March Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: October 25th
Where: Outside the 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 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 what looks like an old, large warehouse behind the Meeting Hall for an informational meeting covering the basics of proper god behavior. Several chairs have been moved in, but they're squeezed together between packed shelves and boxes of old ritual clothing, scrolls and rusty or chipped household goods. 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.

Back copies of the "From Ama" magazine, including puff pieces about new or rising gods or successful shinki, advice columns for resolving problems between gods and shinki, temple photographs and other articles of interest to gods and shinki, have been brought out in boxes and piled up next to a table holding a few remaining copies of the shinki questionnaire for any new shinki who want to keep one around until they can answer the included questions.


What is your name?

What is your god's name?

How do you see your duties as a shinki?

What is your favorite part of life with your god?

What is your least favorite part of life with your god?

What advice would you like to give your god?

Do you wish to be assigned to a different god? []Y []N

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 white-robed shinki are still busy cleaning and preparing the Meeting Hall for the big annual meeting of the gods. They'll recruit anyone who looks as though they're not too busy in order to help scrub floors, weed, sweep paths and walkways, and shoo away any unwelcome little spirits that are hiding away in dark corners of the hall. Heavy lifting is good exercise... right?

Rest and Refreshments

There are casks of fresh, cold water near the dojo to make sure no one gets dehydrated, but for those who've finished working, hot tea and enough seasonal treats are available to make it look as though the Heavens bought out an entire sweet shop. They're being distributed by a few shinki in indigo-blue and plain brown robes with the sleeves tied back, who aren't above teasing the newcomers a bit.

Young shinki are playing in the nicely manicured garden, trying to catch crayfish at the lake edge, dashing around playing tag and hide-and-seek. Just be careful you don't get caught in the middle of a game of "Kagome"! If you do, you'll really be stuck until you guess someone's name.

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
• Enjoy a traditional tea
• Spectate if you want
• Have fun~

Comments

[royaltyloyalty]

[He's not sure that he's spent as much time as he would like around someone with two weapons, one in each hand, but he squeezes the hilt with both hands and prepares to put his strength into each swing.

... Starting with a forward rush. Asking if he's ready meant that guy's ready, right? He keeps the weapon low, but still with both hands on it. He's preparing to swing it high and slam it down, maybe snap that spear in two if it's used for a block.]

[irishfriskey]

[Lancer immediately nods and rushes back, swinging his first spear up to knock the blade down, but swinging his other one into Doku's side.

The spear is strong and well prepared to knock him down, and certainly doesn't snap when it gets hit.

These are specialty spears.]

[royaltyloyalty]

[Dokugakuji slams the sword down and pushes it, feeling the way the spear doesn't give - and also that the other spear is free. Now he's within range for something to happen with that other spear and... sure enough here comes the other one into his side.

He doesn't move out of the way, taking the hit, and he does certainly budge under that hit, but he grunts and doesn't fall either.]

Not... bad...

[With Lancer occupied, he attempts to sweep one of his legs out from under him by also pushing forward so that maybe his balance will be undone - his upper body getting pressed to lean backwards while his legs are pulled forwards by Doku's leg sweep. At least, that's the plan.]

[irishfriskey]

[The plan would work if Lancer wasn't already prepared for that. He quickly moves his feet around, avoiding getting his balanced knocked away while he uses his foot to kick back.]

Thanks. Mister Caster would be proud of me!

[royaltyloyalty]

[ When his attack doesn't work, Dokugakuji jumps backwards out of the way to try and reset his efforts. ]

Caster? He found me earlier.

[ Which of course begs a question he doesn't want to think about too hard before getting another attack in. This time he holds the sword low because, by the time gets close, he's trying to get the sword locked around the spear and grabbing the top of his sword - blunt side - with his own hand. Maybe he can wrench the weapon away? It's worth a shot. ]

[irishfriskey]

Oh really? And what did he say?

[Talking is a good way to keep up stamina for a fight... as well as to distract.

He sees the low sword and quickly begins to dash around. His speed is fast, and he moves towards Doku's side before slamming the edge of the spear against him to knock him off kilter.]

[royaltyloyalty]

[Doku smirks while jumping and then running forwards and out of the way since his attack didn't work.]

Not much, for a guy who talks a lot.

[Next he tries spinning around, thinking maybe he can bum-rush his opponent and tackle him to the ground or something - need to get in close and stay there, inside of the guy's attack range with that spear.]

[irishfriskey]

That seems common for him!

[He kicks himself back to keep the distance as he tries to avoid getting sneaked up on. He doesn't feel like getting bumrushed is the best thing, and he certainly knows his limits. Taking his spear, he uses it to keep Doku further back.]

[royaltyloyalty]

An honest shinki.

[ Doku keeps trying to push in, even as he's getting defended against. His goal now is to simply knock his opponent off his feet, or maybe up against a wall. Since clearly he's so good at defending backwards, maybe he can just keep the guy doing it long enough for another problem to come along. Heck maybe a weapon rack will come up to knock the guy's knees. ]

[irishfriskey]

[Lancer is, indeed, running out of space to fight. After all, it's not exactly like he had a lot to begin with. He keeps striking back and stepping back slowly and slowly.]

That is what he enjoys about me!

[His steps are shortening as he keeps hitting back.]

[royaltyloyalty]

[ With one last push, keeping quiet so as not to alert his opponent, Doku tries to push Lancer out of the sparring area.

Once he thinks he's accomplished that, successful or not, he jumps back towards the center. ]

There!

[ He levels his weapon at Lancer. ]

If your foot stepped out of bounds, I should win. If not, I concede and we can end this as fellow warriors.

[irishfriskey]

[Oh! That's how he was planning on playing? Indeed, he is pushed to the edge of the arena, but his one foot, that would have stepped out of the arena is being held in the air.

Just above the ground.]

I haven't touched it yet.

[And with a flourish, he moves it back into the sparring area and sets it on the ground.

With a smirk.]

I believe I win.

[royaltyloyalty]

[ Doku lowers his weapon. ]

Some clever magic.

[ Then he lets it drop to his side. ]

I concede. I'll have to remember that sort of thing is possible.

[irishfriskey]

Thank you.

[Smiling, he moves closer to him.]

I appreciated the challenge.

[royaltyloyalty]

Oh yeah?

[ Doku looks curious. ]

You don't get that kind of challenge too often, I take it.

[ He's willing to take the compliment. ]

[irishfriskey]

A single foot out of a ring being a knock out? Can't say it's a familiar thing for me.

[Spinning his lance.]

[royaltyloyalty]

Ah... yeah, that too.

[ He twirls his blade in response. ]

I grew up a brawler first - last man standing, literally standing. Swords came later.

[irishfriskey]

Hm. I see. I'm not... certain if I've ever experienced that.

[But he smiles.]

However, either way... I hope to have an opportunity to battle you again.