September Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: January 22nd, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore / slopes of a recently erupting volcano
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 at least one unrecognized god who the Heavens believe to be attacking them, and another recent incursion by an unrecognized god ended in his defeat and the extinguishing of the volcano he had caused to erupt. 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

There are stacks of informational pamphlets sitting out on tables around the dojo. There aren't very many of the white-robed shinki around, but the few who are present will willingly answer any questions or instruct newcomers in the use of the borderline. They accompany their answers, or their 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 who appears upset and visibly distracted is keeping an eye on the training dummies, and will intervene if anyone tries to destroy one. He is wearing a slightly battered nametag that reads HELLO, MY NAME IS SABIMEI. (Sabimei is an expert in shinki magic and will assist characters who need help with spells or who want to learn a new spell. If you want a thread with him or have any questions about handwaving something, please comment on the NPC REQUEST thread below. Characters who want to begin learning a new spell from him do not have to thread it out, but should comment on the Shinki Spells and Songs page to begin learning the spell.)

Physical Training

There are no special obstacle courses or training areas set up for the newcomers at this welcome session. Instead, the white-robed shinki will invite any gods or shinki who are willing to help with cleanup in the Western District of the Far Shore. A recent volcanic eruption has left heavy ash fall on temple roofs and fallen trees or mud clogging roads. Some of them are singing in chorus to summon small rainstorms or winds to clear away the obstacles; others are just using brooms and ropes to sweep away ash or drag away trees, and help of the magical or physical variety will be appreciated.

Rest and Refreshments

Once it begins to grow dark, everyone helping to clean up the Western District will be brought back to the dojo to rejoin those who chose to remain there. Traditional public baths are available for everyone to wash off the mud, ash and sweat of their hard work and soak comfortably in a warm communal pool afterwards, and a generous banquet has been laid for everyone. The tables are full of beer and sake (or tea and soda for the non-drinkers), plates of sushi and sashimi, deep-fried vegetables and shrimp, and warm soups to counteract the chill of the January weather.

After dinner, a middle-aged woman sets up an open mic. She starts out the evening by turning on her karaoke machine and performing a few jazzy older songs, and turns the mic over from there to a man with very old-fashioned manners who recites a few poems. Anyone who wants to take time at the microphone is welcome, whether they're performing, doing karaoke, telling jokes, or delivering speeches or information.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Help clean up ash and clear roads
• Enjoy a welcome banquet
• Have fun~

Comments

closed to ren

[abgrund]

[ Ain receives his first shinki vision not too long after he arrives at the meeting hall. It isn't disconcerting, somehow - the images he sees are strange, but not incomprehensible. If anything, it lets him recognize the young man he's about to pick up... and outcast, just like him.

He sends one of his void eyes to look for Ren. The youth might feel like he's being watched for a short while as Ain moves through the building to find him. ]

Hello.

[ Hopefully the youth isn't too surprised. Ain has taken care to dress like a human ]

wasshoi

[phantomtrick]

[ Why does he get the feeling he's being watched? This is a little unnerving so Ren stiffins up. Hi Ain.]

....Nice to meet you?

[ What else is he supposed to say? There's a noticeably vacant expression on his face. He can't seem to recall anything about himself. All he does is fiddle with his hair awkwardly in turn.]

:V

[abgrund]

My name is Ain. I will take care of you here as a god.

[ Ren should know what he's talking about since everyone's had their introductions ]

Are you fine with that?

ive been waiting for this

[phantomtrick]

[ Yeah he's heard what's supposed to happen around here. Ren isn't questioning it.]

I don't mind.

[ Maybe that response is a little too informal. He is talking to a god. In response to that Ren bows down to Ain briefly. ]

Thanks for having me.

[abgrund]

[ That settles it, then. Ain raises one hand, holds it out in front of him. ]

My name is Hades. Grasping thy true name, I bind thee here. With borrowed name, I dub thee my servant. The name answers, the vessel to sound. I call thee as my divine instrument. The name, Akatsuki. The vessel, Kyou. Come, Kyouki.

