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

[ ah Pearl, bless your heart for trying to find a silver lining to horrible blue spandex

But more importantly, they were alike. Though he's less of a literal 'projection,' there's still several notes there that ring familiar. ]

Wow—so you're made of magic?

[ Which rose a lot of really very important possibilities. Maybe he could sap off of her soul. Maybe she could sense what he was, maybe that made her a threat, an infinite bunch of serious maybes. Naturally, he hones in on the most important one. ]

What a cheat, I bet you can't get drunk at all.

[ neglecting the fact that he is 1) literally an entity of pure magic himself, and 2) she hasn't even tried to participate in the contest ]

And minerals, but yes. Mostly magic.

[But that could discussed at another time. Pearl flinches.]

A cheat? [Pearl scoffs and turns her prominent nose upward.] First of all, I didn't agree to any contest, especially not a... drinking contest. [She says the word 'drinking' as if it leaves a bad taste in her mouth, wrinkling her nose.]

If I'm not participating, I'm not cheating.

[ Unfortunately, now he's curious: what would a 'gem' be like inebriated? Do they even need to eat or drink at all? —Was Pearl's reaction visceral, or just her being stuffy?

Mysteries of the world. He smiles, perfectly harmless. ]

Oh? Not a cheat, just a craven.

[ From his tone, he's 100% joshing around, by the by. It's okay if she didn't take part, but he'd be remiss if he didn't take such an obvious opportunity to rile her up. ]

I am far from being a craven. I'm one of the bravest Gems you'll ever lay your eyes upon!

[She boasts as she crosses her arms and closes her eyes with a broad smile.]

Besides, there's no good outcome to drinking contests. [Not that she's ever tried alcohol herself, personally. The act of drinking was still gross. To her, anyways. And yet, this guy knew how to get under her skin.]

[ Spoilers: Pearl, you're probably the only Gem he'll ever lay eyes on. Besides like, inanimate ones. But... you get your victories where you can, he supposes. ]

How would you know? [ It's sighed out almost flatly. This may as well be a statement, not a question: ] You've never been in a drinking contest, have you?

[She shrugs her shoulders up to her ears, bristling in place.] No I have not.

Gems are capable of the consumption of human food and drink, but I do not particularly take part in it.

It's a disgusting experience.

[ ...He'd meant just drinking contests in particular, not just. Eating and drinking as a whole. That's a bit more extreme. He had been human (give or take a half) at one point, so maybe it's not comparable, but—

He'll hear her out on this one. Enlighten him, Pearl. ]

What's so gross about it?

[She rests her fingertips on her temples, rubbing them as she remebers back to a time where she did try eating or drinking something... it causes her stomach to churn once more.]

You mash up the food, swallow the goop, and then it passes through your body.

[The gem shudders, placing a hand lightly against her mouth.]

With liquids, it happens even faster.

[ look pearl, it's fine, everyone poops. ...besides servants, since that's unsightly and they're basically mythological fanservice.

Anyway, while Lancer's a tease, he doesn't tend to overstep into pure douchebag territory if he can help it; the sheer level of discomfort on her face merits a wry, if sympathetic smile. ]

You shouldn't overthink it. [ That's like drinking water while thinking of it as future piss or something, that's really weird. ] Then—who knows? You might actually learn to enjoy it someday.

[Pearl purses her lips. It had been quite some time since she had any human food or drink. But she's rather apprehensive to it to this day. He did have a point though. However, when another drink is shoved in front of her by another goblin, she delicately pushes it away with a finger, upturning her nose at it.]

Perhaps some other day. After what we just went through, I don't think I could stomach holding anything down. For once, in nearly a week, I'm able to relax.

Well, you've got a point there.

[ He doesn't really know the ALASTAIR recruits yet. It's only been a scant few days, a single 'mission' and a few choice run-ins like this one. What he does realize is that some of them are quite close, willing to risk life and limb and death diving into a prison riddled with unknown magic. That their fellows had basically been waiting at the gallows.

—And now, they're all safe. Even if he's unfamiliar with the crew at large, he can sympathize. ]

Then... you don't have to drink, but you know how to toast, right? [ The goblins around them do so enthusiastically, sputtering out good wishes and cheer as they clink their skeins together with gusto. Lancer is more subdued, raising his glass for her to meet it. ]

To good friends and fortunes.

[ Because theirs turned out well today. ]

[Pearl perks up as the goblins all raise their cups. Daintily, she reaches out for the one she was given, her hands dwarfed by the size of it. The Gem smiles, looking from her cup to his and gently taps his cup.]

And to better days ahead.

[Not a bad way to end the night.]

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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