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

Ahah, what so I'm someone needin' help am I?

[All right, despite how much he felt like shit that reason actually managed to get a genuine laugh out of Gojyo.

Sighing out tiredly as he simply continued to watch the small droplets of blood which fell around them.

Yeah, he guesses he was that pathetic.]

It ain't like I'm out here without reason you know. And unlike you it's not cause I'm running around looking for ways to get myself killed by 'helping'.

[Not this time at least.]

[Gojyo calling him out got a small chuckle out of Soo Won. That was a little harsh but there might be some truth to it. To be honest, Soo Won probably shouldn't be pushing himself as much as he was and there were subtle signs of fatigue in Soo Won's tired smile. Gojyo wasn't the only one who was stubborn.]

You're someone that keeps his problems to himself, regardless of whether you could use help or not.

[Something Soo Won understands very well.]

So, care to share that reason?

[Soo Won wasn't staying because he though Gojyo was pathetic and needed saving. He was worried about his friend.]

[Damn. That felt weird. Knowing that he, some way or another, managed to find people who actually fretted over him like that felt really fucking weird.]

Nothing private about it.

[Well, at least not to Soo Won. It wasn't as if Gojyo hadn't already shared most of the bigger details about himself already.]

The rain ain't the worst part about what's going on, as much of a familiar reminder as it might be to all of us from Hakagemachi.

[He turned his head to look at Soo Won. His expression surprisingly more serious than he had allowed it to be in month.]

Are you able to feel it? The fucking aura that's taken over the city?

[Gojyo had no one to blame but himself. Soo Won was simply sharing the strange feeling that Gojyo and Gene had shown him back in Hakagemachi. Soo Won hadn't been used to people fretting over him either. His advisors back home did but they were more concerned about their king, not Soo Won personally. It was better that way and yet, Gojyo's friendship meant a lot to him. He was happy that Gojyo trusted him with the secret of his origns and he relaxed a little when Gojyo opened up to him.

He listened intently. He agreed that the blood rain was merely a painful reminder, not the real threat this time. He mirrored Gojyo's serious expression at the mention of the cursed aura and he answered with a solemn nod.]

I can. Miyako also sensed it which is why she's hiding. It seems you both had the same idea.

[Gojyo could only nod with that, his body language settled as he took a second to better articulate where his thoughts were roaming.]

I had something like this back home, my actual home, before Hakagemachi. Even more potent and more deadly than this.

Really fucked a lot of things up.

[The end of 'paradise,' a war that no one could return, the deaths of so many damn people, human and youkai alike.]

Broken like I am, I think I was one of the few people with youkai blood that it didn't fuck up.

[Soo Won enjoyed hearing Gojyo talk about his real home. However, this particular tale didn't bring him any joy at all and his eyes narrowed as he listened. His voice was quiet when he finally answered.]

And you're worried you won't be so lucky this time.

[Soo Won wished he could promise Gojyo that nothing like that would happen here but he knew how foolish and arrogant that was. Even after a year in Hakagemachi, he was still inexperienced when it came to magic. He couldn't predict it or come up with a clever strategy to counter it like a normal battle. This place had been alright so far but the ominous cursed aura frightened him too. Some of his frustration slipped out as a quiet sigh before he pushed it aside with a reassuring smile.]

For what it's worth, I don't think you are broken Gojyo.

[A brief shadow crossed over Soo Won's face as his ailing body felt heavier. Not like he was, but now was hardly the time for that conversation.]

[A wry smile and a short chuckle tugged at his lips with that. Tilting back against the alley wall with exhaustion as he did his best to focus on the conversation.]

Yeah. Suppose someone like you would think that...

[Soo-Won grew up in a world with no youkai after all, and very little magic. He at least remembered that much from their past conversations.]

Funny thing is, normally this wouldn't bug me at all, you know? Like, I know this shit barely used to affect me, but--

[He reached up, scratching at the back of his neck as he thought it over.]

Guess the key word is 'barely' there.

[It was true that they came from very different worlds but people always found reasons to discriminate against others, even without magic or youkai. Soo Won wished that his friend would believe him regardless of the worlds they came from but it probably wasn't easy for someone who lived with that stigma all his life and he relented with a small smile.

His smile fell as he considered the last thing Gojyo said. He closed his eyes with a sigh and he sagged against the wall when another wave of pain supported his theory.]

I suspect it preys on fear.

[Soo Won opened his eyes, his gaze downcast as his carefully considered how to word his situation without himself away.]

...certain things...are worse then they should be for me as well.

[Pushing himself was always risky but that didn't explain how rapidly his health was declining this time. He felt guilty for hiding the truth from Gojyo, especially when he was so open with him, but it was kinder this way. His secret would only hurt him.]

Hn?

[Soo Won's hesitance, his sudden dour nature, had taken Gojyo off guard. Lifting his head slowly as he looked at the younger man with curiosity.]

Are they now? So what the hell are you doing running around the city like an idiot then?

[Not that he was one to talk. But, well, as they established, he had his reasons.]

Shouldn't you be taking refuge with your clan?

[Ah, he let too much show didn't he? The pain had an irritating habit of wearing down his walls and he quickly locked away his brief moment of weakness behind a reassuring smile as he straightened up a little.]

I can still manage and this is my way of protecting everyone.

[Soo Won respected Gojyo's choice and he had his own reasons as well. True it may not be the wisest decision but he had never been good at sitting idlily when others were suffering, something his advisors back home always scolded him about and a hint of nostalgia crept in Soo Won's smile.]

[The response had managed an amused scoff out of Gojyo as he tilted his head back against the wall. He understood the feeling, of course. he was simply surprised to hear such an answer from Soo-Won of all people.]

Protecting everyone, huh? You going around playing hero or something?

Or are you a coward like me who's worried that you're going to be the one doing the hurting?

[His eyes moved to look at Soo Won. Seeing the familiar sight of a young man in light pale color drenched in the red of the rain.]

You even try to do anything to anyone and you know I'll be on your ass again. Doesn't matter how many goddamn times you stab me.

[He'll recover.

He always does.]

And it ain't like there aren't plenty of people in this place who aren't as strong as the both of us, if not stronger. I wouldn't worry myself too much about it all if I were you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Event

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the snail returns!

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sorry Soo Won got forgotten under Sheliak's shadow lately (cw: Akatuski no Yona spoilers)

awww. Poor Soo Won. Time to spoil him senseless >:)

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