jigokulogs | APRIL 2022 EVENT

APRIL 2022 EVENT

1. HANAMI

The week of the Night Parade is marked by the traditional symbols of Spring in Japan. Somehow, several city blocks have been turned into cherry blossom groves as a show of goodwill by the Sutoku Alliance. These cherry trees don't feel normal. They are more like spectral manifestations. Rumor has it they grew so quickly because they're planted on top of a graveyard. That's just a rumor, though. Don't pay it any mind! Don't listen to any whispers you might hear if you walk through the rows of trees alone and certainly don't dig under them for proof of their provenance.

Accompanying the hanami are copious amounts of food and drink. Such as dango, specialized bento, sake, and festive drinks. They are all available to purchase from stalls near the spectral grove. The refreshments may have a little something special added to them:
Ingredients that promote peace (calming any angry or upset feelings)
Ingredients that promote romance (gives soft, warm feelings towards the first person you see).
These effects are mild and only last as long as you're in the boundary of the grove. Eat, drink, and be merry with your fellow lost souls.

2. KANAMARA MATSURI (NSFW IMAGERY)

In addition to the simple joys of flower viewing and the cherry blossoms blooming, new festivals pop everywhere. They are inspired by various regional festivals from all over Japan. Some of these are benign and feature your normal festival fair. Others are a little more unusual, such as the Kanamara matsuri-inspired treats. You can thank the Tamamo Clan for this. Don't mind the giant phallus being carried down the street or the wooden phalluses you can ride on or the interesting mascots walking down the sidewalk, or the suggestive vegetable carvings.

Surprisingly, none of these foods are spiked, at least not more than the experimental recipes had been during the parade preparations. The spirit of the thing is more just the amusement of genital-based foods rather than anything meant to entice a sexy sort of good time. That will come as the parade rounds out onto the bath district...

3. HADAKA MATSURI

cw: nonsexual nudity

If that cheeky festival isn't your kind of fun, maybe the hadaka matsuri is more your speed. The Department of the Enma are probably the most stressed out faction in the entire city, so the Enma has allowed them to put on a festival to blow off some steam! It's a bit different from the traditional celebration: it's not contained to just men and it's not contained to a shrine.

This event is a mobile mob of nearly naked people and youkai running after a cart with a masked person throwing out small sticks. They represent good luck for the people who manage to nab them. There are far fewer sticks than there are people present and everyone will do a lot to get one of the coveted prizes. Try not to get in their way!

Or you can get caught up in it all and try to snag one yourself to see what your fortune holds. (No, the Enma isn't participating. Too dirty, for his tastes.)

4. FESTIVE FUN

A. SUMO
Some other festivities you might come across are miniature sumo tournaments put on by the Shuten Clan. Raised dirt circles with chalk rings on the outer perimeter pop up seemingly everywhere. Two people are allowed in the ring at one time and there are strict rules to be followed. If you disobey the rules, you may find yourself suddenly ejected from the ring with magical or physical means, and at the mercy of a Shuten enforcer.

Play by the rules to beat your opponent and victors will find themselves rewarded with a strong bottle of booze. The winners of each bout are handed out a commendation by Toraguma himself, which comes in the form of a commemorative sake gourd. This is probably the kind of prize you'd expect from an Oni at a festival like this.

B. FOOD RUNNERS WANTED
If you're in the mood to pad your pockets, maybe you want to help the Tamamo Clan out by running food delivery. This opportunity is available to anyone regardless of affiliation. Runners will be fitted with a contraption to carry the food orders on their person and may proceed either on foot or on a small motorbike. Be careful and make sure not to drop anything! Any ruined or undelivered orders will come directly out of your pay.

It's harder than it looks not to drop the food with all the excitement going on and your delivery recipient may be similarly hard to locate.

C. HOT BATHS (NSFW + cw: optional aphro)
The Tamamo Clan has set up a sanctioned orgy in one of their larger brothels. Rooms are available for whatever your heart desires, including one with exposed windows if you like being watched or if you want to watch in kind. Baths and pools are available for all your indulgent fantasies. Everything you could need is at your disposal: toys, restraints, costumes, lubricants, condoms, aphrodisiacs in many forms. It's a proper bacchanal celebration!

