A Courier's Journal

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A simple book, filled with little scribblings throughout the pages.

"Najelin" is what the man called me, delusional as he was in the end as the ash kept taking and taking from him. Might've been the woman we lost months ago. Was that his daughter?

Not sure why I didn't refute it. Maybe it's okay to give a dying man some comfort. Maybe it was well timed, as I lost mine and can't bring it back through the fog.

Getting used to running the route to Qadira from the Well. Riding the regular caravans gives a bit of relief and sometimes you can see the old palaces in the distance.

Wonder what it would be like to climb them and feel the wind against my face at the top.

Hard to relax about the Well. The walls and shade invite you to let your guard down. People seem so at ease with armed people walking behind them, casting spells so close, approaching without warning. It is what normal used to be, I suppose.

Will it last here?

Something I thought I forgot in the midst of simply surviving is that you learn a great deal of truth about someone in witnessing the way they treat the nobodies around them.

"Irregular jobs for irregular people, for those who fall between the cracks"

Their words tempt me into taking a risk. Maybe not a firm handshake yet. Let's cast the line and see what's biting.

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Starting to feel like Buster and I are finding our footing. The jobs are still shit no weathered merc would want to do, for dinar people barely care about - yet there's a bit of camaraderie forming amongst the nobodies of the Well when we trudge out the gates.

Falafel
1500d to Legate - Week
Kha'esh inquiry

Fire up in Palm Heights got us thinking someone or something's making moves. Wonder if we can get a trail on that Scorch.

Vaskr
Jed - Might balk on some jobs
Outis - Was he hallucinating when he whispered in my ear? Something's off. Probably not suitable
Drago

Felt like I was gonna suffocate doing the fashion job, but think it worked out in a miraculous sort of way. Can't keep relying on Buster to have all the confidence on the job so I threw myself out there. Fair bit of coin and getting more familiar with DCS and his crew was probably worth it.

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Got Z to get in on our new little crew. Still needs a name.

He's a bit of a wild one - amusing schemes and eyes on the short term. Will have to see if it lasts.

Would never admit it to the others, but felt sick to my stomach accepting so much coin upfront for the job so easily. Korin's home is so empty...

He's desperate, and we took full advantage of what's probably a lost cause.

Our family's got to eat too, right?

Package to K -PAR

Saw a merchant trying their luck with a single guard in the Ash get torn up by hobs on a distant dune. Our wagons just kept going. Probably a lesson there, reinforced.

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Can't see the face of God through the haze.

The Wheel's got a familiar scent to it, so I mumble the words along the others to not draw attention. Sometimes though, I wake up with a silver coin beneath my pillow.

Might be God hasn't forgotten me.

Never wise to compare spears with an orc - theirs is always bigger and there's a lot less blood in you than you'd think.

Pull the lever? Jamileh's hypothetical was a good way to ground myself when the world was spinning a bit. Think she was right about the Sisters.

Got a lead on the fate of the beardling, but it's likely something Korin doesn't want to hear. Let's take a couple days to keep feeling things out.

Never wise to think a poison from a brooking deader will simply work its way through with a bit of grit - that's how you you collapse with your blood on fire.

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Cigarettes and coffee only ten dinar

You will know them by their colors

Got to see the Sultan. Knees felt weak as I saw him descend amongst the singing and the rain and the falling stone. But the most frightening display of his power was how fast everyone fell to their knees without command - but with expectation.

Can't wrap my head around much of whats happening. I just make deliveries.

Man's got six fingers on one hand. Wonders of the Creep never cease.

Never wise to assume most mercs are straining any muscle but their swordarms when battle rages - that's how you get left behind and flattened by the regenerating troll.

Robed men chuckled while I looked upon their work. Head spinning. Bile rising at the back of my throat.

He He He

I'm going to avoid that side of the chasm for deliveries if I can.

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She's got to know about him, right? Or at least suspect.

Vaskr says "The Moon smiles" on this sort've thing. My stomach churns and I'm looking over my shoulder constantly.

But I can't say it isn't a little thrilling... Maybe the Moon's a little more pretty than I thought.

Coin's been good lately. People still need things and messages delivered. Still need the latest news and gossip compiled. People know me as "Skink" now and call for me in passing.

The Skink Scurries On...

Think we've got our foundation. People I can reasonably trust. Maybe not as much as Buster. Can I trust Buster?

Everyone's got their side hustles though. Even Buster probably. I think there's a silent understanding that in the end, everyone's gotta do what they need to survive.

It feels good to laugh, though.

Can't go a damn day without somebody following us around or lurking outside our curtain. Need to get a proper haunt already...

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Saw Myrto got pinched today. Good reminder of what's probably inevitable, and why you need to start building a fortress of pillows for when you do take a fall.

She made him beg, and I was glad he did. Like that wretched drink he were caught with, I suppose he thought he did what he needed to survive at the time. Swallow the sin. Swallow your pride. Keep living...

