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

[artificialrose]

Ah... So Amaterasu's shinki are prepared even with that. Well, Garry supposes he can't be too surprised. He's also seen some of the younger shinki which hang around that retinue. Perhaps that's why they have some things on hand like this. Garry looks for a good spot for the two of them, where they can draw on a relatively decent surface.

"You know... I don't think I've ever checked. I haven't had a chance to really draw properly, or I haven't thought about it." He smiles to Romeo. "Why don't we look up the pictures of the deer first so that we know what we're drawing?"

[myblueskies]

Romeo followed him to a flat space where they could spread out the paper and pencils.

"I tried to draw. I can't make things look as good as they really do..." Hopefully he can make the differences between the deer clear. Or that Garry could draw really good! They would soon find out!

"On our phones!" They could find pictures of anything on the Internet!

[artificialrose]

"Well, that's just because you haven't done it a lot yet, or been taught by an art teacher." Garry reaches over to briefly pat his shoulder. "A lot of great artists aren't perfect right off the bat. People just don't pay attention to them when they're not good yet, and so it surprises them when they see how much that skill is polished. If you really want to learn to draw, or like drawing, then I'm sure you will get better in time. But for right now..." Digging through his pockets, he pulls out his phone.

"Let's see if we can find the right deer, first. The ones no one is supposed to hurt are the shiki deer, right?"

[myblueskies]

"There are teachers for art?" Just like there were for reading and writing? Romeo wanted to find one! Because art was really fun and he would like to learn to do it better!

Garry's right though, practice is the best way to get good at anything!

"Yes the shiki ones!" He picked up a pencil and frowned a moment, figuring out the sounds before writing it in neat hirigana on the paper.

"I think you write it like that!" They needed to be able to write it before they could search for it!

[artificialrose]

"That's right. Some places make it a regular class, once you get into middle school or high school." Checking over the spelling, he types it into his phone. "Other places, they make it a club that you can attend after school. There are even places outside of school, where people gather for fun, or to put it on their application to college."

There, that looks like the right thing. Smiling, he tilts his phone to Romeo. "That looks right, I think."

[myblueskies]

Wait. Wait. There's more than one type of school? "Is the school in the heavens a middle or high one?" Or a... low one? That would be the other option right? And what is college?

He has so many questions but they have a task to do! He looks at the phone and nods. "I think that's the right one! Now we just gotta draw it!"

[artificialrose]

Oh dear, it looks like he's lost him. Well, that's fine. It will give them something to talk about as they work on this, and Garry nods to him. "That's right. So we'll both try and draw it together, and see what comes out."

And while he's getting a good idea of the shape of the deer... "You're talking about Hakkai's school, aren't you? I think... that's just a rather general one. What do you know about schools, Romeo?"

[myblueskies]

Romeo nodded and picked up a pencil, frowning slightly as he looked back at the screen to see what shape he had to draw.

"Yes! I go there sometimes and learn things!" A general school, another type! Romeo hadn't known there were different kinds of schools!

"A school is a place you go and learn things! Like reading and writing. I learn kanji at mister Hakkai's school and also some numbers." He thought about anything else he knew about schools. "A person who tells you things in a school is called a teacher! And you don't just got to be little to go there, grown ups go to mister Hakkai's school too if they don't know things!"

[artificialrose]

"Well... That's probably because Hakkai's school is the only one in the Far Shore," Garry muses, trying to think of anywhere else that might be good enough. Nothing really comes to mind.

"But, in other countries, schools would be... divided by age, I suppose you could say. Children your age would go to a primary or elementary school. Then, once they became teenagers, they would go to a different one."

[myblueskies]

"A different one when you become a teenager?" Romeo nodded with wide eyes, "And do you learn different things in the different schools?"

He guessed teenagers might need to learn different things, about how to be bigger and grown up!

[artificialrose]

"Well, sort of." Pausing, he taps a marker along his chin. Hopefully he's explaining this right. He only has vague 'knowledge' of how things should be, but no experiences or memories that he can call upon.

"It's more that they start to learn more complicated things as you go up. For example, in elementary school, you would learn how to add and subtract numbers. However, high school would have you learning more complicated math, like... how to do a percentage of a thing." Does Romeo even know what that is? Garry waggles his marker in the air. "For example, 50% meaning half of something. Well, I don't want to make it too detailed of an explanation."

Going back to drawing properly, he chuckles. "College, or other schools like that, are for adults who want to learn complicated things so that they can get difficult jobs. For example, making the phones we use."

[myblueskies]

Romeo has no idea what that is but Garry's explanation makes it simpler. Half of a thing, 50%. He's not sure why you need a whole school to learn that but maybe it's a lot more complicated than just that.

He goes back to drawing too. A school to learn how to make phones? "Even adults go to school too?" Antlers are tricky to draw. "I bet it's really fun!"

[artificialrose]

"That's right, if they want to." Garry keeps his marker strokes light and brisk, using one of the lighter colors as he gets a basic form down. It feels almost reassuringly familiar. "Some people can stop after high school, because that's enough to get most jobs like working as a cook at a family restaurant, or helping at a market. If they have a really tough goal, however, then they keep on learning. There are some things they only teach in college, after all."

Alright, that should be good enough... A little more detailed work now. "And it can definitely be fun if it's something you're really interested in. Maybe we can go to one someday, and you can see how it works."

[myblueskies]

Garry was very good at this. Romeo was still stuck on the antlers! But he's trying his best, a serious look on his face.

Schools were really interesting! Romeo hadn't known there were so many kinds and so many things to learn!]

I'd like that! We could go and see what they all learn in Japan!

[artificialrose]

"We certainly could." Garry laughs a little bit, leaning down a bit more to get a better look at the deer on the phone. He knows it doesn't have to be perfect, but he can't help himself.

"I'm sure it would be interesting as well. I haven't been to any of the schools in Japan yet either." Not that he can remember, anyway. He wishes he could say for certain that he's never been in Japan, even alive, but that, well. That gets a little too close to some mental alarm bells.

"How are you doing with your deer?"

[myblueskies]

They would have to do that then! Romeo thought Elfnein would be interested in what school was like in Japan too!

He grinned and held up his picture. It... He had tried...

"I need to work on the antlers more..." Drawing is tricky...

[artificialrose]

It's a very good stick figure drawing, to be fair, and Garry smiles understandingly. "The antlers are pretty hard, so I don't think anyone would blame you. They're probably the hardest part of drawing a deer."

Along with just general, you know, drawing, but Garry doesn't mention that. It is clear that he's taking a little bit longer than Romeo, however, but he seems to have a better idea of what he's doing. It's not the most realistic drawing, or even the most practiced, but it's fairly decent. Simpler, a little more stylized in that aspect, but still recognizable as a deer as he begins to add in details with a darker marker.

"If we draw deer more, I'm certain we'll both get better."

wrap?

[myblueskies]

Romeo watched Garry for a moment, his deer looks so good! "You are a really good drawer!"

Romeo was sure they would get better, if they practised lots. For now he focused on the antlers, trying to make them look a bit more like Garry's.

"We will sir! We just need to draw lots of deer!"