Mr Veils: Difference between revisions
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<font color="white"><span style="background-color: white">The Vake</span></font><br> | <font color="white"><span style="background-color: white">The Vake</span></font><br> | ||
The Masquerader Saint | The Masquerader Saint | ||
|relationships = [[Mr Wines]] (friend)<br> | |relationships = [[Curators]] (species)<br> | ||
[[Mr Wines]] (friend)<br> | |||
<font color="red"><span style="background-color: red">Mr Eaten (betrayed)</span></font> | <font color="red"><span style="background-color: red">Mr Eaten (betrayed)</span></font> | ||
|allegiance = [[The Masters of the Bazaar]]<br>[[The Echo Bazaar]] | |allegiance = [[The Masters of the Bazaar]]<br>[[The Echo Bazaar]] | ||
}}<blockquote>''"Mr Veils deals with clothing and fabric, and takes a close interest in the silk-weavers of [[Spite]]. But not in any of the more dubious activities in the district of Spite! The mere suggestion is slander!"''<ref name="sidebar">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sidebar_Snippets#The_Masters_of_the_Bazaar|Sidebar Snippets: Who is Mr Veils?|Fallen London}}''"Mr Veils deals with clothing and fabric, and takes a close interest in the silk-weavers of Spite. But not in any of the more dubious activities in the district of Spite! The mere suggestion is slander!"''</ref></blockquote>'''Mr Veils''' is a rather belligerent and uncommunicative [[ | }}<blockquote>''"Mr Veils deals with clothing and fabric, and takes a close interest in the silk-weavers of [[Spite]]. But not in any of the more dubious activities in the district of Spite! The mere suggestion is slander!"''<ref name="sidebar">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sidebar_Snippets#The_Masters_of_the_Bazaar|Sidebar Snippets: Who is Mr Veils?|Fallen London}}''"Mr Veils deals with clothing and fabric, and takes a close interest in the silk-weavers of Spite. But not in any of the more dubious activities in the district of Spite! The mere suggestion is slander!"''</ref></blockquote>'''Mr Veils''' is a rather belligerent and uncommunicative [[Curator]] who serves as a [[Master of the Bazaar]]. | ||
== Not the Kindest == | == Not the Kindest == | ||
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At its core, despite all these masks, Mr Veils has three primary selves: | At its core, despite all these masks, Mr Veils has three primary selves: | ||
*'''Veils the Curator''' is the most primal and savage form of Mr Veils, desiring only to fly, hunt, and kill, showing itself most easily in the Vake as we know it.<ref name=":0" /> | *'''Veils the [[Curator]]''' is the most primal and savage form of Mr Veils, desiring only to fly, hunt, and kill, showing itself most easily in the Vake as we know it.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
*'''Veils of the Third City''' was a feathered god-priest of blood,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_the_one_in_the_feathered_robe|Consider the one in the feathered robe|Fallen London|}} ''"This one resembles those relics you have seen from the Third City: a headdress, a staff, garments suited to a warmer climate than London's. It wears a ring with the face of a jaguar."''</ref> who saw a special beauty in violent sacrifices and gory rituals.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Capture_Third_City_Veils|Capture Third City Veils|Fallen London|}} ''"THE OLD PRIEST-KINGS KNEW OUR KIND. WE WERE ALL GODS TO THEM. WE ALL ENTERED INTO THEIR BARGAIN. I ALONE SAW ITS BEAUTY."''</ref> It still lives, and it follows this crimson path to the end, to reckoning.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Prepare_a_weapon_of_vengeance|Prepare a weapon of vengeance|Fallen London|}} ''"Veils of the Third City is a fragment of the Vake once worshipped as a deity, a fragment that belongs to a particular date in the long count of years. Something happened then, something so important that it has remained an identity of Veils ever since."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Prepare_a_weapon_of_vengeance_using_the_knowledge_you_attained_at_the_greatest_price|Prepare a weapon of vengeance using the knowledge you attained at the greatest price|Fallen London|}} ''"Veils of the Third City is the Veils of the Well and the starving kings, the god and a betrayer, whose soul is anchored always to one particular date in the long count of years."''</ref> This version of Veils was not the only one responsible for a certain [[Mr Eaten|betrayal]] of which we will not speak, but it did lead the way.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price The price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, ''Fallen London''] ''"They said – they called me by my name – I need only go up and the priests would take a little. The gratitude in their song! We embraced before I rose. You of cloth and shadow, you enemy, you proud-singer, you led the way. I will poison you with airs."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_hook_and_the_bait The hook and the bait, ''Fallen London''] ''"Is it opening, now, does it open? Are there snares we can grasp, to place them tinily in our flesh, as we will take the flesh of Vake-the-betrayer, black as the knives? Dear deep void those knives. My flesh was not meant for them... Ah, ah, ah, ah."''</ref> | *'''Veils of the [[Third City]]''' was a feathered god-priest of blood,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_the_one_in_the_feathered_robe|Consider the one in the feathered robe|Fallen London|}} ''"This one resembles those relics you have seen from the Third City: a headdress, a staff, garments suited to a warmer climate than London's. It wears a ring with the face of a jaguar."''