[ He has to be very careful to pronounce the word as it is just one letter away from the name of his other shinki. After the naming is done, he calls Ren again so he can go back to human form ]

[phantomtrick]

[ Well that was interesting. Ren changes back into his human form. Of course he has questions but he figures that it'll all come together in time.]

We'll be working together from now on.

[ He feels more at ease knowing Ain's there to help.]

Um, you can call me whatever you want. Can I use Ain?

[abgrund]

That's alright.

[ Hades is just a title, anyway. ]

There's someone else working with me. He's a bit shy so please try to get along.

[ Nothing seems to happen for a moment, then Ain's shadow elongates and covers the nearby wall. Utsushi steps out of the newly-formed portal, looking around anxiously. ]

[phantomtrick]

I'll try my best, Ain.

[ Ren's not being ungrateful. He was given a place so the could just behave himself while he's here. ]

Is this your friend?

[ Hm...that's an unfamiliar face. Everything is unfamiliar and it's filling him with a sense of uneasiness. ]

[abgrund]

This is my other shinki, Utushi.

[ He looks like him. Ain has a lot of theories why but that's a story for another day ]

You won't be alone in the temple. He stays in the temple often.

[phantomtrick]

[ He shoots Utushi a friendly wave and looks back at Ain. ]

Alright, I'll remember that.

[ Ren can keep the other shinki company. That's not a problem when they're both working under the same god. ]

...He looks similar to you.

[abgrund]

[ So he does. Ain closes his eyes, then opens them again. ]

I know. Don't worry too much about it.

[ It's a sensitive topic for many reasons. ]

Do you have any other questions about this place?

[phantomtrick]

Of course I have questions.

[ It's only natural to have questions when you're in this state. Ren claps his hands together and ponders on it more.]

My memories are gone. Will that be a problem?

[ It'll make things more difficult. That's for sure. Asides from his name...he can't recall a thing. He has no real opinions on himself or the other gods yet.]

[abgrund]

[ Ah. That's a forbidden topic. Should he be worried? ]

No, it won't. Don't worry about that too much. You'll learn everything you need to from now on.

[phantomtrick]

If you say so.

[ Not like he has much of a choice but to accept it as it is. Dwelling on the past won't help much. All that's left to do is move forward. Ren's quick to understand the type of situation he's in.]

I hope that I'm able to learn well from you.

[abgrund]

[ Ain tries to smile, but it comes out as quite slight. ]

You will. Take it one day at a time.

[ There's no use rushing these sort of things, he thinks. They're going to be here until the Heavens release them, and he's sure he won't leave anytime soon. ]

You can go around talking to the people here.... if you want. They can train you in some things.

[phantomtrick]

There's other shinki here like me. How are we expected to fight?

[He figures that it depends on the god and how they want to do things. At this point Ren can only make educated guesses on what he's supposed to do down here. ]

Along side you or by ourselves?

[abgrund]

A god and a shinki pair together to defeat ayakashi. Only a rend spell used by a pair can exorcise them completely.

[ He folds his arms ]

Can you fight? I can teach you, if you cannot.

[phantomtrick]

Not really. I haven't fought before.

[He shrugs. It's not something he can say with certainty with his memory being the way it is.]

Tell me how to fight some other time.

[Now he feels tired and he wouldn't be able to focus on combat. ]

[abgrund]

I will.

[ Time is not an issue. ]

I give you leave to explore the area if you wish. I will be around.

[phantomtrick]

Okay then. Hey, I have another question.

Am I allowed to wander off on my own? I get this feeling that I shouldn't go too far from your side.

[They have that bond now. He doesn't want to leave Ain hanging in the sides like that.]

[abgrund]

[ Ain thinks for a moment before: ]

You can. As long as you don't do anything reckless, you should be fine.

[ He briefly considers the merit of sending an eye to discreetly watch Ren. ]

[phantomtrick]

I'll try my best.

[ He can't promise that he'll stay out of trouble.]

When something comes up I'll call for you.

[ Oh ..ain and his eyes. 👀]

im still mad about that emoji

[abgrund]

Good.

[ Obedient shinki are good. ]

See you.

[ Now he'll leave to look around more. ]