EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

[heavyhitter]

[ She laughs, finally letting Ranmaru go to step forward and shoulder open the door for them. She stands in the doorway to hold it open. ]

So what's a better way to go?

[unoradinary]

Never really thought about it...I guess the predictable answer is dying for a good cause or somethin'.

[She steps through the door before finishing her thought, and so-]

But that ain't my idea of a good way to go either. If you die savin' someone you just hurt 'em.

[heavyhitter]

[ She ducks in after her; it's a small place, pretty cozy, and she's eaten here once already so she can verify it's pretty great. No preference on the seating though, so she hangs back to let her new pink friend make that choice. ]

Yeah, I guess so. So what's that leave? Dying for a shitty cause?

[unoradinary]

[Laughs suddenly.]

That's even worse!

[She heads for the seating in the back, near the corner of the cafe. It's cozier.]

I guess...the coolest way to go is living out your life naturally. Gotta get the most out of life you can, y'know?

[heavyhitter]

[ Sure, that'll do. She slides into her seat — and doesn't bother with one of the menus already on the table. She's eaten here once before, it was plenty of time to comb the menu. ]

Yeah, then you can die when you're like eighty doing something awesome. Cloudskimming, or something.

[unoradinary]

Man, right? I am gonna be the raddest grandma.

[She starts looking through the menu herself while she's talking.]

But what's cloudskimming?

[heavyhitter]

[ What, what kind of poor soul doesn't know cloudskimming. She watches Ran a little sympathetically, like she's just realized what an unfortunate life she's led so far. ]

Never been, I take it. That's hopping out of an inner atmosphere ship with just a board, and bouncing around off the cloud vapors. Not ringing any bells?

[unoradinary]

[STANDS UP!!

SLAMS HANDS ON TABLE!!!!!]

WHAT!? THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE COOLEST SHIT! WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD OF THIS!?

[everyone's kind of staring now...]

[heavyhitter]

[ It's a good thing Ramir has never minded (or noticed, really) staring. She just looks a little delighted by the enthusiasm, even if she's totally playing it cool with a carefully maintained amused smile and arms folded over her chest. ]

I guess you're just from a shit dimension, sorry.

[unoradinary]

Geez...

[She sits back down in a fairly rough manner, almost like falling into her chair instead, making it slide back like an inch.]

Hey, hey, if we ever get a chance with these Alastair goons to do it, you should definitely take me with you!