EVENT #6: By Heaven or Hell

[aionmods]

By Heaven or Hell

THE STORY SO FAR...

During the month of Innoseri, the Pleroma and Kenoma were mobilized to the city of Venera to investigate a mysterious affliction of the residents. They were succumbing to a strange apathy that slowly disconnected them from the reality, to the point that many would lose interest in even necessary activities to live. They ran the risk of starving, dying of dehydration, or simply wandering into danger with no sense of preservation.

By entering the city, both sects were exposed to the effects of the illness, which turned out even worse for Aions. In a twist of fate, it was during that time that the Pleroma Aion Estinien met his end at the hands of the Kenoma Aion Makoto, shattering his Innocence-petrified body. It was this act of profane violence that summoned the god-like creature that has caused the illness, sending a great metaphysical scream echoing across the city, demanding to know what had been done to it's child.

The winged being now colloquially known as the Innocence Entity manifested for the first time, in the form of a great cloud of wings floating above the city. It turned it's attentions to the gathered Aions, striking down any that challenged it, enraged by the acts of violence committed in the city it had hopes to envelope in a haze of endless peace. Abel, a Pleroma who had come to Estinien's defense, realized that the entity seemed be acting to protect Estinien, who it considered its ward after he succumbed to the illness its power invoked. Abel beseeched his allies to stay their hand and begged the Innocence leave him and the city be.

The Innocence Entity was reluctant, arguing that life without its 'blessing' would be filled with suffering and strife. Abel, Himeka, Ryunosuke, and Alphinaud, the four Pleroma present at the time, insisted to it that life was worth living despite that pain that came along with it, and promised they could care for Estinien in its stead. Accepting their vow, the entity bound them all to a contract that would be broken if they failed to shield him from suffering. It left Venera and the illness faded.

Last month, the Kenoma were deployed to Venera and to Godsblood with the intent of culling dissenters and citizens who showed disloyalty to the empire. During this conflict, the capture of Ryunosuke and Thoma drew Estinien into a battle against several Kenoma. Outnumbered and disadvantaged, the pain and panic Estinien experienced summoned the Innocence Entity once more. It possessed Estinien's body, using its power to dispense of the Kenoma challenging him, all while lashing against the Pleroma it saw as having broken their vows. This divine punishment fell upon Abel and Himeka as they were facing off against Ciel and Emet-Selch in Godsblood. Taking advantage of their suddenly prone enemies, the two Kenoma delivered them to the Regent.

The Kenoma had long-since hoped to capture Estinien, to use his connection to the entity as a weapon against it, but now the perfect bait had fallen into their hands. As the Pleroma rally to save their captured comrades, the Kenoma prepare to turn circumstances to their advantage, and to perhaps eliminate the Innocence Entity's threat once and for all...

❖ INCLUDED EVENT PROMPTS

◆ BURNED AT THE STAKE: In an effort to force the Pleroma's hand, the Regent will be scheduling the public burning of Abel and Himeka in Achamoth. After the failed public execution in Godsblood, why not try again! This will be set up to occur in a public square near the Citadel. The Pleroma will be in a race against time to save them before both their bodies and their shards are destroyed.

◆ INNOCENCE ON FIRE: As the Pleroma enter the city, the Innocence Entity, previously disinterested in fighting on behalf of Aions it considers oath breakers, will seemingly have a change of heart. It will offer its power to Estinien who will, in turn, temporarily ascend to boss monster level during this siege, wielding both the power of the Innocent and the Firebrand. This will be run as an official boss encounter in collaboration with Estinien's player, the mechanics of which will be explained along with the post. In addition, the radiance of the Innocence Entity will rob most Achamoth NPCs of their will to fight, leading to a conflict largely between Aions. Those of the Innocent Legacy will receive strange communion from the entity itself, which they can respond to as they will.

◆ FIREBRANDS RISING: As if summoned by the Pleroma's rebellious actions against the Regent's empire, Pleroma Firebrands participating in the raid will be blessed with additional power that will amplify along with the strength of their defiant conviction. This power can be extended, to a lesser to degree, by those fighting alongside them that are inspired by their example. In opposition, the Firebrands of the Kenoma will hold a natural resistance to the Innocent's assaults, and will find themselves with the ability to 'inspire' limited amounts of NPCs into defying the power robbing them of their will. In general, all Firebrands will feel supernaturally uninhibited by all that would hold them back from achieving their desires, whether those bonds be emotional or physical.

