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

Raidou Kuzunoha XIV | Devil Summoner | Everlight

[the_fourteenth]

▶ 001. FLIGHT

[It's a long trip to Egypt, and Raidou doesn't much feel like talking and socializing lately. Even more than normal. So once on the plane, he sits with his Everlight buddies and takes a nap. Once awake, though, he'll be consuming some of that lovely caffeinated food and is ready to go. And while he has a captive audience, why not text the network?]

Hello. I know this isn't relevant at the current moment. But when we get back, if our schedules allow, I could use more help in Okinawa. We're building a greenhouse there, and more gardens, and caring for the groves that had remained. There is also plenty of fishing, and large crabs we can use for food (and good for a fight if you need to keep sharp). I also have a boat that needs a lot of TLC, and someone to captain it.

More details can be found here. Unfortunately, many people who originally offered help are gone now. I believe this project is important for us to grow more food, unless you want more of these ration bars for the rest of your life here.

[You can either text back kuzunoha14, or just pop over to the Everlight portion of the plane to talk to him.]

▶ 002. ALEXANDRIA

[Raidou has opted to stay behind and help the researchers, which might seem odd for him. While he might have been a junior detective back home, this sort of electronic research and investigation isn't something he has any experience in. He's a fast learner though, and he listens attentively to the Egyptian scientists to help get him started. Maybe too attentively. Just how much of this caffeinated food has he been eating?

Once he gets enough knowledge to start on code cracking, Raidou will sit for hours doing so, eyes heavy but still awake. If you ask him about taking a break or maybe playing a game to help energize him, he hesitates.]

... Is there any coffee left?

003. MEMORY [Closed to Ratio]

[The dream opens up simply. There's fog, the smell of a forest in springtime, the distant sounds of birds and wind in the trees. When Ratio emerges from the fog, he's near the shore of a lake, and there's a brief moment where he might think he's alone. That's when the wind brings him the smell of a campfire, and he can spot the flames in the near distance.

Sitting alone a few years from the shore is a young Raidou, maybe 8 or 9 years old. He's got a rough campsite set up, complete with a makeshift tent to shield from the light spring drizzle going on. Currently, he's sat on the shore of the lake, on a rock, dressed in traditional clothes that are muddy in spots. Looks like he's been out here awhile. He's quiet and still, holding a bamboo fishing rod, until he hears someone approaching. Instantly, his head turns towards the sound, hand moving to his hip where a hunting knife rests.

He stares at the intruder, those pale gray eyes ready to bore holes in him. A lot of intensity for someone so young.]

▶ 004. WILDCARD

[For anything else you might need Raidou for!]

[fursuit]

Something like that. But you'll dig this one. No sacrifice involved for a reading, promise.

[ He's far too casual with that joke as he tosses him a toothy little grin. But he taps the circle containing the glyphs. He actually taps at a glyph that's associated with him, but it's not like Ratio knows that. ]

It's a calendar. Simple version of it, since I can only do so much with paper and a pencil, but works well enough. Every day is unique and important, so the calendar of the Azteca reflects that.

[ And by giving it a closer look now that Ratio knows that, he might have some idea of how the circles are meant to work. The circle with dots has thirteen possibilities, and the other circle has twenty glyphs. Rotating one would rotate the other, and you get a unique combination of dots and glyphs because of how the numbers don't match. That said, it also wouldn't add up to the 365 days that Ratio has become familiar with on Earth, so maybe there's more to it. ]

I'm a god of divination, so can give a fortune based on where your day falls in the tōnalpōhualli.

@curse

[gimu]

it sure is a pain
so i’ll do it

[gilgamess]

Character Name: Gilgamesh
Area of Investigation: He'll be trawling the desert. Tough choice between that and Alexandria proper, but being an adventurer, I think the desert will suit him.

un: ʜᴜɴᴛᴇʀ.

[cosmarchy]

How else are you going to pass the time?

You don't wanna join in?

[ Because he's definitely playing I Spy. ]

@Destiny

[intertwinedfates]

I think I can fly without my divine covering, even! they should've given us this shit during the Imugi fight

[gimu]

it might not
explode i mean
unless your blood vessels have developed a blockage
in which case you should talk to spim

@Rock Hard

[golmi]

That’s not flight that’s just falling and delusion.
Spit it out and go back inside!

@Rock Hard

[golmi]

Why not a desert? Sands like this are prime for finding ruins.

[hachikai]

No need if you understood anyway.

[intertwinedfates]

aw... how can you be so sure? I'm feeling really pumped!

too bad, I swallowed it~

[soft_shelled]

My species does better with access to water, so prolonged exposure to the arid climate of a desert isn't good for me.

[golmi]

[ Oh, no. At this rate, Yato will become even more ungovernable. ]

How much, exactly, did you have?

@Rock Hard

[golmi]

Giant lizards are the least terrible of all options right now, I’d say.

[soft_shelled]

Ah.

The shakes are the easy part. Wait until you start seeing things, or micronapping.

[intertwinedfates]

I had two of the cutlet meals and drinks to go with them

[No wonder he feels like he can fly. Red Bull gives you wings! Pity the people surrounding him on the flight who have to deal with his restless fidgeting and getting into everything.]

[golmi]

Species…

[ He really can’t help but think of Noonsa. ]

It’s a long shot in the desert, but I’ll see what else I can do to help your moisture crisis.

[soft_shelled]

I don't need constant water, being a turtle, thankfully. But I'd still rather be safe than sorry, thus why I packed extra water.

[A moment then...]

But thank you.

[golmi]

[ Damn, a turtle. Better than a gilled fish, he supposes. ]

If you run out, I can ‘create’ some, but it won’t be as much in the desert as it was in Kyoto for obvious reasons.

@Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight

[blastedass]

Let me guess

SAND!

[blastedass]

How are the ruins? Still standing or pretty shit.

[soft_shelled]

[One of the more aquatic species too, but Donnie isn't sharing that detail.]

I'm assuming it's because you can only pull from water that exists in the area? IE: Pulling it from the air?

@Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight

[blastedass]

Then you're in charge of gutting them tonight.

[golmi]

Gross. Why me? How many are we even talking?

[ Opportunity presents itself immediately with the question. He’s thinking numbers, the door is open. ]

[golmi]

[ One day he’ll go in a deep dive on turtle species. This is… maybe one of those days. ]

Exactly. It might be easier at night when the temperatures drop.