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

[hypomeneo]

Iskandar...

[His dead heart is ripping in two as he pleads for him to understand, hurts because he hears the torture in Iskandar's voice. And then his form is ripping apart into light to reform remade into a jian and his perspective changes to the shining white, empty hell of shinki space.

Someone else would say he makes a beautiful sword. Carved red jade guard, same for the ring pommel, hilt of ebony. Gold cord is tied around his pommel, with crane feathers dangling down instead of tassels. Inlay of gold veined black running down his blade, and the arcane letters carved there crackle and burn with bright, pained fire.

The reality... he can no longer ignore reality. There's no battle with Heroic Spirits to draw on his fighting spirit and distract him... just...

... he's...

There's a hand around him and control over his body is gone. Sure his feathers on his cord can twitch, but it's largely paralysis. Soon he will be put through flesh. That tortured thing is not a pure ayakashi... which means it'll leave a corpse and his blade will be bloodied.]

Hopefully that's the only one nearby. Let's be quick before it attracts more.

cw: just horror, and some gore

[towards_okeanos]

[There is no reply because there can't be any reply. For it to be there Iskandar would need to slow down and think. To drop all of his defences he raised so hastily.

Some of those walls are whole millenia old.

Because there was a point in time he made absolutely sure that no one, under no circumstance, can force him to do something he doesn't want to. All the failures, mistakes and blunders would be consequences of his decisions only. His choices. There would be none able to break his will again. Nor would he ever do anything similar to another. Let them call him a tyrant, a barbarian and a murderer but none can ever call him master of slaves.

He tries to ignore the beauty of the sword in his hand. How exquisite its form, how balanced its weight, how ideal its proportions... how well it fits in his hand...
There was always something unexpectedly sensual, intimate, that came with handling a vessel form of another person. He tried not to think too much about it and he's actively blocking this sensation out now. For if he allowed himself even a moment of indulgence the guilt would have killed him later.

Small solace that the monster they're facing requires all of his attention. No matter how erratic its moves, it's fast and cunning. It doesn't just charge head-on. It shifts and changes trying to flank its prey. On any other day, in any other situation, Iskandar would be impressed by it.

He groans with frustration when the beast once again slips out of his range.]

Just die already!

[This is not a fight. Nor a hunt. No epic battle of man versus beast. There's nothing graceful about it. Just a brutal, naked urge to destroy.
The ground is slippery but Iskandar can't even remember if it started like that. Is this water that makes it so? Or is it blood? He can't even tell if he's not wounded. He doesn't feel pain. In truth, he does feel anything. Not that it matters much anyway. If this is blood it may as well be his own.

Time slows and he feels as if he has already been fighting this beast for all eternity. As if there is nothing else. No sun, no moon, no day, no night. Just this struggle. And when he almost loses hope that it would ever end, the creature slips. It's not much but enough for Iskandar to finally get it. To land a blow that would rend it.

And then it's over.

Not grand victory. No feat of amazing swordsmanship or display of skill. Just dumb luck. A black mass is gone in a gust of supernatural wind leaving only a disfigured shape on the ground. It was a boar long, long time ago. He can still see lines of the skull. Massive ribs stick from the side of its crushed ribcage. Naked. Devoid of the cover of skin and muscle that must have been there when it wasn't half eaten by the black parasite yet. What's left of it is slowly dying. Iskandar is suddenly overwhelmed by pity and a strange weakness. He collapses on the ground near the fallen animal.

The ground is red. Why is the ground red?

But he can't drift away just yet. There is one more thing he must do. The most important thing. He forces himself to sit. To clean the blade of any traces of blood and filth that stained it.]

Return, Waver.

[Now. Now, he can feel again.

And by the gods how the whole world suddenly hurts. But it's good. They survived. The beast did not. It's host, poor animal, soon will be gone too. Iskandar doesn't even try to imagine how long it must have been in this state. He looks behind at the carcass as the last bloody bubbles break on the boar's snout. Then nothing. It's over. Poor thing.]

