Playing Cat And Mouse With An Evasive Target
How it works
About these stories:
* You have nine moves and you need to get 50 Cat.
* For the first four moves, you can get a max of 5 Cat each (max 20 Cat).
* For the next four moves, you can get a max of 8 Cat each (max 32 Cat).
* For the last move you can get 10 Cat. So the total is 62 if you succeed every time.
* Most players will want to pay for success, rather than risk a total loss.
* If you're feeling daring, the place to gamble is the middle four moves: two successes will give 16 Cat which makes up for one failure. But if you fail twice, you have lost (unless you pay fate).
For most of these stories, you will pay 0.5 echoes for the first four moves, 2.5 echoes for the next four, and 12.5 echoes for the last move; the total is 24.5 echoes, plus 10 actions, plus whatever you paid to start the story. The payoff (for Implacable Detective stories) is worth 15-17 echoes. Not a great deal!
The stories that use this mechanic
These stories are unlocked with an Implacable Detective's Business Card
Gives you Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target 4
Gives you Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target 5
Gives you Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target 6
Individuals who wish to procure a Screaming Map will have to search for 2 halves of the Screaming Map.
The Right-Hand Half of the Screaming Map is held by the Disgruntled Naval Officer, to pursue his map half, is a Respectable challenge.
The Left-Hand Half of the Screaming Map is held by Masked Clay Man (Dreaded Challenge) (and/or) the Enterprising Astronomer (Bizarre Challenge).
The map halves will be rewarded on a time delay action, after one complete the Cat and Mouse style mechanic (similar to the Implacable Detective's Business Card).
Storylet in Ladybones Road
Cat and Mouse: an Elusive Target
Ladybones Road: home of detectives and rumourmongers…The best place to pick up the trail. Gain 50 Cat before your Mouse reaches 1. You can trust your luck, or spend resources to be sure of it. But the longer you wait, the more expensive it gets…
[Unlocked with Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target 4]
[Unlocked with 2 x Mouse: So Little Time]
Early days: follow your nose
Preliminary investigations. You still have time. Gains 5 Getting Warmer if you're lucky.
A matter of luck: pretty good odds.
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 7 x Mouse: So Little Time]
Hints and whispers
A word in an alleyway. A friend of a friend. You have their scent.
Gain: 5 x Cat: Getting Warmer.
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Lost hours
Your usual sources are silent. You meet insolence, violence, frivolity. Time to escalate?
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Early days: play it safe
Or you could trade secrets for a hint to your target's whereabouts. Always gains 5 Getting Warmer.
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 50 x Whispered Secret]
[Unlocked with 7 x Mouse: So Little Time]
[This storylet will cost you 2 actions!]
The rumour trade
A clue going cheap: a name in a hotel register. Three steps removed, but you're getting there.
Gain: 5 x Cat: Getting Warmer.
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Lose: 50 x
Whispered Secret
Pursue the Aunt among honey-dealers
She has a taste for honey, they say. Perhaps that's where you can pick up her trail. Time-consuming but effective.
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 7 x Mouse: So Little Time]
[Unlocked with 80 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey]
[Unlocked with Playing Cat and Mouse with an evasive target 4]
[This storylet will cost you 2 actions!]
A certain nervousness
'Oh, yes…her. I remember her. She puts it on toast. Who puts my honey on toast? Speak with the Hirsute Milliner. But go carefully - "
Lose: 80 x
Drop of Prisoner's Honey
Gain: 10 x Cat: Getting Warmer
Lose: 2 x Mouse: So Little Time
Ask after the Eccentric Burglar in high places
The Detective suspected the Burglar might be a wealthy idler… but you'll need to use substantial leverage to get your contacts to talk. Time-consuming but effective.
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 7 x Mouse: So Little Time]
[Unlocked with Connected: Society 10]
[Unlocked with Playing Cat and Mouse with an evasive target 5]
[This storylet will cost you 2 actions!]
Skeins of nonsense, pearls of truth
'…when the Moscow Ballet was visiting from the Surface! Three houses burgled that night. Not a coincidence. And all they took were white rats. Never trust a dancer, I say. One of them was seen that night, you know, crouched atop the roof of St Brillifage…'
Gain: 10 x Cat: Getting Warmer
Lose: 2 x Mouse: So Little Time
Connected: Society decrease
Time is passing: follow your nose
The stakes are higher! Time is running out, but your information is fresher. Gains 8 Getting Warmer if you're lucky.
