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šš‚šš¢šš—šššš•ššžšš” š™¼šš˜ššššœ ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2026-01-13 11:19 pm

STRANGER FROM THE RIFT: PART 1

ā–· STRANGER FROM THE RIFT: PART 1
CONTENT WARNINGS: severe weather, possible frostbite/hypothermia

ā–¶ 001. CAVEDIVING.

It’s been a cold and rough few days on various areas of Mt. Fuji as LILITH staff continue their attempts to rescue those who have been snowed in by a kaiju’s ice powers. After a valiant effort, all teams that have been snowed into their team’s respective cabins and those also stuck at the 5th Station will be rescued. However, the entire mountain continues to be covered in snow; various buildings and civilization continue to be hidden under snow, and Japan’s disaster relief team will be around to help anyone else not affiliated with LILITH. It’s the Outsiders’ job to find the kaiju before it causes more threats, after all.

Thanks to all of the clues that have been uncovered and the tracking efforts of the Outsiders, they will be able to narrow down a possible path to follow to lead to the kaiju responsible for all of the snow and ice. Chances are high that it will lead to a breakthrough regarding the strange anomalies around Mt. Fuji.

The journey is largely uneventful in the sense that they won't encounter any kaiju or dangerous wildlife. Though, it's still a battle against the elements. The Outsiders will have to push through heavy snow and ice and while cold winds bite at them. There is a high risk of hypothermia and everyone is encouraged to stick together and stay warm. Those with healing and support abilities will be encouraged to keep an eye on their fellow Outsiders; those with warming and fire abilities will find their powers are helpful in this regard.

On top of the weather, the rift effects also become much worse and stronger the further along they go. Reports suggest they are approaching a rift, and everyone is reminded that if they begin to experience severe rift poisoning effects, they have a limited supply of the newly created anti-rift medication they can use. This medication was created recently, and they have not yet made enough to meet the supply and demand, but it’s something! Outsiders may have to draw straws or something similar to obtain this medication fairly… unless someone is willing to share.

The stronger the rift effects get, the more Outsiders will start to see… shades. Shadows in the snow and ice. Is it someone from the past? Something from your future? A person, or a laugh, or a familiar sound. The closer to the top Outsiders get, the more the biting cold sinks into your bones, and Outsiders may find their fingers and toes coated with ice if they aren’t careful, and the colder they are, the more those apparitions will try to pull them out and redirect them back down. Almost as if…they aren’t supposed to be here, and something wants them to leave. The further they go, Outsiders will move more slowly, though if they group together, they speed up. Cooperation and collaboration will be the key to making it to the top.

Eventually, everyone will find something that isn't marked on any maps or reports. There is a large opening for a cave. It is dark and appears to go in deep, and the Rift effects are especially potent here. Those who have taken a dose of the anti-rift medication will find that it is enough for them to endure the worst of the effects. Those who have not taken it are urged to do so now.

The inside of the cave is cold and covered with ice, but the lack of wind provides some relief for the Outsiders. They will have to explore the new cave system, which comes with all of the dangers expected of cave diving. The ground is slippery with ice, there are sudden drops that lead to jagged rocks and ice shards, and icy stalactites randomly crash down and shatter. If you can ignore the dangers, though, the cave system is beautiful with multicolored ice as a result of the frozen rift-contaminated water. Maybe take a break and enjoy the view with a friend or someone special.

ā–¶ 002. JOTNAR APPEARS.

Deep within the caves, the Jotnar lurks. As Outsiders explore deeper into the caves, they’ll find strange symbols scratched into the walls, slash marks and scorch marks from previous battles. This is not the first time that this kaiju has been discovered, but though there are old blood stains on the path deeper into the cave, the only bones found are those of prey animals… and humans. Then, you find it. In the back of this cave, its hands bloody from hunting, and the body of a Serow discarded to one side, drug down for later.

It’s large, and one might be tempted to ask how it even made it within the cave, but the ceilings are high enough that this large, yeti-like kaiju seems to fill the space, but barely. The advantage that the Outsiders have is that this space is still cramped for the creature. It can’t swing wildly, or move well. Fighting it in the cave seems to be the best option, but it is not without its dangers. Because the Jotnar is so close, it can easily reach out and grab outsiders, and fighting at a distance is difficult, as it can reach nearly the length of the cave area. If that wasn’t bad enough, every time it hits a wall or the floor, icy stalactites crash to the ground. Moving slowly, it can step on Outsiders as well, and when it breathes out, its breath is an icy wind that fills the cave with a chill that can slow outsiders down and stop them temporarily in their tracks.

