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

[unlucky7]

For all the ayakashi rams against it and tries to gore it with its horns, the borderline remains a solid wall of light. Ginia focuses on keeping the ayakashi in place, a brow raising as the borderline appears in front of hers. She understands the thought, but please, she's not going to let a damn ayakashi break her shield. Besides, it'd be better served if the borderline blocked a different direction.

(She really needs to sit Da Qing down for some borderline training.)

[cloakedinruins]

"What did you do..."

Because Da Qing just had to find an ayakashi in the woods. Of course he did. Shen Wei closes his eyes and gathers his power into a tight ball of energy, using it to search his surroundings. It takes a few moments and naturally his phone does not like it if the loud crackling sounds was any judge.

"Never mind, I'll be there shortly."

He hangs up, shoving the phone in his pocket and gathering more energy together. A flick of his wrist opened a large black hole in front of him. A second flick had his glaive materialize in hand, and he calmly stepped through the portal.

Behind the boar a new portal appeared, frosting the air as Shen Wei stepped out, his modern clothing sparking and reforming to the hooded clothing of the Envoy. The butt of his glaive hit the ground and ice pooled around him as the portal closed.

"A boar. Really."

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"Nothing! Why do you always ass..." Crackling answered his arguing so he hung up and shoved his phone into his pocket. The dip in concentration means his borderline cracks and before he has time to throw up another one a portal appears and Shen Wei steps through, hodded and masked with a glaive in his hand.

If Da Qing hadn't seen him like this before he wouldn't have ever recognised him. Da Qing began circling the boar to get to his gods side, "Line!" This time the borderline was the other side, so the boar didn't change at Shen Wei.

"I didn't invite it." He grumbled.

[unlucky7]

Ginia is used to gods teleporting in via phone connection. A simple blink into the area as if they were there all along. What she doesn't expect is a portal opening and someone stepping through with drama and grandeur such an entrance deserves. Ginia has definitely never seen that look, but it's pretty easy to guess. Nice.

A grin plays on her face as she slashes a borderline to clip the ayakashi's leg, adjusting her borderline to keep it perpendicular to Da Qing's. With a rending pair here, she'll keep up support but stay out of their way.

[cloakedinruins]

Shen Wei glanced at Da Qing and then gave the boat a look, sighing softly as he made both the cloak and the glaive to disappear. While both looked good and he was comfortable with them, he knew that they both would get in his way when he had to use the rending bond between him and Da Qing. Tiger claws were nice but for this, not so much so.

"I believe you," he said lightly, his next words being the ritual words to form the claws.

The boar scenting better prey shook its head and turned towards Shen Wei, the great tusks hitting the borderline.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Da Qing was slightly mollified at that and a moment later disappeared into a beam of light as Shen Wei called his name. A moment later Shen Wei had tiger claws and Da Qing's awareness was above the battlefield, watching and keeping his borderline up.

He's not sure how long it will hold but he trusts in Ginia and he trusts in his god to rend this ayakashi.

[unlucky7]

From her position above, it's hard to see what form Da Qing takes, though it doesn't seem to be anything too big or flashy. Ginia leaps off from the tree branch and hits the ayakashi with a slash down its back. Her borderline hits hard, slashing deep into blighted and rotting skin. It squeals in pain and turns toward her in a fast charge. Ginia drops a borderline wall in front of her, staring it down fearlessly as it slams into her wall.

As it paws and slams against the wall, it leaves its backside exposed.

[cloakedinruins]

Tiger claws had never been his favorite weapon though he knew how to use them. They always lacked the range he wanted for combat, especially given that they were something for getting close while the target's guard was down. They weren't useful for armed men, and, knowing what he knew about boars, large animals.

