[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

[dragon_rider]

[ There's not much that he can add that hasn't already been said - They need to act, soon rather than later. He's not going to ask new Pleroma to go with them himself, only if they feel capable of it. But there's still something he chooses to offer and finds prudent to do so: ]

We may not yet have a timeline of when we leave, but we should prepare for it at a moment's notice. Being able to go there on our own terms will be a luxury - we don't know how long they have.

[ If, somehow, they get notice things have changed. Or a certain dragoon takes off. ]

Alphinaud was helping to gather resources before, but if it's as Estinein says... [ Which he doesn't doubt given they were working together and he hasn't seen the young man: ] You can find me in Greentruth. For as long as we have I'll be preparing what weapons or armor we can get our hands on - if you need adjustments for something I can try to fix it. We'll also have impromptu weapons training every morning and afternoon until we leave.

We may not have a lot of time, but trust me - going prepared with knowing even a little is better than nothing.


[ ooc: I'll be posting an open log here a bit later for any resource gathering stuff, quick training montages, etc anyone may want to utilize for prep! ]

[goldendeceiver]

[ "We don't know how long they have." It's a fair statement, but one that hits in a particularly unpleasant way... ]

If you can get me a list of what you need the most, I can see what I can do to grab what you need from Godsblood.

[dragon_rider]

That's - A problem.

[ There was the ore mission to build stuff they were supposed to go on way back when, but with Eleven gone and everything in between it never happened. He's at the point he thinks it needs to be brought up, but sighs deeply in the communion: ]

I've been preparing some kind of armory for a while, but it's not much and I don't feel right taking a lot from the people of Greentruth - Any extra materials from Godsblood would be great. Any metal that can be melted down, cloth, or animal hide.

[goldendeceiver]

Raw materials, huh? They shouldn't be hard to find, so I'll see what I can nab for you.

[ Without drawing too much suspicion to himself. That's always the trickiest part of this. ]

[dragon_rider]

Just about anything will help! Especially scrap material, some people just don't know what they're throwing away -

[ Says the kid who was taught to repurpose anything left in a fire. ]

What about you - is there anything you need?

[goldendeceiver]

If you're looking for things people don't want, I can definitely get you that in bulk. It might take some trips to get it all out to you though.

[ He's genuinely impressed, Mr. Moss. ]

Unless you can fashion some explosives out of trash, I think I'm about as well equipped as I'm going to get.

[dragon_rider]

Take as many as you need and if you need help - I'm here and I appreciate it.

[ HAHA Man :'( Way to make him feel momentarily a wave of something. Annoyance, maybe? It's hard to read, but there's definitely the distinct feeling of if I could, I would. ]

Not right now, but maybe soon? I'm going to make it a priority to figure out anything flammable after all this. Inferno's only half the sword it's supposed to be without them.

[goldendeceiver]

Let me see what I can find and gather it at my place. I might call you and a few others to slip it through the portal once I've got a good amount though.

[ Ernesto does a good job keeping his own feelings about this to himself as he gives an unbothered laugh, even if it would genuinely be nice... ]

I'd be happy to help any time if you need it. I used to mod weapons as a hobby.

[heavybreaths]

[Finally, someone offering something he might can make real use of.

His message opens with a simple question.]

You are a smith, then?

[dragon_rider]

That's right - I spent half of my life in a forge. And the other half inventing new ways of getting in trouble.

[ It's a half of a joke, but really all of his inventions? Trouble. Created a prototype submarine? Nearly drowned. Created his flight suit? Had so many accidents and near death experiments he was nearly locked up. Discovered lightning was attracted by metal by becoming a lightning rod? Check. ]

But even those inventions proved useful eventually and with a bit of fine tuning. I'm not like some of the other guys who are... I don't know, from some futuristic technological wonderland, but I'm more than capable.

[heavybreaths]

[Clever boy, that. He'd actually be impressed if he knew. People from backwater worlds are fascinating to him.]

I am from one of those...technological wonderlands...but that is not important, now. Perhaps in future we can discuss new...inventions to aid our struggle.