In addition, if Outsiders do not move fast enough, the chill wind will sink into their bones, and while they take time to warm up, they may receive visions of other times or places in this world. Perhaps it’s a vision of a time in England, prior to the schism that left Eadmund and Gwen as enemies rather than friend; or perhaps a New Vegas when it was thriving and filled with gambling and showgirls; or even a Kyoto before the destruction that left it abandoned. Comment here for a rift-effect associated with the fight.

Warming up seems to be encouraged with physical contact from other Outsiders. Reach out to a friend or frenemy, and help get them back on track!

Eventually, enough attacks cut through the Jotnar’s tough, furry hide, and it begins to collapse to the ground with an angry, low bellow, before it finally, finally stops moving. This kaiju will be evaluated later, because something else has arrived!


ā–¶ 003. LAND-HO!

When the battle is over, everything is silent in the cave system and there is a moment to catch their breath.

But it's just for a moment because suddenly the entire cave begins to shake and rattle. Stalactites crash down from the ceiling, and there's a strange sound coming from the darkness. Watch for falling ice and rocks! It could severely injure anyone beneath it. It sounds like something large and heavy is scraping against the ice and stone. Something is happening and the Outsiders are urged to investigate in case there's another threat.

They won't have to go far because from the shadows, a giant wooden ship emerges. The ship is severely damaged and falling apart but most importantly, they have to wonder... where did it come from? It's too large to have sailed into the cave system and the style looks like something from Europe instead of Japan. It looks old. Those with history knowledge will be encouraged to board the ship and examine anything in the ship for further investigating that could indicate the time and place of this ship. (Please see top level for history investigators.)

Below the main deck, there is an armory. Those with weapon handling and knowledge will be encouraged to board the ship and enter the armory. They will be free to take the weapons they find and keep what they discover as a token after turning in a report of their findings. (Please see top level for weapon handlers.)

From the ship's deck, something howls and leans over the rails. They scream in their direction and tumble overboard, crashing onto the icy stone floor. Those who run up to investigate will find…. a man...!?

The man appears entirely human, with a great, long beard and braids in his auburn hair. From the fall, he has a head injury and is entirely unconscious. Although it may be tempting to heal him, LILITH will encourage he not be tampered with, as he exerts a large amount of rift energy. Staff decked in proper safety attire will obtain him for examination to give him traditional medical care. Characters who have a moderate level of medical knowledge or experience may assist Dr. Spim on a medical aircraft that will return to base. (Please see top level for examiners.) Any findings will be encouraged to be shared with other Outsiders in whatever way possible.

For now, Outsiders will return to base safely until LILITH has confirmed further identity of this stranger from the rift.

ā–¶ 004. INFORMATION LEAK.

Once LILITH returns and after one night of warm rest, something seems to be wrong with the power at LILITH headquarters. Small electrical issues occur. For the most part, they are minor things like flickering lights or the heat suddenly going off in the middle of the night. Sometimes the network lags and freezes, making it inconvenient to get work done or even do leisurely activities like watch videos or listen to music. At worst, one might find themselves locked outside of their rooms when the autolocks suddenly fail.

LILITH sends engineers to check out the systems and as far as they can tell, it looks like an issue with some of the breakers. They wonder if they were installed correctly when the base was remodeled last year or if the cold is affecting something. Despite the inconveniences, they are solvable and LILITH sends out messages to everyone to report any issues they encounter to the engineering department and, as a precaution, avoid using too many electrical devices at once.

It looks like someone was using the hairdryer while microwaving popcorn in the middle of the night, because everyone will wake up to find telltale signs of an overnight power outage. Clocks are stopped and blinking at random times, the heat is off, and while the lights and everything else are working, they are slow to start. Even worse, some people might find they are suddenly inundated with message alerts. Strange.

Somehow, everyone's personal information has been posted on the network. It appears to be random so some people have more information posted than others. Outsiders can find full government names, birth dates, contact information, medical records, shopping history, and most interestingly– at least three random facts. It's a serious security breach but if they look closely, they might realize that something seems off with some of the information. Is that really your name? You don't remember ever buying those things! And at least one of these facts is an outright lie.

While cyber security tries to find out what caused this breach, Outsiders will have to deal with the aftermath!

HOW TO PLAY:
1. Pick the textarea that is under your TEAM NAME and fill out the spaces.
2. You can decide how accurate the information is.
3. The ABOUT YOU section is essentially 2 Truths, 1 Lie so post 2 true facts and 1 lie!
You can use the code below, but please don't feel pressured to use it. You can be creative.

(Please remember to put warnings for NSFW/triggering content in the subject header.)



