For the most part, there isn't much prep for this location-but it IS a unique one, so the Ringmaster does at least cover what's important; namely that the patrons this time are conducting a bit of a trade, which involves them chilling out on the 'Celestial Royal Family's' boat.
For the most part, the Performance Week will thus be spent on the ship known as 'The Ark of Yamato', what with everyone entertaining the Princess and her entourage-during the off week however they'll be docking at the Celestial Capital to take part in the Parade of Demons!
...And naturally, preparing for it is going to be nowhere near as easy as it sounds.
SETTING↴
If any characters have had fairy tales of gods and spirits who live in the 'heavens', this might strike a familiar chord. The land of the Celestials takes the idea of the cosmos and slams it into a more mystical plane, as the Carnival enters a world where the Milky Way really is a river of stars, with various distant constellation beasts making their way across the sky. On day ___ the Carnival will be exiting onto a sort of bridge that's been fashioned between themselves, and a great alien-seeming boat known as 'The Ark of Yamato' (no relation to the boat that got all those Celestials in Okami killed)- where they're to entertain the Celestial Princess and her Entourage. The Ark has a number of facilities that the Princess will in turn be offering up to her entertainers-most of them 'standard' rooms that allow pleasant viewing of the sea of stars, as well as tea rooms, rooms for combat training...there are even small row-boats linked to the ship itself, which can be borrowed to get a closer look at the seas.
Until they reach the Celestial Plain, much of the ship's surroundings will speak of a bizarre mix between Heian-era Japan and various elements of 'magitech'-this means that while auto-opening doors may be a thing, it's going to be futons on tatami for those who take the Princess up on her offer of a room, along with heated kotatsu tables and appropriately prepared cusine. Which you'll be cooking yourself. Sorry! Outside the ship, it's easier to put to words; the river of the milky way resembles a swirling torrent of white and glittery dust, and various creatures of almost identical hue can occasionally be seen cutting through the waters. Some might even recognize these as constellations from their world-there's a lot of cosmic representation in this place.
When the ship DOES dock at the Celestial Plain, things will be more clearly 'Japanese' in their aesthetic. Set beneath a permanent sunset, there are towering pagoda-like buildings with strings and strings of paper lanterns hung between. The entire city will be decked out for the upcoming parade-and aside from various parade participants preparing their own supplies, characters will find numerous stands selling things like pin-wheels, wooden charms, puppets, and...Whatever this stuff is.
PATRONS↴
► YOUKAI: Youkai, or 'Demons', are far from anything connected to the demons found in hell. If anything they're more akin to nature spirits; many of them resemble animals, while others simply arose from objects that took in enough life energy to gain sapience. Essentially you could call them the collective results of spiritual scraps. Naturally, that means they come in all shapes and sizes, organic, in-organic, and anything in between!
One thing they all have in common though-they love a good laugh. While most are content to get their kicks out of the Carnival shows and games, don't be surprised if Security has to chase one or two off the stage for trying to 'join in'. It seems the only ones with a fair amount of self restraint are those serving Kaguya directly-she has little tolerance for this tom-foolery.
► Princess Kaguya: Daughter of the Yokai Royal Family, or 'Celestials' as they prefer, Kaguya is a kind, if not rather naive princess who will insist absolutely that whatever you desire, she can get it done! (Which RM no doubt finds laughable) Regardless of how true those words are, she's the one the Carnival is supposed to be entertaining...depite her being curtained behind a palanquin for most of the trek. Veiled or not, she'll be eager to answer any questions characters have about the 'majesty' of the Celestial realm, quickly brushing aside any issues with the idea of it being some imp's idea of a joke.
DANGERS↴
► THE EYES HAVE IT: Unfortunately, 'some imp's idea of a joke' is going to be creating a lot of hassle during this trek, and Kaguya is only going to catch on near the end of the ship-ride. As part of her own personal thanks for enteraining herself and her fellows, Kaguya will be presenting various characters with masks-which she claims have been personalized to each one. Unfortunately, she can't actually see from behind that ridiculous palanquin veil of hers, which means she also won't see when those imps she may have mentioned tamper with said masks.
