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{{Uncited}}
{{Major spoiler}}
{{Major spoiler}}
''"The show is cancelled, the poster claims. Mahogany Hall - London's most notorious Music Hall and theatre - is closed tonight. You know better."''<ref name = "going to theater">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Going_to_the_theatre|Going to the theatre|Fallen London|}}</ref>
[[File:Scrawl1.png|alt=A mysteries sigil.|thumb|[[The Correspondence|''Almost never remembered'']]]]
'''''The Seventh Letter''''' is a scandalous and forbidden play that dramatizes the story of the [[Echo Bazaar]]. Its cast consists of some of the personalities the Bazaar encountered and dealt with during its journey.__forcetoc__


Below is all we know about the scandalous and forbidden play, ''The Seventh Letter.''
== The Neathy Play ==
''"The Seventh Letter! They only show that in secret at Mahogany Hall! A production at the Panopticon? How does the Ministry of Public Decency permit it?"''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/To_see_the_play|To see the play|Fallen London|}}</ref>


A disclaimer - some of the context of the play was given outside of the game, at player request, by Alexis Kennedy, who is disgraced and no longer at Failbetter.
''The Seventh Letter'' is a play that was unfortunately banned by the [[Ministry of Public Decency]].<ref name = "watch play 1">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while|Watch the play for a little while|Fallen London|}}</ref> Thus, it is usually staged in secret; [[Mahogany Hall]] is known for hosting recitals of ''The Seventh Letter'' on days when the shows are cancelled and the theater is announced to be closed.<ref name = "going to theater"/> However, the play is also said to be enjoyed by [[Mr Wines]], who supposedly bribes the Ministry on occasion to permit public stagings.<ref name = "watch play 2">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_2|Watch the play for a little while 2|Fallen London|}}</ref>
 
While the play's subject matter is esoteric,<ref name = "watch play 4">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_4|Watch the play for a little while 4|Fallen London|}}</ref> it is still notoriously moving and emotional.<ref name = "watch play 1"/> The performances of the play's tragic characters can move even the most dignified audience members to tears,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while|Watch the play for a little while|Fallen London|}} ''"Her rendition of the Hymn [...] sends a bankerly fellow fleeing from the auditorium in tears."''</ref> and certain scenes are so horrifying that the play has an intermission for faint-hearted audiences to take their leave before those scenes are staged.<ref name = "watch play 1"/>


== In Summary==
== In Summary==
The actress playing the Raven is introduced. She sings her aria, the Hymn of Shames. 
''"The Seventh Letter has long been banned by the Ministry of Public Decency: but the story goes that Mr Wines enjoys it, and bribes them to wink at the ban, now and then."''<ref name = "watch play 2"/>
 
The following is a summary of all that is known of ''The Seventh Letter''.
 
=== Night ===
''"Yet no sweeter than yours, great master. I acknowledge it so."''<ref name = "watch play 1"/>
[[File:Ravenblackskull.png|alt=A raven perched on a skull.|thumb|A raven?]]
The actress playing the '''Raven''' is introduced. She sings her aria, the '''Hymn of Shames''', which contains the following lyrics: ''"The glowing-hearted mountain / the river in the sky / the near night and the deep night..."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while|Watch the play for a little while|Fallen London|}}</ref>
 
The Raven comments that her song is superior to that of "the stone, the swan, the storm", but is interrupted by the arrival of the '''Messenger''', whom she addresses as "great master".<ref name = "ovate night">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Order_Ovate,_Night|Order Ovate, Night|Fallen London|}}</ref> The Messenger, played by multiple actors of multiple gender identities,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_2|Watch the play for a little while 2|Fallen London|}} ''"The Messenger is [...] always played by a man and a woman, alternately, scene by scene. In this performance, there are three actors, and you're not sure any of them are a man or a woman, precisely."''</ref> is dressed in "rags of cloud", and asks the darkness surrounding them "wherefore" they should sing; perhaps when all of their songs are burned to their skin?<ref name = "ovate night"/>
 
