Romance and Scandal
One of the most enjoyable diversions in the Court are it's denizens. Due to the number of these avenues they have been sorted into this section of their own.
Attend to matters of romance
One cannot be unprepared in matters of the heart. If one is pursuing more than one object of desire, one must be exceptionally prepared. Use this to raise your Fascinating… quality to 10. You can then spend Fascinating… on pursuing your intended.
[Unlocked with Persuasive 80]
Attend to fashion
A certain bohemian unkemptness might delight in Veilgarden. But in the Palace, one must be dressed properly.
_ challenge
Dedicated follower
'Blend in with the blacks and purples of the Court precincts. Yellow is to be avoided.Orange? simply begging to be fed to the Cantigaster. Now, this season, the cut is…'
You keep up effortlessly. Your couturier gives you a few extra trifles to gauge the court's reaction.
Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
[2 change points]
Gain: 85 x
Silk Scrap
Bold and original
'That hat? With those gloves? Are you sure? Well, it's original, I will grant you. Possibly also a trifle bold, alas…'
Persuasive increase
Scandal increase
Take a stroll in the gardens
A certain part of the gardens, a prettyish kind of fungal wilderness, is reserved for the more respectable sort of lover.
_ challenge
A fine stroll
You wander around the garden. You probably sigh from time to time. You may even appear wan. You regard the detritus of romance: dried bouquets, tear-stained handkerchiefs and the occasional alarmingly detailed letter. Are those shutters open just a crack? They are.
Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
[2 change points]
Gain: 44 x
Cryptic Clue
Attend courtly functions
The Palace hosts an endless succession of hushed salons, subdued poetry readings, extremely quiet dances and so on. One must be seen at these things.
_ challenge
Noted and remembered
The salons are interminable. The whispered poetry is sycophantic nonsense. The music is barely audible. But perhaps there is something to be said for melancholy. A little human warmth goes a long way here. You flit about, gossiping quietly here and smiling there. You are noted and remembered.
Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
[2 change points]
Connected: Society increase
[3 change points]
Gain: 83 x
Whispered Secret
Write a letter
With the ban on loud conversation, the art of composing heartfelt letters flourishes at the Palace.
_ challenge
A fine piece
This is a good one. Heartfelt but unspecific. Passionate but not quite scandalous. The slight quiver in the handwriting in the last paragraph was masterful. The palace messenger, reading over your shoulder as you compose, is moved. She slips you a bundle of other people's correspondence in recognition of your work.
Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
[3 change points]
Gain: 18 x
Stolen Correspondence
Attend a dance
Dances are sometimes furtively held at the far ends of the Palace. Dancing slippers are muffled with thick carpets. The brass section uses tablecloths as dampeners. Nonetheless, the dance continues.
_ challenge
As if on air
There is very little to listen to at these dances. Even conversation is so quiet it is practically absent. Every eye is on the dancers. You step. You glide. A baronet applauds silently. A junior minister nods at you as you pass. Who could resist you? You receive many letters declaring passion and devotion.
Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
[3 change points]
Gain: 18 x
Stolen Correspondence
Perform artistically
A poetry reading, perhaps? Quiet music at the far end of the gardens? A moving scene from a play?
_ challenge
Darlings!
Your audience is quietly captivated. Your poetry ravishes. Your music entrances. Your drama transports. They love you, today. They may even love you tomorrow. You are toasted with fine wine.
Persuasive increase
Fascinating… increase
[3 change points]
Gain: 4 x
Morelways 1872
Disporting with the servantry
The ever present but invisible servantry. Most guests of the court pay no attention, but some of the staff are not unattractive. You may have other irons in the fire, but the odd flirtation will surely do no harm.
[Unlocked with Fascinating… 3]
[Unlocked with Persuasive 85]
Flirt with a parlour-maid
She is shy, but you have noticed the flash of interest in her eyes when your paths cross. Leave a rose where she will find it one morning.
