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synflux2024-10-14 12:50 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2024-10-14 12:50 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- azur lane: kaga,
- chainsaw man: denji,
- delicious in dungeon: kabru,
- devil summoner: raidou kuzunoha,
- elfen lied: lucy/kaede,
- ennead: set,
- fate/grand order: ereshkigal,
- fate/grand order: okada izou,
- fate/grand order: tezcatlipoca,
- final fantasy 7: kadaj,
- godzilla: gigan,
- honkai star rail: aventurine,
- honkai star rail: dan heng,
- honkai star rail: dr. ratio,
- honkai star rail: march 7th,
- in stars and time: siffrin,
- jujutsu kaisen: choso,
- jujutsu kaisen: kento nanami,
- jujutsu kaisen: satoru gojo,
- jujutsu kaisen: suguru geto,
- jujutsu kaisen: yuji itadori,
- legendary monsterverse: godzilla,
- library of ruina: gebura,
- limbus company: ishmael,
- limbus company: rodion,
- limbus company: vergilius,
- lobotomy corporation: yesod,
- mobile suit gundam seed: dearka elthman,
- mobile suit gundam seed: lacus clyne,
- mobile suit gundam seed: shinn asuka,
- mobile suit gundam seed: yzak jule,
- my hero academia: katsuki bakugo,
- original character: lilias hollow,
- pacific rim: raleigh becket,
- persona 5: akira kurusu,
- spy x family: yor briar,
- touken ranbu: tsurumaru kuninaga,
- trigun stampede: nicholas d. wolfwood,
- trigun stampede: vash the stampede,
- witch from mercury: elan ceres (5),
- wuthering waves: rover,
- yu-gi-oh! gx: manjoume jun,
- zoids new century: jamie hemeros
KAIJU FIGHT #5
KAIJU FIGHT #5
▶ 001. LORD OF THE FOREST.
Throughout the days leading up until October 15th, the captives will be forced down to the dungeons for their “punishments” to be doled out. All of the punishments seem to be completed methodically, almost as if the followers of the Lord of the Forest had centuries of experience. While no explanation is given, it becomes clear that the sacrificial ritual has begun. While the Outsiders may not be privy to what this entails, there is one rule that will be have made clear to them: once the ritual begins, it can no longer be stopped. However, there is still a sliver of hope. On the morning of the 15th, a small message will have been pushed out by LILITH. While they haven't completely reestablished their connection to the network, they are able to get something out.
Now that the sacrifices have all but been made, it is time for the Lord of the Forest to be summoned.
All captives who have been forcefully dragged, or psychologically drawn to the dungeons, will find themselves face-to-face with the Lord of the Forest, also known by their title of PRICOLICI. The creature is a bit difficult to make out due to its ability to shape-shift: at times mimicking a human wearing some sort mask in the form of a wolf’s skull, and at others, taking on a form of a monstrous wolf-like creature that awaits all Outsiders— those presently within the dungeon, and those that exist outside of it, ready to be lured in.
Or that should be the case, but The Lord of the Forest appears to be a kaiju unlike all others. While it is summoned for a brief period in which the Outsiders bear witness to its true form, it seems to disperse back into the rift soon afterwards, much like savoring each of its sacrifices in a temporary state of hibernation.
(Note: Details of the specific events that happened leading up until this point can be accessed on the kidnapped log. Please be advised that there are heavy trigger warnings for these topics.)
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEETIt is an incredibly sparse message. It seems to be working with any information the ocular implants were able to detect in that second, and the information gets fed back in the form of a distorted debrief sheet. However, it does act as a sign that LILITH is still actively working on gaining access to their communication lines once more, and are tirelessly working to send help. With this sudden jolt of a message, they will feel an extremely heavy disturbance composed entirely of rift energy—it appears that whatever kaiju is dwelling here is able to effectively work with the rift in order to negate abilities. But perhaps the clues all strung together have already painted a similar picture as to what is to come, and to what to continue to expect.
NAME:
HEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
CLASS: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.
