Titania: Difference between revisions
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|notable_inhabitants = The Rhapsodic Mayor<br>The Melancholy Poet<br>The Stone-Faced Sculptor | |notable_inhabitants = The Rhapsodic Mayor<br>The Melancholy Poet<br>The Stone-Faced Sculptor | ||
|music = [https://soundcloud.com/user-494952164-692477239/reach-inner Verdant Reach] | |music = [https://soundcloud.com/user-494952164-692477239/reach-inner Verdant Reach] | ||
}}<blockquote>''"Light sparkles through the jewelled petals onto the marble-white paths. Wherever you explore, poets and singers perform their latest work, while artists peer behind canvases to try to capture the beauty in oil and chalk. In the horrors of the High Wilderness, this is a place of safety and wonder where nothing could possibly disturb the peace. Hmm. But what is that buzzing in the distance?"''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | }}<blockquote>''"Light sparkles through the jewelled petals onto the marble-white paths. Wherever you explore, poets and singers perform their latest work, while artists peer behind canvases to try to capture the beauty in oil and chalk. In the horrors of the High Wilderness, this is a place of safety and wonder where nothing could possibly disturb the peace. Hmm. But what is that buzzing in the distance?"''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Oberon's_Landing|Write a Port Report|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
'''Titania''' is a commune built atop a giant orchid in the [[Reach]]. | '''Titania''' is a commune built atop a giant orchid in the [[Reach]]. | ||
== Hope You Like Pollen == | == Hope You Like Pollen == | ||
<blockquote>''"Titania is cupped in the petals of a colossal orchid. Heady with scent, lurid with colour."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | <blockquote>''"Titania is cupped in the petals of a colossal orchid. Heady with scent, lurid with colour."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania|Valentine Square|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
The orchid upon which Titania is built lends the place a perfumed atmosphere,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | The orchid upon which Titania is built lends the place a perfumed atmosphere,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Valentine_Square|Valentine Square|Sunless Skies}} ''"Titania is cupped in the petals of a colossal orchid."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Meeting_with_the_Rhapsodic_Mayor|Meeting with the Rhapsodic Mayor|Sunless Skies}} ''"Titania's petals fill the air with a perpetual perfume [...]"''</ref> and pollen saturates the wind.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Log_Entries|Log Entries|Sunless Skies}} ''"The sky-winds are calmer, here. Lazy breezes, prickled with pollen."''</ref> The city is a refuge for [[bohemians]] who seek inspiration from the beauty of the [[High Wilderness]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Valentine_Square|Valentine Square|Sunless Skies}} ''"An enclave of Bohemians have made it their home, seeking inspiration in the wildness of the Reach."''</ref> using unique materials like pigments from the Reach's flora or stories from visiting [[skyfarers]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Attending_an_Art_Exhibition|Attending an Art Exhibition|Sunless Skies}} ''"[....] surrounded by art, much of it painted with pigments sourced from the Reach's unique flora [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#The_Porphyry_Font|The Porphyry Font|Sunless Skies}} ''"Here, the Melancholy Poet gathers stories from skyfarers. She then arranges to pass them on to any artist or writer willing to pay [...]"''</ref> It is governed by a council consisting of the '''Rhapsodic Mayor''', the '''Melancholy Poet''', and the '''Stone-Faced Sculptor''', who organize exhibitions for their students, but often bicker when discussing art and the commune's direction.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Attending_an_Art_Exhibition|Attending an Art Exhibition|Sunless Skies}} ''"The Melancholy Poet, Rhapsodic Mayor and Stone-Faced Sculptor have brought their best students together to showcase their work. They stand at a respectful distance, glaring at each other. [...] Once the visitors have moved away, however, they immediately launch into lengthy diatribes on the many ways they could have done better."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#A_New_Start_For_Titania|A New Start For Titania|Sunless Skies}} ''"The Rhapsodic Mayor [...] Perhaps you can help settle a [...] matter for us. We've agreed that we need to choose one style and stick with it, but..." She sighs, gesturing at her fellow council members, the Melancholy Poet and Stone-Faced Sculptor. "Well, we find ourselves at an impasse. Your thoughts?""''</ref> | ||
[[File:Chorister bee.png|alt=A large bee.|thumb|A [[Chorister Bees]].]] | [[File:Chorister bee.png|alt=A large bee.|thumb|A [[Chorister Bees]].]] | ||
