[Mini Event] [RQ] make these bones your own

Deimos

Plans made and quests accepted, there was only the plethora of tasks to be upheld now. Another moment of time where their beloved region could be upheld, heightened, and stronger; a world to be reckoned with, for whatever came their way. The Sword hoped these plans and notions could be utilized, and streamlined effectively – a shelter meant to overcome storms, barrages, assaults, and sieges.

So with that came another meeting. Those who’d assisted with the weapon some years before would be familiar with the format – for they needed to make decisions on how to best operate the upcoming shield. Assisting Evie with providing snacks and a plethora of chairs for citizens to come sit, peruse, and take part in the discussions, Deimos eventually stood before his own, intending to call the gathering to an order (trying not to count how many had been held in this season alone).

“Thank you all for coming,” and he nodded to each in turn, knowing how well Halo was represented in its people. “Frey has asked us to meet and decide how best to trigger our upcoming shield.” Giving them a moment to deliberate, he tilted his head, gazing upon the crowd, steeling and forging a breath in between. “And how we may want it stopped. Do we want it offensive or defensive in nature -” he’d been going for the latter when concocting the scheme, “or do we want it to work similarly to our weapon?” In only having the council members capable of unfurling the power?

From there, he’d leave the floor open to the rest of their wake, settling into his chair, notebook in hand.

you're all bronze and bite
all venom and fistfight

The starlit beads on Deimos' bracelet begin to glow faintly.

Evie

Though Evie's eyes stray to Deimos' bracelet as it begins to glow, now is not the time to be inquiring about it. They know how it works and what it represents. For now, they have to focus on defenses, on being proactive enough to have a stronghold of people alive and well for when Safrin returns.

"An activation pedestal on street level with a small enclosure might do well. The solar cannon's use is usually limited to near the wall not only by virtue of attacks often focusing there, but also due to the destructive force it would have on any residential or commercial areas." Areas they'd have to repair after an attack, and which might harm fleeing citizens. They've been lucky to not need to use it to aim within the Citadel yet, but well...knock on wood. "Since the cannon can already target anywhere in the Citadel, this might be best used for any attacks on the city itself, and the cannon reserved for those attacks on the wall which has less risk of harming civilians." Such was the reasoning for their desire for aerial defenses as it was, given how many had been slain by the fleeing, terrified dragons. A solar blast would have only risked more lives. "Being placed deeper in the Citadel would also provide more accuracy for aiming." Lest the worst-case scenario happens and the protection descends and does nothing, meters off from where it was needed.

"Council member activation is a good idea, but that leaves only myself and Deimos currently. Still, keys and other instruments could be stolen or lost." Something she'd quite like to avoid, even if it means only the Wardens have the power to activate and deactivate it. "Lastly, I think a defensive option would be best. We have many offensive measures currently, and as I said before, it would have less risk of collateral damage." Balancing offense and defense makes the most sense in her eyes, and having the cannon used for dangers around the wall and the rainbow weapon used for defensive measures within it makes the most sense to her.

Let's stray, start a revolution
We'll change - treat each other like humans

yet my blood renders me a King

Another meeting was set up and Sah arrived before the crowd grew too dense to maneuver in. Finding a comfortable place to wait he remained standing and sipped his hot chocolate while he waited for the meeting to begin. He didn't have to wait long but before the discussions could truly begin, his eyes locked onto Deimos' now glowing bracelet. The Abandoned sucks out a breath from between his teeth. Safrin.

Clearing his throat, he refocused on the meeting as Evie began to speak. Nodding in agreement he spoke up, "Given that our Solar Beam is offensive, I agree with going with a defensive shield." He let out a hum, "Though going with that it'd likely be unable to harm Halo and as such I think we could possibly expand the trigger to include those outside of the council. It makes sense for our weapon to be council triggered but wouldn't it be better if more people could activate our defenses?" Being allowed to throw up a shield was far different than being allowed to shoot sunlight.

"Of course, if the shield could prevent Halovian citizens from entering once it was up, that's another story entirely. We can't risk someone activating it just to keep someone out without good cause." Sah tilted his head, "Do we have the specifics on how the shield will actually work?" That would certainly better define how it should be triggered. Knowing what it could keep out and how far over the Citadel is stretched was important. Would it just protect them solely from aerial attacks as was previously discussed or was it a full-dome shield that would reach the ground?