What should (and following their arrival at the Celestial Plain, will) be a mundane if not beautiful mask will instead cause a bit of a literal mix up. In addition to each mask being delivered to the wrong person in most cases, those who place the masks on will find themselves somehow 'overshadowed' by the intended owner.
This 'overshadowing' will vary in intensity-some might only see or hear what the other is. Others might find their emotions superimposed by someone else's, or even end up with their opinions swayed by that someone else's existing ideals! The overlap can even grow intense enough that mask-wearers will end up with a startling out-of-body experience as they seem to 'join' their match in their body.
Over all, no one should be getting too hurt, but it's definitely making performances interesting! (Further details can be found under 'Rewards')
► THE SEA OF STARS: Ever wanted to swim in a whole sea of stars? Well, you can, but it's not really recommended. The sea isn't really meant for swimming in-at all-it's as vicious as the most rapid falls on a human planet, and it'll threaten to steal even the most powerful swimmer away. Don't be fooled by the kappa you might see poking their heads out; they were made for this. Those who end up swept away will actually be brought BACK by one of those things in fact-so enjoy being rescued by buff turtles.
► ASTERISMS: Residing in the sea itself-or the sky, or the....Not Sky (it's hard to tell while on the Milky Way, to be frank), various creatures of innumerable shape and size cane be seen in and out from the stars. Mostly pale or even translucent, they all have brilliant 'stars' within their bodies-which many will be able to match to constellations! Unfortunately, just as people might spy the adorably small 'Flying Fish', they're just as likely to see the massive 'Hydra', or 'Great Bear'. Or a giant triangle might just spear your boat- not all constellations are animals after all!
► ONI: Remember those Imps from the ship? Meet their bigger, grouchier cousins. Once the Ark of Yamato has reached the Celestial Plain, a log for the Parade of Demons will go up-featuring these guys. Much like the Imps, they largely exist to cause utter mayhem, delighting in doing whatever they can to make everyone else's float suck (and more importantly, make theirs Better). There might be a bit of a tussle, before the backlash from irritated Carnival members spooks them off enough that everyone can enjoy the parade, festival, and fireworks.
REWARDS↴
► OBLIGATORY WEIRD JAPANESE MERCH: Given that the parade is an enormous event for the Youkai and Celestials, numerous stalls hawking their wares will be around once the Ark of Yamato has docked. Much of these stalls have standard festival goods-come get your masks, if you weren't sick of those things already! Or just get some local clothes, parasols, lots of food and candy...
Notably, there's a lot of games in a similar vein to those on the Carnival Grounds-but instead of enchanted prizes, it's mostly bizarre, Almost-Useless inventions. For today only, these games are free to play too! So...enjoy whatever That Thing is, if you win it.
► FISH: A game more unique to the celbrations involves catching tiny celestial fish with a paper-net; these fish are small, and unique in that they don't actually require much of anything to live...just regular moonlight, in accordance to the day-night cycle. Successfully catching these little guys in the net makes you their new owner, so enjoy your free 'friend'! (The fishbowls are included, decorations Are Not.)
► (NON)-MAGICAL MASKS: As part of Kaguya's offer on the ship, various characters will be presented with masks-however, as noted above, these masks are going to initially be tampered with. Kaguya herself will catch wind of things through her more composed assistants and swiftly remove the charms from each mask by the end of the Performance week, and allow those interested the chance to claim the again mundane masks for themselves-but before that time their magic will be running amok.
As for how that happens in the first place, there will be an RNG sign-up located below for those who wish to be randomly paired with another character for a 'Mask Mix Up' (players are free to plot between themselves for pre-determined matches as well). When the official event log is released, rolls will be completed so that no one is left waiting.
