jigokufever | April 2022 Test Drive

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April 2022 Test Drive

1. CLEAN UP

The streets of Jigokucho are a mess after the incident at the Night Parade. There is the usual garbage in the streets after any large gathering but the steam explosions from below made everything that much worse: broken glass from blown out windows glitters on the asphalt, splintered wood makes the sidewalks treacherous to walk on, and grime covers buildings that otherwise escaped unscathed. Business owners have called on the faction leaders in their area to help with clean up and that work falls to you. Clean up garbage from the street, repair broken windows, and get the city looking presentable again.

The largest debris was cleared in the immediate aftermath so, thankfully, what remains is manageable on a person-to-person level. As you clean, you will get the impression that communities in every territory are very upset about what happened. The Night Parade was meant to celebrate (relative) peace in Jigokucho, after all.

Civilians will definitely show their gratitude to anyone choosing to help out, regardless of faction, and grant small discounts or favors to everyone lending a hand. Faction leaders have also promised bonuses for those who do the most good for their territory. The Sutoku Alliance is especially grateful, given their current state, and will not only offer a bonus but also free tickets to one of the rooftop amusement parks in their territory.

2. TURF WAR (PLOT RELEVANT)

It's Tamamo vs Shuten and everyone's getting dragged in!

Both clans want the currently unclaimed Underground for their own means and have sent their soldiers beneath the streets to secure the territory in a turf war. Even if you haven't been assigned your faction yet, you can expect either side to recruit you to head into the waterworks to help maintain their hold.

The quarrelsome Shuten Clan is taking the traditional approach to marking their territory, which is to say: direct combat. Shutens are arming everyone they send down into the tunnels with weapons with the expectation that they fight any Tamamo or Tamamo-allied they come across.

The Tamamo are more crafty, setting up traps and illusions to trick the Shuten Clan into getting hopelessly lost or actively injured from traps, such as explosive talismans or barrier seals. Magic and guerilla tactics are their favored methods and no Shuten or Shuten-ally is to be spared.

The Enma are still expected to conduct their patrols Underground but unless you're snooping around in the lowest levels, trying to get into the abandoned offices, or sneak past a keycard locked door they're probably going to leave you alone. That is unless they feel inclined to get in on the action, of course!

The River Kappa Tribe, part of the Sutoku Alliance, who once worked in the Underground, can be spotted sneaking around the sewers. Most of them are just trying to find anything that got left behind during the incident on the Night Parade. Sutoku allies are encouraged to help them out where they can and convince them that neither the Shuten nor Tamamo clan will have their best interest at heart, if they should take the territory.

3. COLLECTION DAY

Despite the on-going turbulence, collections go on.

Accountants for each faction have alerted leadership to the fact that it's that time of the month again. Most people pay their loans on time to avoid trouble but there are always a few stubborn holdouts who think they can get away with not paying up. It's up to you to go shake them down for the cash they owe.

Shuten Clan members are again assigned to the Celestial Phoenix Casino. It seems the owner learned nothing from the shakedown in March and has once again hired unaffiliated muscle in an attempt to weasel out of paying what is owed. The security is as armed and violent as last time but this time they have body armor. Beat them down and get the cash from the manager.

Tamamo Clan members are told to go to the Young Peach to extract payment. It is an older but still popular massage parlor in the area. The manager will do everything in their power not to pay! They may ask for an extension, offer cash bribes, or even offer a generous amount of free ‘services'. If those methods don't work, he suddenly transforms into a quick little animal to escape. Don't let that rat get away!

Sutoku Alliance members get sent to the hottest new nightclub, Enigma. If you go in expecting a fight, that's just what you get... but not in the traditional sense. The manager has hired numerous teenagers and 20-somethings to challenge everyone who comes in looking for payment to a dance battle! There is no dissuading them from their mission. If you get through them all, the manager will demand a final dance battle against themself. Teaming up is probably in your best interest against this veteran.

