The classic key to any escape attempt is location. Often getting injured so as to be in the sick bay (or to be relocated to hospital), or to take on a job with high mobility (the always classic library cart monitor!) is essential to success.
A key part of smuggling or the bluff is often "the substitute" where another prisoner or a guard is switched into the escapee's place to buy time and obfuscate whether anyone is really missing.
Ultimately of course, the biggest obstacle to any escape is the guards. Any physical barrier can be circumvented given time, but being noticed is what stops any subtle escape attempts dead!
Another element of competitiveness comes from the other prisoners, many of whom may (and typically do in dramatisations) have a hostile relationship with the protagonist. They may have their own escape plans or beneficial relationship with the guards that they do not want disrupted. They also make great antagonists beings as they are (presumably) criminals!
In a modern/futuristic setting there are also lots of exciting technological hurdles available to place in the path of the prospective escapee such as cameras, motion detectors and the gamut of security measures based around scanning retinas/fingerprints/DNA etc. And don't forget scary dogs!
You could play the guards against each other, especially if you're a POW in an active war. Soldiers are on edge, let them suspect each other of stuff. Perhaps stuff can be placed on them by one prisoner that is good at sleight of hand. The attention they give to each other is attention that is not given to you. Divide and conquer.
Love this post - here's my two bit contribution!
ReplyDeleteThe classic key to any escape attempt is location. Often getting injured so as to be in the sick bay (or to be relocated to hospital), or to take on a job with high mobility (the always classic library cart monitor!) is essential to success.
A key part of smuggling or the bluff is often "the substitute" where another prisoner or a guard is switched into the escapee's place to buy time and obfuscate whether anyone is really missing.
Ultimately of course, the biggest obstacle to any escape is the guards. Any physical barrier can be circumvented given time, but being noticed is what stops any subtle escape attempts dead!
Excellently written mon frère!
ReplyDeleteAnother element of competitiveness comes from the other prisoners, many of whom may (and typically do in dramatisations) have a hostile relationship with the protagonist. They may have their own escape plans or beneficial relationship with the guards that they do not want disrupted. They also make great antagonists beings as they are (presumably) criminals!
In a modern/futuristic setting there are also lots of exciting technological hurdles available to place in the path of the prospective escapee such as cameras, motion detectors and the gamut of security measures based around scanning retinas/fingerprints/DNA etc. And don't forget scary dogs!
Blog looks wonderful, hope you keep it up :)
You could play the guards against each other, especially if you're a POW in an active war. Soldiers are on edge, let them suspect each other of stuff. Perhaps stuff can be placed on them by one prisoner that is good at sleight of hand. The attention they give to each other is attention that is not given to you. Divide and conquer.
ReplyDelete