A matter of luck: pretty good odds.
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 3 x Mouse: So Little Time]
Closer and closer
A report of a sighting. An abandoned scarf. A quickening pace. But how long do you have?
Gain: 8 x Cat: Getting Warmer
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Stonewalled
A promising lead that takes you to a nest of urchins. An address you watch for a day before you get fresher information. Nothing!
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Time is passing: play it safe
Perhaps now's the time to use that revelation you've been saving. Always gains 8 Getting Warmer.
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 1 x An Identity Uncovered!]
[Unlocked with 3 x Mouse: So Little Time]
'But how did you - ?'
Your contact becomes terribly co-operative when you hint at what you know. This has put you ahead!
Gain: 8 x Cat: Getting Warmer
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Lose: 1 x
An Identity Uncovered!
Last chance! - follow your nose
One last desperate throw of the dice! Will it be enough to find your quarry in time? Gains 10 Getting Warmer if you're lucky.
A matter of luck: pretty good odds
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 2 x Mouse: So Little Time]
A breakthrough!
You should have known they'd come back here! You might have missed them by seconds. But these abandoned traces are precious.
Gain: 10 x Cat: Getting Warmer
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Never enough
They must be preparing to move on. And these last hours have given you nothing. Do you have the information you need?
Lose: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Last chance! - play it safe
Go to the locked black box on the top shelf. Turn the key. Now is the time. This will cost you Blackmail Material, but always gain ten Getting Warmer.
[Unlocked with 1 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
[Unlocked with 1 x Blackmail Material]
[Unlocked with 2 x Mouse: So Little Time]
Close in for the kill!
Enough of this. You have your prey. Use this if you've managed to garner enough Cat, and just want to finish it.
[Unlocked with 50 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
Straight to the goal
You're confident you have enough material to settle this.
You now have this: 1 x Mouse: So Little Time
Fate is on your side.
This will give you forty Getting Warmer tokens - usually enough to pass the challenge.
Requires 15 Fate
Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.
Conclusions
An Absentee Aunt
You've trailed her to an annex behind an importer of low beers. She is wary, this aunt, and she may be already gone. But it's her journals you want.
[Unlocked with Mouse: So little time 1]
[Unlocked with Playing Cat And Mouse With An Evasive Target 4]
A certain consolation
This was her room… but she's long gone, and a family of travelling acrobats has taken it. Perhaps they found something, though.
'Was this what you wanted?'
The Gangling Acrobat presses a couple of books on you. 'I wanted some bedtime stories for the little ones, but Georgie said it gave her nightmares. I thought I might sell it down Veilgarden way, but the missus told me she didn't want our name mixed up in this trade. Help yourself.'
Gain: 2 x
A Journal of Infamy
Watchful increase
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Take the journals
The Aunt is gone! but here are all her diaries. Perhaps they were what you wanted all along?
[Unlocked with 50 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
Mysteries in leather bindings
You despatch a co-operative cat to the client, and settle in to wait.
Never think that a woman of a certain age is beyond life or chance or adventure. Her encounters with the Illuminated Gentleman - her nocturnal visits to the Forgotten Quarter in the company of devils - even a curious episode on Mutton Island - all prickle the neck and scar the memory. You'll need to keep these on the very highest shelf.
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 30 x
A Journal of Infamy
Watchful increase
Take the fee
Or you can do the job you were paid for.
A stern delegation
You have your client informed by return of urchin. A brace of Special Constables arrives within the hour. They wrap the books in oilskin and carry them carefully downstairs. To the vaults of the Ministry of Public Decency? Best not to enquire.
Watchful increase
Steadfast increase
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 1500 x
Jade Fragment
A notable success - the aunt herself!
Approach her carefully. Aunts have been known to bite. This will gain you both Jade and Journals.
[Unlocked with 60 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
A graceful concession
'A merry chase. But you've caught me. I yield, Sir/Madam. You may inform your client of my whereabouts: you have my word of honour that I shall not stir until then. But do one thing for me: take these journals. Will you attempt to have them published? I wish to leave… a legacy.'
An encouraging outcome indeed!
