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

[artificialrose]

A - Tempering the Vessel

At first, an interview doesn't sound so bad. Maybe the older generation is taking an interest in all of them, and might become a little closer as a result. Yet once he gets an ear of the questions... Garry answers all of them politely, of course, but he leaves the room with a sense of unease and a frown on his face to match. Making a decision doesn't take long, and he goes to whatever shinki isn't waiting for their own turn.

"Hello, pardon me- I'm sorry if you were busy. But I was just... What do you think about all of that?"

B - Shinki Training

Well, besides talking about it, it doesn't seem like there's really anything he can do in the immediately aftermath besides carry on as he usually has. Dressed in the usual sweatpants and tee-shirt that he won't miss if they get messed up, Garry goes to immediately find a staff and set to practicing himself. He's diligent and seems to have a good grasp of the basics, clearly taught by a good teacher.

A teacher that's no longer around... but that doesn't mean people have to be left on their own. If Garry sees anyone that's struggling or hesitating to get into things, he's more than happy to approach with a soft smile.

"Need help? Or a partner, even? I can't promise I'll be the best, but I think I'm alright enough."

C - Physical Training

Sparring with other shinki had been a brief relief from the troubling thoughts he's had. Now, however, they're all back in full force as he watches the spars of gods vs gods, shinki in tow. Every few minutes, Garry looks around for where Komaeda might be. His god isn't suited for physical combat like this. He'll have to make sure that he can keep Komaeda away...

For anyone watching alongside him, Garry doesn't bother to put on a reassuring smile. He wears his worry on his face as he asks, "Do you think you'll go and try fighting?"

A

[wildguardian]

"Me? Why, obviously they're trying to get to know us a little better! And past time if you ask me."

His head had been down, shoulders tense, jaw clenched on the lollipop stick between his teeth the moment before Garry addressed him, but as he looks up, he opens like a flower into the picture of warm, sunny sincerity.

It's obvious he's lying, and that's deliberate. The other guy seems to have about the opinion he does of all of those questions -- how can you fight, how well do you fight, who would you fight? They might as well say right up front that they're auditioning for allies in battle. Allies willing to be turned against the right targets. He wonders what they're asking the Gods: that's a question to run by Shen Wei and Bakugou, later, in private.

Criticizing them, too, can wait until they're not just outside the interview room. Zhao shifts his lollipop to his cheek, out of his way, and inclines his head in the direction of the door.

"Kinda stuffy in here," he adds, still grinning like a man without a care in the world. "Want to step outside to chat?"

[artificialrose]

Very blatantly lying, and Garry can read that kind of message loud and clear. Garry can't quite do that kind of thing well himself, but he still manages a slight enough smile along with his nod. "That would be nice. There wasn't much space in that interview room." Or maybe that's just how he felt. It makes a good enough excuse anyway as he walks alongside the other man. It'll be interesting to hear exactly what he has to say; it's not like everyone in the Far Shore has been nearly as subtle on what their opinions are.

Maybe it'll be good to hear them, for once. Garry has been trying to keep out of a lot of things, focused on his own home and god as he has been. Still... He wonders if that's going to be something he can continue to do, when they're being interviewed in this manner.

[wildguardian]

"There really wasn't," Zhao agrees, setting an unhurried pace. It's not far to the outer doors. "And no snacks! Not even tea. Zhao Yunlan, by the way, I work with Mars -- the guy who lives in that big, round Roman ruin back thataway."

His gesture is vaguely directed enough to cover everything to the west of the meeting hall.

"Who's your god?" He toes open the heavy door, holding it with a foot for Garry as he crunches the last bit of pineapple-flavored sugar off his lollipop stick and looks around for a can to drop the stick in. There's not one. He flicks it into the shrubbery instead.

[artificialrose]

That sure is the entire west of Heaven. Still, Garry thinks he kind of gets it. After all, him and Komaeda live around that area too. So do most gods, Garry has noticed, with a few startling exceptions such as Hakkai and a few other gods. "Oh- Averruncus, I suppose is the proper way to introduce him." At lest, by Heaven's standards... and Garry has a suspicion that Heaven's standards are going to be more and more pressing as time passes.

Before he can explain much more on that, they're outside, and a lollipop stick is in the shrubs. Passing Zhao an exasperated look, Garry goes over to fish it out. "There's no need to litter, you know..." No matter how much they might all be stressed or annoyed with the events that are starting this day.

[wildguardian]

"Averwhosit?" That sure is a name. He wrinkles his nose, consulting his memory, which throws up a vague hint from his recent dive into Roman religion. "Wait-- he's Roman, right? Bad-luck god?"

Or something like that. There hadn't been much more than a paragraph, lost in the middle of dozens of minor deities, but Yunlan has a solid memory for detail. It makes up for his general dislike of research.

"--And those folk in white can clean up just fine without your help," he adds, eyes narrowing. He's not in the mood to do Amaterasu's shinki any favors.

C

[holygrailed]

Irisviel's expression is a little more neutral. Observant, calm, but worry shows in her eyes, in the tightness of her hands. Gods fighting gods with their shinki, it's not such an unusual concept. Mythology shows well enough how often gods fought.

Yet the focus today, the line of questioning, it's all adding up to something worrying. She looks aside at Garry when he asks his question.

"If my god wishes, yes."

Though what does Berserker wish for? For as fierce as he can be in battle, he does not seek to fight either.

