39 - Where Do We Stand?

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Help the Heavens investigate what remains of the cult and their compound
When: May 2
Where: A converted farm on the rural edge of the Tokyo metro area
Summary: Characters can discuss what they know about the cult, choose how much or how little they tell the Heavens' representative Suijin, and help make decisions about where to go from here.






This place was once a farm, then rebuilt into a compound with a big central building, heavy concrete walls and plenty of outdoor spaces for ritual magic. Now, the rooftop has caved in, and the main floor has collapsed as well, leaving a basement open to the skies above. All around, police tape from a local Near Shore department has quarantined off the area. Amaterasu's shinki, in cooperation with those from Suijin, Fuujin, and Raijin have managed to take shifts warning miscreants and the police away from the area, but left the tape to help with those efforts. Just beyond the tape, they've now put up Borderlines to safely guard against ayakashi for the duration of this meeting, but they're pretty far out of earshot and very focused.

Letter of Invitation

Everyone should have seen the digital letter that Amaterasu sent out, but just in case, later that day each temple receives a single letter, with a wax seal on it with Amaterasu's chrysanthemum as the emblem. It is a reproduction of the same digital letter that Amaterasu crafted the day before; it's not printed out, but rather handwritten with painstaking accuracy. The shinki could be from Amaterasu, Suijin, Raijin, or Fuujin, and they will not force anyone to take the letter, in particular if they're told that the god/dess already saw the message on their phone earlier.

Early Arrival

There's a set time that Suijin will arrive - Noon - but as everyone is encouraged to come early, it is possible you are one of the first or last to arrive among the "early" crowd. How did you get there? Was it by stealth or impossible to miss, even by any Near Shore people in the area?

Topics of Discussion

Now is your chance to discuss with your fellows what you know, don't know, wish you knew, etc. about the cult or their compound. Do your characters think they are still being spied on by Heavens and want to hold back, or are they reasonably confident speaking out with the protecting shinki so far away? At the very least, none of the shinki are making very obvious attempts to return to the compound itself. For the very paranoid, there are little alcoves out of visual range or a small room that still has a door on it, albeit not a ceiling.

Suijin's Arrival

Suijin arrives at the appointed time, stepping onto the compound's front drive and under the police tape at precisely Noon. She comes in the capacity of official counselor for Amaterasu. OOCly, this thread will be free-form individual threading.

After her arrival, we will have mirrored top-level comments with Suijin supplying a piece of information as a jumping off point for discussions about each topic. From that point, it will be individual threading, or multi-character threads if you would like. All of these threads will still be addressed to the group at large, loud enough for them to hear and jump in if players would like.

Redacted April 7th via OOC post: We will run this similar to how we ran the Compound's Second Fight: there will be an opportunity for Suijin and/or her shinki to speak, then characters will be given free reign to respond to her and amongst themselves for a period of time. Then, another "round" will begin with Suijin and/or her shinki's responses to the characters. This structure allows for characters to still react with late comments or reactions to anything being said, or jump in whenever they feel comfortable speaking up.

In Summary:

• Talk amongst yourselves before Suijin arrives
• Check out the damage inflicted on the Compound
• Discuss next steps with Suijin, if you would like
• Have fun~

Comments

Questions?

[godsoffortune]

Please ask here if you have a question related to this event!

Unfinished Plot Threads?

[godsoffortune]

If you have a plot-relevant thread from prior to this event - which directly impacts what your character may discuss here - that you would like continued, wrapped, or summarized, please link it here and we will discuss the best way to get the information you desire!

[onedrinkwithme]

I'm unsure how to classify this but when Aymeric and Emi did complete their Mission 2 objective, we chose to handwave about dealing with the ayakashi but never got a summary for what would have happened. The thread is here confirming the handwave and the link to the original is further up.

Since Aymeric is starting the discussion with the arrival topic, I wanted to be sure we had gotten everything before going so deep.

[futhark]

I've wrote a general description of what was discussed before about Votelli taking shelter in what was left of Dagda's forest (now Caster's) on the Far Shore, and also what would my character tell after some plot events. Due to the players shuffle behind her, I am not certain which of the points are actually approved and to be considered "yes this how it went" and which might have happened differently. I don't even know if she is still taking that shelter, or maybe if she decided to leave the Heaven's entirely.

