Bronze Bordered Cards

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Bronze Bordered cards start and continue multi-card storylets.

Not all of the cards for any given storylet are known and new ones show up from time to time, so this is a work in progress. Some series of bronze bordered cards have moved to their own storylet pages, either accessible from this page or from the storylets page.

Some Story Qualities associated with these storylets now have descriptors. These may be found either on the individual storylet's page or here.

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Investigating a Trade in Souls

Investigating St Dunstan's

Unlocks: Watchful 55, investigating a Trade in Souls 3
It seems that a ring of spirifers - soul smugglers is using St Dunstan's church as a base.

On holy ground

Nobody is paying you, but an investigator of your calibre needs answers, nevertheless.

Reward spoiler

Visiting the vicar

It's the vicar! You had your suspicions about the vergers and the choirmaster, but it's the vicar who meets devils in the dead of night. It is the vicar who recruits the hopeless and irredeemable and arranges for their souls to be extracted. It is the vicar who sees that their remains are disposed of. Unfortunately, the vicar possesses a considerable turn of speed for a clergyman, and knows the local tenements much better than you. He bolts the moment he sees you, and loses you in the slums around his church. He can't hide forever, though.

Watchful increase
Gain: 1 x Appalling Secret
Connected: The Church increase
Connected: The Hell decrease
Investigating a Trade in Souls increase

Failure spoiler

Damnably cautious

Whoever is dealing souls at St Dunstan's is remarkably prudent about it. You spend days observing the place, and you have your suspicions, but there is nothing that firmly points to a single culprit. The locals are starting to get suspicious about you, and some of them are armed, so you decide to leave things for a while and return later.

Watchful increase

The corrupt vicar

Unlocks: Watchful 65, investigating a Trade in Souls 4
The vicar of St Dunstan's has been dealing in souls, and not in a way the Church approves of.

A slippery man of the cloth

The vicar has so far eluded you. You will apprehend him yet!

Reward spoiler

The end of the chase

You have convinced the church of the vicar's perfidy and they support your attempt to track him down. A long investigation places his location at a hotel near the Brass Embassy. It is a close thing: the vicar bolts for the Embassy the moment he realises you're after him. You were ready for that, though, and have a group of sturdy vergers on loan from the bishop to block passage. You corner the vicar behind his hotel, and seeing that he is outmatched he comes quietly. He is shortly bound for New Newgate and you are satisfied that a significant villain of the Neath has been dealt with.

Connected: The Church increase
Gain: 50 x Foxfire Candle
Connected: Hell decrease
A twist in your tale! You are no longer investigating a Trade in Souls.

Failure spoiler (unknown)

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Exacting the Urchins' Vengeance

Fate of Urchins

Unlocks: Shadowy 21
You happen across an alley where street children have been rounded up and are being attacked by a gang of hired thugs.

Leap in

You've done some unsavoury things, but this is too much. The thugs are distracted, so an ambush is in order

Reward spoiler

The fury of the streets

The moans of the street children cover the sounds of your approach. You pull a scarf over your face and leap down off a rooftop on to the villains. Your ambush catches them off guard, and soon they are fleeing and cursing you. A few of the urchins are in a condition to speak. They explain that they're a small gang but they refused to spy for one of the dockside crime syndicates. Attacking children! This is too much. You vow to end this particular brand of villainy and exact revenge upon these scoundrels.
Shadowy increase
Connected: Urchins increases
A twist in your tale! You are now exacting the Urchins' Vengeance.

Failure spoiler

Beaten and bloodied

The moans of the street children cover the sounds of your approach. You pull a scarf over your face and leap down off a rooftop on to the villains. Your ambush catches them off guard, but they fight with the fury of desperate men. They are afraid of you, but more afraid of their employer. You end up taking a harsh beating, but at least the orphans have picked up their casualties and run for it.

Shadowy increase
Wounds increase

None of my concern

This is the work of honest criminals. On the other hand, there might be some hush money in it.

Reward spoiler

Buying silence

The thugs have heard of you, and respect your reputation. They look up from their work and nod to each other. You are handed a few scraps of rostygold in payment for silence, and then they look at you expectantly. As you leave, you hear the sounds of their work resuming behind you from the alley.

Shadowy increase
Gain: 36 x Rostygold

Failure spoiler

No witnesses

You had hoped that your underworld reputation would be known to these gentlemen, but they seem particularly ignorant. Ignorant and aggressive. They soon turn their attentions to you, and you receive a rather disrespectful beating at their hands. You stagger off into the street as they resume their labours.

Shadowy increase
Wounds increase

Revenge for urchins

Unlocks: Shadowy 33, exacting the Urchins' Vengeance 1
You found out who ordered the urchins to be attacked. It is time to pay a visit.

Out of the shadows

The gang boss awaits, fat on the profits of villainy.

Reward spoiler

Just a middleman

You surprise the gang boss at his dinner, and swiftly deal with his two bodyguards. After a considerable pummelling, the man buys a little mercy with information. He had the urchins attacked on behalf of another. Apparently they stole a handkerchief from the mistress of a high society gentleman: the Baronet. You leave the gang boss coughing up blood. The Baronet will not be easy to approach - he is constantly guarded and rarely seen. Patience is in order.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 24 x Whispered Secret
exacting the Urchins' Vengeance increase

Failure spoiler (unknown)

The Baronet

Unlocks: Shadowy 45, exacting the Urchins' Vengeance 3
You have discovered when the Baronet is visiting a mistress. You plan to be there: vengeance for the murdered urchins shall be had!

Ambush in the boudoir

Leaping out from behind the velvet curtains is hardly sporting, but one does what one must.

Reward spoiler

And it is done

It is an uncivilised thing to beat a man senseless while his britches are down, but far from undeserved in the case of the Baronet. The mistress maintains her poise and exits quietly while you are at your labours. The faces of the murdered urchins come to you, and by the time you stop, the Baronet is a ruined mess. You escape into the night, satisfied that justice has been served. You later hear that the Baronet has moved to the tomb-colonies. Although the urchins have been avenged, you perhaps think that this might not be entirely over.
Shadowy increase
Connected: Urchins increase
A twist in your tale! You are no longer exacting the Urchins' Vengeance.

Failure spoiler

Justice and fear

Although it pleases you that the Baronet is afraid of you, the urchins are no closer to being avenged. It seems that he realised you are stalking him, and has taken to almost total seclusion. The mistress receives two other lovers before you give up waiting for the Baronet. Your time will come again, you are sure. Vengeance shall be exacted!
Shadowy increase

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Hosting an Inconvenient Aunt

You've decided to invite your maiden aunt to the Neath. What could go wrong? You can find out on its own page.

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the Protégé of a Mysterious Benefactor

Who is this person? Why are they being so generous? What do they want? You may find clues on its own page.

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Marked by the Eater-of-Chains

Levels of Marked by the Eater-of-Chains

1. - Touched by Nightmare
2. - Hunted by Horror
3. - Free of Fear
4. - The Nightmare Returns
5. - The Nightmare Returns
6. - The Wound Gapes!
7. - Seeking out your Fears!
8. - Seeking out your Fears!
9. - Seeking out your Fears!

#

1. - Quiescent once more!

Horrors in the drawing room

The front door of a fine town house is open. From within you hear screams, and smell blood.
Unlocks: Dangerous 21

To the rescue!

A brave and dashing citizen is called for! Take no notice of the screams, the blood, the rising sense of panic…
(Dangerous challenge)

Reward spoiler

The Eater of Chains

Inside the house is mayhem. In the drawing room crouches a black and savage horror like the dream of a wolf: the size of a pony! This is the fabled Eater of Chains, a beast rumoured to have escaped from the darkest dreams. It looks poised to devour the maid, but you bravely grab a hefty candlestick and give the dread thing a sound thrashing. What happened next is difficult to recall, but the Eater of Chains is gone, most of the family are alive and you have a strangely coloured but painless bite scar on your forearm. The family showers you with praise and rewards you, but that night you dream of the beast pursuing you through an endless empty city. This isn't over.
Dangerous increase
Gain: 18 x Greyfields 1882
A twist in your tale! You are now marked by the Eater-of-Chains

Failuire spoiler

The Eater of Chains

Inside the house is mayhem. In the drawing room crouches a black and savage horror like the dream of a wolf: the size of a pony! This is the fabled Eater-of-Chains, a beast rumoured to have escaped from the darkest dreams. It looks poised to devour the maid, but you bravely grab a hefty candlestick and attempt to give the dread thing a sound thrashing. You don't remember fighting it at all; the memory slipped away into nothing. However, you do find yourself with the entire family mangled and a strangely coloured but painless bite scar on your forearm. You make your exit before the Constables turn up and make unfortunate errors. That night you dream of the beast pursuing you through an endless empty city. This isn't over.
Dangerous increase
Nightmares increase
A twist in your tale! You are now marked by the Eater-of-Chains

An unusual itch

Unlocks: Dangerous 33, marked by the Eater-of-Chains 1
The strange, painless bite scar on your forearm starts itching.

The Eater of Chains

The Eater of Chains will come when you dream. Dare you sleep?
(Dangerous challenge)

Reward spoiler

Hunting in the empty city

You dream of an empty city under an oppressively huge yellow moon. The Eater of Chains has marked you, and you cannot escape it. However, it is somewhat wary of your strength and speed. The night is passed in a seemingly endless pursuit punctuated by short, vicious ambushes. Ancient lichen-choked statues turn their stately heads to watch the spectacle. An age passes, and you realise that neither you nor the beast has the upper hand. You awake, sheened in sweat and exhausted. But! There was something! It's infuriating: you remember that you found the Eater's lair, but you don't now recall where it was. It will come back to you: this isn't over.
Dangerous increase
marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase

A light in the darkness.

Something tells you to light a Foxfire Candle before you sleep. Its light may shine in your dreams. [This is safer, and will give you a little more information about the Eater.]
(Dangerous challenge)

Requires 3 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

The lair of the beast

Unlocks: Dangerous 45, marked by the Eater-of-Chains 2
You remembered! The Eater of Chains lairs on a little island in the river of dream-London.

A spoonful of honey

A little prisoner's honey and you can find the Eater of Chains. Dare you enter?
Unlocked with 2 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Reward spoiler

Marked no more

You are given a wide berth at the honey den - few of the customers are comfortable with one so obviously girded for battle. The proprietor has heard of your troubles, and arranges for a private room. You dream of the now familiar empty city under a huge yellow moon. You make your way to the little island, past weeping statues and to a steam launch you thought might be there. The Eater of Chains is waiting for you on the shore. Nothing needs be said - the beast is here to consume you, and you to end it. The fight is long and bloody, with no quarter expected. Finally, you snap the beast's thick neck, and you are free of it. Reflecting later in the honey den, you cannot be sure that it is destroyed, but the mark on your arm is [Was] gone [since 10/2011] but a faint shadow and you are certain it will not hunt you further. The tale of your victory spreads: perhaps your labours will have opened doors for you.
Dangerous increase
**Connected: Bohemian increase (1-10 change points)
Connected: The Constables increase (1-17 change poits)
Connected: The Tomb-Colonies increase (1-4 change points)
Lose: 2 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
An occurrence! Your marked by the Eater-of-Chains Quality is now 3 - Free of Fear!
Watchful increase

The Eater-of-Chains!

