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[Kenoma] Discussion

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 Aions may develop new abilities at any time, however; intel from the mission in Venera and Godsblood may very well be outdated by now, so do not assume anything we go over in this address as the extent of what they can do.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

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[The feeling you get from this one is...dispassionate. Curious, but in a detached, icy sort of way. When Crane speaks, it's in a soft, whispery sort of way.]

Doctor Jonathan Crane, newly-arrived. I am happy to assist, but my talents lie primarily in psychiatry and chemistry. I doubt either would serve well in the battle to come. I fear these Pleroma will not willingly submit to my psychoanalysis.

These prisoners you speak of. What can you tell us about them?

[ ...Someone new being here and immediately asking about the Prisoners is somewhat.. concerning. He keeps his answers clipped. ]

Himeka and Abel. They were captured during our last endeavors in a nearby city called Godsblood. The two are favored allies of the Pleroma, and they are certain to want their allies returned to them.

[He can tell the reply is guarded, that he does not yet rank enough to immediately ask about the prisoners the Kenoma have captured. Well, if Emet is expecting an apology or retraction, he's getting neither. Crane simply moves on.]

Then it will be a large force. Before the most recent summoning undoubtedly swelled their numbers, was there a rough estimate of how many Pleroma existed?

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.

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.

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. ]

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.

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.

But of course.

Will the Regent speak to us in person before the raid, or have they chosen you and Miss Ciel to be their representatives to the Aions who serve? Forgive me, but I wish to understand the hierarchy here better.

Expect some manner of instructions from the Regent themselves. Ciel and I provide supplemental information and instruction, but ultimately, we cannot decide what you do or provide you with orders to follow. In the absence of direct orders we will make suggestions based on experience and what tasks may best suit your abilities.

My dear Doctor, don't sell yourself so short. Your skillset applied to the Kenoma's goals sounds like a match made in Heaven to someone with a little...Imagination.

Should you have the talents you claim, and with the right chemical materials at hand, you could give us a leg up in this war.

[ Considering that he's been around for seven hundred years and was typically summoned to Earth when mortal men where in their most desperate and darkest of hours, it stands to reason that even a demon like J has experienced enough of human history to know about the usage of chemical weapons employed in warfare.

As for the more dramatic option - explosives are always a nice, reliable route. The Kenoma would have the benefit of debilitating long range arsenals on their side if the good doctor could fashion some heavy-duty explosives to strap to a projectile like an arrow. ] This may not be an arm's race, with a stockpile of chemical and explosive weapons at our disposal, but perhaps it should be.

[ There are too many without abilities to overlook the dire need for alternative fire power when pitting mortals against dragoons and magic casters. ]

Naturally. If we wish to bring the Pleroma to heel, we must first break their spirit. To do that, we must steal their hope from them. Watching their fellows tear each other apart, seeing their strength wither in the face of their greatest terrors, will quickly rob the rest of their will to fight. It is a strategy I have employed before, to great effect.

[Just ask Mr. Wayne, the former Batman about how successful Crane's tactics can be.]

Ah...I can certainly provide the chemical weapons you seek, but I'm afraid if you are seeking explosives of the more conventional variety, you will have to look elsewhere. My focus has always been on the spreading of fear, not fire.

[Though if you ask Crane, that's more than enough.]

[ Now that's a good old-fashioned villain monologue if there ever was one. A little out of style nowadays, but brownie points for enthusiasm and a stellar resume of prior accomplishments! J's satisfaction over such a spirited response is clear as day through the line of communion. ]

You pose an excellent point. Their greatest weakness lies in the emotional attachments they hold towards one another. [ It's a given for essentially any with a working moral compass. Fortunately, or is it unfortunate, demons as a whole are greatly lacking in things like empathy and compassion for their fellow man. ]

Weaponizing those bonds against them, by forcing the Pleroma to attack or defend against their own forces, would be a crippling psychological blow. [ Even the strongest soldier is useless in battle if their spirit has been broken. ]

Needless to say, I look forward to seeing your handiwork in action.

[Crane has never had a working moral compass, and he finds that very fortunate. Batman had allies, his proteges and various helpers, and though he'd done his best to keep them at arm's length, it was by targeting those allies—Barbara Gordon and her father, the current model of Robin—rather than Batman himself, that had led to Crane's ultimate victory, however cut short it might have been by his world's dissolution. The fact that the majority of the Kenoma do not share that weakness, those bonds of loyalty and camaraderie that get in the way of The Mission, is welcome. It means no distractions.]

Well then, I shall endeavour not to disappoint, though I'm confident the results will be to your liking, Mister...?