_ challenge
[Unlocked with Fascinating… 3]
A well-judged gesture
Among the parlour-maid's duties is the daily blackleading of the fireplaces. A backbreaking task that can only be improved by a small token of affection. And indeed, your rose - stolen from the gardens the evening before and left by a coal-scuttle - has disappeared, and the dimples on the parlour maid's cheeks are inches deep. It is rare that one so lowly is noticed at all by the notables of the court.
Persuasive increase
Hedonist increase
Connected: Revolutionaries increase
A fine smile
Among the parlour-maid's duties is the daily blackleading of the fireplaces. A backbreaking task that can only be improved by a small token of affection. And indeed, your rose - stolen from the gardens the evening before and left by a coal-scuttle - has disappeared, and the dimples on the parlour maid's cheeks are inches deep. Her smile is infectious.
Persuasive increase
Hedonist increase
Fascinating… decrease
Gain: 1 x Confident Smile
Catch the eye of a butler
Many of the butlers don an air of stuffy disapproval along with their uniform, but there is one that has gentle eyes and often seems to be suppressing a smile. Engage him in private conversation.
_ challenge
[Unlocked with Fascinating… 4]
What the butler said
You ask the kind-eyed butler to fetch a glass of port. You will be in a secluded spot in one of the conservatories. When he arrives, you put a finger on the wrist supporting the tray, and bid him to stay a moment. His butler's demeanour is no match for your charming smile, and is soon looking raptly at you as you ask him about Palace life. And you learn a secret or two into the bargain. Scandal is this butler's speciality, and he promises to help with yours.
Persuasive increase
Hedonist increase
Gain: 45 x
Cryptic Clue
Scandal decrease
[1 change point]
Fascinating… decrease
Make overtures to a cook
Slip down to the kitchen late at night, after everything is quiet, and talk to the pastry-cook with the wicked smile.
_ challenge
[Unlocked with Fascinating… 5]
A delicious moment
You lock your door behind you and tiptoe down to the kitchen. You knock gently on the door. The pastry-cook is alone, setting the dough to prove for tomorrow's bread, and is only too happy to be interrupted.
Later, munching on a hot spiced roll, you notice floury fingerprints on your sleeves and collar… and elsewhere.
Persuasive increase
Hedonist increase
Wounds decrease
A Barbed Wit
Unlocks: Fascinating 10
Brilliant, magnetic, merciless, infuriating.
Pursue the Barbed Wit
The Barbed Wit is notorious for her bright intellect, her sharp tongue and her radical politics. She is a campaigner for universal suffrage and the rights of women. And they do say she once conducted an intrigue with the Acclaimed Beauty. [Spend your Fascinating to attract her attention.]
The course of love
The Barbed Wit is a somewhat scandalous figure, known for her fierce passions as much as her fine mind. A romantic affair with her is unlikely to be a sedate matter. The affections of this bold woman shall be yours! [Build up Fascinating again to continue your pursuit.]
Rewards:
A twist in your tale! You are now seen with a Barbed Wit.
An Acclaimed Beauty
Unlocks: Fascinating 10
Peerless of feature, distant of manner.
Pursue the Acclaimed Beauty
The Acclaimed Beauty is an extraordinarily handsome fellow. He is reserved and often alone; he can appear pensive or almost disdainful. And he has, apparently, a turbulent past. Rumours whisper of a dalliance with the Barbed Wit. All this makes for much imaginative speculation at court. [Spend your Fascinating to attract his attention.]
The Acclaimed Beauty has many admirers, of course, most of whom find his air of insouciance only adds to his attractions. You will face vehement competition from the ladies and gentleman of the court. But who are they, when compared to you? The affections of this fine gentleman shall be yours!
A twist in your tale! You are now seen with an Acclaimed Beauty.
Attend a ball in aid of a good cause
Unlocks: Fascinating 10, seen with a Barbed Wit 1
'The Fund for Relief of Gentlemen in Reduced Circumstances.' Marvellous institution! A patron has been permitted to hold a ball at Court in order to generate funds.
