TRAVEL LOG #5

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #5

CONTENT WARNINGS: death, nightmares, gun violence, survival scenario

▶ 001. EYES WIDE OPEN.

"Angels of Lilith, report for duty in the DISPATCH."

The day starts off with alarms blaring and oculars shining bright lights in the Outsiders' heads, waking them up early for an emergency dispatch. Although the current Rift at Mt. Fuji needs to be explored and examined, the Rifts continue to appear in different parts of the world, and this Rift is no different. Captain Yamakawa continues,

"We have received a distress call from EGYPT. Much of the region fell during the first kaiju crisis. Now it is a desolate land that survives with the help of a generator called an ESSENCE which is currently malfunctioning. We assume the cause is Rift energy—according to our radar, there is a heavy amount of Rift energy coming from that area. We will move out immediately. Pack all the things you may need, but each Outsider will be supplied with a care package of their own containing essentials."

Even though it is 4:00 AM Tokyo time, LILITH hopes you all have slept well. It could be the very last good sleep in awhile. While the dataportal to Egypt is operational on Japan's end, because of the malfunctioning generator, Outsiders are unable to come out on the other side. The old method of using the flying cruiser will be used once again.

There will not be assigned seating for this other than by teams. Everlights will sit with Everlights, Brimstones with Brimstones, and so on. The Outsiders will be encouraged to rest on the flight, and a few hours before landing, an in-flight meal will be provided. The meal is surprisingly delicious and consists of chicken or pork katsu cutlet, but with the warning that all Outsiders will know about: it contains high amount of cyber caffeine. This sort of newly innovative caffeine can keep Outsiders awake for several days, but sometimes it may cause restlessness or hyperactivity, causing characters to have a jittery amount of energy but razor sharp focus. Other times, it simply keeps characters awake and they feel no different. The cutlet will be served with KAIJU™ Energy Drink. Any Outsiders that require a different diet will be provided with what they need, and the cyber caffeine will be added to it if they would like.

Yamakawa gives instructions again:

"We have received more information about the kaiju. Civilians have died in their sleep from horrible nightmares, and we are encouraging Outsiders to sleep together in pairs or groups, or disregard sleeping at all until we obtain more information. We are still receiving facts about this monster, but this meal will help with keeping everyone awake as a safety measure."

Those who do not want to have the highly caffeinated meal can have everyone's favorite: a ration bar that isn't spiked with any energy, but it doesn't taste good at all. Outsiders may be more likely to fall asleep and be in danger by choosing this meal. The balance of a dystopian society.

▶ 002. ARRIVAL IN EGYPT.

When they finally arrive, the air is temperate and dry in Alexandria. The Outsiders might have to check their clocks once more to make sure everything is right; everyone is expected to land in the late afternoon and every clock says it should be close to evening, but the city is already growing dark with the sun setting quite early. Because of the ESSENCE disruption, Alexandria is running on back up energy, which makes for spotty lighting and loss of basic power.

LILITH will be greeted by a small group of researchers at the airport and they will help take the Outsiders to their base: the Alexandria Institute which was once the University of Alexandria. They will give the Outsiders a quick run down of the situation and some background.

1. LILITH does not have a strong defense branch in the region any more. Instead, the branch here seems more focused on research, especially on the origin of kaiju and rifts.
2. This region is extremely prone to spontaneous Rifts. Many of them are small and pass quickly but this most recent one is unprecedented.
3. One evening, in the final week of March, the Alexandria Institute received a corrupt file from their fellow researchers in Greece. It shut down much of their research facility (including their warp portal) and all they have been able to recover so far are the words, "Do Not Go To Sleep."
4. The next morning, they awoke to find the sun rising later and setting earlier. It feels like the days are getting significantly shorter.
5. Many locals developed a fear of the dark and going to sleep. They would then die in their sleep within the next few days.
6. The autopsy of these victims have shown no cause of death, puzzling coroners.

Progress has been slow because the corrupt file shut down many of their facilities. They have not been able to track the source of the Rift or identify the kaiju responsible for it. They believe the answers may be within the corrupt file and will be happy to receive any help they can get from the Outsiders.