=== Blood ===
''"Ah, were it only my unfettered choice. But I owe him his hunts and the joys of his voice."''<ref name = "watch play 2"/>
[[File:Master.png|alt=A hooded figure.|thumb|A [[Master]].]]
The Messenger is beseeched by the '''Owls''', who have taken up shelter within the Messenger's spires.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_2|Watch the play for a little while 2|Fallen London|}} ''"The Messenger-actor who receives the flattery of the Owls, [...]"''</ref> The Messenger asks what the Owls do; they respond that they "watch", "wait", and "eat".<ref name = "ovate blood">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Order_Ovate,_Blood|Order Ovate, Blood|Fallen London|}}</ref> The Messenger points out that the Owls are on the run from a being known as the '''Hunter''';<ref name = "ovate blood"/><ref name = "watch play 2"/> in response, the Owls beg for safety from the Hunter's wrath. However, the Messenger cannot provide such safety on a whim, as they owe the Hunter "his hunts and the joys of his voice".<ref name = "ovate blood"/>
 
The Hunter later confronts the Messenger, and the Messenger warns him to curb his greed; in response, the Hunter screams at the Messenger a "litany of solar insults".<ref name = "watch play 2"/>


''"[[The Mountain of Light|The glowing-hearted mountain]]/ the river in the sky / the near night and the deep night..."''
=== Ice ===
''"Aren't we touchy! I had no idea."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_3|Watch the play for a little while 3|Fallen London|}}</ref>
[[File:Lyrebird firebird.png|alt=A flaming bird.|thumb|[[Whitsun#Lyrebird|The Unquenchable Firebird]]]]
The '''Phoenix''', described as a "thing of fire",<ref name = "ovate ice">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Order_Ovate,_Ice|Order Ovate, Ice|Fallen London|}}</ref> is introduced. She recites her famous soliloquy: ''"I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow, and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_3|Watch the play for a little while 3|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the soliloquy for which the part is so well-known - "I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow, and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all."''</ref>


According to AK, the Ravens - there are multiple - are "the lesser Incarnates of the Liberation in the days before there was war in Heaven." ([[Revolutionaries|This Liberation?]]) The Shames are the children of the Mountain of Light, but it is unclear who the Ravens actually represent.
The Phoenix is then questioned by the Messenger, who asks her what she's up to. The Phoenix responds by greeting them, and pointing out that the Messenger is the one carrying a troth from the Sun to another. The Messenger interrupts the Phoenix, and furiously demands that she does not speak the recipient's name.<ref name = "ovate ice"/>


The Messenger - [[The Echo Bazaar|the Bazaar]], played by multiple actors of multiple gender identities - is introduced. There is a mention of "the Owls" ([[The Masters of the Bazaar|the Masters]]), and of the Hunter (probably Mr Veils) as one of their number.
Later, the Phoenix prepares to undergo her '''Last Immolation'''. During certain productions of the play, rather than undress before her dramatic Immolation as would be expected, the Phoenix's feathered robes burst into blue flame, and she crackles like ice in the process.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_3|Watch the play for a little while 3|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Phoenix usually disrobes to undergo her Last Immolation [...] the Phoenix does not disrobe - her feathered robe bursts into [...] blue flame [...] You could swear that [...] you hear her crack [...] like new-made ice."''</ref>


The Phoenix, played by a beautiful [[The Khanate|Khaganian]] woman, gives her soliloquy: ''"I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow, and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all."  ''Rather than undress before her dramatic immolation as would be expected, she simply bursts into [[The Correspondence|Correspondence]] flame. AK explains that the Phoenix is "an untroubled star, busy at the melodramas of the High Wilderness."
=== Glory ===
''"Not yet enough. Not yet enough!"''<ref name = "watch play 4"/>
[[File:Burrowerbelow.png|150px|alt=A reptilian eye with several pupils.|thumb|A [[Aeginae|Dragon's]] eye.]]
The Messenger is confronted by a '''Dragon''', another servant of the Messenger's superior. The Dragon states that the Messenger's superior is waiting for them; the Messenger begs the Dragon for more time, as they are not yet ready to deliver their message. The Dragon responds by pointing out that the Messenger still has time left, and that "two remain" if "this place" fails, but the Messenger believes this is not nearly enough.<ref name = "ovate glory">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Order_Ovate,_Glory|Order Ovate, Glory|Fallen London|}}</ref>


