013 | Down To Business

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Training
When: Morning June 16
Where: Bishamon's temple
Summary: Training sessions for everyone to learn more about their abilities and jobs!



Many people have been wanting to know more about their abilities and what they are required to do here in the Far Shore. So, in conjunction with Bishamonten, the Heavens have seen fit to offer an open training session for everyone to participate in. Here you will be able to learn anything and everything about what you should be able to do and what is expected of you in your new positions.

Bishamon's temple is sweeping and gorgeous, having previously been home to hundreds of shinki. She has graciously offered to hold this training session and will be available to help anyone who needs it.



Equipment

Various kinds of mannequins and dummies have been provided for practice, as well as targets that are either stationary or move, depending on your will. Punching bags, jumping blocks, and a large pool area have also been provided for your use, so that you can find a tool for pretty much anything that you might need to practice. Plenty of practice weapons of various weights, sizes, and shapes are also available upon request from any of the many white-clad shinki that are also attending today.

God Training

Bishamon herself will be the foremost source of information regarding being a god and what is expected of you. It is also encouraged that gods group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies. Random groupings can be provided by the mods or you may come up with your own groupings together.

Shinki Training

Various shinki are available to help with shinki training, including Kazuma and all of Bishamon's shinki. Additionally, the white-clad shinki will be more than happy to train you on using the borderline and some of the basics of what is expected of a shinki. It is also encouraged that shinki group up together to practice what they've learned and discuss their ideologies. Random groupings can be provided by the mods or you may come up with your own groupings together.

Refreshments

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 even just taking a quick break to cool down. The Heavens want you to stay in good condition!

In Summary:

• Use the state of the art equipment
• Learn about your job
• Form groups to practice
• Don't get dehydrated
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[declamando]

[It's obvious the goddess is irked by the turn of events, though Maria's expression is more understanding as she nods at that note.]

As far as I know, this is a traditionally Japanese heaven. I don't think there were gods outside that pantheon before we came here, or at least, all the gods I've heard of being here before are from that pantheon. Maybe that's why.

[Then again, she's standing in for a relatively obscure Celtic god, so it doesn't feel like much of an excuse.]

[nibelungvalesti]

I hope this heaven is satisfied with an Osiris who executes her duties in the manner of a Valkyrie, then.

[That sounds like it could be a joke. It isn't. Lenneth doesn't have much of a sense of humor.]

Though it has little choice in the matter now.

[declamando]

I think it's down to us how we choose to do our duties, as long as we do them. [Maria's tone is just as serious, for the moment. She's not one to try and make light of a situation that deserves better.]

You're right in that, as well. It'd be hard to police exactly how any given god is doing their job.

[nibelungvalesti]

Nor would I allow them to. They placed me in this role without so much as a question, so in my mind they have surrendered any right to complain about how I fulfill it.

[A normal woman might shrug or smile or -- something, here, but Lenneth delivers this statement with simple calm, practically just stating a fact.]

Still, it is unusual.

[declamando]

Well, the ones who'd be policing it aren't actually the ones that brought us here, but I see your point. I imagine they'd consider it a case of beggars can't be choosers, as well.

[Maria's frowning a little at that, but she doesn't seem too bothered overall. In terms of unusual situations she's dealt with, this one is only a little above par.]

It is, but without any answers to go on so far, there's not much we can do but work with what we have.

[nibelungvalesti]

A very true statement. And the needs we have are obvious. Battle is our fate, so we must be ready for battle.

[Lenneth may be focused on the whole 'fight ayakashi' element a bit much, but she barely is aware that prayer might truly give her strength. None offer prayer or worship to the Valkyrie.]

[declamando]

[As much as Maria dislikes combat as the first answer to everything, she's also firmly on the side of combat when necessary, and the ayakashi aren't opponents that can be reasoned with. So despite the primary focus on just that aspect of being a god, Maria nods a little in confirmation.]

Battle isn't our only duty, but it is why we're here today, and it does suit out needs to learn what we can, when we can.

[nibelungvalesti]

None of the rest of it matters if the ayakashi overwhelm anyone who would follow the gods. [She has an agenda, unquestionably, and a focus. They brought a battle-maiden here, and they shall reap the consequences of that decision. For weal or woe.]

To that note, do you require training? [The answer is yes, in Lenneth's mind, but she figures she should offer rather than insist.]

[declamando]

[While that's true, it's a rather dark way to look at the situation, and a somewhat sad look crosses Maria's face at the level of pessimism there.]

We won't have anyone following us if we don't answer their prayers regardless. [True, some involve ayakashi, but just as many don't. She still considers it single-minded.

At Lenneth's question, Maria turns the lance currently in her hand, weighing it once more.]

I'm here to brush up on some of my weapons. I used some of what's available here in my world, but weighted and designed very differently.

