What can you find in the Forgotten Quarter?
The Quarter becomes more interesting as your Watchful abilities increase…
Expedition underway
Your expedition is away into the Forgotten Quarter. Where to try first?
Unlocks: Watchful 72, Archaeologist's Hat x 1
Start a trench here
A broad avenue surrounded by a dozen worn statues of warrior-kings looks like a promising location to investigate.
Straightforward: Watchful 77?
Promising finds
You find a valuable cache of Fourth City relics beneath the gaze of ancient statues and empty windows. You are interrupted by small but fearless snakes and the occasional hunting party of devils (what are they hunting? Best not to inquire.), but progress is brisk. The stately spires of the Bazaar rise above the ruins to the north-east: curiously, you make all your best finds when their shadows cover your dig.
Rewards :
14 x Relic of the Fourth City
Pity the archaeologist
First, the snakes come. Being bitten doesn't concern the Clay Men, but you lose a student to them - her skin turning a sickly blue-black within minutes as she dies. A cart bringing supplies simply disappears. Two Clay Men suddenly leave, claiming the statues are speaking to them hungrily of times to come. Your dreams here are not pleasant.
Rewards :
Watchful increase
Nightmares increase (1 change point)
Relics! More relics!
No matter how successful you have been, the world (and your purse) can make use of fine antiquities.
Unlocks: Watchful 73, Archaeologist's Hat x 1
Stay near your expedition
There are plenty of Fourth City relics to be had nearby, if your eyes are sharp.
Straightforward: Watchful 78?
Scattered treasures
An eerie torchlight from the distant windows of the Forgotten Quarter adds to the pale moonish light as you uncover the treasures of the past. You know better than to approach them, however. The new pieces you collect are worthy, and will help keep your expedition in the field for a little longer.
Rewards :
14 x Relic of the Fourth City
What are those torches doing there?
A strange flickering torchlight has started appearing from the distant parts of the Forgotten Quarter as you continue your digging. Have you disturbed something… untoward? Your staff are shaken, and little progress is made today.
Rewards :
Watchful increase
Nightmares increase
Go exploring on your own
You don't need feckless students and lumbering Clay Men slowing you down.
Straightforward: Watchful 81?
The temple
You set off boldly, with only a pickaxe and an oil lamp for company in the wide, silent avenues. Seeing a strange torchlight glow from a large building, you investigate. The place resembles an Oriental temple, and malodorous tallow torches greet your entrance. Inside is a fortune in jade, but when you enter there is a great rumbling and crashing. You grab a handful and sprint out before the building comes down on you.
Rewards :
76 x Jade Fragment
Visions of doom
You set off boldly, with only a pickaxe and an oil lamp for company in the wide, silent avenues. Seeing a strange torchlight glow from a large building, you investigate. The place resembles an Oriental temple, and malodorous tallow torches greet your entrance. You are gripped by visions: a city under siege, and a populace hopeless and desperately craving salvation. Their fear doesn't leave you when you sleep.
Rewards :
Watchful increase
Nightmares increase (1 change point)
Confound Dr. Orthos!
You've managed to keep ahead of Dr. Orthos so far. Now it's time to leave him in the Forgotten Quarter dust!
Unlocks: Watchful 73, engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities 1
Plant a false trail
A few clues here, a forged map there and he'll be chasing nothing while you get to the real finds.
Straightforward at Watchful 78?
And he's off!
Your trail of false clues leads Dr. Orthos away from the Forgotten Quarter entirely. He'll be digging up chunks of Bugsby's Marshes for weeks! Although you'll have to watch for his return, you can now concentrate on the dig and you're sure you are close to something big! Curiously, once Dr. Orthos packs up to leave, Virginia disbands her operation. Perhaps it was him she was chasing, and not you? You can only hope. She's also worth keeping an eye on, though.
Rewards :
Orthos' Progress decrease (to 0?)
Virginia's Progress decrease (to 0?)
A twist in your tale! You are no longer engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities.
A magnificent discovery!
