June 2022 Event

[jigokumods]

MAIN NAVIGATION

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.

Comments

[everblooms]

[ A little laugh comes out of her again; he's seeing it from the negative side very clearly, isn't he? Aerith shakes her head. It's surely a surreal sight. A woman covered in blood laughing and shaking her head as if to brush a comment off... ]

That's not it. She cares more about making sure all her "kits" are safe than letting us go out right now. [ "Right now" implies she thinks Tenkohime will let her do it at some point, but Aerith already has no intention of coming back unless called for. Not until it's all over. There is a great deal to be done, and she refuses to regret any of her work. ]

To tell you the truth, though? I've already gotten in trouble for gossiping. [ She leans in, cheeky. ] Wouldn't be new! [ Still not information to offer him, she knows. She clearly doesn't think he'll give that much of a damn about some random girl.

His question is... good, in truth. She understands it, to an extent. ]

Materia. [ Simple, plain. She knows he won't get it. ] As long as I know how your's works, I can keep up. Don't worry about me.

[worldbent]

That's the responsibility of a leader. Surely, you can't fault her for that? [And he's sure she likely doesn't, but the both of them were bucking orders to stay put. He couldn't nitpick.]

'Materia'? [His frown deepens somewhat; was that the name of some sort of intrinsic ability? No explanation is offered, which Matoba takes to mean he won't get one. Fair enough. He'll have to figure it out as he observes her.]

[It seems a show of his own power will be necessary first, then. Matoba attaches a paper spell slip to one of the posts of the gate, and hands the other to Aerith.] On the other post, please. [He gestures to the other side of the bridge; the rain is coming down heavy, so he doesn't have much time to waste before the paper was washed away. He claps his hands together with a resounding sound and each spell resonates in return and strengthens with his recited words, connecting to form a sort of spiritual 'wall' between the posts of the bridge.]

Protect from the one who draws near
Calling your name, I command thee to draw back
The impure ones will not find shelter here

[The purification of his magic had a feeling like something dry, or flames- like it was burning away the darkness. Rain lets up a little, around them, and some of those nightmarish whispers die away; but it can be felt that is was being held back just barely, just beyond the bridge.] ...That should do as a demonstration. I can stay the flow of malice at an entry point or within an enclosed space, at least a little.

[everblooms]

[ He really is weird... Not necessarily in a bad way, probably. Probably. Maybe? Aerith only shakes her head in amusement again. No, she doesn't blame Tenkohime for that. What's odder to her, yet, is the attempt at trying to divide the city: Aerith herself is not one for that, but she also isn't too concerned with the greater picture of clan politics right now. (Something else is coming. This is proof.) ]

Mm? [ He tells her to get to the other side, and Aerith perks up before responding. ] You got it. [ Taking orders well is just something she's always done; disappearing off to the other side quickly, she listens for any cue on his end. It's tough, truthfully, and she can only slightly see his outline from her side of the bridge, but it's enough.

This guy has much more fancy magic than she's used to seeing. This is beyond her, truthfully, but she feels a spark of interest and maybe a bit of admiration. The incantation carries, and Aerith thinks the rain slows. It's a trick of her eyes. It simply must be. Still, he believes, she thinks. It makes her believe, too. ]

It's pretty. Your magic.

[ He already knows what she can do. She doesn't bother with a demonstration. He's lived through Pray. Aerith nods, lightly. ]

I'm not really sure what it is for me. [ There's a shake of her head. He can probably see it, she thinks. The rain has slowed, it turned out. It's not completely untrue, but would he believe her if she said it was most aligned with holy magic? ]

Let's do this! [ Stamping her staff down to the cobblestone beneath her feet, Aerith parts the sky. This time, it works. The clouds open up for just a moment, and golden fairy dust comes down. Her post is healed, purified of injury, and the darkness disappears in little fizzles of smoke. Perhaps that alone is enough to clue him into her nature, and yet, she still says nothing of it. ]

[worldbent]

[He really... is. But for Matoba, it would have been stranger not to presume such divisions, especially given the political structure it existed in; perhaps the difference between a lifetime of living clan politics nearly identical to this, versus something more... totalitarian?]

[But even in a somewhat stable stalemate of competing factions, there was always going to be an element, dissatisfied with the status quo, that grew out of that. If there was one thing that was constant throughout history, it was the force of change.]

