You were A Person of Some Little Consequence. You have left those days of being a nobody behind; now, you are becoming a Somebody. What grand accomplishments await you? What marvelous conveyances will bear you on your way? What treasures shall gleam in your parlour? Whom shall you get to know? It is time to find out.
Important things cost a great deal. Persons of some Importance can trade upon their history to obtain the items necessary to acquire what they need. Each of the original locations now has a storylet which will allow you to obtain almost all of the common goods in large amounts.
Unfinished Business in Watchmaker's Hill for People of Some Importance of Dangerous 70 or greater
Unfinished Business in Ladybones Road for People of Some Importance of Watchful 70 or greater
Unfinished Business in Veilgarden for People of Some Importance of Persuasive 70 or greater
Unfinished Business in Spite for People of Some Importance of Shadowy 70 or greater
Buying a Ship
The following storylet will appear in Wolfstack Docks once you have become A Person of Some Importance.
Buying a Ship
Make your way to the shipyards of Leadbeater & Stainrod, the Neath's foremost seafaring and boat-building concern. [Warning! The Unterzee is not yet open for travel. You can buy a ship to get a head start, but you won't be able to use it yet.]
Anyone at home?
Stride through the steam and the din of hammers to a surprisingly poky commissioning office at the back. [A reminder! The Unterzee is not yet open for travel. You can go through the business of buying a ship to get a head start, but you won't be able to use it for a while.]
'What do you mean, a six year wait?!'
The Naval Architect sympathises with your frustration. He sucks his teeth and shakes his head in a manner that suggests long years of practice.
'Well, yes. Generally there is a six year wait for a new ship. but there might be a way. I'll keep a watch out for second-hand vessels. The Masters don't like to see ships idle in their berths. You'll have to be quick when one comes up, though.
He puffs thoughtfully on a meerschaum pipe in the shape of a mermaid. 'I'll tell you what. I'll help you get the necessaries together - crew, paperwork and whatnot - and you can jump right smart at the next ship that I hear about. For a little consideration, of course.'
An occurrence! Your 'Acquiring a Ship' Quality is now 1 - Gathering Resources!
Opportunities of Importance
The following cards will begin to appear once you have become A Person of Some Importance. They will unlock storylets that allow you to acquire a variety of objects that are purchased using items bought from the Bazaar Sidestreets.
Do They Drink Tea?
The tea shop is in a quiet side street. The owner is refusing to serve a pair of Clay Men their pot of tea and sponge cake.
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1
Side with the Clay Men.
Inform the owner that his prejudice is intolerable. You will patronise more humane establishments in future.
White knuckles under grey
You throw down your napkin with some force and march out with the two Clay Men. They don't quite know what to make of you, but they recognise a gesture of support when it's offered. One shakes your hand with a bone-wrenching grip.
An occurrence! Your Shaping Clay Quality is now 1
Magnanimous is increasing…
Do Nothing.
Enjoy your tea in clayless peace.
Peace and quiet
This marble cake is delicious. And only for the likes of you.
An occurrence! Your 'Shaping Clay' Quality is now 1!
Ruthless increase (unless too high, the case at 30)
Making the Good Book Better
Saint Cyriac's Illuminated College, vulgarly known as God's Editors, revises Church texts to reflect recent events. A Querulous Theologian oversees the work.
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1
Show the Querulous Theologian your Allegorical Satire
Subtle allusions. Scandalous suggestions. Lots of initials in the cause of deniability.
Unlocks: A Copy of your Allegorical Satire 1
Not entirely impressed, but then again…
'Oh yes, that one. How you didn't get exiled for writing it, the Lord alone knows. The whole thing was rather distasteful, though, don't you think? A writer of your obvious talent shouldn't be cocking your snook at the fools at the Palace when there's honest work to be done. What of honest journalism? What of philosophy? What of our own work?'
An occurrence! Your Making Friends among God's Editors Quality is now 1!
Show the Querulous Theologian your Epic Poetic Cycle
Pentameters! Alexandrines! Noble Knights!
Unlocks:A Copy of your Epic Poetic Cycle 1
A useful style for certain passages
'Ah, yes, I rather enjoyed your work. Thunderous shouting, and all that blood. Of course, the whole business of knights and monsters and damsels is humbug and poppycock. Your poetry certainly has something. Perhaps you could be of use to us at St. Cyriac's. You could give us a hand with some of the more… robust… Old Testament passages.'