Unlocks: Dangerous 105, Marked by the Eater-of-Chains 3
Perhaps you've seen the last of the amber-eyed dream-hound. But on your forearm, still there, is the faint shadow of a scar. It's a silvery crescent in the moonish light… will you take a little honey and remember?

Inspect the mark on your forearm

Not available at Marked by the Eater of Chains 4
They say that the moon, up above the surface, rules transformation. Will your scar change as the honey transports you?
Unlocked with 5 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Reward spoiler

What does that remind you of?

You are in a twilit meadow. The grass reaches your waist, and the light of the moon tips it with silver. Hush. A sound. The grass rustles, then the ground begins to shake. The Eater-of-Chains! He runs past, so fast you feel the brush of his fur and a gust of air sends you sprawling. Your arm continues to ache.
Dangerous increase
Lose: 5 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase
Gain: 7 x Appalling Secret

Meditate upon the beast

Not available at Marked by the Eater of Chains 5
What is the Eater-of-Chains? Perhaps if you concentrate, a honey-dream will bring the answer.
Unlocked with 5 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Reward spoiler

A… friendly soul?

You conjure up your memories of the Eater-of-Chains. The scar on your arm is burning and throbbing as you slip into your honey-dream. You're standing in a dripping alleyway, somewhere in Spite. The Eater-of-Chains is facing you, as big as a pony, breath foetid puffs of hot steam, eyes burning red. He jumps up, puts his forepaws on your shoulders. His jaws open wide… and he licks your cheek. Then he bounds away towards the river.
Dangerous increase
Lose: 5 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase (2 change points)
Gain: 8 x Appalling Secret

Go to its lair

Walk to the river before you sip the honey.
Unlocked with 5 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Reward spoiler

Reacquaintance

You are still standing by the river - it's as if the honey hasn't moved you at all. But it has. The Eater-of-Chains emerges on the opposite bank. Eyes the size of dinner plates glow red like the last two embers in Hell. He leaps across the river and closes his jaws around your arm. You push, push for your life, and scramble free. Your arm is dripping blood, your old wound ripped open, but you can run. The rumbling growl surrounds you as you escape, echoing across the cobbles.
Dangerous increase
Lose: 5 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase (2 change points)
Gain: 1 X Tale of Terror!!
Gain: 4 x Appalling Secret

Failure spoiler

A warning

You are still standing by the river - it's as if the honey hasn't moved you at all. But it has. The Eater-of-Chains emerges on the opposite bank. Burning red eyes the size of saucers stare right at you. Your scar throbs. But then something happens. He leaps across the river and closes his jaws around your arm. Snap! It's gone, swallowed by that huge gaping maw. Your dream ends with a gasp. Your arm is still part of you, but your old wound is aching anew.
Lose: 5 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase (2cp?)
Wounds increase

The Eater-of-Chains has returned!

Unlocks: Dangerous 105, Marked by the Eater-of-Chains 5
And it's not just you he's been visiting this time. There are rumours all over town.

Investigate

All these silent, pale folk, pulling their sleeves down compulsively.
not available from Marked by the Eater-of-Chains 7
(Dangerous challenge, straightforward at 115)

Reward spoiler

Interesting…

You chat to a few wild-eyed people. Some are reassured to know they're not the only ones having these dreams. Others back away, terrified all over again. But you glean enough information to work out what they all have in common. Each one of these people visited Jekyll Gardens in the week they started having the dreams.
Your own scar is throbbing unpleasantly almost all the time, now.
Dangerous increase
Marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase (2 change points?)
Gain: 6 x Appalling Secret.
Gain: 10 x Cryptic Clue

Ask someone you know well

They'll be more likely to tell you the truth. But it might be more risky to get involved in the dreams of a friend.
not available from Marked by the Eater-of-Chains 8
(Dangerous challenge, straightforward at 125)

Reward spoiler

'I feel his hot breath on my face even when I'm awake…'

Your friend is scared; too scared to conceal the wound on her arm, which is weeping and red, and too scared to keep the details of her dreams to herself. You ask her what she's been doing recently in her waking hours. 'I am writing a romance,' she says. 'I spend a lot of time in Jekyll Gardens, looking for inspiration. I see the same people there, day after day. The old lady with the large teeth. The young man with the shock of black hair. The gardener from the Palace, walking the Empress' puppy. Those hungry-eyed twin girls.'
She smiles at your reassurances. Her smile is red-lipped and sharp-toothed. The cicatrix on your own forearm begins to ache as you talk. The pain doesn't die down until morning.
Dangerous increase
Marked by the Eater-of-Chains major increase (from 5 to 6)
Gain: 8 x Appalling Secret.

Ask your Hound of Heaven

Does it know about the hellish hound? It has a nose for devils; if the Eater-of-Chains is of Hell, the Hound will know.
Unlocks: 1 x Hound of Heaven
(Dangerous challenge, straightforward at 135)

Reward spoiler

An answer in the negative

You describe the Eater-of-Chains to the Hound of Heaven. The shining serpent stares calmly at you as you speak, its forked tongue flickering in and out. It touches your scar, delicately, with this tongue. It tickles. The Hound shakes its head once or twice, curls up and goes to sleep. Well. The Eater-of-Chains is not a creature of Hell, then. That's something.
Dangerous increase
Marked by the Eater-of-Chains major increase (3 change points?)
Gain: 1 x Appalling Secret.
Gain: 60 x Cryptic Clue.

The Eater-of-Chains Lies in Wait

Unlocks: Dangerous 105, Marked by the Eater-of-Chains 8
What can you do about the beast? It isn't so much haunting your dreams as savaging them.

Investigate the park

The rumour is that no one dreams about the Eater-of-Chains unless they've been spending time in Jekyll Gardens.
Dangerous challenge, straightforward at 115
not available at Eater of Chains 9

Reward spoiler

Truth in the rumours

You visit Jekyll Gardens to see for yourself. Many people look normal, but there's a sizeable minority displaying the hollow-eyed, haunted look of those plagued by the Eater-of-Chains. You follow one such wild-haired lady, until she turns and snaps at you. There is genuine rage in her eyes as she lashes out at you with sharp nails, missing your face by a whisker. A passing fellow with a fluffy puppy on a lead sends you a look of sympathy.
Dangerous increase
Marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase (from 8 to 9)
2 x Inkling of Identity
2 x Intriguing Gossip
25 x Cryptic Clue

Investigate the Jekyll Gardens regulars your friend described

'The old lady with the large teeth. The young man with the shock of black hair. The gardener from the Palace, walking the Empress's puppy. Those hungry-eyed twin girls.'
Unlocked wih marked by the Eater-of-Chains 9
not available at Eater of Chains 10

Reward spoiler

Could it be?

You visit the park, keeping a keen eye open for people fitting your friend's descriptions. There are several old ladies… there's no sign of any twins. But there, that man in the flat cap, with a tiny dog running cheerfully ahead of him - he must be the gardener. You hasten to catch up with him and bend down to pet the dog. 'Careful, now,' says the gardener. 'The Empress won't let me teach him not to bite.' He's a dear little thing, though, with fluffy hair and too-large paws. You brush the hair out of his eyes as you stroke him - and catch a glimpse of something glowing red. Sparks are rolling there in the depths of his huge black eyes. You stare for a long moment… until the sudden burning in your scar snaps the spell. You watch as the puppy frolics away.
Dangerous increase
Marked by the Eater-of-Chains increase (3 change points)
4 x Appalling Secret.
2 x Inkling of Identity
2 x Intriguing Gossip

Confront your dreams

You must banish the Eater-of-Chains from your dreams. Take a spoonful of honey and go looking for him.
unlocked with marked by the Eater-of-Chains 10, 10 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Reward spoiler

A peace of sorts

You know where to go, now. The Shuttered Palace. The Empress' puppy sleeps in a kennel all by himself, and you know now that when he dreams, he inhabits the Eater-of-Chains. There he is, twitching in his sleep. You sneak over, then sip from your honey spoon. Since you're so close to him now, you meet the Eater-of-Chains almost immediately. He snarls in your face, growling and threatening. His yellow fangs snap shut an inch from your eye. But the way he's pacing tells you he's anxious. He knows you have power over his body. You stand firm. Eventually, he withdraws, lies down and places his paws over his eyes. He will not challenge your dreams further, now you know his secret.

Dangerous increase
You've moved to a new area: The Shuttered Palace
lose 10 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
11 x Incendiary Gossip
4 x Appalling Secret
2 x Inkling of Identity
An occurrence! Your 'marked by the Eater-of-Chains' Quality is now 11 - Quiescent once more!

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Ascending the Reliables list of Mr Pages

An interview with Mr. Pages

Unlocks: Watchful 45
Mr. Pages is a Master of the Bazaar, dealing with the printed word in all its forms.

The Reliables

Mr. Pages keeps many lists. One of them concerns the Reliables - those who have proven themselves as useful investigators and researchers. Should you be on that list?

Reward spoiler

'Capital! I knew that such a one as you would represent unimproachable ability!'

Mr. Pages listens intently to your exploits, and examines your written references and bona fides with great care. It is delighted by your ability, and assures you it will contact you when appropriate work appears. On the way out, you take a quick peek through the papers on one of the unattended clerks' desks.
Gain: 20 x Cryptic Clue
A twist in your tale! You are now ascending the Reliables list of Mr Pages.

A case for a Reliable

Unlocks: Watchful 57, ascending the Reliables list of Mr Pages 1
Mr. Pages, the Master of the Bazaar who deals in printed matter, has work for you. It seems that a valuable book has been stolen from its extensive stacks.

First case for Mr. Pages

The thief smashed a thick bronze-bound door to matchwood and left a considerable mess in the stacks before making off. However, Mr. Pages claims that only one book is missing. To the chase!

Reward spoiler

Clay and papers

Of course, Mr. Pages declines to tell you which book is actually missing. Apparently that's part of the case. Some rooftop urchins saw something, and you pick up a few clues from the rough local hansom drivers. You are looking for two Clay Men, one of whom is missing a hand. When did the Unfinished take an interest in books? Mr Pages is pleased with your initial progress, but this is looking like it might be a long-term case.
Gain: 26 x Cryptic Secret
Ascending the Reliables list of Mr Pages increase

There are the thieves!

Unlocks: Watchful 69, ascending the Reliables list of Mr Pages 2
Those two Unfinished Clay Men are the ones that took Mr. Pages' book! You're sure of it!

Confront them!

They are about to disappear into a highly exclusive spire of the Bazaar - which is a mystery in itself. This may be your only chance!

Reward spoiler

Answers and more questions

You demand the book they took from Mr. Pages. They shrug and take it from a satchel bulging with knives and hammers, and throw it at your feet. When you demand they come with you, they make a hollow rumbling noise that might be a derisive laugh. The maimed one nods to some Constables guarding the spire's gate: they are admitted, leaving you alone. You return the book to Mr. Pages and he commends your diligence. You can't resist a peek, though. The book is a ledger of Mr Iron's business, detailing the sale of a vast quantiy of steel to the tomb-colonies. A ledger? What is going on here?
Ascending the Reliables list of Mr Pages increase
Gain: 42 x Cryptic Secret
Connected: the Masters of the Bazaar increase

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An Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle

A note from Mr. Iron, who oversees the Game of Knife-and-Candle

Unlocks: Dangerous 45
'Knife-and-Candle umpires are under strength, again. Your name has been proposed. Prove your ability to be considered.'

