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

[letteropener]

While I agree, they do not see it that way. We are gods and shinki of the Far Shore, and thus obligated to behave as such. [Celestia lets out a brief sigh for effect; it's quite small compared to her true feelings on the matter, and how she'd express them if she were really cutting loose.] This is a challenge to how they have behaved for a very long time, and they are not prepared to adapt to it.

[medicinemaster]

Then they are foolish and unreasonable. I have little desire to follow leadership like that.

[Lord Kougaiji, for all of his flaws, is an exception. While the prince can be stubborn and naive, he is genuinely kind and concerned with the welfare of those who work under him. Besides, he'd rescued her from a terrible fate; that alone would soften Yaone's resistance to his rule. The Heavens have done nothing to prove themselves worthy of her service or support; in fact, they've done quite the opposite.

Yaone keeps her voice carefully low so as not to be heard by any of the old gods in the vicinity.]

However, I have little interest in seeing them collapse either.

[She's not a malicious or destructive person by nature, not unless she's severely provoked into taking matters into her own hands.]

[letteropener]

Perhaps, but -- if I may make a comparison, imagine just now your shoulder started to itch. Would it not take a few seconds for you to decide you needed to scratch it? To the old gods, this is much the same. All this happened a terribly, terribly short time ago.

Of course, they should never have allowed their perceptions of time to become so shifted in the first place. [Gentle as she is, on this point Celestia speaks with absolute authority. She is qualified to chastise if anypony is.]

[medicinemaster]

[Yaone listens, expression deeply thoughtful.]

My people can live for a very long time as well.

[She and Dokugakuji might be very young in comparison to others of their race but their lord is hundreds of years old as are others. While she will not claim that youkai are a perfect or peaceful race and she may follow leaders uniting them against humans, they have not lost their perception of time. It might even be that quality that contributes to why so many youkai are eager for dominate humans in their world. Perhaps it's difficult for many of her people to view such a physically weak, short-lived, powerless race as their equals.

While Yaone might technically fight for the same leaders they do, she doesn't share their same views. She fights for Lord Kougaiji, the man who saved her from certain destruction and gave her a place by his side where a youkai of low status and limited social connections like herself couldn't be preyed upon anymore.]

I can see how their awareness of how time passes could skew the decisions they make and how that might affect the perceptions of those that view it from a very different angle.

[There's a brief hesitation before she continues.]

It would seem this situation is much more complicated than I first thought.

[letteropener]

Much more so than many give it credit for.

[Not that she faults the others here for being so quick to react judgmentally. Most don't have the perspective of centuries to bring to bear on the gods' attitudes. And even if they did, they're not all the wrong for being judgmental. The old gods never should have allowed their perspectives to lapse into such a long-term view, distant from day-to-day concerns.]

Nevertheless, whether or not they react swiftly, it is reality and we must address it.

[medicinemaster]

I am afraid that I do not possess enough knowledge yet to come up with a solution.

[It's understandable, really, considering this is Yaone's first day. Even so, her natural inclination is to see that somehow as a failing on her part. This is just how she is - a tendency to somehow expect too much of herself while being painfully aware of her own flaws. Back home, she took on a role of taskmaster within Lord Kougaiji's group, bringing up suggestions and plans. However, she cannot to do that here when she knows so little about the situation she's in.

For a moment, Yaone looks vulnerable and completely lost. Without the prince to lead her, Dokugakuji to support her just now, or Lady Lirin to care for, just what is she to do? It's been years since she's been outside her lord's reach for this long.]

[letteropener]

Oh, having a solution is quite different from addressing it! In fact, acknowledging that you do not know enough is an excellent way to address something -- much better than refusing to admit that and plunging off on some ill-conceived adventure that has no real hope of fixing things.

[Celestia, of course, takes the long view. The long and comforting view, for that matter, since the poor mare seems to need some reassurance at the moment. So far she seems to have a good grasp on things and the sense not to try to just Make It All Better, and those are good traits to have.]

