Starved Men: Difference between revisions

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"I saw it! Ask anyone! ...except her. Don't ask her."

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"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.

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"The outside is full of the most deplorable shapes; limbs grown overlong or reduced to inoperable stumps; joints fused or bending as they aren't meant to bend."

The Starved Men are elusive practitioners of the Shapeling Arts.

SO ARE WEE SHAPEDE

Starved Men are humanoids who dwell within the Roof of the Neath,^[1] and use the Shapeling Arts to warp and twist their flesh and bones into new and unfamiliar shapes.^[2] The process entails heating amber,^[3] then applying it to a joint or some other part of the body, making it "quicken" and become malleable.^[2] Shaping has a drug-like effect on its users; it is slow and painful, but extremely pleasurable.^[4]

The Starved reside in massive citadels built from hollowed-out stalactites.^[5] Assisted by rope bridges^[6] and their own inhuman mobility, they climb and crawl through their environs like spiders.^[7] When climbing does not suffice, they travel using makeshift blimps filled with an unknown gas.^[8]

London has had limited contact with the Starved. Some academics were interested in learning of them and their arts,^[9] while many others didn't believe they existed until the events of the London Horticultural Show proved them wrong.^[10] The Starved living near New Newgate Prison are at war with the prison guards, and are slowly conquering the stalactite, advancing floor by floor.^[11]^[12]

Appearance and Biology

Most if not all Starved are human in origin;^[13]^[14] they resemble humans, generally, but with heavily modified features. These might include elongated or altered skulls and faces,^[15]^[16] extra^[17]^[18] or missing^[19] limbs, extra joints,^[19]^[20] and widened jaws.^[21] As side effects of their reshaping, they may have protruding bones,^[22] stretched and translucent skin,^[23] or repositioned internal organs.^[24] Most also lack hair^[25] and do not wear clothes.^[26] Starved are typically larger than the average person,^[27] and a few are large enough to dwarf a cargo hoist.^[28]^[29]

In addition to their bizarre (by our standards) physicality, the Starved are strong and durable to a superhuman degree,^[30] and able to survive seemingly fatal attacks.^[31] They are apparently vulnerable to head trauma, such as a bullet to the brain;^[32]^[33] when they die, they can visit the Silent River.^[34] The Starved may also use the Shapeling Arts to gain other superhuman abilities, and can shape themselves on the fly according to the needs of the situation given a sufficient supply of amber.^[35] They may grow elongated limbs to strike targets,^[20] bone and cartilage plating to serve as armor,^[36]^[37] fins and webbed limbs for swimming (though water washes away amber, halting any transformation),^[38]^[39] or various modes of conditional flight (i.e. wings,^[40]^[41] feathers,^[42] air sacs^[43]). They may also repair their own wounds and broken bones.^[44] The Starved can even use the Shapeling Arts to reposition stalactites of the Roof, a tactic they demonstrated in the brief scuffle against London.^[45]

Starve-Hounds are known to exist, but it is unclear whether any other Starved creatures are common.^[46]

