February Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: October 15th
Where: Meeting Hall, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided to the Meeting Hall, where a reception area and a traditionally styled dojo and training ground have been made available for the day. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the details of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki or from the many veteran new god and shinki volunteers.




God Training

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a traditional reception room within the Meeting Hall for an informational meeting covering the basics of proper god behavior. A minor deity is giving the speech, and none of the white-robed shinki enter. They are encouraged to discuss the information with each other and ask questions of more experienced gods, as well as instructed to guide their new shinki appropriately.

Shinki Training

Various shinki in the white-and-gold of Amaterasu's hosuehold are stationed around the dojo, passing out helpful informational pamphlets. They will be happy to instruct the newcomers in the use of the borderline as well as offering an explanation of what is expected of a shinki and the importance of teamwork with other shinki and with gods. Shinki are encouraged to work together to practice what they've learned and discuss their perspectives.

A training game has been set up through a section of the Meeting Hall gardens, with little cut-outs of ayakashi hidden in the landscaping, tucked into bushes or taped under bridges. Prize ribbons are being offered for every ten "ayakashi" a shinki (or team) discovers.

Physical Training

The dojo is stocked with a wide variety of practice weapons, traditional and modern, to offer some practice opportunity to gods who, for example, find themselves with a sword shinki but are at risk of cutting off their own toes. It's also useful for veteran new gods wishing to train with their current partner shinki. Several magically animated straw-stuffed training dummies, many of which have been carefully mended and patched with neat black stitching, are set up on the lawn with a white-robed shinki hovering nearby to watch over them. They make good training partners, although anyone who comes too close risks being targeted for a sparring match whether they wanted one or not.

The pond behind the dojo has had dozens wooden poles sunk in it, spaced a few feet apart, with a bunch of brightly colored ribbons tied around the pole in the very center. Some of the white-robed shinki are practicing scaling the poles and leaping from one to the next, until they get close enough that they can snatch a ribbon from the center pole, and several have fallen in and are being teased by their fellows.

Rest and Refreshments

Instead of snacks being served at the training session, this week, white-robed shinki with little flags are conducting groups of newcomers and volunteers down to the Tokyo Daijingu shrine and into a street festival currently being held in Tokyo. Traditional dance troupes are performing on street corners, and vendors have every kind of fall street foods, from barbecue to takoyaki, chocolate-dipped bananas and red-bean pancakes. New arrivals will get a white-and-gold envelope with spending money for the fair, although gods and shinki who have had some time to settle in will have to handle their own lunch expenses.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Get in some training
• Go to a festival
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[unlucky7]

[Not much of a talker at all. Or quite the talker, depending on her mood and the perspective. But with a question requiring a much more direct answer, Ginia grabs her phone, types out a message, and lets the phone read it out loud.]

I have the pamphlet. Also been told ammo is rare and it's good to carry water from a shrine. Anything else?

[boneofsword]

[Archer simply nods. There are at least a few here using their phones to speak.]

Don't go alone to Near Shore, since both shinki and gods are ayakashi bait and you may get cornered. Train your borderlines to be able to shield your god or yourself. New arrivals happen often and it's good to come here to find a sparring partner. [he takes out his phone and shows her a photo of handdrawn ad for Community School offering shinki spell courses, with a map.] It's all work of new gods. Most of them treat their shinki as an equal instead of tool.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia nods slowly as she takes everything in, stepping in closer to look at the map and snap a picture of the picture. Shinki spell courses, that sounds useful to learn.]

Most, but not all?

[Not... that it matters to much to Ginia. She's a tool first and foremost, however her god wants to treat her, she'll accept. To a point.]

Which are you? God or shinki?

[boneofsword]

There are always exceptions. Besides, if you find your partnership ill-suited for any reason, you can ask them to revoke your name. There's a shinki sanctuary for unnamed shinki. [he shows her this post.]

I'm a shinki called Archer.

[unlucky7]

[A place for unnamed shinki. Ginia takes her time reading over the post, processing the information inside. People disappear, shinki can be left suddenly godless, happens enough they had to intervene and create a sanctuary.

Archer. Interesting name. She hesitates. He's not a god, but a shinki. She doesn't matter to anyone but her god, but it can't hurt getting along with fellow shinki, right?]

I'm Ginia.

Can a god refuse to revoke your name?

[boneofsword]

It's a pleasure. [Archer nods politely. Her following question makes him browse the BBS again as he answers, showing this post later. She doesn't seem of the sort that will stab her god in the back if the worst happens, but it's better to know all options.]