An occurrence! Your Making Friends among God's Editors Quality is now 1!
Show the Querulous Theologian your Gothic Romance
Ruined castles. Diaphanous veils. Pale young women of a certain character.
Unlocks:A Copy of your Gothic Romance 1
Not fooling anyone
'Oh. Oh, you wrote that, did you? I certainly didn't read that. Nobody respectable reads that sort of novel.' The Querulous Theologian tugs at her starched collar and blushes until she's scarlet.
An occurrence! Your Making Friends among God's Editors Quality is now 1!
Show the Querulous Theologian your Patriotic Adventure
Imperial fisticuffs! Stiff upper lips! Heathen foreigners getting what's coming to them!
Unlocks:A Copy of your Patriotic Adventure 1
Did you write that?
'Oh, that was you? Yes, a most interesting piece. The main story was just nonsense, of course, but I enjoyed the spiritual aspects. Using the Elder Country as a metaphor for Purgatory was most apt. And as a tale of salvation to be found in the Neath… well, I must say that it has influenced my own work.'
An occurrence! Your Making Friends among God's Editors Quality is now 1!
Show the Querulous Theologian your Tale of the Future
New worlds. Extraordinary contraptions. Soaring speculation.
Unlocks:A Copy of your Tale of the Future 1
Not your most faithful admirer
'You! You wrote that monstrosity! It's hard enough coming to terms with the spiritual realities of the Neath without literary hooligans like you giving people a hankering for life back on the surface. Now shoo! Get out!'
Scandal increase
Show the Querulous Theologian your Tragic Romance
Unlocks:A Copy of your Tragic Romance 1
A romantic bent
'That was you? Oh, I'm quite the admirer of your work! Your dour imagery was quite magnificent. All of us as Saint Cyriac's took inspiration from your description of the cavern. And the 'Gloaming Flock over the Unterzee' stanzas were just lovely. Tell me, have you ever considered theological work?'
An occurrence! Your Making Friends among God's Editors Quality is now 1!
A donation to Saint Cyriac's Illuminated College
God's Editors work day and night. Alas that both require candles.
Unlocks: Connected: Bohemian 20, Connected: The Church 20, 2000 x Foxfire Candle Stub
No trace of a hansom
Why are there so few hansoms around in bad weather? Do they dissolve in the fog?
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1
To Hell with it! You'll walk.
The exercise will probably do you no harm.
stepping smartly on
A brisk walk is good for the constitution and the character. One might wish that the fog wasn't the quite the colour of charcoal, and didn't smell so very pungently of corpses and ammonia. But one must play the hand one is dealt.
Dangerous increase
Austere increase (No change at 7)
An occurrence! Your 'Having Transportation Difficulties' Quality is now 1!
Humbug! It wasn't that important anyway.
And there's an inviting tavern over the road. Perhaps a glass of something fortifying while the cabbies of London sort themselves out.
The wise know to stay indoors when the fog swirls black and sulphurous. Fair wine, a warm fire and good company - what more could anybody want? The world will wait for you.
[Head to the Bazaar Sidestreets to continue.]
Persuasive increase.
Hedonist is increasing… (No change at 15.)
An occurrence! Your 'Having Transportation Difficulties' Quality is now 1!
RAT ARMY SWARMS FROM THE GUTTER!
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1
The newspapers are getting very excited. Wild tales about a legion of rats dominate the headlines.
Look into the matter
The press can be trusted to grasp the basics, even if they miss the details. Bold citizens must step forth and save London from menacing rodents!
Against the rodentine menace
Iron hat. Revolver. Sandwiches. Let us begin.
An occurrence! Your 'Facing the Rat Army' Quality is now 1!
Dismiss the claims
A rat army in London? Preposterous.
The city is eternal
If our fair capital can survive a descent into the depths, she can survive anything. London abides!
Nightmares decrease
Steadfast increase (unless too high, the case at 8)
Make Friends with a Young Stag
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1
Chuffy McAvoy-Dauntless, a noted member of the Young Stags' Club, is having an indecorous argument with his aunt in a tea shop.
Perhaps you sympathise
You could distract the aunt from her tirade on Chuffy's intolerable status as a bachelor, his worthless friends and his unbecoming habits.
