31 - First Shrine Visit

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: It's the New Year, and gods are traveling to their shrines to listen to their followers' prayers for good fortune in the upcoming year.
When: Jan 1 - 3
Where: Places of worship throughout Japan
Summary: The first shrine visit of the year is vital! Followers are flooding into everyone's shrines to have their fortunes told, buy good luck charms, and get things in order for the new year. Get the new year started on a positive note by giving the faithful a hand with their requests.






Shrine Visits

New and old gods alike have places of worship somewhere in Japan, places for their worshipers to go and leave both offerings and prayers. Although most of the new gods reside in their homes in the Far Shore, their places of worship in the mortal world need some attention, too! Whatever those shrines look like -- and however large or small they might be -- it's time to head there and prepare to receive the first faithful visitors of the new year. The crowds are full of followers looking to buy fortunes, leave prayers, get good-luck charms, and bring offerings to their gods in thanks for past good luck and hope for more.

Most of the visitors seem to know what they're doing, but some may need a hand. Translate for tourists, reunite lost children with their families, point out the bathrooms and scare off any ayakashi that sneak too close to the shrine gates.

Gods and shinki can take this opportunity to drop by their friends' shrines, too, whether it's to help with the rush, bring some tasty New Year bento, or just say hello.

Prayers

Some of the followers stopping by the shrines at this time of year have special requests in mind, and they're picking shrines with care. A god of funerals might find a follower asking for help keeping their family grave in good condition, while a god of the harvest might be asked to help keep a windowsill herb garden alive when the apartment heat has gone out. Big requests or small, meaningful or silly, these are the special prayers of a god's most devoted followers, so it's important to help out.

(For this prompt, you can create prayers that your character or your character's god might have received! The same prayer can be used for more than one thread if you wish, and characters do not necessarily have to be working with their god or their shinki -- groups of two gods, two shinki, or a god and shinki who aren't paired up are perfectly OK.)

Special Offerings

Most of the shrine visitors bring offerings of money, but sometimes, gratitude to the gods takes a more idiosyncratic turn. Five-yen coins are great (and they add up!) Food tastes great, and besides, shinki never get full. But what can you do with some of these weirder gifts? Who brought Athena's shrine that pile of cute plush owls? Why is there a tiger-skin rug on Bastet's altar? They all suit the gods they're being given to, but it's going to be a pain to figure out where to put these all!

Maybe some of them can be re-gifted?

Great Misfortune

Even the small shrines are bustling this time of year. Gods, shinki, and mortal priests alike have to hustle to keep up with the demand. It's hard to keep an eye on everyone visiting, but they're all faithful followers anyway... aren't they?

Maybe not. Some shrines, belonging to new and old gods alike, are experiencing a sudden increase in misfortune. Ropes break, wood splinters, metal rusts, statues fall over, visitors fall ill, pipes break and appliances malfunction. This isn't just normal wear and tear from the crowds. Someone seems to have cast a curse on the shrines, right at the busy time of year! What will this do to their reputation? Gods and shinki will need to work together to uncover the hidden curse charms at these unlucky shrines before their followers start to think that this isn't the right place to ask for good fortune.

Not every shrine will suffer this curse of misfortune, but at those that do, characters who search with care will be able to discover one or more hidden fabric packets containing a paper with a bad-luck spell and some mysterious characters written on it. Burning the packet and the paper will end the bad luck, and taking it out of the shrine will transfer the bad luck to wherever it goes.

In Summary:

• Head to shrines on the Near Shore to spend the first days of the new year
• Help the faithful out by answering their prayers
• Find something to do with the more unusual offerings
• Prevent your shrine from being cursed with bad luck
• Have fun~

Comments

[fauxcalibur]

Certainly not...

[He hops down to get a closer look, carefully keeping his footing on the sloped roof. When he hunkers down to get a better look at the base, he notices something rather interesting beneath the statue.]

And I don't think it came to be this way on its own.

[There's a small fabric packet on the base and though he can't read the characters written on it, he feels it's a safe bet that it's nothing good.]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar looks at the packet. It's shape might be unfamiliar to him. Still it doesn't take a genius to recognize a curse. Even a foreign one. This whole object reeks of ill intent.]

This is no mere chance your statue is in this state, does it?
Someone certainly put a lot of effort to get up here and tuck this thing were it could do most damage. Do you, perchance, know why?

[He hesitates for a brief moment.]

We probably should dispose of it ... and arrange for someone to replace those braces.

[fauxcalibur]

There's been a bit of unrest of late. This could be related or it could just be some amateur mage playing around and stumbling upon something that actually works.

[He turns the packet back and forth, looking over it with a great amount of interest as the roof creaks ominously below him.]

I wonder just what it does...

[towards_okeanos]

[Saber looks suspiciously not impressed by the ominous package. Iskandar didn't move from his spot in the chariot and now is getting more and more sure it was a wise decision.]

