▷ SYNFLUX WORLD TOUR PART 1

With the holidays just around the corner, Neo Tokyo seems to thrum with a more hopeful, different kind of life than it’s seen in recent years. Food is a little more plenty, things are a little safer. It’s now been two years since LILITH and the Outsiders made their arrival in the world, and it shows. People are happier and safer, and there has been a distinct change. The impact Outsiders have had is palpable. You have done this, Outsiders. You have made the impact, and people will show their gratitude. Outsiders aren’t always easily found, given that they keep those secret identities, but outsiders will find that locals have been leaving small gifts at the entrance to LILITH's base for their favorite outsiders. Things like foods, little trinkets, meaningful cards, addressed to their code names, and left with heartfelt little annotations, thanking them for saving them. Most in Neo Tokyo recognize that outsiders have been doing a great deal of work, and the gifts keep coming. LILITH will deliver them under a large, decorated tree for outsiders, labeled by code name, so outsiders might want to check back often!

But an outsider’s work is never done. While everyone else is gearing up for the holidays and New Year's, LILITH has tasks for the outsiders. This is a global organization, after all, and things have been… good. Too good, perhaps? There’s a sense that something is coming, and that Outsiders will be needed, but more importantly... Commander Yamakawa seems to be seriously considering the future of LILITH, and the future of the Outsiders. She reaches out to the Outsiders via their implants early in the month:



What does she mean by that? Well, assignments will be given out to different locations for Outsiders. Visiting different old locations can yield new possibilities, and maybe help LILITH prepare for the new year!

Viva, New Vegas, Baby! The city is thrumming with light and life as always. It’s getting darker earlier, and the city bursts to life spectacularly in the evenings. Lights, excitement, digital drone displays and large holographic billboards that sell everything, from showgirls to performance-enhancing drugs, casinos, and fight nights. The outlandish casinos on the strip are ever-changing and ever-expanding, creating new sights and works of architectural wonder. One new hotel has been generating a great deal of excitement, promising up-close-and-personal encounters with kaiju – advertised as (mostly) safe, of course, but what’s life without a little danger? Commander Yamakawa is organizing the response, and any Outsiders who join him on this leg of the journey will find that they’ve not only gotten suites in the hotel, but themed suites. Many of which feature prominent kaiju, and some will even find some based on outsiders – particularly ones that garner a lot of attention from the public, have had heavy hits, or KOs...but really, it could be anybody. (Go wild!)

The lobby of the hotel advertises many attractions, including a kaiju “zoo” filled with many smaller kaiju like nihonzaru, timonsutas, and some that outsiders haven’t seen before – like the local Bigger-horn Sheep (not to be confused with Nevada’s state animal, the Bighorn Sheep) or the Helarctrocine, and other smaller kaiju found across what locals proudly call the “Wildest West”. There’s also a kaiju-themed casino, bar and restaurant – with recipes that looks suspiciously like they were influenced by a certain kaiju kafe back in LILITH headquarters. All of this seems above board, but there are a lot of people staying in the hotel – and those who go to the casino for any entertainment there will see that there’s also a lot of money exchanging hands – or wrists, as it were! They are rumbling about something happening a few nights from now. Something...big. The truly crafty or charismatic may be able to weed out that in a few nights, it’s fight night. Who’s fighting? That’s a bit more mysterious, but they encourage outsiders to stick around. “It’s gonna be big,” they promise.

On the last night, some high-profile executives arrive from… Neo Tokyo, of all places! Those who’ve been involved with some of the shadier elements in the city might even recognize a lackey or two that they’ve encountered in the past. It all speaks to something… big, like was promised. What, however, is still shrouded in mystery. That is, until the night of, when the basement arena (which is truly a massive arena underground) is opened to the public, and the main event is ready to begin. What is it? The fight of the millennia, apparently, and while this hasn’t been advertised, the night of, suddenly it’s clearly advertised – the Ozark Howler versus The Akumas.

At Commander Yamakawa’s urging, Outsiders are asked to watch and be ready. This is illegal, but is it illegal enough to chance another international incident? The opportunity presents itself as the fighters are introduced – the Ozark Howler, a large bestial kaiju that supposedly stalks the mountains. The Akumas...they’re clearly spliced gang members, each one looks...dangerous. One crackles with electricity on his skin, another with molten cracks opening their now scale-like flesh, and another with sharp looking scales, and their body starting to lengthen, almost snake-like. The fight is caged, but not sealed, and it looks dangerous. The referee is projected via drone, and as it nears the beast, it swats the drone away, agitated and straining against the locks holding it down.

