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

[Well, that was Cain's fault for not paying attention, he guess. At least his top had finally come off so he didn't really get too much more wet. Then Herlock said his line and uh, sure not? Why not play along?

So he'll just clutch at his chest and fall over like he's been shot, laying there for a moment before looking up again at the detective like an excited puppy.]

Was that any good?

[Sholmes takes amusement from any reaction -- from indifference to annoyance to surprise, but it is always those willing to play along that he appreciates the most. Those with a bit of enthusiasm to their spirit, a whimsical playfulness often attributed to other positive points in personality. (In his estimation, at least.)

He shuffles over to him, kicking up sand as he goes, and stands over Cain with his water gun no longer brandished. He's a tall man and casts an equally tall shadow long his fallen form.]

Spot-on. Your death was appropriately dramatic!

[Oh good. Cain may have been technically an adult, but he still enjoyed having fun. He couldn't see the other man, but he could sense his presence over him. His voice sounded pleased with his performance, at least and Cain was curious about what he'd said.]

Haha, thanks! Sometimes I've played like that with kids in my village, so it's fun to be doing that again.

[He was getting up, reaching a hand out to see if hopefully the man would take it and not question why he wasn't staring quite at the right location.]

You said you are a detective? I think I've heard that term from the sage before....

Not only a detective, my dear fellow. A great detective, and a consulting one, too -- the only one in my world.

[Though his usual spiel is accompanied with an expected dash of pride and relishing of his own reputation, Sholmes still notes the rather vague aimlessness of Cain's proffered arm. His gaze, too, not quite meeting his own. Interesting, and the conclusion is relatively simple to draw, but he says nothing on the matter quite yet.

Instead, Sholmes reaches out his hand and, clasping the other's, pulls him up to his feet.]

Still... you think you've heard the term? Is the concept so novel where you're from?

[And Herlock would also notice that the moment their hands touched, Cain's eyes were able to lock onto him and it now appeared as if he could see the man. Oh, he's seeing quite a few people taller than him here.]

Yeah, I think the previous Sage mentioned things like that, but they are usually fictional characters...you solve mysteries, correct?

[Oh, that sounded really cool. And this guy was famous??]

We've sort of been doing that ourselves! The Calamity created a lot of mysterious events, and we've been trying to go out and solve them.

[And how suddenly he seems more oriented—at least in regards to where Sholmes is standing—after he offers that hand. Quite interesting.]

That is correct; but only the mysteries that truly intrigue. Though it may surprise you to learn that I am not fictional at all! [You know, especially since he's standing here, solid and real.] You would be forgiven for the mistake, however. I do have a gamut of stories written about my adventures.

And while I do not know what "Calamity" you refer to… Would that not make you something of an investigator yourself?

[Well, he certainly didn't seem fictional! And Cain has literally met the Sanrio characters before so what was another?]

Really? Having stories written about you...that's got to be pretty awesome. I guess the mysteries you solve really are unique indeed.

[He did consider the other statement, though. Hmm, maybe...]

I guess you can call us that too-I mean, we don't really know what the Calamity is, so we've been trying to look into it wherever we go. Oh right- my name's Cain Knightley, former Captain of the Central Army. What's your name?

Ah, a Captain? What a title. My name is Herlock Sholmes, a consulting detective hailing from London. My stories are unique enough to have gained me some fame in my time, though I must attribute some of that success to the author!

[He gives his introduction easily, without hesitation or any sense of real humility. Though in Sholmes' estimation, he has long earned the fame associated with his name, his reputation bolster again and again by the published stories he's referenced.]

This Calamity of yours sounds like a great mystery, indeed. Tell me, what is the nature of it?

[Well, it's not like Cain knew any better so he was just going to take this odd man at his word. He certainly seemed quite extraordinary.]

Nice to meet you!

Though I gotta say, while I would love the help of someone with your skills, we still really don't know the nature of it. Well, other than it's the moon. But the only person who got close to it got his soul shattered so I'd hate to put anyone like you in harms way.

The moon? A soul-shattering?

[He huffs out in amusement, even if it is not something terribly amusing to those it affects, he's certain.]

Your concern is appreciated, Mr Knightley, but being in harm's way is nothing new. I would not be much of a detective if the only approaches undertaken were safe ones.

But I suppose such talk is better saved for a day not meant to be experienced in the sun.

Edited 2022-06-25 23:13 (UTC)

[...Yeah, this man was definitely a west. He certainly shared Shylock and Murr's love for things that would probably kill them.]

I'd still feel bad if I got an extraordinary man such as yourself killed, though. Please try to take care of yourself more...

