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Progress in this story arc is shown with the Intrigue Quality Serenity of the Plaster Face. Your investigation into its secrets is shown with two Progress Qualities: Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face and Having Rodentine Minions Investigate….
Something Different in a Nearby Façade
This story starts as you being to notice changes on a plaster face on the façade of a house nearby. The following actions appear at your Lodgings.
The sculpted scowl
Unlocks: Dangerous 90
Seems to have appeared on January 19, 2011
There's a plaster face on the façade of a house near your lodgings. Lately, the face grimaces more than you remember.Study the face from the opposite roof
It will be easier to make out the expression when you're at an equal height yourself.
(Watchful challenge; Straightforward at 105)Climb up for a direct inspection
If it's able to change, it cannot really be solid plaster. This stands to reason.
Unlocks: 1 x Luminous Neathglass Goggles
(Dangerous challenge; Straightforward at 107)
An occurrence! Your '
The plaster face is sneering
Is there a pattern in its changes? Yesterday it put you in mind of a Duchess sucking a lime. Now it looks like a butler sniffing corked wine. Less hauteur, more disgust.
Unlocks: Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 1Set your rat to keep an eye on it
Casing houses and keeping accurate, detailed notes. The Working Rat excels at that sort of task.
Unlocks: 1 x Working RatRecord the behaviour of the face
Methodical, scholarly attention. That will tell you what you want to know.
An occurrence! Your Serenity of the Plaster Face Quality is now 5!
Carnage on the street
Rat bodies and broken weapons carpet the alley near your lodgings. Overhead, the plaster face smiles smugly.
unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 2Look for clues
There's a chance you'll stumble on some evidence among the furry destruction.
(A matter of luck: a long shot…but you might win.)Consult with rats you know
The internecine warfare of the L.B. gangs is hard for outsiders to follow.
Unlocked with Sympathetic about Ratly Concerns 5Cultivate some rodent acquaintances
Look into this with their help. This is surely the fastest and most reliable way to find out what's going on.
Requires 3 Fate
Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.
Gain: 1 x Rattus Faber Rifle
Nightmares is increasing…
An occurrence! Your 'Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face' Quality is now 3!
Your Investigation Deepens
Something is definitely going on, and it involves the rats. You will find this Opportunity card appear once your Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face quality is high enough. This card will help raise your Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… quality. More actions will appear when that quality rises high enough.
Investigating the Big Rat
unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 3, <10
The Big Rat is a menace to the neighbourhood. Removing him as a threat will require preparations.Make a contribution in Lamplighter Beeswax
Unlocks: Lamplighter Beeswax 100
Neighbourhood tributes are paid to the Big Rat in beeswax. A donation in the name of the rats in your street might turn his attention elsewhere.Send a lavish tribute of Firefox Candles
The Big Rat is rumoured to collect candles in quantity. Send him a basket with a complimentary note. Sign it from a rival bandit-chief.
Unlocks: Foxfire Candle Stub 500Have the Talkative Rat ask the Big Rat's guards
Just hope he doesn't reveal more than he learns. And that he doesn't get captured. And that if he does, he doesn't chatter to the Big Rat about why he's there.
Unlocks: 1 x Talkative Rattus FaberHave the Working Rat drill a peephole into the Big Rat's lair
He's handy with an augur. Methodical, precise. Afraid of things that go bump. He'll report what he can. His priority is avoiding the Big Rat, however. (A matter of luck: pretty good odds.)
Unlocks: 1x Working RatHave the Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief discover the Big Rat's next move
He knows the gangs and he understands their players. He probably won't be discovered. But if he does get caught, the presence of such a formidable opponent will unnerve the Big Rat more than anything else could.(A matter of luck: a sure thing. Or is it?)
Unlocks: 1 x Rattus Faber Bandit-ChiefLet the Disgraced Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief loiter
'If the job involves leaning on a wall, I can do it. Just don't ask me to run anywhere.' (A matter of luck: it could go either way.)
Unlocks: 1 x Disgraced Rattus Faber Bandit-ChiefDeface the face
Climb the wall and paint an enormous moustache on the plaster face. [Warning: this may annoy the Big Rat.]
A remarkable piece of good fortune!
Sometimes, you just get lucky.
[This will take you straight to the next step of the story - although a tiny fragment of risk remains.]Requires 9 Fate
Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.Do not attempt this if your Serenity is already above 10.
This action will save you a great deal of time, and is a bargain, Fate wise.
Lose: 100 x Lamplighter Beeswax
Lose: 500 x Foxfire Candle Stub
You've gained 14 x Souls (I had 29 x Abominable Salts, probably a small random reward). {Other rewards: 1 x Sober Dress, 26 x Deep Amber, 29 x Ridiculous Hat )Your Rodentine Minions are Useful
Even more questions are uncovered as your Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face quality rises and you are Having Rodentine Minons Investigate. When these qualities are high enough, these actions appear in your Lodgings that allow either you or your rats to learn more.