ICly what is happening is that each 'match' involves a mask recipient, and an intended wearer. The recipient will be receiving various influences from the wearer whenever they have the mask in contact with their skin-and in some cases might even be unable to remove the mask if it's been placed on their face! Once the mask has been returned to its intended wearer, the magic will be banished from it with or without Kaguya's involvment, allowing players to wrap up such things as quickly as they like.
When it comes to how a recipient can be influenced by a wearer however, there are a number of options-all of these are focused around the idea of synchronizing with the other, or 'overlaying' one's presence. Examples include:
Experiencing the phyiscal sensations of the other, smelling the tea they are brewing perhaps, or feeling the fatigue of a long training session.
Experiencing the emotional sensations of the other, crying their tears, or being unable to stop smiling due to someone's cheer.
Feeling particularly strongly about certain actions or objects, due to the desires of the other- ie: craving cookies when one would ordinarily avoid sweets
Having the feeling of someone whispering for you to avoid something, due to the other's experiences with that thing
Hearing the other's active thoughts in your character's mind
Being so 'connected' to the other, that it feels the character is no longer even in their own body, but instead accompanying that other person
With such a varying scale, players are open to stick with just one manifestation of the mask's magic, or even gradiate the effects according to whether or not the mask is necessarily on someone's face. Either way, when the Imp's magic is removed, the masks will revert to a more customized state so that players can still choose 'their own' masks for each character.
► SAGE ADVICE: On a more mundane note, the youkai attending to Kaguya will be openly presenting themselves as scholars-while they certainly can't help you with matters specific to the Fae and related nonsense, they can provide some assistance with magic, if one needs an IC excuse for that shiny new spell.
CHANGES↴
Since Youkai aren't especially far off from the Fae when it comes to aesthetic, no one has to look any different for this visit. However, changes of the Common and Uncommon variety are both quite likely, especially if characters were taking trips out into the Milky Way, or caught up in the mask nonsense; in the case of the latter, changes can be related to the representation of the mask.
Other changes, along the lines of any who decide to try some magic alongside Kaguya's aides, could happen just from participating in the Parade of Demons; there's a lot of magic in the air, and a LOT of tricky youkai trying to be funny.
The Ark of Yamato/Night Parade of 1000 Demons
For the most part, there isn't much prep for this location-but it IS a unique one, so the Ringmaster does at least cover what's important; namely that the patrons this time are conducting a bit of a trade, which involves them chilling out on the 'Celestial Royal Family's' boat.
For the most part, the Performance Week will thus be spent on the ship known as 'The Ark of Yamato', what with everyone entertaining the Princess and her entourage-during the off week however they'll be docking at the Celestial Capital to take part in the Parade of Demons!
...And naturally, preparing for it is going to be nowhere near as easy as it sounds.
SETTING↴
If any characters have had fairy tales of gods and spirits who live in the 'heavens', this might strike a familiar chord. The land of the Celestials takes the idea of the cosmos and slams it into a more mystical plane, as the Carnival enters a world where the Milky Way really is a river of stars, with various distant constellation beasts making their way across the sky. On day ___ the Carnival will be exiting onto a sort of bridge that's been fashioned between themselves, and a great alien-seeming boat known as 'The Ark of Yamato' (no relation to the boat that got all those Celestials in Okami killed)- where they're to entertain the Celestial Princess and her Entourage. The Ark has a number of facilities that the Princess will in turn be offering up to her entertainers-most of them 'standard' rooms that allow pleasant viewing of the sea of stars, as well as tea rooms, rooms for combat training...there are even small row-boats linked to the ship itself, which can be borrowed to get a closer look at the seas.
