Martoo Escapes
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Martoo Escapes
On Wednesday, October 15, 1998, Martoo Saul was to be transfered from the Trinsic jail by foot to the prison at Yew. He was to be accompanied by two guards and Lord British requested aid in establishing his safe transfer. Many, many people turned out to accompany these guards on their journey. The well-wishers were attacked by both FoA sympathizers, monsters-a-plenty, PKs looking for action, and the general scum of looters and thieves. At one point Martoo was aided and set free, only to be captured again. But by the end of the night death has struck most, many knowing it all too well, and Martoo was free. Below are several accounts of the nights events.
Last eve I had the unexpected privilege of serving as physician to yet another of
Britannia's notable people. Many already know of last night's failed attempt to transport
a prisoner from Trinsic to Yew. Integral to this failing was the successful attempt to
assassinate Lord British's guards. This tale belongs to those allies of the Followers who
rightfully deserve credit for it. Instead, I will describe the events that transpired after the
convoy had passed through the Serpent's spine.
Several paces ahead of the army of escorts, An Orcish mage made quite a fuss and compelled me to stand my ground at the entrance to a tent. Behind him stood an Ogre Lord one of dozens that I would see that day. In that moment, I got some taste of what it means to be a prisoner in this realm. Forced to take a beating by a lesser minion while a Lord of renowned power and stature stands on the ready to incapacitate me at the mere hint of escape. I extend gratitude to the brave band of warriors that smote the ogre lord and set me free. At the time, I would not have translated these events as foretelling of my purpose later that eve.
Unlike in times past, the minions spawned on that day had more than a reasonable chance of defeating the heroic warriors. Many casualties, both injured and dead, required my healing services. Notable among them was Martoo Saul, no longer chained to the now deceased guards. I was surprised to find him wearing armor of a good quality and toting a halberd in his hands. While the prisoner's strength was by no means superhuman, by some unexplainable phenomenon he draws on the life force of over a dozen very strong men. (Indeed, when I met Junin at my hometown of Moonglow some weeks back, I noted the same phenomenon.) Their additional constitution is a necessity, as with any less, the pair of them would have surely have joined their less fortunate colleague. Unfortunately, my conventional abilities to heal - which I freely boast to be unmatched in all of Britannia - failed repeatedly. With more than a little indignation, I abandoned many years of conventional research only to heal him with magic.
Near to the southwestern apex of the roadway between the cities of Compassion and Justice, a marauding army, including a dozen ogre lords accompanied by twice as many Orcish magi, engaged our group. They divided. They conquered. In a minute, the majority of the escort troop had either joined the growing pile of corpses or vanished into the ether.
But where was Martoo? I ran south to find him. And there he was standing west of the road engaged with an Orcish mage. Glancing in all directions, we shared the mutual discovery that no one else was around. Inasmuch as I am apologetic for not staying to assist the wounded, I must assert that the force compelling me to assist this enemy of the state was beyond anything I can describe with words. I suggested to Martoo that we make our way to the western coast, and from that point forward he would be free to choose his own path. He trusted me. In hindsight, I realize that he had no reason to do so.
Wandering further westward, I continued to attend his wounds. He announced his needs, and I obliged to each. As we walked, he inquired of his colleagues. When I mentioned the death of Zendella, a pallor came over his face. Is this how a man responds to the loss of a colleague? Or perhaps they were lovers? But at the risk rubbing salt into this new wound, I withheld all carnal inquiries. To brighten things a bit, I spoke of Junin Pince, and his success at retrieving much of the blackrock - an accomplishment I confirmed with my own eyes. I told of Junin's prideful insult (namely that Martoo brought imprisonment upon himself through his own foolishness). The blood quickly returned to Martoo's face as he remarked on the dimensions of his colleague's mouth. It would surely be unfair if I failed to note the charm and eloquence exhibited by both Followers.
But I have digressed. Martoo disposed of his filthy prison garments with no small measure of disgust. On my inquiry, he spoke of his imprisonment. He told me of his captors' deception. He alluded to torture. There was evidence that he had been denied nourishment (which I hope was annulled with the fish steaks I gave him). Through all of his testimony, I became ever more appalled. How could Lord British- a man who, to many, is an icon of order and virtue - sit idly while his henchmen reduced themselves to deception and torture.
Then I recalled the incident with the ogre lord some hours back ah, but I am impelled to keep my opinions of our invisible monarch to myself. After navigating the urban maze that should be rural Britannia, we reached the western coast of the continent. I believe the point was due north of the city of Spirituality. It was then that he inquired of my alignment with the Followers of Armageddon. Indeed, I confided it is no greater than my distrust for Lord British - though I have every hope that the Follower's plans to destroy all life would fail. We had a final exchange - during which I prescribed for him a means to alter his identity. With that he ran eastward vanishing into the forest a free man.
Politics are beyond my duties as a physician: by my Oath, I'm honor bound to help those in need. Should a consequence of this role be public censure, it is something I am prepared to accept. In Martoo's possession is a copy of my widely published book together with the means to reach me in the world. Should he call on me, I will assist him with every means at my disposal.
Thanks to Ibn Shaun, Physician, for this account.
Several members of the Yew Militia and Council met before the jail to give escort to Martoo Saul. Also many llts members and Sunset Knights showed, and various other organiztions joined along the way. Just outside Trinsic we met our first attack, several orcs and a Wyrm!
