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

[hypomeneo]

Fuck!

[Yeah.


That. Sure.


Sounded.



... like a man about to break into a round of cursing because OW! Clutching face! OW!]

[reloves]

[ Yeah, that's definitely a "not okay" kind of answer. Thankfully Minako is pretty good at thinking on her feet, and she's immediately pretty sure they should have something lying around here for these kinds of incidents. Isn't first aid required for these kinds of events?

And thankfully there is! She manages to grab some ointment and then quickly makes her way over to Waver. Minako holds it out, but since she's pretty sure he can't see much with the way he's clutching his face-- ]

Here, put some of this on your face. It'll help with the sting.

[ It won't help the embarrassment though, sorry. ]

[hypomeneo]

[There's a nasty welt across his face when he finally stops swearing and holding his face in his hands. It won't stay long - Servant healing factor being what it is - but oh the embarrassed fume when Minako finally sees his expression.]

Thank you.

[He's just going to dip his fingers into the ointment if it's open and smear it all over the mark, all the while grumbling to himself about being an idiot, and whoever brought those bowstrings didn't check them very well because they are fragile as fuck and a certain menace to every unsuspecting novice out there...

(no they aren't; it's just Waver not knowing his own strength still)]

[reloves]

[ Minako just stands there, watching Waver while he's busy being the resident old man yelling at clouds. Or at bows, in this case. Minako is not mean enough to want to rub this whole deal in, especially since he does seem kind of embarrassed, so she's just trying to think of the diplomatic thing to say here for a moment or two. ]

They really should've picked some more fun activities than this, huh?

[ See, Waver, it's not you being too secretly buff for these bows! Clearly it's just that this activity sucks. Look how much effort she's putting into trying to be nice here to a random old guy horse scryer!! ]

[hypomeneo]

Yeah. Or safer ones.

[Gritting his teeth as he goes to hunt for another bow string for that bow, because he's nothing if not a stubborn creature, and at least he'll leave the bow in proper condition for the next person.

... though now he wants to master it out of spite.]

Though I guess it's the best tool for hunting aside from a gun.

[He enjoyed shooting with Chris, though he's still making a bit of a face because he's still sore over all this, and not just because his face continues to smart.]

Sounds like you have a better idea, though.

[reloves]

Well, I'm not sure if I have a lot of better ideas when it comes to this theme..

[ Because.. seriously, a hunt? That just entirely revolves around harming and killing innocent animals! There's a lot of fun sporty activities that don't involve killing things. Geez, what were these old gods thinking.

Minako is definitely noticing what Waver is doing over there though, and her expression turns a bit doubtful. ]

... Are you going to try and do that again though? [ Do you just want to get hurt, old man... ]

[hypomeneo]

I'm leaving the bow set to rights for the next person.

[... so... maybe??? He's just going to try stringing it.





And come back to it later. Because now it's pissed him off.]

Well... instead of hunting animals, we could be hunting plants. Isn't nature viewing and things like flower and leaf pressing supposed to be big here?

[reloves]

[ Flower pressing sounds like a much safer hobby. Minako isn't too sure if she wants to touch the bows again either now she's seen what it did to him.. She isn't going to risk her own beautiful face for it! ]

Flower pressing might be nice.. [ Not to mention she could try to see if she could find pretty ones to bring back to Zelda! A win-win situation. ] Do you maybe want to go and look for flowers together? It's dangerous to walk around by yourself under these circumstances!

[ Like.. what if someone would mistake him for a bear! Somehow! ]

[hypomeneo]

[Stringing the bow is an awkward task for a man not used to it, and there's a lot of fumbling as he talks.]

Sure, why not. There should be some nice ones at this time of year. [... he can take them for alchemy supplies if he finds the right ones. Win win.] I'd like to think the people here are paying attention... but... errrr...

Tempting Fate. Yeah.

[Well... if things get him to growling again, there might be a chance of that.]

[reloves]

Exactly. Better safe than sorry in this case, right?

[ Not that Minako can't be a little reckless from time to time too, but.. that's for a good cause! Usually, anyway. Getting shot by accident while looking for flowers isn't exactly a good cause as far as she's concerned.

And Waver has already had to endure enough for today after that little bow incident. ]

Do you know a lot about flowers? [ Since he mentioned "nice ones".. Sure, it could be a general statement, but it can't hurt to ask. ]

[hypomeneo]

Hmmm... well for teas, potions, and other alchemy related remedies, I seem to know a fair bit? Flowers have always been important in ritual, regardless...

For example, the ancient Egyptians believed that giving flowers brought good fortune, and there are people that believe the act of planting them during the eve of a new moon granted the same. And taking them away from people, especially the dead, gets you cursed.

[Always back to the magic, though Caster would have been the more proficient with that particular area given his druid roots.]

You can use them for sending secret messages too! There's Victorian flower language and hanakotoba, after all.

[reloves]

[ To give Minako some credit, she does seem to be listening pretty attentively to what he's saying, despite the fact she's usually not the type to really be into information dumps. Maybe it's the topic, or maybe it's just because she asked and doesn't want to be rude, who knows. But she's listening, at least. ]

Ah, you're right, hanakotoba! Of course I know about that! [ Not.. that she actually knows the meaning of any flowers though, Minako isn't anywhere near delicate and elegant enough for that. But she can pretend, right. ] Right, I should be looking for a flower while keeping that in mind!

[hypomeneo]

[... yep, that is the voice of a woman that has her hanakotoba nailed down.]

Got someone in mind, I'm guessing?

[GODDAMNIT, FINALLY HE HAS THIS BOW RE-STRINGED. Okay, Minako, let's go look at the prettier things here before Waver pounces back on the archery out of pure stubbornness to get the better of it.]

[reloves]

Yup!

