November Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: February 21st, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are brought into small one-on-one meeting rooms as they appear, with a white-robed shinki offering them an explanation of their current role, the name of the god they will represent or the god they will serve, and directions to the temple that will be their new home.

They are cordially invited to a training session beginning in early afternoon, after they've had the chance to return to their homes, meet their new partners, and have their questions answered.



Morning/On the Road

New gods and shinki are being packed off to their new temples for the morning to settle in and meet their partners -- this is also a good time to visit with new neighbors or explore the area! What does your new temple look like? Are you headed straight there, or taking the scenic route to get a better sense of your new surroundings? The Western District is still scarred from the aftereffects of a recent volcanic eruption and earthquake, with fissures in some of the roads and burn scars in the wild landscape. The volcanic ash, though, seems to be serving as fertilizer for vast swaths of unfamiliar and colorful wildflowers that line the roads despite the fact that the weather is late-February chilly.

Shinki Training

A well-appointed dojo has been prepared for newcomers to practice their physical or magical arts. Outside, there are two impromptu target practice areas: one is for long-range weapons, with targets set up against hay bales at the other side of a wide, grassy area and a line drawn for the weapons' wielders to stand behind. The other is for borderlines, and a number of young children wearing short coats marked with Amaterasu's golden chrysanthemum on white are dashing around practicing their own borderlines against scary paper masks tied onto bushes or other haybales. The game seems to require a cutting borderline that will cut the mask without damaging the gardeners' hard work on the bushes.

Inside the dojo, there's room for several pairs to spar, and weapons are set up all along one wall, everything from polearms to rifles, chakrams to broadswords. They're all meant for practice, with edges dulled or padded to avoid any accidental deaths, but sparring partners will still have to be careful to avoid injury. Although there are many fewer white-robed shinki here than usual, except for the children, there is one adult shinki keeping an eye on things inside the dojo and one keeping an eye on things in the yard. They are willing to answer questions, help with borderlines or teach shinki new spells on request. Comment to the NPC REQUEST form to request a thread with one of them or if you have questions about handwaving an interaction.

Physical Training

The last vestiges of winter have melted away from most of the Heavens, but one section of the Meeting Hall grounds appears not to have gotten the message. Snow is piled waist or even shoulder high, the trees and bushes show no sign of fresh leaves, and an ornamental pool is frozen as hard as a rock, with the drifting shadows of koi barely visible under the thick ice. It's the perfect opportunity to play in the snow, and many of the shinki children are already taking advantage of it, sliding on the ice or throwing snowballs.

For those who brave the heavy snow, they may discover an an old woman in the center of the frozen area. She's wearing heavy white makeup and a straw coat, and humming cheerfully as she pounds rice into mochi. Anyone who finds her will be offered freshly made mochi and a cup of warm sake to fortify them for the snowball fights!

Rest and Refreshments

Gods and shinki who are finished with their training can step into a large room in the Meeting Hall that has been set up with comfortable cushions and low tables. Tea, liquor and a wide variety of savory dishes are available, with the drinks already set out on the tables and the savory dishes set up in chafing dishes on a buffet table along one wall. Guests can help themselves, settle in, chat, and make new friends. There's even a dessert table, well-stocked with plenty of chocolate, most of which seems to be mysteriously heart-shaped.

After eating, there are a variety of board and card games available for guests to play. From classic games like shogi, go and mahjong to more modern ones like Trivial Pursuit or Pictionary -- or Cards Against Humanity -- there's something for everyone.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Practice sparring or shinki magic
• Enjoy a buffet dinner and party games
• Have fun~

Comments

[nopixiedust]

[It's been a while since Wendy has gotten really worked up about this. There's so much else going on, after all, from the good to the bad.... but this? This is absolutely worth finding her old anger again from when she'd been arguing with Amaterasu, and her lips twist in a scowl.]

No! Apparently, they just expect individual gods to take care of themselves and their own homes. Of course when something is a problem for them, then they expect us all to just come over and help!

It's so stupid and self centered, I can't even believe it. And then they won't shut up about how we're not human anymore. Like that changes anything!

