jigokulogs | June 2022 Event

June 2022 Event

1. SWIMSUIT TROUBLES (1 POINT)

As the city goes through its daily motions, the heat bears down harder and harder while bringing out some increasingly overheated behavior from the local population. Summer is here and the natives are flocking to the shopping district: both as a respite from the scorching temperatures and to stock up on the needed supplies to beat the heat.

That means one noticeable problem: the bathing suits left on the racks aren’t the most fashionable at this point! Suits are scarce and what is left over are the skimpy, the oddly-patterned, a size too small, or all of the above. Then again, you are probably just feeling lucky you aren’t in the Shuten Clan, who have been provided their own precious supply of freshly laundered tiger stripe bikinis. And nothing else.

You may be able to borrow around within your own faction, where the pickings might not be so slim, but are still unlikely to match your personal style. Better hope you ran out to buy something nice when the Daitengu first announced the party.

2. BEACH GAMES (1 POINT)

The indoor beach facility that the Alliance has provided is extraordinary. It’s massive! It seems to extend to the size of an entire soccer field. With the combinations of Kappa tech and Tengu magic, the experience has been made as close to a natural one as anyone could ask for. The heat of the beach feels true to the real world, the sand is white and pure, and the waves rolling in and out are just like the mortal realm. Even the palm trees and beach scrub seem entirely authentic. The vibe is immaculate.

Each faction has their own area set up for meeting and mingling but everyone is welcome to let loose and interact among all the groups.

SHUTEN CLAN

The Shuten Clan has set up their beach fort with food and drinks. The drinks on offer are a particularly strong Oni beer and a few spirits (especially sake). These drinks have been mixed so that anyone who imbibes them will feel a heightened sense of competition and the need to prove themselves!

There are plenty of opportunities to show off:
Learning surfing with a few knowledgeable Oni.
Volleyball matches.
Shoulder chicken tournaments.
Beer pong.
Drinking contests that never seem to stop.
And friendly scuffles with some of the Shuten who are feeling more rowdy than usual.
In particular, the volleyball matches appear to be the Shuten Clan’s sport of choice. They’re taking these matches deathly serious. With all powers allowed in play, the game is truly deadly with how powerful, how fast, and how fierce those spikes and volleys are. Hold nothing back and leave it all in the ring!

Toraguma himself is here in his tiger striped best! He’s observing the games and taking note of which Shutens do well and which ones shame the clan with their defeat. He’ll give out rewards to those he thinks are exemplifying the pride of the clan. Don’t worry though, if you’re not up to snuff you won’t be punished; except with Toraguma’s obvious disappointment.

TAMAMO CLAN

The Tamamo Clan doesn't disappoint either. Their tiki bar is set up with a far greater variety in stock than the Shutens. Every drink seems to be made to that Lost Soul’s exact tastes. Watch out, this may compel you to pound them back more quickly than normal. The drinks will make you feel much closer to those around you — either in camaraderie, or something more intimate. The Tamamos have arranged a number of floats, inner tubes, and water wings lounging in the water. Enjoy your time together!

When you aren’t relaxing, the Tamamo Clan has also arranged huge buckets of water balloons and have filled their water guns. The instructions are clear: whether sniping from afar or going in on a full assault, go nuts. Especially against the Shutens. Lady Tenkohime herself has a high-caliber, sniper-grade water rifle with her at her lounge chair. She will occasionally pick some unlucky soul to fire off devastating rounds against. She is not soaking them in just water, of course. This is the Tamamo clan’s patented ‘perfume’, which inspires the most amorous feelings.

Finally, the Tamamo have also inspired a spicy wet t-shirt contest. It’s essentially a sexy beauty contest, but given the variety of bodies and hidden ‘talents’ tucked away under everyone’s clothes, it should prove interesting! Tenkohime has described the simple rules:
One must wear the provided white shirt and only that shirt.
The crowd will soak them down.
And the crowd will judge how well they pull it off.

SUTOKU CLAN

The Sutoku Clan has been given free reign on a fleet of jet skis and paddle boats; perfect for two. There are boogie boards and larger inner tubes ready to be attached to different jet skis. Just be careful, ok?

