jigokulogs | September 2022 Mini Event

September 2022 Mini Event

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While an official announcement hasn't been made yet, it is all but guaranteed that each faction will be sending out forces into the Wasteland to confront Iron Bear for that 100 Billion Bounty. Meanwhile, though...

1. SHUTEN CLAN

Training Day

The street gangs in the area continue to be of note. Normally, this would be a cause for some concern among the Shuten Clan. However, they're good news this time around. The glory of the bounty has caused several of the old gangs to disband and swear up with the Shuten Clan, instead of being a thorn in Toraguma's side. With new recruits, that means it's training day again. Get the new guys into shape by showing them the ropes. Team up among yourselves and instruct these unruly street bros what it means to be a member of the Shuten Clan!

Training day is expected to be rough, but hopefully it's a nice change of pace to be the one barking orders. Initiation rituals can range from hardcore drinking contests, to tests of physical strength, all the way to old reliable: fighting it out. You have a long lead on how creative and demanding you want to be. It's your clan too, after all.

Tools of the Trade

The bounty has just boosted the Shuten Clan's numbers, it has also triggered an increase for demand in weapons and arms. The Shuten's are seeing increased profits in their smuggling business. Sellers are being met with both would-be bounty hunters, and average citizens who are feeling anxious about the state of the world. Currently, Shuten arms shipments are a target to both thieves and the police. They need your protection. Thieves are not necessarily unaffiliated, the other factions would like in on this profit margin.

The Shuten Clan is calling on their lost souls to help transport, protect, and sell weapons. They want you to get these arms into the hands of anyone with the cash. To make your sales, you may want to demonstrate the unique benefits of the different options available. Clients come from all factions, so be on your best behavior to impress, and don't get caught up in a stupid sting operation. The Clan is not interested in losing money bailing you out.

OOC note; Any character outside Shuten can post a top-level trying to obtain Shuten weapons, either purchasing or attempting to steal them. Enma characters can also post top-levels related to this prompt.

2. TAMAMO CLAN

Bottom's Up

The fervor surrounding the bounty and the Wasteland is stressful. The Tamamo Clan specializes in stress relief of all kinds, and they are offering up some new potions just for the occasion. Some of these shady products are little more than placebos, while others might have actual effects. No one can really tell which is which, they all taste the same (read: bad). They might make you feel relaxed, or they might make you even more stressed out. That stress might even end up radiating onto the people around you. Who knows what they'll do, really. It's a dicey option, but maybe the distraction is worth it.

As this is the Tamamo Clan we're talking about, some of these potions will be aphrodisiac in nature. Hey, it's a form of stress relief. Still, the quality and intensity of these potions varies greatly, you don't entirely know what kind of ride you're signing up for.

The big gaps in quality of these potions is due to their rushed creation. Like all the other factions, the Tamamo Clan has other priorities right now as they prepare to head out...

OOC note: This is another "anyone can post a top level related to this prompt" one. We do ask if you're leaning towards the aphro option to properly label your top levels with the appropriate warnings!

Ancient Arts

Even the relaxed Tamamo Clan is feeling the tension in the city. Tenkohime has ordered mandatory weapons drills with the magical weapons in the Clan's armory. She's preparing for war and wants everyone to be at their best. You need to know every tool at your disposal. There are seals, explosives, traps, and more; some stranger than others. Test them on each other and maybe the unsuspecting members of other factions... Just try not to actually kill each other.

Weapons drills will be conducted where lost souls are encouraged to experiment with how different seals will interact with different weapons and abilities. Those who opine that the Tamamo Clan is merely the clan of "fox bitches" will be in a for a rude awakening when all the smiling threats become reality. Tenkohime herself, along with the old fox Kinsei, will be supervising training. Hunter Anna, who works alongside Kinsei in the armory, is also available to share a wealth of knowledge and tips.

They are all watching you with high expectations.

3. SUTOKU ALLIANCE

Jigokucho's Got Talent Part 2

While the last-minute help with filling holes in various clubs bookings was appreciated, a more permanent solution for Moonday's unfortunate hiatus is needed, urgently. One can't just replace the most popular band in the city overnight! It's time to look for Jigokucho's next top performance act to begin in earnest. And that means auditions.

All factions are encouraged to stop by Konoha to audition, but all the acts are judged solely by Alliance swear-ins. Your fate will ultimately come down to whether Sutoku can even tolerate you in their clubs, though. Hope your reputation doesn't precede you. Will you become a hit, or will you get the gong? The only way to find out is to try!

OOC note: Again, this prompt is more or less open to everyone. Sutoku characters are the only ones who can play the part of talent judge.

