TRAVEL LOG #3

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: cult-like symbols and implications, abduction.

▶ 001. TARGU MURES AIRPORT.

In the early morning of the 1st, Outsiders will receive a message in their oculars.

"Oh, seriously? You’re putting this on my plate now when I have so much to do? Tch … Outsiders currently caring for Imugi eggs, bring them to the medical bay. I’ll take over for now. Captain Yamakawa needs everyone to report to the hangar right away. There’s been a distress call from a distant land and we’re noticing some strange readings. We need you to go investigate this.

…Put some catnip on my plate, Alex. It’ll be a long night."

True enough, a SPECIAL ALERT will blare through the implants shortly after, asking those who would be willing to help with a distress call to head to the hangar. The reward will be an additional bonus pay, as this seems to be different from detecting a kaiju. There, they will see a familiar sight: the LILITH SKY CRUISER, a spacecraft capable of carrying 80 passengers. There is little time for seat assignments, so seating will be on a first come, first serve basis (hopefully you don’t get the middle seat!) and the flight will last about 10 hours. Just like any aircraft, Outsiders may stand up and walk around once the seatbelt signs turn off. There is inflight entertainment consisting of AI movies or virtual reality games (see TRAVEL LOG #2). Characters with inhuman features are required to wear their cloaking devices.

The plane will touch down at Targu Mures Airport, Transylvania, Romania, which appears to be abandoned and desolate. There isn’t a living soul to be found.

"Most of the country was destroyed decades ago, so there shouldn’t be anyone still living here. Yet, these readings ….. And we can’t ignore that call for help. We’ll need to investigate further. My Angels, go the rest of the way on foot..."

There isn’t a data portal in Romania, and there’s just no way to transport the number of cars needed for over 60 people via plane. Let’s hope you managed to get proper rest on the way here, because the hike will take about 5-6 hours through the dense forest, with the Captain feeding directions through the ocular based on where the kaiju readings are most pronounced.

All teams will be traveling together along a treacherous terrain which will include both harmful flora & fauna. Outsiders can expect to come across brown bears, wolves, European lynx, golden jackal & wild boars. Although the forest is dense, these animals are scarce to come by, but they can appear, especially when the hike takes place at dusk and into the night.

In this time of the year, hay fever is a common occurrence in these forests. Those sensitive to pollen may be sneezing and feeling fatigue through this hike. There will be steep hills, slippery ground and eerie sounds of the night to serenade the Outsiders. It doesn't help that the further they travel, the thicker a dark fog gathers around them, making the surroundings difficult to make out. Everyone will be provided with flashlights, but those with abilities to see in the dark or cast their own light will be encouraged to lead small groups. Everyone is going in the same general direction, but giving each other some space might be helpful. There will be no time to rest, no matter how tired Outsiders may be.

Just when it feels like they might need to trek through the forest forever—is that smoke coming from a fire up ahead?

▶ 002. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.

Wander further through the bushes, and behold, it does appear to be smoke—but not from any natural fire. It’s coming from a chimney! The Outsiders will stumble upon the historic region of Brașov, known for its Gothic architecture and medieval towns. Romania has been classified as a desolate region for a very long time, and as far as LILITH is concerned, this city should be completely destroyed and abandoned. Yet, there is smoke coming from the chimneys, fresh laundry hanging on lines and the faint chatter of children playing. There are very clearly people living here, and this has LILITH completely dumbfounded.

"So it’s true … The resilience of humanity cannot be understated. I’ll need to report this to the Commander right away. My Angels, embark on the town. We need to find the source of this distress call and investigate these kaiju readings. I know we’ve had setbacks recently, but I’ve always had my faith in you."

One thing Outsiders will notice when they step into the town is how it appears to be lost in time. The date is still 2278 as far as anyone knows, but there’s no sign of any modern technology—no computers, telephones, or any sign of electricity or plumbing. Each and every house looks like it could have been plucked right out of the 1700s, and there even appear to be horse-drawn carriages parked along the pavements.

