Suspicion

Suspicious activities will draw the attention of the law. You may need to throw the Constables off the scent if it reaches 4. If your Suspicion reaches 8, you will be imprisoned! (This is not necessarily a bad thing.)

Levels in Suspicion

1. Not Entirely Blameless
2. A Suspicious Character
3. Attracting Attention
4. Of Interest to the Authorities
5. Sought by the Constables
6. Thoroughly Wanted
7. A Desperate Fugitive
8. Imprisoned!
9. Imprisoned!
10. Imprisoned!

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Why is my Suspicion getting worse?

Suspicion can be gained when failing a high-level Shadowy storylet or Opportunity card. You may also happen to make a choice which is successful but draws unwanted attention your way. (You must have done something shady!) Some items make you more Suspicious looking, like…. you know, Prisoner's Masks, Manacles, the usual stuff.

What happens if my Suspicion gets too high?

If your Suspicion quality reaches 4, the following action appears, in all places, that allows you to deflect some of your Suspicion to a friend.

Find a way to throw the Constables off the scent

The authorities are taking too keen an interest in your activities. Perhaps a friend could help.
Unlocked with Suspicion 4

Ask a friend to cover for you

You was nowhere near the place! Ask this upstanding citizen!

Reward spoiler (This is a social action and you will need to choose another player.)

Ask a friend to cover for you

You was nowhere near the place! Ask this upstanding citizen!

Choose one of your contacts from the drop-down menu.

Your friend will receive a message about this. They can choose to accept it, or not. You can track outstanding invitations on the Home tab.

Once you choose a contact and send the invitation, you see:

Fingers crossed…

If your friend's prepared to bend the truth, the Constables will have a hard time making this one stick.

Once you send the invitation, you will see this on your Home tab:

a Request for an Alibi with friend

When you send the invitation, your friend will see this on his Home tab:

friend would like you to tell the Constables that they were somewhere else on the night in question.

When your friend accepts the invitation, you will see this on your Home tab:

Twitter name accepted your invitation for a Request for an Alibi
Character name seems to have put the Constables off the scent. Your Suspicion has been reduced. Suspicion is dropping…

When your friend accepts the invitation, he will see this on his Home tab:

You've assured the Constables that Twitter name was with you when certain wicked crimes were committed. Suspicion is increasing…

If Suspicion reaches 8, you will be sent to New Newgate Prison - again! This isn't necessarily a bad turn of events. Several storylets can be unlocked there and a number of contacts can be made. You will, however, lose any Opportunity Cards you have in your slots but new ones will appear that offer you ways to reduce your Suspicion, among other things.

Imprisoned! Again!

Your unsavoury deeds have caught up with you. Or possibly an enemy has framed you. In either case, you are cornered by the Constables, tried rather summarily and transported back to New Newgate Prison.

[Reduce your Suspicion to 0 to escape.]
You've moved to a new area: New Newgate Prison - again!
Gain: 1 x Ragged Clothing
Gain: 1 x Prisoner's Mask

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Reducing Your Suspicion

There are several ways to reduce your Suspicion quality before you end up being imprisoned.

Items

Nikolas & Sons Instant Ablution Absolution
Removes the most stubborn, savage & suspicious of stains! Warranted by the Topsy King hisself!

Reduces Suspicion.

Sober Dress
Suitable for someone who doesn't want to be noticed by the wrong other kind of someone.

Suspicion -1.

Workmen's Clothes
Rough but serviceable. As worn by the more respectable kind of labourer, and people who definitely haven't just escaped from prison.

Suspicion -1.

Opportunity Cards

The vigilant gentlemen in blue

The Constables are closing in! An Implacable Detective has been employed to hunt you down. What are you going to do about it?
Unlocked with Suspicion 3

Taunt the detective

It may not help your troubles, but it will make you feel better. And it will make a good story.

Reward spoiler

Was that prudent?

'Madam, if your methods were any more primitive you would be examining the entrails of chickens. I am heartened by the knowledge that if you should apprehend me it will be no more than an accident. Good day!'

That was amusing. That said, the Implacable Detective is more implacable than ever in pursuing you.
Shadowy increase
Suspicion increase (1 change point)
Daring increase (1 change points)
You've gained 1 x Implacable Detective's Business Card

Find a patsy

You know a suitable victim, ripe for framing. Better they get hauled off to New Newgate than you. You have more important things to do.