[artificialrose]

So it's that kind of situation... Well, Garry can understand that. Still uneasy himself, he shifts in place. "I don't think mine would care much for it... and I'm not sure it would work out for anyone at all." Komaeda's luck can be extremely bizarre, after all. Who knows what would happen in a fight against another person like this.

"They're... really gearing up for a fight, aren't they?" It's what it's felt like, ever since that interview.

[holygrailed]

Irisviel herself does not want to fight, but in service, she will do all she can to protect Berserker, her friends. Training is important and she would not object to sparring, but the intention of these seem far more than friendly bouts. Too pointed, too showy, too much to prove.

"I agree. But who is the enemy? Do so many need to fight? Not everyone is meant to fight or should fight."

[artificialrose]

"I suppose.. the enemy would have to be that cult, wouldn't it?" They're the only ones he can think of. But surely this much... Is it necessary? he really does wonder. But he has to agree with her on her other point.

"If they think we're going to be fighting so horrible an enemy... Then it would only make sense if first aid was taught, too, wasn't it? Or things like that."

[holygrailed]

"Yes, I suppose, but are so many needed then?" Like Garry, she agrees it seems too much. It's too much force to move against humans. Should they even move against humans in such a way?

Irisviel glances around the training ground, looking for any healers or even a set up for medical attention. There's none around. Her brows knit a little, mouth thinning.

"I have noticed a lack of first aid at these training sessions, or even in general. I have healing abilities myself, but I imagine that is not the case for everyone. It shows where their priorities lie if they focus on fighting above all else."

B

[myblueskies]

"Oh you fight with a staff!" Romeo knows what that weapon is! He has a spear in his hands, smaller than perhaps an average spear but he is smaller than the average fighter.

"Do you want to practice with me? I'm just learning too so it's okay if you aren't the best, we can just try really hard together!"

It was the best way to learn after all!

[artificialrose]

When it comes down to it, spears and staves aren't that different. One simply has an end that its wielder has to be much more careful about... which is why Garry is so concerned that a young boy is using it, admittedly. He manages to do an admirable job of keeping the worry off of his face, and nods to Romeo with a smile.

"Then we'll both do our best. How long have you been using a spear?"

[myblueskies]

"Um... A bit. Mister D2 has been teaching me since..." Time is hard for a child who has very little concept of time. But he thinks hard- it was before Valentines day and before the New Year and before Christmas. So a long time really but he still had a lot of practising to do!

"It was the training we had that was before Christmas time and before the year changed round that I started learning!]

[artificialrose]

"I see!" It's kind of endearing how he takes a second to figure out the amount of time. How much has he gone to school, if at all? That really is the worrying thing about the Far Shore.

"Then, it sounds like he's probably taught you some pretty good basics, right?"

[myblueskies]

"He has! He made sure I did the same thing over and over and over again until I got it just right!" Spear training sure is hard work! It's fun though and Romeo likes practising.

"How long have you been learning the spear sir?"

C

[nonsenseprince]

The worry on his face is what gets Izuku's attention, and it's what he's watching when Garry addresses him. He'd come to stand near him, having met him a few times before and wanting some familiarity in the crowd. He shakes his head in response to the question.

"Not unless Bakugou decides we're going to. He'll let me know."

He pauses, at the end, and tilts his head a little bit. "Are you okay?"

[artificialrose]

"Oh, well..." Crossing his arms, Garry rolls his shoulders a little awkwardly. So it's that obvious, is it? Well, it's not as if he's a very stoic person. Garry is fairly certain that it's the obvious.

"Things have just changed from how they've been the last few times they've hosted this training get together. They're asking all those questions, and now having us practice against real people in this manner... I suppose it's bothering me."

[nonsenseprince]

Izuku looks back at the people training. "... I think it's not going to work how they want it to, if they're trying to pit us against each other."

He doesn't seem to have any problem talking about this out loud. Bakugou always carries himself with confidence; if Garry's apprehensive about this whole thing, Izuku should try to do the same, right?

[artificialrose]

"Ha." That has his expression ease up into a brief smile. "No, I suppose it wouldn't." From what he can tell of other shinki like him, and gods in the same line as Komaeda, they'd all immediately group together instead of fighting. Hopefully that's not just him being needlessly optimistic.

"Still, they're also taking part in these sparring sessions, aren't they? That's rare. I didn't think other old gods really came to these sort of things often."

[nonsenseprince]

"I think that's the most dangerous part of all of it." Izuku raises his hand, and he's got a notebook tucked under his arm. "I'm taking notes, myself. But if I am, they can be, too..."

He looks up at Garry and gives him a smile, though. "But I think it'll be okay. Whatever they're doing, we've got power, too. And we have the chance to learn what some of them can do."

A

[junkyarddog]

"It was stupid, byon." Ken looks as surly about it as Garry looks unsettled. "What kind of dumb questions were those, anyway?"

[artificialrose]

Well, that's about the normal response for a teenage boy, and Garry smiles ever so faintly at it. "Yes, I suppose it was," he agrees. At least, it wasn't exactly offered to them all in the smartest way. A little more explanation would have done a lot, he thinks.

"And... It feels like they were trying to figure out how strong we all were. Or, how strong we were for our gods." Garry himself hadn't had too much information on that front. After all, he'd much rather keep Komaeda out of active fighting, especially considering how taxing that one fight during Oban was.

[junkyarddog]

"Well, I didn't tell 'em anything, byon." Ken sniffs disdainfully. "I don't trust 'em."

[artificialrose]

"Oh dear." He can only imagine how that conversation went. Garry sighs softly. "You didn't give them too much trouble, did you?"