[holygrailed]

I see. That is unfortunate to hear.

[An understatement, but any more anger from her is pointless when she is so new.]

If Heaven will not help, can the others brought here be counted on to help in times of need? It seems to be the case, but I wish to make sure.

[nopixiedust]

Well... As much as they can be.

[Cooling off a little, Wendy sighs and waves her hand through the air.]

I mean, not everyone is prepared to fight things, or hunt down a criminal. As far as I can tell, people who end up here can be really anything. Some of them are really determined, and not scared of getting into a battle like that... but then, there are little kids like me around, you know? And I'm lucky. I'm pretty acrobatic, so I know I can keep myself safe.

[holygrailed]

[Wendy carries herself with a sense of maturity that it's easy to forget she's a child. If children had to fight here, what a shame that would be. Some protect others, some protect themselves, both are correct ways to take action.]

If everyone does their part in whatever way they can, it's enough. Adults should protect children anyway, though I'm thankful for everything you've told and shown me.

[nopixiedust]

Unfortunately, it's not like I can really rely on any adult to protect me at any given time... I mean, just going to the Near Shore is enough to get a stray ayakashi interested in you. They're there a lot, and they can be a real pain.

So the best thing to do is just spread information and make sure everyone can make a borderline, at the very least. It's what these gits should be doing.

[But clearly they've dropped the ball today, and Wendy sighs.]

Well, I always figured we'd be picking up the slack ourselves... All of these rich old gods don't really seem to understand what we're dealing with, and aren't always receptive to really listening. I mean, they'll listen, but then they'll think you should just instantly adjust. It's so absurd.

[holygrailed]

I wonder if they've forgotten what it is like to be new and uncertain? Though it seems things are different for the old gods.

[In time, Irisviel may learn how deep the differences between the old and new gods go. She'll also learn of their harder stances on how things should run.]

You mentioned there was a way to attack with borderlines too? Can you show me?

[nopixiedust]

I'm pretty sure it's been ages... Although you would that Amaterasu would be a little better, considering she's just a kid, too.

[But she's also surrounded by people that Wendy thinks are frankly idiotic adults, from her shinki, to her advisors like Fuujin. Who, admittedly, Wendy has never met, but she's heard stories. Mostly from Shun. She should probably take that as a bit of a warning to maybe investigate herself, but she's too busy for it.]

[For now, she hops off of her seat with a push of her hands.]

Sure! It's been described as using a halberd, so think of it like that. Or was it looking like one...?

[Whatever. Either way, Wendy focuses on a branch outside and swings her hand out, sending a borderline slicing through some leaves.]

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel copies the gesture, noting it uses the same one as the first borderline spell. The motion itself isn't any different, though instead of shielding, it slices.]

Line!

[She slashes out at some leaves, willing the borderline to cut instead of shield. The leaves split in half, a slight furrow in the ground under them as well.]

My, this is really simple. Thank you for showing me.

[Or she's a quick study because magic is her very being. Who knows.]

[nopixiedust]

Ooooh!

[A little impressed, Wendy claps her hands together.]

You caught on really quickly! Some people take a little while. [Wendy was one of them, after all.] I guess everyone has their own problems with it... but it doesn't seem like they'll be a problem for you.

I bet you would probably be really good at spells, if you could find anyone who knows more on them.

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel smiles and accepts the compliment with a small curtsy. There is always space for improvement. She is unsure whether she will need to attack when defending is an option, but it is good to know. All things to better protect and serve.]

I think I saw mention of spells in the pamphlet and someone who knows more. The writer of the brochure I believe. Do you know anyone I should speak with?

[nopixiedust]

I think... [Crossing her arms, Wendy taps her feet against the floor a few times. She's never really been one who's cared about spells or magic, but that's more because she's been so busy taking care of Hibiki, and her own Sanctuary. Still, she has some idea.]

I've heard the library has a lot of useful books for that. Ginia is another shinki, and she might know more on it. If nothing else, then I'm sure the guy who runs the school would know some things. I mean, a school is where you go to learn anyway, isn't it?