All that matters is your consent and enthusiasm.

5. NIGHT PARADE

One of the primary highlights of the Night Parade are the fantastical floats depicting scenes of legendary events. Keen-eyed observers may note that the humans are portrayed as the bad guys in most of them. While a few of these are mounted on motorized vehicles, most of them are carried by people. That means you'll probably be called on to help carry one along the parade route. It's a fun job, if exhausting.

If you're not the type to wear yourself out carrying a float, ride on one instead! There's plenty of things to toss out into the crowd along the street; candies and trinkets. Dress up in a fitting costume and walk around the float. Have fun scaring bystanders or just have fun hamming it up and celebrate the peaceful night.

5. FIREWORKS

The parade's central stop is the festival square in the heart of the city, just under the shadow of the Kaigo no Bou Tower. There is a stage set up here where the four faction leaders and their personal entourages have assembled. All of them are giving pretty typical speeches. The Enma has declined to give one, having no patience for unnecessary oration. Tenkohime gives praise to the unifying factors of love in the city, while Toraguma rallies the crowd like a sports hero; encouraging them to get stronger and do better in the coming year.

The Daitengu is the last to speak and they also seem to have the largest entourage. The entourage is quite conspicuous: White Wolf Tengu, each standing well-taller than the Daitengu themselves. They are carrying massive broadswords strapped to their backs and hunting about the area for anything suspicious with keen eyes that seem to see right through the crowd and the heat of night.

The Daitengu's speech is also pretty typical, although much more humble than their fellows. Mostly, they just wants to hurry up and get to the fireworks. Just as they finish speaking, the sky lights up.
There are a few peaceful moments beneath this spectacle as the crowd enjoys the display of unity and phantasmal wonder that this unique and strange world has created.

But the explosions aren't just in the sky. One particularly loud boom seems to rattle the very earth beneath the crowd. That is the only warning anyone gets before...

6. A NIGHT PARADE TO REMEMBER

Every manhole cover on the street bursts open, injuring anyone that was standing nearby. Far worse is the deluge of steam that rushes out from the underground. Pillars of hot, blinding steam spill into the air, quickly filling the streets. The luminescence of the festival lamps and city lights are diffused and blurred into singular blobs of color, obscuring all vision and making it impossible to see what's going on. The panicked cries of the crowd also make it impossible to hear. Everything happens so suddenly, so violently, that ascertaining what's going on takes time.

Too much time.

In the chaos, gunshots are heard. They seem to come from several directions. Fighting is breaking out. It's difficult to tell from where and who is in the brawl. Previously unseen figures in full-body black coverings appear from nowhere, rushing the stage. They zoom past any Lost Souls nearby, ignoring their presence. They are focused on a singular goal. The barking of the White Wolf Tengu further indicates the goal of the attack.

Struggle in the steam, help others get to safety, get caught up in fighting the other factions, try to protect the Faction leaders, or try to keep up with the black-suited youkai rushing the stage; do as much as you can.

When the steam finally begins to clear, however, there will at least be one thing that is certain: the Daitengu has been killed.

Welcome to the April event!

If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
We also have OOC top levels for Shuten Sumo Results, Tamamo Partner Cards, and Hadaka Luck Draws!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I. Hanami

[Sheliak purchased the correct attire for the festival and he wore a light-colored yukata and a blue haori with a wave design. His magical self may be sealed at the moment but being the water mage was still a source of great pride for him. Sheliak preferred the traditional fashion here over the too casual clothes from his brief stay on Earth. It reminded him of the elegance of the noble court back home in a way.

Sheliak wasn’t particularly interested in the festivities. To him, the Night Parade was just another social obligation, like the many he had to attend back home. He didn’t mind it though, the new sights were interesting. Arrakis and everyone else probably would have loved it but that was the problem. They weren’t here. It would be rude not to participate at all, so he absentmindedly bought some dango, which he munched on as he headed for a quiet place to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms. The grove reminded him of his secret garden back home. The haunting whispers were a bit unnerving but all that was left of his home were ghosts. It was foolish, but maybe just for tonight, he could pretend they were the lost souls from home. Perhaps it was nostalgia, but his icy mask thawed a little. He laid down next to one of the spectral trees, lacing his hands behind his head as he closed his eyes with a quiet sigh.]