The townspeople themselves also look plucked out of time, with the women donning petticoats and aprons, and the men sporting waistcoats and riding boots. They welcome the Outsiders with warmth, delight, and over-the-top hospitality; more than happy to show the visitors around Brasov on their carriages. With how rarely they meet anyone from outside the village, the children are full of curiosity, following the Outsiders around and poking at their technology while bombarding them with questions, such as where did you come from? Do you know how to play any games? What do you like to eat?

Outsiders will be presented with food, clean clothing, and a room to stay at the village inns (2-3 people per room). They are free to roam and explore the village, where they will find taverns, fresh food markets, shops, inns, and a church dedicated to the village god.

One notable aspect of the town is the fact that they appear to have fresh, non-lab grown food. The vegetables taste fresher and are vibrant in color. The meat tastes much richer than it would back in Neo Tokyo. This is owed to the fact that the people of Brasov actually tend to their own farmlands, a lost practice in these times. Venture a little out of the city and you’ll find it: acres of farmland, growing wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, grapes and sunflowers. They even have livestock!

The people of Brasov are more than happy to answer questions about their town and way of living. Outsiders who go around gathering information from the villagers will learn the following:

• Why is the land so fertile? This is all owed to their benevolent village god, the Lord of the Forest. No one goes hungry because their god takes care of them. Observant Outsiders will see a common symbol plastered around town: a canine skull.
• There was a distress call. Is everyone okay? The townspeople would respond in confusion and assure the Outsiders that nothing is out of the ordinary. They have been living peacefully for centuries and it’s because their god protects them. They don’t seem to know anything about what’s going on outside their town and the word ‘kaiju’ is lost on them.
• Who is the Lord of the Forest? The townspeople will sing his praises, telling the Outsiders about how he has been providing for and protecting their town for many years.
• Where is the Lord of the Forest? He lives in the forest and mountains that surround the village. Sure enough, if the Outsiders look around, they will see they are completely surrounded by foggy forest and mountains as far as the eye can see.
• Can they go into the forest? The villagers will look worried. While the Lord of the Forest keeps them safe, the forest is still filled with dangerous creatures. Also, the thick fog and trees makes it easy to get lost. Only the most skilled hunters venture out to catch prey like deer and bears. Characters who venture into the woods will get turned around and lost but will eventually find their way back to the village, to which others will reply it is the lord's guidance that brought them back to safety.

Outsiders can do as they please. The villagers are very friendly and will try to accommodate them however possible. There seems to be very little crime in the town and the people look happy. LILITH has been quiet for some time now. Maybe this is a great opportunity to have a well-deserved break? How can you not when the people are so kind and the food looks and tastes so delicious? In fact, the longer that Outsiders stay here, the more some of them may begin to feel like they belong here.

▶ 003. BONFIRE FEAST.

On the night of the 7th, the villagers will knock on doors inviting everyone to a bonfire party! It’s just about time to harvest their crops so food is abundant. They can’t think of any better way to use it than to prepare a feast. The bonfire will be held in the council square. Tables and benches have been set up and an impressive spread of fresh food is laid out for everyone to enjoy. Outsiders can enjoy bread, cheese, fresh pork, stew, roasted chicken, seasonal vegetables and free flowing alcohol. There are live musicians on the scene as well, playing merry tunes on their instruments. Some of the villagers have even started dancing around the bonfire and they’re pulling people in to join them! At the center of the table, a canine skull is placed, and the villagers give thanks to their god before partaking in the food.

Nothing seems out of the ordinary … Full and content, everyone will feel tired and want to retire for the night. Characters that do not need to sleep will also feel tired.

Night passes, and daybreak comes. Outsiders might notice that their numbers have dwindled; certain people have gone missing and are nowhere to be found. There won’t be a trace of the captured Outsiders aside from their belongings that they may have left behind.

The villagers do not seem bothered and everything seems normal in the village. Asking the villagers about these disappearances will result in no answers—they claim to have no clue as to the missing Outsiders' whereabouts. It also won’t be possible to contact them, or even LILITH for that matter. It is almost like communications have been cut off completely and their implants receive weak reception.

