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~
beyondtheblade: (141)

[personal profile] beyondtheblade 2019-02-12 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
[...Tsubasa looks momentarily alarmed by the sudden reaction, but she nods gently.]

Ah, yes. [She smiles a bit.] It would seem she has met with quite a few people before my arrival...

We are from the same world. Elfnein, as well.
wildguardian: (the thinker)

[personal profile] wildguardian 2019-02-12 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, probably," Yunlan admits with a wholly artificial laugh, "but the guy who's following orders has to take some responsibility for not pushing back, too, if you ask me."

Not that ditching his trash in their landscaping is the world's most mature revenge, but he never claimed to be the world's most mature guy.

"Anyway! Whatever. Looks like you were as upset as me about the gist of those questions."
inthemoonlightsshadow: (030)

[personal profile] inthemoonlightsshadow 2019-02-12 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
I see. I do not know them.

[She crosses her arms.]

Why do you think we'd get along?
wildguardian: (what what)

[personal profile] wildguardian 2019-02-12 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
Simple!

[Enjoy this perfect, sincere deadpan, Dark Precure. He's practiced it in a mirror.]

He hates fun.
inthemoonlightsshadow: (033)

[personal profile] inthemoonlightsshadow 2019-02-12 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
...

[Dark Precure closes her eyes, and sighs.]

I think you have the wrong idea about me.
wildguardian: (sprawl)

[personal profile] wildguardian 2019-02-12 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[He cracks a grin at that, spreading his arms.] Maybe so! But, you know, it's not the not drinking that makes me think that. It's the reasoning.

["I am simply choosing to be healthy," yeah, he's still standing by his opinion here. That said, he waggles his eyebrows, and continues:]

Hey, feel free to correct me, though.
unlucky7: (STATUS :: Serious 2)

[personal profile] unlucky7 2019-02-12 07:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Technically it is their place. Heaven's rule is law, they are all the subordinates of Amaterasu whether they like it or believe it. Ginia has an inkling of some of the questions asked gods, gauging their loyalty.]

Do you think Amaterasu would find you suitable to serve her?
priforprince: (unneeded)

[personal profile] priforprince 2019-02-12 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Her current opinion of me is irrelevant.

[ If it's a good opinion, it's wonderful!

If it's a neutral or poor opinion, well, that's just because Amaterasu has been listening to idiots for too long. ]


All shall be amended when revolution is worked in the Far Shore. Everything until then is merely a discarded prologue.

[ Hibiki stares off into the distance, thinking about a day coming, very soon. ] No one here has encountered true radiance yet, after all.
inthemoonlightsshadow: (016)

[personal profile] inthemoonlightsshadow 2019-02-12 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmph. Training, ensuring my body is at my peak, fighting, dominating my opponents, grinding them beneath my heel... that is fun.
myblueskies: (the world is beautiful!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2019-02-12 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Romeo just tilts his head slightly, he meant?

The question distracted him.]
Lots and lots of stuff! How to read and write and kanji and cooking and all sorts of stuff. Mister Hakkai teaches there he's a really really nice grown up and a good teacher! [Even if his suggestion for kite fighting competitions had gotten Romeo into a bit of trouble with Elfnein!]
unlucky7: (STATUS :: Serious)

[personal profile] unlucky7 2019-02-12 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ginia nods. Were the situation different, she'd be far more interested in the stories. Right now, informative as they are, she finds the tone irksome.]

The meeting in October aside, I don't think I've seen so many old gods gathered. A pity they only want to engage when they have something to prove.
artificialrose: (candycloud) (Just woke up bloody and clutching)

[personal profile] artificialrose 2019-02-13 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
That's a sort of unfair stance to take... At least, so it seems to Garry. After all, they're only seeing the outgoing effects of Heaven. So much about the actual inner workings of the older temples is a mystery to them. Who knows what kind of things that Amaterasu's shinki have to consider that they aren't thinking of?

Still, he might be right... 'Whatever' indeed. Arguing over this isn't going to do anything, a fact Garry reminds himself even as he looks for a nearby trashcan or something similar. "I don't like what they implied," he admits, mouth twisted unhappily. "If it was just to keep things organized, they would have asked us those sort of questions when we arrived, I would think... But the timing just feels like it's gearing up to something."
wildguardian: (yikes?)

[personal profile] wildguardian 2019-02-13 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh huh.

[That's sure a choice of entertainments, right there. With another quirk of his eyebrows, Yunlan adds lightly:]

I'll remember not to train with you unless I feel like getting stepped on.
sageprincess: (With wonder)

[personal profile] sageprincess 2019-02-13 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
... I could argue that much, but I sense that you are not unhappy with your current arrangement.

[And-- yes, she does. To a degree that is starting to make Zelda flounder a bit, even if Ovelia does not recall any sort of noble upbringing she might have had. There's a moment of hesitation before she decides that a certain level of honesty might be more graceful than trying to keep up otherwise.]

Forgive me. For all that my tongue may be sharp towards those I disagree with, I am... less accustomed to receiving compliments. But I do appreciate your words, truly.
ofnovalue: art by mike (don't be afraid to be weak)

[personal profile] ofnovalue 2019-02-14 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
Mm... Well that's something I know fairly well, myself. I crumble to bits with the slightest bit of sincere praise.

I did not endeavor to make you uncomfortable, milady. But it is... somehow comforting knowing we have a similarity, as strange as that may seem.
medicinemaster: (faceless; inner struggle)

[personal profile] medicinemaster 2019-02-14 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Yaone relaxes a little more, speaking in hushed tones.]