…I miss you.

II. Sumo

[Sheliak treated sumo with the reverence it deserved as a sacred art form, despite how uncomfortable he was in the correct attire, or rather the lack of in this case. He couldn’t get distracted by that and he focused all his attention on his match. Sheliak had challenged one of the Oni from his clan. His height kept him from being completely dwarfed by his much larger opponent. Shelaik looked like a dainty snowflake that was about to be crushed.

Sheliak hid his cunning smirk behind clumsy confidence, like someone that realized too late what they signed up for but was too stubborn to admit defeat. Well, a part of it was true. Sheliak was out of his depth with sumo, but he had no intention of losing. Not this match. He was tired of everyone thinking he was just a pretty face. He could easily silence anyone’s doubt if his magic wasn’t sealed but unfortunately, that wasn’t an option right now. He was going to get it back. He didn’t spend years earning his place as a mage to just let it be stolen from him, but he had to rely on other methods to prove himself for now. That was what this match was for.

The match was quick, just as Sheliak planned. He knew he couldn’t win a prolonged fight, so he counted on his opponent underestimating him. He gracefully sidestepped the initial charge and turned the Oni’s powerful momentum against him, sweeping his leg and unbalancing him enough to push him out of the ring.

Sheliak quickly composed himself, smoothing back his hair as he calmed his heavy breathing. He was still a noble at heart after all. Appearances were important, but some of the thrill from the fight and the satisfaction from winning slipped through his calm mask and his mouth quirked up in a subtle smirk as he confidently announced in a loud voice,]

Does anyone else care to challenge me?

[He wasn’t just talking about the sumo match. It was a message to anyone that foolishly underestimated him.]

III. On the lookout for foxes

[Sheliak knew his win streak couldn’t last but it still stung his pride when he lost. He brushed it aside for now. He couldn’t get distracted when there were nefarious foxes about. Sheliak had planned on maintaining a cordial relationship with the other clans if it was possible, but that was before he stumbled on a Tamamo plot to drug the Shuten fighters. He wouldn’t let threats against his clan go unchallenged.]

A.)
[He chose a spot in the crowd where he could keep an eye on the fighters and more importantly the alcohol without being too obvious. When he saw someone acting suspicious, he quickly confronted them, placing a warning hand on their shoulder.]

What are you doing?

B.) (closed to Shuten members)

[Drugging wasn’t the only Tamamo problem he had to watch out for. They were seductive foxes as well. He had hoped that none of his clanmates would fall for their tricks. After all, it was common knowledge that Tenkohime was offering a bonus for any Shuten they caught in their web. His eye slightly narrowed as he watched one of his clanmates head into the enemy territory. Some of his annoyance slipped out in a quiet exasperated sigh. He walked over to them with a charming smile.]

Pardon me. I seem to be a bit lost. I was looking for the cherry blossom grove. Would you mind showing me the way?

[Instead of giving a rival clan free points! Sheliak hid his frustration behind a quiet sheepish chuckle to help with his ruse.]

I’m afraid I’m terrible at directions.

IV. A night parade to remember

[He had been a fool. He thought he had successfully buried the crushing fear he had felt when his world fell apart but it pierced through him when the first manhole cover burst open. The chaos that followed was overwhelming. Sheliak froze as he struggled to push past his panic. It hurt that his first thought was to protect his friends that weren’t here. But he couldn’t think about that right now. Sheliak didn’t waste time trying to figure out what that ominous gunshot was. Instead, he chased after the mystery assailants. They were the best lead right now. The steam and chaos were most likely a smokescreen for their escape.

It was an effective one. The steam was disorienting, and the chaos masked their footsteps. He could barely keep them in sight. He didn’t even see the gun. A loud bang was all the warning he had before a burning pain shot through his shoulder. His chest tightened with shock and for a moment he was transported to that tragic day before he showed up in this hell. The pain was new and Arrakis was gone. Sheliak buried his anguish in a stifled gasp of pain as he put pressure on his wound and stumbled forward. He could still follow them. He had to repay Arrakis for his sacrifice and protect his clan here, so he could see him again. The white steam felt endless, and a bit fuzzier than before, but he had to catch them. Sheliak heard something coming closer and he blindly swung at it with his good arm.]

