May 2022 Mini Event

[jigokumods]

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As the Haniwa continue to pop up in the city and the turf war rages on, life goes on in the city.

1. SHUTEN CLAN

Remember the Isonade? Yeah, those guys. The surly shark-dudes who were no doubt involved in some black market smuggling along the banks of the Sanzu. They were too tough to fight off in order to figure out what they were up to, last time.

Well, Toraguma has caught wind of them now. Despite the ongoing turf war, he’s not about to lose out on an opportunity here! He wants his Shuten Clan operatives to scour the river looking for these guys. They will be a lot harder to find without the rabbits’ help, though. If you find them, you are to “inform them” that the Shuten Clan will be taking over their operation. If they have problems with that, well… you know what to do.

Don’t forget that they’re quite strong and that they aren’t too keen on giving up the information on their supply line without a fight. You’ll need to use teamwork to get what you need out of them.

Should you manage your way to their warehouse, you’ll find a fresh shipment of their products: specialized herbs, mineral-rich clay, and rarefied ore. None of these products can be found in the city naturally. The Isonade won’t dare name their primary buyer but they will let slip that all of this is being smuggled into the city from the outer Wastelands.

The Shuten Clan will demand their cut out of this operation, but you may get the impression that this is only one small piece of a much larger shadow creeping over the city…

Art by Alejandro Gonzalez Agudelo

2. SUTOKU ALLIANCE

The death and subsequent “rebirth” of the Daitengu has caused a considerable amount of chaos. Many of the subsidiary tribes have struggled under the weight of uncertainty during this debacle. The Daitengu has decided that an apology tour is owed. It’s good for the sake of the Alliance, after all.

Oh, but they’re not going to be doing it themselves. You, the Sutoku Lost Souls, will be fully responsible for it. ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

Sutoku Souls are tasked with going to various businesses and tribe centers with an offering of gifts and deference to any and every group within the Alliance who will agree to meet with you. The gifts have been provided by the Daitengu, and are mainly snacks and coupons. Which will not be enough to please everyone. Some clans will demand more and some, in their rage, will try to take their anger out on you. You are an (lowly) ambassador right now, better to turn the other cheek.

This all boils down to be less of an apology tour and more of a bribe tour. What the Daitengu has provided won’t cover everything and you’re going to have to go out of pocket to truly placate the other clans. If you don’t have enough cash on hand, you may be asked to do various unpaid tasks and labors: washing dishes, scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, taking out the trash, serving kids’ birthday parties; any amount of the lowest work you can imagine.

It’s rough! But somebody’s gotta do it

3. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA

The chaos of the Night Parade has caused a resurgence of unaffiliated gangs popping up around Jigokucho. They can usually be found identifying themselves through the use of basic colors and mascots. They are made up almost entirely of violent youths with uncertain futures, who are lashing out at an uncaring world. The antics of the Daitengu, the accusations against the Enma, and the squabbling between Shuten and Tamamo is not inspiring their confidence nor loyalty.

In addition to this problem, the retrieval of the Haniwa is going poorly. Most residents are too uncomfortable to even touch the statues and their appearances don’t seem to be slowing down. There are too many for the Department to collect.

With an abundance of cursed objects in town, the petty gangs have decided this is an ample resource for them. They are using the Haniwa to harass the general public and against one another. They have weaponized the excess Haniwa and are using them as “curse bombs”, hurling them at both each other and the residents they want to intimidate. It’s getting nasty.

It’s the Department’s job to keep the Haniwa figures from falling into the wrong hands and to keep some semblance of order. The official orders from the Office of the Enma are directing all hands to converge against the youth gangs. Use any force necessary and retrieve those figurines.

4. TAMAMO CLAN

How inconvenient! In addition to the complications of the turf war, an extremely important time of the year has arrived for the Tamamo Clan.

It is time for the yearly visit of one of the clan’s greatest benefactors: the Tennin. These Celestial Immortals descend from the Heavenly Realms to spend time (and incredible amounts of money) in Hell’s Playground, Jigokucho. Hell simply offers the sort of delights you just can’t get in Heaven. Due to Tenkohime’s connections with them, the Celestials have had her host them for several years in a row now. She emphasizes how incredibly important it is to keep them happy.

The Celestials want entertainment and delights of every variety. It’s up to the Tamamo Clan’s Lost Souls to entertain them. Your entertainments can take many forms: keeping the Celestials company, putting on a performance, showing off your cooking and skills, tea ceremonies, and other exhibitions. Should you choose the carnal and kinky route for entertainments, know that you won’t be laying down with any Celestials themselves. Oh, no no no, they’re Heavenly, after all! This is still performance, so you may need a partner to help you out.

Keep in mind that the legends are true! The Celestials are deeply deeply fond of peaches. Both literal and metaphorical. 🍑

The Celestials love to chat and gossip, so keeping them entertained is also an excellent way to hear some interesting information. Tamamo artisans will likely learn that many Celestials openly trade with Tenkohime. In fact, the aphrodisiac goods that the Tamamos so famously deal in come, in large part, from the Celestials. Tamamo isn’t the only clan they do business with either. They also have connections within the Sutoku Alliance and are the land owners of several Alliance properties. They are considered one of the primary sources of capital in the real estate market.