Smoothly done
You slide between them Like an eel. You beg their pardon, but did you not see the lady's very image at the Royal Portrait Gallery last evening? An exquisite piece of oil work, you recall it quite clearly. No? You must be mistaken. You offer your deepest apologies. Appealing to the aunt's vanity works a treat, and Chuffy is spared the fighting edge of her tongue for while. You, on the other hand, have to sit through a catalogue of relatives whose images hang in various London galleries. Chuffy winks at you conspiratorially when she isn't looking.
Persuasive increase.
A twist in your tale! You are now Making friends among the Young Stags.
A Terrible Shame, all Agreed
An Irregular Scholar has passed on, reputedly from a surfeit of prunes. Given the transient nature of death in Fallen London, it must have been one hell of a surfeit. All agree it is a tragedy.
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1
Hang on a moment
Wasn't the Irregular Scholar a distant relation of yours? Didn't she have a notable library? There could be a legacy in this. To the will-reading!
(Watchful challenge; straightforward at 125
Unsound
The solicitor from Baseborn & Fowlingpiece reads the will in a sitting room with standing room only. Disaster! The Irregular Scholar has bequeathed her considerable library to Mr Pages. What madness is this? It'll be on the bonfire before supper! No, this won't do at all.
The Irregular Scholar was probably of unsound mind or somesuch. Yes, that's the ticket. The problem is making a court see that. Mounting a contestation will will be expensive. But the library just might be worth it.
Watchful increase.
A twist in your tale! Your 'Pursuing a Case of Books' Quality is now 1!
It's no use!
Some idiot second half-cousin must have got there before you. The will bequeaths that marvellous library to Mr Pages. What? Madness! Half of it will be burned!
Watchful increase.
Nightmares increase.
Riding your Velocipede
Now you have this contraption, you might as well get some use out of it.
Unlocks with: 1 x Velocipede
The velocipede courier
What better way to swiftly deliver messages across the crowded city than a velocipede?
Unlocks with: Connected: The Great Game 5
'Coming through!'
Secrets picked up, secrets dropped off. You part the fog and the crowds like a boning knife. You are a blur! A secret here, a secret there, a secret just for you.
Gain: 70 x Cryptic Clue
Connected: The Great Game increase (5 change points) OR (No change at 15.)
Sell off an excess velocipede
If you spent much time with the Ambitious Barrister, you may have ended up with multiple velocipedes. You could sell one on to recoup some of your expenditure.
Unlocks with: 2 x Velocipede
The Inspector Calls
The Knuckle-Scarred Inspector hammers at your door with his truncheon. 'Open up! I need to 'ave a little word.'
Unlocks with: 1 x Velocipede, Dangerous 110
Your reputation as a pugilist serves you well
'We're a bit short-handed in the Velocipede Squad right now. And I've heard you're a bit handy when it comes to putting the boot in.'
Unlocked with A Bringer of Death 1
Dangerous challenge, straightforward at 130
A bit tasty with a shiv?
The Knuckle-Scarred Inspector helps himself to your dinner while you brew some tea. 'Like I say,' he says through a mouthful of pastry. 'we're short-handed and yer known to be a bit tasty with a shiv, so yer in. Officially we're the Velocipede Squad, but the local villains call us the Pennies. We get in fast, we put the boot in, and then we pedal off. We ain't pretty, but we get results. And Mr Iron looks after us if we get a bit excitable.'
'I see you've got yer own boneshaker, which will save us a few notes. You'll need a barker, but we'll buy yer bullets. Now get yer arse down to Concord Square. It's off Ladybones Road. There's villainy to be foiled!'
An occurrence! Your On the Velocipede Squad Quality is now 1 - Putting the Boot In!
does not increase Dangerous
You come highly recommended by the Chief Constable
'The guv'nor sent me round. He said you can help us out. The Velocipede Squad is short-handed…'
Unlocked with Connected: The Constables 30
Colourful language for an inspector
The Knuckle-Scarred Inspector helps himself to your dinner while you brew some tea. 'Like I say,' he says through a mouthful of pastry. 'we're short-handed and the guv'nor vouches for yer. So yer in. Some calls us the Velocipede Squad, but the local villains call us the Pennies. We get in fast, we put the boot in, and then we pedal off. We ain't pretty, but we get results. And Mr Iron sees us all right if we get a bit excitable.'