Culture

WIP

References

↑ State of Emergence, Fallen London "A hand [...] Another hand follows, this one smaller, ten-fingered – each ending in a cluster of wicked hooks. [...] A gangly figure hauls itself clear [...] the muscles of its face do not appear to move. Another follows, then another, and then the surface of the stalactite is alive with motion as more figures [...] Starved Men. You've seen them enough times, on your expeditions to the roof."
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Peer in the Amber Chamber, Fallen London "The Shapeling Art [...] The melted amber does not eat his flesh, but quickens it; the Starved Man stretches his limbs like toffee, changing himself as he wills."
↑ Ask a Rubbery Man about amber from the Roof, Fallen London "[...] the Rubbery Man [...] drops a nodule of amber [...] a passable charade of boiling. [...] So amber is most useful when heated up? [...] The Rubbery Man takes your hand [...] guiding you through the act of plunging your arm into the imaginary melting-pool."
↑ Peer in the Amber Chamber, Fallen London "The Starved Man is [...] putting himself through an exquisite torture. [...] His frame shudders with beloved pain [...] his body excretes in the convulsions. The melted amber does not eat his flesh, but quickens it [...] it is not a swift process. It is thorough, deliberate [...] It ends in an ecstasy [...]"
↑ Written in the Glim, Fallen London ""Moon-misers are not the only creatures that dwell on the cavern roof," [...] the Starved Men? They live within citadels carved into the stalactites. [...]"
↑ Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "You have seen such ropes elsewhere, used as bridges by the Starved Men."
↑ Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "A lone wandering Starved Man crawls 'spider-like' along the roof with you for some way."
↑ Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "The Starved Men have their own method of flight. Two oblong sacks [...] inflated with God knows what. These are affixed with six slim rods [...] form a kind of cage the Starved Men fit into; they then propel themselves from stalactite to stalactite, floating across."
↑ Show her the daguerreotype, Fallen London ""I remember [...] We went up together to the Roof... But only I came down. He joined the Starved Men to learn their Arts. He insisted it was the logical conclusion of our research.""
↑ The Chimney Pot Wars, Fallen London ""It is a little-accepted fact," he begins, his old academic manner surfacing, "that a nation of men lives in the cavern's roof. [...]"
↑ A Stretch in the Sky, Fallen London ""The prison is under attack by the men that live on the roof. The guards – and thus the prisoners – are losing, and ceding ground. [...]"
↑ A Stretch in the Sky, Fallen London "The guards fight a battle for this stalactite, and they are losing." [...] "A slow defeat, retreating a floor at a time over months. And there are hundreds of floors here. It might take years.""
↑ Ask about the invasion of the Starved Men (Ophidian Gentleman), Fallen London ""But for some ill-advised baths in shaping vats, they are the same beings as you. And I, perhaps, once. [...]"
↑ How do the Starved Men operate?, Fallen London ""Loathe as I am to admit it, it seems they were human, once." The Commodore's face is a mask of distaste. [...]"
↑ Light Fingers: The Citadel, Fallen London "Two Starved Men stand guard [...] their heads have been elongated, yes, so the distance between mouth and nose, nose and eyes [...]"
↑ Written in the Glim, Fallen London "The tallest lopes forward [...] one eye squeezed almost completely out of its compacted skull, the other buried deep within a crumpled socket."
↑ Written in the Glim, Fallen London "It might have been human, once [...] It has what resembles a head, and is worryingly nimble for something consisting almost entirely of limbs. If this is one of the Starved Men [...]"
↑ Build on the Five-Pointed Frame, Fallen London "A ribcage that had [...] altered itself to permit five limbs and five skulls."
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 Watch and learn (So Are They Shaped) , Fallen London "They have many-jointed limbs (except those with appendages that are short, stubby, or altogether absent)."
↑ ^20.0 ^20.1 Tackle the (Starved Men) head on, Fallen London "The Starved Men ignore you [...] Your target knocks it aside, then lashes out with seven-jointed limb [...]"
↑ Light Fingers: A Second Coming, Fallen London "It opens its mouth; its jaw drops a foot [...]"
↑ Written in the Glim, Fallen London "With every bend of their over-jointed limbs, serrated bones threaten to pierce their [...] skin."
↑ Written in the Glim, Fallen London "[...] you can see their organs pulsing through membranes of translucent skin, mammalian physiology straining to function within uncanny frames."
↑ Educate fighters on Starved anatomy, Fallen London "Fighting the Starved Men requires a certain amount of recalibration – their organs are often not where humans expect."
↑ Give the order, Fallen London "The one at the front looks strange, for one of the Starved. [...] They even have hair [...]"
↑ Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "A procession passes. [...] Yes; though they wear no garb [...]"
↑ Study the Starved prisoner, Fallen London "This one is smaller than most you have encountered – its anatomy close to the average Londoner. "
↑ Put to Zee: Hazardous Materials, Fallen London "A Starved Man bigger than a cargo hoist wades through the waters [...]"
↑ Join the Commodore, Fallen London "Somewhere, a hawser snaps, and a dirigible threatens to drift away without its crew, until a titanic Starved Man catches the bow in one hand. A team of dockers scramble to secure it."
↑ Written in the Glim, Fallen London "Though their bodies are held together by mere strings of bone, they are ferociously strong."
↑ Call in gunnery support, Fallen London "The Starved Men do not enjoy cannon fire. It seems regrettably possible for them to recover from even direct hits, but it invokes significant distress [...]"
↑ Educate fighters on Starved anatomy, Fallen London "[...] destroying their brain is very likely to bring down a Starved Man, and they don't usually hide these very far from their heads."
↑ Recall your experience fighting Starved Men, Fallen London "[...] the killing shot. A bullet, right into the cranium [...] They can be killed."
↑ Greet the Starved Lithologer, Fallen London ""I cannot speak for London. I arrived here slightly before you." [...] The Boatman rattles a laugh."
↑ Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way. Some attempt to reshape themselves, even as your barrage tears [...] their bodies [...]"
↑ Peer into the pool, Fallen London "You might have been a miser-myrmidon, thick bone plates shielding your forearms [...]"
↑ Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way [...] cartilaginous armour-plating bubbles to the surface of their skin."
↑ Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "[...] their transformations into finned and web-toed shapes halted by the zee, as it washes away their coatings of quickening amber."
↑ Claim an assortment of Starved remains, Fallen London "Not all of the falling stalactites land on London, and the Starved Men are not good swimmers."
↑ Attempt an emergency retreat!, Fallen London "A vast Starved, replete with sclerotic wings, dives onto the deck."
↑ Nose on through, Fallen London "[...] the Starved Man impacts the hull. He glides down at speed on patagial flaps [...]"
↑ Bring your guns to bear, Fallen London "You pick off several approaching balloons, plus a winged, feathered attacker rushing down in a swooping dive."
↑ Spilling Out, Fallen London "More descend in small balloons, or under their own power through patagia and air sacs."
↑ Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way. [...] flesh knits back together, bones unbreak with sickening jolts [...]"
↑ Perform above and beyond in the field of duty, Fallen London "The Starved have, by some uncanny shapeling process, moved one of their citadels to trap the craft between two of their dwellings."
↑ The War in London 2, Fallen London "People, crushed by masonry or caught by the jaws of Starve-Hounds."

