epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

THE BARRIER

As promised, Arthur has the means to unlock that first, crucial step to saving the ALASTAIR recruits: unveiling the runes maintaining the barrier. He has sequestered himself in a rented room in the inn down the road from the prison; he’s at a good enough distance to keep his concentration unbroken, but near enough that he can reach the runes in question. The recruits are told to be ready, to wait for his signal before they take action.

The signal comes just after the stroke of 5 on the town’s clocks, at what would be dawn in a world of less darkness. There’s a shimmer in the air around the brick building of the jail, like the surface of a bubble. Then suddenly the runes are there: glowing bright green, flaming into existence at various points along and within the barrier.

There are at least 30 of them along the outside. They’re etched on walls, scribed into doors, carved into the very ground. These have to be destroyed first to make any progress, in any way the recruits are able to. Once these all have been broken, erased, or scattered (and some of them are cleverly hidden or out of reach -- have you checked the topmost brick in the clock tower of the jailhouse?), the first defense of the barrier has fallen. Then the jailhouse itself can be rushed, but magic is still hampered until every rune is destroyed. From there the runes can be found every few feet in the walls, ceilings, and floors of the jail, and only once each one is broken will the spell be completely lifted, magic and abilities restored to the area, and the inmates considerably easier to break out.

The recruits aren’t the only ones that can see those runes, though. The jailers are quick to react, and some spring to the defense of the runes while others rush to sound the alarm, calling even more armed guards to the area. Even city guards start to show up in response to the alarm -- there’s definitely a time limit on this venture. Dispose of the runes, rescue your friends, and be out of the area quickly, or you might just be overrun with armed, angry opposition.

THE ESCAPE

By the time those in the cells are finally brought out, it’s pandemonium. The guards, jailers and city guards alike, might not have been able to stop ALASTAIR’s recruits from destroying the runes and bringing down the barrier, but they’re determined at least to stop dangerous criminals from escaping into the city. And these criminals were due to be hung, so they’re not looking to take anyone down peacefully. They’ll be going for the killing blows.

The best chance will be to rely on numbers and scatter. In ones and twos and threes, people should be taking to shadowy alleys, slipping around corners, even dropping down into the sewers, if they have to. Anything to thin out and disappear. The most capable and destructive fighters are asked to stay as long as they can, giving the bulk of the rest of the escapees time to disappear into that unending night.

THE COOLDOWN

Those that helped free their friends probably won’t run into too many problems in the following days, unless you run into a guard with a few injuries and a long memory. The ex-prisoners, though, are another story. They were in there long enough that the men and women who guarded them know most of their faces quite well, and since they’re out of prisoners to guard, what else do they have to do but take to the streets and search? Ex-prisoners should play it carefully, then, if they don’t want to end up right back where they started. Guards are more than happy to cause an immediate fracas should they spot anyone that belongs in jail.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t go out at all! Just, you know, take a disguise with you. As if anticipating the rising demand for them, all local merchant shops seem to be stocking up on scarves, shawls, and bulky clothing. Isn’t that nice? Most of them don’t really care what anyone did to end up in jail, they just want to share in on those ALASTAIR-paid wages.

If spotted, townsfolk have varied opinions of the escapees. Some are mistrustful and bitter, and will immediately alert guards upon realizing who they’re dealing with. Some of them really don’t care. They’re tired of the darkness, tired of the conflicts, they just want to get on with life. One old man in particular seems to inexplicably love all ALASTAIR recruits, the ex-prisoners in particular, and will insist on buying a drink and playing a game of chess with any of them he runs into. The goblins, of course, have pretty good opinions of anyone on the wrong side of the king, and will be your best bet for finding lodging and food. Some of them might even think of you as a hero, or at least a roguishly charming vigilante.

Spend your post-breakout time well, and try not to make any more enemies.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1 / ruinin some runes

[ despite what one may expect, he's not bothered at all by the prospect of busting criminals out of jail - the fact that his understanding of law as a whole is extremely minor doesn't hurt. To him, the issue is black and white. His allies are being held captive. The ones holding them are the opponent. Defeating them and rescuing his newfound comrades is just a necessary step to get back to Brigadoon - to Marin, adds his heart. Love is a strong enough motivation to make him do nearly anything.

He's unfamiliar with magic, but the level of technology where he's from is so high that it's not dissimilar to magic. The runes are just another type of barrier to him. And when you have an energy rifle grafted to your left arm, destroying the outside of a stone building is hardly an issue. Guards and jailers are more of a problem, so he decides to leave them to the others for now; Melan stays in his element, wings spread, darting through the air like an enormous insect as he travels around the perimeter of the building in search of runes. Arrows sail towards him, and a few even protrude from his body, but he remains undeterred. Watch out for falling rubble from his blasts.

If he spots someone who appears to have a moment of calm - fleeting as it may be - he may land nearby, signalled by the sound of rushing air, and address them: ]

What is the current status of the mission?

2 / escapin some escapees

[ once the jailbreak has been jailbroken, so to speak, Melan is one of those highly-destructive types who stays around the longest, fending off guards, jailers, and anyone else looking mildly aggressive to buy time for others to escape. After all, he's a living weapon. Despite the fact that he's heavily armed with weapons with clear killing potential, other combatants may notice a pointed effort from this murderbot not to kill anyone, although he is not always successful.