[Faith and harmony with nature was the basis of the haraiya practice, as it was the source of power for most non-malicious spirits residing in the realm of the living, but this was Hell and their power was lessened here. Still, it reached. The Matoba were a clan specializing in destructive magic, of reversing cursed energies back on themselves. Even though Matoba did not consider himself a particularly religious or faithful man, when you could see kami with your own eyes, see their power to help as easily as you could see their corruption and how they could turn against humanity, it was easier to accept their role in the world, and easier to accept that sometimes, they too must be eliminated.]

"Pretty"? [He repeats, seeming amused with the designation. Matoba was a very utilitarian person; without seeing the connection himself, he gives a tiny shrug, casually accepting it.] ...I will take your word for it.

[Instead, he watches as she adds her magic on top of his own, and that- that is enough to really part the sky, to allow the slightest bit of light to breach through the gathered malice. Gazing up towards that light, Matoba wonders for a moment less about the nature of the magic and more about the structure of it- how best to add to it? How best to prolong it?]

...Ah. I see... [Is it called up from within her? Channeling aura. Channeling life force. He understands now, he thinks; even in the Underworld, the veins of it must run. Better to call on that, than on the gods that can scarcely hear them. Not paper, then. The ground itself.]

[Reaching into his bloodsoaked sleeves, he pulls out a calligraphy brush, and smears at some of the blood on the ground thoughtfully with the toe of his sandal.] We are fortunate to be surrounded by such an excellent conductor. Shall we test something? I will draw a circle for you.

[everblooms]

[ The simple fact is that he brilliantly deduces what drives Aerith's magic. While "materia" is the best conductor, and arguably the only conductor, it's not "materia magic", really. Elementally speaking, Aerith deals in life, and death, but rarely things like water, or fire, or darkness. The beginning and end, never the in between.

Bounding over to him, she leans to get a good look at the ground. Curiosity lights up in her face and Aerith tilts her head. ]

For me? [ This is a collaborative effort, then, more than the last one. She nods, looking a little nervous suddenly, as if she has to perform well... or else. Truthfully, she's not as sure as before that her magic will hold. There's hardly any choice though. This is not an option, it is a necessity. ]

Okay. Tell what you need.

[worldbent]

Yes, [Matoba agrees, and then stoops to kneel himself by the ground, smearing his brush around in the bloodstained pavement, picking up the wet and viscous layer on the top of it.] Most of the time, wards are used to keep something.. out of a space. Such as the malignant aura that permeates the city currently. Or to keep youkai from invading a human dwelling- things of that nature.

However, there are also wards which are set to heighten the power of the exorcists within them. Perhaps it might be useful for your magic, as well.

[Now, then- where was a spot that wasn't already totally drenched in blood? Matoba spots a long scaffolding reaching over the pavement and blocking out some of the rain from making contact; he strolls over there and begins to paint a wide (and surprisingly perfect) circle on the ground.] By the by.... I am the head of the Matoba clan of exorcists; Matoba Seiji at your service. You are?

[everblooms]

[ There is no attempt to hide the great amount of interest she watches him with. Aerith stands over him, probably casting a shadow over it, but she is marveling. It's fascinating to her, and there's even a glimmer of enchantment in her green gaze. She's used to casting these, not seeing them drawn out like this. Somehow, the passion one must have to expertly draw this out is enrapturing her.

Her gaze shifts to his face when he introduces himself, and Aerith smiles at Matoba without an inch of irony. It's a grin drenched in gratefulness. ] Aerith Gainsborough.

[ Perhaps it's not lost on him now that her name sounds shockingly like "Earth." ]

I've never seen these drawn like this. I usually just cast them on my own, but... [ But, indeed. Still, this means he's right. She can't help but think he really is a Sutoku, frankly. ]

You ready? I'm gonna go for it! Let's see what we can do.

[ Yeah, yeah, she'll wait if he tells her to, but Aerith is definitely still casting Pray the moment she gets the clear. It'll stick, if only because being with someone who is so capable of getting shit done like this is actually making her feel good, for once. Is his theory right, though? ]

[worldbent]

Aerith-san, is it? [He pauses to send one of his glancing smiles her way before returning his attention to his work. Now, he's painting a second, smaller circle inside the first.] A pleasure.