So I guess I'd like some kind of confirmation in that OOC inbox if there is some changes to be made to the write-up, some new things the player behind would like to discuss, or if everything is okay, then confirmation that this is okay, and is a base to form any information shared here on.

Topic: What are the motives of the cult? What are they trying to achieve?

[godsoffortune]

OTA - threadjacking welcome

[unlucky7]

"While I was investigating Mitsui Ryou, after socializing with him a few times, he was quick to try to recruit me for what he called a new religion. He wasn't able to give a name to the religion, but he was clear about the religion's goal: to dethrone the old gods and put gods that would care into power. He said gods were jealous of competition and spoke favorably of the new gods."

Ginia pauses, phone tapping against her chin before she resumes typing, a new addition to her message played.

"Given their attacks against our shrines and now the dolls, I would say we're considered part of the old gods rather than the new."

ota

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun doesn't have too much to add to what's already been said, especially the part about them being considered part of the old gods. He'd noticed that from the start, and it had always seemed odd.]

Considering how long the cult has been operating, and the fact that we first encountered them behind those "down with Amaterasu" flyers that were going around in the first months after the new gods arrive, it's pretty obvious they intend to overthrow the Heavens. They've also managed to get gods under their control, so it looks like they not only want to put new gods into power, but put new gods in who take commands from the cult's higher-ups.

[First with Votelli, now with Talos - there had been a pattern of gods deferring to the orders of high-ranking cult members.] They've been treating us as part of the old gods since the start, so their focus with "new gods" seems to really be entirely new gods who haven't encountered the Heavens before at all. Probably because they're easier to try and control.

Topic: Are Votelli and Sotero connected to the cult? If so, how?

[godsoffortune]

[swordofzero]

Did anyone ever find the 'sensei' Votelli was talking about? [Suzaku has mostly been quiet, stood listening at the side looking like he hasn't slept in a while.

He hasn't. He's only here because it's important, because dealing with the cult is much simpler than dealing with what he has done. He is still surprised that Saber didn't just unname him and kick him out. He deserved it.]

Does anyone know where Votelli is? She may have more information. I fear that we may have taken out the low level members of the cult when we took this compound but their true generals escaped or were not here to begin with. We may have just sent them deeper into hiding.

Topic: Did the cult cause the new gods/shinki to arrive in The Far Shore? How? (Dolls/Crystal/Talos)

[godsoffortune]

OTA-feel free to threadjack if you wish

[onedrinkwithme]

Why the choice of the Compound being where this meeting would be held is beyond Aymeric. However, what he has is not top secret as he already has his trusty satchel with paperwork he gathered so he feels free to ask anyone around:

"Asking if anyone has been curious about our arrival to this realm seems redundant so I would like to inquire if there are those who have been looking into the matter. It matters not where as long as there is a connection you feel that needs be discussed."

He's got info as well but it doesn't hurt to open the floor to let others have a say.

[priforprince]

[ There is a small purple goat toy parked next to conversations on this topic. It is keeping to itself, not being a nuisance or maaa-nything like that.

But it is in earshot. Just so you know. ]

Topic: Have the cult done anything to dropped characters, as suggested by Dolls/etc.?

[godsoffortune]

OTA - threadjacking welcome

[unlucky7]

It's a bit eerie being back at the compound a month later, surveying the wreck of the building that once stood there. Ginia stares down into the basement, now a little too still and empty feeling.

"After the fight in the compound, there was an attempt to retrieve my doll." Ginia types and plays through her phone, turning up the volume up for anyone in the area to hear. "While there was no problem with picking it up, the moment the doll was moved out of the glow of the crystal, I felt intense pain all over my body that only worsened. Ebisu saw my vessel form disappear. When the doll was moved back, the pain stopped. I can't say what it means for anyone who has disappeared, but the dolls are trouble for anyone still here."

She looks back at where the altar and crystal once were and scowls.

"So does anyone know where the hell the crystal and dolls are now?"

Topic: Have any residents of the Heavens colluded with the cult? Who?

