thenearshore | 39 - Where Do We Stand?

Entry tags:

39 - Where Do We Stand?

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

the digital letter that Amaterasu sent out

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

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~

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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

Edited 2019-04-08 20:22 (UTC)

We had hoped to find here evidence of the two rogue gods dwelling here with some sort of shrine-like temple to sustain them: the small god we learned was called Sotero and the one called Votelli by the shinki Suzaku. [1] They were deemed anathema by Heaven after they attacked us with bad luck [2], maliciously warped a forest to ensnare us [3], and even infiltrated Takamagahara to destroy a portion of it through the power of a volcano. [4] Yet... this shinki Suzaku would have us believe these are rogue gods are not acting of their own will - that they are being suborned by these humans the way they have controlled ayakashi.

In conference with my counterpart Fuujin and his new associate Orihime [5], they have advised us that a shinki can be believed to speak the truth on such matters. [ She sounds like she's almost ready to believe them. ] However, as we have not been able to locate either of these rogue gods, and no one else has come forward with additional information or sightings of them, we have no way to corroborate these claims. The enmity of Heaven remains.

OOC - Events Referenced:	IC - Dates:	Link(s)
1) Information shared with Amaterasu and her shinki in advance of a private meeting:	February 1 - March 8th 2017	OOCly Handwaved
2) Bad Luck attack:	Jan 1-3 2017	31 - First Shrine Visit
3) The Forest:	Nov 14th 2016	28 - The Hungry Forest and 28 - The Hungry Forest (Final Battle)
4) Takamagahara partially destroyed by a volcano:	Jan 14-16	32 - Blow Your Top
5) Positive Impressions of the new/gods shinki with Orihime:	since July 4th 2016	Network posts by Orihime

Edited 2019-04-08 20:21 (UTC)

Ginia glances at Suzaku and huffs quietly. Honestly... she's not even surprised. Suzaku is loyal and good to a fault and hadn't Kimi theorized someone might have told Amaterasu or her shinki about Votelli under the belief they were helping? There's a feeling of disappointment, but also the growing realization under no circumstances can he ever learn about the experiments that happened at Ebisu's temple or the fact she has an ayakashi mask in possession.

Her attention turns back to Suijin, already typing away as she waits for the goddess to finish. When there's a chance, she steps forward, head up and back straight, dressed in the unmistakable suit of Ebisu's temple. She'd sign everything if she thought Suijin would understand, hell, it's not like she couldn't pull someone in to translate for her, but damnit, she'll make herself heard.

Ginia presses play on her phone, volume turned up all the way, holding her ground as she stares down Amaterasu's retainer.

"My name is Ginia, also called Jitsumi and Hanatsu, shinki of Ebisu and Ishtar. I come forward with proof that the gods act on the will of others and that were brought forth by the will of humans.

As it is known, gods are born through belief and sustained by belief. In this system, a god can be born even of the most whimsical children's game or through the wishes and prayers of villagers in a remote mountain.

I have in my possession a letter written by the human Imai Takeru, a known high-ranking member of the cult. In this letter to an unknown high-ranking associate, he mentions his disappointment in Votelli, finding her ability to control plants a disappointment and an insult to his desire.

As he says himself, his ideals fun along the lines of rebirth, rejuvenation, proper care of the world. If one such individual was to wish a god into existence with such beliefs, is it any surprise at all then what he brought forth was a deity with the ability to control plants? What is more befitting proper care of the world, rebirth, and rejuvenation than someone who can control nature?

The letter goes on to mention a second god that might be more powerful now that they have an idea of what they were doing. In surveying the homes of multiple cultists, I found books on Shinto and household deities on a beginner's level, a silk cloth depicting Mt. Fuji erupting. I believe Sotero, with his destructive power, was brought into creation as a response. The letter also says Takeru would try again to properly educate Votelli if his counterpart had better success.

If Votelli or Sotero meant us any further harm, don't you think they would have tried again? Instead, both have been largely absent and have not caused any further problems while the cult has continued in their efforts.

Heaven is wrong to continue their pursuit of Votelli and Sotero when attention should be drawn to the known humans behind the cult."

Suzaku looks her way as her phone starts to play, listening to her share the information that she had told him earlier. About Imai Takeru and how he had found Votelli a disappointment.

Her last words though. She couldn't just tell an old god that Heaven was wrong. Even if that was what she believed. Was that what she believed?

"Ginia!"

