Penance

Penance is the Tri ritual by which the One Concern executes sinners for their transgression. It involves using a Controller and a Spine Controller to destroy a home, usually with the victims sealed inside it. There is no Penance in City One, where only the most pious are allowed to live. Sinners from City One are instead banished to the surrounding settlements.

=Story= It is implied that Penance has been used many times throughout history, but there are several specific instances that can be observed during the game.

Pre-game
The Andress's House 08 of Settlement 17, Blockrock is condemned before the events of Iconoclasts. Mrs. Andress upset the Concern by drawing maps of nearby caves while looking to pick mushrooms. Mrs. Andress and their daughter were both killed, but Mr. Andress survives.

A Sound
House 03 of Blockrock is condemned while Robin is asleep at home at the very beginning of the game. The sound wakes her up to begin her adventure. She arrives in time to see the Spine Controller under the house. It is unknown whether anyone was in the house when Penance struck.

House 05
House 05 of Settlement 17 is condemned to Penance when Robin is caught performing unapproved mechanic work inside. Elro, who owns the house, is also wanted for the murder of Agent Grey. Henetta and Ella are killed, but Elro escapes.

Chasing Agent Black
Many houses in the Ferrier Shockwood are condemned to Penance, though the settlers inside have been safely evacuated. Their destruction is to prevent settlers from finding out about the Tower. Robin, Mina, and Elro witness House 01 being destroyed. Elro and Robin rush out the front door, and Mina escapes underground through the hole where the Spine Controller came up.