The Department of the Enma members will be investigating the Waxy Taxi cab company. Those who come searching for the owner of this business will find them waiting in a taxi. If you ask for payment, you'll be given a set of keys before she floors it and screeches off into the streets. The keys go to a nearby cab. You have to race her before she'll give up the goods. Don't know how to drive? Better find a buddy who does.

4. FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT

There are an awful lot of rabbits showing up in one of the public parks. They are each small, white, red-eyed and look like they might be escaped pets. They seem friendly enough. They don't run away in fear if you walk near them, however, if you do try to catch one it will hop away from you. It stops and looks back, as if beckoning you to follow it.

Most of the rabbits will not take you anywhere you particularly want to be: seedy little corners of the city where nothing good seems to be going down. You will get a lot of strange looks from the people around you, as you get the distinct impression you are definitely not supposed to be here. If you wanted to secure some black market goods, these seem like the folks that could provide for you. For a price, of course.

But if you stop to shop, you might lose track of the rabbit!

Following the rabbit beyond these seedy little alleyways will eventually take you to the banks of the Sanzu where there are four large and extremely intimidating isonade. They're a little bit different from your usual isonade, they're mutated and have arms and legs – extremely beefy arms and legs.

It seems like the rabbits wanted to show you what they were doing but by the time you get there the rabbit has skittered off and left you under the isonade's gaze. Whatever the sharks were up to, it's too hard to tell now. The isonades are angry and you're the target of their wrath. You've obviously interrupted something!

Be careful not to get dragged under the water, or worse. They sure do have a lot of teeth...

5. THE DAITENGU'S FUNERAL (PLOT RELEVANT)

The time has come for the funeral of the Daitengu.

All factions have gathered at the Tengu Temple grounds, dressed in black. The mood is dark but not unhopeful. Despite the war over territory in the sewers, Lost Souls might be surprised to note that the Shuten and Tamamo representatives are being exceptionally cordial and respectful to one another, even if they're keeping their distance. You will get the impression that a funeral is a particularly sacred form of ceasefire between the factions. Any disrespect shown here could blow into an all out war at any moment. For now, it remains oddly peaceful.

The only person conspicuous in their absence is the Enma and any of his high-ranking officers. This isn't surprising to the locals in attendance. The Enma never attends this kind of thing. It's actually a little taboo for the cops to be here.

When the time comes, all guests are expected to bow as the funeral procession makes its way past the gate towards the main temple. It proceeds to the shrine set up in honor of the Alliance's fallen leader. The Tengu Elders and the White Wolf Guard are the primary members of the procession, flanking a humbly dressed group of unknown individuals. Each of them wears silver hair similar to the Daitengu's. One could easily assume they are the direct family.

But wait! Didn't you see someone that looked like that earlier? A strange, lithe person with a light voice that was pestering you for where the food was? Then again, given everything that's happened, you're not sure you can trust your own memory. Everyone is unusual here, aren't they? Maybe?

That's what you think until you hear that voice again. It's speaking clearly over the crowd. You can't remember what their face looked like, so it's difficult to pinpoint them. It doesn't matter much now: they've decided to put on a certain mask

"You know, it's a shame, I was really hoping the big red guy would be here! The least he could do after paying for all of this was show up himself, right?"

That's definitely the voice you heard. It's the Daitengu, laughing as they pop out from the crowd and snatch up the box of their own 'ashes'. They're tossing it around in their hands like a toy. Everyone is too shocked to do anything about it. They just stare, slack-jawed in disbelief.

"The things you do to get the Enma's attention and he won't even give you the time of day. Am I right? Well, I definitely want you all to pay them your respects for arranging this! As for me, and well..."

They gesture to the box.

"...the other me, we're going to be leaving early to beat the traffic. Enjoy the rest of the funeral!"

And with that, a wild burst of furious wind shifts beneath the Daitengu's feet, kicking up enough dust to cloud their position. When it settles, it reveals nothing in their wake. They're gone.

Chaos erupts immediately. Whatever peace there was between the Tamamo and the Shuten clans breaks into fist fights and shouting. The Sutoku get involved as well, as each faction demands answers from the others. What is going on and how is the Daitengu still alive?! Who knew they were alive, who was hiding this from whom?!