</ref> who saw a special beauty in violent sacrifices and gory rituals.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Capture_Third_City_Veils|Capture Third City Veils|Fallen London|}} ''"THE OLD PRIEST-KINGS KNEW OUR KIND. WE WERE ALL GODS TO THEM. WE ALL ENTERED INTO THEIR BARGAIN. I ALONE SAW ITS BEAUTY."''</ref> It still lives, and it follows this crimson path to the end, to reckoning.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Prepare_a_weapon_of_vengeance|Prepare a weapon of vengeance|Fallen London|}} ''"Veils of the Third City is a fragment of the Vake once worshipped as a deity, a fragment that belongs to a particular date in the long count of years. Something happened then, something so important that it has remained an identity of Veils ever since."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Prepare_a_weapon_of_vengeance_using_the_knowledge_you_attained_at_the_greatest_price|Prepare a weapon of vengeance using the knowledge you attained at the greatest price|Fallen London|}} ''"Veils of the Third City is the Veils of the Well and the starving kings, the god and a betrayer, whose soul is anchored always to one particular date in the long count of years."''</ref> This version of Veils was not the only one responsible for a certain [[Mr Eaten|betrayal]] of which we will not speak, but it did lead the way.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price,_the_price The price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, the price, ''Fallen London''] ''"They said – they called me by my name – I need only go up and the priests would take a little. The gratitude in their song! We embraced before I rose. You of cloth and shadow, you enemy, you proud-singer, you led the way. I will poison you with airs."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_hook_and_the_bait The hook and the bait, ''Fallen London''] ''"Is it opening, now, does it open? Are there snares we can grasp, to place them tinily in our flesh, as we will take the flesh of Vake-the-betrayer, black as the knives? Dear deep void those knives. My flesh was not meant for them... Ah, ah, ah, ah."''</ref> | ||
*'''Veils the Intriguer''' is no less vicious than the other two, but stands as an outlier: it has no wings,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_the_one_that_wears_Surface_clothing|Consider the one that wears Surface clothing|Fallen London|}} ''"Its robes are pinstriped and its face is almost human. It has no wings."''</ref> nor a hunger for blood...<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_the_one_that_wears_Surface_clothing|Consider the one that wears Surface clothing|Fallen London|}} ''"This creature has certainly never bitten anyone, or stabbed anyone, or torn anyone apart with its claws; never sold the flesh of its enemies. All such matters have been accomplished with a pen and a legal document, and with a respectable deniability."''</ref> at least not directly.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Search_for_a_sign_of_your_enemy|Search for a sign of your enemy|Fallen London|}} ''"At first you cannot see anything that resembles the Veils of the Surface. There's violence, yes. Sacrifice for foolish reasons. Multitudinous death. But isn't that it, searching through the pile of bodies at the side of the board? What is it looking for? A souvenir? A snack?"''</ref> The Intriguer is a grand manipulator, a mastermind behind the chessboard.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Outflank_Surface_Veils|Outflank Surface Veils|Fallen London|}} ''"The intriguer Mr Veils is outlining what might be gained from the sale of Paris. It speaks of fabulous rewards: wealth and influence, immortality and the secrets of the stars, vengeance on enemies and the salvation of the beloved."''</ref> Its relative pacifism arises from the fact that the Vake's hunt for those who would seek to slay it has changed both its prey and the Vake itself, to become more like each other. Thus, in a way, the Intriguer is more ''human''. And that has baffling implications indeed.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_sparing_one_form_of_the_Vake_out_of_fellow-feeling_1|Consider sparing one form of the Vake out of fellow-feeling 1|Fallen London|}} ''"It is a monster. So are you. There is no shame in this. But those who are not yet monsters struggle to understand."''</ref> | *'''Veils the Intriguer''' is no less vicious than the other two, but stands as an outlier: it has no wings,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_the_one_that_wears_Surface_clothing|Consider the one that wears Surface clothing|Fallen London|}} ''"Its robes are pinstriped and its face is almost human. It has no wings."''</ref> nor a hunger for blood...<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_the_one_that_wears_Surface_clothing|Consider the one that wears Surface clothing|Fallen London|}} ''"This creature has certainly never bitten anyone, or stabbed anyone, or torn anyone apart with its claws; never sold the flesh of its enemies. All such matters have been accomplished with a pen and a legal document, and with a respectable deniability."''</ref> at least not directly.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Search_for_a_sign_of_your_enemy|Search for a sign of your enemy|Fallen London|}} ''"At first you cannot see anything that resembles the Veils of the Surface. There's violence, yes. Sacrifice for foolish reasons. Multitudinous death. But isn't that it, searching through the pile of bodies at the side of the board? What is it looking for? A souvenir? A snack?"''