You have located the tomb of a Fourth City king of legend. Fame and riches await!
Unlocks: Watchful 73, Archaeologist's Hat 1
NOTE: This storylet disappears once you complete it. You must reduce engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities to 0 for this to appear. (see storylet above)
Approaching the tomb
The area is crossed by snake-tracks of fearsome size. The tomb you seek will be marked with the sign of the silver tree.
Straightforward at Watchful 78?
A find for the ages!
Torchlight flares from every window in the Forgotten Quarter as you approach the tomb. You are very close when you see the snakes. There must be a thousand of them in the shadowy avenue: brown cave-snakes and a few asps and cobras. One huge specimen eyes you with distressingly intelligent yellow eyes, and you dash past it and into the tomb. The snakes follow you into the cold depths and you barely get a look at the place before they chase you out. However, around the perfectly-preserved naked corpse of the king are arrayed seven strange stones. You grab them as you dodge a cobra's spittle and run out.
Rewards :
1 x Correspondence Stones
Investigating the Stones
The seven stones taken from the tomb of a king in the Forgotten Quarter are composed of a highly polished meteoric iron ore.
Unlocks: Watchful 75, Correspondence Stones x 1
NOTE: This begins an orange-coloured story with progress tracked by Investigating…
Is that writing?
There are symbols on the stones. They make your eyes water and occasionally bleed. Is there some sense that can be made of them?
Does not test any stats
The meaning of the stones
Perhaps you can find someone who knows about these stones and their disturbing symbols.
Rewards :
Investigating… shows your progress in the venture.
Begun a new venture! Investigation: investigating the Correspondence Stones
Investigating the Stones
This sort of rare treasure has been seen before: they are called Correspondence Stones.
Unlocks: Correspondence Stones x 1, Investigation: investigating the Correspondence Stones 1
NOTE: This continues an orange-coloured story with progress tracked by Investigating…
This wiped my existing Investigating… Progress! However, once begun, this storylet can be improved by using other Investigating storylets, frex the Curate and his Sister.
The Correspondence
The symbols have been seen on other stones. Although they are distressing to look at, surely someone can help you understand them.
Straightforward at Watchful 80?
A hearty fellow
This philologist isn't like the others. He has a thick black beard, hands like shovels and a laugh that shakes bats from the roof. He takes the stones with relish, and promises you some news within the week.
Rewards :
Investigating… increase
Getting nowhere
And that's another philologist who showed initial delight in studying the stones, but quickly sent them back to you and now refuses to answer the front door. You are in some danger of running out of the antiquarians.
Rewards:
Watchful is increasing…
Investigating the Stones: Conclusion
Investigating the Stones: Conclusion
Your hearty philologist friend has news! He has made some progress, and has an idea on making more…
Unlocks: Correspondence Stones x 1, Investigating… 5, Investigation: investigating the Correspondence Stones 1
NOTE: This concludes an orange-coloured story with progress tracked by Investigating…
Find out what he knows
Just ask him what he knows: nothing dangerous.
Does not test any stats
The Correspondence
He tells you that the language is known as the Correspondence, and has been seen written on some of the Bazaar spires. He only knows the meaning of a few symbols. This one represents a span of time more than four million years. That one is used to signify a trade involving a labyrinth. Your philologist is not what he was: his hair is standing on end, both his eyes are bleeding and he occasionally performs some kind of ecstatic jig, which makes talking to him difficult. He asks you not to call again.
Rewards :
2 x Appalling Secret
50 x Cryptic Secret
Nightmares increase
A bold and original plan
Your philologist friend thinks he can find out more by placing the Correspondence Stones on his chest as he sleeps. Will you let him?
Straightforward at Investigating… 10
The language of where?
Your philologist asks you to watch over him as he sleeps. He sleeps for no more than a minute before he leaps up, his hair on fire, screaming 'It's the language of Xanadu!' You throw the contents of the washing bowl over his head and he calms down enough to tell you that the language is known as the Correspondence, and has been seen written on some of the Bazaar spires. He only knows the meaning of a few symbols. This one represents a span of time more than four million years. That one is used to signify a trade involving a labyrinth. His hair bursts into flames again as you leave: this is going to be a long night.
