A special edition debuts! [text]

[bulletnews]

BUNBUNMARU NEWSPOST, SPECIAL EDITION / 1st special of XXXX

Shoreline Stability Still Holding

The project undertaken last month to reclaim the beaches around Keystone Station from Fissure corruption appears to have been - and still be - a success, despite the editor's initial misgivings about the technology used. Naturally, the current readership at the time of publication will already know this; what follows is largely for the benefit of anyone reading this after it has been archived.

Prior to the completion of the project, simply looking into the ocean could cause the weaker-willed to begin walking to their own deaths by drowning, although no casualties were ever confirmed or even sighted. While this was likely the most obvious and dangerous hazard of the corruption, others existed, including vicious sand-dwelling predators and unseen forces that attempted to grab and drag the unwary over the edge of the cliffs to the north, which is still relatively dangerous on account of being slick and due to its proximity to another corrupted area.

Perhaps most relieving is that the seagulls on the beach no longer attempt to steal everything in sight and are content to only try for light snacks.

Murderous Mystery Machine???

Sometime last month, observers noted a strange disk-like entity moving autonomously and clearly brandishing a knife.

Despite its small size, its apparent durability and skill at the use of weapons should not be underestimated. Please exercise caution if you see it, although no sightings have been recorded or reported for several weeks.

Cultural Notes: Dueling with Spell Cards

One of the more common methods of conflict resolution in Gensokyo is a kind of magical duel using "cards".

There are several reasons for this, although chiefly it allows for battles to be conducted in a way that allows even weaker combatants a chance to win. In addition, it allows youkai to fight and defeat the Hakurei shrine maiden without killing her, which is important as Gensokyo cannot continue to exist without her.

In such a duel, combatants agree to the following terms:

- That attacks for use in these duels are named and written and become Spell Cards.
- That the power of a Spell Card is in its meaning, rather than its force.
- A number of Spell Cards to be used by each combatant.
- That Spell Cards will be declared when used.
- That the first combatant to have all of their Spell Cards beaten is defeated.
- That the defeated combatant that will admit defeat even if they have strength remaining.
- That any human combatants will not be killed as a result of being struck by their opponent's Spell Cards or as part of the terms of the duel as a whole.

Despite the name, a Spell Card does not need to be a magical attack, nor does it need to be conducted by its user's own power. Several high-profile duelists use special equipment such as magic reactors, sealing needles, and talismans, and other duelists use ordinary items such as umbrellas and sweet potatoes in their Spell Cards.

(If you wish to make a submission to the Cultural Notes column, please contact the editor.)

Editor's Note: Why the Special Editions exist

Given that already this many people from multiple realities have been drawn into this one, it seems wise to have records of what we've done here. As such, while it may no longer be distributed on paper, the Bunbunmaru News will continue.

Comments

Text

[stormkingofshepherds]

[Huh, those "spell card rules" seem similar to some aspects of Pokemon battling-or at least how it's meant to be.]

Are there cases of combatants not observing the spell card rules? What happens then?

TEXT; quicksilver80

[photoshooter]

What kinds of things are you looking for re: the cultural notes column? ( ・◇・)？

text; elevencrows

[founderinglight]

Hmm. I might have a few cultural notes for you, if you like. There's enough of us from Eos that a brief history lesson or two might be worthwhile.

[bulletnews]

It almost never happens, but if it does... let's just say the Hakurei shrine maiden doesn't have mercy.

[ Read: "Reimu Pretty Much Destroys Them Outright" (if they're youkai) ]

[bulletnews]

I agree. I'd be interested to know more about that, also... and there's at least two of you from there, so I'd certainly be able to get multiple perspectives on it.

[bulletnews]

The best kinds of submissions would be either so influential to your world that they're inseparable from it or anything weird that wouldn't be especially likely to come up in casual conversation.

[founderinglight]

There's three of us at the moment, though it's a safe bet that I have the broadest historical knowledge, considering everything.

[stormkingofshepherds]

So she's the one who enforces those rules?

[photoshooter]

Oh I see!
So either like the things I have to keep explaining when I meet new people or things that are interesting but nobody would think to ask.
Mmmmmmmmmm, well I guess I know some things that fit the first category. I don't know if I could be real scientific about it tho.

text;

[personalityquarks]

Thank you, I'm sure this will be helpful in the future! I've been doing some of my own record-keeping, of course, but that's primarily on the matter of the Fissures.

How regularly are you planning to publish? If you can give me a schedule, I can keep you up to date on any other announcements we might have, and we can simply condense the two.

[bulletnews]

In large measure. That one about not killing them is partially handled by some effects that are baked into the area by now though, I think...

[I mean, the frailer characters still have to survive Suika punching them, and that means it's time for headcanon.]

[bulletnews]

That's about right, yes. There's no need to be scientific about it though.

[bulletnews]

I wouldn't have very much doubt about that, no. Of course, you wouldn't need to go into anything you don't feel like talking about, and neither would anyone else.

[bulletnews]

I haven't had a regular schedule before that I remember. It's one of the perils of being self-published, though no one's really seemed to mind...

I'll think about it, though!

[photoshooter]

I feel like someone from Eos should probably explain about the daemons. (´-﹏-`；) So ppl know why we're so, like. reactive. It's a really big deal at home.

[stormkingofshepherds]

And how was that caused? Or is that just an effect of everyone willingly following the rules for long enough? [Hey, he's seen weirder.]

[founderinglight]

Oh, no need to worry, there's plenty I can give you without getting into difficult subjects.

[bulletnews]

I honestly have no idea.

[Yukari probably did it.]

[bulletnews]

That does sound like a good idea... between some of your initial reactions and what I was told later, especially.

text; Jetshard

[dubiouslychthonic]

[She's seriously considered just not commenting, but sometimes she's gotta own up to her shit as a fully pupated individual.]

o)+ The knife-wieLding drone has been contained.

o)+ There's no need for anyone to worry about it unLess they're PLanning on rummaging through my quarters.

o)+ Which they shouLdn't be.

[photoshooter]

Did the other guys tell you stuff besides what i said?

[bulletnews]

Mostly just how actually killing them is next-to-impossible and requires some really specific magic.

[bulletnews]

Ah, good!

Wrangling it must have been quite difficult. Thank you.

[...oooor she can completely misinterpret what you said!]

[dubiouslychthonic]

[Yeah ok that works too, whatever.]

o)+ I haven't been abLe to get the knife off, but I've taPed a thick Layer of gauze around the bLade so even if it somehow does get out again it wiLL be more of a nuisance than a hazard.

[photoshooter]

Yeah it's pretty complicated. I guess i can write something up if you're sure it's something u wanna print. （´＿｀）

[stormkingofshepherds]

I suppose there's no one else from your world here to explain, either.

[bulletnews]

Nope.

[stormkingofshepherds]

Still, it's interesting information to have. Perhaps I should do a writeup about Pokemon for your next issue.