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]

[Right now, Alisha's more worried for Sakura's safety than anything else. It's one thing for anyone to be in a battle, but for a child to be here as well? She wonders if the girl might be like Edna, older than what her appearance might seem, but as far as she can tell, Sakura is an actual kid.

Albeit one with some impressive looking magic, and she's not sure if she's more surprised at Sakura's age or that. After knocking out the guard in front of her, she turns her attention to the ones still trying to go after the girl. With mobility like that, Sakura's probably better suited to going after the runes regardless.]

It's alright! Look for more of the runes, and I'll hold off the guards for you.

[keystaff]

[Part of her probably would be grateful that Alisha and others have simply allowed her to help. rather than trying to send her back to the hotel. She likes feeling useful. Even if this is dangerous. She couldn't well sit back when others could use her help, her use of the Clow Cards.

Still, Alisha isn't seeming to have major trouble against the guards, so this seems a decent compromise and team effort. That Sakura scramble around looking for the runes while Alisha covers her.]

All right! I'll see if I can find any more.

[By. Jumping up to the roof, higher, for a better view while still sort of keeping an eye on Alisha.]

There! There's one to the left! [Which she makes for, not entirely ignoring the guards out the corner of her eye, even as she uses the sword to try destroy this rune too.]

[1300yen]

[Likewise, Alisha keeps an eye on Sakura as well. Not just to make sure that none of the guards have reached her, but also to keep up with her movements to better guard her. While Alisha can't do much to lead them away when the runes are the most important thing here, keeping them from reaching the girl is something she can handle.

When she sees the next rune destroyed, she smiles, calling out to Sakura.]

That's great! [There might be a ton of these runes scattered about, but progress is still progress. On the other hand, the guards keep on pouring in; there isn't much use in trying to take them all out, so maybe a change of tactics is in order.] Can you look for runes further in?

[keystaff]

[It's something, one less to worry about. That much more slight magical power returned as they work on the runes one at a time like this. She can't help being pleased and proud of even the slightest progress as a result.

Though Sakura does note the guards. More just keep coming.....would Alisha really be able to handle this? But just as the younger girl is about to ask if they should figure a change in tactics of sorts, the lady knight seems to read her mind. Alisha gets a nod of agreement, as Sakura scans the area for any more of them, making her way around. Not splitting up, but not straying too far either, ensuring Alisha can still see her. ]

If there was one there, there might be more.....let's see....

[1300yen]

[It's not easy, causing distractions like sweeping at their feet to knock them down or knocking them unconscious one by one, but she's getting by. While it would be one thing if the mission was to take out all the guards, that's not the case here. Rather than focus on taking them out, making it so that they can't get in the way of their destroying the runes is what she's doing. Sometimes the two coincide, but it still means not spending as much energy as she would be if she was aiming to take them all down.

Still, she'd rather not keep this up forever if she could. While she still follows Sakura's movements, she also starts looking for her own way further inside.]

Do you see any others yet?

[keystaff]

Yes! There! Up ahead! Are you okay while I take care of it?

[She waits until Alisha gives the okay, that she is sure the other will handle things with the guards until she does go for it and slash at this rune as well with her sword. Only after that, continuing to glance around, to try sense any others that might be nearby before assisting Alisha with any nearby guards still trying to attack and stop them.]

There's one downstairs too. I think. Did you want to get that one?

[While Sakura is perhaps faster, more agile with Jump and the Fly cards, it doesn't seem entirely fair to let Alisha do all the fighting like this. It's simple enough for Sakura to use Shield to deflect any attacks at least. Keep them focused on her if necessary.]