We defeated the foes easily, as we had numbers on our side, and continued on. We encountered several more groups of monsters, with a few human foes trying to hold the bridge. Luckily we had scouts, and llts to back them up. The Yew contingent stayed with Saul to insure his passage.
-I lost connection in here and the two escort guards were slain, and Martoo made a bid for escape. He was run down and beat into submission by Rainman, who having lost his head, was in a bloodthirst and almost killed the prisoner- After Martoo was recaptured, Commander Vraal of the militia took up the escort lead.
We continued toward Britain, and Vraal, too fell. As we marched under no leadership, and much to Martoo's amusement, we made a few bad turns until I myself grabbed Martoo's chains and turned him toward the mountain pass west of Britain, toward Yew, and the Court of Truth. As we hit the first crossroad past the Pass, I was almost dragging Saul by his chains, as he tried to chat with several ne'er do wells, whom I believe were from th Necropolis.
Psychosis, in particular, was spouting much inane pro-FoA garbage that the rest of us staunch Sosarians, British supporters or no, largely ignored. Just then we were mobbed by orc mages and Lords, as well as Ogre Lords, who seem to make up the bulk of the opposition army. We fought these hard, and many fell, but we drove them back, all the while the Yew contingent stayed close by Martoo, with Sunset Knights driving back the hordes.
By now many of Martoo's followers had joined the procession, but our numbers were still too vast for them to take action, and as we began our journey north to Yew, they began to despair. I and my omrades kept a close eye on the villain, for he had begun to smile a bit to much for our liking. Our scouts again reported killers on the road, the dastardly XH fiends, who hound Britannia's folk, were trying to interfere. But before the main group caught up to the scouts and the advance guard, we were suddenly swarmed at the guardhouse by a LEGION of Ogre Lords. They were backed up by shades, Orc Lords, and the evil orc mages, who slew your humble reporter as he was keeping his eye on the prisoner. (On a side note, I counted 5 flamestrikes coursing over me as I went down...). The sheer number of mages and Ogre Lords proved too much, and all order was lost as small cells of fighting swirled about, men and beast dying by the masses. In all the confusion, Martoo Saul calmly walked south away from the carnage. In the heat of battle, the only person who saw him was Dayel Stormcrow, who was at the time searching for a healer, since he was, as I and so many others were, quite dead. And the last sighting of Martoo was him walking on foot away while the battle raged on between man and beast and man to the north.
Rumor has it that he met up with his followers, and was whisked away to a safehouse. When everyone's spirits were rejoined to their bodies, we tracked up and down the woods, while fighting was still sporadically breaking out on the road. But to no avail, as Martoo and his henchmen were nowhere to be found. My spirits low, from the loss of the prisoner, the loss of so many lives, and even more, the shattering of friendships as brother threw down on opposite sides from brother, I headed northeast to the Serpent's Cross Tavern. The barkeep, the good Perianwyr, was nowhere to be seen, so Dayel, Ce'Nedra, Boromir, myself, and several other of the tavernfolk sat and brooded over what had happened, to ourselves, and our spirits.
Many good men broke from the side of good this day. That may be the worse toll. Thanks to Sky of the Yew Militia for this account.
A crowd of perhaps 100 citizens gathered near Trinsic Jail to collect the prisoner then escort him to Yew Prison where he was to stand trial for the crimes he is said to have committed. The escorts, a mighty force, slowly left Trinsic with Martoo in chains and meekly following the orders of his guards. Not many minutes after leaving the protection of guards, the escort party came under constant attack by orc mages and ogre lords. FoA allies shouted enouragement to Martoo and handed him provisions to help him to escape. FoX and Homer were prominant in the effort to free Martoo by giving him arms, armour and reagents. Martoo then made a dash for freedom but could not escape so easily. Octal Dragon noticed FoX trying to cast a gate for Martoo (with no success). Octal cast a gate for Martoo to use...but it only lead him to the bridge northwest of Trinsic. Many escorts jumped through the gate, surrounded Martoo, then beat him into submission. By this time, many escorts had blood in their eyes and would have gleefully killed Martoo if cooler heads had not prevailed just then. Martoo had no visible signs of life when the shouts "Hold" and "In Vas Mani" began. Martoo surrendered once again to his captives, and the journey to Yew Prison continued.
The constant attacks continued, but the escort party arrived with Martoo safely in west Britain. The FoA followers, including several traitors, once again quietly equipped Martoo for another escape attempt. Upon exiting the pass through the mountains to Yew, the escort party came under constant siege. Although Martoo clearly told FoX the allies of FoA must kill the escorts or make them flee to free him, they were understandably unwilling to take on the strong force guarding Martoo. The final dark moment came during a pitched battle when one moment Martoo was by my side...and in an instant, he was gone! With no trace or word, he fled without trace or track. Martoo's sad and misguided allies could not free their Evil Hero so he had to take matters into his own hands and simple vanish. A general search of the area was quickly made, ghosts were res'd and the party sadly called it the end of the Transfer Quest. Reagent vendors celebrated the night, for I have never seen such a long and hard fought battle! Brave deeds were the order of the night by the many many guilds and individuals who volunteered for service to the cause of Justice. Thanks to Octal Dragon, Sunset Knights, for this account.