Who controls the face?
Unlocks: Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 3, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5
Your rats can tell you nothing about any L.B. gang living in the house with the plaster face. The rumour is that a vigilant butler and a hatchet-faced nanny make the place uninhabitable to them. Nonetheless, odds are that the face is controlled from within the upper rooms.Sneak into the upper room yourself
It's well guarded, and you're large to be investigating ratwork. You might tip off the Big Rat that he has a new enemy, too. But you'll be able to see for yourself.
Send a Talkative Rat into the upper room
'Just go into the room and see what's there. That's what you want, is it? I can do that. I'll be quiet. No one will catch me. They say no one lives there. It's bound to be safe.' [Warning: if you fail, you will lose your rat.]
Unlocks: 1 x Talkative Rattus Faber
A Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge, modest at 7
Gain: 1400 x Whispered Secret
Gain: 700 x Cryptic Clue
Meeting with the Albino Rat
One of your companions could speak with the Albino Rat and find out why she built the face…And why it mimics the expression of the Big Rat.
unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 4, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5Send the Talkative Rat
'I can talk to her! I can talk! I have so much to say to her! It will be wonderful! I can talk! Send me!' Tell him to be careful, though. If the Big Rat captures him as a spy, you will lose him altogether.
unlocked with Talkative Rattus Faber 1
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; chancy at 6)Send the Working Rat
'I want to see the doll's house she built. The technical details alone…' Tell him to be careful, though. If the Big Rat captures him as a spy, you will lose him altogether.
unlocked with 1 x Working Rat, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 7
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; low-risk at 6)Send the Bandit-Chief
He looks a great deal more dashing than any other rat you know. The Albino Rat might be impressionable. Tell him to be careful, though. If the Big Rat captures him as a spy, you will lose him altogether.
unlocked with 1 x Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 8
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; straightforward at 6)Send the Disgraced Rat
He does have a knack for manipulating other rats. Tell him to be careful, though. If the Big Rat captures him as a spy, you will lose him altogether.
unlocked with 1 x Disgraced Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 6
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge, low-risk at 6)
Making Contacts
It is time to infiltrate the Big Rat's organisation. A companion of yours should be on the inside.
unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 5, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5Send the Talkative Rat
'Er… are you sure you want me to go? My mother always told me, don't get mixed up with the Big Rat.' Tell him to be careful, though. If this goes badly, you could lose him altogether.
unlocked with Talkative Rattus Faber 1 and Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; modest at 5, low-risk at 10)Send the Working Rat
'You want me to do what? I'm feeling ill.' Tell him to be careful, though. If this goes badly, you could lose him altogether.
unlocked with 1 x Working Rat, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 7
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; straightforward at 10)Send the Bandit-Chief
He of all rats will know what to do. Tell him to be careful, though. If the Big Rat captures him as a spy, you will lose him altogether.
unlocked with 1 x Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 8
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge)Send the Disgraced Rat
He does have a knack for manipulating other rats. Tell him to be careful, though. If the Big Rat captures him as a spy, you will lose him altogether.
unlocked with 1 x Disgraced Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 6
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge)
Gain: 200 x Rostygold
Gain: 200 x GlimUp through the Ranks
The Big Rat is gathering forces to put down a neighbouring bandit-group…
unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 6, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5Send the Talkative Rat
'No, no please don't! He always puts the young rats in front of the guns. He says we're a living shield. I say, more of a dead shield.' Careful. If he fails, you will lose him altogether.
unlocked with Talkative Rattus Faber 1 and Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; modest at 7)Send the Working Rat
'They'll need someone repairing the munitions.' Tell him to be careful, though. If he fails, you will lose him altogether, and the Big Rat will celebrate the demise of a spy.
unlocked with 1 x Working Rat, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 7
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; straightforward at 10)Send the Bandit-Chief
The L.B. gangs are like home to the Bandit-Chief. They are like mother and country. But if he fails, you will lose him altogether, and the Big Rat will celebrate the demise of a spy.
unlocked with 1 x Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 8
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge)Send the Disgraced Rat
'I am not in ideal condition for such a task, but I will give it my all.' He is willing, but if he fails, you will lose him altogether, and the Big Rat will celebrate the demise of a spy.
unlocked with 1 x Disgraced Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 6
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge)
Subverting supplies
The Big Rat has a deal afoot: a purchase from across the Unterzee payable in glim. If something were to happen to that glim, the Big Rat's associates at the dock will think he is trying to cheat them. Which would be terribly unfortunate.
unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 7, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5Send the Talkative Rat
'I like glim. It's shiny. Everything looks better with glim on it.' [Warning: if you fail, you will lose your rat, and the Big Rat will feel reassured that he has gotten rid of a spy.]
unlocked with Talkative Rattus Faber 1 and Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; modest at 7)Send the Disgraced Rat
'Glim, eh? I'm not as light on my feet as I might be, but I'll try.' [Warning: if you fail, you will lose your rat, and the Big Rat will feel reassured that he has gotten rid of a spy.]
unlocked with Talkative Rattus Faber 1 and Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 6
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; straightforward at 8)Send the Working Rat
'Low contact with the enemy. That's the best way.' [Warning: if you fail, you will lose your rat, and the Big Rat will feel reassured that he has gotten rid of a spy.]
unlocked with 1 x Working Rat, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 7
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge; straightforward at 10)Send the Bandit-Chief
He has a keen glint in his eye when you describe the task. 'No harder than boxing a cat.' [Warning: if you fail, you will lose your rat, and the Big Rat will feel reassured that he has gotten rid of a spy.]
Unlocked with 1 x Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 8
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge)
Gain: 2 x Appalling Secrets
Gain: 1 x Sulky BatFraming the Lieutenants
The Big Rat's operation depends on a few loyal L.B. chiefs. He would be less powerful without them. The best thing to do would be to persuade him of their disloyalty and trick him into getting rid of them.
Unlocked with: Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 8, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 5If you just want him to talk…
'Tell the Big Rat not to trust his men? That sounds easy! Why didn't we think of this before?' Be mindful, though. If he fails, you will lose him altogether, and the Big Rat will celebrate the demise of a spy.
Unlocked with Talkative Rattus Faber 1
(**Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge, straightforward at 12)It takes a chief
All it will take is the right word in the right place. But beware. If he fails, you will lose him altogether, and the Big Rat will celebrate the demise of a spy.
Unlocks: 1 x Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief, Having Rodentine Minions Investigate… 8
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge)'Let me have this one. It's time I cleared my name.'
Your Disgraced Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief wants this task. It demands no brawn, only courage and cunning. His speech on the subject is brief but dignified. But be warned. Succeed or fail, there are long odds against his survival.
Unlockes with 1 x Disgraced Rattus Faber Bandit-Chief
(Serenity of the Plaster Face challenge)
Prepare to meet the Big Rat
You've worked to hurt the Big Rat's resources and now it's time to arrange a meeting. The next action is in your Lodgings.
You have done well
The Big Rat is isolated and undersupplied. His ranks of foot soldiers are substantially thinned. His criminal friends are less friendly. No one would mind seeing him fall. It is time for a meeting.
[Reduce the Serenity of the Plaster Face to 4 to get the Big Rat into an appropriately vulnerable state of mind.]
Unlocks with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 9Attack psychologically
If you send the proper bribe by the proper intermediaries, perhaps the Albino Rat would sabotage the face's expressions. Just enough to make the Big Rat nervous, anyhow.
Unlocked with 1 x Phosphorescent ScarabCompose a short note to the Big Rat
Play on his fears. Reveal a detailed familiarity with the recent glim debacle and the attempted take-over by his lieutenants. Promise to reveal the name of the traitor in his ranks in exchange for rostygold.
Unlocked with Serenity of the Plaster Face below 5
Lose: 1 x Phosphorescent ScarabThe following action is in The Flit.
Gather your forces against the Big Rat
You agree on a meeting with the Big Rat. You promise to go alone. That doesn't mean, of course, that you intend to be alone when you get there. Your allies will arrive ahead of time.
[Bring your Running Battle… quality up to 5 to engage with the Big Rat.]
Unlocks with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 10Assemble those rats who would prefer to be free
They will fight alongside you, as long as they believe you will win.
(Dangerous challenge; modest at 105, straightforward at 118)Advertise a spot of hunting
There are gentlemen – and, for that matter, ladies – who enjoy exotic sport. The Big Rat qualifies if anything does.
Unlocked with Connected: Society 15Contact Mr Inch
He will want to pursue this quarry.
Unlocked with Acquiring Exhibits for the Labyrinth of Tigers 4Use the cats
They know these ropes and walkways better than any.
Unlocked with Making Use of Cats… 3Set a watch on the area
The urchins can guard the vicinity and make sure no one tampers with it. No one but your allies, that is.
Unlocked with Connected: Urchins 15
Running Battle… increase (3 change points)
Gain: 3 x Secluded AddressDealing with the Big Rat
The following actions appear in The Flit.
Spring the ambush on the Big Rat
The Big Rat is approaching. Your allies are in position.
