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

Most people prefer to get straight to the alcohol.

[ After all, what are pleasantries for during a celebration? Better to get straight to the point than meander in the awkwardness of "hello" and "how have you been" and "sorry for being on drugs when we met, that sure was awkward". With the same spirit in mind, he takes the seat next to her with a grunt as his knees creak. Now he can see her with proper color, party eyes nowhere to be seen in a clear gaze, and smile without wishing to be elsewhere. ]

I've been doing good. Just surprised to see you out alone.

Hmm... not me! Can't relate. [ Still, she takes another swig. She's warmed by the alcohol and the fire— and when he settles in next to her, she smiles a little wider. ] I thought you'd bail on me again...

[ She's teasing. ]

Surprised, huh? Something tells me you wouldn't believe me if I told you I've actually spent a lot of time alone. [ In a manner of speaking, of course. ]

No bailing this time! Promise. [ Hand to the chest, right where the lungs rest. ] I would believe you, Aerith. Only because I don't think you would lie to me.

[ Then again, he has been wrong about pretty faces before. Though when it came to the disco dancer, he could tell there was a black hole where her soul once lived. Aerith has not yet succumbed to a void of her own creation. ]

Do you like to spend time alone? Or do you take company with others to distract yourself?

[ He's too trusting. To be fair, she knows it's because she's cute— does this look like the face of a girl who hasn't used her looks to her advantage before? Maybe, truthfully. People tell her she has a homely look... ]

Hmm... That's a good question, but there's no real good answer. Both, I guess. I don't mind being alone. [ It's a lot of information to offer up, she thinks, more than she offers most people. ]

Tonight's a little different... I guess. [ Might as well, she supposes. He is, in a manner of speaking, asking. ] I miss someone. [ She lets it hang. Does he want to know? She doesn't want to intrude. ]

[ INLAND EMPIRE - Everyone is missed and missing to someone else. ]

I'm sure that person is missing you too. [ Surely, even he is missed by someone. He hopes. ] Who are they?

[ She should say the grenadine eyed bartender of Seventh Heaven, or the man who wear sunglasses everywhere and exudes cool. She even knows that it would be logical to admit she misses a guy who fell through the roof of her church— but they'd all be lies.

She tells the truth. ]

A guy. Kind of lame, right? [ Another sip of the alcohol passes her lips. It burns in the same way admitting her weakness does. ] He doesn't even answer texts anymore so... I gave up. [ She's quiet for a second more. The way Aerith words it, you'd be forgiven for thinking the man's still here. ] I'm pretty good at that! Giving up, that is.

[ SUGGESTION - Not quite a breakup, but a loss of another sort?
INLAND EMPIRE - I'm going to call it *ghosting*. That's our term, we made that up. ]

Oh no! That isn't lame at all. I'm sorry he ghosted you. [ Now he's glad he gave her the drink! How horrible. ] I don't think you should give up. Maybe he just lost his phone, or didn't receive the messages for another reason.

[ That term seems apt, considering they're in Hell. She'll remember it. Harry has already infected her with some strange turn of phrase. ]

I thought that might be the case, but... I saw him every morning.

[ It just doesn't seem like him. ] Maybe he's... moved on. To wherever we go when we're done here. [ He's not physically here, she has deduced. ] I just hope he's okay.

[ RHETORIC - Second Hell? Is that a thing?
CONCEPTUALIZATION - After life, death. After death, life again. ]

After life, death. After death, life again. [ He smiles in the recollection of leitmotiv, even if he no longer believes in the so-called benevolence of humanism. ] It's a Dolorian saying from my homeland. A return, of sort.

[ That's the key, and it unlocks the wealth of curiosity within her. A breathless sort of whisper leaves Aerith. All this time, she wondered if they had been truly separate on their planes of reality but this— ]

Returning to the planet.

[ Gives her a strange, blindingly bright shimmer of hope. ]

Kim said he used to go a church for that... when he was little. What's it like?

Oh, you know Kim! He's a great guy, right? We're best friends.