Hope you don't mind getting blood on your nice, clean funeral clothes.

Welcome to the test drive meme!

Threads here can be considered game canon.
Characters can be recruited to do work for any faction until they're given their official assignment.
If you have any questions about the TDM content, please ask them here! You can find a player-posted summary the plot thus far here!
If you have questions about the game itself, please check out the premise, FAQ, and rules pages.
Reserves are open until May 5th.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

clean up

Pay no attention to the man with the metal arm cleaning up the debris. It really shouldn't be that big of a deal; it isn't even working properly, not even for the parts that would help him with the clean up. It's annoying but he's dealt with worse.

Especially since they keep giving him free food, free drinks... some of them are offering favors but he puts those away in the pile with other things that don't matter because they're not happening right now and who knows if tomorrow will come for any of them. Or if they'll remember it tomorrow. He knows people.

He won't ignore you if you talk to him, but don't expect much discussion. Guts isn't here to make friends, after all.

turf war

How he ended up running protection for a group of kappa haunting through the sewers is a much less interesting story than it sounds, but that's where he is. They gave him a sword, even if it isn't... what he'd prefer. They've told him there might be some repairs for his arm in it, once they get everything straightened out.

He's not counting on it. Instead, he's listening for splashing that doesn't match up with the people he's watching and occasionally glancing at his sword as if he could make it grow through sheer act of will. Given his life? Less of a strange idea than one might think.

If you want to approach the party, though? Best you do it sloooowly.

collection day

This isn't his thing.

Given the fact that he's new, he was sent with another member of the Shuten clan on this collection run. Someone smart wouldn't try to order him around, though he certainly can take orders. Someone smarter would have mentioned that they're not trying to kill the security goons who have no business being here.

...someone should probably stop him. Before he finishes anyone.

wildcard

[wherever or whatever you can think of!]

[ Izō can actually pull rank here. He's smaller, but who cares? His attitude is larger than both of them as he gets up in Guts' face. ]

Hey, chill th' fuck out! We ain't tryin' t' kill 'em, dumbass!

[ What?

Annnnd he pauses, right in the middle of punching the man again, blood still wet on his knuckles. He, at least, had not been using the metal arm.

Mostly because he's still not able to close it properly.

That arm is hooked into the guy's clothing, holding him up so that the fist could come smashing into his face. Now that he doesn't have the momentum, he uses both hands to put the guy down. Then he turns to look at Izō, raising an eyebrow.

There. Good?

The guy can have all the attitude he wants. No skin off his nose. Guts is going to just wait until he gets a response before he moves again. ]

Well, he ain't dead... [ And that's the important part. Izō is -- was -- an assassin by trade. Death isn't upsetting to him. It's more that he doesn't want to get in trouble because some new guy is going too hard. ] Yer new, ain't ya? No one clued ya in on what we're doing?

[ He tilts his head, since being 'new' at anything is a bit of a novelty. But he'll nod after a moment. ]

Apparently not.

[ He was told there was a rival group and to get the money from the man paying them. Generally, he's used to cutting his way through to get to the guy on top. Without his sword...

He tips his chin down, as if to invite him to explain. ]

[ Well, at least he's willing to listen. Izō sighs. ]

We come here to put th' fear'a god into these guys an' make 'em pay. Rough 'em up, but don't fuckin' kill 'em. If we kill 'em, we ain't gonna get our cash and might get some law types up our ass.

Get it now?

[ There's an eyebrow raise, because if that was the case, it should have been more clearly specified. But he's enough of a professional that he's not going to say that out loud. Better to let the guy bluster and he'll nod along. No skin off his nose as long as things got cleared up before anything went wrong. Or anything that couldn't get fixed went wrong. No plan lasts after first contact, after all. ]

Got it. Anything else?

[ Izō seems surprised by Guts' lack of push back. He's so used to it happening that he's quiet for a bit longer than necessary. ]

...Nah. [ A beat and then he looks at the other goons, who look like they've pissed their collective pants at the sight of the violence exacted on their comrade. ] Might'a been too much, but it got th' job done.