A practical test

The test involves making off with the candles of five players without being wounded. Few outside the very highest reaches of the sport can manage such a feat of arms.

Reward spoiler

Five candles, quick and clean

The first examiner is ignobly but swiftly ambushed near a privy. The second forces an intense duel, but you come away unwounded, if collarless. You know about the third's hidden parasol-spike. The fourth is a lumbering giant whose pocket you pick. The last finds you, but some vicious gutter-brawling sees you triumphant. Mr Iron's second note congratulates you: he sends a set of candles in anticipation of your coming duties.
Gain: 60 x Foxfire Candle
A twist in your tale! You are now an Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle

'To hell with this!'

'No thank you, Mr. Iron. I have very little wish to play referee to a mob of murderous overgrown schoolboys with knives…'

Reward spoiler

Leave them to it

You have a fairly solid idea why the umpires are looking for new blood. Blood being the important word there: Knife-and-Candle players can get awfully excitable when a decision goes against them. It's best that you're out of the whole business. You are the captain of your own destiny.
Connected: Revolutionaries increase
Former Reward:
Gain: 1 x Fate

My ability is proven

'Sir! I am of the Officer rank. As you are aware, this grants me the status of an umpire without recourse to testing…'
(requires Knife-and-Candle rank of 13)

Reward spoiler

Another note from Mr Iron

Unlocks: Dangerous 57, an Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle 1
'A Knife-and-Candle player is attacking civilians. Smiles may be involved. Deal with before Constables or journalists become involved.'

The umpire takes the field

Smiles, eh? Well, he's no more dangerous than the average player. Out into the darkness, then.

Reward spoiler

Not a sportsman

Your umpire status gives you a certain gravitas among players and followers of Knife-and-Candle. With their information, you soon track down the poor sportsman. It's Smil… no, it's not. Just an unwary footpad who thought she could ply her trade under the shelter of Knife-and-Candle. As is required of you, you lead a pack of players after the villain. They summarily slice her to wet ribbons. She'll be days getting over that.
Gain: 72 x Rostygold
An Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle increase

A further note from Mr Iron

Unlocks: Dangerous 69, an Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle 2
'Two veteran players having dispute over the game. Civilian casualties now eight. Two shops burned down. Citizens are concerned. Deal with it.'

Murder them

Persuade them to disarm, then just stab the blackguards. It should increase your Knife-and-Candle rank at least. Although there will be repercussions.

Reward spoiler

Basely done

You march into Spite with your iron umpire's badge held high. Seeing you, the two feuding players lower their rifles and come down from sniping perches on opposite sides of a busy market. The citizens cheer and boo your presence according to their natures. You stab the combatants without ceremony and walk off, to the unanimous approval of the Spite crowds. As expected, your status as umpire is revoked, although your rank gain is upheld. Mr Iron is reported to have written your name in a slim, black volume.
A twist in your tale! You are no longer an Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle.
Lose: a quality: Connected: the Masters of the Bazaar. (I only had one, so no idea if it takes all or just part)
Knife-and-Candle Rank increase
Gain: a new quality: Suspicion at 2.
yeah…don't choose this like I did. You get screwed.

Break some heads

When you catch up to the miscreants, they are duelling with antique claymores down the length of Moloch Street. This will have to be done the hard way.

Reward spoiler

Unsporting conduct

Most civilians have had the sense to run. Moloch Street is quiet, barring the shouts of encouragement from high windows and the clangs of enormous swords. The combatants are too battle-crazed to listen to you, so you wade in with your blade singing. The fight is short but decisive: they were so keen on murdering each other that they barely put up a defence against you. Once they recover, the players agree that exile to the tomb-colonies would be best.
Gain: 84 x Rostygold
An Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle increase
Connected: the Masters of the Bazaar increase

Pull rank

Your exalted rank guarantees the respect of Knife-and-Candle players. Surely you need only to remind them politely of proper comportment.
Requires Knife-and-Candle Rank 13

Reward spoiler

A player of renown

When you meet the two players, they are at sport in a chandler's shop. The big one is swinging a woodaxe heartily at the table the smaller one is hiding beneath it, attempting to light a bomb. Things have plainly gone too far. You cough politely: the axe is lowered and the match blown out. You give them a lecture on sportsmanlike conduct, and they both agree to resign from the game to continue their feud properly. Honour is satisfied, so is Mr Iron.
An Umpire of the Game of Knife-and-Candle increase (3 change points)
Gain: 84 x Rostygold
Connected: the Masters of the Bazaar increase (1 change point)

---

An Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels

Invited to a revel of the Masters

Unlocks: Persuasive 45
You have been invited to a wild revel hosted by Mr Wines, the Master of the Bazaar who deals in drinks and entertainment. It wants a word with you before the wine, honey and absinthe begin to flow in earnest.

Could you assist us in a tiny matter?

Mr Wines wants you to become acquainted with a certain F.F. Gebrandt. Not anything sinister, it assures you.

Reward spoiler

'Entirely splendid. We want you to have this… '

Mr Wines explains that F.F. Gebrandt was once its confidante. Apparently they parted company over some triviality. It would like you to ensure the lady is well, and to encourage her into sharing her chemical accomplishments with the Masters. It assures you that an opportunity to do so will be along shortly. Finally, it presses a rare bottle of wine into your hands and reminds you to keep this out of the public eye.
A twist in your tale! You are now an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels.
Greyfields 1868 First Growth x 1

Enjoy the revel, but stay away from intrigues

There's plenty of dancing, intoxicating substances and company at these things. It's all too interesting to spoil with politics.

Reward spoiler

Hedonist increase
Scandal increase
Gain: 6 x Diamond

Stay at home

A revel of the Masters? Humbug! You have better things to do.

Reward spoiler

Leave them to their revels

Better to stay at home with a good book

Gain 5 x Proscribed Material

The Charming of F. F. Gebrandt

Unlocks: Persuasive 57, an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels 1
F.F. Gebrandt is giving a rare public lecture at the Department of Infernal Rarefactions. Perhaps you should attend and meet her.

Give up on this

Respectable academic ladies should not receive unwanted attention, even if it is on behalf of the Masters.

Reward spoiler

Tinctures and dissolutions

You listen politely through an hour of impenetrably technical scientific discourse, and leave quietly at the end. You pick up one of the discarded demonstration bottles as a souvenir, though.
A twist in your tale! You are no longer an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels.
Gain: 1 x F.F. Gebrandt's Tincture of Vigour

Turn on the charm

Most of these dusty academics would fall under your spell instantly. Mrs. Gebrandt is a hardened businesswoman, so this could be more difficult.
(Persuasive challenge)

Reward spoiler

Nothing you can't handle

F.F. Gebrandt (what does that stand for?) has been charmed before, but she isn't prepared for you. You smile, you quip, you laugh, you always say the right thing. Mrs. Gebrandt is captivated, and she invites you to her laboratory when you have a free afternoon in your diary. You assure her that nothing would please you more.
Persuasive increase
an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels has increased to 2

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Impress her with your knowledge of science

Ask her some pertinent questions about the replicability of her third vitreous rarefaction. Or some such thing.
(Watchful challenge)

Reward spoiler

'Replicability? Yes, that can be a problem… '

F.F. Gebrandt's eyes light up as she considers your question. She spends ten minutes expounding on her answer, while you nod and interject in all the correct places. She invites you to visit her laboratory when you both have a free moment. Dusty academics sneer at you with barely-concealed envy.
Watchful increase
an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels has increased to 2

Failure spoiler (unknown)

F.F. Gebrandt and you

Unlocks: Persuasive 69, an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels 2
You call upon Mrs F.F. Gerbrandt at her acrid-smelling laboratory on the outskirts of the city.

Do the bidding of Mr Wines

Mr Wines, the Master of the Bazaar who deals in drinks and entertainment, has asked after the health and happiness of Mrs Gebrandt. However, it also wants her to share her scientific advances with the Masters.

Reward spoiler

A small matter of business

F.F. Gebrandt assures you that she is happy and healthy: indeed she appears to be in the very peak of rude health. You broach the subject of the Masters with care, and although initially frosty, she comes around to the idea of selling a few minor recipes to Mr. Wines. A week later you discover a case of wine in your lodgings with a note inviting you to future revels.
an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels increase
Connected: The Masters of the Bazaar increase
Gain: 1 x Greyfields 1868 First Growth
Gain: 50 x Greyfields 1882

Seduce her!

She may be a little past her spring years. There are the trifling matters of her academic reputation and, well, her marriage to consider. Still, a little fling couldn't hurt, could it?

Reward spoiler

That tincture of vigour must work!

A few hints and glances lead to ravishment in a moment. The afternoon turns to evening and night in a haze of pleasure and intimacy. You even learn what F.F. stands for. During a pause for recuperation and sandwiches, the remarkable Mrs Gebrandt confides that she has grown tired of the Masters' attention. She is thinking of cutting them a little more of her business for the sake of a quiet life. All are satisfied by this outcome, not least you.
an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels increase
Scandal increase
Gain: 1 x Greyfields 1868 First Growth
Gain: 3 x F.F. Gebrandt's Tincture of Vigour
Connected: the Masters of the Bazaar

Tell her everything

Explain your real intentions, and those of Mr Wines. She may know interesting things.

Reward spoiler

'I am disappointed, but hardly surprised.'

F.F. Gebrandt suspected you were here on behalf of the Masters. She confides that she parted ways with Mr Wines over a lack of proper credit for her contributions. Since that day, the Masters have seldom left her alone. She thanks you and offers some samples in recompense for your kindness. She also offers a secret: anything Mr Wines sells as 'absinthe' is likely no such thing. It is his code for products that are harmful to their drinkers.
an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels eliminated
Gain: 3 x F.F. Gebrandt's Superior Laudanum
Gain: 3 x F.F. Gebrandt's Tincture of Vigour

Mr Wines is hosting another revel

Rather than any particular festival or event, the revel honours indulgence, excess and the pursuit of pleasure.
Unlocks: Persuasive 85, an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels 3

Of course, you are invited. But in what capacity?

For the pleasure of your delicious company

Unlocks: Hedonist 1

Requires 2 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

As hired help

These revels don't organise and supply themselves. The masters are notoriously stingy with their payments, but a cunning merchant might make some money here.

Reward spoiler

Wine, honey, companionship, music…

It's hard to make an honest Echo when the Masters of the Bazaar are involved. That won't stop you trying, though.

An occurrence! Your occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels Quality is now 7!

The end of the revel

The night is no longer young. But it's still vigorous, for all that it's getting on a bit. The lovers have all excused themselves, and Mr Wines has appeared, toasting its guests and sipping from a stone jar. What now?
Unlocks: occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels' 6

Sing for Mr Wines

Poets and actors perform their utmost when Mr Wines shuffles past. You've heard that it likes music, however. Are you in fine voice tonight? [A good performance may increase your Connected: the Masters of the Bazaar quality, but not if it is already 4 or more.]
(Persuasive challenge, straightforward at 105)

Reward spoiler

What's that about?

You take your stance. You draw in a great lungful of air. You raise your arm dramatically. And then you start your song - something light and new and witty. The crowd, expecting an aria, laugh and applaud.