[He pauses to smear his brush through a puddle of blood forming by a stormdrain in the street, and then returns to begin segmenting parts of the circle off.] Is that right? ...Honestly, that would be so much more convenient, [He chuckles, dividing 8 main segments of the outer circle and 8 of the inner circle, with a large center circle left on the inside.] It takes quite a bit of time to prepare a circle even when you know the marks by heart, which limits its uses in some situations. Luckily, our current need, while dire, is not immediate.

[They're not being chased by anything, at least. As he speaks, he draws a series of strange characters in each of the 8 outer segments, in each of the 8 inner ones, and on the inside of the center, a large and decisive one. Some of them look like Japanese numbers; others mimicked the form of kanji, while matching no real human alphabet. The end result was a multilayered series of characters and circles that purified and bolstered whatever was inside of it- including other spells.]

[At last, he gestures for Aerith to stand within it, standing on the outside rim of the circle; holding the brush between his fingers, he claps his hands decisively and activates the circle as she casts her spell with a flourish of her staff.] ...Well, then.

[The result is much more pleasing than the previous. The circle glows beneath their feet, a whirlwind kicking up to spread the warm light of her spell throughout the area and casting away the darkness from the block around them. The rain even begins to dry up, if only in this little slice of the town. At least for a little while, it seems as though their spells will stick.]

[Matoba glances upward at the sky, still dreary with clouds but with sunlight filtering into them, and looks quite satisfied.] It seems we've found the winning combination, wouldn't you say? [Sutoku, indeed- for better or worse.]

[everblooms]

[ The hailstorm of blood comes to a sprinkle, then a halt. The heavens open up to make room for the sky, gruesome rainstorm clouds parting. The open sky has never looked so good to Aerith's eyes. Though Hell remains blanketed in the storm, she immediately snaps her head down to him to grin, unrestrained. This is the boost she needed, Aerith muses. Not just for her magic, but— in truth, an incessant worry has plagued her from the moment she felt the first drop hit her body.

Can they do this? Can they pull through? She's been missing a piece of her magic since arriving, and now— now.

Still grinning, it might be obvious she's relieved. ]

Alright! Nicely done, Matoba. [ Her praises sticks only for a moment before...

Aerith raises palms up, and waits. ]

Yeah?

1/2

[worldbent]

[Seeing Aerith's reaction satisfies him, too. Not out of some sort of shared empathy towards hope; it's because making connections across clan lines was always useful, and this seems that it will be a very useful one, indeed.]

[Still, it isn't as if he isn't also pleased with the results. He nods in response to her grin, a sort of encouraging motion in tandem with that smile that despite his -everything else- never seems to change in its cheerfulness. They have found a key to dispelling the malice from this city. Whatever was in the tower would need to be dealt with directly, but at least in order to relieve the symptoms, this was a good medicine.]

[Matoba turns towards her words of congratulation, and then notices... her hands. What is this? For a long moment he just stares at them in puzzlement, and her hands remain in the air, waiting.]

[? ???]

[worldbent]

Oh, [It finally hits him, realization widening his eye with a raised brow, and he steps forward to give the most mechanical, but cheerfully eager, of high-5's.]

[It's... something. Don't laugh.] I see. Nicely done, indeed.

[everblooms]

[ When their hands connect with a shockingly equal amount of enthusiasm, there's a clapping noise that echoes. It's surely a strange sight: Two people high fiving while drenched in blood, all while the streets flood with cruor. They're lucky that Hell is empty, and all the people are hunkered down to wait it out. In the mean time, they've got a goal, a purpose, and something to do. ]

Let's keep on truckin'! Where to next? I'm suddenly feeling like I got a bit more magic in me.

[ She's already leaving the circle, though, turning so that he gets an eyeful of her bouncing ribbon as she god. It's soaked red, now, of course. ]

[worldbent]

[What infectious energy. Matoba finds it a little quaint, but it's not bad, either. This girl certainly had the power to back up her confidence. He liked that.]

Shall we fortify your safehavens? [He looks to the direction of the heart of Tamamo's territory; the Mikuzume, where Tenkohime was surely keeping many of Tamamo's powerful sorcerers at hand to hold back the malice.]

[He had his own reasons for wanting to go there, himself. That man... hadn't answered his messages.]

Put our little experiments to the test. Perhaps with more magic in one place, it may even drive the malice back further.

[He turns, and watches her already heading back in that very direction. He had better catch up... Glancing up towards the sight of her bobbing ribbon, he thinks to himself how it resembled an old ghost story...]