jigokulogs | 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

[ He'll decide if there is a need for him to do anything. Besides, what's living recklessly to a psudo-immortal destined to die? ]

Let me guess, the wastelands?

[ It didn't take a genius given what the perpetrators were wearing weren't exactly the lastest Jigoku-cho fashion trend. ]

Sounds like fun. [ His voice is just dripping with sarcasm. ] Any idea why that girl was taken in the first place? Honestly, that's what's bothering me the most.

Yes. It'll be quite fun to investigate the great unknown, assuming that you are thoroughly prepared and armed to the nines.

[ she's sincere about this. sure it may be daunting, but she won't be alone. she'd made a fellow enma colleague promise to take her with him there, and ngl it's the only thing getting her through this ordeal. ]

As for Ringo's situation, she is obviously a bargaining chip. The Iron Bear wants something that Kaberou cannot provide right away, so he is forcing the latter into a corner by taking her daughter. This will also worsen the rift between father and daughter.

[ At the mention of Iron Bear, there's an ever slight change in the atmosphere of the bar and the bartender. It wasn't hostility, but it wasn't exactly welcoming either. It was like every ear was suddenly pointed in their direction, waiting for them to say something. ]

....Is it really Kaberou that they're after though?

[ He takes another sip and draining the glass and putting it down, the bartender already refilling the glass. ]

Somethings don't add up. Why kidnap her, but then go for that Sutoku Lost Soul? Why make that declaration using that name? Why say it in the face of Toraguma in particular? What's so special about this Ringo in relation to Kaberou? It can't be money, so there must be something else - something the involved party isn't willing to share. If so, what is it and should we be worried? And...

[ He paused, glancing over to the bartender and smirking before taking another sip. ]

Edited 2022-08-27 15:40 (UTC)

[ eula doesn't even balk when all eyes lasered in on them. as if she's scared of a few accusatory stares at this point. also with all the questions this guy keeps firing, she's finally decided that maybe most if not all shuten men are possibly the most annoying bunch she's had the misfortune to meet. and if she could exact her vengeance on all of them, she would.

she drains her drink coolly, putting down her glass with a sigh. when she speaks its with an utterly cold tone. ]

I thought the reasons were obvious, so I do recommend using your common sense for this one. And even then I know better than to share any intel with anyone who isn't from the Department.

[ they're just going to get fucking chewed out if they don't accomplish this mission asap, her included. factions aside, she barely even knows him. don't tell her he only brought her here in the hopes of sharing info, because... ]

Also, even if I do know something and am willing to share one iota of information out of the goodness of my heart or whichever, it's all conjecture in the end. You can't expect us to have all our thoughts together in a matter of hours after the incident. Try to think realistically here, will you?

[ in other words, she's tired, okay. she just wanted to drink in peace. ]

[ Realistic has not been in his cards for decades, not with all the weird, bizarre, macabre, and down right disturbing things he's had to shoot, stab, break, or otherwise kill in his career. ]

Heh, sorry. Old habit. Brain never shuts off.

[ He takes another sip, which quickly turns into him draining the glass and getting a refill. ]

Scrutinizing every detail and referencing it with every name, face, curse, or what other supernatural element was - is - something have to do on the daily. Becomes impossible to shut out the noise most of the time.

[ she holds her cold stare on him for one more moment before cooling off with a sigh. ]

I understand that. But your queries require going into the Wastelands, and all of us aren't authorized to go outside just yet. That's the biggest thing missing from this equation, since there's so much we don't know.

[ a sigh. she hates being this powerless, but there isn't much for her to do at the moment. ]

I'd go out there myself if I could.

Maybe you aren't allowed.

[ Technically he's discouraged from going out, but if he had obeyed rules like that then he would have been dealt with by the beings in his world a long long time ago. ]

I'm already making a list of what I'd need based on what I've been able to gather about the outside. Just need a few more things.

All of us aren't allowed.

[ utterly deadpan. but this happened before kaberou's announcement about that bounty, so this topic will be moot in a couple of weeks from now.

still, at least she's right about one thing. there are other people who are interested in venturing out there, come hell or high water. ]

You're not going out there on your own, are you?

I don't remember Toraguma saying I can't, and I certainly don't remember being under anyone else's orders.

[ And he never will until it's convenient for him. ]

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what I manage to dig up. Hopefully, it's nothing and I can relax on the sidelines. Probably I can open that bottle I have saved up.

[ But knowing his luck, it's not going to be nothing. ]

August 2022 Event

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