Nightmares
nightmare.png scaryeye.png sidebarnightmares.png

Managing Nightmares is part of the harsh reality of living in the Neath. Your Nightmares become troubling if this Menace quality reaches 5. Don't let it reach 8.

Levels in Nightmares

  1. Wary
  2. Twitchy
  3. Sleepless
  4. Plagued
  5. Haunted
  6. Deranged
  7. THEY ARE COMING THEY ARE COMING THEY ARE COMING
  8. Raving
  9. Raving
  10. Raving

Why are my Nightmares getting worse?

Nightmares can be gained when failing a high-level Watchful storylet, or when certain, well, nightmarish things happen in storylets. The several Recurring Dreams almost always give Nightmares, too.

What happens if my Nightmares get too high?

If your Nightmares quality reaches 4, the following action appears in your lodgings, that allows you to use 1 x Sudden Insight to relieve your Nightmares by raising a friend's Nightmares.

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Find a way to deal with your Nightmares

Your nightmares are becoming a real problem…
Unlocked with Nightmares 4

Invite a friend over to Confess your Fears

If you spend Sudden Insights, you can confess your fears to a friend and reduce your Nightmares. You can get Sudden Insights through social actions in your Lodgings.
Unlocked with 1 x Sudden Insight

If your Nightmares quality reaches 8, you have gone insane and you will end up in A State of Some Confusion. If your Nightmares quality reaches 8 and you have at least one Memory of Light, you will end up in The Mirror Marches. You can reduce your Nightmares in both places, but at some cost to you.


Opportunity Cards

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City Vices: Orthographic Infection (Standard)

A crowd pushes and shoves round a brick wall crowded with diabolical graffiti. Some are trying to read it, whispering it aloud. Others stumble away, clawing at their eyes and screaming.
[Unlocked with Nightmares 1]

The answer to Nightmares?

Will you learn something of moment? Or will you damage your mind, your eyesight, your very sanity?
The greater your Nightmares, the greater the risk and the reward.
A matter of luck: it could go either way.

Ask someone else what they saw

There are old neophilologists, and bold neophilologists…
A matter of luck: it could go either way.
clocksmall.png [Unlocked with Counting the Days 10-13]
bagsmall.png [Unlocked with Spending Secrets 4]
bethlehem.png

A moment's peace

When did you last sleep well? Just one night. Just one night without the terrible dreams.
Unlocked with Nightmares 3

Relax and enjoy

Sometimes, even the dank and mushroomed parks of Fallen London are peaceful. Sit on a park bench and admire the passers-by in their weird subterranean fashions; the church spires silhouetted against the lights in the roof of the Neath; the hundred livid colours of fungus in perpetual autumn.

Read a calming book

Some starchy classical poetry, perhaps. Or a look through Slowcake's Exceptionals. Nothing racy, and none of this Gothic nonsense.
bagsmall.png [Unlocked with Spending Secrets 4]

Take some honey with a friend

Perhaps your dreams won't be so horrific if you have good company. This will allow you to share a honey dream with a friend.
honeysmall.png [Unlocked with 50 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey]
clocksmall.png [Unlocked with Counting the Days no more than 5]
bagsmall.png [Unlocked with Spending Secrets 4]

Mysticism and mesmerism

Perhaps there's something to this. The Theosophists and their ilk can't all be frauds, can they? Perhaps they can grant you a decent night's sleep.
clocksmall.png [Unlocked with Counting the Days 6 and Counting the Days no more than 9]
bagsmall.png [Unlocked with Spending Secrets 4]

Physical exercise and exertion

If you're stumbling with exhaustion, perhaps sleep will be a merciful, thoughtless oblivion, at least for a few hours.
clocksmall.png [Unlocked with Counting the Days 10 and Counting the Days no more than 11]
bagsmall.png [Unlocked with Spending Secrets 4]

Follow a light into the trees

A pale light among the withered aspens, cool as moonlight. This option will always remove all your Nightmares, and may have other effects.

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Requires 6 Fate
Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

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A merry gentleman (Ubiquitous)

In the street, you pass a tall, cheerful man with a brisk manner…He winks familiarly as you pass…
Note: Your Nightmares are reaching a dangerous level.
  [Unlocked with Nightmares 5]
  [CAN'T DISCARD]

Greet the Merry Gentleman

It's only polite.

