[Kenoma] Discussion

[lachtara]

( 🟣 - Emet, 🔵 - Ciel )

Good Evening.

There are some within our ranks who we have not had the pleasure of meeting. I am Emet-Selch. Ciel and I serve as tacticians and teachers to the Kenoma.

I function as acting counsel for devising strategies. Additionally, some of you may find yourself in possession of new magical abilities that you did not have before. I am available to assist you with honing your newfound magical skills. To those of you who find yourself injured, I can provide my magic to heal your wounds so that you may be hale and whole once more.

[ He sighs. My, is this a mouthful. ]

My name is Ciel. I am versed in martial arts and am proficient with most types of weaponry. There are various means of developing melee combat prowess across Achamoth, but if you would like personalized instructions at any level, please contact me and we’ll arrange for a schedule. I can also perform magical healing along with Father Paul.

Unfortunately, We do not have much time for pleasantries. The Pleroma will soon be at our doorstep. Their goal is to retrieve their allies who remain captive inside our walls, and our goal is to lure them deep within the Citadel where we may enact our own plans. You will be provided assignments once it is closer to the promised hour. Prepare in your own way meanwhile; The Citadel is host to all manners of weaponry and the army's training grounds.

[ It’s kept a little vague and unspecific. Though they do intend to give adequate information, there is also no question that they have had traitors in their midst as of late. Everything will be doled out with due caution. Although, there will be a silent message sent to each person asking them to respond with some information of their abilities. ]

We are at war, bloodshed is inevitable. We will be attacked soon, and we must defend our keep. Consider this communion address a formal hub for discussion and organization of the battle to come. We will begin with information sharing of the Pleroma: knowing their names, appearances, and capabilities will better prepare us in dealing with them in combat. Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do. Anything you may have witnessed at the shrines can be helpful, including other newcomers you may have met that did not return to Achamoth..

To the third wave of newly awoken Aions, it is regrettable that we cannot welcome you better, you’ve unfortunately arrived at a tumultuous time on Horos. If this is all too much for any reason, that’s fine. Contact me privately, and we can at least arrange for you to be somewhere safe during this. To those used to wielding great power, please get some practice in and verify your new limits. Becoming an Aion may have weakened you, do not let that catch you off-guard on the battlefield.

To those who are new, introduce yourselves and ask any questions you have. We will answer your questions as best we can, and I encourage our fellow Kenoma to chime in where they may. Do try to keep your questions interesting enough to be worth reading.

Comments

[cutlery]

[ oh the delight is immediate. this nerd... ]

Yes, that would be perfect, in fact. I do not require sleep or sustenance, so I was hoping that there would be a library or something of the sort to occupy my time... And so of course, if there is ever need for work to be done, please, do not hesitate to ask or to point someone my way. I rather dislike being idle.

[lachtara]

Nineteen, prior to the events at Venera. It's safe to say that the numbers have changed considerably since then, and not to numbers in our favor.

[lachtara]

Our Communion provided the most important details.

During your absence, the Shrines became active once again and we were able to recruit new members. The Pleroma were able to do the same, however.

[baltimores]

[ There's the metaphysical sense of a nod; an agreement without words. ]

If you're not up to it in time, that's fine. I know it's a whole thing when you first get here.

But if you have the shot, you should take it.

[lachtara]

He was one you faced in Godsblood?

[ The injury can stay implied and unspoken. ]

[baltimores]

Yeah. Of course.

[ Amos' voice takes on a kind of subdued quality; still amiable, but more reflecting of the gravity of the situation. Of the situation at hand; at what it means for Liem's recommitment. ]

I said anything I can do to help, right? That still stands.

[ Especially if it means he's already actually helped. He's not going to forget this. ]

[entsetzt]

A difficult but not insurmountable problem. We must simply be smarter than our opponents in that case.

The more they outnumber us, the more we must spread them thin, and pick them off one by one. There are ways of doing this, but I wonder where the Regent stands on this matter.

[baltimores]

Yup.

[lachtara]

[ Oh, that is dangerous to tell someone whose wellbeing has relied on retainers. ]

What kind of work, praytell?

[lachtara]

I've spoken to him briefly. He hails from a plague-ridden world where no magic resides. He seemed unfamiliar with many of the "fantastical" concepts that Horos offers.

[lachtara]

Strategy will always overcome brute strength. However, the Regent often favors tactics that are more... ostentatious.

[ Such as outright telling the Pleroma of their plans outright. ]

[cutlery]

[ His answer is bright, but also completely serious, somehow. ]

Oh, a great many things. I have served as everything from an royal advisor to a spy and assassin to most recently, a butler for a noble household that also somewhat included the duties of the previous two. If it is not something I know how to do, then I will learn it. My work came at an extraordinarily high price, so as a result, I feel it is part of my principles to provide excellence in all that I do.

If you would like specifics, I can give a summary of what I performed for my former master. His needs were certainly quite diverse, so it provides an adequate summary. It may be somewhat long, however.

[entsetzt]

Ostentation does have its place. Theatricality and spectacle can often be a useful tool of psychological warfare.