Eπισταίτο ἐν εἰρήνῃ

[May you know peace.]

May we all...

[He may need some medical attention. He wouldn't be half as battered if he just has been a little more cautious and less focused on ending it all as fast as possible. Then they need to talk.]

cw; gore and horror

[hypomeneo]

[It is all movement and sensation and Waver has no choice but to feel it all. The sticky rush of heat that flows over and drips from him with every slice, and the squish, the resistance of flesh before his sharp edge slices through. The warmth and sweat of Iskandar's hand.

But there's the disconnect and disassociation as he hangs watching over the scene in shinki space. Watching his body, feeling the things happening to his body, and utterly powerless and helpless.

It's worse... oh so worse now...

Iskandar's losing focus, his form leaving opening after opening, and it's a battle between terror for his lover's life, the increasing shriek of helplessness - and oh, isn't this familiar, and oh, he's been here before - and the struggle of crushing his emotions to dust in order for them not to fuel Iskandar's mental distress. Throwing up Borderlines to try and plug some of the holes in his defense.

It's not enough. He's not fast enough. There's blood on the ground. And he doubts from what he's seeing that Iskandar really notices.

He should have had them run, instead, the moment Iskandar started shouting. That would have hurt him too, a King's pride, a warrior's pride, but now he sees it would have been the lesser wound. It's a grave tactical error.

He doesn't speak, every drop of energy, mental and otherwise, going into emotional suppression and Borderlines, and finally he's buried in the boar, the power of a Rend spell coursing through the conduit of his body, and feeling the death spasms of the animal all around him as the ayakashi infection dissolves into mist.

And then it's over and he's pulled free, and Waver watches the boar continue to twitch and fight for life in numb silence, even if it's more ruined corpse than boar. Even if already dead and the poor thing just won't accept it and let itself pass peacefully.

There's a metaphor there. Waver can't stop staring even as a rag wipes him down. He can still feel the gore sticking to him. Can't stop staring even as he's called back and he watches the beast breathe its last.

Then he sucks in a shocky breath and turns to Iskandar, with shaky steps. He's made a grave tactical error. He needs to stop making mistakes. First step - check the wounds and treat any blight. Breathe, Waver Velvet, breathe. One, two, three... one, two, three...]

Hey...

[His voice is too shaky. No. Get a hold of yourself, Velvet. This time, stronger... more steady... Better.]

Hey. Let me take a look at those. We may need to call a healer.

[There's so much blood on the ground.

...A grave tactical error...]

[towards_okeanos]

Hey.

[Iskandar raises his hand to touch Waver’s cheek. He smiles.

So beautiful...

Yes, he’s battered. Yes, he’s weak. But he’s been worse. All that will heal. Most importantly: they survived. Even if something did break within him in this fight it’s good. It gives him clarity.
His stupid, selfish pride took more beating than his body did.
Stubborn as he is, he knows he must ask for help.]

I’d say next time we run. What do you think?

[hypomeneo]

[Waver leans his cheek into Iskandar's touch, trembling hands closing over the other man's. He could have lost him. He really could have.

There's no tsun fit coming. Not with all that just happened. He nods, moving closer. Running... running next time would be good.]

Unless we have no other choice, I say we should.

[Because there may be a situation where they can't. But otherwise... given Iskandar's reaction, given his reaction, it makes every shade of sense. Neither of them can ignore that keeping this up will tax them mentally into disaster.]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar shakes his head.]

No. Never. Under no circumstance, I would allow this to happen again. I don't know what I'll have to do, or what anyone would think or say. In truth, I don't even care. They can't make me.

[There were times, quite recent even when he enjoyed the fight. He usually does. The battle with the tentacle monster? It was amazing. He was exhilarated. Even if they didn't manage to slay the beast. Even if some of his decisions weren't the best and they had to retreat in the end. They all did excellently. Then, with Satya, he wasn't even feeling as if he was using a weapon. It was a cooperation of two minds in different forms. Doing what they could to the best of their abilities. With Waver providing support from the distance. They all were where they should be and that made them such formidable force. That gave them unity of purpose and clarity of intention. Even if it looked more like disorganized, panicked chaos at that moment. It was glorious.

