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

[haring_to_go]

That's quite kind of you, but I'm certain your description should suffice.

Although a butler, huh? That speaks of nobility...

[ someone's not quite used to his every thought being projected, oops. ]

[grunehexe]

[don't worry, you'll get used to it...]

I am the Green Witch- that is all.

[haring_to_go]

Eh?

Huh?

A green witch? What's... —Ahem, my apologies. I should introduce myself before I show up on your doorstep. I'm Reim Lunettes..

[ since that's... what she must have been doing. Although have no fear, he's having a very carefully, contained moment of panic as he tries to remember how to disengage from his piece of jewelry. It takes skill to walk, talk, and panic at the same time you know! ]

[grunehexe]

Well met, Reim Lunettes, circumstance aside. I am the Green Witch, Sieglinde Sullivan. I am so called for the gift of healing.

[She definitely won't say anything, it took her a while to master it- but now she can operate on a patient and talk at the same time. Multitasking.]

[haring_to_go]

[ teach him your ways, green witch! although let's just be grateful that mental blushing isn't conveyed every well in text for that moment of foot into mouth insertion. ]

Then we are well met indeed to have you and your gifts on our side. I will arrive shortly so, until then, it's been an honor to make your acquaintance Miss Sullivan.

[ And unless there's more he's just going to shut up and keep his thoughts to himself. Something like ten minutes, maybe even twenty depending on how long it takes to traverse through the city streets surreptitiously attempting to avoid drawing attention to himself from all the guards now roaming the lanes, Reim finally knocks on the door to the flat above the apothecary. ]

Miss Sullivan? It is Reim Lunettes here to assist you as needed. May I come in?

[ ever so polite because politeness is the cornerstone for all civil interactions but he knows that when lives are (potentially) at stake, one can't exactly leave a post to open a door either. Let's just hope Reim isn't walking into a complete bloodbath because that's going to take hours and hours to bleach out that mess from the floorboards. ]

[grunehexe]

Come in- !

[No one comes to answer the door, because Sieglinde is quite busy with a patient, hunched over a man and half done stitching up a gash in his side.

Unfortunately, Reim is going to find a lot of mess once he opens the door- blood on the floor, furniture shoved out of the way haphazardly, notes scattered everywhere, stained bandages-]

Master Lunettes, you've arrived at a good time.

[She doesn't actually look up at him, though, that would require looking up from her stitches.]

[haring_to_go]

[ he takes in the full scene with a glance and immediately starts rolling up his sleeves. ]

Do you need any assistance with your patient, Miss Sullivan?

[ although to be fair, he's already taking stock of the supplies near her hand as he strides quickly towards the room, looking for clean water and bandages and, yes, even taking stock of how much thread she has left. What does him more (less?) credit is that he doesn't even bat an eye at how young she looks while operating on her patient and he simply gives said patient a nod of acknowledgement if he's even lucid enough to pay attention to the newcomer in their midst. After years of working with the Rainsworth, strong-willed (young looking) women is his norm. ]

[grunehexe]

Yes-

[If she'd looked around to see how he reacted to the situation she'd have a lot of respect for his readiness- as is, she still doesn't look away from her stitches, biting lightly at her bottom lip in concentration before she waved over at part of the ring of supplies around her, particularly a series of vials.]

Could you please administer the potion in the green vial- he needs to drink half and keep it down.

[The man was barely conscious, biting down on a wad of linen she'd stuffed in his mouth, so it might be... slightly difficult, but.]