Did he hid something on the roof too? I'm sure stone roofs shouldn't make such noises.

[Unless there are wooden support beams underneath that is. He crosses his arms. This whole ordeal gets worse by the minute.]

I may not be a mage but this thing doesn't bode well. It resembles more a curse than a blessing. Whoever left it here, I say we dispose of it. Then arrange for some competent force to fix your statue.

[fauxcalibur]

[That earns a brief pout from Saber, who was sort of hoping to keep the little packet as a curiosity. But he knows wise advice when he hears it and he can't deny that the roof feels quite unstable underneath him for no discernible reason.]

I suppose you're right...

[But that means figuring out the best way to destroy it. Burning it seems like the best option, but that would mean carrying it away from the church. Then there's his preferred option, but he didn't bring his sword with him. Not that he needs a sword, necessarily.]

I don't suppose you could loan me a sword...or perhaps grab a stick off a tree for me...

[He can't believe he's asking such a thing of ALEXANDER THE GREAT.]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar draws his sword and presents it to Saber hilt forward. Though he has no idea why stabbing this packet could do anything.]

It is a pleasure to lend arms to fellow king in matters as grave as this.

[Iskandar would prefer to burn the packet in some safer conditions. Just to be sure it's thoroughly destroyed. His bulls can start quite a fire if asked nicely. They just need just bit more space. Still Saber clearly has some other way of disposing it on his mind.]

[fauxcalibur]

[Saber takes the sword from him with the utmost care, eyes sparkling as he looks it over. To be honest, he's not entirely sure if he'll be able to to what he wants to do with this particular sword, but that doesn't mean he can't try. He can tell just by holding it that it won't take any sort of damage from it.]

My thanks. Now, let's see...

[He takes the packet and throws it as hard as he can into the air, trying to throw it high up over the city so he doesn't accidentally damage anything important. He raises the sword, watching the packet as it falls, then calls out, naming the blade he holds Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory, though he knows FULL WELL it isn't. And yet it still works. A brilliant beam of light shoots forth, incinerating the packet and anything else that might have been unfortunate enough to be near it.]

So it did work! I was curious to see if it would!

[Note that if it hadn't that packet could have ended up just about anywhere...]

[towards_okeanos]

[Whatever Iskandar was thinking about Saber's plan he wasn't expecting THAT!
Sudden Excalibur burst caught him totally off guard. Yet he couldn't stand aghast for too long because he wasn't the only one to recognize this beam.
His bulls had a very unpleasant encounter with it fresh in their memory. And boy did they remember it in excruciating detail. Or at least enough to fall into full blown several tonnes heavy panic.
All Iskandar is able to do is to steer them away from the church so they won't crash into already unstable roof. That's exactly what he does pulling on the reins hard. Fortunately they know his hand and panicked as they might be they listen.]

Steady, Children of Zeus! Quell your anger! The weapon is not directed against you.

[At least not this time. Hopefully never again!
Iskandar himself has close to million questions for Saber after this display. Starting with how on Earth was he able to turn his sword into Excalibur?! Because that is absolutely fantastic! How is this even possible ?! Iskandar is well aware his sword is no Noble Phantasm. Not even close. It is a good sword, yes. Not your ordinary standard issue Macedonian army of course. It's a kings sword. Still. Nowhere close the power that is Excalibur. Yet here it was. He has seen it with his own eyes. Saber holding his sword and calling the Excalibur of all things to torch the accursed packet.
The panic attack of his bulls stand as further evidence that even if this is not the real thing... How could it be? Even if it isn't, it still is damned real close.
It takes him a moment to calm his bulls and return. He still wants his sword back.]

That was some show you put there, Lionheart. I can't deny, I am impressed.

[fauxcalibur]

[He beams at the compliment, but hangs his head a little sheepishly once he actually starts to speak.]

I'm sure it pales in comparison to the original.

[He busies himself with looking the sword over for damage before holding it out so that its original owner can take it back.]

Without your sword, it wouldn't be much to speak of, I think.

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar pats both of the creatures on their huge necks. They're still extremely cautious to even stay near the source of the beam and are ready to bolt at slightest sign of it returning. He would have to give them a chance to rest well later.]

Well, my bulls evidently disagree with you. And I must add they have a vivid memory of the original.

[Iskandar takes back his sword. Not a scratch. No sign of golden Excalibur grade gleam either. Pity. He would gladly accept even part of that kind of power.]

It is a good sword, true. I'm especially fond of it because it was a gift from King of Cypriots, my good friend and ally. Still it is not enchanted nor was it ever made to withstand such power you channeled through it.

[fauxcalibur]

[Once Iskandar mentions "the original," Saber freezes. The smile on his face remains, but it's almost as if the exertion it takes to keep it going is the only thing that's keeping him from collapsing right there.]

So...you too...have...

[WHY IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHO DOESN'T GET TO MEET KING ARTHUR?!]