</ref> The Intriguer is a grand manipulator, a mastermind behind the chessboard.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Outflank_Surface_Veils|Outflank Surface Veils|Fallen London|}} ''"The intriguer Mr Veils is outlining what might be gained from the sale of Paris. It speaks of fabulous rewards: wealth and influence, immortality and the secrets of the stars, vengeance on enemies and the salvation of the beloved."''</ref> Its relative pacifism arises from the fact that the Vake's hunt for those who would seek to slay it has changed both its prey and the Vake itself, to become more like each other. Thus, in a way, the Intriguer is more ''human''. And that has baffling implications indeed.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Consider_sparing_one_form_of_the_Vake_out_of_fellow-feeling_1|Consider sparing one form of the Vake out of fellow-feeling 1|Fallen London|}} ''"It is a monster. So are you. There is no shame in this. But those who are not yet monsters struggle to understand."''</ref> | ||
In the ''Sunless Skies'' timeline, Veils has completely reverted to the Curator version of itself.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Last_Minute|Stay rooted in reality|Sunless Skies}} ''"The hunched shape continues to climb the chain, wings sweeping behind it. It meets your gaze with a furious glare. There is nothing behind those eyes except an intense and sincere desire to murder you and everyone you know."''</ref> | In the ''Sunless Skies'' timeline, Veils has completely reverted to the Curator version of itself.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Last_Minute|Stay rooted in reality|Sunless Skies}} ''"The hunched shape continues to climb the chain, wings sweeping behind it. It meets your gaze with a furious glare. There is nothing behind those eyes except an intense and sincere desire to murder you and everyone you know."''</ref> |
Latest revision as of 00:54, 9 June 2025
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"Mr Veils deals with clothing and fabric, and takes a close interest in the silk-weavers of Spite. But not in any of the more dubious activities in the district of Spite! The mere suggestion is slander!"[1]
Mr Veils is a rather belligerent and uncommunicative Curator who serves as a Master of the Bazaar.
Not the Kindest[edit]
"A scream is just an imperfectly tuned song. And we all have a song in our hearts."[2]
Duplicitous and impatient, Mr Veils is best known for its enjoyment of hunts and songs, and is in charge of trade in clothing and fabrics.[1] Zailors sometimes misattribute Mr Veils as being in charge of Mr Wines' ladies of the evening in their zee-zongs, likely due to the Parlour of Virtue's location in Veilgarden.[3]
Veils was known as the Khan of Silks during the time of the Fourth City.[4][5] In the Sunless Skies timeline, it is called the Masquerader Saint by the Cult of the Sanctified at Avid Horizon.[6]
A Bat of Many Faces[edit]
"Mr Veils stands. 'A book, about us? How very delightful. Have Pages send us a first edition.' It sweeps out silently."[7]
Like a respectable lady's petticoats and skirts, there are still more layers to this Master. The Vake is but one of its alter egos,[8][9] an identity Veils adopts to indulge its thirst for violence and bloodshed, kept away from the public eye.[10] It hardly matters if the truth slips out;[11] few in London would believe it anyway.[12]
Across cities and ages, Mr Veils has worn many guises.[13][14] But sometime after the Fall of London, this one took over. Veils' identity as a Master... dissolved into the background, really.[15] This had almost no effect on its reputation in London; after all, it has always been cryptic, and no one will notice that anything has changed beneath its heavy cloak.[16] The other Masters, however, did notice. Mr Fires arranged to lease one of Veils’ abandoned workshops, but since Veils has been increasingly indulgent in its bloody hobby rather than doing its job, Fires made a mechanical replica of Veils to mask its absence.[17] Mr Wines has been forced to reconsider its friendship with Veils, troubled by its deepening bloodlust.[18]
At its core, despite all these masks, Mr Veils has three primary selves:
- Veils the Curator is the most primal and savage form of Mr Veils, desiring only to fly, hunt, and kill, showing itself most easily in the Vake as we know it.[14]
- Veils of the Third City was a feathered god-priest of blood,[19] who saw a special beauty in violent sacrifices and gory rituals.[20] It still lives, and it follows this crimson path to the end, to reckoning.[21][22] This version of Veils was not the only one responsible for a certain betrayal of which we will not speak, but it did lead the way.[23][24]
- Veils the Intriguer is no less vicious than the other two, but stands as an outlier: it has no wings,[25] nor a hunger for blood...[26] at least not directly.[27] The Intriguer is a grand manipulator, a mastermind behind the chessboard.[28] Its relative pacifism arises from the fact that the Vake's hunt for those who would seek to slay it has changed both its prey and the Vake itself, to become more like each other. Thus, in a way, the Intriguer is more human. And that has baffling implications indeed.[29]
In the Sunless Skies timeline, Veils has completely reverted to the Curator version of itself.[30]
References[edit]
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