Titania may seem idyllic, but a threat looms over all who live here:<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | Titania may seem idyllic, but a threat looms over all who live here:<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Oberon's_Landing|Write a Port Report|Sunless Skies}} ''"What is Titania? A question with no easy answer. To the poets, [...] To the stone workers, [...] the playwrights, [...] A place of tranquillity, of creation, and— Your interviewee pauses, suddenly looking worried. Do you hear buzzing? Apologies. Must get inside."''</ref> a nearby hive of [[Chorister Bees]] regularly swarms the port to harvest the orchid's nectar,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Oberon's_Landing|Write a Port Report|Sunless Skies}} ''"Such beauty! Such a pity about the nearby Chorister Hive."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#DIES_IRAE,_DIES_APIS!|DIES IRAE, DIES APIS!|Sunless Skies}} ''"Titania is under siege! Chorister bees flood its streets and petals. [...] once the nectar is gathered, the Hive departs."''</ref> damaging Titania's structures and injuring its citizens.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#THE_BEES!_THE_BEES!|Rally to Titania's defence|Sunless Skies}} ''"The Chorister Hive fills the air with stingers and song. The Titanians resist as best they can. Once the the Hive has collected its nectar (and the Titanians' home is ravaged), it leaves again [...]"''</ref> The city's crystal spires and domes were not built by its current settlers, implying they were left deserted, and the Rhapsodic Mayor was unfortunately unaware of this problem when she founded the community.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Meeting_with_the_Rhapsodic_Mayor|Meeting with the Rhapsodic Mayor|Sunless Skies}} ''"We couldn't believe that nobody else had colonised it after, well, whoever built all the crystal domes and spires. Honestly, I couldn't believe our luck. Then the Chorister Hive descended on us. Everything has a price, I suppose.""''</ref> | ||
Long ago, the flower of Titania was apparently originally supposed to grow "large and perfect," but it "debased itself on stolen nectar" to lure Chorister Bees in the hopes of becoming a hive. This angered the [[The Silent Saint|Silent Saint]], an [[Aeginae]] who considered the flower's actions amalgamy and a violation of the High Wilderness' laws. The Saint tried to destroy the flower,<ref name = "tearing">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | Long ago, the flower of Titania was apparently originally supposed to grow "large and perfect," but it "debased itself on stolen nectar" to lure Chorister Bees in the hopes of becoming a hive. This angered the [[The Silent Saint|Silent Saint]], an [[Aeginae]] who considered the flower's actions amalgamy and a violation of the High Wilderness' laws. The Saint tried to destroy the flower,<ref name = "tearing">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Under_the_Ice#Interactions|Look into the Saint's Eye|Sunless Skies}} ''"Inside, you see an image. A choir of many voices; a flower meant to grow large and perfect, debasing itself with stolen nectar. A horde of Chorister bees approach, maddened and entranced. A flower that seeks to become a hive. Amalgamy. The seventh letter. The Saint begins its tearing work."''</ref> but its crusade seems to have failed, and it is now a frozen corpse in the Reach.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Silent_Saint#Story_description|Story description|Sunless Skies}} ''"A vast sheet of ice has frozen over the ossified corpse of a vanquished beast."''</ref> | ||
=== The Midnight Rose === | === The Midnight Rose === | ||
<blockquote>''"A precarious descent of ladders leads down to the hideout of the Midnight Rose: a spiral of rickety platforms clinging to the great orchid's stalk. There, the Rose have constructed an edifice of glass, something between an orangery and a cowshed. It hums with bees, and shivers with sobbing."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | <blockquote>''"A precarious descent of ladders leads down to the hideout of the Midnight Rose: a spiral of rickety platforms clinging to the great orchid's stalk. There, the Rose have constructed an edifice of glass, something between an orangery and a cowshed. It hums with bees, and shivers with sobbing."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Wit_&_Vinegar:_Finding_the_Midnight_Rose|Engage in a trade of gossip|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
<blockquote>''"We are democratising art. Thanks to our cage-garden, a writer need not speculate about the sorrow of a lover as their beloved dies; they can taste our honey and know it themselves. We are no longer subject to the tyranny of experience."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | <blockquote>''"We are democratising art. Thanks to our cage-garden, a writer need not speculate about the sorrow of a lover as their beloved dies; they can taste our honey and know it themselves. We are no longer subject to the tyranny of experience."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#The_Midnight_Rose|Accompany her as she works in the glass house|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
[[File:SSk redhoney.png|alt=A spoonful of red honey.|thumb|130x130px|[[Gaoler's Honey]]]] | [[File:SSk redhoney.png|alt=A spoonful of red honey.|thumb|130x130px|[[Gaoler's Honey]]]] | ||