ABILITIES: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃Y REǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃S, GK̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̆̃
EXTRA NOTES:
Now that the sacrifices have all but been made, it is time for the Lord of the Forest to be summoned.
All captives who have been forcefully dragged, or psychologically drawn to the dungeons, will find themselves face-to-face with the Lord of the Forest, also known by their title of PRICOLICI. The creature is a bit difficult to make out due to its ability to shape-shift: at times mimicking a human wearing some sort mask in the form of a wolf’s skull, and at others, taking on a form of a monstrous wolf-like creature that awaits all Outsiders— those presently within the dungeon, and those that exist outside of it, ready to be lured in.
Or that should be the case, but The Lord of the Forest appears to be a kaiju unlike all others. While it is summoned for a brief period in which the Outsiders bear witness to its true form, it seems to disperse back into the rift soon afterwards, much like savoring each of its sacrifices in a temporary state of hibernation.
(Note: Details of the specific events that happened leading up until this point can be accessed on the kidnapped log. Please be advised that there are heavy trigger warnings for these topics.)
▶ 002. FIND THE CAPTIVES.
Due to their brief communication and joint efforts following the network post, it becomes clear that all signs point to Bran Castle as the place where the captives are being held. This becomes ever more apparent as the fog gradually begins to lift, and the outline of the castle can finally be seen from the distance of the forest’s perimeter.
If there were still any doubts surrounding Bran Castle as a place of interest, many of the villagers will instantly form large groups in order to stop Outsiders from heading towards the castle. They will spare no effort to achieve this. What initially starts off as peaceful dissuasion and psychological tactics, such as using the children to cling to the Outsiders leg and crocodile tears… quickly escalates to outright fighting with pitchforks and other makeshift weapons from the farm. Additionally, Outsiders who have purchased the poison dagger from LILITH will find that the “safety” on it is released, and they can be utilized on the locals with no need for additional clearance. It looks like the network wasn't the only thing affected by the spotty connection.
In this skirmish, the Outsiders trying to make their way to the castle will find that a handful of these villagers aren’t your run-of-the-mill farmers. They’re stronger, faster, and the Outsiders will discover that they have incredibly sharp teeth. They are vampires! Or, an entity that seems close enough to the ones of legends. They will not only be attempting to fight Outsiders off, but will also resort to biting them. If an Outsider is bitten, their bodies will feel almost feverish, as if an incredibly slow-acting poison has entered their bloodstream. But, being bitten by a villager does not guarantee one to be turned. While it is possible, it is a much lower chance.
Once Outsiders do make it to the castle, they will find that there will be several more attendants from the castle waiting for them at the gates, all prepared to fight tooth and nail to prevent their entry. It’s clear the objective becomes to break past them and find the dungeons below the castle!
If there were still any doubts surrounding Bran Castle as a place of interest, many of the villagers will instantly form large groups in order to stop Outsiders from heading towards the castle. They will spare no effort to achieve this. What initially starts off as peaceful dissuasion and psychological tactics, such as using the children to cling to the Outsiders leg and crocodile tears… quickly escalates to outright fighting with pitchforks and other makeshift weapons from the farm. Additionally, Outsiders who have purchased the poison dagger from LILITH will find that the “safety” on it is released, and they can be utilized on the locals with no need for additional clearance. It looks like the network wasn't the only thing affected by the spotty connection.
In this skirmish, the Outsiders trying to make their way to the castle will find that a handful of these villagers aren’t your run-of-the-mill farmers. They’re stronger, faster, and the Outsiders will discover that they have incredibly sharp teeth. They are vampires! Or, an entity that seems close enough to the ones of legends. They will not only be attempting to fight Outsiders off, but will also resort to biting them. If an Outsider is bitten, their bodies will feel almost feverish, as if an incredibly slow-acting poison has entered their bloodstream. But, being bitten by a villager does not guarantee one to be turned. While it is possible, it is a much lower chance.
