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

[vorous]

I’ve never seen one before. I wonder what it tastes like.

_{[ Oops. Did that intrusive thought actually make it to his lips? Actually, Laios has been more and more unfiltered when it comes to his diet as of late. It just keeps getting worse (don’t get the camels, Laios.) He’s been spending his time with shady people (cough, Silco) to get the monster meat he needs for his dishes; it was just a matter of time before he became more unhinged. ]}

Well. I have read a lot about them. They have long lashes to protect their eyes from the sand, and the hump on their back.. it stores water! They ate a lot bigger than I imagined. I think you have to get on their backs with them seated.

_{[ Carefully, Laios takes one step forward before looking back at Gilgamesh. ]}

Oh, that sounds like my village! We had those animals too.

notes -- very vague non-explicit references to nsfw things bc THIRSTY OUTSIDERS b like

[gilgamess]

Perhaps you might bring such a beast to the slaughter and find out!

[ ... is he joking? That is really hard to tell. Well, they probably aren't supposed to be offing their rides... ]

I had heard that LILITH's food offerings were on the more atrocious side, so I might have said it would be better than our current fare... but since the time of my arrival, the meals have been... acceptable.

[ His arrival, the Kaijucon, and now their journey on the mission... decent food all around. Much better than what Gilgamesh had been given to understand was the norm. Perhaps his kingly presence brings good luck? Or perhaps there is something deeper going on in the organization. HMMM... ]

Certainly! The features of such beasts are common in the romance poetry of my kingdom. Though I suppose, with Uruk, it would be cows -- yet these animals do have eyelashes that would inspire the scribes. LILITH seems to have organized a strangely amorous-minded group of individuals, so I do not doubt some are making such metaphors in their art.

[ Somewhere, Dearka sneezes?

Gilgamesh is here to fight kaiju but everyone seems to be doing a romance every which way he looks. Someone like Ereshkigal must feel really at home here, living vicariously through all these lovebirds. She must be very joyful with that. Well, it is whatever it is. Perhaps all the embracing the Outsiders are doing with one another keeps their bodies fit and keeps morale up or something of the sort. His Uruk was like that, too. ]

Hmm, well, are you going to mount it?

he’s dumb and doesn’t get the innuendo

[vorous]

Oh, just you wait! You’ll be begging for a monster meal from me soon enough.

_{[ bro ain’t even trying to hide he cooks the monsters they kill nowadays. Whatever innuendo this guy is making, it flies over Laios’ head, and he replies with a sincere smile. ]}

Of course I am! I love mounting animals.

_{[ 🥹 ]}

[gilgamess]

Oh? Have you also slain many of these creatures?

[ Gilgamesh is a little curious about finally encountering one. ]

You are a cook and a rider of mounts, yet also a soldier, I suppose?

[ That suits him okay. Commoners can contribute valuable services to such a resistance movement. ]

Hmph... very well. Did you not say you would "show me how"? [ He says it with a touch of facetiousness, smiling almost mischievously. ] Need I grant permission or something of the sort? As a King, it suits me well enough.

[vorous]

_{[ Why the fuck does he keep bumping into Kings? Seriously? What kind of prophecy was this? First, there was Godzilla, then Callisto, and now what.. this guy? Laios doesn’t hide the sudden look of distaste that flourishes over his expression. ]}

Um.. I don’t know about that. I mean, I was in the military, but it didn’t really work out for me.

<sub>[ aka: he never fit in there and was bullied.

In either case, Laios still seems a little taken aback to the point where he actually has to pause and process everything for a moment: ]</sub>

Jeez, everyone is a king nowadays I guess.

_{[ whoa what’s with the mood drop.. ]}

[gilgamess]

Ha, I do not concern myself with others who bear that title. I was the first in recorded history.

[ Technically, Godzilla and others might be much, much older, but Gilgamesh's kingdom could be said to have initialized and paved the way for human civilization, and that's really all that matters to him. He does not feel his status is in any way threatened by anyone or anything else, as such matters go. ]

I shall not deny I have met a great many others who are monarchs, however. Given the nature of Chaldea and my role as a heroic spirit, it would be unsurprising were it otherwise. I do not know who else claims kingship in this world, however. Unless you speak of that Titan King -- I have met that one. But we are of different domains, truly.

[ Gil thinks he can hang with Godzilla kind of like he hangs with Ozy. Different spheres and all. ]

[vorous]

Okay, but is it really such a big deal? Being a king and everything. I mean, it’s just a lot of responsibility and if you mess up, everyone is mad at you. You don’t have the sort of freedom you would have if you weren’t a king— like if you were just doing your own thing.

_{[ that’s what he likes to do.. his own thing.. ]}

[gilgamess]

[ That's a rather alien perspective to him. What should he care if others were mad at him? But there are other points Gilgamesh supposes he can agree with. ]

At least in my youth, I lived with freedom and did whatever I pleased.

[ Really, in every sense. Adventure, hedonism, monster slaying. ]

It was only after my long journey, when I saw the deep, that I began to take on the full weight and responsibility of the masses during Uruk's time of crisis. Indeed, administrative tasks can certainly become somewhat restrictive to pleasure and thrill, if that is what you mean. But I've always found the latter lurks nearby... and it seems to be true in this world now, as well.

1/2

[vorous]

No offense, but I’d rather be eaten by a monster than be king of anything.

_{[ his priorities are.. so much different than anything else. ]}

Like, if I had my pick.. maybe some kind of dragon—

2/2

[vorous]

Oh! But which kind? There are so many!

<sub>[ Suddenly, there’s a shift in his tone cause the topic has moved to monsters and not royal responsibility.

ANYWAY WHY IS HE HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THIS? ]</sub>