The drone sent flying, and it hits the bell in a wild tailspin, and the beast's locks release. The fight starts, and...

And...

The cage starts to lift, leaving no barrier between the crowd and the fight. The Akumas don’t look surprised at all. In fact, they look ready for this, rolling their shoulders and cracking their knuckles. They take to the Howler, but lightning shoots off from one, another has a long tail that whips out, and another’s lava is starting to seep over the stage, and into the crowd. People are starting to panic, standing, trying to force their way out, abandoning the floor, but there’s not enough exits, and intervention is required. Will you help escort people out, or are you going to take to the floor, and help incapacitate the fighters and the kaiju both?

For some time, outsiders have been barred from entering Korea, and for reasons that are at least...sympathetic. The loss of so many people left the government somewhat tense, and nervous, and quite frankly? Hurt. Time, however, heals all wounds, and now that they have time to grieve, the government is opening themselves up to the Angels of LILITH once again. Although they promise that Outsiders won’t need to be doing much, and in fact, they should enjoy the sights and sounds of Busan while they are in town again.

Seok Dang is with the outsiders when they travel, and some will notice that while the man is generally jovial and in good humor on LILITH’s base, there’s something a bit more somber to the man, given that this is his first time back since the incident, he looks a bit like he’s just barely keeping his composure. Over the implants, outsiders will catch that he even sounds a little gruffer than usual; or more accurately, like he's trying not to sound choked up.



Outsiders are treated with respect, but a bit more formally than last time, and there’s still a slight chill from most locals as they explore the city. They won’t get treated poorly, but people are certainly nervous, and maybe still a little suspicious that things will go awry yet again. Though the city is electric and lit, there are still some districts in disrepair, and intrepid outsiders can learn from locals that a lot of mid-sized, local kaiju are encroaching on the rubble – including several Xiphosuransus – looking for food or, territorial fights, or otherwise. But the locals aren’t without their own resources, and getting a chance to deal with the problem on their own means that they’ve come up with a...unique way of handling the encroaching kaiju threat. Across several points are several speaker systems set up. Apparently, most of the kaiju that are making their way across some of the rubble are easily repelled by sound and light.

Outsiders interested in cleanup will be given an option to test out one of these speaker systems. They have sound boards, of course, and an array of sirens, calls, and other options. However, some outsiders will notice that there are other ways to deflect these kaiju, as some local bands use these sound systems as a way to both get in their practice and help the city! Music seems to be the most effective in getting them to move away, and outsiders are welcome to join in, either with the bands, or on their own to help repel the encroaching kaiju. Outsiders can also venture out to just fight them, if they want too. Messier, but just as good. After all, it’s a great way to build goodwill with the locals to help out!

Outsiders are also welcomed to enjoy some of the local concerts. Popular idols and indie groups can be found throughout the city performing at concerts that begin in the evening and go on until sunrise. The shows are full productions with flashing lights and firework shows. Concert goers can also collect lightsticks that come in various designs and colors. They're trendy but they can also be used to ward off weaker kaiju or signal for help in case of an emergency.

Brasov has remained as isolated as ever. Most of the villagers were eliminated in the fallout of the Outsiders' actions around Halloween last year. The children in the village were taken, and are thriving in the orphanages in Neo Tokyo, and there hasn’t been much reason to return, now that the land is not quite as fertile as it had been when the Kaiju protected the land.

But one thing has still thrived, and a small group of LILITH regulars have been harvesting poppies for some time to help support LILITH’s needs, such as surgeries and other reasons for painkillers. That all has seemed to go well, and Outsiders are directed to Brasov to help with the transport and protection of the fairly large poppy crop from the year. While ready for processing, the staff hasn’t started to send it through, and LILITH and their staff are getting worried. Outsiders are asked to travel there, and help find out what caused the halt in materials. Dr. Spim is interested in developing new strains, and the doctor will come with the outsiders to assist with the transport, and to test the offerings for themselves.

Strangely enough, LILITH’s staff are nowhere to be found when the outsiders arrive through the teleporter. The village is still decimated after the destruction a year ago, and though nature has started to encroach on the ruins, it hasn’t gotten far. There are plenty of tents, but they look like they were abandoned within the past few weeks, other than the small house that’s been converted into a communications center, where eagle-eyed Outsiders will be able to notice that it’s been traversed recently.

