jigokulogs | August 2022 Event

August 2022 Event

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Toraguma and Tenkohime were not exaggerating when they said that Sai no Kawara was bound to attract extraordinarily deep pockets. The Celestials are already familiar to the Lost Souls, but among the crowds of customers are humans and yokai of wealth that can only be calculated in the billions, and even trillions. Powerful executives have come out to play, the sort of power brokers that almost exist beyond faction politics, the tier who makes the most money out of the city's dealings.

The event has an air of class that is far beyond what the average Lost Soul will have ever imagined…

1. GAMBLING PROBLEM (1 POINT)

The main event comes in the form of the games. This is where the Shuten Clan shines, as they offer up a plethora of gambling opportunities for the rich and powerful to partake in. There might be a Lost Soul or two at the tables, if they're feeling particularly lucky. Buy-in to a game isn't cheap, but if you're low on cash, you can substitute a handful of stellar Stardust to the pot.

Western games like Poker, Blackjack, and Roulette share space with Eastern standards like Cee-lo and Cho-han. Shuten Clan dealers have been training hard for this moment. They have learned to cheat on behalf of the House to scrape as much from these high rollers as they can. Those Shuten attendants who win big for the House will be duly compensated for their fine efforts.

If you're very clever, or very lucky, you might just be able to secure quite a payout for yourself as a player too. Just don't get caught pulling any funny business. The Shuten Clan bouncers have also been training quite thoroughly for this event. If you're not one of the fabulously wealthy tycoons, the bouncers have little incentive to play nice with you.

Should fighting break out, there is an arena onsite. Bets are flying there, too. Are you willing to wager your own pretty face?

2. PLEASURE PALACE (1 POINT)

Tenkohime wasn't exaggerating when she called her turf in the newly renovated underground a palace. The attendants at the Palace of Sai greet their wealthy clientele warmly, and they have a host of wondrous and rare delights to offer. As a rare treat, the Lost Souls are encouraged to indulge in this decadence. If the prices make you choke, remember that a little bit of Stardust will go a long way this season.

Food and drinks are of the highest quality. Delicacies from across Japan and the world abroad have been prepared, including many dishes not even of the Earth as you might know it. Particular favorites from the drinks menu are:
Side Cars that have been made with cognac from a 300,000 yen bottle.
Platinum Passions that have been made with L’esprit de Courvoisier; 800,000 yen per bottle.
Eightfold Blessing is a captivating and aromatic mix considered to be Tenkohime's very own specialty. It grants the vigor to fulfill any desire; 1,000,000 yen a glass.
The pricey and fabulous drinks are just an encouragement. The Tamamo's best trained consorts are ready to offer their private services, usually in pairs. They have some Tanabata wishes of their own, and want to make them come true through their talents and skills. Not every encounter is sexual, some consorts simply wish to spend time with their clients and make them feel like the most important person in the world today. With the big price tags on their hours, the customer might very well be.

In addition to expensive meals, sex, and company, the Tamamo Clan also offers theater and performances. They have contracted with the highest caliber performers in the city, even those on loan from other factions. Dancers, musicians, and entertainers of all varieties are waiting in the wings to put on a show.

3. GOSSIP (1 POINT)

One of the performances gracing the stage in the Palace of Sai may seem familiar! The band Moonday played at the food truck festival last month. As it turns out, the lead singer -- a wolf girl named Ringo-chan -- is the daughter of one of the wealthiest executives within the Alliance's network of finance kings; Kaberou. She's run away from her restrictive life to rough it with her band. Big money is riding on convincing her to come home. There's another rumor floating around that the pirates attacking the supply lines have been putting pressure on Kaberou. Is he securing buyers for these pirated goods?

Rumors are flying: the kind of rumors that can bring riches or ruin. The Daitengu has commanded their people to keep their ears open. Do they happen upon a juicy lead? Do they find a way to reconnect Kaberou with his estranged daughter? Do they discover more about the pirates? Do tell, do tell!

Even the staff of the Enma Department will find lips much looser than usual around them. When you're this rich, you think you're above the standards of the law. There's plenty of conversation that might be of interest to the Department. In particular, one name does keep coming up...

It comes up when discussing Kaberou's dealings with these pirates, and how much of a wrench his daughter's negligence to the life has been for his business. It's spoken of in hushed tones, even by the Celestials. It is an ominous name: "Iron Bear"

4. TANABATA (2 POINTS)

The grand opening of the underground is the centerpiece of an otherwise familiar Tanabata celebration. Using the accumulated Stardust, the Tamamo Clan's onmyouji have collaborated with Kappa engineers and the Shuten Clan's resident blacksmith to create a truly wonderful spectacle for the festival.

