godsoffortune: (Default)
The Far Shore Mods ([personal profile] godsoffortune) wrote in [community profile] thenearshore2018-10-16 08:15 pm

October Training

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: February 6th, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore (and optionally, the 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 are five or six white-robed shinki present, who 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. Both Sabimei and his animated straw training dummies are absent from this training session, but standard, inanimate straw targets have been lined up outside, and a few rings are laid out on the frozen ground for friendly sparring matches. (Shinki characters who are interested in learning more about the borderlines or want to learn new shinki spells or songs may approach any of the training shinki for advice or instruction. Please remember to comment on the Shinki Spells page when your character begins to learn a new spell, excluding the borderline.)


Physical Training

    There is still clean-up left to work on from the volcano's eruption. Two tengu (one of whom characters might recognize as the hot springs' proprietor) have volunteered to help transport any gods or shinki who are willing to help clear trees, dig or wash away ash on roads and roofs, and repair damage to occupied temples. The abandoned temples that were damaged by the earthquake and volcano are being left to decay, although anyone who's curious about them could take the offer of a free ride to explore some of those abandoned and damaged buildings as well. Some might contain old books or mementos of the long-vanished owners; others have nothing left inside but dust, mold, and curious spirits.

    Back at the training ground, characters who aren't helping clean up the Western district have the option of playing sparring games to test their reflexes. The white-robed shinki are organizing them into pairs in the marked circles and explaining the rules: each participant is given 10 seconds on offense to score a hit with any weapon of their choice, from bare hands to sparring weaponry to shinki magic, while their partner is only allowed to dodge or defend. After five rounds, the person with more points gets to declare a penalty for their partner: drawing on their face with a marker, ordering them to do something silly or embarrassing, making them fetch tea... it's up to the winner!


Rest and Refreshments

    After the gods' training lecture is finished, a few of the white-robed shinki bustle back in to set up craft tables and a buffet area. This time, the theme seems to be a sweet English tea: little cakes, scones, jams, cookies, tiny finger sandwiches and a vast array of chocolates are available, as well as many different teapots, with hot water dispensers and loose tea available to let everyone brew to their own tastes as they venture in to rest or talk to their new partners.

    Over on the craft tables, there's all kinds of art and craft supplies available, from construction paper to calligraphy brushes, glitter to gouache. Signs on the tables encourage gods and shinki to show their appreciation for each other with a valentine letter or card. It's a bonding exercise! There is a lot of glitter. And glue. Hopefully, no one's wearing their nice clothes.




In Summary:
  • Get all the information you can handle
  • Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
  • Explore damaged temples or practice sparring
  • Enjoy a tea and make some valentines
  • Have fun~
letteropener: (surprised?)

[personal profile] letteropener 2018-11-05 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, that does put a slight spin on things. [Perhaps needless to say, Celestia knows nopony here from times before save for her pet, who appeared here not terribly long ago] As your shinki?
cleansingstrike: (10)

[personal profile] cleansingstrike 2018-11-06 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
Aye.

[Her expression turns somber, the reality of her situation crashing back into her.]

She is my Queen and I have faithfully served her all these years. To see her reduced to such a state...

[Agrias stops herself momentarily.]

'Tis all wrong. A perversion I would go so far as to say.
letteropener: (what confidence she can offer)

[personal profile] letteropener 2018-11-06 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
If she is a Queen, and I presume a good one, she has had times of pain and woe, and responsibilities laid heavy upon her. I well understand your grief that she has passed, but at the same time, she has been given an opportunity here as well -- to live a different life, to find happiness in different ways, to be more of who she is and less of who her title might make her.

So do try to focus on the positive, and give her every chance of joy.
cleansingstrike: (4)

[personal profile] cleansingstrike 2018-11-14 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
The lady speaks with great wisdom.

[And there continued be an undeniable truth in her words. Here, Ovelia could finally have a new life. One to replace the time that had been wrongfully taken away from her.]

Where I speak to speak as truthfully as you, I would admit that... My Queen's years were full of adversity and pain. Nothing would bring mine heart joy than to see her free from all that she has endured.

I only wish that it was not at the cost of her memories of me, and the time we spent together.
Edited 2018-11-14 03:12 (UTC)
letteropener: (a smiling wave of hair)

[personal profile] letteropener 2018-11-16 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
The memories may be lost from the mind, but they are written on the soul. Shinki remain who they are, and by that virtue, remain who you helped make them with your presence and your friendship. Everything else can be remade. So look to the present and not the past, and take this opportunity to find happiness and joy, and bring the same to her life.

[Celestia is pretty much in her element with a speech like this, delivered from the Princess of the Sun.]
cleansingstrike: (6)

[personal profile] cleansingstrike 2018-11-20 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Agrias had never once doubted herself or her role in Ovelia's life. Whether it was in this one, or the one that came before. But to hear such words being directed at her specifically, it brought her renewed focus. Their circumstances may have changed, as did their titles, but she was still her Queen's shield.

And her protector.]


I thank you, milady. You've done much to help this knight with your words alone.

Ah, I... don't believe I've yet given you mine name. 'Tis Agrias. Agrias Oaks.
letteropener: (royal rainbow magic)

[personal profile] letteropener 2018-11-20 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I am Princess Celestia, here known as Inti as well. It's a pleasure to meet you, Agrias.

[One interesting quirk of Celestia's formality is her general willingness to address all people by their given names -- which stems from pony naming conventions,. But the sentiment and the inclination of her head are no less regal for all that.]
cleansingstrike: do not use (15)

[personal profile] cleansingstrike 2018-11-28 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[A princess? Oh goodness, this changes literally everything.]

Sincerest apologies, Your Highness. 'Twas no intention of mine to address you so casually!
letteropener: (a little sly)

[personal profile] letteropener 2018-11-28 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
That's quite all right. I'm not your Princess and not Princess of here, to be certain, and besides, formality is so dull. Please, just call me Celestia, and speak as casually as you like.

[Maybe a bad choice of words, as Celestia nurses the private belief that 'as casually as you like' might not be casual at all.]
cleansingstrike: (4)

[personal profile] cleansingstrike 2018-12-04 03:28 am (UTC)(link)
[But Agrias has spent so much of her life following formalities. She can't be expected to drop them all so suddenly!]

Aye, if the lady wishes. 'Tis becoming clear to me that my manner of speaking is uncommon in these lands.
letteropener: (grin)

[personal profile] letteropener 2018-12-04 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[A smile twitches Celestia's face, before she takes a few careful steps backwards and lifts her head slightly.]

IN OLDER TIMES, WE DID ADDRESS OUR SUBJECTS THUSLY! BUT 'TIS FALLEN OUT OF FAVOR IN THE LAST THOUSAND YEARS!

[The force of her voice is enough to shake the ground around them and rattle the walls. She drops her head back down, the demonstration of the Royal Canterlot Voice more than sufficient.]
cleansingstrike: do not use (15)

[personal profile] cleansingstrike 2018-12-07 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Agrias just sort of... stands there, speechless. Surprised, too.

But also largely speechless.]
letteropener: (fond smile)

[personal profile] letteropener 2018-12-07 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hiding a giggle deep in her smile, Celestia steps back forward.] So truth be told, it's not an unfamiliar manner of speech to me. Don't worry too much about it.