Running with Wolves

The White Wolves have concerns about the physical fitness of the Sutoku Clan. If we're going to the Wasteland, you need to be able to survive out there! The solution? Exercise drills! Mandatory ones! Yes, this means all you chain-smokers out there. You must pass the White Wolves' extremely high standards. Hope you like push-ups. And sit-ups. And pull-ups. There will also be a lot of running, sprinting, leaping, and other field sports.

Every single Sutoku swear-in is expected to participate. Even if you're an officer. Especially if you're an officer. No excuses will be accepted. And, look: even the Daitengu is participating. They seem to be having fun. You can try to weasel out of it, but good luck. The White Wolves are always vigilant, and they have perfected the disappointed puppy dog face. It will rend your heart in two more effectively than any swipe from their giant swords.

If you are looking for an example of White Wolves' standards, look to your resident junior member: Megumi.

4. DEPARTMENT OF THE ENMA

Friendly Reminder!

Despite the Department's best efforts, the unaffiliated bounty hunters continue to be a problem. There are just too many jerks out there looking for a payday, and the Enma's Department just can't handle them all. They may be the arbiters of law and order in the city, but they can only be in so many places at once. The manpower just isn't there for a full crackdown. But, at some point, inspiration strikes:

A memo circulates among department members instructing them to create several Public Service Announcements to dissuade these miscreants. Come up with creative setting ideas, involve the other members of the Department, and maybe some other factions, too. The best PSAs will receive a small token of the Enma's appreciation: a one-of-a-kind commemorative mug. Show these bounty hunters that their behavior will not be tolerated!

Toys for Good Children

The bounty hunters rounded up thus far have provided the Department with something useful: all of their confiscated gear. Melee weapons, guns, survival tools of all shapes, and a large collection of swords. The big item on the menu is weapons and ammunition, a lot of it. So much so that the storage at Kaigo no Bou is starting to burst at the seams.

Their weapons and tools may prove useful to the Enma...Well, once everyone figures out just what this stuff does. Some of it is your standard weaponry, some of it defies explanation. Sort through the gear and find what's useful, and what isn't. Anything that isn't too dangerous can be sent right back out on the streets. Give it to some thugs as a gift, they'll be grateful and maybe cause problems for the more chaotic factions. It's not your problem once it leaves your hands. And if you happen to get something in return for your generous donation? No one saw a thing.

OOC note; Another prompt where mostly anyone can participate, at least in the "letting the weapons filter back into the streets" aspect. Have your character cut a deal with a Department member to get a cool weapon!

5. ALL FACTIONS - WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE

During the evening news, the anchorwoman is visibly sweating and looking increasingly panicked. She goes on in a trembling voice to say that they have been sent a message from... Iron Bear.

They play the tape...

"I'm disappointed in all of you. You've become fat off of the raven's labor, amassing ill-gotten wealth and resources. I will not stand idly by while what is rightfully mine is disgraced by tainted, swollen fingers. None of this is yours and I will be the one to reclaim it.

But know what is coming next will not be done by us.

When this city is in ashes, it is by my redeeming hand you will rise. Only I will be able to rebuild this world, and restore its glory.

They cannot save you.

We are the holy chosen of this realm, and we know who you are!"

When the tape has concluded, there is a sudden and impactful rumble in Shuten territory. One of their weapon storehouses, namely one that contains plenty of volatile materials, explodes violently. It scatters fire into the nearby streets. Shuten forces will need to rush in to help clear anyone out, but anyone nearby is expected to help. Most of the area is non-residential, so casualties should be minimal, if rescue efforts are quick. But that's just the start of it...

The Iron Bear's words ring true. The bomb couldn't have been planted by his followers, not completely unseen. Someone else planted that bomb. Worse, there are more bombs throughout the city that need to be defused. Time is ticking down quickly, and no one knows whom to trust.

The factions have already begun to sabotage each other. The Iron Bear delivered the first blow of this new war without lifting a finger. Things are looking rough...

Welcome to the mini event!

If you have any questions about event content, please ask them here!
FOR THE PURPOSES OF REWARDS, since all of these prompts tie into the main plot in some way, we will count all qualified threads in this post as 2 point threads!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A]NCIENT ARTS (TAMAMO)

[Found a weapon you like in the treasury? Zelgadis is here at the training area, a sheathed sword at his side. His face is shrouded in white, with just the one eye visible, as usual. That eye seems to be on you, or perhaps on a weapon you're carrying.]

Feel like trying it out?

[He places a hand on his sword hilt.]

Don't worry about holding back. I doubt you can hurt me.

