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𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-07-30 01:11 am

TRAVEL LOG #6

TRAVEL LOG #6


CONTENT WARNINGS: sickness, insects/bugs, rift poisoning, mutated animals, poison (and poisonous creatures), blood offerings.

▶ 001. ¡Vamos!

As much as one might want to take things easy and continue to recover from an eventful summer, LILITH's objective continues. Early in August, an alarm blares and everyone will get a call through their implants to come for debriefing. Yamakawa will explain they have received a request from Mexico City for support. Unusual rift activity has been confirmed in the region and they are asking for support to prepare for imminent conflict. Who knows what could await here?

Fortunately, the request is from their LILITH branch and all facilities are operational. It will be easy to use a data portal for easy access. As with all data portals, the Outsiders will be warned of potential side effects that may come from traveling great distances. Side effects include nausea, headaches, dizziness, and occasional glitching with their cybertech. All effects should wear off within 24 to 48 hours. If symptoms last longer, they are urged to seek meditech assistance in Mexico City to receive stabilizers. Like before, Outsiders will be told that making physical contact with one another by any means during transportation can reduce the risk of feeling any side effects, whether it be an embrace or holding hands... or attempting to strangle someone if you're a hater (looking at you, Silco.)

Due to warping, they will be limited to taking only what they can carry. Those who wish to take larger items will have to wait a few days for them to be gradually transported by air or industrial warp portals. Yamakawa and the rest of the staff in Tokyo will tell everyone not to worry because Mexico City has excellent infrastructure to facilitate their transportation needs.

Everyone will be given 24 hours to pack and prepare for departure. Before they leave, Dr. Spim and Alex will inform them of a promising research opportunity under the guidance of a colleague, Dr. Flores. Dr. Spim will share a verification code with them to show to Dr. Flores if they are interested in assisting. 

After 24 hours, everyone will be ordered to warp to Mexico City. In an instant, the Outsiders will find themselves at the LILITH base in Mexico City.


▶ 002. SKYSCRAPERS AND TREES.

An officer by the name of Morales will greet them and introduce herself as their point of contact. She'll give everyone a debrief file to download through their implants to instantly get them up to speed. Along with the unusual rift activity, the population has started to show symptoms that have given them cause for concern. Many people are falling ill, becoming lethargic, and demonstrating explosively angry, violent, and otherwise acting out. The longer it goes on, the more people are affected, and it’s starting to cause more trouble in the city itself as infrastructure fails.

When they leave the base, they will find themselves in the warm, humid, and very green metropolis of Mexico City. Over the years, the forests and jungles of the region have swallowed up many towns and cities, leaving the city completely surrounded by forest. The locals have embraced their environment over many years while modernizing, resulting in the city having a mix of cyber technology and nature. Mexico City and the rainforest around it almost seems to be one living, thriving being. The plants naturally shade the hot sidewalks, and people have created a large number of filtered reservoirs that the rainforest thrives from. The large canopies are half as high as the remaining skyscrapers, but most buildings are built underneath the treeline, leaving most thriving underneath the shady canopy.

Outsiders may see some "new" animals such as real hummingbirds, butterflies, macaws, and iguanas with unique traits like neon designs and unusual sizes. They say there are even more animals and variants in the jungle. Beware of certain birds and insects that make locals sick when they come in contact with their dropped pollen. In the same vein, some of the flowers and plant life seem to also show rift mutations, but for the most part, most locals seem unbothered by these, and if Outsiders ask, they’ll be informed that they’ve been like that for a long time, and were never of any concern.

Outsiders can also meet with Dr. Flores, a LILITH researcher who is studying the effects of Rift poisoning and how to counter them. He theorizes that some plants may have evolved to purify the air or treat Rift sickness. In fact, his team has been treating some of these new rift poisoning cases with a trial drug that has had promising results. However, supplies are very limited and he needs help collecting more plants from the forest. In addition, he needs help catching some of the animal carriers so he can understand the nature of the poison they are carrying. He will ask for help capturing butterflies, bees, beetles, and hummingbirds.


▶ 003. THE FUTURE WILL BE GREEN.

The Outsiders will be given orders to visit areas that have unusual Rift readings. By now, anyone with large items from Tokyo should have them but for those who do not have vehicles, LILITH Mexico will supply them with jeeps to navigate the dense jungles. LILITH Japan will assist local agents who are exploring the south of the city. Outsiders will also be given an additional file to download that will give them a run-down of the area, including the plants, animals, known paths, and key landmarks.