[1] State of Emergence, Fallen London "A hand [...] Another hand follows, this one smaller, ten-fingered – each ending in a cluster of wicked hooks. [...] A gangly figure hauls itself clear [...] the muscles of its face do not appear to move. Another follows, then another, and then the surface of the stalactite is alive with motion as more figures [...] Starved Men. You've seen them enough times, on your expeditions to the roof."

[:0-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Peer in the Amber Chamber, Fallen London "The Shapeling Art [...] The melted amber does not eat his flesh, but quickens it; the Starved Man stretches his limbs like toffee, changing himself as he wills."

[3] Ask a Rubbery Man about amber from the Roof, Fallen London "[...] the Rubbery Man [...] drops a nodule of amber [...] a passable charade of boiling. [...] So amber is most useful when heated up? [...] The Rubbery Man takes your hand [...] guiding you through the act of plunging your arm into the imaginary melting-pool."

[4] Peer in the Amber Chamber, Fallen London "The Starved Man is [...] putting himself through an exquisite torture. [...] His frame shudders with beloved pain [...] his body excretes in the convulsions. The melted amber does not eat his flesh, but quickens it [...] it is not a swift process. It is thorough, deliberate [...] It ends in an ecstasy [...]"

[5] Written in the Glim, Fallen London ""Moon-misers are not the only creatures that dwell on the cavern roof," [...] the Starved Men? They live within citadels carved into the stalactites. [...]"

[6] Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "You have seen such ropes elsewhere, used as bridges by the Starved Men."