Mr Wines stops to listen. The Special Constables accompanying it look distressed and eye you suspiciously. What? You're only singing. Two choruses later, and Mr Wines appears somewhat befuddled. It's holding on to the mantelpiece hard enough to leave marks. It's swaying slightly, but not in time to the song. You finish to more applause. Mr Wines shambles off: but not before nodding once and raising its stone jar to you.
Persuasive increase
An occurrence! Your occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels Quality is now 10!
Connected: the Masters of the Bazaar increase (1 change point)
Scandal decrease (3 change points)
Suspicion decrease (at least 3 change points)

Go to work

(Shadowy challenge, straightforward at 105)

Reward spoiler

An educational evening

Falcon-eyed servants with revolvers guard the best vintages. The finest jewels are mounted on those d—nable Parisian safety chains. You're not even the only thief working the revel. What is the world coming to? You give up and start to enjoy yourself.
But! There's another sort of loot on display here. Wine, honey and compelling company have conspired to lower inhibitions and loosen tongues. You exchange nods with your compatriots in crime and set to listening in earnest. Well well. You may have to trade your sack for a notebook. The evening ends profitably.
Shadowy increase
1 x Incendiary Gossip
1 x Inkling of Identity
1 x Secluded Address
3 x Hastily Scrawled Warning Note
100 x Cryptic Clue
An occurrence! Your occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels Quality is now 10!

Share a honey dream with the Implacable Detective

Who'd have thought such a personage would have a taste for unusual substances secreted by bees? If you've a pot handy, you could join her. She's sure to have interesting dreams.
unlocked with 400 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Reward spoiler

Providing for the revels

Mr Wines' revels require heroic quantities of wine, honey, spirits, sweetmeats, digestive tonics, chutney…
Unlocks: an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels 7

Supply the revel with the necessaries

Being the provider of supplies for Mr Wines' revels is a minor honour. But it's notoriously slow about paying up. And come to think of it, why doesn't it use its own stock?
Unlocks: 400 x Greyfields 1882, 400 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Reward spoiler

Daylight robbery or fair exchange for future favours?

The cart clatters off down the cobbled street, piled high with your delights. You don't even get a receipt for your troubles. Is this how it is? Being robbed just for trying to gain the good grace of a Master of the Bazaar? A tradesman's lot is not a happy one. You can see how these revolutionaries got started.
Your occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels Quality is now 8!
Lose: 400 x Greyfields 1882
Lose: 400 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Entertainers for the revels

The revels of Mr Wines will be overflowing with wine and honey. Your wine and honey….
Unlocks: Occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels 8
But that's not all. Now you have to arrange the entertainment - musicians, poets and suchlike.

A direct approach

They all want to perform at the revel, but that doesn't mean that this is going to be easy. The Lyrical Poetess won't perform with the Sly Librettist. The Rakish Comedian and the Soulful Acrobat are lovers and daren't be seen together. Hmm. Probably best to just find out their secrets and blackmail the lot of them.
unlocked with Whispered Secret 1000

Reward spoiler

A fair bit of business

You inform the Lyrical Poetess that you know about her grandmother and the tattoo. The Sly Librettist chokes on his coffee when you mention the thing he left in the marshes. You let the lovers know where they can see the zoetrope depicting their last tryst. It all falls into place without incident. The thespians, poets and such will all be at the revel and on their best behaviour.
You just hope Mr Wines appreciates all this effort. Secrets don't grow on trees. Or do they? Secret trees would be wonderful, wouldn't they? Ahem. You have a revel to get to.

An occurrence! Your occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels Quality is now 9!
Lose: 1000 x Whispered Secret

Payment from Mr Wines

Mr Wines owes you for the wine, honey and secrets you supplied to its revels.
Unlocks: Occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels 9

Extracting the payment

If there were dawn down here, it would have broken hours ago. Honey-dreamers are returning. Drunks are removed from the fountains. And there's Mr Wines! Now's your chance to get paid.
(Persuasive challenge, straightforward at 105)

Reward spoiler

Accepting alternative methods of payment

Is Mr Wines unwell? It shambles away from a knot of fiddle-players rather unsteadily. It leans on two Special Constables for support. 'There you are! The doughty supplier of Bacchus' delights! Come, no doubt, to settle the night's account. Well, we appear to have left our wallet in our other cloak.' The Special Constables chuckle. You attempt to raise a smile.
'But no matter! You shall be more than repaid by salvaging the detritus of the evening. Help yourself to anything left by lovers and drunks. Here's to you, bold merchant of pleasure!' It shuffles off towards a carriage surrounded by neddy men.
The cheapskate! It could buy and sell you a hundred times over, but can't be bothered to pay the bill! But wait. There's some good stuff lying around. Forgotten jewellery. Discarded attire. And napkins with some intriguing things written on them. Perhaps this wasn't such a loss.
persuasive increase
An occurrence! Your occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels Quality is now 10!
increase in connected: the Masters of the Bazaar, unless your connection is too high, the case at 1!
Gain: 200 x Silk Scrap
Gain: 1 x Diamond
Gain: 1 x Sapphire
Gain: 3 x Incendiary Gossip

Invited to another revel of the Masters

Rather than any particular festival or event, the revel honours indulgence, excess and the pursuit of pleasure. Of course, you are invited. But in what capacity?
Unlocks: Persuasive 85, an Occasional Guest at Mr Wines' Revels 10

For the pleasure of your delicious company

Unlocks: Hedonist 1

Requires 2 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

As hired help

These revels don't organise and supply themselves. The masters are notoriously stingy with their payments, but a cunning merchant might make some money here.
Note: this option is provided to repeat the last few steps of this plot, so that you may increase your Connected: The Masters from 0 to 1. There is very little to be gained (indeed, more resources to be lost) if your Connected: The Masters is at 1 or higher.

Reward spoiler

Wine, honey, companionship, music…

It's hard to make an honest Echo when the Masters of the Bazaar are involved. That won't stop you trying, though.

An occurrence! Your occasionally seen at Mr Wines' Revels Quality is now 7!

---

Associating with Radical Academics

A gathering of scholars

Unlocks: Watchful 69
Academic and scientific knowledge diffuses mostly through learned journals and monographs; but irregular meetings of scholars also play a part.

Attend an assembly of academics

It passes the time. One might even learn something. (Watchful test)

Reward spoiler

An intriguing beginning

An endless lecture on some of the more distressing habits of toads. A baroque theory of how social harmony may be engendered by remodelling roads into calming shapes. Some nonsense about passing through mirrors. A few half-joking mentions of an academic secret society that studies the lands across the Unterzee. Now you think of it, that confirms some of your suspicions. Perhaps these people are worth looking into. After all, who can you think of that is better-suited to exploring far lands than yourself?
A twist in your tale! You are now associating with Radical Academics
Watchful increase

Failure spoiler

Not academia's finest hour.

An interminable lecture on some of the more unpalatable habits of snails. An elaborate theory on engendering social harmony by reorganising all tea-shops. Some nonsense about passing through mirrors. Do any of these people do anything useful?
Watchful increase
Nightmares increase

Unusual Academics

Unlocks: Persuasive 81, Associating with Radical Academics 1
You have heard of a secret society that overlaps somewhat with academia. It sometimes sponsors expeditions across the Unterzee.

Finding their works

The society themselves are very secretive. They have been known to discreetly publish, however. Perhaps you can find some of their works.

Reward spoiler

The Dilmun Club

Your feet are sore from roaming between libraries and private collections, but you have something. The monograph is rather wry. It may be contaminated with jokes. However, you do pick up some interesting points.
The society in question is the Dilmun Club. They are concerned with some sort of… location? principle? person? Their theories diverge, but it's definitely something down here that has to do with the rarity of death. The monograph contains several veiled references to exhibits in a museum. Could that be the Museum of Mistakes? Is that where you should be looking?
Watchful increase
Gain: 46 x Cryptic Clue
associating with Radical Academics has increased to 2!

failure

Tomes dusty and irrelevant

It's difficult to be sure of what you're looking for. The society is involved with exploration and, at least to an extent, spiritual matters. Beyond that you're not sure. You spend a frustrating few days going between bookshops, libraries and those private collections to which you have access. All you have to show for it are sore feet and a sense of having just missed something.
Watchful increase
Nightmares increase

The Museum of Mistakes

Unlocks: Watchful 93, Associating with Radical Academics 2
Everyone has heard of the Museum of Mistakes. Hardly anyone has been inside it.

Find a way in

Security at the museum is ridiculously strict. One might be best served by using academic credentials and contacts.

Reward spoiler

The Museum

You write earnest letters. You bribe, blackmail or buy University contacts. You present largely genuine credentials. You propose ever more abstruse researches.
After weeks of effort, you are allowed one half-hour in the Museum. It's barely enough to walk around the place, but it is all you have. You are allowed neither notebook nor camera.
The exhibits are fascinating. It is hard to believe even half are genuine. A tray of thirty First City coins. A stuffed two-headed bat almost the size of a man. A scrap of black sail-cloth labelled 'Achaean, c 1200BC'. Two locks of hair, one dark and the other amber-coloured. The centrepiece of the Museum is a single half-eaten fig. It is unlabelled.
Watchful increase
Gain: 100 x Cryptic Clues
Associating with Radical Academics has increased to 3!

---

A Nocturnal Visitor to the Palace Cellars

The wine cellars of the Palace

Unlocks: Shadowy 69, Route: The Shuttered Palace
The cellars under the Shuttered Palace are constantly guarded and protected by five doors with five locks. There must be something interesting down there.

Go for a look

Whatever is down there, there is at least a passing chance that it combines the virtues of value and portability.

Reward spoiler

Wine and… what?

The five locks that guard the cellars have a fearsome reputation. You're good, but not quite that good. Fortunately you manage to slip in behind a senior butler who has the keys. You find yourself deep under the palace.
The cellars are cramped and dusty. And oddly, you only counted four doors, and four locks, being opened. In any case, you find a larger room lit by the guttering stubs of candles. Some kind of revel took place here, judging from the detritus scattered about. There is honey left over, and what's this? A rare old bottle of wine. You are admiring it when you hear an alarming racket from somewhere else in the cellars. It sounds like a herd of rhinos breaking through a wall. You leave quickly.
Shadowy increase
A twist in your tale! You are now a nocturnal visitor to the Palace Cellars.
Gain: 10 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
Gain: 1 x Greyfields 1868 First Growth

Return to the Palace cellars

Unlocks with Shadowy 81, a nocturnal visitor to the Palace cellars 1
The cellars below the Palace warrant your larcenous attentions once more.

Into the depths

You never did see what was behind the fifth lock. Once more, you slip in behind the senior butler as he unlocks the first four, one by one, with care, solemnity…and nervousness? Are the keys shaking in his hand?

Reward spoiler

A creature in darkness

It takes you hours to find the fifth lock. The deeper you get into the Palace Cellars the more convinced you become that the tunnels were designed to maze and bewilder. Candle-shadows flicker on the walls. Some of this stonework is old, old, old. Here is a glyph daubed in dried and ancient blood. There is a faded fresco of a bird-headed man carrying a lamp. Your last candle is a stump by the time you find the final door: rat-tempered steel, unmistakably.
The lock is far beyond your abilities. Lock? It's more like some sort of deranged clockwork sculpture. You press your ear to the door and listen.
There's someone on the other side! Someone that breathes deeply and slowly. The door shudders. There is a deep slow scraping juddering sound, like the grinding of tremendous teeth. And a hoarse voice, full of pain and unused to speech.
'Bring… bring me a mirror.'
You back away from the door, very slowly. Time to leave.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 46 x Cryptic secret
A nocturnal visitor to the Palace cellars increase

The cellars and the mirror

You have been asked for a mirror by one of those someones that may well qualify as somethings: whatever it is, it lairs behind a locked door in the depths of the Shuttered Palace cellars.
Unlocks with Shadowy 93, a nocturnal visitor to the Palace cellars 2

Have nothing more to do with this

You could take a mirror down into the unmapped depths of the Empress' palace, to deliver a mirror to something locked behind a door more impressive than in most banks. Yes, you could do that. Or not.

