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

[1300yen]

What I think? That's, um...

[What she thinks is that it should be put into a storage cellar and never see the light of day again, but it's not as if she could say that. How to put this more... delicately.]

It's a very... unique item. I can't imagine many people being able to pull it off, unless they were somewhere very cold and needed the warmth. [More like anyone ever, but that's not the point.] The Lady you speak of, how does she tend to dress herself?

[sunderings]

Roguishly. [ —he decides after a moment, thinking on Clarke, covered from head to toe in worn, rugged leather with cross-straps for details, the entire ensemble laden with dregs of earth from her time in the forest. ]

And with dirt here-- [ Draping the shawls over his forearm, he taps the bridge of his nose! ] Here. [ Another tap, this time to the hollow of his cheek. ] And here. [ And then a final tap to his forehead! ]

I do fear for her ability to stay warm, for she makes camp on the outskirts of the city, and chooses to scavenge the forest for the majority of her necessities.

[ Foolishly, when she knows he would gladly (and covertly!) make deliveries of supplies if need be. ]

She is the utilitarian sort, as well, so making a selection is rather difficult... [ A light sigh! Why, whatever shall he do? ] Were you in my shoes, what would you purchase?

[1300yen]

[From his description, it makes her wonder what kind of person it is that he knows... Or if she's here as well, for that matter. She certainly sounds like an interesting character.]

So I take it that practicality is the most important factor for her... Hmm.

[She takes a careful look around the store, eventually picking out two items, and holds them up to Sion so he can see them better.]

What about something like these? The material is thicker, so I imagine it would be just as warm to wear it as it would be to wear multiple thin ones, but easier to put on. Although, [raising up the black one] this might be a better choice as having none of the tassels would make it less likely to get caught on things in the forest where she stays.

[sunderings]

[ From the moment she makes her selection, Sion's companion has his undivided attention, his golden eyes glinting from the sheer intensity of his study as he minds her words. And after she's lifted the second garment, he reaches to touch, the very tips of his fingers skirting the two buckled clasps of the hooded cape. It certainly is fetching, and both the color and the feel certainly remind him of his friend, so much so that...!

He laughs, retracting his hand so that he might muffle the sound. ]

I wonder if you could not already be acquainted, you and the Lady to be held responsible for this shopping trip. [ Amused, he offers her a charming smile, his demeanor playful as his voice lilts with a tease: ] You've chosen so well for her that I'm astonished; I can picture her wearing this with no trouble at all. Surely, you must be an agent acting on her behalf...!

[ It is with a small flourish of motion that he abandons the shawls he'd once considered, clearly leaving them for dead! ]

Or, at the very least, quite experienced with dressing for the weather. [ Where Sion is... most decidedly not, for he is so often confined to Roland's castle that his King's robes suffice for any and all occasions. ] Might I have the honor of knowing your name? I do think I owe a proper thanks to whoever has been so kind as to help me.

[1300yen]

[And thus the true evil is defeated...

She's almost a little embarrassed receiving such heavy praise. Surely she doesn't deserve it when she only picked based on her personal opinion? They're only clothes, after all. But the important thing here is that the shawls are dead he's happy with it, so she smiles, pleased that he's pleased. If she was of help, then that's more than enough.]

Alisha Diphda. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. [She dips her head, respectful and graceful. From his demeanor alone, she wonders if she might be speaking with nobility.] And you're very welcome! Whether I've met the Lady before, I don't believe that I have, but if I've truly picked so well for her, I can only say that I am glad. The weather is important to keep in mind when traveling out, so I can only imagine how important it must be when one is actually living out and about.