Shen Wei shook his hands and curled them, feeling the claws settle in place. He wished for a spear or a javelin and then moved in, slashing at the boar's back, the claws leaving shallow cuts in the thick hide. It squealed and turned, tusks slashing at empty air as Shen Wei moved out of the way. He needed a better angle and the ayakashi to weaken enough before rending it.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Da Qing leant his own borderlines to Shen Wei's rending. They hadn't fought many ayakashi together but they have at least trained together.

Between the three of them this beast would be defeated in no time.

[unlucky7]

As the boar turns its back on Ginia, she pulls a water bottle off the side of her backpack. The cuts left by Da Qing's vessel form may be shallow, but they aren't healing like the cuts left by her borderlines. She flips open the cap and flings an arc of blessed water across the cut. Hide sizzles as the water eats away blighted flesh, giving Shen Wei a weak patch to dig into.

[cloakedinruins]

His grin was sharp, eyes narrowed as the beast screamed its annoyance at the pain. Shen Wei tapped the tiger claws together, adding more annoyance on top of the burn from the holy water, giving it a direction to focus on.

Feet digging into the ground, it lowered its head and charged. Shen Wei shifted, letting it grow close before rolling to the side. It tried turning, but it wasn't as fast, leaving the raw wounds open. Shen Wei move din, claws digging in deep.

"Time for you to go. Rend!"

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Tiger claws could be tricky to use but Da Qing has every faith in his own ability and Shen Wei's. This ayakashi will not last long, especially not with Ginia throwing blessed water at it!

He swiped his hand down in the air as Shen Wei dug the claws in, the boar let out a final bellow, cracked and disapperated.

"Take that, no ayakashi can stand against a god and a cat."

And a helper human. Ginia was pretty skilled with those borderlines.

[unlucky7]

No ayakashi can stand up for very long against a paired god and shinki. Ginia holds the borderline for a few seconds longer as the ayakashi turns to dust, making sure there are no other ayakashi around. Save for bird song and the distant rustling and snaps, it's clear. The barrier disappears as she pulls out her phone.

"Thanks for the help. By the way, nice entrance and outfit."

[cloakedinruins]

Da Qing really was good at boasting, even if he was in his vessel form. Shen Wei shook his hands and mouthed the words to send Da Qing back to his regular form, feeling the slight buzz of the fight still in his veins. If there was one thing he missed about the past lifetime it was the fighting. He didn't like killing people but the mere act of letting his body move and feeling his powers answer him without reserve was a heady rush. Fighting ayakashi was good in that he didn't have to worry about the person he was facing against.

"You two are okay?"

Shen Wei knew he probably looked way out of place like this, his long hair pulled into several braids, his somber hanfu clinched tight at waist and sleeves by heavy bands of protective leather, the edges decorated with golden thread in patterns that were not quite Chinese. He reached up to remove his face mask, a smile touching his lips.

"It seemed like the fastest way to get here...."

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Cats were the best at boasting, it indeed was one of Da Qing's greatest skills. He materialised back out of weapon form and ginned at Shen Wei and Ginia. His god was nothing if not dramatic but it seemed to fit him very well.

"I'm fine, no boar ayakashi was getting the better of me. You're not blighted are you Ginia?"

She had holy water, so he figured that problem would be quickly remedied if she was.

Talking of blight, he stepped closer to Shen Wei to inspect his hands, Yunlan had had concerns about the tiger claws bringing Shen Wei's hands into close proximity with ayakashi and Da Qing had to agree it was a slight flaw with the form. Not that he liked to think any form of him had flaws.

[unlucky7]

Having kept her distance from the boar ayakashi the whole time, Ginia gives up a thumbs up. She looks at Shen Wei's hands as well, stepping closer to hand over the bottle of blessed water if it's needed. She's lucky her vessel form with Chris is a long-range weapon. She worries more with Ebisu - not that he fights ayakashi much - as she's a common scarf, but it's rare she's in vessel form without someone else around too. There's no choosing the form, there's only making the best of it.

"You say that as if gods can't teleport with a direct connection." There's a smile quirking on her lips as her message plays. "Then again, not every god breaks phones with their presence."

