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

[ wow! barton does huff a laugh at the question; it's fair, this isn't his ideal state of play. honestly, he mostly just looks immensely pleased with himself that he's managed to hook someone into participating in his weird little setup. ]

Chess! Don't tell me you've never played... [ he points at the pieces of mulch and their respective writings. ] See the letters? "KN" for "knight," but "K" for "king." Each of 'em have those.

[ It... takes a little bit of imagination on her part, but yeah, alright, she sees it now that he's pointed out the letters. Knight, king — your standard chess pieces, if somewhat crudely formed. Honestly, quality of the craftsmanship aside, she almost has to admire him for dedication alone. ]

I know the rules. [ Can't be alive almost seven thousand years without encountering such an iconic game now and then, but she wouldn't call herself a master. She's never been so cerebral. ] You really wanted to play that fucking bad, huh?

Why wouldn't I?? It's a great game. More people should play it!

[ spoiler: this may not be like chess... at all...

barton has his mat set up so that the ones with the large black dots on them - indicating he's playing black - are on his side. he gets comfortable, laying on his side and propping his chin against the palm of his hand. ]

Since I'm a gentleman [ .. laughtrack.mp3 ], you can go first.

[ She can't say she finds his sentiment at all relatable, but fuck it. Maybe she's not passionate about board games, but she's here now, and it's not as if there's anything else vying for her attention at this point. Should keep her occupied while she finishes a cigarette or two, at least.

Andy takes a leisurely drag off that cigarette before she obliges him, apparently not requiring much time to dwell on her choice before moving one of the pawn pieces in the center forward. Dryly, she remarks: ]

This is how you get your thrills, huh.

It's the closest thing to an actual battlefield here, at the moment. The watergun fights have gotten boring...

[ so... yes. ]

[ barton eyes her move. it's not an uncommon one to see, given .. pawns on the frontline, and all. he takes a sip of his drink. then he moves his rook out and over in front of his own pawns, ignoring the actual function of a rook. ]

Your soldier faces the impenetrable walls of a moving fortress. What now??

[ Looking back later, she might regret taking this for granted - the simplicity of battling on a chess board, the ease of sitting on the beach with nothing more pressing to do.

When Barton makes his move, her eyebrows arch ever so slightly. Sure, Andy’s no chess expert by far, but she’s pretty sure the rooks aren’t supposed to move like that. Still, after a small considering pause, she seems willing to play along. Apparently she doesn’t feel strongly about the traditional rules. ]

…Guess it depends on the little bastard’s upper body strength. [ Dryly, as she nudges an adjacent pawn up beside the first: ] Might be able to make the climb with a boost from a friend.

[ barton grins. he then moves a bishop up and over the fortress well, taking out both the pawns and setting them aside. ]

They're both struck by some bastard up there with a crossbow, in quick succession. That does expose the archer to a potential counterattack, though.

[ She seems willing to accept these casualties. That'll happen, when you're still figuring out how the game is actually played. She takes a slow drag off her cigarette as she considers her next move, apparently unhurried. After a moment, one of her bishops gets selected in turn, moving out in front of the remaining pawns.

Wryly: ]

Hope this fucker has good aim then.

Edited 2022-06-18 20:25 (UTC)

[ barton flicks the bishop (mulch piece), then removes it from the board. ]

Pchoo. [ this is an apt sound, apparently. ] The archer takes a hit to the head! Blood and brain matter splatters everywhere... It was stupid and neither consulted with any superiors, nor notified its comrades, about an incoming attack.

Your fucker gonna take this opportunity?

Suppose he could try his luck.

[ She nudges her bishop (likewise, mulch piece) up one space diagonally. ]

Better vantage point. Maybe he'll see what kind of damage he can do from here with a fire arrow or two.

[ Dryly then: ]

You know, if someone else had shown up actually wanting to play chess, they might feel a little disappointed.

A fire arrow hits something ignitable - there's flames, smoke, and a few soldiers shouting to put out a fire.

[ barton takes out a few of his pawns. just for flavor. ]

[ though, he does peek upward at her next point. ]

Oh?? Were you actually that interested?

[ She doesn't even wait to be told it's her turn. Doesn't seem to her like the rules matter much anyway. So, she takes the liberty of pushing forward another bishop. A little friend for her archer. ]

Time to pick a few of those soldiers off.

[ Lifting her cigarette back to her lips, she glances up when he does, meeting his gaze for a moment before answering mildly: ]

Not really. This is probably more fun.

Both are fun! But if you aren't invested in it, and if you aren't paying attention... [ then yeah, chess would probably be the loser when versus this weird wargame thing.

grinning broadly, barton does look pleased that she's taken quick initiative. she's right: there are pretty much no rules. a few more soldiers atop the castle die a fiery death via arrows - a few more are removed, leaving just one. he moves a knight to meet her other bishop. ]

Ah, they're sending reinforcements! This old school guy has a nice set of shiny armor and a lance to spear wayward attackers... He charges!

Don't know if any puny archers can survive this fight. You're gonna wanna to pull out the big guns.

[ She doesn't know how invested she is, exactly — maybe more than she thought she'd be when she sat down, though. There's definitely a novelty to it that she wasn't expecting, credit where credit it due. But it doesn't matter much to her whether she wins or loses now. It's good enough to kill the time.

Wryly: ]

If it were me, I'd bet money I could take on full armor with a good bow. [ Hard to say, if that's an exaggeration or not — the woman's unassuming to look at, especially for someone making that kind of claim. ] But you're right. These poor bastards could probably use the help.

[ She pushes forward a little back-up: A knight, flanked by two pawns. ]

Oh? You must be a decent fighter, then...

[ an eyebrow lifts, his mouth quirking to the side. he'd sized up her physique before, as he does with most people with a first encounter, but she receives another brief lookover at comment. hm. ]

[ he points to both his knight and her own. his knight deflects a few arrows with a woosh of his lance. ]

What are they two gonna do? Joust it out? [ he's amused himself with the idea; personally, he's never been super interested in what Real Life knights do with their skills, but he can make something up: ] Or they gonna mob him, screw any knightly propriety?

[ he sounds like he hopes it's the latter. ]

[ She shrugs a little. ]

Or I'm just full of shit. Who the fuck knows.

[ Or maybe not. But she'd rather sit here, smoke her cigarette, and play this little game than prove anything right now. Not that she doesn't enjoy showing off now and then, in the right mood — but showing off is a lot of work too. Instead, with a hint of wry amusement: ]

Screw knightly propriety. All's fair — you know how it fucking is.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Event

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