[towards_okeanos]

That I did. We disagreed on matters of kingship yet I respect greatly her skill with the sword.

[The sudden change of the mood is not lost on Iskandar though the real reason might. Was this display of power too much for Saber? The chariot is close enough so that Saber is no risk of tumbling down from the roof to certain death. Still Iskandar is concerned. (Sorry, man, you've got some serious case of desire sensor tripping there. You should see a doctor.)]

Are you unwell Lionheart?

[fauxcalibur]

[He wobbles his way over to the chariot and sits down, resting his head on his knees like he doesn't have the energy to keep it raised anymore.]

My body is sound, but I fear my heart will never recover.

[towards_okeanos]

Cheer up, lad! You sound as if all is lost. It is not!

[Iskandar would propose him a drink but unfortunately the chariot doesn't come with it's own stash. He wouldn't just leave the unstable statue like that to go looking for alcohol. That would be foolish. Understandable but foolish. He of all people can kind of relate. You know, Achilles was semi-divine too. Where is his temple?]

Take heart! The Throne of Heroes may indeed be no more. Yet we are here. Which means you may yet to cross blades with her one day. The rules of this place are even stranger than those of Grail Wars. I have an impression this land hasn't revealed all of it's secrets yet.

[fauxcalibur]

[Usually he's an eternal optimist, but sometimes bad luck in the gacha of life hits a guy hard.]

So I try to tell myself...

[He groans a little.]

If the mage who summoned me had lived, I wonder if this is how he would be feeling...

[towards_okeanos]

Nonsense! I'm sure he was thrilled! How can he not be?!

[What an idiot of a Master wouldn't want Saber as his servant ? In both senses of this word. Saber as in class. Saber as in this particular Saber. Only after brief moment the meaning of first part of Richard's sentence hits him.]

You'd lost your Master? I'm sorry.

[They're both kings and warriors. Death is their daily bread. Still it is one thing to perish yourself in a combat with opposing Servant. To loose one's Master is another thing altogether... and that's harsh. Must have been a bloodbath.]

[fauxcalibur]

No need to be. He didn't even live long enough for me to introduce himself. There was a lovely Assassin who took care of that quite handily.

[It was a strange summoning, to be sure.]

I ended up bound to a different mage somehow. I'm not too certain how it worked and she was rather irritated to be burdened with me!

[Poor Ayaka. She's probably relieved to be rid of him and of the whole Grail War now.]

But... [He shrugs.] I feel quite certain that I wasn't who the summoning was intended for. I didn't see the catalyst, but I wonder if it was something from my collection...

[towards_okeanos]

Strange they could be, the Grail Wars, strange indeed.

[Iskandar nods. There were moments when he himself wondered about how such a thing could even be possible. Yet, the rules were clear enough, their existence well defined and even if the prize was ultimately bogus it was worth a try. Still, comparing to all this conundrum here? The Grail Wars were reassuringly straightforward matter.]

Say, Lionheart, did you ever wondered how is that we are here? I mean, I saw you weren't exactly thrilled at the introduction when we met. The natives seem to be totally clueless even if they pretend to be in control. Has anyone even tried to investigate?
For sure I would be vastly interested if there were foreign gods popping around my country for no understandable reason.

[fauxcalibur]

I know there have been a few looking into it and I tried to give them a little advice, but I don't know how much it was heeded.

[It's not his area of expertise, after all, so his explanation was probably lacking.]

As I said then, I would not be surprised if our summoning here isn't all that different from how we were summoned forth for the Grail War. We're given vessels with names and abilities to match, are we not?

[towards_okeanos]

[ooc: i'm sorry i'm so late ... this week things totally ate me]

Hm, you do have a point. Yet if that indeed was a summoning then who are the summoners?

[No specialists in summoning legendary dead heroes here either. He could probably recognize a magical ritual if it hit him. Still that's more of a wild guess and general Iskandar feeling competent in everything as usual. Although he does recognize that magic is certainly not his specialty so he would try to reason with logic. Exactly like he does now.]

On one hand I find it quite probable that collective albeit unconscious wishes of humanity could make one ascend to godhood. Yet on the other, why now? Even more bizarre is why here? Are local mortals endowed with more faith then other nations?

[fauxcalibur]

If we could find the summoners, then all the other questions would be answered. However, I wouldn't even begin to know where to look.

[Nor, to be honest, does he have that much of an interest in doing so.]

Those that were here before us certainly don't seem inclined to be helpful.

[towards_okeanos]

Nor would I. In truth I was just being curious.

[His gaze returns to the original reason of their chat on the cathedral rooftop. He can swear the statue looks a lot more stable now. Which is a strange thing in itself. All they did was to destroy the package. Still, it's state is far from perfect.]

Well, it doesn't look as if it were to fall now if you ask me. Maybe it would be enough if you left a note for the mortal caretakers of this place that this statue is in dire need of repair?