Ignore the Merry Gentleman

Something is wrong here.
A matter of luck: the odds are against you here.

Approach the Merry Gentleman

This is the man you need to speak to.
   [Unlocked with: Ambition: Heart's Desire - the Topsy King 18.]

Offer the Merry Gentleman a diamond

Perhaps you know why this is the right thing. Perhaps you are guided by instinct. This will reduce your Nightmares to 0.
   [Unlocked with 1 x Flawed Diamond]

boxsmall.png

Requires 9 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

Offer the Merry Gentleman a large diamond

Something a little bit notable. What will he think of it? This will eradicate your Nightmares, and gain you a substantial treasure.
   [Unlocked with 1 x Ostentatious Diamond]

boxsmall.png

Requires 15 Fate

Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.

schlomo.png

The Interpreter of Dreams

Perhaps Dr Schlomo, innovative student of the human brain, can explain those troublesome dreams you've been having and possibly reduce your Nightmares.

Several different Opportunity Cards feature Dr. Schlomo, depending on the type of Nightmares and the nature of any Recurring Dreams you are experiencing.

All of these Opportunity Cards are gathered on their own page.


Reducing Your Nightmares

There are several ways to reduce your Nightmares quality before you end up going insane.

Companions

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A Cheerful Goldfish
A happy addition to your household.

Reduces Nightmares by 1 when equipped.

Weapons

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Spiked Rosary

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Bejewelled Cane
Excuse me? Could you put a cover on that? It's blinding the butler.

Items

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F.F. Gebrandt's Superior Laudanum
Ensures a deep sleep, but may affect your health.

Reduces Nightmares but increases Wounds and can lead to A Less than Laudable Laudanum Habit.

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Greyfields 1868 First Sporing
A vintage often reserved for the intimates and proteges of Mr Wines.

Reduces Nightmares.

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Appalling Secret
Are you quite sure you want to know this?

You can attempt to reduce Nightmares by sacrificing Appalling Secrets.

Other Methods

weaselsmall.png Playing the "Tournament of weasels" opportunity card and winning reduces Nightmares.
placeholder6small.png Playing the "An unwise ambush" opportunity card and fleeing reduces Nightmares.
spitesmall.png If you find yourself on a slow boat because of your Wounds, you could choose to just give up which will reduce your Nightmares. (But not get you off the boat.)
contractsmall.png If you've lost your soul and get an opportunity card to consider that situation, your Nightmares will be reduced if you are content.
ratssmall.png Paying your respects at a rat funeral when the "The Departed" opportunity card is played can reduce your Nightmares.
stockingssmall.png Visiting the Parlour of Virtue reduces Nightmares.
sproutsmall.png Successfully talking to your house plant can reduce Nightmares.
dirigiblesmall.png Going batwatching with the Once-Dashing Smuggler can reduce your Nightmares.
clergysmall.png A visit from a priest while you are imprisoned will lower your Nightmares.
forgersmall.png Sharing your cell with The Repentant Forger while you are imprisoned can lower your Nightmares.
scaryeyesmall.png Getting lucky in some Recurring Dreams can reduce your Nightmares.

Storylets

knifetingsmall.png Spend some Time in Bed at your Lodgings. A success on some of the options will lower your Nightmares.
stockingssmall.png Lady seeks bodyguard on Watchmaker's Hill. A rare success will lower your Nightmares.
island2small.png Landing at Hunters Keep will lower your Nightmares.
watchmakershillsmall.pngRare success on Guard duty at the Observatory at Watchmaker's Hill can lower your Nightmares.
bottleandglasssmall.png Trying some hot wine at the carnival might calm your nerves.
mastersmall.png A rare encounter with Mr Wines at the Carnival will have you sleeping better.

Story rewards

widowsmall.png Delivering a message to the Widow will reduce your Nightmares.
eyesmall.png Praying for guidance at The University will clear your mind.
succubussmall.png Beating Virginia (and Hell) at Chess will allow you some sleep.
toysoldiersmall.png Convincing a father to not play with a new toy will help.
auntsmall.png Drink heavily in reaction to the news of your aunt and the Embassy. You'll sleep, or at least black out.

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