[B]OMB RESPONSE - WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE (OTA)

[The explosion happens while Zelgadis is working his rickshaw driver job, pulling a passenger from Tamamo territory to a destination in Shuten territory. He's dressed in a black uniform with a fox embroidered on the back, his face obscured by a bamboo hat and a scarf pulled over his nose and mouth. Shortly after the blast happens, he's abandoning that rickshaw to run over and see what's happened. (And the passenger? They take off running in the opposite direction, away from the explosion.)

Nearby, the fire and flying debris causes the storefront of a ramen shop to collapse, blocking the doorway. Zelgadis grabs a large piece of debris and lifts it up, using his sturdy stone body to support it while a few trapped patrons flee under the opening he's created. But he doesn't drop the debris just yet. Instead, if he sees someone nearby, he shouts to them.]

Hey!

Someone's still inside here. They're injured.

[He's got his hands full keeping the doorway from collapsing again. Someone else is going to have to run in and pull that last civilian to safety.]

WILD[C]ARD

[Give me a different starter, or hit me up on

pzue, Journal PMs, or Discord DMs to plan something!]

[A reasonable reaction from the passenger. There's no reason to stick around when things are going poorly all at once. He can't think of people who actually want to get injured in a fire or in the debris from the bombing.

Nero runs over when he's called out to, heading directly into the doorway.]

I'll get them, just keep it standing.

[He might have some objects to his name, but none of them are particularly good at steadying things. The beams are too big for him to keep aloft with magic alone. He's grateful somebody can keep it the doorway from collapsing in on them.]

[He sees who it is, and nods.]

Go quickly. There's no telling how quickly the fire's going to spread.

[To his credit, Zelgadis seems to be holding it steady. It's not so effortless as it would be if he were at full strength, but he positions himself to use his body as if it were a pillar.

Inside, a small-statured youkai flails about on the floor, struggling to pull their leg out from under an overturned table.]

[The table isn't on fire, yet, so it's not too bad to move it. He takes advantage of the darkness in here to create a few objects to give him better leverage to lift it up without too much more work from him.

If the youkai can walk off on their own, he'll follow them out. If not, he'll offer to carry them out.

Either way, he's committed to getting them out of here.]

[Zelgadis watches as best he can from where he's standing. Did Nero just do something...? It's hard to make out.

The youkai stands, but struggles to walk on their injured leg, favoring it as they lean on Nero and try to make for the exit.]

[Nero will move with them, shuffling them along at a slightly faster pace than they were going on their own.

The building doesn't seem that sturdy to him. The faster they're out of here, the better for everybody's sake.]

[Once they get through the doorway, Zelgadis waits a few moments to make sure they're in the clear, then lets go, jumping out into the street as the doorway collapses on itself.]

Good work.

[ The youkai really needs medical attention for his leg. That's not something Nero can assist with. ]

You too.

[ He hasn't let go of the rescue just yet, turning towards them with some concern. ]

Do you know where the clinic is?

No, I've never been there...

I have a rickshaw parked nearby. I can provide the wheels if you can give directions.

I've been. It's between Sutoku and Enma territories. Let's get goin'.

[He'll help get the rescue into the rickshaw.]

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hardrocklife - 2022-09-25 21:46 (UTC) - Expand

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perfectdistance - 2022-09-25 22:02 (UTC) - Expand

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hardrocklife - 2022-09-29 05:24 (UTC) - Expand

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perfectdistance - 2022-09-29 05:29 (UTC) - Expand

[He might not be as academic in magic as his friends, but the altered nature of magic is enough to have him frowning at the bottle of ink he requisitioned. He has several papers spread out on a table in his corner of the training area, his spells -- arcane geometries in a steady hand -- inked onto them, alongside seals from the clan itself, as well as explosives.

In fact, when Zelgadis calls to him, Rhea'li raises an eyebrow.

Well, it cannot go as badly as M'zhet Tia.

With no hesitation, he lobs one of the small explosives at Zelgadis. Think fast!]

Wait, not like--

[He regrets this instantly. That's a bomb, isn't it? He has no idea how powerful explosives here are.

In a swift, and only slightly panicked motion, he draws his sword and swings it against the explosive.

It blows up, of course.

...

The good news is that when the smoke clears, Zelgadis is still standing. His hood's been blown back, and his clothes are a bit damaged, but he seems to be mostly unharmed.]

[Oooooh.]

Nice reflexes.

[This is the first time he's gotten a good look at the guy, and it reminds him of au ra, albeit those strange parts do not look quite like scales. Still, he doesn't comment on it, instead holding up one of the seals.

No, he has no idea what it does.]

Are you certain you still wish me to test this on you?