A large snack bar has been provided with cheerful yokai behind the counter ready and willing to serve up your heart’s desire. There are some strange candies towards the end of the bar, they taste a bit funny but once you eat one you’re compelled to have a few more. These sweets will give you the power to breathe underwater. What is the meaning of this power? Well, you’re in the Alliance, after all, you figure out what’s under the waves.

Sutoku games include things like kan jam and frisbees, but Sutoku Souls are also very much encouraged to participate in the Shuten Clan’s volleyball tournament. Much to Toraguma’s frustration, the Alliance has planted a Tengu referee who seems to really favor the Alliance players over his own. Use your powers liberally.

The Daitengu is in attendance with sunscreen marks on their mask, for some reason. They’re being a total busybody, as usual. They’re really taking the time to chat up Tenkohime and Toraguma, even if the two want to rip each other’s throats out. Could a resolution to the turf war be on the way? One can only hope!

ENMA DEPARTMENT

The Enma is instructing the members of the Department to volunteer (aka voluntold) for lifeguard duty. The shifts are short — it is ultimately a party — and participation will net you both free food and drink from any of the vendors, as well as license to let loose for the rest of the party! The fare provided by the Enma vendors is pretty staid, but it does fill you with the odd need to run down the beach shallows in slow motion. Not sure what that’s about.

There is one further task that is expected of the Enma Department: suikawari. It is a big deal and to be taken seriously! This is the Enma’s favorite beach activity and the only diversion that he cares about. Your guess is as good as anyone’s, but it’s probably because the game resembles a form of execution. Regardless! Every officer is expected to do at least one round of the game as a form of initiation to the Department itself. Captain Shiki hosts the game in the absence of the Enma. Someone should tell her to chill out with that whistle, though.

3. BONFIRE (1 POINT)

As the hosts of the event, the Sutoku Alliance has set up a massive bonfire as the sun begins to set and stars light up the magical sky. There’s a romantic feeling in the air. Things seem as chill as they ever could be, there are no Haniwa in sight! Things feel peaceful for the first time in a while.

A final happy hour is declared, with free libations for everyone to close out the night. It’s time to finish this party in style. For anyone particularly watchful, they may spy the extraordinary sight of Toraguma and Tenkohime together. Off in the shadows while the party rages on, they are sitting together and watching the waves roll in. What could they be discussing? It will remain a mystery, getting any closer to them would be a deadly mistake.

The evening closes without any major incidents. Nothing seems like it could spoil the mood. It almost feels too good to be true.

4. AND THEN... (2 POINTS)

As all the party goers change back into their clothes and exit the facility, there is a rumble of thunder over Jigokucho. The stars are quickly swallowed by a darkening sky and the ground shakes. A minor earthquake? That’s not unheard of but the sky above is looking threatening. Evil. Darkness washes out over the entire city, none of its many bright lights able to cut through. Something is wrong. Something is happening.

A warm rain begins to fall, spattering across you and your surroundings. It becomes quickly apparent that you are not doused with water, but with blood.

The silence is shattered suddenly when a scream cuts across the whole of Jigokucho. An accursed miasma pours out from every direction. Then you see them: the Haniwa. They are everywhere, gazing from every direction, pressing in. Something has gone terribly wrong.

Captain Shiki is the first to act. She makes a call to Kaigo no Bou, but what she hears is enough to freeze her in her tracks.

The containment center deep beneath the tower where the Haniwa were being stored has been compromised. All of the cursed energy that was stored there has leaked out into the city from below. The guards below are dead. No one is answering their radio. It is not just the containment center that has been compromised, but all of Kaigo no Bou.

Captain Shiki struggles to remain calm as she gives out orders. Her entire command structure has been decimated, but she has to keep these people safe. She urges everyone to seek shelter, immediately. Everyone needs to partner up and stick together.

None of the faction leaders present arguments and they enforce this ruling with their Souls. They direct everyone to make their way back to their home base. Shuten to the Arena, Tamamo to Mizukume, and Sutoku to Konoha. There, their faction leaders can protect them.

