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

[blahblahblah]

Rita blinks. "Huh. Guess I got lucky. I'll have to figure out how to make the gel base too, but... maybe this'll work out after all. Still gotta get more stuff, but this is a good start. And even if I don't get the curative effect I'm looking for, hey, helps with headaches," she adds with a grin.

She pauses, before looking back to Ginia as she pockets the vials again. "You didn't follow me out here, though. What were you up to? Maybe I can help with that as I go."

[unlucky7]

"Enjoying the scenery and keeping an eye out for sacred deer mostly. Nothing pressing, don't worry."

It's a distraction more than anything. There are a lot of weird memories associated with the forest and with some recent disappearances - some friends, some more complicated - there's a lot on Ginia's mind. After sleeping for a week, running around feels good too.

"What kind of gel are we talking about? Something more paste-like or a gummy or something? Is it more an instant effect or an over-time kind of thing?"

[blahblahblah]

"Well, if you're sure," Rita says after a moment. Dammit, she'll worry if she wants to! Which. Maybe she'll wait on.

The chance to direct herself into work makes her shake her head and reach into a pocket again, this time pulling out a small glass vial filled with something yellow. She shakes it for effect. "Gummy, and instant-ish. I've never really asked too many questions, but now that I can't just shake Fortune's Market until more fall out, I wish I had. They taste good, but I think someone told me once that had nothing to do with how they work?"

Not for the first time since she got here, Rita feels a pang of homesickness that she passes off as missing Estelle. Also not for the first time, she forces herself to believe it's because she wants to know things and not because she misses Estelle.

[unlucky7]

That's certainly bright and...goopy? Jelly-like? It makes her think of a typical RPG slime, but apparently edible, delicious, and with impressive healing power. Certainly better than all the medicine she can think of and what's readily available in the world. Ginia seizes on the possibilities of replicating or creating a compact healing item. There aren't too many people with healing magic or abilities around, any bit would help.

"I don't know if the plants would provide anything instantaneous. Even over-the-counter medication takes time for it to work. Ebisu's temple also has a pretty robust medical wing, maybe you could use some of the equipment to analyze the gel from its base chemical compounds? The kitchen staff could help too."

Ginia stops, realizing she's getting ahead of herself in her enthusiasm. She huffs and rubs the back of her neck.

"Sorry, I latch onto ideas pretty fast and tend to run wild with them."

[blahblahblah]

Rita smiles at Ginia's enthusiasm, letting out a soft, amused huff after a minute. Still, she nods as she listens. "I get like that with my research too, sometimes. I just don't have enough information to do that yet. Still... I might take you up on having Ebisu's temple help me out with this. I was never any good at healing artes, but hey, gotta start somewhere, right?"

[unlucky7]

"Sure thing, I'll give people a heads up, let me know when you're free." It's something that would certainly interest a few people. Who can really say no to an instant healing item that is also delicious? If it's something they can help produce, being able to keep some for themselves would be a nice trade in exchange for assistance.

"Never know what you're good at until you give it a try. I didn't think I'd be any good at spells, but then I created my own healing spell. Speaking of, you could also try speaking to Hakkai. Li Tieguai in the contacts. I believe he's able to create medicine as a part of being a god. He also knows healing magic of a sort."

[blahblahblah]

"Yeah, sure, will do," Rita says easily. "Worst case scenario, someone gets a sweet treat."

At the encouragement, she blinks, before shaking her head slightly. Still, she's smiling a bit. "I'll ask around. And that is impressive, really. But there's a reason I'm a researcher. I speak numbers, and healing doesn't seem to numbers very well. Not any formula I can work, at least."

[unlucky7]

"Mind if I ask what kinds of things you research? I'm inclined to say botany isn't one of your usual subjects."

It's a very gentle tease. Even the broadest of researchers still have things they like to focus on. Even if she was a botany expert, not knowing plants in a different world is easily forgiven. If she was into botany, having a whole new ecosystem to explore would probably be pretty exciting.

[blahblahblah]

"No, it's a little bit outside my wheelhouse. My research is... well, it's magic." She scratches her cheek while she thinks for a second; it's still strange to have to explain it when at home people know who she is (and run away from her) at length. "Magic where I come from is governed by formulas - it's all math, you just have to figure out the right equation to make it come out right. And sometimes figure out why your equation gives you something you weren't expecting."

Her fingertips rest on her bodhi blastia around her neck for a moment in contemplation, before she chuckles. "Of course, I make that sound simple, but I'm not a top imperial researcher for nothing."

[unlucky7]

Magic in terms of things governed by formulas and their own set of rules is not an unheard of concept to Ginia. From the conversations she's had with others about magic or seen on the network, there are other worlds with systems that work within constraints. It's fascinating and interesting to Ginia given her knowledge of magic is still largely 'things happen because I want them to.'

"That's incredibly fascinating. Does your magic work the same way here? I've seen people with different magic systems using their abilities here." It's something that's always struck Ginia as a little odd. You wouldn't think all the different worlds and systems and types of magic would work together like that. But she's not the magic expert so maybe it does. 

"If you want other people to chat magic research with, I can think of a few people that are good to talk to. Maybe they'll even have ideas on how to reverse engineer gels."

[blahblahblah]

"It..." Rita falters for a moment. How much to say...? "Kinda. The way I'm supposed to do it doesn't work here - I'm missing something. So I have my bodhi blastia now, which I really shouldn't use. But in small bursts, it's... probably fine." Heaven forbid she calls the Adephagos here somehow. A miracle like Vesperia No. 1 won't happen again." If I really wanted to, I could torch this entire forest. I'm not going to, but I could. I know how."