Why would the Celestials want properties in a world they literally can’t live in? Doesn’t that just reek of capitalism.

5. TURF WAR (ALL FACTIONS)

The turf war between the Shuten and Tamamo clans is at a simmer right now. Which doesn’t mean that it’s over – not even close. Minor magical traps, similar to those found in the sewer, have been found in Shuten territory. Frustrated Shuten enforcers have been taking out their anger on anyone that so much as looks at them funny. Bars in both districts are regularly getting smashed up. Knife fights are breaking out in the streets. Cars known to belong to members of both clans turn up with slashed tires. There’s even rumors of hits being taken out on higher ranking members.

Watch your step if you’re out and about in either territory. Faction affiliation doesn’t matter when tensions are running high. What’s more, rumors are flying all over about which of the two warring clans is going to be the one to escalate the violence further.

Will tensions boil over at any moment? At what point does the Department of the Enma have to step in? Why haven’t they already?

It’s all getting too much to handle…

6. CURSED OBJECTS (ALL FACTIONS)

The presence of the Haniwa is having increasingly frightening effects. There are whispers about blood coming out of the walls and the floors in apartments, about black ooze pouring from faucets and coming up from storm drains. There are even whispers of terrible household hauntings.

These aren’t just rumors though. Bars are having to close early due to the presence of wailing ghosts inhabiting the toilet or blood pouring from the taps. People run screaming out of alleyways pursued by ghostly hands.

These curses and hauntings seem to be fairly localized; kept to one building or one block at a time. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason as to when these accursed sightings will take effect.

Be careful out there! Who knows what could happen with so much terrible energy running rampant.

Welcome to the mini event!

• If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
• FOR THE PURPOSES OF REWARDS, since all of these prompts tie into the main plot in some way, we will count all qualified threads in this post as 2 point threads!
• If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Comments

[enterthe]

Even I can move through this world without much explanation. [which yeah, says a lot! Ydris is bizarre even by their world's standards, one of a kind, an "incomplete" god. They weren't really intended to be this way, their creation simply didn't go to plan.]

So, you were so used to hiding it that you're apprehensive now that you don't have to? That's somewhat comical, in the cruel absurdity kind of way.

[fuckdogramagra]

Honestly, when I first met you, I sort of guessed you might be a celestial or something. I don't think that now, obviously... [ But he was, kinda, not really but a little close? Tama hasn't been to Mizukume for very obvious reasons, but a few of the celestials had come to the cafe, given it's mixed-factions leanings. And, of course, the whole candle dragon deity thing had come up even before he saw a celestial trying to order peach boba tea. ] But I'm sure there's so many new experiences here that people don't have time to question others on 'this or that' if they don't want to talk about it. [ ...it might be one of the first times he's tried to make it apparent to someone that he's noticed the avoidance of a topic, but he is trying to indicate a respect for the space. Even if, again, he's new to this 'being polite' and 'having basic manners' stuff. ]

And my life is a tragicomedy. [ we did it gang we used the stupid term in dialogue pack it in Tama sits back up properly, his poor, new hat being the medium for his fidgeting for the time being. ] At a certain point, the absurdity becomes the new normal. You just accept things like clay figures living in your apartment building, and demands to go apologize for something you weren't even present for.

[enterthe]

I'm something of an equivalent, which is why I'm focused on them rather than groveling.

[sorry, not sorry, to say it so derisively. Ydris absolutely turned their nose up at the apology tour, though they did have to get absolutely dunked on first. They'll just pretend that didn't happen-]

Aren't most mortal lives just that-? Tragic and comedic, serious and absurd, cycling on and on. [which is to say, sincerely]

We immortals consider that beautiful. Mortals live more artistic and meaningful lives than we do. You need be cherished.

[fuckdogramagra]

[ It's hard to do anything but pout at that, but it's more for Daitengu than Ydris. Play the system, he respects it, but he sure didn't want to risk it himself. ] Talking to them probably works just as well for smoothing things over...people who have been here longer have connections to do that, anyway, so it's probably the 'fresh souls' doing most of the groveling.

[ Tama sits up a little straighter at the cycle thought, seeming to mull something over seriously... ] I've mostly met people that think the opposite- that humans are only capable of vapid, meaningless things. But I like your take on it more. Life can be beautiful, even when it's ugly... [ It's a little uncertain, but he leans on his palm again. ] You sound like you love humanity a lot, you know.

[enterthe]

Love- well. [usually they would balk more at the word, but it gives them pause this time. In this context, they think more on it than just dismissing outright as a very no good, rotten thing...]

Well. [a puff of smoke escapes them involuntarily] I suppose that is a way to put it.

If I am allowed to love anything at all, it would be humanity. It is my built in purpose to care for humans. If I did not hold respect and affection for them, I could never be a proper guide. I could not walk... with them. I could not know what they need. [love is a destructive force in their mind, but they are a destructive force. It is apart of being the Dragon of Fire.