Yes. I am uncertain about what is going on. It would seem as if I have arrived during preparations for a war that I know nothing about. I do not even know who is fighting it or why.

[A pause before she continues speaking as Yaone finds herself missing her lord very much right now. Back home, her place and lines had been clearly drawn for her. She was the prince's personal apothecary and ultimately, Lord Kougaiji's enemies were her enemies. Without his leadership or adequate knowledge, she cannot reliably choose a side to support.]
medicinemaster: (a new beginning)

[personal profile] medicinemaster 2019-02-14 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
Yaone is , first and foremost, a nice lady who truly means no offense. Even her enemies learn that she's surprisingly kind and polite. It's just the way she is, eccentricity or not. She listens intently to the the explanation. A rogue god, then? That explains some things about this training exercise, at least.

"I see. I will be careful about potential lava flows then. I have yet to see my temple so I do not know what state it is in. Is there a way I can contact others about this?"

She'd been given an odd little device that had been called a cellphone but she has yet to inspect it or begin to puzzle how it works. Ordinarily, Yaone would be quietly going over it to understand it better but she's simply been too worried and upset.
medicinemaster: (sketchy; coming?)

[personal profile] medicinemaster 2019-02-14 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you like your name?

[A strange question, perhaps, but given how irked Yaone's been about Heaven trying to give her a new one, the subject of names are on her mind.]

It would seem that my memories may have been altered somewhat as well but I cannot be certain. I know that it is not the same but it is disconcerting, nonetheless.
medicinemaster: (combat; getting annoyed)

[personal profile] medicinemaster 2019-02-14 01:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[She falls quiet as she launches into her katas.

Yaone's not a naturally talented fighter. That much becomes obvious as she goes through different spear stances and forms. There's an awkward sort of stiffness to her movements as if she's relatively new, hesitations where there shouldn't be any as if she still has to stop and think about how to proceed.

However, she's not bad at it either. Yaone's competent enough, her performance adequate, though it's also clear from a rare shadow of dissatisfaction in her expression that she's frustrated with her own body and the fact she just can't seem to move it like a true warrior might.

After a bit, Yaone decides to take a break, glancing over to see what her companion is doing.]
medicinemaster: (sorry sorry)

[personal profile] medicinemaster 2019-02-14 02:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Now that they are away fom the prying eyes and ears of Heaven, Yaone begins to relax more. Of course, the sunlight and fresh air helps, too.]

What do you think about this Lady Amaterasu, miss? I fear that her shinki have not given me a favorable impression of her as a leader to follow.

[It's a bold question and statement to ask, Yaone knows, especially given the girl's earlier response. And as loathe as she is to potentially cause her further stress, the situation she's founds herself in is an urgent, potentially explosive situation. She knows she can trust Dokugakuji and she trusts the Sanzo Party to some extent, too, enemies or not, at least, when there could be forces potentially threatening to both sides of their conflict. Just about everyone else is an unknown and simply put, Yaone doesn't know where to begin determining who her allies and enemies are on her own at this time.]

It seems as if Heaven is preparing for war and seeking out allies to press into service or potentially eliminate as their enemies.
puzzlingly: (♚ 24.)

[personal profile] puzzlingly 2019-02-14 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Necessary?

 It's not really something they tell you about in noob day, he just knows where he is, not quite why. 
medicinemaster: (thoughtful; on second thought)

[personal profile] medicinemaster 2019-02-14 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yaone's content to put aside their little game, too, for the moment in favor of information exchange. The more information she has, the better off she'll be. She listens intently to his words, just letting the lollipop sit in her mouth for now.

'Don't be friendly'? That's strange advice but Yaone's met some people who seem to respond better to colder, harsher approaches. Personally, she doesn't understand it or really know any other way to be but it'll be a tip she'll keep in mind, regardless, if she ever meets this Nekhbet.

The other piece of information piques her interest a little more for now. This Li Tieguai fellow who appears to share her grouping, for lack of a better term, here in Heaven. Wouldn't that make them coworkers of a sort? If he's dangerous, perhaps it'd be best to press for more information.]



I will keep that in mind regarding Mister Nekhbet. Could you tell me more about this Li Tieguai? What makes you say he should be avoided?

[There's no judgment or doubt in her tone, just genuine curiosity and maybe a a faint tinge of worry.]
letteropener: (quiet regret)

[personal profile] letteropener 2019-02-14 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
That is about the case, yes. A group has been attacking those of the Far Shore -- kidnapping shinki, erupting volcanoes at us, and so forth. I have a suspicion that the old gods here suspect some of us in turn.

[As if the questioning hadn't made that perfectly clear. Celestia conveys an arch note of disapproval, if one listens to the edges of her voice.]
alchemists: (What's a ps vita)

[personal profile] alchemists 2019-02-14 07:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Isn't it just human nature to want to brag about the things you've done though?
wildguardian: (distance)

[personal profile] wildguardian 2019-02-14 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"You've put your finger on the same thing that's bugging me about it," Yunlan agrees, waving one arm out in a casual sweep. "Sounds to me like they're gearing up for a fight -- or they want to know how dangerous we can be."

And which side they'll be on. That, though, feels like a point that's too dangerous to make out loud this close to the Meeting Hall. The corner of his mouth tilts up, briefly, and he edits it for general consumption.

"And who our allies are."