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

[boneafide]

So you didn't get to pick it, and you weren't born with it.

[ ... Oh. ]

[respired]

No. I haven't had the luxury of choosing anything for myself in many years.

[A GUARD JUST COMES FLYING AT THEM OUT OF NOWHERE; Koltira shoves him against the wall with Byfrost's hilt. He'll be okay. It's a mild concussion.]

[boneafide]

[ Papyrus might have done a little high pitched scream when that happens. Not because he was scared BUT THAT WAS REALLY SUDDEN OKAY. ]

Is he- okay???

[ omfg. ]

Well... you can now, can't you?

[respired]

Not even a bone broken. He'll wake when this is over, return home, and wonder what even happened.

[Koltira presses on, his expression hard.]

In some ways, yes. Not entirely.

[boneafide]

Oh, thank you.

[ PAPYRUS WILL REMEMBER THIS... ]

I can help you think of a new name! I'm very good at naming things.

[ NO HE'S NOT DON'T LISTEN. ]

[respired]

I don't need a new name. I deserved that epithet at the time. I will retain it.

[He's thinking now that it would be best just to get Papyrus out of here. He walks, his sword brandished, through the various skirmishes in their way; most of the more ornery but lesser armed prisoners just let them pass.]

[boneafide]

You said at the time- but that means if you change how you feel about yourself, then you'll want to change your name too. Right?

[ "Best to get Papyrus out of here" yeah good luck, since he intends on staying until all the ALASTAIR prisoners are freed. ]

[respired]

[Even so, Koltira's maneuvering towards the exit. Or, so he hopes, anyway. He's not perfectly clear on the layout of this place.]

Perhaps. But my perceptions are unlikely to change, so that point is moot.

[boneafide]

Nyeh! Heh! Heh!! I see! It's clear to me now what we have to do!!

You have nothing to fear, Koltira! I will be your friend! And through being my friend, you will make new friends! This will be the first step!

[respired]

[Koltira pauses to look back at Payprus. Squinting. Is this skeleton for real? For really real? He seems to have no guile at all, so Koltira can only conclude 'yes'. He groans.]

Do whatever you like.

[boneafide]

[ It's going to be a five step process. ]

I will!! Unless you don't want me to be your friend. Consent is important.

[ Papyrus looks around, kind of recognizing this part of the jail... ]

Hey, I think we're going the wrong way.

[respired]

I confess I have no particular feeling on the matter.

[The exit must be here somewhere. He wishes he had a map.]

And we are not. We're going exactly where we need to be.

[He squints down another corridor. More cells; more prisoners; more guards. Not the right direction. He starts to walk past.]

[boneafide]

Then friendship it is!

[As Papyrus passes said corridor, he stops, peeking down it. In a horrible attempt at whispering:]

Koltira, they're down here!!

[respired]

[He just groans.]

... Papyrus. This isn't the place for you.

[boneafide]

[ Papyrus looks back to Koltira, his nearly permanent smile still on his face, although a little unsure than before. ]

I'm not leaving until everyone's safe. You can leave if you want. But I made a promise to help in any way I can.

[respired]

[The return of Koltira's free will had, unfortunately, restored his sense of honor. And honor demanded, loudly, that he not leave someone like Papyrus to wander the halls of an open battle zone by himself.]

If you insist. I will follow your lead.

[boneafide]

You will?

[ Okay, he's pretty glad to have back-up. But now it's up to him to think of a plan to get past... all those guards. ]

Thank you! Okay! You're sure, those are people we should be saving, right?

[ Not like earlier, when it was just regular prisoners, right... ]

[respired]

[He's new to this world, and to all of these people, but it's not hard to mark the outsiders. Both the Order and the ALASTAIR people stand out.

He sighs, because he knows this is an opportunity to lie, and to force Papyrus to move on. But that just isn't his style.]

Yes. Let's press on.

[It's going to be a long night.]