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

[fauxcalibur]

Perhaps not so many about my life, but certainly a great many where I'm a character! The most popular are actually about an associate of mine, but that's to be expected. There's a certain romance to stories about charming rogues who rebel against authority to protect the common man. You want to see them triumph more than you would want to see the victory of even the noblest king.

[He's not sure what Loxley would have to say about that, though, and sadly he's lost the ability to ask him.]

But really I'm just talking about myself again. If you gave me your name, I could see whether or not I could turn up something worth watching.

[towards_okeanos]

Charming rogues, huh? How come? I don't see much appeal in romanticizing those who oppose a rightful ruler.

[He was never a fan of insurrections in his empire. This lack of sentiment was usually expressed by delivering a swift and merciless bloodbath to the rebels... So nope, not a fan of charming rogues here.]

Ah yes, my mistake. You must have arrived after all the introductions!
I am Iskandar.
But I believe you can find more about me by my name in Greek: Alexander. Iskandar is Persian but I kind of like it.

[fauxcalibur]

Alexander?!

[It takes a second or two for the shock to wear off.]

It's a great honor to meet such a legendary personage! As a king and leader of armies myself, I'm afraid the only way in which I can say I outdid you was by living a mere nine years longer.

[He seems awfully cheerful for someone discussing their mortality...]

[towards_okeanos]

The one and only!

[Finally somebody who properly recognizes him in this strange place!]

I proved difficult to outdo to many who tried so consider yourself in good company, Lionheart.

[Iskandar is not the one to be surprise by this cheerfulness. He could discuss his own death without blinking an eye. He just doesn't like to... it was not very glorious.]

[fauxcalibur]

I can say that my country's empire eventually exceeded the scale of yours, but as I had nothing at all to do with it, I can't especially take much pride in it. And of course it's nowhere near that size in this day and age.

[He shrugs that one off. It isn't as if he spent that much time there to begin with.]

[towards_okeanos]

[To dismiss it so lightly? An empire bigger than his own? Now Iskandar must know what deep, dark secret Richar is hiding that is causing such a reaction.
Iskandar's own son, any of his descendants or immediate family, didn't survive long enough to be able to achieve greatness. So it shouldn't be surprising that such a flippant attitude to one's successors' achievements is difficult for him to understand.]

I see nothing wrong in feeling pride in accomplishments of your people. Whether it was by your hand or by your example they are still your people.
It must have been a magnificent empire then. Did they reach India perhaps?

[fauxcalibur]

They did! I believe the saying was "The sun never sets on the British Empire."

[Which is quite an accomplishment, he has to admit, but one made centuries after his time. Maybe if he'd had descendants who'd had any sort of hand in it, it would affect him more, but it was his brother's line that had continued on (and even that didn't last until the present day, not even close).]

[towards_okeanos]

Then it must have been a marvel to behold! I would gladly hear more about it if you're willing to share.

[His empire didn't last all that long. It was torn to pieces by his generals - who of all people should have known better - right after his death. Still the legend survived and of this legend Iskandar is even more proud. It influenced people and times distant from him even when it, as one political entity, ceased to exist. So the legend of an empire over which the sun does not set appeals to him naturally.]

[fauxcalibur]

Well, I haven't even seen much of it myself! Maybe that's what we should find a movie about.

[Since they do need to do that still.]

[towards_okeanos]

Then lead on! It's never too early to rectify one's ignorance on topics of importance!

Iskandar is ready to go. Especially now that he's curious about this Netflix invention that Richard has keys to. He is quite positive towards concept of movies. Nothing beats written word of course. Still a movie is not without it's own value. This modern world truly has many wonders!