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

Alexandria

[dontchasetherabbit]

[ Sometimes, just sometimes, Raleigh forgets that people have roombas. It's not something that he has ever requested. Nothing to ever have show up. Then again, he's never asked for anything from LILITH. Not when he had Gipsy Danger and he was content with that. Maybe, in due time, he'd ask for something. That way he's not always fighting with just his jaeger alone.

Whatever is on the screen barely makes any sense to him. Even more so when he's never been one for that kind of thing. No, he likes being out in battle. Doing what he can to fight and protect those around him.

So, when they're told the generators are down he gives a nod. Then he looks over at Taryon as they start heading out. ]

They'll let us know when they need us. For now? We've got a city to check on.

[likemybooks]

[There's a big city with few truly happy people. Nonetheless, they have a duty to the civilians. What kind of heroes would they be if they didn't explore the town and uncover clues?

He nods.] Where to? The cafes? The shops? Should we tour the outskirts and fight off any small beasts trying to attack homes?

[He reaches into his pack to pull out a roomba.] I can enchant Maura with a spell for you in case we run into something. We could attack from multiple sides with your robot, my robot, and our weapons! What about flying? Could you make good use of a flying spell?

[dontchasetherabbit]

[ Unfortunately, they couldn't help how happy (or unhappy) people were. That didn't mean they shouldn't help the civilians. People needed help and that's what they were there for. ]

Let's tour the outskirts and fight off anything deciding to attack homes. Though, we can stop by the shops on the way to the outskirts and check on some of the people.

[ When the other pulls out a roomba he looks over toward the other. It was definitely different. Though, he remembers that the other was good with spells. Even if he, himself, had never messed with spells of any kind since showing up. He also didn't actively carry a weapon on him, his jaeger was his weapon. Though, he'd have to start carrying a bo staff or something with him. ]

Flying might come in handy, for myself. Not for Gipsy.

[ Even if it would be interesting to see his mech fly, he's not going to risk not having the control he needed for the jaeger. ]

[likemybooks]

Oh, that's right! I heard this city is full of history, no doubt of old relics! We could get something nice for our place. You know, help out the locals with our monetary...

[A pause.]

Right. We should focus on the mission first. Tourism comes later. [He wags a finger sharply and turns on his heel with Doty following. All sorts of LILITH-provided tools hang from his belt, including a set of headphones with cat ears. One never knows when it may come in handy.]

I'll prep one for you. In case we're split up, use it to get away. [He pinches the handmade coin between his thumb and forefinger: infusing a basic support spell doesn't take much time or effort.]

[dontchasetherabbit]

I'm sure there are a lot of old relics around. However, let's focus on the mission at hand.

[ Raleigh couldn't remember the last time he allowed himself to tour a city. He does, also, take note of all of the tools hanging from Taryon's belt. Including the weird cat ears. ]

How does it work? So, I'm not confused if I ever do need it.

[ Hey, he's willing to learn. Especially if the other was willing to do this for him. ]

[likemybooks]

Hold it up, call forth the spell, and it just works. I guess, think about summing a Fly spell, and...it's there. You've never been around magic, have you.

[Back home, even non-spellcasters are familiar with the sensation of the divine, the arcane, or the primal.]

How about you yell "Fly!" In the pose dramatic tone you can. That should be impressive enough.

[dontchasetherabbit]

No, I've never been around magic. That's not a thing where I'm from. Where I'm from it's nothing but jaegers, normal people, and kaiju. No one with powers like yours. No one with magic.

[ There was no time for magic. Not only that, but the only magic was stage magic. Magicians that catered to a crowd and nothing more than that. ]

I am not going to yell out dramatically, it's not how I am.