In the final act, the seven [[Aeginae|Dragons]] punish the Messenger, the Sun, [[the Mountain of Light|their daughter]], the Hunter, and Time itself. ''"The Seventh Dragon recites the crimes of the Sun and the Messenger – Betrayal of Messages, Undelivery of Words, Vile Breeding, Conspiracy in Darkness, and Unlicensed Love."  ''When the Dragon recites this last crime, the others scream in what can only be Correspondence, injuring the audience's ears. The curtain falls as the Dragons feast on their prisoners.
Later, seven Dragons capture and hold a tribunal for several prisoners: the Messenger, the '''Chained Sun''', the '''Messenger's Daughter''', the Hunter, and '''Time''' itself. Two of the Dragons' mouths are covered in the '''Blood of the World'''. The Dragons drag their prisoners to the '''Wound in the World''', and recites the crimes of those accused: ''"Betrayal of Messages, Undelivery of Words, Vile Breeding, Conspiracy in Darkness, and Unlicensed Love."'' <ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_4|Watch the play for a little while 4|Fallen London|}} ''"The Dragons [...] are seven in number. One carries Time gored on a horn. Another has the Hunter carelessly slung [...]. Two more [...] are daubed with red - 'The Blood of the World,' [...] They drag the Messenger screaming, [...] to [...] the Wound in the World, where the Chained Sun and the Messenger's Daughter wait. The Seventh Dragon recites the crimes of the Sun and the Messenger - Betrayal of Messages, Undelivery of Words, Vile Breeding, Conspiracy in Darkness, and Unlicensed Love."''</ref>


The Dragons, in AK's words, are "the enforcement-emanations of Law." And "Time is (as Aulus Gellius knew) the father of Truth, but is also of course in turn the child of Law."
When the Seventh Dragon recites the last crime, its fellows scream in an incalculable rage. The curtain then falls as the seven Dragons feast on their prisoners.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_the_play_for_a_little_while_4|Watch the play for a little while 4|Fallen London|}} ''"The Seventh Dragon recites the crimes [...] When the Dragon says [...] 'Unlicensed Love', its fellows [...] rage [...] the Dragons cease their screaming and lunge forwards, to feed on their prisoners. The curtain falls [...]"''</ref>


==Excerpted==
==Excerpts==
[[File:Medaleggiron.png|alt=An iron medal emblazoned with an egg.|thumb|Night]]
''RAVEN: Truly my voice is sweeter than the song of the stone, the swan, the storm....''
''RAVEN: Truly my voice is sweeter than the song of the stone, the swan, the storm....''


Line 32: Line 60:
''(Exeunt.)''
''(Exeunt.)''


''--''
''--''<ref name = "ovate night"/>
 
[[File:Medaleggbronze.png|alt=A bronze medal emblazoned with an egg.|thumb|Blood]]
''MESSENGER: What do you among my spires?''
''MESSENGER: What do you among my spires?''


''OWLS: Why, great master, we watch. We wait. We eat.''
''OWLS: Why, great master, we watch. We wait. We eat.''


''MESSENGER: You watch and you wait and consume, you say. But is there not [[The Vake|one who will make you his prey?]]''
''MESSENGER: You watch and you wait and consume, you say. But is there not one who will make you his prey?''


''OWLS: ....pray, great master, preserve us. Let us hear his shriekings no more, and we will serve you always.''
''OWLS: ....pray, great master, preserve us. Let us hear his shriekings no more, and we will serve you always.''
Line 44: Line 72:
''MESSENGER: Ah, were it only my unfettered choice. But I owe him his hunts and the joys of his voice.''
''MESSENGER: Ah, were it only my unfettered choice. But I owe him his hunts and the joys of his voice.''


''--''
''--''<ref name = "ovate blood"/>
 
[[File:Medaleggsilver.png|alt=A silver medal emblazoned with an egg.|thumb|Ice]]
''PHOENIX (to herself): I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all.''
''PHOENIX (to herself): I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all.''


Line 60: Line 88:
''PHOENIX: Aren’t we touchy! I had no idea.''
''PHOENIX: Aren’t we touchy! I had no idea.''


''--''
''--''<ref name = "ovate ice"/>
 
[[File:Medalegggold.png|alt=A silver medal emblazoned with an egg.|thumb|Glory]]
''MESSENGER: You, again.''
''MESSENGER: You, again.''


