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== The Pursuit of Perfection == | == The Pursuit of Perfection == | ||
[[File:Tobacconistgaz.png|thumb|200px|Does this look like the face of a madman?]]The Crotchety Tobacconist is a [[Surface]]-born [[London|Londoner]], who was brought to the Neath during the [[The Fall of London|Fall]]. He set up shop in this remote spot twenty years ago because he had mastered his craft and wished to go further.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Open_to_the_Public|The History of Rosegate|Sunless Sea|}}''"Standing at a lectern be''"''fore the hearth, the Tobacconist recites his lofty account of Rosegate. Over twenty years ago he opened his shop on the zee-floor. Why there? "It was a necessity brought upon us not only by the demands of our Art, but by Society's refusal to appreciate what must be done in its pursuit.""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Fireside_Reflections | [[File:Tobacconistgaz.png|thumb|200px|Does this look like the face of a madman?]]The Crotchety Tobacconist is a [[Surface]]-born [[London|Londoner]], who was brought to the Neath during the [[The Fall of London|Fall]]. He set up shop in this remote spot twenty years ago because he had mastered his craft and wished to go further.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Open_to_the_Public|The History of Rosegate|Sunless Sea|}}''"Standing at a lectern be''"''fore the hearth, the Tobacconist recites his lofty account of Rosegate. Over twenty years ago he opened his shop on the zee-floor. Why there? "It was a necessity brought upon us not only by the demands of our Art, but by Society's refusal to appreciate what must be done in its pursuit.""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Fireside_Reflections|Why pursue what is clearly impossible?|Sunless Sea|}} ''" He puffs out his chest, and takes a long draw on his cigar. "Well [...] I made a mistake many years ago: I mastered my art. There were only two options left to me - I could accept that I was finished, or I could attempt the absurd and unimaginable." He glances at you over his pince-nez, and smiles wryly. How long has he been saving those lines? "''</ref> He relies on commissions from a mysterious patron<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Rosegate|Witness a reunion|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The Crotchety Tobacconist reaches across the counter to shake your hand. "Our patron has forsaken us. He's only interested in his project to the south. He left my Apprentice to starve, and he hasn't arranged a delivery of the materials I require. I've run out of rubies to try to convince him otherwise.""''</ref> to stave off starvation and boredom; it is not made entirely clear who this patron is,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Rosegate|Witness a reunion|Sunless Sea|}}''"He's only interested in his project to the south."''</ref> but it is implied that the Tobacconist is in league with the Iron Republic and the Dogged Apprentice is involved with the [[New Sequence]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Rosegate|A last request|Sunless Sea|}}''"The Crotchety Tobacconist strides into your zubmarine [...] "To the Iron Republic!" he cries [...] The Dogged Apprentice is slower to board [...] "The Grand Geode," he whispers, before entering the vessel...''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Dogged_Apprentice_on_a_Break|The Dogged Apprentice on a Break|Sunless Sea|}} ''"One story revolves around a failed plot in London; another focuses on the desperate escape afterward, made possible by a mysterious patron. The whole collection of work, while stilted, is violently aligned to the anarchic cause, and remarkably detailed. "''</ref> When not at work, the Tobacconist is a rather sore loser at cards.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Rosegate|Challenge the Tobacconist to a game of cards|Sunless Sea|}}''"The Crotchety Tobacconist snorts, snatches the cards off the table, and flings them into the air. He storms up the stairs to his workshop. The Dogged Apprentice waits till the door has slammed before scurrying over, muttering apologies."''</ref> | ||
The Tobacconist's contracts have dried up as of late, leaving him and his apprentice with a dwindling supply of food.<ref name=":0" /> Unshaken, he still strives to create his masterpiece: a cigar that can stay lit underwater. How far is this man willing to go for the sake of his craft? Expensive acquisitions,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/In_Pursuit_of_Three_Flavours|Something disquieting for the bitter flavour|Sunless Sea|}} ''"You set three skulls on the counter."''</ref> torture,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Breaking_Down|Breaking Down|Sunless Sea|}} ''"You work in a miasma of bitter dust and floral cigar smoke. At first the Clay Man's shouts drown out the tap of the hammer. Soon, only the hammer rings out."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/A_Laugh|Sneer coldly at it|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The Once-Talkative Rattus Faber does not even shudder at your words. It only lies down in its bedding, and closes its eyes. The Dogged Apprentice nods solemnly, and lays his hand on your shoulder. "We've got it now. That's as much bitterness and contempt as it can hold. I'll remove the gallbladder in a moment - the master will be so pleased to have his ingredient!" "''</ref> teaching a blemmigan how to write romantic poetry...