Hidden under the petals of Titania is the '''Midnight Rose''', a greenhouse<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies. | Hidden under the petals of Titania is the '''Midnight Rose''', a greenhouse<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Wit_&_Vinegar:_Finding_the_Midnight_Rose|Employ the arts of deduction|Sunless Skies}} ''"[...] the hideout of the Midnight Rose: a spiral of rickety platforms clinging to the great orchid's stalk. There, the Rose have constructed an edifice of glass, someting between an orangery and a cowshed."''</ref> that produces and exports [[Gaoler's Honey|gaoler's honey]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Wit_&_Vinegar:_Finding_the_Midnight_Rose|Wit & Vinegar: Finding the Midnight Rose|Sunless Skies}} ''"Somewhere amidst the garrets and galleries of Titania hide the Midnight Rose. They make red honey, [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Midnight_Rose|The Midnight Rose|Sunless Skies}} ''"[...] the Midnight Rose: a coterie of bohemians that smuggle red honey to distant ports."''</ref> Unlike typical cage-gardens, the prisoners here possess keys and are free to leave anytime;<ref name="chain">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#The_Midnight_Rose|Accompany her as she works in the glass house|Sunless Skies}} ''"The prisoners cry out, [...] Around each of their necks hangs a key on a chain. "They can free themselves at any time, but choose not to. They are artists, you see. They believe they must suffer if they are to one day make great art.""''</ref> according to their handler, the '''Ethereal Apiarist''',<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#The_Midnight_Rose|The Midnight Rose|Sunless Skies}} ''"Their leader is an Ethereal Apiarist [...]"''</ref> this is because the prisoners are artists who believe they must suffer for their art.<ref name="chain" /> The Apiarist believes that this treatment may inspire the artists to further pursue their skills, and that by distributing red honey, she is freeing its imbibers from the "tyranny of experience."<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Midnight_Rose|Accompany her as she works in the glass house|Sunless Skies}} ''""Yes, well. They are romantics. Perhaps telling themselves this lie will give them the confidence to make something remarkable. [...] "We are democratising art," [...] "Thanks to our cage-garden, a writer need not speculate about the sorrow of a lover as their beloved dies; they can taste our honey and know it themselves. We are no longer subject to the tyranny of experience.""''</ref> | ||
== Historical and Cultural Inspirations == | == Historical and Cultural Inspirations == | ||
Revision as of 20:57, 5 February 2025
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Beyond this point lie spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include midgame or minor Fate-locked content. Proceed with caution. You can find out more about our spoiler policy here. |
"Light sparkles through the jewelled petals onto the marble-white paths. Wherever you explore, poets and singers perform their latest work, while artists peer behind canvases to try to capture the beauty in oil and chalk. In the horrors of the High Wilderness, this is a place of safety and wonder where nothing could possibly disturb the peace. Hmm. But what is that buzzing in the distance?"[1]
Titania is a commune built atop a giant orchid in the Reach.
Hope You Like Pollen
"Titania is cupped in the petals of a colossal orchid. Heady with scent, lurid with colour."[2]
The orchid upon which Titania is built lends the place a perfumed atmosphere,[3][4] and pollen saturates the wind.[5] The city is a refuge for bohemians who seek inspiration from the beauty of the High Wilderness,[6] using unique materials like pigments from the Reach's flora or stories from visiting skyfarers.[7][8] It is governed by a council consisting of the Rhapsodic Mayor, the Melancholy Poet, and the Stone-Faced Sculptor, who organize exhibitions for their students, but often bicker when discussing art and the commune's direction.[9][10]
Titania may seem idyllic, but a threat looms over all who live here:[11] a nearby hive of Chorister Bees regularly swarms the port to harvest the orchid's nectar,[12][13] damaging Titania's structures and injuring its citizens.[14] The city's crystal spires and domes were not built by its current settlers, implying they were left deserted, and the Rhapsodic Mayor was unfortunately unaware of this problem when she founded the community.[15]
Long ago, the flower of Titania was apparently originally supposed to grow "large and perfect," but it "debased itself on stolen nectar" to lure Chorister Bees in the hopes of becoming a hive. This angered the Silent Saint, an Aeginae who considered the flower's actions amalgamy and a violation of the High Wilderness' laws. The Saint tried to destroy the flower,[16] but its crusade seems to have failed, and it is now a frozen corpse in the Reach.[17]
The Midnight Rose
"A precarious descent of ladders leads down to the hideout of the Midnight Rose: a spiral of rickety platforms clinging to the great orchid's stalk. There, the Rose have constructed an edifice of glass, something between an orangery and a cowshed. It hums with bees, and shivers with sobbing."[18]
"We are democratising art. Thanks to our cage-garden, a writer need not speculate about the sorrow of a lover as their beloved dies; they can taste our honey and know it themselves. We are no longer subject to the tyranny of experience."[19]
Hidden under the petals of Titania is the Midnight Rose, a greenhouse[20] that produces and exports gaoler's honey.[21][22] Unlike typical cage-gardens, the prisoners here possess keys and are free to leave anytime;[23] according to their handler, the Ethereal Apiarist,[24] this is because the prisoners are artists who believe they must suffer for their art.[23] The Apiarist believes that this treatment may inspire the artists to further pursue their skills, and that by distributing red honey, she is freeing its imbibers from the "tyranny of experience."[25]
Historical and Cultural Inspirations
Titania is the Queen of the Fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and a powerful nature spirit. Shakespeare likely borrowed the name from Greek mythology.
References
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