Unlocks with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 10, Running Battle… 5Fire as soon as he reaches the chalked X
The sooner he's dead, the better.
(Running Battle… challenge, high-risk at 6, straightforward at 10)Capture him and take his rat-face mask
You might learn something from having him at your mercy. [Warning: failing here will cost you all of your Running Battle… so far.]
(Running Battle… challenge, modest at 11, low-risk at 14, straightforward at 16)
Gain: 1 x Mystery of the Elder Country
Gain: 10 x Rat on a StringDecide the fate of the Big Rat
He speaks to you in a low persuasive voice. Even now he could be of use to you. Besides, he comes from the Elder Continent. He knows things. Didn't you come after him because you were curious? You might have told yourself it was to protect your rats, but aren't they a means to an end? He speaks on and on, studying your face minutely.
Kill him
The rats deserve to be free of him. And it's poor strategy to leave an enemy like him alive.
Hand him over to the Constables
It isn't what the rats would prefer, but it will make friends in official places, and it may clear away some outstanding suspicions against you.
What good would extermination do?
He has learned to respect you. That will suffice.
Your Sympathetic about Ratly Concerns increase 3 change points
Suspicion decrease
Connected: The Constables increaseEpilogues
The following appears as an oppertunity card:
Alliance with the Big Rat
On the wall, the plaster face has a new expression. The eyes are lazy-lidded and serene. The smile is placid. The Big Rat thrives.
Unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 15Purchase some assistance with Casing…
The Big Rat's informants are numerous, and they pass unnoticed. For a bribe, he'll assist you with your current target.
Unlocked with 3 x Talkative Rattus FaberPurchase some Running Battle assistance…
The Big Rat can arrange a small army to join you.
Unlocked with 100 x Foxfire Candle StubAcquire a new rat companion
For a price, the Big Rat will assign you one of his most feisty lieutenants, a Rattus Faber Bandit Chief.
Unlocked with 20000 Rostygold, 5000 Foxfire Candle Stubs, 5000 Rat on a String
This option is no longer available after being completed, and possibly as long as you own a RFBC.Press him for information about the Elder Continent
Offer some friendly gifts. Express a cosmopolitan curiosity. Avoid the word 'abomination'. Be ready to learn things that might trouble your dreams.
Unlocked with 100 x Foxfire Candle Stubs, 100 x Lamplighter Beeswax, 5 x Mystery of the Elder CountryBetray the Big Rat
The fellowship of a Snuffer is not a comfortable thing. He compliments your profile more than you like. You have seen him measure the inner dimensions of your hat. [Choosing this option allows you to replay your battle against the Big Rat. Warning: you will lose your alliance with him, and will need to gather your forces again.]
Requires 5 Fate
Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.See if the Big Rat can become intoxicated
After all, you have reached an alliance of sorts. You could plausibly share the wine you gained from a successful venture.
Unlocked with 50 x Greyfields 1882
Running Battle… increase 5? change points
Gain 3 x Dark-Dewed Cherries
Gain 3 x Inkling of Identity
You were fortunate!
Lose: 50 x Greyfields 1882For those uninterested in dealing with a demon, the Albino Rat needs a new home… and provides opportunities.
The Albino Rat's story
The plaster face sleeps on the wall. The battlegrounds of the L.B.s are quiet. One damp evening, you receive a visit from an all-white rat.
unlocked with Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 20The History of Rats and Watchmakers
She sits on a stool by your fireside, sipping Greyfields from a thimble. When her fur is dry, she offers to tell you why she is here.
1 x Albino RatRat Melancholy
Your Albino Rat has drunk a sludgy half-inch of spore-dregs from a bottle of Greyfields. She is now curled on a pillow by the window, singing a melancholy zailing song. She is very possibly sniffling in between verses.
unlocked with Albino Rat 1 and Seeking the Meaning of the Plaster Face 20Let her grieve in dignified silence
Tiptoe away. She'll be hard at work again in the morning.
Listen to her story
Offer her a bit of silk to wipe the mud-coloured residue from her face and paws. Await the inevitable confessions.
unlocked with Silk Scrap 1Perhaps she was happiest before
Time and memory are strange in the Neath. Is the Big Rat really defeated? Has another taken his place? Has the Albino Rat returned to the children she loved, or did she ever truly leave them? [Choosing this option allows you to replay your battle against the Big Rat. Warning: you will lose the Albino Rat and have a chance to make your final decisions over again.]
This branch costs 30 Fate to play.Requires 30 Fate
Fate-locked content must not be placed on the wiki, per the developers.
You've lost 1 x Silk ScrapFallen London is © 2010-2016 and ™ Failbetter Games Limited: www.fallenlondon.com. This is an unofficial fan work.
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