40 - May Event: Mystic Messengers' Mark

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
When: May 15th
Where: Votelli's Forest
What: The boar and deer population of Japan has boomed in recent years as hunters age and people move away from rural areas. The people have called upon the gods to help with this "pest" issue.







All over Heaven, gods receive invitations stamped with the chrysanthemum of Amaterasu. Each and every god has been invited to join the old gods on an old-fashioned hunt to do something about the boar and deer populations on the Near Shore. Votelli's forest has been chosen as the location of this sacred hunt, as it offers an expansive landscape for the sport as well as opens up the opportunity for many of the gods - both old and new - to speak to Votelli herself face to face. Other activities are planned for those who do not wish to hunt, such as an archery contest and a demonstration of Takagari - the Japanese art of falconry.

Face to Face

Votelli and Sotero wait in the forest with whoever will join them before slowly, cautiously exiting. They don't fight anyone who wants to stand in front of them as they appear before the Heavens for the first time, but they feel compelled to step in front eventually. There, all in attendance can see them for who they really are: very young gods.

Votelli appears between 12 and 14, a lithe teenage girl. Historically very timid and easily spooked, she has found a certain measure of confidence... while still holding tight to Sotero's hand. She wears newer, finer clothing compared to her first outing, provided to her by her friends. Her hair is just as long and black, though. Those who saw the goddess fighting in the Cultist Compound might mistake Votelli for her young sister. And Sotero their younger brother.

For Sotero looks 10 - but a lanky, tall boy who in reality acts much closer to 6 years old. Normally very brash, petulant, and loud... he stays close to Votelli and doesn't resist holding her hand. His expression is not playful or sly this time, but very focused - putting on a brave face like he might very well have to protect Votelli instead of the other way around.

Suijin is the one speaking for the Heavens. "We have been told that the two of you wish formal acceptance into Takamagahara. Is this true?"

Votelli speaks first: "It is." Then she tugs gently on Sotero's hand. "... Yeah. It is," he eventually echoes.

Suijin lifts her broad hat. "Do you renounce all allegiances to the cultists who created you? If so - name them."

Votelli nods. "I do. ... His name is Imai Takeru." Sotero looks worried, turning to Votelli. "But they're my mom and dad!" He turns back to Suijin. "You'll hurt them if I tell you!"

Suijin shakes her head. "Only gods of calamity kill humans. We will sever their ties to you. They may continue to live in peace if they never again use the kind of magic that created you." Sotero looks unconvinced, at which point Suijin looks a little frustrated. "I expect a name before you are granted formal entrance to Takamagahara, but perhaps another name will suffice as a peace offering between us - an act of faith until all of these human spellcasters are discovered."

Sotero gulps, while Votelli holds him a little closer.

Suijin speaks again, with a more commanding tone: "Rogue God Sotero - name the one in the Heavens who allowed you entrance into our domain. Name the traitor and we will know your true intentions."

(Prompt continues as one thread below, allowing for characters to interject before Sotero speaks again.)

Event Bonus:
3+ comments in this thread gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.

Face to Face (Before/After)

Before: Prior to the above prompt, if any characters would like to provide words of encouragement or solidarity, that can be threaded out individually! We will provide a top level each for Votelli and Sotero with a "Before" subject line.

After: Since the above thread will resolve somewhat peacefully, Sotero and Votelli will be around to speak with characters individually during the bento lunch. We will provide a top level each for Votelli and Sotero with an "After" subject line.

Event Bonus:
3+ comments in a thread with either Votelli or Sotero gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.

Gathering for the Hunt

The hunt starts early in the day, but not so early that the gathered gods can't enjoy a handmade bento lunch before getting started. Each god and shinki who arrive will find themselves in a clearing at the edge of the forest, rolling green surrounded by the lush backdrop of thick vegetation holding the prey of today's hunt. Blankets are spread over the grass in inviting splashes of color and tables are set up with stacks of bentos, a variety of foods and snacks and drinks available for any craving or preference, no matter how varied or strange.

Those who were here and involved in the Hungry Forest event might also find the setting very familiar. And perhaps a little unsettling, if they'd been among those kidnapped and held captive within its depths. Although today the expanse of thick trees and shadowy underbrush seems like just a normal forest, lacking the draining effects and other dangers it had once harbored.

Before anyone ventures beyond the clearing, the hosting gods and shinki are careful to explain the nature of today's hunt and also warn the newer gods and shinki about which of the beasts are fair game and which are not - namely the more tame sika deer, considered sacred to several of the gods and often seen as their messengers. The other creatures in the forest, however - the herds of roaming deer and the wild breeds of boar - are all fair game to the hunters, and in fact, there's already contests and wagers popping up on who will bring in the biggest trophy.

