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

[NONCHALANT AF, SMILING:]

Weapons. What do you favor?

[He looks Nero over, as though honestly trying to size up what he might use. He's too smart to not know how to defend himself, so... knife, maybe? Surely not a gun. Sannan's tolerance for guns has grown, but... No.]

[There is a man very dear to his heart that uses a gun, but Nero doesn't use firearms.

The straightforward answer is confusing enough that Nero just answers honestly.]

Uh. Knives. [Butter knives, but he has one he relies on.]

[Knives. Easy enough. Sannan begins to sort through a few of the items, picking them up and weighing them, deciding...]

Admittedly, I acquired these through... certain means. And perhaps they weren't intended to be absconded with in quite this way. However, I'm eager to see the people I've befriended arm themselves, so I didn't really care what they wanted me to do with them.

[Down to two, he looks back to Nero, then selects one and unwraps it. It's not too long, not too intimidating. It's lightweight, easy to hide on the body, and easy to use lethally even without excessive strength. Perfect.

He'll just hand it over.]

It's a terrible gift when I put it that way, isn't it?

[Well.

This feels a little more stolen than it should be, but it might be handy to just have an actual knife on him instead of the magical copies he relies on.

He supposes today he'll learn the extent of what counts as a gift, if it's already been stolen but not by him.

Nero tests out the knife, the weight of it in his hands. It feels solid and reliable.]

A stolen gift is still a gift.

[Said like a true thief.]

I hope it suits you, and yet I also hope you never have to use it.

[That seems to make Sannan look a tiny bit relieved. He's been relaxed this entire time, but something in the set of his shoulders changes. He packs the other weapons back into the case carefully.]

I'd be disappointed if something happened to my favorite chef.

[A slow sigh.] Seems like things are really comin' to a head, right? Between the boar guy and the bounty.

[There is every chance he's going to need this in the coming days.]

[Sannan nods.]

Unfortunately. It's... not promising, and being allied with the Enma I see things from a less than optimistic perspective more often than not.

I dunno if anybody's seeing any of this in an optimistic light. I'm expecting chaos sooner than later.

As am I. We're definitely not heading toward peace and quiet.

[Bitterly:] You know, I've had my fill of squabbling in life. I wish they'd let me catch my breath.

[Nero had enough of it too. There's a reason he settled down somewhere far from the territory fights in the North.]

... If only it turned out like that.

If only.

[They continue to sound equally tired.]

But enough about that. How has business been?

It's been doing really well, all things considered.

[He's carved out a very specific niche for himself, thank you.]

Were you looking for a meal now? Or are you busy gifting people?

I'm glad to hear it. I've been sending people your way.

[Sannan's niche involves swords and sarcasm usually, but he's actually quite the good guy.]

I have some time, but I know you're not open right now, so please don't go out of your way for me.

Thanks for your business.

[And he really is grateful. It's nice to have a steady stream.]

I'm already here, if you want somethin' simple like an omelet.

[It may not be breakfast time, but breakfast has many delicious meals.]

[Sannan smiles and nods politely.]

I won't turn it down. I don't think I've eaten since yesterday. The Department keeps us busy.

[He takes a step back and opens the door wider for Sannan to come in, walking over to the kitchen. Washing his hands and pulling out the ingredients for a delicious spinach and ham omelet.]

You really should be eatin' something, even if they've got you working.

[He takes a seat in view of the kitchen, setting his weapon case aside.]

I know that, but please tell it to my stomach.

[When he's spread this thin, it's blood he craves, and he's still trying self-denial on that front as much as possible. Food is an afterthought, albeit a necessary one.]

Hah, not much I can do but talk directly to the man. Talking to some people's stomachs would make things easier.

[It's a fast meal, hardly taking longer than fifteen minutes. He even gets two lovely slices of sourdough bread, baked early this morning.]

Have you tried appealing directly to the stomach? If you haven't tried, don't cry defeat.

[Joking.

Sannan only eats this well when he's visiting with Nero, so this is a delight.]

As usual, I owe you my life.

[He laughs it off.]

I dunno if you can call it that drastic.

If I were to pass out on the job, you wouldn't say that.

[Joking, joking.]

Then enjoy your meal and do your best to stay standing.

[It's plated in front of him, and for being such a simple meal it does look and smell incredible.]

[He'd give a little sarcastic salute if he was the saluting type.]

It looks wonderful.

[And he's digging in but like, politely and carefully, savoring it with gratitude.]

So, have you added anything to the menu since you opened here?

I've been doing three appetizers, three mains, and three desserts every month. Some of them have changed around, but customers are always welcome to ask for their favorites.

I might have to make a selfish request sometime, then. Make something from my time period at home. If you think you can...

[Don't let him overtax you Nero...

Yes that's a challenge.]

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