Reward spoiler

Result: nightmares increase
you have lost a quality! a nocturnal visitor to the Palace cellars

Oblige whatever it was

You think it was a 'him'. It was dark, but one might guess he didn't want a mirror out of vanity.

Reward spoiler

An alarming turn of events

You return to the fifth lock, although you couldn't retrace the steps you took last time. It's almost as if the place reorganises itself between visits. No, you're being ridiculous.
Here's the door again. You press your ear against it. You hear the breathing again, the grinding of teeth. The breathing sounds urgent. The voice, again: 'Mirr-or!'
You slide the mirror under the door, and wait.
There is a flare of amber light that somehow illuminates everything around you, as if the door, the walls, were made of thick, translucent glass. You glimpse a hunched, gigantic shape on the far side of the door - human, but something about the shape of the head -
The light fades. There is a puff of warm air and the scent of rotting vegetation washes over you for a moment. Then the cellar is dark. There is no sound from the other side of the door: not even when you cautiously knock. You creep nervously back to the surface. What have you done?
a Nocturnal Visitor to the Palace cellars increase
Gain: 4 x Appalling Secret
Gain: 1 x Memory of Light
Nightmares increase
Steadfast increase

Back to the Palace cellars

Remember the last time you ventured down there, where five locks and five doors guard…
Unlocks with Watchful 105, a nocturnal visitor to the Palace cellars 3
… something or someone? Be sure to take enough candles. You know how quickly they burn down, here.
This is an ordinary opportunity card, not bronze bordered.

Return with a gift

On previous visits, you've noticed that someone down here has a taste for honey.
(Watchful challenge, straightforward at 115)
unlocked with Drop of Prisoner's Honey 100

Reward spoiler

A good reception

It takes an even longer and more circuitous trip to find the fifth door on this visit. You leave your gift of honey in the antechamber and retreat behind the fourth door. Soon, there's a creaking ans a rustling, followed by a thunderous crash. Something scurries sharply away, and by the time you've got the door open, there's no one there. The honey's gone, though, and the room has that air of very recent presence about it. Not to mention a strong smell of must and mould.
Watchful increase
a Nocturnal Visitor to the Palace cellars increase (1 change point) OR a nocturnal visitor to the Palace Cellars hasn't changed, because it's higher than 4
Lose 100 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
Gain 1 x Appalling Secret
Gain 125 x Cryptic Clue
Gain 1 x Tale of Terror!!

Failure spoiler

Unacknowledged

You leave your gift of honey in the antechamber before the fifth door. It is silent as the grave down here. when you return, the honey is gone, but there is no other trace of habitation.
Watchful increase
Lose 100 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
Lose: 100 x Foxfire Candle Stub

Return with a mirror

Last time you brought a mirror down here, at least something happened. Maybe you can make it happen again.
unlocked with 250 x Foxfire Candle Stub
(Watchful challenge, straightforward at 125)

Reward spoiler

Shattering

You hide in the butler's shadow to navigate the labyrinthine cellars as far as the fourth door. When he's retreated back upstairs, you sneak through and find the fifth door. It's not where you left it, but you get there in the end without running out of candles.

You knock on the door. There wasn't any sound before, that you noticed, but now there's a new stillness, as if the silence was interrupted by a different kind. You announce that you have a mirror here that you will swap for a glimpse of the creature behind the door. Quick as a flash, the door opens, and a grotesquely misshapen hand snatches the mirror from you. The door slams and the lock clicks. From the other side comes a low, muffled voice. 'Mo-ther?' it says. 'Mo-therrrr?'

Watchful increase
a Nocturnal Visitor to the Palace cellars increase (1cp) OR a nocturnal visitor to the Palace Cellars hasn't changed, because it's higher than 4
Lose: 250 x Foxfire Candle Stub
Gain: 31 x Inkling of Identity
Gain: 4 x Appalling Secret

Failure spoiler

Not where you left it

You follow an unsuspecting serving-maid down through the familiar first four doors of the cellars. But you must have made a sound or cast a stray shadow, because the maid turns and rushes back out. It's all you can do to keep up with her and not get lost in the black.
Watchful increase
Lose: 250 x Foxfire Candle Stub

Return with a locksmith

A really expert locksmith.
unlocked with 1 x Working Rat, 500 x Foxfire Candle Stub
(Watchful challenge, straightforward at 135)

Reward spoiler

Determination

You find your way to the fourth door in the maze-like cellar by the usual method of following a servant's guiding candlelight. But finding the way to the fifth is as difficult as all the first four combined, and it's a rather impatient Rattus Faber that emerges from your pocket when you get there. But you remembered to bring snacks, and soon enough he's happy to get to work on the lock. His commentary is far more detailed than anyone could need, and it's a long time before he gets the lock open. But finally it swings back with a tortured shriek. You hold your candle up. There is nothing in the room. Nothing living. But a sort of sack is flopping emptily on the floor by the door. It's shiny and puce. Maroon veins snake across the surface, and a caul of slimy white fat sits round it like a net. Protruberances reach towards the door like arms. But it's just an empty sack. You won't be able to stand this smell for long.
Watchful increase
a Nocturnal Visitor to the Palace cellars increase (1 change point) OR a nocturnal visitor to the Palace Cellars hasn't changed, because it's higher than 4
Lose 200 x Foxfire Candle Stub
Gain: 100 x Cryptic Clue
Gain: 8 x Appalling Secret

Failure spoiler

'There's reasonable, and then there's this, guv'nor.'

You and your Rattus Faber locksmith follow the butler's candle as far as you can, then make your way through the tortuous corridors to the fifth door. Your rat prods at the lock with a pick and sucks his teeth and shakes his head pityingly. 'Even if I could, guv, which I can't,' he says, 'it'd cost yer more than my weight in gold to get this off, an' that's before we're talkin' the parts to put it back together.'
Lose 200 x Foxfire Candle Stub

---

Plotting Against the Masters

A commission from anarchists

Unlocks: Shadowy 45
A group of revolutionaries has heard of your reputation for stealth and cunning. They wish to obtain your services for a special commission.

For the cause!

The corrupt Masters of the Bazaar have held the government of London captive for too long. You will do this, for no other reason than it needs to be done.

Reward spoiler

'We shall be in touch… '

The revolutionaries are delighted that you have decided to join them. They inform you of suitable hideaways. You are to wait for further instructions.
Connected: Revolutionaries increase (15-20 change points)
Gain: 10 x Cryptic Clue
You are now Plotting against the Masters

For the money!

You are no believer in anarchists' causes. However, they do pay decently and the work is challenging. This is a job of work, nothing more.

Reward spoiler

'We'll be in touch…'

You accept the anarchists' offer, and they return to their windswept hideaways in the Flit. The job will take a little while to prepare. You will be contacted when the time is right. They leave you some revolutionary literature in the hope that you'll see the rectitude of their cause.
Connected: Revolutionaries increases
Gain: 10 x Proscribed Material
You are now Plotting against the Masters

Refuse them

Betray the Masters of the Bazaar? That would hardly be wise. You will pass this particular job by, no matter how disappointed the anarchists may be.

Reward spoiler

'It's like that, is it?…'

The job is something to do with a silk warehouse and arson. You refuse it. The anarchists slink away, disappointed, back to the bat-haunted heights of the Flit. Whose side are you really on? It probably doesn't matter: your reputation will protect you from any reprisals.
Connected: Revolutionaries decrease
Gain: 10 x Cryptic Clue

Inform the Constables

You never liked anarchists. There's probably a reward in it for you, and it might well help with legal matters in general.

Reward spoiler

'Nick the lot of 'em… '

You betray the anarchist cell, and the Constables fall over themselves to arrest them. The entire gang is sent to the gallows, spitting slogans and cursing your name to the last. A few days later a crate arrives containing their clothes.
Lose: a quality: Connected: Revolutionaries
Connected: The Constables increase
Gain: 20 x Ragged Clothing

A commission from anarchists

Unlocks: Shadowy 55, Plotting Against the Masters 1
The anarchists you agreed to work for have been in touch. The job: sneak into a silk warehouse belonging to Mr. Veils, the Master of the Bazaar who deals in textiles, and burn it down.

Down to business

Your target is a bustling silk warehouse near the Spite markets. It will be ashes by morning.

Reward spoiler

Silk is prettiest when it burns

There are few in the Neath who cannot see your bright work tonight. Fountains and streamers of fire shoot up towards the cavern roof. A crowd gathers. Was that a scream? It probably isn't your doing. The anarchists send payment as planned.
Gain: 15 x Proscribed Text
Connected: Revolutionaries increase
Plotting Against the Masters increase

I have changed my mind

Refuse the job. Arson in the name of anarchy is not my way. There may be people in there!

Reward spoiler

'A curse upon you! '

It seems that your name will be accursed among the seekers of blissful anarchy for seven generations. Who would think that revolutionaries could be so biblical?
Connected: Revolutionaries decrease
Plotting Against the Masters decrease

They're coming for you!

Unlocks: Shadowy 69, Plotting Against the Masters 2
You burned a silk warehouse down for an anarchist cell. They must have been infiltrated! The coppers are coming!

Run! Hide! To the Flit!

Those hideaways that the anarchists told you about will be compromised by now, but you can find sanctuary in the spires and walkways of the Flit.
(requires Route: The Flit 1)
WARNING: Failure in this storylet will increase Plotting Against the Masters to 3 anyway, and increase Suspicion to 5!

Reward spoiler

A Maze In The Sky

They come for you: oh, how they come for you. A distressingly sizeable pack of men in blue invades the skyways of the Flit, against all historical precedent. You hide among bat coops and dart between rope walkways for days. They only give up after losing a dozen men to long falls and unfriendly natives, but give up they do and you are safe again. The inhabitants of the Flit are impressed by your slipperiness.
Shadowy increase
Plotting against the Masters increase
Connected: Criminals increase
Connected: Revolutionaries increase
Connected: Urchins increase
Suspicion increase (1 change point)

It's a fair collar, and no mistake, but society is to blame

You could throw yourself on the mercy of the Masters' courts. You've got a good lawyer.

Reward spoiler

A very great trial

You are hauled before a hawk-faced judge who seems to hate you before the trial begins. Even if your lawyer can prevent your imprisonment, you may need to curtail your activities for a while. The eyes of the Masters are upon you.
Suspicion increase significant
Plotting Against the Masters increase

---

A Zailor in the Making

Zailing

Unlocks: Dangerous 69
There may come a time when even London is too small for your ambitions. What do they say about the Unterzee?

Sign on to a glim-steamer

A life on the low seas is for you. Well, a few weeks on the low seas at least.

Reward spoiler

Belay that, lubber!