Once Outsiders do make it to the castle, they will find that there will be several more attendants from the castle waiting for them at the gates, all prepared to fight tooth and nail to prevent their entry. It’s clear the objective becomes to break past them and find the dungeons below the castle!
▶ 003. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN.
Following the pathways of the castle to the dungeons below will not be easy. All the attendants present seem to have been waiting for them behind every nook and cranny of the castle. Outsiders will be met with their fervent attempts to stop them. It is a matter of life or death for the attendants and like the villagers, they seem to have no issue with throwing their own necks out in order to preserve the sanctity of their ritual.
Outsiders will also find various areas in which wolfsbane will be in bloom. Unlike typical wolfsbane these seem particular potent and will make the air taste bitter, and cause tingles, nausea, and hypotension if exposed to for too long. It appears even the attendants avoid them to a degree.
For those who make it to the dungeons, they will find that it is a lot bigger than it appears on the surface. A lot of its structure seems to lead deep underground, suggesting that it may even extend further out from the perimeter of the castle itself. There is a certain smell to the place that cannot be masked, years of sacrifices evident in every inch of its walls. There are over hundreds of cells, some still holding skeletal remains, alongside other ancient looking items: an old book, a worn out doll, a bloodied servant’s apron—they all appear to be pieces from a past that was long forgotten.
The Outsiders will not get to explore easily, however. As soon as they make their way past the threshold where the cells are all lined out, they will feel a chill up their spine. It's almost as if eyes are watching them in the dark, and they are. If they look up, they will realize there are hundreds of bats with glistening teeth that are all lining the ceiling, all lying in wait. They are minions of the Lord of the Forest, and their supersonic screams can stun and cause momentary deafness.
To make matters worse, it is not just their sharp teeth that hurt on impact, but they have a keen thirst for blood similar to the villagers. Being bitten by one will cause the Outsider to potentially begin to lose control of themselves and will have an insatiable thirst for blood, even at the expense of their fellow teammates. Additionally, those who are bitten will find themselves moderately more susceptible to psychic brain washing, and may cause them to momentarily join the enemies side.
Outsiders will also find various areas in which wolfsbane will be in bloom. Unlike typical wolfsbane these seem particular potent and will make the air taste bitter, and cause tingles, nausea, and hypotension if exposed to for too long. It appears even the attendants avoid them to a degree.
For those who make it to the dungeons, they will find that it is a lot bigger than it appears on the surface. A lot of its structure seems to lead deep underground, suggesting that it may even extend further out from the perimeter of the castle itself. There is a certain smell to the place that cannot be masked, years of sacrifices evident in every inch of its walls. There are over hundreds of cells, some still holding skeletal remains, alongside other ancient looking items: an old book, a worn out doll, a bloodied servant’s apron—they all appear to be pieces from a past that was long forgotten.
The Outsiders will not get to explore easily, however. As soon as they make their way past the threshold where the cells are all lined out, they will feel a chill up their spine. It's almost as if eyes are watching them in the dark, and they are. If they look up, they will realize there are hundreds of bats with glistening teeth that are all lining the ceiling, all lying in wait. They are minions of the Lord of the Forest, and their supersonic screams can stun and cause momentary deafness.
To make matters worse, it is not just their sharp teeth that hurt on impact, but they have a keen thirst for blood similar to the villagers. Being bitten by one will cause the Outsider to potentially begin to lose control of themselves and will have an insatiable thirst for blood, even at the expense of their fellow teammates. Additionally, those who are bitten will find themselves moderately more susceptible to psychic brain washing, and may cause them to momentarily join the enemies side.
▶ 004. THE FINAL RESCUE.
While the battle has already started within the village and the castle, suddenly the familiar ping of their oculars will alert them to the following message from Yamakawa—
With the connection reestablished, the main objective of the mission becomes one thing: RESCUE. For Outsiders who may have still been left at the village, or engaged within their own horrors, they are all advised to head to the dungeons as soon as possible. The coordinates for the deepest cells are sent alongside directions, with a constant warning to avoid direct contact with the kaiju there. The kaiju has long been absorbing rift energy and LILITH strongly advises against any attempts to engage with it until more information is known.