Impress the wit
Straightforward: Fascinating 14
The Barbed Wit is declining to dance this evening. Her coterie are telling tales of past loves around the mantelpiece. You should join them.
A most useful evening
At the Palace, one does little but talk. Tonight, you listen. The Barbed Wit's friends lay out their romances, their loves, their losses. The Wit seems unmoved by sentimentality and the trappings of romance. But her eyes sparkle at tales of fierce passion and scandalous assignations.
This is valuable intelligence in the struggles of the heart. The Wit's friends continue. You nod and smile, sympathise and toast. You're not really listening, though. Tonight you only have eyes for her.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed Wit increase
On the sleeve
You take a risk. You tell a tale of lost love, heartbreak and passion. The Wit and her friends are not moved. One smirking stripling titters. The Wit shakes her head and smiles as you open your heart. Is your sudden openness calculated? It hardly matters. It's not doing you any favours.
Fascinating… decrease (20 change points)
Scandal increase (1-2 change points)
Choose Wit over Beauty
The Acclaimed Beauty may be pretty, but he is not renowned for his wordplay. One might earn the Barbed Wit's approbation with a little baiting.
Straightforward: Fascinating 12
Who shall remember?
'It is well that this ball is for the relief of gentlemen in reduced circumstances. For once the Beauty has faded a little, who shall remember him?'
That gets a laugh. The Acclaimed Beauty gives you a long, level, hooded look and then stalks off towards the port. The Barbed Wit nods at you slyly.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed Wit increase
Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty decrease
Not the right thing to say
'And although a man may be regarded as well-shaped, is there anything of worth behind the bright eyes? Is there aught but a pretty shell?'
You thought that was rather good. The Wit and her friends are looking at you as if you called the Consort a Frenchman. Did you do something wrong?
Fascinating… decrease (20 change points)
Scandal increase (2 change points)
Attend a ball in aid of a worthy cause
Unlocks: Fascinating 10, seen with an Acclaimed Beauty 1
The ball is to aid the reformation of discharged criminals or some such. Let's hope nobody from your Newgate days recognises you. At least the Beauty will be there.
Almost music
An entire chamber orchestra stands watching the dance, but their instruments are just for show: the Empress dislikes loud noises. The Acclaimed Beauty's dance card is full, but you might be able to sneak in a waltz near midnight.
Straightforward: Fascinating 14
Success!
The Acclaimed Beauty drifts effortlessly over the floor in dance after dance. The dancers are almost silent on the thick carpet.
You cannot wait your turn. You cut in during a pause and leave a noted barrister spluttering over her dance card. The Acclaimed Beauty seems vaguely amused by the theft of his attention. The orchestra pretends to start once more, and you sail over the carpet like smoke. It is over all too quickly, but the Beauty smiles quietly at you as he departs.
Rewards:
seen with an Acclaimed Beauty increase
Gone.
The Acclaimed Beauty drifts effortlessly over the floor in dance after dance. The dancers are almost silent on the thick carpet. You wait your turn. And you wait. And you wait. The Beauty leaves suddenly, disappointing a small crowd of admirers. Their irritation is small comfort.
Fascinating… decrease (20 change points)
Scandal increase (2 change points)
Choose Beauty over Wit
The Barbed Wit and the Acclaimed Beauty have some sort of past rivalry. Perhaps you could embarrass her a little to win his approval.
Straightforward: Fascinating 12
Not a natural
The Barbed Wit's dance card has plenty of gaps. You wait only a few minutes before venturing with her on to the thick carpet of the dance floor.
She doesn't disgrace herself, but the Barbed Wit isn't a natural dancer. You outshine her in elegance, and it is obvious to the crowd that she lacks the natural finesse of the Beauty. You roll your eyes at him as the Wit makes a tiny mis-step, and the Beauty nods in sympathy.
Rewards:
Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty increase
Seen with a Barbed Wit decrease
Barbed indeed
You ask the Barbed Wit to dance. She is not known for her grace. She is, however, renowned for her savage tongue. You get both barrels, and are forced to retreat.
