jigokulogs | May 2022 Mini Event

Entry tags:

May 2022 Mini Event

MAIN NAVIGATION

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( S q u i n t. Sometimes, since coming here, she's found that her power doesn't always respond to magic even when it's being used. Whether that's the case here or not, who knows. )

Not goin' very well, is it?

( Thanks, Kate. Thanks. She rocks back into a sitting position, folding one leg over the other as she regards this guy once more. Is this a "my power is severely dampened and I can't do what I used to be able to do" thing? Or something else, like a new power he doesn't know how to use? )

It ain't.

[ He agrees tiredly, still glancing at her curiously and wondering how much he should say. ]

Got this snake yokai that possesses me, right?

[ Normally, Chijoku is not visible to the naked eye but when he is brought to someone's attention and they actually try to look for him... One can pick out the ghostly snake that is wrapped around and through Majima's existence. They are a knot together, something impossible to pick apart now that they have fused so closely. When Chijoku catches her looking, he pipes up with a smile, ]

Why yes, that would be me.

An' Toraguma says he unlocked some power of his, that now I gotta figure out.

( Yokai that possesses him...? Where has she heard that before?

(Ah, yeah. She was hammered and in a conbini.)

Kate's head tips to one side, her braid swinging with it, eyes following the curves and trails of a shape coming to life. It's almost as though it's just risen up out of him, a limb unseen until this very moment.

A far different thing than she's ever seen before. (That's happening a lot here.) )

Can't he help you, then?

( That seems like an obvious solution here, doesn't it? )

He is not a very good student.

Fuck off, Joku.

[ Majima and Chijoku are friends. This does not stop them from sniping at each other most of the time when they are both engaged in a conversation. It's just how they are. ]

An Uwabami does not need to be taught, they know what they are. Majima is simply too human to understand.

[ Majima purses his lips. Fine, that's a more diplomatic way to explain the problem. ]

( Kate ducks her head, bringing a hand up to rub at the side of her nose in a move that seems suspiciously calculated to muffle a soft snort at the exchange. Drag him, spiritual snake. )

Can I watch?

( It's worth another shot, right? )

Can ya watch without laughin'?

[ He asks wryly. Look, he's not going to consent to being bullied by a teenage girl. Can she sit there supportively, or are they gonna have it out? ]

Y' not that funny.

( Yes, she's saying that despite snorting at the antics a moment ago. It means she can.

... Probably. As long as there's no outrageous disasters. )

Thanks.

[ Just a little sarcastic, but he'll take it. He turns his gaze back on the water with a sigh. He just... doesn't know... what to do. When he extends his weird new senses, he is aware of the water. Almost like it's another person across from him, but that makes it all the more uncertain how to influence that entity into doing what he wants. Ask nicely? Hi, I'm like half an Uwabami, would you mind coming with me? ]

Introducing yourself would not be amiss.

Eh? Seriously?

[ He purses his lips, glancing back at Kate. ]

Guess there is usually some river spirit that's listenin'...

( You're welcome, Majima.

Kate settles in, her gaze strangely intense as she watches this new attempt, eyes flicking from Majima and his snake to the water, her fingers drumming against her thigh. )

Like you're negotiatin'?

( Or going for an interview? Meeting the parents while they decide if you're a good match for their kid? Something weird like that? )

Like you are a part of the river.

[ Ah, yes, thanks. More cryptic bullshit. Majima hangs his head for a minute, trying to even make sense of that. ]

You belong and your will is the river's. Cheeky to begin with the Sanzu though.

[ The snake sounds amused, self-satisfied, and languid with his mockery. But the point is taken, maybe trying to manipulate the river of the dead is a little ambitious. ]

Fine. Should introduce myself, at least.

[ He agrees testily, standing from his crouch and kicking off his shoes so he doesn't ruin them when he wades in. Can this kid manage to take off with his shoes for a second while he goes and says hi to the river? He sure hopes so. With a deep breath he takes a few steps in, about up to his knees. He fishes around in his pockets for a few yen coins to offer, inspecting them for the right values. Five yen is good luck so he tosses it forward, then proceeds into the right number of claps and bows.

He clears his throat, unsure what to say for a moment. He had always just kind of... talked to the Farm Goddess in Hakagemachi. Then again, she'd had a human enough form to sit there and talk with... ]

I'm... uh, Majima Goro. [ The snake nudges him when he falters. ] I'm here on the Distant Shore as one of your snakes.

[ It's a thing, kid, don't laugh! ]

( It's weird, watching this. She might not have had that many opportunities to see powers in action at home, but she knows they're not like this. They're intrinsic, buried deep in veins and accessed without favours and barters, or introductions.

No one would have to beg the favour of a river to move it. It's just water, and humans have been moving water for millennia.

