The Town Slums

The streets of the slums are never quiet during the day, but far too quiet in the night.  You'll rarely find a city guardsman here, and if you do, they're more likely to shake you down than help you.  There's muggers down every alley, a dead body turns up every other day, and all kinds of unsavory people looking for unsavory pleasures.  It's here that they say the Colagartrune Runners' Guild is set based, a den of thieves, using their talents and influence to make life safer and bearable for those they can.  Some think they're just Colagartrune propaganda, a tool to incite lower class rebellion; others say they're real life Robin Hoods.  Whatever they are, they have their hands in everyone's pockets, ears to everyone's walls, and eyes in every shadowy corner; even yours.

OOC: Calling all Runner's Guild members and affiliates, the guild is assembling its local Runners in near the "Struggler's Mural," during the Winter Ball in the town slums, this is a Top Priority emergency. Attendance is expected, but obviously rests with how you think your character would decide/prioritize.

BIC: Justice, Mercy, and Faith traveled through the dimly lit streets, moon high in the dark night. Obscured by hoods, their armor's lights deactivated, and streets being controlled by trusted members in the guild; they were gone with barely a day to spare. Justice could barely choke back tears.

All she could think of is how horrible of a mother she was. Sensing her distress, Faith rested his hand on her, stopping the group. His gaze was stern, but compassionate.

She knew they had no choice; where they were going was no place for a child as it was. It would be safer for him there. It had to be.

The group continued on, and only once, did Justice fail. She looked back, just at the edge of the wood, when the town's lights no longer reached. For one moment she doubted, and one moment was all it would take.

Tomorrow was the Winter Ball.

(next night)
Members of the Runners' Guild were gathered around the church captured by Lacie and Margurka's work; the mural on its side meant to capture the struggle of life in the slums, serving as their anchor, barely perceivable in the dark. They whispered away, trying to decide on what to do.

I had sent ahead a message. If the Guild's troubles were truly large enough to warrant such a meeting, I would likely be needed at the school. If they weren't, then it was best I just enjoyed my night. Hopefully, they wouldn't need me, somehow.