Gaining A Criminal Reputation

This story begins with an Opportunity Card.

A fair sized job for the right cracksman.

There's a big job planned. Something to do with a lawyer's office and a fire.
Unlocks: A Person of Some Importance 1

Accept the job

This sort of caper needs takes all sorts. Some clever sod to plan the job, a fellow with the sense to handle fire, a mole in the Constables, lookouts, enforcers, and a skilled cracksman for the safe. Someone like yourself.
Unlocks with: Connected: Criminals 20
Shadowy challenge, straightforward at 125

Reward spoiler

The job's done, but that's not the end of it

This job is no challenge for someone of your talents. You barely remember the safe itself. The bosses got their documents, and the urchins are toasting marshmallows on what's left of the offices.
It's got you thinking, though. Why wasn't it you planning the job? Don't you command respect in the shadows of the Neath? Don't you have the skills, the talent, the brains? Don't you know the right sort of footpad and murderer? Perhaps you'll have to put that right.
[Head to the Bazaar Sidestreets to continue.]
Shadowy increase
An occurrence! Your 'Gaining a Criminal Reputation' Quality is now 1!
40 x Stolen Correspondence

Failure spoiler

Not this time

'Nah, we don't need yer. We got us a canny cove from the Surface. A proper cracksman who's never failed, not once'. The cheek of it!
Shadowy increase.
Suspicion increase.

The following actions appear in the Bazaar sidestreets when your Criminal Reputation quality is 1.

Improving a bad reputation

If you are to employ a criminal gang of your own, you must teach your name to the prowlers of London's shadows…
unlocked with Gaining a Criminal Reputation 1

Option 1: Spread some money about

Like the seigneurs of old, a baron of the underworld must appear generous. Sometimes.
unlocked with Gaining a Criminal Reputation 1, <3, unlocked with Rostygold 2000

Reward spoiler

Practical largesse

You pay for a few weddings. People remember those. And you take care of a gossipy widow or two. They'll pronounce blessings to the guv'nor at anyone who passes. You throw a little cash at a pair of venal Constables. You never know when you'll need them. You pass a few days and quite a quantity of rostygold in this fashion, but this is not generosity. This is business.
Gaining a Criminal Reputation increase (1 change point)

2000 x Rostygold
Connected: Criminals increase (10 or 12 change points)

Option 2: Give up on this

Perhaps you don't need a gang of criminals after all.

Reward spoiler (known, but no text)

in addition to removing Criminal Reputation, this option reduces both Connected:Criminals and Suspicion

Option 3: Make an example of an informer

Throw him to the devils for their hunt around the Forgotten Quarter. Let everyone know what happens to those who inform on you. Make his family watch.
unlocked with Gaining a Criminal Reputation 4

Reward spoiler

The making of a name

The brass horn sounds. A cry, a desperate flight. A half-sobbed appeal for mercy. And then they're onto him and it's over. They lick their dainty fangs and tip their hats to you.
You have the devils' thanks for their sport. But that's not the point. His family will tell everyone what happened here. People will know, and they will fear you.
An occurrence! Your 'Gaining a Criminal Reputation' Quality is now 5!
Ruthless increase (unless too high, the case at 30)

Option 4: Make the beggars respect you

The Raggedy Men of the Flit are the Topsy King's invisible army of eyes and ears. Not that he seems to do much with them. You must make them fear your name.
[A matter of luck: it could go either way].
unlocked with Gaining a Criminal Reputation 3, <4, Route: The Flit 1

Reward spoiler

The easy way

The Raggedy Men, for all that they're half-mad, learn quickly. You only have to beat one of them to a bloody mess against a long-cold chimney. The rest get the message.
Gaining a Criminal Reputation increase (1 change point)
Suspicion increase (1 change point)
Ruthless increase (unless higher than 9)

Failure

One must do such things, in business

He wouldn't listen. So you had to throw him off the bridge. The scream lasted for longer than you expected. Perhaps he'll walk again some day.
Gaining a Criminal Reputation increase (1 change point)
Suspicion increase (2 change points)

A Name is Made

They respect you now…Or at least, they fear you.
unlocked with Gaining a Criminal Reputation 5

Option 1: Give up on this

Perhaps you don't need a gang of criminals after all.

Reward spoiler (unknown)

++++

Option 2: Bring your gang together

It's time you made your mark in the dark places of the Neath. Which, let's face it, is almost all of them.

unlocked with 8 x Use of Villains 30 x Journal of Infamy, 100 x Appalling Secret each
Connected: Criminals 20

Reward spoiler

All here together

What a fine band you are! Gentleman and ladies of fortune, all arrayed around the guv'nor. What benny capers you will have together!

Your 'Gang of Hoodlums' Quality is now 1!
You've lost 8 x Use of Villains
Your 'Gaining a Criminal Reputation' Quality has gone!

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Opportunity Card(s)

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The Life of Crime

'What's 'appening today then, guv?'

Unlocks: Gang of Hoodlums 1

Your cut of the take

It's time to accept tribute from your lackeys.

Reward spoiler

A good handful of rostygold

A passable take, all things considered. Would have been more if not for that copper turning out honest.

Gain 150 x Rostygold

Remind them who's boss

Sometimes you just have to beat the living daylights out of one of your own, for no better reason than to remind them who is in charge.

Reward spoiler

Bloody-knuckled discipline

'All right guv! All right! Whatever I did, I'm sorry! And if you tell me what it was, I won't do it again!'

Connected: Criminals increase (approx 5 change points)
Suspicion increase (1 chage point)

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