[He may provide schematics and stuff for simple machines later.]

In the immediate, I will require a sword. Can you craft a solid one?

[dragon_rider]

Just a sword, huh? Don't even want to make it a little bit of a challenge?

[ And for a moment he's happy to share the memory of what Inferno is supposed to be - the collapsing sword capable of being enflamed, causing decent sized explosions, and cutting through dragonproof metal while acting as a normal sword. Look!!! He just finds a normal sword boring these days (but he'll do it).]

[heavybreaths]

If you can provide such, that would be even better.

[The feeling from the communion is one of interest, and of something bordering on satisfaction. If he can provide a challenge for the lad, and the lad can meet it? Great.]

I will expect to be seeing your finest work. I will put it to good use, even if it is a just a sword.

[dragon_rider]

I can try.

[ A little less confident, though not in his own skills. The reasoning is followed up with a breath: ] We don't have a lot of things available to us, but I do think with time I can come up with more than a few tricks.

[ Maybe not this time, is what he means to say. But then even Inferno went through many tests and changes before it became what it was. ]

[heavybreaths]

What kind of materials do you lack?

[He's not above theft.]

There is a high probability we will be in a position to expropriate some things in the enemy stronghold.

[youngprodigy]

I'm afraid unless he's gone into some sort of deep cover, it's as Estinien says. Were he still here, he'd be leading the charge to free Himeka with Estinien.

[He doesn't like it at all. It's truly an awful feeling.]

I'll help you prepare. I've been helping the Resistance with their weaponry for moons now, and I know a pair who might be willing to assist us.

[dragon_rider]

Yeah, you're right.

[ Which is a problem in itself. He doesn't like how quickly and easily people can be brought here just to... What disappear? (Into the light?) It gnaws at him - but he doesn't voice it. ]

As have I. [ Which honestly, they've probably crossed paths a few times since Hiccup half lives there when he's not out trying to help elsewise - ] I don't want to risk taking too much from them.

[ Not when there's a chance many of them won't even come back alive- ]

[youngprodigy]

[It doesn't make their odds good, that people can vanish without a trace. He doesn't want to dwell on what it means.]

The people I'm thinking of... I would never ask them to fight. They're smiths, not warriors. But should we gather materials to make our own supply... I know they'd assist.

[dragon_rider]

I wasn't saying they fight! [ His response is as abrupt as it is confused. He gives a shaky breath, a sound that makes the motion of running a hand through his hair practically visible even in the shared mindscape: ]

I meant that I don't want to take more than we have to from the people of Greentruth. [ Which has been his thing for months. ] They're just - trying to live here, this is their home. They shouldn't have to give us much as they do.

[youngprodigy]

Oh—

[A flash of embarrassment.]

I... suppose at this point, it's become my home, too. I would do anything for the people of Greentruth. There must be a way to give back to them. I was attempting to get a party together in search of materials, but...

[Well. Venera and now the kidnappings have put a complete stop to that plan.]

[dragon_rider]

Yeah, a lot of things keep being put on hold.

[ Which no one can really be blamed for - They don't have the luxury of having an all powerful Regent and their vast armies and resources on their side. They're mostly having to be reactionary and that, he knows, needs to change: ]

I think going forward this is... Definitely,[ ] something we need to prioritize, no matter what. We don't know how much we'll lose in the upcoming fight.

[ He means supplies, but there's always the underlying of people. ]

[chronosynthesis]

I'll be there every day to help anyone who needs practice. [It's the least they can do while they pull together a plan.]

[dragon_rider]

Thank you.

[ His response is sincere! Grateful as he adds: ] I'm sure even if they think they don't need it all of us can use a little extra practice.

[chronosynthesis]

One should always be consistent about keeping their skills sharp. And we've new people to learn to fight against.

[dragon_rider]

Or fight with. Since we don't know what the other guys can do until we face each other -

[ A beat, ] Maybe we really should concentrate on group trainings. Figure out how to pair up and what synergy works best.