The only other structure in the area is...the castle. Looming in the distance, and the source of strife for many just over a year ago. Outsiders with tracking abilities can locate signs of travel from the village to the castle, and they are fresh signs. Following the trail, Outsiders will find a trail of mud and...blood leading into the castle. Searching deeper inside feels a bit like deja vu, some of the bodies from their last visit are still there, though rotting. The entire location smells like rot, death, and, predictably, blood. There’s still so much blood. Outsiders will need to scour the castle, trying to find the location of the missing staff and harvest, but outsiders will find that the castle is peppered with small rituals around the castle. Some are occupied, some already hold the signs of a successful sacrifice.



Outsiders will find that some rituals are currently ongoing, and much of LILITH’s staff has been sacrificed or...tortured into participating, much like the outsiders before them, the cult has not changed tactics...much. Although without the Forest Lord, they’ve become slow and… human. Outsiders need to stop the rituals, and fast, because deep in the basement, something is… stirring. The longer they wait, the closer it gets, and the stronger the rift energy becomes. Quickly, Outsiders! They must be stopped!

For those who want to stay closer to home, an option is also provided. From LILITH's main base in Shinjuku, the Outsiders can provide support to those abroad. They will be able to work with LILITH's other agents to provide and collect information, send supplies, and coordinate the various teams around the world. If necessary, they can also serve as back-up units to provide relief to the other teams.

However, there is still work to be done within the country, too. It's been nearly two years since Kyoto's base was restored and citizens began to return to the city. The population is small but steadily growing as the area becomes more stable. What was once a city that consisted mostly of LILITH agents and researchers is now a small city where civilians can also call home.

Kyoto has always been famous for its shrines and temples, and with the New Year approaching, the locals want to restore many of them to their old glory. For the most part, they have been able to fix up the ones within the city limits where it is much safer. However, some of the shrines in the outskirts are more precarious. These are the locations they ask the Outsiders to help secure and restore.

In particular, they are asked to take back the once prestigious Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple. Located in the outskirts of Kyoto, these sacred locations have been completely overrun by Nihonzaru, Marionants, and yama-kujira. Outsiders will have to clear these areas of kaiju while maintaining the integrity of the historic properties. Be careful not to destroy the buildings or gates.

As the perimeter is secured, some families will begin to venture into these areas. This will result in rest areas being set up for the Outsiders. These families take back old inns and tea houses. These accommodations are humble. They are run down, drafty, and have limited amenities but they offer everything they can to try and give the Outsiders shelter and a place to rest on their assignment. It isn't all bad, though. The traditional meals are simple but delicious and while the Outsiders do the fighting, the locals manage to clean up some of the old hot springs which they are proud to show off to guests.

Happy December, Outsiders! This year, Outsiders are invited to take a trip down memory lane... or experience something new. Just because it's the holidays doesn't mean everyone is taking it off, and some groups are causing as much trouble as ever.

We hope you enjoy our little trip through Synflux's past, and stay tuned for part two mid-month.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. TOUR KICKOFF: Outsiders will find that everyone in Neo Tokyo is getting ready for the holidays, and fans are leaving small gifts near LILITH’s base for their favorite outsiders. Yamakawa is asking outsiders to help by traveling to prior locations to help out with some issues that are arising.
2. THE NEON OASIS First stop on our tour is New Vegas, NV! Outsiders are treated to a luxurious stay in a Kaiju-themed hotel and casino on the strip. Some may even find rooms themed around outsiders. There is a kaiju zoo, a casino, restaurant, and bar; and the entire stay culminates in a dangerous fight between some kaiju-spliced fight team and a large kaiju. Outsiders will need to help out, or help evacuate the arena!
3. THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE: Next is Busan, South Korea. The borders are now open, and South Korea seems poised to welcome Outsiders back. Seok Dang travels with the outsiders, and he seems to be grateful to be home. In the absence of outsiders, locals have taken to belting it out with music and sound experimentation to drive Kaiju away, and it seems to be working! Outsiders are welcome to come try and join in.
4. THE SEQUEL NO ONE WANTED: Last on our tour is Brasov, Transylvania. Some staff have held back to keep growing the materials necessary for the painkillers LILITH uses, but after some radio silence, Outsiders have been sent to check out what’s going on. Looking in, it’s apparent that something is very, very wrong. Some cultists snuck away after the attacks, and have been using LILITH’s scientists as sacrifices to try and bring back their Forest Lord. Outsiders need to stop them pronto, before we have another Vampire Invasion on our hands!
5. TRADITIONAL RESTORATION: For those who choose to stay in Japan, they can provide assistance from Neo Tokyo or head out to Kyoto to help with restoration efforts. The locals ask the Outsiders to help take back the city outskirts. Fight kaiju while protecting the historical landmarks. Locals will show gratitude by inviting them to their reclaimed inns, shops, and even hot springs.