After half an hour, LILITH gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission. Villagers, cult members, anyone. This includes Outsiders who may have temporarily been brainwashed, with the caveat of bringing back their bodies as they may be able to save them.
As they get further into the dungeons, they will find themselves susceptible to the side effects of rift poisoning. It is far more potent with each step, and will take laser focus to make one's way all the way to the last holding cells. There they will find the several of the castle’s most devout followers desperately calling out for The Lord of the Forest, as if summoning its presence.
…
…
…
… and The Lord of the Forest answers the cries of its followers. The initial part of this battle is difficult as the kaiju's abilities paired with the abnormalities of the rift result in weakening the powers of all living organisms around him, including the powers of the Outsiders. However, due to the phases of the moon, its abilities to nerf powers seem to have diminished slightly - they are able to use their abilities at a lower output, or at times they will find their abilities can cut in and out. After five to ten minutes of the Outsiders actually engaging the creature, they will find LILITH has effectively sealed the rift below the dungeons. It is far from perfectly done, but will allow the Outsiders the window of opportunity to use their all in their battle with the Lord of the Forest before backup arrives.
The battle against the PRICOLICI will not be made easy, especially as its weaknesses are not as straightforward to tap in as most elements. However, LILITH will provide utmost support for the Outsiders who want to try their hand at defeating it. While it was once believed to be immortal, perhaps due to the disconnection of the rift and the moon, it does seem weaker the longer the Outsiders engage with it. There are also pockets in which wolfsbane bloom in secret in the dungeon, and the PRICOLICI will evade these specific areas, as well as any places containing holy relics.
"Angels of LILITH, we have connection. Rescue your team mates no matter the cost!"
With the connection reestablished, the main objective of the mission becomes one thing: RESCUE. For Outsiders who may have still been left at the village, or engaged within their own horrors, they are all advised to head to the dungeons as soon as possible. The coordinates for the deepest cells are sent alongside directions, with a constant warning to avoid direct contact with the kaiju there. The kaiju has long been absorbing rift energy and LILITH strongly advises against any attempts to engage with it until more information is known.
After half an hour, LILITH gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission. Villagers, cult members, anyone. This includes Outsiders who may have temporarily been brainwashed, with the caveat of bringing back their bodies as they may be able to save them.
As they get further into the dungeons, they will find themselves susceptible to the side effects of rift poisoning. It is far more potent with each step, and will take laser focus to make one's way all the way to the last holding cells. There they will find the several of the castle’s most devout followers desperately calling out for The Lord of the Forest, as if summoning its presence.
…
…
…
… and The Lord of the Forest answers the cries of its followers. The initial part of this battle is difficult as the kaiju's abilities paired with the abnormalities of the rift result in weakening the powers of all living organisms around him, including the powers of the Outsiders. However, due to the phases of the moon, its abilities to nerf powers seem to have diminished slightly - they are able to use their abilities at a lower output, or at times they will find their abilities can cut in and out. After five to ten minutes of the Outsiders actually engaging the creature, they will find LILITH has effectively sealed the rift below the dungeons. It is far from perfectly done, but will allow the Outsiders the window of opportunity to use their all in their battle with the Lord of the Forest before backup arrives.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: PRICOLICI
HEIGHT: VARIES
WEIGHT: VARIES
CLASS: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA
ABILITIES: SHAPESHIFTING, IMMORTALITY, NIGHT VISION, SUPER STRENGTH
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLY RELICS, GARLIC, WOLFSBANE
EXTRA NOTES: This kaiju has a malicious intent to all humans besides those who praise it. It's said it will bless all of its followers abundantly on this Earth and grant them immortal life.
The battle against the PRICOLICI will not be made easy, especially as its weaknesses are not as straightforward to tap in as most elements. However, LILITH will provide utmost support for the Outsiders who want to try their hand at defeating it. While it was once believed to be immortal, perhaps due to the disconnection of the rift and the moon, it does seem weaker the longer the Outsiders engage with it. There are also pockets in which wolfsbane bloom in secret in the dungeon, and the PRICOLICI will evade these specific areas, as well as any places containing holy relics.