It's all he says, he takes a step towards her but only one step. He looks utterly torn between anger and fear. Wanting to stop her, for her own sake as well as anything else. But also knowing he shouldn't interrupt.

Edited (No idea what happened with punctuation there) 2019-04-08 20:57 (UTC)

Komaeda taps a finger to his lips. "If gods are created and sustained by human belief," he remarks aloud, thoughtfully, "then I think the conclusion one could draw is that Sotero and Votelli were made by the cult and sustained by the cult. And as gods require moral guidance from shinki, with Sotero and Votelli having limited access to any guidance outside the cult...wouldn't comparing them to brainwashed child soldiers be fairly accurate? Those they owe their lives to, those they rely on, have told them what to believe, and their actions reflect themselves less than they reflect the people acting through them. Of course, that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous...but I wouldn't say they're to blame."

Komaeda looks up with a bright smile. "Either way, surely they'd be far more useful to the heavens if we could free them, rather than eliminating them? If we could sever their reliance on the cult, and broaden their brainwashed perspectives, they'd be incredible sources of information...and I'm not sure they deserve to be wiped out just because of the circumstances of their creation. Of course, such an undertaking wouldn't be easy..."

"I agree," Shun adds - if Ginia is going to go full bore on calling out Suijin, then he feels like it's safer to have support for her. "I can't speak as much for Votelli, but I fought Sotero on the volcano. That kid was dangerous, but he was terrified as soon as he realised what he'd brought down - he obviously had no idea what the hell he'd been asked to stir up in terms of attacking the Heavens. I've seen child soldiers brainwashed by someone else's beliefs enough to recognise the type."

It's an unfortunate piece of experience, but it's one Shun can offer to this situation. He definitely won't deny that Votelli and Sotero are potentially dangerous, but that just means they should be turned to their side if possible. "Aside from that, you should be aware by now that the new gods and shinki don't have the same hard black and white perspectives as the old do. If it gets out that you killed gods whose only crime was being created by the wrong people and directed by them to attack us without even the chance for them to change their ways, you're going to stir even more resentment between the old and new than what already exists."

[ Ain has quite a few choice words and feelings about the matter.... especially because he had once been in the positions of the children gods. There are much of his experience that he can draw parallel to them. Suffering must not be tolerated, and the Heavens are clearly at fault here. ]

You expect newly born gods to obey your rules without even informing them of what they should do nor giving them exemplars... it is foolishness beyond that of mortals. You are losing much respect this way; I should not have to point this out to you.

[And there is probably something that might be unexpected: Aymeric coming close and standing right beside Ginia, expression neutral but there's something glinting in his eyes. He told you before Ginia that he would stand beside you and he is a man of his word.]

The Heavens expect us to follow orders but are not given an explanation why other than 'That is the way it is' and are expected to deal with it. When asked, there is no answer. So we ask, my lady: why? Why pursue them when it is others who are more aggressive towards us? Why not reach out?

Ginia's outburst in response to this particular subject of conversation isn't particularly surprising. Frankly, what kind of god would Ebisu be if he couldn't even see that coming, in all the time she's spent as his shinki, in what she first came to him for? Still, a part of Ebisu almost feels like he can tell where this is going. He can't remember exactly what his past self was executed for, doesn't have those memories to give him more experience on Heaven....

...But the stubbornness inherit to Suijin's words says a lot.

So he steps up to settle besides Ginia's other side, followed by his own complete and full retinue, exemplar and all. Most of them are doing well enough to keep a stoic expression on to varying degrees, besides Takami who is jittery with nerves and Kimi who is giving his most aggressively chipper smile. It doesn't quite match, however, the full cheer of Ebisu's own smile as he reaches up to take one of Ginia's hands- coincidentally the one that has the phone in it- and looks over to Suijin.

"Disregarding everything else... Do you have any disagreement with the weight of that evidence, Suijin?" he asks plainly, since it is ultimately the most important part.

Edited 2019-04-09 03:17 (UTC)

It's a risk. It's a big fucking risk standing up to Heaven and calling them out. If this goes poorly, Ginia hopes she can take the brunt of blame instead of Ebisu or Chris. Let her insubordination be seen as a single shinki speaking out of turn instead of reflecting on the gods. But she can't stay silent either, not with everything she knows, not with who she is.

She hears Suzaku shout her name, but doesn't acknowledge it. Her eyes remain forward, hands clasped in front, rigidly waiting for Suijin's response. She doesn't move when Komaeda speaks either, though she listens to his points; they're good ones and if she had more faith in the ways of Heaven, she'd like to believe they'd be heard.

