Amelia Charity Whitlock

"A pragmatic idealist, the best Admiral the navy ever had, and the undefeated champion of the Blind Helmsman's twelve-whisky tango. She's hard up right now, but you can't keep a good captain down."

The late Amelia Whitlock was a celebrated Admiral of London's navy - or, well, what was left of it, anyway. After staying in the Neath for some time, she left when Victoria brought London to the High Wilderness, and captained a ship called the Orphean until her demise.

A Thousand Corpses

"Log of Her Majesty's Locomotive The Orphean; March 14th, 1905.

"Our expedition to the domains of the dead has been eventful. The Orphean is damaged, and in grievous need of repairs and supplies. We are returning – in haste! – to the Reach, where I hope to make port at New Winchester.

"May God be with us, for a thousand deaths wait in the sky."

–Final entry of Captain Amelia Charity Whitlock, DCM, written shortly before her death.

Whitlock was a seasoned captain who accrued riches from all corners of the heavens, but used up all of her fortune for one last trip to the Blue Kingdom.

Whatever she did there, it involved a black box. But more importantly, it angered the Blue Kingdom and caused a fiery Logos to burn her from within and brand her with Correspondence sigils. She died in agony while attempting to escape to New Winchester.

The Affair of the Black Box

"There are some things we were not meant to know, they say. But you wouldn't be down here if you took that seriously." 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.

"Captain Whitlock ensured that this was left to you along with the Orphean, her locomotive. Her last wish was that you take it to a certain address in London, at your convenience."

Captain Whitlock's Legacy. Art from Sunless Skies

On the reading of her will, her first officer received the Orphean, along with the black box contained within it. They were instructed to carry the black box to a house in New London with no windows.

Inside the box is a mute shade from the Blue Kingdom, named Jacob, who was related to Amelia. The black box is in fact a container perfectly designed to protect its contents from the light of the stars; without it, Jacob would turn to salt under starlight.