<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/A_Slice_of_Romance|A Slice of Romance|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The Blemmigan has used half a pot of red ink editing your poetry. It's so absorbed in criticism, it is unaware of you and the Tobacconist."''</ref> human flesh?<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Wrapper|The Wrapper|Sunless Sea|}} ''" I'll just need a donation from the boy, and we'll have the last component. Could you help keep him still?""''</ref> Where does the line between art and insanity end in the Neath? And why does he want a flame that burns ''underwater''? | The Tobacconist's contracts have dried up as of late, leaving him and his apprentice with a dwindling supply of food.<ref name=":0" /> Unshaken, he still strives to create his masterpiece: a cigar that can stay lit underwater. How far is this man willing to go for the sake of his craft? Expensive acquisitions,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/In_Pursuit_of_Three_Flavours|Something disquieting for the bitter flavour|Sunless Sea|}} ''"You set three skulls on the counter."''</ref> torture,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Breaking_Down|Breaking Down|Sunless Sea|}} ''"You work in a miasma of bitter dust and floral cigar smoke. At first the Clay Man's shouts drown out the tap of the hammer. Soon, only the hammer rings out."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/A_Laugh|Sneer coldly at it|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The Once-Talkative Rattus Faber does not even shudder at your words. It only lies down in its bedding, and closes its eyes. The Dogged Apprentice nods solemnly, and lays his hand on your shoulder. "We've got it now. That's as much bitterness and contempt as it can hold. I'll remove the gallbladder in a moment - the master will be so pleased to have his ingredient!" "''</ref> teaching a blemmigan how to write romantic poetry...<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/A_Slice_of_Romance|A Slice of Romance|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The Blemmigan has used half a pot of red ink editing your poetry. It's so absorbed in criticism, it is unaware of you and the Tobacconist."''</ref> human flesh?<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Wrapper|The Wrapper|Sunless Sea|}} ''" I'll just need a donation from the boy, and we'll have the last component. Could you help keep him still?""''</ref> Where does the line between art and insanity end in the Neath? | ||
And why does he want a flame that burns ''underwater''? Catch him off guard, and he might make a remark about setting the zee aflame...<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Fireside_Reflections|How many cigars has he made and tested?|Sunless Sea|}} ''""But mark my words: this one will work. And one day, I'll refine it to such a point that it makes the whole d__ned zee catch fire." "''</ref> | |||
==The Recipe== | ==The Recipe== | ||
Revision as of 01:59, 6 July 2024
"It's not so much a port, as a shop with a dock. Coloured ceiling lights shine onto display cases lining the walls. A large shop-counter dominates the room. Cigars, ashtrays, guillotines, matches and carved boxes are all for sale. Each step here transports you into a new realm: at one moment, the heady aroma of summer flowers; then, the earthy fug of fungus; the bitter warmth of morning coffee; the sickening sweetness of sweat and midnight honey."[1]
Rosegate is an underwater tobacco shop. Yes, really.
The Tobacconist's Art
Located under the Reef of Roses, Rosegate consists of little more than a shop and cigar factory with a zubmarine dock.[2] It is home to the artful and brilliant Crotchety Tobacconist and his Dogged Apprentice, who have set out to this rather non-flammable location to create magnificent feats in the art of cigar making.
The Pursuit of Perfection
The Crotchety Tobacconist is a Surface-born Londoner, who was brought to the Neath during the Fall. He set up shop in this remote spot twenty years ago because he had mastered his craft and wished to go further.[3][4] He relies on commissions from a mysterious patron[5] to stave off starvation and boredom; it is not made entirely clear who this patron is,[6] but it is implied that the Tobacconist is in league with the Iron Republic and the Dogged Apprentice is involved with the New Sequence.[7][8] When not at work, the Tobacconist is a rather sore loser at cards.[9]
The Tobacconist's contracts have dried up as of late, leaving him and his apprentice with a dwindling supply of food.[5] Unshaken, he still strives to create his masterpiece: a cigar that can stay lit underwater. How far is this man willing to go for the sake of his craft? Expensive acquisitions,[10] torture,[11][12] teaching a blemmigan how to write romantic poetry...[13] human flesh?[14] Where does the line between art and insanity end in the Neath?
And why does he want a flame that burns underwater? Catch him off guard, and he might make a remark about setting the zee aflame...[15]
The Recipe
"...we're on the verge of a tremendous breakthrough. I'm about to create something beautiful. Something noble. A cigar which will burn underwater. I think I've finally found the right mixture." He taps the sheet on his counter - it is covered in incomprehensible scrawling, equations beyond the mathematical. "Three flavours. Something robust; something bitter; and something luscious. Once I have them, I can finally complete it."[16]
References
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