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

Pardon me...

[it wasn't the first time she had noticed the young man out and about - she's been working on her own account, since the nightmares began and she had a way to ease the strain of the worst, to look for those suffering physical harm from it - but there's a cast to his face that by this time she can tell heralds no good if he doesn't slow down. she wastes no time then crossing the street, umbrella up to avoid the bloody rain.]

You can't keep this up all night, much as I understand the sentiment. You've been out here for hours, haven't you?

[He halts in surprise -- probably more startled than Emily's appearance should warrant, but he's been... tunnel-visioning over the last couple of days, since all hell broke loose. Maybe a part of him thinks that if he keeps moving, he might not get caught into a nightmare of his own, like he has once already -- as it is, every so often he hears a very different storm out the window, or sees a familiar ghostly shape flitting out the corner of his eye.]

[Despite his efforts, the smile Minato gives her is just a little wilted around the edges.]

Please, don't worry about me. I'd like to do what I can. Anyway... this situation can't last forever, can it?

Maybe not, but it won't do you any good if your best intentions wind up with you collapsing in the street.

[and as to how she knows this...]

I've seen a few with a cast like yours to their features. That means you've hardly sat down in hours, haven't you?

[He looks about to argue, then subsides, embarrassed, looking unaccountably more like a teenager caught after curfew than anything. She's not wrong about the strain -- it's like holding a weight at the end of an outstretched arm; doable, but... less and less so over time.]

I don't mean to be a bother. I just -- how do you rest in the middle of this? [He could mean the storm, the work to be done, the simple fact of the whole city smelling like an abbatoir, even indoors, or all of it at once.]

A-anyway, I'm sure you've got a lot on your plate already, ah, miss...

[While he hasn't met her yet, he's sure he's seen her around, especially in the wake of this crisis -- hard to miss.]

Emily Dyer. And before you can inquire further, I happen to be a physician, so it's more my duty to look out for those overtaxing themselves in the midst of this calamity.

[among other things, but she smiles kindly. some people will only take advice with qualifications tacked on.]

A physician-- [Through his tiredness, something pings; Minato fishes out a crumpled paper with an address to the clinic on it from his jacket pocket (getting an ugly stain on it, but, oh well, not that he needs to refer it more than once...).] Are you the doctor from Sutoku? Majima-san mentioned...

[Not going further, just in case she's the wrong one; there's a lot of Lost Souls he's never met, after all.]

[Belatedly, he gives a short, polite bow in introduction, though with alertness also comes a note of guardedness in his voice.] Ah, I'm Suizenji Minato. Even if it's your duty, I... really am sorry to add to them, still.

[she returns the bow, and nods when she straightens up. that's her - she knows Majima would recommend her to those in need. that he went so far as to give an address...that speaks to the young man's character, though he might not know it.]

Mr. Suizenji, please don't apologize. It's commendable that you're doing all you can under these circumstances, and you aren't adding to any burden by simply having limitations. Rather, I'm glad to know there are more Lost Souls looking towards others' welfare.

[she can sympathize. she already wants to do more than she can, be in more places at once - she can't, but she can wish for it strongly. when this is all over, then she can collapse into an onsen for a few days straight.]

[...that sentiment makes him think, maybe fittingly, of their village doctor, Umezawa. It was easier now, with an adult's perspective and not a child's, to see the man as just one person pitting himself against everyone's problems, and... where that ended up.]

[He laughs a little, looking down. It's still hard to lower his guard entirely, but better Umezawa than some other doctors he could name.]

It might not help my case much, to admit I'd meant to pay the clinic a visit, a few weeks ago. [When the fighting in the streets was boiling over once again.] N-not as a patient, I thought it'd probably be swamped, actually.

[Not that he supposes it would be any better now.]

...the way the storm is affecting people, the delirium and visions. Is there nothing that can be done about them?

[she's about to ask him what he needed at the clinic when his second question comes. and instead of having to disappoint him, she smiles and nods, reaching for her bag.]