There are even rumors of one especially large and clever boar thought to dwell within the deepest reaches of the forest, rarely seen but of particular bane to hunters and trackers who have sought it many times over the years. It has avoided all pursuit, however, and its renown only grows with each passing year. Will this hunt finally uncover the elusive creature of legend?

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Saving a sika deer from being killed gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

Ready Aim Fire

The clearing at the edge of the forest had been well prepared for hosting the Heavenly Host, both as a base camp for those entering into the forest in pursuit of their prey but also to entertain those left behind or not participating in the hunt itself. Those who remain outside the confines of the forest will find an assembled archery range for the non-hunters to still get some practice in or perhaps learn from one of the more experienced archers.

Contests take place throughout the day - some are distance based, each one with a varying range of difficulty depending on your level of expertise. Others have the range set up for challenges of field archery, adding in the difficulty of foliage or wooded areas and making aiming and targeting considerably more difficult. Some of the targets are even enchanted to move, hide, or dodge, creating some of the most challenging conquests for only the most dedicated of marksmen.

On the far side of the clearing - a very safe distance away from where any stray arrows might drift - several of the older gods remain behind to show off the art of takagari, or Japanese falconry. Once a sport restricted to nobles, warriors and samurai, many of the traditions and methods once practiced in the ancient days of Japan have been lost to history, but the finer details have clearly been preserved here among its gods. While the old gods hosting this practice remain in the background to watch over the proceedings (and keeping their favorite birds with them and out of stranger's hands), anyone is welcomed to approach the rest of the hawks and birds of prey, give hunting with them a try, or perhaps watch one of the experts in action.

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Participants in a head-to-head Archery or Falconry challenge gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

The Great Hunt

The forest is quiet, other than the call of birds and the scurrying of smaller wildlife as the hunters enter. The ground is thick with tracks to be investigated by anyone with a discerning eye. Those who know what they're looking for will find thickly-layered paths made by deer, boar and other beasts of the forest who have wandered familiar trails into the undergrowth. Following these paths will find many hunters some easy targets, as the forest is lush with wildlife and the herds have swelled in recent years to the point of overpopulation. It will be rarer for hunters not to spot their prey the deeper in they go, but as the day wears on, it does seem to be getting more and more difficult to find those herds of deer and boar...

The deeper into the forest one ventures, the thinner and more scattered these tracks become. The deer paths seem to veer off before the forest grows to its thickest and should hunters keep pressing deeper, they'll eventually find that even the boar tracks start turning scarce. The call of birds becomes quieter and more elusive. The thick shadow of trees overhead makes the forest seem darker and closing in around you. Even the very air around you seems hushed and tense as if the very forest itself is watching your progress.

Not all the creatures avoid the depths of this forest, however. Approaching the heart of the forest, there does seem to still be at least one creature who frequents it, although the tracks are much more massive and sunk deep in the dirt as if pressed there by a great weight. Some of them are scraped and smeared as if that weight was dragged a time or two. Was the great beast that lurked here injured?

If good luck is with you (or perhaps that is bad luck?), you might be alerted by the sound of underbrush rustling nearby. But what bursts out... could it be the massive boar of legend or is it something more sinister? For there are several dark ayakashi that have also been lurking in the depths of this forest of late, hunting for prey of their own, their forms distorted and rotting and their eyes red and crazed - all the eyes that have now spread out across their blighted forms, that is. Should they spot you, they will give an enraged roar and charge, frenzied and driven mad from Blight. Hope you came prepared to be the hunter or the hunted.

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments gains 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Defeating a blighted ayakashi animal gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

A Different Sort of Hunt

For those not interested in partaking in 'the Great Outdoors', there is a different sort of hunt available to those with more experience hunting targets on two legs instead of four. The Counselors, their shinki, and Amaterasu's white-robed shinki emblazoned with their chrysanthemums... they all make it clear earlier in the day that they're still hunting down the last remnants of cultists free out in Japan and the world beyond, tracking down the locations of where the remnants are hiding out. For those willing to join this second hunt - whether they needed "warming up" hunting the deer and boar or not - the Counselors will make their research available - clues, whispers, addresses, IDs... whatever they could gather up until today.

Several of Takamagahara's own gods and shinki are out doing the footwork needed to round up the numbers of those that remain at large and any of the new gods and shinki who would rather lend their aid to this cause will be welcomed. Track down any remaining leads you have or get a location of a potential compound or blighted areas from the Hunt's hosts to go look into for yourselves - The Heavens want all remaining cultist members found and accounted for and are putting forth every effort to see this accomplished.

