Heaven's BBS | Text

[misterfrumpyface]

Posted: May 22nd
From: Erk



[All right, he's had several days to figure out how to use this "phone" thing. Time to finally try it out.]

Forgive a new arrival for asking a question that has probably been asked many times in the past, but your advice would be appreciated.

What must I learn in order to become a capable shinki? Where should I begin?

Comments

From: Shuusei Kagari

[latentforlife]

I'm new to but I was told we're supposed to fight monsters, so learning how to fight is good. Also I hear we have magic and there are classes for that we can go to.

[misterfrumpyface]

I believe I may already know how to fight. I arrived here with a weapon.

The magic we seem to possess isn't of a type I understand, though. Do you have more information about these classes?

from: Cho Hakkai

[reformedsinner]

That depends on what your god wants of you as a shinki!

I see Shuusei has already recommended magic classes. Kazuma, Bishamon's lead shinki, teaches them.

[misterfrumpyface]

My understanding is that we're to help answer prayers and fight ayakashi. Is there more to it than that?

Kazuma. Thank you, I'll look into that.

From: Kairi

[pure_radiantics]

Oh hi, I'm interested in this too! If you find a class to join, I'd love to practice with you!

[reformedsinner]

"Answering prayers" may be different for each god.

But besides that, our gods seem to have different expectations. May I ask who yours is?

[misterfrumpyface]

Yukio Okumura. Or Satan.

Yes, it makes sense that different gods will have different areas of specialization. But in what way do their expectations differ? Are you not expected to help?

[misterfrumpyface]

I've been informed that someone named Kazuma teaches classes.

...If you want. I suppose having someone to practice with couldn't hurt. Did you also just arrive?

[reformedsinner]

Since our gods were, mostly, living people as well, they all have very different perspectives on the role of a shinki. I'd recommend talking to Yukio about it, rather than the rest of us!

[pure_radiantics]

I did! Only a few days ago, really. I'm over at Artemis's temple.

Oh but I met Lady Bishamon! She's really nice.

[misterfrumpyface]

My aim is to learn from shinki more experienced in the role than myself. I'll speak to my god as well, but I would like to gather as much information as I can, which means seeking more than just one source. This seemed the most efficient way to go about it.

[misterfrumpyface]

It's the same for me. It's been almost a week.

That's good to know. I hope she doesn't mind newcomers imposing on her shinki's time.

[reformedsinner]

That's a very sensible plan!

But the problem with it is that a shinki's primary role is to support our god and serve as a source of moral guidance. Every god will require a different kind of support, and some certainly need more moral guidance than others.

The most important requirement is to understand your god's needs and expectations.

[It's not hypocrisy. Really, it's not: it's a lesson learned the hard way, which is very different.]

[misterfrumpyface]

Moral guidance?

[reformedsinner]

According to the older gods, shinki, being mortal souls, help to teach the gods a mortal's perspective on right and wrong.

Our gods are also mostly mortal souls, which makes that less of a concern.

[misterfrumpyface]

I see. I'm afraid I'm not yet clear on all the details, but this has to do with "blight", doesn't it? When a shinki does wrong, they do harm to their god?

[reformedsinner]

Yes. If you feel guilt, your god will be hurt, and you'll both be marked with blight.

Incidentally, a shinki who has caused blight will not feel any pain. You'll have to check for a mark to know if you've hurt your god. Blight looks like a purple stain.

[misterfrumpyface]

I have no intention of compromising my morals, but that's good to know regardless.

Is it curable?

[reformedsinner]

I've heard that being very good at self-justification is an important shinki skill, too!

Yes, blight can be washed away. First you have to expiate the guilt, and then the mark will disappear when bathed in water from a shrine.

[pure_radiantics]

We could always call her and ask? I asked her if it was okay to contact her again and she said it was fine!

[misterfrumpyface]

I suppose it would be. But doesn't that mean that a shinki with no moral standards would never blight their god? If they never feel guilt for their actions...

[misterfrumpyface]

Call her?

[He is not yet familiar with phone-related lingo and is envisioning just standing outside and... calling her. How would that even work.]

[reformedsinner]

That's correct. An overactive conscience can be a problem.

[misterfrumpyface]

But an underactive conscience would make for a very poor guide. We're expected to walk a fine line, it seems.

[reformedsinner]

Well, focus on not stinging your god, to begin with.

Unless, of course, your god happens to need to be corrected.