[nibelungvalesti]

[It is 100% single-minded. All Lenneth knows is duty -- in some respects, she is worse that a shinki, who knows nothing and thus is more of a blank slate. Though a goddess, she has never been prayed to.]

So you would fight better with a more suitable weapon? What would you require?

[declamando]

[After a moment of consideration with the lance again, Maria puts it to one side to observe the rest of the weapons rack.]

A sword or bladed whip would be my best option of what's here. I've had trouble finding swords as short as the one I'm used to using, though.

[Apparently, the size between dagger and sword is less popular than she would have imagined.]

[nibelungvalesti]

[Lenneth draws her own sword, holding it out between the two of them sideways and parallel to the ground.]

Compare it to mine. I may be able to aid you.

[declamando]

[Looking the sword up and down for a moment, Maria holds her hand sideways and rests it about halfway down the weapon's full length.]

It's around that size, maybe a little longer. I can use a full sword, but I'm much more used to the shorter style.

[nibelungvalesti]

[Lenneth assesses her request for a moment, then sheathes her sword once more, her eyes very distant indeed.]

[A moment later, two great white wings unfurl from her back, and as they do, motes of pure white light descend from them, drifting towards the Valkyrie's open hand. A shape coalesces, and as Lenneth closes her hand around it, it resolves into a sword of about the length Maria described, not terribly fancy but of fine workmanship and possessing the ether coating that would keep it from breaking even in the fiercest of circumstances.]

[The wings vanish as if they had never been, and Lenneth focuses her gaze on Maria once more as she rotates the sword to offer her the hilt.]

[declamando]

[Though there's a note of obvious awe on Maria's face when the wings spread out and the lights begin to come together at Lenneth's hand, it's not nearly of the openness some mortals might be inclined towards. It's not as if Maria herself hasn't manifested wings before, or summoned weapons from light, but it's still rather impressive to see someone else do it with nothing but their own power.

When the blade is offered to her, Maria reaches a hand out to take it, weighing the blade in her hand and switching to a reverse grip and back with a deft familiarity.]

That's quite impressive. One of your powers?

[nibelungvalesti]

I would be a poor Valkyrie indeed if I could not provide for Einherjar.

[But even as she says that, her head tilts slightly, the strongest sort of curiosity she can muster at the moment.]

My... limits on summoning appear to be somewhat relaxed, however. Ordinarily I should have limits on the number of items I can create, and yet...

[declamando]

[That's a good point - even if Maria doesn't know the details of this woman's role herself, it seems obvious enough that someone in that position would need the ability to provide for weapons.

Hearing that she normally has a limit that appears to not be in place brings a curious look to Maria's face, though, and she lowers the sword to her side in a controlled, professional manner.]

Has that limit changed since you got here, then? [Glancing down at the sword, Maria inclines her head politely.] Thank you, by the way. It's the closest thing to what I'm used to I've handled so far today.

[nibelungvalesti]

It is doubtless because I have been assigned a new mantle of divinity. [Nothing else has changed, so what else COULD be responsible/ That's simple logic.] Ordinarily I would be granted strength from Valhalla, which I could then spend to materialize what I wished. Here, however, I seem to possess a substantial quantity of that strength without having ever been granted it.

[declamando]

[That is about the only thing that makes sense to Maria as well, even though she doesn't know much about Valhalla or valkyries, not least how they might work in this woman's world.] So your power has expanded what you already had, then. If that's the ability they've given you as a god in this place, perhaps it's what they thought the most appropriate for someone who's only taking up a new divine role.

[nibelungvalesti]

Perhaps, but I am as yet unwilling to state that this power has only that effect. It feels... more, somehow. [She brings a hand up to her chest, fingers pressed against her breastplate as she contemplates.]

[declamando]

That's probably safe to assume. I think a lot of the powers here have more to them than they appear, and you did only just arrive. [Maria's been here for about a month now, and she still doesn't quite know the full extent of what her power actually does.]

[nibelungvalesti]

[The Valkyrie lifted two fingers to her chin, the better to concentrate on the power within her.]

Perhaps it would be more useful if I had other outlets for the energy. Were another god to be able to materialize items, I might be able to give them some of that strength.

[declamando]

[Maria seems to consider for a moment before nodding slightly, even though the look on her face doesn't seem promising.]

I'm afraid I haven't met anyone like that yet - the closest I've seen was summoning illusions. My own power seems to be something to do with healing, but I admit I haven't had much of a chance to figure it out yet.

[nibelungvalesti]

Healing, but no other magic? How strange. [In Midgard, of course, mages cast spells of healing just as they cast any other spells, and so the Valkyrie bundles them all together by association.] Perhaps you have the ability to learn other spells?

[declamando]

I've heard others mention having gained healing powers coming in, though the first one I heard it from had theirs come from song. [Maria sounds much less perturbed by the concept, but that might just be because she was introduced to it almost immediately on coming here.] In any case, I think working out what I already have before trying to learn something new would be the wiser course.