[ RHETORIC - *Technically* he's your best friend. You don't know if it's reciprocated.
SUGGESTION - Gold mouth is spouting bullshit. Ignore him. It's absolutely reciprocated. ]

I don't remember if I told you, on account of my *episode* with you, but I have amnesia. As such, there's little I can tell you from experience. However, I can speak from my present. The Church of Humanity is dedicated to Dolores Dei. Advisor to Queen Irene La Navigateur, Innocence of Humanism, and the mother of Moralism. Or at least its inspiration.

[ ENCYCLOPEDIA - You have a lot more to say on the subject, but better to not overwhelm the poor girl too quickly.
VOLITION - I *really* think this is all you should say, actually. ]

I know you guys are. [ Kim had told her his partner was someone worthy, though not quite in those words. He is not man who minces words. He cares, but in a way that is elegantly brusque and clinical. There's no bullshit. She admires that about Kim.

Which is a lot to say she agrees with Suggestion here, even if she doesn't know it. ]

A whole religion dedicated to an advisor to a Queen... or the image of her. Probably a really good story there. [ And that's all it is.

Maybe?

She inhales, gathering up all the emotions whirling inside of her right now. It's like a blizzard. She thinks about what Kim said, about what he imagines would happen to someone descended from a religious figure, and how well it would go. Not well, I think. Not well at all. ]

Innocence, right? That sounds important. Is it? Maybe I've got it all wrong...

Oh, she's very important. Maybe the most important human who ever lived. [ This, he cannot deny. ] But! Do not be easily charmed by the titles. In a more objective view away from the mythology, many call her a *war criminal*.

[ He shifts in his seat and holds out his palms to Aerith, weighing air with the persuasion of scales to carry out judgment. ]

"Innocence" is a loaded term for purity. Of being without darkness, without sin. But none of us are innocent, Aerith. Therefore, to be an Innocence is to not live the life of a human. Indeed, it was said her lungs *glowed*, her body hot to the touch, and that she was sometimes caught not even breathing air.

[ "War criminal" gets her to raise her eyebrows, and her gaze falls to his hands where he weighs "mambo" and "jambo". Interesting as it is, it's not telling her how much of this could be intertwined with Midgar— maybe the answer is simply that it isn't.

Then again... Cetra aren't human, either. ]

Maybe an Innocence is like... a proto-human. Make sense? That's why she looked like you and me, but had all these different qualities. [ Just a hyper-specific theory. ] But that's assuming it's real.

[ ... ] Is it?

Edited (put my glasses on but i still cant spell <3) 2022-06-11 02:48 (UTC)

[ CONCEPTUALIZATION - Oh, this is a good theory. I like where this is going. Humanity before humanity. Yes, that would fit Dolores Dei quite well. ]

She was certainly real. Whether her lungs really glowed or not... there were stories that she was not entirely human. That she was an observer watching mankind stumble blindly for thousands of years, before she interfered.

[ He folds his hands onto his knees and sighs, breath returning to his body again with a breath. After death, life again. ]

Dolores Dei was assassinated by one of her guardsmen. "We were supposed to come up with this ourselves" - his supposed cry after riddling her with bullets.

Damn it.

[ ...is what tumbles out of her mouth, in that perky little voice. The story regales her, for what it is. ]

That's what he said? [ The sad truth is— that's probably the most realistic part of the story in her mind. She thinks of Kim's words again, and wonders if the truth is that they've already seen what they would have done to someone like Aerith in Harry's homeland. ]

I guess it makes sense. Don't you think so?

[ RHETORIC - It's an unusual slip out of her, but you don't know what to make of it. Is she disappointed, or perhaps she's just not surprised by it?
VOLITION - Ok, hang on a moment. You've noticed that she keeps doing that, right?

(No, explain it to me like I'm an idiot little baby who doesn't pick up on the obvious.)

VOLITION - Your words, not mine. Anyway, she keeps asking what *you* think about it without voicing any of her thoughts. Ending everything on a question and asking you to reaffirm what you just said. You know this technique.

(Oh my god. She's trying to can-open me.)

