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

[kokuyoyo]

"...My mouth?" That is sure a word that just exited out of Chikusa's voice box. He doesn't even seem embarrassed or ashamed at all as he makes his way through the forest, shuffling at a fairly high speed to put the ayakashi long behind them.

Why should he be embarrassed? It's just a simple fact. Even on regular days, him and Ken are by each other's side constantly, although not 24-7. But morning, usually lunch, and then the evening... Co-dependence is practically their married name at this point. Needless to say, as a pair of teenagers, they do more than their fair share of kissing as well.

Still, he doesn't want anyone sniffing at his mouth, so Chikusa thinks a little more. "If you give me a moment, I can look through my bag... I'm pretty sure I'll have something of his... somewhere." After all, Ken doesn't even keep track of his own phone. Chikusa is pretty sure the only item Ken keeps careful track of would be his Channels.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Da Qing equally doesn't seem that embarrassed or awkward to be in this conversation. He has been in the heavens almost three months and for a whole chunk of that lived in the same space as Shen Wei and Yunlan who seemed unable to go for five minutes without being all over each other.

He does frown though, more about the practicality. Mouths are not the best things to get a scent from, Ken's scent will be there but there will be lots of other scents as well all mixed up, it won't be sharp, it will be harder to tell.

Luckily Chikusa seemed to have a second thought and Da Qing waited, "An item would be better, if I try and get the scent from your mouth we might end up chasing the last thing you had for dinner."

[kokuyoyo]

Really, it's such a good thing that both of them are without shame. At least Chikusa makes a small noise of acknowledgement, even as he patiently digs through his bag. "It's mostly been whatever they were serving back there... And Ken smells like a garbage dump no matter what, so I guess that just muddies it further..." Chikusa loves Ken, of course. They've been with each other as far back as he can remember, including into death...

...But also his boyfriend is a filthy fucking dog and deserves to be shamed for it.

After a moment, he pulls out a... Is that a collar? That is just straight up a collar, the kind that could be put around a human's neck. Does the tag give Chikusa's phone number? Absolutely. "Would this work?"

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Is that a collar? Humans wore collars? He supposed he wore one but he's not a human and his looks like necklace in human form.

But sure. "It would work." He leans forwards to scent it before stepping back and focusing on all the smells around them.

After a moment he looks up into the forest. "This way."

[kokuyoyo]

What it means for Ken to wear a collar sure does give some misconceptions, none of which Chikusa will talk about or answer. Instead, he just waits patiently for Da Qing to get a good whiff before tucking the collar back into his bag.

Don't wanna lose it, and all.

"Alright..." Oh, wait, right, that thing Hakkai was always bugging him to do- "Thanks." Something like that anyway. Chikusa begins to trudge in the direction the cat is looking, adjusting his bag. "Going back to the set up site...?

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"Seems like it." The scent was definitely heading that way anyways, Da Qing bounded off though he didn't get too far before waiting for Chikusa. He doesn't want to lose him as well!

One kid potentially lost in the woods was bad enough.

"Does he not have a phone?"

Not that he's complaining, but humans don't usually need to use cats to find people they are friends with.

[kokuyoyo]

Fortunately, while Chikusa is a sloth most times, he seems to understand well enough when he needs someone to follow. He doesn't break out into a sprint or anything, but he does make sure to keep Da Qing in his sights. At the question, he blinks over at him.

"He theoretically has one," he says, sounding exhausted just remembering it. "But he hardly uses it... Our cats use it more."

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"Your cats are the ones who caught the giant fish right..." A dreamy tone. That fish had been pretty impressive, a beautiful sight. It was clear Chikusa's cats were very intelligent, it's not a surprise they are smarter and more capable of using phones than this Ken.

[kokuyoyo]

Listen, Ken is a dog, Chikusa could tell anyone that most things are smarter than his partner on a lot of subjects. For now, he merely nods. "Mm, yeah." The fish he wasn't going to skin, debone, and cook. Because he wasn't going to go through that much effort.

"You ate that, right?" His fingers trace along some wood where he's pretty sure some clawmarks have been dug in.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"Some of it yes." Not all of it sadly. Too many people and cats wanted a bit.

He guesses sharing is fair. He wasn't the one who caught it. It's still sad. "Your cats are very smart, even for cats."

Not as smart of him of course, but still among the great creatures.

He takes a sharp turn, following the scent.

[kokuyoyo]

Ah- Chikusa makes a stop so abrupt that it's almost weirdly non-organic, not unlike a puppet suddenly freezing up or someone stopping a pendulum with their hand, before he twists around to follow after. So that way, huh?

"They've been kind of a pain, for me, honestly." Chikusa finds most things a pain, really, so it's nothing against the nekomata. "And I was able to hide the canned tuna from Pookie for ages before she got her friends around...."

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"That sounds cruel of you. Why would you hide the tuna?"

Bad child. Tuna should be left in the open for cats to have easy access. "Though I guess if your cats don't have the option of having thumbs cans can be tricky."

It's the best part of being able to switch forms he finds, not having to wait for a human to help do the tricky things involved in gaining fish."

[kokuyoyo]

Buddy... No. Chikusa's lips thin the faintest bit, which can be hard to see at a distance and in the dimness of the forest. He has some opinions on this, and he's currently debating on how much he wants to get into all of them.

"Because they're nuisances when they get all they want," he finally says. "And they'd just gorge themselves... without thinking about dinner. If I don't get to be lazy, neither do they."

...Chikusa no.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"Or you could be lazy with them." Da Qing looked at him with a serious look.

"If you all eat tuna and then nap in the sun you will all be happy. Problem solved."

Humans overthought things way too much.

[kokuyoyo]

"Don't you think.... I want to do that?" Shoulders hunching upwards, Chikusa shoves his hands into his pockets.

"But Hakkai-sama makes me and Ken do chores and things... So I can't just nap all the time..."

[thetopofthefoodchain]

"Chores are dumb." He agrees, "Napping is better. You should find a hidey hole to hide from your god."

It's what Da Qing did, the temple was full of places small enough for a cat to hide and nap.