When they arrive at the Institute, Outsiders will be set up in the old student dormitories. Each room has 2-4 beds depending on the room, with a common shared area on each floor. Given the current threat, there is also a supply of energy drinks and bars boosted with cyber caffeine. Outsiders have two options:

1. OPTION ONE: Stay in Alexandria and help the researchers with the generators, while keeping themselves and teammates awake during the night by playing games.
2. OPTION TWO: Go out into the Egyptian desert on camel-back, spending time getting to know their camel before heading out.

OOC NOTE: While players may write prompts for both options, we ask that you submit for a clue only once per player (not per character, as we have a lot of characters in game now!)

▶ 003. LEARN & EXPLORE. (ALEXANDRIA RESEARCH.)

Times are hard in Alexandria right now with their generators malfunctioning and efforts being split. The researchers are trying to get the generators back up and uncorrupt the data they received from Greece. LILITH will instruct the Outsiders to help with the research but also warn that they cannot afford to just sit around and wait to crack codes. The researchers also agree. Sometimes the best way to get research data is to go out into the field, but they haven't been able to do it due to not having much protection. The desert is vast, and there have been sightings of other small kaiju lurking beneath the sand and in some smaller cities.

Outsiders can decide to stay in the city of Alexandria to help crack the codes, or they can opt to go out into the field. For the latter, they can choose to stay close to home and investigate within Alexandria.

Those who wish to help with the ESSENCE generators and researchers will stay in Alexandria, using any downtime when not investigating to try and stay awake, slumber-party style. Two Truths and a Lie? Maybe Spin The Bottle? Perhaps some games can keep Outsiders enticed so they don't doze off.

▶ 004. FEELING SANDY (DESERT EXPLORATION.)

For those who wish to explore the desert and smaller cities, Alexandria Institute will supply what they need, such as water, food, essential tools for digging, sleeping bags (no sleeping, but maybe for resting!) and anything else. To conserve energy, the researchers supply camels for the Outsiders to use. The camels are mostly tame, but have their own distinct personalities, so they may need a little more handling and can be coaxed to behave with treats like artificial carrots and bananas. Outsiders can spend time getting to know their camel if they are going to explore the desert or cities. A camel can seat two people on its back comfortably, but also carry any essentials that travelers need to bring along.

In the distant small cities and across the desert, Outsiders will come across Sand Crocodiles, one of the smaller kaiju that have been inhabiting the desert. These monsters are basically crocodiles but with a twist: they can spit fire if angered and they can camouflage in the sand. They hide strategically, and one wrong step will cause them to push their jaws out of the ground, harming a person or camel. The stubby quills along their backs or rounds of their horns aren't entirely covered while hiding, so watch carefully. Fortunately, Outsiders will be supplied with a shotgun. Aiming between the eyes or in the mouth will kill it, but also beating it with the back of the shotgun will also do the trick. And yes, they also taste like crocodile too, if anyone is hungry.

After exploring, Outsiders are requested to report their findings back in Alexandria.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth travel log!

Welcome to the new and improved Travel Log! Below, you will see the link to the MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET post that has information about the kaiju below along with RIFT EFFECTS. Fill out the form for RNG Attacks and whether you would like to receive a RIFT EFFECT. This should give characters some ideas for the status of their character in the next log, which will have more action and monsters in it. Outsiders may use the CHAT to report and discuss any findings.

We thank you in advance for your patience as we try out this new format!

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

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. EYES WIDE OPEN: Outsiders travel to Egypt after receiving reports of their power generator, ESSENCE, being unstable and malfunctioning, leaving citizens in peril. They are instructed to "stay awake." They are supplied cyberpunk caffeine and told to try not to sleep or stay in pairs to be watchful of any danger.

2. ARRIVING IN EGYPT: Arriving in Alexandria, the Outsiders are confirmed that citizens have been dying in their sleep, with coroners unable to determine the cause. The days are mysteriously getting shorter and people are unable to stay awake.

3. LEARN & EXPLORE: Outsiders are given options to stay in Alexandria to help with the generator or find clues to assist the research team. Between researching, they are asked to continue to stay awake by any means possible. Those who will be exploring the desert and smaller cities for clues are given a camel for transportation. Outsiders are encouraged to get to know their camel before traveling.

