29 - Autumn Leaves

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Uncover the remaining secrets of the mysterious forest.
When: Nov 29 - 30
Where: Chichibu National Park & the Central District
Summary: A heavily forested wilderness area in Chichibu National Park is attracting dangerous numbers of ayakashi, and Heaven's forces suspect that this might be the mortal forest that was connected to the Heavens in order to kidnap gods and shinki a few weeks ago.






Walk in the Woods

On the morning of the 29th, Heaven's messenger doves drop off small folded cards at the doors of every temple. The cards read,


We believe that we have identified the location on the Near Shore where the human accomplices were working. As it is a large area, we offer you this information, in case you are able to assist us in searching for clues to the identity of the culprit. Please investigate with caution: there are reports of ayakashi in the area.


Attached is a map to a large national park in the Kanto region, with a section of the park cross-hatched in red pen. Anyone who goes to investigate the marked area will discover that it is heavily forested and contains about a mountain and a half; the ground is steep, muddy with autumn rain, and slick with dead leaves, though some red and orange colors are still grimly clinging to the branches overhead. Watch your step! The supernatural menace seems to have faded, but the purely natural hazards can do almost as much damage.

Heaven's forces, wearing white short jackets with gold chrysanthemum emblems over much more sensible jeans and hiking boots, can be seen here and there throughout the forest, searching for clues themselves. If somebody gets in a real jam, they might be willing to lend a hand.

Mysterious Trees

Towards the center of the cross-hatched area, investigators may begin to see some familiar signs. Are those bits of torn-down spell papers still fluttering from nails driven into the trees? Vines and tree branches cut and broken by the hostage rescuers breaking through? Footprints, torn bits of black hooded cloaks... there are clues aplenty here.

There's something else, too: a mysterious presence still seems to haunt the forest. The trees might not move when anyone's watching, but it seems like they're in slightly different positions every time you look away and back. And what was that flicker of movement in the underbrush? Is there still someone here?!

Comment on the NPC REQUEST/CLUE SEARCH thread below to request specific details, or to go hunting for that mysterious presence.

Ayakashi Attacks

There's more than one mysterious presence in these trees... and some of them are definitely not friendly. The forest's aura is unsettling and creepy enough to partially mask their approach, but ayakashi of all types and sizes seem to have been drawn here. Some wind along tree branches or soar through the air on fleshy, wide-spread wings. Others crawl or even burrow in the ground.

And all of them are excited at the possibility of a divine meal. Look out!

Autumn Leaf Viewing

An area of the Central District planted with maple along a stone-walled canal has been decorated with hanging lanterns, comfortable spread mats and cushions, and an abundance of delicious food and drink on the afternoon of the 30th. Everyone is invited: new gods and old, those who helped investigate the Near Shore forest and those who didn't. For those who did investigate, though, one or two of the white-robed shinki who are helping with the party preparations and enjoying the food and drink themselves will take the opportunity to pull them aside and ask about their findings.

The party includes games as well as food and drink. Kites, poetry games, tag, hide-and-seek, card games and dice games are going on all over. There's even some determined board game and mahjong players who have brought their favorite game to the outdoor venue and are setting up on mats with immense care.

At one edge of the landscaped area where the party is being held, the ground slopes up, and is planted with a riot of bright gold, white and rust-red chrysanthemums. Like the ones that bloomed everywhere a few months ago, these flowers exude a sense of peace, confidence and security to anyone nearby, and especially those who pick the blooms to wear in their hair or their buttonhole.

In Summary:

• Investigate a wild forest
• Watch out for nasty trees
• Exorcise an ayakashi infestation
• Enjoy some hard-earned relaxation
• Have fun~

Comments

[irishfriskey]

...Mister Caster, do you really think that's wise? Neither of us are very... lucky.

[At all. Considering they burned the cake that they absolutely followed the directions for.]

holy crap, he said it....

[futhark]

I... can't argue with that.

[ Luck rank E is a special and very exclusive club... dammit Lancer ]

But when skill is concerned there is no one that could beat us. [ He says with a growing smile as he waves his finger and the falling leaves start to dance according to his hand. The faintest light at the very tip betrays the fact that he's using magic- but Lancer can tell that only because he knows about it. ]

HE SURE DID

[irishfriskey]

[There are only two members so far.]

That's true... but what sort of skills could we showcase in dice or cards?

[Please don't cheat, he's lawful.]

[futhark]

[ Because Caster's luck is actually moderately better. It's okay, they could be Dantes who has NO luck stat. See? There are worse options out there ]

Cards would be tougher but dice, and how they roll and...

[ He's still making the leaves dance. It's so easy, if he can control leaves like that, the dice would be just as easy. Yeah, he is suggesting cheating ]

[irishfriskey]

[Do we really want Dantes here? Do you even want to encourage that?]

I think we should try to play fair, Mister Caster...

[Should.]

Unless they're cheating too, of course.

[futhark]

[ Right, shinki, the moral compass. If that's his stance shouldn't push even if it's just a joke-- but thanks Lancer for throwing him a bone with that "should". He throws his arm suddenly over Lancer's shoulders. ]

Deal! [ That he says loud, but next line is delivered much quieter ] Playing fair and square, but if they try to cheat, we'll punish them right back!

[ Now the important question ]

I wonder what are we going to bet, I didn't bring any money.

[irishfriskey]

[He knows he can't fully stop Caster from potentially playing dirty, but at the very least, he could say something to prevent him from going all out with this.]

I think that's the best thing to do.

[He goes into his kimono and pulls out a bag of gold.]

I have a bit. But let's not spend too much, Mister Caster.

[futhark]

[ So they don't have to resort to betting their clothes. Good. Given the Bad Luck™ ]

Or we could use the money for something else, if you want-

[ Like food or maybe they could get a kite this way? Possibilities ]

[irishfriskey]

[Mister Caster please.]

I think we could use a little bit of money for gambling. And then go get food and other things.

[It's probably best that they set a limit on this.]

[futhark]

Yeah, a hard limit. Not going to spend more than a certain amount- makes sense and is wise. [ Lancer gets a pat on the shoulder. So they can go and try thing, like cards, dices or

-oh no, why the hell is it mahjongg? Half hour later and Caster has already lost all the money he got from Lancer. Down the drain they go, and the game does not have simple rules ]

Lancer, how's your game going... do you still have some money left?

[ Looks like he forgot the whole "do not spend more than you plan" ]

[irishfriskey]

I'm glad you can see it that way.

[Lancer absolutely outright avoids mahjongg because he knows better. Instead, he plays cards. He actually hasn't lost all of his money.

Yet.

Looking up at Caster and blinking.]

...Are you going to play mahjongg again, Mister Caster?

[futhark]

I have to get back what I lost. I think I finally figured it out.

[ He didn't- and well he does realize it but his pride makes it hard to just give up and walk away when he should. Unless he finds a good excuse. So he drops to a sit next to Lancer and says ]

But that can wait if you want me to cheer you on here.

[irishfriskey]

I don't think I'm doing very well. So it might be time to call it a game.

[As he's lost more money. They have to be careful, and if Mister Caster wants to keep playing, he should let go.]

I'll come cheer you on instead, Mister Caster.

[futhark]

[ So they're both being unlucky. Ugh, he wants to play more, but if they both ends broke it's not fun. ]

You know what, I think I had enough for now. [ Sudden attitude change is sudden! ]

Let's take a break and see the kites, what say you?

[irishfriskey]

I think that would be great, Mister Caster.

[He smiles and moves closer to him as he stands again.]

But only if you're done with gambling. I don't wish to pull you away.