June Intro/Training Log

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: July 26
Where: Bishamon's temple, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



The product of many meetings and recommendations, at last it has taken shape. On this day, in anticipation of the new arrivals who appear in a recognized pattern, Heaven has partnered with the new gods and shinki to organize a very helpful informational reception.

The shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided kindly towards Bishamon's temple. And in that vast complex they are brought to a traditional-style dojo.

Here the newly arrived gods are gathered, so finding their partner is more simple. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the aspects of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki, or from the many veteran new god and shinki volunteers.




Divine Bureaucracy

Wasn't it the newly revamped Shinki Agency's job to assign shinki this time... They thought it was the original team of Amaterasu's shinki's job this one last time before Shinki Agency took over the responsibility. Needless to say, when the shinki wake up at the Meeting Hall, there's a lot of shouting. Eventually, one of the Shinki Agency representatives herds the new shinki together and instructs them to please all go to Bishamonten's temple for the time being and they will send a runner with the god-shinki assignments as soon as they can.

New gods and old gods alike will not be notified that there is a mix-up unless they come to Bishamon's temple for Training, until the Shinki Agency can figure out what happened.

Important addendum: For this round, gods still have a vision of how their shinki died, however they can't make out any details, particularly about who they saw die.
Once a shinki of the Agency gives the god the name of their shinki, the god is then able to find them by name. Once they give their shinki a vessel name the god will have the full vision of how their shinki died.

This addition comes in response to some questions and need for clarification. Apologies and thank you for your input.

God Training

Bishamon herself, as well as Amaterasu's ever-present shinki and any volunteering gods, will be the foremost source of information regarding being a god and what is expected of them, such as prayers. It is encouraged that gods group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies.
Newly arrived gods are still expected to communicate to their shinki the information* they themselves get oriented with when they arrive.

Shinki Training

Various volunteers are stationed around the building, passing out helpful informational pamphlets. There are many shinki, including Bishamon's and Amaterasu's, who will be more than happy to train in using the borderline and some of the basics of what is expected of a shinki. It is encouraged that shinki group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies.
Bishamon's lead shinki Kazuma offers a lecture to new arrivals that will thoroughly cover some essential points about teamwork with both shinki and other gods.

Physical Training

The dojo is stocked with a wide variety of practice weapons, traditional and modern. There are volunteers here as well, willing to assist in basic training. (Or even more advanced sparring, depending on the volunteer.) Essential for gods who, for example, find themselves with a sword shinki but are at risk of cutting off their own toes.
Also useful for veteran new gods wishing to train with their current partner shinki.

Rest and Refreshments

There is a garden off the dojo that is free to be used for rest and conversation.
Should anyone wander outside the designated area, some shinki of Bishamon's will attach themselves to them and not leave them be until they return to the dojo.

There is a refreshments table provided. It is covered with light snacks and various kinds of hydrating drinks. There is a little sitting area set up for people to relax in after they have finished their training or if they're just taking a quick break to cool down. Even hand towels are provided by Bishamon's helpful shinki. The Heavens wants everyone to stay in good condition!

In Summary:

• New characters are welcome to ask old characters if this mix-up is common (spoilers: it's not)
• New Shinki: Get all the information you can handle from the pamphlets provided (links above and see FAQ)
• New Gods: take what information you can from Amaterasu's shinki (see FAQ) while waiting to find out if you've been assigned a shinki
• Veteran gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Get in some training
• Don't get dehydrated
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

God training

[changeanddie]

Nay, I believe everyone does whatever they wish to do. Our hostess, the owner of this temple, is a god of war as well. You wouldn't consider educational pamphlets and refreshments to be inside that realm.

[The boy shrugs. Combat training does have a correlation but this is a bit more complex.]

I have taken the role of a messenger god, yet I would not transmit messages between people when humans have much better methods. Just send them a mail-of-e or dial their number, right? Besides, gods of war usually take more functions than warfare: wisdom, fertility, handicrafts, witchcraft, sex, royalty... even cats!

Holy *crap* someone actually plays Kid Loki!

[nuclearpowered]

[What...a strange manner of speaking, but the boy raises a good point. One that makes her feel much more at ease, despite herself.]

Fair. I suppose, on all counts. I just worry, Bellona was the goddess of war and rage, and if I remember right, the only rituals the Romans performed for her involved how they declared war.

[By throwing a spear from her temple grounds, which...is odd but you know.]

Which god are you, now?

:D

[changeanddie]

I must admit I am not familiar with Bellona and I shall Google it once we move on. Here's a thought, though. Myths are shaped by humanity, molded by their own necessities for each story. If Bellona starts taking prayers that are about other things, she should evolve into a deity of war and the other things that are less on the rage side. Try doing that, see how it goes for you. Hel, be in charge of peace and calm if it suits you most! Overcome your role! Take change into your hands, as change is good.