[7] Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "A lone wandering Starved Man crawls 'spider-like' along the roof with you for some way."

[8] Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "The Starved Men have their own method of flight. Two oblong sacks [...] inflated with God knows what. These are affixed with six slim rods [...] form a kind of cage the Starved Men fit into; they then propel themselves from stalactite to stalactite, floating across."

[9] Show her the daguerreotype, Fallen London ""I remember [...] We went up together to the Roof... But only I came down. He joined the Starved Men to learn their Arts. He insisted it was the logical conclusion of our research.""

[10] The Chimney Pot Wars, Fallen London ""It is a little-accepted fact," he begins, his old academic manner surfacing, "that a nation of men lives in the cavern's roof. [...]"

[11] A Stretch in the Sky, Fallen London ""The prison is under attack by the men that live on the roof. The guards – and thus the prisoners – are losing, and ceding ground. [...]"

[12] A Stretch in the Sky, Fallen London "The guards fight a battle for this stalactite, and they are losing." [...] "A slow defeat, retreating a floor at a time over months. And there are hundreds of floors here. It might take years.""

[13] Ask about the invasion of the Starved Men (Ophidian Gentleman), Fallen London ""But for some ill-advised baths in shaping vats, they are the same beings as you. And I, perhaps, once. [...]"

[14] How do the Starved Men operate?, Fallen London ""Loathe as I am to admit it, it seems they were human, once." The Commodore's face is a mask of distaste. [...]"

[15] Light Fingers: The Citadel, Fallen London "Two Starved Men stand guard [...] their heads have been elongated, yes, so the distance between mouth and nose, nose and eyes [...]"

[16] Written in the Glim, Fallen London "The tallest lopes forward [...] one eye squeezed almost completely out of its compacted skull, the other buried deep within a crumpled socket."

[17] Written in the Glim, Fallen London "It might have been human, once [...] It has what resembles a head, and is worryingly nimble for something consisting almost entirely of limbs. If this is one of the Starved Men [...]"

[18] Build on the Five-Pointed Frame, Fallen London "A ribcage that had [...] altered itself to permit five limbs and five skulls."

[:1-19] 19.0 ^19.1 Watch and learn (So Are They Shaped) , Fallen London "They have many-jointed limbs (except those with appendages that are short, stubby, or altogether absent)."

[:2-20] 20.0 ^20.1 Tackle the (Starved Men) head on, Fallen London "The Starved Men ignore you [...] Your target knocks it aside, then lashes out with seven-jointed limb [...]"

[21] Light Fingers: A Second Coming, Fallen London "It opens its mouth; its jaw drops a foot [...]"

[22] Written in the Glim, Fallen London "With every bend of their over-jointed limbs, serrated bones threaten to pierce their [...] skin."

[23] Written in the Glim, Fallen London "[...] you can see their organs pulsing through membranes of translucent skin, mammalian physiology straining to function within uncanny frames."

[24] Educate fighters on Starved anatomy, Fallen London "Fighting the Starved Men requires a certain amount of recalibration – their organs are often not where humans expect."

[25] Give the order, Fallen London "The one at the front looks strange, for one of the Starved. [...] They even have hair [...]"

[26] Wander as lonely as a cloud, Fallen London "A procession passes. [...] Yes; though they wear no garb [...]"

[27] Study the Starved prisoner, Fallen London "This one is smaller than most you have encountered – its anatomy close to the average Londoner. "

[28] Put to Zee: Hazardous Materials, Fallen London "A Starved Man bigger than a cargo hoist wades through the waters [...]"

[29] Join the Commodore, Fallen London "Somewhere, a hawser snaps, and a dirigible threatens to drift away without its crew, until a titanic Starved Man catches the bow in one hand. A team of dockers scramble to secure it."

[30] Written in the Glim, Fallen London "Though their bodies are held together by mere strings of bone, they are ferociously strong."

[31] Call in gunnery support, Fallen London "The Starved Men do not enjoy cannon fire. It seems regrettably possible for them to recover from even direct hits, but it invokes significant distress [...]"

