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~
myblueskies: (It can't be true!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2018-11-06 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh... [That was... How did that even work...] How did she become a shinki? Did she die? Has she forgotten everything now?
alchemists: (More head pats)

[personal profile] alchemists 2018-11-07 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
I don't really understand how it worked, I've been trying to think about it since I found out but I've been drawing blanks. But even memories from when she was a god are gone.
myblueskies: (big eyes)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2018-11-08 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Even from when she was a god...

[Sotero's words rang in his head. If people broke the rules then they got killed and became baby gods who didn't remember anything. He said not shinki but... He hadn't known much about the new gods and Romeo knew they were different than the ones who had been here a very long time.]

Did Maria like it here? When she was a god? Or was she all mad about it?
alchemists: (Look at all these new notes)

[personal profile] alchemists 2018-11-11 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
She liked it here! Even her shinki Natsuru loved her a lot.

[ Elfnein still couldn't figure out if there was a broken rule or just the heavens being unpredictable, but she knew Maria wasn't the type of person to just go out and do something bad without a good reason. ]
myblueskies: (Alfredo is speaking!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2018-11-12 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Stranger and more worrying...] She had a shinki? Who does she work for now? She must be really sad as well.

[Romeo would be devastated if Elfnein forgot who he was and became a shinki.]
alchemists: (It's no problem)

[personal profile] alchemists 2018-11-14 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't really know who she works for now, but Natsuru is still here and remembers everything.
myblueskies: (best friends)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2018-11-15 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad she's still here! I bet she's sad about Maria too though. We should make sure she's okay! Maybe she can come for tea!

[Romeo didn't know her, but more friends was always a good thing!]
alchemists: (It's no problem)

[personal profile] alchemists 2018-11-18 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a good idea, I've been giving them space since I thought they needed time to process everything. But I think now inviting them over now is the best thing we can do.
myblueskies: (apples and smiles)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2018-11-19 11:33 am (UTC)(link)
Okay then! We will invite them over for tea! Because even if Maria has forgotten you it doesn't mean she can't make friends with you again!
alchemists: (It's no problem)

[personal profile] alchemists 2018-11-21 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
Mm, making friends with them again is something I should do.

[ There's a look of sadness on her face, Maria's lack of memories is still a very touchy subject. Elfnein wanted to try and rebuild their relationship but it was hard. ]
myblueskies: (the world is beautiful!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2018-11-21 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
[Romeo reached out to grasp her hand, he wanted to try and help Elfnein keep her spirits up! It was sad about Maria but Romeo was sure they could be friends again!]

Let's go back to the temple and make her a picture to ask her to come to tea. I bet she would like that!
alchemists: (Look at all these new notes)

[personal profile] alchemists 2018-11-23 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Elfnein takes Romeo's hand, while the situation is still sad they needed to make the best of it by trying to keep in good spirits. ]

I like that idea a lot.
myblueskies: (so proud of you)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2018-11-23 05:37 am (UTC)(link)
Good! Let's go then! [He keeps hold of her hand and leads her back to the temple, glad that he found a way to help her keep her spirits up!]