[ It's a given that those who wield the most power in a war of this scale are typically the victors once the dust settles. Still, harboring an iron-clad sense of confidence is nothing to sneeze at, and can be an incredibly valuable asset when minor skirmishes turn into grueling battles of attrition. It seems they both agree that the heart and all the infinite vulnerabilities it may suffer is the greatest weakness to find in a man. So those without insecurity or doubt in themselves already have a leg up against even the most power-laden foe who suffers those ailments, or other soft and easily exploitable emotions.

J appreciates an ally who resembles a touch of the familiar. While no demon born and raised within the depths of Hell, Crane has his kind's slant for a ruthlessness the Kenoma desperately need on their side. This man does not appear to ever be at risk of defecting, nor sparing their opponents and costing the Kenoma losses out of mercy. Good, it's about time their ranks acquired a more coldblooded breed of fighter. ]

My esteemed colleague, there's no need for such formalities. [ "Mister" doesn't quite cut it when it comes to the demon's title. He originally was an Archduke in Hell, one of the most feared and reviled demons around for his high status, but J doesn't plan on mentioning that. Nor does he feel like sharing much in the way of her personal information. Call it an old habit of his to play everything close to the vest. Though, with the way the other demon from his world talks, it may all come to light if he spends long enough time in Makoto's presence. Heaven knows how his ward loves grousing to everyone about his plans to murder J, who happens to be his demonic master. #Justdemonthings. ] You're more than welcome to simply address me by my name- "J".

Since you're just getting your bearings, do you require any aid in locating provisions or a suitable place to set up shop, so to speak?

My, my...here less than five minutes, and I am already an esteemed comrade. Thank you, ah...J, then. Hmm. [Mr. J. Something about that seems to amuse Crane, a coincidence lining up. He cannot help but think of the late, unlamented (by everyone except Doctor Quinzel, of course) Joker. A most fortuitous death, that had made Crane's own plans feasible. Joker would almost certainly have tried to ruin them had he still been alive. The clown had always been rather...proprietary about his enmity with Batman, after all.]

Firstly, I must know what I have to work with, before anything else. I require knowledge. Books on plant and animal life for starters; I've used components from both the augment and refine my toxin. I assume the Citadel has a library that can at least help me partially fill in the blanks, if nothing else.

But of course. Your contributions to the cause, and your presence within our ranks, are due their rightful respect. [ And a little ego stroking can't hurt in building a foundation among allies. ]

While we are permitted full access to the Citadel's well stocked library, I'd say that as a whole it's tomes are mostly-

[ J is careful not to allow his humor to slip through their shared connection, but the way he pauses does lend a note of consideration to the explanation. His actions are far more cautious than he'd been in Hell, since he gains nothing by mocking some of the outlandish propaganda written by their zealous followers. ] Political in nature.

So, I have a feeling their contents may not meet your particular needs.

[ There could be general mentions of the animals or plants found in one or two books among the rest, but not in the scientific format that lays out the exact habitats to find them in and any biochemical components that could be useful in Crane's work. His master, both teacher and father figure, had taught J to read with anatomical books and infused his mind with at least a decent understanding of some science. So J knows Crane will need works that expose more than merely the broad strokes of this subject. ]

Don't let that discourage you, though. There are innumerable shops around Achamoth, including places that specialize in all manner of books.

Ah. [Message received, J.] That can still be useful of course. I am curious to know more about the Regent, though I am naturally happy to serve.

[Even propaganda can provide insight into the minds of both the people and the subject being exalted; how they see the world, how they want others to see the world and where those visions match up and where they do not, because cynicism always goes hand in hand with the production of propaganda, doesn't it? What parts of the Regent do they glorify most? What do they vilify the Pleroma for most? You just have to know how to read between the lines.]

In the shops and in the streets, I'm sure. I plan to familiarize myself with both, and quickly. And of course, when I am well-furnished and able to begin producing, I would not be adverse to...custom orders. Fear may be my specialty, but I am capable of directing my training as a chemist to other areas. For the right price, of course.

[A price that might be entirely non-monetary. Almost certainly, in fact.]

Then you'll find no shortage of resources within the Citadel's library. Though, do be sure to ask a more reliable source when comparing notes.

Here, the Regent's plan to rewrite the Universe is celebrated as a religion, while our leader themselves is revered and worshiped like a god.