[32] Educate fighters on Starved anatomy, Fallen London "[...] destroying their brain is very likely to bring down a Starved Man, and they don't usually hide these very far from their heads."

[33] Recall your experience fighting Starved Men, Fallen London "[...] the killing shot. A bullet, right into the cranium [...] They can be killed."

[34] Greet the Starved Lithologer, Fallen London ""I cannot speak for London. I arrived here slightly before you." [...] The Boatman rattles a laugh."

[35] Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way. Some attempt to reshape themselves, even as your barrage tears [...] their bodies [...]"

[36] Peer into the pool, Fallen London "You might have been a miser-myrmidon, thick bone plates shielding your forearms [...]"

[37] Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way [...] cartilaginous armour-plating bubbles to the surface of their skin."

[38] Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "[...] their transformations into finned and web-toed shapes halted by the zee, as it washes away their coatings of quickening amber."

[39] Claim an assortment of Starved remains, Fallen London "Not all of the falling stalactites land on London, and the Starved Men are not good swimmers."

[40] Attempt an emergency retreat!, Fallen London "A vast Starved, replete with sclerotic wings, dives onto the deck."

[41] Nose on through, Fallen London "[...] the Starved Man impacts the hull. He glides down at speed on patagial flaps [...]"

[42] Bring your guns to bear, Fallen London "You pick off several approaching balloons, plus a winged, feathered attacker rushing down in a swooping dive."

[43] Spilling Out, Fallen London "More descend in small balloons, or under their own power through patagia and air sacs."

[44] Engage the starved 'vessel', Fallen London "No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way. [...] flesh knits back together, bones unbreak with sickening jolts [...]"

[45] Perform above and beyond in the field of duty, Fallen London "The Starved have, by some uncanny shapeling process, moved one of their citadels to trap the craft between two of their dwellings."

[46] The War in London 2, Fallen London "People, crushed by masonry or caught by the jaws of Starve-Hounds."

