The Far Shore Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
godsoffortune) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thenearshore2018-12-17 12:29 am
godsoffortune) wrote in thenearshore2018-12-17 12:29 am
Entry tags:
- !cultist arc,
- !cultist arc | char discussions,
- aymeric de borel | final fantasy xiv,
- chikusa kakimoto | katekyo hitman reborn,
- ebisu | noragami,
- ginia | original character,
- suzaku kururugi | code geass,
- ω archer [emiya] | fate stay night,
- ω emizel | disgaea 4,
- ω sora | kingdom hearts,
- ω zelda | loz: ocarina of time
Interlude: Meeting with Amaterasu
Who: Amaterasu and characters who have shared information with her, her advisers or her shinki
When: March 8, Evening
Where: The Meeting Hall
What: Amaterasu is bringing together newcomers of proven loyalty in order to share her own information and plans.
New gods and shinki who have offered their help to Amaterasu or her advisers, or who have given her information about any of the cult activities, will find a white-robed shinki knocking at their temple door or dropping by their table at the post-training meal on March 8th.
The invitations have the following text:
Lady Amaterasu invites you and your trusted allies to join her for an important announcement. The shinki who delivered this message will conduct you to the meeting.
The shinki carrying these invitations will wait until the invited person and their guests are ready, or will leave if the invitation is declined.
Guests are directed to an inner room in the Meeting Hall, where, on entry, they will discover that they seem to be floating in an endless dark void. Amaterasu stands at the center of the void, brilliantly illuminated; she's not wearing her usual mirror crown, and there is a short woman in old-fashioned white robes with the sleeves tied back standing beside her.
Amaterasu and the shinki accompanying her begin to speak once everyone has arrived. They have ink paintings of Votelli (although the features aren't very well rendered, as though it was painted from a description rather than by someone who'd seen her) and of Sotero (this painting is much more accurate and detailed.) These paintings are displayed on small stands behind Amaterasu.
"These two rogue gods have declared their enmity against myself and the Heavens through attacking and even imprisoning you, as well as attacking many of my shinki. They have even used humans as their agents to act in the mortal world." She holds out a hand to indicate the sketchier painting. "This one's name is Votelli. She is declared anathema. Should you see her, capture her, and bring her to me." The other, better-drawn painting is next. "This one's name is Sotero. He is declared anathema, and should you see him, capture him and bring him to me.
"We prefer them alive, but if they resist too fiercely to survive capture, we will still reward their captors highly."
The woman behind her takes the paintings down and folds the stands, disappearing into the dark with her armful of props, as Amaterasu continues speaking.
"We have located areas of the Near Shore that these gods have used as their sanctuaries in their invasions of the Heavens. The forest that Votelli used, many of you have visited. However, it seems that she can either hide there too well to be found unless she wills it, or she has gone elsewhere. We continue to search for her. My shinki have searched the volcano that Sotero used, as well, but with no greater success.
"It is possible that these gods have protected themselves somehow from the eyes of my shinki. I ask for your assistance searching for them both."
The woman reappears, without the easels and carrying two handfuls of charms instead; they are small, embroidered pouches that look like the charms found in the department store and around shrines at New Year's. Sabimei steps forward; he looks like he hasn't had enough sleep in weeks, and the harsh spotlight brings out the dark bags under his eyes.
"These things are using a magic I can't figure out," he says: his tone is almost petulant, but he moderates it at a reproving glare from the other shinki. "I suspect it's related to those two gods. I can tell you that they drain good fortune from anything nearby -- these are inert, don't worry, but I wouldn't keep one in my pocket if I were any of you. Burn them, or give them to me, because it's not as if I don't have enough to do--"
At another glare, he clears his throat. "In any case, placing these in our shrines at the New Year's represents a direct attack on our fortunes and our followers'. It seems that these gods consider us all enemies alike. Ask me later if you want to hear more about what I've been doing with these things." He bows, and steps back into the darkness. Amaterasu's formal demeanor softens for long enough to pat her other shinki's arm; the woman smiles down at her before tucking away the charms.
