jigokulogs | May 2022 Mini Event

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May 2022 Mini Event

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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.

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[Ydris absolutely takes the comments as condemnation, but that's not Kim's fault. They're just very sensitive to getting corrected or told they've done something embarrassing, it's why getting yelled at feels like a punishment for them. The young god is very sensitive to their faults and failings, deflecting promptly and defensively..!]

Of course I don't- I would never get used to this! I take responsibility for my mistakes, as all should, not- not the mistakes of others! That is there own weight to grin and bear- [they don't have vocal cords, but even their projected voice sounds a bit squeakish. Ydris tries to reset themself, but it's comically monotone as a result, flailing to far the other way]

I'm not doing it. I'll find something. Better!

It's a privilege, only being held responsible for your own actions.

[ It may seem unjust to others, but to Kim, that is simply the way of the world. It's not meant to chastise them either, though if he stopped to think about it for more than a moment, he would feel envious of that mindset; it seems a nicer way to live, certainly. ]

And not a privilege that we have. Even if we don't go in there to apologize, the people here will hold us accountable whether we like it or not. What we do with that information is up to us. [ He regards Ydris curiously, tilting his head to the side. ] What do you propose?

A privilege the Daitengu should exert as leader, I say.

[what they say doesn't matter, they're only going to make things more tense and difficult. Also, they're going to get yelled at- so. Something else. Definitely.]

I'm not bothering with this. My talents are wasted at this, do more harm than good. [setting a fire is only useful if it's a controlled burn... or something like that. They're not going to get poetic about it!]

I heard there are Celestials visiting. Divine beings which hold some power over the land rights of Sutoku. I should seek them out.

Yes, I have heard the same. I have also heard that for whatever reason - [ all right, he knows the reason ] - they tend to favour the Tamamo clan.

[ He sets down his things, ready to hear Ydris out in full. He admittedly tends to take a traditional approach on matters like this. He does what he's told, within reason, and he does it with enough efficiency that nobody will have any grounds to complain about him. It's how he's gotten by thus far.

Sometimes a more flexible approach is needed. Whether or not Ydris has one that will work remains to be seen. ]

What do you plan on doing once you find them? A misstep with them could have far greater consequences than a businessowner losing their temper.

I have some contacts within Tamamo, as good a time as any to call upon them. [whatever in they can use, it's the moment! Anything to escape hellish groveling...]

Great consequence must mean greater reward, that's much more worthy of my effort. I do wonder if they'd be impressed with my creation. Did you engage with Ember? It's something to show for our factions ingenuity, I would think.

That mobile application? [ Kim's brow creases. He had seen news of it but had readily dismissed it, in part because this technology is so new to him - and a part of him resents having to figure it out - and in part because he immediately realized he was not part of its intended audience. Compared to most of the people here, he's a tired old man, good for neither romance nor a good scrap. ] No, I admit I didn't look into that. I'm not exactly suited for it.

[ Though if it's being used as leverage now, perhaps he should have checked it out, if only to make a permanently unused account. He makes a thoughtful noise in the back of his throat. ] Hunh. It's not a bad idea. They do seem interested in business propositions. They might even want to invest in the idea. Is that something you'd be open to? If you haven't patented the business already, this would be the time.

[ Do patents exist in Hell? Kim has to assume so. Business isn't exactly what he'd consider to be godly. ]

Edited 2022-06-04 00:00 (UTC)

[Sorry, Kim, Ydris gives you like... a long, long look up and down at that declaration of being "not exactly suited".

Their assessment is a confident one, for better or worse-]

That's not true at all! You fill certain niche.

[maybe best to move on from whatever Ydris is suggesting there]

The business is mine, yes, as is the coding, the framework, the data, the security measures... I cannot keep any from trying to copy the idea, but my perspective makes my platform unique. I believe that's a good angle to take, don't you? Divine beings must be very interested in us Lost Souls, we are so great and vast in our variety.

[ A... certain niche. ] Ah. Thank you, I suppose.

[ Yes, best to move on before he lingers on that too much. These days, surrounded by all the youths that Jigoku-cho has to offer, Kim just feels like a tired old man. Maybe some people are into that...?

He shakes his head, forging bravely on, far more invested in the idea of patents than he is pursuing that subject. ]

In any case, I do think that's a good angle to take. Very businesslike. I think it's worth pursuing a meeting, provided you don't mind the extra attention you'll get from it. [ Their superiors will be impressed. As will the Celestials, he thinks. All positive attention -- but any attention can backfire. Any of them knowing of his existence is a thought that makes Kim somewhat uneasy.

After a moment's thought, he shifts his bag of goods to the crook of his arm so he can crack open his notebook, scribbling a line or two in it. ]

They are a bit... voyeuristic, let's say? A position of spectatorship should go over well with them. But if they do insult you? [ He nods towards the shop window, where one of the shopkeeper's is still giving them a nasty look. ] You'll just have to grin and take it.

[A certain niche for certain people. (Ydris is certain people.)

They'll mercifully spare Kim from having that said to his face. Another time, maybe, watch out.

A few nods at Kim's assessments. Spectatorship... that's definitely something to think over.]

