synflux | TRAVEL LOG #4

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TRAVEL LOG #4

TRAVEL LOG #4

CONTENT WARNINGS: natural disasters such as flooding and tornadoes, toxic gas/rift poisoning.

▶ 001. RECENT REPORTS.

The week leading into the new month is characterized by the distinct shift in weather patterns across Japan. Within Neo Tokyo, heavy rainfall with low level flooding is disrupting the business and commute of the local people. Even more temperate regions around Okinawa, and the small outer islands, will find themselves with an influx of tropical storms. Northern regions such as Hokkaido will find that some of the snow will have melted down, and the sun is running hot for the season. These strange occurrences seem to have the research team running on overtime, seeing if this has any link or correlation to any kaiju and the rifts.

To make matters worse, the Imugi hatchlings have begun to exhibit strange behaviors they never have before. While the hatchlings did seem to gain stability over the past month, now they are showing signs of extreme distress. They seem more on edge, enough to the point where entry to visit them has been appropriately blocked off until they find the source of their stress. The researchers have found in recent days that this seems to directly correlate to the weather, and what they see as rift energy in various parts of Japan. Over the week they narrow down these rifts to two specific locations which have a high chance of being the source -- Kagoshima and Yamanashi.

LILITH believes this is deeply connected to patterns that they've seen in records from South Korea, before their connections were severed due to the battle that took place last year. As a result, LILITH's Japan branch is doing their best to see if they're able to work with the tensions of the past in order to receive further research and information from the new government that rose from the destruction of Seoul, and is presently in Busan. While efforts to rebuild a branch there are progressing, they are reluctant to offer anything outside of the bare minimum or what is readily known to the public.

In light of these events, Outsiders are told to prepare for their leave soon. Unlike the sudden blare of their alarm, they offer the Outsiders time to begin preparing for the next mission. They will be given an additional stipend that amounts to 200 USD to be spent on supplies, or other personal resources necessary. Outsiders are encouraged to group up however they would like and go on a shopping spree to places such as FamilyMart, 7-Eleven and Don Quijote. Remember, only buy what you absolutely need!! (Or don't. It's not like LILITH is gonna be monitoring that.)

▶ 002. DATA COLLECTION.

After much back and forth, the branch in Busan does provide limited reports on their tracking of the Imugi's movements, both prior and after the catastrophe in Seoul. Per their reports, they are able to come to several conclusions in regards to the Imugi.

The Imugi that had escaped has further evolved, and even from the point in which it appeared in South Korea, has evolved to be even stronger than before. This Imugi is able to adapt to any weather condition, and even retains some control over the environment. The Imugi possesses intellect which seems to surpass many of the kaiju they have encountered in the past. The Imugi is able to use the rifts as a means of travel. Unlike some kaiju which appear from the rifts almost arbitrarily, the Imugi seems to have full control over its ability to travel within them, which makes it effective at evading most tracking methods. In addition, after further studies, it was found that the Imugi is able to inflict severe Rift poisoning due to its connection with the rifts. They state that while Seoul was physically devastated, most of the casualties were from the rift poisoning which took place after.

With the reports they receive, they also find that the two locations in Japan exhibited similar flows of rift energy, and are most likely to be in connection with the kaiju. As there are two locations in which have to be physically monitored, the Outsiders will once more need to be split up into teams. Everlight and Revelation will be sent to Yamanashi, while Brimstone and Redemption will be sent to Kagoshima. With this confirmation, it's highly likely that the female Imugi has returned.

Within those groups, LILITH will ask for those with experience with the Imugi to handle briefing others in their team who are not as familiar. As the Imugi does possess a variety of skills, Outsiders will also be asked to stick with those from an opposing team as a safety precautio as they believe each team member should be able to supplement for another. In addition, these teams are asked to stick together even prior to leaving the base in order to increase their ability to work as a team for the duration of the mission. While the travel time to each place is relatively short, videos on teamwork and strategy will be played and cannot be muted or turned off. Here is a recap of the Imugi from last year's debrief sheet with some extra information:

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: IMUGI ♀
HEIGHT: 1000 feet across, 30 feet high
WEIGHT: 2000kg
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: ???, Japan
ABILITIES: Control over weather conditions, including summoning of heavy storms, lightning strikes and hurricanes. Can fly up to 1000 feet. By flying amongst the clouds, Imugi releases chemicals into the atmosphere that bring about acid rain. Armored scales, sharp teeth and claws.
WEAKNESSES: Piercing it in the gaps between its impenetrable scales. There is also a particularly weak spot under on it's neck that will deal significant damage if pierced.
EXTRA NOTES: From its initial appearance and behavior, specialists believe that this female Imugi confirmed to be the mother of the hatchlings. This appears to be the female counterpart to the kaiju in Seoul that was killed by the Outsiders after causing havoc on South Korea. Despite them both being the same type of kaiju, likely derived from the same rift, this kaiju seems slightly more agile and openly aggressive.