[godsoffortune]

[swordofzero]

How do the cult have so much information on us? How do they know who has arrived and who has disappeared?

[Does Suzaku actually have any information? No he does not but he does have questions. It feels strange that it's been a month since they took this place. But this has been a question he's had for a while. How did they make the dolls? How do they have so much information on the gods brought here?]

Is it possible they have someone in the administration of heaven? Someone who knows about us and is passing on information?

[revolutionfalcon]

There's definitely a traitor of some kind in the Heavens, probably among the old gods or shinki. That was obvious as soon as those two fires in the cherry blossom grove and at Amaterasu's temple happened - someone couldn't just get in and do that without someone on the inside. [And the first one, at least, had been far too early for any of the new gods to have the kind of influence or power necessary to cover the setup and escape.]

Amaterasu refuses to look within her own circle, though. She claims it can't be any of her shinki because she hasn't been stung, but she seems to be forgetting that if whoever's doing it doesn't think it's wrong, it wouldn't be stinging her anyway.

Suijin's Arrival

[sweetspringwater]

[ At the appointed time, Suijin arrives in a flash with one of her shinki in tow - for those who know him, commonly called Sunanaga. They arrived on the Near Shore via one of her shrines, then teleported to the walkway up to the compound. She walks slowly, her shinki lifting up the police tape for her.

She looks toward one of the outdoor spaces meant for magic, where Sunanaga separates from her briefly. Suijin steps within a few yards of what used to be the staircase down to the basement. ]

Well... Who wants to start? We obviously have so much to discuss.

[ Sunanaga retrieves a bench and places it nearby, where Suijin walks to sit on it. ]

[abgrund]

[ Considering that he hasn't spoken to Suijin yet, Ain opts for a more neutral stance. However, he'll cut straight to the point. ]

Do you have any information for us regarding the dolls and the crystals?

[defensivematrix]

[ They're probably expected to share information. But what when you have none? You ask questions. Satya takes a step forward and nods with respect (not too much, her loyalty is above all to her own god). ]

Lady Suijin. Is there a confirmed timeline since when the interference of these mortals started? Many of us have not been here for long enough to witness these with our own eyes.

[ That's a lot of words towards someone standing so high above them all. The next sentence she says with utmost conviction ]

I do believe that protecting order is necessary. [ At any cost really. What a curious thing to learn about yourself. ] But I also believe being used as a weapon against humans not ayakashi require a bit more of context. To better understand the necessity of such action.

[ To not have doubt and dangerous questions breed too. For some of them, those who used to be humans in life, that could be very dangerous indeed. ]

Early Arrival

[yasei]

[ Obi snuck inside Very Early, in search of a good place to sit and listen. In search of good places to be by himself yet keep up with what is being said.

Other early attendees might spot him agilely slipping out of some shadows, or, for that matter, into them. High perches, and all that. As long as it's not the old gods or people hyper-loyal to them, it doesn't matter as much. ]

Early Arrival

[smilingbullet]

[ D2 is not snaking in or anything. He's just there casually. He's there mid-early on, not among the first, not among the last.

And he brought a basket of food, because of course. It's a mixed bag of simple picnic-y foods. Because this is a picnic right?

But distractedly, he wanders through the compounds taking in all the signs of the battle during the 1st. (Which was a great way to spend his birthday only in his book.) ]

Early Arrival

[priforprince]

[ This compound has gone from having a cult infestation to a goat infestation. Indeed, there is a certain poetic justice: the farm reclaims its own.

Except these particular goats are fancy and purple and artificial. They very subtly position themselves anywhere it looks like people might start having a conversation, and then just. wait. Fortunately, they know all the good nooks and crannies, having formerly EXPLORED THE ENTIRE AREA. Now they may INFILTRATE ALL CONVERSATIONS without worries about needing a maa-p.

Outside, a few streets away, more goats (these ones with trays atop which various exotic and aesthetically-pleasing potted plants have been placed) have been parked around a bench. The bench itself is kitted out with a crown-shaped pillow, and lounging upon the pillow with one leg up is

well, honestly, if it were anyone but Shikyoin Hibiki sprawled on a crown pillow watching something on her tablet while surrounded by goat robots bearing opulent potted plants for Ambiance, it might be more noteworthy. But rejoice! You are in the presence of greatness.

