41 - Cultist Arc Finale

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
When: June 2nd 2017
Where: Mostly the Near Shore
What: Tracking down cultists to remove them as threats to Heaven, erase as much of their presence from the Near Shore as possible, and consequences of such







With it being made clear that the cult's influence was scattered throughout not just Japan but spread far and wide, the gods of the Far Shore have been asked to assemble in the same place where Conclaves normally happen. Bishamonten is assigned the task of rallying the old gods, while Orihime is given the same duty for the new gods. Essentially, the old gods will be working in Japan and the new gods elsewhere. Both Bishamonten and Orihime have a long list of individuals and their last known locations with vague descriptions, collected by those who went out hunting them on Heavens' behalf when everyone was last gathered. ("A Different Sort of Hunt")

Orihime gathers the new gods at her home along the river. Outside her small abode, there are several soulless shinki pulled from their temple. Ostensibly, they are to help any new gods who don't have a shinki available to create the Cutting ties or Rend effects, but no one is there to stop a shinki from commanding them as well.

Orihime will direct the gods to many places in the Scandinavian countries of Europe, south as far as Italy, west to the United Kingdom, and east as far as Belarus and Ukraine. Meanwhile, another contingent is sent to Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the South Pacific / Oceania islands around there. There's even some scattered across the Americas - north in Alaska and the Yukon as far south as Chile and Argentia. Getting to any region requires the permission of a Near Shore god with a local shrine there to teleport, or a much more mundane plane trip.

Since this is all taking place over an extended period of time - roughly 48 hours - new gods are welcome to jump around the regions at their own choosing, not restricted to just one place.

Cutting Ties

Tracking down the cultists won't be easy. Some of their last known locations just confirmed their home addresses, work addresses, school addresses, etc. It's not like there's a GPS on them! However, with the address being specific to a city and country, along with a description of the person involved, it's possible to track down the rank-and-file cultists in these places beyond Japan. Many of them you won't even need to speak to, just find them and use a shinki to cut the string of fate that binds them to their cult activities, spell knowledge, and awareness of Heaven.

It's possible to run into other gods and shinki, though! Especially in major hubs of regular human activity, the cult was able to thus recruit more people to their causes. Maybe you can team up, swap information based on who you're looking for, that sort of thing.

Blight Circles

Where the human cultist recruits favored larger cities, their blight circles are much farther into countrysides - where they were less likely to be disturbed while the cultists crafted them. These circles are fairly simple in their lasting impressions: spellwork in a large circle on the ground, dead or dying flora for double the diameter of such a circle, and powerful ayakashi drawn to their vicinity. Strike down the ayakashi gathering there, purify the area if you can with magic or holy water, and physically break the circle's symbols. Particularly large blight circles might have been crafted near a Vent, increasing the likelihood of powerful ayakashi being there.

The larger and more powerful an ayakashi, the more Rend attacks it will take to bring them down. Maybe you can survive a long battle with one, or maybe you work together as a team with another god / soulless-wield shinki? The choice is up to you!

Cult Hubs

In the true cultural capitals of the world, there is a single Cult Hub - a physical building that was under the governance of a higher cultist official, where spellwork training and other informational sessions took place. Note that these hubs are not always the capitals of their countries, as with New York City or Los Angeles, Toronto or Munich, Sydney or Quezon City. The physical structures where cultists met have a wealth of inventory to look through and either dispose of or use in future efforts for the Heavens. It might not be glamorous work, but it could offer surprising rewards.

Event Bonus:
A thread of 10+ comments earns a character a random item that would have been stored at the cult hub. As with other missions involving "random item" rewards, players can give the mods 3 choices for review and we'll reply with a comment about any choice which might be too powerful / not suitable, or players can ask for the mods to give them 2-3 random items and pick only one as their reward.