Fascinating… decrease (20 change points)
Scandal increase
Sparkling wit
Unlocks: Fascinating 10, Seen with a Barbed Wit 2
You observe the Barbed Wit at an otherwise undistinguished salon. She is making veiled comments about the Consort and the undying nature of love. Is she mad? And can you match - or even best - her in a battle of words? Meanwhile, look. The Acclaimed Beauty is standing alone, in a corner, watching you both over the top of a book.
Bandy words with the Barbed Wit
But do it carefully. If the Empress thinks you are mocking the Consort, you will be immediately fed to the Cantigaster.
Straightforward at Fascinating 14
A conversational broadside
You drop hints about the Consort's state of health and the number of his children. It's subtle enough not to tip off the ever-vigilant servants, but one onlooker laughs so loudly, he is in serious danger of exile.
The Barbed Wit's eyes flash as she rounds on you. She launches into a devastating critique of your sartorial choices and previous scandals. She knows about you! That's half the battle.
Just before she leaves, the Barbed Wit turns back and pauses to admire a carved aspidistra. Is that a spark of passion you glimpse across its spiky stone leaves? Or are you being assessed in preparation for the next verbal flaying?
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed Wit increase
Scandal increase (2 change points)
Too subtle
Your hints on the nature of the Consort and his position at court are subtle. Very subtle. Too subtle, as it turns out. All eyes are on the Barbed Wit, rather than you. They hang on her words. She barely notices you.
Fascinating… decrease (20 change points)
Scandal increase (2 change points)
Call attention to the Acclaimed Beauty
Is he wearing last month's collar? Perhaps his choice of books can be disparaged. Surely casting aspersions on the Beauty will help your standing with the Wit.
Straightforward at Fascinating 12
Such cuff-links!
The Acclaimed Beauty is not an easy target. His attire is in the mode and his manners are impeccable. Still, you find a few things to speak on. Those cuff-links are a little ostentatious. His taste in cigars is perhaps eccentric.
The Barbed Wit nods here and there at your words, and even chuckles once. She seems sympathetic. You imagine that she has spent some time berating the Beauty. If she is even a little amused, the night has been a success.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed Wit increase
Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty decrease?
Not his first time
The Beauty's attention to fashion is unimpeachable. His taste in books is conventional but blameless. Your jibes slide off him like cats off glass.
Seen with a Barbed Wit decrease (at least 27 change points)
scandal increase
An occult history
Unlocks: Fascinating 10, Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty 2
The Acclaimed Beauty's past is a mystery. He doesn't speak of it. If pressed, he lifts a hand to his heart and looks sideways out of the window. Perhaps you can find someone else who knows.
Approach a former lover of his
The Barbed Wit is not the only lady from his past. A society beauty has been pointed out to you. Their affair was famously torrid; it ended in acrimony some weeks ago. Perhaps she can tell you something.
Persuasive challenge, straightforward < 98
Not a gossip?
'I would not like to be thought a gossip. But there are things you should perhaps know. The Beauty was not always so very beautiful. Something happened to him. Something awful. He was… changed. Deformed. How he restored his beauty, I don't know. He does associate with some startling individuals, though. Now remember, I told you not one word of this…'
Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty increase
The Wit and the Physician
Unlocks: Fascinating 10, Seen with a Barbed Wit 3
You bump into the Barbed Wit at a literary salon. A Saturnine Physician is speaking to her. 'But of course, these unnatural urges - the wish to have the vote and to enter education - this affliction is caused by vapours arising from the womb. Of course we can now correct these matters surgically!'
Throw the villain out of the window
Damn the consequences! The man is an ass!
Join in with the Barbed Wit against him
The Barbed Wit has certain words to say concerning these particular medical theories. She clearly doesn't need any help, but joining in should do your suit no harm.
He's running!