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@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ''"The outside is full of the most deplorable shapes; limbs grown overlong or reduced to inoperable stumps; joints fused or bending as they aren't meant to bend."''
-'''The Starved Men''' are people who practice the [[The Shapeling Arts|Shapeling Arts]], passed down from the [[Lorn-Flukes|Flukes]], to change themselves.__forcetoc__
+'''The Starved Men''' are elusive practitioners of the [[Shapeling Arts]].__forcetoc__
-==They Warp and Twist==
+==SO ARE WEE SHAPEDE==
-''"SO ARE WEE SHAPEDE"''
+Starved Men are humanoids who dwell within the [[Roof of the Neath]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/State_of_Emergence|State of Emergence|Fallen London|}} ''"A hand [...] Another hand follows, this one smaller, ten-fingered – each ending in a cluster of wicked hooks. [...] A gangly figure hauls itself clear [...] the muscles of its face do not appear to move. Another follows, then another, and then the surface of the stalactite is alive with motion as more figures [...] Starved Men. You've seen them enough times, on your expeditions to the roof."''</ref> and use the Shapeling Arts to warp and twist their flesh and bones into new and unfamiliar shapes.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Peer_in_the_Amber_Chamber|Peer in the Amber Chamber|Fallen London|}} ''"The Shapeling Art [...] The melted amber does not eat his flesh, but quickens it; the Starved Man stretches his limbs like toffee, changing himself as he wills."''</ref> The process entails heating amber,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_a_Rubbery_Man_about_amber_from_the_Roof|Ask a Rubbery Man about amber from the Roof|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Rubbery Man [...] drops a nodule of amber [...] a passable charade of boiling. [...] So amber is most useful when heated up? [...] The Rubbery Man takes your hand [...] guiding you through the act of plunging your arm into the imaginary melting-pool."''</ref> then applying it to a joint or some other part of the body, making it "quicken" and become malleable.<ref name=":0" /> Shaping has a drug-like effect on its users; it is slow and painful, but extremely pleasurable.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Peer_in_the_Amber_Chamber|Peer in the Amber Chamber|Fallen London|}} ''"The Starved Man is [...] putting himself through an exquisite torture. [...] His frame shudders with beloved pain [...] his body excretes in the convulsions. The melted amber does not eat his flesh, but quickens it [...] it is not a swift process. It is thorough, deliberate [...] It ends in an ecstasy [...]"''</ref>
-Through the application of the Shapeling Arts and melted amber, they reshape and elongate their flesh to their own will: fusing or bending joints, stretching fingers, flattening jaws. This process takes a considerable amount of time and is notably painful and yet pleasurable, pushing the Starved Men's bodies to their very limits.
+The Starved reside in massive citadels built from hollowed-out stalactites.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Written_in_the_Glim|Written in the Glim|Fallen London|}} ''""Moon-misers are not the only creatures that dwell on the cavern roof," [...] the Starved Men? They live within citadels carved into the stalactites. [...]"''</ref> Assisted by rope bridges<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wander_as_lonely_as_a_cloud|Wander as lonely as a cloud|Fallen London|}} ''"You have seen such ropes elsewhere, used as bridges by the Starved Men."''</ref> and their own inhuman mobility, they climb and crawl through their environs like spiders.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wander_as_lonely_as_a_cloud|Wander as lonely as a cloud|Fallen London|}} ''"A lone wandering Starved Man crawls 'spider-like' along the roof with you for some way."''</ref> When climbing does not suffice, they travel using makeshift blimps filled with an unknown gas.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wander_as_lonely_as_a_cloud|Wander as lonely as a cloud|Fallen London|}} ''"The Starved Men have their own method of flight. Two oblong sacks [...] inflated with God knows what. These are affixed with six slim rods [...] form a kind of cage the Starved Men fit into; they then propel themselves from stalactite to stalactite, floating across."''</ref>
-They live up on the Neath's roof, inhabiting some of the large stalactites inside which they've carved tunnels and rooms. For transportation between them, they use smaller, gas-filled balloons, rather than the large dirigibles used by [[Mr Fires]] and its minions. They constantly fight among themselves for sustenance and use contemporary weapons such as cannons and rifles.
+[[London]] has had limited contact with the Starved. Some [[The University|academics]] were interested in learning of them and their arts,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Show_her_the_daguerreotype|Show her the daguerreotype|Fallen London|}} ''""I remember [...] We went up together to the Roof... But only I came down. He joined the Starved Men to learn their Arts. He insisted it was the logical conclusion of our research.""''</ref> while many others didn't believe they existed until the events of the [[London Horticultural Show]] proved them wrong.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Chimney_Pot_Wars|The Chimney Pot Wars|Fallen London|}} ''""It is a little-accepted fact," he begins, his old academic manner surfacing, "that a nation of men lives in the cavern's roof. [...]"''</ref> The Starved living near [[New Newgate Prison]] are at war with the prison guards, and are slowly conquering the stalactite, advancing floor by floor.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Stretch_in_the_Sky|A Stretch in the Sky|Fallen London|}} ''""The prison is under attack by the men that live on the roof. The guards – and thus the prisoners – are losing, and ceding ground. [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Stretch_in_the_Sky|A Stretch in the Sky|Fallen London|}} ''"The guards fight a battle for this stalactite, and they are losing." [...] "A slow defeat, retreating a floor at a time over months. And there are hundreds of floors here. It might take years.""''</ref>