It only becomes tricky when that love falls onto individuals. That's what they need to watch out for. (That's what they're currently failing at-)]

[fuckdogramagra]

[ He's truly trying not to press any buttons, but his curiosity is also killing him- someone that so clearly cares about safeguarding their charges unlike the gods hes used to, being so hesitant and avoidant of love is just, fascinating. It's not good to make fascinations out of other people, though- but Tama can't help but smile at the little admission. It's something, even if small. Maybe it's a helpful something? He doesn't know, he just knows it makes him feel like he's able to accomplish something by talking to people. ]

Y'know, in many cultures where I'm from, the passion one holds for the gods- that's a kind of affection, too. I don't know if the word 'love' would fit, but care certainly does. Humans want to be coddled, we're children like that, but we also happen to have a very strong penchant for caring about those who are safeguarding us. [ It's only then that he regrets not getting a drink to sit down with- he's forced to keep fidgeting with his hat. ] I know you don't like our illustrious Sutoku leader very much, and I understand why of course. But being able to assist a being like that, to help someone, it's very empowering for people. It makes leaders feel 'in reach'. And being in reach only allows them to better protect others, in theory! It's a strange give and take, but it could brings us all closer together nonetheless. [ A pause, and then a puff to blow his bangs out of his face. ] ...in theory, of course. It'll only backfire even worse if that care isn't earnestly reciprocated...so this entire situation will rather work wonderfully, or fail dramatically, no inbetween.

[enterthe]

Coddled and loved by their gods... No. I completely disagree. Humans are resilient, they can live without their god just fine.

[they did so for a long time before the Dragons arrived and for many hundreds of years after the previous Fire Dragon was killed off. Ydris is a replacement, but their necessity has not yet been shown.]

The reciprocation you speak of is also not necessary. Humans don't need to prove anything to me to be worthy of protection. And it is likewise not my purpose to be affectionately regarded. I should especially not be loved or love in turn. Such would get in the way of my responsibilities and risk my life.

[dire talk, but they believe it sincerely. While Ydris doesn't entirely know what they're talking about, but they speak with enough false confidence that most believe them...]

If I am allowed to love humanity at all, then it is as a whole, not in any part. And... only so far is it may serve to motivate me, nothing more.

[fuckdogramagra]

...a perspective like that is much 'younger' than I would expect from you otherwise. [ Again, it's not like he's aiming to press buttons, he's just unfortunately like this. Maybe that's why he's with Sutoku, and not elsewhere- the mix of curiosity and a hunger to understand things does make an effective bludgeoning weapon for information. ] It could be the differences between our worlds, of course. Your people and mine aren't the same. But when I first arrived here, you advised me to make full use of my 'phone', and I took that very seriously... [ Tama slides his out, holding for sake of gesturing with it. By this point he's attached an obnoxious cellphone charm bead to it, and spent money on a cover even- which, at least in his mind, is a gaudy show of his sincerity. ] And I read what I had available to me on the 'lost souls network'. I paid a special eye to try and see if you were on there, especially. [ And with all the gravity he can possibly wield- ] Because of that, I saw the sandwich, Ydris.

[ He can't keep the serious look up for long, breaking out in to a weak grin. ] And that is a beautiful thing, at least to me, and not just because I'm hungry! I obviously can't speak for your people, but...I would be proud, to have a god so willing to learn, and grow, and adapt. If I had a god that told me 'no, do not love me', though, I would do it out of spite. [ He can't help but shrug, slipping his phone back in to his pocket. ] Of course, I'm just a country bumpkin, so take everything I say with salt.

[enterthe]

[Ydris is immediately called out by "much younger", snorting indignantly and reflexively. They listen without interruption and for a long moment get confused over the sandwich.

What was... oh, right! But, no? What was significant about the sandwich!? That they failed to get how much food is appropriate? It's just what they do normally! Feed humans! It's not notable... Why bring that up...

Then they just get a nervous smile, wax spotting through parts of their illusion from nervous hesitation.]

... ... is that what is happening? People love me out of spite-?

[their expression could best be described as *dial up noises play*]

That tracks. I suppose. It can't and shouldn't be genuine, after all. [Ydris is so confident and yet so insecure at the same time]

[fuckdogramagra]

[ Tama only levels Ydris with a Look that he will no doubt regret in the future, when his life is over and such. ] Ydris. Things can mean two things. In fact, with humans, they often mean sixteen things, all a handful of scraps of ideas that are barely cohesive to the whole of the word. That's how we end up with ten colors in to each their own.

[ That...likely doesn't make sense with the Jigoku auto-translate in effect, but so help him, he is trying his best here. ] I do bet it's your desire to avoid all talk of love that only makes some more determined to do so, but 'spite' can become 'good intention' with just one character change. And it's a fool's errand to try and corral a human's desire to...well, do anything. [ He gestures at himself. ] I didn't take things seriously when I first arrived here, because I was confident I could just use the tools at my disposal to leave whenever I wanted. That's not true obviously, but it that fact hasn't dampened my spirit any. If I want, then I will have, it's all inevitability. Which, I guess, is why I keep saying humans are like children...but to me, that's not a bad way to be. Being selfish is the most powerful thing a person can be, in fact.