The Far Shore Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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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
Votelli had power over the forest, but the ones performing the rituals and maintaining the circles, who had the actual shape of the plan? Were humans. Sotero just blew up a volcano - that doesn't take tactics or intelligent strategy, it takes someone letting him in. You're underestimating the capacity of determined humans, not to mention that the cult leaders have almost never been on the front lines themselves. They've kept themselves hidden and their heads down, kept themselves severed from their troops even when giving orders. Like a leader who actually knows how to stay hidden and yet stay effective.
no subject
[Her eyes narrow.]
You may prefer to believe in the superiority of humans, but it's going too far to insist that there must be a hidden, effective human leader behind every action by these gods. Why can they not be directing their human tools themselves, or engaging in strategic planning themselves? Why must you invent someone in the shadows to exonerate them?
As for the question of whether there is a traitor in the Heavens, I assure you that, too, is a matter of great interest to me.
no subject
I could turn that question back on you. Why are you assuming these gods must be knowing and commanding when gods are created by human intent in the first place? Why are you inventing their shadow behind the previous incidents that have only had traces of human involvement? Meanwhile, we have actual proof to indicate there's a human leader with awareness of the Heavens and how to divert their attentions from himself, which clearly your end's investigations haven't been competent enough to pick up. And as for traitors, you only seem interested in those as far as they don't cast suspicion within your circles.
[He's had that particular argument with Amaterasu before, and made his thoughts fairly clear then.]
no subject
[She's drawing herself up to her full height, which isn't really all that tall, but her eyes are narrowed and her fists clenched in a way that verges on threatening.]
To my face? While you accuse my household of incompetence and treason?
no subject
[Shun is honestly one of the last people in this room who can be called out on fraternising with those gods, which is somewhat ironic. But Amaterasu's willingness to leap to that assumption based on bad wording isn't putting her on any more trustworthy ground with him, and his words are sharp and direct.]
I'm taking no sides. I'm pointing out your plan is badly thought-out, based on assumptions from incomplete information - especially when the information gathered by the actual investigations indicates the exact opposite of what you're claiming - and far more likely to make things worse than better, as well as your bias towards those you favour to the point that you won't even consider the possibility of a traitor within your own circles. You claim to trust us, then immediately throw out accusations the minute we question your plans? I don't think you know what it is that word is supposed to mean.
no subject
[She's getting loud, too, and her fists are tightly clenched. Sabimei's pale with what looks like badly hidden terror.]
If that is all the contact you've had with them, you know no more than I do! If you don't have any secret knowledge of them, or any secret conversation with them, you're the fool for deciding with no evidence that they're the innocent ones! I did believe we were on the same side, but if you're refusing to take sides then you're welcome to leave!
no subject
[While Shun's tone is extremely straightforward and it's clear he's not pleased with her, he's not actually yelling so much as just airing his words loud and clear so the whole room can get an impression of how the situation is being handled.]
Claiming anyone who speaks to them a traitor and anyone who hasn't as ignorant as you is a convenient excuse to ignore anyone else's arguments, but I've been hunting those cultists for long enough now to know that they're far more of a threat and far more self-directed than you're giving them credit for. I don't make these decisions with no evidence, as much as that might make you feel more comfortable to think.
[Nonetheless, he turns on his heel, speaking to her over his shoulder now.] But you've made it clear you're not interested in listening, so I don't really have an interest in continuing this either. I'll just keep doing what I've been doing already, because hell knows I've been managing fine without your help until now. On more things than just this, considering you only start caring at the point something gets dragged up to your doorstep.
no subject
She waits for a few seconds before, icily, calling after him:]
Good day, then, Nekhbet.