For what it's worth, though, Kate doesn't interrupt. And nor does she laugh, though if Majima looks over, he might notice her raised brows and tightly pursed mouth. She's definitely trying not to laugh. There's something about the sight of a grown man wading into the river to try and introduce himself like he's about to start his talent show segment that's inherently funny. )

[ Obviously, the river is not going to respond to him. So he just finishes up with another little bow and then backs out of the water. He drops down to sit alongside Kate, turning his head to admit lazily, ]

That felt fuckin' stupid.

( Well, at least he didn't piss it off? But Kate's head is still tilted towards the river, eyes focused on the ebb and flow. Or perhaps something beyond it. )

...Y'weren't connecting.

( Oh, it looked as stupid as it felt, but the power in the river remained as unmoved as it was before he stepped in. )

[ He spreads his hands in resignation. ]

I've talked t'gods an' spirits before. But th'Farm Goddess... she was like a person. Ya just talked to her. I dunno what t'do with this.

[ The silent flow of the river of the dead. How do you talk to it? ]

( Kate sighs. And she lifts her attention away from the water, turning to sit facing Majima, cross-legged.

Okay, so she's kind of guessing here. Nothing like this system exists at home and even at home she hasn't really seen anything in action, yet. But... )

I think... ( Her words are careful, slow. There's a seriousness about all of it that's a mile away from the sarcasm and prodding she was doing before. ) — Were you reachin' out with your power?

( Her nose wrinkles. She's trying to put the pieces together here, but if she was in the same position, she'd probably just keep trying brute force methods. ) Not tryin' to force it or owt. Like a handshake.

( Except with powers. ) ... That sounds stupid.

Was already talkin' to th'river.

[ Giving it a magic handshake is not the stupidest part of this journey. ]

But yer right. Figured, since I couldn't control it before, what's the point of tryin' again right now?

[ A tired look crosses his face. He should probably get the fuck up and try it again huh. ]

Got any more 5 yen coins?

( ... Fair point.

Uh. Five yen? She shifts, fishing around in her pocket to toss a coin at him after a quick squint to ensure it's the right kind. )

... Here.

( Catch. She's invested now, let's see how far he can push this. )

[ All right, all right. He's going. He slouches his way back up, stretching his back out a little before he ambles back into the water. He takes a deep breath, pretty sure that coming across too exasperated is not going to help his case. He needs to do his best to mean it, believe that this is something he can do.

He repeats the process of offering his coin, his claps, his bow, his soft introduction.

Then he tries to focus on just opening up this power, with no particular intention other than to feel the movement of the river. It's still new, it doesn't come naturally. He ends up sitting down in the water, trying to focus and feeling like an inferior version of one of those monks meditating under a waterfall.

But eventually the cool movement of the water snags into something and he feels the energy pulled out of him along with the current. It makes his head spin; a new sensation that he's never needed to process before. What he can feel spreads and spreads through the water until it is genuinely too much. He flops back in the water, overwhelmed and dizzy. ]

( She wonders, just a little, what it must be like to actually have to expend energy to get your power to work. To go through all of this just to make it happen. She's never needed to do it; that pill was like flipping a switch from off to on and it's been stuck that way ever since.

It takes an almost insufferably long time, as a viewer, for anything to happen. But when it does, she straightens up, watching the shifting colours of the river with interest. The flares where it seeps into Majima are muted, her vision calmed by Jigokucho's limitations into something almost pleasant. A subtle filter over a world with far more open power than her own.

But that moment shatters when the dude falls into the water. That's... probably not good. )

Oi.

( She pushes herself up and quickly clears the few steps to the river's edge, crouching down at it. )

Y'good?

Yeah.

[ He answers blearily. ]

Definitely wasn't ready for that.

[ The snake snickers audibly at him. ]

( Imagine being laughed at by a spiritual serpent. RIP, Majima. )

Least it worked.

( C'mon old man. You can stand yourself up and get out of the river now. )

Hell.

[ He mutters to himself. He does finally haul himself back up, dripping and wet. The shape of his tattoo shows through the plain white fabric of his button-up. ~~is it time for kate's crisis?~~

He flicks some water off of his hand, tail flicking too. ]

That's enough've that...

( is it really a crisis to find an attractive man attractive?

... Well, when you're a teenager, yes. Damn, Majima. Lucky for Kate that she's spent the last few years schooling her face into barely showing any emotion beyond irritation, as the clearing of her throat is far less embarrassing than, say, blushing.

Of course, when confronted with the unfortunately awkward fact of attractive randos, there's only one response worth having:

Sarcasm. )

This your shampoo ad?

( Does hell have Herbal Essences? )

Eh?

[ Honestly, he's pretty stupid. He isn't even thinking about it but it sinks in after a moment and he just stares up at the sky. ]

Yeah, yeah. Thanks for th'help.

[ He trudges back over to pick up his shoes. God forbid if those beloved snakeskin shoes has gotten wet!!! ]

( Okay. She's just gonna take that opportunity to stand up and look literally anywhere but at the hot, wet man. )

Y'owe me.

( Just sayin'! It was fun but she's not here to do things out of the goodness of her heart.

She's not sure that her heart has any of that left, after all. )

May 2022 Mini Event

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)