She hears Shun's voice, and there's some slight relief to have the backup of a friend. But then there's Ain as well, and when Aymeric takes his place at her side, her head turns slightly to look at him. Her neutral expression gives slightly to a thankful smile, a light tilt of her head as she looks forward again...

Only to look downward as Ebisu takes her hand. She can tell the rest of her temple is standing behind her too and her neutral expression cracks a little more into a grateful smile as she squeezes her god's hand. Looking forward again, her expression falls neutral again, a challenging shine in her eyes.

"A nora!" Suijin's shinki hisses with disdain as Ginia begins speaking. Suijin, meanwhile, remains unmoving. The shinki looks to her face - a challenge with the veil - but sees something there that makes him take a step back. Ginia explaining how gods are born also gets him to tense up. "Of all the-" However, as he steps forward again to cut in, he looks once more to Suijin. Whatever the reason, he takes the step back again and doesn't say anything else, giving Ginia room to finish speaking. Then the others join in as well. All the while, Suijin stands still and listens.

Only afterwards does she lift her head. "Could it not be a forgery? Have we any evidence that this man has any tie to the rogue god at all?"

She lifts one hand towards Komaeda. "As voiced by Averruncus, any newly born god is dangerous. Whether defending themselves or knowingly conducting their actions..." She turns towards Ain here: "The only newly-born gods who gracelessly use those dangerous powers without appealing to their seniors for guidance are the Gods of Calamity. They are just as unpredictable as the nora."

Then she looks back at Ginia, staring straight at her. She starts making gestures with her hands while she speaks. "And yet, in their unpredictability, even a nora could present themselves honorably before the Heavens and Our Lady Amaterasu. If she chose." Sure enough, her gestures match up with sign language. "For the memory of Heaven is as long as your time in our Takamagahara has been short. In the face of this great threat to Takamagahara, we could appeal to Fuujin's assessment about all shinki - even the nora - on behalf of one who humbles themselves before us."

She takes three steps closer to Ginia and Ebisu. There, she slowly uses both hands to lift her veil up over her hat, then returns her hands to her side. "I find it hard to believe a single letter could prove so weighty a piece of evidence."

Still, she levels a look down at the young incarnation of the old god. "I will examine this letter." She might be directing it to both of them, but she's looking at Ebisu while she says it.

Then she looks out to the crowd again. "What other proof do any of you have, aside from their absence?"

The reaction of Suijin's shinki are not a surprise. Ginia ignores them, keeping her attention on Suijin as she speaks. Her brows raise a little as she notices Suijin signing; it's a kind consideration. It will make communicating easier too, though Ginia is also aware she should continue through her phone.

When Suijin approaches, Ginia reaches into her suit jacket and pulls out a plain envelope from her pocket. She holds it out for Suijin or for one of her shinki to take. When her hand is free again, Ginia pulls her hand from Ebisu's so she can type.

"As I was leaving Imai Takeru's residence, I heard him shout for Votelli. Nekhbet can attest as well. I can also provide video footage of Votelli in his presence, being transported by him or in the process of being lectured or scolded in a restaurant."

She pauses to consider if there's anything else she can offer in the moment. There is Votelli's shrine as Torimoto, but that is a gamble. A final resort, perhaps, and only if she can take any possible repercussion all on herself.

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fortunesmiles - 2019-04-12 02:57 (UTC) - Expand

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revolutionfalcon - 2019-04-12 13:07 (UTC) - Expand

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chibisu - 2019-04-14 18:32 (UTC) - Expand

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unlucky7 - 2019-04-14 20:29 (UTC) - Expand

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sweetspringwater - 2019-04-16 23:48 (UTC) - Expand

Suzaku had been listening to all the information so far, putting together what people had been sharing. But hearing it from Lady Suijin made a lot of things click together and make sense, where it had all been separate information with few links between them before.

He had... Been made aware that perhaps not everyone saw Votelli as the enemy that the heavens saw her as so when lady Suijin mentioned his name her frowned slightly. But only slightly. It was nothing he was ashamed of and if he had done wrong.

Well it was hardly the worst thing he had done, not even this week.

I'm speaking up for Votelli.

[Nia stomps to the forefront, looking louder and larger than her diminutive frame ought to.]

