19 | Peaceful Departure

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Celebrating Obon
When: Evening August 10
Where: The Near Shore
Summary: Mortals may be partying, but there's lots of work for the denizens of the Far Shore to do.



It's the final day of Obon and spirits are being sent back to their homes -- both the ancestral spirits that have been welcomed home for the duration of the festival and the mischievous spirits that have been plaguing the Heavens. But some of them might not go easy, so Amaterasu has requested that gods and shinki old and new alike help ensure the spirits' peaceful departure.



Mukae-bi

Fires have been lit on hillsides and near cemeteries to lead the spirits back to their resting places and to protect them on their way, but angry ghosts and ayakashi are trying to quench the fires so they can attack weaker spirits. Keep the firewood stocked and the fires blazing high while you fight off the attacks.

Heavenly Exorcisms

It's time to bring any possessed household items to the Near Shore to ensure that the spirits are sent safely on their way. Some might go peacefully, while others might have to be purified by fire in order to set the spirits free. Hope you weren't too attached to that chair.

(Careful... spirits that manage to hide from the housecleaning can become permanent guests!)

Guarding the Gates

Hidden pathways into the underworld in caves throughout Japan are open from sunset to moonset on this night to allow the spirits who have temporarily left to return. Gods and shinki must watch over these pathways and ensure that no dangerous ayakashi take the opportunity to escape from the underworld before the moon sets.

After-party

After the moon sets, the denizens of the Heavens can finally kick back. Everyone is invited to a private hot spring on the Far Shore, where a midnight banquet spread is waiting in thanks for their hard work. Wash off any blight in the hot springs and enjoy the banquet before heading back home for a good night's sleep.

In Summary:

• Keep the fires burning
• Exorcise those annoying spirits
• Fight powerful ayakashi
• Enjoy a banquet
• Have fun~

Comments

C

[poisonwish]

[Snow raised an eyebrow.]

I could shove you and find out?

[nopixiedust]

[She huffs at him.]

I said 'someone', not me.

[poisonwish]

[Snow White shrugged.]

You, someone -- same thing.

[He took a casual glance down the hole without getting any closer himself, lest she decide to give him a shove.]

It does look deep, though.

[nopixiedust]

[Good call. She'd do it, too.]

Have you heard about where it goes?

whoops lost this

[poisonwish]

What? To the Underworld, right? If you believe that.

[Snow delicately toed a pebble over the edge and waited to hear it land. Nothing.]

Then again, we're apparently gods, and this whole place is full of spirits.... Probably true.

[That was an odd revelation. An actual physical portal to the land of the dead.]

np been there!

[nopixiedust]

[For a second, she just has to cross her arms and stare at him before laughter tinkles out of her.]

Probably. Having culture shock?

[poisonwish]

About what? That there should be a portal like this? Or that we're gods?

[Snow White smirked.]

I'm a centuries-old demon. Magic exists. Why shouldn't there be a literal portal to the Underworld, right here at our feet?

I'm more surprised I was chosen to be a god than that gods in general exist.

[nopixiedust]

I don't know. You're the one who didn't see to believe it at first.

[Hopping to perch on a nearby rock, her feet kicking, Wendy tilts her head to the side.]

Are you really a demon?