EVERLIGHT


REVELATION


BRIMSTONE


REDEMPTION



ā–¶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our mid-month event! Typically, we do team building exercises for this kind of event, but instead, this event is relevant to the overarching plot. We hope you enjoy it!

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

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. CAVEDIVING: Treking to the top of the mountain, Outsiders are struggling with stronger rift effects, hallucinations, and trying to stay warm. Once near the top, they finally find a large cave, and Outsiders need to keep moving inside, to find the source of the rift corruption.
2. JOTNAR FIGHT: Are you trapped in the cave with the Jotnar, or is the Jotnar trapped in the cave with you? Outsiders need to fight to kill the Jotnar, but the fight comes with its own dangers.
3. LAND-HO!: Though the Jotnar is defeated, not all is over with, as a ship crashes through the rift before it closes, and it is an old thing... And also there's someone aboard?? Alive???
4. INFORMATION LEAK: When outsiders arrive back to LILITH base, they find that things aren't working like they should. Doors aren't closing, and private information is getting posted to the network, both truths and lies.
heir_conditioned: (Shoto016)

4-2

[personal profile] heir_conditioned 2026-01-28 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Shoto's eyes are looking from one place to the other, curious as to why Geto is staring at the kettle as he steps through the door. First he is glad to see him, second he is not glad to see him like this. It's taken him a while to be comfortable with situations like this. Not the kettle itself, but someone looking unsettled standing staring at it.]

I can help.

[He relays as he steps forward, taking the kettle into his own hands. It's not the boiling, it's the atmosphere and if he controls it, he controls the atmosphere.]

Nothing that I've heard or seen. If it becomes a wider problem, we'll have to see. I expect there'll be fall out if it does or doesn't.

[He turns his head, looking to the side toward Geto instead of at the kettle.]

How hot do you want this?
gorb: (x.)

[personal profile] gorb 2026-01-29 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, Shoto.

( Is that genuine delight in his face? Maybe. Things haven't been so dire lately that he isn't able to drum up enthusiasm for one of the rare people he likes here. )

Hot enough it lasts. I plan trying to convince someone it's time to stop and relax, and he can be difficult when he wants to be. How are you?
heir_conditioned: (043)

[personal profile] heir_conditioned 2026-01-30 10:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Shoto's own look brightens a bit. It means he doesn't have to worry too, too much when it comes to why he was almost recreating childhood trauma. Shoto really, really likes Geto, he's someone he trusts here.]

I can do that.

[He assures as he sets the kettle back onto the burner. It's not the stove that he uses, of course, he has his hand on it as his quirk goes to work on it. A lot of people had asked how he was, and he doesn't have an answer for it.]

I'm doing alright. I'd ask how you're doing, but if someone's being stubborn, there's issues. I'll listen if you want.
gorb: (lvii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2026-01-30 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
( He laughs, it's a surprisingly light sound. )

Nothing like that. At least the obstinacy is not something that's providing me much difficulty, I have my ways. ( You have a childhood best friend who won't rest-turned-adult boyfriend who still won't and you learn to employ tricks. He might just sit on Satoru and pour the tea directly into his mouth, that could work. ) I'm just surrounded by people who think burning themselves out is something of a challenge.

( He hums, leans back against the counter, one foot crossing the other. )

I liked my spider lily, by the way. Did you make it yourself?
heir_conditioned: (Shoto019)

[personal profile] heir_conditioned 2026-01-30 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[At least whatever it is, Geto has it under control. But he ends up smiling when he describes the people around him, nodding his head. He knows that sentiment.]

My friends are like that sometimes. Especially Midoriya.

[As if he can't be too, but that's besides the point. When the flower gets brought up, (which good job me, sorry again) Shoto's smile stays directly on his face.]

I did make it, yes. I'm glad you like it. I liked what you gave me, too.

[He listens as the kettle whistles a little, the hand controlling cool side mainly touches the side of the metal. He's assessing the temperature. His hand steams a little, but it's just so he can equalize and not disturb the kettle. Something he's come a long way from.]

I like making them, so if you wanted something different, I wouldn't mind. I used to make them for Jessica's shrine. You'd be surprised what colours heat can turn metal.
gorb: (xlvii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2026-01-31 11:44 am (UTC)(link)
( He considers the offer.

Considers too how much he wants to reveal of himself. But Shoto and he often speak frankly, and it's true Geto is fond of the boy, he includes him in the gaggle of teenagers he spends his time concerned over, anyway. And so -.
)

Could you make me an osmanthus or are they too tricky? They look delicate, don't they?