Between Scenes / Afterward

As everyone returns to the Far Shore between their major efforts on the Near Shore, recovering from the battles, enlisting backup, or simply looking for another assignment from Orihime, you might still bump into one another, particularly around Orihime's home or down the river in either direction. Feel free to use this as a kind of catchall space or a place to look for healing, food, and sleep with your fellows from the Far Shore.

Alternatively, this could all happen when the last assignments have been handed out and people start to disperse back to their own temples.

Event Bonus: Gift Baskets!

For Gods and Shinki alike, Orihime will provide a gift basket to each and every character, customized as much as possible. This will include, among other things, an article of clothing with a wondrous power unlike any she's made before. Players can request what these items are OOCly, kind of like book requests in the library, but we hope it can to be something you as a player truly feel like is a reward to your character for having come this far.

To claim this reward, simply reply to the Orihime OOC comment below with your desired item and its ability to begin the discussion. Remember: Orihime would avoid granting items that help in battle; rather they're meant to enhance the character's everyday life, make their hobbies easier or more fun, that sort of thing. Example abilities might include: hover-style flight, lite elemental resistance, green-thumb plant growth boost, etc. - they're just tied to the item.

An IC week after the event, gift baskets will be delivered, along with an Epilogue announcement on the BBS.

Event Bonus (all prompts):
A thread of 10+ comments will gain 150 followers / 15 exp per thread.



In Summary:

• Travel the world
• Hunt down the last vestiges of the cult's influences
• Get goodies
• Await the epilogue announcement
• Have fun~

Comments

[priforprince]

Unresolved business, primarily.

[ Hibiki, why are you opening up the Fujisaki webmail page. Hibiki. ]

An offer I made while investigating the department store was refused. Such an anomaly won’t repeat itself.

[ In other words - the magnificent God of Fortune is playing hooky to satisfy a grudge. But this is beyond critique.

Everything a god does is just. ]

[unlucky7]

What kind of offer?

[Sure, they're playing hooky, but now Ginia is interested in this. It could benefit them in the long run too, whatever Hibiki is planning. Or it could benefit Hibiki only, who knows.

Should she warn her temple? Business is their domain and changes do have a way of affecting them. But what's another wave of prayers when they're already hit with so many?]

[priforprince]

I’m purchasing the company.

[ No hesitation. No remorse. No shame. As she sits here reading someone else’s internal emails. ]

[unlucky7]

[Yeah, that... that is the sort of thing she should let her temple know about. If nothing else it's delicious gossip everyone will love along with a heads up on possible changes.

Naturally, Ginia does nothing to discourage this idea. Not that Hibiki has reason to listen to her (beyond accepting the advice of a friend).]

What are you going to do with the company?

[priforprince]

...You’re inquisitive today.

[ She doesn’t mind. But it appears to be worth noting.

She needs to do something while all this data copies from someone else’s computer to her own, after all. ]

[unlucky7]

I've wondered for awhile what connection the company might have to the cult. Never been able to find anything more than the incidents the company were related in, and even then it was people acting within the company without their knowledge.

[At least where the department store was involved.]

Also I do serve a god of commerce. Changes in the business world fall under our general concern. If you have any sweeping changed planned, a heads up would be helpful. We're already very busy as it is.

[But that is a courtesy, not a requirement.]

[priforprince]

[ Ah. A dutiful and curious shinki. Hibiki cannot object to such motives. ]

Have no fear. [ She looks up from the in-progress transfer, a holier-than-thou(-than-usual) expression on her face. ] A company’s everyday operations hold little attraction to me. Leaving it to the remaining employees is best.

[ And therefore, what she will do. Her player translates this particular Hibiki phrase somewhat clunkily, but the trade-off is getting to frequently employ the word “best.” What could be a more Hibiki word than that?!

Beep beep, says the computer. Hibiki now owns a copy of the company intranet. Including the staff directory. And panicked messages detailing who’s become very confused, and who has mysteriously made a run for it upon hearing this news.

