Secular Missionary

Intimate with a Secular Missionary story

The Secular Missionary

The Implacable Detective asks for a meeting. 'A lady has approached me in need of help,' she says. 'Seems to have misplaced a husband. Careless of her. You are better suited to her case than myself. I cannot stand missionaries. Do-gooders. Pfeh.'

Accept the case

It couldn't hurt to meet the lady and find out more, could it?

Reward spoiler

A delicate flower

The lady joins you for a cup of tea. She's quiet, well-spoken, demure. She has a graceful bearing and an arresting tilt of the eyebrow. She is a more secular kind of missionary, dedicated to educating orphans and fallen women. She made the hazardous trip down to the Neath in search of her errant husband.
What makes her think he's down here? 'A Spiritualist received a message from him,' she says. 'She said he was in thrall - to devils!' She whispers the last words, wide-eyed. She's very lovely-looking when she's scared.
Your Intimate with a Secular Missionary Quality is now 1!

Meet the Secular Missionary

You need to hear the details of her husband's disappearance. It's not just an excuse to see her again. However beautiful and sweet she might be.
unlocks: Intimate with a Secular Missionary 1

Ask to hear the story in full

You'll need all the information you can get if you want to find him.

Reward spoiler

A tale of woe

You take a table at Beatrice's Tea Parlour and settle down to tea in china cups and little pastel cakes.

'He has been gone for over a year now,' she says. 'He had been growing distant for a while before that. He was furtive; he hid his letters and would stay up late, working in his study.' Could he have had a mistress? 'I think not. But that is just my instinct. I think he was worried about something, but he wouldn't confide in me. And then one day - he was gone.'

'Thank you for listening to me,' she says as you take your leave. She touches your arm, briefly.
Your Intimate with a Secular Missionary Quality has increased to 2!

Ask her to talk about herself

Yes, yes, the husband. You'll get to that bit all in good time.

Reward spoiler

A surprising lady

You settle down at Beatrice's Tea Parlour with a plate of little sandwiches and tea in fine bone china. You steer the conversation away from the husband's disappearance and ask the Secular Missionary about her own life and work.

She is reserved, but she gives you a few hints about her life. The dedication to her husband and elderly parents. The vocation that led her to missionary work, educating poor young ladies. It's almost too good to be true. Doesn't she have any flaws
Your Intimate with a Secular Missionary Quality has increased to 2!

Searching for the Secular Missionary's husband

The lady's errant husband has an interest in archaeology. If he is in the Neath at all, perhaps he's been to the Forgotten Quarter? Or the University?
Unlocked with Intimate with the Secular Missionary 2 - but you cannot play if Intimate with the Secular Missionary is higher than 4

Accompany her to the Quarter

She's learnt the route there, the resourceful woman. Perhaps you will discover a clue. And if not, at least you can enjoy each other's company. (Chancy with Watchful 24) (Straightforward by 37)

Reward spoiler

An interesting tidbit

The Forgotten Quarter is shrouded in fog this afternoon. Statues rear up at you from the mist. Your lantern's beam barely penetrates the gloom. You walk a little closer to the lady, to share the light.

A passing devil stops to chat. He has heard of a Surface archaeologist passing through, but he thinks that was a while ago now, and the gentleman has moved on. It's a start, of sorts. As you take your leave, the Secular Missionary clasps your hand for a second or two. She's found some little figurines, which she presses on you as payment.
You've moved to a new area: The Forgotten Quarter
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Watchful increase
Gain: 5 x Relic of the Fourth City

Take her to the University

Unlocks: Route: the University 1
Perhaps someone here has met the husband. Perhaps you can demonstrate your own erudition while you're there.

Reward spoiler

A small clue

The Secular Missionary is suitably impressed by the University's grandeur. And by your confidence in these surroundings. You approach a member of the Department of Palaeomycology, who confirms that he has met several archaeologists from the Surface in recent months. It's not much, but it's something. The lady smiles as she pays you for today, and her whole face lights up.
You've moved to a new area: The University
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Persuasive increase
Gain: 35 x Glim

Did the Secular Missionary's husband visit Veilgarden?