-One of the most important places to them is '''the Citadel of the Static Star'''; instead of a rock formation, however, it is a living creature they inhabit - the original [[Moon-Misers|moon-miser]], the '''Moon-Mother'''.
+== Appearance and Biology ==
+Most if not all Starved are human in origin;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_invasion_of_the_Starved_Men_(Ophidian_Gentleman)|Ask about the invasion of the Starved Men (Ophidian Gentleman)|Fallen London|}} ''""But for some ill-advised baths in shaping vats, they are the same beings as you. And I, perhaps, once. [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/How_do_the_Starved_Men_operate%3F|How do the Starved Men operate?|Fallen London|}} ''""Loathe as I am to admit it, it seems they were human, once." The Commodore's face is a mask of distaste. [...]"''</ref> they resemble humans, generally, but with heavily modified features. These might include elongated or altered skulls and faces,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Light_Fingers:_The_Citadel|Light Fingers: The Citadel|Fallen London|}} ''"Two Starved Men stand guard [...] their heads have been elongated, yes, so the distance between mouth and nose, nose and eyes [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Written_in_the_Glim|Written in the Glim|Fallen London|}} ''"The tallest lopes forward [...] one eye squeezed almost completely out of its compacted skull, the other buried deep within a crumpled socket."''</ref> extra<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Written_in_the_Glim|Written in the Glim|Fallen London|}} ''"It might have been human, once [...] It has what resembles a head, and is worryingly nimble for something consisting almost entirely of limbs. If this is one of the Starved Men [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Build_on_the_Five-Pointed_Frame|Build on the Five-Pointed Frame|Fallen London|}} ''"A ribcage that had [...] altered itself to permit five limbs and five skulls."''</ref> or missing<ref name=":1">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_and_learn_(So_Are_They_Shaped) |Watch and learn (So Are They Shaped) |Fallen London|}} ''"They have many-jointed limbs (except those with appendages that are short, stubby, or altogether absent)."''</ref> limbs, extra joints,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Tackle_the_(Starved_Men)_head_on|Tackle the (Starved Men) head on|Fallen London|}} ''"The Starved Men ignore you [...] Your target knocks it aside, then lashes out with seven-jointed limb [...]"''</ref> and widened jaws.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Light_Fingers:_A_Second_Coming|Light Fingers: A Second Coming|Fallen London|}} ''"It opens its mouth; its jaw drops a foot [...]"''</ref> As side effects of their reshaping, they may have protruding bones,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Written_in_the_Glim|Written in the Glim|Fallen London|}} ''"With every bend of their over-jointed limbs, serrated bones threaten to pierce their [...] skin."''</ref> stretched and translucent skin,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Written_in_the_Glim|Written in the Glim|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] you can see their organs pulsing through membranes of translucent skin, mammalian physiology straining to function within uncanny frames."''</ref> or repositioned internal organs.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Educate_fighters_on_Starved_anatomy|Educate fighters on Starved anatomy|Fallen London|}} ''"Fighting the Starved Men requires a certain amount of recalibration – their organs are often not where humans expect."''</ref> Most also lack hair<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Give_the_order|Give the order|Fallen London|}} ''"The one at the front looks strange, for one of the Starved. [...] They even have hair [...]"''</ref> and do not wear clothes.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wander_as_lonely_as_a_cloud|Wander as lonely as a cloud|Fallen London|}} ''"A procession passes. [...] Yes; though they wear no garb [...]"''</ref> Starved are typically larger than the average person,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Study_the_Starved_prisoner|Study the Starved prisoner|Fallen London|}} ''"This one is smaller than most you have encountered – its anatomy close to the average Londoner. "''</ref> and a few are large enough to dwarf a cargo hoist.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Put_to_Zee:_Hazardous_Materials|Put to Zee: Hazardous Materials|Fallen London|}} ''"A Starved Man bigger than a cargo hoist wades through the waters [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Join_the_Commodore|Join the Commodore|Fallen London|}} ''"Somewhere, a hawser snaps, and a dirigible threatens to drift away without its crew, until a titanic Starved Man catches the bow in one hand. A team of dockers scramble to secure it."''</ref>
