On the 13th of October, the network flickers online and several messages pop up. Outsiders will probably recognize the usernames attached to them.
@ KIJYO
castle in the fog skulls watching us sacrifice help us
@ GOLDILOCKS
wolf kaiju Promises protection Found broken radio
@ BANKERBOY
🦸=❌ 🐺💀🔨=less fog 👹=🦇🐺 🧑🌾=💩! 🏰=☠️! go toget
@ ONESTEPFORWARD
We're okay for now. Careful of purple flowers. -🦆
Some Outsiders might notice these usernames to be Lucy/Kaede, Taryon, Nanami and Malkuth respectively. The messages end there and there will be no way to contact the senders or anyone who has gone missing. While Outsiders in the town will be able to use the network to speak to each other, the reception will be spotty and the messages might be delayed. It might be more efficient to simply meet up in person.
▶ AFTERWORD.
The messages from the kidnapped characters are out! Thank you everyone for participating! Non-kidnapped characters may use this log to have discussions (or do whatever else might be relevant). As previously mentioned, after the 7th, they will not be able to contact any kidnapped characters, and their messages to each other will be spotty or delayed (which can make for funny shenanigans if you prefer). It is probably much easier to organise an in-person meeting, but we will leave it to you to do what you like. The townsfolk convene at the church for their daily prayers and worship at about 12 noon every day. Outsiders may use this time away from the townsfolk to have more private discussions.
We have put this up early to allow people more time to thread in it, but ICly it is going up on the 13th and will lead up to the Kaiju log on the 15th. These messages are also delayed. Whether or not the captives actually are 'okay' is up in the air ...
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.
[ The moment that Set sees one ( well, two... MAYBE three ) of the names on that roster, he doesn't bother with messaging Ratio; he just goes and turns up wherever the man's staying in the village, dressed in his own nondescript period clothing — which does nothing to hide the brilliant red of his hair and eyes, even if he's scooped them up under a hat as best as he can.
Also, considering he's been Very Naughty and is probably under watch. He's definitely still sporting ropes around his wrists ( which are USELESS ), for slaughtering a villager AND attempting to slaughter an Outsider afterwards. A bruise-black mark having begun to fade from around his throat, and his mind cleared up from the need to Repay His Crimes to the Lord. ]
Hm, [ he says. ] Smash skulls, part the fog, yadda' yadda'. Let's locate Aventurine first.
[ Sampo is who HE'S most angry about being MIA. Aventurine is a close second, because he has deal(s) with both the gambler and the gambler's partner. Wriothesley is the third. Because Wrio gave him a funny picture, once. ]
[ It's with trepidation that he turns around to face Set when the god appears. His feelings for the human sacrifice performed were complicated, to say the least, and—it's not disgust he feels for the gods who performed the ritual, nor is it quite disappointment, but maybe something adjacent to that.
Either way, the emotions result in him eying Set cautiously, trying to determine if the man is still brainwashed, and what mood he might be in. It is all masked by an outward facade of calm, however. One that Ratio has maintained ever since he realized Aventurine had gone missing. ]
I intend to support the group leading the search from the rear. With any luck [ ha ], he will be relatively unharmed.
[ As much as he wants to be one of the individuals leading the charge, he understands that that has never been his role in this group. Compared to even their teenage comrades, he has little more than the strength of the average adult man. Suitable for brawling with idiot researchers who picked a fight with him, but ineffective against kaiju.
Set's caught the man with a small pile of skulls that he's taken from all over the town. There are no more than 15 skulls grouped up neatly in a cone-like arrangement. ]
[ The mood he's in is definitely elusive, as all of his moods are. He's a temperamental bastard, with a hair-trigger temper and a habitual case of Yapp-itis, to begin with. In approaching Ratio, there's a calm over him. An eerie quiet held tight to his person, the mark around his throat a pale, washed-out grey to suggest the hold that the Lord has upon him is not as strong. Present, but not as strong. Every now and then, a light flickers across his eyes — muscles twisting against the rope, like he might go for Ratio. Only to settle back down, in conversation.
Controlled, for now. ] Yes. I think I will be most helpful in an assistive position this time, rather than taking direct action.