Sah

bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones.

---

You've encountered the OG random event! This allows you to skip one levelling requirement with the character in this thread. (Unfortunately does not count for characters over level 10, how sad.)

Alys, regrettably, arrived too late to take advantage of the bones (so sad), but arrive she did, slipping into the back of the gathering in silence to listen, Sascha in her arms. The little ursur cub was still small enough to be cradled, and Alys had found that she was calmest when she could be held. She was really too young to have been separated from her mother, but there was little she could do about that now. Instead, Alys cuddled her closer, shifting the cub so that she could scratch behind her ears, and hoped that she would stay quiet long enough for the meeting.

So they were working on a shield - and just in time, it seemed, as news of Safrin's disappearance and the potential threat on the horizon lingered like a bad taste she just couldn't get rid of. "What about some kind of code word or phrase?" she suggested. "It couldn't be lost, like a key, but it could be set or reset by the Wardens and given out to trusted individuals in times of need."

The looking glass, so shiny and new
How quickly the glamour fades

Alys

Deimos

The glow was difficult to ignore; an illuminating prowess through furs, enough so that he rolled back his sleeves, so that others would know, understand, and perceive the movement of Safrin’s wake. It left him with the slightest trepidation again, but the motions were already notching themselves forward – they were here, amidst discussions of how and why, when and where, to progress and advance on defenses. And that would have to be enough for now.

His head tilted, listening to each in turn, from activation pedestals, with coverings, defensive measures to meld and mold with their already strong offensive procedures. Sah’s inquiry caused him to break his silence amidst the musings and machinations, shifting his gaze to the Abandoned. “It is meant to target a specific area, probably around sixty feet or so, when it is activated. We requested an aerial addition to the dome itself.” So one could imagine a shield descending over portions under duress, though the suggestion of other citizens suddenly leaving others out of the lurch in times of crisis made his brows furrow – the implications that anyone within their stalwart, steadfast structure would simply permit –

Though his thoughts pierced to the One Shot, and several others willing to let falsehoods run their lives and opinions, he kept it to himself, jaw clenching briefly before it was loosened in a breath. “A pedestal at ground level would be effective, with said covering,” he indicated to Evie, as per her idea, given the way the snow fell and could disrupt. Or anything else happening amidst the antics of their world. “I also see no issue with more people being able to activate such defenses, but as some have pointed out, I do not think it should be solely anyone.” Visitors, non-citizens, enemies with some agenda…there needed to be some safeguards in place. Nodding towards Alys at her notions, agreement yielded. “I do like the thought of codes, or phrases. Perhaps something reset every so often, and given only to those trusted.”

you're all bronze and bite
all venom and fistfight

Tal had been tucked in a corner towards the back, still wrapped in his flying gear after coming straight from the docks for the meeting after hearing about it on his way home. He hadn't been intending to say much, mostly wanting to just listen to what was planned for his home and his family. He'd worked on quietly holding up a wall with a mug of hot tea in his hand and his usual scowl on his face, uncomfortable as ever in such gatherings.

His scowl deepened as the Warden continued to speak and something felt... weird. Off. "So... it'll be tied t'the dome, yeah?" He asked first, wanting to confirm whether what was requested was the same as what Frey was offering. "An' is it keepin' out--" He waved his free hand upwards "-- things from enterin' from above? Like dragons? Or is it just keepin' out attacks? Like dragon breath weapons, or rocks thrown by Frost Giants?"

He shrugged. "I mean, if it's just for defense an' isn't keepin' people on th' ground out, what's wrong with havin' any Halovian citizen able t'activate it?" Pale eyes finally rose to meet Deimos 's gaze, his own jaw clenched no less tightly under the pressure of public speaking.

Deimos

Tal’s voice from the back made his gaze flicker towards the courier. “Should be able to do all of those,” nodding at the notions – for the protection and threshold, regardless if it was dragons seething and assaulting, shifted beasts from enemies (they needn’t recall the Ascended incident, but it would forever remain fresh in his mind), and Frost Giant rocks…but their opinions would differ on those relied upon to utilize.

