings that have sprouted from their side. It is all surrounded by a wound made entirely of white.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT #3: THE COST OF INNOCENCE

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