August Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: January 6th, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore / the Ryukyu Islands
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 more experienced god and shinki volunteers.




Meeting Hall

God Training

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a small meeting room, with tatami floors and a stage 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. Paper and pens are provided to all the attendees as an unsubtle suggestion to take notes on the information they're given.

The speaker delivers her welcome speech in the monotone of someone who's practiced it far too often. Hopefully no one's feeling sleepy! She adds that gods should be cautious of anyone on the Near Shore who might ask to use their shrines to visit the Heavens, and should instruct their shinki to be cautious as well. There is an unrecognized god who the Heavens believe to be attacking them. 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. Each of the shinki is wearing a brightly-colored sticky name tag reading HELLO, MY NAME IS ________, and all of their names appear to end with the syllable "mei."

A variety of weapons are available in the dojo for shinki and their gods to practice with, and a row of straw targets are set up along one wall. Outside, in an area carefully roped off with red ribbons, are six animated training dummies, also made of straw and dressed in plain cotton jackets and trousers. They will immediately engage anyone who enters the area marked with the ribbon, but will not pursue opponents outside it. A white-robed shinki nearby keeps a sharp eye on the animated dummies, and will intervene if anyone tries to destroy one. The white-robed shinki appears to be a particular expert in magic, and will occasionally offer to help out anyone who's practicing a spell more challenging than the Borderline, especially if they look quite lost. His nametag reads HELLO, MY NAME IS SABIMEI. (To interact with Sabimei, please comment on the "NPC REQUEST" thread below! If you prefer, you may also handwave his assistance or advice with your character learning spells.)

Physical Training

Two of the white-robed shinki, whose nametags mark them as Toumei and Kimei, are standing off to one side of the training area near a pair of large, curtained tents. They each have an enormous wicker basket full of clean, folded beach towels, and a rack of what appear to be wetsuits and swimsuits in a variety of styles and sizes. Once suited and toweled, new and veteran residents of the Heavens alike will be handed a pretty white-and-gold cockade that can be pinned to their suit or tied around their wrist by its ribbons, and either Toumei or Kimei will escort them to a beautiful, but rocky, Near Shore beach. Tropical plants, palm trees and high grasses surround the area, and although the sounds of cars are audible from a road not too far away, the only sign of human presence on this beach is an ancient, rotting fishing boat pulled up well past the high tide mark.

It's quite chilly, with a brisk sea breeze, but there's room to run up and down the beach, a net set up for beach volleyball, younger shinki building sand castles, and showers for the brave souls who venture into the water. The surf is impressive today, so swimmers will get the chance for some serious exercise. There's also the chance to climb through the wreck of the old fishing boat; inside, piles of old seaweed and drifting sand host curious crabs, and a curious explorer could even find treasure... although nothing more valuable than large seashells, old one-yen or five-yen coins, and bits of weathered sea glass.

Rest and Refreshments

When sunset comes -- early, at this time of year -- the shinki bring giant picnic-sized bento boxes with five or seven layers of carefully packed foods, and pile wood for bonfires that leap with flames edged blue-green from the salt. The bento boxes contain a wide variety of traditional foods, many in the style of traditional New Year's dishes: sweet potato and chestnut, slivered carrot and burdock, whole fish, toasted mochi, sliced lotus root and more. A fireworks display starts over the ocean once full night falls, fountains and bursts in every color imaginable, some so ornate that it's hard to believe they're not helped along by a touch of magic. The display lasts half an hour.

After the last fireworks, the shinki will guide everyone back to the Meeting Hall to return to their homes. The wind is getting chillier, and gods or shinki who stay too much past the firework display will notice the tiny, creeping forms of glowing ayakashi no larger than a fist, looking like little jellyfish on land. They don't seem hostile; instead, they're fixated on the boat, and will climb on it and settle onto the rigging and wood of the boat, chirping quietly to themselves and snuggling in so that the whole boat seems to glow with an unearthly blue-white light. They can be fought and defeated, but if attacked, will fight back: and be careful! Those jellyfish tentacles spread blight instead of stinging, and they're longer than they look.

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 at a beach (isn't it winter?!)
• Relax and watch the fireworks
• Have fun~

Comments

[unlucky7]

[That brings out a cocky grin.]

I'm a giant snow leopard. I'm big enough to carry Caster and I can infuse his attacks with ice.

[incinerators]

That sounds like a fun form to have. I'll admit, I'm already a little envious.

