epidemiology | 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

[ As soon as it was requested, Sebastian was of course ready to provide assistance to Sieglinde. In a way, he was impressed that she had managed so far, though he also guessed that it might not be too difficult for her to find it, considering her condition... Still, playing the role of transportation isn't something that he minded too terribly. She was more agreeable than Ciel, after all.

Once she's finished the one rune, Sebastian crouches to collect her up once again. In truth, he does know where another rune is, since the magic brushed up against his being in a peculiar way. But he won't admit that, since that would come with admitting how he can feel out such a thing when he's rather certain that it's out of sight. Instead, he'll politely defer to the other pair, since it seems like they're more suited to such a thing in the first place. ]

On that note, do we have any idea of just how many there are?

[rin's been convinced of sieglinde's capabilities well enough, and it's only natural that anyone who would accompany her at her side receives the same sort of respect. standing tall at her own less than impressive height whether the smaller girl is lifted up or not, she raises her head and—as sebastian might have expected—she is notably less reluctant to reveal her magical sensing powers.

sieglinde has already heard of them, after all.]

By my count, it's at least a couple dozen, but more and more are diminishing as we talk. That isn't accounting for the ones inside. We'll have to break the outer barrier first.

[she turns to archer, the tall servant right next to her, as easily as if it was breathing, and with that same ease she delivers a command, hands on her hips.]

The two nearest to us right now are very high up. Why don't you take care of them for us, Archer?

[naturally, the runes are out of sight with the un-enhanced eye, high up on the jailhouse's clock tower. rin realizes archer can see them, however, likely as clear as day even in the night.]

[ It is an odd sort of group they make, he supposes. Sieglinde is an acquaintance of Rin's, one he hadn't met before, so while he is willing to defer to Rin's judgment in this, he is also quietly watchful. He's here to be support and to protect his Master while he's at it.

Rin points out the runes, and sure enough, they are plain as day to his eyes. His bow materializes in his hands, and it only takes two quick shots, bright red with magic, to shatter the runes at the top of the clock tower.

Breaking the barrier isn't going to prove so difficult. ]

[Sieglinde fits easily into the crook of Sebastian's arm, perched neatly with a hand draped over his shoulder and tiny heels swinging free beneath her heavy skirts. Though she kept herself poised, small hints gave away her tenseness- fingers clutching the butler's jacket and her grip on the potion in her lap white-knuckle tight.

A dozen seals... it would be soon, then. She nodded in turn, her own gaze looking out at the city around them, brow furrowed- a look that turned quickly into open wonder at the sight of Archer's bow materializing out of thin air, the red arrows fired off one after the other.

- Now wasn't the time for questions and admiration, however, and she shook her head a bit to clear it before turning her gaze towards nearby roofs.]

In that case, it may be prudent to secure a more assertable position-

[The runes on the inside, however.]

I have been in contact with several prisoners with knowledge of magic, and instructed them to locate the runes within the cell.

[ Rin's assessment lines up with what Sebastian had guessed, since his estimations really only were just that: approximations. His senses for magic weren't terribly sharp, certainly not as sharp as Rin or Archer's would be, but it was still something that was more a part of him than many other beings. It was what bound him, after all. But magic is also something incredibly rare in their world, so Sebastian can't help his surprise as that bow is summoned, and he even makes a low noise of being quite impressed. On one hand, there's respect for the bow itself, but just as much, that accuracy really was something! ]

My, how impressive. It seems that with only a dozen, we can make short work of them with skill like that, sir.

[ Sieglinde may not give time for open wonder, but Sebastian certainly will. After all, even though he could probably help significantly, that would mean revealing the extent of his own skill, which he's not willing to do. Functionally, he'll only be Sieglinde's transportation if he can help it. ]

Still... Perhaps that clocktower may provide a good position, should we be able to make it up there.

—Of course. I wouldn't have formed a contract with a weak Servant in the first place.

[as she is wont to do, rin replies for archer. she shifts on her feet, examining their darkened surroundings with narrowed eyes, the magic circuits that run through her body like nerves attuned to the slightest possible difference in the atmosphere. she considers everyone's suggestions in turn. the brilliance of archer's assault is unsurprising to her, but of the accuracy and strength she would have hoped.

archer isn't mistaken if he picks up a faint pulse of pride from his master, over their shared link.]

It's important to be aware of how many of us on the rescue team are actively destroying the runes. My guess it's a lot with all the new recruits. It might not be wise to claim a position that won't be useful to us in the long term, and the runes inside probably can't be erased until we take care of these ones.

[the guards are beginning to swarm. aside from that, rin doesn't know how doable it is to tote little sieglinde up onto a roof.]

If you want to scale it, be my guest, but I could also send Archer there in spirit form.

[ Magic is a rarity in their own time, as well, and the powers of Servants are certainly far beyond what a mage would be capable of, in most circumstances. He notes Sieglinde and Sebastian's reactions in silence, and of course, Rin answers for him as she usually does. The faint note of pride is certainly hers and not his own. ]

Claiming the clocktower as a position shouldn't pose a problem.

[ He is more than capable of taking it by himself. ]

I can provide cover and support from that location.

[ As an Archer, it is his prerogative, after all. ]

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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