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.

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[Despite his current state (a broken rib, a broken nose, half-blind, cut up, etc), Hellboy can take a beating a lot better than most people. He knows this, and he lets it dictate his actions after being loosed from the cell. The barrier is down, he can feel his usual strength thrumming through his body, and it's enough to drive him to lag behind, fighting guards to give others more time to escape.

But eventually he needs to pay attention to himself, too, and he barrels into two guards at once, bowling them over and just continuing to run past.

Even in the now-perpetual darkness of Chantes, Hellboy is bright red and huge, so it takes him a little while to lose the over-zealous guards who are hot on his heels. He sticks to the shadows, moving carefully so his hooves don't clack so loudly to give him away.

But he smells like peanuts. Dipper, did you just get startled by a bunch of peanuts? Maybe. Or maybe he isn't as good as concealing his hoofbeats as he thinks.

Either way, it's Hellboy nearby in the same alley, looming in the dark.] Shhh.

[ Let's be real, there is probably a circumstance out there in which Dipper would get startled by peanuts. Luckily for his dignity, that isn't the case (this time).

Dipper feels his entire body tensing up, fingers digging hard into the straps of the backpack sitting beside him, even after he's hushed—rather than ambushed, which says a lot about who's there. He squints, only just making out the silhouette before he notices all the red. ]

... HB! [ The name slips out of his mouth a volume louder than intended before he realizes it; slapping a hand over his mouth when it belatedly hits him, Dipper winces. Then, quieter: ] Not clear?

[Haunted peanuts!! It's okay, Dipper, we've all been there.

Hellboy doesn't shush Dipper again even when he blurts something out, instead just tipping his head slightly to one side in silence. He's acknowledging Dipper being loud but otherwise isn't drawing attention to it because he fixed it so quickly. Good job, kid.

Holding his hand up, Hellboy leans slightly out of the shadow of the alley, squinting down the length of it. His night vision isn't any better than a human's, but he has sharper vision in general. He doesn't see movement, doesn't hear the clattering of armor, and eases back into the shadow.]

I think it is now. Are you okay?

[ Dipper gives a phew, hand going to his forehead as he sinks back down in place in relief. ]

Amazingly, I'm not dead. [ Needless to say, it was a rough night, and Dipper is beginning to think he might have been in over his head back there. He narrows his eyes in an attempt to better see Hellboy, then adds: ] ... What about you?

[Wow, Dipper, don't be so glib about dying! You're a baby, babies shouldn't be thinking about escaping a murder.

Hellboy looks down the other side of the alley, gesturing vaguely to his torso.]

I think I broke a couple ribs. Should be okay in a week or so, as long as I take it easy. [Speaking of glibness.] Though I don't have high hopes for that.

Broken ribs?

[ Oh, for the love of—! Dipper shoots up to his feet, ushering to Hellboy's side, leaving his backpack all but forgotten by the wall for the time being. He holds his hands up as if there's something he wishes to do for Hellboy's condition, but unfortunately, there's not much to be done. ]

You shouldn't be out here! [ As if he had a choice in the matter. ] We gotta find you—I don't know, a doctor? Do—do you even do doctors?

[Hellboy quits scanning the alley when Dipper rushes over, a little nonplussed as he looks down. People usually aren't so concerned about his injuries unless they're very egregious -- then again, people are usually more aware of just how talented he is at taking a beating.

He crouches down to Dipper's level, motioning toward the bruises and cuts on his face. They already look better now that he's not trapped in the magic-diffusing barrier, not that Dipper would know this.]

Really -- don't worry. All this will be cleared up in a day or two. Bones just take a little faster.

[ For a moment there, Dipper squints skeptically—is he just saying that? Or... Then again, it's fairly obvious that Hellboy isn't human, so does he like, heal faster or something? Actually have super strength?