She hums for a moment when Ginia proposes even more people to talk to. "This is turning into a lot of people, isn't it? I guess I don't mind, but I'll scream at people half the time." Probably more than half the time, but she's not going to say that out loud.

[unlucky7]

There's a slight raise of her brow as Rita mentions how she could torch the forest, a twisting smile relieved she's not going to torch the place. 

"You know, one of my friends said his equipment wasn't working the same way it should. That a function was disabled. He wasn't sure if it broke on the way in or something else." Ginia can't think of too many other cases of things not working the way they should. Granted, it's not like she's asked everyone and who knows who has been here in the past. That's not even getting into shinki who can't remember things. But the cases stand out as unusual. And she would mention talking to Shun, when Rita's words stop her a little. Her expression is a bit sheepish as she rubs her neck again.

"Sorry, guess I'm used to setting up connections." Useful alliances, business deals, bringing in people for the sake of prayers, it's all in a day's work. "I'll ease back on that if it's annoying."

[blahblahblah]

Rita shakes her head. "It's more.... I'm missing people. I'm not too worried about it, though. This works fine." She pauses as Ginia seems to correct herself, and smiles. "Hey, it's not really annoying, it's just that I didn't really interact with people before. Nobody wanted to. So having this many people that I could talk to that would actually listen is kinda new." A pause. "And, uh. I'm not exactly personable with new people a lot of the time."

[unlucky7]

As a shinki, Ginia can't really say she personally misses anyone (though there are people in her life she has questions about) but it's a sentiment she understands. All her god friends know who they've left back home and though there's the chance they'll show up here - for better or worse - most everyone is waiting for a chance back home too.

"I'll point out on my first day, someone ambushed me with borderlines and someone else kicked me across the room in a spar." The former ended up being a friend of sorts, the latter a bit more complicated. Her smile is reassuring. She's really only seen good things from Rita, though it's not as if she's seen much either. With all the people around that have no chill whatsoever, it's fine. "I think you'll be fine. Unless you're the kind that would chew out the Queen of Heaven and tell her she's wrong at a private meeting? If you are, you're in good company."

[blahblahblah]

"Okay, fair. I'm still about as likely to burn people as to make meaningful conversation," Rita cautions. "And I've always been the kind to shoot first. But it's worth a shot, I guess. What's the worst that could- don't answer that."

Scoffing for a moment, she looks down at the forest floor again, scanning the plants. "Although it'd sure help if I had someone to bounce ideas off of. Besides you right now, I mean."

[unlucky7]

Yeah, she's definitely in good company. Ginia's grin twists a little, holding back a laugh. A good thing most people here don't tend to jump immediately on the offensive; it's more verbal sparring and bitching from what she's seen and heard.

"I'm sure a lot of people would be interested in helping. There aren't too many healers around or abilities. Every bit helps."

[blahblahblah]

"I noticed that," she responds when the lack of healers is mentioned. "It's all offensive powers and big pointy sticks. Not that I can talk either." She fingers her bodhi blastia again before sighing. "I wish I'd bothered to work out a formula for what my friends did, I could sure use it now."

Downside to the synthesized voice: Rita can't hear Ginia almost laughing at her. She'd probably have appreciated it at least a little bit.

[unlucky7]

"Doesn't seem like Heaven even has any hidden spells. At least, none at Ebisu's temple. The medical bay there is all typical medicine. I shook things up creating a new spell."

Ginia pauses, smile a bit more apparent. If she could create a spell through grit, determination, and a dose of pettiness, what could a researcher with knowledge in magic do?

"I guess that's what our generation does; shake things up."

[blahblahblah]

Rita turns back to look at Ginia with more open confusion, though she mellows a little at the cheery expression. "Man, how the hell have they gotten this far without something like that? Now I really wanna make this work."

Their generation... new gods, shinki that apparently don't work like the usual ones. Well, clearly if the old ways weren't working-

"-yeah, shaking things up is probably the right idea. I'm apparently good at that when I get mad enough. So I guess I just need to be annoyed at the establishment."

That was supposed to be 'healing' not 'hidden' orz

[unlucky7]

"The closest to a spell I can think of is a vessel form with healing abilities. My boyfriend has one such vessel ability, but it has its limitations. I imagine the other major gods have some kind of healer in their temple."

Or perhaps there's enough arrogance in the belief nothing can hurt them and so they don't need healing. In theory, if anyone was to come to harm before a god, it's a shinki.

"Stay here long enough and you'll find plenty of reasons to be angry."

I clearly didn't notice, so.

[blahblahblah]

"I've gotta have someone to heal other than myself, first," Rita says pointedly. "I'm not gonna make someone stay in my temple for my sorry butt alone." The note on her boyfriend's healing abilities garners notice, but it's something for later, most likely.

"For what this place is supposed to be, I wasn't expecting so much anger." She says it in a softer tone, almost carefully for her.

[unlucky7]

"Come by Ebisu's temple. No major injuries, but plenty of light cuts and bruises from filing or someone getting a bit burned from splattering oil. It's how I tested out my mend spell."

When she wasn't testing on herself at least. Until she knew it was stable, she wasn't going to risk hurting someone with the spell.

Rita's words bring a small downward smile. Heaven should be what it sounds like, but it's a shame it isn't.

"I think there are plenty of good things, but it's hard not being frustrated at the indifference of the people in power."

Or the actions they take when they decide to. It's hard not being angry at Amaterasu's retinue for attacking Ebisu's temple without considering other possibilities.