"Several humans have been implicated in assisting the enemy gods," she announces. "We do not act directly against mortals, but my shinki are watching their residences, in case our enemies should appear there. It is possible that there are more, and so, I ask that you help my shinki in that task, for if those two gods are no longer in the places that they once linked to the Heavens, then they must be concealed somewhere. My shinki will show you to these humans' residences if you are willing to assist.
"When we find them, we intend to ride to destroy them, and I invite you to join the hosts of Heaven when we do so, as well."
She folds her hands together, her long sleeves falling down to hide her fingers, and inclines her head in a small, regal bow.
As the presentation ends, the darkness begins to fade, and everyone invited will find themselves standing in an ordinary room with Amaterasu, and with guards at the door and along the walls. The female shinki who had been behind her has disappeared, and she is wearing her crown again, with Sabimei standing just behind her.
It looks like she's ready to take questions now.
When: March 8, Evening
Where: The Meeting Hall
What: Amaterasu is bringing together newcomers of proven loyalty in order to share her own information and plans.
New gods and shinki who have offered their help to Amaterasu or her advisers, or who have given her information about any of the cult activities, will find a white-robed shinki knocking at their temple door or dropping by their table at the post-training meal on March 8th.
The invitations have the following text:
Lady Amaterasu invites you and your trusted allies to join her for an important announcement. The shinki who delivered this message will conduct you to the meeting.
The shinki carrying these invitations will wait until the invited person and their guests are ready, or will leave if the invitation is declined.
Guests are directed to an inner room in the Meeting Hall, where, on entry, they will discover that they seem to be floating in an endless dark void. Amaterasu stands at the center of the void, brilliantly illuminated; she's not wearing her usual mirror crown, and there is a short woman in old-fashioned white robes with the sleeves tied back standing beside her.
Amaterasu and the shinki accompanying her begin to speak once everyone has arrived. They have ink paintings of Votelli (although the features aren't very well rendered, as though it was painted from a description rather than by someone who'd seen her) and of Sotero (this painting is much more accurate and detailed.) These paintings are displayed on small stands behind Amaterasu.
"These two rogue gods have declared their enmity against myself and the Heavens through attacking and even imprisoning you, as well as attacking many of my shinki. They have even used humans as their agents to act in the mortal world." She holds out a hand to indicate the sketchier painting. "This one's name is Votelli. She is declared anathema. Should you see her, capture her, and bring her to me." The other, better-drawn painting is next. "This one's name is Sotero. He is declared anathema, and should you see him, capture him and bring him to me.
"We prefer them alive, but if they resist too fiercely to survive capture, we will still reward their captors highly."
The woman behind her takes the paintings down and folds the stands, disappearing into the dark with her armful of props, as Amaterasu continues speaking.
"We have located areas of the Near Shore that these gods have used as their sanctuaries in their invasions of the Heavens. The forest that Votelli used, many of you have visited. However, it seems that she can either hide there too well to be found unless she wills it, or she has gone elsewhere. We continue to search for her. My shinki have searched the volcano that Sotero used, as well, but with no greater success.
"It is possible that these gods have protected themselves somehow from the eyes of my shinki. I ask for your assistance searching for them both."
The woman reappears, without the easels and carrying two handfuls of charms instead; they are small, embroidered pouches that look like the charms found in the department store and around shrines at New Year's. Sabimei steps forward; he looks like he hasn't had enough sleep in weeks, and the harsh spotlight brings out the dark bags under his eyes.
"These things are using a magic I can't figure out," he says: his tone is almost petulant, but he moderates it at a reproving glare from the other shinki. "I suspect it's related to those two gods. I can tell you that they drain good fortune from anything nearby -- these are inert, don't worry, but I wouldn't keep one in my pocket if I were any of you. Burn them, or give them to me, because it's not as if I don't have enough to do--"
At another glare, he clears his throat. "In any case, placing these in our shrines at the New Year's represents a direct attack on our fortunes and our followers'. It seems that these gods consider us all enemies alike. Ask me later if you want to hear more about what I've been doing with these things." He bows, and steps back into the darkness. Amaterasu's formal demeanor softens for long enough to pat her other shinki's arm; the woman smiles down at her before tucking away the charms.
