[PLEROMA] | I heard a rumor...

[wolof]

[ The communion is clear, practiced, and clipped. Business-like. ]

We have quite a few new arrivals, so... Welcome to the Pleroma. I am sure we will all have the opportunity to introduce ourselves to you, but it's often polite to introduce oneself, isn't it? My name is Akua Sahelian, and I speak to you now of what I wish were a warm welcome, but instead, of serious tidings.

I do not know how many of you have been introduced to the wider group, or how much information you've been presented, so allow me to give you all a basics, hm?

If you can hear this, you have accepted the Pleroma. You may have already met one, or many of them, but regardless if you met them before -- we oppose the Kenoma -- perhaps not the individuals, but the... force of kenoma itself. Pleroma and Kenoma are no mere forces of Good and Evil -- The Kenoma would destroy this world -- and all worlds -- to rebirth a world of their own making from the ashes. If you have joined with us, then you have found perhaps something to save here -- or perhaps you believe that your world is still out there. Some do, but I will not promise that which I cannot see with my own eyes. Whatever has brought you to us, I'm afraid that I cannot promise an easy fight -- or an easy existence here. Even now, the Kenoma have captured two of our own, and I have no doubt that they will come out with an experience that only a True Villain by the name of the Regent could craft. [ In communion, it sounds like a Title, a Name. ]

We will have to rescue them, and though I wish I could say that only those that are willing to fight should come, the truth of it is that we must collectively join together. There is no choice, and we will need every willing person to join in, to save our allies. If you have experienced combat before -- of any sort -- your experience will be more than welcome. If you do not, please reach out to one us, and we will find a place for you. We all have...grand and great talents, and we'll need every single one, to find victory when our allies are eventually retrieved. You will be needed, no matter what your experience was before you arrived, you will be able to find some use of your unique talents. Please, if you are new, speak up, tell us about yourselves, and ask your questions. I'm sure someone will answer it. Even the smallest of talents, can mean the difference between losing more of our allies an assets, or victory.

I cannot provide details at this time -- no plans have been set -- but I will tell you to be ready.

Speaking of being ready, however... I must turn a part of our discussion to something just as serious, but in a different vein. I think it clear, that we will have to continue to fight those who have signed on to the Kenoma, and while it's an inevitability, particularly in these times -- we need to assess our enemies. We will want to share the names, the abilities, and the demeanors of our enemies, those in the Kenoma who may be a threat, those who would be weak to physical threat, or...

[ A pause, then. ]

I was...dissipated recently. As I regrew, I... knew something. [ Her voice now almost sounds...authoritative. Like she is Speaking something of great import, the communion gives her words an emphasis that she can only imagine, as it would not work in person. ]

While no Sovereign, they are sovereign in this land, and though their plans have been thwarted in some small ways, they have been given a gift. The gift of knowing the true hearts of their followers, one way or the other. They have no use for the frail and the convictionless, after all. Venera and Godsblood are not the only ones that face culling, as the light of the Sovereign fades.

I believe... there may be individuals within the kenoma that have less conviction than others. They may be willing to help, or even defect, although we will be racing against the Regent's own touch. We may wish to seek them out, and free them from the Kenoma, they may come willingly, but they may also come by force. If you have spoken to those who lack conviction for their Sect, please, share that as well. It may be invaluable. If we know who lacks the resolve to stay with them, we can then pursue them, convince them, or bring them to our bases, to be convinced. I know some may find that unpleasant work -- but... Well, let's just say occasionally, capturing your enemy and teaching them of your perspective works.

I'd know.

[ A pause, before: ] Well, now. Please chime in, I shouldn't do all of the talking.

Comments

[pyojeol]

[wow everyone is so helpful and introducing themselves! han sooyoung's voice is brisk in return, with not a little amount of suspicion]

Okay, I get the whole saving thing and whatever, but do we have plans for anything else? Are we just gonna fight? Like, if we're gonna break into their base... We might as well do other stuff. Like sabotage, maybe poison their wells or kill their animals, whatever. Or steal their shit. They don't need all of us to save them, do they?