Apart, both you and the Barbed Wit enjoy reputations for sharp words. Together, you could burn the Unterzee and knock the false-stars from the roof. You employ a devastating sarcasm - the Physician falters. The Barbed Wit castigates with eloquence - he retreats entirely.
You follow him, hurling clever abuse as loudly as you dare. Both of you know you risk exile by doing this. The Physician has a good turn of speed on him, and disappears towards the cellars. You let him go. You are left together, breathing heavily, in a lonely porch. You look at each other for a long moment. She touches your hand before you return to the salon.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed Wit increase
Nod and smile along.
Is it not wonderful how medical science has advanced?
And then she was gone
The Barbed Wit simply leaves. You do not see her for some time.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed wit decrease
Outshine your rivals
Unlocks: Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty 3, Fascinating 10
A little gathering after the court has attended church. The Acclaimed Beauty is there, a reluctant bright star orbited by a pack of your rivals. The Barbed Wit stands apart from the crowd, but she watches you both.
Wade into the admiring churchgoers
You must sparkle. You must glow. You must be the one he thinks of over his Sunday lunch.
Straightforward: Fascinating 14
Like a fine jewel
The Acclaimed Beauty is reserved, as always, but he is much in demand, and politeness dictates that he responds to approaches. He bows to a society matron. He smiles coolly at a lawyer. He looks serious, even pained, when speaking with the vicar.
You smile, you chat. The Acclaimed Beauty nods at you. A few of your rivals move to intercept. One of them is less than subtle. An ostrich feather attached to a hat keeps tickling your ear. You murmur something about the sorry state of current fashions in churchgoing millinery and move on. Soon, the Acclaimed Beauty leaves. But not before taking your hand with a formal bow. Was that a hint of yearning in his goodbye?
Rewards:
Seen with an Acclaimed beauty increase
Make a point of getting in the Wit's way.
Is the Barbed Wit approaching the Beauty? Not if you have anything to do with it.
Straightforward: Fascinating 12
A helpful vicar
The Acclaimed Beauty is reserved, as always, but he is much in demand, and politeness dictates that he responds to approaches. He bows to a society matron. He smiles coolly at a lawyer. He looks serious, even pained, when speaking with the vicar.
The Barbed Wit keeps glancing at the Beauty. That's hardly an uncommon pastime, but she seems to want to speak to him. But whenever she approaches, you are there. She starts on one of her tirades, but a disapproving shake of the head from the vicar silences her. Meanwhile, you are shaking hands with the Beauty. His greeting is formal, but is that something in his glance?
Rewards:
Seen with an Acclaimed beauty increase
Seen with a Barbed Wit decrease?
Winning over the Barbed Wit's friends
Unlocks: Fascinating 10, Seen with a Barbed Wit 4
The Barbed Wit has a coterie of admirers, friends and hangers-on. It would be wise to secure their approval.
A night on the town
Unlocks: Jade Fragment 300
You could take the Barbed Wit's friends out for an evening in Veilgarden. They must be aching for some light and noise after the silent, decorous gloom of the Palace.
Straightforward at Fascinating 14
A jolly night out
Theatre tickets, entrance to a few of the more exclusive establishments and endless rounds of drinks. It's expensive, but the company is good and everyone is enjoying themselves.
The Barbed Wit does not make an appearance. Although disappointing, this is not surprising. You know full well that you are being appraised this evening. You snap out of your reverie and join in with the throwing of bread rolls at the poet.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed wit increase
Lose 300 x Jade Fragment
Snubbed
You wait at the Singing Mandrake. And you wait. And you wait. They do not come. You leave when the nearby poet starts improvising on the themes of loss and sorrow. At least you still have your jade.
Fascinating… decrease (20 change points)
Scandal increase (2 change points?)
Ask about the affair with the Acclaimed Beauty
Unlocks: Greyfields 1882 100
The Barbed Wit speaks little about her romance with the Acclaimed Beauty. Perhaps a little wine will get her friends talking.