Once each group arrives, they are expected to explore each region and gather whatever data they can.

▶ 003. KAGOSHIMA.

Reports continue to come in from the various outposts and remaining settlements around Kagoshima. There are constant tremors in the area and some of them manifest as full blown earthquakes that can be felt across other parts of the country and trigger tsunamis along the coast. While the region is no longer as populated as it once was, there are pockets of unfortunate civilians taking refuge in abandoned houses who will need to be rescued and evacuated (some may put up resistance). As these are typical signs of an imminent kaiju attack, the area is on high alert.

Ominously, the Kagoshima Bay area seems is exhibiting strange occurrences of dead and mutated fish washing up on the shore and any other animals in the area meet the same fate. These animals have extra limbs or organs, mysterious burns on their flesh, and have grown in size. Some animals have survived but they have mutated into unstable kaiju hybrids. They aren't very strong and don't live for very long but before they die, they become extremely violent.

LILITH researchers who try to investigate eventually become extremely ill and it has hindered their progress. They experience typical symptoms of Rift poisoning (headache, nausea, impulsive behavior, hallucinations) but also burning of the eyes, skin, and lungs. Before onset, they report spelling something foul in the air.

While getting close to the bay is difficult, it's easy to see that something is wrong. Aside from the loss of life, the water in the bay appears more polluted and smells rotten. The famous Sakurajima Island at the center of the bay has always been active but now it lets out unusual multi-coloured smoke. The clouds carry volcanic ash that completely covers large areas making it difficult to move and hard to breathe. The volcano constantly erupts and wind carries shards of cooled magma slivers. The shards cut skin, sting eyes, and can cause serious internal damage if breathed in.

The waves are too dangerous and flight conditions are poor so it is difficult to approach. However, the constant lava flows over the years have created a bridge on the other side of the bay called Ohsumi. Despite the high risks and plentiful unknown factors, Outsiders are tasked with investigating the area around Kagoshima Bay and reaching Sakurajima by this bridge.

Be careful of the toxic gases in the air, Rift poisoning, earthquakes, kaiju hybrids, and volcanic shards. Outsiders are strongly urged to keep their suits on. Outsiders will be flown near to the area via aircraft, and proceed the rest of the way using camper vehicles to reach Ohsumi and find out what kaiju threat is approaching. (Camper vehicles sit 4-5 people each and Seok Dang has kindly programmed his questionable pre-recorded driving lessons into each vehicle.)

▶ 004. YAMANASHI.

Closer to home, the residents of Neo Tokyo can sense that something is happening outside the city. The sky is clearer in the winter months, allowing everyone to see Mt. Fuji in the distance. From the city, everyone can see that dark clouds have gathered around Mt. Fuji. There is widespread panic that Fuji may be preparing to erupt but despite the perceived activity, there have been no tremors. Meteorologists report that this is purely an atmospheric phenomenon.

Clouds spread every day and begin to affect Neo Tokyo. Weather patterns become unpredictable and extreme. Heavy rains flood lower parts of the city one moment and then turn to a mix of snow and ice the next. The temperature drops dramatically and suddenly spikes to warmer weather at other times. Strong winds cause serious damage to buildings and there are reports of tornados touching down in the outskirts. These worsening conditions not only put a significant strain on the local businesses, but there are reports of these strong winds blowing away children and the frail elderly, and flash floods drowning those unable to escape in time. This entire time, Mt. Fuji flashes as lightning repeatedly strikes it. Given the mountain's significance to the people, they worry that this might be some sort of sign that something terrible is coming. In a panic, people begin to stock up on emergency supplies. They buy out stores, hoard goods, and stick closer to the entrances for underground shelters. Some even resort to crime, looting the evacuated apartments or stealing supplies from other people.

While Outsiders may be asked by other authorities to help keep peace in the city, LILITH's priority is investigating Mt. Fuji. They will be sent to Yamanashi prefecture by camper vehicles. (They sit 4-5 people each and Seok Dang has kindly programmed his questionable pre-recorded driving lessons into each vehicle.) It takes about 6 hours to arrive in Yamanashi due to the destruction and weather. It won't be a smooth ride, either. The weather continues to storm, with heavy winds knocking over trees to block their paths, the rain triggering landslides, and lightning strikes that keep conveniently striking wherever they are. On top of that, the rift-affected animals found a month prior have further mutated. The local fauna have grown in size and viciousness, and they make the trip there treacherous. Outsiders may encounter mutated boars slamming into their camper vehicles, or oversized, snarling monkeys trying to captured people and swoop them away. Find a safe and secluded area to park and help out any citizens who may need help.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth travel log!

