Things to do at Court...

…to exercise your Persuasive Quality Enjoy your time at Court and improve your Persuasive.

Empress' Court

Romance

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…Further into Fallen London

Bazaar Sidestreets

The Flit

Hunt!

Life at the Palace is sedate, but some people enjoy more active pursuits. Joining a hunting party will also be a good way to meet influential people.
[Unlocked with Persuasive 85]

Hunt bats

Bats? Are they sure? Apparently, they are. Apparently, the trick is to mimic their calls. It confuses them, and they can be caught in a net.

_ challenge

Success spoiler

A bag of bats

Well, you did it. Your party head out at twilight to the Prickfinger Wastes. Bats congregate in this rocky area, swooping and calling to each other. Your boots are caked with guano within minutes. But you learn the bat calls easily, and soon the little creatures are flapping around your head as you shriek and whistle. Net bearers simply scoop them out of the air.
Not the greatest of sport. But you've learnt fascinating things from your friends.

Persuasive increase
Gain: 44 x Cryptic Clue

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Hunt lizards

Lizards thrive around the ponds, but you'll be hunting the slightly larger ones that live in the wilder parts of the gardens…

_ challenge

Success spoiler

A giant lizard

You accompany an expedition to some of the furthest reaches of the Palace grounds. Here, the fungus is thick and the ground damp and rocky. An ideal spot for reptiles, and indeed, you see a flash of green almost as soon as you get there. You split up and give chase.

You scramble over rocks and claw through thickets of thorny fungus. It takes a while, but you corner the lizard in the end. He is vast! His round black eye watches you. He blinks once, very slowly.

'Very well,' he says. 'I honour the bargain. You caught me; I offer you secrets and you must let me go.' And what secrets! You say farewell to the lizard and hurry off to make notes.

Dangerous increase
Gain: 2 x Appalling Secret
Gain: 10 x Cryptic Clue

Rare Success spoiler

A lizard of romantic bent

You accompany an expedition to some of the furthest reaches of the Palace grounds. Here, the fungus is thick and the ground damp and rocky. An ideal spot for reptiles, and indeed, you see a flash of green almost as soon as you get there. You split up and give chase.

You scramble over rocks and claw through thickets of thorny fungus. It takes a while, but you corner the lizard in the end. He is vast! His round black eye watches you. He blinks once, very slowly.

'Very well,' he says. 'I honour the bargain. You caught me; I offer you secrets and you must let me go.' The lizard speaks of loves and loss. Romance and tragedy. And you. It seems that you are doing a little better than you thought with certain parties.

Dangerous increase
Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
Gain: 3 x Appalling Secret

Failure spoiler (unknown)

The life of the mind

Life at the Empress' Court is not all about hedonistic pursuits. You must also see to the cultivation of the intellect.
[Unlocked with Persuasive 85]

Discuss politics at a salon

Be careful, though. You never know who might be listening.

_ challenge

Success spoiler

Subtly done

Well done. You enter into a conversation about the rights of Clay dockworkers, and the abuses allegedly being perpetrated against them by the neddies. A sensitive subject, this, but one you handle with considerable tact. You acknowledge both sides, but present your own views with diplomacy. This does wonders for your reputation. One lady shares some very interesting books with you, and a gentleman slips you a little gift with a wink.

Persuasive increase
Gain: 20 x Proscribed Material
Gain: 2 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
Admired increase [1 cp?]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Discuss the arts at a tea-party

Painting, literature, the dramatic arts, even poetry - these are all very suitable topics for showing off your erudition.

_ challenge

Success spoiler

A fine intellect

Your discourse ranges from topic to topic; you hint at your wide and varied knowledge but remain modest, asking others for their opinions and expressing interest in their accomplishments. People love to be flattered, especially by someone so obviously intellectual. After the party is over, they press presents upon you, and a gentleman asks your opinion on some very revealing correspondence.

Persuasive increase
Gain: 16 x Stolen Correspondence
Gain: 11 x Jade Fragment
Admired increase [1 cp?]

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Discuss philosophy whilst taking the air

The ability to discuss profound and abstract concepts intelligently is highly valued at court, as it is one so many lack.

_ challenge

Success spoiler

Such wisdom!

You promenade around the ornamental gardens with several like-minded individuals. The gardens are the perfect setting for a discussion of philosophy; their formal elegance makes a perfect analogy for the structure of Plato's thought.

You all agree that using prisoner's honey can lead one down new avenues of thought; especially when one shares the dreams of another. You are invited to join the others in a more informal setting later on, and receive a generous amount of honey in anticipation.

Persuasive increase
Gain: 47 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
Admired increase [1 cp?]

Rare Success spoiler

Such pleasing company

You promenade around the ornamental gardens with several like-minded individuals. The gardens are the perfect setting for a discussion of philosophy; their formal elegance makes a perfect analogy for the structure of Plato's thought.

You all agree that using prisoner's honey can lead one down new avenues of thought; especially when one shares the dreams of another. You are invited to join the others in a more informal setting later on. It is entirely possible that honey and philosophy will not be the only things on offer.

Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase [6 cp?]

Failure spoiler

'As Socrates once said…'

You lead a group of like-minded intellectuals through the ornamental gardens. You speak with knowledge and humour. But they argue back. Every point you make is answered and refuted. These courtiers must be trained in sophistry! Unfortunately, their intellectual rigour does not prevent them from later telling all and sundry of your embarrassment.

Persuasive increase
Scandal increase

Make friends with the Empress' dog

A puppy comes rushing up as you stroll in the gardens. Adorable little thing. But he looks like the one you've been told belongs to the Empress.
[Unlocked with Persuasive 85]

Give the puppy a biscuit

How could you resist his big brown eyes? And the Empress will surely look favourably on someone who is kind to her dog.