[ even though she doesn't know what her own form is, yet! ]

[unlucky7]

I won't lie; being mobile is pretty nice. It's a change from being a sniper rifle and sword. But every vessel form has its use.

[Ultimately, a vessel form is the matter of a shinki and their god. Her form could have been anything and she wouldn't have minded as long as she could serve Caster.]

I should let you get on with your day. Before I go, mind if I give two pieces of advice?

[incinerators]

Not at all. I'd appreciate any advice I can get, actually.

[unlucky7]

The first piece of advice is always carry holy water when you go to the Near Shore. It'll hurt any size ayakashi and can give you the time needed to escape or regroup. Good for clearing blight. I usually carry a water bottle or two, depends how long I'll be out.

[incinerators]

[ that's very helpful to know. she doesn't remember that being covered before, so... ]

Is it more effective than a borderline attack on them?

[unlucky7]

[Ginia gives a small wiggle of her hand.]

Depends. Water always works, borderlines depend on your strength and energy. I'll still splash water instead of setting down a borderline if I need to get away or if an ayakshi has a hold on me.

[incinerators]

So it's better to have water just in case?

[ ... ] I'm sorry that you're having to type so much. Is there an easier way I can communicate with you?

[unlucky7]

Pretty much. It can also wash away blight so it's good to have as treatment for you or someone else.

[Ginia pauses and gives an embarrassed wave of her hand.]

It's fine! I don't mind! [If anything, Ginia worries more about bothering other people with having to type everything.] But I do know sign language.

[incinerators]

Sign language? Well...

[ she seems to contemplate this for a few moments, then: ] Maybe I'll see if I can learn a little myself... I think it'd be much easier to communicate that way with you, Ginia.

[unlucky7]

[It's an incredibly kind offer to make toward someone she's just met. Ginia rubs the back of her head and smiles, cheeks coloring slightly.]

The next time we meet, I'll teach you some signs.

[Because there are far more important things to process and learn today for a newcomer.]

The other thing piece of advice is a bit more of a demonstration. Shinki are capable of making themselves lighter and jumping long distances. I'll show you the difference.

[Ginia pockets her phone and holds up a finger. She braces her legs and jumps straight up, a good height for someone fairly athletic, nothing out of the norm. Holding up two fingers, Ginia focuses on feeling lighter and jumps again, shooting up far higher than the first jump and falling with an airiness that defies gravity.]

[incinerators]

That sounds perfect.

[ pyrrha likes her already, and she knows that she'll definitely ask ginia to at least train together again sometime.

but ginia starts to prep for her demonstration, and pyrrha watches closely. the first one is a standard jump, but the second one...wow. wow.

shinki are truly incredible, she thinks. pyrrha's eyes widen as she sees just how high ginia jumps, and once she lands, pyrrha's there to greet her with a wide grin. ]

Bravo! That was amazing! How did you manage to do that?

[unlucky7]

[Ginia lands light on her feet with barely a sound, phone already back out. She grins and bows her head, but really, it's something anyone can do with a bit of practice.]

Focus on the mindset of being lighter than air and hold that concentration as you move. Works lengthwise too, great for getting across the Near Shore if you don't feel like taking the train.

[incinerators]

Do you mind if I give it a try now?

[unlucky7]

[Ginia nods and takes a few steps back to give her some space, gesturing for her to go ahead. Like with borderlines, Ginia can't imagine Pyrrha having difficulty mastering the technique.]

[incinerators]

[ nice. ginia, you're the best. pyrrha grins at her before finding her center and going into full concentration mode. be lighter than air. hold that concentration as you move.

she takes a moment to focus before bending her knees and springing upwards. she manages to jump higher than normal, though not quite as high as ginia--she's about halfway there, actually, landing softly on her feet, heels clacking against the ground. ]

How did I do?

[unlucky7]

[If Pyrrha's distance is any less, it's only because Ginia has more experience on her hands and the boosted effects of nanotechnology boosting her muscles. The distance is still impressive and Ginia is certain with her own time and practice, Pyrrha will leap just as high and far.

Also anyone who can fight in heels like that is truly a force to be reckoned with. There is nothing but smiles and sincere applause when she lands.]

[incinerators]

[ well then! the applause is very encouraging, though pyrrha does look a little sheepish at it. she didn't jump as high as she'd hoped, but if ginia's impressed, then that's a good sign. she rubs the back of her head in embarrassment. ]

Oh...well, thank you- I have to admit, that was actually quite fun.