Observant characters may notice that a heavy fog has descended upon the village overnight and though it gets better during the day, it never lets up.

Captured Outsiders are as followed:

Aventurine
Choso
Dan Heng
Denji
Ereshkigal
Hiyori Iki
Kabru
Kaga
Lucy/Kaede
Maki Zenin
Makima
Malkuth
Loop
Nanami Kento
Rover
Sampo Koski
Taryon Darrington
Wriothesley
Yzak Jule
Zagreus

▶ 004. THE CHOSEN (KIDNAPPEES ONLY).

A separate log for KIDNAPPEES ONLY can be found HERE.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third travel log!

There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may sit wherever they choose. Inhuman-looking characters will need to wear their cloaking devices so as to not alarm the people of the town. A separate log has been prepared for kidnappees only. An additional prompt will go up for non-captured characters before the kaiju fight. The scheduling will depend on actions in the captive log. We will announce it on plurk.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. TARGU MURES AIRPORT: There has been a distress signal. Characters caring for eggs must leave their eggs with Dr. Spim and report to the hangar to board their flight. The Outsiders will touch down in Targu Mures Airport, and will need to hike the rest of the way through the forest.

2. BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA: Romania was thought to be a desolate country but one village seems to be thriving. The town of Brasov has historic, medieval architecture and the people seem plucked out of the 1700s. They are friendly, welcoming and curious, having never seen technology like what the Outsiders have. Outsiders are provided free lodgings, fresh clothing, food and water. The villagers raise their own livestock and grow their own food, which is unheard of in these times. They don't know anything about a distress call. All around the village, the symbol of a canine skull can be found. This is the Lord of the Forest, the god of this village whom the villagers worship.

3. BONFIRE FEAST: The villagers invite the Outsiders to a bonfire party where fresh food is abundant. After a night of merrymaking, they find that certain Outsiders have disappeared from their numbers and nobody seems to know what happened to them.

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Comments

Closed to Wolfwood.

[curingidiocy]

[ In hindsight, he should have foreseen the jump from animal sacrifice to human sacrifice in advance. Set and Tezcatlipoca were both gods who did not shy away from death, and because of their divinity, their unique mindsets would allow them to contemplate methods that regular humans would ordinarily balk at.

The two gods had been among the few he'd checked on last, knowing they'd be able to handle themselves regardless of what was going on in the situation. It's something he regrets now, as he'd caught the pair in the middle of preparing the ritual with a villager that was purported to have gone missing earlier today.

Worse, when he went to protest and prevent the gods from proceeding, another Outsider had flown in to defend the gods. It was someone he wasn't familiar with—a new face that must have arrived last month. This Outsider was, of course, skilled at combat and soundly captured Ratio. Hence, he was now laying on the floor, hands tied and said Outsider sitting on his back to prevent him from moving while the gods went about their task. It didn't stop him from wiggling, though the bruises and cuts he obtained during the fight smarted with every movement he made. ]

Release me! We cannot let them proceed!

[eyeofmyass]

[He's not proud of himself for subduing another one of the otherworlders, and he really did try to hold back, but well, he's not exactly experienced with holding back. He seems just fine though, still protesting and squirming underneath him. The strap from his cross worked as handcuffs in a bind, but it does leave the wrapping around his cross a little loose, a little exposed, metallic silver and greenish hue making it obvious it's no wooden cross. Not that anybody is busy looking at those details.]

Sorry.

[And he is. The kind of person that would fight for a life regardless of who it is means he's a good guy. Like Vash. Which is exactly why he had to slip out without his friend knowing. He can already hear the anger, the accusatory 'you don't get to choose who lives and dies'. But there's something people like this refuse to see, something that's better left to those with enough blood on their hands that a few more drops won't hurt. Shame the guy has to witness it at all, but there's no time to drag him away. If this works and that thing comes back, they need to be ready to fight it.]

There's too many lives on the line to sit around and wait for it to come back on it's own.

[For the greater good wouldn't work on Vash, and he's making an assumption it's not going to settle this guy either, but he's trying? Or maybe he's just reminding himself of why he's sitting on the sidelines instead of helping the villager.]