Until they reach the Celestial Plain, much of the ship's surroundings will speak of a bizarre mix between Heian-era Japan and various elements of 'magitech'-this means that while auto-opening doors may be a thing, it's going to be futons on tatami for those who take the Princess up on her offer of a room, along with heated kotatsu tables and appropriately prepared cusine. Which you'll be cooking yourself. Sorry! Outside the ship, it's easier to put to words; the river of the milky way resembles a swirling torrent of white and glittery dust, and various creatures of almost identical hue can occasionally be seen cutting through the waters. Some might even recognize these as constellations from their world-there's a lot of cosmic representation in this place.
When the ship DOES dock at the Celestial Plain, things will be more clearly 'Japanese' in their aesthetic. Set beneath a permanent sunset, there are towering pagoda-like buildings with strings and strings of paper lanterns hung between. The entire city will be decked out for the upcoming parade-and aside from various parade participants preparing their own supplies, characters will find numerous stands selling things like pin-wheels, wooden charms, puppets, and...Whatever this stuff is.
PATRONS↴
► YOUKAI: Youkai, or 'Demons', are far from anything connected to the demons found in hell. If anything they're more akin to nature spirits; many of them resemble animals, while others simply arose from objects that took in enough life energy to gain sapience. Essentially you could call them the collective results of spiritual scraps. Naturally, that means they come in all shapes and sizes, organic, in-organic, and anything in between!
One thing they all have in common though-they love a good laugh. While most are content to get their kicks out of the Carnival shows and games, don't be surprised if Security has to chase one or two off the stage for trying to 'join in'. It seems the only ones with a fair amount of self restraint are those serving Kaguya directly-she has little tolerance for this tom-foolery.
► Princess Kaguya: Daughter of the Yokai Royal Family, or 'Celestials' as they prefer, Kaguya is a kind, if not rather naive princess who will insist absolutely that whatever you desire, she can get it done! (Which RM no doubt finds laughable) Regardless of how true those words are, she's the one the Carnival is supposed to be entertaining...depite her being curtained behind a palanquin for most of the trek. Veiled or not, she'll be eager to answer any questions characters have about the 'majesty' of the Celestial realm, quickly brushing aside any issues with the idea of it being some imp's idea of a joke.
DANGERS↴
► THE EYES HAVE IT: Unfortunately, 'some imp's idea of a joke' is going to be creating a lot of hassle during this trek, and Kaguya is only going to catch on near the end of the ship-ride. As part of her own personal thanks for enteraining herself and her fellows, Kaguya will be presenting various characters with masks-which she claims have been personalized to each one. Unfortunately, she can't actually see from behind that ridiculous palanquin veil of hers, which means she also won't see when those imps she may have mentioned tamper with said masks.
What should (and following their arrival at the Celestial Plain, will) be a mundane if not beautiful mask will instead cause a bit of a literal mix up. In addition to each mask being delivered to the wrong person in most cases, those who place the masks on will find themselves somehow 'overshadowed' by the intended owner.
This 'overshadowing' will vary in intensity-some might only see or hear what the other is. Others might find their emotions superimposed by someone else's, or even end up with their opinions swayed by that someone else's existing ideals! The overlap can even grow intense enough that mask-wearers will end up with a startling out-of-body experience as they seem to 'join' their match in their body.
Over all, no one should be getting too hurt, but it's definitely making performances interesting! (Further details can be found under 'Rewards')
► THE SEA OF STARS: Ever wanted to swim in a whole sea of stars? Well, you can, but it's not really recommended. The sea isn't really meant for swimming in-at all-it's as vicious as the most rapid falls on a human planet, and it'll threaten to steal even the most powerful swimmer away. Don't be fooled by the kappa you might see poking their heads out; they were made for this. Those who end up swept away will actually be brought BACK by one of those things in fact-so enjoy being rescued by buff turtles.
► ASTERISMS: Residing in the sea itself-or the sky, or the....Not Sky (it's hard to tell while on the Milky Way, to be frank), various creatures of innumerable shape and size cane be seen in and out from the stars. Mostly pale or even translucent, they all have brilliant 'stars' within their bodies-which many will be able to match to constellations! Unfortunately, just as people might spy the adorably small 'Flying Fish', they're just as likely to see the massive 'Hydra', or 'Great Bear'. Or a giant triangle might just spear your boat- not all constellations are animals after all!