MOD NOTE: All characters who go participate in the event log will be awarded 1 Token, so please make sure to mark that on your AC. You will not receive the token if you don't claim it. For new players, they will be permitted to spend this token for use during the event, though this will only be relevant for those with the Normie Discount.

We would also like to be clear and say that the outcome of this event has been predetermined by the players most closely involved (Himeka and Abel will escape, Estinien will be captured) but everyone else's fates will be up in the air. The event itself will go up and take place on August 17th.

Comments

THE PLEROMA PRISONERS / THE RESCUE (Himeka & Abel)

[inutilis]

Hi all! Freya and I are using this as a joint plotting comment to get our ducks in a row. As of now, we wanted to provide some loose details so the rescue efforts of the Pleroma and any confrontations with Kenoma present at the pyre site are welcome to do so! Please note these details are tentative as things may change depending on the event write-up. 🔥🚒👩‍🚒

💠 Pleroma can feel free to use the subthread below to express interest and collab regarding Team Rescue! If you are up for PVP, it would be a good thing to note as well as your limits, too.
💠 And Kenoma also feel free to use the subthread below for expressing interest in having your character escort the prisoners or be present for The Burninating! If you're good for PVP, stating how much/what you'd like to have happen would also be nice!
💠 Freya and I tentatively determined we would like Hime & Abel to escape without much in the way of personal PVP (as in they themselves will be KO'd or generally out of it considering), so volunteers to carry them out & make sure they are reunited with their shards would be great. Some healing will probably be necessary after almost a month of torture and nearly being burned alive, too... maybe. As a treat? (Anyone bring some Hello Kitty bandaids?? No? Okay fine whatever regular bandages then, but you have to kiss the booboo and go 'mwah' or the healing doesn't work.)

You can reply here for any specific plotting you want to hash out with either of us, too! 🥰 Don't die everyone okay love you

PLEROMA RESCUE SQUAD

[inutilis]

Comment here for Team Rescue plotting, etc!

[wolof]

Rrrrrrrrrrraises hand -- akua wants to help save her buddies! She's a sorceress and can and will use hes spells to help! She's also a strategist and will want to offer her help! Although I think since she's a villain, she recognizes someone else may want to take the lead, since her suggestions may be.... Violent. 😏

Also up for pvp and fighting -- probably not up for dissipation this time around tho! Let a girl rest. A little.

[locumstudentesquire]

Getting to the pyres will be Ryunosuke's primary focus once it becomes clear that Estinien is p. much going to be out of his hands (and knowing how badly Estinien wanted to get them both out...)

Whether or not he makes it all the way there and is able to contribute I guess will be up to how roles get assigned but I am hoping he can at least get a hand on the ball in some capacity! He's pretty dedicated to seeing this through and frankly he could use a win... Whether that involves putting a fire out or cutting a rope or something, idk.

He's not totally useless for PVP anymore ,but by 'not totally useless' i mean he won't get his ass immediately thrashed; I still don't see him actually winning any major fights on his own but he can definitely CONTRIBUTE. his primary skill is forcefield creation, his forcefields look like translucent bubbles that sponge a few hits before popping and creating a loud noise/knockback effect in a radius around the popped bubble. For now his power is more designed for dynamic shielding on the go, and less for standing stationary and holding off an onslaught of hits, but I can be flexible with it!

He is able to provide medevac and healing now, thanks to some upgraded powers he has been working on, though it sounds like there are plenty of characters who may be more effective at those particular things... Either way he IS available as a stopgap measure, if needed.

[dragonmount]

also raises hand! down for rand to pvp and take whatever damage, though not dissipation (This Time). maybe he can help with reuniting them with their shards?

[chronosynthesis]

Wiggles fingers, the rescue is Syr's priority but since he has no healing and no carrying ability (except maybe Himeka) he'll mainly be focused on PvPing the Kenoma to ensure other Pleroma have the room to carry them off, which means he'll probably be following on the outer edge of the rescue group back to the portal to deflect any pursuers.