As for the Enma officers: they are on rescue duty. You will be heading out into the city to rescue as many people as possible from the nightmarish effects of the cursed energy on the city. Captain Shiki will act as their point of command at the indoor beach.

Good luck, everyone.

5. IN THE CURSED NIGHT (2 POINTS)

A rain of blood is sprinkling all around you. It pings off sign posts and garbage bins, it splatters wetly onto the concrete and your face. The scent is pungent and thick; spoiling. It is soaking in to your hair, your clothes, your skin. It is driving you mad: your pulse spinning, breathing short.

There are noises in the impenetrable darkness. Fox feet on the pavement, crow wings shifting on a perch, a stranger's cruel laughter. The dark energy that has swallowed you is bemused by your smallness, is lurking at the edges and waiting for the moment to strike. Hold tight to your fellows, lest in the darkness another hand be placed in yours. Do you know who you walk with? What you walk with?

The Haniwa are watching you from every surface; crowded together as one with their empty eye sockets and open mouths. Their dark eyes turn to follow where you go as you stumble through your nightmares and your delusions. They breathe in your suffering on the air.

Beware the onibi, they will lead you astray.
Beware the grasping hands in the trees.
Beware the whispers in the distance.
Beware the slope to the river.
Beware. Beware.

Welcome to the June event!

Art by astrono77153462
Special shoutout to vandalisto for coming up with the meat of this event; the beach party. They approached us with this as a player plot, and it was good enough that we made it into the full event for the month. Excellent work, Vandal!
If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
If your character participated in the volleyball games, see here! If they participated in the wet t-shirt contest, see here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[[ooc: lio's swimwear, for visual reference, art by TOSHI]]

[ i - beach games - kick start my heart, give it a start ]

[ First thing first, Lio's lobbing actual fireballs in the volleyball matches for your character to "enjoy". He took it as seriously as their boss expected all of his Shuten boys to do, and has quite the game face on for every match. Win or lose, he gives his all, although it was remarkable to see him enjoying himself so much when Lio was a well more reticent sort of guy most of the time. Don't let it fool you, of course, if mentioned he will definitely get a little flustered and revert back to his cooler attitude otherwise. But there's just something about all of this that reminded him of someone he admired a lot...

He completely ignores the wet t-shirt contest, but does take up a water gun and taking aim. He's an excellent shot, owed to his archery experience. The mechanics were different, sure, but the principals of aiming, kiting, and leading his shots to land the most effective blasts were still the same. He's a killer out there, for sure...

... That is, until he takes a full on blast from Tenkohime's rifle, becoming completely drenched in the oddly sweet scented water. ]

Don't... say a word. [ If that stuff was supposed to make the person hit by it more amorous, it didn't seem to be working as well on Lio...

He does eventually decide to relax and just let himself drift on a board in the waves, enjoying the motion and letting it center him and calm him. Some of the waves looked good enough to surf on, but Lio keeps hesitating, not paddling out near enough to them to catch them. Maybe he just needs a little push... ]

[ ii - bonfire - kick start my heart, hope it never stops ]

[ If you thought you saw a subtle smile from Lio as he was out there playing games, that sure was something, but now at the end of the day with the glow and heat of the massive bonfire washing over everyone gathered around, there was no denying the soft grin on Lio's face; a glow of its own.

This time, he doesn't pretend to hide it, and whether it's the drinks in his system or just the overall mood, he feels liberated to just let himself feel relaxed and at peace in that moment. He looked on the flames like one looked upon a loved one, almost, the fondness in his eyes measured in an understated affection.

Eventually, he turns to the person nearest him. ]

It's beautiful, isn't it?

[ ... What was this, the moonviewing line?? ]

[ iii - nightmares - adrenaline rushing through my veins ]

[ Whether it was because of the literal fire in his soul, or another aspect of his personality, the frenzy takes hold of Lio more keenly and quickly than he'd like, and it's obvious despite trying to help route people to the Arena for shelter, it's taking its toll on Lio. He's quick tempered, aggressive, ready to fight at the drop of the hat, but he still struggles as much as he can to keep it all under control. He has to, people need him.

