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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

bet on it.

[the Sutoku sub-lieutenant makes her debut as she should, arrayed in kimono and her pin on her lapel, fresh flowers adoring her hair - in short, the picture of a clan with no reservations about looking equal to any other today. she smiles, she associates, she moves about. and when it comes to where to wager money on a game of chance, of course she'll pitch in. that clinic of hers needs funding to fix the upper level, after all. it just won't be on the floor of the casino - too many sharp eyed dealers to read.

instead, she chooses to place her money behind fighters in the arena, studying them from a distance and behind a fan before she quietly puts her money down. her free hand grips the railing as the matches go on, trying to not cheer too loudly and draw undue attention - but a particularly good blow will catch her excitedly yelling, and getting a payout will brighten her mood well. profit is profit, after all, and after a point she's cheering like the rest of them. whether she's a fellow audience member, judging your betting choice, or cheering you on as a fighter, she hopes for the best outcome.]

rumor has it.

[part of this whole event is to listen, and listen Emily does - laughing and mildly talking to others, mining the conversation for good tidbits. things fall out around her, and she collects the information about Iron Bear with a careful ear. still, not everyone's going to have success, and if a fellow Sutoku is erring too far, too obvious in their intelligence gathering, she might appear and touch their arm.]

There you are - I've been looking for you. You're worrying the others.

[do you take the obvious out? do you protest? does she need to physically drag you away?]

starlight starbright.

[with the glittering heavens above, it'd be impossible to resist the joy that seems to settle over everyone. love surrounds, persuades hands to write out wishes on paper, and Emily is no exception, placing her wish on a tree with a gentle smile. if someone looks hesitant, she tries to catch their eye and nod - it's okay! beyond the simple blessings, though, the spirit has her in full, and she might just tug someone to sway to the music, to laugh at the world. whether you're an old friend or a new one, whether you want to press intimately close or just gaze at the stars in wonder, Emily's happy to join, a beaming and true smile on her features.

right now, everything is all right. right now, the world is moving as it should. for a few moments, love is the key word of the world.]

sweet mystery.

[of course, Emily's not the only one out and about enjoying the festivities. at certain points, her body is carried differently, a different look in her eyes, a different voice coming from the throat. Hibiki moves forth to sample life, and they seek to enjoy things. from afar, they look like their host, but close enough, the differences are plain.

for gambling, they veer towards a variety of games, but those looking for an easy mark find an uncanny set of eyes looking at them, as if their soul was being pierced as they attempt to cheat. players might get an actual word slipped in, an alert to the dealer - while those running the games will not, but Hibiki will watch them so closely, any slipping will be seen and noted, and their bets that round become miniscule - no profit to be made. alternately, they'll be mingling, finding those with good stories to tell, drawing youkai into outrageous contests of storytelling - if you want to weigh in on how legitimate the story of wrestling a mountain is, feel free.

but when the stars rise for Tanabata, the love in the air affects them differently. while they won't perform on a stage, they'll have their prize from a well earned match earlier - a dark wood shinobue, and they'll find a quiet space to gaze up at the heavens before they start to play. the melody is old, full of nostalgia and peace, carrying the listener somewhere else in their thoughts - it demands respect. for this is a performance of skill as a gift, an offering to the gods for another year. when that is over, they will take requests, for the entire affair is a performance to be enjoyed.]

wildcard.

[have an idea for something else? go ahead and throw it at me! want something custom? shoot me a message, and we'll work it out. here's my plotting comment to give some ideas or a zone to chat in - I'm up for anything!]

Edited 2022-08-06 22:57 (UTC)

[ The melody stirs nostalgia in her chest, for sure, something swelling big and bright within her. It feels strange, like remembering a nightmare. She knows, however, that's not the case, and while Aerith is in the midst of conversation with someone, she hears it, so she must politely excuse herself from whoever she's with. From there, she slips away, follows it as a cat might follow the shaking of a bag full of food. She knows this sound, she remembers, she pulls it up from the depths of her memory... ]

...There you are.

[ She knows Hibiki not from glancing at the body they possess but from the vibes. Perhaps it betrays something about her: She has remembered their meeting often. ] I was looking for.

[ It's spoken softly, but with great care. ]

[they lower the flute after a long, held note brings it to silence, and when they look at her, there's a flash of unearthly green over those brown eyes, as before. they hold her gaze, unafraid, and that voice that comes from Emily is the one she'll remember.]

Fledgling. You knew where to find me, if you were but to ask.

[but the chiding is gentle, and they extend a hand. come, sit with them for a while. for this too is in the ritual, the gods' will for the night.]

I have observed you, while you searched.

[ When she settles in to join them, it's quiet as a feather. She barely makes a sound, eespite the heels. While Aerith isn't well verse in the religion here, she can understand the feeling of something sacred. ]

It's nicer like this.

[ When they want to come out and play, that is. Somehow, that feels more fun to her. ]

Oh yeah? And what'd you observe?

emily dyer | identity v | sutoku alliance

tanabata.

no subject

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love is the key word of the world

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no subject

starlight starbright

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starlight, starbright

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rumor has it

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sweet mystery

no subject

starlight

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bet on it

no subject

Rumour Has It

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starlight, starbright (tanabata)

no subject

sweet mystery.

no subject