Rewards :
2 x Appalling Secret
60 x Cryptic Secret
That devil woman is back!
All along, Virginia was after the Correspondence rather than your soul!
Unlocks: Watchful 77, Correspondence Stones x 1
NOTE: This storylet will disappear once you have completed it.
Hide your knowledge
Lock up your notes, hide from her, caution your colleagues to be wary: she shall not have your knowledge!
Straightforward at Watchful 83
It works, for now
You guard against Virginia and her schemes. Her desire for your work is frustrated, and Virginia slinks back to the Brass Embassy, literally fuming. You're not certain this is the end of the matter, however.
Rewards :
A twist in your tale! You are now engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities.
What does she know?
Despite your best efforts at guarding your knowledge against her advances, you think that Virginia has somehow learned a little of The Correspondence. You must be more vigilant!
Rewards :
You've gained a new quality: Virginia's Progress at 1 (or Virginia's Progress increases, if you've failed before).
Understanding the Correspondence
The Correspondence is a mystery: one you are most likely going to have to solve yourself.
Unlocks: Watchful 78
A distinctly cautious approach
Scour the Neath's libraries for information, and try to pick up scraps where you can.
Straightforward at Watchful 83
A little, but it is something
Several scholars have written about the Correspondence, but between private collectors, devils and the Ministry of Public Decency, their works are frustratingly hard to find. Chancing the more shadowy and unprincipled shops, you find something. It's definitely a language, and you're getting the hang of the numbering system. It seems that they like preposterously big numbers, whoever 'they' are.
Rewards :
39 x Cryptic Secret
A decidedly incautious approach
Pile the stones on yourself and go to sleep. Are you mad? You probably will be!
Unlocked with Correspondence Stones x 1
Straightforward at Watchful 86
The letters of fire!
You sleep, and the symbols on the stones burn themselves into your dreams. You start to understand some of them: this one is an airless flight, that one is a willing sacrifice. You see the symbols whenever you dream, scorched into your mind. You awake to find yourself dancing across your lodgings, eyes bleeding profusely. How much do you want to understand this language?
Rewards :
40 x Cryptic Secret
Nightmares increase (1 charge point)
A tour of the quarter
Few come to the Forgotten Quarter, although many speak of it. Perhaps there's some money to be made here.
Unlocks: Watchful 78
The exploitation of knowledge
You've been in the Quarter long enough to know its ways. The wealthy and curious will pay for a tour of this quaint remnant of antiquity.
High-risk at Watchful 80
'And on your left is another stone horse…'
That went well. You illuminated the mysteries of the Forgotten Quarter to paying customers seeking improvement. Your tour party was a little startled when they stumbled across a pair of hastily hidden corpses, but one can't have everything.
Rewards :
Watchful increase
82 x Jade Fragment
You could get used to this
That went well. You offered the mysteries of the Forgotten Quarter to paying customers seeking improvement. Your party was entranced by the gloomy grandeur of the place. Those mournful devil-horns in the distance added a perfect frisson of fear. After the tour, a respectable matron gives you a little something extra and demands more stories of the Quarter, perhaps over tea.
Rewards :
Watchful increase
2 x Diamond
82 x Jade Fragment
'We are leaving, Henrietta…'
Perhaps the midnight tour wasn't such a good idea. The distant hunting horns of devils unnerved the more fragile members of the party. That sorrow-spider leaping from a stone tortoise didn't help matters either. You don't think they'll be back.
Watchful increase
Scandal increase
The secrets of the stones
Your study of the Correspondence has finally come to its fruition.
Unlocks: Watchful 80, Correspondence Stones x 1, engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities 1
The scholar of The Correspondence
You know as much as anyone about the Correspondence, and you know that this is no human language. You suspect that fragments might be found in cities before the Fourth.