He purses his mouth into a flat line, reluctant to relent, but in the end Dipper has no reason to doubt him. ]

... Okay, but you still shouldn't be out here. It could get worse if something else happens!

[Yeah, he's all Wolverine and shit without the hilarious stature, it's pretty great. Hellboy's pleased when Dipper listens to him, though; he never really enjoys having to defend his weird physiology to people. Why would he lie? He's already weird enough.

Now it's Hellboy's turn to relent, and he dips his head a bit in acquiescence.] You have a point. Any idea what way to go?

[Unspoken addendum: you're coming with, Dipper.]

I...

[ Dipper looks up and down the alleyway, eyes narrowing in an attempt to make out the details in the darkness. ]

I was hoping you would know the answer to that, honestly.

[ If he knew, he certainly wouldn't be huddling up against the wall way out here. Dipper backtracks just enough to grab his backpack and slip it back over his shoulders, then pass Hellboy to check their surroundings for any guards—again, just in case. ]

But there's gotta be someplace out there that doesn't mind that we've... kinda busted up half of that jail and all.

[When Dipper slips away, Hellboy rises up to his feet again, just in case he needs to make a quick getaway. He's pretty sure he lost the guards tracking him, but there's always a chance. Now that Dipper is here, he's taking extra care to make sure nothing bad happens.]

The goblins have no love for humans. [He glances down at Dipper.] The ones loyal to the king here, I mean. We could try to make out way out toward the woods where they live.

The goblins... Right, they could help us!

[ Dipper turns on his feet, starting the walk they have ahead of them. ]

They won't mind, will they? I haven't met any of those guys yet.

[Dipper takes the lead and Hellboy follows, unsnapping the holster on his belt just in case he needs it quickly. Thank God he'd spent the time before jumping out a window to grab his personal possessions from the prison.]

The goblins? I don't think so. Just try not to stare and you should be alright. [Not that he knows Dipper to be that rude -- he trusted Hellboy quickly enough, anyway, and he's a lot scarier-looking than a goblin.]

Though if a lot of us show up on their side of everything, who knows... we might have to camp out in the woods.

If there's anything I know better than to stare at, it's a goblin.

[ Or... anything that's a hybrid of one, at least. Come to think of it, was it the gremlin or the goblin half that makes you see nightmares?

There's a subtle pinch in Dipper's expression as he slides up against the side of another building, peering around the corner. Coast coming up clear, he starts up again down a wider street way. ]

And let's just hope we get there early.

[That gets Hellboy to smile a little, because yeah. You don't really want to mess with a goblin, generally speaking. Dipper seems to have more experience with stuff than Hellboy gives him credit for, and he makes a mental note to talk about this sort of thing a little more. Once they're not on the run from prison guards, maybe.

Hellboy peers around the corner too, a good several feet above Dipper's head, but still follows him as they turn the corner.]

I don't know, the woods isn't so bad. [He pauses, maybe for comedic effect.] Probably.

As long as nothing wants to try eating us.

[ Dipper's own very few attempts at "camping out" were never truly successful, but after his own beat, he cranes his chin over a shoulder and shoots Hellboy a lopsided grin as he walks. ]

But maybe with a big guy like you around, nothing would wanna try, huh?

[That is basically the opposite of Hellboy's experience with Things That Live in the Woods -- something is always trying to eat him, to the point where he's just written it off as his own personal brand of supremely bad luck -- but he doesn't want to get Dipper even more worried. This kid seems high-strung as it is.]

Well, if something does try, I have experience punching things like that. We should be okay.

You have broken ribs, HB.

[ Dipper scowls pointedly, though he does so while facing back ahead to watch his step. ]

I know it'd be the coolest thing ever to see you punch a monster's face in, but shouldn't we be trying to avoid that right now?

[Wow, buzzkill much, Dipper! Though Hellboy doesn't really mind; he smiles a little at the reprimand, though his tone is as deadpan as ever.]

Alright. You're the boss.

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EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

the great escape

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