[ Yae is an adult — she knows perfectly when someone is trying to have their privacy for their own and it definitely doesn't take a genius to figure out that it's what Guts trying to do, and she can respect that.

That being said though, some things need to be said, especially when the man seems to be new in Jigoku-cho because after all, his appearance is straight giveaway. Slowly, she trots over closer to Guts though she makes sure to keep considerable distance just in case. ]

My, thank you for the good work. You should take a breather, sir knight. Don't want the tokens of goodwill to go to waste, do we?

[ He considers ignoring her, because he's certainly not a knight so clearly she's got the wrong person. But after a moment, he turns to look over at her. There's a long moment where he considers his answer, looks around, and then looks back at her before he speaks. ]

I'm fine.

[ The use of that phrase by him is almost always a lie, but right this moment, he actually looks all right. He'll pause a moment before deciding to yes, address that. ]

I'm not a knight.

[ He's not? Oh well, perhaps her image of a knight has been skewed to a degree after reading too much variety of them. That's on her. ]

My apologize then, any specific name I should address you if that's not too impolite of me? I'm Yae.

[ A small pause as she makes a somewhat dry chuckle. ]

'Welcome to hell', if you haven't heard them enough from everyone else.

Guts.

[ Honestly, he'd be fine with 'hey you' or 'big guy' or 'that swordsman'. But 'knight' rubs up on some old wounds.

The welcome gets a wry curl to his lip and a raise of an eyebrow in her direction. It softens into something only gently teasing. ]

Are you responsible for welcoming people?

[ What? It sounded rehearsed. ]

[ Well, now that the casual introduction's out of the way and he realizes that this is hell, time to spice things up. Just like always. ]

Rarely with words, no. More often with my voluptuous body - Would require us a bed or two first though.

[ Yeah, she can't materializes her tails as easily compared to how it'd be in her own world, but she's still a foxgirl to her core. Not that Guts will not be familiar with it soon enough cos there's practically a whole clan like her. ]

[ The thing of it is that he's been used to living in a world that's a lot more like hell than the one that most people have to deal with. So being in hell?

A lot less bloody so far than he's used to. And much less bloody than he would have expected.

He doesn't seem particularly interested in her curves, mostly because of the practical concerns. Namely?]

I don't have the coin for that kind of welcome. But good luck finding someone who does.

[ He's not trying to be cruel or insulting. He's trying to save her time. ]

What if, instead, he didn't ignore the person with the metal arm and, though a few feet away for comfort of stranger sake, stood directly in front of them for just a few moments. Clad in black pants and a red hoodie up over his hair, Shoto has been watching from the sanctity of his own clean up not so far away. He's gauging what exactly he should do here, or if anything, because he's known enough people and been enough places to know that not everyone wants help. The hero somewhere in him tells him he needs to and instead he should help until he's asked not to.

Most of the pieces aren't huge, which is great, but even he can use the hand. Like flesh hand not metal hand. "Can I trouble you to help me with this piece?" Favours or not, Shoto isn't interested in the drinks, dinners or other offers either. He just wants to do his job and go to whatever this place thinks should be home at the end of the day. If that means doubling up, at least he can use that excuse if things get iffy.

He looks up from what he'd been doing, which was sifting through debris for usable supplies, and pushes himself up from the crouch he'd been in to stand. He doesn't ask what the help is, but the offer to follow is clear enough.

"Where do you want to move it?"

If anything, Shoto has been there too. Not to that particular place, but in the manifest of having to scavenge or needing to for any one reason or another. It's something he makes note of and says nothing about. "Just the larger pieces up against the wall. The big chunks look like they're moved, but not so much for the ones I don't think I have the strength for."

He sure does have the strength for it. Sure enough that there's a larger-ish piece not far away that Shoto leads them to while he speaks and takes his part on one side, waiting for the other man to take their side.

This is simple enough; he goes to his side and he starts lifting, but just high enough to be able to 'walk' it over to the wall. No sense wasting strength. By the time the first one is leaning against a wall, he's already eyeing the next closest one.

