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

I'd wager it's something to do with this unnatural rain.

[ Yuri picks himself up, sand clinging to his damp clothes. He looks over to the maddened youkai swinging at each other. With some luck, they'll wear one another out. ]

You did good, songbird. I agree. Let's find shelter.

[ He reaches for the parasol where it had fallen. It's taken quite a beating, but he manages to get it to open and holds it up to cover them from the rain coming down. ]

[ shelter. yeah, they can find a way towards somewhere they don't need that parasol. it's already pretty battered as it is, just like the two of them, and robin's still not used to fighting. this kind of exertion is different than dancing and singing all night. ]

... there should be a pop-up cantina along the beach. Maybe if we get there, we'll find others.

[ it's actually within eyesight. it's just getting there that's the problem, and he's quick to wrap an arm around yuri's waist. ]

Why does this keep happening? Do we really deserve this?

[ because he forgets where they are. it is hell... ]

[ He spies the cantina in the distance. Yuri in turn wraps an arm around Robin's shoulder, and they head for cover huddled under the parasol together. He keeps an eye out for any other disturbances on the way. ]

I doubt it's got anything to do with deserving or undeserving, or you wouldn't be here getting drenched with the rest of us.

[ If this was divine punishment of some sort, he'd like a word with the gods for involving someone innocent like Robin. More likely they were pieces caught up in someone else's game. ]

This may be someone's doing. [ A pause, followed by a wry remark. ] That, or hell has pretty shit weather.

[ yuri's words only bring some tears to his eyes, which streak down his cheeks and push the blood away. it's been a constant ache throughout his time here: the 'why'. his faith has been challenged to some extent, too. ]

I wouldn't trade this time away for anything, though.

[ his friendships! they mean more than where he is right now. the people he loves... ]

... it could be that, too. Maybe it's both. [ and of course yuri finds the words to make robin laugh. even a little. ] Still... I don't think you deserve anything like this either. Even if you say you do, even if you think you do...

[ That's sweet of Robin to say, but Yuri has trouble believing it. The things he's done in his past deserve condemnation, it's just he'd thought when the time came, it would be the Goddess who would be his judge and not the stuffy Enma of this realm. ]

A rouge like me would be too much of a handful for the heavens. [ He chuckles, putting on a smirk and attempting to make light of the topic. ] Besides, it's not been all bad. Hell is almost pleasant compared to the gutters I've lived in.

[ When it's not raining blood, anyway. He doesn't see the tears that Robin sheds in the dark, but sensing unease, Yuri squeezes his shoulder. ]

It's a real mess, but we'll sort it out. The scoundrels here at least know to look after their own.

[ it feels at times that robin and yuri are exact opposites: that robin has never really done anything wrong in his life, other than loving his brother a little too much and eating more sweets than one should ever eat. that his one big "sin" had been allowing himself to be bitten by a vampire, by a family member, and made into some undead creature that would live on forever.

pretty big sin, but...

he's not going to bring up the fact he's lived in the lap of luxury for his entire time in harajuku, instead tilting his head into that shoulder squeeze, brushing his cheek against yuri's hand. ]

So does that make me an honorary scoundrel?

[ what a title to have. he'll wear it proudly. ]

[ Hearing that, Yuri laughs. An honest laugh this time. ]

Oh songbird, I think you ought to keep better company... but I've come to like you, and given you're already in the thick of it, I suppose, yes, you have a place with us.

[ A gang doesn't exactly make for respectable company, but it's not all bad. His old gang members were rowdy and crude, but also some of the most protective and loyal. The wet sand slows their going, but the cantina draws near. ]

Keep my dagger. You'll need a new one.

[ and robin laughs too. even though the rain is more than enough to dampen his spirits, just feeling like he belongs... anywhere really, emboldens his heart. as disgusting as this blood is, it doesn't feel quite as heavy as it soaks into his clothes and his hair. the dagger is light in his hands, and the company even more so. ]

We're here...

[ the cantina is also full of youkai trying to evade the rain. some muttering about their luck, some muttering about how this is because of their past actions, but none about the odd statues. ]

... will you stay here with me? Or...

[ he knows this scoundrel. always looking for action, yuri seems to be... ]

Let's take a breather and see if this rain won't let up.

[ While he'd like to keep moving, rushing into the unknown would be unwise. Not one to sit around idle, though, Yuri begins rifling through the cantina for anything useful.

Apologies to the owner, but he'll be borrowing a few things... He pulls a parasol off one of the tables to replace the battered one. Behind the counter, he finds some towels and water bottles among the beverages - the sink water is no good, having turned suspiciously red. Yuri returns to Robin's side with the goods. ]

There wasn't much, but we can at least wash off some of this blood and dry off. Here...want me to rinse your hair?

[ he's thankful for yuri keeping a cool and calm composure while he, robin, is still trying not to freak out. easier to do it when they aren't being attacked by enraged youkai. even easier when being asked if he needs help being cleaned. ]

Yeah... yeah. I'd appreciate it. Lemme just...

[ he pulls his hair to one side--- his left, exposing his right. that also happens to be a spot where two scars sits inconspicuously at the side of his neck, close to his throat. ]

... it feels gross.

[ Yuri opens the bottle and pours out the water, running his fingers through Robin's hair and gently massaging out the strands crusted with blood. Nearby, the youkai sheltering with them murmur that the rain is cursed and other uneasy theories, though no one has any answers. ]

Must be cursed if this blood is unappetizing even to you.

[ Yuri has to agree with the speculations, his eyes falling on the scar on Robin's neck. He would've thought blood rain to be a feast to a vampire. He rinses Robin's hair until it's clean, even if it means using up most of the water. ]

Feel any better?

[ robin stiffens, shoulders rising slightly before drooping the same amount. he swallows thickly, closing his eyes as he tries to enjoy the feeling of his hair being mussed and cleaned, the feeling of the bottled water noticeable and pleasant in comparison to what they've been covered in. ]

I only drink blood when I have to. The last time I did was... you know...

[ with yuri. something that, to him, counts as a very personal act. ]

... I do. I feel a lot better.

[ and so he gives yuri a hug. ]

Hold on there, songbird, I'll just get blood onto you again.

[ Yuri returns the hug rather awkwardly, trying not to wrap his arms around Robin in a way that would track the blood and grime that he's still covered with onto his friend. ]

We'll get outta here and make it home safe. Just stick with me. When have I ever been wrong? [ He says with a self-assured grin. He'll make sure of it. ]

Edited 2022-07-11 07:47 (UTC)

[ well, up to this point? he hasn't witnessed yuri being wrong. so: ]

Never! [ but he knows that no one person can ever be perfectly right. still he'd rather live in the ideal world of a perfect man like him and not of one who could lead him into disaster over and over again.

even then... robin would still go with yuri. ]

I'll be right behind you the whole way. I won't let go.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

June 2022 Event

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