+In addition to their bizarre (by our standards) physicality, the Starved are strong and durable to a superhuman degree,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Written_in_the_Glim|Written in the Glim|Fallen London|}} ''"Though their bodies are held together by mere strings of bone, they are ferociously strong."''</ref> and able to survive seemingly fatal attacks.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Call_in_gunnery_support|Call in gunnery support|Fallen London|}} ''"The Starved Men do not enjoy cannon fire. It seems regrettably possible for them to recover from even direct hits, but it invokes significant distress [...]"''</ref> They ''are'' apparently vulnerable to head trauma, such as a bullet to the brain;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Educate_fighters_on_Starved_anatomy|Educate fighters on Starved anatomy|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] destroying their brain is very likely to bring down a Starved Man, and they don't usually hide these very far from their heads."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Recall_your_experience_fighting_Starved_Men|Recall your experience fighting Starved Men|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the killing shot. A bullet, right into the cranium [...] They can be killed."''</ref> when they [[Death|die]], they can visit the Silent River.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Greet_the_Starved_Lithologer|Greet the Starved Lithologer|Fallen London|}} ''""I cannot speak for London. I arrived here slightly before you." [...] The Boatman rattles a laugh."''</ref> The Starved may also use the Shapeling Arts to gain other superhuman abilities, and can shape themselves on the fly according to the needs of the situation given a sufficient supply of amber.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Engage_the_starved_%27vessel%27|Engage the starved 'vessel'|Fallen London|}} ''"No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way. Some attempt to reshape themselves, even as your barrage tears [...] their bodies [...]"''</ref> They may grow elongated limbs to strike targets,<ref name=":2" /> bone and cartilage plating to serve as armor,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Peer_into_the_pool|Peer into the pool|Fallen London|}} ''"You might have been a miser-myrmidon, thick bone plates shielding your forearms [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Engage_the_starved_%27vessel%27|Engage the starved 'vessel'|Fallen London|}} ''"No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way [...] cartilaginous armour-plating bubbles to the surface of their skin."''</ref> fins and webbed limbs for swimming (though water washes away amber, halting any transformation),<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Engage_the_starved_%27vessel%27|Engage the starved 'vessel'|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] their transformations into finned and web-toed shapes halted by the zee, as it washes away their coatings of quickening amber."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Claim_an_assortment_of_Starved_remains|Claim an assortment of Starved remains|Fallen London|}} ''"Not all of the falling stalactites land on London, and the Starved Men are not good swimmers."''</ref> or various modes of conditional flight (i.e. wings,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Attempt_an_emergency_retreat!|Attempt an emergency retreat!|Fallen London|}} ''"A vast Starved, replete with sclerotic wings, dives onto the deck."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Nose_on_through|Nose on through|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Starved Man impacts the hull. He glides down at speed on patagial flaps [...]"''</ref> feathers,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Bring_your_guns_to_bear|Bring your guns to bear|Fallen London|}} ''"You pick off several approaching balloons, plus a winged, feathered attacker rushing down in a swooping dive."''</ref> air sacs<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Spilling_Out|Spilling Out|Fallen London|}} ''"More descend in small balloons, or under their own power through patagia and air sacs."''</ref>). They may also repair their own wounds and broken bones.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Engage_the_starved_%27vessel%27|Engage the starved 'vessel'|Fallen London|}} ''"No two Starved Men respond to the onslaught in the same way. [...] flesh knits back together, bones unbreak with sickening jolts [...]"''</ref> The Starved can even use the Shapeling Arts to reposition stalactites of the Roof, a tactic they demonstrated in the brief scuffle against London.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Perform_above_and_beyond_in_the_field_of_duty|Perform above and beyond in the field of duty|Fallen London|}} ''"The Starved have, by some uncanny shapeling process, moved one of their citadels to trap the craft between two of their dwellings."''</ref>
+Starve-Hounds are known to exist, but it is unclear whether any other Starved creatures are common.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_War_in_London_2|The War in London 2|Fallen London|}} ''"People, crushed by masonry or caught by the jaws of Starve-Hounds."''</ref>
+== Culture ==
+'''WIP'''
+== References ==
 [[Category:Creatures]]
 [[Category:Human]]
 [[Category:The Roof of the Neath]]

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