▶ 005. AFTERMATH.
The remaining villagers do their utmost in attempting to ground the LILITH medical cruiser, using cannons and other primitive weapons against it. Fortunately, they do not succeed. With the LILITH medical crew all present, they begin their work promptly. Outsiders can not only use the medical cruiser as a temporary base and resting point, but those with severe injuries are ushered in for emergency surgeries and other necessary procedures. Those who can heal are encouraged to take care of the ones with less major injuries in order to lighten the load on LILITH’s medical robots... and Dr. Spim, of course.
When the final battle finally winds down, several more mission objectives crop up. While no formal decision is pushed on the Outsiders this time, they are given several choices.
Although LILITH has permitted Outsiders to take their own stance in whether they want to kill those involved in the ritual, including the villagers, they do state the final request to spare the children, which they plan to bring back to Neo Tokyo. Those who do not wish to engage in the taking of lives will be encouraged to continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders. Finally, all Outsiders are tasked to take with them any goods that LILITH could benefit from, including any sources of food.
Once this has all been completed, they will all be encouraged to leave Transylvania behind.
Back at base, they are presently working on the cure for those who were bitten and turned. While the brainwashing element has been resolved through persuasion tech, it wasn't possible for them to fully reverse the other side effects. LILITH staff are requesting those affected to remain indoors until they figure out what they need in order to completely rid them of this ailment.
(Note: The above mission objectives in this section are all optional! Please remember that you only need to engage in the plots and ideas you are comfortable with. If you would prefer your character to leave early to take the others back to recover at base, that is completely fine. We want this to be flexible and for people to play with what inspires them. You are also free to come up with other ways your character can help during this time, as long as it does not break any game rules.)
When the final battle finally winds down, several more mission objectives crop up. While no formal decision is pushed on the Outsiders this time, they are given several choices.
Although LILITH has permitted Outsiders to take their own stance in whether they want to kill those involved in the ritual, including the villagers, they do state the final request to spare the children, which they plan to bring back to Neo Tokyo. Those who do not wish to engage in the taking of lives will be encouraged to continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders. Finally, all Outsiders are tasked to take with them any goods that LILITH could benefit from, including any sources of food.
Once this has all been completed, they will all be encouraged to leave Transylvania behind.
Back at base, they are presently working on the cure for those who were bitten and turned. While the brainwashing element has been resolved through persuasion tech, it wasn't possible for them to fully reverse the other side effects. LILITH staff are requesting those affected to remain indoors until they figure out what they need in order to completely rid them of this ailment.
(Note: The above mission objectives in this section are all optional! Please remember that you only need to engage in the plots and ideas you are comfortable with. If you would prefer your character to leave early to take the others back to recover at base, that is completely fine. We want this to be flexible and for people to play with what inspires them. You are also free to come up with other ways your character can help during this time, as long as it does not break any game rules.)
▶ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to fifth kaiju log!
Thanks to the Outsiders' efforts, they were able to engage with the kaiju in this fight. Due to them piecing the clues of the skulls helping to destroy the fog, they were able to gain access to Bran Castle. As they have also kept their suspicions of the villagers, some even including to sacrifice them, they were able to unearth them being associated with the cult, and able to uncover their involvement. Outsiders were also able to add wolfsbane as a weakness to the kaiju due to the messages exchanged between the kidnapped and non-kidnapped - and so this detail was also added into the log. We appreciate everyone’s engagement in this and hope you have fun with this outcome!
Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the minions. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below! Additionally, we did clarify some questions in regards to vampires/general weaknesses here, as well!