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio isn't as good as Wolfwood makes him out to be. Yes, he detests unnecessary deaths and has generally vowed not to harm others when it can be avoided, but the main reason he's against this is simply—they've jumped to human sacrifice too quickly.

Given what they know—that it likely wasn't soporific agents that sent them all to sleep the night of the disappearances, that kaiju are more than capable of long-distance brainwashing without the need for any sort of contact, that they had been lured here for by a distress call and that animal sacrifice seemed to draw some attention from the town's 'Lord', he thinks it's all too early to attempt to provoke said Lord. ]

We know nothing about that creature yet! If the townspeople are under its protection, killing one of them will draw its ire! To conclude that that would draw it out of hiding is too great a leap of logic for me to condone! This plan will not work.

[ He's certain it will fail. Something will come about as a result, yes, but it won't be the one they want. ]

[eyeofmyass]

[It's true, they don't know enough. Whatever is out there doesn't want to be seen, that much is obvious. He knows the shit that happened from the animal sacrifices was a warning. They're pissing it off here, there's no arguing that point. Will it be enough to get it to show itself? Who the hell knows.]

Maybe not. But you think a couple of gods are the only ones getting antsy? You think fear ain't gonna make people turn against these villagers anyway? At least their violence has a goal in mind. And if it works and this god shows himself, everyone will have a proper target to attack.

[His gaze falls to the villager they've chosen before it falls away.]

Plus, look at the damn guy. He doesn't have a thought in that whole head of his that wasn't put there by their god. He's not living anyway. Maybe this will be mercy to him.

[curingidiocy]

That is not for you to decide.

[ Oh how he detests people assuming they know best for another because of a lack of intelligence. And even worse that this villager was being influenced by the kaiju. They hadn't had a chance to live properly. He feels pity for the townspeople, though he knows he cannot prioritize them over their missing comrades. But the statement offends him anyway, as pointless as the offense is. ]

Violence may be unavoidable, but death does not need to be! The cost of this ritual is far too great for what little confidence we have in it achieving our desires. Moreover, I am of the opinion that this will worsen our circumstances.

[eyeofmyass]

Then who's is it? Cus they're not capable of making that decision. So who gets to make it? The one usin' em? The one that's gonna hold them hostage while they figure out if they can fix their damn brain? If you knew anything about it, you'd know sometimes swift and final is the nicest thing you can do for them.

[Lack of intelligence has jack all to do with it. But growing up watching people around him turned into monsters, losing their own minds in the process, that definitely does. He managed to give his best friend one glimpse of sanity and the first thing his friend did with it was put a bullet in his own head. This might be a rock meets unmovable object moment. But he didn't reach it out of any sense of superiority. He means it when he calls it a mercy.]

You think you're gonna argue with a couple of gods that their own beliefs are wrong? [He might not be as much experienced in that regard, but he's pretty sure they wouldn't appreciate being told that their own rituals were wrong.] They're gonna do it either way, so might as well stick around and help with whatever trouble they stir up.

[He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it, like he's not casually pinning someone to the ground.]

Want one?

[curingidiocy]

It's not for you to decide whether their death is a mercy. If you must kill them, do not try to disguise it as an act of benevolence.

[ It's not so much the killing that Ratio has a problem with, but the framing. He's not so rigid as to say murder is murder in every scenario, but in this particular case, he thinks it disrespectful to assume it's a mercy to the villagers, and an avoidance of responsibility on the murderers' part. The truth is, the gods are killing the villager purely for their own gain. Ratio knows it, Tezcatlipoca knows it, Set knows it. They wouldn't beat around the bush pretending they were doing any good for the villager, and Ratio—well, perhaps it's respect for the gods that makes him want to correct Wolfwood's perspective. ]

This is not a matter of belief! This is about the consequences that we can infer based on the information we have!

[ This is infuriating. Surely they could see that a creature capable of forcing them all into deep sleep remotely could force something similar to the sand worm's brainwashing should they catch its attention, right? There's no way this ends in anything but a disaster. ]

You can keep those cancerous sticks to yourself.

