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

[oh my god lancer please....

At Lancer's words, Julius jumps out of the way to avoid harm. He nearly falls and trips while attempting to do so. You can't expect too much from a half dead prisoner. Luck is just what Julius needs in this situation.

Is Lancer a magic user? That much is becoming obvious with his display of skill. How else would you summon a spear out of seemingly no where! Julius wants to stand there in awe and ask a few questions about it, but they don't have time.

He'll leave most of the fighting to Lancer and do whatever he can to stay safe.]

You've got a few tricks up your sleeve.

[ Alas, he expects the utmost from his comrades, half-dead or otherwise. Better keep up, broski.

On the bright side though, neither of them gets littered with fresh arrow wounds, so all's well that ends well. Lancer's largely immune to arrows because of ~~canon bullshit~~ his spearmanship, swiping his lance to knock the projectiles away in splinters of wood and scattered flint-heads. Meanwhile, he answers Julius with a huff of laughter. ]

Maybe one or two.

[ But yes, really not the time to sit down and give him his powers resume. Instead he snaps the last arrow out the air and slides down the side of the roof to where Julius is. He's got a very mildly apologetic smile on now, but it could stand to be a little more so considering what he's about to ask. ]

Will you trust me if I say we gotta jump again?

[ Though this time, the drop's more of a doozy: he's already balanced delicately at the edge of the roof, and there's a good several stories down to go. ]

Of course.

[Julius nods to Lancer's words. He'll trust Lancer's judgment. All this running around tires him out somewhat. He frantically catches his breath and sweats nervously under stress. It's hard for Julius to maintain focus under these conditions. His movements are unsteady and it's like he'll tip over if you poke him a little. At least Lancer can manage himself just fine. Julius isn't too concerned about his combat ability.]

Just say the word. [He makes a small hand gesture letting Lancer know that he's fine with it.]

If you want me to jump I'll jump.

[ Ah... maybe too trusting, but while Lancer does tend to be a jokester, there's boundaries to that kinda thing. In this case he won't be too much of a dick; instead he points down towards the chaos in the streets below.

As the roads are cordoned off and detoured, police scrambling to try and herd back the fugitives, some of the street traffic diverts messily. And in that ensuing confusion... there's a vendor's wagon coming up the path below them. It's full of the good day's worth of sheared wool, bags of soft feed, and... sheep.

Point is, it's fluffy enough for a decent landing. He gestures below. ]

Aim for that. I'll cover you.

[ Because that definitely wasn't the last hail of arrows just now. ]

[It's true, Julius is too trusting of others. It's not surprising to say that he's been utterly betrayed before in his life. So much for drawing boundaries been people. Thanks for not being a dick, Lancer. This won't end too poorly.]

Understood.

[He approaches the target and rushes at full speed. Since he's preoccupied with this new task he can't really see what Lancer's doing. Julius does expect Lancer to keep his word and cover him like so. You're up next.]

[ Don't count on him to always play it nice (if 'nice' were applicable here), but for now he behaves himself. And more importantly, he keeps his word as he always does.

There's the sharp whistle of more projectiles slicing through the air, meant to spear them through. But when Julius leaps full-tilt towards his target, the worst that'll reach him are more broken arrows, flinty bits of shattered arrowheads. ]

[ ...And also, once he lands, someone tumbling down right beside him into the full flock of startled sheep. Chantes' animals are especially fluffy, but the wagon still rocks and creaks beneath them, alight with confused 'baaaaahh?'s.

Lancer pokes his head out above the din of farm animals like they didn't just escape a bunch of murderous guards. The worst of it is a sheep chewing on his ponytail in clear protest of his arrival. Still— ]

...Pretty lucky for us that all this was here, huh? Sure beats prison.

Yeah, you can say that again. That was a fine strategy.

[Julius stares at Lancer in concern and points to the sheep beside them.]

You want to do something about that? It likes you...or rather it likes your hair.

[He's doing everything he can to keep himself from face palming. On the bright side, a sheep is harmless and there's nothing to worry about. ]

[ Disgruntled sheep gnawing on his hair versus angry cloud of armed prison guards... things could be worse. He gently tries to pry the sheep's mouth away, to mixed results. ]

Likes it a little too much, I'd say... [ He sighs, but it's a light noise, almost carefree. He seems okay with leaving the whole breakout behind him already. But that's easier for him than others, probably, so he does have the sense to ask: ] Were you one of the people who got nabbed? I didn't see you when we were breaking in.

Indeed. I was in prison with the others for some time.

Allow me to thank you properly. [Julius is showing some gratitude to the servant blue spandex by bowing over slightly. Of course, he's injured so moving slightly causes him great pain. What a disaster this is.]

Without your assistance I'd be dead.

[ Nice as it was to have a bunch of people in his debt—really, that's not what he's here for. He leans back, flopping onto one of the fluffier sheep and shrugging against the wool. ]

Don't worry about it.

[ Plus, it's easy enough to see the slight, stilted motion from some kind of ache in his middle, maybe worse. Rather than poke at it, he waves, motioning for him to relax. ]

Take it easy until we're back in town. [ Just nap or something until then bro, you're okay. ]

That I'll do. [A nod.]

I haven't had the opportunity to ask for your name yet. What is it?

My name is Julius. [Extremely belated greetings. Before there was a lot going on. Now's the perfect time for small talk. He takes a deep breath and sighs in an attempt to relax.]

[ On the other hand, Lancer seems relaxed enough for the both of them already, head leaned back onto his new sheep friend and peering down his nose towards Julius. ]

Lancer.

[ Introductions after all that mess—his mouth slants into an almost-there smile. ]

I'd say it's good to meet you, but I don't know how true it'd be. [ Not exactly the best circumstances. ] Next time we'll go out on the town or something.

[Considering the fact that Lancer indeed wields a lance it's a fitting name.]

Why do you sound so calm? Doesn't this mission stress you out?

[Going into battle actually sends blood rushing through your veins faster. Julius can't be all that calm 24/7. He wonders how Lancer is so composed.]

[ Fights get his blood boiling just the same as anyone else (if not much more), but. That implies that any of this was really a battle worth talking about. It'd be great if that was the case, but it wasn't. Not so far.

Lancer frowns minutely. ] Hm—? [ ... ] Not really. Gotta make up for guys who're probably uptight enough for two people.

[ not pointing fingers or anything, but y'know ]

[Julius is content with that answer and nods. Everyone has their ways. ]

You surprised me. I wish we could have met under better circumstances, but what's done is done.

Did you have any questions regarding our situation? [He doesn't know how knowledgeable Lancer is about the jail break in and members of the order. Hell, ALASTAIR just seems to enjoy roping people into this mess.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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this is egregiously late, i'm sorry! 1/2

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NPP!! happy holidays!!

happy holidays!!! :*

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