I spoke with Votelli a while back, and I'm agreeing with everything Suzaku said. It was all shot through her words -- how the guy in charge, 'Sensei', was telling her she was weak and useless and needed him, so she wouldn't try anything on her own. If she wanted to do something to someone from here, I was right there, she could've done anything and she didn't. She's a child! She's never had a normal life, as a god or a girl. She's not your enemy unless you MAKE her your enemy!

[ Suijin's shinki Kayonaga gesticulates angrily in Nia's direction, matching her intensity, now that Suijin's had some of her own say. ]

You would do well to announce yourself when making such claims to the Lady Suijin! Just who are you that you can speak for the rogue god?

[Why is everyone deciding it's alright to yell at gods now? Suzaku knows Nia's temper though... He's not a person who can calm her but she's agreeing with him (though he had given his opinion in a much less... dramatic way and he doesn't want to her to get into trouble. He steps a little away from Ginia towards Nia. Not saying anything for the moment. Just. Being there.]

Oh hang it up. [Nia rolls her eyes dramatically.] The name's Nia, and I'm one of those shinki you just said you can trust to be honest on the matter. You want to declare eternal war on a girl because you haven't heard anyone speak up, don't be surprised when someone does.

Had her shinki, Nia, not urged her to come Yaone would have stayed behind at her temple in favor of continuing her studies of the learning materials left behind in her new home. For all of her reservations toward getting involved in the mess that has been playing out before her since the day of her arrival, she understands the value of staying informed of current events and knowing the key players involved.

She'd come into this meeting, caring very little about the events that have transpired here in the past outside those that directly play into her agenda. Throughout this whole meeting, Yaone's sat very calmly, listening intently, throughout this entire affair, dressed formally in one of the many fancy, lavender silk outfits left behind in He Xiangu's temple. For most of it, she's been preoccupied with her own thoughts on the situation that Sotero and Votelli appear to be in.

After Nia's outburst, she's initially too surprised to react as the realization of the source of the other character on her shinki's body sinks in. But then as the argument heats up again, Yaone stands up abruptly, moving then with barely a rustle of silk and superhuman speed even as Nia's anger, worry, and desperation ebb and flow through her. Suddenly, she's just there, one claw-tipped hand outstretched in a placating gesture toward Suijin and her shinki.

"Nia, at ease," she speaks softly, half-turning her face toward her shinki while still keeping her eye on the others. "Please."

After a moment, she turns to speak to Suijin and her shinki.

"I am the one the Heavens call He Xiangu and this is my shinki. I may be relatively new to these lands but I have been listening throughout these discussions very carefully. I have not met Votelli or Sotero myself and as such I do not have personal ties to either of them. In all of this, I am a newcomer but I can see that this pair is a source of grave contention here in the Heavens."

Yaone pauses to take a breath before continuing to speak, her tone implacably calm and neutral, even as she aches from force of her shinki's passion for this subject. Nia's feelings are Nia's feelings; she simply can't allow them to sway her into bias when there is so much on the line.

"Am I wrong in my understanding that this state of things could have adverse effects on the mortals who are not involved in this fight? It would seem that many unknown variables remain but I believe that the power that I have inherited may be of assistance in resolving this matter. In the interest of protecting those mortals, I offer my service."

It's not what Yaone wants to do but if her hand is to be forced like this, she will do what she must. Lord Kougaiji would understand, wouldn't he? She cannot let this continue.

Suijin turns as Yaone begins speaking and listens, then looks over at Nia and Suzaku both - and she gives a nod to her own shinki.

"He Xiangu, new though you may be-" She gives a slight tilt towards Nia. "Chaos in Heaven will bring chaos upon the Near Shore as well. We have been dutifully striving to reduce this discord which the rogue gods have stirred up. There are mortals who have chosen to involve themselves, and yes many others who have not." She levels her head again, raising it just enough for her eyes to be seen from beneath the hat. "To that end, you are willing to vouch for the honesty of your shinki - in general or specific to these matters? The growing amount of evidence being purely by word is unnerving to say the least, and not well regarded in the long history of Heaven by those so new to it. Choose your words carefully - both of you."

The spurt of fury came through the shinki bond before it showed on her face, but both Nia's hands balled into fists as her shoulders went back. She wasn't about to attack, because she wasn't going for her weapons, but she was about to let loose a tirade...

This really isn't good. How can Yaone vouch for the integrity of a person she's only known a couple of weeks? Dokugakuji had told her to take care of her shinki but that was before the Heavens had assigned her a shinki mixed up with enemies of Heaven. She hadn't known just what her newest shinki was into until today or how that danger could transfer to both her and Sakon until now.