Reward spoiler

Off to gaol with him

Who would have thought that the mild-mannered baker was behind such savage crimes? It's always the quiet ones.
Heartless increase
Suspicion decrease (2 change points)

Let destiny take its course

Perhaps you regret your actions. Perhaps you believe you will be vindicated. Perhaps you no longer care.

Reward spoiler

Standing ready

Let them make their case against you. You are ready.
Steadfast increase
Subtle decrease
Shadowy increase

Confront the Implacable Detective

Show her that you have unique talents and are not to be pursued lightly!
Unlocks: In Possession of a Peculiar Personal Enhancement 1.

Reward spoiler

Sorry, this is fate-locked content…

• You may be able to reduce your Suspicion as a result of Official Incompetence.
• At The Tower Of Knives, you can get a tip that will help with your Suspicion.
• Having An Afternoon of Good Deeds? can result in a decrease in Suspicion.
• You can be faced with a choice between Crime or Punishment at some point. Choosing wisely can reduce your Suspicion.
• You might divert attention to an urchin's plans to make a big heist to reduce your own Suspicion.
• If you are a member of the Parthenaeum then you could have an opportunity to speak with the Chief Constable to reduce your Suspicion.

Storylets

The following storylet is available in Spite when you have some Suspicion.

Confound the Constables

The Constables have been paying inconvenient attention to your activities. Perhaps it is time to confuse their efforts.
Unlocks: Shadowy 41, Suspicion 1 No longer available at Shadowy 56

A man with a past

You've found the name of the Inspector who is hunting you. In your experience, Inspectors can often be blackmailed.
(Shadowy challenge; straightforward at 50)

Reward spoiler

'Oh dear, Inspector…'

It's usually one of ring fight gambling, prisoner's honey or the ladies wearing scarlet stockings that the Inspectors can't resist. This time it's the last. Once you know that, it becomes a simple matter to engage in a spot of blackmail. The Inspector is so aghast that not only does he cancel the investigation against you, he allows you your pick of the evidence from a long-forgotten case.
Shadowy increase
Gain: 2 x An Infernal Contract
Gain: 1 x Proscribed Text
Suspicion decrease 3 change points

Failure spoiler

The distressing virtue of the constabulary

This is simply not done. The Inspector hounding you is a man of simple tastes and modest appetites. He eschews the ring fights, abhors both wine and prisoner's honey and apparently would not know what to do with a lady of the evening if one fell on him. Can the constabulary be trusted with nothing in these times? You may be forced to lie low for a little while.
Shadowy increase
Suspicion increase 1 change point

A riskier option: hide in a rookery

The dense slum of a rookery is a good place to hide, to catch something, to be stabbed…
(Shadowy challenge; straightforward at 53)

Reward spoiler

Rookery predator

No person of means would choose to be here, but needs must go wanting when the Constables call. However, squalid and diseased as it is, your reputation among the underworld sees that you are not overly troubled by the residents. You pass an uncomfortable and malodorous time in the rookery, but the place is at least unsullied by the gentlemen in blue.
Shadowy increase
Suspicion decrease 4 change points

Failure spoiler

There are worse things than Constables

By the time two days have passed in the rookery, you have been in three savage brawls and a knife fight with a lad too young to shave. You also seem to have picked up a hacking cough. You leave before things get worse: you'll take your chances with the Constables rather than the rookery.
Shadowy increase

The following storylet is available in the Flit when you have some Suspicion.

Dealing with suspicion

If the authorities are interested in your activities, the Topsy King and his Raggedy Men can throw them off the scent.
Unlocks: Shadowy 73, Suspicion 1

A Feast!

They will help you if you throw a feast for the whole beggar-court. They like rats. Oh God, how they like eating rats.
Unlocks: 50 x Rat on a String

Reward spoiler

'Goden! Goden to pawb!'

Which is worse - enduring the attention of the Constables or sitting through a riotous rat feast at the Topsy King's particularly high table? It is difficult to be sure.
Lose: 50 x Rat on a String
Suspicion decrease

• If you know the Wry Functionary, you can visit him in The Shuttered Palace to seek his help with Suspicion.

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