'I see you've got yer own boneshaker, which will save us a few notes. You'll need a barker, but we'll buy yer bullets. Now get yer arse down to Concord Square, it's off Ladybones Road. There's villainy to be foiled!'
An occurrence! Your On the Velocipede Squad Quality is now 1 - Putting the Boot In!
You bunged the Chief Constable a monkey
Expensive tastes in primates, that Chief Constable. But the Velocipede Squad sounds like a fine amusement. And good exercise to boot.
Unlocked with 1 x Comprehensive Bribe
You're in
The Knuckle-Scarred Inspector helps himself to your dinner while you brew some tea. 'Like I say,' he says through a mouthful of pastry. 'we're short-handed and the guv'nor vouches for yer, so yer in. Officially we're the Velocipede Squad, but the local villains call us the Pennies. We get in fast, we put the boot in, and then we pedal off. We ain't pretty, but we get results. And Mr Iron looks after us if we get a bit excitable.'
'I see you've got yer own boneshaker, which will save us a few notes. You'll need a barker, but we'll buy yer bullets. Now get yer arse down to Concord Square, near Ladybones Road. There's villainy to be foiled!'
You've lost 1 x Comprehensive Bribe
An occurrence! Your
On the Velocipede Squad Quality is now 1 - Putting the Boot In!
A fair sized job for the right cracksman.
There's a big job planned. Something to do with a lawyer's office and a fire.
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1
Accept the job
This sort of caper needs takes all sorts. Some clever sod to plan the job, a fellow with the sense to handle fire, a mole in the Constables, lookouts, enforcers, and a skilled cracksman for the safe. Someone like yourself.
Unlocks with: Connected: Criminals 20
Shadowy challenge, straightforward at 125
The job's done, but that's not the end of it
This job is no challenge for someone of your talents. You barely remember the safe itself. The bosses got their documents, and the urchins are toasting marshmallows on what's left of the offices.
It's got you thinking, though. Why wasn't it you planning the job? Don't you command respect in the shadows of the Neath? Don't you have the skills, the talent, the brains? Don't you know the right sort of footpad and murderer? Perhaps you'll have to put that right.
[Head to the Bazaar Sidestreets to continue.]
Shadowy increase
An occurrence! Your 'Gaining a Criminal Reputation' Quality is now 1!
40 x Stolen Correspondence
Remember the Artist's Model?
Talented poet, respected artist in her own right, notorious beauty - the lady is many things to many people. The two of you have a long and tangled history. Now a host with a sense of humour has sat her next to you at dinner. [You cannot pursue her further if you are already committed.]
Unlocks with an Admirer of Beauty 1, A Person of Some Importance 1
Rekindle the romance
You've known her since the Veilgarden days. And she's known you. Perhaps you should try for a more permanent attachment?
Breath on the embers
She is as ravishing as ever. It's as if you had never parted. But you've also changed so much since you did. So much to talk about! She smiles that smile you remember, and offers to let you call on her for tea sometime soon.
Gain: 1 x Confident Smile
A twist in your tale! You are now Courting the Celebrated Artist's Model.
Let it go
Some things are best left in the past. And maybe later on, you'll find someone else you'd rather share your life with.
A bittersweet encounter
It's a pleasant enough evening. A little reminiscence, a little laughter, one little kiss. But she seems as content to leave it there as you are. One thing that hasn't changed is her talent for gossip. You learned some extremely interesting things tonight.
35 x Cryptic Clue
Speaking Engagements
A Finger-Wagging Parliamentarian has been called to the colonies for some time. His government business is in hand, but could you step in for his speaking engagements? [Note: scandalous persons, or those well-connected among Revolutionaries, need not apply.]
Unlocks with A Person of Some Importance 1
Take on the engagements
Two philanthropic fund-raising affairs, a literary salon and what's this? After-dinner speaking at the Parthenaeum? The chance to address a dignified locus of Fallen London power? Things could be looking up!
Unlocks: Connected: Society 20
Persuasive challenge, straightforward at 125
An evening at The Parthenaeum
Your first few speaking engagements proceed in capital fashion. You stick to involatile topics: it would not do to alarm members of the Parthenaeum before you even arrive.
The dinner that awaits you at the club is nothing short of magnificent. Everything is so marvellously fresh. You might be back on the Surface. The other diners tuck in without comment, as if they do this every day. Perhaps they do.