“I still would not trust non-Halovians,” for clarification purposes, which always seemed to be a given with his speaking endeavors. “Anyone merely passing through should not have access, hence the idea of codes or passwords.” Given the potential and wake of sabotage – and whatever implications lingered within the latest events. He wouldn't want the information passed to individuals like Neron or Sunjata, for example. “The shield will not be infinite. There will likely still be a cooldown, like our weapon. So timing would be crucial,” and therefore, the potential for remaining issues, regardless of defensive or offensive maneuvers.

you're all bronze and bite
all venom and fistfight

yet my blood renders me a King

Sah hummed in thought as further details and specifications were discussed. The different ideas being thrown out painted a few probable options. "A defensive dome that requires a regularly changed passcode sounds reasonable. If possible, could Frey make it so only Halovian citizens could even speak the code?" That way, even if the code somehow landed in unintended hands, it'd be useless.

The Wild Thunder had never heard of such a mechanism, and he was uncertain if it was within the bounds of what the herald could do for them. Yet it would solve part of the issue regarding unwelcome usage.

Sah

After her contribution of passwords, Alys settled in to listen. She warmed as Deimos praised her suggestion, pleased to have come up with something unique that could be helpful. Still, the others had their own queries and thoughts, and the seer scratched at Sascha's ears as they voiced them. Having nothing further to add at the moment, she found herself a seat and simply watched.

Talyson seemed uncomfortable voicing his opinion, but he did so all the same, and Alys shot him a quiet smile in solidarity. She agreed with Deimos that timing would be important; if a password fell into the wrong hands, it would be possible for the individual to time the shield's protection so that it did nothing. Whatever the decision, she couldn't see herself being one of the trusted few to have the code, nor did she see herself in a situation where she would need to have access to the shield, so she simply nodded along in silence. Sah's idea was an interesting one, but would it be possible?

The looking glass, so shiny and new
How quickly the glamour fades

Alys

Evie

Taking it upon herself to recap the various things that had been said and make clearer their path forward to decision-making, Evie clears her throat slightly. "A covered pedestal on street-level in the Citadel then." At least that was easy enough to decide upon. She's glad that they are all open to the idea of non-council members being able to activate it, but still sharp enough to agree that items like keys were too easily stolen. The tension is not something she can overlook, but it's a subtle thing, and something she strives to keep herself out of given her own personal feelings on the topic and its implications.

"We can confirm with Frey if it's possible for the phrase to be tied to citizenship. Even if not, it is worth the risk in my eyes." Her hands gesture, loose and graceful in front of her torso. "While I would only trust citizens in the best case scenario, even in the worst case scenario, the dome could only be used for a restricted amount of evil." Here she begins to tick off points of argument on her fingers. "Not only will it be defensive in nature, it's impermanent - so any ill-intentioned parties seeking to keep people out would not have much time to act, a large radius to move within, or many routes of escape." The radius was only sixty feet after all, so with buildings and streets to account for, it would be a short-lived heist at best.

"If we are all agreed that the risks are acceptable if the passphrase cannot be restricted to citizenship, then we have our location set and an agreement that it would be best utilized defensively." Looking around at those gathered before her, she smiles encouragingly, proud of them all and equally hoping to inspire anyone who has not yet spoken up to do so now. "If anyone has further concerns or ideas, please speak them now."

Let's stray, start a revolution
We'll change - treat each other like humans

Deimos

Summaries and recaps unfurled, but Deimos’ trepidation didn’t lift entirely. He welcomed Sah’s suggestion – but gods, he was too battle-torn and war-laden, he couldn’t quite let the risks remain. And while he understood that not all of them could be mitigated, he’d seen far too much to let it go entirely. As an ultimatum, he nodded towards Evie, and the rest of their constituents, striving not to let his calculations render on all the potentials of sabotage if their plans couldn’t come to fruition. “As long as it is only if Frey cannot attach it to citizens.” Perhaps the god would find it an easy feat, and the apprehension surrounding the decision was only that; dread and consternations from proportionate memories.

And with that, decisions were made, and the die for the future cast.

{FIN}

you're all bronze and bite
all venom and fistfight