[medicinemaster]

I prefer to gather information and think everything through before committing to a course of action. Of course, there are times when one must act immediately and smooth over what one can in the aftermath.

[Yaone's made some hasty decisions, usually when her reasoning has been too clouded by emotion to assess a situation rationally. She's improved with age and experience but still, she slips in critical moments. She is still quite young.]

In this place, I fear that would cause far more harm than good, if I tried to interfere in any way. The particulars of this situation are beyond my understanding aand knowledge.

[letteropener]

[Celestia nods her agreement. Yaone has a proper intellectual understanding, at least, of how best to proceed, and the necessity of balancing wise action with quick. Nopony is perfect in execution, not even Celestia herself after all this time.]

For the moment, perhaps. My own personal estimation is that much needs to change here, but I have indeed had the time to reflect and comprehend. You may find yourself disagreeing as you gain more experience, though I think understanding and knowledge will come swiftly, and well within your capability to grasp.

[medicinemaster]

[She's always good at understanding matters on an intellectual level. On an emotional or practical level - maybe not so much.]

Perhaps so.

[Presently, Yaone's more concerned with ensuring hers and Dokugakuji's survival long enough to find a way back home. They had left unfinished business behind. As long as they were trapped here, they could not stand by Lord Kougaiji's side and those conditions are simply intolerable to Yaone.]

I will gather what information and experience that I can before making a decision. If my hand is forced, I will do what I must but no more than that.

[At least, that is a promise Yaone can easily make and keep.]

[letteropener]

And if you need help during any of that, you may call on me. [Something Celestia finds terribly consistent is how arrivals often do not think in terms of friendship or even alliance. Their disinclination to trust speaks poorly of their worlds, or at least their lives. It's a shame.]

[medicinemaster]

[Yaone's a little more sociable and outgoing, albeit in a quiet, gentler kind of way. Friendship and family are both things she values deeply. Outside of unusual and extreme circumstances, it's not in her nature to turn aside friends.]

Thank you, miss. Oh! I do not believe I caught your name. My name is Yaone.

[Yaone had gotten so into their talk that she'd completely forgotten to introduce herself!]

[letteropener]

My name is Princess Celestia, and it's very nice to meet you, Yaone. [Celestia's smile is as serene and radiant as ever, but utterly genuine. At heart, she simply likes people. Meeting new ones is always welcome.]

[medicinemaster]

[Yaone's always liked people, too. While she may not care much for those who carelessly and thoughtlessly endanger innocents and can be quite harsh in specific situations, she enjoys meeting new people and getting to know them better.]

It is a pleasure to meet you, too, Miss Celestia.

[Yaone means no disrespect, of course, but Celestia's no more her lady than Amaterasu is. There's only one person she refers to as royalty and that's her lord.]

I am afraid that I should get back to my shinki, however. I hope that we will have a chance to speak again sometime.

[letteropener]

Of course we shall. [That isn't necessarily a promise Celestia can keep -- either she or Yaone might disappear at a moment's notice. But it's one she intends to keep so long as doing so is within her power.] I wish you the very best, and if you need anything, you need merely ask. The message system on the phones insists on my god name, Inti.

[medicinemaster]

I will keep that in mind. The name that Heaven insists upon for me is He Xiangu.

[As much as Yaone dislikes having to give it, the situation is what it is. And she, too, is sincere about getting in touch with Celestia on another day. The pony has been very lovely company, indeed.]

I look forward to speaking with you again, Miss Celestia.

[letteropener]

Just Celestia is quite fine. And I'll look forward to seeing you again as well.

[Yaone seems like she'll need some help. Celestia, on initial assessment, takes her for someone who puts up a calm outer face no matter her troubles. That can be dangerous!]

[medicinemaster]

Very well, Celestia.

[Tacking on titles is her habit and it feels a little strange not using one but Yaone's will gladly comply.]

I shall see you around then! Until then, please take care.

[letteropener]

[Inclining her head graciously, Celestia at last returns to making her long-interrupted way through the gathering. She could definitely go for some food herself!]