[ Because of his condition. His eyes follow the line of Ratio's body, down to the heap of skulls he's gathered up, and he tips his head thoughtfully at the familiar shape they've been lumped into. Yay, pyramids. ]
I am not in this for the glory of it. I am powerful and that is fact, but the recognition of my name or deeds is beyond my given role. No matter what I do, whether my intention is good or not, I am to be seen as functioning in the worst possible manner.
[ He gestures to the skulls. ]
That being said, want me to take care of those for you?
[ He is not as animated as Ratio has seen him before, usually jovial and friendly around the scholar. There is a tension in his body that isn't usually there, and a flicker in his eyes that suggests an internal struggle that he is trying to contain. Best to keep an eye on him, then, not because he suspects Set will betray him, but for Set's own well-being. ]
Good. It will be far less troublesome to monitor your condition here.
[ Though Set says he's powerful, all he's seen of the gods is how easily they're tossed around by the kaiju on this planet. They're little more than stronger humans in the form LILITH has given them, so he does not view them as any more than that. If there were ever a chance to meet them in their own home worlds, with the full power and glory they are able to have when mingling with humans, he would very much love to grasp it, but as it stood—they were only gods in name, and nothing else. ]
I have been studying the properties of Rift energy with these skulls. The wave of energy these skulls release amplify when groups of them are destroyed, but it appears to be additive in nature. There is therefore a limit to the distance in which a group of destroyed skulls can release its energy—though you would perhaps need the entire supply of skulls this town has to approach that limit. The exact value is not important anyway, as we are not likely to encounter Rift energy contained in such a manner frequently.
[ Ratio steps away from the pile of skulls and motions for Set to follow him. ]
[ Were Ratio to say any of that aloud, Set would definitely ( happily ) sink his teeth into the man in retaliation. ( Not only because it was a sensible claim, but also because violence is his only reaction to things that deeply, painfully upset him. To be considered diminished, and live unacknowledged and belittled for it... ah, there could be no greater way to break his heart. )
Thankfully, Ratio does not. So, unaware, Set trots after him. Following, barefoot in his wake. He casts a quick glance at the stack of skulls, as if wondering why they were just leaving them alone, and carries on with naked curiosity. ]
Is there a way to keep one or two of them whole, for later study? Or do you think we have to destroy them all to punch through whatever is keeping us from Aventurine and the others?
[ Horrendously, his stomach lurches at the thought of shattering the Lord's defenses. He ought to stop this, ought to stop Ratio from doing anything that could ruin the sanctity of the Lord's domain. Ought to crush his throat, to prevent him from passing further information along. His fingers twist against the ropes, jaw working against the intrusive thoughts. No, this is needed. After all, Set had gotten into the state he's in because he was trying to punch through the mystery of the village and locate their missing allies. Locate the Lord, known for the abundance it brought, and usurp its power for LILITH. Usurp the farming techniques of the villagers, as well.
I have sequestered a dozen in my storage. Should our kidnapped comrades' location remain obscured after all other skulls have been destroyed, we will have no choice but to do away with them as well. Otherwise, I will keep them for study and turn them in to LILITH once I have gleaned as much as I can on my own.
[ At this point, they are quite a distance away from the pile of skulls, which are still in view. Ratio stops and turns around, glancing at Set for his reaction. ]
Here. The wave will narrowly miss us by half a metre once destroyed.
[ And thus they will avoid the symptoms of Rift poisoning. ]
[ The skulls diminish into the distance, and Set is a remarkably quiet, ghost of a figure that skims alongside Ratio to the given distance. It's a good bit of math that he's done, to ensure both accuracy of attack and their relative safety from the energy that will be unleashed. ]
Let me know if I can help. I think the Rift is central to the problem, after all.
[ As always, he offers himself up in strange ways to the cause; a cause he scolds and mocks, if only for the short-sightedness of others. It's still a cause he supports, in his way. ]
You want to do the honors?
[ He gestures with his tied hands, sand flowing in a closed loop around the ropes until one of his wrists is effortlessly free of the bindings. It's like being around a caged animal that knows there is nothing really standing between it and prey, save for its hunger. ]
— hey, Ratio. You never thought that the kaiju were not intelligent, right? I spoke to another Outsider once, and he said they were just beasts. That was not the prevailing opinion of LILITH and personnel, was it?