She won’t fail to track down the necessary contacts this time. ]

[unlucky7]

[That's good news for the business world, Ginia supposes. Changes in ownership happen all the time without too much effect on the existing employees. Barring anyone who might get ties cut, there shouldn't be any mass panic as people look for new jobs.

She leans over Hibiki's shoulder a little more, catching a quick glimpse of some of the messages and names.]

We're supposed to work together on tracking some people down. I could help you tracking down some of the people at Fujisaki.

1/2

[priforprince]

You’ll assist me....?

[ Ginia is her f...fffr....fkugfmgfdjfd.....Hibiki trusts Ginia. But people volunteering to do things for her, without an order, still has the power to surprise her. And make her thoughtful, for half a second. ]

2/2

[priforprince]

[ But only half a second. ]

Then, I’ll take you up on your offer for you.

[ Because letting you do her a favor is itself a favor to you, of course. Not everyone can say they receive these opportunities.

Hibiki assembles a document with names & addresses, then sends it to a printer.....which rolls into the room on goat-back, in short order. ] That copy is yours.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia enjoys that half second for all it's worth.

She takes the copy and looks over the list, comparing it to the people they were assigned. It turns out one of the names is a match. That makes it easy enough.]

I was going to temporarily name one of the soulless shinki to help out, unless you want to see if Wendy is free?

so ginia, what are your thoughts on wearing masks and doing crimes

[priforprince]

She’ll be aiding me later.

[ One of Hibiki’s targets is getting special treatment, you see. In fact...

Hibiki stands, tucking the laptop under one arm, and scrutinizes Ginia. Can a costume of appropriate size be prepared in time....? ]

Ginia is so here for masks and crimes

[unlucky7]

[Getting a soulless shinki to help out it is. Orihime has the remaining ones rounded up by her home, Ginia's sure she can ask one to help. Though would any of them say no...?

She notices Hibiki scrutinizing her and raises an eyebrow as she stares back. Yes?]

SPLENDID

[priforprince]

[ ....This will work. Hibiki nods. ] Then, I’ll meet you and your weapon in my foyer.

[ A nearby goat wheels off to maa-ssist with preparations. Costume for someone taller! Quickly! ] We both require various accoutrements.

[unlucky7]

[What has she gotten herself into?

A small time skip later, Ginia returns to the temple with a soulless shinki. Rather, Ginia returns to the temple wearing a pair of black leather gloves. It wouldn't suit her the best for fighting ayakashi, but for something like this, Ginia isn't choosy. When she returns, the goats are quick to sweep her up and lead her over to - are those racks of costumes?]

[priforprince]

[ Indeed. Most of which are of the dark-colored, caped variety. And awaiting her beside them is not Shikyoin Hibiki - but that most impressive and distinguished of pilferers, Phantom Thief Genius! What could this mean?!

Stepping forward, Genius nods to Ginia’s gloves. ] Already prepared, I see. Here.

[ Ginia is given a gold mask that matches Genius’s. ] Tonight’s curtain rises on a Masquerade Time duet. I’ll have you attired accordingly.

[ This is supremely logical. They seek to steal the villainy clear out of their foes’ very souls, in a prelude to the ultimate caper. To not dress for the occasion is unthinkable. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia looks from the racks of costumes to the Phantom Thief Genius. This is perhaps a bit more impractical than what she's used to in terms of outfits for Crimes, but when in Preece, do as the Precians do? She takes the mask, grabs a few outfits, and follows goats escort her to a changing room.

When she returns, there's an appropriately dramatic swish of her cloak. Phantom Thief Apprentice reporting for a caper!]

[priforprince]

[ She’s already mastered the swish. Excellent. Genius’s last partner in crime was not the cape-swishing sort, being a tiny practical alchemist. It seems shinki to fellow Gods of Fortune are cut from more swashbuckling cloth.

Genius gives their accomplice’s ensemble an approving nod, feathers waving in their floppy hat. A gloved hand extends. ] Splendid. Now, to the scene of the crime.

