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.

code

Comments

SILCO; tw: slavery, murder

[stonehearts]

( It is not a kind memory, a good memory. But it is a happy one, for Aventurine, in a way that he does not expect people to understand.

While Aventurine's mop of dirty blonde hair is familiar enough, it's untidy, unkempt, and his fancy clothes are gone, replaced by a simple long shirt -- stained, torn, discolored and fraying. A closer look reveals that he's at least a decade younger, his neck surrounded by a heavy iron collar, wrists chained together by iron cuffs. His head is bowed in this memory, eyes hidden from sight.

Another man is there, dressed in finery -- barely taller than this young Aventurine, balding hair and stocky. But there is something wild about him; his clothes are wrinkled, shirt untucked and buttons undone and what hair this man has is falling out of its style. He is, undoubtably, furious. Coming apart at the seams, his anger a rolling wave in this strange, liminal space that nevertheless gives off the feeling of opulence. The words are hard to make out, but as the dream -- the memory -- continues -- they become clear and sharp.

Did you really think you could get away with this? Fucking-- you're as worthless as the shit they found in that sand, you know that, Thirty-Five? Did you think they'd reward you with your freedom if you gave them what you promised? The man spits into Aventurine's face, saliva dripping down his cheek as he stands unmoving, head bowed. And you-- you piece of shit, do you know me what you cost me? All that money... not even your luck can save you now, you Avgin bitch--

The man moves to pull a weapon, but Aventurine moves first, quick as anything. His eyes almost gleam in the dim light as he swings his clasped hands in a wide arc, smashing the manacles into the side of the man's head. The scream of pain and shock echoes, deep and furious, but Aventurine doesn't give him the chance to fight back -- he swings his hands again and the man wavers on his feet. Another hit, and the man goes down. Aventurine nearly jumps on him, eyes blazing, landing hit after hit on the other man's skull as the man screams and yells and attempts to fight back, scratching, hitting, pulling at his clothes and hair, but there is nothing that will stop Aventurine now.

Not even when the man below him begins to bleed -- first from the nose, and then from the sides of his head as a sickening crack and a bone chilling scream come from the man. )

cw: a little gore :')

[zauneyete]

[ Why does it have to be not unhappy? Yes, it starts bad, but Silco can recognize the Outsider, a much younger version of him, and the man standing over him like he owns him. Well, the numerical designation, the way he's held, he's either a prisoner or... a slave. His eyes light on the tattoo on his neck, standing out stark against his skin. The latter, then.

The man spits on him, towers over him. Silco watches all of this, watches the way he's degraded, and though he had never seen it this bad — Piltover had so prided itself on the artifice of "cooperation" that they had never been treated quite like this, it was a familiar enough struggle.

The boy can't take it anymore, clearly. He lashes out, and Silco watches. He doesn't even flinch. Even when the blood flies after he cracks him with the chains, it hits him in the face, and he doesn't even bother to wipe it off. He only watches with interest, a mismatched gaze staring at him, one eye blinking whenever the blood goes flying, the other... it stares, ever staring, watching.

His lips twitch, and he wonders if Aventurine can hear him. This must be a dream, a shared one? He knows this kind of thing exists, he knows it can happen by now. It's already happened to him before here.

He leans forward, not quite in his space, but just out of it, as he says to him: ]

I hope you make it hurt.

[ Everyone had a monster inside of them, didn't they? time and time again, he is proven correct. ]

cw: more of the same. for the entire thread.

[stonehearts]

( He is startlingly silent as he continues his blows, uncaring about the blood, the gore, the brain matter that now spreads out on the floor and into his hair. Only rage, only a fierce determination in the set of his brow as he continues his work -- only being roused from his focus by the words that cut through everything; Thirty-Five jerks his head to face the man, but there's no fear in his eyes as he watches him. No, he expected someone to find him.

He wants to be found, he wants to be hauled up in front of the IPC. All of this was for that purpose, to stand before the Stonehearts and make a gamble for his life.

But there's something off about this man, the way that he looks--

So Thirty-Five speaks, and while his tone isn't particularly friendly, it still holds that familiar affect as his older self. Charming, ready to find someone and hook them in, as pointed and sharp as a weapon. )

Well, you're not IPC.

[zauneyete]

[ His lips curl, a little over-confident smile. ]

I don't even know who they are, boy. So, no. Just consider me...

[ He looks him up and down, considering. He's watching. He suspects he knows what this is. He's experienced such a thing before. He doesn't have to like it, but he's here, and he has to deal with it, doesn't he? So he'll watch this memory, and use it for later. After all, he knows the face of the man. He knows who he is.