[eyeofmyass]

Cancerous...[Muttered like he's never heard the word in his life. But at least he knows a 'no' when he hears it, so he tucks them back into his pocket with a shrug.]

Just seemed like you needed to calm down a bit.

[He's tense, but he's right. It's easier to believe there's some kind of mercy involved, but that probably wasn't the reason they picked this person. It was always about the sacrifice, about luring the god out. But wasn't that ultimately why they were sent here? A distress signal. A Kaiju. And since nothing else here seems monstrous-]

Yeah, yeah. We've been hit by those consequences once. Lured him out with an animal sacrifice and he popped up in the fog. But the point is it showed up. When the bastard shows up this time, maybe we can end it before it takes more people or hurts the ones it already got.

[curingidiocy]

[ Wolfwood can figure out for himself what it means once they get back to base. The Internet exists, after all. ]

I am perfectly calm, so release me.

[ He doubts he'll be let go, but it's worth a shot. With this man interfering, it's unlikely he'll succeed at any attempt to stop the sacrifice, so he won't continue. There's a part of him that wants to see what'll happen as well, but—

He must acknowledge, deep in his heart, that he's not putting his all into rescuing the villager. He wants to see the taken Outsiders—Aventurine—safe and sound more than he cares for the villager's life. His protest is only performative. And it sickens him, that he can be so selfish at a time like this. He's truly no better than anyone else. ]

If it shows up. I do not think it will.

[ That much he still believes is likely, and it's his only defense against this ritual, and against his own selfishness. ]

[eyeofmyass]

Yeah?

[He's not exactly a fan of holding anyone down, but he didn't think it'd be good for anybody to interrupt a couple of gods that think a sacrifice is some sort of gift. But if he's not going to run, then it'd be better if he was free. If this bastard god, or Kaiju, or whatever it is comes up, it'd be better if they were all capable of fighting-or running.

So he doesn't deny him that, undoing the loop of leather around Ratio's arms.]

Don't go doing anything stupid.

[He says as two people sacrifice a villager to a god that's already fucked with their heads once for trying to call him.

He climbs off of him then, standing up and fixing the strap back to his cross.]

It showed up for an animal, pretty sure they'll get it's attention with a person. If you don't wanna see it, [the Lord of the forest, or the sacrifice itself] you should leave.

[He wouldn't be here if he was sure it would be pointless.]

[curingidiocy]

[ Surprisingly, Wolfwood lets him go. Perhaps he has confidence in his own abilities, because they are not familiar enough with each other for the man to trust Ratio at his word. He has no intention to fight, however. He is more than aware that against someone who soundly defeated him once, trying again would be a futile endeavor.

(That's a lie, he could change his tactics and catch the man by surprise, all Ratio needed was just a short moment and then he could attack Set and Tezca to distract them—

But he won't because he wants to believe this will help them find Aventurine faster—

The villagers are too suspicious to be truly innocent. It's justified. (It's not, you know you're just being selfish.))

He gets off the ground and brushes away all the dirt that accumulated on his outfit when he took a tumble. ]

I am hardly the one you should be saying that to.

[ This isn't about morals, this is about reasonable hypotheses. It's not going to work out the way they desire. He crosses his arms, staring at the gods as they work. ]

I will stay. Should the ritual go wrong, someone must bear witness and determine how best to handle the consequences.

[eyeofmyass]

[He snickers around the cigarette in his mouth. It's probably true. They're all doing stupid shit here. But that just means they definitely don't need any more to pile it up.

But it's obvious the guy isn't planning on charging the gods at least, so he relaxes, resting against the giant cross he has propped against the wall. A brow arches, surprised anybody wants to willingly take on any responsibility for consequences.]

That so? Awfully mature of ya. [Leader-esque even, maybe. Honestly, he hasn't seen any sort of organization over the outsiders other than the orders that come through their ocular sets. Seems kind of stupid to have no commander on the ground, or some central person to share Intel with. Or maybe there is and he's just too new to know it. In the end it doesn't matter, he's not the type to step into a role like that.

