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

[myblueskies]

Line!

[It's trickier to do borderlines in vessel form but he sends an attack towards the boar nonetheless.] Line! [Then a shield, to buy them more time!]

[priforprince]

I will not be defeated by a mere pold!

[ And she summons the wings she obtained as a God of Fortune, knocking the boars back from even Romeo’s shield with a mighty flap.

Upon which point she runs out of energy and collapses, but if the kids need time to set up an attack that will finish off what pursuers remain, it has been gained. ]

[alchemists]

[ Now was not the time to act like a hero Hibiki. ]

We can't run now, Romeo do you think you can give enough cover while I attack?

[ Elfnein couldn't just leave Hibiki there, it was now or never for being able to prove that they could fight. ]

[myblueskies]

Yes! Line! Line! [He can give cover! He hops across to Hibiki to land on her head. His power was an energy boost and it helped people keep their spirits up even when bad ayakashi were draining! Maybe the extra energy and hope flowing from this tiny weasel child who be what Hibiki needed to get back to her feet!]

[priforprince]

[ Ah....a sudden sense of ease and refreshment, washing over Hibiki like the dulcet tones of birdsong after a sentence ender special on TV. Like the soft and gentle winds of the Palps, providing balm to her heart.....

She raises her head, struggling to her feet to watch the children at work. They...

Can they...do this? ]

[alchemists]

Thank you Romeo!

[ It was Elfnein's time to shine now, weapon at the ready she ran at the ayakashi and started to strike them down. ]

I can do this, I can take them down.

[ Of course giving a pep talk during everything was just for peace of mind. ]

[myblueskies]

Remember you can't get fully rid of them until you rend them!

[He's ready to leap at them once she's got the spell ready, but she is doing a good job of weakening them! He keeps his borderline up to protect Hibiki and she gets nose nudges from a weasel, is she hopeful enough to get to her feet yet?]

[priforprince]

[ Well, she’s on her feet, though since Hibiki is not used to feeling hopeful she puts a dazed hand to her head, idly wondering if her fever has worsened. She feels peculiar....

And seems content to stand here figuring that out. Romeo is therefore granted royal permission to go strike the final blow with his god! ]

[alchemists]

[ Time to put in a final blow now that Hibiki is up on her feet. ]

Rend!

[myblueskies]

[The weasel flies towards the ayakashi, biting into it with the full power of Elfnein's rend spell. The ayakashi shatters, disappearing and leaving the forest quiet, a triumphant weasel does a dance.]

We did it! That was amazing Elfnein-sama!

[priforprince]

Phew......

[ And Hibiki exhales a deep, relieved exhale, leaning against a tree in a lean that turns more into a collapse. All is....All is well. The children....are surprisingly competent.

How bizarre, to feel another foreign warmth so soon after the other. A head pold is such a nuisance under which to suffer. ]

[alchemists]

You did a fantastic job Romeo!

[ Now that they're no longer in danger they can take it easy for a bit, and hopefully get Hibiki to a bed so she can rest up. ]

Hibiki, do you have any first aid goats we can summon up for you?

[myblueskies]

[Romeo runs back to clamber on top of Hibiki again, hopefully giving her more hope and keeping her spirits up long enough that they can get her to someone who can help! Even though the bad ayakashi has gone she still doesn't seem her normal self!]

[priforprince]

I’ll be...all right.

[ Strange, that she can....say that. Hibiki stands again, waving a hand. Child-weasel. On her person. Why? ] Assistance will locate us shortly.

[ Or perhaps, as the bushes rustle to reveal spygoats bearing medicine, bandages, and a compass, one should say....maa-sistance. ]

[alchemists]

Mr. Goats are here!

[ They'll have to thank the goats later. ]

[myblueskies]

Goats to the rescue! They are really good at finding miss Hibiki when she is in trouble!

[The weasel curls up on Hibiki's head, he's sticking with her for the time being, she needs all the hope she can get!]

[priforprince]

[ Such a fanfare for the staff.....Well, Hibiki can only surmise the weasel’s contributions, but the atmosphere of relief is palpable. (And interior, as well as exterior. Which is bizarre, but remains uninterrogated.)

She sighs, sitting against a tree and taking some medicine when offered by a maa-tronly nurse. ] You both may return. I’ve no more need of you.

[ Bandage goat offers some to Elfnein. Are you unhaa-rmed? ]

[alchemists]

[ Elfnein reassures the bandage goat that she's ok and to focus on Hibiki. Thankfully they didn't get hurt during the fight. ]

I rather we stick together till you get to a proper bed.

[myblueskies]

[No returning here, this weasel has made a nest out of Hibiki's hair and is sticking there until she is safe and sound!]

Do you think you can teleport us all to a shrine so we can get back to the heavens?

[priforprince]

[ Romeo’s god will have to handle that inquiry. Hibiki is sitting here, sipping a cup of sparkling water and feeling oddly hopeful. ] All is well. The likes of me shall conquer a mere pold in an instant...

[ She suppresses a yawn. Now that she is feeling so pleasantly at peace, a nap may be required. It will surely enable her body to oust the invading pold!

Yes, everything shall be just fine. ]

[alchemists]

I can try and see if I can get us to our temple but I've never done a teleport with a third person.

[myblueskies]

I believe in you Elfnein-sama! [She can do anything! She just defeated all of these ayakashi so Romeo doesn't doubt she will be able to do this too!]

[priforprince]

Mm. [ Hibiki nods, holding out an arm. Someone else teleporting her for her sounds convenient. She shall make a special exception and accept this offer. ] Begin at your leisure.

[ ....Her nose is stuffed up again, which somewhat affects her elegant mien. ]

[alchemists]

[ Both hands are now full with Hibiki and Romeo, and with that Elfnein tries the normal teleport though instead of inside the temple they're outside near the foot bath. ]

It worked?

[myblueskies]

It did! [The weasel does a victory dance.]

Well done, Elfnein! [He had known she could do it!]