She can feel Nia's anger, sense the incoming outburst, but continues to stand fast against it, her jaw setting.

"I believe that Nia speaks the truth in her heart on this matter. However, I cannot speak for the character of the one she defends without examining her myself. If she is truly a victim of unfortunate circumstances as others have claimed, I believe I can tell. My ability allows me to see into a person's mind and mend it of injuries done to it."

Yaone speaks slowly and carefully. She's treading across a narrow precipice, painfully aware of just how low her status in the Heavens truly is. It's a great risk but one that she has no choice but to take.

"If Votelli's actions against the Heavens are a result of another's poisonous influence, I may be able to heal her of those effects. Would it not be wise to verify the claim quickly and absolutely to prevent further conflict? I can do that if I meet her."

Kayonaga scoffs on Suijin's behalf. "Literally controlling a God of Heaven to the extent that it leaves poison behind? Such magic doesn't exist."

Suijin nods once. "If such magic existed, He Xiangu - how would you be able to prove that it was the magic spell cast and not simple coercion? Not just to yourself, but before a Conclave where Our Lady Amaterasu herself has the final say in this matter."

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medicinemaster - 2019-05-12 05:14 (UTC) - Expand

"As to the matter of the Crystal [1] which has disappeared [2], we did conduct an investigation beforehand. There are reports that it changed appearance - or at least triggered several magical effects - during the scuffle between the forces of the cult and the Heavens. To the best of our judgement, there is a connection between the dolls [3] and you new gods not unlike what we normally refer to as 'ties' between mortals and gods or shinki. Normally, such ties are between gods and their followers, and seen as a favorable connection. However, these ties are to the inanimate objects - at least, to the ones that were not burned out."

Suijin folds her hands into her sleeves. "Never before in our history have gods appeared in this way, remembering - for lack of any other phrasing - a time before their current incarnation. So too have we never known shinki who could sustain learning about their past without becoming corrupted in a permanent way. We have every reason to believe that it is due to the power of that crystal, and whatever magic the cultists have worked over it, that these ties to the dolls could be formed, and completely different souls brought to Takamagahara, especially using incarnations from other pantheons."

"However, if this cult has the power to create their own gods now, we have reason to believe that these dolls were merely a stepping stone to that eventual goal. We can see no reason they would want to bolster the ranks of the Heavens, and all evidence points to the fact that they would much rather see Our Lady Amaterasu deposed entirely, and Heaven with her. We believe they probably lost control of their spellwork, or used the spells to train new recruits into their cause by way of a test. Regardless, the documents left behind at this compound lead us to believe it was not intentional that the souls left their control. The spellwork to craft those ties is less immaculate and powerful than the ties between a god and their follower; those ties' frailty is why the dolls are at risk of burning up when the spell is not well-maintained, we believe."

OOC - Events Referenced:	IC - Dates:	Link(s)
1) Crystal:	April 1st 2017	37 - A Call To Arms
2) Crystal Disappearance:	April 15th 2017	38 - Power Palette Swap
3) Dolls first appearance:	March 3rd 2017	35 - Dolls' Festival

"When we first examined the dolls [1], our spellcasters described the effects as a 'residue'. Seeing the soul that used to be tied to that doll when it was touched, that was deemed to be not be active spellwork. Even when we cut ties between a mortal and a god or shinki, those ties have lingering vestiges where they aren't connected to anything. The amount of spelllwork that went into crafting such a strange tie, crude as it was to be bound to an inanimate object, for an inexperienced spellcaster... it must have been significant. When any spellcaster works that hard, it leaves traces behind as well. We managed to connect the first sighting of these dolls and this compound's records, proving that the cultist spellcasters here were in fact attempting to ritually dispose of the dolls that had burned out. However, without being able to examine the Crystal [2] and Dolls anymore, we cannot be certain what sort of power the Crystal may still hold over the burned out dolls that were not ritually disposed of. If they are in the hands of the cult, they may yet have plans for them."

OOC - Events Referenced:	IC - Dates:	Link(s)
1) Dolls first appearance:	March 3rd 2017	35 - Dolls' Festival
2) Crystal Disappearance:	April 15th 2017	38 - Power Palette Swap

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

39 - Where Do We Stand?

Suijin Top Levels

Topic: History/Summary/Cult Motives/Past Events

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

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mostly in case anyone wants to yell at him

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

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