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

[ Her poor temperament might count as a compelling reason for some, but she knows what to do in a fight, that much she can say. ]

It’s alright. Keep your money. [ She waves her hand dismissively, smoke wisping from the idle cigarette between her fingers. ] If you pay me for the service, it’s too fucking formal. We can trade in favors, if you really want to feel like you’re giving me something back.

[ With another wry little look, she offers him her free hand to shake on it. ]

Let’s just hope we don’t get each other killed.

Yeah, a'ight. If that's fair t' ya, I got no complaints! Two heads are better'n one, so I'm sure it'll count for somethin'. If all else fails, I've still gotta gun!

[ he takes her hand to shake it and make it official. congratulations, andy, on hitching your wagon to his star ~~may it not go down in flames.~~ ]

For a start, if we're drinkin', I'm buyin'. How's that?

[ because everyone he knows can be plied with alcohol. ]

[ Fair enough, anyway. ]

The gun will probably be more use to you than I will. [ Wryly: ] But I won't say no to a drink.

[ With that, she drops her dwindling cigarette to snuff it out under her boot, gesturing for him to lead the way. They can sit and drink, seal their bargain with a bit of booze. Shoot the shit, as people do. If anyone tries to bar their way because of what's the ongoing mess, well — one glance at Andy's badge should clear up that particular problem. ]

You did almost die. That's the kind of thing that usually calls for alcohol.

Maybe! [ he grins. ] The gun ain't such good company though.

[ he wishes they weren't here in the underground because there's a place he'd much prefer to be after the night he's had, but that would involve a lot more travelling than he's willing to do right now. the alliance's bit of territory down here will suffice just fine; someone here has a place — it's quiet without being too quiet and they serve alcohol — and so ryouma is satisfied. ~~it's not like he can afford to drink around here wherever he doesn't get a discount anyway.~~ ]

I'll definitely drink t' that. This place has been revisitin' all the greatest hits from way back when, it feels like, so it ain't really surprisin' that it happened. All the same, attempted murder is one of those things I'm fine not gettin' used to...

[ when the bartender comes around he has a simple request: ]

Just gimme sake and get the lady whatever she likes.

[ Some might argue that Andy isn't such good company either. This is a woman with barbs on her — but she seems to like Ryouma well enough, and that dulls her otherwise sharp edges enough to make her company less abrasive than it might be. The alcohol probably helps too. Alcohol always helps when it comes to alcoholics, and Andy's been coping with the bottom of a bottle for centuries.

When Ryouma orders, Andy gives him one of her little sidelong looks, knowing and wry: ]

You fuckers from Tosa like your sake. [ With a glance at the bartender, she gestures with two fingers held up to make Ryouma's order a double. ] It's swords and sake all day with your lot.

[ She says that, but somehow it doesn't sound like she minds. ]

Oho! So I ain't the first fucker from Tosa ya dealt with then?

[ he seems thrilled by this news, even if it's occasionally been a little bit of a difficulty to meet someone second. it's his experience dealing with his fellow tosans that help him ]

I really oughta quit bein' surprised, but I always forget what a small world we're in these days. Lemme guess... was it Izō?

[ he tends to guess izō first, and it's not because he has a particular bias as much as izō makes zero attempts to hide who he is. hizen doesn't volunteer information very easily. ]

[ Judging by the way the corner of Andy's mouth quirks up at the mention of Izo's name, it's a good guess. ]

When I met him, we drank sake too. [ Her wryness lingers, but it's fond. ] Probably a little too much fucking sake.

[ Not that they did anything she regrets, but it was definitely reckless. And she may or may not have come inches away from breaking every bone in her body a few times. ]

You two go way back, don't you.

Hehe, that figures. I sure do try an' keep up with 'im but he drinks me under the table every time. Jus' don't tell 'im I said so...

[ not that he cares one way or another, but that's the childish sort of relationship they have when you take away all the complicated feelings. ]

But yeah, we sure do! Known 'im since we were kids! I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him.

[ which is a statement that could be taken two ways, considering they're in hell, but ryouma says it with such genuine fondness that there's no mistake that he means it in the best possible way. ryouma is incapable of discussing izō without radiating his feelings, but he somehow still manages to believe he's subtle. ]

[ Whatever other flaws the man has, you can't argue that Izo isn't good at drinking. Swords and sake, just like she said. Andy makes an amused noise of agreement, shrugging at Ryouma as if to say: What can do you? ]

That's a lot of history. [ Relatively, anyway. It's different for her, but Andy's sense of time isn't a fair basis for comparison. ] Not often you find someone like that. People change over the years. Can't always keep them by your side.

[ The voice of experience, maybe. ]

Yeah, well, can't pretend that didn't happen. [ you ever have one massive regret... ] Sorta messy, all that. Dunno why he puts up with me, but I'll stick around 'til he tells me t' get lost for real.

[ he'll know it when it's real. ]

Not everybody gets a second shot at it though, so I won't waste it.

[ When the sake comes, Andy pours generously. They have at least two bottles to get through, and if they're going to talk about messes, she doesn't want to be entirely sober for it. ]

You're tolerable. [ Wryly: ] More tolerable than most. You don't need to act like you aren't.

[ She's not sure how honest the pleasantries are — or what's hiding underneath that — but she isn't much troubled by that either. They can each be allowed their facades. ]

Besides, that kind of bond doesn't usually break easily.

August 2022 Event

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