Essentially he's gone try playing guard/tank which he is not spec'd for. :')

He's poked Claude and Meteion to review a map of the area in case they want to have groups move into the public square from multiple sides, though with the open area that... may not be super necessity.

He can provide limited stealth to a small number (5 including himself) of people. This breaks upon combat and doesn't muffle sound but it could allow a group to get close to himeka and abel without getting immediately intercepted.

[wavetrain]

Tsunami's good for carrying! She probably can't carry two unconscious/otherwise incapacitated people and fly at the same time but if you wanted to just drape one or both of them over her back she can do a ground evacuation. An escort would obviously be helpful for that, although she can still bite or tailsmack anyone who tries to interfere.

[salvageable]

definitely want to be part of rescue squad!! though he is just as happy to go searching for abel and himeka's shards to keep them in working order as well. dokja's here for pvp and he'll go all out, no holds barred, because these are people he really cares about damn it!!

he also has a guard ability he can place on them to keep them from getting hurt? if that sounds useful lmk but yes rubs hands together let's get these two back home safely.

[bythelight]

Happy to offer healing if it's needed!

[wildrawr]

I tentatively want to be part of this with Kotetsu but I don't want to get in other people's way so I'm not quite sure what he can offer. Nevertheless, I'm willing to have him help collab with others!

I think the best thing for him to do is pull off any Kenoma attempting to interrupt the escapees, but particularly Barnaby since they have the exact same ability and he can match it... since it can be arranged with Candace.

But otherwise, I'm here to be helpful if needed. If it's too much chaos to get in on with Kotetsu, that's fine too.

Re: PLEROMA RESCUE SQUAD

[goldendeceiver]

Healing Himeka and Abel is going to be Ernesto's number one priority after they rescue them.

[heavybreaths]

Comments here with Vader, because while he doesn't know them, he absolutely would aim for doing the thing that places himself in front-line and earn his bones, as it were.

Vader is a Sith Lord, which means he's basically a wizard with a sword. I am absolutely open to PvP with him, and he's generally a pretty nasty combatant. I can also offer him as the guy to either carry Abel and Himeka out without actually needing to carry them, OR by collecting their shards from wherever they may be laying. He's a very skilled telekinetic, and it's basically nothing for him to lift human sized people with it.

Again, happy to PvP, but I'm not looking for a dissipation just now.

[arcaneward]

Aerith has healing powers, a 3 second invuln spell, and a lot of moxy!! She likes Estinien and wants to help his friends, so she'd be all in for helping rescue these two.

ETA: PVP is fine, but she needs to stay undissapated for other plans!

[passio]

dextera will want to be involved! he can’t bring healing to the table but he will offer himself up as defense/bait/distraction (with the intention of not getting hurt too badly, but…) against any kenomas who might want to interfere.

[emblazer]

Slides in here late, but Thoma can at least hop the fire and untie them to get them out since he's flame-retardent with his shields. The only one he'd be able to carry is Himeka though (sorry Abel, he's not that beefy yet)

KENOMA SQUAD

[inutilis]

Comment here for plotting if your character would be on escort duty / present for the Ceremony and any related PVP interest!

[baltimores]

You know what, hell yeah, Amos will escort them. (No hard feelings guys, right? It's nothing personal.)

He's down for PVP and will actually be lucid for this part (i.e. before Silco shimmers him and he goes full bearserker; more here). He'll go for dissipation by default but that can easily be worked around! But I do need him to be alive/in fighting shape for later on in the event. I'm open to working things out with anyone interested!

[expiera]

I close my eyes and slide in candidacy, gotta finish what you start and all that, this makes perfect sense.

Just for the ceremony tho, she'll leave the post once the Pleromies are there to take the front lines. Gonna also bring with her a box to be burned with the Pleromies, feel free to swipe it and 👁 it when the burninating eventually fails, maybe treat it like those complimentary hotel packages, ~we hope you enjoyed your stay in Achamoth~!

[sterngaze]

sighs.... liem doesn't believe in relying on other people to do shitty stuff, so.... yeah, he'll be there to make sure the prisoners burn to death like they're supposed to.......... 😔

[semicharmed]

I think Matt would feel like he owed it to both of them to be a witness. ;___; (YES he has only just met Himeka but LISTEN.)

