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

A giant blue robot?

( Graham has been asking a lot of questions that have already been explained to him, sorry Papyrus. in his defense he's been in a small cell with more than a dozen other people with not enough food or drink for a few weeks. also in his defense, you just don't expect a skeleton to help you out of prison and promise a giant blue robot will check in on you. )

I think I'm fine...

( honestly he can't rightly tell anymore. )

Yes! He's very big, and also flying around in the sky outside.

[ A little more walking, Papyrus making sure to keep pace with Graham so he didn't go too fast (because he pretty much ran everywhere otherwise), and they reach the stairs, like Papyrus had said. ]

You know... I never asked your name!

( okay, at this point Graham is just certain he's hallicinating and has just decided to go with it. sorry, Papyrus, maybe when he's rested and his head is sorted he'll feel bad about not taking you seriously.

also thank you for not running, because it's probably true that he can't keep up. )

It's... It's Graham. I suppose I didn't as for yours, either.

It's alright that you didn't ask, because I'll tell you as many times as I need to! It's Papyrus. Usually prefaced by "The Great"!

[These stairs have no railing. Papyrus looks them over, along with the fact there's miscellaneous rubble and such covering them.]

Will you be okay going down these?

[He's a very attentive skeleton.]

I think just once will be fine.

( he's not gonna forget you any time soon, Papyrus, promise. he might need to work on the title, though, just give him time.

as for the stairs... he was not expecting stairs. Graham presses to his side, a little sore from an altercation from the guard. )

I'll be all right. Just... Mind the front, could you?

( he doesn't want to be touched or carried, but he's aware it's going to take him longer down these stairs than would be practical. )

Of course!!

[And "mind the front" he does, giving Graham some breathing room, but keeping a few stairs ahead of him. It seems a lot of the guards are still deeper in the prison chambers, and so there aren't many to bother them...

Except one. One guard steps into that foyer that Graham and Papyrus find themselves in, looking already a little battered like they had previously escaped some other attack. They freeze on the stop, as does Papyrus, sorry if you bump into him, Graham.

Papyrus pauses, like he wants to try and strike up conversation with the guard, but... He has Graham to think about right now!! He can't get distracted!!]

I'm sorry!!

[Papyrus shouts to the guard, and raises a hand. What Graham probably isn't seeing is that Papyrus has turned the guard's "soul" blue- and suddenly the guard is falling flat on their face, and staying there.]

Edited 2015-12-11 18:22 (UTC)

( taking a staircase shouldn't be such an endeavor, it just seems that his weeks in that small cell without much to eat and drink are finally catching up with him. it was odd for his body to start to fail him without feeling the weariness as he was meant to. it felt almost like a machine that hadn't been used recently.

he's definitely a few steps behind his enthusiastic companion, enough that he doesn't run into him. it's hard to miss the guard falling over, though, apparently spontaneously. )

Was that magic? ( Graham winced at the man on the floor, and hopes that he's not dead, now that he's clear enough adrenaline to not want to have any additional guilt to his name. ) There's likely more where he came from.

[ This is why he wanted to pick you up, Graham!! Jeez!!

As for the guard, they seem to be still... twitching a little, like they're trying to get up and simply can't. It's as if they're somehow magnetized to the floor. ]

It was! You're very smart, human! I mean Graham. Blue magic- it's one of my specialties! I hope there aren't more though...

[ He doesn't think he can Blue more than one opponent at a time though, and otherwise he'll need to use the bones... ]

( sorry!!! he's not good with being touched, it isn't personal!

at least the guard doesn't seem to be dead, though... that's a very odd variety of magic. he doesn't have time to explain how he knows why he has an understanding of magic (and probably wouldn't if he did). they've got to focus on getting out.

it seems like they aren't going to get a choice in the matter on the more, a great number of footsteps approaching. Graham doesn't want to find any more than Papyrus does, though, and remembering the bone he's been given to defend himself, he throws it to clatter down the stairway, giving the guards something to look for as they make their way through the only empty hallway left.

hopefully there's an exit nearby. )

Oh! That was very clever!!

[ He's very excited that Graham seems to be taking to 1. throwing bones around, and 2. not wanting to fight anyone. The latter can probably be contributed to the fact he's definitely not in his prime right now, but hey, it's a step in the right direction as far as Papyrus is concerned.

Luckily, at this point, there is an exit nearby! In more of the worst-whispering-voice-ever;]

Graham, that way!

( it's at least a decent ploy, though perhaps the loud whispering does dampen it a little bit. but thanks, Papyrus, he's really glad you noticed. )

Good.

( he's very ready to be out of this prison, even if he's at least mildly sure he hallucinated a skeleton friend out of exhaustion. he's got at least enough energy to get out of here, and hopefully a bit of adrenaline will kick in once he does. )

I'll be all right. I've got somewhere in town I can hide.

( he knows Emma is going to be a little surprised to see him showing up at random, but it'll make sense shortly, no doubt. now the question is, do you thank a hallucination for helping you? or is that weird? )

Alright!

[Fresh air and also hints of burning ozone! All of the things they both so justly deserve after that adventure. ]

Good luck, Graham! Be safe!! And if you ever need help again you can always give me a call!

[Even if he's a hallucination, he's one that seems to care very much about Graham's wellbeing. ]

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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