Line 72: Line 100:
''MESSENGER: Not yet enough. Not yet enough!''
''MESSENGER: Not yet enough. Not yet enough!''


== Interpretation ==
''--''<ref name = "ovate glory"/>
''The Seventh Letter'' is, at its heart, a retelling of the love story of the Bazaar and the Sun, albeit disguised in a layer of symbolism so that most Londoners can't quite figure out the truth. It also displays the most tragic possible future, in which the Bazaar, the Sun, their offspring, at least one Master, and for some reason ''time itself'' are punished and devoured for their crimes.  
 
== Analysis ==
''"They say only six letters of it should ever be written together. The seventh will doom all."''<ref name = "going to theater"/>
 
The following is an analysis of the cast and story of the ''The Seventh Letter''. Do note that this analysis is liable to change as the lore of ''Fallen London'' develops and evolves.
 
It appears that the scenes of the play do not follow any chronological order, and the last scene depicting the Messenger's death at the hands of Dragons is a frightening hypothetical.
 
The Messenger is the [[Echo Bazaar]], as the Bazaar is known to be carrying a message for the [[Sun]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Aver_it|Aver it|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] your employer soars towards the Judgement, its hide flaring with the message it carries."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Demand_an_explanation_(from_Mr._Cups)|Demand an explanation (from Mr. Cups)|Fallen London|}} ''"The Bazaar's dream is a folly! Its message will be spurned, [...] Let it suffer, and let the sun suffer [...]"''</ref> and the Bazaar is known for its iconic spires.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Upgrade_your_guest_room_to_a_Spire-Emporium|Upgrade your guest room to a Spire-Emporium|Fallen London|}}</ref>
 
The Owls are the [[Masters of the Bazaar]], as their species, the [[Curators]], have been compared to owls.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/No_map_knows_the_place_you_go|No map knows the place you go|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22What_is_due%3F%22|"What is due?"|Fallen London|}}</ref>
 
The identity of the Hunter is unconfirmed, but it is likely [[Mr Veils]]. This is because Mr Veils is known to have killed several Curators during its time in the [[High Wilderness]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Hunt|The Day of the Hunt|Fallen London|}}</ref> and its known to shriek when acting as the [[Vake]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Anticipate|Anticipate|Fallen London|}} ''"The Vake shrieks [...]"''</ref>
 
The identity of the Phoenix is unknown.
 
The Dragons are [[Aeginae]], beings that have been compared to dragons and are known to consume time.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae#Story_description|Story description|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Aeginae|The Aeginae|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> The identity of the Dragon that warns the Messenger of its limited time is [[Storm]], as Storm has been known to have interacted with the Bazaar in the past,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Chelonate#The_Chelonate|Deliver Sphinxstone for Penstock|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and is known to be an Aeginae.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Corridors_of_Frostfound#Trigger_Conditions_8|Fumble in the darkness|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>
 
The Wound in the World is the [[Avid Horizon]], which has been called a "wound in the sky",<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Approach_the_Convocation|Approach the Convocation|Fallen London|}}</ref> and the Messenger's Daughter is [[Stone]], who is known to be the daughter of the [[Bazaar]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Adam's_Way#Adam.27s_Way|Go ashore with the Adventuress|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> The Chained Sun is the Sun after hypothetically being arrested by the Dragons for its experiments in the [[Neath]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22..end_it,_as_I_swore_I_would.%22|"..end it, as I swore I would."|Fallen London|}}</ref>
 
The identity of the Raven is unconfirmed, but based on the name and lyrics of the Raven's hymn, she is likely one of the [[Shames]], the children of Stone who were sadly considered aberrations by the [[Judgements]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Flint|Flint|Fallen London|}} ''""Shames!" [...] "Mountain's get!""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Leviathan|Leviathan|Fallen London|}} ''"The fossils [...] are all Shames," [...]  "Evolutionary errors, or so the Judgements believe."''</ref> and thus were not permitted to leave the Neath.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Order_Vespertine,_Irresistible|Order Vespertine, Irresistible|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref name = "lacre currency">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Propose_a_currency_infused_with_lacre|Propose a currency infused with lacre|Fallen London|}}</ref> Based on this conclusion, it seems likely that the scene depicting the Raven takes place in the Neath, as the Shames were known to roam the Neath in ancient times.<ref name = "lacre currency"/>
 
== References ==
<references/>
[[Category:Other Things of Significance]]
[[Category:Other Things of Significance]]
[[Category:Unformatted]]
[[Category:Formatted]]
[[Category:Cited]]

Revision as of 22:13, 8 November 2021

"Are you quite sure you want to know this?"

Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.

You can find out more about our spoiler policy here.


"The show is cancelled, the poster claims. Mahogany Hall - London's most notorious Music Hall and theatre - is closed tonight. You know better."[1]

A mysteries sigil.
Almost never remembered

The Seventh Letter is a scandalous and forbidden play that dramatizes the story of the Echo Bazaar. Its cast consists of some of the personalities the Bazaar encountered and dealt with during its journey.

The Neathy Play

"The Seventh Letter! They only show that in secret at Mahogany Hall! A production at the Panopticon? How does the Ministry of Public Decency permit it?"[2]

The Seventh Letter is a play that was unfortunately banned by the Ministry of Public Decency.[3] Thus, it is usually staged in secret; Mahogany Hall is known for hosting recitals of The Seventh Letter on days when the shows are cancelled and the theater is announced to be closed.[1] However, the play is also said to be enjoyed by Mr Wines, who supposedly bribes the Ministry on occasion to permit public stagings.[4]

While the play's subject matter is esoteric,[5] it is still notoriously moving and emotional.[3] The performances of the play's tragic characters can move even the most dignified audience members to tears,[6] and certain scenes are so horrifying that the play has an intermission for faint-hearted audiences to take their leave before those scenes are staged.[3]

In Summary

"The Seventh Letter has long been banned by the Ministry of Public Decency: but the story goes that Mr Wines enjoys it, and bribes them to wink at the ban, now and then."[4]

The following is a summary of all that is known of The Seventh Letter.

Night

"Yet no sweeter than yours, great master. I acknowledge it so."[3]

A raven perched on a skull.
A raven?

The actress playing the Raven is introduced. She sings her aria, the Hymn of Shames, which contains the following lyrics: "The glowing-hearted mountain / the river in the sky / the near night and the deep night..."[7]

The Raven comments that her song is superior to that of "the stone, the swan, the storm", but is interrupted by the arrival of the Messenger, whom she addresses as "great master".[8] The Messenger, played by multiple actors of multiple gender identities,[9] is dressed in "rags of cloud", and asks the darkness surrounding them "wherefore" they should sing; perhaps when all of their songs are burned to their skin?[8]

Blood

"Ah, were it only my unfettered choice. But I owe him his hunts and the joys of his voice."[4]

A hooded figure.
A Master.

The Messenger is beseeched by the Owls, who have taken up shelter within the Messenger's spires.[10] The Messenger asks what the Owls do; they respond that they "watch", "wait", and "eat".[11] The Messenger points out that the Owls are on the run from a being known as the Hunter;[11][4] in response, the Owls beg for safety from the Hunter's wrath. However, the Messenger cannot provide such safety on a whim, as they owe the Hunter "his hunts and the joys of his voice".[11]

The Hunter later confronts the Messenger, and the Messenger warns him to curb his greed; in response, the Hunter screams at the Messenger a "litany of solar insults".[4]

Ice

"Aren't we touchy! I had no idea."[12]

A flaming bird.
The Unquenchable Firebird

The Phoenix, described as a "thing of fire",[13] is introduced. She recites her famous soliloquy: "I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow, and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all."[14]

The Phoenix is then questioned by the Messenger, who asks her what she's up to. The Phoenix responds by greeting them, and pointing out that the Messenger is the one carrying a troth from the Sun to another. The Messenger interrupts the Phoenix, and furiously demands that she does not speak the recipient's name.[13]

Later, the Phoenix prepares to undergo her Last Immolation. During certain productions of the play, rather than undress before her dramatic Immolation as would be expected, the Phoenix's feathered robes burst into blue flame, and she crackles like ice in the process.[15]

Glory

"Not yet enough. Not yet enough!"[5]

A reptilian eye with several pupils.
A Dragon's eye.