Never wise to assume those motes of lights in the tomb are harmless bits of fleeting magic - that's how the eaters get more than just your spells to gorge on.

Flowers for a friend. She'll know who it's from.

Been going through the conversation in my head over and over again. How'd the card get in there? There has to be a trick...

"Not every question has an answer"

Up and down, up and down....

From the Legates in pyramids most high, to the wretched and forgotten in the lowest gutters - everyone yearns to be heard. And sometimes work takes you to the strangest places, where you briefly forget to be afraid.

Think the most striking thing about the Brooker was how normal he looked then, leaning over a table as he wrote the words. The implied threat as he handed it over brought the pressure back. A suffocating presence, making seconds seem like ages. Just wanted to get out of there.

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Buster's Brew - It'll Do Something To You
Buster's Brew - The Chunks Are Supposed To Be There
Buster's Brew - Bold Taste For Bold Chums

Elections are coming up and we're starting to see people positioning for a shot at one of the thrones. Crew's in a pretty good spot - we were diligent, scurrying around and making contacts. Has to be some work in there in the upcoming scramble.

Think it's safe to say it isn't just paranoia anymore. Just need to work out the limits or flaw. There has to be some, right? How are they getting in....

People think Outis is dead, and that's probably for the best. Still wonder what he was doing with what he got...

Starting to think I'll need some alterations made to the backpack. Wonder what engineers or tailors I can trust with the ideas and design work. Maybe Vosk and DCS.

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As elections start in full, people are quick to offer loans or forwards on getting your Voice. They'll tell you it will "open doors", but I don't buy it. There's no door Buster and I can't open by showing our grit and finesse.

There's a bit of a thrill in seeing if you can "earn" yours outside the traditional channels. A good story there goes a long way with the sort of customers we're dealing with now.

Never wise to assume those four glowing pylons couldn't possibly simultaneously choose you out of six people to zap at the same time - that's how you end up getting blasted into a pile of dead goblins as a magically broiled skink.

Hope Vaskr's alright. Been just me and Buster these past few days and I already miss his stories. Probably time to start scouting again with Zee gone missing. Maybe Peyton?

Been awhile since I thought about some of my first memories waking up. The man with a nice smile. That stranger with teeth so white and such a sweet, soft voice. People often ask me why I'm so nervous and tense all the time, but the Prelate were the first person to ask me specifically about what happened. Kind of seemed like she genuinely cared, too.

Even thinking about it still makes my chest grow tight. I can't even remember what I told them - probably rudely brushed them off or muttered some excuse. It's fine, hopefully they just forget about it or let it be - I am a nobody after all.

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Knud wants his protection money, which is something we probably should have seen coming for awhile now. I was hoping shinier things would keep him occupied for a bit longer.

The coin's all cyclical, though. Where's the scorch.. where's the vials.. you need to pay up... where's the dirt... on and on, I'd bet if I nicked the side of one of these, I'd see it pass between ten people in upside and the Creep before it came back into my hands from Knud.

Buster's right about how we should approach this, though. Just need to figure out how much we can push it, while keeping our heads and the peace below.

The only BOTTLE people should be obsessing over is bottles of Buster's Brew...

Peyton's proving an interesting challenge to verify. Vaskr complicated things a bit - Not that I can really blame him. I figure I would've done the same for certain people in the Well. Really wanted the initial plan to go through though - it would've been a story we'd tell forever.

Dreamer - worth pursuit
Milly's story
What's the angle?

Buster's got an ambition now. When he told me his plan I thought I would've thrown myself headfirst into it, too. But I hesitated a little bit. A real chum would've been real excited for him.

Think I'm worried I wouldn't make the cut in the end - that I'd get left behind.

Never be the slowest...

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Warnings about dirty homes, as if I don't know how to handle a broom.

Wonder who is peeking in the window though. Ain't no pie worth stealing left to cool...

People are noticing I'm falling behind. Doesn't matter, does it?

Need to make a move. Need to show I'm worth it.

I knew I was being used. I knew it, and I still followed like a stupid little dog.

When I saw IT, I couldn't think of anything but the opportunity it presented. What I could do with it... It was surely going to kill them. All I had to do was run forward and grab it.. I could be a hero. I could be someone that people knew. Liked. I could be somebody at last. I could be Buster's equal. I could be the greatest thief that ever lived. I could

Hard to tell what is and isn't, now. I should have just left the coin on the ground and ran. But I didn't. Took it and did what she bid me to do. Manipulative bitch... and yet, I think a part of me still believes she cares. Wants to show me something. Teach me. Why does part of me respect what shes done?

Hunkering down now. Buster's keeping watch nearby. Sink or swim - we're together. That's what crew is. It's why I can never leave him. Why I couldn't take the offer. Whatever comes tomorrow, we'll make ready.

All I can do is watch the door. Knock knock knock. It's all in my head, isn't it?