For the vampire prompts, feel free to work with the setting in how you want your character to experience being turned, and potentially turning others. It was made vague to allow flexibility, so if you'd like to have your character just feed off of people without turning them, that works. If they want to turn all their friends, that is also 100% okay. Those who have been turned are welcome to play with that as they see fit. As mentioned, LILITH will be actively working on the cure, and this will be something revisited in the TDM, or on our quest board, so be on the lookout for that!
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.
Thanks to the Outsiders' efforts, they were able to engage with the kaiju in this fight. Due to them piecing the clues of the skulls helping to destroy the fog, they were able to gain access to Bran Castle. As they have also kept their suspicions of the villagers, some even including to sacrifice them, they were able to unearth them being associated with the cult, and able to uncover their involvement. Outsiders were also able to add wolfsbane as a weakness to the kaiju due to the messages exchanged between the kidnapped and non-kidnapped - and so this detail was also added into the log. We appreciate everyone’s engagement in this and hope you have fun with this outcome!
Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the minions. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below! Additionally, we did clarify some questions in regards to vampires/general weaknesses here, as well!
For the vampire prompts, feel free to work with the setting in how you want your character to experience being turned, and potentially turning others. It was made vague to allow flexibility, so if you'd like to have your character just feed off of people without turning them, that works. If they want to turn all their friends, that is also 100% okay. Those who have been turned are welcome to play with that as they see fit. As mentioned, LILITH will be actively working on the cure, and this will be something revisited in the TDM, or on our quest board, so be on the lookout for that!
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. LORD OF THE FOREST: On the days leading up to the 15th, kidnapped characters are brought to the dungeons to receive their punishments. The punishments are administered in a way that suggests that the followers have many years of experience, and that they are all part of a sacrificial ritual to summon the Lord of the Forest; once the ritual begins, it can't be stopped. On the morning of the 15th, LILITH is able to send out a distorted monster debrief sheet that the captives will be able to briefly see before experiencing a heavy disturbance of rift energy. Captives in the dungeons will also be able to see the Lord of the Forest, but it will disperse back into the rift after being summoned.
2. FIND THE CAPTIVES: The Outsiders figure out that the captives are held in Bran Castle; the fog gradually lifts and the outline of the castle will be visible. The villagers will do everything they can to prevent the Outsiders from reaching the castle, from using the children to persuade them to stay to more violent means. Outsiders who have a poison dagger from LILITH are able to use it on the villagers without prior clearance due to the spotty connection. Vampires are among the villagers attacking the Outsiders; if they are bitten, their bodies will feel feverish. Once Outsiders reach the castle gates, they will have to break through the castle attendants to reach the dungeons.
3. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN: Outsiders must fight through more attendants inside the castle as they make their way down to the dungeons. The layout of the dungeons is much bigger than it may seem on the surface—with over hundreds of cells, some of which still contain the remains and personal effects of previous villagers who have been sacrificed. Bats, minions of the Lord of the Forest, will attack the Outsiders and those who are bitten may begin to lose control of themselves with a thirst for blood. Bitten Outsiders may attack their teammates as a result, and may also be more susceptible to psychic brainwashing.
4. THE FINAL RESCUE: LILITH confirms the main mission objective of rescuing all the captives and gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission, which includes any Outsiders who may have been temporarily brainwashed. The bodies of any fallen Outsiders must be brought back as LILITH may be able to restore them. Going deeper into the dungeons will cause side effects of rift poisoning to manifest. The Lord of the Forest appears to engage the Outsiders; its ability to weaken abilities is diminished slightly due to the phases of the moon. Five to ten minutes into the battle, LILITH seals off the rift below the dungeons, allowing Outsiders an opportunity to go all in on attacking the Lord of the Forest.
5. AFTERMATH: LILITH's medical crew arrives to begin treating injured Outsiders. Those who are able to heal or have medical experience are encouraged to treat Outsiders with minor injuries to lighten the load on LILITH's medical staff. Once the battle winds down, Outsiders are given several options on what to do next: kill the followers and the villagers, but sparing the children (who will be brought to Neo Tokyo); continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders to safety; taking any goods from the village that will benefit LILITH, including food sources. Once completed, Outsiders will leave Transylvania to embark on the journey back to Neo Tokyo.
