"The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

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"The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

Post by D4wN » Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:24 am

This book can be found IG

"The Great Escape"

By Theodor Helbrecht
A.R. 173
==Foreword==

“Imagination should be used, not to escape reality but to create it.”


I always wondered what it would be like to push fate itself. The thought of living or dying, the risk of suffering to follow. Tempting fate to the absolute edge made me feel more alive than I have felt in a long time. Coming so close to the possibility of death has given me new inspiration, new stories and many new ideas.

This story could not have been made possible without its star performers and I extend my deepest gratitude to all those involved:

Theodor Helbrecht, Varelas / Sarek, Avalri DeLocke / Elizabeth, Itzal Mayar, Ivar Ferdamann, Kent DeLocke, Derristan Barley, Marley Goodman, Farrow, Byron, Gregor Blackbreath, Tristan Wilkinsen, Lysanthir, Khael’dar, Mystery Woman (Dawn).
Last edited by D4wN on Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:28 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: "The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

Post by D4wN » Wed Jun 16, 2021 11:26 am

==Chapter 1 – The Garrison==


I suffered a severe writer’s block for my next book. Sarek and I had little to do, so we decided to try and find some inspiration.

An elven mage and a human blacksmith were the personas we chose to check up on our friends in Guldorand. An unknown woman was selling various items and I managed to score a bargain when Itzal unexpectedly walked up to the woman declaring he was free now to interview her. My interest was piqued, and he confirmed the woman sought an interview to join the Guldorand Garrison. This was it. My next story and a way to ruin Kent and Derristan for trying to keep me from Avalri.

Itzal agreed to interview me, this should be fun. We headed to the barracks and began the interview. At first it went smoothly; he had no idea who we were as our acting skills were flawless as ever. Until my brother became overeager and gave himself away with a comment that revealed himself instantly. Itzal became suspicious and I had to think quickly. My brother however whispered some words to Itzal before he was escorted off the premise.

Surprisingly Itzal returned and confirmed he was glad to continue the interview. Marshal Ivar Ferdamann then joined us. As Itzal’s superior he took over the interview and they took me upstairs for privacy. I had a gut feeling that my cover had been blown and I expected to be apprehended then and there. But instead, they finished the interview, gave me my brooch and welcomed me to the Garrison as their newest recruit. Perhaps my cover had not been blown after all.

I spent the next few cycles dressed up as a Garrison Shield Recruit, made some coin from a trader by apprehending “dangerous” goods and resold them below. But Guldorand was too quiet. I had to find something to do before I’d die from boredom. So, I went to Cordor in the same disguise where I killed my former protégé after she refused to speak with me and explain why she had abandoned me. I took her to the Citadel where we continued our conversation.
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Re: "The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

Post by D4wN » Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:43 am

==Chapter 2 – The Capture==


A few days later, I was in Dis again with my brother. He admitted it. My own brother admitted that he revealed to our enemies who I was. My disguise was blown after all, so I knew it was only a matter of time before someone would either attempt to kill me or they would capture me and throw me in jail. It made me wonder however why Itzal and Ivar didn’t throw me in jail during the interview if they knew.

There was still more work to be done. More seeds of chaos to sow. They didn’t know I knew that they knew. So, I continued to keep up appearances, pretending I was blissfully unaware of my detrimental situation.

Standing in the middle of the square talking to someone I cannot recall the name of nor was particularly interested to remember, I was first joined by an elf I would later come to know as Maeglin. Gregor Blackbreath enters the scene on his horse, talking about a training exercise for the Shields and told me to follow him for a uniform change.

I knew Gregor from my time below in Andunor. I arranged the purchasing of a painting of Vance Gravelle between himself and Matron Xun’viir. He seemed to be in good standing with some of the Andunorians and even pointed me in the direction of bomb makers to help with some potential plans to destroy one of the settlements above. Understand my surprise that he had learned of my identity and lured me into a false sense of safety to find myself surrounded by his helpers only to be apprehended. The only one I would get to learn the name of later was Ravenna.

