The Nacreous Outcast: Difference between revisions
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|location = [[The Principles of Coral]] | |location = [[The Principles of Coral]] | ||
|allegiance = The Shining Mind | |allegiance = The Shining Mind | ||
}}<blockquote>''"A Rubbery Man rises from a cyst in the floor. An iridescent cicatrice crosses its face. Even in this flood of silvery light, it pulses like a fevered moon."''<ref name = "offer help">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Offer assistance with dissolution|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote> | |alias=The Nacreous Survivor}}<blockquote>''"A Rubbery Man rises from a cyst in the floor. An iridescent cicatrice crosses its face. Even in this flood of silvery light, it pulses like a fevered moon."''<ref name="offer help">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Offer assistance with dissolution|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
The '''Nacreous Outcast''' is a [[Rubbery Man]] from the [[Principles of Coral]].__forcetoc__ | The '''Nacreous Outcast''' is a [[Rubbery Man]] from the [[Principles of Coral]].__forcetoc__ | ||
== A Star-Crossed Creature == | ==A Star-Crossed Creature == | ||
<blockquote>''"Flif your hanf on the ftool. Farphaf! Ophen your eyess."''<ref name = "increase hearts">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Nacreous_Outcast#Interactions|Increase your Hearts|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>''"Flif your hanf on the ftool. Farphaf! Ophen your eyess."''<ref name="increase hearts">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Nacreous_Outcast#Interactions|Increase your Hearts|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
<blockquote>''"I ushed to love - "''<ref name = "invite dine 2">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Nacreous_Outcast#Interactions|Invite it to dine with you (2)|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>''"I ushed to love - "''<ref name="invite dine 2">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Nacreous_Outcast#Interactions|Invite it to dine with you (2)|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
The Nacreous Outcast's most striking physical feature is a scar glowing with silver light. Unlike most [[Rubbery Men]] yet encountered, it can speak both English<ref name = "offer help"/> and the Rubbery language,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Overheard_at_Zee:_Materials|Story description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> though its speech in the former can be difficult for some to understand.<ref name = "offer help"/> It is familiar with esoteric culinary arts<ref name = "increase hearts"/> - though it prefers its food uncooked.<ref name = "invite dine 2"/> It is typically very terse<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Shattered_Citadel_Encounters|Let the Nacreous Outcast approach the altar|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and has a reserved demeanor.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Nacreous_Outcast#Interactions|Invite it to dine with you|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> | The Nacreous Outcast's most striking physical feature is a scar glowing with silver light. Unlike most [[Rubbery Men]] yet encountered, it can speak both English<ref name="offer help" /> and the Rubbery language,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Overheard_at_Zee:_Materials|Story description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> though its speech in the former can be difficult for some to understand.<ref name="offer help" /> It is familiar with esoteric culinary arts<ref name="increase hearts" /> - though it prefers its food uncooked.<ref name="invite dine 2" /> It is typically very terse<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Shattered_Citadel_Encounters|Let the Nacreous Outcast approach the altar|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and has a reserved demeanor.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Nacreous_Outcast#Interactions|Invite it to dine with you|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> In addition to its home in the Principles, it has a residence in an isolated part of [[London]], where it draws figures in the windows and sings.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_visit_to_the_Outcast|A visit to the Outcast|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Collect_a_Confession_from_the_Nacreous_Outcast|Collect a Confession from the Nacreous Outcast|Fallen London|}}</ref> | ||
The Outcast was exiled on account of multiple crimes, most of which cannot be described by human languages. One of them was love,<ref name = "invite dine 2"/> which is forbidden among the [[Axile|Axiles]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Give the Principles Heartmetal|Sunless Sea|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Give the Principles an Ambiguous Eolith|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and it is implied that the recipient of its affection was a [[Flukes|Fluke]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_visit_to_the_Outcast|A visit to the Outcast|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Outcast lopes toward a mirror, and wheezes against the glass. [...] A foggy circle forms. [...] [It adds] a border of spikes to the circle. The Outcast [gestures] [...] A forlorn lover? [...] A foolish partner?"''</ref> As punishment, it was abandoned at [[Port Cecil]]; here it became an emissary<ref name = "offer help"/> to the Shining Mind,<ref name = "invite dine 2"/> the entity whose mind once suffused the [[Principles of Coral]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Port_Cecil#Interactions|Gather Scintillack|Sunless Sea | The Outcast was exiled on account of multiple crimes, most of which cannot be described by human languages. One of them was love,<ref name="invite dine 2" /> which is forbidden among the [[Axile|Axiles]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Give the Principles Heartmetal|Sunless Sea|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Give the Principles an Ambiguous Eolith|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and it is implied that the recipient of its affection was a [[Flukes|Fluke]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_visit_to_the_Outcast|A visit to the Outcast|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Outcast lopes toward a mirror, and wheezes against the glass. [...] A foggy circle forms. [...] [It adds] a border of spikes to the circle. The Outcast [gestures] [...] A forlorn lover? [...] A foolish partner?"''</ref> As punishment, it was abandoned at [[Port Cecil]]; here it became an emissary<ref name="offer help" /> to the Shining Mind,<ref name="invite dine 2" /> the entity whose mind once suffused the [[Principles of Coral]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Port_Cecil#Interactions|Gather Scintillack|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> | ||