Does not test any stats
Exploiting knowledge
You are satisfied that you have found what you can from the Correspondence Stones. Perhaps it is time to make use of this knowledge for a little gain.
Rewards :
An Accomplishment! You are now a Scholar of the Correspondence.
Virginia's attention
Virginia wants the Correspondence Stones for Hell, and is prepared to murder you repeatedly for them. This must be ended once and for all.
Unlocks: Watchful 80, Correspondence Stones x 1, engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities 1, a Scholar of the Correspondence 1
Option 1: Hide the Correspondence Stones in the Tomb-colonies
You could call in some favours in the Tomb-colonies and have the Stones hidden where Virginia cannot find them.
Requires Connected: The Tomb Colonies 2
Does not test any stats.
A woman scorned
The Stones have been packed into an unobtrusive crate and are headed across the Unterzee. You do not expect to see them again. Once she realises what has happened, Virginia pays you a visit. She smiles politely at you, and tells you of the vast stack of papers in the Brass Embassy that now bear your name. She advises you to put your affairs in order, tonight.
Rewards :
lose 1 x Correspondence Stones
engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities decrease
Connected: Hell decrease
Option 2: Give Virginia the Correspondence Stones
What could Hell do with such knowledge? Are you their pawn? Do you fear Virginia? How much do they pay?
Does not test any stats.
A pact is struck
Virginia pecks you on the cheek as you hand over the Correspondence Stones. You are highly favoured in Hell, and devils tip their strange hats to you in the streets. What have you done?
How unfortunate. At least you'd learnt everything you could from the Stones
Rewards :
lose 1 x Correspondence Stones
engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities decrease
Connected: Hell significant increase (from 15 to 18)
Suspicion increase
Nightmares increase
Option 3: Play chess for the Stones
Devils love this sort of thing. The stakes: the Correspondence Stones against Hell rescinding all claims to them for a little under two years. Virginia will represent Hell in person.
Straightforward: Watchful 86
And that would be checkmate, Virginia
Virginia is graceful in defeat, and shows no sign of dismay as you gently push her king over. She chanced the Fried Liver Attack, but you countered easily with the Luzhin Defence. True to their word, Hell ceases hunting the Correspondence Stones, at least for the moment. Your skill has bought you some time, at least. Your victory heartens you: for a time, you sleep a little easier.
Rewards :
A twist in your tale! You are no longer engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities.
Nightmares decrease
Option 4: Agree to tell her all about the Correspondence, and lie
Fooling a devil? Really? You think for a moment you can do that? Perhaps you can.
Straightforward: Persuasive 89
**What a performance! **
You spin a tale of the Correspondence being the language of the great beasts asleep below the city, and she swallows it! You make a great issue of not pronouncing certain symbols lest the beasts awaken and destroy the Neath. Virginia makes frantic notes, and scurries off to the Brass Embassy. Later, a present arrives, tied up with perfumed ribbon.
Rewards :
Daring increase
42 x Souls
A twist in your tale! You are no longer engaged in a Rivalry of Antiquities.
Invitations from the University
Two near-identical envelopes arrive for you one morning…
unlocked with Watchful 80
Open them up
Heavy, creamy paper. One bears the the seal of Benthic College, one of Summerset College. Intriguing. Perhaps academia is ready for your bold theories on the Correspondence?
unlocked with a Scholar of the Correspondence 1
Does not test any stats.
Alike in dignity
Each is an invitation to consider the post of visiting lecturer at Fallen London's university. The Principal of Benthic College writes of breaking radical new ground. The Provost of Summerset College mentions the advantages of his well-regarded and wealthy establishment. Are you being fought over? Can you turn this to your advantage?
Whatever is happening, your path leads to the University! [Unlock University access through the 'Open a Way…' storylet in your Lodgings.]
A twist in your tale! You are now Featuring in the Tales of the University.
You've gained a new quality: Connected: Benthic at 8.
You've gained a new quality: Connected: Summerset at 8.
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All images and directly quoted text are © Failbetter Games Ltd. and are used by permission.
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