The journey through the jungle is not easy. While there are access roads, they have suddenly become overgrown with plantlife, and it is increasingly hostile. They will have to get out and clear the path in some places. As they head deeper into the jungle, the plant life becomes more wild and shows signs of mutation. They will find vines that grow quickly in front of their eyes, blocking their paths as quickly as they had cleared them, and they are becoming increasingly dangerous with spined, poisonous vines, wild roving carnivores like jaguars, and large predatory birds that will divebomb outsiders as they progress deeper into the forests. Luckily, if they make it deep enough, the locals will help them find the easiest and safest routes to travel.

Some of these roads might lead them to former cities and towns. These towns have been completely overgrown by plantlife and are largely abandoned save for some stubborn families that refused to leave their homelands and some researchers. They are largely friendly and will help the Outsiders and agents who decide to rest on their journeys. 

They may be able to scavenge for supplies like old emergency rations, blankets, and pieces of technology that were left behind decades ago. But be careful! Since these areas have been taken over by nature, they may run into common regional kaiju like mutated wild dogs, monkeys, and even jaguars. 


▶ 004. NATURE FINDS A WAY.

The kaiju and mutated plants aren't the only thing they need to watch out for in the forest. While traveling, some outsiders might find a regular jaguar attacking a mutated macaw kaiju and winning. It seems that while some animals have mutated into kaiju to survive, other animals have simply evolved to compete with them. As outsiders progress into the forest, at first the local fauna will attack if anyone gets close to them, but the deeper outsiders go, the more the creatures give them a wider berth, and won’t attack. If you see a local, non-corrupted creature deep in the woods, chances are it will watch or flee, rather than attack.

Outsiders will be warned to be careful of poisonous frogs both regular and mutated. These frogs are often a sign that pitcher plants are nearby. These plants have evolved to be large enough to swallow a large animal or person if one gets too close. For the most part, these pitcher plants are stationary but some may use their leaves or nearby wild vines to trip unsuspecting prey into their flower.

These aren’t the only plants that outsiders can encounter as they venture deeper into the forest. The deeper they go, the more frequently rift-corrupted pollinators are found swarming some of the large, rift-corrupted flowers, and as soon as their legs or beaks are laden, they fly off, only to be replaced by more. They aren’t great carriers, so pollen drifts on the wind. Outsiders should keep their rift-protection up, because the pollen causes rift-corruption along with other side effects such as: violent tendencies, explosive anger, and insatiable appetites (of any kind). The pollinators will escape deeper into the forest. If an outsider follows, please let the mod team know!


▶ 005. THERE WERE ONCE CITIES.

As Outsiders travel further into the jungle where civilization has a harder and harder time taking root, they instead find remnants of those that came before. There are buildings in the lush jungles, but they’re truly ancient. Sometimes, the stonework stands out and is easy to find, but at other times, the buildings are completely overgrown with vines and flowers that will take extra effort to explore. Regardless of which kind they find, the carved, geometric artwork makes it clear that these are ruins from Aztec and Mayan cultures.

Exploring the ruins will reveal very little in the way of ancient treasures (or rolling boulder traps), since anything that could be taken was already looted long ago. They’ll make suitable shelter for the forest, at least, since curiously, the more dangerous elements don’t seem to enter. In fact, they very specifically stay away.

Each set of ruins also includes one building that stands above all others. Ascending the tall pyramids will lead to a central, round room at the apex that are all united in its details, even if they’re clearly done at different times. The ceiling is dotted as a starscape, and at the center is a painted, black circle. Underneath this lays what’s clearly an altar. The altar has a depression in its center and a channel that leads down its side, as if it’s expecting liquid.
OFFERING: THE BLOOD OF OUTSIDERS AND HUMANS:
  • No matter the amount, characters immediately feel lightheaded, as if they’d given a large portion of blood (even if they’re not giving their own).
  • Within 24 hours, an unusually patterned bruise will appear somewhere on their body.
  • Characters who make this sacrifice will swap abilities with each other, but will notice that their newfound abilities are notably weaker than if the original owner still had them.
  • OFFERING: THE BLOOD OF ANIMALS:
  • Characters become more connected to the animals of the forest.
  • They will take on one feature of a local animal, such as lightly poisonous skin, improved night vision, or ears/tail.
  • They’ll also find they can talk to their related animal.
  • OFFERING: ... OTHER BODILY FLUIDS...?:
  • The altar is disappointed in you.
  • There is no other effect.
  • OFFERING: WATER/PLANT SAP:
  • Characters become more connected to the forest.
  • Skin takes on a greenish tint, and they’re able to minorly control plants.
  • They’ll feel like they can commune with the forest, and will be able to telepathically talk with any others who make this offering.
  • OFFERING: ANYTHING ELSE (ANY OTHER MATERIALS):
  • There is no effect.


  • ▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

    Welcome to our sixth travel log! Below, you will see the link to the MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET post that has information about the kaiju below along with OFFERING EFFECTS. Fill out the form for RNG Attacks and whether you would like to receive an OFFERING 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.

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


    EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
    1. VAMOS!: Outsiders travel to Mexico after receiving a request for support as there has been unusual rift activity in the area. A portal is avaliable to take Outsiders to the location, but are advisted to travel light.


    2. SKYSCRAPERS AND TREES: LILITH officer Morales greets outsiders and explains the situation: civillians have begun to grow sick and strange animals have begun to appear. A LILITH researcher is theorising that plants have evolved to purify the air. He requests help catching creatures for research.


    3. THE FUTURE WILL BE GREEN: Outsiders are tasked with visiting areas with odd Rift readings. They will be required to journey through the jungle, finding overgrown towns and cities, scavenge supplies, while being wary of native creatures.


    4. NATURE FINDS A WAY: Regular animals are fighting against kaiju and winning; local fauna attacks anyone who gets close, and poisonous frogs attack. The deeper Outsiders go, the more dangerous it becomes.


    5. THERE WERE ONCE CITIES: Deep in the jungle, an ancient ruin can be found. Outsiders are able to make "offerings" at an altar for various effects, depending on the offering.







    sensehispresence: (Default)

    Around the City

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-03 10:26 am (UTC)(link)
    [ The change of scenery was nice. They'd been to quite a few places while on LILITH missions. This one was nicer than a few of the others. Though, he had been out talking to a few of the locals himself and finding out about the rashes that their family was coming down with.

    Those cat-like eyes look toward Raidou before back toward the street that the commotion was coming from. ]

    Shall we, big brother?
    the_fourteenth: (185)

    [personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-08-03 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Raidou's eyes also swiveled that way, ready to move when he hears Kadaj. A circle of people are backing away at an outdoor cafe, where a man is making loud threats and has already flipped the table he was sitting at.

    Raidou turns to him with a nod.]


    Just need to subdue him. You distract him, and I'll get behind him.

    [Raidou is fairly stealthy, and he has his nanotech to keep him from getting hurt if the man attacks him. He starts heading towards the scene, calmly, making a wide arc around the group who are all focused on the one having the outburst.]
    sensehispresence: (Default)

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-05 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
    [ The patrons of the cafe didn't deserve to have to deal with someone like that. Much less someone making threats and flipping tables. That was uncalled for. Unfortunately, with everything going on he knows that some people can't exactly help it. Not with the illnesses going around. ]

    Don't worry, I'll distract him.

    [ Stealth was something that Kadaj was good at too. Though, his stemmed from his natural ability to turn into black mist and appear wherever he wished. Just as his footsteps were silent anywhere he walked.

    He heads towards the scene himself, moving toward the man, and tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. If he can get the man's attention on him then he'd be fine. Something that was probably easy to do considering his cat-like eyes and silver hair. ]

    Perhaps we should step away and talk.

    [ The words were toward the man and if the man wanted to throw the first punch then that was fine, he would just hit air. Maybe he could even pull him away from the crowd by keeping him focused on him. That way Raidou could come up upon him the man and subdue him. ]
    the_fourteenth: (078)

    [personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-08-05 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Kadaj approaching works like a charm. The man's not thinking clearly, just reacting and turning the violence to whoever dares approach. He's just an average person, though, so they should have no trouble dealing with him.

    Raidou slides up quietly and is just about to take him by the shoulder to spin him around, but he miscalculates the man's erratic movements. The man wouldn't have noticed Raidou, but as he throws an elbow back to throw a punch Kadaj's way, it taps Raidou. That at least stops the man, who whirls around in surprise. Raidou's surprised, but he's fast enough to grab the man's wrist as he winds up to throw the punch his way instead.]
    sensehispresence: (Default)

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-06 09:46 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Kadaj is ready for the other man when he whirls around. When that punch is aimed toward him. Unfortunately, Raidou comes up upon them when that punch was aimed his way. He hadn't expected for the man to suddenly turn on Raidou. That wouldn't work, not for him.

    Those cat-like eyes look toward the older man. ]

    You have him?

    [ They would need to take him somewhere to detain him. ]
    the_fourteenth: (037)

    [personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-08-07 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
    [The man is no match for Raidou's nanotech strength. The small crowd of people is half dispersing, half watching in surprise. Raidou spins the guy around to pin his wrists behind his back.]