VOLITION - We're going to need to have a long discussion on how easily you let women do this to you. For now, be a little more observant. ]

Aerith, what do *you* think of it? I just gave you a ton of really important lore! Do you have an opinion to share?

[ Ah, he caught her. Truthfully... this attempt at learning how people perceive an Innocence from the point of view of an average person was probably very, very obvious. ]

Me? Well...

[ He's not wrong, though. It's a lot of important lore— wait, lore? Who uses lore? ...Oh well. ]

...I think that sounds like a really lonely existence. And that maybe it's even lonelier now, if there's any other Innocence like her. But, I don't know what life is like in your homeland. Are there any others?

[ INLAND EMPIRE - We are alone. ]

There have been Innocences after her, and even before her, but none at this time. But in turn, she is by far the most important Innocence and most well-known. So much of the history of my homeland is a result of her actions three centuries ago. Institutions, wars, people, all influenced in some way by her existence.

Even the symbol for love through a Dolorian lens is lungs, not the heart.

[ For a moment, she lets that wash over her. The waves crash on the shore. Artificial as they are, it still feels like nature. Like life. The Planet.

She shakes her head, and things swim in her mind. Dolores Dei is nothing more than a woman in her mind, who set the course of the world onto destruction, it seems. Whatever it is like in his home, she gets the sinking feeling that it is infected with loneliness. That is Dolores Dei's influence— after death, life again, and she sits unforgotten and living in collective consciousness. ]

None that they know of. [ She shouldn't have said that.

Maybe he'll ignore it. ]

That's sad. To have a whole religion centered around a woman like that... Sorry, this must be a bummer.

[ LOGIC - You're not ignoring that. She's right though. Innocences are not picked out at birth. Most are crowned in their life for reaching a certain height of achievement that cannot be ignored. A level that elevates them *beyond* all other humans.
VOLITION - It's better like this. No one is *above* anyone else, nor should they be.
EMPATHY - Her life was surely a lonely one. ]

No, it's fine! On the one hand, she did agree to being crowned Innocence. On the other hand, it was said she lived most of her life in seclusion and lacked a lot of self-awareness of her role. I think she... lived as she wanted, doing what she thought was best for humanity. In turn, her decisions were validated by her title and standing.

She was less of a person like you and I and more a... chess player. She loved to play chess.

[ She's self-aware enough through the buzz to know that this doesn't really sound that dissimilar from herself. ]

With people. I know.

[ From experience. ]

So you have to be crowned, then... [ Hmm. Then there's no way that Dolores Dei could have been a Cetra. Somehow, there's a twist of grief in her gut, the rug pulled out from under her. ] There's a lot to this Innocence thing! Makes you wonder what the point was, ultimately... I guess that's why she played chess. It must have been how she lived before that. [ Maybe. Who is to say? Dolores Dei is less of a woman now than when she had been alive. Thinking on it, there's probably more to be said about how a person feels about her than who she was. A personality test, packaged up nice and messy. ]

It's about ultimate authority over the masses, I'd say. Someone to make decisions for you, to tell you what's right from wrong when you don't know for yourself. That's basically what Moralism is: cowardice masking as virtue.

[ RHETORIC - Damn, an excellent communist opinion! Very proud of you.
(Thanks!)
RHETORIC - Now, say the fascist thing next. Something something sucking from the mother's teet, too feminine, supports immigration and kills cultural identity. I'm sure we can fit a racist statement into the mix too, it basically comes with the package.
VOLITION - How about we move on from this topic? ]

*But* maybe enough of this? Though I am happy to have shared with you a bit of history from my home. Oddly, I remember a lot about Dolores Dei even when I remember little else.

[ A curious tidbit, he offers, and one that is of great interest to her. After a moment of smiling quietly at him, she speaks over the sound of crackling fire and jubilation. ]

Everyone has a new season once in a while. Maybe Dolores Dei is your roots.

[ INLAND EMPIRE - Poisoned roots. Tainted ground. Devouring you. ]

It's not a good thing. [ Pointed and quick, hoping not to disappoint her. ] Tell me more about this guy you're missing.

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