It's an inglorious start to your career as a zailor, but a necessary one. You learn about the steam engines, the glim-nets and all that strange terminology that the zailors like zo much. So much.
The work is hard and cold and often wet. The Unterzee is brutally dangerous, for all it lacks the savage storms of the surface. There are things down there. Huge, hungry things that could swallow a glim-steamer. Nothing particularly untoward happens, but it is a tense voyage, and everyone is relieved when the glim-holds are full and the steamer turns back to shore.
Dangerous increase
Gain: 84 x Glim
A twist in your tale! You are now a Zailor in the making.

A trip around the Southern Archipelago

Unlocks: Dangerous 81
Hands are signing on for a trip around the notoriously dangerous waters of the Southern Archipelago.

Sign on for the voyage

Drudgewick, Shrub, Mutton Island. Once part of the surface city: now these specks in the Unterzee make zailors curse and cross themselves.

Reward spoiler

Madmen and Mutton Island

Not two hours into the voyage, your steamer is ambushed by the Israelite, the dread vessel of the grandiosely named 'Circumcellion Brotherhood'. Club-wielding maniacs swarm aboard, shouting religious slogans and seeking both plunder and martyrdom. It is a curious experience stabbing people who are genuinely pleased to be stabbed.

The rest of the journey is uneventful. Cargo is offloaded on a Mutton Island jetty and taken on at Marlowe Bog. The pay isn't much, but you are starting to become respected as a zailor.
A Zailor in the Making increase
Gain: 20 x Glim

Failure spoiler

Lunatics off the port bow

Barely two hours into the voyage, your steamer is attacked by the Israelite, the dread vessel of the grandiosely named 'Circumcellion Brotherhood'. Club-wielding maniacs swarm aboard, shouting religious slogans and seeking both plunder and martyrdom. The fight goes badly for your crew, and you end up hurled overboard. You float ashore not far from Winewound Heath.
Dangerous increase
Wounds increase

Gather round me bully boys…

Unlocks: Dangerous 93
Zailors are exchanging tales of far lands in the taproom of the Blind Helmsman.

Pull up a stool and a tankard

The zailors don't like talking about the lands across the Unterzee in front of strangers. But surely you've earned your place among them?

Reward spoiler

Far lands and tall tales

The zailors make room for you around the fire, and yarn about the dark places over the water. Some of the yarns may even be true.

London has a seldom-discussed colony somewhere across the Unterzee on the Carnelian Coast. The Elder Country is lush, dark and mysterious. It contains the Presbyterate, where men live forever. Wilder stories come out when the zailors are deep in their cups. Clay Men come from Polythreme, where even the walls are alive. Hell sponsors the Iron Republic, the city of anarchists where the laws of nature are overturned as readily as the laws of men. The evening finishes with a fist-fight over the nature of 'the Pillars': a formation in a desert, an abandoned city of glass or a village of savage women.
Gain: 100 x Cryptic Clue
A Zailor in the Making increase

---

On the Trail of the Cheesemonger

An evening of drink and intrigue

The tavern isn't far from Clathermont's tattoo parlour. It's expensive for Ladybones Road, but one does hear interesting things sometimes.
Unlocked with Persuasive 24, Connected: The Great Game 3

That group nursing a bottle near the fireplace…

They are couriers involved with the Great Game. Perhaps they'll accept a few drinks.
Unlocked: 12 x Greyfields 1879
(Persuasive challenge, modest at 32)

Reward spoiler

Wine and cheese

Cats are becoming a problem again in the streets near the Shuttered Palace. Two of the walkways in the Flit have crashed down to earth. The trouble at the docks is causing delays. One of the couriers spins a tale of being chased through the Flit by a pair of Unfinished brutes - Clay men gone bad. Another jokes that he shouldn't have accepted work from the Cheesemonger.

The table goes silent, and warning glances are pointed at the overly chatty courier. He makes his excuses and leaves, but that leaves the question: just who is the Cheesemonger?
Persuasive increase
Lose: 12 x Greyfields 1879
on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increase

A day at the library

It's one of the university's more accessible libraries. Nothing too radical here, but a pleasant way to pass a day.
Unlocks: Watchful 24, Connected: the Great Game 3

A bookmark

This book on cryptology is well thumbed. One might even think that the local spies have been doing their homework. What's this? A loose paper has fallen out of the book.
(Watchful challenge, modest at 32)

Reward spoiler

The Cheesemonger and "F"

"In the absence of the local agents, approach the Cheesemonger. She has proved reliable in the past."
The note is signed "F". Who is "F"? And just who is this Cheesemonger?
Watchful increase
*on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increase

Thief!

Unlocks: Dangerous 24, Connected: the Great Game 3
You are struggling through the dense crowds outside a popular theatre when you feel a larcenous hand upon your person. Your pocket has been picked!

After him!

The thief is a skinny young wretch. Too old to be in the urchin gangs, but he'll still have an easier time than you moving through the thick crowd.

Reward spoiler

The Cheesemonger

The thief darts between the theatre-goers. You are obliged to plough through them. You crash into a respectable physician and toss a noted campaigner for universal suffrage into a hedge. The thief chances a look back at you. Something in your face makes him drops your purse. He backs away, holding up his hands:

"Keep yer money! I didn't want to nick from the likes of yer! The Cheesemonger put me up to it!"

Did you hear that right? The Cheesemonger? The pickpocket makes his escape as you reach down for your purse. Now that you think of it, he is rather well-dressed for a common thief. Just what is going on here?
Dangerous increase
On the trail of the Cheesemonger increase

Failure spoiler

A little exercise

The thief darts between the theatre-goers. You are obliged to plough through them. You crash into a respectable physician and toss a noted campaigner for universal suffrage into a hedge. The thief chances a look back at you. Seeing your face, the fellow drops your purse and redoubles his efforts. He soon outdistances you, but you have your property back.
Dangerous increase

A little eavesdropping

Passing near the embassies at Hastings Place, you see two elegant strollers in hushed conversation.
Unlocked with Shadowy 24, Connected: The Great Game 3

Follow them

The air is still and the streets quiet. Perfect conditions for eavesdropping.
Shadowy challenge

Reward spoiler

A useful conversation

"..although the courier had been chased off by certain Unfinished gentlemen, if you catch my meaning. In any case, the whole business was a disaster. The Dutch were implicated. Most of their agents have left. Their operative has even started to turn to the Cheesemonger for talent…"

The Cheesemonger, eh? Perhaps that's worth looking into.

Shadowy increase
on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increase 1 change point

Failure spoiler

Not even a scandal

"..and of course dearest mother wouldn't hear of such a thing. It's not as if Uncle Rodney ever used to play the piano. Aunt Gertrude has always expected she'd receive the instrument, although I have no idea where she intends to keep it…"

Shadowy increase

Who Knows the Cheesemonger?

Perhaps the intelligence officers, ne'er-do-wells and diplomats who play the Great Game can tell you more.
Unlocks: On the Trail of the Cheesemonger 2

Ask about the Cheesemonger

A few of these people owe you favours, don't they? You could hang around the Weeping Harold statue at Hastings Place and see who walks past.
Unlocks: Connected: the Great Game 3, a challenge for your Connected: the Great Game quality. (Almost impossible at 3)

Reward spoiler

Looking for work?

'Why? A person of your… circumstances couldn't possibly afford her services. Oh, are you looking for work? That might happen, I suppose. Although I don't know if she's hiring… Now, if you'll excuse me, I think that's the Ambassador…'

Connected: the Great Game drops
on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increases
Cryptic Clue x 5

Failure spoiler

A lack of virtue

Ungrateful, is what these people are. Oh, they're all smiles and vague promises when they want a courier knoblollied or a vicarage ransacked. But ask something of them? Then they're all 'I don't recall the incident in question' and 'perhaps next week'. It's an outrage.

Connected: The Great Game decrease

What do the urchins know?

Those rosy-cheeked ragamuffins hear things. Perhaps they know about the Cheesemonger.
Unlocks: On the Trail of the Cheesemonger 2

Perhaps dinner will do the trick

Urchins are always hungry. Matters might go better if you bring something for the pot.
Unlocks: Connected: Urchins 1, 50 x Rat on a String
(Connected: Urchins challenge; chancy at 1)

Reward spoiler

Rats and cheese

The children eye the furry corpses hungrily. They tell you what they know. The Cheesemonger deals with them through intermediaries. She sometimes hires them when she wants an area monitored. They don't know where she lives, but she often has work for burglars and muscle. You leave the children to their rat supper.
Connected: Urchins decrease
on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increase
Lose: 50 x Rat on a String
Gain: 4 x Cryptic Clue

The Cheesemonger?

The Cheesemonger seems to be connected with the Great Game.
Unlocks: On the Trail of the Cheesemonger 2

Spies and couriers

Perhaps your contacts at the sharp end of the Great Game can tell you more. You may have to do them some favours.
Unlocked with Connected: The Great Game 3
(Connected: The Great Game 3 challenge; modest at 8)

Reward spoiler

On the trail

"…not the best, but yes, these will do I suppose. Now, what was it you wanted? Oh yes. The Cheesemonger. Well, I've not met her, but I understand she's a neutral party in the Game. Can get things done, though. Knows a lot of disposable… assets. Now get going. The back way."
Connected: The Great Game decrease
on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increase
Gain: 5 x Cryptic Clue

Out of a job

A spy of your acquaintance has been discovered. He'll need to run for the surface.
Unlocks: on the Trail of the Cheesemonger 3, Jade Fragment x 200

Cutting a deal

If you can provide a travelling purse, you might learn some interesting things.

Reward spoiler

A quick chat before leaving

'They're coming for me tonight. The jade gives me a fighting chance, at least. I won't forget this. If you're looking for work in the Game, you should speak to the Cheesemonger. If you're skilled, she'll have use for you. The pay is good, but… well, you know this is a risky business. She moves her shop about, but look for the sign of the looped cheese wire.'
Lose: 200 x Jade Fragment
on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increase
Connected: the Great Game increase

The spy with the hat

Her. The one with the perplexing hat. You've seen her about in places she should not be.
Unlocks: On the Trail of the Cheesemonger 3

Strolling at a discreet distance

She's involved with the Great Game. Perhaps she works for the Cheesemonger. Following spies is never easy, but this could be worth it.

Reward spoiler

The cheese wire

Trailing the woman is amusingly easy. One could not lose track of that hat if one tried. The woman heads to a street where the affluent send their servants to shop. An elegant shopfront bears a hastily lettered CLOSED sign. The woman curses daintily, and starts up a conversation with another dainty curser. You listen from a safe distance.

It seems that the Cheesemonger was here until recently. She is known for moving her shop around. The two spies are resigned to looking around the city for her sign - the looped cheese wire.
on the Trail of the Cheesemonger increases

The sign of the looped wire

Cheese is quite the luxury these days. Especially surface cheese, but even the horse-cheese and slug-curds of the deep earth. And here - the sign of the looped cheese wire. The Cheesemonger!
Unlocks: on the Trail of the Cheesemonger 4

A well-known piece in the Game

Might she recognise you? Does your reputation in the Game leave no need for a show of skill?
Unlocks: Connected: The Great Game 12

Reward spoiler

An arrangement with the Cheesemonger

'I know who you are. I thought you might turn up here sooner or later. My guess is that you're looking for work. Perhaps we can be of use to each other.'
'Yes, I think you will do nicely. I offer spy work. All sorts of jobs. Surveillance, codebreaking, seduction, murder. If that's too much for you, leave now. I work for the highest bidder, and I don't ask questions. And neither do you. If you don't like that, leave now. Still here? Good. I see a fine future for both of us. Here's your signing bonus.'
Gain: Jade Fragment x 100
A twist in your tale! You are now no longer on the Trail of the Cheesemonger
A twist in your tale! You are now an agent of the Cheesemonger.
Connected: Great Game increase

Just who are you?