Your speech goes well enough. Your audience seem relieved that the Finger-Wagging Parliamentarian is absent. Perhaps he's a little fierce after such a meal. After dinner, you are escorted out so the gentlemen can take care of some private business, but you have the impression that you will be back.
Persuasive increase
An occurrence! Your Sniffing Around The Parthenaeum Quality is now 1!
Remember the Honey-sipping Jewel Thief?
He's gone up in the world. Well, the criminal underworld. Now here he is at a Society soirée, head to toe in black velvet, smilingly wolfishly at you over the hors d'oeuvres. [You cannot pursue him further if you are already committed.]
Unlocks with A Person of Some Importance 1
Smile back
Perhaps you had an affair in the past. Perhaps you turned him down before. Either way, tonight, he's looking appealing.
By the end of the evening, you've exchanged more than glances. This could be the beginning of something special.
A twist in your tale! You are now
Courting the Master Jewel Thief.
You've gained 3 x Diamond
Ignore him
You rejected him in the past, and you don't see any reason to change your mind now. And maybe later on, you'll find someone else you'd rather share your life with.
A shrug, a sigh.
He seems keen to remind you of your old acquaintance, however fleeting or intense it was for you. You remain disdainful. At the end of the evening, you find a little gift in your pocket.
Gain: 1 x Diamond
An Invitation from the Ambitious Barrister
Would you care to join her for lunch at Dante's Grill? She wishes to discuss a matter of life and death. Yours, specifically.
Unlocks with A Person of Some Importance 1
Join her for a stack of chops 'broiled on the lake of fire'
The Barrister waves an elegantly gloved hand in your direction as you enter Dante's Grill.
Between mouthfuls of mustard
'Oh, these chops are rather robust, aren't they?' She dabs the corner of her eye with a napkin. 'Well, I'm glad to see you're getting on so splendidly. Did the Bishop find you? Good good.'
The Barrister takes a sip of soothing tea. 'I've heard that someone is trying to murder you. I don't know who that might be, but I do know that there's a whole company of assassins on your trail at this very moment.'
The Barrister stands up and clasps your hand. 'Congratulations! It's marvellous that you're now important enough to warrant a really vigorous attempt at your demise. You're pulling ahead of me - I've only had a couple of quite half-hearted poisonings.'
'But death can be so troublesome. So - what to do? Well, you could go to your lodgings and have a good think about who is trying to kill you. Or you could head to the Flit and hire assassins of your own. Or if you're feeling uncivilised, you could get your hands dirty with this business in the Forgotten Quarter.'
A twist in your tale! You are now Enjoying Lethal Prominence.
1 x Incendiary Gossip
A Sneering Gentleman
You recognise a vinegar-faced valet of His Amused Lordship in a drizzle-pattered street. He never liked you. He sneers: 'The Dilmun Club is sponsoring expeditions, but the papers with your name on keep going missing…'
unlocked with Featuring in the Tales of the University 30
That's how it is, eh?
You can't let this foul fellow get in the way of your academic career. A little blackmail will see you on your way. [This will begin a journey of scientific discovery across the Unterzee. You can acquire Blackmail Material from the Velocipede Squad or at an Elaborate Party. Books of Hidden Bodies can be created at the Bazaar Side-streets. Extraordinary Implications can be found in the Foreign Office or on the Unterzee Islands.]
unlocked with associating with Radical Academics 3, cultivating an acquaintance with His Amused Lordship 3, 5 x Extraordinary Implication , 1 x Blackmail Material , 2 x Book of Hidden Bodies, Watchful 120
Certain dispensations
An expedition sponsored by the Dilmun Club! The dream of every scholar of the exotic! You have urchins deliver a copy of your material to the valet in a satchel, trussed up tight. That evening, he knocks on your door. His lips are pulled back in a sour grimace. He spits, 'The Dilmun Club is meeting in the upstairs room of the Bridge Without. You are invited to address them upon the matter of your academic background and suitability for certain dispensations that may be available to you.' He spins on his black heel and is away.
The Bridge Without. That's the expensive drinking-hole in the Bazaar Side-streets. Best set about claiming these dispensations.
An occurrence! Your '
Embarking on a Voyage of Scientific Discovery' Quality is now 1!
You've lost 1 x Blackmail Material
You've lost 5 x Extraordinary Implication
You've lost 2 x Book of Hidden Bodies
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