epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Entry tags:

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

[He maintained a grin, not hesitating at all to answer--. So, that was the real test, huh? He wondered if Papyrus could pass.]

I used to be called 'Bandit Ban'. I've robbed, fought and killed people, before.

[Even so, Ban held out his hand for Papyrus to take.]

Still wanna be friends~?

[ Without hesitation, Papyrus takes Ban's hand. His grin which had faded for only that moment is back, and he means it. ]

Why, is that supposed to stop me?

[Even if the guy gave off a good vibe, he'd certainly abandon Ban the moment that was admitted--

He didn't.]

[So, it was disbelief that crossed Ban's mind for only a moment--]

[--To which it escalated to pure joy in much less time than that.

Ban stood up to wrap his arms around Papyrus so he could toss him in the air.]

HELL YEAH! IT'S CAUSE YOU'RE THE GREAT PAPYRUS~!

I-

[ AND INTO THE AIR HE GOES...

AND HITTING THE CEILING HE DOES.

please catch the skeleton he is falling ]

[People screamed and backed off as Ban dived over to catch Papyrus, hugging him tight against his chest.

One had to fill in the dramatic piano music for themselves, as there was none playing.]

Who needs anybody else, buddy!?

[To Papyrus' credit, he didn't scream or anything as he was tossed into the air and actually might have started posing halfway through??? But that aside, Ban catches him, and he's very happy he didn't just crash into the ground. Sure, he can take a lot of blows, but he probably shouldn't.

Oh, and now hugs!! Hugs are great. Papyrus has absolutely no problem with this situation.]

Wowie, you're really excited about this!!

How often do you meet a cool and awesome skeleton, though!?

[Of course, the next logical step was to hold Papyrus over his head since the guy was having tons of fun posing in the air.

It was a sign of absolute friendship, to enable reckless dumb.]

NOT VERY OFTEN!!! I am, after all, the coolest and awesomest skeleton around!!!

[Oh Ban, you're so good for his ego, too.

He says, as he totally starts doing ballet positions. Might as well while he's up there, right??]

[Wielding Papyrus like a twirling Baton of friendship, Ban made his way over to a table and stepped on top of it--a drunk and sleepy goblin tumbling onto the floor in a heap. He didn't seem to notice, so the table gained a new owner.]

Hey--Papyrus! I think you're real cool and I should tell you--

[Ban stopped twirling Papyrus only so he could pass out, falling face first to the floor.]

[And Papyrus STICKS THE LANDING!! He's pretty good at that, actually. Still, he's worried about Ban suddenly passing out like that.]

Ban!! Did you just fall asleep?!

[Of course, if Ban is asleep, then he probably isn't going to answer...]

...

[Well, he should take him home. They can't stay at the bar all night...]

But I don't even know where you live...

N-No, don't worry--he does this every night...

[One of the waitresses gingerly reached under Ban's arm, pulling a plate out from under him. Ban, pleasantly asleep, weighed enough to make her job difficult.]

... Does he just... sleep here?!

[ AT THE BAR???? This is a level of low he has never encountered before. ]

Oh no!! Come on, Ban... We need to get you a real place!!

[ As the skeleton... attempts to pick Ban up off the floor. ]

Yeah. Every night, like clockwork.

[The bartender chimed in as Ban mumbled in his sleep. Ban was a bit of a heavy guy, weighing in at 260, easy. A few of the waitresses sidled up next to Ban and Papyrus to help them with the lifting.]

Elaine... Don't die on me...

[With a huff, they began helping Papyrus drag Ban towards the stairs.]

Course, he's usually got money on 'im. You could toss him in an empty room. If he ain't got any money, he can cook breakfast, again.

I didn't know he could cook!

[Which is very important to Papyrus, actually. Still, he helps the goblins carry Ban, who is fucking heavy, into an empty room. They manage to get him onto a bed, and the goblins leave at that point, to which Papyrus proceeds to at least tuck the other in before also leaving. If he has money, then... good. At least he seemed safe here, and the goblins were accustomed to dealing with him.

... Who's Elaine, though...?]

He sure can! Maybe you'll find out, if you can't get away.

[The goblins who helped Papyrus load Ban onto the bed vanished to the best of their abilities, leaving the well-intentioned skeleton with a vague warning, at best. The door shut and with that, the sleeping behemoth Papyrus helped to the bed reached over with every intention to hug the skeleton to his chest while he slept.]

C'moooon, let's get some... sleeeeeep....

[Get away?

And as strong arms wrap around him and tug him close, he realizes that maybe this is what they meant. Of course, he's not one to reject a hug and absolutely loves cuddling...]

Ban... I need to go. I would gladly join you for a nap at another point in time! But I can't leave my brother alone overnight.

[It was getting worse and worse. As Ban drew deeper into his sleep cycle, one hand reached up to Papyrus' head and began petting him affectionately.

It was evolving into a situation fated to be titled 'the worst'.]

[This was hardly a situation that could be called "the worst" in Papyrus' experience, and actually in fact was a very nice situation to be in if he was entirely honest with himself. Getting pets was very high up there on enjoyable things that could happen to him, and he sighs, quietly losing the will to leave. This is probably the closest he's ever been to falling asleep without some kinds of bedtime story to lull him there.

But he has his brother to think about. Sans, alone in this strange world, always so dangerously close to death with how defenseless he is. After about fifteen minutes of being cuddled, Papyrus finds the means of pushing himself out of bed, mumbling apologies. ]

I'm sorry, Ban.

[If Ban was missing his sleeping partner, he didn't show it. The uncomfortably weird splaying he did on the bed spoke wonders about how comfortable he was, even if he was too big for it.

Papyrus escaped for the moment, but--there would be other harrowing adventures to come.

Mostly crimes, though. It would mostly be crime.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

no subject

no subject

1/3

2/3

3/3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

shall we let papyrus escape or suffer a sweaty drunk for eight hours

He'll suffer this sweaty drunk another day

the saddest ending