January Training

[godsoffortune]

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...)
On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, what is your commitment to serving the needs of...<blockquote><b>1. Your followers?</b> ## <b>2. The Far Shore?</b> ## <b>3. Amaterasu herself?</b> ##</blockquote><b>4. Do you believe that A God's Actions Are Always Just?</b> ... <b>5. Do you protect The Gods' Greatest Secret?</b> ... <b>6. Do other Gods know your opinions on the above matters?</b> ... <b>7. Will you respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore?</b> ... <b>8. What vessel forms do your shinki take, in order starting with Exemplar?</b> ... <b>9. How do you use them in combat?</b> ... <b>10. What sort of opponents have you faced <i>with your shinki in vessel form</i> - human, ayakashi, or other?</b> ... <b>11. Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead?</b> ... <b>12. For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together?</b> ...

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...)
<b>1. What is your vessel form?</b> ... <b>2. How many battles have you been in <i>while in vessel form</i> and what were your opponents?</b> ... <b>3. Do you have any opponents you would resist fighting alongside your God and fellow temple shinki?</b> ... <b>4. What have you done to increase your resilience while in vessel form?</b> ... <b>5. If you have other shinki at your temple, how often have you fought alongside them in vessel form?</b> ... <b>6. What spells do you know?</b> ... <b>7. Do you have any plans to further that training?</b> ...

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~

Comments

[medicinemaster]

[Now that is a face that Yaone hadn't expected to see, especially considering he'd been missing just as her lord had been. Her surprise and puzzlement are clear as day but that doesn't stop her from stepping further away from the shinki and consequently further behind Goku. On another day, under different circumstances, she'd have an excellent vantage point for sticking a knife in his back but right now, she's more concerned about the enemy she doesn't know and can't predict.]

Mister Goku. It is good to see that you are well.

[There's genuine relief in her voice as she regards the white-robed shinki warily.]

Um. Do you happen to know what is going on?

[rockthemonkey]

[ Goku should probably be better about turning his back on people who are at least technically his enemy. Unlike some people, he doesn't have a friend watching over him with a shotgun to defend him. But either Yaone is classier than Dokugakuji or she's just off her game, because Goku continues to go unstabbed. Today. ]

Uh, good to see ya too. When'd you get here?

[The shinki clears his throat awkwardly and Goku turns back to frown at him. "Huit... zilopochi-sama, I'm afraid I still need to ask He Xiangu-sama some questions-"]

You don't gotta call us that, both our real names are way easier. Hey, lemme talk to her first, okay? You guys suck at explaining anyway.

[Classic Sanzo Party diplomacy.]

[medicinemaster]

[Classic Sanzo Party diplomacy is infinitely preferable to whatever approach it is these servants of this Amaterasu have been taking with her so far. At the very least, it's something Yaone knows and right now that counts for much more than platitudes from strangers she doesn't know or have any reason to trust.]

Earlier today.

[She turns to the white robed shinki, chin lifting slightly, and speaking in her usual proper, dignified manner.]

Please allow me speak with Mister Goku first. He is an acquaintance and can put all of this in familiar terms. I will answer your questions later once I understand the situation better.

[Yaone's tone remains perfectly polite and soft but there's a subtle immovability underlying her words. Having spent a fair bit of time seeing how passively resistant Yaone can be when she puts her mind to it, the shinki sighs in apparent defeat.]

[rockthemonkey]

[ Say what you like about Goku; at least he's honest. No, really, say what you like, he doesn't care. ]

Yeah! I'm an acquaintance!

[ Does Goku know what an acquaintance is? It doesn't matter, he glares defiantly at the shinki until the guy decides they just aren't worth the hassle and steps aside. Goku turns back to Yaone and tries to guide her down the hall. ]

C'mon, let's get outta here. Those guys are everywhere today.

[medicinemaster]

[Acquaintance, friend, enemy - the lines all blur together on a good day for Yaone anyway when she isn't facing down an authority she doesnt recognize. She's all too quick to follow Goku down the hall and away from these strangers trying to get her to do something for them. She really isn't sure what their aim is just yet.

Goku seems to be a dark mood, however, and that's rather concerning. In the time Yaone has seen him, she's never seen him quite like this. The Goku she's come to know tends to be rather cheerful and easygoing, even when he's smashing in someone's face.

Is it because he had to rescue her? Is it because of the people who seem to be in charge here? Or is it for another reason? At any rate, Yaone can't help but be a little concerned by his expression. She doesn't feel she knows him well enough to just ask outright though so she asks something else instead.]