Without an actual Rift to observe, it will be difficult to advance research any further than what we already know. These skulls will offer some insight into the nature of the energy that exudes from the Rifts, but we are not likely to learn what circumstances are required for one to appear.
[ On his own, he has been able to glean some properties of Rift energy and its effects, but LILITH likely knows more as they have a proper research lab with what he hopes are state-of-the-art (for this planet) equipment. However, it's quite clear that what they know isn't much more than his knowledge, otherwise they should be capable of beginning research on anti-Rift technology.
Ratio observes with both curiosity and wariness as Set loosens his bindings. He is unsurprised, of course. Someone who claims to be a god could hardly be stopped by rope, even if they are weakened. ]
You are free to destroy them if you so wish. I've yet to experiment with the method of disposal. There may perhaps be interactions I have not discovered yet.
[ He'll shift to give Set a little more room to maneuver, but he otherwise seems relaxed despite being next to someone who could potentially turn and attack him at any moment. ]
I cannot be sure of LILITH's opinion, but notes on the kaiju that have attacked before my arrival suggested an intelligence level rivaling their animal counterparts. The Shachimon, for example, hunts in pods and plays with its prey—much like orcas, the animal it resembles. The Yamadenki's notes did not suggest any higher intelligence, as it resembles a gecko. The Alitta Virens did not seem to possess higher intelligence either, so far as I managed to observe. It was not until we encountered the Imugi that the kaiju's capacity for it was made apparent.
[ There's an obvious theory that comes to mind as Ratio lists the previous kaiju and their apparent intelligence levels. One that, if true, could have serious ramifications—scientifically, at least. ]
I must admit that I'd previously thought the kaiju to be creatures alien to this planet. However... I am beginning to think that may not be the case.
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synflux2024-10-06 11:02 am
ACTION.
Also, considering he's been Very Naughty and is probably under watch. He's definitely still sporting ropes around his wrists ( which are USELESS ), for slaughtering a villager AND attempting to slaughter an Outsider afterwards. A bruise-black mark having begun to fade from around his throat, and his mind cleared up from the need to Repay His Crimes to the Lord. ]
Hm, [ he says. ] Smash skulls, part the fog, yadda' yadda'. Let's locate Aventurine first.
[ Sampo is who HE'S most angry about being MIA. Aventurine is a close second, because he has deal(s) with both the gambler and the gambler's partner. Wriothesley is the third. Because Wrio gave him a funny picture, once. ]
no subject
Either way, the emotions result in him eying Set cautiously, trying to determine if the man is still brainwashed, and what mood he might be in. It is all masked by an outward facade of calm, however. One that Ratio has maintained ever since he realized Aventurine had gone missing. ]
I intend to support the group leading the search from the rear. With any luck [ ha ], he will be relatively unharmed.
[ As much as he wants to be one of the individuals leading the charge, he understands that that has never been his role in this group. Compared to even their teenage comrades, he has little more than the strength of the average adult man. Suitable for brawling with idiot researchers who picked a fight with him, but ineffective against kaiju.
Set's caught the man with a small pile of skulls that he's taken from all over the town. There are no more than 15 skulls grouped up neatly in a cone-like arrangement. ]
no subject
Controlled, for now. ] Yes. I think I will be most helpful in an assistive position this time, rather than taking direct action.
[ Because of his condition. His eyes follow the line of Ratio's body, down to the heap of skulls he's gathered up, and he tips his head thoughtfully at the familiar shape they've been lumped into. Yay, pyramids. ]
I am not in this for the glory of it. I am powerful and that is fact, but the recognition of my name or deeds is beyond my given role. No matter what I do, whether my intention is good or not, I am to be seen as functioning in the worst possible manner.
[ He gestures to the skulls. ]
That being said, want me to take care of those for you?
no subject
Good. It will be far less troublesome to monitor your condition here.