Gregor then made his first fatal error. As I was stalling trying to think of a way to escape, he revealed to me his plans to destroy the Axehold Accords. I had no idea what that meant but decided I would go along with it and see if I couldn’t convince him to join forces instead. He would not budge. Instead, he told me I was the most wanted man on the island and that he would parade me through the city like some prize before putting me on trial to progress his own political career. Execution was all but certain for the crimes I committed.

Of course, I would not have taken the risks having the knowledge that my disguise was discovered and let myself be captured, without having several means to escape. Between holding a soul ransom, my own powers of manipulation, access to the power of the Speaker of Fortunes or simply waiting for my many friends to attempt a rescue mission, all I had to do was to wait patiently.
I could have been productive even, but Gregor denied me a cooking pot in the cells. But all this brought my muse back and I had writing paper on me as always. So instead, I kept myself busy writing my book.

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Re: "The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

Post by D4wN » Fri Jun 18, 2021 4:25 am

==Chapter 3 – Change of Heart==


The next tenday I was visited by the High Sheriff and her lover themselves. Seems all I had to do to get a meeting with her was simply to get caught. I was treated with the distrust and apprehension as is probably appropriate for someone with my past offenses.

I told them the truth. I wasn’t the one who killed Elspeth. I wasn’t the one who took her from the quiet place we found her in. I wounded Giscard, wounds that would prove fatal, as they were intended. But Giscard struck first. As such, it was self-defence. I suppose I was guilty of kidnapping him in the first place. But as I recall, kidnappings are not explicitly listed in the laws of the great Fortress City. Perhaps an oversight.

I made sure to tell them everything I knew about the murders of the Founding Council members of course. To plant the seed and have them investigate Kent DeLocke and Derristan Barley. Possibly with the intention of having them removed from their stations and cities or at the very least to stir some chaos and distrust amongst the people of Guldorand.

it only took a few hours of talking with them both and they seemed ready to have me cleared of any charges and even release me. It would mean the end to Farrow’s political career; it is why she hesitated. She had to sleep on it of course. A few nights sleeping on a cold stone floor wouldn’t be so bad. If only they’d give me a cooking pot to keep myself busy and practice my skills some.

I was finally visited by a Halfling, I must admit I forgot her name, but she made a great cheesecake and gave me some coffee and tea. It’s true what they say about the hospitality of the Halflings. It knows no bounds. She left then; I was alone. And bored. Very bored.

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Re: "The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

Post by D4wN » Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:07 am

==Chapter 4 – The Valiant Knight==



I had a few wisp bottles on me and decided to send a message to my old friend Tristan Wilkinsen, Knight-Commander of the Gauntlet and devout Tyrran. This man stands for everything I hate, my polar opposite and I despise him for it.

Several weeks before my capture I found a Sigil Stone containing part of a soul. The soul belonging to one of his subordinates. One who should be dead by now, or at least incredibly old, yet she hadn’t aged a bit. I needed to know more, perhaps the key to immortality or prolonged life. And to be honest, I could use the entertainment. I summoned him, not thinking he might not have been able to enter the barracks. Not a well thought through plan in hindsight I admit, but perhaps he could find one to let him in. Anything was better than to sit in this cell alone.

Little did I know my friends had come and were waiting inside the barracks, a plan devised by Marley. But they were unable to enter the cells themselves. They were kind enough to let Tristan into the barracks, but he had no access to the cells either. I could hear the knocking; I knew it had to be him. In my frustration I had a bright idea and as a powerful animator could raise the dead practically anywhere. I commanded them to attempt to open the door from the inside and admittedly to my surprise, the door opened. I immediately dismissed them and as expected, Tristan walks into the cells to find me behind bars. A sight I am sure he greatly enjoyed.

My friends following him in, Khael’dar hidden in the shadows and a mysterious woman I still do not know the name of. She must have been the one with access to the barracks somehow. Tristan was limping, an injury he had recently obtained. We spoke a little as he basked in the enjoying sight of seeing me locked up. Until he received a message and was about to tend to it, when the woman opens the door to my cells. Tristan immediately drew his weapon and shield despite his injury. The valiant knight.

