Backdated to Jan 30, 2015
Wordcount: 699

Björn tried to think of it like going camping- he was going to be in places mostly unknown and mapped to anyone still human. The Rift lacked safe shelter, safe water, safe food, or fathomable time spans. It was a little like trekking the dark or light months of some arctic circle location. Only that had the benefit of snow or ice to use for water, and the detriment of more variable weather. There wasn't really weather in the Rift. At least it wasn't going to be any extreme of heat or cold, unless by effect of rampant youma or magic. Titan consulted a few different survivalist lists about what he should be checking off to bring. Each of them has some different, seemingly arbitrary number of 'essentials', so consulting a handful was probably the best he could do to be more sure.

A fixed blade knife with strap, a 550 parachute cord bracelet, an emergency blanket, a small first aid kit, toilet paper, sticker dots, two write-all industrial crayons, binoculars and a watch. A bunch of the weather-related gear wasn't practical to bother with- he wasn't going to make any fires since they could draw attention, it wasn't going to be exceptionally cold, there was no need of sunblock or water purification equipment. He didn't think science could cure magic taint. A whistle and flairs would signal to who? Youma? That would be more harm than help in most emergencies. There were no maps to bother with, and making more than marks to see where he'd been was pointless. He wasn't a mapmaker. His little notebook and pen were stowed. A roll of plastic wrap and clean cotton cloth swatches for wrapping, in case there was anything he could bring back in bag. Watching some archeology videos about Britain and Egypt lent that people liked to wrap things in cotton for safe keeping and transport to museums. He couldn't carry a shipping box in and out without extra preparation, so hopefully any findings were going to be small.

Water was going to be the biggest problem next to violent Youma. With no activity in a day, a regular body needed about 2 liters to stay hydrated. The constant search and wander would be like hiking. Well it was exactly hiking, just not outdoors. At his size, weight, and fitness level, he'd be wanting 2 liters every 4 hours. Camelbak offered a military provision for 25L and a whole squad, which when filled and weighed out was about 15 lbs of carrying weight. I carry a lot more than that on runs, but then, runs are only a couple hours. And I have access to all the water I want then. It can't be helped that I'm going to have to deal with dehydration on this. The cooler, constant temperature will help a little. The limit is going to have to be 2 a day. That will give me 7 days on a pack. The extra liter leftover will probably go to mistakes and messing up rationing. One week. Is that enough to search, find something, and get a hold of it and get back? No, probably not. I should bring two. That's 30lbs carry weight alone. About two weeks.

Adding in food, which was another depressingly bare-minimum item made up of health food bars for primary meals, compressed trail mixes and oatmeal chocolate peanut butter bars. It was a gamble of protein and pure need of calories against travel weight. I might find the knight faster than expected doing this. I'll come out looking more like him, for certain, and I'm going to have more personal experience starving than I wanted. Its only two weeks. That is survivable. As long as no Youma get a hold of me too badly. Two weeks is a very normal camping trip. It isn't much hardship at all. I can do this.

Björn left a note on the counter and bed, called in at work and the gym to let them know he would be gone. Then Captain Titanlåvenite and his prepared packs vanished to the Dark Kingdom. Walked through the Hall of Shadows.
Out into the Rift.