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

[chibisu]

[Aomi raises one hand as if in gentle rebuke, smiling almost in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sure it would just raise problems if someone such as myself were to approach one of the other temples for a match. I'll only practice diligently." Yet somehow the smile is a little colder as he tilts his head downwards. "But I certainly won't turn any of them away if they were to approach me."]

[Ebisu blinks up at him before beaming at Ginia.]

Still waters, right? [Aomi loses any sense of coolness, making a flustered protest that Ebisu firmly ignores.] You've been doing quite well with a bow, however, Jitsumi! I will have to keep that in mind for the future. However, you seem a little on edge.

[unlucky7]

[Still waters indeed. By all means, Aomi, kick their asses. Ginia huffs softly, a hint of a grin forming. She accepts Ebisu's compliment with a light nod as she looks at the target. She sights the target with her left eye closed, then her right, knowing she's pulling to one side from shooting with her non-dominant eye and hand. It'll take time to train with shooting right-handed, but there's time for that.

This is all a distraction from having to answer Ebisu's question. Ginia taps her phone against her chest as she tries to figure out what to say.]

There were a large number of disappearances among my generation. Two friends disappeared were among them, but also my second god and his exemplar.

[A sigh rattles out.]

It bothers me and I don't know why.

[chibisu]

You miss them.

[Aomi is thinking of a delicate way to put that very same phrase, but Ebisu doesn't hesitate. It's both not something he's come to learn, still a child god as he is, and it's not something that's natural to his personality. All he does is blink up at her.]

If they're friends, and people you were close with, that's what that feeling would be, wouldn't it?

[unlucky7]

Maybe. I definitely miss my friends.

[But Caster and Archer? The time for missing them feels long gone, not when she hasn't spoken with them in months. It was the natural drift of different lives moving away. Sometimes she'd see them at a distance at a training session or at any big gathering, but there was never the urge to say anything to them.

Now knowing she won't see them again ever, it's a low sense of sadness but also a sense of relief. It's the relief she can't admit to, not when so many people miss them.]

I made a lot of mistakes my first few months. Things I regret that I can't take back.

[Her composed mask slips as she laughs, dark and self-deprecating. For all the improvement she's shown over the last few months, still waters run deep. Sometimes it's deep water all the way down and sometimes it doesn't take long to hid mud.]

I suppose no one knows now but me.

[chibisu]

[If that's how she feels... Ebisu reaches over to gently take her hand. He can feel that low dull throb of emotion beating through their bond, as quiet and unnotable as a heartbeat would be to a regular person. It's not a huge thing, not yet, but he is fairly certain he can feel it regardless.]

You can speak about it if you like. Or not.

[Adjusting his hold on his bow, Aomi reaches over to rest one hand lightly on Ebisu's shoulder. "Of course, we can focus on archery as well. I'm not sure how much tips I could give you, granted. You seem to have a very firm grasp on the art already."]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia holds Ebisu's hand and manages to smile weakly at him. She should talk to him - or if not him, someone - but it's hard. It's too easy picking and choosing her words on her phone, burying things or ignoring them, all the things she knows she shouldn't do, but old habits die hard.

She looks at Aomi, looks back at the range, at the arrows she still has.]

My last exemplar taught me kyudo. [There, a starting place.] He was so good at it, I loved watching him shoot. I asked him to teach me so I'd have an alternative to firearms. Eventually it became a hobby. This is the first time I've fired a bow since January.

I hate that it reminds me of him. That I hear his damn voice walking me through the steps.

[chibisu]

[It sounds... like a complicated thing. More complicated than Ebisu thinks he may be used to, or even qualified to speak on. He listens patiently regardless, brow crumpled, before he looks back to Aomi. At least it's a good thing that he has him nearby today.]

[Aomi, for his most part, simply looks at her patiently, considering something. After a second, he speaks up.]

"Do you want to forget his association completely?"

[unlucky7]

[A tense breath escapes. Ginia crosses her arms across her chest, unconsciously rubbing a spot on her left shoulder. Whether she likes it or not, Caster and Archer had an influence on her. It was a needed step in figuring out herself. But it still hurts, more now that she's facing the realization anything that could have been said will never be said.

No parting letters or gifts, just finding out by proxy and confirming through missing names on the contact list. But isn't that how it should go? She said her goodbye months ago.]

No. Not completely. Forgetting him completely feels dishonest, like I'm rewriting history. But I want this to be something I can do because it's what I want to do, not because I needed to replace an unavailable skillset with something else. Not because I wanted to be someone or something I wasn't.

