Revolutionary Firebrand

A mysterious, intriguing and very reserved gentleman. What are his plans?

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The Revolutionary Firebrand

Unlocks: Connected: Revolutionaries 5
He's a mysterious figure in Fallen London, known for his reserve as much as for his good looks. It's rare that he attends social events, so when you spot him at a gathering you should seize the opportunity.

Approach him

He presents an intimidating façade, standing alone, his aristocratic nose deep in a book. But perhaps he is just shy?

Reward spoiler

A polite bow

The gentleman bows deeply, greets you politely and returns to his book. You catch a hint of a smile. Effusive, by his standards. Your popularity increases on the spot, and you learn a lot of secrets this evening.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 15 x Cryptic Clue
You've gained a new quality: Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand at 1.

Play him at his own game

Be alluring and he'll come to you.

Reward spoiler

'Allow me.'

You make eye contact through lowered lashes. At the very end of the evening, he approaches and helps you into your coat. He bows stiffly, and is gone. Suddenly, everyone wants to be your friend.
Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Gain: 20 x Cryptic Clue
You've gained a new quality: Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand at 1.

The Revolutionary Firebrand's Card

Unlocks: Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand 1
You have caught the attention of a mysterious revolutionary. He has sent you a visiting card. What secrets lie beneath his delicious reserve?

Send your own card by return

Now he has made a move, shouldn't you show him you are interested? Are you interested? Or do you have more pragmatic motives?
Persuasive challenge, straightforward ??

Reward spoiler

'If I might be so bold?'

You send your smartest urchin with a card to his lodgings. A day or so later, a note arrives, begging permission to pay you a visit. His handwriting, in ink as brown as dried blood, is spiky and precise.
Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Gain: 4 x Inkling of Identity
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase

Do nothing

However difficult it is, you must play the waiting game with a gentleman like this.
Persuasive challenge, straightforward ??

Reward spoiler

'I confess, you intrigue me.'

You wait. Sure enough, a note arrives a few days later. In spiked, spare handwriting, he begs leave to call upon you one afternoon. Tucked into the envelope is a sizeable chunk of amber. It's almost the same shade as his eyes.
Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Gain: 45 x Deep Amber
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase

Debating with the Revolutionary Firebrand

Unlocks: Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand 4
The mysterious gentleman pays you a call. He does not stay long and he talks only of politics. But he mentions a debate in a room above The Medusa's Head later this week. Was that an invitation? Perhaps you should go.

Start an argument with him

At this kind of salon, there is a social obligation - he can't reasonably decline.

Reward spoiler

Confidences — of sorts

You give a rousing speech about the economics of social equality. He nods politely. Later, he unbends enough to make some wry observations about others present. His wit is as sharp - and as painful - as an oiled knife.
Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Gain: 25 x Cryptic Clue
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase

Break through the Revolutionary Firebrand's Reserve

Unlocks: Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand 5
The gentleman is reserved to the point of stand-offishness, but he has taken a liking to you. Try to get closer to him.

Suggest a walk in Tyrant's Gardens

Feed the bats at twilight. It's very romantic.

Reward spoiler

A softening of heart?

The park is calm at dusk. The moonish light glows soft on the spines and bulbs of the decorative fungi, and the bats swoop low in the sky. You share a bag of beetles, tossing them in the air and watching the bats snap them out of the sky. He finds a particularly beautiful beetle at the bottom of the bag, and presents it to you as a memento.
Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Gain: 1 x Phosphorescent Scarab
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase

Dinner in Spite

The Doubt Street Scullery should be a good choice. Democratic, unpretentious, hearty.

Reward spoiler

A delicious meal

Not the food. The food is like the decor, plain and brown. But the conversation sparkles. The secrets you learn are almost by the by. He even grips your hand for a second as he says goodbye.
Rewards:
Persuasive increase
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase
Gain: 1 x Sudden Insight
Gain: 3 x Inkling of Identity

Appeal to the Revolutionary Firebrand's chivalry

Unlocks: Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand 6
He's the kind of the man who needs to play the hero. Manufactured distress should do the trick.

'Sprain' your ankle

Go walking in the Forgotten Quarter. 'Trip' on one of those treacherous loose paving-stones.
(Persuasive challenge)

Reward spoiler

'Do not try to walk!'

He doesn't hesitate, but picks you up and carries you to a patch of soft moss. He uses his own cravat - a surprisingly extravagant, frilly accoutrement - to bandage your foot. There is gratifying concern in his eyes. Later, he offers his arm and supports you as you hobble all the way home.
You've moved to a new area: Your Lodgings.
Persuasive increase
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase
Gain: 50 x Silk Scrap

Feign emotional upset

A tear or two, a sigh, a whispered reassurance that all is well, no, really, it is far too trivial a matter to bother him with…
(Persuasive challenge)

Reward spoiler

Feign emotional upset

He is solicitous, in his reserved way. You promise to call on his aid should you need it. How charming he can be! And how discreet. Look, he's left something on the hall table, to save your blushes.
Persuasive increase
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase
Gain: 50 x Deep Amber

Revolution and the Firebrand

Unlocks: Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand 7
He never talks about his revolutionary activities. Show him you can be trusted.

Invite him to your Lodgings

You can have a more…open conversation there.
(Persuasive challenge)

Reward spoiler

Confidences shared

A fire in the grate, a decanter of brandy on the table. You hint that you were involved in burning down one of Mr Fires' warehouses last week. He believes you. He grasps your hand and speaks excitedly of his own revolutionary plans.
Persuasive increase
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase
Gain: 30 x Cryptic Clue

Engineer an invitation to his lodgings

Surely he will open up to you in the safety of his own home?
(Persuasive challenge)

Reward spoiler

Radical conversation over biscuits and gin

His lodgings are sparsely but elegantly furnished. A glass of warm gin sets the tone for the evening, and he produces some determinedly working-class biscuits. He ends up admitting to several revolutionary acts - just last week he pushed a neddy man into the Unterzee. 'I feel I can trust you,' he says, taking your hand.
Persuasive increase
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase
Gain: 31 x Cryptic Clue

Ask a Revolutionary to recommend you

He might trust you more if someone he respects puts in a word.
Unlocks: Connected: Revolutionaries 5
(Connected: Revolutionaries challenge; modest at 8)

Reward spoiler

'How delightful to see you'

Your contact has clearly influenced the Firebrand, though he would never be so crude as to mention it. He's noticeably warmer to you at your next meeting, and shows you some stolen papers. Are those really letters from Mr Fires himself?
Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase
Gain: 5 x Stolen Correspondence
Connected: Revolutionaries increase

Your deeds will speak for themselves

You've committed arson in the service of liberty. What better recommendation could there be?
Unlocks: Plotting against the Masters 2

Reward spoiler

A glint of admiration

The Firebrand watches you across the rim of his brandy glass. 'Yes,' he says. 'Word of your deeds goes before you.' He leans forward to grasp your hand. 'One day we will light such a fire…'

What does he mean? Is that revolutionary rhetoric, or something more personal? You speak long into the night, although the conversation remains strictly political.

Intimate with a Revolutionary Firebrand increase
Connected: Revolutionaries increase
Gain: 10 x Cryptic Clue
Persuasive increase

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