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

Seems to me you could be doing better.

[ In contrast, the ever-present nightmare scenario seems to have bolstered Cloud's resolve since their encounter in the alleyway - now that he's beaten his way to the center of the crowd, he looks down at her. Just a glance, before keeping eye on the manifested faceless horde. ]

You got those chains? Or do you need me to smash them?

[ It's at this point a couple of the blobs lunge it, but Cloud with a steel pipe is still nothing to sneeze at - he swings in a wide arc, catching both in a heavy swing. He's clearly got his own experience. ]

It's fine, I've got this.

[ said with gritted teeth as her fingers continue to fiddle with the shackles around her ankles. it's daunting to have someone encounter her in this situation, but surely cloud won't bring it up after how she minded her business the first and last time they'd met...

at least the guy knows how to fight back, even if it's with a makeshift weapon. eula then props herself up on her feet using her sword, staggering a little as she stares down the hazy horde of strangers. ]

This is my nightmare anyway. I appreciate the help, but in the end it's all up to me to end it.

Maybe you've got a point. But I'm not about to owe a favor and not pay it back.

[ When another shadowy figure lunges, Cloud brings the l-bend of the pipe in an overhead, smashing it from its shadowy noggin. ]

You helped deal with my nightmare, so I'll help deal with yours. Then we're even.

[ It's honestly little more casual banter, as he batters away the figments. And Eula might get the impression he would have helped even if he didn't owe her for her good turn. ]

[ it's hard to forget the wall of fire that eula had jumped into a while back, but this is different, isn't it? the fire was just that -- a harmless mirage that did nothing to singe them when they were looking for the haniwa that had caused it. but now...

the formless crowd zoom in on cloud, aiming to overwhelm him with their sheer size and capacity, only to be stopped by eula stepping up and doing a spinning frontal kick to keep them at bay. they can attack her for all she cares, but she's not about to let a stranger be affected by her sins.

she staggers a little, though. one of her feet may have been freed from the chains thanks to cloud's intervention, but the other is still connected to the shadowy mob. at the very least she's able to move now. ]

You're speaking my language. [ regarding payback. ] All right, then. I suppose now we'll have to try and cut them all down before I can finally be free from their influence. And then...

[ what comes after that, then? she doesn't know. ]

Don't worry about what happens next, keep your eyes on the next five seconds.

[ Despite his words, it's a gentle chide - Cloud knows Eula is capable of handling herself, even if she needed his help here. ]

[ Wordlessly, Cloud maneuvers himself back-to-back with Eula. She's limited by her restraint, so it only makes sense to cover her than the opposite. A shadowy figure lunging at him gets thrown back by a heavy swing of the pipe, as he grits his teeth. It's not a sword, but he wields with efficiently enough, despite the size of it. ]

You fight against overwhelming odds like this often, Eula?

[ it does look like cloud needs an actual weapon like a sword, though. or maybe bigger than that? eula sure does prefer bigger swords that she can treat as a dance partner rather than an extension of her arm.

at cloud's question, eula can't help a small wry smile. ]

Something like that. Though it's usually much bigger than this.

[ at least this one is just a small crowd of mondstadters, judging from the rustic outfits that become clearer the more they fend it out. ]

You could also say I've been fighting it since I was born. Ah, behind you--

[ another shadowy figure manifests behind cloud intending to knock him out from behind, but eula swoops in to parry their ghostlike arms that are... stronger than she'd expected, the shackles around her singular ankle jingle as she twirls around in a pirouette to catch them off-guard and knock them back.

for a moment however, the crowd looks entranced, not just at how eula fought, but how she moved with a cadence with a dancer. how curious. ]

[ For a brief moment, even Cloud is transfixed by the sword dance Eula gets into - the way she spins, the grace she has while holding her weapon. It's a whole new style to Cloud, frankly - and it transfixes him for the smallest instant. ]

Thanks- ah- hold on, Eula!

[ Not to be outdone, Cloud turns to the shadowy figures now closing in from the side Eula has vacated. He holds the pipe with two hands - betraying its heft a bit, as he swings it, carrying himself through the air and up off the ground as he does. He's no dancer like Eula - but he's an acrobat, his feet leaving the ground as he spins and jumps, the heavy pipe the fulcrum of his momentum as he slams into shadowy figures one by one, knocking them aside with sheer force, or jumping above them and coming down with a somersalt smash that causes them to dissipate. ]

You're a lot to keep up with! [ It's a compliment, clearly. Cloud's having to work to stand out next to her in the dark. ]

This is why I wanted to do this on my own!

[ but it's too late, cloud has seen too much now. she's relieved that he hasn't asked what her entire deal is with these formless shadows, but at some point he will. she knows, because she's also curious about the city in flames that plagued cloud the first time they'd met--

but the way the crowds and cloud paused when she danced gave her an idea. this is a nightmare, right? so it might not be necessary to kill them with her own two hands. she leaps back to cloud, standing back-to-back against him. ]

I have an idea, Cloud. Could you buy me some time and push everyone back? [ she swallows. ] I'll have to perform in front of them.

I didn't mean it like that - I meant you're good! Real good!

