June Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: December 7th
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 rear of 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.

Once they've had a chance to have things explained, they'll have the chance to relax and enjoy an afternoon party.




Meeting Hall

God Training

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a much nicer room than the warehouse where the last set of new gods got their informational speech. It's a smaller meeting room, with tatami floors and a small dais at the front of the room where the speaker stands. A minor deity is giving the speech, and none of the white-robed shinki enter.

The speaker delivers her welcome speech with the intonation of someone who's practiced it many times. Newly arrived gods 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. They are allowed to remain in the room as long as they wish, should they want to discuss questions with each other or with more experienced gods who are here to help out.

Shinki Training

Various shinki in the white-and-gold of Amaterasu's hosuehold are stationed around the dojo, passing out informational pamphlets that have been freshly printed. They will be happy to answer any questions or instruct the newcomers in the use of the borderline. They also accompany their answers, or lessons, with 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.

The dojo is back to its old, fully functional self; a set of motionless straw targets line one wall, to be used by people practicing with any of the weapons spread out on tables or hanging in racks on the walls. Outside, six animated straw targets wait in an area marked off with red ribbons and warning signs. Anyone entering the marked area may find themselves in combat with one (or more) of the magical training dummies. Those who leave the marked area, though, won't be chased.

Physical Training

Beyond the dojo, a scavenger hunt has been set up throughout the grounds of the Meeting Hall. Brightly colored plastic balls are hidden in shrubbery, tucked into support beams, floating among reeds in the ponds, and lurking in even cleverer hiding places. When a god or shinki gets their hand on one of them, they will burst open to reveal a hidden prize, such as candy, small toys, or accessories. How many can you find?

As well as the scavenger hunt, the white-robed shinki are engaging in more serious physical training and will be happy to let new gods or shinki join them. Sparring matches with practice weapons from the dojo, jogging laps around the hall, sit-ups, push-ups... or, for the younger shinki, competing to see who's the fastest to climb a tree.

Rest and Refreshments

Midafternoon, once the last of the scavenger-hunt prizes have been found, the white-robed shinki will turn their hands to clearing away the training equipment and laying out a lovely buffet table. Bright lanterns are hung from the trees, and a few shinki even take up a station on one side of the training area and begin playing shamisen, koto, wooden flute and drum. Although their instruments are traditional, their music selection ranges from some very classic Japanese tunes to others that sound surprisingly modern. The koto player can really rock!

Old and new gods and shinki alike are welcome to circulate, socialize with their friends, partake of the buffet food and enjoy the music. There's even room for those who feel inspired to dance, and plenty of privacy offered by the extensive garden for those who would rather retreat with their new partners to have a serious conversation.

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
• Relax at a party
• Have fun~

Comments

[towards_okeanos]

Interesting.

[Iskandar surveys the collection. There are indeed different types of range weapons. Some he have never seen before. And there are things he not only does not recognize but can't even figure out what they are. At least from a distance. He points at paintball guns.]

What are those strange contraptions?

[boneofsword]

Those are paintbal guns. [Archer explains, taking one and checking before he starts loading it with paintballs. It's clear he's used to handling guns, his moves are sure and precise. He then leads Iskandar to the range and chooses the target, firing three shots. Each ball splatters at the center, hitting the same spot.]

It's been some time since I handled a gun.

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar watches Archer load a gun. He's not exactly sure he could repeat the process. It seems a complicated mechanism. Might need several tries.]
A gun, eh? I'll remember that word.

[A hiss and a splat following each shot connecting with the target makes him nod in appreciation of the visible skill of the shooter. But then the last remark Archer makes ruins everything.]

Nobody under the sun would ever believe you. That was no casual practice. Aren't you by chance an archer?

[boneofsword]

[Archer stiffens for a split second, before he inclines his head towards Iskandar.]

That's how I'm called. [he replies calmly.]

Believe it or not, I haven't held a gun for at least a few months. As a shinki I lack the necessary memories to know how long it has been.

[towards_okeanos]

That sounds awfully as a ... oh, nevermind.

[Iskandar stops just on the verge of saying 'class name'. But this is no Grail War. This is Heavens. Or so they say it is. He's still not very much convinced. He's comfortable with being a god himself but if this is indeed the land of the gods where are all the ones he knows?!

Then he realizes that he actually haven't introduced himself to the man. To say it's an omission is an understatement.]

I'm Iskandar, King of Conquerors, and it's a pleasure to meet you Archer. I meant no disrespect with my statement. Someone of your skill shouldn't be so modest.

[boneofsword]

[Archer's expression shifts, a hint of amusement showing for a second when Iskandar doesn't finish. Good to see he's smart enough to realize that speaking of Grail War around shinki can be dangerous. It's a relief after Saber Richard.]

It's an honor to meet Alexander the Great. I'm called Archer, exemplar to Caster, also known here as god Cú Chulainn. [a pause.] Such praise mean a lot coming from someone of your status.

[towards_okeanos]

[Caster? Huh, yet another class name. So it seems his disappearance from the Throne of Heroes is not an isolated incident. Odd, truly odd indeed. But this is not the time to investigate. Maybe when he'll meet this Caster, whoever he is. Maybe he would have some answers.]

It is rightfully deserved. I would gladly repeat it to your god shall I ever have opportunity to meet him.

[For sure this Caster, this Cú Chulainn, must be a man of formidable stature and great nobility to have this guy as his exemplar.]

[boneofsword]

[Another Heroic Spirit deified under his True Name seems awfully like setting a trend. Archer doesn't see the reason to say that he knows more about Grail War than he should.]

That may happen sooner than later. Caster rarely passes the opportunity to train against others during such days.

[towards_okeanos]

Does he? Ha! Than I absolutely must meet him!

[That sounds even better. For now, however, Iskandar has other plans. He hasn't forgot about the gun. Archer deserves all the praise for his evident skill. Still Iskandar would really like to test the weapon himself. Can't help, man likes his toys. ]

While we're at it. [He gestures to the paintball gun Archer is holding] Care to explain how to use it?

[boneofsword]

Of course.

[Archer does simplify and shorten the explanation, even using a modern crossbow with telescopic sight as example that Iskandar may be more accustomed to, remarking that Saber found it easier to get used to.]

[towards_okeanos]

[The weapon needs getting used to. It's like nothing he wielded before.
His first two shots miss the target but then the third one hits. Iskandar nods.
It may require a steady hand and a good eye. Long range never was his specialty but he can recognize military potential when he sees it. He hands the gun back to Archer. With different ammunition this truly must be lethal. No wonder laws of this land restrict it's use. He would introduce decrees to the same effect were this weapon ever available in his domain.]

Truly I can see how this renders most of other weapons, not to say anything of armor, meaningless.

[boneofsword]

[Archer takes the gun, checks it and puts it away.]

The warfare has faced too many changes to count, but still continues nowadays. This idea is too ingrained into their being to dismiss.

[there's the tiniest hint of disdain in his voice.]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar can understand this disdain. Even if he does acknowledge the usefulness of guns from tactical perspective it could still be a bit sad if there were no longer a place for epic duels of heroes. Yet it is human nature to long for recognition in the eyes of one's peers. No weapon can change it. No matter how efficient and useful.
He clearly haven't heard about Wild West because he would feel totally vindicated.]

Tools evolve, true. War? War rarely changes.