When Khael appeared behind him and it was clear the woman was also on my side, Tristan knew he stood no chance against the three of us. He was told to move into my cell, and after he did so we locked the door behind him. Our roles were now reversed. But I couldn’t just leave him there without anything to thank him for letting me out, so I told him about Gregor’s plans to destroy the Axehold and I even told him about the murders of the Founding Council members of the Fortress City. The more people knew, the better.

And now, my revenge on Gregor took shape.

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Re: "The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

Post by D4wN » Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:05 am

==Chapter 5 – Political Ruin==

Some may call me a spiteful man, perhaps I am. Had Gregor done what he did and instead chosen to partner with me, it could have been the start of a beautiful friendship. I didn’t even mind the parade, in fact, I looked forward to it. I love a good show just as much as the next person. But the trial was the thing that got me. I knew there was no chance they’d let me walk out of there alive. If he thought capturing me was his ticket to a grand rise to power, imagine executing me publicly would have been. Letting me go would have destroyed him. So, he not only forced his own hand by capturing me, but he also forced mine.

Gregor believed himself to be my equal in wit and cunning. I wanted to put that to the test. I always do enjoy a good challenge.
The first thing I did after my release was publicly announce in Andunor what he did to me. With my influence and power in Andunor and my many allies, that would surely give him some trouble upon his next visit. I would intend to tell the Deep Legion and their allies how he betrayed an Andunorian and nearly got one killed. I also made the announcement in the Shadovar.

It didn’t take long before he contacted me and pleaded me to take down the announcements. I demanded that in exchange for doing so, we would partner up and continue to work on his plans to destroy the Axehold Accords together. He agreed to my terms. This was the next step in my plan. Now I just needed to wait patiently for the right time and the right opportunity. Of course I never had any intention to help him.

This opportunity came during one of my visits to Dis. I bumped into Lily who wished to speak with me. We did so and I received word Sarek and Nevve had arrived in Dis. I excused myself briefly to get them and continue the conversation, but upon seeing them both Gregor was there with one of his friends, Ravenna. As I am ever a popular man, they wished to speak with me too. But Lily was waiting for me, so I told them to wait for me in the Cloven Hoof and order me an Absinthe.

When I was done, I made my way to the Cloven Hoof where I found them seated at a small balcony overlooking the plane. He was in conversation with someone I honestly can’t even remember the name or look of. They spoke for some time until he finally left. Nevve had to leave, my brother followed her. This is when Gregor expressed his distrust for my brother. He told him he didn’t want my brother to have any knowledge of our plans and discussions. I wondered if this had anything to do with my brother’s false redemption story. I simply agreed. What was one more lie?

But then it dawned on me that he wanted to have the conversation right here, in the open. I told him I’d send a wisp to my brother telling him not to return. But instead, I sent one to Lysanthir. The Black Archer I could ever rely on being obsessed with me and his desire to act as a sole vigilante of the island. He did not disappoint as I discovered later.

It appeared that most of the conversation had indeed been listened into. I imagine either from the streets below, through divination or through someone extremely capable in hiding from people. I ensured to ask many leading questions and some clarity specifically on what he intended for Myon. I wanted to arouse some form of aggression towards the man from the elves, which as always, would take truly little encouragement.

As expected, Gregor walked straight into my deception and told me everything about his plans. It was less than a month later that he was removed as Vice Mayor, the government collapsed and Gregor nowhere to be found, rumoured to have left the island. The way was clear for Itzal to take his throne. His rise to power a whole new story to be written. His very own one.

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Re: "The Great Escape" by Theodor Helbrecht

Post by D4wN » Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:07 am

==Afterword==

Victory is that much sweeter when they underestimate you. A good story has many different elements to it. Creating these elements sometimes requires chance and luck to be on your side. Other times it simply requires you to take advantage of the predictable.

Allow others around you to underestimate you, to think they can take advantage of you. Swallow your pride when they deem you lesser than them, and simply wait.

Your time will come.

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