But hell yeah, PVP me babies. Maybe that's where Rand dissipates him.

[cutlery]

tbh sebastian is just coming to watch because burning people at the stake is nostalgic

so yeah please pvp him, he sucks? you can find more info about that here, I say with a sigh

Though despite me being flippant here, it is worth noting that Sebastian will be outwardly taking it very seriously and not showing the fact that he's a shitty demon having a good time lmao... Since he's also a powerhouse, he's very likely to engage any rescuers first to try and allow the burning to go on successfully!

[vivificantem]

He would be present at the ceremony, though he wouldn't stick around once things go south; he's taking Matt's shard and going, thank you all very much indeed.

[lifespanned]

raises hand, if it's cool/works, i have a bit of a specific idea: misa would be present at the ceremony but not at the escort - she would go to where the ceremony will take place ahead of time, likely in hiding (inside a nearby building??? or just around im not picky).

as mentioned on the shittalking post, she has a petrification ability linked to her sight - and her sight is 3x better than a normal human's, so she can see from a quite the range. she would in theory go for the arms first of those who get close to the prisoners to make it harder to free them from wherever she's hiding out.

pvp can ensue if there are any interested parties in peeling off to take care of her, i can guarantee you the win since himeka and abel need to escape! so the pleroma (or pleromas?? 🤨) in question will have time to return to hime and abel. i'm fine with her basically taking an L, as long as she does get to be a Nuisance along the way 🥳 my only hard line is that she cannot be dissipated due to later planning. but other than that i encourage her getting what's coming to her in the form of severe injury/getting blindfolded and left somewhere like boo boo the fool. tho np if this is not feasible!! 🙏

[epiprocta]

Gen will be present a short distance away from the site of the burning! He'll be staying out of the way, being present more out of a sense of grim obligation than a real desire to be there.

In terms of PVP, he won't be actively starting any fights, but any T2 Pleroma who recognize his aura (or people who noticed him being mentioned on the gossip post) are free to have at him! Alternatively, he'd jump in if he notices one of his fellow Kenoma having a hard time. He'll mostly be fighting mostly to defend himself and/or retaliate, and will try to retreat if he's losing badly. I'm open to mild to moderate injury for anyone who wants an easy-ish win, but he won't be sticking around to fight to the death.

More importantly, just one time, he'll move to help the Pleroma -- right when the Pleroma reach Abel and Himeka, he'll do whatever he can from a distance to undo or loosen whatever bindings are keeping Abel tied to the pyre. He'll try to be sneaky about it, but I'd love for maybe one or two people (either Kenoma or Pleroma!) to notice this, whether things move onto PVP from that point on or not!

TENTATIVE PLAN OF ACTION...ISH?

[aquaveiled]

Please don't reply to this! I can update it as people chat more.

Prince and I have been reading through all the comments and we really appreciate all the interest! Our characters feel...very loved. (Even though not a single person has offered the requested Hello Kitty bandaids but. That's fine. They'll deal.)

So based on the different things people have said they were interested in doing as well as how some chatting has been going across the plotting post as a whole, this seems like the overall plan of action! OBVS this is tentative as we get specifics and people have time to chat! Hopefully this can also help with directed actions and maybe offering ways other characters can work together (or against one another!)


PLEROMIES

GENERAL/HBIC?
Akua

RETREVIAL
Rand
Dokja
Kotetsu (Receiving shards from NPC-possessed by Emet)

DISTRACTION
Syrlya
Akua (untitled swan game 2.0??)
Dex

DEFENSE
Kotetsu
Vader
Aerith (INVUL?)
Dex

FIRE BRIGADE
Ryunosuke
Thoma
Dex??

HEALERS
Anduin
Ernesto

SUPPORT
Tsunami
Miyako
Wrathion (helping Kotetsu escape)


KENOMIES
SHARD DELIVERY
Makoto
Silco

SETTING THE PYRE
Paul

PLEROMIE HELPERS
Gen (helping RETRIEVAL team free captives)
Emet-Selch (Bodysnatching NPC to save shards from fire, handing off to Kotetsu)

GUARDS
Amos
Liem
Misa (MEDUSA SNIPER GET IT GURL)

WITNESSES
Matt
Sebastian
Crane

RUBBERNECKING THEN LEAVING
Ciel