_ challenge

Success spoiler

He likes you!

The puppy jumps up at you, excited beyond reason by a simple biscuit. His joyful enthusiasm is in contrast to much of life at the Palace, and you stoop to stroke his head. You were right about the Empress liking those who like her dog - there is a present waiting for you at dinner.

Later, though, you dream of a ferocious, slavering marsh-wolf, bigger than any you have ever heard of. Eyes flare in the darkness. Jaws snap at your heels.

Persuasive increase
Gain: 88 x Jade Fragment
Nightmares increase

Rare Success spoiler

A word from venerable lips

The puppy jumps up at you, excited beyond reason by a simple biscuit. His joyful enthusiasm is in contrast to the usual sombre court attitude, and you stoop to stroke his head. You were right about the Empress liking those who like her dog - a casual remark from her cracked lips has the court scurrying to make your acquaintance.

Later, though, you dream of the court. Each courtier bears the head of a fierce marsh-wolf. They are circling around you. They are coming for you.

Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
Nightmares increase
Admired increase

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Keep your distance

You have already got one scar from an encounter with a canine - albeit one as different as it is possible to be from this little scrap. But still. Say, 'nice doggie' and move on.
[Unlocked with marked by the Eater-of-Chains 1]

Rewards spoiler

Deep in nightmares.

The dog rushes off to beg someone else to play with him. Much later, in the dark of night, your dreams of the Eater of Chains return to you more vividly than ever. You are close enough to feel his hot breath. You can see the tips of his fur outlined in the yellow moonlight. The glow in his eyes is fathoms deep. When you wake, you are drenched in sweat.

Persuasive increase
Nightmares increase
Watchful increase

Take the dog with you

It will be pleasant to have a companion for your walk. You can throw sticks for him to fetch, and so forth.

Rewards spoiler

An odd turn

The puppy gambols at your feet as you walk through the gardens. He runs after sticks, chases his own tail, and bounds through beds of decorative fungus. Luckily, no gardener would dare to reprove him.

But when you come to one of the wilder, forgotten areas of the gardens, the dog leaps away and goes racing into the thick undergrowth. You search long and hard, but he is nowhere to be found. If anyone finds out, you're facing exile!

Thankfully, though, when you return, the pup is asleep in front of the fire in one of the parlours. In your bed at night, you dream of night forests and a vast wolf, eyes burning in the dark. It is not a pleasant dream.

Persuasive increase
Nightmares increase

The Corruption of Youth

The Palace enforces a sedate and stuffy atmosphere, but you have seen hints of a secret, livelier side to some of the younger visitors.
[Unlocked with Persuasive 85]

Join a picnic expedition

Some of the younger socialites are planning lunch in a remote corner of the gardens. Accompany them. Their smiles hint that lunch is not all they are planning.

_ challenge

Success spoiler

A delightful afternoon

The young people chatter happily as you wend your way to the far corner of the grounds. You settle in a charming spot, secluded and surrounded by rare blue fungi. Blankets are spread, wine opened and little treats passed around. These include drops of a very fine quality prisoner's honey, a blend that makes sharing dreams come as easily as holding hands.

In these shared honey-dreams, it is easy to find ways to enjoy the company - the intimacy - of the people you are with. You and your companions spend a lovely afternoon together, and you take away the promise of more.

Persuasive increase
Hedonist increase
Gain: 45 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey

Failure spoiler (unknown)

The seduction of music

Under normal circumstances, music is frowned upon in the Palace. Frequently, dances and salons feature string quartets or chamber orchestras who remain silent - their sole function is decorative. But some of the younger socialites are inclined to rebel, holding recitals in far corners of the attics. You should join in.

_ challenge

Success spoiler

A delightful soiree

The organisation of the recitals is deliciously cloak-and-dagger. Secret messages tucked into posies; coded hand signals. A young lady lets you know with a flick of her fingers that tonight's concert will be held in one of the lesser-used state bedrooms. Your job is to bribe any passing servants to keep them quiet.
The young musicians play with all their hearts. After so much time without music, everyone in the room is entranced.

They look at each other, and at you, with shining eyes. You take the opportunity to deepen some acquaintanceships… And there is bribe-fund money to spare.
Persuasive increase
Hedonist increase
Gain: 91 x Jade Fragment

Failure spoiler (unknown)

Someone else's scandal

Unlocks: Persuasive 97
A Permanent Under-secretary has been indiscreet with a noted poet. The press already has the story.

Help the poor fellow out

His gratitude would be a worthy prize. You could attempt to sway the gentlemen of the press into leaving him alone.

Rewards spoiler

Read all about something else

You scan your morning paper over toast and marmalade. The interminable dock strike. The bat forecast. The outrageous antics of the Captivating Princess. Nothing about the Permanent Under-secretary. And the fellow has sent you a little something in appreciation.
Persuasive increase
Connected: Society increase (50 cp)
Gain: 20 x Greyfields 1882

Tea at Court

You cannot avoid it forever. Sooner or later, you will have to take tea with the dusty old veterans of the Court.
Unlocks: Persuasive 100

Go to afternoon tea

The tea is decent and the macaroons delicious. But can you strain anything useful from this interminable afternoon?

Rewards spoiler

'May I press you to a scone?'

The clock ticks ever slower. The venerable courtiers drift about like autumn leaves, gossiping about people dead for three decades. They may be duller than dust, but they still wield considerable influence. And some of the gossip isn't too over-ripe.
Persuasive increase
Connected: Society increase (10 cp)
Gain: 84 x Whispered Secret

Failure spoiler

'Excuse me, I have to go and groom the weasel…'

Dear Lord, but this gathering is endless. The conversation is drier than a vulture's wit. Surely you have better places to be? You leave early enough to be remarked upon.
Scandal increase

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