The Messenger is confronted by a Dragon, another servant of the Messenger's superior. The Dragon states that the Messenger's superior is waiting for them; the Messenger begs the Dragon for more time, as they are not yet ready to deliver their message. The Dragon responds by pointing out that the Messenger still has time left, and that "two remain" if "this place" fails, but the Messenger believes this is not nearly enough.[16]

Later, seven Dragons capture and hold a tribunal for several prisoners: the Messenger, the Chained Sun, the Messenger's Daughter, the Hunter, and Time itself. Two of the Dragons' mouths are covered in the Blood of the World. The Dragons drag their prisoners to the Wound in the World, and recites the crimes of those accused: "Betrayal of Messages, Undelivery of Words, Vile Breeding, Conspiracy in Darkness, and Unlicensed Love." [17]

When the Seventh Dragon recites the last crime, its fellows scream in an incalculable rage. The curtain then falls as the seven Dragons feast on their prisoners.[18]

Excerpts

An iron medal emblazoned with an egg.
Night

RAVEN: Truly my voice is sweeter than the song of the stone, the swan, the storm....

(Enter a MESSENGER beribboned with RAGS of CLOUD.)

RAVEN: (in haste) ...yet no sweeter than yours, great master. I acknowledge it so.

MESSENGER: O blackness, o blackness, wherefore should I sing? When all of my songs are seared on my skin?

(Exeunt.)

--[8]

A bronze medal emblazoned with an egg.
Blood

MESSENGER: What do you among my spires?

OWLS: Why, great master, we watch. We wait. We eat.

MESSENGER: You watch and you wait and consume, you say. But is there not one who will make you his prey?

OWLS: ....pray, great master, preserve us. Let us hear his shriekings no more, and we will serve you always.

MESSENGER: Ah, were it only my unfettered choice. But I owe him his hunts and the joys of his voice.

--[11]

A silver medal emblazoned with an egg.
Ice

PHOENIX (to herself): I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all.

MESSENGER: What’s that? You have no more use for flame?

PHOENIX: Oho! A visitor!

MESSENGER: A pleasure. Will you guess my name?

PHOENIX: I know you. All we things of fire do. You are the ragged messenger who carries a troth from the Sun to -

MESSENGER: -name her not! Name her not, the b___h!

PHOENIX: Aren’t we touchy! I had no idea.

--[13]

A silver medal emblazoned with an egg.
Glory

MESSENGER: You, again.

DRAGON: Yes. I remain the servant of your master. As do you. He awaits you.

MESSENGER: Do not. I beg you, do not. He cannot yet hear what I have to say.

DRAGON: (carelessly) You have a little longer. Should this place fail, two remain. (Exit)

MESSENGER: Not yet enough. Not yet enough!

--[16]

Analysis

"They say only six letters of it should ever be written together. The seventh will doom all."[1]

The following is an analysis of the cast and story of the The Seventh Letter. Do note that this analysis is liable to change as the lore of Fallen London develops and evolves.

It appears that the scenes of the play do not follow any chronological order, and the last scene depicting the Messenger's death at the hands of Dragons is a frightening hypothetical.

The Messenger is the Echo Bazaar, as the Bazaar is known to be carrying a message for the Sun,[19][20] and the Bazaar is known for its iconic spires.[21]

The Owls are the Masters of the Bazaar, as their species, the Curators, have been compared to owls.[22][23]

The identity of the Hunter is unconfirmed, but it is likely Mr Veils. This is because Mr Veils is known to have killed several Curators during its time in the High Wilderness,[24] and its known to shriek when acting as the Vake.[25]

The identity of the Phoenix is unknown.

