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

[tinygreen]

Easy mathematical equations that explain the universe. [Easy to her maybe.]

[myblueskies]

Like counting? [He looks confused.] How does counting explain the universe?

[tinygreen]

Sort of. More like formulas that explain movement and other things. Like how much energy you're using to push the log out of the way, which is determined by the angle you're pushing it, the speed, and how heavy the log is. Other factors, too, like the temperature, can affect it as well.

[So many factors...]

[myblueskies]

That's a lot! [How much energy and what angle and the speed and how heavy? That was a lot of things that explained the universe!]

Do you know how all the universe works then?

[tinygreen]

I would have said yes about a year ago since the universe is pretty simple, but after spending time in space and with a lot of my friends? I know now there's still a lot I've gotta learn.

[Especially about magic. Which is an annoying subject she doesn't know how she'll ever fully answer.]

[myblueskies]

Time in space? [What kind of space? He blinks at her in confusion. He understood the bit about having a lot still to learn. He understood that very well.]

[tinygreen]

[She points up at the sky.] Outer space.

[myblueskies]

Outer space [He looks upwards following her finger.] Up there? In the sky?

[He has no idea what she's talking about.]

[tinygreen]

Yup. Where all the stars are.

[Is that easier to understand?]

[myblueskies]

The stars [He looked at her in amazement.] Can you fly all the way up there?

[tinygreen]

I could if I had a ship or my Lion... right now I'm as planetbound as you are.

[myblueskies]

Ships go on the sea... [Not in the sky! Even Romeo knows that!

But wait...] You have a flying lion?

[tinygreen]

Ships nowadays can go to space, too. And airplanes could technically be considered a ship, too, and they fly in the sky. [Science makes a lot of things possible.]

Yeah, or used to. She's not here right now.

[myblueskies]

Ships go to the stars? [And what's an airplane? Romeo has so many questions but he also he realises that Pidge is a bit sad and must miss her flying lion friend!]

I bet she misses you too, but... You might see her again one day! She might come here! [Celestia was an alicorn pony and a god, a flying lion could be a god too!]

[tinygreen]

If it's a rocketship. [It's a very specific kind of ship!]

I don't know if a machine is capable of missing anyone, but I would be glad if she was here.

[myblueskies]

Hopefully she will then! [What's a machine? And a rocket ship? He was going to have to spend some time in the library later looking up all these new words! Or he could just ask Elfnein, she would know for sure!]

Have you just got here or have you been here a long time?