    Yeah, I--

    [And then the man throws a kick Kadaj's way, since that's the only target he can reach right now.]
    sensehispresence: (Default)

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-08 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
    [ It was good to see the crowd dispersing, even if it wasn't all of them. When the guy goes to kick him, however, he uses his own speed to move out of the way of the kick. Something that probably would make the guy nearly fall on his ass or fall back into Raidou. ]

    That wasn't very nice.

    [ He could've turned into black mist to get away, but he doesn't want to scare people too much. ]
    the_fourteenth: (187)

    [personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-08-08 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
    [The man certainly isn't expecting Kadaj to move so fast. He slips, but Raidou pulls him upright back onto his feet before he can fall into him. The man yelps a little as his shoulders get a little twists. Raidou doesn't want to hurt him too much, but maybe a little will help snap him back to his senses. He seems to not be as resisting as much now, but he's still yelling up a storm.

    Raidou looks a little put out at Kadaj. "Get a lot of this guy" expression.]


    ... What do we do? Take him to LILITH? A doctor? Or see if it runs out of his system on its own?
    sensehispresence: (Default)

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-09 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
    [ No expects it when Kadaj is quicker than them. When he moves out of their way during a fight. Or when someone decides to try and throw a punch his way, like this guy. Something says that the guy probably wouldn't have started a fight if not for the rift effects that were going on. He probably wouldn't be the last person they had to deal with either. ]

    We should take him to LILITH. It'll be able to run out of his system then. Or maybe the further away from the rift, the better?
    the_fourteenth: (138)

    [personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-08-10 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
    If only we knew where it was.

    [Somewhere not in the city, that's all they can safely guess for now. Raidou's not a mean person, but he's not as patient as he used to be. Keeping the man's arms behind his back, Raidou's going to perp walk him through the streets until they make it to the LILITH HQ, ignoring the guy's protests and rants. It'll at least start to wane as they walk, though.]

    If this is truly the rift affecting pollen... That's something that travels very easily by animals and the wind. It could be coming from all around us.
    sensehispresence: (Default)

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-10 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
    I wonder if there's a way to find out.

    [ There had to be a way. Right? To find out where exactly the rift was. Even if they could find it, though, would they be able to close it?

    He watches Raidou walk the man through the streets toward the LILITH HQ. Kadaj was hoping that the guy would snap out of it at some point. If anything, he could get helped at HQ. ]

    So, it could be anywhere if it travels by animals or the wind. Could possibly be everywhere around us, which makes it more dangerous.
    the_fourteenth: (181)

    [personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-08-10 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
    LILITH is usually working on narrowing down the locations. We can always head out there and look ourselves, but hopefully they can give us coordinates.

    [A terrifying thought about the pollen, isn't it? What can you do when rift poisoning is in the air all around you? Around everyone?]

    That's right. And if we need to go into the jungle like they're telling us... Well. Just be sure to keep your plugsuit and helmet on at all times, okay?
    sensehispresence: (Default)

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-11 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
    We'll head out soon enough then.

    [ Hopefully, they could get coordinates to wherever area they needed to go to. ]

    That goes for you too, big brother. You have to keep yourself safe from the rift too, especially if the rift poisoning is out there in the woods and within the plants around us.
    the_fourteenth: (142)

    [personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-08-12 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
    [Once at HQ, Raidou will hand the man over for observation, who's at least calmed down a bit now that the pollen has run through his system a bit. Better to be sent to LILITH than to truly hurt someone, or get arrested, like he thought was happening.

    Raidou is still getting used to being called "big brother", words that sound strange when in relation to himself. But Kadaj calls Yuji that too, so it's probably fine right?]


    I will. We'll all have to be extra vigilant out there. Not that we aren't already.

    [He'll be remembering these words later, when get gets grabbed by some vines and pulled entirely inside a pitcher plant.]

    And thanks for your help. Let's make sure anyone else suffering these effects gets turned over to LILITH rather than the authorities.
    sensehispresence: (Default)

    [personal profile] sensehispresence 2025-08-13 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
    [ It was good to see that the stranger had calmed down by the time they got to HQ. It meant that there was some hope for everyone in the city.

    As for calling Raidou "big brother" it was due to the man being with Yuji. If the man hadn't been with the very person who had adopted him then he would just be called by name. Raidou, Choso, and Yuji were the only ones that he called big brother. Sure, he saw Bakugo as family, but the explosive one would have a fit to know it. ]

    We'll need to be more vigilant than what we normally would be. By pass our usual standards.

    [ That made sense to him anyway. ]

    No need to thank me, I'd help either way. Though, I'm glad we can help them. We'll keep doing so until everyone is back to normal or semi-normal.