Is that not common here? I do not recognize this place at all. It does not seem to be near the location we were at last...

[rockthemonkey]

[ Honestly, smashing in someone's face would help Goku's mood considerably right now. No, he's fine, he's doing... fine. So what if Gojyo's missing, Hakkai is out and Sanzo still hasn't shown up? He doesn't need to rely on them. He can stand on his own two feet. He's not some pathetic kid who needs to be looked after. He can fight by himself. He's strong.

(And maybe if he can prove that, Sanzo will come back.) ]

Nah, we're nowhere near Shangri'la anymore. [ No more worrying, no getting stuck in his own head- Yaone may be an enemy, but she's also a nice lady who deserves Goku at his best if he's going to help her out. It's what Hakkai would do. ] They say it's another world, it's super weird.

[Goku leads them outside and once they're in the sun he does seem to lighten up a little. Ever since the incident with Gojyo, Amaterasu's shinki have put him on edge.]

[medicinemaster]

I see. It has been a long journey, then.

[It's a little heartening to see Goku perk up a little once they're outdoors. She doesn't doubt Goku's claim that this is a different world from theirs; he's always struck her as the honest, guileless sort. He's always reminded her a little bit of Lirin, in that sense. Yaone's heart clenches a bit as a mental image of her charge comes to mind but she brings herself back to focusing on the task at hand. It seems as if she's found Goku, at least, but she still doesn't know the whereabouts of anyone else.]

Um. Have you seen anyone else we know here?

[Of course, she's most concerned about Dokugakuji and Kougaiji but it'd please her to know the others are well, too. They hadn't been enemies at that particular moment, after all - just travelling companions and it's natural to want to know about the state of her companions, isn't it?]

[rockthemonkey]

[ Goku's still not at Lirin levels of enthusiasm, or even his own usual ones. But everything seems a little brighter in the sun. Out here they can stand somewhere out fo the way and talk without anyone obviously listening in too. ]

Yeah, and we've been here for months too. I dunno how it works, but Hakkai an' Gojyo were here for ages before me.

[ Goku really does not think he's the best person to be explaining all this to someone. Hakkai would do a much better job. But Hakkai isn't here right now so Yaone will just have to settle for a monkey. ]

Uh, they're both here, somewhere. Sanzo's- ... Sanzo's not here yet. [ Yet. He just has to keep remembering that it's only a matter of time. ] Dokugaku's around, I saw 'im just the other day. Haven't seen Kougaiji or Lirin here at all though.

[He can guess who Yaone is most concerned about, at least.]

[medicinemaster]

Dokugaku is here?

[Yaone's eyes light up at the mention. Despite that, she's not without sympathy. She's always been perceptive and sensitive to others' feelings and she's spent enough time around Goku to notice how attached he seemed to be to the priest. In some ways, it doesn't seem too far off from the bond Yaone shares with her own lord. Sanzo seems like an anchor in their group, much like the prince is for theirs.

What he says is very confusing, however.]

I do not understand how they could have been here for so long. You and Lord Kougaiji were missing but the others were with me when I was taken. We were looking for you together.

[Despite the painful circumstances and hers and Dokugakuji's worries about the prince's condition, it had been almost pleasant to spend time with them without their weapons drawn for a change.]

[rockthemonkey]

[ Goku smiles a bit when Yaone lights up. It's nice that someone can be happy around here. Goku may be missing a lot of his friends, but he can still be happy that Yaone isn't on her own.

But then she gets confusing. ] ... What? I wasn't missin'! And we haven't seen you for ages, Yaone!

[Actually, before arriving here, Goku hadn't seen any of Kougaiji's group for ages. He knows Kougaiji and Dokugakuji showed up to stab one Sanzo and set the other on fire, but he only really saw the aftermath of that. No one ever mentioned seeing Yaone around.]

[medicinemaster]

How can that be? That does not make any sense. I was just with them. Mister Hakkai, Mister Gojyo, Mister Sanzo... Dokugaku and I found them in the river.

[She and Dokugakuji had also initially left them to drown, having been pressed for time in their search for the prince but Goku hadn't been around to see that so Yaone will leave that part out for now. Exchanging information is more important right now.]

There was a battle. An illusionist came and attacked them. His name was Zakuro.

[rockthemonkey]

The river? [ Hmm, something about that sounds familiar. Goku pauses for a minute and looks thoughtful. ] Before we got here, we were in the mountains for a long while and then...