But then... he starts to feel it. A numbness in his arm, a tingle and then a dreadful nothing where once he was at least aware of his extremities. He turns to look at what's going on and screams.

You'll turn to him. You'll see it too. His arm, turning to literal ash, blowing away in to the air... ]

What the hell?! Why is this happening?!

[ wildcard ]

[ Have an idea in mind that's not covered in the prompts above? Hit me up! I'm down to clown with most anything, and if you wanna discuss first, I have a plotting comment right here! Let's get crazy~! ]

Edited 2022-06-09 04:54 (UTC)

[In better days, this is the administrative district that circles the heart of Jigoku-cho, the lines of the streets and skyscrapers as rigid and orderly as the entity lording over it in Kaigo no Bou. These are not better days.]

[Minato's only been here a couple times, including that visit to the offices that managed the intake of Lost Souls when he was too bewildered to take everything in. Nothing looks familiar. He should be indoors, bunkered in safely to weather this awful night, but instead he's huddled at the blood-slicked entranceway of one of the office buildings, avoiding notice from the specters and ghost-lights stalking the streets and talking quietly into his phone.]

...'ll be careful, I promise. There has to be a way through to...

[He might sound calm, but his tense posture is anything but, clutching the katana at his hip with his other hand. He certainly doesn't notice anyone approaching him.]

What the hell are you doing out here?!

[ He sounded angry, but more than that, he just sounded... scared. He'd come towards Department territory hoping to find some survivors to guide towards shelter, but he hadn't realized he'd find Minato, and not only find him, but overhear he was planning to go even deeper into the miasma entrenched building.

Honestly there were only a few people he could think of who'd do something like this... he'd sort of hoped Minato wouldn't be the kind of person to give him that level of stress. ~~Don't be a Galo.~~ ]

[~~Sorry you had to find out like this, Lio. At least Minato knows what a shirt is.~~]

[A sharp intake of breath, as he spins to see who the speaker is -- not that he didn't recognize it, but too many of the phantoms haunting the city had been speaking in familiar voices. Too unsettling to listen too closely to in case he was drawn into a nightmare he couldn't escape, too dangerous to tune out entirely.]

Lio? What--? I'll call you back later.

[Minato shoves the phone into a shirt pocket -- he's still, tragicomically enough, in the swim trunks and light shirt from the Daitengu's event, a clear sign that he'd rushed out into the night in a hurry.] Weren't you supposed to head back to the Arena?

I could say the same to you. I was out here looking for survivors, what are you doing here?

[ Part of him expected Minato to say he was doing the exact same thing, and honestly he'd believe him, but whether it was Burnish arrogance or something else, Lio felt well more confident in his ability to survive in the transformed city than Minato's own. ]

I'm --

[He wavers -- Lio's a clear head and reliable, certainly, but... Minato's not going to drag someone else into this nonsense. He falls back on evasive answers:]

I'll make my way back when I can. You don't need to worry about me.

[There's just the barest crooked smile.] The haniwa already threw my worst nightmares at me, it can't get that much worse.

Hell no.

[ Just straight out, and spoken with a firmness that probably answered just how willing Lio was to hear any follow-up reasoning. Which was to say; not at all. ]

You're coming back with me. Any further the way you're going, it won't just be nightmares, but far worse.

[ That's what Lio had been told, at least... ]

...I can't do that.

[He sounds regretful, the tiny humourless smile still on his face; but in his own way, he's just as resolute as Lio is.]

We trusted Lord Enma to handle the haniwa. Now...

[Even if he's not about to openly badmouth the other faction leaders, it's clear to anyone the other three hadn't stepped up to deal with the problem, either.]

If there's anyone still alive in Kaigo no Bou... they don't deserve to suffer for their master's mistakes.

I don't disagree. It was arrogant to think they could contain something like this completely by themselves...

[ Lio couldn't really argue with most of Minato's point... ]

... But all you're going to do is add your own body to the pile if you keep going. You can't help anyone if you're dead, Minato.

lio fotia 🎆 promare 🎆 shuten

wildcard/in the cursed night; a bad idea

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

iii

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

i

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject