godsoffortune: (anonymous jackass)
The Far Shore Mods ([personal profile] godsoffortune) wrote in [community profile] thenearshore2019-01-16 09:40 pm

January Training

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: March 24th, 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 (God or Shinki), the name of the god they will represent (Gods) or the god they will serve (Shinki), and directions to the temple that will be their new home, regardless of role. During these initial meetings for Gods, paper and pens are provided as an unsubtle suggestion to take notes on the information they're given. For Shinki, there are stacks of informational pamphlets sitting out on a table inside the room, and which new shinki are offered as they are leaving the Meeting Hall.

Gods and Shinki alike are cordially invited to a training session beginning in early afternoon - several hours later - after they've had the chance to return to their homes, meet their new partners, and have their questions answered.

This time, it is implied that the Training Session will have a different purpose, so it is highly encouraged for ALL new gods and shinki to attend, no matter how long they have been in the Far Shore.



Divine Service

    New gods are assigned a time to meet with an attendant in white robes with a chrysanthemum on their robes bearing a notepad. Gods can request a changed time slot, but they are not given an option to avoid the appointment entirely. Unless they are bullied into allowing multiple gods in one interview session, they insist on one god per time slot. All meetings take place in private rooms similar to those for New God and New Shinki meetings.

    The interview consists of questioning the God's commitment to serving the needs of their followers, the Far Shore, and in turn Amaterasu herself. There is the matter of "A God's Actions Are Always Just" and The Gods' Greatest Secret as well, to see if the God believes these are true and important. Do they espouse these opinions to other Gods? Will they respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore? (If prodded, the attendant will admit that they are in fact an Old God, despite wearing clothing similar to Amaterasu's shinki. They will claim it an honor to do a favor for Amaterasu during her preparations.)

    The second round of questions are about their shinki. What vessel forms do they take, in order starting with Exemplar? How do you use them in combat? What sort of opponents have you faced with your shinki in vessel form - human, ayakashi, or other? Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead? For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together?

    They insist that all questions are answered. Afterwards, the God is dismissed.

    (An OOC breakdown for you characters IC answers to the God Interview...)


Tempering the Vessel

    Shinki are assigned time slots to meet with the white-robed shinki as well. While their sessions are shorter, the conversations are similar, and likewise held in private meeting rooms.

    What is your vessel form? How many battles have you been in while in vessel form and what were your opponents? Do you have any opponents you would resist fighting alongside your God and fellow temple shinki? What have you done to increase your resilience while in vessel form? If you have other shinki at your temple, how often have you fought alongside them in vessel form? What spells do you know? Do you have any plans to further that training?

    The shinki are then dismissed after all questions are answered.

    (An OOC breakdown for you characters IC answers to the Shinki Interview...)


Shinki Training

    A well-appointed dojo has been prepared for newcomers to practice their physical or magical arts. 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.

    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. (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

    While each month the Far Shore attendants try to adapt the physical training to the Near Shore's weather and holidays, the weather is fair and any festive impulses have been subdued. This time, Physical Training encourages pitting a God with one or all of their Shinki against another God with one or all of their Shinki. This is touted as a benefit to the Shinki, so the white-robed shinki make clear that certain Shinki need this training more than others. For example, the ones who answered their Interview questions saying they hadn't spent much time in their vessel form, or fought in many battles, or hadn't fought with their fellow Shinki much - if at all.

    There are Old Gods (NPCs - not run by a mod) who can be targeted as opponents, allowing the temple residents to gel as one fighting unit. (OOC: So that your multi-person thread can be limited to as few players as possible, if you choose.)


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. Moreso than other Training Sessions, there is a wide array of international alcoholic options this time. If you've heard of it and you can get drunk by imbibing it, it's probably here in a bottle or glass. Guests can help themselves, settle in, chat, and make new friends.