"Several humans have been implicated in assisting the enemy gods," she announces. "We do not act directly against mortals, but my shinki are watching their residences, in case our enemies should appear there. It is possible that there are more, and so, I ask that you help my shinki in that task, for if those two gods are no longer in the places that they once linked to the Heavens, then they must be concealed somewhere. My shinki will show you to these humans' residences if you are willing to assist.
"When we find them, we intend to ride to destroy them, and I invite you to join the hosts of Heaven when we do so, as well."
She folds her hands together, her long sleeves falling down to hide her fingers, and inclines her head in a small, regal bow.
As the presentation ends, the darkness begins to fade, and everyone invited will find themselves standing in an ordinary room with Amaterasu, and with guards at the door and along the walls. The female shinki who had been behind her has disappeared, and she is wearing her crown again, with Sabimei standing just behind her.
It looks like she's ready to take questions now.
no subject
[Her gaze flickers to Zelda's face, evaluating, and then slides back down and away again, as she nods.]
What do you want to know?
no subject
[She takes a deep, cleansing breath then, pausing to consider her argument carefully.]
The very first thing I learned of this organization of mortals was that their intention was to create new gods. They have been very secretive with their objectives and methods, but this central doctrine was communicated to me with such a zealous fervor by a man that holds no apparent noteworthy power within this organization that one can only assume that this creation of new gods and the ability to prove their newfound existence is a key point made when inducting other humans into their cult.
I stress this because it implies the higher level members of this organization are aware of how new gods are born into this world, that it is the faith of humans that creates gods, and not the other way around. And unless I am mistaken, this is something I do not believe is common knowledge among the residents of the Near Shore. It follows then that if a human with this knowledge and enough followers that will faithfully do and believe as he asks exists in the world, then his commands could potentially birth any number of gods during his lifetime.
So then, the question becomes: how did he get this information? The only method I can think of is that he had a contact within the Heavens before either of these two gods were even born. Which brings me to my next point...
[Another pause. Zelda's not enjoying any of this, and it shows in the pained way she furrows her brow as she looks down at Amaterasu.]
... It would be remiss to ignore the fact that these two gods appear to be around the same age as your current incarnation, Lady Amaterasu. Perhaps a few years younger at best, but not by much. I understand gods do not necessarily age as humans do, but if the records I found of the solar eclipse that occurred just over a decade ago are any indication, I would wager the actual age of your current incarnation matches that of your appearance.
Thus, I wish to know: what caused your previous incarnation's demise? What could have gotten past all your defenses and the constant presence of your shinki to slay her?
Because the timing of it all is certainly right for a mortal with a grudge against the current gods to see that it did not stick, and, with the aid of insider information, to consider another method to displace you and yours.
no subject
[She raises her chin to stare coolly at Zelda, fingers ceasing to fiddle.]
I do not know how I died. I have been told that the shinki who were with me at the time were also slain. However, no mortal could have done such a thing.
I fear, however, that you are wrong that it is not common knowledge that it is possible to create a god. Perhaps faith is weak in the mortal world, but it is not so weak that they have forgotten that to enshrine and honor a spirit will make of that spirit a god.
That these gods who are our enemies may have only recently gained worship is difficult to believe, as they have the power to dare attacks on the Heavens, but even if it is the case, and even if their followers have begun to worship them for the sake of an assault on the Heavens, that is no excuse.
If it is the case, then their very nature is rebellious. Execution is the proper punishment.
no subject
[She does not seem satisfied with this answer, her jaw tight and her lips turned down into a slight frown. There is an urge to pry for more information, to attempt to gain the name of someone who might know how the Queen of Heaven fell, but as she glances to Sabemei, she bites that urge down. It's unlikely she'll be able to get answers here.]
That is unfortunate. I ask your forgiveness for bringing up such a dark day in your history, you grace, but it is something I have contemplated on for some time. ... I have witnessed the assassination of a royal in my mortal life, and I would not wish to see you and yours experience that kind of pain again.