( They mean something too. First love. Ah, he's a twenty-eight year old cult leader and he has to look at the middle distance of the kitchen so he doesn't blush too obviously. )
heir_conditioned: (056)

[personal profile] heir_conditioned 2026-01-31 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Geto is also someone that Shoto is pretty ride or die for. While he hopes that Geto takes him up on it, he didn't think it'd be almost instantly and certainly not for that. The little sprays of flowers. These are things that he researched when making all these intricate things from scrap metal so they would last at the shrine unlike the real flowers.

He's never seen this look on Geto though. He only half recognizes it because it used to happen to him, too.]


I have the spare scrap metal, Jessica used to like the flowers for her shrine. I can make them, I'll make a few and you can choose which shapes you like the best. Then I can make the rest, it should only take me a couple days. I have what I need.

[He feels the bottom of the kettle, unworried about the heat and hands it to Geto by the handle. That way he won't end up burning himself.]

This should be alright. I can bring more if you want, or I could just re-boil it and we could have some now.
Edited (Sorry, sometimes icons won't work on my phone until I send and edit lol) 2026-01-31 16:32 (UTC)
gorb: (lvi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2026-01-31 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
If it's too much hassle you can tell me so.

( He already feels awkward about it. But Shoto's words have him reaching for the two cups either way, motioning towards a nearby table and chairs. )

All right, I suppose I'll allow Satoru a little more time unchecked. He can't get up to too much trouble on base. ( A pause, and then he amends -. ) He can handle it if he does. You must miss Jessica-san. She was interesting to talk to.

( Mostly he spent a brief window making her absolutely furious by teasing her, which had been fun. He pours tea for Shoto, then himself. )

It's genmaicha, is that all right?
heir_conditioned: (027)

[personal profile] heir_conditioned 2026-01-31 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
No, not at all. If it was, I promise I'd say something.

[Even less hassle when it seems like this is something very important to Geto. If it's important to Geto then it's important to him. He sits down, noting the name and that he has to check on him, Shoto won't keep him forever, but it's always nice any time they can talk.]

I still have to ask him how he does everything blind, I always leave things too late and I should know better.

[The mention of Jessica makes him nod his head and any smile is off his face. He nods his head again at the tea type, he wouldn't know what that meant but it's fine whatever it is. He hasn't talked much past Midoriya regarding her but if he's honest, murderous cult leader or not, that's not the person Shoto sees sitting here, or anywhere else either.]

I miss her a lot, every day. You're right and she was interesting to talk to. She was a good woman, with a good heart, and a warm personality. Accepting, fun and funny. Patient...

[He could definitely go on and so he just lets it trail. Shoto reaches forward to warm the cups before the liquid can hit them, providing a little longer and warmer tea, as requested.]

I waited just hours too long to tell her how I felt. But she always told me all the time that Althena was capable of carrying messages and the shrine is still open. I don't know how to run it, but I try to keep it clean. If you ever wanted to send her a message maybe that works.
gorb: (xxxiv.)

[personal profile] gorb 2026-01-31 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
( There's a small snort at that, every so slightly amused. )

He isn't, but it's still best he tells you his technique himself. You can ask him, he's changed a little. He'd probably be happy enough to talk about it. ( He doesn't particularly want to talk about how he'd left and come back changed, but at least he's sure Shoto won't receive rudeness from it.

And oh, isn't that something?
) You had feelings for her? Ah, all right, I'm sorry. That is the nature of this place, but it isn't very helpful to know when real feelings are involved.

( A pause. ) I have some experience with temples, and shrines, do you want help?
heir_conditioned: (045)

[personal profile] heir_conditioned 2026-02-14 09:55 am (UTC)(link)
I'm going to, this time I will make time for it and not wait. I'd like to hear about it. Maybe a few others too.

[Shoto likes the idea that he's going to be able to talk about a technique. Especially when they overlap even remotely with quirk users. He doesn't know a lot, but what he does know has really interested him. Especially the man in front of him.

He stays silent as he nods his head. He was very much in love with her, in the midst of confessing when she was sent home to continue her services to her Goddess he's sure. His eyes are focusing on the very interesting, totally enthralling cup, lifting it up in his warm hand to keep it warm.

That is, until Geto offers to help him.]


...Yes. I'd like that. Could you teach me? I know what she told me but that's it.
gorb: (vi.)

[personal profile] gorb 2026-02-14 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I confess I wasn't very sincere when I looked after my own. It was more for show than anything else.

( Cult leader pretending to be a buddhist monk, certain roles were to be expected. Still, he used to be a polite, devout young man. He can make enough of that to be helpful. )

If that doesn't bother you then I'll certainly teach you. I didn't know Jessica's particular brand of faith, but I know how to keep a temple operating. That should work, shouldn't it? And then if she comes back you can show her how well you took care of it.