That's a good idea, something of a game to watch. Ember's current functionality is to create social engagement between Lost Souls, connect them by sparking conversation. The focus on aesthetics and uniqueness are certainly something that could be utilized for entertainment. I'm sure they'll like the exclusivity of it being Lost Souls only.

[a snap of fingers before pointing at Kim!] Now you need to join! It would help with the variety, as I said. If you do, I'll give you a cut of any success I might find. You've given me a few good leads, after all.

Yes, precisely! They are here for entertainment, after all. You may want to put in some sort of consent form for the Lost Souls for that angle, but I have a feeling that most won't mind. Most of the action, so to speak, will be happening in-person, after all. The Celestials can simply use their imagination for the rest of it.

[ Ydris' next words, however, take Kim by surprise. He pauses, deliberating. He really could use the extra money. He has precious little as it is, and while he has no problem surviving, he has to admit that he's a man who has always loved his little luxuries; while he didn't get much on an RCM officer's salary, he had been a prodigious saver, and being separated from his nest egg (not to mention his wardrobe) had stung. ]

Ah, well... [ He hums, cracking a crooked smile their way. ] I don't know. Are you sure you can't just give me a cut for being a consultant? I could even accompany you to this meeting. A little back-up, so to speak.

I'd be all for your assistance, we can work out a fair split. [They see the man deliberating the second point and hear his counter argument. The two are negotiating now, Ydris has decided. They make an up and down gesture at Kim!]

But what kind of a message would it send for my consultant to not be on the very platform he's selling? You'd have to join, as I said!

You know, there are plenty of brains behind-the-scenes that have nothing to do with the product that they're peddling. That's why so many products that really have nothing to commend them still manage to get sold while the investors simply hoodwink everything else. Or sell to an entirely different market from them...

[ He's fighting a losing battle, and he knows it, mostly on account of the fact that Ydris knows that he's got him. It's not as though signing up means he'll have to use it, and see just how many people decide they want to fistfight him. He taps his toe, sighing.

Think about what he could do with a cash bonus! There are jackets he's been coveting in the stores, plants that could freshen up his living space, money to visit a restaurant or two, that model aerostatic he happened to see in the window of a hobby shop--

Okay, stick to sensible dreams, Kitsuragi. ]

I suppose there's no harm in it.

No harm at all! We aren't hoodwinking anybody. Ember is a fine creation and deserves the most honest of endorsements. Message me when you get your account created.

[A wink, sorry Kim, you're in it now]

I'll be sure to throw a green checkmark your way, to prove you're of interest. This will work out splendid and you'll reap some reward, I do so promise.

Edited 2022-06-15 16:58 (UTC)

[ Oh, god. What has he signed himself up for? He grimaces, just a little. ]

I don't even know what a green checkmark means.

[ Will that mean people will be more likely to respond to him? He won't even know how to respond back. Oh well. He supposes he's in it now. He doesn't often do things on impulse; he hopes that this particular endeavor won't wind up biting him in the ass. It's really not like him to... hustle. ]

But if it helps Sutoku stabilize, I suppose I'm for it. [ That's really all Kim is chasing, after all. ] Why don't we go sit down somewhere, and you can demo your business pitch on me? We can work out the kinks from there. Make sure there's nothing to it that will cause the Celestials any undue offense. [ He frowns, flipping open his notebook to scrawl down a couple of notes. ] I really wouldn't mind asking around about them too. This sort of thing is much harder without knowing a thing about what their whole... deal is.

[ Culture is everything, isn't it? Kim is Revacholiere. He knows that culture. But here? It feels like he can offend people practically just by existing in their general vicinity. There's a hundred different customs, and Kim can only seem to figure out one or two of them. Best to learn from those in the know. ]

Ah. Well, you will learn, but don't take it too seriously. I'll explain the philosophy behind the... dramatics of the system, in time. [Their gaze is drawn to the side, to the shopkeeper they angered still glaring at the two of them from within their establishment. Their arms are crossed and a foot is tapping, as if expecting a proper apology any minute now-

Ydris gives a little snap of fingers, getting an idea]

How about this, you go... sooth this client I failed to wrangle. I'll go do some research on the Celestials, see if I can spend some time and get to understand their desires. Knowing that, I can meet back up and elaborate with you on what I've learned! Then I'll present whatever inspiration has struck me, that might... suit them! How about that? [also it gets them out of this unsavory duty, which they're less than sorry to pass on to someone else... Kim will surely have better manner than they do at the task. Charming godly beings is something much more suited to Ydris, they understand that mindset much more.]

Saddling me with the unpleasant job from the get-go, are you? I see how this partnership is going to go already.

[ He's teasing, really. It can be hard to tell from his flat affect, but that's always been Kim's cross to bear. He would much rather be researching - it's more his specialty anyway, and it would be interesting besides - but he can tell that Ydris going in there would probably just make things worse.

He flicks the tips of his fingers at Ydris, gesturing for them to head out. ]

Go on, then. The less that gentleman has to look at you, the easier my job will be. You really did a number on him. I'll be curious to hear how your research goes later.

[ Kim picks up the gifts and heads back into the shop. Just before the door swings closed, Ydris may hear Kim's voice canted a little louder, as mellow and strongly accented as it always is: ] Good afternoon, sir, I must offer my apologies for the actions of my colleague...

[ Apparently he's done this song and dance before. Go figure. ]

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May 2022 Mini Event

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