[comelately]

We have a huge disadvantage in numbers. Getting in and out of there without getting killed is going to be hard enough. It's like we're swinging a stick at a hornet's nest here.

[ that said, he's not disapproving of the idea, as evidenced by his continuing: ]

... If we could manage to steal some information while we're over there, though, that'd be nice.

[pyojeol]

[everything she hears about this endeavor is making her break out in HIVES,

though it's not like sooyoung's a stranger to extremely terrible odds, still]

They could, I dunno, have maps of the city, actual books... I feel like it's worth a try, and I don't mind splitting from the group and going to look.

[...]

Sorry, that was a lie. I'm probably gonna go off on my own anyway, regardless.

[leicesters]

You wouldn't mind if little old me tagged along, right? I can watch your back if things get messy.

[And it does sound like they might be able to turn up something interesting...]

[pyojeol]

[a little flicker of surprise, then recognition... this guy's voice sounds familiar,]

...Can you, though? Or are you just gonna leave me behind to throw rocks at the ceiling again?

[leicesters]

Hey, if it creates a diversion, maybe a little rock-throwing is called for.

... I'm kidding, of course. I'll take this seriously.

1/2

[pyojeol]

[you know what, rock throwing IS a viable strategy... this is valid]

Fine. I guess we can try and split from the group when we -- actually get there? [squints] Sure would be nice if we had any idea how we're gonna do this raid to begin with, but...

filtered to claude

[pyojeol]

[sooyoung concentrates on her shard... this one on one communication isn't very tricky, now that she's got the hang of it a little]

Han Sooyoung. [because she never told him her name!! wow] I'm decent with a sword. And I know I said you can come with, but don't stick around if it gets dangerous. Anything happens, someone sees us or whatever -- we split up.

filtered to sooyoung

[leicesters]

Claude, I'm an archer. [He introduced himself to the group, but it seems like a courtesy to do the same speaking to someone he's already acquainted with.]

Right, doing what we can to save our own skins is the sensible option. We're already wasting too much manpower rescuing just two people, if you ask me, but it sounds like we're committed, so we'll just have to do what we can to mitigate any further losses. [Which means no falling over each other trying to heroically sacrifice themselves on another rescue. He gets it.]

That said, if there's a viable option to help you out of trouble, I'll take it over running away. [He's not heartless...!]

[comelately]

[ it feels like it's a bad idea, but he also doesn't want to leave Abel and Himeka there getting who-knows-what done to them, so... he's torn. Not that he can do much in the state he's in, anyway. ]

Hey, it's your funeral.

[ he has even less confidence that this lady will survive if she wanders off alone in enemy territory, which is extra obvious through communion, but he's not about to stop her?? not his job... ]

[pyojeol]

[THANKS FOR THESE RANCID VIBES JOHNNY!!!]

From what I've been hearing, it's gonna be all our funerals.

[damb they really gonna all roll badly and be deda]

[comelately]

[ HE'S JUST KEEPING IT REAL!!! ]

Not gonna be mine, [ he says drolly, then shifts gears a bit. ] You just got here, didn't you? Why're you already champin' at the bit to go die on the battlefield?

[pyojeol]

[You know what, she respects the only person with a brain cell here? (Yuya's not going either -- well he WANTED to go so he's assigned brainless like the rest of them!!!)]

I'm not chomping. [there's a surge of annoyance, tempered by something softer and quiet, maybe even a little sad.

and then irritation again, because she forgets how her emotions are on BLASt here] ...But I know an idiot who is, so. I'm just going along so I can knock him out before he can do anything stupid.

[wolof]

We did steal one of theirs already. Meteion? Valuable insight to be had, from her. As for the rest, it's coming.

As for whether or not we'll need you all -- we will. The Kenoma fight like... the destruction of the world is at hand, and they want it. We will have to ensure we have enough to... stand tall against them.

Mind, I am not opposed to poisoning their wells.

[pyojeol]

...Right, her. [she doesn't sound dismissive as much as she does distracted, thinking] I was thinking more of physical stuff that we can carry back? Like rare items or whatever, but I guess shards count.