The Dragons are Aeginae, beings that have been compared to dragons and are known to consume time.[26][27] The identity of the Dragon that warns the Messenger of its limited time is Storm, as Storm has been known to have interacted with the Bazaar in the past,[28] and is known to be an Aeginae.[29]

The Wound in the World is the Avid Horizon, which has been called a "wound in the sky",[30] and the Messenger's Daughter is Stone, who is known to be the daughter of the Bazaar.[31] The Chained Sun is the Sun after hypothetically being arrested by the Dragons for its experiments in the Neath.[32]

The identity of the Raven is unconfirmed, but based on the name and lyrics of the Raven's hymn, she is likely one of the Shames, the children of Stone who were sadly considered aberrations by the Judgements,[33][34] and thus were not permitted to leave the Neath.[35][36] Based on this conclusion, it seems likely that the scene depicting the Raven takes place in the Neath, as the Shames were known to roam the Neath in ancient times.[36]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Going to the theatre, Fallen London
  2. ↑ To see the play, Fallen London
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Watch the play for a little while, Fallen London
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Watch the play for a little while 2, Fallen London
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Watch the play for a little while 4, Fallen London
  6. ↑ Watch the play for a little while, Fallen London "Her rendition of the Hymn [...] sends a bankerly fellow fleeing from the auditorium in tears."
  7. ↑ Watch the play for a little while, Fallen London
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Order Ovate, Night, Fallen London
  9. ↑ Watch the play for a little while 2, Fallen London "The Messenger is [...] always played by a man and a woman, alternately, scene by scene. In this performance, there are three actors, and you're not sure any of them are a man or a woman, precisely."
  10. ↑ Watch the play for a little while 2, Fallen London "The Messenger-actor who receives the flattery of the Owls, [...]"
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Order Ovate, Blood, Fallen London
  12. ↑ Watch the play for a little while 3, Fallen London
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Order Ovate, Ice, Fallen London
  14. ↑ Watch the play for a little while 3, Fallen London "[...] the soliloquy for which the part is so well-known - "I am so very tired of flames. I will drown myself in snow, and emerge in perfect serenity. Or emerge not at all."
  15. ↑ Watch the play for a little while 3, Fallen London "[...] the Phoenix usually disrobes to undergo her Last Immolation [...] the Phoenix does not disrobe - her feathered robe bursts into [...] blue flame [...] You could swear that [...] you hear her crack [...] like new-made ice."
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Order Ovate, Glory, Fallen London
  17. ↑ Watch the play for a little while 4, Fallen London "The Dragons [...] are seven in number. One carries Time gored on a horn. Another has the Hunter carelessly slung [...]. Two more [...] are daubed with red - 'The Blood of the World,' [...] They drag the Messenger screaming, [...] to [...] the Wound in the World, where the Chained Sun and the Messenger's Daughter wait. The Seventh Dragon recites the crimes of the Sun and the Messenger - Betrayal of Messages, Undelivery of Words, Vile Breeding, Conspiracy in Darkness, and Unlicensed Love."
  18. ↑ Watch the play for a little while 4, Fallen London "The Seventh Dragon recites the crimes [...] When the Dragon says [...] 'Unlicensed Love', its fellows [...] rage [...] the Dragons cease their screaming and lunge forwards, to feed on their prisoners. The curtain falls [...]"
  19. ↑ Aver it, Fallen London "[...] your employer soars towards the Judgement, its hide flaring with the message it carries."
  20. ↑ Demand an explanation (from Mr. Cups), Fallen London "The Bazaar's dream is a folly! Its message will be spurned, [...] Let it suffer, and let the sun suffer [...]"
  21. ↑ Upgrade your guest room to a Spire-Emporium, Fallen London
  22. ↑ No map knows the place you go, Fallen London
  23. ↑ "What is due?", Fallen London
  24. ↑ The Day of the Hunt, Fallen London
  25. ↑ Anticipate, Fallen London "The Vake shrieks [...]"
  26. ↑ Story description, Sunless Skies
  27. ↑ The Aeginae, Sunless Skies
  28. ↑ Deliver Sphinxstone for Penstock, Sunless Sea
  29. ↑ Fumble in the darkness, Sunless Sea
  30. ↑ Approach the Convocation, Fallen London
  31. ↑ Go ashore with the Adventuress, Sunless Sea
  32. ↑ "..end it, as I swore I would.", Fallen London
  33. ↑ Flint, Fallen London ""Shames!" [...] "Mountain's get!""
  34. ↑ Leviathan, Fallen London "The fossils [...] are all Shames," [...] "Evolutionary errors, or so the Judgements believe."
  35. ↑ Order Vespertine, Irresistible, Fallen London
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Propose a currency infused with lacre, Fallen London
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