However, I must respectfully disagree on the subject of execution. With what I understand of the situation, to enact such judgement without the opportunity for any kind of trial or clemency would only serve to further enrage the organization that has already sided against the Heavens, as well as push those who might otherwise be neutral towards you into believing your governance is merciless and unjust.
I, for one, would have to decline the invitation to join your host at this time if that is to be your end goal.
[She pauses here, brow creasing in though as her eyes fall towards the floor between them. A thought strikes her, one that might just be able to get through to Amaterasu, one that might convince her that mortals can be just as dangerous as gods, but... Goddesses, voicing it might be one in the same with putting her neck out for the headsman's axe.]
... Another question, if I may, then. If a mortal were to offer resistance to a god's influence - if they were to show a level of power that could turn that of a god's against that god's allies - would that mortal be considered dangerous by the Heavens?
no subject
[She frowns at Zelda.]
It is an opportunity to atone for past misdeeds. As for your question, are you asking whether we would ignore a mortal who was controlling a god, should such a thing occur?
no subject
Our number has made it clear that we consider the leader of this cult to be the truly dangerous one, the one manipulating these rogue gods into attacking the Heavens, and so I shall not argue that point further. However, I have personally experienced this leader's ability to defend himself against divine inquiry, and the result that followed was one of such magnitude that I am still not entirely certain how he was capable of it.
[Another hesitation. She swallows and clasps her hands in front of her to mitigate the urge to ball them into white knuckled fists.]
Tell me, Lady Amaterasu: have your forces discovered anything regarding the "sleeping illness" that swept through the Heavens about a month ago?
no subject
[Is it something done by the person she's speaking of? Amaterasu's brows draw down in a darker, more worried frown.]
no subject
The power granted to me from my ascension to godhood has given me dominion over dreams. I can enter them, and alter them to a certain extent. I have mostly used this power to soothe the minds of my followers as they sleep.
But... there was a point where I thought my power could be used to investigate the members of the cult that threaten the Heavens, and glean more information from them than they would be willing to give while they were awake. One girl implied she believed the charms they spread about our temples redirected fortune rather than outright created bad luck, which I reported to your shinki. But... specifically, I wanted to find their leader - their "Sensei".
And. I did.
[She looks... resolutely terrified as she continues, hands shaking slightly, looking at no one in the room aside from Amaterasu and yet also seeming to look through her as well. She doesn't want to die, she doesn't want to die, but she has to get Amaterasu to understand somehow--]
However, the power I encountered when I attempted to enter his dreams was unlike anything I have ever seen before. His mind was as a tempest - a whirlpool in which I could not tell up from down, or my hand from my face. I could only understand what had happened after I had been thrown out... and that is also when I had found that he had scattered my power far and wide, drawing so many into a slumber they could not awake from naturally.
[She breaks eye contact here, bowing her head.]
I deeply apologize for the chaos and distress my attempts to investigate caused, but I beg of you to please, please do not underestimate this man, simply because he is mortal.
no subject
She'd been stuck in dreams too, for a few days until being wakened.]
You're strong. But please be more careful in the future....
[And if she's strong enough to do something like that to all of the Heavens, how strong must the human be to keep them out? The surprise on her face darkens slowly to a scowl, and she looks down.]
Thank you for warning me.
no subject
A comment on her strength is about the last thing she expected to hear, and it shows in the way she glances up quizzically when those words fall from Amaterasu's mouth. But she accepts it along with the plea for caution with a firm nod. This is one case where she won't look the gift horse in the mouth, as the saying goes.
She straightens, slowly, finally relaxing bit by bit now that her sins have been confessed, taking in the dark look upon the young Queen of Heaven's face. It's not a look that suits her yet, not at all, but it seems like, somehow, her story managed to get through to her, just a bit.]
... My words are not empty when I say I do not wish to see you or yours harmed, your grace. We may disagree upon the means by which we will achieve our goals, but that fact remains true regardless.
[She gives another, briefer bow of her head.]
I hope the lessons learned by my folly will be of use to you.
no subject
[That's a promise she can make with complete honesty and certainty, and she nods at Zelda, fingers twining together.
She isn't going to let the gods off the hook, but Zelda's given her a very good reason not to let the mortals off the hook entirely, either.]