A Shepherd Of Souls

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This is a branch from the Soul Trade story. If you've become a shepherd of souls, this is what will happen…

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Find an ally

If you are to return souls to their rightful owners you will require allies. Odd little sects abound in these parts.
Unlocks: a Shepherd of Souls 1
Available at Watchmaker's Hill

But where to start?

Subtlety is key. The Masters of the Bazaar look harshly on interference with the soul trade. Those who would restore souls are persecuted by the Constables.
(Shadowy challenge)

Rewards spoiler

The Committee for Vital Restitution

You attend meetings and readings. You eavesdrop on priests and parishioners. You examine secret texts by candlelight. Nothing. Eventually it occurs to you to eavesdrop on Constables.

They are looking for a group called the Committee for Vital Restitution. It seems that the investigation has moved on other parts of the city. You have nothing tangible to go on right now, but you'll keep your eyes open for signs of the group.

[Wait for an Opportunity to arise.]

Rewards:
Shadowy increase
a Shepherd of Souls increase

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The Committee for Vital Restitution?

You overhear an intriguing conversation: a meeting of the 'C.V.R.' will take place in the bandstand of Tyrant's Gardens this evening. Could these be the savers of souls you are looking for?
Unlocks: a Shepherd of Souls 1?
Available as an Opportunity Card

Bold as… well, brass

It can't do any harm to turn up at the meeting. You hope it's not the meeting of the Chiropteran Veterinary Regulators you are gatecrashing.

Rewards spoiler

The correct committee

You observe the small meeting: masked, hooded and otherwise obscured figures are sheltering from the thin Neathy drizzle in the bandstand. You push your scarf up over your nose and join them.

A figure is speaking. He's bundled up in thick clothing, but you think he's a somewhat stooped young man. His voice is gloomy (and somewhat familiar - do you know him?) but with an undercurrent of burning ferocity. He speaks at length on the evils of the soul trade, with such detailed knowledge that you suspect him of once having been a spirifer himself.

After the sermon, he calls you over. You explain your wish to join the cause. He explains that new members of the Committee must prove themselves both trustworthy and capable. He'll send a messenger to your lodgings regarding a task. Do not attempt further contact until the task is complete.

Rewards:
a Shepherd of Souls increase

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A messenger from the C.V.R.

A messenger arrives from the Committee for Vital Restitution. He introduces himself as one of the soulless.
Unlocks: a Shepherd of Souls 1?
Available as an Opportunity Card

Souls and records

You'd think nothing of the fellow if you passed him in the street. Slumped shoulders and a rather world-weary expression are the only indicants. He explains that while recovering souls is essential, returning them to their correct owners is actually the most difficult part of the C.V.R.'s work. 'Horrible things', it seems, occur when a soul is wrongly re-housed: but the messenger doesn't go into detail. You are asked to burgle the office of Messrs Baseborn & Fowlingpiece: lawyers who have vital records on the original owners of traded souls.
(Shadowy challenge)

Rewards spoiler

Bells and contracts

It seems that you are not the first to attempt burglarious entry to the premises. The locks, guards and indeed traps would do credit to a jeweller's shop or small bank. You sneak past guards, unlock doors and sidle past the bear-traps by the document room.

You miss the row of bells on the underside of the desk - damn their prudence! The jingling will no doubt summon guards. You grab a handful of contracts and beat a quick retreat to your lodgings.

Rewards:
Shadowy increase
a Shepherd of Souls increase
5 x An Infernal Contract

'One of the soulless?'

It's difficult to know what the polite thing is to say in response. You could just nod, or you could find something tactful to say.
(Persuasive challenge)

Rewards spoiler

A warm handclasp, a solemn gaze

'All shall be well,' you say,'and all manner of thing shall be well.'

You're not sure where that came from. But oddly enough the Messenger smiles.

Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Connected: The Church increase

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The Soulless Messenger

he Soulless Messenger from the Committee for Vital Restitution is waiting for you near your lodgings.
Unlocks: a Shepherd of Souls ?
Available at your Lodgings

'The contracts, if you would…'

The Soulless Messenger wants to take the contracts you have stolen back to the committee, to compare to souls that have been recovered. He eyes the contracts with something approaching hunger.
(unlocked with An Infernal Contract 5 )

Rewards spoiler

Joining the Committee

The messenger returns to his usual glum state when he realised his contract is not among those you liberated. He tells you how he was tricked out of his soul in a foolish bet in his youth. He is in no pain, but he is listless and often despondent. He finds no beauty in art and little warmth in company.

He hands you a beautiful little pocket watch. He claims it keeps perfect time, and is the secret sign of members of the Committee of Vital Restitution. He tells you hang on to any souls or infernal contracts you may come across, and that other members of the Committee will contact you from time to time to arrange proper recovery. He says that the secrecy is necessary: the Masters would destroy the Committee in a moment for restriction of trade.

Rewards:
a Shepherd of Souls increase
lost 5 x An Infernal Contract
1 x Shepherd's Timepiece

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Restoring souls

The Soulless Messenger from the Committee for Vital Restitution is making his rounds. Have you any souls for restoration or infernal contracts to help the process along?
Unlocks: a Shepherd of Souls ?
Available as an Opportunity Card

Option 1: Here are some souls

You have liberated fifty souls.
(unlocked with Souls 50)

Rewards spoiler

The Committee thanks you

'Tracing their owners will be difficult without the contracts, but the Committee thanks you. Your name will be whispered in influential circles.'

Rewards:
lost 50 x Soul
Connected: the Church increase
Connected: Society increase
Connected: the Constables increase
Magnanimous increase (3 change points)

Option 2: Here are some contracts

You have acquired five infernal contracts.
(unlocked with An Infernal Contract 5)

Rewards spoiler

The Committee thanks you

'These will only be useful if we recover the corresponding souls, but the Committee thanks you. Your name will be whispered in influential circles.'

Rewards:
lost 5 x An Infernal Contract
Connected: the Church increase
Connected: Society increase (25 change points)
Connected: the Constables increase (25 change points)
Magnanimous increase (3 change points)

Option 3: A true shepherd of souls

You have fifty souls and five infernal contracts for the committee.
(unlocked with An Infernal Contract 5, Souls 50)

Rewards spoiler

A rare outcome

'Both souls and contracts together! This is a rare and most welcome outcome. The more influential members of the Committee will no doubt sing your praises in certain circles.'

Rewards:
lost 5 x An Infernal Contract
lost 50 x Soul
Magnanimous increase (5 change oints)
Connected: the Church increase
Connected: Society increase
Connected: the Constables increase (50 change points exactly)

Option 4: A true and dedicated shepherd of souls

You have one thousand souls and one hundred infernal contracts.
(unlocked with An Infernal Contract 100, Souls 1000)

Rewards spoiler

An evening of sober celebration

Your exploits are honoured with a magnificent meal in a private room at Murgatroyd's. Your health is toasted - in plain water, of course, but the toasts are heartfelt. The surface food - real apples! an actual goose! - has a marvellously restorative effect on your health. The Messenger takes you aside as cheese is served. 'We understand that your work can be difficult, and that you may attract legal attention. Be of good cheer. Our contacts have assured us that your sins are forgiven.'

Rewards:
lost 100 x An Infernal Contract
lost 1000 x Soul
Magnanimous increase (7 change points)
Connected: the Church increase [this seems to be 500 change points]
Connected: Society increase [this seems to be 500 change points]
Connected: the Constables increase [this seems to be 500 change points]
You've lost a quality: Suspicion
You've lost a quality: Nightmares
You've lost a quality: Wounds
You've lost a quality: Scandal.

{This does not however remove Unaccountably Peckish. Additionally, Suspicion will not drop below 0, so if you have equipped Workman's Clothes or a Sober Dress you will still have a Suspicion of 1. [EDIT: This seems to have been fixed]. Nightmares and Wounds *can* drop below 0}.

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