[chibisu]

"I see."

[That's at least something to aim for, then. Ebisu himself seems to understand this a little more, nodding thoughtfully.]

Even if they're bad, memories and the feelings that go with them are important... It's a complicated balance. Then, if that's the case, maybe doing this with someone else will help? Or... Hm.

[Aomi speaks up again for this.] "How do you feel when you're using a bow, Jitsumi?"

[unlucky7]

[Memories matter. She can't count on knowing more about her living life, for as much as it's shaped her to who she is now. Everything now, for as much as things hurt, she too has to keep them because it's the only way to grow. The good memories, the bad, the sad, the angry; with only herself remaining, maybe it's time to sort through them.

Ginia turns Aomi's question over in her mind. Drawing an immediate blank, she turns the question to a similar one; how does she feel when using a gun? The feelings there are easier to pinpoint: precise, fast, proud, detached. It's a thing she can do, a thing she can do incredibly well, but also in service of much more violent means. Guns and bows are weapons of war, but the discipline behind both are different.]

Grounded. It's all gut instinct when I shoot a gun, but with archery, I'm still thinking through everything. I like it's more meditative.

[chibisu]

"Then you are following the core purpose of kyudo. I'm not sure what help I can offer..."

[His fingers rub along the curved wood still in his hands, a little nervous, a little thoughtful.]

"But I think... If you keep focusing on that quiet grounded aspect, if you focus more on the pull and tension of the bow, it might help you come to terms a little more with it."

[Ebisu nods excitedly from where he's standing.]

All that can be done is to entwine more memories with the action, I believe, so that it's not only comprised of the ones which make you uncomfortable or miserable.

[unlucky7]

[A matter of time and re-association. Ginia still doubts she has time on her side, but she'll manage what she can.]

Can I watch you shoot? Having new memories to look back on could be nice. I know you didn't come here with a bow to stand around and look cool as you console your junior coworker too.

[She smiles and bows her head to Aomi and Ebisu in turn.]

Thank you.

[chibisu]

"Well, I suppose that wouldn't be the worst thing to come out of me putting this on. I would accept it." [Aomi tilts his head to the side with a small smile.] "But I would be honored to demonstrate for you and the young master."

[Well, Ebisu would be lying if he said he hadn't been interested in this from the start. After all, it's why he's accompanying Aomi now. So all he does is grin up at Ginia.]

Then, which of the courses do you think we should have him go through?

[They can push him as easy or hard as they want, because it's not a problem at all. Ebisu has that much faith in his shinki.]

[unlucky7]

I think that is ultimately Aomi's decision. Give me a moment to put everything away.

[The easy temptation is to pick the hardest courses for Aomi to tackle. Ginia too is confident in his skills, but it feels better letting him decide how much he wants to show off. With as many people gathered as there are, some might want to draw attention and others avoid it.

Ginia finishes returning the equipment and rejoins them. She scoops Ebisu up and seats him on her shoulders so he can have a better view.]

[chibisu]

[By the time Ginia comes back, Aomi has comfortably settled himself by one of the easier targets. No absurd difficulty, no magic tricks, just a target out in the open. He's going over his bow one last time, just in case, and smiles when she lifts Ebisu upwards. The small god seems elated, grinning and squirming cheerfully on her shoulders.]

"You have a really good handling of a bow, but are you familiar with the philosophy of Kyudo, Jitsumi?"

[unlucky7]

[With one arm around Ebsiu's legs and a slight lean forward, Ginia keeps him from toppling or flopping around too much. It still keeps a hand free to type too.]

Archer told me a little when he was teaching me, but I'd like to hear your words, Aomi.

[chibisu]

[Truly she's adjusted well to being the shinki of a young reincarnated god. Aomi smiles a little bit at the sight before getting back on track.]

"Well... His words and mine might be very different, then. As with many different arts, kyudo has a variety of different schools, and each one of course has its own focus. Some keep to the school of being martially proficient, while others focus more on the beauty of the shot. I don't think there's any wrong way, truly. Different things speak to different people."

"For myself... I definitely have more of a preference to the more..." [He pauses, thinking over his words.] "Spiritual aspect of it? Of any classic art to Japan, of which I do believe the bow has a place in. Making sure the arrow hits the target is important, but, to get there, I believe that it's definitely important to put one's self completely into the entire act. If, ah, that makes much sense?"