The lady comes to you in distress. 'I have heard rumours about - houses - places - of ill repute! Please help me prove them untrue.'
Unlocked with Intimate with a Secular Missionary 3

Ask questions

Unlocks: 20 x Moon-pearl
Go to see Sinning Jenny. If it's happened in Veilgarden, she will know about it.
(Persuasive challenge; modest at 41, straightforward at 45)

Reward spoiler

'Oh, him. Yes.'

Jenny leans back in her chair and smiles. 'Yes, I've heard about a man from the Surface.' She twists a string of pearls around her fingers. The price for talking to you. 'He'd drink in the taverns, talk to the girls. He couldn't afford to talk to me.'

The Secular Missionary blinks back tears on hearing this, but smiles at you when you put your hand on her shoulder. 'Thank you,' she says. 'Please, take this for the pearls.' It's much too much, but she insists.
Lose: 20 x Moon-pearl
Gain: 60 x Jade Fragment
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Persuasive increase

Pretend to ask Sinning Jenny

Tell the lady that Jenny is well acquainted with her husband. Then offer your shoulder for her to cry on.
(Persuasive challenge)

Reward spoiler

'I knew it!'

Your client is all too ready to believe your tall tales. Was this what she expected all along? Her eyes sparkle as she speaks. Then she throws herself into your arms, sobbing. You stroke her back gently, murmuring soft, meaningless consolations.
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Persuasive increase

Failure spoiler

'Never in a million years!'

The Secular Missionary is disinclined to believe your tales of Veilgarden brothels, absinthe and honey. Perhaps you went too far with the honey. Whatever it was, the lady storms off in disgust.
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Persuasive increase

A clue about the Secular Missionary's husband

A tip reaches you by way of the Implacable Detective. It seems reliable. What will you do with it?
Unlocked with Intimate with a Secular Missionary 4

Tell the lady

Prove your integrity - and gain favour at the same time.
(Persuasive challenge, straightforward at 86)

Reward Spoiler

'Oh! You are so clever and so kind!'

It's just a whisper of a third-hand report of a possible sighting. Her reaction is out of all proportion: she lifts a delicate hand to her forehead and pronounces herself 'quite overcome'. She requires you to support her with an arm around her waist while she recovers. Your payment is good, but perhaps that's beside the point.
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Gain: 48 x Deep Amber
Persuasive increase

Keep it to yourself

Well. No point in getting her hopes up until you're certain. No point in upsetting her either, when you're getting on so well.
(Watchful challenge, straightforward at 88)

Reward Spoiler

'I am so grateful for all you are doing for me.'

You continue to report your lack of progress to the Secular Missionary, and she continues to profess her appreciation. She never complains that you seem to be doing nothing to earn the money she gives you, and she's never less than delighted to see you. Hm.
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Gain: 45 x Deep Amber
Watchful increase

Distract the Secular Missionary

It is time you did something to take her mind off her missing husband. It is for her own good.
Unlocked with Intimate with a Secular Missionary 5

Take her for a promenade

Tyrant's Gardens are always beautiful at this time of year. Such an array of variegated fungi!
(Persuasive challenge, straightforward at 86)

Reward Spoiler

'What a beautiful day.'

The mists are light, today, the air less dank than usual. You could almost mistake the condensation for real Surface dew. The lady's mood is good. She allows you to take her arm as you walk and she tilts her head close to yours as you speak. Later that day, something expensive arrives at your lodgings, with a handwritten note of thanks.
Gain: 50 x Jade Fragment
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Persuasive increase

A trip to the theatre

The comic opera 'The Zailor's Wife' could cheer anyone up.
(Persuasive challenge, straightforward at 86)

Reward Spoiler

'Ah! Such a treat!'

You escort the lady to the Antimacassar Theatre, and open a box of expensive truffle and liqueur truffles. By the end of the show, she is slightly tipsy, and resting her head on your shoulder. The next day, a thank-you gift arrives at your lodgings.
Gain: 52 x Moon-pearl
Intimate with a Secular Missionary increase
Persuasive increase

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