Straightforward at Fascinating 12
Affairs and the cut
Something was said about the affair. Something important. It was said last night, when your stomach wasn't complaining and your head wasn't a fountain of pain and your teeth didn't itch. That was a great deal of wine.
You can't recall clearly, but it seems that the Beauty was the one that broke off the affair. It was nothing to do with the Wit's sharp tongue or appetite for scandal. It appears that the Beauty simply disappeared from public life for months. Apparently the Wit was beside herself. How odd. At the next salon, the Beauty cuts you without a word. A particularly brutal cut direct, at that. It seems he does not care to have his affairs probed. Nevertheless, he's definitely noticed you.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed Wit Increase
Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty Decrease
Lose 100 x Greyfields 1882
Oof
Something was said about the affair. Something important. It was said last night, when your stomach wasn't complaining and your head wasn't a fountain of pain and your teeth didn't itch. You're damned if you can remember it now, though.
That was an awful lot of wine. You may have polished off most of it. Let's hope you didn't say anything too unguarded.
Seen with a Barbed Wit decrease (at least 27 change points)
scandal increase
Lose 100 x Greyfields 1882
An indecorous argument
Unlocks: Seen with a Barbed Wit 5, Fascinating 10
You're not sure how it started. You were enjoying a quiet conversation with the Barbed Wit in an overlooked corner at an otherwise dull salon. And then the sharp words. Hissed recriminations. You are in some danger of having a public screaming match with her!
Return fire
The Empress' prohibition on noise is most inconvenient. You should not let the Wit's barbs go without retort. She probably appreciates being challenged, rather than deferred to, after all.
'Keeper of cowardly weasels!'
Who made this storylet?
Your words lash out, stinging the Barbed Wit. Her eyes flash with eery intensity. People usually do not dare to speak to her like this. She waves an elegant finger at you, and responds with an equal intensity. By now, neither of you know or care what the argument was originally about. You are mere inches from each other now.
You realise the room about you is silent. You have been shouting. A parliamentarian looks upon you in horror. A Viscount swoons. Before the servants come to throw you out, you share a long, long look with the Barbed Wit. You have not seen that particular smile before.
Rewards:
Seen with a Barbed Wit Increase
Walk away
Decorum must be maintained. There will be another time.
A parting
You walk away. The only sound is the faint ticking of a distant clock. The Barbed Wit's friends shake their heads sadly. You look back at her. Her face is as stone.
Seen with a Barbed Wit Decrease
A stroll with the Acclaimed Beauty
Unlocks: Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty 4, Fascinating… 10
From a window, you see the Acclaimed Beauty taking a lonely stroll in the rose garden. He appears wistful. He glances around frequently. Is he hoping to see someone? Could it be you?
Take a stroll yourself
A chance meeting in a rose garden? What could be a more opportune occasion for romance?
Straightforward: Fascinating… 12
A rubbery interloper
The Acclaimed Beauty brightens as you approach, and turns a rare, radiant smile upon you. But although charming, he is distracted. He still glances about when his eyes are not on you.
After a few minutes of engaging conversation, a Rubbery Man sidles out of the privet. He (is it a he? Do you discern a certain feminine quality?) makes a noise like a steam train departing and lifts soft tentacles in a most familiar fashion to the Acclaimed Beauty's face. The rubbery individual presses a warm lump of amber into his hand, hisses gently, and leaves.
The Acclaimed Beauty claims this was for your benefit and hands over the amber as a gift. Your first thoughts might be suspicious, but how could one think poorly of such a smile, such eyes…
You succeeded in a Fascinating… challenge!
1 x Warm Amber
seen with an Acclaimed Beauty has increased to 5!
'Excuse me…'
The Acclaimed Beauty mumbles some half-hearted excuses and leaves. He continues to glance about. He is definitely waiting for someone. It is definitely not you.
Fascinating… decrease (20 points)
Scandal increase
Speak of the ills done to you by the Barbed Wit
Entirely imaginary ills, but ills nonetheless. The lonely gardens will ensure that nobody inconvenient is listening to your calumny. Such lies are alas the necessary weapons of romance.
