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

[Well, he certainly is trying...but standing around too engaged in reading in this situation could be really bad. She decides to at least check to make sure everything is okay.

So Ran approaches and stops in front of him, leaning over a bit to get a closer look - at him and the book.]

Oi. What're you up to?

Gah—!!

[ With a flinch, Dipper presses up against the wall; way to sneak up on a person!! (Nevermind she basically just walked up, but details.) ]

Don't—do that! [ (Nevermind it was his fault for not being aware....) With a narrowed expression, he sizes her up and down, eventually deeming her as someone who is likely to be among ALASTAIR's crew. ] ... I'm looking something up.

[Well, time to get an even closer look. So she squats down in front of him-

Yeah, that one particular way of squatting. you know the one. Friggin' delinquents.

-and tries to look too.]

Better places to do it, don't you think? What's so important?

[ Ah, yes, the Anime Squat. Who wouldn't know that one?

Dipper doesn't move the journal away as she peers over, but it may be a little indecipherable to those not so supernaturally inclined; he has the book open to a page littered with odd symbols, paragraphs of handwritten notes, and the occasional Latin. It's basically the very definition of "kooky book". ]

On the contrary, this is the perfect place to do it. If we're gonna be hunting those runes down, there has to be a more efficient way of doing it!

["On the contrary" what kind of kid speaks this way...unless he's a nerd.

He must be a nerd.]

And you think you got the answer to that in this book?

[ He's totally a nerd. ]

Yes! [ A pause. ] ... Probably! [ Dipper's eyes fall back toward the pages, flipping one over, then another. ] I... don't actually know. It usually has the answers I need...

Well, if there's a chance it can help it's worth pursuing.

[She moves from a squatting position to a seated one, one foot resting against the ground and leg bent so she can rest both her arms on her knee, and then her chin on her arms.]

Take your time, okay? If anyone comes along, I'll definitely protect you.

[ ... What— ]

How is that protecting?

[ You're just sitting there?!? ]

You'll see if anyone tries anything.

[Nod.]

What's your name, anyway? I'm Ranmaru- but just call me Ran.

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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