I was told that it can happen, though all the gods I've met are of decent sort that won't hold you against your will. Asking for help someone you know or posting on BBS to make this matter public is your best option.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia notes the entry, making a mental reminder to go back and read all the (visible) responses in full. So it doesn't often happen, but can happen. As loyal and devoted as she can be, the idea of gaining your freedom through murder isn't disagreeable.

A hint of worry runs through her. What kind of god is her own?]

Who do you serve?

[boneofsword]

[Archer isn't going to judge, since he's True Neutral™.]

Cú Chulainn, also known as Caster.

[unlucky7]

[Archer. Caster. Huh. Interesting naming convention.]

I met him earlier. We fought.

[boneofsword]

[That's not surprising, Caster loves those days and finding new sparring partners.]

He's always up for a spar.

[unlucky7]

[That was apparent. Hits like a damn truck. But good to know for the future too.]

How's he as a god?

[Not that Ginia's into gossip, but having a feel for the different gods around never hurt. All the easier to figure out who to seek as allies.]

[boneofsword]

He's a decent guy. I'm free to do as I please aside the time we hunt ayakashi, isn't overly nosy, doesn't mind snark and usually snarks back. He's really easy to get along with.

[There's a hint of fondness in Archer's voice.]

[unlucky7]

[The fondness isn't unnoticed. Ginia smiles lightly. It's good they get along. Hopefully she can have such a relationship with her god too.]

It's good to hear. How long have you two been together?

[boneofsword]

Almost two months.

[It feels much longer, since too much happened in such short amount of time. Archer isn't going to say so, though.]

[unlucky7]

Like it here? Any places I should go to or avoid?

[Not that there's anyone else to compare things to, but it's good to know what people think about the place. Especially now that this is her new home.]

[boneofsword]

[Archer ponders for a moment. Does he like the place? It's fine, and Caster's temple feels like home.]

I do. It's interesting to see all the different temples and nature. As for places to avoid don't go into the dark forest that shows up around, it's dangerous. Western District also isn't very stable, distances and terrain can change when you're not looking and you may find ayakashi there, so be prepared. Temple grounds are safe, and you can refill bottle in any temple you find. There are some abandoned ones around.

[unlucky7]

[Danger lurks all around. At least there's safety in sacred places. A weapon, a bottle or two of holy water, and a borderline at the ready seem to be the standard in the event of traveling alone or godless. The information's been useful and Ginia appreciates it. She bows her head as she gestures at the rifle.]

Want to take a few shots?

[boneofsword]

Sure. [Archer weights the rifle in hand, checks if it's loaded and fires a few shots, aiming carefully to hit the same exact spot her shots did. It's obvious he's used to sniping, from the way he holds the rifle and aims each shot.]

[unlucky7]

[There's a tiny tick of annoyance as Archer hits her exact marks, but it's mostly the annoyance that comes with pride. He is a very impressive sniper and it's nice to meet another shinki with a similar skill set.

It's also a light reminder to stay on his good side.

She nods and applauds when he finishes shooting.]

[boneofsword]

[Archer is surprised with her applause, although he masks it with a smirk.]

Why, thank you. It's good to meet other snipers here.

[unlucky7]

[Know potential allies, know potential enemies, always watch your back. No harm appreciating a sharp eye and steady hand either way.]

Likewise. How are you with a bow?

[She lightly inclines her head back toward the helper shinki passing out bows and quivers. He is named "Archer" after all.]

[boneofsword]

[So she wants to see how good he is with a bow too. After all, it's in his name.]

I'm decent enough. [Archer says and goes to grab bow and quiver. He's not going for arrow-splitting accuracy this time, just for hitting the exact center of the paint splatter.]

[unlucky7]

[Modest too. Ginia watches the arrow fly and pierce the paint splatters. Damn. She'll incline her head in respect as a question mulls on her mind. Hesitating, Ginia's fingers lightly tap her phone before she swallows her pride.]

Is it hard learning archery?

[boneofsword]

I'm not sure, since I don't remember. It requires a lot of patience, and a lot of practice. [Archer explains with a slight frown. On one hand she's a sniper, clearly used to having patience, on thee other... oh well, it won't hurt to try.]

[unlucky7]

[Mm. Fair point. Ginia glances at the rifle. Shooting feels like second nature, but how long had it taken to learn?]

Will you show me how to shoot a bow?