"We sure this won't mess with the wall?"

Enough heavy stone in an unstable spot...

[Well, the good news is he was pretty explicitly told not to cause trouble, especially as he's still in the process of getting sorted out. In the mean time, he's doing grunt work for the Enma.]

[Guts might be able to hear patrolling footsteps coming around the corner before the blonde-haired man runs face first into the group.

While there's an instinctual knee-jerk reaction to reach onto his back for something that isn't there - a sword sits in a scabbard on his hip - he stops, both realizing what he'd be grabbing isn't there, and that the group seems much less predisposed to causing trouble than he might assume at first glance.]

...What're you doing down here? There's a lot of fighting going on, if you hadn't noticed. You should get topside if you don't have any business Underground. [He's folding his arms - it's in some ways less accusatory than just a halt, state your business but perhaps a bit more in other ways.]

Edited 2022-04-26 03:17 (UTC)

[ He saw that reach. Funny enough, he was doing the same damn thing, as much as it helped either of them. His hand settles at the sword at his hip, but he doesn't draw it. He doesn't have to; if he's going to use it, he can work the draw into the attack.

He picks up on the 'halt, state your business' vibe and decides to lean into that. ]

We're just passing through. We'll be out of your hair soon enough.

[ It comes out a little dismissive, an edge of 'I don't respect your authority' he can't entirely hide. But the rest of what he says is perfectly reasonable. ]

[Cloud gets it, and, were he not also new in town, he might be willing to challenge that - but he's being told to help out and not cause any problems that might mess up his paperwork.]

Right. [It's dismissive in a similar way. Though perhaps it's more of a 'look, buddy, I'm just doing my job' that Guts might be willing to pick up on.]

Where are you going? I don't want to get in trouble for you getting ambushed and me being the last person that saw you.

[It's still coming off with a slight edge of authority, but there's also an undeniably mercenary aspect shining through - he sticks to your group, both jobs get done, he at least has something good to put on whatever report they make him do. ]

Then tell me where to go to avoid the ambushes.

[ He's not too keen to tell anyone where he's going, or where he's taking his refugees. In his experience, it never goes well. He'll take intel, though: intel he can test at the first chance he gets and he'll determine how good it is from there. ]

They don't give us the whole scoop - I'm pretty new in town, so they're only giving me what I needed to know.

[He can tell this guy plays hardball. He folds his arms, not exactly trying to be unpassable but definitely trying to gauge the man.]

...The main thing you want to watch out for is the lower levels - the fighting is worse the lower you go. I've also heard the Tamamo have set traps - explosives, so if you're trying to use the Underground to get across town, you need to be careful you aren't triggering anything of theirs.

Recruits aren't being posted that far down, so I can't tell you how to avoid the traps, I barely know myself. I'd expect more veteran officers to bug you if you're heading to the lowest levels.

[He folds his arms. Waiting for the man to judge his intel.]

[ He glances back at people he's escorting, looking to them for guidance. They look back at him, scared and wary, and he sighs a little as he scratches one ear and considers the problem at hand. ]

I'm new in town too. But they didn't give either us what we needed.

[ What he concludes is- ]

I can handle fighting. You do whatever you have to. We're going to head this way.

[ He points. ]

Welcome packet pretty scarce everywhere, huh?

[He looks at the way Guts is pointing. He doesn't need a map to know it's on the edges of his patrol route. But they haven't exactly given him much to do in this chunk of the underground.]

...I'll come with until you get to the edge of my route. Rather not make enemies of the big players while I'm this fresh in town. [He hrmphs.] I don't exactly have a lot going on here - but I'd be in hot water if I didn't at least do my job, too.

[He folds his arms. He's at least made up his mind he's going to dog Guts until he has a reason not to.]

Seem fair?

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aswordsoheavy - 2022-05-02 19:31 (UTC) - Expand

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identitycrisiscore - 2022-05-09 08:14 (UTC) - Expand

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April 2022 Test Drive

Guts | Berserk

collection day

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Clean up

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Cleanup

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turf war

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