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

► Gambling Problem
Uhahaha!

[Amidst the various noises in the gambling area—voices of both players and dealers, the sounds of cards, dices and assorted tools being dealt—Norimune's distinctive laughter might be vaguely heard. He's been taking the task of having fun with great cheer, making it known to both dealers and observers he's here for fun. Does he truly want to win big or not?

Either he's really here for fun, or masking his greed very, very well. (Spoilers: He's legitimately here for fun.)

Regardless, people can see Norimune playing a fair number of games. Mainly eastern games, but he did try a few western ones as well. Winning some and losing some, but he'll always complimented the dealer if he had a spectularly enjoyable game.]

► Pleasure Palace
[Curiosity lead him to check out the Palace of Sai, to see what they have to offer. What the Tamamo offers are unsurprising in most part, so it's really just the

Norimune have been enjoying watching the various performances on the stage, ranging from traditional to the more bolder but still technically impressive shows. As he watches and soaking in the atmosphere, an idea is planted in his mind... He's not one to show off, but maybe it's not a bad idea to do a dance? Just one, as he wish to enjoy the rest of the entertainment.

... And a dance he did, after securing the aid of a musician to play for him. In contrast with his usually jovial ~~and annoying, some may say~~ attitude, his traditional fan dance is graceful and deliberate. With each move of his fan and limbs, he manage to captivated the crowd. Adorned in a yukata with some chrysanthemum patterns, it only adds to the experience as he finish with perfect precision.

Afterwards, his usual cheery old man persona is back on display after he steps back off the stage. He's open to chatting with people who comes up to him, or simply accepting any and all praises they heap upon him. Who knew someone in the Department of the Enma can dance so well?]

► Tanabata
[The show is beautiful. Norimune's quietly watching the starry lovers dance together above them. There's a warm, slowly growing feeling within him. A feeling he almost recognise, something similiar to fondness but somewhat... different. Did watching the two lovers inspire something in him?

As he ponders, Norimune would join in with writing down a wish. The first one is simple and he have no issue with telling others: "I wish for a peaceful and quiet retirement."

His second one, which he try to put up discreetly at a different bamboo tree: "To understand love."

With so many people around, there's a chance someone will be there and spot him.]

► "We Know Who You Are"
[Of course, something happened. Which somehow reminds him of a conversation in the not-so-distant past. For some reason, hm.

Despite the amount of drinks he had earlier, Norimune's immediately on his feet and start investigating. Almost as if he's not drinking merrily merely an hour (or more?) ago. He'll be making a beeline for the assassin's corpse, assisting Captain Shiki with the initial forensics. There's a few details they uncovered, but what do they mean? He'll be with them for a while, as he speculate and examine the assassin's corpse.

He need to find more information, maybe he can get some from interrogating the people around the stage? His method is definitely on the "good cop" side of things, this time. But Norimune also make no move to hide his clearly visible sheathed sword at his side. While he's talking with the staff, he's keeping an eye out for fellow Lost Souls. He wonders if others have better luck than himself with getting information?]

► Wild Card
[Plotting comment here. Bring your own scenario here, or get a custom starter from me!]

[Sannan swears he's not being nosy, but he happens to be tying a second wish to the tree when Norimune is doing the same.

His wish is simple, and echoes his contract here: to live a long, normal life with someone he loves.

So it's a funny thing that his eyes fix on Norimune's wish, and his gaze softens entirely.]

You're eternally an interesting man.

[Norimune retreat his hand after hanging up his wish. The slip dangles and turn slightly from the movements as a result. He glance over to see Sannan, and smile. It's not his typical bright, overly cheerful one, just a simpler and softer one.]

Oh? In what way, Sannan?

[He often hear, and guessed at, what people thinks about him. And how they choose to put them into words are just as interesting to hear. His eyes catch a sight of Sannan's wish, a simple yet valid one to have.]

[He ties his own wish up and watches it flutter for a moment, then looks up to the stars. His expression is almost wistful.]

You want to know about something like that, and I'm somewhat wishing I didn't know. It's a painful thing as much as beautiful, sometimes.

[He's entirely the wrong person to talk to about love, considering how fraught his was, but...]

Some people here would grant that wish of yours easily. All you'd have to do is ask them, and they'll tell you what moves their heart.

Ichimonji Norimune | Touken Ranbu | Enma

Tanabata

no subject

no subject

we know who you are;

no subject

no subject

what is love

no subject

no subject

Pleasure palace for your kissing needs

no subject

we know who you are

no subject

gambling problem

no subject

Gambling Problem

Re: Gambling Problem

Tanabata

no subject

Tanabata

no subject

pleasure palace

no subject

Pleasure Palace, before Norimune's performance (sorry I'm late. lmk if I need to change anything)