The Cheesemonger claims no knowledge of the Great Game. Perhaps you can convince her of your skills and her need for you.

Reward spoiler

(Shadowy challenge; modest at 41)

Working for the Cheesemonger

You recount your less legal exploits. The Cheesemonger nods, as if recognising some of the events. She is a difficult woman to read, though. after a long while in thought, she speaks:

'Yes, I think you will do nicely. I offer spy work. All sorts of jobs. Surveillance, codebreaking, seduction, murder. If that's too much for you, leave now. I work for the highest bidder, and I don't ask questions. And neither do you. If you don't like that, leave now. Still here? Good. I see a fine future for both of us. Here's your signing bonus.'
Shadowy increase
Gain: Jade Fragment x 100
A twist in your tale! You are now no longer on the Trail of the Cheesemonger
A twist in your tale! You are now an agent of the Cheesemonger.
Connected: Great Game increase

---

An Agent of the Cheesemonger

Acting as an Agent of the The Cheesemonger can be found on its own page.

---

Cultivating an acquaintance with His Amused Lordship

His Amused Lordship

Unlocks: Persuasive 69, Route: the Shuttered Palace, Connected: Society 5
While attending a rather vulgar music-hall show, you bump into His Amused Lordship. He is here incognito, but his expensive hat and booming laugh give him away.

Make an impression on His Lordship

A man worth knowing. He has influence at the Shuttered Palace.

Reward spoiler

Odd but useful

His Lordship is enjoying the show. He roars with laughter at a 'toff' comedian who manages a creditable impression of His Lordship himself. The female impersonators reduce him to tears of delight. And you employ your finest quips and wittiest allusions. You say something faintly uncomplimentary about the magic act and His Lordship turns to you, suddenly serious.

'Perhaps there's more to you than ambition and fashion. Speak to my secretary. You should call upon me at the palace when I have a free afternoon.'
With that, he leaves. Well, things are certainly looking up.
You are now cultivating an acquaintance with His Amused Lordship

A meeting with His Amused Lordship

His Amused Lordship's secretary has left you a message. His Lordship has a free afternoon and wishes you to call upon him at the Palace.

Go to the Palace

Hopefully you can cultivate an acquaintance of some sort with His Lordship. Apart from his tastes in low humour, you know little of the man, however…

Reward spoiler

By his books shall ye know him

You are shown into a book-strewn study in a half-abandoned wing of the palace. Unlike the rest of the building, His Lordship's rooms contain no mirrors at all. You accept a glass of outrageously rare Madeira and make conversation with your host.

You speak of this and that: a little politics, a little philosophy, a little religion. For a man with a somewhat dissolute reputation, his Lordship is rather erudite. Apparently he patronises the occasional scientific expedition. Now that you look, his desk is covered in works by radical thinkers. You see the writings of spiritualists, unorthodox theologians and students of the Correspondence. What is he studying?
Increase in cultivating an acquaintance with His Amused Lordship

A meeting of minds

Unlocks: cultivating an acquaintance with His Amused Lordship 2, Persuasive 93
An impromptu meeting of free thinkers and radicals is happening in Veilgarden tonight. Perhaps His Amused Lordship will be there.

Gatecrash the party

Perhaps you can bluff your way in.

Reward spoiler

An intriguing offer

His Amused Lordship nods at you as you enter the private room above the coffee shop. You recognises faces of note: Feducci the duellist is here, and a certain Implacable Detective. The Detective is reading from a note-book: she describes the unnatural longevity and vitality of people from a land across the Unterzee. She almost mentions the name of the place, but is silenced by a sharp cough from Feducci. His Amused Lordship comes over when she has finished speaking.

'What do you reckon, eh? I suspect her basic theories are unsound, but one can't fault the thoroughness of her research. We've got to find out more about these places. I'm thinking of sponsoring an expedition out there in a few months. Might you be interested?'
Persuasive increase
Gain: 100 x Cryptic Clue
cultivating an acquaintance with His Amused Lordship has increased to 3!

---

Commissioned to Enact Love's Revenge story

The revenge on the faithless rake can be found on its own page.

---

In Search of a Stiff Drink

A particular thirst

Unlocks: Shadowy 25
The offerings at the Singing Mandrake are beginning to bore you. After everything that's happened recently, you need something special.

Inquire at the Singing Mandrake

The patrons take drinking seriously. Listen in on their discussion.

Reward spoiler

'What drink must you have before you die?'

One suggestion is interesting: an apricot brandy smuggled in from the Orient. Even the Duchess holds it in high regard. An bleary-eyed Bohemian interrupts. 'It's not from the Orient. It's from the Elder Continent. And it's the Widow's business.' The topic changes quickly.
Intriguing. You take some bottles of the usual home to help you think.
Watchful increase
Gain: 25 x Greyfields 1879.
A twist in your tale! You are now in search of a Stiff Drink.

Attend the Ambassador's soiree

Unlocks: Connected: Society 7
Let's find out what the fortunate are drinking.

Reward spoiler

The party buzzes with gossip

Most of it is titillating, but pedestrian. However, you hear the Duchess will pay for information on an apricot brandy the Gracious Widow is smuggling from the Orient. You ask around. Two things are clear: the brandy is from the Elder Continent, and the Widow should be feared. The question remains: why is the Duchess interested?
Persuasive increase
25 x Cryptic Clue
A twist in your tale! You are now in search of a Stiff Drink.

Call on the Gracious Widow

Unlocks: Connected: The Orient 12
She has a well-stocked liquor cabinet and an exceptional palate. Besides, she has been a widow a while. She must get lonely.

Reward spoiler

She treats you to a snifter of excellent brandy

From the Elder Continent, she claims. Apart from the quirk of keeping her rooms unlit, she is a gracious host. Her laughter is young, her sighs heavy.
The next day a friend enquires about your evening. You are circumspect, but something you say causes him to excuse himself abruptly. Later you receive a bag of pearls, compliments of the Duchess. What's going on here?
Persuasive increase
Gain: 44 x Moon Pearl
A twist in your tale! You are now in search of a Stiff Drink.

Taking matters into your own hands

Unlocks: in search of a Stiff Drink 1
You tire of being bandied about between the Duchess and the Widow. It's time to poke your nose where it doesn't belong.

Follow the Duchess' servant

She has employed a gangly youth from the surface. His naivety is charming, and convenient.
(Shadowy challenge)

Reward spoiler

You follow the servant all day

He talks to a shady apothecary and a physician of note. Then he wraps his head in bandages and boards a steamer for the tomb-colonies. The apothecary is an old friend. He tells you the boy was asking about potions of immortality. After all your running about, he slips you some tinctures out of concern for your health.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 2 x F.F. Gebrandt's Tincture of Vigour
in search of a Stiff Drink increase

Failure spoiler

He's just running errands

A florist overcharges him for fresh flowers. He argues with a tailor about the correct length of trouser. A gossip-monger sees you following the boy and assumes you have a crush. This will not do.
Scandal increase
Shadowy increase

Follow the Widow's men

Let's see what they know about their mistress and her brandy.
(Shadowy challenge)

Reward spoiler

Servants love to gossip

The Widow's are no exception. They dine on the dock and discuss their mistress. One mentions the Widow's late husband in hushed tones - the servant's grandfather worked for him. The Widow's husband was a fearsome man, and his death was a mercy for his workers. You wonder how dangerous the Widow's husband was, to make his servants grateful to work for his wife.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 26 x Cryptic Clue
in search of a Stiff Drink increase

Failure spoiler

Someone’s taking an interest in your affairs!

Unlocks: in search of a Stiff Drink 2
You're walking home when you notice men climbing through your window. We'll see about that!

Make quick work of the intruders

These poor men clearly don't realize whose home they've chosen.

Reward spoiler

???
in search of a Stiff Drink.

Greet them like a proper host

Anyone in your house is treated as a guest, even thieves. Besides: if this is about wine, you might as well have a drink.

Reward spoiler

An unconventional soiree

You slip in the back to welcome your intruders with crackers, a bottle of Greyfields, and no way out. The wine loosens their tongues. The Duchess and the Widow, they tell you, have been at this game as long as either can remember. In all that time, the Widow - they say - has not aged a single day.
Persuasive increase
Gain: 50x Cryptic Clue
in search of a Stiff Drink has increased to 3!

It's time to hire a locksmith

Unlocks: in search of a Stiff Drink 3
You return to your lodgings to find your lamps turned out. You grope for matches. 'Stop', says a voice in the darkness. The Gracious Widow. Someone has stolen the schedule for her next shipment of brandy, and she expects you to retrieve it.

Ask around the Mandrake

Unlocks: Drop of Prisoner's Honey 25
The Bohemians thrive on secrets. The right bribe to the right person is all it will take.

Reward spoiler

You drop a casual reference to Oriental brandy

A striking young scholar gives you a nod and you follow her outside. You slip her the honey and your address. The schedule is at your door in a day.
Persuasive increasing
Gain: 14 x Stolen Correspondence
in search of a Stiff Drink has increased to 4

Do the footwork yourself

Unlocks: Suspicion 1
You think you can get the thief to lead you to the documents - if you can just be suspicious enough.

Reward spoiler

You lurk about the docks with sinister elan

You are soon followed by one of the Duchess' men. Your observer is unsubtle, and his genteel attire sets him apart from the grimy multitude. It doesn’t take you long to discover his identity and search his home. The schedule is hidden well, but not well enough. You slip it into your pocket and take your leave.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 14 x Stolen Correspondence
in search of a Stiff Drink has increased to 4

The shipment arrives tomorrow!

Unlocks: in search of a Stiff Drink 4
You are certain the Duchess will make her move on the brandy. No one else can help her so well; no one else is as prepared to stop her. You stare at the shipping papers and mull your options.

Ignore the whole mess

All you wanted was one bloody drink.

Reward spoiler

Indiscretion is the better part of valour

Ignoring the fireworks surely occurring at the docks, you head to the pub. You spin a tale for the patrons: two of the most powerful women of the Neath at each other's throat. Immortality, the transience of beauty, cruelty, theft and burglary - your story has it all. Perhaps you're indiscreet, but you don't have to buy a single thing you drink. And you drink quite a bit.
Connected: The Orient decrease
Connected: the Duchess decrease
Gain: 80 x Greyfields 1882
An occurrence! Your 'in search of a Stiff Drink' Quality is now 5!
Hedonist increase

Aid the Duchess

The Gracious Widow's brutality is as well-known as the Duchess' generosity. Altering the shipping information and returning it to the Widow will solve many problems.

Reward spoiler

The Widow prepares to receive the shipment a week from tomorrow

The next night, a group of neddy men descend upon the ship as soon as it arrives. The crew is overwhelmed, the cargo taken. The Widow's suppliers refuse to send more out of self-preservation. You hear that without it, the Widow begins a terrible decline.

