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

['I'm made of magic!'-- With that, Ban simply gave Papyrus a few cursory blinks as if he had to take a moment to process it all before he pulled himself back into position for more push-ups.]

Guess that makes sense.

[After getting back into the rhythm of things, Ban looked back to Papyrus.]

Who made you, then?

Uh.

...

[ ????????????

Safe to say, he doesn't know.]

[Without anything stopping him, Ban kept going--albeit, he was giving Papyrus a puzzled look.]

So, what... you're an orphan skeleton?

Oh no, definitely not! I grew up with my brother.

[ Gee this human sure was into doing push-ups and asking invasive questions!! ]

Which reminds me, I have yet to introduce myself! I am the Great Papyrus! What's your name?

That still makes ya' an orphan. [He wasn't trying to be mean--he just didn't think much of saying harsh things on a whim.]

Anyway, nice to meet ya, Great Papyrus. I'm Ban.

...

[ Well... He doesn't know if they're orphans or not, but he's not going to argue. ]

It's nice to meet you too, Ban! You're still going, even though you passed two thousand push-ups??

Ahhh, this? [He didn't seem to be showing any signs of tiring. Papyrus wasn't bad company, so even if it didn't seem like it--it was making it all easier.]

Pleasure to meet ya'.

Now, I could do a hell of a lot more~... Course, I might get bored and forfeit.

Don't forfeit now!! You've done so many already!!

[Rather than continuing to stand, Papyrus takes a seat on the floor, bones clicking a little as he does, because this is closer to being at eye level with Ban than looking down at him. ]

I'll stay with you until you finish!

[For some reason, Ban began to light up at that. It was weird how someone's praise could go so far for him.

Moreover, the goblins were visibly confused as Ban took to the skeleton person without hesitation.]

Hell yeah! I'll make it to twenty thousand, pal!!

Twenty thousand?!

[ THAT'S... A LOT... ]

I can't imagine doing that many-!!! I knew humans were strong, but you must be super strong, Ban!!

Kahaha! That's nothin'!

My Captain could do way more!

[Escanor could, too, but nobody wanted to talk about Escanor. Meanwhile, Ban showed absolutely no sign of slowing or stopping. He was still going at it as if he just started. Off to the side, one of the waitresses was keeping count--since, well, she was monitoring the bet.]

R-Really?! Wowie- you're amazing! And I'm sure your Captain is amazing too! Are they here?

[ Papyrus is leaning forward with his head resting on his hands as he watches Ban continue. ]

Naaaah~! Meliodas ain't here! I wouldn't be so damned bored if he were!

[There were more goblins watching, a few reaching a certain apex of disbelief and hammered.]

He's a bit of a midget, but the guy's stronger than anybody you'll find. Nicest guy I've ever known, too~. [Except Escanor, but fuck that guy.]

I wish I could meet him! If you like him so much, he sounds like he'd be a nice guy to be friends with!

[Papyrus of course has little-to-no concerns about how odd the goblins must think they look, because he's having a great time just talking with Ban.]

Do you know anyone who is here?

Hahaha! Yeah, I know a couple! They're no fun, but they're my fellow knights.

[Switching to one hand just so he could rub his chin in though, Ban mulled over something--]

Speaaaakin' of which, it ain't normal for me to make friends. Normally, I pretty much hate humans~. You wanna be mine, Papyrus?

[Papyrus looks deeply conflicted at Ban's admission, like he was simultaneously asked on a date and broken up with.]

I would love to be your friend!!! I never thought... becoming friends with people on the surface would happen this quickly! But...

...You hate humans?

Yyyyyyyup. [There was a spry look about Ban, but not many people were familiar with spotting fake smiles.]

My Cap'n has gotta be the oooone human I don't hate.

[A long time ago, another person who he thought was human told him--]

I won't tell ya' to feel the same, but I've seen plenty to convince me for a lifetime~.

[ Papyrus isn't an observant fellow. He often misses... very big cues, and other normal things. But he can tell a fake smile when he sees one. Mostly because he sees them a lot. But if someone is doing it... it's usually for a good reason. He doesn't mention it. ]

But if you made one exception... Then that means you don't hate all of them.

And if you don't hate all of them...

Then there's still hope!

Hm~. [What an optimistic guy. It was weird, having a skeleton try to instill him with hope. Given superstitions, Ban imagined the opposite should have been the case.]

Maybe, but there's a whoooole lot of arguments to that, Papyrus~. Far as I know...

[With a huff, he kept going.]

I may never meet another fella like the Captain ever again in my life.

Well...

[ Papyrus continues grinning, gesturing widely to himself. ]

I know something you don't!

[ And then a pause. For dramatic effect, clearly. ]

If you don't try to meet new people and always shut them out- you'll never know if you'll ever meet someone like your Captain ever again in your life!

That's why you need to take risks. Or do things sometimes, even when you're scared to do them. Sometimes it's worth it!

Ahhhh, don't tell me sad things like thaaaat~. [Of course, Ban did hold the fear in him that Meliodas wouldn't live forever. Sure, Meliodas didn't seem to age for the years he knew him, but Ban could chalk it up to a high level of monstrous vitality in the young man. For the most part, Ban was optimistic at that point that maybe another Meliodas could come around if his current one disappeared.

Even if it was bleak, he liked the guy that much.]

I've met all kinds of human beings~. Plenty that you'd like and some I'm sure even you could hate. Problem iiiiis, not one of them could accept me for who I was, 'cept the Cap'n.

If that's a 'once in a lifetime' miracle, then I'm screeeewed~!

[ Nevermind that he's not going to argue about the "some you could hate" because he already knows that's not true. But in this moment, Papyrus gets pretty up close and in Ban's face. Pointing at him too, like that's going to add something somehow. ]

Then! Ban!!

I'm going to make... a bet with you!!

[Papyrus was definitely a curious guy. Ban hiked a brow in response to that challenge, scratching his chin while still doing push-ups with one hand.]

Sure, but--I gotta tell you, I cheat at bets all the time.

You can't cheat at this one!

I bet... That I can find someone who can accept you for who you are!!

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