    The Old Gods in particular will begin to regale the crowd at the end of the afternoon with War Stories from the ages past, speaking of their great deeds they performed as prayers for their followers, miracles to convert the unbelieving, powerful ayakashi they fought, and other amazing feats, especially if they involved a shinki at their side - who it was and the form they took. After many Old Gods have spoken, they turn to the New Gods as if in challenge to tell better stories, mocking words exchanged that imply the New Gods could not possibly have done anything so impressive in their short time in the Far Shore.




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
  • Answer Interview Questions
  • Tell the truth - if you dare - or lie through your teeth... if you dare
  • Tell War Stories
  • Have fun~
vaporlike: (pipe)

[personal profile] vaporlike 2019-01-31 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
Is that so?

[It makes a certain amount of sense that all shinki would be given the same questions, though that really depends on what the questions were.]

What manner of questions did they ask? I would imagine they were at least somewhat different than the questions I was asked, but I'm quite interested in knowing what the differences were.
priforprince: (host)

[personal profile] priforprince 2019-01-31 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
These are macarons - [ A gesture to an assortment of colorful round cookie sandwiches. ] - and these are petit fours. [ Which are apparently little square cakes. ] A variety of luxurious flavors have been supplied.

Of course, my preference is gateau chocolat.

[ It's a chocolate cake. Hibiki, you just helped yourself to a slice of chocolate cake. Call it a chocolate cake.

Or don't. Whatever.

The goat that had noticed the chair problem has now noticed said problem's lessening. It wheels closer to get a better look. Everything is....okay now? Maybe its sensors had been deceived.

Smol moving toy underfoot! ]
puzzlingly: (♚ 136.)

[personal profile] puzzlingly 2019-01-31 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
Every two weeks? That makes Atem furrow his brow a little. That sounds awfully specific.

I don't suppose you know anything behind that?
disciprined: (kashprikoma)

[personal profile] disciprined 2019-01-31 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
I'm kind of counting on it honestly, pri.

[Desperate times, et cetera. It's going to take something pretty big to stop this train in its tracks, and short of another volcano or a meteorite strike that can mean only one thing. Plus, it would be a shame to waste the food.]

How have you been, pri? Hibiki-san assures me I haven't missed the movie, so I guess there's that to look forward to, pri.
disciprined: (overprixcited)

[personal profile] disciprined 2019-01-31 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
Natsuru, pri!

[Well, that's one way to lift her mood.

[It's good to see that Natsuru's still around. (And good to see that she's taken to her sentence ender, too, because priasons.) Mirei feels herself start to smile. It's probably a good thing she's sitting down, because if she hadn't Natsuru would be getting the mother of all hugs right about now, and that's not exactly appripriate when the poor girl is trying to eat. Mirei makes note to find a pritext for hugging her properly as soon as prissible.]


I guess I kind of did, pri! They must have decided they wanted me back, though! How've you been, pri?
royaltyloyalty: (considering)

[personal profile] royaltyloyalty 2019-01-31 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ Of course he doesn't make any move to dislodge her. He's as amazed as she is. He lowers his voice to match hers, just because she's so close. ]

I knew it was too much to hope for after being here for so long, but... I suppose that could be a good thing too. It means that Kou can still focus on his mission.

[ And they aren't shinki either. Neither is she, though, and he should be happier about that. He finally puts his arms around her back to at least reassure her a little. ]

It's good to see you, Yaone.
beyondtheblade: (140)

[personal profile] beyondtheblade 2019-01-31 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Tsubasa listens, and purses her lips in thought.] Last month was peculiar as well. It was... sparse. In fact, many of you here, were not here then.

[She knows the why of that, now. But it feels dangerous to admit that in an open space with so many old gods and shinki around.]

As such, it feels as though I have had to seek out a lot of information myself. Still, change is usually spurred by... something.

[She eyes him carefully.]

Would you hazard a guess to what that something may be, by chance?
beyondtheblade: (212)

[personal profile] beyondtheblade 2019-01-31 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
...heh. Well. We shall see, then.

[She smirks.]

I am quite confident that I am well beyond my potential already, for what it is worth, but I am always open to more.
beyondtheblade: (012)

[personal profile] beyondtheblade 2019-01-31 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh, here we go again.

Tsubasa does not enjoy this part of the process. Rita was bad enough. This time, she's braced for it though. She expects something terrible, but...

Somehow, it's even worse than she anticipated. An accident is one thing, but parts of this strike Tsubasa at her core in a way she couldn't have foreseen.

A puppet. A tool.

That she becomes a katana in her hands only makes Tsubasa feel immediately sick.

It's a little too close for him, and she finds herself gripping the hilt rather tightly by the time it's all over. It takes every ounce of control to keep her emotions checked, and she draws a long, sharp breath.]


...fitting. [It comes out as a murmur, staring down the length of the blade.] For someone who would come to me...
beyondtheblade: (055)

[personal profile] beyondtheblade 2019-01-31 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a good thing Tsubasa is walking ahead of her and looking forward, so she doesn't have to hide the amusement on her face.]

Ah, you don't say?

Well, take it as a compliment, I suppose.

[Sorry Chris, after all this mess with the interviews, she needs some levity.]

Either way... You are better off now. That should count for something, yes?
myblueskies: (the world is beautiful!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2019-01-31 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
Oh... [His disappointment doesn't last more than a second before he smiles again. It would be alright! He just had to try again!] Okay miss! Thank you for showing me how to do it!

[He could try again and then go and try and see if Gachimei could see him or Joss!] Ringoki Umbra!

inthemoonlightsshadow: (020)

[personal profile] inthemoonlightsshadow 2019-01-31 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[The sense of pride Dark Precure feels at such a statement being given to her would be instantly shared with Tsubasa.]

I am glad my vessel form is something appropriate for you. This match was clearly ordained by the heavens.
trustheart: (078)

[personal profile] trustheart 2019-01-31 02:19 pm (UTC)(link)
... A compliment. Sure. Uh huh.

[The ironic part is, she has only herself to blame for this coming up.]

But. Yeah, I guess I am. And it's good to be able to buy your own clothes.

...

I need to get some new clothes, soon.
puzzlingly: (♚ 20.)

[personal profile] puzzlingly 2019-01-31 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Such as?

He can imagine, but hearing it from someone else gives better insight.
swordofzero: (moresadface)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2019-01-31 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
It is very likely that. Our strength. But also how well we take to discipline. Even the questioning itself will be a test, not just our answers but how we answered. Were we defensive? Did we try and avoid the questions? [Had they lied? The questions had been all practical for shinki, none questioning their loyalty. Though clearly they had been more direct with the gods. But Suzaku didn't doubt that they already had most of the information.] They are preparing for war and they need to know who they can trust, who will obey them.

[They clearly knew they did not have a group of soldiers in the new gods and shinki. But some people reacted better to authority than others.]
Edited (Question marks are a thing) 2019-01-31 19:41 (UTC)
swordofzero: (in action)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2019-01-31 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[He is completely outmatched. That is clear when she takes a borderline, something that would down most people, of not knock them out completely and barely blinks.

He tries to twist out of the way of the grab but isn't quite successful. Shifting his weight he lets her throw him, but reaches out to grab her in return, trying to turn the fall into a roll and take her with him.]
swordofzero: (innocence)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2019-01-31 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. Though I believe he isn't really a child at all. [Gods are complicated, old gods all the more so.

He continues pulling out interesting looking alcohol and then looks around to find a glass. He's not sure if there is meant to be an order to this, if some drinks were best to go in first.]


reloves: (Default)

[personal profile] reloves 2019-01-31 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Well, if there's anything that fully cements Iskandar is a good guy after that speech just now, it's the fact he's speaking this well about Zelda. That immediately gets anyone in Minako's good books. ]

I'm working on that.. [ She smiles too, even though it's still a little weaker than usually. She'll probably feel better tomorrow, but the mood is kind of hard to shake off still. There's genuine intentions behind it though. ] It always sounds like she's had such tough times before. I wish stuff would calm down here so she wouldn't have to worry so much.
thetopofthefoodchain: (smile)

[personal profile] thetopofthefoodchain 2019-01-31 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Mostly about what form I took, how resilient I was, how often I trained. What battles I had been in. Questions like that.