[there's a moment of silence at that second part, like sooyoung's thinking harder]

You know, that would be a lot more helpful to hear if you were the one in charge. [it's just easier to have a leader who cosigns all ur war crimes???] But this is a group effort for some reason, right? You're not opposed -- but what about the rest?

[wolof]

You're right, I'm not in charge. Alas, I already turned own power once, it wouldn't be fitting for me to take it this time.

[ And really -- nobody really would put her in charge. ]

But I'll tell you what, if you run into trouble with the rest of them, come see me. I'm happy to... back up, those who are willing to take such steps. We'll need aggressive action, to stand against our enemy. I doubt they will stay their hand, after all.

[pyojeol]

[It's something, Sooyoung concedes. It's more than a desperate plea and a righteous vow. She doesn't want to have to accept it, but she does anyway. Bad odds are familiar, terrible odds even more so.]

Same, and I haven't even met any of these guys yet.

[but the gossip is telling,]

I don't have a reason to go easy on them, so I'll think of something, I guess.

[wolof]

I think you'll find, soon enough, that you'll have an ability to rival most of them. It doesn't take long, but I've noticed many of our companions have been... growing, in power.

Besides, a little bit of overwhelming odds are good for ones constitution, I've found.

[ They aren't, she just believes they are. ]

[pyojeol]

I'm pretty healthy already, thanks.

[dryly, if not also a little resigned that overwhelming odds always have to be a THING]

Have any of them explained why they're getting a power boost?

[superbshot]

That's not an entirely terrible idea. With the focus on the Citadel, there are opportunities to be had. Achamoth is a city, the Citadel is one part of it.

[Caitlyn, despite being a cop, is on board with this. Her voice is calm, collected, and thoughtful.]

We have a supply shortage, and if we could acquire materiel then that would go a long way towards the war effort. I would support this.

[pyojeol]

[not entirely terrible........ you know what she'll take it, she just got here and knows NOTHING,

but the point of the discussion is to fling out an idea and wait for others to build on it, she guesses. and the fact of the matter is that hsy really doesn't know anything]

How short is the shortage? Because I can probably stuff my pockets, but I don't know about stealing anything bigger.

[superbshot]

Honestly, the things that would be the most useful to steal would be things that might be hard to find, like maps of Achamoth. But that aside metals for the smiths, money to assist in buying supplies legitimately, and things that could be used to make medicine or useful chemicals.

[Cait is thinking along the lines of helping Jayce build up the technology here.]

The kinds of things that could be stuffed into backpacks, really.

[And...okay.]

Also, we could disrupt industry in the city, as you said. Disabling smithies and damaging factory equipment and the like would cause confusion.

[pyojeol]

You want me to wear a backpack full of metal and chemicals?

[she's just being contrary, she's not actually against the idea... is a backpack full of like gold bars any heavier than smithing metal, things to ponder]

I was thinking more along the lines of just setting random fires, but sure. Targeted property damage works too. What about our timeline? This whole thing is supposed to be a 'get in, get out' type of situation, right?

[superbshot]

If you can manage. I'll be doing the same.

[Gosh.

Caitlyn's attention shifts for a second as she begins to ponder.]

I think there will be time before we really engage. The bulk of the Kenoma should be occupied by the rescue, too. I think that while this is a get in and get out operation, we shouldn't waste an opportunity. This shouldn't be a priority, but it is still something we should do if we can. A secondary goal.

...Also, as for the fires, that's a fine idea too. Only try to keep it to economic and industrial areas, not residences if you can, miss? I'd hate to be stripping civilians of their homes.

[pyojeol]

[let her whine, caitlyn!!!

there's a noticeable sharpening of interest as cait speaks, and maybe like -- a blip of 'aw shucks' when she mentions "civilians" and "homes"...]

Tch... Fine. [can she at least break into a home though ://] We can mark areas of interest for future sabotage, too. Lay out the groundwork even if we can't get our hands on anything this time.

...What kind of city is Achamoth, do you know?