Despite Sai no Kawara existing underground, the overhead sky is full of brilliant stars on display. It is a one-to-one recreation of the cosmic tapestry of the Milky Way streaking through the sky like the astral river from the Tanabata legend.

The stars Vega and Altair, also known as Orihime and Hikoboshi, are highlighted in the tapestry. They take form and dance together above everyone, they encourage the feelings of love to fill the air. Romantic love, platonic love, familial love: it doesn't matter. This is the product of peace, hard work, and cooperation. This is the dream of the Daitengu and their lieutenants. Dance to the music. Drink your fill. This is a celebration of love, and there's so much love here, for everyone.

Attendees are encouraged to write their wishes on the colorful talismans distributed. Bamboo trees decorate the central square, waiting to be draped with wishes. Even if you are not familiar with Tanabata, it will be easy to pick up on the ritual. The magic in the air tonight is incredibly strong, these wishes might even come true.

5. "WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE" (2 POINTS)

Late into the evening, the Daitengu takes to the stage. They welcome everyone and hope that they have had a good night. Toraguma and Tenkohime flank them, and each says a few words to the crowd. Then, Sutoku lieutenant Sakamoto is called up to the stage for the moment of truth.

Toraguma, regretfully, announces that Sakamoto has made good on his promises. The holes in their supply lines have been uncovered found, the black market is becoming less of a bleed on their finances, and the road to finding out who -- or what -- is causing the disruption is becoming clearer. The great oni will always honor a promise kept, and reaches out his hand to shake Sakamoto's in a gesture of gratitude.

The timing, as usual, is a little dramatic.

A group of shadowy figures wearing rough-spun gear storm the stage. Several of them snatch Ringo-chan from where she is waiting to perform and drag her away. Another lunges at Sakamoto with a make-shift sword of crude metal. Just before the blade can cut Sakamoto, the would-be assassin is stopped by Toraguma. With their wrist snatched and broken, the assassin screams out:

"We come on behalf of the Iron Bear, and we know who you are!"

In his rage and fury, Toraguma breaks the assassin's neck, slamming him down to the stage. He dies within moments, while the rest of the attackers flee. They've kidnapped Ringo-chan.

Sai no Kawara is quickly flooded with armed and armored officers of the Enma Department. They instruct everyone to remain calm. No one panic. The Enma himself has arrived, and he is going to start questioning everyone about what just happened. Who is the Iron Bear? What in hell do they want? It's time for some answers.

Well… As far as parties in Jigoku-cho go… this one could have been worse, yeah?

Welcome to the August event!

Art in the final prompt by Yang Tuo
If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
Each prompt is labeled for it's value in terms of qualifying threads for Rewards.
If your character is in the Shuten Clan and cheating on behalf of the house, find out how well they pulled it off by posting here! Those that do well will get a special bonus from Toraguma.
If your character is trying any of the games of chance, find out how they paid out here!
If your character put on a performance at the Palace of Sai's stage, find out how the crowd reacted here! Regardless of clan affiliation, those that do well will be rewarded by Tenkohime!
For results on the gossip floating around the festival, post here!
For Department members, if your character is going to interrogate NPC festival goers, let us know here and we can post some more specific results!
TANABATA WISHES! POST THEM HERE!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Aw, I claim extenuatin' circumstances, then! Toraguma doin' the guy in was a little distractin', is all.

[ ryouma just smiles because, as usual, he can't really make any promises that he'll improve. matoba is not too far off the mark, though, to assume that he's downplaying it. he always does. ]

Don't think it's odd the boss gave me an "imposter" sword when I already got an authentic one and a gun?

[ it's no secret, so ryouma isn't asking just to tease at something he's unwilling to tell. more that he's curious as to whether or not matoba had given any thought to it already since he's clearly always thinking ahead. ]

I see. So it is not merely a mark of a wizard, but of a chosen wizard. How special you lot are.

[Matoba's smirk curls cattishly. At least, until Shylock gets close to him, his amusement falling into distaste. He doesn't lean away, at least; that would be giving Shylock way too much of a victory, tch.]

... Why not?

[Not that he thinks Shylock has too much shame to disrobe in the middle of public, but it would be pretty funny.]

If you are waiting to be called upon by me, you may be waiting a very long time.

[Matoba's eye draws down mischievously. What an opportunity. It's too bad that he thinks nothing good will come of this, but he can't say that he isn't curious]

Perhaps I should ask you to sign your name to it, and pass the promise down to my heir.

[ instinctively... he leans. he wraps one arm around jack and pulls them close. he closes his eyes, and continues to hum--- something soft and melodic. a little directionless but not without emotion. that a wish like that... robin doesn't know if he can make that one come true. he doesn't know if he has the power to give jack what they want. what they need. would a sense of belonging do it? love and affection, sincerity and trust? perhaps all of those combined would. so maybe he has a solution.

but that doesn't mean it's the solution for what jack needs. ]

I see.