As with any religious texts, there are variations throughout history, which change depending on the author's vision and their creative liberties. With the contents being more spiritual in nature, as opposed to an exact science, the reader has to extrapolate what might be fact or embellishment. [ Basically, don't get your hopes up too high about approaching this academically. With worshipers injecting their own wild speculations or fabricating outright fairy-tales, some of the sources don't offer a history lesson but pure folklore. ]

I've not personally spoken to our senior Kenoma here, but Xishen may be able to clarify something for you if it could prove useful in our overall goal. [ He's not sure how long the more elusive Aion has existed here, or what she may have been witness to, but he has a feeling she may be helpful in guiding him in the right direction. All the more if Crane informed her that something discovered in his research could turn the tide in this war. ]

Fair warning, be sure you're prepared for the price when you go hunting for books. In this place, it seems those aren't a cheap, mass-produced commodity, but more like a luxurious expense, what with the limited resources for printing reflecting the exorbitant cost. [ Now, that is something J can allow himself to be honest about, and his great disappointment in being denied an endless supply of reading fodder to kill time is clear as day. He's no scientist, but after living some seven hundred years, seeing every nook and cranny of the world that he was summoned to, and doing a little of everything, life gets monotonous without something new to learn between the pages of a book. ] While we are given a generous allowance by the Regent, no stipend is an endless gravy train. And extravagances can see that dry up quickly.

[ At the suggestion that Crane might begin manufacturing goods of a more recreational nature, J gives a light laugh through the shared space. Hey, mad respect to the hustle, Dr. Crane. Sometimes you need a day job to support your passion. Even if that's concocting hallucinogenics. If he goes full-blown Walter White, there may be some pushback from the local drug bosses. Then again, perhaps it'll eventually be smooth sailing, what with Crane's status as a beloved Kenoma Aion and the very real threat he could prove to any opposition, if he gets his toxins in production. ]

Should you be so magnanimous to provide for the general populace, I've a feeling they'll take to your wares like fish to water, no matter the cost. [ The citizens here are always looking for that next high before the curtain closes on their lives. Whatever Crane offers, as long as it's a consensual deal and no children are involved, the Regent probably won't even shrug over it. ]

Understandable, if unfortunate, that they allow their zeal to colour events and their perceptions of the Regent. [This is why Crane stayed away from religion. Well, one of them. There are a multitude.] However, reading between the lines is a skill I have cultivated.

[He did legitimately earn that psychology degree, even if it was later revoked once his experiments on the Arkham population got out and his real career began in earnest.]

Xishen...yes, I do believe I have heard the name. Our most senior Aion. Where can she usually be found? In case I have any clarifications that I feel she could help me make.

Hm. The cost of books had already occurred to me, but I see I was right to be concerned. No matter. If I have need of a specific tome, I'm sure it's procurement could be arranged. [Which ties in nicely to the next phase of the conversation...]

It isn't my favourite line of work, but the money is reasonable, and makes my larger, more interesting projects possible. Gotham City had no shortage of junkies and the market for providers was always in flux. [Thanks to a certain caped crusader...] In this, I believe Achamoth will be very good for business, so long as I keep the Regent's few directives in mind.

[And of course, Crane's payment need not be monetary in that case, especially if the client has other skills that might be useful...and Crane has his eyes on a particular volume. As long as no one is hurt, especially a child, the Regent's not likely to bat an eye.]

A useful talent that not all are capable of possessing. [ In the hundreds of years he's lived, the demon has been subjected to watch as a great number of mortals foolishly summoned him to do their bidding yet thought they could break the ironclad contract and forego paying with their soul. They read the terms of his contract, yet often failed to heed the fine print interlaced with J's promises to fulfill their wildest dreams. ]

Parsing the value of words and differentiating between the valuable as opposed to the extraneous will benefit greatly in more than just your research, when even words here can pose something of a cutthroat exchange, if you're not careful. [ The demon may not admit to it, but with how J openly discusses this and many less savory topics, it would be easy to assume he lies within the selection of individuals here who tend to use words as weapons. They have been his most effective weapon for many an age. ]

That I couldn't say. I find she's the rather elusive type and not too prone to socializing on the daily. However, I don't imagine she'd avoid an arranged meeting if you posed a request with the Regent to speak with her in person.

If you'd prefer other channels, our more social butterflies here should be able to point you in the direction of her typical haunts. Ciel and Kaeya, to name a few. I believe Howl is also familiar with her to some extent. [ J recalls Xishen's search for him during the party thrown shortly after J's arrival, and how she had expressed a rather unique concern for his whereabouts. ]

Yes, it sounds like you and the very desirable niche goods you might supply its denizens will become quite the fixture in no time. Though as fun as all of that sounds, I do hope to have the opportunity to see your more refined works up and running soon.

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[Kenoma] Discussion

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