[Nothing to prying but a annoying nonetheless.]
nopixiedust: (sillica) ("Maybe I'll see you again later. :)")

[personal profile] nopixiedust 2019-01-31 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"For shame, for shame," Wendy agrees, almost sing-song. The devil truly does exist in all little girls, or maybe just especially this one. With her hands gripping the edge of the table, she leans forward a little more with some idleness, if only to listen to Ginia's phone better.

"Mm, they definitely weren't subtle." Her nose wrinkles. "I wasn't exactly clear in some of the stuff I could do, but, I think after a while, the guy was just glad to see me out of the room..." If they think she's just a dumb and sensitive little girl, they'll probably overlook her. That's the dream, anyway.
nopixiedust: (sassybird) (It's sad we have to plan out fun)

[personal profile] nopixiedust 2019-01-31 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's here that the shinki kind of flounders, because the issue of just "god", singular, was kind of the problem... but then Wendy looks up, teary eyed, lips wobbling, ready to burst out crying again at a moment's notice...]

[The shinki gives up. It's probably for the better. "Sir, are... you her exemplar...?"]

[Wendy finds this the perfect moment to pipe up.]


We're besties!

[This answers nothing.]
inthemoonlightsshadow: (032)

[personal profile] inthemoonlightsshadow 2019-01-31 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Lack of memory, lack of context for your emotions, lack of crucial information about your identity... It's rather annoying, to say the last.

It is no challenge for me to adapt to such a thing, but the facts remain the same.
inthemoonlightsshadow: (005)

[personal profile] inthemoonlightsshadow 2019-01-31 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dark Precure's eyes widen as she's pulled down with him. She's stunned for a moment, mostly out of surprise, but once that's no longer the case, she's going to try and roll him over and grab him in a headlock.]
chibisu: (technoheart-archive, tumblr) ([lawyer voice])

[personal profile] chibisu 2019-02-01 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
"No, I don't think so." Although who knows with the mysterious ways of Yato. Still, Ebisu likes to think that he would be a lot louder if he were around. "I heard that he used to interact with some of the newer gods and shinki a while back, but he's been busy. Since he's a smaller god, he needs to do a lot of extra work."

Or else he falls prey to the true death of a god... that of being forgotten. Ebisu can only wish him the best.
nopixiedust: (sassybird) (This is so stupid.)

[personal profile] nopixiedust 2019-02-01 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
Sometimes, Wendy wonders how much of their budget is spent on absolutely nonsensical things. Sure, the carriage is the most infamous issue, and teacups are the most plentiful... But there are plenty of other things she wonders about, too. For example, spare gloves. How many does one person actually need?

Still, Wendy accepts it, even as her eyebrows crunch together. "Thank you. Although I wonder..." Is she really going to be able to make an effect like this? It's not like she can just ask someone to lean down so that she can throw a glove in their face... Oh, wait. An idea hits her and, promptly, Wendy raises one hand and snaps her fingers. "Goat!"

Unlike carriages, teacups, and gloves, Wendy has nothing to say on the overabundance of robotic goats. After all, they're handy, able to just appear out of nowhere like so. With absolutely zero hesitation, she hops onto its back and points off towards one of the gods standing to the side. "That way!"

And it was like that which saw a small girl standing on the back of a purple robotic goat, a sight which had at least a few different old gods pause and stare. Her target particularly doesn't seem to know what to do, until the goat and its cargo are finally near enough for Wendy to just fucking fling the glove at his face.

"Duel me if you're not a coward!"

Are you proud, Hibiki. Are you proud of the things you wreak.