At least they don't have to stand by too much longer since it seems the gods are going in for the kill. Sounds he'd never want on repeat, a clawed hand, a beating heart outside a chest. It's fast and contained, but he still can't help but grimace and turn his gaze somewhere else for a moment.]

[curingidiocy]

[ It almost sounds like a mockery, but Ratio ignores the conclusion his mind instantly jumps to. It's hardly productive to assume Wolfwood has some sort of dislike for him when by all means, he appears to be reasonable, putting aside the fact that he agrees with the gods. ]

It hardly has to do with maturity. I simply do not wish to see people injured because of their stupidity.

[ He is not a leader. He can head research teams, certainly, but he does not desire to be in the spotlight. He much rather prefers to be a supporter; someone on the sidelines who can make the true protagonist shine. In this story of a broken planet's war against gigantic creatures, he is most certainly not the star of the show.

Unlike Wolfwood, Ratio watches every moment of the ritual. It turns his stomach, to see such a killing. It's not dispassionate, but there is intention. It's almost like an autopsy, the way the heart is carefully clawed out of the man's chest. He watches the man's face, the fear and the pain etched into that visage during his last moments, and clenches his fist, allowing his nails to dig into the meat of his palm.

What good of a person is he, to stand by and watch a person by killed for a ritual? It's in moments like these where he can't help but loathe himself. ]

I hope, for everyone's sake, that I am proven wrong.

[eyeofmyass]

[It's easier to watch Ratio than the gods, so that's what he does. He's not all that interested in the ritual so much as the bastard they're trying to call forth.]

Ya know, stupid people don't learn their lesson if they don't get hurt from doing stupid shit.

[Like getting burned after touching a hot stove, it's a mistake that is never intentionally repeated.

An exhale of his cigarette, because he's not even going to argue that this is stupid. Though, he has a feeling those gods might have some choice words about it.

He stares at the clenched fists and makes a 'tsk' sound. He scoops up his cross and moves to stand next to the other man, fingers ready to unbind his weapon the second that thing shows it's face.]

Won't really matter either way to that guy. But if this is the kinda thing that lures that sucker out, can't imagine anything good is gonna happen to the ones missing.

[There's no arguing that they're in the right, because they're not. But survival isn't a morality issue.]

...does it look like the fog is getting heavier?

[curingidiocy]

I don't mean them. [ Vague gesture at the gods ] I am referring to the uninvolved who should not suffer the consequences of their stupidity.

[ He doesn't bother to hide the aggressive tone in his words. Putting aside his feelings about his own inaction, he absolutely detests what Tezcatlipoca and Set are doing. It's far too late to do anything now that the ritual is complete.

The atmosphere changes, and the hair on his arms stand up. Ratio shifts, summoning his codex in one hand and a piece of chalk in the other. He glances around warily. ]

Be on your guard.

[eyeofmyass]

[His brow arches slightly as the guy is suddenly brandishing...chalk. He's seen quite a few interesting weapons, but that one is just-]

Maybe you should stay behind me.

[He takes a few steps forward before setting his cross on the ground next to him. He unsnaps the bindings and they fall to the ground, making it obvious the cross isn't a wooden crucifix as much as is it a giant ass gun.

He hefts it up over his shoulder, pointing the long end towards the densest part of the fog.

He has every intention of firing as a shadow takes shape, but for some reason he suddenly doesn't seem capable of doing much but staring, it's damn mind games already in play. It's a little more familiar this time, after being affected by it once, the spread of a bruise like mark on skin, the way his mind seems incapable of acknowledging the shape it's taking right before them.

Yeah, this isn't going to go well.]

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio immediately notices a change in Wolfwood's behaviour, and with a click of his tongue, he winds back and tosses his Imaginary energy chalk at the shadow in forming in the distant fog with pinpoint accuracy.

The shadow disperses, making it clear that the chalk had not hit its intended target, and Ratio hisses at Wolfwood as he conjures another piece of chalk into his hand. ]

Get yourself together!