Here? It was different. It all felt wrong. Suddenly he was aware of every surface of contact. Every sound. Every...

It was nauseating.

That's why went full brute force on this thing. All offence, no defence. Even if he knew it was incredibly stupid. The beast was too clever for that.

He just wanted for it to end...]

I know it was stupid. I made you worry. I'm sorry. I...

[He pauses as if there were words that he could find to express the sickening feeling that almost drowned him a moment ago.]

I could not stand even the thought of this ... filth touching you... and yet it was happening. And it was me doing this. To you.

[He sighs...

Eπισταίτο ἐν εἰρήνῃ

All he wants is some peace for them. A moment. Is that too much to ask?

...

and then there's this other thing.]

Could you help me get up? I don't think I'm able to do this on my own right now.

[hypomeneo]

We're seeing a healer or a doctor, then.

[Waver's quiet voice brooks no argument as he moves to slide under Iskandar's shoulder to help him get up. This is happening, no complaining to your Exemplar.

Then he opens his mouth. Shuts it. Shuts his eyes as the sickening sensation of flesh sliding against his blade replays in his mind.

When Satya was with them... She truly was their balance. It's so very clear that she was suited to be Iskandar's partner in such a way, a way he simply can't fill. Waver was meant to fight at Iskandar's side, physically present. What was before... it tended to all their needs, and even if it wasn't the most conventional way a god and his shinki fought, it simply worked.]

Iskandar... [He presses his lips together.] I don't want you to be putting yourself in a position where you'll be harmed or killed either. It'd tear me apart to think that I was the cause of it.

[He looks to the side briefly as his insides twist at that sentence. Emotional control is the name of the game right now. Then he swings slightly so he can embrace him.]

If you feel you need to take on another shinki, perhaps, you have my blessing. Or whatever else you feel is necessary.

Both of us are feeling really fucked up right now. That... that was beyond sickening. I never want to go through that again. And you... [Don't even try to pretend right now.] But. Iskandar. I told you to call me. I consented knowing it was going to be nasty and horrifying. We needed to survive.

You did nothing to me. The situation did everything to us.

[towards_okeanos]

Oh, I was planning to.

[He sighs. No. That's not really true, isn't it?]

Actually, I didn't. I ...

[There are things he would prefer not to admit to but then he must. When so many things are left unsaid to withhold those he can safely say is not only wrong but simply cruel.]

This place. I had let its values take over my own. I didn't want to take another shinki because I thought this would be dishonest. That someone could say I'm doing it only to protect you. That I am playing favourites with my people.

[A pause.]

Of course, I want to protect you. As much as you want to protect me. As you are already protecting me. That's what lovers do. They protect each other. None that finds it wrong deserves their opinions to be heard.

[For all the torment, the misery, the nightmares, all of it, he gets on their shared bond Iskandar knows there's a larger part, the majority, he doesn't. Because Waver blocks as much of it as he can. Because Waver would grind his own heart to dust if only that meant Iskandar would be spared pain. Iskandar would do the same for him without a moment of hesitation. As aptly illustrated by his self-destructive rage earlier on that left him in his current state.]

Even purely strategically it makes more sense for you to be fighting by my side. I always knew that. Where did I lose it?

[He leans down, careful not to put too much of his weight on Waver, just enough to be able to plant a kiss on that raven black mane of his.]

I will find us someone who can help.

[Not to replace Satya, that's impossible, but to help. Someone who would consciously agree to do so after Iskandar would explain their situation. And only then.]

Until I do, I will be careful, I promise. No trips to the Near Shore. All the prayers will have to wait too but I believe my followers are quite a sturdy lot. They can handle some delay.

[And both him and Waver deserve a break. Some time to rest and heal. In more ways than one.]