textPatient reported dreams of carrying silver thread in his mouth. Patient also reported that other miners “stand inside the dream but pretend not to see each other.” When pressed, he became pale, looked toward the eastern shaft, and whispered, “He is not supposed to say it while the bell is awake.”
sticky-yellowThe Sickness
text
sticky-redMedical notes: They're inside the miners, changing from within. Even death of the host doesn't stop the parasite.
textSecond examination showed worsening gum irritation and new punctures at the base of the neck. Patient denied being bitten. Punctures are too close together for a dog, rat, or common spider. Surrounding skin is cool and slightly numb. When pressed, the wounds produced a clear fluid containing silver specks.
textWhen asked to describe her pain, patient answered: “Left wrist, lower spine, fourth tooth, east wall.” The phrase is medically meaningless, but she repeated it three times with identical tone and rhythm. When I interrupted her, she seemed briefly confused, then asked why I had stopped her.
textPrivate addendum: Foreman Halwe requested the body before burial. I refused. He smiled and said, “Then keep what is left of her.” I have locked the body in the cold shed. Something tapped from inside the door after midnight.
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sticky-redPowder Ledger:
There is enough missing powder to open a large passage, collapse a gallery, or prepare several charges in advance.
sticky-redCorvin Hale
sticky-blueAgents and Intermediaries
The agents receiving these payments are difficult to identify. They are never named as soldiers, police, or bounty officers.
At least one group appears to operate under false authority. I have heard the phrase “CTF” used in connection with Bayguard and Marshton disbursements, but I have found no clean public requisition tying these operations to any legitimate Corruption Task Force offices.
If there is a real CTF office involved, then it is being used as cover. If there is not, then Hale is paying men to impersonate state authority.
sticky-yellowShady Jobs
sticky-redWas the client for the dragonblood heist job.
sticky-redAsterfall Annex? What is it?
sticky-blueWe, the Party.
sticky-redCouncil or 12 families backing in the West.
sticky-yellowShady Mining Practices.
sticky-yellowDate: June 11th F.A. 227
Location: Bayguard
Recipient: Unlisted field cell
Amount: 22,000 gp
Description: Sabotage of shipping interests; dockside disruption; diversionary damage
Authorization: C.H. private seal
Notes: “Public response slower than projected. Useful panic achieved.”
sticky-blueThe Kidnapping Job
sticky-yellowDate: June 26th F.A.227
Location: Marshton
Recipient: Unlisted Field Cell
Amount: 8,000 gp plus logistics reimbursement
Description: Recovered Equipment
Authorization: C.H. private seal
Notes: “Field team succeeded despite loss of primary living specimen. Recovered equipment and documentation remain valuable.” “Secondary anomalous survivor unconfirmed. Follow-up with contractors recommended.”
sticky-yellowDate: June 13th F.A. 227
Location: Bayguard
Recipient: Unlisted field cell
Amount: 12,000 gp
Description: Delivery of the Subject
Authorization: C.H. private seal
Notes: “Subject arrived intact. No visible trauma. Compliance quality acceptable.”
sticky-redAll posessed have silver and bits of webbing outside and inside the body.
sticky-blueThe Mining Rescue and/or Recovery Job
sticky-redAll sick/possessed have bite marks from what is assumed to be a spider.