If the Regent understands this, then I believe I shall do very well in their service.

[semicharmed]

Mmph, [ comes Matt's reply, pleasant but commiserating. Unlike his laughter, which tends to manifest through communion unintentionally and therefore somewhat ambiguously, shimmering as shook-up soda, he seems to have put effort into getting that sound across. ] Well, sorry about that. But in practical terms, I've got all the stronghold I can handle here in the Citadel, so don't worry about it.

Maybe the library?

[ An image transmits of a large, luxurious room lined with bookshelves. Then Matt realizes directions would probably be more helpful, and projects instead the nearest hallway. ]

It's quiet. And I've cast spells there before.

[ Like invisibility spells to hide from Silco. Okay there's a whole training area in the Citadel specifically for this use case Matt, but go off. ]

[entsetzt]

Law enforcement changes little from world to world, I see. I know this Kiramman's type well. Their persistence can be an unwanted complication.

[Even the GCPD, though they generally served as little more than the Dark Knight's clean-up crew to come in and sweep up, could have their occasional moments of competence, especially when their commissioner was personally attending to things. Ah, but Crane had found a way around that particular issue, hadn't he...]

May I recommend a more...indirect attack? Who does she care for among the Pleroma? Who would she fear to lose most? How hard would she cling to her principles when that fear is made a reality? And what would she do to prevent it from coming true?

[baltimores]

No shit, huh? [ Similar hat, which means he might have decent insight there. ] You can probably use that against him then. Hit him where he won't expect it, or won't know how to counter.

[ Also good advice if anyone here ever needs to take Amos down! Haha just kidding, that'll never have to happen. ]

[cutlery]

[ This is clearly the ideal answer, since Sebastian's delight comes through quite clearly. He's just heard of it probably, so it's his ideal, in a way. ]

Yes, that would be perfect. I imagine I will be spending quite a lot of time there, so it is good to learn where it is as well... I believe I know where you mean, but please pardon me if it does take a bit of extra time. There is much to learn quite quickly, and navigating the city most of all.

[lachtara]

I think you would, perhaps, have a uniquely qualified perspective to offer insight on what he might 'not expect'?

[ Yes, he knows the similitude of the two not having magic. Why not try and use that as an advantage instead of a hindrance? ]

[vivificantem]

Not at all, and I have no interest in trying to change that.

Whatever brings them closest to the Kenoma is theirs to decide. I'm not going to take that away from them. I'm just here to help them on their path.

[sterngaze]

[As Liem talks to Carmine, sipping at his tea and waiting for her to finish her breakfast, he can’t help but pay a little closer attention to her, drawn in by something about her demeanour. It seems painted-on somehow, the movements of her body and face just slightly out-of-tune with the quiet rhythm of her pulse, and with the scent that wafts his way when she moves.

It doesn’t necessarily need to mean anything; she’s probably tired and ill-at-ease and trying not to show it. But he files the information away nonetheless.]

By some people’s reckoning, [he allows, to answer her question. He’s rarely had occasion to appreciate the things he makes, but he’s received compliments on his cooking a time or two before.

When she pauses, he fills the brief silence with a raise of an eyebrow.]

Then the next time I cook something, perhaps I’ll ask for your opinion. Just to be sure.

[lachtara]

Indulge me.

[lachtara]

Oh, I'm sure they do.

[ It's said in an exasperated tone of voice. ]

Rest assured, we will try and take full advantage of each skill that we have here in order to compensate for every little "surprise" thrown in our direction.

sighs heavily

[cutlery]

My duties included providing primary care to the young master, tending to the matters of his day to day from meals to bathing. Overseeing the household staff of his manor, understanding and applying the butler's principles of being anticipatory, friendly not familiar, privacy and confidentiality, invisible and available. Answering the telephone, receiving guests at the door and supervising their reception. Managing the household budgets and inventory supplies. Scheduling and overseeing vendors of contracted services. Collecting and collating information, including the infiltration of otherwise inaccesible areas or extraction of information from people through whatever means were most efficient. Neutralization of any threats to the young master's life and preparation of assassination of notable figures when necessary.

[ ...Some of these things are not like the other, and yet he continues without missing a beat. ]

Offering a high standard of social etiquette and formal service, planning and organizing parties and events, including overseeing and participating in proper table settings and entertainment preparations as well as performance, if no suitable performer existed. Serving and preparing meals and drinks and performs wait services related thereto, since the household chef was not be allowed near food because of his tendencies to use a flamethrower or the like rather than the oven. Performance of housekeeping duties duties since the maid was particularly clumsy and was too likely to break everything she touched. And finally, maintenance of the manor's gardens and grounds, since the gardener could only manage the most minor tasks of gardening before he inevitably kills them.

[ look they may be turbo dead but he still has to complain about how much his coworkers sucked, he's petty ]

[regression]

Use less words.

[ You're clogging his mindspace. ]

[sterngaze]

I'm sorry for being unavailable to participate in recruitment efforts. It will be good to see some new faces around the Citadel, I'm sure.