4. FEELING SANDY: While looking for any clues out in the desert, Outsiders encounter smaller kaiju known as Sand Crocodiles. They hide in the sand and attack at the opportune time, snapping jaws and spitting fire. Shooting them between the eyes or in the mouth will K.O. them.

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Comments

[hachikai]

[ Why do that when it's so much funnier to treat him as if he's serious? ]

You're asking questions you don't want to answer to.

[blastedass]

[HE'S GONNA WRAP A CACTUS IN HIS GATOR TAIL TONIGHT!!]

NO SHIT!!

You're pissing me off on purpose!

[queenofkur]

[ Oh... She figures an accident of that nature changes a lot. She's not sure how she would react if someone hit her with a car. Poorly, probably. There's be a lot of lightning going off, no doubt.

Still, the way he's talking about that makes her smile. ]

... You miss him, don't you?

[ It's obvious. It reminds her of how she feels whenever the topic is Ritsuka is brought up. ]

You'll see him again ere long, I know it. [A nod.] I have no doubt about it.

[queenofkur]

[ Y-Your highness? Why does that sound so wrong? She's used to some people calling her "Lady Ereshkigal" or "Goddess Ereshkigal," but that's... different? Now that she thinks about it, that's the only time anyone has ever addressed her with a nobility title in her entire existence! Well, she thinks there was that one time someone called her "your majesty" on the network, but it had been sarcastic. ]

It does, and so does that title.

[ She's too short to be a highness. Well, she thinks she could actually like being addressed as such quite a bit, but under different circumstances. Much as she loves praise and being treated as someone special, it just feels off while she's an outsider like everyone else here. ]

I-I would rather you simply call me Ereshkigal. I am hardly a queen let alone a goddess in this world, after all.

[ Tezcatlipoca is probably somewhere in the distance disagreeing. ]

[queenofkur]

I
I hadn't considered the possibility.
But there is indeed a chance this could be that way.

[queenofkur]

Heh?
I'm already proud.
What you have chosen to do with your life is admirable.

But you shouldn't think like that.
You shouldn't strive to make us proud.
But strive to be selfish. Just a little.

I know it's hard,
But I also know you can do it.

[hachikai]

Doesn't seem that hard to do.

[queenofkur]

I would say you have, yes.
You have reasons to be proud of yourself.
We should celebrate your successful conversion once this mission is over!

[blastedass]

Cause you're fucking annoying!

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca laughs warmly once he hears Kaladin trail off into frustration, but that’s all he says in response. Getting down to business works for him, and he’ll repeat the phrase when they meet in person.

The park is as empty as Tezcatlipoca had hoped, since with the strange phenomenon of longer nights, the locals tend to stay inside once the sun falls. However, it suits Tezcatlipoca well. The only way it would be more fitting is if the sun was eclipsed rather than simply setting. So, once it gets close to that fifteen minutes, since Kaladin is a punctual guy, in his observation, a dark, potent smoke surrounds Tezcatlipoca as he slips into the most divine form he has in this reduced form.

So, when Kaladin arrives, Tezcatlipoca is waiting for him, donned in his full regalia. It’s a far cry from Tezcatlipoca’s usual presentation in every way—the skull and bone decorated outfit suits a god of death, and even the way he carries himself in subtle ways is prouder and more regal. When you meet Tezcatlipoca in his modern outfits with his toothy smiles, it’s a bit hard to believe that he’s the god of importance he says he is. This way, though? It feels clear that he’s a king of gods and men, somehow, like a mortal soul just innately understands that weight.

…Though it’s also a bit funny how far that extends by comparison. After all, when he speaks, even that is more formal, so his usual casual, crass language is a choice too, apparently. ]

I did pick this day intentionally to be your day, Yiaiauhtlan. Eight-acatl is a day under my purview. It is a day when the arrows of fate fall from the sky like lightning bolts. A good day to seek justice, a bad day to act against others.

[ And more, but. Getting into the trecena part of the fortune would be more of a mouthful, so he keeps it simple, repeating the phrase again. ]

Kwalli tikaxaltihki moxiw. And the rest of your years will be under my eye.