OOCly: Players are encouraged to select locations for compounds or heavy concentrations of cultists within Japan and outside it as well. Many locations in Australia, Europe, etc. have been named in previous Missions as places where blight circles have been located. Any of these - and other places - are places the Cult could have spread to. Next month, these will all become locations where Finale actions can take place. "Check in" with where your character(s) are going, but you don't need mod permission!

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments will gain 100 followers / 10 exp per thread.
Cultist hub of activity discovered and reported back gains an additional 250 followers / 25 exp per thread.

In Summary:

• Join the old gods on a hunt
• Enjoy the meal and activities
• Speak to Votelli or Sotero
• Participate in the hunt - whether your prey be two-legged or four
• Fight the giant boar ayakashi
• Have fun~

Comments

[revolutionfalcon]

[a: gathering]

[Once Shun hears what the bulk of this is, he isn't really interested in participating in it. Hunting of the kind that mostly involves humans (or dogs, for that matter) has too many negative associations for him, and he can't bring himself to step in as part of it.

However, those who go out into the forest and end up attacking any of the Sika deer, whether accidentally or intentionally, may find their efforts intervened with by a blue robotic bird holding its flat wings akin to a shield. Those who have seen Shun's Raid Raptors before might recognise his style, but otherwise, it's a seemingly random intervention...and while the bird doesn't appear aggressive right now, it lets out something of a grinding metallic chitter when it's hit.]

--

[b: ready aim fire]

[Shun was never going to not participate in falconry to some degree, especially since he's used some similar techniques in his training of the vultures that live around his temple. As such, he's well aware of the proceedings and methods of handling, though he doesn't bother with the gloves usually used either, since he knows from experience his coat is sturdy enough to withstand talons biting at it.

Even though he's trying to focus on working with a single falcon, a few of the other birds have followed him off to the side (specifically, the other falcons, as opposed to the hawks and various other birds of prey available). The result is that it ends up looking much like he has an audience, and after a while, he gives an irritated sigh and offers his other arm out so one or two of them can hop up onto it as well.

And then he immediately turns to anyone who looks like they might be able to take some of this business off his hands.] If you're trying this too, you might as well take one of these ones, if they're this ready to go.

--

[c: the great hunt]

[Shun's mostly been going through the forest to spot and defend any wrongly targeted Sika, but once he picks up the presence of the ayakashi deer, that definitely goes on his radar as well. And he definitely needs some more experience using some of his new shinki on the battlefield rather than just in practice.

He can be spotted jumping through the trees with a long poleaxe held in one hand. Those who ever saw Ren in a fight may recognise it as having been one of his shinki vessels, but rather than the black metal it had been with Ren, for Shun the weapon is a deep golden. The ease with which he wields it indicates he's been practicing with it, at least, which might be reassuring when the bellow of a blighted, enraged ayakashi deer emerges through the trees and Shun pauses on his branch.]

Another one, then. But if you're out here I assume you're prepared to deal with an actual fight. [Shun gives an aside glance to whoever happens to be nearby. He's not fond of the hunt proper and it's obvious, but an angry ayakashi is a legitimate risk.]

--

[d: wildcard]

[[I'm open to doing "a different sort of hunt" prompts, especially as Shun does have one specific overseas cultist location and is aware of them having operated in Egypt as well, but please hit me up about those first by PM or at reviseleviathan so I can write a proper starter!]]

The Great Hunt

[unlucky7]

[The bottle of blessed water in her hand and a borderline springing into shimmering wall below should be good enough of an answer. Ginia eyes the poleaxe. She's never seen Ren in a fight, but knowing Shun took his boyfriend's soulless shinki in, it's not a hard guess.

The deer bellows again, lowering its head to ram into the borderline. Bouncing off it, it stomps the ground in agitation.]

I can lure it into a better position if you want to stab it from above. Or we can lure it somewhere less dense.

[There's no controlling what a shinki's vessel form is, but there's no denying it's not the best weapon for a thick forest like this too.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[It's not the most practical thing ever, but the way Shun's holding it currently is somewhat akin to a staff, keeping both ends close to his body so he's not suffering for the density, but he can still quickly shift to use that reach if he needs to.

Moving it too far also runs the risk of encountering other animals or people, and Shun glances back the way he came before leaping forward another branch.]

I'd prefer the first option. They sound like they're ready to charge on a hair-trigger, and if someone else happens to get in the way, it's not going to end well.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia studies their immediate surroundings and gestures at a section to their right where the underbrush is a thicker.]

