jigokulogs | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sasuke nods, running along but stopping when they're completely out of the are they were in. He actually has no idea where he is.]

Is that good enough? Can you hear it?

[ Rather grateful that he maintained himself in good condition through his practice of the martial arts, it is only after some ways that he finds himself out of breath and needing to come to a stop. That also seems to be the case for his companion, but he does manage to offer him a smile even if concern settles over him. He hopes that really has some the trick and that phantasm isn't searching for new victims to feed those vile carrots to. ]

No, we did go a long way.

Maybe it was distracted.

[ Being set on fire would kind of be its focus. Hopefully, no one would have to run into that thing. Yet, Xingqiu is looking back at the way they came. ]

Maybe I should warn people in case it decides to linger. I'm not sure if fire completely got rid of it or it momentarily stunned it.

Is it going after you, specifically, or will it go after me too?

Well...

[ He doesn't have an answer to that question as it could go either way. All he knows is that it had been standing in one spot rather inconspicuously until he took note of it. Perhaps if he, like everyone else, walked past it without taking notice he may have been left alone. That or it sensed his hatred of carrots... ]

I can't say. But you are quite capable of handling such an odious apparition. Perhaps I should stay by your side.

[Sasuke stares at the guy blankly.]

Are we even in the same faction? How can you propose we stay together?

[ His suggestion was only meant for it to be a temporary time. He understands that lost souls of different factions are not meant to cohabit or remain together for extended periods of time. Perhaps this guy was lonely enough to assume that was his intent? ]

No. I do not believe we are of the same faction. I am a member of the Sutoku Alliance after all. But I thought just for today perhaps?

Enma on my part.

[He nods, looking around after, in case they're being pursued again..]

In that case, shall we eat something?

Edited 2022-07-27 23:34 (UTC)

[ The man's watchful gaze prompts him to also survey the area. There is no telling just what may appear after all that specter had gotten the jump on him. Thankfully it remains just them. ]

Ah. Yes. The Department. I am not familiar with many who are part of that organization if I am to be honest. But, yes, something to eat would be nice. Do you have any preferences?

Not really, but there's a ramen stall not too far from where we are.

That will do.

[ At his age it is natural to have preferences, due to his upbringing he should be far pickier but he isn't. After their escape he would take just about anything, of course, he would keep things light for himself. So once he accepts the suggestion he gestures for the older man to lead the way. ]

Perfect. Follow me.

[And so he'll walk to the nearest ramen stall, and look back, nodding towards the seats.]

[ Without a reason to hesitate, Xingqiu would follow keeping just a couple of paces behind the man. It gives him time to gather his thoughts. Once they arrive, he settles in a seat and quickly his attention is on his savior. Of course, he is grateful still. ]

It seems I have failed to introduce myself thus far, so I do apologize, my name is Xingqiu.

Right. Nice to meet you, I'm Sasuke.

[He takes a seat next to Xingqiu, looks at the offered foods, and is quite overjoyed at the fact that they have tomato based ramen. Nice.]

Know what you're getting?

[ A smile accompanied by an amiable nod is how he receives Sasuke's introduction. With that out of the way, he takes a moment to peruse the types of ramen offered. After giving it some thought he settles on a choice. ]

I believe so. I've settled on the Miso based ramen.

Good choice.

[He makes a movement of his hand and calls the attention of the server.]

Miso ramen for him, tomato for me.

[The server nods, and goes to work on their orders. Sasuke turns to his companion though, curious.]

Do you have any powers?

[ A straightforward question, he should be taken aback by Sasuke's bluntness but he manages to keep a cool demeanor. Perhaps it is to be expected, or rather, maybe it is best if people compared their abilities. There were dangers here and cooperating would likely see them through, no matter the faction.

Although... ]

Admittedly, my abilities have been dampened here. It happens to be the case for most people... wouldn't you say?

Ah, but that doesn't answer your question now does it? As of the moment I have some negligible control of water and limited healing powers.

[Sasuke nods, understanding. He can't use his fire at all.]

That's a good combination, even if it's... Watered down.

[ Yet Sasuke could do enough to repel that possessed mascot. That's enough for Xingqiu. Although admittedly he may have faired better against an opponent not threatening him with carrots. It's difficult to engage against anything that is two paces away from making him ill.

Now give it a second.

Blink.

Blink.

Okay, he can't help but laugh now. ]

Your face. It's so serious. And you're saying that. It's perfect.

[Sasuke smirks, and he looks at the counter, where their food is being placed.]

You're welcome.

[He gets a pair of chopsticks from the holder in the middle of the counter, and gets ready to eat. It looks amazing, at least.]

[ Despite the man's demeanor there is an understanding that a joke had been spoken, not one voiced on a whim, rather he knows it is an attempt to cheer him up. It was much appreciated after the encounter with the curse and the frustration felt over the limited access he has to his skills.

Now with food set in front of them, a smile is offered followed by a nod. It's time to dig in. ]

May 2022 Mini Event

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