He gestured with his hands as he spoke. ]

A sympathetic bystander. Just enjoying the show.

[ He nodded to the man before him. ]

How long? Were you in his... [ His lips curl with a sneer. ] "employ"?

[ His tone says he knows what it is. ]

[stonehearts]

( Thirty-Five's face wrinkles slightly for a moment -- what does he mean he doesn't know who the IPC are when he's standing in Aventurine's own living quarters? Even he knew who they were at eight, enough to know that they never came to save his tribe like they were supposed to, letting them all die for the sake of peace on his planet. But he remembers himself and schools his expression.

The boy runs a hand through his hair, flicking the brain matter that comes away on his hand aside with little regard for it, and no trace of distaste on his face. )

Let's see here... it's still the same Amber Era, and there's been about ten celebration of a new fiscal year, so... that long? ( He's a slave, not a Trailblazer, and therefore is unaware of the concept of a Trailblaze year. ) You should probably get going -- they're not going to let you go if they find you here.

[zauneyete]

A long time, hm?

[ He has no idea how long that is. He eyes the room, eyes the man. To him, this is all trappings, meaningless, but he understands something about the man, something a little better, perhaps. He understands what place he comes from.

Zaunites were never treated this bad, but it was only just. Just enough for Piltover to feel as if they were embracing their high minded ideals. He wondered if this man was fed any more, or less, than your averaged Zaunite worker? ]

They won't be able to hold me. [ He says, bluntly. ]

Why did they keep you here, I wonder?

[stonehearts]

Not just here. ( He sits back, not moving from his position over the corpse. He has to be there, after all, for the proper amount of horror he's looking to generate. The right amount of outrage. ) He liked me, so I got to be taken all over the place. Or rather he liked my luck, and I never steered him wrong. Well-- ( A flash of dangerous cunning overtakes Thirty-Five's face, almost manic in its energy. ) That's what he believed, at any rate. Turns out it's easy to lead the willfully blind astray once they're eating out of your hand, and he did what I wanted him to in the end. Before he died, that is.

Some Aventurine of Stratagems he turned out to be.

( Though he does raise an eyebrow at the man, head tilted as he gives him a longer, more searching gaze. )

Not hold you, huh?

[zauneyete]

[ His eye narrows, focus sharpens. He looks at Thirty-Five for a long moment. It's something he hadn't realized about the man, but it hardly matters what his name was once, it only matters what his name is now. ]

Stratagems, hm? It seems he had very few, given that you were I assume doing the work for him, in your own way. In a way...

[ He looked him up and down, a curl of his lip. ] Were you the actual one all along?

[ It's light, and teasing. Because he knows Thirty-Five's name now. ]

I have found that luck tends to round back on those who rely on it too much. Perhaps it was inevitable that yours found a target, hm?

[ He thinks of Jinx in that moment, his daughter whose luck seemed so notoriously bad that everything would fall apart eventually. Luck was always like that, wasn't it? ]

Ah, but do not fret. I'm not worried, after all. If I'm not, you shouldn't be. Worry about yourself, in the end.

[stonehearts]

You flatter me. ( Thirty-Five says with a laugh, hollow and empty, but familiar in the way it is simply an act. Derision crosses his face as he looks at the bloody, gory mess he's still sitting atop. ) I'd hardly say that it was me all along, even when he'd taken the bait for this particular plan of mine. He could have stopped at any time. The final say was always his, but greed-- well.

( A breath, high and sharp. )

You see where it got him in the end. As for my luck, well-- ( A shrug. He's relying on it now, knows that all of this could end in his death. But if so... Thirty-Five is fine with that. A win-win scenario, if one will. ) It is what it is.

( Worry about himself? That's enough of an idea for him to huff in amusement, rolling his shoulders as he looks back at the door and away from this strange, strange man. )

Worry? No-- this is exactly where I want to be. Making the IPC and the Intelligentsia Guild waste resources and money on a gamble that will only turn up empty sand isn't enough to get me in front of Diamond. But killing one of his Stonehearts on top of all of that? That will do it. They'll want my blood, of course, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

cw: i guess that's an elusion to suicide but just in case!

[zauneyete]

He could have. He didn't.

[ He points out. Could have stopped anytime, please. People like that were easy to manipulate, their greed, their eyes so consistently on the prize that they forget everything else. This man was supposed to be of Stratagems, but was the title meaningful? Clearly, he knew as sure as anything, that this would pass ot the man. He doesn't float it toward him. It likely wouldn't matter, in the grand scheme. He obtained it anyway. ]

What do you want to gain from your audience, I wonder?

I doubt you are merely courting your own death, are you?