There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may travel with whoever they choose or assume that LILITH has assigned you. All camper vans come with a driving instruction program installed. You can find more information about these vehicles here. It is highly encouraged to stay within your assigned team mission, but in the chaos LILITH is not going to enforce a relocation if somebody ends up where they aren't supposed to be. Communications remain open across all teams but might be a bit spotty in the weather conditions.

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

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. RECENT REPORTS: The weather across Japan has become unpredictable. The Imugi hatchlings have become very distressed and LILITH is temporarily restricting access to them. LILITH is reaching out to their sister base in South Korea to find out whatever information they can.

2. DATA COLLECTION: LILITH South Korea provides some information regarding the Imugi. We find out that is has become stronger than before. It has evolved and is now able to control not only the weather, but rift travel. It can also inflict severe rift poisoning. Outsider and split into two teams to explore two key locations: Kagoshima and Yamanashi.

3. KAGOSHIMA: Brimstone and Redemption are being sent here via campervan. There are reports of earthquakes, dead/mutated animals along with signs of severe rift poisoning in researchers. The volcano in Sakurajima island is emitted toxic, multi-coloured smoke. Outsiders must cross the bridge to get closer but beware rift poisoning, earthquakes and kaiju hybrids.

4. YAMANASHI: Everlight and Revelation are being sent here. Neo Tokyo is experiencing worsening weather conditions such as floods, unusual snowfall and tornadoes, which is causing a panic amongst the people. Outsiders have to take a campervan to travel toward Mt. Fuji but they may be faced with extreme weather conditions (such as lightning) and kaiju hybrid attacks.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. recent reports;

[ so you're shopping in familymart, 7-eleven, or don quijote! filling up your basket, cart or arms. a little red bird flits over to you with a hearty snack in his beak, be it one of these or one of these, whatever he's brought you seems tasty. he chirps at you encouragingly ]

[ treat yoself. ]

ii. debriefing;

[ well, hunter is prepared for this. he's apparently been working on something. he looks even more tired than usual. ]

[ and why? because he's been working on this. oh boy. he's got sheets of paper everywhere (despite all the information being on the oculars), pins, and red strings, and looks just slightly unhinged as he gives a comprehensive explanation of the imugi and everything he knows about it. ]

[ which is a lot ]

--- And finally, if it has the power to control rifts, then it's even more dangerous than before. We need to keep our distance as we attack from long range. Any questions?

[ such as: when is the last time you sleep or ate, hunter? ]

iii-a. yamanashi;

[ so a bunch of mutant monkeys have gathered and try to swipe some unsuspecting civilian walking along the road -- but then hunter swoops in on his staff, hitting the ground. vines grow from it, restraining them. wao he almost looks cool ]

[ he addresses them, standing tall ]

Hello, monkeys. This should be relatively painless... as long as you do what I say.

[ they stare at him, or rather --- behind him, because out of nowhere, a campervan comes swerving along, smashing right into them..... and actually, hunter too! ]

[ he gets hit along with the monkeys and just goes flying. ]

---AAAH!

[ looks like team hunter's blasting off again..... ]

iii-b. yamanashi; (the serious prompt)

[ lightning's striking everywhere! maybe you're just looking for safety. maybe you're cornered by the mutated animals. maybe you're just catching a breather. ]

[ but in a flash of golden light, hunter's by your side -- riding in on his magic staff. he reaches his hand out ]

Grab on!

[ a whole new world plays in the bg-- ok not really ]

wildcard;

[ you know the drill ]

[ catchall for shenanigans ]

[ hunter basically jumps into the driver's seat the first chance he gets. feel free to challenge him for it, noogie him, etc ]

---I'm driving this time!

[ jinx scoffs. ]

Can you even reach the gas pedals?

▶ 001. RECENT REPORTS.

▶ 002. DATA COLLECTION.

▶ 003. KAGOSHIMA.

▶ 004. YAMANASHI.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

hunter | owl house | everlight

CAMPERVAN

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i

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III-A

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III A

iii-a

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iii-A

(not here)

III-A (Not here)

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( iii-a )

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iii-a SAVE HIM??

bless

Well SOMEONE'S gotta ask (Debriefing)

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recent reports

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