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

[alchemists]

That makes sense, guns are made to take the impact and force with the person using it not needing to do as much.

[ Elfnein really doesn't know a lot about non symphogear related gun items, but now's a good time to learn about it. ]

[unlucky7]

That's not to say kickback can't throw someone's aim off if someone isn't braced for it.

[A shotgun kicks far more than a handgun, and a few handguns pack a punch. Ginia hasn't shot many guns since her arrival, but it's a fact that remains in her mind as common knowledge.]

But shooting a gun and kyudo are also fairly different too. Kyudo is far more meditative in its practice.

[alchemists]

But the outcome is still you hitting a target, I don't see how one would consider it more meditative?

[unlucky7]

That's only if you treat the overall goal as just hitting the target. Gun marksmanship focuses on accuracy, but kyudo places importance on the form. Hitting the target is an outcome of the full form, not the goal.

[alchemists]

I don't really understand... is it the type of thing I need to experience in order to understand fully?

[unlucky7]

Maybe a little, though I wouldn't be the best teacher for that.

[Ginia pauses, seeking out another comparison to make.]

To put it another way, say you're going to a store. Some people like to get to the store as fast as possible. Other people like to enjoy the scenery on the way. Both groups get to the store eventually, but the method differs.

[alchemists]

I think I get it now, or at least the idea of the two methods being different but still enjoyable to different sets of people.

[ It's all stuff she'll have to ask Chris about later, after all she's the know it all when it comes to guns, bows and anything that fires a bullet. ]

[unlucky7]

That's precisely it. And to be fair, some people do kyudo and focus more on hitting the target than the form. And some people like things like paintball or airsoft guns for the thrill of acting out a battle. 

[Ginia glances out at the row of targets, flexing her left hand as she considers the range.]

I guess for me, I don't have any attachment or other thoughts when I shoot a gun. It's just aiming and shooting for me.

[alchemists]

I wonder if Chris thinks the same way when she's attacking enemies with her guns.

[unlucky7]

[That's a real good question. Ginia's mouth turns in a thought twist. Chris strikes her as a "aim and shoot" type like her, though Chris's attacks are more a full spread of attacks versus the single, accurate shot Ginia favors. The music adds another layer and that Ginia knows means a lot to her god.]

I think if I had to guess, singing means more to Chris than shooting does. I'll have to ask her though, I'm curious.

[alchemists]

I don't think she will give a straightforward answer about it, odds are she'll get embarrassed or say something about a battlefield.

[ If there's one thing Elfnein knows is that Chris can be very tsundere when it comes to certain topics. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia snorts quietly, a brief grin forming. Yeah, that seems pretty likely.]

Even if she's going to tsun about it, I'm still curious about her answer. I might ask Tsubasa too, even if she's more swords and blades than guns and bows.

[alchemists]

"A sword must always be ready for battle" Is what Tsubasa might say to that.

[ She's heard enough of how Tsubasa used to act from Chris and when Maria was around. ]

[unlucky7]

[Another tiny snort escapes. Ginia has heard from Tsubasa about how she used to be more focused and less fun. That's certainly an attitude to take and while Ginia sees the merit, she's also glad Tsubasa is a bit more relaxed.]

That's very... [Her hands bob as she seeks the right word.] Cool sounding, in a way. Like a catchphrase. But I'm glad she's not so serious at all times too.

[alchemists]

Chris has told me that she used to be serious all the time but I can't really picture her like that now.

[unlucky7]

[Strangely, Ginia still kinda can, though she's also heard inklings of Chris's life.]

I'm glad both of them aren't as serious. I'm also glad they're able to enjoy themselves here, for however long it lasts.

[alchemists]

I agree, I want them to be able to relax more and not have to fight as much like back home. Even if it's just for a little while.

[unlucky7]

As Chris's shinki, I guess making sure she relaxes is my job as much as anything else. It won't be hard dragging Tsubasa along for fun.

[She smiles at Elfnein.]

If I pull them off on a trip, want to come along? Make it a regular outing? Romeo can come too.

[alchemists]

You wouldn't mind us tagging along at all?

[ It would be nice to go on a group trip, Elfnein's been spending more time inside working on projects then getting out and having fun like a normal child. ]

[unlucky7]

Of course not. I can't imagine either of them having complaints either.

[If anything, they would probably yell at her if she didn't invite Elfnein and Romeo along.]

Maybe an amusement park? Or the zoo? Where would you want to go?

[alchemists]

An amusement park would be fun! We're tall enough to get on most of the rides now.

[ Though, some of the roller coasters are still out of team smol's leagues. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia laughs, face squishing into a full smile. She'll have to see which amusement park is most accommodating for the smaller folk, but Ginia is pretty sure there are plenty of options.

In the back of her mind, she can't shake the fact Romeo and Elfnein might not grow any taller. At least not through time or by normal circumstances. Ebisu will one day grow up - even grow taller than her - but the old gods are different from the new.]

Let's go in the summer when the weather is nice. Could even go to a water park if it's too hot.

[alchemists]

I've never been to a water park, I've only been to the beach.

[ She knows what a water park is, there's slides and different pools. Problem is S.O.N.G never took a trip to one so there was no way to go to one back home. ]

[unlucky7]

Now that you've said that, we definitely need to go to a water park.

[Beat.]

Do you and Romeo know how to swim?

[alchemists]

I know how to swim, and I think Romeo can at least doggy paddle without issues.