I was hoping more for a sparring match, rather than being someone's target practice...

... What is that?

[He's squinting at it. He was expecting swords, knives, arrows -- explosions, not so much.]

I haven't the faintest idea.

[Said altogether far too cheerfully.]

'Tis a kind of magic, similar in some ways to that I am accustomed to. But if you desire a spar...

[Rhea'li casts his eye over his own spells, arcane geometries drawn on paper too small for further elaboration. Scooping up the spells he is far more familiar with in his left hand, he grins.]

Then let us begin.

[Before he activates the seal of unknown properties, a spray of ice emitting from his right hand.]

Edited 2022-09-25 02:59 (UTC)

So you're a sorcerer...

[As evidenced by the sorcery he's doing right now. Zelgadis dodges to the side, rolling and recovering in an agile, practiced movement. Then he charges forward.]

But can you handle this?

[The sword's still in his hand, and one would think he'd take a swing with it... but instead, once he closes the distance, it's his leg that he lashes out instead, swinging it forward in a heavy kick. Better to start with a test of his reflexes before trying anything more dangerous than that.]

[He expects his sparring partner to be quick on his feet; anyone who travels alone must be, for there is no one to watch their back. Rhea'li is much shorter than his opponent and he's well aware that with both a sword and height to his advantage, Zelgadis can close the distance between them rapidly.

But even without the echo, Rhea'li is quick to react, sidestepping the kick and crouching low to lash out at Zelgadis' grounded foot with his own in an attempt to knock him down.

There are five spell papers clutched on his left hand.]

[So he can dodge and counter. Good. Zelgadis wouldn't want to beat up on someone who can't defend himself.

When Rhea'li kicks his leg, he'll feel his foot connect with hard, solid stone. He does manage to get Zelgadis to stagger back a step, but then he jumps back to recover his stance and open some distance between them again.]

Not bad. But you better not think you're the only magic-user here. [He holds out his hand, palm open.] Flare Arrow!

[A bolt of fire manifests in front of his hand and blasts forth!

...

"Blast" might be a little generous. Its movement is a bit sluggish. In fact, by the time it nears Rhea'li, it's nearly evaporated all on its own.

...

How embarrassing.]

[What the? That felt like he'd just tried to kick a boulder? Zelgadis backing off means he has a moment to shake off that unpleasant feeling in his kicking foot.

Hm. That's a rather large let down after such an enthusiastic declaration. Rhea'li hadn't even bothered to move out of its path when it became clear it wasn't going to do much more than singe a few hairs. He's well aware that there's something affecting his magic; being unable to tap into any of his trances is rather unfortunate considering his lack of grimoire. It seems he's not the only one affected.

Rhea'li grins, lightly mocking -- more to goad Zelgadis than out of genuine mockery -- before pulling one of the spells from his left hand.]

Having some trouble?

[Fingertips touching magicked ink, a topaz carbuncle springs forth! Don't be fooled by its cuteness; it's coming for Zelgadis in a rolling attack!]

[ Haru hadn't been close to the bomb, thankfully, but she had been running back as soon as that explosion went off and she skids to a stop, eyes wide and curls flying when someone else calls out to her. All it takes is a glance and she doesn't even hesitate. ]

Understood!!

[ And she darts past him into the shop. ]

[Oh. There she go.]

Be careful in there.

[It might be dangerous, but it doesn't look like there's time for a discussion. He can only hope that her lack of hesitation is because she knows what she's doing.

Inside, a small-statured youkai flails about on the floor, struggling to pull their leg out from under an overturned table.]

[ She doesn't, but it's a simple enough thing to accomplish. And she can't stand idly by while someone's in danger, so she makes a run for the table and grabs the edge, bracing herself as she slowly manages to lift it up just enough. ]

Can you run??

[The youkai scrambles back while Haru lifts the table, wiggling free and attempting to climb to their feet. "I'll try," they answer, and start limping toward the exit that Zelgadis holds open.]

[ she lets the table drop (carefully), one arm pressed over her mouth to suppress a cough, and then moves to help the youkai back towards the exit. ]

Almost there. You held out wonderfully.

[There's an ominous creak above them, and the ceiling begins to sag. Zelgadis doesn't budge, but there's urgency in his voice as he shouts at them:]

Hurry!

[The youkai gives Haru a grateful look, and with her help, picks up the pace a little, despite their leg.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

September 2022 Mini Event

zelgadis | slayers | tamamo

[A]NCIENT ARTS (TAMAMO)

[B]OMB RESPONSE - WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE (OTA)

WILD[C]ARD

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Zenos voice: A test of your reflexes!

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