B
But of course she wouldn't be okay, because she is one of the most well-connected Outsiders here, which effectively meant she would personally care about more of the kidnapped individuals than others would. And given who went missing, it's not a surprise he finds her tucked away by herself, looking tired and defeated. ]
Blood is not something I intend to develop a taste for.
[ Here is Ratio, looking quite healthy, if not a little tired. He kneels down next to her and holds out a cup of hot chocolate—something he's been distributing to anyone who looks far too distressed to cope with the situation. ]
But perhaps this will be to your liking.
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And then it's even longer to reach out and wrap her hands around the mug. ]
... Thanks.
[ Not being a juice box and getting cocoa out of it instead? This is actually a win. ]
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The problem, now, is how to proceed from there. Ratio is not and never will be great at comforting people. He is far better at making them cry, but his sharp tongue is not what is needed in this situation right now. There is nothing he can criticize here, and there is little sense trying to goad March into being productive instead of wallowing in her emotions. People must be allowed to feel emotions, including the negative ones like sorrow and grief.
He could walk away and leave her be, but he wonders if that's what she really needs right now. At the very least, he should try to reach out to her. ]
I'm... [ sorry? No, that is trite. He's always hated empty platitudes. ] ...If you require an ear or a shoulder, or anything else, let me know.
[ And he really means anything. Anything that is within his capacity to fulfill, that is. ]
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[ March trails off, searching for the words. One finger taps a quick cadence against the cup, and then she sighs and slowly shakes her head. ]
... Really tired. But not in a way that I think I could sleep. A lot happened to everyone and it's hard to shut my mind up about it.
[ Empathy's a bitch. Caring about so many people is also a bitch. And she knows this isn't Ratio's forte--if he's trying now, she must look terrible. ]
So I don't... really know what I need. I think it'd be easier if I did or had a better answer for you.
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At the very least, you must allow your body a chance to recuperate.
[ A bed or chair would be a better place for her to relax, but there's likely a reason she chose to sit against the wall instead. So he summons a fluffy blanket, folded neatly and compactly from his storage and holds it out to her. ]
You may find it easier to unwind if you are physically comfortable.
[ There are no baths here, but a blanket is a close second in terms of comfort. ]
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[ In a lower tone, almost defeated-sounding. But she pauses to gulp down a bit of hot chocolate, then sets it off to the side to accept the blanket and drape it over her shoulders. Like this, she feels more like...
... The way it had been when she'd first awoken from the ice, clad only in one of Himeko's dresses that she'd more or less swam in and a blanket. ]
How are you doing, though? You had someone important taken, right?
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She looks a little more comfortable now. That's all he can really give her at this moment, because he is painfully unskilled at emotional comfort. It wasn't a flaw so much as a skill he actively chose not to nurture, but right now, a small part of him wishes he'd tried to learn, just a bit. ]
Save your energy. This ordeal has not affected me, so you needn't concern yourself with my well-being.
[ It might sound like a brag, but he means it as a reassurance. His faith in Aventurine carried him before the rescue, and with the gambler's life and well-being secured, Ratio has been able to proceed with a clear mind. ]
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[ She's just going to point that out. Like, it's great that Aventurine is safe and back with them, but it doesn't discount the fact that Ratio was probably(?) worried about him, at least a little.
Then again, maybe the power of his faith was just that strong? Hard to say. ]
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As allies, it is his duty to help March whenever she needs it, and the same applies in reverse. But he hasn't let her help him at all, has he? There is—a lack of trust, is what it is. Like how he'd shut out Aventurine more than a month ago and hurt him as a result. ]
...I'm fine. Likely better than a majority of our colleagues. That gambler is alive and has not suffered any trauma. There's nothing else I could wish for, except that everyone recover from this ordeal in due time.
[ His answer is still generally the same, but it seems more reserved. Honest, now. There's a subtle melancholy that colours his expression; his true feelings regarding everything. The concern he has for everyone suffering. ]
Until then, I intend to provide aid as best as I can.