[unlucky7]

[It's not often Ginia gets to be Dramatic. One has to take the opportunity to come by. There's the urge to swish the cape a second time - it's very impressively swishy - but one also needs to have the right timing too.

To the crime scene they'll be creating momentarily. Ginia takes Hibiki's hand to teleport to the Near Shore, ready to follow Hibiki's lead. Her role is pretty clear cut; sever the connections of the key employees from Fujisaki corporation, let Hibiki step in and seize the company. It's obvious who is the leading role in this scenario, but Ginia's always been content in a supporting role anyway.]

[priforprince]

[ A brief stopover in Apollo’s Near Shore movie theater shrine - just long enough for an astute observer to notice most of the prayers on the wall of Post-It stars currently run along the lines of “Box office god-sama, please send Shikyoin Hibiki from all your movies as my date to the summer festival!” - and the dastardly thieves are landing in a tree outside.....a coffee shop.

Gossip on the grapevine from those emails has born fruit. The target is inside, rattling off a complicated custom order.

Genius clicks their tongue against their teeth. This will be complicated.

And that drink is tacky. ]

[unlucky7]

[Hibiki is either going to be very busy during festival season or there will be plenty of wistful hearts. Godspeed, Hibiki.

Ginia studies the layout of the coffee shop. There's a pretty steady flow of people. It'll be a tight fit in the shop so either she needs to catch the target on the way out or squeeze in and make it fast.

Also honestly, at least use the shop's app if you're going to have a complicated order like that. Is it even safe having that many shots of espresso in one drink?]

Should I sever the link in the shop or catch the target on the way out?

[priforprince]

I’ll lure them forth.

[ With that, Phantom Thief Genius pulls a calling card from the folds of their cloak, holding it up shuriken-style between two fingers. A leap, and they’re at the door -

And launching the card so it embeds itself into the snack display next to the register when next the door opens!

At least, it was supposed to embed itself. But for some reason, the physics of the rule of cool aren’t working the way Genius expected! It smacks into the glass and falls instead!

“Mister, aren’t you hot in that?” asks a little boy sucking on a whipped drink’s straw at a nearby table. Genius twitches. But perhaps it’s at the world thwarting their ambitions, instead... ]

[unlucky7]

[...Clearly there was a sudden breeze that threw off the Genius Thief's card. It would have been a perfect throw otherwise!

Ginia pretends to not notice the slight mishap as she digs through her pockets. She transferred a handful of change from her clothes into the costume and picks out a 500 yen coin.

Leaping down to join her partner in crime, Ginia flicks the coin so it clatters and rolls under the boy's table. Distracted, the boy turns away to retrieve the coin.

Care for a second chance?]

[priforprince]

[ ....Heh. No one saw anything. This time, Genius is more careful with the flick, and this time - The person receives their calling card as it skids across the counter when they pick up their drink!

Sipping a concoction that Phantom Thief Genius is trying to ignore, their target mouths the words on the card. “Presently, I shall come to steal your crime....?”

Genius leaps back into the tree. They pass Ginia a single red Casablanca lily.

This is an important tool of the trade. She must not make an entrance without one. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia isn't quite sure what to do with the flower, but she tucks it into a convenient slit on the lapel where the lily graces the coat in all its glory, a decadent flourish to an already stunning design.

Better than tucking it into the band of the hat at least.

Armed with the flower and hands ready, Ginia leaps down, cape fluttering as she enters the cafe. She goes over the steps in her mind as she approaches their target. Look for the bond, work in tandem with your shinki to sever the link... Ginia wishes soulless shinki could communicate in vessel form, but with only silence accompanying her, Ginia trusts in their strange bond.

There's a thin line on the target like a gossamer thread pulled taut. Ginia reaches out and winds the thread around her hand. She tugs and it snaps.

The target continues to sip their drink. Was that it? Was it that simple? Ginia backs out of the crowded shop and looks up at the Genius. Well?]