[ a moment, to think. ]

Who do you want to be, Jack?

Yes, yes, alright, [Matoba sighs!!] In this particular case. But that isn't really something a Lieutenant of the Sutoku Alliance ought to be saying.

[Since when did Matoba have standards...........Anyway, Matoba glances to meet his eyes with his own narrowed in thought. A good question. Why would the boss give him a fake as a reward?]

My assumption would be that it is hiding something else. As to why they chose that form specifically... If it were me, I would have chosen that form specifically to put Hizen-kun, a ranked member of the Shuten, off-guard if the need ever arose. But that cat has already been let out of the bag, so........

Dunno. Depends on a lotta things. Ain't expectin' me to feel all sad and disappointed, are ya? The thing about humans I learned is that nobody stays still for very long. Whatever I did, somebody else'll come along soon enough and do somethin' better. Or worse. Who knows? Ain't up t' me anymore.

[ having lived and died, he's been removed from the mortal cycle for a long time. that's how it is being a heroic spirit and being a counter guardian just means he's been around to witness the passage of time a lot more directly than most. he is, if anything, at peace with the idea that things aren't permanent, even if they have to get worse before they get better. ]

The important thing is that there are still people around to screw it up.

[He pauses for a moment, considering. It's mostly for show.

Then,]

...How big is the display case?

[ for all that ryouma is capable of being... capable... he spends a lot of his downtime being a drunk idiot. this happens to be one of those times. ]

Don't you worry, Matoba-san. I might not go outta my way to take precautions, but I'm not careless either.

[ it's something like a reassurance? ]

As for this, technically it ain't even a sword. It's Ame-no-Sakahoko.

[ he smiles a little, looking at matoba because he's sure that's a name that'll get a reaction. ]

It's pretty useless like this, though. What's more important is how this figures into what I am. I got my power back and then some, but I didn't exactly think it were possible.

[ as long as ryouma has been what he is and has been doing what he's had to do, he's accepted things just as they are. he knows himself and what he's capable of, which is why so often he's had to rely on oryou. now everything is different and he's still trying to make sense of it. ]

It's complicated...

Yeah, it sure as hell is...

[ but maybe shin means that nonliterally, in which barton will leave that particular stone unturned. he takes another drink of his stupidly expensive alcohol, peering at the boy over the glass's edge. ]

... You know this could be a whole history lesson, right?

[ well, whatever. he'll keep it as much of a summary as possible. ]

Ha... but six centuries ago, Lumpolis threw out all its undesirables. [ he can explain that, sure, but he also thinks shin capable of recognizing the darkish implication. ] As bait, don't get me wrong, but also with the purpose of establishing a military defense post. Our location means frontline battle against... so far, endless eclipsite hoards.

[ he almost sounds wistful, thinking of eclipsites, loathe them as he may. ]

Through sheer power of will, luck, and maybe a lil' spite - we ended up surviving, and eventually thriving. [ he takes a celebratory drink at the thought, raising the glass. ] That's how you got the Illumina Federation!

[He's certainly heard of it. Matoba's eyebrow lifts as his eye returns to the "sword" at his side.]

I see. What a form to hide it within... ...I wonder what his reaction will be. I would love to see, but something tells me I'll find out sooner or later.

[It seemed to act as a seal, as well; to Matoba, it didn't have any particular aura to it beyond a normal blade. Did the Daitengu choose that form, knowing what the reaction would be? Just exactly "what" Ryouma is was a whole other conversation; but it was one Matoba was slowly learning by observing.] Haha. Spirits work in mysterious ways, Sakamoto-san. A ghost confused by their own existence is pretty sad... But since "you" were never human, your origin must lay elsewhere.

[Just what that was, that was a whole different question. He wasn't a tsukumogami, not a place, or even a living thing like a plant. It took something quite powerful to will a spirit into existence, without anything physical to tie it to.]

[Looking at the hilt of that sword, he wonders if the nature of that weapon was closer to what his being was, if it did not have a spirit of its own.]

...It would be nice if such a weapon did not need to be drawn, wouldn't it? [But he seriously doubts it. Considering what they were up against...] Don't you think it would be ironic were it to be used against its original masters?

[ a weight is lifted off his shoulders. the worry leaves him, though he still feels exhausted. ]

Yuuji...

[ and robin tucks an errant bang out of his face, behind an ear, and gives a shaky smile. how can he not? it feels like he's been on a roller coaster that swerves and stops without warning. ]

... ehe~ I understand. It's okay.