As the endless night winds on, the aggression increases, and the number of stragglers dwindles, though, he knows it's high time that he gets out of here. No promise ties him to this fight; there is meaning in his survival, not victory. Melan is obviously wounded (a viscous purple substance that has to be his blood is oozing out of several of his fleshier parts), but, nonetheless, he's the one who offers to help, not be helped. Any other fighters nearby will hear the click of his wings unfolding; he shoves off the man crossing swords with him before turning his head to speak. ]

There's no need to continue fighting. We should leave now.

Edited 2015-12-05 06:15 (UTC)

[There is a fine line which provides the separation for when violence becomes necessary. This was a particular line that Kaneki was impeccably familiar with, though with the gravity of the situation as it was, he had been prepared for this eventuality. The soldiers and jailers weren't going to let traitors and treasonists walk without a fight. Kaneki was more than willing to give it to them.

Up until this point he has been surreptitious and sparing with the use of his kagune, but he finds he doesn't have much of a choice now. Two of the claws trail behind him like sanguine ribbons, twisting and turning with each movement he made to attack or defend against assailants—like Melan, he almost unilaterally avoids lethal attacks, instead opting to break swords and spears whenever possible (sending soldiers flying with a brunt of his kagune when that failed).

He has focused intently on fighting, having just looped one of his kagune around a man's leg to yank him off of his feet, using the other to knock his weapon away. It's then that he hears Melan's voice, turning his attention to the robotic creature at his imperatives.

Kaneki's mismatched eyes instinctually lock onto the wound, the strange blood leaking from it. He has to resist the urge to wrinkle his nose—the air is choked enough with the scent of human blood and flesh, but he gets the feeling that of this person wouldn't be nearly as... preferable.

The half-ghoul withdraws his kagune from the guard, leaving him to scramble away. He doesn't go for his blade. It's for the best.]

Are you sure we have all of them? [Not one to leave anyone behind.]

[ the kagune are unusual, to be sure, but the unflappable Melan doesn't seem to pay them much heed - if there's one person it's probably fine to use them in front of, it's him. It's probably a biological enhancement, or an accessory Monomakia, or something similar to either, as far as he's concerned. They catch his one visible eye for a brief moment before he returns his gaze to Kaneki. ]

No. The number of hostages wasn't known to me. [ his voice is as flat and mechanically-toneless as ever. ] However, remaining here for much longer makes sustaining serious injuries likely. The majority of our comrades are gone.

[ both combatants and non-combatants. They're outnumbered by the guards and townsfolk, as well, and even a living weapon will get tired out and overwhelmed eventually... escape will become difficult. ]

[Kaneki's going through a similar period of adjustment—from what he gathered of the lack of fear or revulsion from others seeing his kagune, he gets the feeling that he's just as alien to them as, say, this robotic recruit is to him. It's a bizarre thing to consider, coming from a world where ghouls were an inherent threat one grew up alongside. It seemed, though, that they all came from worlds different enough that interacting with nearly anyone would bend imaginations.

Like, Kaneki would have little issue accepting a fellow ghoul, but this person...

He remains unfazed by Melan's tone of voice; what he said was of more interest. Kaneki casts a wary glance into the gloom, senses of hearing and smell sharp for pursuers. It wouldn't be long before they were beset once more.

Matter-of-fact:] ...You're right. We should fall back.

[He turns, though something seems to occur to him. He looks back to Melan.] Was it ever established where we were supposed to return to?

[They most likely won't be welcome guests in the town after this...]

[ though they've defeated a considerable amount of them already, the guards just seem to keep coming. Their determination is close to admirable; whatever they're fighting for, they must believe in it strongly. Enough to throw their lives on the line. Melan and this presumably-human may be trying not to kill them, but that's not the case for everyone on their side.

The agreement is faintly reassuring. ]

No, [ he repeats. ] But leaving the battlefield will still be safer. Afterwards, we can find places to hide.

[ maybe. He has no idea how he's going to hide anywhere in this place, but he'll figure that out later. ]

... The goblins may shelter us. [ whatever a goblin is. ] I can fly. Do you require transportation?

[They must be fighting for something they believed in. Kaneki had seen a division when he'd compared doves and ghouls—the latter would turn tail and try to disappear if they feared for their lives, more often than not, but the former was more likely to fight to the last breath, believing in what they did. He'd never been sure what to think of that—in many ways, he thinks there was no clear answer.

He wonders, then, about the missing pieces he had in understanding this. What were they fighting so hard to do? Why did they want these people to remain imprisoned so badly?

Maybe asking around after they escaped would offer answers, but for now, Melan is right. There was no use in standing around talking about it.] Getting outside of town might be a good idea, then. Until things calm down.

[Kaneki thinks he'll have issues hiding as well. The white hair tended to be distinctive—thought definitely not as much so as Melan.

He casts a surprised look at him at the offer.] I - [am not really sure how to respond to that. Was it polite to say yes? Would it trouble him? Kaneki knew he could get away if needed, no issue, but... it would mean more people getting a good look at him as he withdrew.] As - long as it wouldn't inconvenience you.

[And he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested to see how the robot was going to do just that...]

melan / open!

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2. i want a cute robot in my life

then you've come to the right place

bless

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