There is. Not so much that it can permanently be fixed - that will have to come with someone solving the problem of the curse at its source - but there's a stopgap one can use for it, an incense that clears the area and the mind. I've been trying to get it into the hands of as many as I can...

[...except she's out, right now, since she can't find any of the wrapped packages she made. she'll have to go and get some more, and that smile dims a little.]

As it happens, I need to pick up some more from the clinic currently, if you're still curious about paying it a visit. We're not too terribly far, and it'd offer you a chance to stand out of the rain for a moment.

There really is a physical treatment for it? [He sounds genuinely baffled by that. Even if it's incense, and not a medicine as one would think of it.] I know it's supernatural in nature, but...

[He trails off; no matter how far-flung in the future this place is, there's no scenario he can imagine where the topic of mental illness becomes less fraught. Easier to keep calling it a curse, instead.]

That is to say -- the way the hauntings are targetting people's fears, I'm concerned it has longer-lasting effects, even if the curse is dispelled.

[His tonbi coat is catching the worst of the blood rain (even though it was never going to be the same after all this, no matter how many helpful laundry tips appeared on the network), but he's not going to say no to shelter.] Oh- of course. If it's not a bother, I'll accompany you.

[she nods, and starts to lead the way for the both of them. his questions aren't unfounded - she'd thought on them herself, and without a cure for nightmares, then she can't offer solace on that front either. but he doesn't need to know Emily's worries, her fears that she's not doing enough - he needs guidance and care, and most importantly support.]

It may have lingering effects. But the important thing is to reiterate in the wake of it that no one must face those alone - they will not be left to flounder and fend for themselves like something unwanted.

[whatever comes, it will be easier if they offer a net to catch those that are falling.]

There are ways to manage.

[Some of the last tension seeps out; Minato ducks his head a little.]

Ha... I take your point. Consider me admonished.

[His eyes scan the streets as they go, even though the red haze of the rain means visibility is bad. He's been out and about enough to know that the cloying wrongness that accompanies a haunting isn't a reliable sign—sometimes a manifestation simply appears out of nowhere. He'd rather neither of them get caught by surprise.]

...In my village, we had a doctor who would have shared those sentiments, I think. He tried to reach out to people who were—suffering alone. It must have been thankless work.

[The past tense is probably telling, even before he says the next part; he's tired enough that it slips out despite himself.]

I just wish he'd taken his own advice.

...I'm sorry, and my condolences, Mr. Suizenji. That must have been a difficult moment for you.

[she can't say more, not knowing the circumstances, but death when it lasts is a heavy thing. it lends a cast over someone's memory.]

I will say though, as someone in the same profession...one doesn't do this work to be thanked at all. Appreciation, validation, none of it is a true motivation. We do what we believe we should, because we possess the abilities to do so.

[He gives her a rueful look.]

Don't be, it was years ago. I apologize, Dr. Dyer, I didn't bring him up to upset you, I only meant...

A lot of people I knew were depending on Dr. Umezawa, and when he died... his replacements were much less thoughtful. I'm sorry if this is presumptuous, but the reason I wanted to find your clinic was to offer a hand.

[Well, also to sound out if Emily had been trustworthy, but -- if the resident doctor had turned out to be suspect, having them aware of his worries could be dangerous, and if they'd been legitimate, then his worries would be an unneeded burden.]

Being thanked might not be the goal, but -- I think our village learned a lesson that it can't all depend on one person.

Of course not. A community can only truly function when the burden is shared.

[she says it very gently, though, so he knows she doesn't blame him for anything that may have occurred. mistakes, wrong choices, it happens.]

And as it is, I'm happy for all the help we can get. It's not presumptuous at all - I and the rest of the staff are deeply appreciative for any assistance that comes our way, even more so when it's from someone who came of their own volition.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Event

5.

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cw: period typical mental health taboo

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stares into the abyss at this thread being mutually "no, YOU need help,"

two people deep in denial about it