Straightforward: Fascinating… 11
That woman!
The Acclaimed Beauty's reaction to your tirade against the Wit is complex. At first, he is certainly irritated to be disturbed at all. He glances about as you speak.
At some point he actually starts listening to you. He smiles in all the wrong places. Is he mocking you? Perhaps not. You get the idea that he is well versed in this aspect of romance, and is happy to play along. He starts to sympathise grandly, and you can barely suppress a giggle as you continue. Your claims grow outrageous. The Wit is responsible for the Soul Trade and built the Flit. She taunts orphans with bread rolls from her carriage. She invented gout. You would say anything for such a smile.
Rewards:
Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty Increase
Seen with a Barbed Wit Decrease
Opening the heart
Unlocks: seen with an Acclaimed Beauty 5, Fascinating… 10
The Acclaimed Beauty is brooding near the ornamental fishponds. He looks more handsome and more gloomy than ever.
Offer to listen to his woes
It is long past time he opened his heart to you.
Fascinating… challenge, Modest at 10.
A strange tale
He sighs folornly and begins to speak. 'In the dark corners of the Palace, there is a terrible place of cages. I was taken there and… I cannot speak of it, even now. When I escaped, I was a ruin. A deformed shell.
'The Rubbery Men found me wandering the Prickfinger Wastes, near the Carnival, and took me to their warrens. What happened there was… unnatural and vile, but I was returned to wholeness. I dare not dream, now. The garden of cages is something I cannot relive. Of course, you must be horrified by this tale. I will understand if we can no longer see one another.' (This last with one hand pressed to his sorrowful, handsome brow.)
Rewards:
Seen with an Acclaimed Beauty Increase
So close
He gazes soulfully into the middle distance. 'It's all because of… no. I cannot. I must bear this alone.'
Fascinating… decrease (20 points)
Conclude your affair with the Barbed Wit
unlocked with Seen with the Barbed Wit 6, Fascinating… 10
The Barbed Wit, forward as ever, calls upon you unannounced. The words of your last exchange still ring in her ears. And she has certain intentions towards you. She has brought a rose.
Break off the affair chastely
Romance is all well and good, but your are not going to be party to her plans. You were only ever interested in enhancing your reputation. A polite 'good day' is all she is getting from you.
All done
It is done. You have created sufficient interest at court that nothing needs to be actually consummated. You find a rose on your doorstep the next morning. You smile at what is and what could have been.
You are no longer seen with a Barbed Wit.
1 x Memento of Passion
Let her in with a smile
The flirtations of court are pleasant enough. Sometimes, though, taking that small step further is downright delightful.
What a night
The Barbed Wit is rather tender when you get to know her better. Sentimental, even. The evening stretches into night and then morning. A night you shall not forget. Unlike most of your affair, tonight is nearly wordless. All has been said that needs to be.
Realities of court life mean that you need to be seen apart for some little time. You agree that it is a great pity. When the Barbed Wit leaves, she leaves behind her tie. You take it with a smile. Perhaps you will wear it one day.
You are no longer seen with a Barbed Wit.
1 x Memento of Passion
Suggest something a little more… exotic
Unlocks: Hedonist 7
A racy assignation in the Empress' own gilded carriage, perhaps? You'll probably be caught. Possibly that's the point.
Disporting in the carriage
Emboldened by desire, you sneak into the Palace outbuildings, suppressing giggles. The Empress hasn't used the carriage in years, of course, but it is kept gleaming and ready in any case.
Alas, you forget yourselves somewhat, and disturb the grooms, who raise an alarm. You are forced to flee, in a state of some undress, across the flower beds. When you reach the Barbed Wit's rooms, you agree that it might be best to not be seen together for a time. You bid a fond and heartfelt farewell, and hope that nobody saw your faces. You keep a button that fell from her dress as a souvenir.
Rewards:
You are no longer seen with a Barbed Wit.