I can try to back it against there. If I keep a wall up and keep attacking its legs, that should buy you enough time to drop onto it.

[She glances at the poleaxe and gestures at the vesseled shinki.]

If they can help with a borderline, it'd be appreciated, but I understand if they can't.

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun's not entirely sure where soulless shinki fall on that front, but he does know that he's never heard any soulless speak in vessel form, and he's not sure these shinki are experienced enough with it to cast without the intonation.]

I've never seen them cast one without the spell, so I'd go on the assumption that they can't for now. If it turns out wrong, then that's just better for us.

[With the plan laid out, though, Shun moves along his branch to find a slightly better position for the potential drop onto the deer ayakashi.]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia moves a tree over before dropping to the ground. Driven by hunger, the ayakashi is quick to chase with a guttural bellow. She leaps ahead of it, signing Umbra so she can disappear from its sight. As the ayakashi slides to a halt, stomping the ground as it thrashes its horns into the underbrush. Ginia leaps over it, dropping a borderline wall behind it and slashing at its knees before dropping her spell.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[The ayakashi lets out a bizarre howl of pain at the slashing towards its legs, but Shun is already moving once Ginia puts the borderline up. While it thrashes against the position it's held in, he drops from the branch, swinging the axe out along with the motion.

The ayakashi's head jerks up a moment before he hits, but it's too late to avoid the rending strike to its back. A crack opens up in its form, spewing white light, and its sound trails off into a defeated hiss as it breaks up and dissipates.]

That's one of them dealt with, at least.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia drops her borderline as the ayakashi disappears into black dust. One down, countless more to go.]

I wonder if our presence is stirring them up more or if they've always been around waiting for hunters.

[Ayakashi are drawn to humans, are born of humans. Or maybe it's the will of the all the dead deer and boars banding together to exact their revenge. Who can tell. Either way, it's a problem for all of them.]

Going to keep hunting ayakashi? I'll tag along if you want.

[revolutionfalcon]

Might be a little of both. This place is out of the way enough that it's possible nobody had encountered them before now, but residual magic or something could have drawn them here before we got here.

[Considering how most of the cult's spells have gone in the past in terms of leaving the area they were performed on corrupted and ayakashi-ridden, he's not exactly surprised.

Shun flips the axe back up to rest on his shoulder.] I was planning to, yes. I can't do actual hunting.

[Can't stomach it is more accurate, but it's not a subject he particularly wants to open the floor to.]

[unlucky7]

I'm with you on actual hunting.

[Which is maybe a bit ironic considering how he's seen her kill a human. It wasn't a joyous act though. Even if hunting for many is in service of staying fed, the air that it's a challenge and thrill and a life taken in the end to brag about feels a bit hollow. She can understand the fun of a good fight to some degree, but there isn't any of that here.

Hunting ayakashi is a service, not an enjoyable hobby.]

Might as well make sure no one gets their ass kicked by a blighted boar or deer.

[A sardonic smile accompanies her signs. She gestures at the poleaxe resting on his shoulder.]

That was one of Ren's soulless shinki, right?

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun doesn't consider it ironic, since he's willing to kill but he doesn't enjoy it. In a case like this, it just strikes him as people doing it for entertainment, which never sits right with him.]

It's especially necessary if they're mostly carrying mundane weapons. People might not be hunting with their gods or shinki alongside them.

[If someone runs into one of these unexpectedly, they might have real trouble trying to track down their partner without some sort of maiming happening first.

In any case, he hesitates slightly at the question, then turns his head away a little.] He had three of them, so they ended up with me when he left. I was never that comfortable with soulless shinki, but his I was at least used to having around when I was visiting him.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia nods in slow agreement. A god can teleport to their shinki with a phone call, but that's reliant on having the opportunity to call. With how fast ayakashi can attack, some might not even get that chance. Hell, even she's playing it a bit risky traveling on her own, but at least she's fast with a borderline.]

I still wonder about them. I've gotten to know Luger, Chris's soulless shinki, even named him, but that he's so content to serve worries me. Then there's the fact he's completely silent in vessel form too.

[A beat.]

You don't hear or sense anything right now, right?

[revolutionfalcon]

[That's kind of Shun's issue with them, and he gives something of an understanding nod. It hasn't come up all that often, the question of shinki also being able to name them, but he feels like there has to be something to that fact.]

Nothing. Ren taught his three to be a little more emotive in human form, at least, but sometimes it feels like...exactly that. They were taught but don't really know what they're doing.