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[ She's very glad that they managed to help everyone they could, but. Taryon, Wriothesley... they're dead. And she's only now just beginning to process that, that she never even got to say goodbye, that they couldn't be rescued in time. ]
I'm glad Aventurine's okay, though.
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[ He knows grief is everlasting, and sometimes, the loss of a single person is enough to shatter one's whole life. That's why he works as hard as he does. So that one less person will die from something preventable. ]
I... I am, too. It would have been... difficult, for me to provide all the aid I have if his luck didn't save him this time.
[ Because, this time, it truly was luck. It wasn't hard work, Aventurine's useful preparedness or anything the gambler could have done to tip the odds in his favour. This time, it was pure luck. And thank the Aeons it prevailed. Truly, thank the Aeons. ]
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[ Hm. Well, if it kept him alive and sane and it really can be traced back to luck, maybe she really does need to rethink it. ]
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At least, when his own life is at stake.
[ And this is what truly stresses Ratio out. That Aventurine's life must always be left up to luck if he is to survive the life he's carved for himself. He hates it. ]
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[ Oh, boy. ]
But it's never a good time when it comes to that, is it? [ At the very least, she knows it'd stress her out beyond belief, even if Ratio hides it better. ]
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[ He's well aware that March has no memories relating to Penacony, but with Dan Heng here, she'll learn eventually. He trusts that they have discretion anyway. While he won't give away Aventurine's weaknesses, talking about him just a little bit shouldn't hurt. ]
I'd believed this planet would be a temporary refuge for him, despite the creatures we must face. Evidently, I am wrong.
[ It's at this point that his true feelings start to reveal themselves, starting with the way his hands are clenched, strong enough for his nails to dig deep crescents into the flesh of his palm, though they currently aren't visible to March. ]
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[ Threw himself into circumstances? And Ratio thought this would be a refuge?
Geez, how bad was-- ]
What happened to him in Penacony? I thought a planet of festivities would be... you know, festive? Fine?
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[ How does one explain that Aventurine attempted a ploy against the Family involving the Astral Express, Garden of Recollection and a Galaxy Ranger who turned out to be an Emanator of Nihility, a supposedly impossible existence? How does he tell her that he essentially livestreamed his own death in an attempt to incite panic, and to create an opening that would allow the IPC to take a seat at the negotiating table for ownership over Penacony?
How does he tell her that he fears Aventurine may wind up consumed by the Nihility, because he cares so little for his life he would happily welcome his own death? ]
...I will say that we were there for business. And business, for him, involves risking his own life to win grand gambles. The rest I cannot say due to a non-disclosure agreement.
[ A lie. Aventurine never asked him to sign such a thing, because he already trusted Ratio not spill secrets. ]
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... Well, that was really vague, but if you can't say more about it, I guess that's just how it has to be, huh?
[ She's far too tired to press more about it, anyway. ]
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Dan Heng should be able to tell you more, if you are truly curious. But perhaps you ought to save that for another day. I cannot say your trip to Penacony was a particularly joyous one.
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[ But he gets it. Too much excitement all the time can be rather tiring. Just like what is happening now. The last time they had a routine kaiju mission... well, none of them were truly routine, were they? But the one that had felt the most 'standard' to him was the sandworm in Las Vegas; his first mission. Track the kaiju, deal with it as it appears, and handle the aftermath. It shouldn't be any more complicated than that.
But life is never so simple. ]
...I doubt our next mission will be any easier than this. And I worry that many will be pushed past the brink as a result.
[ Something has to be done about it. He should do something about it. ]
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[ Because that had been half the problem of Seoul, hadn't it? ]
We never really have enough information before things get really bad, huh?
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As would be the case when facing a relatively unknown assailant. We should never expect to have all the information, just as we cannot expect a lack of casualties every mission.
[ And now, they would have to contend with the very real possibility of death every mission. If it hadn't set into some members of the group that they were risking their lives each battle, then this should have done it. ]