[ Though Set says he's powerful, all he's seen of the gods is how easily they're tossed around by the kaiju on this planet. They're little more than stronger humans in the form LILITH has given them, so he does not view them as any more than that. If there were ever a chance to meet them in their own home worlds, with the full power and glory they are able to have when mingling with humans, he would very much love to grasp it, but as it stood—they were only gods in name, and nothing else. ]
I have been studying the properties of Rift energy with these skulls. The wave of energy these skulls release amplify when groups of them are destroyed, but it appears to be additive in nature. There is therefore a limit to the distance in which a group of destroyed skulls can release its energy—though you would perhaps need the entire supply of skulls this town has to approach that limit. The exact value is not important anyway, as we are not likely to encounter Rift energy contained in such a manner frequently.
[ Ratio steps away from the pile of skulls and motions for Set to follow him. ]
no subject
Thankfully, Ratio does not. So, unaware, Set trots after him. Following, barefoot in his wake. He casts a quick glance at the stack of skulls, as if wondering why they were just leaving them alone, and carries on with naked curiosity. ]
Is there a way to keep one or two of them whole, for later study? Or do you think we have to destroy them all to punch through whatever is keeping us from Aventurine and the others?
[ Horrendously, his stomach lurches at the thought of shattering the Lord's defenses. He ought to stop this, ought to stop Ratio from doing anything that could ruin the sanctity of the Lord's domain. Ought to crush his throat, to prevent him from passing further information along. His fingers twist against the ropes, jaw working against the intrusive thoughts. No, this is needed. After all, Set had gotten into the state he's in because he was trying to punch through the mystery of the village and locate their missing allies. Locate the Lord, known for the abundance it brought, and usurp its power for LILITH. Usurp the farming techniques of the villagers, as well.
For the world at large, which would need it. ]
no subject
[ At this point, they are quite a distance away from the pile of skulls, which are still in view. Ratio stops and turns around, glancing at Set for his reaction. ]
Here. The wave will narrowly miss us by half a metre once destroyed.
[ And thus they will avoid the symptoms of Rift poisoning. ]
no subject
Let me know if I can help. I think the Rift is central to the problem, after all.
[ As always, he offers himself up in strange ways to the cause; a cause he scolds and mocks, if only for the short-sightedness of others. It's still a cause he supports, in his way. ]
You want to do the honors?
[ He gestures with his tied hands, sand flowing in a closed loop around the ropes until one of his wrists is effortlessly free of the bindings. It's like being around a caged animal that knows there is nothing really standing between it and prey, save for its hunger. ]
— hey, Ratio. You never thought that the kaiju were not intelligent, right? I spoke to another Outsider once, and he said they were just beasts. That was not the prevailing opinion of LILITH and personnel, was it?
no subject
[ On his own, he has been able to glean some properties of Rift energy and its effects, but LILITH likely knows more as they have a proper research lab with what he hopes are state-of-the-art (for this planet) equipment. However, it's quite clear that what they know isn't much more than his knowledge, otherwise they should be capable of beginning research on anti-Rift technology.
Ratio observes with both curiosity and wariness as Set loosens his bindings. He is unsurprised, of course. Someone who claims to be a god could hardly be stopped by rope, even if they are weakened. ]
You are free to destroy them if you so wish. I've yet to experiment with the method of disposal. There may perhaps be interactions I have not discovered yet.
[ He'll shift to give Set a little more room to maneuver, but he otherwise seems relaxed despite being next to someone who could potentially turn and attack him at any moment. ]
I cannot be sure of LILITH's opinion, but notes on the kaiju that have attacked before my arrival suggested an intelligence level rivaling their animal counterparts. The Shachimon, for example, hunts in pods and plays with its prey—much like orcas, the animal it resembles. The Yamadenki's notes did not suggest any higher intelligence, as it resembles a gecko. The Alitta Virens did not seem to possess higher intelligence either, so far as I managed to observe. It was not until we encountered the Imugi that the kaiju's capacity for it was made apparent.
[ There's an obvious theory that comes to mind as Ratio lists the previous kaiju and their apparent intelligence levels. One that, if true, could have serious ramifications—scientifically, at least. ]
I must admit that I'd previously thought the kaiju to be creatures alien to this planet. However... I am beginning to think that may not be the case.