[ he no longer cowers, bringing his hands in front of him, as he looks bashfully at the other boy's face. ]

You like everyone and anyone, right?

[Sometimes grabbing and carting off isn't the answer. Eventually Bakugo may not enjoy it as much as he thinks. Being strategic is much better. Yes strategic that's what it is.]

I did ask, but this is more fun.

[Considering all Bakugo's confidence, Shoto backs off and keeps his hands to himself for now.]

I'm not. Go ahead and win.

[ Of all the answers he could've heard, this one is the most surprising. Maybe years of living in East had simply primed him to expect hatred on instinct. This answer just seems realistic for someone who's never run into magic before.

A slight smile, the relaxing of his shoulders. ]

I'm sure there's a lotta useful spells out there. Thinking about learning some for yourself?

(no, shin means both. it speaks tons that barton sees him as a deserter, and after this conversation, it'll be clear to him that his situation at home will not weigh in barton's view of him. not that he cares, or anything like that. not at all. he doesn't. caring? not him.

he hates the idea of having "undesirables" as bait, wouldn't he also be a part of that group? so of course, he gives barton a look, but chooses to remain silent. he knew this before barton put it on the table, and fighting for himself is often not his style.)

And what do you do now? Do I even want to know?

Be my guest. I'm going to drink my weight, so I'll see you.

(straight up hopes to see her in not too long.)

(a second, two, three.

and he laughs, wholeheartedly. he gets it. too close to home...)

[ ryouma winces a little because that sad ghost comment really hits him where it hurts. ]

It's stories. Y' know... legends an' such. Dunno how it happened...

[ which he realises is an odd thing to say considering when they'd met, they'd talked about how matoba had learned about him from history and all. he gets it, but it's a difficult thing to wrap your head around in his position. ]

Funny ya mention "origin". Somethin' like this? It changes everything. Oryou was what was special about us, so now I'm gettin' used t' carryin' things for myself. In any case, I'm a lot stronger, and a lot harder t' kill, which I suspect is the part that'll really matter...

[ SIGH. a thought. ]

'Cause when ya put it that way... hopefully, nobody comes lookin' for it seein' as I ain't in a position to be givin' it up.

Right back at you, Queen.

(he laughs, chuckles leaving him as his eyes close. he should get going, too, so he'll start to walk, waving back at her.)

Tomorrow!

[ ... huh. truthfully, barton hadn't anticipated that response from shin. hell, the quietude is almost concerning. maybe he's just processing all of that... he drains the rest of glass, rests an elbow against a knee as he pours himself a refill. ]

What do we do? [..] Why do you sound so unexcited...?

[ barton's eyebrows raise, looking bemused. ]

I wasn't kidding around when I said endless eclipsites. That's what we do. Except we've grown not to just defend Lumpolis, but all of the rest of Astra, too.

So now... If we fall — they all fall, too. [ with a touch of smugness, ] That enough for you?

Maybe because I have no idea what a eclipsites is, Barton.

(consider that part! but of course he's unexcited. what's the point of protecting everyone when the people who most likely needed protection were thrown away in the first place!!!)

[ oh... right. barton almost snorts into his drink. okay, it's not actually that funny, but he'd expected shin to just presume they're monsters and to roll with it. ]

"Eclipsites," yeah. Picture giant, insectoid monsters. They're what you get when AI bioengineers killing machines in order to wipe out the humans.

[ obviously. c'mon, shin, keep up. ]

[She always did seem the type to get trapped in a certain way of thinking. It's something he found endearing about her. That tenacity and desire to keep pressing forward and doing what she thought was right and proper. Still, in this instance she needed a bit of a distraction to get her mind off of whatever stressors she might be facing in the moment.]

That's usually the reaction to it. It's not wrong either; there is a story attached to it. But the song itself is meant to be a song to comfort and get those listening to it to relax. Something universal for all wary souls, so to speak.

It's not, is it. And when they do occur there's usually still a certain air surrounding it.

[A sort of finality and longing for things to continue as they are. Not to end and not to thrust everyone back into the present. Being single-minded and holding onto the notion that you are the one everyone has to rely on, makes things all the worse.]

And here is where I officially stop trying to understand your world. It's too much for me.

(why the FUCK is this a thing????)

None of that where I'm from. We're just people, living life. Nothing drastic.

"One of the best fighters? That's quite the boast to make." Goodness this girl is the prideful sort! That confidence is still kind of cute, in its own way! The mention of the arena does draw her attention in more, however.

Right, there's a fighting ring here run by the Shuten gang. What was that about a rematch? A rival, perhaps. Hm... well, she'll just have to go and watch if she gets the time. "You're being kept on a tight leash, are you?"

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August 2022 Event

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