[But Mr. Sholmes was right. This was a beach party, and they should be enjoying it.]

But yeah, that can always be saved for later. You know how to swim, right? Or do you know what this volleyball thing is?

[Regardless of the answer, Cain was going to attempt to drag the taller man towards something.]

[Life is not interesting without pursuing all manner of the unusual and complex; that does include things that could kill a man, if not approached quite the right way. Thankfully, Sholmes is still standing here to this day, so he must be doing something right where his investigative endeavors are concerned.

Though swimming or volleyball are not particularly dangerous (at least not without ample effort), and the detective does not mind being dragged to and fro in good humor. He gestures towards the water.]

Of course I can swim! I would have drowned in the Thames long before now if I could not.

[Worrying? He continues!]

Though “volleyball” is a sport I am not as familiar with. I have been observing others play with some interest, however — I think I may have a handle of the rules.

[It's quite clear something was protecting this man from his own dumb decisions, but Cain didn't care about that. He had his own dumb decisions to make. Anyway, as Herlock spoke, it was decided. Volleyball, then!]

Well, I've never heard of it, so the great detective will have to fill me in. I know you hit the ball over the net, but are there rules involved? If the other kids were here I bet we could have a tournament...

[And honestly, his wizard friends have said far more concerning things. It's fine.]

Oh, but I shouldn't ignore the friends I have here already. To warm up we should probably play against each other.

[Hm, both of them newcomers to the game? Sholmes pads along the sand and over to one of the currently unoccupied volleyball nets, bending down to scoop up a volleyball waiting someone to use it in a new game. He grins once he straightens, facing Cain.]

Well, from what I have surmised, the point of the game is to hit the ball back and forth over the net, with the intent to ground it on the opponent's side, which is how points are earned.

[He moves to one side of the net.]

But try to keep the ball in bounds, of course!

[Cain nods along with Herlock's explanation. Yes, this is something he could get. He'd gotten lucky and hi fived some of the people playing a game before so he saw a little about how they played it. Surely nothing can go wrong then!

So He looked around at his side of the field quickly before settling into position. He was ready to spring into action at any moment.]

Okay, send it over then!

Prepare yourself, then, for a great detective's- [Well, "serve" is the word he's looking for, but it does not exist in his very limited vocabulary of volleyball terms. So-] -game-starting-ball-hit!

[Following suit of what he has observed, Sholmes tosses the ball up in the air, and knocks it over the net with one hand. It is a valiant first effort! It does not fly marvellously fast, but the job gets done.]

[Cain's not gonna be able to judge him, having just learned what volleyball was around five minutes ago. He watches the ball as it comes over the net, running forward to get it at it.

He does hit it twice which was illegal in normal volleyball, but well they were practicing, right? After that he managed to get it back over the net to the detective and they continued on in this form. It was fun! He could see why people played this, and the sand was giving him a workout.

However, now that he was really getting the hang of it, Cain wanted to try that jumping up and slapping the ball down move he'd seen someone use before. A spike? That was the name, he thinks.]

Get ready, I'm gonna try this!

[He calls out, and jumping up with all his athletic ability he manages to spike the ball!

Right into Herlock's face. Whoops.

[It is a bit of fun, and though Sholmes is not the most athletic figure here out on the beach, he manages to keep up with their practice without issue. It's often simple enough to read the other's body language to know where he's going to send the ball, and arcing it back becomes rather rote with enough repetition.

Until, of course, Cain tells him to "get ready", allowing him to prep for a full 0.5 seconds, and Sholmes has no choice but to dig his heels in and watch as the volleyball comes flying-

Directly at his face.

It hits with a hard thwunk, and he reels back, wobbling on a single leg-

And lands, face-up in the sand.]

[It was dramatic, almost something out of a dramatic movie scene, and Cain could only watch in fear as Herlock fell back into the sand with a loud thump.

Oh fuck, did he kill the world famous detective? The volleyball innocently bounced off into the sunset as he ran over to the prone figure, calling his name.]

Herlock? Mr. Sholmes, are you okay??

[He's reaching out to shake him. Maybe the man was just asleep! He didn't have any ability to heal, and humans were less sturdy...]

[Thankfully, it takes more than a hardy strike to the face with a volleyball to kill the famous consulting detective Herlock Sholmes. Unfortunately, however, he is still very much human, and the hit was as jostling as it would have been to anyone of normal bodily constitution.

That is to say: he has something of a dazed look as Cain comes over. But his eyes are still open, even if his brow is scrunched up in pain, as the other shakes him at the shoulder.

Sholmes groans.]

Somehow- [He starts, plainly. Pauses. Continues again.] -that must be an illegal move.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Event

beach games

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