V. Wildcard

[Feel free to drag Sheliak to other parts of the festival if you want! Please teach him how to live a little. You can plot with me on

Nicholaj, Discord@Nicholaj#7374, or pm, whichever is easiest for you. Or feel free to come up with your own starter.]

Woah! Hey! I'm on your side!

[ the steam hasn't been good for ryouma either, messing with his senses, but at least his hearing hasn't suffered so much to mistake one of his fellow lost souls for one of the assassins — that's the only reason he narrowly avoids sheliak's blind swing.

he hasn't gotten to this point completely unscathed either, although he's wrapped something around the wound on his left arm to try and staunch the bleeding until it can be seen to properly. he'll probably have to change it or add to it at some point though since it doesn't seem to be as effective as he'd like, but that being said, he's more concerned about the man he's stumbled upon than himself regardless of how similar their stations might be. ]

Are you alright? You should get that looked at...

[Perhaps mistaking another lost soul as an enemy showed how much the gunshot had shaken Sheliak. Ryouma's voice brought with it some clarity and Sheliak stumbled a little when Ryouma dodged his swing. He recovered quick enough to hide his moment of weakness.]

Rider?

[Sheliak brushed Ryouma's concern aside as he sharply shook his head and hastily covered up his wound. It hurt like hell but he refused to show it.]

There's no time. I'll be fine.

[He heals fast. Or at least he used to. Sheliak hesitantly looked at Ryouma's wrapped wound before turning away to glance around. No. He couldn't ask for help. No one else was going to get shot because of him again. He frantically glanced around, his eyes narrowing at the shapeless steam all around them.]

Did you see which way the assassins went?

Yeah. A real mess, huh?

[ he's trying to inject a little levity into what is a pretty grim scene overall. it's debatable how successful that is. ]

They scattered all over, but they're surprisingly organised. And strong.

[ he hates to admit it because — despite his desire to act and do something — ryouma isn't sure how much they can do, especially in less than ideal conditions like these. whatever skill and training he possesses on top of his boons as a servant meant little compared to what he's dealt with so far. ]

Maybe we're better off regrouping for now..? Other people could've gotten hurt.

[It's moderately successful. The levity reminded Sheliak of his friends and how calming having someone by his side could be but also how painful it was to lose that and he pushed Ryouma's suggestion aside with a vicious shake of his head. That wasn't a good idea with how lightheaded he felt and without thinking about it, he reached out to Ryouma to steady himself.]

I can't. They'll vanish if we lose them now.

[as he lays there, he slowly becomes aware of... not an interruption to the quiet nostalgia of the grove, but an addition. there's a faint melody playing, someone carefully working through what sounds like a slow and intricate melody on a seven-string zither.

it's peaceful, gentle. it doesn't really demand anyone to get up and seek out its source, though he feels a breeze on his face as if some of those whispers on the breeze did stir themselves to go investigate. the whispers grow louder for a moment, then hush as if to listen.

(in his own corner of the blossom display not too far away, Lan Wangji isn't even playing spiritual music, right now. he's just practicing. it's a nice change, sometimes.)]

[It was a lovely addition. Sheliak let the other sounds around him fade away so he could focus on the quiet melody more. It wasn't Arrakis's singing but the music still wrapped him in a warm embrace, even more so when the gentle breeze joined in. Part of him still wanted to rest. He didn't want this impossible dream to end and his brow furrowed as he stubbornly refused to open his eyes. But the whispers felt like they were calling him. With a sigh he got up and followed the sound of the music.

Lan Wangji looked beautiful playing whatever intriguing instrument that was and Sheliak's grouchy expression softened into a sleepy smile.]

So this is where you were hiding.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

APRIL 2022 EVENT

Sheliak Saarela | OC | Shuten

iv

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the snail returns! sorry I'm late

i.

hi! sorry I'm so late