September 2022 Mini Event

[jigokumods]

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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.

Comments

[brokebitchmountain]

[ Ah, well, he should've expected the other to ask about this at some point. Given everything that they've been through thus far, it's really not so strange for him to get curious and Zhongli has been putting it off. He takes another few sips of his tea before setting his cup down again and crossing his arms over his chest. ]

I am...was what was known as an archon in my world. A god of sorts handed a specific power after the great Archon War, which was to weed out the weak against the strong. As you can imagine back then I had my fair share of fights and struggles, adapting to life after such a tumultuous time was...difficult for me considering that I was a war god in a sense. [ He pauses here though, his tone sadden as his amber eyes look elsewhere for a brief moment. ]

I learned through the help of others how to acclimate and slowly understand humans, their wants, desires, and things of that nature. I founded Liyue 3,700 years ago and was its protector and god for much of it. I went by the name of Morax back then, but since retiring I am now the man you see before you, known only as Zhongli. I apologize for not telling you as I...did not want whatever we have together to be disrupted by this knowledge. But it's not fair to keep such a thing from you who has only been open and eager to share their past with me.

[ He's not sure how the other may react but he wouldn't be surprised if things ended up going south now that he's divulged his true nature. ]

[threateningly]

[He listens carefully, taking it in. It's ridiculous to Sannan that he's managed to fall for a former god, but none of the rest of it fazes him. He knew he was up against someone who'd lived a long life, who had experiences that made him able to understand even the most abstract concerns.]

There's no need to apologize. I'm sure there's someone out there who would try to use you, or hold the information against you... Or perhaps worse, put you on an unnecessary pedestal.

[Zhongli clearly doesn't mind not being put on that pedestal. He's treated Sannan as nothing but an equal, and Sannan is so much less than in certain ways that it's almost laughable.]

I'm not even entirely surprised. This also doesn't change how I see you, or how I feel. I might be terribly curious to hear thousands of years of stories, but other than that... You're just you, to me. You accepted me as I am, and I've never had any intention of doing anything but the same for you.

[Now it's Sannan's turn to divert his eyes.]

My curiosity always takes its toll on others. I'm sorry for asking you to speak of something difficult.

[brokebitchmountain]

[ Though it's hard to tell that Zhongli's expression does brighten considerably at Sannan's response. There's a smile touching his lips and eyes as he hums a little, moving closer to the other only to take a seat near him. ] I never have considered you the type of man to do any of those things. Perhaps that's why I was more than comfortable telling you such a secret. But I thank you regardless because it's only made my choice all the clearer.

[ He says with an amused tone as he takes another sip of his tea. ] And there's no need to apologize since it was my choice, in the end, to divulge it to you. I should perhaps be grateful to you. For allowing me to get it off my chest and perhaps I won't be so...secretive of what I am in the future.

[threateningly]

[He looks back to Zhongli as the man takes a seat beside him.]

Even if you are, I wouldn't blame you for it. I'm probably too free with telling others of my condition, even though it's not widely discussed. I show the symptoms, so I felt it was necessary to explain.

[He wouldn't force Zhongli to divulge anything to anyone, and he would gladly maim anyone who tried to. Thinking about that actually makes him bristle a bit internally, so he pushes the protectiveness from his mind as soon as it enters. A god doesn't need him.]

Somehow I knew something was odd, though I might blame that on the... well, your blood. It's different. At least, it feels different. The supernaturally aligned... You've all been quite different from mere humans. So sometimes I feel I know you're special.

[A beat. And he makes an idiotic decision. He slides a hand over, and settles the tips of his curved fingers on Zhongli's arm.]

I happen to think you're unique for more than just that, of course.

[brokebitchmountain]

The circumstances of your condition are a bit different as they affect your livelihood. I'm glad you've discussed them with me, given the severity of your symptoms upon our first meeting.

[ Zhongli does hum at that. So he can through his blood as well, huh? ]

You are not the first to tell me that. [ Zhongli blinks before giving Sannan a smile as he lightly grabs the other man's hand and brings it to his lips in a feathery light kiss. ]

I am much the same with regard to you, Sannan. You are more than what you seem and that is what I enjoy about your company.