The Principles of Coral wished to descend the [[Great Chain of Being]]<ref name = "give idol">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Give the Principles a Wakeful Idol|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and free itself of thought forever.<ref name = "game last">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|The Last Game|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> To this end, the Outcast was ordered to gather materials<ref name = "offer help"/><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Salt_Lions#Interactions|"Shalt-Flions"|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> for a chess game against an outside opponent,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Setting up|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and act as a surrogate for its master.<ref name = "win match">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Win the match|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> It was to lose on the Principles' behalf, upon which the minds of ''both'' beings would perish.<ref name = "game last"/><ref name = "win match"/> Of course the Outcast feared this fate,<ref name = "game last"/> but fortunately for this hapless Rubbery Man, it was not to be permanent. While the Principles is definitively slumbering, leading to the exploitation of its reef,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_around_town_about_the_scintillack_refinery|Ask around town about the scintillack refinery|Fallen London|}}</ref> the Outcast is alive through unknown means.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Nacreous_Survivor|A Nacreous Survivor|Fallen London|}}</ref> | ==An End, Averted== | ||
<blockquote>''"The Nacreous Survivor runs a tentacle over a stretch of black rock, shorn of coral. 'Zhis ish hhwat it hwanted.' It is taking pains to enunciate, wants to be understood. Silver light pulses weakly. It wraps the same tentacle around the wooden strut holding an Iron & Misery warehouse out of the water. 'Zhis ish not ffwaht it hhwanted.'<nowiki/>'' | |||
''"It appears to be battling with itself, fighting to express something vast and complicated in a language it was not built to speak. 'Fflike zhis.' The Nacreous Survivor gestures at itself. 'Becoshh offh Prinshhipulssh.' Anger; grief, relief. 'Not hwhwaht ''I'' hwanted.'"''</blockquote> | |||
The Principles of Coral wished to descend the [[Great Chain of Being]]<ref name="give idol">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Give the Principles a Wakeful Idol|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and free itself of thought forever.<ref name="game last">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|The Last Game|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> To this end, the Outcast was ordered to gather materials<ref name="offer help" /><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Salt_Lions#Interactions|"Shalt-Flions"|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> for a chess game against an outside opponent,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Setting up|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> and act as a surrogate for its master.<ref name="win match">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pulse_of_the_Principles|Win the match|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> It was to lose on the Principles' behalf, upon which the minds of ''both'' beings would perish.<ref name="game last" /><ref name="win match" /> | |||
Of course the Outcast feared this fate,<ref name="game last" /> but fortunately for this hapless Rubbery Man, it was not to be permanent. While the Principles is definitively slumbering, leading to the exploitation of its reef,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_around_town_about_the_scintillack_refinery|Ask around town about the scintillack refinery|Fallen London|}}</ref> the Outcast is alive through unknown means.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Nacreous_Survivor|A Nacreous Survivor|Fallen London|}}</ref> Now it grieves the exploitation of the being that gave it a home, but it also grieves for itself, and perhaps whatever price it paid to survive the Shining Mind's demise. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 14:30, 11 August 2022
"A Rubbery Man rises from a cyst in the floor. An iridescent cicatrice crosses its face. Even in this flood of silvery light, it pulses like a fevered moon."[1]
The Nacreous Outcast is a Rubbery Man from the Principles of Coral.
A Star-Crossed Creature
"Flif your hanf on the ftool. Farphaf! Ophen your eyess."[2]
"I ushed to love - "[3]
The Nacreous Outcast's most striking physical feature is a scar glowing with silver light. Unlike most Rubbery Men yet encountered, it can speak both English[1] and the Rubbery language,[4] though its speech in the former can be difficult for some to understand.[1] It is familiar with esoteric culinary arts[2] - though it prefers its food uncooked.[3] It is typically very terse[5] and has a reserved demeanor.[6] In addition to its home in the Principles, it has a residence in an isolated part of London, where it draws figures in the windows and sings.[7][8]
The Outcast was exiled on account of multiple crimes, most of which cannot be described by human languages. One of them was love,[3] which is forbidden among the Axiles,[9][10] and it is implied that the recipient of its affection was a Fluke.[11] As punishment, it was abandoned at Port Cecil; here it became an emissary[1] to the Shining Mind,[3] the entity whose mind once suffused the Principles of Coral.[12]
An End, Averted
"The Nacreous Survivor runs a tentacle over a stretch of black rock, shorn of coral. 'Zhis ish hhwat it hwanted.' It is taking pains to enunciate, wants to be understood. Silver light pulses weakly. It wraps the same tentacle around the wooden strut holding an Iron & Misery warehouse out of the water. 'Zhis ish not ffwaht it hhwanted.' "It appears to be battling with itself, fighting to express something vast and complicated in a language it was not built to speak. 'Fflike zhis.' The Nacreous Survivor gestures at itself. 'Becoshh offh Prinshhipulssh.' Anger; grief, relief. 'Not hwhwaht I hwanted.'"
The Principles of Coral wished to descend the Great Chain of Being[13] and free itself of thought forever.[14] To this end, the Outcast was ordered to gather materials[1][15] for a chess game against an outside opponent,[16] and act as a surrogate for its master.[17] It was to lose on the Principles' behalf, upon which the minds of both beings would perish.[14][17]
Of course the Outcast feared this fate,[14] but fortunately for this hapless Rubbery Man, it was not to be permanent. While the Principles is definitively slumbering, leading to the exploitation of its reef,[18] the Outcast is alive through unknown means.[19] Now it grieves the exploitation of the being that gave it a home, but it also grieves for itself, and perhaps whatever price it paid to survive the Shining Mind's demise.