[ A performance? Well - he doesn't really get it, but if Eula has an idea, then he's going to let her play to it. He takes the pipe and lays it across both hands, squaring his shoulders and using it as a way to shove the shadows back to give Eula more room. ]

Alright, alright, take it easy, fellas - don't crowd around! Plenty of room for everyone to see. [ If nothing else, he can get into the role quite quickly. ]

[ you know, it's kinda rare for eula to laugh at a time like this, but she can't help but snort a little. oh, cloud. masterful as he is with that... pipe... he can be a little awkward, huh. just a tad.

her heart is beating fast, though. since when was the last time she did this dance for reasons other than pure leisure -- and in front of an audience, no less? but it's not as though the ghostly crowd is going to give her their actual thoughts and opinions. at the end of the day they're just figments of eula's own insecurities, and it's about time she gets over it.

she takes a deep breath, and holds her hands up high to form a cross. ]

Dance of Sacrifice: Act 3 -- Flickering Candlelight.

[ enjoy this exclusive show, cloud. there may be no music, but it isn't like they can afford to seek it out right now. the shadowed crowd are too busy being transfixed by her hypnotizing performance, making them easy pickings. ]

[ The ghostly crowd might not be able to give thoughts and opinions - but Cloud will remember this, for certain. He's doing his part to throw his weapon against the transfixed crowd, strike by strike, but his own eyes can't help but be drawn center-stage. ]

[ Maybe he gets, for a brief moment, what it's like to watch someone else who knows what they're doing perform - Eula's movements are masterful, and were it not for the lack of music - and the dreary demeanor of the cursed city - he might yet be as hypnotized. The fleeting glimpses he lets himself steal while committing to helping Eula thin our her demons isn't enough. He wants to be able to watch the performance to completion. ]

...Get it together. [ It's a small chide to himself, inaudible, as he refocuses on the task at hand. He'll have to ask her about her dance later. That, he can be sure of. ]

[ The more Eula dances, the more the crowd thins, with Cloud and oversized pipe in hand to cut them down. ]

Edited 2022-07-11 06:12 (UTC)

[ she's too focused on her steps anyway, which were hardwired into her system since she was young. until now she still hasn't forgotten how it goes -- a quadruple pirouette here, a kick there, a swing of her arms everywhere. it's captivating, but the crowd doesn't care. they don't have anything to say for it except to stop and stare as cloud cuts them down.

by the time she slows down with a couple clacks of her heels and both her hands in the air, she opens her eyes and finds that they've all but vanished. she looks down and... no, a shackle is still attached to one of her ankles, but she understands why. ]

Thanks. For holding them back for me.

[ there's exhaustion in her tone, but who isn't tired by this point? but she'd rather take that than sounding sheepish, to be honest. ]

Now we're even.

[ Cloud is certainly his own fair share of exhausted - the curse has been sapping his stamina much faster than he'd like, so even as a SOLDIER, he's finding himself out of breath quicker. But the crowd is gone, leaving just himself and Eula. He's walking towards her, his eye flitting towards the shackle. ]

Anytime. But we're not even just yet.

[ He flips the pipe around so the L-Bend is on the top, having been holding onto it for quicker strikes. He uses it to point at the shackle. ]

Seems to me we've got to bust you out of here before we're well and truly even.

[ she looks down on what cloud's pointing and... sighs, almost in defeat. right, how does she explain this? it's almost unfair how cloud had to see her like this. the illusory fire back then pales in comparison, somewhat. ]

You won't be able to get rid of that easily. I've tried. I'll always be shackled down by their expectations.

[ but that's precisely why she can't get rid of it on her own. ]

[ He gives her a look - it's not a judgmental one, but it is one sizing up what she's saying - shackled down by their expectations? Hrm. ]

[ Food for thought, later. ]

Well, I don't plan to just leave you here to try and break it on your own. So we might as well try.

[ He's going to be tapping the shackle with the pipe to try and judge how much force he needs to use. He really is planning to bust it open - one way or another. ]

Wait, Cloud--

[ he'll need more force than a mere pipe can offer, tbh. eula purses her lips, trying to think long and hard. let's see, if she can't free herself on her own, then maybe together...

a deep sigh. right, that's the crux of her problems, isn't it? doing stuff on her own. ]

Here. On the count of three, we hit it at the same time. All right?

[ archons, this better work. but this nightmare is starting to make sense to her, so. ]

One.

[ He stops, waiting for Eula. When it's clear what she intends, he nods. Better to try it together than not. ]

Right.

[ He raises the pipe, as he keeps his eyes on the shackle. Eula counts, and then Cloud, the pipe's head poised to swing down- ]

Two.

--Three!

[ both pipe and sword strike down on the shackle, which shatters almost like glass. eula rotates her foot, making sure it's nice and loose now. ]

Could've done that first before the... entire performance.

[ she fiddles with her hair again as she turns her face away from cloud. he's seen way too much at this point, so he might want answers too. she hates it, but she can't let a debt leave unpaid for too long. ]

But... Thank you, Cloud. You didn't have to stick around for too long, but you did anyway.

Wasn't about to leave someone stranded - or a job half-finished.

[ He sees her turn away, and he mimics the motion, looking away on the opposite side. Now that the adrenaline of the moment was dying down, he realized there was a lot of questions to ask. And she probably had some of her own in turn. ]

...I'll have to see if I can get you to show that dance again sometime.

[ It's the only thing he can think to say. There would be a time for answers - later, almost certainly later, when the blood and malice were less rampant through Jigoku's streets. She'll probably catch that he's intentionally avoiding asking anything. He doesn't want her to dwell on it, but it's there all the same. ]

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June 2022 Event

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