[ Raleigh didn't know how to be dramatic. He was a soldier who knew nothing but battle. Before he lost his older brother he'd have been someone who did battle and headed out to bars, someone who had fun. Now? He was just a guy with insomnia and an aversion to caffeinated drinks. ]

[likemybooks]

Well... [What do his friends do, then? It always looks like Keyleth effortlessly commands the elements, or Pike prays as she clutches her holy symbol.] It's like thinking about it...you know when you mentioned that you stand and your robot moves with you? Think of it that way, only with calling forth the magic in the coin.

[He flicks his hand in Raleigh's direction.]

We can work it out when we run into trouble. We should probably go.

[dontchasetherabbit]

[ A part of him was curious if Taryon was trying to say magic and Gipsy Danger were about the same. Something that amused him. ]

So, this magic is like the neurological connection I have to my jaeger then?

[ Though, he didn't have to say anything out loud to get Gipsy Danger to move. He thought it and it happened. ]

You're right, we should go. So, let's head out.

[likemybooks]

Yes, that's one way of putting it. [He bases it on his best guess on the intricacies of jaegers.]

Let's go.

[The journey across the city is uneventful: many people are trying to stay awake, hoping that the kaiju will be defeated quickly. Some are shaking their companions on the verge of falling asleep. Taryon and Raleigh soon come upon a quiet neighborhood at the edge of Alexandria. No one is out on the street.]

I...guess everyone is too tired to come out?

[dontchasetherabbit]

[ He has a feeling that Taryon doesn't get it. When he's in Gipsy Danger he's, quite literally, connected with his jaeger. A nice lovely neural connection in the back of his suit. Something that allows his own movements to move the mech. If something happened to his jaeger then it would happen to him. It was why he had the scars he did. Why his left arm wasn't as good as it used to be. The left arm was the arm that had been torn away when he lost his big brother.

The 'let's go' has him giving a nod and he heads into the city with the other. It's obvious that a lot of people were trying to stay awake. He, himself, only stayed awake due to his insomnia. Though, the city was far too quiet in his eyes. ]

Should we knock and make sure they're awake? We don't want anyone getting hurt all because they're tired.

[likemybooks]

Good plan. Doty- [The automaton turns to look at Taryon.] See that everyone answers their door. You have the strongest arm and sturdiest knuckles amongst the three of us. Go on, knock on them.

[Doty obediently walks up to the first house and knocks with the little finnesse that his metal body possessed. It was built to carry heaving objects, not knock on thin wooden doors. The banging is loud, which in this specific scenario, is not rude but necessary.

A woman swings the door open in a panic, spots the robot, and backs away with her hand covering her mouth.]

Not to worry, madame! We're just making sure everyone's awake here!

[dontchasetherabbit]

[ He wouldn't have sent the robot to knock on doors. Even with Doty being the strongest and having the sturdiest knuckles. The poor woman answering the door is one of the reasons why he wouldn't have done that.

Raleigh gives the woman a smile, it might be a bit weary but she'd probably rather that than the sight of the robot. ]

Are you doing alright, ma'am? Need anything?

[ They might as well find out while they're there. ]

[likemybooks]

[The woman shakes her head nod, feeling much more alert after finding a large robot accompanied by two strange men at her door. She takes a moment to peer more closely at the pair's clothing, being nothing like the local clothing and sporting some writing indicating where they're from.

"Are you from LILITH?"]

Yes! [Taryon jumps back into the conversation.] We were making sure everything was well here. We're working on decrypting some notes about the whereabouts of the kaiju, but we're not going to abandon the rest of the city during our work.

[dontchasetherabbit]

[ At least the woman before them was alert now. They needed to make sure that happened with everyone in town. Though, the question of if they were from LILITH has him giving a nod. He also didn't mind letting Taryon take the lead in talking to her. Raleigh was a soldier more than a talker. ]

If you need anything don't hesitate to let us know. We'll be in the city for a while and are more than willing to help, just say the word.

[ They could offer that to all of the citizens that they managed to wake up, if they needed to wake them. Some people might just be holing up in their home away from strangers. ]