[Goku stops again. An illusionist...] Zakuro? Wait- the salmon roe guy! That guy! [ Goku grins, actually cheered up a bit. Which is kind of weird. ] I know him! He's nice! I mean, I know he's our enemy and stuff, like you guys, but he was pretty cool!

[ Yaone probably isn't in a position to judge Goku right now. ]

[medicinemaster]

[Yaone truly isn't in any position to judge, especialy when she continues chatting with a person she's tried to kill before like they're catching up at a community pot luck dinner. The conversation seems to be cheering up Goku a little, too, as well as herself so why not keep going?]

When did you meet Zakuro, Mister Goku? The others did not know of him when he appeared. I tried to warn them not to look into his eyes but it was too late.

[Really no position to judge at all.]

[rockthemonkey]

[ It's distracting. Distractions cheer Goku up. Also, whatever's going on, this is just kind of his default temperament. ]

Oh, I didn't meet 'im till way after Sanzo and the others fought him. That was a while ago too. [Goku actually knows about the "different times" stuff, kind of, so he has no excuse for not explaining this properly. He's just dumb.] I found him layin' on the ground dyin' in the woods one time. Then some youkai attacked us and he tried savin' me! It was super nice of him!

[Sure, Goku didn't need saving, but he can appreciate the sentiment. Zakuro didn't know who he was with. He really, really didn't know.]

[medicinemaster]

[Thankfully, Yaone is a smart woman capable of reading between the lines. It's not too much of a leap for her to pick up on the time-space differences between what she remembers and what Goku remembers. Mentioning Zakuro by name for a reference point was the right decision.]

Do you remember how long it was that you or the others encountered Zakuro, Mister Goku? I have not visited any mountains recently. However, Zakuro attacked within the past day.

[Oddly, trying to puzzle out weird time-space continuity differences is easier for Yaone than trying to make sense of half the things the white-robed ones were discussing with her. But perhaps that will be easier for her to understand once she's found her bearings first.]

[rockthemonkey]

That was months ago, I think.

[ Goku is not great at counting. Just in general, really. The Sanzo Party does not carry a calendar, they're too depressing. ]

Um, I dunno what you've been doin', but there's this weird thing here where people remember stuff different. Like Hakkai didn't remember everything I did when I got here.

[medicinemaster]

[That news disturbs Yaone, especially with Ni's experiments and Kougaiji's altered state fresh on her mind. Hakkai had proposed the possibility of the prince's brain being tampered with. Could such a thing have happened here as well?]

It is as I said. The last thing that I remember is traveling with Dokugaku, Mister Hakkai, Mister Gojyo, and Mister Sanzo. We searched for you and Lord Kougaiji. The next moment, I was here with the white-robed ones.

[Yaone frowns slightly, looking thoughtful. She can't have been unconscious here the whole time Goku has been here and had her memories erased. Her muscles would have atrophied by now if that had been the case.]

Is it possible that your minds have been altered somehow? Like Lord Kougaiji's?

[Goku hadn't been there when she and Dokugakuji had explained the prince's situation to them but if he somehow recalls the future, surely the rest of the Sanzo Party would have said something to him about it.]

[rockthemonkey]

I remember all that, but it was forever ago... You guys found me and Kougaiji, remember? He was actin' all weird and I was fightin' him and then you guys showed up and we all started fighting and then we got knocked in the river and you three ditched us. And Kougaiji seemed normal again then, I think.

[Sanzo and the others probably explained things to Goku afterwards and they eventually put it together that Ukoku was probably behind it, maybe, but honestly they never had all the information either. Everyone needs to come together to compare shitty crow notes and agree "fuck that guy".]

... People's heads are definitely gettin' messed with. You and Hakkai both forgot stuff and Gojyo... He's forgotten nearly everythin'.

[medicinemaster]

He has? It must be so painful for them.

[Poor Dokugakuji. Poor Gojyo. Yaone doesn't pry into her best friend's business but it's easy to see how that could be a painful situation for everyone involved. To not remember things one should is so troubling. Had Yaone been hearing this information from any other member of the Sanzo Party, she might have doubted its validity and mistrusted it. However, Goku's always struck her as the most innocent one of them all. Would he really have the guile to come up with such a complicated lie on his own? She doubts it.

She hesitates before speaking, sounding deeply troubled by this revelation.]

No. No, I do not remember finding you and Lord Kougaiji. Nor do I remember this fight or the prince's demeanor changing.

[That apparently it did gives her a reflexive flicker of optimism. Lord Kougaiji hasn't been himself at all lately.]