Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman

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Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman

The following actions are in Watchmaker's Hill.

The Clay Man Coalman Delivers

The Clay Man Coalman delivers fuel to your lodgings every Tuesday. Today, dust falls from his arms as he struggles under two hundredweight sacks of nutty slack for the Medusa's Head.

Give the fellow a hand

Your good deed for the day. Or a chance to show off your Olympian physique. Whichever.
Unlocked with Dangerous 3

Reward spoiler

Strong arm

You grab the sack from the tottering Clay Man and hurl the contents into the coal bunker as if it were a kitten. You may have strained something important, but the Clay Man Coalman and the regulars at the pub are all impressed.

The Coalman's voice is a megalithic rumble: 'THANKS. I COULD DO IT. BUT THANKS.' He furrows his brow, sending stress fractures up his forehead. 'NEED A HAND. STRONG ARM. TROUBLE.' Meanwhile, you notice that there's something tucked in the bottom of the empty coal sack.

Dangerous increase
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 1 - Looking for Secrets in Watchmaker's Hill!
Gain 3 x Certifiable Scrap

Failure spoiler

Not quite how you imagine it

Why are you lying in the gutter with a huge sack of coal clutched to your chest? Why are they laughing? Could one of them at least drag the d—nable thing off you?

Dangerous increase

The Clay Man Coalman Needs Your Help

He has a voice like boulders. 'SEE A LOT IN THIS JOB. HAD SECRETS. LITTLE STASH. NO MORE. ROBBED.'

Can you help the fellow?

The first step is to shake down the local villains.
Unlocked with Dangerous 8
Dangerous challenge.

Reward spoiler

The flying fists of investigation

The Rheumy Brawler rubs his jaw and declares he knows nothing. The Sticky-Fingered Bravo declares that she thinks of the Coalman as a brother. The One-Eyed Spider Hunter gabbles out nonsense, but that's nothing new. These people know nothing. They buy you drinks to soothe your fury. Time for a new approach.

Dangerous increase
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 2 - Looking for Secrets in Watchmaker's Hill!
Gain: 50 x Greyfields 1879

Coal Dust and Secrets

An Indolent Flâneur is talking about the Clay Man Coalman…'You know he's only saving those secrets to bring in another of his kind to London. That's all we need…'
unlocked with Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman 2

Show him a little knuckle

Perhaps this fellow knows something about your Clay friend's missing secrets. A bit of menace should see whether he does.
unlocked with Dangerous 13
Dangerous challenge

Reward spoiler

He doesn't look the thieving type, it has to be said

'No, don't be absurd. I've no idea who took his secrets. I'm just saying that he was saving up to import more of his brethren from far Polythreme. That's where they're from, you know. Before you know it, London is going to be awash in Clay. You mark my words.'
Dangerous increase
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 3 - Looking for Secrets in Watchmaker's Hill!
Gain 4 x Certifiable Scrap

Someone is Asking for a Beating

The Sneering Dragsman calls out in the street, 'So, found your Clay mate's secrets yet?…Didn't think so!'
unlocked with Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman 3

Drub the villain!

The fog-quieted street is empty of Constables and other irritants. Administer the lesson.
unlocked with Dangerous 18
Dangerous challenge

Reward spoiler

A sound pounding

You pound the Dragsman's head against a pub wall until his memory improves. It was indeed he who stole the Clay Man Coalman's stash of secrets. But he was paid to do it.
The real culprit was the Notorious Strikebreaker. An employee of the Masters of the Bazaar, this fellow is renowned for his dislike of Clay Men. Sterling work. And the Dragsman has some intriguing round knobbly things in his pocket that you might be able to trade on.
Dangerous increase
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 4 - Looking for Secrets in Watchmaker's Hill!
Gain 4 x Certifiable Scrap

The Clay Man Coalman and the Notorious Strikebreaker

The Strikebreaker is a strong-arm man who works for Mr Fires, and has a grudge against Clay Men…
unlocked with Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman 4
The Strikebreaker is a strong-arm man who works for Mr Fires, and has a grudge against Clay Men. What to do?

Option 1: Leave well enough alone

The Clay Man Coalman will have to just find more secrets. You're not going to annoy the establishment on his behalf.
unlocked with Dangerous 23

Reward spoiler

unknown

Option 2: Put the boot in

Someone needs to stand up for Clay Men. And people who mess with your acquaintances should know better.
unlocked with Dangerous 23
Dangerous challenge

Reward spoiler

Splendidly done

The Notorious Strikebreaker spends most of his time in Wolfstack Docks. But today he's visiting Watchmaker's Hill to fence the secrets he stole from the Clay Man Coalman. Perfect.
You tap him on the shoulder. He says, 'What the bleedin' 'ell do you want?' You punch him unconscious and take his secrets, leaving only a lump of coal as a calling card.
Now, to find the Clay Man Coalman. After you've copied down these secrets. Philanthropy is its own reward, yes, but let's not go too far with that. One has certain expenses and so forth.
Dangerous increase
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 5 - Looking for Secrets in Watchmaker's Hill!
Connected: The Docks decrease (1-11 change points)
You've gained 75 x Cryptic Clue

Trading Secrets

You have returned the Clay Man Coalman's secrets to him…They've been missing so long that he's having second thoughts about what to do with them. How do you advise him?
unlocked with Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman 5

Option 1: Stick with his original plan

Companionship is important, and Clay Men find it harder going than most. Bring one of his fellows over from Polythreme.

Reward spoiler

HE WILL BE HERE SOON

It's better for Clay Men that they arrive in London under their own steam, rather than accepting a transportation contract from the Masters of the Bazaar that amounts to slavery.
The Clay Man Coalman demonstrates his gratitude by giving you all manner of intriguing odds and ends he's collected in his work.

An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 7 - Bring in the Brethren!
You've gained 6 x Certifiable Scrap
Steadfast hasn't changed, because it's higher than 10

Option 2: The finer things in life

There are more important things. Such as fine living, wine, the theatre and so forth. Introduce your Coalman to the finer things.

Reward spoiler

LETS SEE IF I CAN GET DRUNK

Well, he looks a little ridiculous dressed for the theatre, but at least they'll let him in if you're there. Perhaps a little drink, first.
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 8 - Seeking the Finer Things!
You've gained 75 x Greyfields 1882

Option 3: Donate to the Cause

The abuse heaped upon innocent Clay Men cannot be tolerated. When the revolution comes, all workers will be equal. For the Revolution!

Reward spoiler

FOR THE CAUSE

The Clay Man Coalman doesn't grasp the finer points of revolutionary jargon. But he's happy to be around people who treat him decently and hope for a better day to come. Your brethren in the cause are pleased to have a new brother, and the secrets he brings.
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 9 - For the Revolution!!
Connected: Revolutionaries increase (approx 50 change points)
Forceful is increasing…(1 CP)

Option 4: A start towards getting an education

The Clay Man Coalman isn't stupid - he can write for a start. But he's not used to thinking in abstracts and he has no formal schooling. Encourage him to better himself.

Reward spoiler

IF I MUST

There are a handful of philanthropic educational institutes throughout London where all are welcome. Some of them even take Clay Men. The Coalman takes to his studies grudgingly. Only time will tell if they will provide him with a brighter future. But the things he hears in these places! The secrets are almost worth the admission price by themselves.
An occurrence! Your 'Collecting Clues for the Clay Coalman' Quality is now 10 - A Clay Educator!
Steadfast hasn't changed, because it's higher than 10
You've gained 150 x Whispered Secret

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