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 30 x
A Journal of Infamy
Gain: 1250 x
Jade Fragment
An Eccentric Burglar
You've tracked her to an apartment on Childcake Street, on the top floor of a decaying townhouse. A place of watchful cats and trembling fronded fungus. Be ready.
[Unlocked with Mouse: So little time 1]
[Unlocked with Playing Cat And Mouse With An Evasive Target 5]
The narrowest of misses
The room is empty!
unknown
unknown.
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
A sound success
She's gone; but here's her haul.
[Unlocked with 50 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
A trace of scent
The Burglar has left few traces. An expensive floral scent and a gem-handled letter-opener… and a steamer-trunk full of Correspondence Plaques. You have what you came for. You inform the client and receive a note by return of post with a single enigmatic phrase: 'Not mine.'
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 30 x
Correspondence Plaque
Gain: 8 x Sapphire
A notable success - still in residence?
A lamp glows in the top-floor window. Someone's still in there. Is it her?
[Unlocked with 60 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
Close… but enough
A flicker of movement! A half-second's impression of a pale and piquant face, a coil of chestnut hair… and she's gone, out of the window. By the time you reach it, the roof-tops are empty.
A stout man lies on the floor, eyes bulging, gasping out his last. His expression is that of one who's seen the far shore of the River and returned. 'The Chambers of the Heart…' he whispers: and he's gone.
Of course that just means he revives in a little while. But when he does, he is pale and trembling and won't meet your eyes. "I'll never go back to the Palace," is all he says.
Never mind. You have what you came for.
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 32 x
Correspondence Plaque
Gain: 4 x
Extraordinary Implication
Gain: 10 x
Inkling of Identity
A Deranged Medium
She lairs, this medium, in a boatshed by the river. A fire burns there day and night. The mud-larkers stay away. 'There are serpents,' one of them says.
[Unlocked with Mouse: So little time 1]
[Unlocked with Playing Cat And Mouse With An Evasive Target 6]
Just too late!
She's gone. Does anything remain?
Pathetic remnants
An empty gin bottle. A shattered mirror. A smell like rotting flowers that inspires images of sky and jungle and a cat with eyes like lakes of golden sun… nothing else. Time to go.
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 4 x
Memory of Light
A strayed soul
She sits vacant-eyed in the boathouse, sipping gin and muttering. Whatever vicious spirit possessed her has long since departed.
[Unlocked with 50 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
A happy ending?
You despatch a co-operative cat to the client, and settle in to wait.
The Medium is staring at an old dressing-room mirror propped against the boathouse wall. You follow her gaze…. and scenes flit behind its glass. A brilliant sky. A labyrinth of roses. A castle of swaying oak. A river knotted like silk. A ruined throne of serpents…
You tear your gaze away. It feels like you were watching for seconds, but a group of grim-faced mediums has already arrived, under the direction of the notorious Mrs Poecilia. 'Did she speak?' they ask. They watch you narrowly when you tell them she's been silent.
You are paid in brass, and they lead her unresistingly away. 'She'll be taken care of,' is all Poecilia will say. They take the mirror, too.
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 30 x
Memory of Light
Gain: 200 x Nevercold Brass Sliver
A notable success - eavesdrop
She's here! But who's she talking to? Dispatch a messenger to your client and drift closer.
[Unlocked with 60 x Cat: Getting Warmer]
A wild and dancing light
Green light flares in the mirror propped against the boathouse wall: a light you've seen before, perhaps? The Medium is singing, a breathy refrain that switches between English and Loamsprach, the language of the Clay Men. You can only catch phrases: 'We will exist! ' 'Clothed in jade and clothed in mud!' 'The king with a hundred hearts!' 'No flying thing, no thing that flies!' 'The garden gates, with faces locked…'
Abruptly she spins once around and falls convulsing into a kind of fit. For a moment you see in her mirrored reflection a wriggling movement, as if serpents crawl in her hands and hair. Then she lies still.
A group of grim-faced mediums under the direction of Mrs Poecilia arrives shortly thereafter. They carry their strayed comrade away with barely a word. You are paid in brass.
You no longer have any of this: 'Mouse: So Little Time'
You no longer have any of this: 'Cat: Getting Warmer'
Your 'Playing Cat and Mouse with an Evasive Target' Quality has gone!
Gain: 30 x
Memory of Light
Gain: 1 x
Antique Mystery
Gain: 100 x Nevercold Brass Sliver