[It can be a little unnerving when it happens, though thankfully most of the time they're reasonably okay about it.] I've seen people talk about getting soulless shinki that looked like people they knew, as well.

b

[nopixiedust]

[Wendy's grin is one of absolutely wicked delight as she looks at Shun acting as cage perch, laden with all sorts of birds as he is.]

Now, why would I do that? I don't think they're excited about their work, Shun. I think you have admirers.

[That may or may not be bullshit, if she's honest. However, it hasn't escaped his notice that all of "his" birds are of a certain type, and that they've been insisting on him for a while.]

[revolutionfalcon]

[That possibility had occurred to Shun, though he still looks rather unimpressed at the implication.]

That makes it sound like they actually like me instead of just following me around. I've only been here a few minutes. [In this area, at least. He doesn't consider that enough time to get any admirers, even if they're birds.]

I suppose they might be drawn to people who actually know how to handle them, though. [Even if he usually works with vultures.]

[nopixiedust]

Well, that's the beauty of love at first sight, Shun. I, for one, aren't surprised. Of course birds like that would all fall head over talons for you, with those sharp no-nonsense eyes of yours.

[Also she loves teasing him, but that goes without saying.]

Although I'm not lying. Animals pick up on different things than humans, right? So they might be noticing something you don't pay attention to at all.

[revolutionfalcon]

[That gets a somewhat flat look from said sharp, no-nonsense eyes.] That sounds like the kind of thing humans would make up with their romantic notions, not animals.

[He doesn't really believe in "love at first sight", not least because his only relationship in his life took some time before those feelings developed. At "first sight", he thought Ren was kind of an idiot, honestly.

She does have something of a point about the animal instinct, though, and he lets out a faint sound of annoyance.] I suppose they could be, though there's a lot about myself I don't notice that people like to point out, so that doesn't narrow it down much.

[It would probably help if Shun's priorities about himself weren't all regarding fighting ability.]

[nopixiedust]

[Yep, that's certainly the sort of stare that would attract birds of prey. Wendy only laughs at him instead of bothering to argue, because it's all a joke in the end. Instead, she focuses on his second statement.]

Yeah, you're really bad at thinking outside the box. [What, it's true] Do you really need to know?

[revolutionfalcon]

[Shun would argue that, but he has the impression they're talking about entirely different kinds of "outside the box", so he leaves it with little more than a raise of the brow.]

I don't think I need to know, but listening to people talk about things that you're not seeing does get annoying after a while if they're not going to be specific.

[And sometimes even then, but it depends on the situation a bit too.]

[nopixiedust]

Well, I don't think you're going to get anything out of the birds in this case.

[People, well, that would require him to be a little more of a people person.]

Unless you know someone who can speak to animals, anyway. There are so many weirdos around here I wouldn't be surprised.

[revolutionfalcon]

I wouldn't be surprised either. We'd have to at least have had someone who could do it at some point, with the number of people who've come through here.

[There's no way there wasn't at least one person who could naturally talk to animals or who gained the ability here. It just seems like something that would have happened.]

Though I don't know that we've had a lot of animal gods that weren't just covering one specific animal.

[nopixiedust]

Rosie probably could have done it. I mean, she obviously didn't speak human, but who knows how it would have been with anything else?

[If only she'd had some more time to spend with her... Well, that's long ago in the past. Wendy can move on from at least that much.]

Anyway, have you seen how your new friends react to other people?

[revolutionfalcon]

It wouldn't have been much help to us if she couldn't speak human. [Considering the whole issue here is not being able to talk to animails, Wendy's dog god presumably would not have been the best solution to that.

Glancing at the birds, Shun shrugs slightly.] I haven't been here that long. I'd figure they're used to people if they're trained falconry birds.

[nopixiedust]

I mean, I dealt with her well enough. Even if she couldn't speak human, she was still pretty smart. I managed to get by just paying attention to her. I'm sure if it came to much more complicated things, she would be able to work with other people there, too.

[Wendy may not have known "Rosie" for too long, but, well. Dogs just have that air about them which makes people Ride Or Die.]

I mean, they can be used to people, and still not like them. Right? They're animals in the end. They can have opinions.

[revolutionfalcon]

If it's the one wolf god I ever met here, I agree, she seemed like she had a decent idea of what was going on. It still wouldn't be easy if that was the main problem, though.

[Shun hadn't spoken much to Amaterasu and definitely hadn't managed to get a name out of her, but he had one somewhat embarrassing (by his standards) incident of spilling a bit more about his opinion on the situation at the time than he would have liked to her.]

True, but they usually take a little longer to form opinions. It takes a few visits for my vultures to decide they don't mind new people.