[ Don't worry, Minako is eager to get going. If there's anything she hates, it's just sitting still or standing around. She was already practically bouncing from foot to foot before, but now she's just full on turning off and starting to walk, like she's just trusting him to follow her here without even looking. ]

Don't get the wrong idea though, it's not a boyfriend or anything like that.

[hypomeneo]

Oh... what sort of idea should I have?

[Maybe he should have brought a basket or something.

... this is what magic's for, but geez, this flower picking outing may not be thought out, as he follows her into the woods.]

[reloves]

[ Aren't you going to be a gentleman and carry everything for her, Waver!! ]

It's for my goddess! [ Minako speaks as she's just walking on, looking more ahead of her to try and spot some flowers rather than actually looking at him. ] Who knows.. Maybe the sight of some flowers might do her good!

[ Since a lot of other things haven't seemed to help much so far. ]

[hypomeneo]

[And turn in his grumpy old man card?]

... she's taking Caster and Archer's disappearance hard, huh?

[Well... there's also the nap that may have fallen a little short of Rip Van Winkle, but he's guessing Zelda's bummed for kinda the same reasons he and Iskandar are.]

[reloves]

[ See, now Minako is glad that she was running ahead of him a little to find some flowers, because it means she doesn't have to fret about the way her smile drops for a moment at the mention of that. And it gives her enough time to put it back in place - although a milder, less over the top version of it - when he catches up with her. ]

Ah.. You figured it out, huh? [ Not that it was very difficult, but still. She didn't want to talk about it out of respect for Zelda's privacy, but if he's bringing it up himself, then it should be fine. ]

It's only natural though, right? I'd also be pretty upset if I lost the person I loved.

[hypomeneo]

Iskandar and Caster were good friends. We found out they were gone after losing Satya.

[... Waver was going to call in Caster to provide emotional support in other words for Iskandar. Despite being his lover, Iskandar keeps his silence with him, and rarely confides his troubles. Has kept everything to himself, for a long time, from both him and her, and Waver has long charted this in his own silence.

And he knows the answer without going farther.

And he knows where this is going.

He hates himself and what he's trapped as.]

I'd be devastated. There's nothing unnatural about that.

[Grief screams beneath his set face, wailing winds eroding him without the protection of his memories, and Waver breathes in. Breathes out the pain. Endures. And keeps looking forward.]

[reloves]

[ For a moment Minako is quiet, like she's processing what he's telling her. ]

.. Are you okay?

[ Sure, earlier he seemed.. relatively alright. His reaction to getting hit by the string seemed like the kind of old man grumbling she'd expect from what she's seen of Waver by now. He doesn't seem particularly sad right now, but if he's saying he lost someone, and then lost more people by extension.. That can't be easy.

Not that Minako didn't know Caster and Archer and like them well enough, but it's always been easier for her to prioritise helping out other people at times like these. And with Zelda's grief being so intense, it automatically became a priority over anything else.

She turns to him, smiling friendly and widely. ]

Ah, not that you have to tell me if you aren't! Discussing that with some random teenage girl might be strange, right? People might spread weird rumors! [ She's mostly kind of molding it into a joke to give him an out in case he is hurting, but would prefer to shove the feeling down as much as possible - but at the same time keeping the offer open if he does want to talk. ]

[hypomeneo]

No. No... I'm not.

[There's a moment where shear exhaustion slips through the stoicism and Waver contemplates what to say. A moment where the joke seems to go unregistered.]

... rumor mill or not, I'm worried about him. He isn't taking things well.

... I'm sure you can get where that's putting me.

[reloves]

It's hard, isn't it? It's not like you can fill up the space that's left by yourself, since it belongs to another person. There's no easy solution to solve someone's grief about something like that. [ It's pretty obvious from the way she's talking - and context clues, really, considering Waver knows about Zelda's case - that it's exactly what Minako has been thinking about all this time too.

Still, she sounds way less exhausted about it than him. Not that she doesn't feel it, but if there's anything Minako is great at, it's shoving that stuff down and slap a smile onto her face. ]

They say time heals all wounds, but who knows how much time there is.

[ Especially if, like Waver says, Iskandar isn't taking it well. ]

[hypomeneo]

No... there isn't.

[Which hits at the core of Waver's own buried trauma.]

Hard is a word for it. [Waver looks straight ahead.] When you lose somebody... the world stops appearing in color and starts appearing in shades of them. Everything you've been through together. All that might of been. How they would react to this or that...

[There's a bitter smile.] You realize the world is fragile. Your connections to others are fragile. Like building a house when the foundations are set in sand. And if you lose anyone else, the chance everything in you topples in...

That's him right now. [That's Waver right now.] Looking at where she used to be... and me, right now, his lover. Realizing how little control he has over anything.

... it'll take time for healing, true. But when you can't guarantee time itself... mmm...

Hard is definitely the word.

[reloves]

[ It's not hard to see that even though Waver is talking about someone else's feelings, he's talking about his own as well.

But talking about them in a way that's this profound.. It does make it seem like there's more to it, right? Like it isn't just something he's feeling now, but maybe something he's already felt before. And intensely enough to be able to say these kinds of things about it.

It's sad to think he might have had to deal with that sort of sadness multiple times.. But Minako tucks that thought away, not wanting to bring it up when he already has enough to deal with. ]

If you're lovers, though.. [ She speaks slower than usually, like she's really trying - for once - to be careful about the words she chooses. ] Then.. At least you're there for him. And he's there for you. Like I said, no one can be a replacement for someone else, but..

[ A lover is the person most important to you. That's what Minako thinks, anyway. It makes her own weird hangups on love all the more painful, but it won't destroy that belief. ]

Being with the person you love.. You can make it through that way. Even if it might take a while.