#gutterrunners

Kaptain Sergei Ognenny. Donard 5th Casteus 602 AR (19th Day of Second Month of 602).

Komrade lend me codebreaker book to break cypher in own time. Bark arrives at base with his wound treated, slight limp but ship shape. Clutare Gormant pays visit asking for Hosk expertise, we lend him. Order of the Golden Crucible has responded quickly and efficiently, may be only organization that as my respect in Corvis.

Due to later hour of day we go to find Finn. Unfortunately we discover man in death throes after using Shinestone. We approach with caution there is a faint blue glow, the man wears Corivs University uniform. I send Bark to school to notify administration and maybe identify body and Guy to Order of the Golden Crucible. I stand watch over body until Corvis Watch patrol spots me and begins asking questions.

I inform them and shortly afterward Guy, Gormant and Hosk arrive. They hypothesize that something more sinister than a new drug is at work. I get into minor discussion about flares and signal system to prevent waiting period or having to guard body in future. Bark, Guy and myself depart 2 hours later to track down Finn. We come to what I assume is condemned building or supreme example of where and what not to build in Corvis. Bark and Guy use structures on outside of building while I go into building for stairs. Squatters have ensured building will never hold Cygnaran banquet, it would be ok for Khadoran one.

I eventually find only working stair case and begin climbing carefully on rotting boards. Miscreant pushes piece of furniture down stairs attempting to crush me, destroying sections of stairs. I arrive on roof to the sound of Barks popping and humming armor and several prepubescent shits. Guy of course, has his gun pointed on the only person I can assume is Finn.

The twelve year old needs lesson, they would not be problem in Khador soon to be off into military service or already working in factory’s to feed family. I have to deal with impudent urchin who gives me information. Apparently shinestone is twofold. Sell to user, then sell used shinestone back to dealers. Which beg question, if dealers sell and buy, what is profit? Not monetary, something else afoot.

I warn confident excuse for rat child about handling substance, he has large collection. The only reason didn’t pop grenades and beat little shit was because guy would have probably killed half a dozen of the fleas. A logical and moral error for everyone.  We do gain knowledge on Golden Bastards taking over other gangs and that blue shinestone is more valuable than others. We leave after concluding business, two broken pocketwatches richer and 3 gold poorer.

I in thought when pickle cart goes by, with three gobbers. It odd sight, especially because they hold tarp over cart, pickles need not be dry. I call out twice before a fourth goblin jumps out of cart and tells us to talk to “Skipper” about pickles. I order Bark to grab suspicious bogrin and Guy to go after the cart.

As we pass “Skipper” a pain shoots through my leg, it has been long time since I been stabbed. But is familiar sensation, like riding horse as is the burning sensation of poison coursing through wound. Guy takes out goblins that push cart, my vision swims momentarily from pain and I miss my shot.