I would be Hermes of Greece!

He is the best.

[nuclearpowered]

Overcome...my role.

[You know, that actually sounds a little something like what she's already done, and that makes it an easier pill to swallow. She'd been the good girl honor's student, and now she was something else entirely. Having it put so bluntly helps quite a bit. It wasn't as though she'd lost free will, after all.]

That makes a lot of sense, in a way. Thank you. Hermes. I'll certainly take that to heart.

[A little awkwardly, she offers her hand, a little unused to European greetings but he's clearly not Japanese.]

My name is Makoto Niijima, standing in for Bellona of Rome.

[changeanddie]

Do not mention it! Besides, some gods act as a range. Take mine, for instance. The guy was a patron for travelers, but also thieves. Imagine having to listen to people praying not to get mugged during a trip while having to root for the other side. So, why shouldn't a war goddess be also a goddess for the lack of it?

[He shakes her hand, maybe too enthusiastic.]

Loki Laufeyson, current Hermes as you know.

[nuclearpowered]

[That all makes a lot of sense, realistically. It's easy to swallow, at the least, and makes her feel a little better. Though, what sticks out now is that name.]

Loki Laufeyson? As in the brother of Thor Odinson, of Asgard?

[Someone had mentioned that actual gods had been pulled in as well, so why not this one.]

[changeanddie]

[Oh, Odin's beard. He was hoping less people knew the specific set of universes where his derived from. Some other universes had different Loki variations, and those weren't necessarily good either, but it made people more willing to assume he could be different if the circumstances also were.

Maybe he should stop giving his full name. Especially to smart-looking individuals like this young lady.]

Aye, but I'm a very recent reincarnation of him. I'm probably not at all like the man you're thinking of. I am with the good guys in this life! [...Mostly! Even if they don't like it much!]

Spoilers here

[nuclearpowered]

[Makoto's...well, this is complicated. Loki is a certain someone's Persona, and yeah, she doesn't exactly have a favorable impression of that particular version but there's no way this kid, who can't even be as old as Mabel...is that same being. Plus, that absolutely guileless comment about being a reincarnation and with the good guys? It makes her believe him.]

Loki-kun, then. [She stoops a little, so she can meet his eyes, her own red ones flashing with amusement.]

You're not at all like the myth in my world. I've no reason to doubt you, either. A name is a name, and only that. Besides...I have a certain fondness for tricksters.

[changeanddie]

[That little vote of confidence is something Loki rarely sees, and thus it warms his heart a bit. What an interesting girl!]

I would say you should still deposit a thin sliver of distrust anyway. If you know and love your tricksters, it is to be expected. Nonetheless, [He smiles.] I appreciate it greatly, lady Makoto. Besides! There's another example of breaking the mold of your role, within me. My teenage rebellion of sorts is against being a static god of evil. If I can, you can be a more peaceful Bellona.

[Maybe saying his full name isn't that bad.]

[nuclearpowered]

Oh, I didn't say trust. [She taps her temple with a wry grin.] Just no reason to doubt you're on the side of good. I can...I suppose...see the spirit of rebellion in you. I was the president of my school's student council, and our disciplinary committee. I can spot a truly rotten egg, and tell the difference between that and one who's that's a bit of an impish streak.

[That's what had drawn her to the Phantom Thieves, after all.]

Have you been here long, Loki?

[changeanddie]

Ah, that's one of the highest ranks of honor in Japanese adolescence, isn't it?! Kudos for that. But hey, telling me I'm not a rotten egg is probably one of the nicest things I've ever heard.

[He's not going to deny the impish streak. This is someone who started his title role book by swindling dwarves on poker to afford a smartphone.]

Today it's been exactly a month!

[nuclearpowered]

It's something, like that, yes.

[Honestly if being told he's not a rotten egg is one of the nicest things he's ever heard, that's...really sad. Poor kid.]

A whole month? That sounds...actually kind of difficult, to be honest. Being away from home, even if time supposedly stops. But I suppose it's got it's charms. How've you entertained yourself?

[changeanddie]

[He starts to count with his fingers.]

Internet, books, movies, trying new food, exploring Japan. There are many things to study! And these training sessions, every now and then.

[nuclearpowered]

The usual stuff then.

[She grins a little bit.]

If you ever need a guide to Tokyo, I grew up there. Assuming there aren't too many changes I might be able to recommend the best places to eat. And definitely where to get books.

[And other stuff. But mostly books.]

[changeanddie]

I might take your offer! So far I've been dealing with Internet downloads and library borrowing, yet there must be something magical about visiting a physical bookstore.