► ONI: Remember those Imps from the ship? Meet their bigger, grouchier cousins. Once the Ark of Yamato has reached the Celestial Plain, a log for the Parade of Demons will go up-featuring these guys. Much like the Imps, they largely exist to cause utter mayhem, delighting in doing whatever they can to make everyone else's float suck (and more importantly, make theirs Better). There might be a bit of a tussle, before the backlash from irritated Carnival members spooks them off enough that everyone can enjoy the parade, festival, and fireworks.
REWARDS↴
► OBLIGATORY WEIRD JAPANESE MERCH: Given that the parade is an enormous event for the Youkai and Celestials, numerous stalls hawking their wares will be around once the Ark of Yamato has docked. Much of these stalls have standard festival goods-come get your masks, if you weren't sick of those things already! Or just get some local clothes, parasols, lots of food and candy...
Notably, there's a lot of games in a similar vein to those on the Carnival Grounds-but instead of enchanted prizes, it's mostly bizarre, Almost-Useless inventions. For today only, these games are free to play too! So...enjoy whatever That Thing is, if you win it.
► FISH: A game more unique to the celbrations involves catching tiny celestial fish with a paper-net; these fish are small, and unique in that they don't actually require much of anything to live...just regular moonlight, in accordance to the day-night cycle. Successfully catching these little guys in the net makes you their new owner, so enjoy your free 'friend'! (The fishbowls are included, decorations Are Not.)
► (NON)-MAGICAL MASKS: As part of Kaguya's offer on the ship, various characters will be presented with masks-however, as noted above, these masks are going to initially be tampered with. Kaguya herself will catch wind of things through her more composed assistants and swiftly remove the charms from each mask by the end of the Performance week, and allow those interested the chance to claim the again mundane masks for themselves-but before that time their magic will be running amok.
As for how that happens in the first place, there will be an RNG sign-up located below for those who wish to be randomly paired with another character for a 'Mask Mix Up' (players are free to plot between themselves for pre-determined matches as well). When the official event log is released, rolls will be completed so that no one is left waiting.
ICly what is happening is that each 'match' involves a mask recipient, and an intended wearer. The recipient will be receiving various influences from the wearer whenever they have the mask in contact with their skin-and in some cases might even be unable to remove the mask if it's been placed on their face! Once the mask has been returned to its intended wearer, the magic will be banished from it with or without Kaguya's involvment, allowing players to wrap up such things as quickly as they like.
When it comes to how a recipient can be influenced by a wearer however, there are a number of options-all of these are focused around the idea of synchronizing with the other, or 'overlaying' one's presence. Examples include:
With such a varying scale, players are open to stick with just one manifestation of the mask's magic, or even gradiate the effects according to whether or not the mask is necessarily on someone's face. Either way, when the Imp's magic is removed, the masks will revert to a more customized state so that players can still choose 'their own' masks for each character.
► SAGE ADVICE: On a more mundane note, the youkai attending to Kaguya will be openly presenting themselves as scholars-while they certainly can't help you with matters specific to the Fae and related nonsense, they can provide some assistance with magic, if one needs an IC excuse for that shiny new spell.
CHANGES↴
Since Youkai aren't especially far off from the Fae when it comes to aesthetic, no one has to look any different for this visit. However, changes of the Common and Uncommon variety are both quite likely, especially if characters were taking trips out into the Milky Way, or caught up in the mask nonsense; in the case of the latter, changes can be related to the representation of the mask.
Other changes, along the lines of any who decide to try some magic alongside Kaguya's aides, could happen just from participating in the Parade of Demons; there's a lot of magic in the air, and a LOT of tricky youkai trying to be funny.