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

[swordofzero]

I don't mind either way. I can fight unarmed as well as with weapons. [He was slightly better at unarmed fighting but he had found himself with a working knowledge of almost all the weapons he has picked up so far.]

Is there anything you prefer to practice against?

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

... I have no preference. I must temper my abilities against foes of all varieties.

[swordofzero]

Of course. [He nodded and made no move to get a weapon. If she had no preference he would fight unarmed. As he doesn't actually own a weapon fighting without one will be what he will have to rely on if when he ends up in a fight outside of training.

He moves into a fighting stance, ready but making no move yet. Watching to see what she might do.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[She's actually surprised, but... if he wants to do it this way, she'll save her objections for whether or not she feels tested enough.]

Hand to hand? Very well.

[She flies at him with inhuman speed, throwing a punch strong enough to shatter stone and crater the ground.]

[swordofzero]

[Luckily Suzaku has been watching her long enough to have some idea of her speed. So he is ready and the moment she moves so does he.

He's fast too. He's clearly only human but he is a fast one. Luckily. Speed is what he needs. He is no where near her strength that is for sure. He rolls to the side and then darts forward, aiming a sweeping kick at her legs.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[His speed is surprising. And flying so low to the ground, her legs are vulnerable to a leg sweep. Dark Precure ends up hitting the ground, her punch impacting with it as well and sending up a spray of dirt and debris, in both her face and Suzaku's.

In any case, her reflexes are quick, and she quickly flows into a sweeping kick of her own, the sharp heels of her boot aimed at the young man's face.]

[swordofzero]

[He moves again, jumping backwards this time, gravity seemed to effect those from the heavens less than humans, Suzaku was not a god, he could not fly but he could jump far and high.

Still it had been close, she was fast.] Line! [It's a cutting borderline. Not at his full strength, he doesn't actually want to hurt her. Technically it's probably not right to use them in a fist fight, but she can fly and punch through concrete, he needs all the advantage he can get.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[His speed is surprising to her. He doesn't appear to be superhuman, but yet, he's able to avoid her. Dark Precure is impressed enough to take him seriously.

But for now, she focuses on evasion. She rolls out of the way, and cuts her own borderline, swiping her hand through the air and sending a series of two slicing towards Suzaku.]

[swordofzero]

Line! [A barrier line sprang up between him and the two lines that were heading towards him, they shattered off it. Quickly without hesitation he dropped the shield and threw out another borderline towards her, silently this time. He runs after the line, ready to kick out at her again if she rolled away.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Dark Precure doesn't counter the borderline; instead she ends up tanking it, letting it hit her. So, when he gets in close, she ends up reaching to grab a hold of him, upon which she'll try to throw him to the ground.]

[swordofzero]

[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.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[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.]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku twists, trying to avoid the headlock, and being pushed over. It soon becomes apparent he cannot avoid her hold on him without relinquishing his hold on her and so he lets go, kicking out with his legs to try and throw her off him.

If he is successful he will be able to get back on his feet.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Kicking Dark Precure would feel like kicking a wall, and while she does let out an off, she does everything she can to hold onto Suzaku for dear life.]

Yield!

[ooc - Let me know if this tag is too much. If so, I'll edit it accordingly!]

[swordofzero]

[Pain reverberated through his leg yet Suzaku only gritted his teeth against it. She was unmovable though and he was still not free. He had to think of another way.

He met her eyes and shook his head silently. This fight was not yet over, he wouldn't yield. But he had to find a different way to get out of this, direct force was not going to work.

He twisted, trying to roll backwards regardless, trying to slip out of her hold.

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Suzaku may not be as powerful as she is, but he's slippery, and he manages to slip from her grasp. Dark Precure reacts quickly, however, gritting her teeth and lunging forward on her knees, throwing a punch at him.]

[swordofzero]

[He doesn't even manage to find his feet before she is throwing another punch at him, causing him to dive to the side in another roll. He scrambles back to a crouch before he dives forward again, reaching out to try and grab her shoulders, punching was clearly not going to be enough but maybe he could put her into a hold.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[He's getting in close quarters with her again? Dark Precure smirks, pushing against his attempt to grab her while punching upwards. Not as hard as she could, certainly, but it's a solid, straight punch directed at his gut.]

[swordofzero]

[He pushes back against her push, hands grappling for purchase on her shoulders. The punch hits him and he flies backwards, pain flooding through him. He lands and manages to turn it into a slightly clumsy roll. He is breathing hard, feeling sick but his face is determined. He brings his hand up to form a borderline between them. To give him a moment to get his breath back.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Dark Precure... simply stands, and does not swoop in for a new attack, leaving the borderline unchallenged. She simply stands there, glaring at him.

She imagines Tsubasa would be displeased with her if she pressed this further.]

Are you sure you want to continue? You fight well, but the difference in strength between us is stark.

[swordofzero]

Yes. I'm fine. [The fight is hard but he isn't ready to stop. He knows he can't beat her, that much has been obvious since the first blows were exchanged but the fight is good and there is a part of him that doesn't want to stop. He can still move, he can still fight.

Even if he probably shouldn't. He drops the borderline, darting forward again to try and knock her off balance.]

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Dark Precure stares at him for a moment... before her eyes glow, and projecting a wave of force meant to first knock Suzaku down, and then hold him to the ground and immobilize him. She holds back, so the invisible fields she's creating aren't enough to crush him, but they are instantaneous.]

You are not fine. That last hit was too strong. I wish do not suffer further consequences by harming you further. We have both gotten as much as we can from this battle.

[swordofzero]

[It did exactly what it intended, knocking Suzaku off his feet and them immobilising him, he struggled to no avail, not able to get up or even kick out.

His eyes blazed for a moment, angry at himself for losing this fight. But she was right. They had gained as much as they could, he had realised that he still had a lot of work to do, if he were to be of use against such power.

He stops struggling.] I yield...

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Dark Precure nodded, and released her power.]

You did well. In the end, I learned something. Your skill is worthy of praise, for what you are capable of.

[swordofzero]

I learned a lot too. [He doesn't particularly want to be mollified, he had lost. But he is glad that she had found the spar useless, that it had been more than just crushing an unworthy opponent.] Thank you for the spar.