[fursuit]

[ wow!!!!! ]

nah. been trying my hand at divination instead since I figure if there were conditions that were right for me this is the closest to it outside of an eclipse

getting the feeling that you're about to come babysit me though

[fursuit]

oh sure. you wouldn't hear any complaints from me about it. you know even if it causes more causalities on our side I'm not opposed

actually since it's on my mind you ever taken it yourself bossman?

[fursuit]

yeah I don't need much sleep typically but now that they're saying we shouldn't? really feeling those human limitations

honestly if it was just nightmares I'd take the nap. who cares

[fursuit]

or at least not dosed the food since apparently we accidentally double dipped from the sounds of it

I guess getting started on the dose earlier is better but surely they could've been more precise about it

[fursuit]

why do you call me old/aging every time you get a chance

like it doesn't go downhill THAT fast damn

[photosympathies]

Both? I think all insects are like that though. I've been reading about bees.

( A non-sequitur? Not really. They're a hivemind too. )

And I think Zazzie is a worm? Not a worm? Shaped like a person and working with my brother so who knows! Man, what if one day there's a people-shaped kaiju? ( He shudders, but there's something to the thought. ) Let's not consider that right now. How are you doing, Bakuboom? You been good?

[fursuit]

not that I can think of? like the kaiju shit never bothers me

not much bothers me actually

[fursuit]

I mean excited to go kaiju hunting I guess but not any more than normal

love though??? hell no. and no way it feels this intense anyways

🔒 private

[zauneyete]

I can't imagine you concerned about casualties.

[ But, more importantly... ]

I take it daily.

Medicinally. I don't think you would enjoy the method of delivery.

[photosympathies]

I miss him, yeah.

( His expression sombers a little, turns melancholy. He still smiles throughout though. )

But I think even if I don't see him again that's fine. He has stuff he needs to do now. A life he should be living. If he's smart back home he'll go where he needs to and not worry about me anymore. I'd like that for him.

( It's better if he does. )

What about you, Ereshkigal? Do you have a lot of friends here? You must, you're so nice!

[gorb]

A god with humility, that's refreshing.

( He hopes she's right, take that Tezcatlipoca. )

Ereshkigal it is then.

( Another pull of his cigarette, a thoughtful cast to his gaze. ) Are you worried about the mission?

🔐💖

[fursuit]

if you think I'm squeamish then clearly I need to step up my carnivore diet

[ joking. probably. ]

for the eye I'm guessing? or something else?

🔐 cw: EYE STUFF 💖

[zauneyete]

Yes, it's for the eye.

I have to inject it. Directly. Otherwise... I'd lose it.

[fursuit]

I think so, yeah. Not completely sure, since I can’t read the hieroglyphics any more than he’d be able to read mine, but… Well, call it intuition.

[ It’s a bit more than that, but it’s something he’s have difficulty explaining even to someone that were a little more spiritual, much less to Silco. Intuition isn’t a bad word for it, though. It’s a reflection of how the divine are woven into the fabric of the world, and even though this isn’t his world any more than it was Set’s… There are still echoes. Perhaps another version of Set had ruled over these lands long ago or perhaps the people that came to the temple just held him in regard. The detail of it isn’t something that Tezcatlipoca knows.

As they step inside the temple, it gets dark, but he’s quick to pull out a flashlight and switch it on. Even with his feline-derived ability to see much better in the dark doesn’t extend this far. ]

Plus, can say he left an interesting gift for us in return.

[ He turns the flashlight up to a scene that they don’t exactly need to be able to read the language to get an impression of. ]

First stop’s the altar, but might as well take a look around while we’re here, considering.

[fursuit]

[ You know, cursed vibes are fine, since it’s not like they bother him. A god of death tends to have a dark vibe all their own, after all. Tezcatlipoca does look a bit more intensely at Yuta, but whether it’s that or just meeting someone new… Who knows? ]

More or less. Figured it would be a more interesting way to stay awake. Give people some culture or something like that.

[ He snickers, so clearly that’s a joke, but the punchline there is hard to say… It’s a joke for himself, apparently. ]

Anyways, yeah, your birth year will make it the real deal so long as you were born on Earth, anyways. Part of why I didn’t ask, since we’ve got plenty of people where that ain’t a straightforward answer.