[cloakedinruins]

"My phone tends to get rather short with me when I do that," he confesses with a duck of his head.

Holding his hands out to Da Qing and Ginia for inspection, he couldn't help the slight warmth that caused in him. He was not use to anyone outside of Zhao Yunlan to look after him, even when he knew the rest of SID had been supportive of him and his ways - that is, once he actually came out to them as the Black-Cloaked Envoy.

There was a trail of blight along his left hand along his thumb no doubt from getting too close; it was another disadvantage of Da Qing's claws. He held that hand out, realizes that his arm guards were in the way and huffed to himself before just dismissing his Envoy form for something more practical. Which means he was wearing something that looks almost like he took some pointers from Zhao Yunlan though Shen Wei still would never wear jeans with holes in them.


"Dark energy and electronics really don't get along I'm afraid."

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Da Qing is very used to his god changing costume at whim. Getting rid of the arm guards was good though and Da Qing frowned at the line of blight. He really did need some way to protect his god when he was using his weapon form. Yunlan had suggested leather gloves, though they would not block blight completely they would help. Maybe Da Qing should find some gloves for him.

He took the bottle off Ginia and began pouring it on the infected areas, letting Shen Wei explain about his unfortunate habit of breaking electronic devices.

[unlucky7]

The blight washes away from a a few short rinses of blessed water. Ginia offers a handkerchief to dry his hand off on as she takes back her water.

"With how easily you can change clothes, I'm surprised you don't have gloves for combat." Someone has to say it. It's not even a dig at Da Qing. He's a handheld weapon that doesn't fully cover the hands or provide a bit of distance, it can't be helped. If she has an opinion, it's on use of borderlines.

[cloakedinruins]

"I just never think about gloves," he said, dipping his head even as he accepted the handkerchief to dry his hand off.

It wasn't something he had needed before, especially given his own martial arts level and his usual weapons. Fussily, he folded the handkerchief and handed it back with a slight bow of thanks and then pushed his glasses up into place.

"I think I had some when I rode horses... but that was a long time ago. We never were able to keep them due to the war and how we were labeled the rebellion."

And given the supplies needed for humans, Yashou, and Dixing, horses often ended up as food as the game ran out.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"You were part of a rebellion?" Da Qing sounds incredulous at that. For all his god is forever lecturing him about rules and staying out of trouble. Da Qing can't imagine he has ever rebelled in his life.

He can imagine him in war though, Shen Wei could be scary when he tried.

[unlucky7]

On the other side, Ginia knows all about Shen Wei's younger days (and Da Qing's by proxy) and for that reason she decides to avoid any direct comment on that. It's safer for Shen Wei to share things than for her to accidentally say too much. There's a small nod and an understanding smile.

"Maybe I need to adjust movie plans and drag you shopping for a stylish pair of gloves first."

[cloakedinruins]

"It's not as exciting as it sounds, and to be precise we were a rebellion in that we faced down the stronger army and not that we were fighting any ruling class."

He wasn't going to go into it any more and instead looked over at Ginia, his mouth twisting slightly. While he liked the diversion, he still wasn't sure about movies or shopping.

"You are are going to drag me to the movies after shopping?"

[thetopofthefoodchain]

It probably was more exciting than Shen Wei was making it out to be. He was so closed off it seemed any time Da Qing learned anything about him Shen Wei saught to distract him.

But this is just the way things are. Da Qing drops the subject.

"Why not. Movies are fun, shopping less so but you do need gloves."

[unlucky7]

It's definitely more exciting than Shen Wei is making it out to be. The kind of story that feels like an epic adventure and could only exist in fiction. But it's also their story and all the realities of it, the ups and downs, make it very dangerous for Da Qing to know.

"Sure looks like it. It'll only be a few hours, won't even take up the entire day unless you want it to. Da Qing, want to come too?"