1 x Memento of Passion
Scandal large increase (around 10-14 change points)
Conclude your affair with the Acclaimed Beauty
unlocked with Fascinating… 10, seen with an Acclaimed Beauty 6
The Acclaimed Beauty, while reserved as ever, gazes at you longingly at salons and dinners. It is more than flesh can bear.
Break off the affair
Is it his distressing past? Have your eyes found another? Or do you enjoy seeing one so admired reduced to helpless admiration?
Gone
You don't see the Acclaimed Beauty for a while. Rumours abound that he has a broken heart and has left the palace and headed for the Elder Country or Polythreme.
You receive a parcel. It is a strange piece of amber, around the size of an eyeball. It is coloured red.
You've lost a quality: seen with an Acclaimed Beauty.
1 x Memento of Passion
Call upon his rooms with passionate intent
He has given up his secrets. But you want more from him.
A day and a night, and what a night
The Acclaimed Beauty, to be frank, doesn't know what hit him. Your first embrace knocks him onto a divan. He is startled out of his usual composure. Your directness has seduced him, and he kisses you fiercely.
Lamps are being extinguished outside when the world reasserts itself upon you. Realities of court life mean that you need to be seen apart for some little time. You agree that it is a great pity. When you leave, the Acclaimed Beauty presses something into your hand with a smile. It's a cheap tin whistle. You remember him saying it's what kept him sane when he was caged.
Rewards:
You've lost a quality: seen with an Acclaimed Beauty.
1 x Memento of Passion
Perhaps something a little more exotic
The Palace roof would make a loftily exhilarating setting for the conclusion of an affair.
Unlocks: Hedonist 7
Up on the roof
Above, the stars, or what pass for stars, sparkle intoxicatingly. You spread out a comfortable blanket. Tonight, you can ignore the bat droppings and the occasional burglar. Tonight, the Acclaimed Beauty is yours.
In the early quiet hours, once passion is spent, you speak of many things. He longs to leave the Palace and seek a better life elsewhere. You tell him of your ambitions and plans. The realities of court life mean that you need to be seen apart for some little time. You agree that it is a great pity. Back in the Palace proper, you find that you have a piece of a weather vane in your pocket. You smile and decide to keep it.
You've lost a quality: seen with an Acclaimed Beauty.
1 x Memento of Passion
A passion carefully arranged
The Acclaimed Beauty. The Barbed Wit. You. Together. Deplorable, of course. But glorious.
unlocked with seen with a Barbed Wit 6, seen with an Acclaimed Beauty 6, Fascinating… 10
Drowning prudence in passion
Unlocks: Hedonist 9
A scandal? The scandal to eclipse all other scandals. The pair of them. At once. On the throne of the Empress! This will be an exquisite encounter.
Worth the inevitable exile
The Barbed Wit and the Acclaimed Beauty are talking and smiling. This is rare for them, and a sign that this evening is be the right time. His eyes are heavy with desire; her smile is langorous and sly. You join them, whisper softly into their ears, then take each by the hand and lead the way to the throne room.
This room has probably never seen such debauchery. Their shared history and the sense of something unfinished between the two of them is like slow-burning embers, and the new, intriguing connection you have with each of them provides the sparks. The throne is regrettably lumpy, but the transgression of being in this place lends a delicious frisson. Soon, though, you quite forget where you are. Time passes slowly, like a dream. Much later, long after you ought to have left, you are discovered by a quartet of horrified footmen.
Of course, you are all exiled as thoroughly as anyone has ever been exiled. As you are led away to the docks, you notice something caught on your wrist. It's a single marvellously elegant silver earring: the Empress' own, perhaps lost behind a cushion on the throne. You smile to yourself. A souvenir.
Rewards:
immediate move to disgraced exile in the Tomb-Colonies
1 Fate
You are no longer seen with a Barbed Wit.
You are no longer seen with an Acclaimed Beauty.
1 x Memento of Passion
Scandal huge increase (30 change points)
Hedonist increase (10 change points)
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Forceful increase (3 change points)