Greatness looks bored. ]

[myblueskies]

[Romeo is at the meeting too! He doesn't have any information at all to share but he does want to learn more about these bad cultists and how to stop them hurting all his friends in the heaven! It's very important.

He spots the plant goats and stops to say hello! He knows what all these goats mean and in a few moments Hibiki will have her peace well and truly shattered.] Hello Miss Hibiki! Are you here for the meeting too!

Suijin Top Levels

[sweetspringwater]

Topic: History/Summary/Cult Motives/Past Events

[sweetspringwater]

[ Suijin rises from her seat to address all assembled ]

To begin, for those who may not be aware...

This group - the one we originally knew only as Down With Amaterasu [1] - has since been attributed to numerous sprawling attempts to infiltrate The Far Shore or otherwise destroy its residents. They have been linked to generically known "cult" activity recruitment efforts, taught them how to become spellcasters, and see all Gods or Shinki as their enemies. Their oldest known cover was through the Fujisaki company, which interrupted a picnic [2] of ours just over a year ago. From deathly chocolate creatures [2] to demon-summoning [3], to us this group appeared so scattered in their approach that we could not believe they were all backed by the same core leadership structure.

However, the sheer volume of spell tags provided to us [4, 5] by the new gods and shinki - I am to read their names in just a moment - from the forest [6], alongside the proficient volume of spellcasting discovered at this Compound [7], leads us to believe otherwise. The people here were all of a much different skill-level than the prankish behavior of animating small chocolate creatures and their calligraphy immaculately practiced. The ones called... Metis... Ginia... Nanshe... Cú Chulainn... have supplied the information that most relates to our research here at the Compound, as we have found similar styles of spells being used everywhere around this place. Harnessing an ayakashi as large as the one discovered here without a Vent anywhere nearby is no small feat for a human.

We must conclude that they are planning an uprising against the Heavens, and that unfortunately this Compound was not their only stronghold. The exemplar Chikusa, the god of Fortune Nekhbet, and the gods Forseti and Averruncus... they have demonstrated to us the sheer breadth of their reach [4, 5] and that was echoed here, where phonecalls were made out of the Compound just as the attack here began.

OOC - Events Referenced:	IC - Dates:	Link(s)
1) "Down with Amaterasu":	April 25th 2016	008 | Sakura 2.0: You Can (Not) Have A Picnic
2) Interrupted Picnic & Chocolate, later known to have come from Fujisaki Company:	March 15th 2016	004 | Too Much Chocolate
3) Demon-summonging:	May 5-6-2016	009 | Where Your Demons Hide
4) Information shared with Amaterasu and her shinki in advance of a private meeting:	February 1 - March 8th 2017	OOCly Handwaved
5) Private Meeting with Amaterasu:	March 8th 2017	Interlude: Meeting with Amaterasu
6) The Forest:	Nov 14th 2016	28 - The Hungry Forest and 28 - The Hungry Forest (Final Battle)
7) Cultist's Compound:	April 1st 2017	37 - A Call To Arms

early "arrival"

[hexahedron]

[Despite actually getting an invitation, there's no sign of Add at the meeting... but, of course, it would be wasteful to pass up an opportunity to get free information. He's not going to grace the Heavens with his presence today, but he is going to send his loyal cube companion to keep an eye on things and maybe hover suspiciously close to any private conversations containing interesting keywords.

Apocalypse is trying its best not to intrude, but if it does sense it's drawn too much attention to itself it'll activate the ultimate defense: a disarmingly cute cat face and a cheery purple message projected onto a small holoscreen.]

HELLO! MY NAME IS APOCALYPSE.
I AM HERE FOR THE MEETING WITH COUNSELLOR SUIJIN AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF MY MASTER.
IT IS NICE TO MEET YOU!

[myblueskies]

[What is this? Tiny purple cube? Was this one of miss Hibiki's creature's too? It didn't look like a goat but it didn't look like any of grumpy books minions either.

Was there someone else?

Oh it has a cat face! Romeo grins and bends down to read the message.] Hello Apocalypse! I'm Romeo! I'm here for the meeting too! Who's your master?