jigokulogs | 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

[ barton barks a laugh at that answer. ]

Great! Then you can fight 'em if you get close enough.

[ he's envisioning the exchange of blows over the waves now... enthralling. once cain's settled, and before there's any potential protest of assigned of duties, barton's using a foot to push their jet ski off from their docking point.

he maneuvers it closer to their fellow skiers, and someone begins a countdown. their goal point is some distant buoy. his grip renews on the throttle. ]

Better hang on!

[Is that what the purpose of this was? It was looking like a race actually, but it's not like Cain could really protest as the man pushed the ski into motion and he grabbed Barton so he doesn't fall off.]

Woah! You're really going fast right off the bat...

[He wasn't sure how to defend themselves as it was taking a lot of his strength to stay on this machine, but at least this way he could see the jetskis. He got an opportunity as one of the opponents' vehicles veered towards theirs, intent on crashing.]

Watch out, on the left-

[Before they got too close, he kicked out at where the other driver was, hoping to knock them off kilter.]

Ugh, it's so hard to move like this!

Hahaha!

[ he loves it - as much as he can love riding something on the ocean. it's small and speedy enough that he doesn't quite feel the unpleasant rhythmic rock of the waves that would plague a larger ship - just the occasion smack against a wave that's in the swell.

the sea breeze is nice, too... even if it... smells like the sea... ... which he doesn't appreciate as much... ]

[ the driver gets knocked clean off their ride from the kick. their passenger is quick to take over, hot on their proverbial heels for revenge. barton keeps pushing the jet ski to a steady, peak pace. ]

Don't worry 'bout that! You're doing great! [ shouted over the whir of machinery and splashing. here comes another skiier, this time one that had been ahead, actually slowing to meet barton and cain. their passenger looks ready to leap at them, and barton tries to swerve so as to throw off their landing point. ]

[Cain was experienced in riding a horse, but riding a machine that was being swung through the ocean like a pendulum was an entirely different story. The swerve knocked Cain off balance, though he managed to cling to Barton well enough to stay on.]

Woah! Careful-

[Cain really wanted to draw his sword, but he really didn't have enough arms. He couldn't see the presence but from Barton's shout and the presence he felt looming, someone was obviously jumping at them. So he did the only thing he saw useful-

Launched himself off the speeding boat directly at the leaping passenger.

They collided and landed in the ocean with a huge splash, Cain surfacing a few seconds later.]

Go on-[Ah, fuck, he swallowed some water.] Go on without me!!!

[ good god - cain launches himself off their ride, and leaves barton feeling like he's essentially taken a bullet in his stead. ... not really, as this isn't a battle by any of the stretch of the imagination, and he might strategically react differently otherwise, but it'd been a sacrificial move. what the heck, man. only he's allowed to do those...! ]

[ he disobeys, coming to as sudden of a stop on the jet ski as he can without flinging himself over the handles. ]

No!

[ he doesn't even know if cain can swim, actually, and that causes a kneejerk reaction of alarm. he swings the jetski around so as to lean over and offer the man a hand up. the other opponents take off, edging into a clear lead. ]

You moron...!!

[He certainly wasn't expecting Barton to come back for him, even if they were both being overly dramatic about a boat race. At least the man would see Cain was in no danger of drowning, treading water easily as he looked up at his teammate in confusion.]

Huh? Why did you come back? They're taking the lead now! I'm fine, get going!

What!

[ well - this is somewhat embarrassing. here he'd been concerned, or something, and it turns out that'd been absolutely needless. barton gawks for a moment, processing cain's response and encouragement, and then twists the throttle to its limit. it's abrupt enough he almost flings himself off, but he persists in pushing it to full speed. ]

[ he also flips cain off as he jets away. ]

[ -- it's not quite mario kart levels of bullshittery in going from last to nearing first, but almost. an advantage is that he doesn't have to slow and dodge any swimmers, spying where his opponents do. after a few more minutes, provided cain hasn't already swam to share, barton's circling back from finishing the race. ]

[ greeting him with a yell, ]

We got third!!!

[Cain just rolls his eyes at being flipped off-typical response. Well he could only trust in Barton's skill with the water machine now.

He swam back to shore, shaking out his hair as he climbed up onto the sand. A little while later he heard a familiar shout come from the ocean and he waves back.]

Really? That's a pretty great recovery! Sorry I couldn't warn you before about that-I'm afraid it just cost us time instead.

[ barton groans at cain's cheeriness, and then huffs. he docks the jet ski and clambers to shore. it's.. so much more comfortable feeling his feet on solid ground again, it honestly almost immediately lifts his mood. ]

[ only slightly, though. barton drags a hand down his face. ]

S'fine! [ despite his (over)reaction, he's more relieved that cain's all right. not that he's going to readily admit to that... ] And we would've, yeah - and we probably would've done even worse.

[ undoubtedly. barton folds his arms over his chest, cocking his head. ]

We'll have to get 'em back next time.

[Well, he's glad that Barton isn't permenantly mad at him for that. He felt guilty that he made the man worry over him already. So he just responds with a smile to Barton's grumpiness, taking a leap at him and throwing a arm over his shoulders.]

We should congratulate the star of the show, honestly-Barton, the king of the seas! I can get you a drink as an apology for making you worry.

The King of Seas, huh...?

[ don't mind barton, his tone somehow adding capitalization to that title. he likes it! however a misleading it may be! while he didn't expect cain to toss an arm over his shoulder, he reciprocates with a slight squeeze to his side. ]

Hahaha! You mean, we walk over there together and you order a free drink for me? Here, now? [ that's what barton assumes, anyway. he smile turns wry. he probably doesn't need another drink here, really, but hell - what's another one. his grumpiness seems to have been alleviated. ] Sure, I'm good with that.

[It's fine, because Cain is lucky he knows what math is.]

Right-I forgot we get free drinks already...well, I guess the buying part will have to wait til later. We should at least celebrate our great recovery!

[Not that Cain was going to drink as much as he did because in his mind, he was still on duty. Onwards to Shylock's bar he would lead them.]

June 2022 Event

absolutely

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remember him barton!!!

CAIN!!! NO

you fool!!!

he f*cked up!!!

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