You wait fearfully for retaliation, but it doesn't come. A large package does arrive from the Duchess, however.
Shadowy Increase
Connected: the Duchess Increase
Gain: 3000 x Moon-pearl
An occurrence! Your 'in search of a Stiff Drink' Quality is now 7 - An ally of the Duchess!

Aid the Gracious Widow

It's her shipment, after all, and you never meant to get the Duchess involved. Setting an ambush for the Duchess' men will not be a problem.

Reward spoiler

The brandy is safe once more

You send the Duchess a forged copy of the shipping documents with one detail changed: the delivery date. The next night you help unload the shipment under cover of darkness, and a week later, show up with the Widow's enforcers to teach the Duchess' men a lesson.
You doubt the Duchess will ever forgive you, but the Widow's gratitude was well worth it.
Shadowy increase
Connected: The Duchess decrease
Connected: The Orient increase
Gain: 2000 x Jade Fragment
in search of a Stiff Drink has increased to 5 - An ally of the Widow!

A visit to the Gracious Widow

Someone is planning to intercept her next shipment of brandy. Does she suspect your involvement? Or does she want your help
Unlocks: Watchful 30, In Search of a Stiff Drink 1

Admit your curiosity

Better to be honest than to risk the Widow finding out herself. The Duchess was interested, wasn't she? Perhaps you should mention that.

Reward spoiler

Honesty pays. Not well, but it pays.

The Widow shakes her head. Her servants pull you to your feet. She speaks, her voice tight. 'You have disappointed me. But your honesty has spared us both distress, in varying degrees. Go.' Your health and conscience are intact. Less so the Widow's opinion of you.
Connected: The Orient
1 x Sudden Insight
Your 'in search of a Stiff Drink' Quality has gone!
Watchful increase

Accept an offer from the Widow.

The Widow needs a pair of keen eyes and ears. What is the Duchess' interest in the brandy? Is she planning to steal it? [This will open a new storyline.]

Requires 3 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

Investigate the Widow herself

The lamps are rarely lit in the Widow's home, but she is only occasionally absent…

Requires 3 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

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Uncovering Secrets Framed in Gold

An unusual painting catches your attention. You can find out about it on its own page.

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Freelance Smuggling

You may have an opportunity to help out a Once-Dashing Smuggler. That Opportunity Card and further cards associated with this storylet can be found on its own page.)

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Surface Ties: Recalling the Surface

Cards for these four related storylets, each invoving remembering people you knew from the surface, can be found on their own pages.

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Investigating the Secrets of St Dunstan's

He knows something

Acting as a consulting detective, you are interrogating a suspect.
Unlocked with Watchful 21

And nothing but the truth

The man was involved in some footpadry, but that's not the point. He knows something about an organised crime ring. Will he talk?
(Watchful challenge; almost impossible at 32)

Reward spoiler

Turning Masters' evidence

Your interrogation is patient and insistent, and eventually the subject breaks. In return for some remission of his sentence, the footpad describes a ring of spirifers - soul smugglers - operating in the city. He whispers that the trade happens in the dead of night at St Dunstan's church, but he doesn't know who is involved. He cautions you to be wary. There are armed men there who will not hesitate to dispose of a detective. As a pleasing bonus, the man also knows a good amount of underworld gossip.
Gain: 20 x Whispered Secret.
A twist in your tale! You are now investigating the Secrets of St Dunstan's.

Failure spoiler

You'll get nuffin from me!

It seems that there is some kind of honour among thieves, after all. Despite a long and uncomfortable interrogation, your footpad is silent and goes to New Newgate without so much as a word. Still, there will be other days and footpads are hardly in short supply in the Neath.

Church-breaking

Surely nobody would steal from a church. Probably not. Well, perhaps.
Unlocks: Shadowy 21

The Treasure of St. Dunstan’s

The old church is a little battered and shabby, but there are persistent rumours of wealthy, dapper attendees and a treasure in the crypt. It would take a daring thief to rob a church, though.
(Shadowy challenge; chancy at 35)

Reward spoiler

Down in the crypt

A hooded lantern and the cracksman's art gain you entrance to St Dunstan’s church late one night. The gargoyles leer at you eerily, but you find the crypt easily enough. But what's this? Bottled souls? Here? What is going on in this place?
Shadowy increase
Gain: 18 x Soul
A twist in your tale! You are now investigating the Secrets of St Dunstan's.

Failure spoiler

He protects fools and old churches

The whole business is awry from the beginning. Two armed vergers are keeping an eye on the place, there are a half dozen vagrants sleeping on the pews, and the priest chooses to conduct business at all times of the night. There is something odd about St. Dunstan’s, and its treasures will have to wait.
Shadowy increase

Investigating St Dunstan's

It seems that a ring of spirifers - soul smugglers is using St Dunstan's church as a base.
Unlocks: Shadowy 55, investigating the Secrets of St Dunstan's 3

On holy ground

Nobody is paying you, but an investigator of your calibre needs answers, nevertheless.
(Shadowy challenge; chancy at 60)

Reward spoiler

Visiting the vicar

It's the vicar! You had your suspicions about the vergers and the choirmaster, but it's the vicar who meets devils in the dead of night. It is the vicar who recruits the hopeless and irredeemable and arranges for their souls to be extracted. It is the vicar who sees that their remains are disposed of. Unfortunately, the vicar possesses a considerable turn of speed for a clergyman, and knows the local tenements much better than you. He bolts the moment he sees you, and loses you in the slums around his church. He can't hide forever, though.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 1 x Appalling Secret
investigating the Secrets of St Dunstan's increase
Connected: The Church increase

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Shadowy increase

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A Visit from a Cloaked Stranger

unlocked with making progress in the Labyrinth of Tigers 16
A heavy, impatient knock at your door. Special constables wrap their black greatcoats tight against the fog. A Master of the Bazaar has come to see you.

A review of your work

The Masters of the Bazaar have been observing your breeding programme. Mr Hearts wishes to comment on your results.
(Dangerous challenge, straightforward at 125)

Reward spoiler

Well. That's probably splendid.

'We commend your work. My brethren and I have enjoyed your creatures greatly. Juicy and well-spiced and delicious. We smack our lips and lick our fangs at the thought of the next creation. We grow a little weary of hyaenas, though. Perhaps you should look further afield. Take these tonics for your sweetmeats.'
Dangerous increase
Gain: 5 x F.F. Gebrandt's Tincture of Vigour
Gain: 2 x F.F. Gebrandt's Superior Laudanum

Mr Hearts has something for you

[This opportunity will unlock the hidden secrets of the Fourth Coil - four new beasts to breed and call your own. And the terrible truth of the Bishop's plans. A dozen storylets and opportunities of bestial savagery and revenge! You will need to be a Scholar of the Correspondence.]
unlocked with a Scholar of the Correspondence 1

Requires 20 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

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Visiting Clathermont's Tattoo Parlour

Mr. Clathermont is having some difficulties and needs your assistance. Cards for this story are on its own page.

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Seeking Information about the Theosophistical Society

Investigations into the the Theosophistical Society become available when you become sufficiently Embroiled in the Wars of Illusion and have access to Mahogany Hall. You can find out more on its own page.

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Seeking The Meaning Of The Plaster Face

There's a plaster face on the façade of a house near your lodgings. Cards associated with this storylet can be found on its own page.

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Intimate with a Secular Missionary

The Implacable Detective refers a Secular Missionary who needs help to you. Cards associated with this storylet can be found on its own page.

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Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand

Increasing your Connected: Revolutionaries has put you in contact with the mysterious Revolutionary Firebrand. Cards associated with this storylet can be found on its own page.

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Attending to the Needs of a Singular Plant

You may discover that a determined plant has barged its way through the floor of your lodgings. Cards associated with this storylet can be found on its own page.)

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Your Very Own Infernal Contract

You seem to have one now. And you no longer seem to have a soul. Cards for this situation can be found on its own page.

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A Person of Some Little Consequence

Acting on any of the following four cards will begin the A Person of Some Little Consequence storylet. Selecting any one prevents the others from being played.

A curious coincidence

It's always a bother to find a hansom at this time of day. Nevertheless, one is waiting for you, just when you needed it.
Unlocks: Dangerous 100 - but you can't play it if A Person of Some Little Consequence is higher than 0

The envelope

On the hansom's seat is an envelope, addressed to 'A gentleman of some little consequence'. Is that you?

Reward spoiler

How very queer, and not a little impertinent

'I apologise for my circuitous methods, but I am not yet ready to be seen in public with you. God willing, that will soon change. I shall call at your lodgings this evening.'
An occurrence! Your A Person of Some Little Consequence Quality is now 1 - An Ally Visits your Lodgings!

A possible coincidence

It's always a bother to find a hansom at this time of day. Nevertheless, one is waiting for you, just when you needed it.
Unlocks: Persuasive 100 - but you can't play it if A Person of Some Little Consequence is higher than 0

The envelope

On the hansom's seat is an envelope, addressed to 'A lady of some little consequence'. Is that you?

Reward spoiler

How very queer, and not a little impertinent

'I apologise for my circuitous methods, but I am not yet ready to be seen in public with you. God willing, that will soon change. I shall call at your lodgings this evening.'
An occurrence! Your A Person of Some Little Consequence Quality is now 1 - An Ally Visits your Lodgings!

Probably not a coincidence

It's always a bother to find a hansom at this time of day. Nevertheless, one is waiting for you, just when you needed it.
Unlocks: Shadowy 100 - but you can't play it if A Person of Some Little Consequence is higher than 0

The envelope

On the hansom's seat is an envelope, addressed to 'A (gentleman|lady??) of some little consequence'. Is that you?

Reward spoiler

How very queer, and not a little impertinent

'I apologise for my circuitous methods, but I am not yet ready to be seen in public with you. God willing, that will soon change. I shall call at your lodgings this evening.'
An occurrence! Your A Person of Some Little Consequence Quality is now 1 - An Ally Visits your Lodgings!

Almost certainly not a coincidence

It's always a bother to find a hansom at this time of day. Nevertheless, one is waiting for you, just when you needed it.
Unlocks: Watchful 100 - but you can't play it if A Person of Some Little Consequence is higher than 0

The envelope

On the hansom's seat is an envelope, addressed to 'A (gentleman|lady??) of some little consequence'. Is that you?

Reward spoiler

How very queer, and not a little impertinent

'I apologise for my circuitous methods, but I am not yet ready to be seen in public with you. God willing, that will soon change. I shall call at your lodgings this evening.'
An occurrence! Your A Person of Some Little Consequence Quality is now 1 - An Ally Visits your Lodgings!

This storylet continues in your Lodgings and is described on its own page

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Wilmot's End

A New Move in the Game

A portly man licks the end of his pencil and squints at the paper he carries.
Unlocks: Doing Business in Wilmot's End 4

A new tool in the drawer

A new cipher. Italian. Words written down as well as across. Devilish. Can you help?
(Watchful challenge, straightforward at 125)

Reward spoiler

Getting the hang of it

'Six letters. Starts with "A". "Bought with a city".'
Watchful increase
Doing Business in Wilmot's End increase

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The Inspector Calls

The Knuckle-Scarred Inspector hammers at your door with his truncheon. 'Open up! I need to 'ave a little word.'
Unlocks: Dangerous 110, Velocipede 1

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

Reward spoiler

Insert Result Here

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; almost impossible at 111)

Reward spoiler

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!

Failure spoiler (unknown)

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 Comprehensive Bribe 1

Reward spoiler

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