[Ebisu is shaking his head, but, well. That's him with most physical activities, outside of fishing.]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia nods, understanding fully. For her, the focus was always hitting the target with the movements behind it a secondary focus. Appreciated and understood, but her drive for perfection made accuracy more important than anything. It was a replacement first and foremost. But with time and greater appreciation, she was enjoying it on its own merits for the meditative nature.It's not as if she could fight ayakashi on her own with a bow. In times of war, she'd rather bring her gun along, maybe Luger. She's free to leave kyudo as a hobby, maybe something she can do with Chris.]

I think I like the focus on form and self moreso than hitting the target. When I use a gun, I don't really think of anything. I take aim, I shoot, I hit the target.

[With a gun, she could clear even the hardest challenge here effortlessly. She's that certain in her abilities in herself. It's all muscle memory with a dash of detachment. Maybe she's been shooting for so long she doesn't need to think about her form, but it feels different. Detached. Efficient. The implications, plus her first form, are troubling.]

Sorry, I shouldn't distract you from your shot.

[chibisu]

"It's fine. Part of getting into the practice means tuning out other people, sometimes."

[Ebisu laughs a little bit.] The temple is very packed and noisy, after all!

[Which means that, for anything which can't be done in one's own room, a certain amount of people are going to be present, especially depending on the area that the hobby takes place in. Archery, well. It definitely requires some outdoor space.]

"I personally like the bow as an extension of myself... It helps me be aware of myself in some ways. At any rate..."

[Enough time for talking. Aomi takes a long deep breath, settling himself and feeling the flow of air in him. His movements are smooth but certain as he raises the bow over his head, pulling back the arrow along with the gesture. At the same time, there's no rush. It's clear his focus is on the sensation on it all, stare focused ahead of him on the target. The shot that gets fired off isn't a perfect bulls eye, but there is a certain natural air to it.]

[unlucky7]

[The temple is very packed and noisy and Ginia is so used to it that other temples feel a bit too quiet now. But she enjoys the noise and constant company. There would probably be more if she left her door unlocked or invited people over more. A few people have definitely nudged her about coming over to see her place.

Ginia admires Aomi's movements and posture as he draws the arrow. He makes it look so easy, but that is the benefit of centuries of practice. She can understand the difference between the way he shoots and the way she does.]

You're so cool and elegant.

[chibisu]

"I'm honored you think so. Although I think that merely comes with the practice."

[Coming to a rest, he laughs a little and scratches at his cheek.]

"Apparently there are still school clubs that indulge in this, so I think the very idea is just very attractive to many people."

Well, Japan is a country of tradition. [Ebisu beams. As one of the Gods of Fortune who was born in the country, well, he knows a fair bit there.] Even tourists like to see skills such as archery!

[unlucky7]

I've always wanted to see horseback archery myself.

[With all the festivals coming up and a job in tourism, it's only a matter of time before she sees it at an event.]

I wonder if Chris would want to try it out? She's already a good shot and I could be her bow. All she needs is a horse.

[chibisu]

Oh, that should be easy enough! I believe in one of my notes, I wrote that there's a gentleman who runs a ranch and is actually somewhat familiar with my temple! He might be able to help us in borrowing some finely trained horses.

[Keeping his bow at his side, Aomi approaches and tilts his head to the side.]

"The Iwayama family...? Ah, that man passed away a few decades ago, young master. However, I believe his son has taken up the family business, and he's reached the age where he's familiar with us."

[unlucky7]

[There's an inquiry she'll have to throw Chris's way. Tsubasa too, if she has any interest in horseback riding. It could make for a nice outing if she can carve out enough time.]

Are there many aware of us regularly?

I imagine the families that maintain your shrines are aware of our existence in some form. I know children, those close to death, and those otherwise sensitive notice us easier.

[Ginia frowns as she struggles to find the words for her question.]

Is it possible to be friends with humans?

[chibisu]

Not too many... [Ebisu still double checks by glancing back at Aomi before continuing.] Most people don't see us very easily to begin with. You're right in your understanding of who normally see us... .

I believe the predecessor was merely old, right?

[Aomi nods.] "And now his son is as well. So in that case, it's merely that he's become old enough that he can see and remember us to some degree. As for humans..."

[Where Aomi hesitates, Ebisu barrels forward.]

It's difficult, but possible. However, that can be a little heartbreaking, from what I understand, and if they become a shinki...

[Well, then they exist forever, barring a second death, but then one's mere presence or a slip up could ruin things. Badly.]