[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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

[entsetzt]

A pity, but perhaps one of these smaller workshops will do...for now. I work best when I have my own facilities specifically tailored to my needs

Well, my primary field of expertise is in hallucinogenics. Specifically ones that target the visual, audio, snd emotion centers of the brain to induce a specific emotional state.

[No sense beating about the bush here, but there is an...unsettling feeling of amusement.]

In this case, an overwhelming sense of fear. Each subject's experience is different based on their personal fears and past traumatic experiences, but the results are the same; complete and utter submission to their worst and greatest fears. If I do say so myself, the formula itself is nothing short of pure artistry.

I'm sure I don't need to elaborate on how useful it could be in dealing with insubordinate and rebellious Pleroma, yes Miss Ciel? But once I have recreated my formula, assuming the tools here are sophisticated enough to work with, I will require subjects on whom I can test the toxin to ensure it achieves the desired level of terror.

Surely there are imprisoned criminals in Achamoth serving no useful purpose. People no one would, aha...care overmuch about what happens to them.

[The lost and the forgotten always make for such excellent test subjects because they're the least likely to be looked for.]

[expiera]

[...Hm.

It's ironically relieving, to hear the man go on. Someone who actually is suited for this, a mad scientist with little regard to human life, not some high school teenager who has no business being dragged into a cosmic war. Crane will adapt here like fish to water, it's better for the Kenoma that he's unabashedly twisted as long as he does his job and doesn't turn on their own.]

It may sound like a convenient shortcut that defies the spirit of scientific progress, but if you were used to manipulating such substances before, doctor Crane, it's entirely possible that you may become capable of administering its effects through your mere touch in due time. Would that be a possibility you may oppose?

[No lab work, just ~magic~. She does genuinely wonder if it may dent his pride, thus she'll stick to politely underlining to him the possibility for now. Hearing him describe it reminds her a bit of Silco's Shimmer too actually, for some reason... And she only understands it as a buff that did bring upon some intimidating physical changes, after watching the man administer it to their allies from his own memories. She'll have to speak to Silco about Crane, see what he thinks.]

You may have willing volunteers based on your Aion status alone, frankly, human sacrifice is practiced too in some of Achamoth's most zealous cathedrals. The people here embrace death and its inevitability, life is lost routinely to the many indulgences they partake in. [She doesn't sound thrilled about it, but it's worth mentioning. That's the kind of wacky death cult Achamoth is.] The legal system here is loose too, but you would likely have no trouble securing subjects regardless of how you get them. [A beat.] As long as you stay away from the children, they are under the Regent's personal protection.

[entsetzt]

The study and spreading of fear has been my life's work. The toxin has been quite advantageous in furthering my research, and goals.

[He has to consider what Ciel says; this whole "Aion" business is still something he's having trouble conceptualizing. Childe said he'd been made a demigod, and he can feel the...the shard in his forehead, hidden by the sack-cloth grafted to his face, but otherwise felt largely the same as before. Ciel's words give him some necessary context for how he might change.]

Not in principle if it gets the job done, but I am not a fighter. If my toxin will become an ability, well, I will either need a bodyguard, or some way to mask my approach. In any event, we will need to see how such abilities develop first. How long may that take, exactly?

[He smiles thinly, amused by how Ciel describes Achamoth society; a city even more wretched and corrupt than Gotham. He knew he had a good feeling about this place.]

How splendid, it's been so long since I was able to operate in any official capacity. I think Achamoth will agree with me. I have no desire to anger the Regent, of course. If the faithful will line up to serve, I shall be more than happy to make use of them.

[There was a priest talking about operating a congregation, wasn't there? Yes, Father Paul. Crane files the name, and that of his church, away for later.]

Not particularly squeamish, are you Miss Ciel? It's impressive for someone so young.

[expiera]

Support can be arranged and provided, one of the goals of this broadcast is to organize among ourselves. It will probably take a month or two before you begin awakening to new powers, Amos for example gained gravity control and he'll likely be happy to answer your questions about how the process was for him. [Visuals included for reference, Amos is always eager to help newbies get started.] He used to operate spaceships in his home world, so I suggested for him to visualize his own shard as the power core. The gist of it is if you can conceptualize it for yourself, then you can actualize it with time and practice. We've been told by Xishen, the Regent's second in command, that Aion potential is infinite. What we can already do and what we may be able to is supposedly reflective of us as individuals: they take shape after our needs, our wishes, and our expectations. It's why those who already have powers from back in their world will generally retain them, while developing new ones is something every Aion is capable of.

[She's given this spiel before at the last "welcome party", so it's not hard to churn it out again at a moment's notice.

...]

I come from a world of magic and monsters, I understand well that there are fates far worse than death. I've been with the Kenoma in Achamoth since the initial wave of awakenings, the newly awoken ones this month would be the third. If you have more questions, please ask. I will do my best to answer them.

[Suppose she does look young, late teens and early twenties make for very little technical difference. She is not one to boast about her own capabilities though, so she'll stick to her tutorial bot functions providing basic information. She can't be squeamish anyway, having taken direct part in the capture of the Pleroma prisoners and being indirectly responsible for their sorry display state that the newcomers are fortunately NOT privy to. They will do heartless and monstrous things here, and it's all the more reason why someone like Crane will make for a seamless fit.]

[entsetzt]

{Crane looks down at his right hand as he hears Ciel speak to him about visually actualizing is powers, and his fingers curl inward, the same motion that engaged the syringes attached to his now-absent glove. Perhaps if he uses that as the basis...] Yes...I think I may know how to begin, then. Thank you my dear, you've given me a place to start.

Your offer is appreciated. I believe my curiosity has been sated, but perhaps if I have more later, I shall reach out. I trust you would not be opposed to that? I have plans I must begin formulating in the meantime.

[expiera]

[...]

Of course, Dr. Crane. There's still much we don't know about the continent and its history, but what information is within our capacity to pass onto you, we will. That is part of our duties.

[In preparing and acclimating the new Aions, which was half the purpose of this address. Dr. Crane will get the support he asks for in whatever ways they can provide, such is what it means to be integrated into a team with allies to work alongside of. Duty above morality, as the Kenoma goes.]