Anthe: Difference between revisions
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Anthe is perhaps best described as a city in a cave-garden, except the vines, leaves, fruits, and flowers here are all made of crystal.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Visit the garden of the Sharpest|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The vines that hang along the tunnel walls are all nurtured crystal. Their fruit glitters. Their fallen leaves wobble without breaking underfoot."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Port Description|Sunless Sea|}} ''"They call it the city of flowers, but the flowers are crystals, spiral matrices grown on the walls of Anthean caves."''</ref> The inhabitants here are partially crystal as well; the process of crystalizing oneself is known as "going sharp."<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Port Description|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The inhabitants of Anthe are at least partly crystal too: they call it "going sharp.""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Study the chambers of Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The inhabitants of Anthe go sharp. Not all at once, but piece by piece, they turn to crystal. [...]"''</ref> Going sharp is possible thanks to Anthe's environment, but also requires significant mental fortitude,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Sharpness|Cultivate the capacity for sharpness|Sunless Sea|}} ''"It isn't easy to go sharp as the Antheans do. [...] The environment is a help, but you must also prepare your mind and your will."''</ref> or doses of certain chemicals.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Sharpness|Cultivate the capacity for sharpness through chemical means|Sunless Sea|}} ''"In Anthe there are teachers of sharpness who emphasise self-knowledge, patience, [...] In your case, a day of distillations and preparations is enough. You drink the dose [...] within two hours you are ready to go sharp in a new way."''</ref> Sharpened body parts are usually more skillful and disciplined than their fleshy equivalents, but also suffer from dulled sensation and desire.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Polythreme#Polythreme|Cure the sharpness you gained in Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The blood flows. The flesh bends. Your discipline and skill decrease, your desire and feeling return."''</ref> | Anthe is perhaps best described as a city in a cave-garden, except the vines, leaves, fruits, and flowers here are all made of crystal.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Visit the garden of the Sharpest|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The vines that hang along the tunnel walls are all nurtured crystal. Their fruit glitters. Their fallen leaves wobble without breaking underfoot."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Port Description|Sunless Sea|}} ''"They call it the city of flowers, but the flowers are crystals, spiral matrices grown on the walls of Anthean caves."''</ref> The inhabitants here are partially crystal as well; the process of crystalizing oneself is known as "going sharp."<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Port Description|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The inhabitants of Anthe are at least partly crystal too: they call it "going sharp.""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Study the chambers of Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The inhabitants of Anthe go sharp. Not all at once, but piece by piece, they turn to crystal. [...]"''</ref> Going sharp is possible thanks to Anthe's environment, but also requires significant mental fortitude,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Sharpness|Cultivate the capacity for sharpness|Sunless Sea|}} ''"It isn't easy to go sharp as the Antheans do. [...] The environment is a help, but you must also prepare your mind and your will."''</ref> or doses of certain chemicals.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Sharpness|Cultivate the capacity for sharpness through chemical means|Sunless Sea|}} ''"In Anthe there are teachers of sharpness who emphasise self-knowledge, patience, [...] In your case, a day of distillations and preparations is enough. You drink the dose [...] within two hours you are ready to go sharp in a new way."''</ref> Sharpened body parts are usually more skillful and disciplined than their fleshy equivalents, but also suffer from dulled sensation and desire.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Polythreme#Polythreme|Cure the sharpness you gained in Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The blood flows. The flesh bends. Your discipline and skill decrease, your desire and feeling return."''</ref> | ||
[[File:Rosina.png|alt=A middle-aged woman.|thumb|130x130px|[[Rosina]]]] | [[File:Rosina.png|alt=A middle-aged woman.|thumb|130x130px|[[Rosina]]]] | ||
Antheans typically congregate exclusively with those who share their brand of sharpness,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Gather a port report on Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Access to Anthe is restricted by type of sharpness: those who are sharp in the ears do not necessarily mingle with the sharp-tongued."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Study the chambers of Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"They sort themselves by sharpness, too: the sharp-handed cluster with others of their kind, ignoring the keen-footed and the brittle-waisted."''</ref> and many travel here to improve their skills and pursue their ambitions.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Listen in on the nearest group of people|Sunless Sea|}} ''""I'm going sharp in the lungs next," says a woman in a deep red gown. "They say you can smoke all day long and never develop a cough." [...] A young man is speaking: a boy, except for the scar on his face. "I'm going sharp in the skin as fast as I can. And then I'll be back at Zee, and the corsairs will warn each other about me. [...] "Once you've gone sharp, you might not have a use for corsairs any more. I was going to be a horologist, but..." She waves a translucent hand. "I'd rather stay here and continue my... development.""''</ref> Anthe also has a population of sharp [[Drownies]], who reside away from the other citizens.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Offer your Drownie Love-song to the Drownies in the Cave-Pool|Sunless Sea|}}''"They keep apart from other Antheans, but they have gone sharp in their own way."''</ref> The city is additionally visited by [[Clay Men]], who reside in a chamber called the '''Travertine Vault'''; these Clay Men seek to use sharpness to appear more trustworthy and desirable to employers in [[London]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Set down Clay Men in the Travertine Vault|Sunless Sea|}}''"A Clay Man who's gone sharp is a Clay Man you can trust. Respectable, solid boned, patient. Incapable of rage or bad manners. That is why they come here: to be certified trustworthy, to show that they're suitable for better jobs and better treatment. The Travertine Vault is full of such men [...]"''</ref> [[Rosina]] of the [[Seven Against Nidah]] has taken refuge here seeking treatment for her [[animescence]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Rosina%27s_Chambers#Interactions|Meet Rosina|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Rosina is dying of animescence, the disease of the Elder Continent. Any passion speeds the disease. She must, [...] lie very still in an ice bath and think of things that do not interest her. Going sharp in the spleen protects her against the passion of anger, but other passions are still a danger."''</ref> as have other sufferers of the disease.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offer_to_help_a_Sharp_Hunter|Offer to help a Sharp Hunter|Fallen London|}} ''"Anthe, it is called [...] where crystalline flowers grow and sufferers of Animescence seek a cold respite."''</ref> | Antheans typically congregate exclusively with those who share their brand of sharpness,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Gather a port report on Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Access to Anthe is restricted by type of sharpness: those who are sharp in the ears do not necessarily mingle with the sharp-tongued."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Study the chambers of Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"They sort themselves by sharpness, too: the sharp-handed cluster with others of their kind, ignoring the keen-footed and the brittle-waisted."''</ref> and many travel here to improve their skills and pursue their ambitions.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Listen in on the nearest group of people|Sunless Sea|}} ''""I'm going sharp in the lungs next," says a woman in a deep red gown. "They say you can smoke all day long and never develop a cough." [...] A young man is speaking: a boy, except for the scar on his face. "I'm going sharp in the skin as fast as I can. And then I'll be back at Zee, and the corsairs will warn each other about me. [...] "Once you've gone sharp, you might not have a use for corsairs any more. I was going to be a horologist, but..." She waves a translucent hand. "I'd rather stay here and continue my... development.""''</ref> Anthe also has a population of sharp [[Drownies]], who reside away from the other citizens.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Offer your Drownie Love-song to the Drownies in the Cave-Pool|Sunless Sea|}}''"They keep apart from other Antheans, but they have gone sharp in their own way."''</ref> The city is additionally visited by [[Clay Men]], who reside in a chamber called the '''Travertine Vault'''; these Clay Men seek to use sharpness to appear more trustworthy and desirable to employers in [[London]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Set down Clay Men in the Travertine Vault|Sunless Sea|}}''"A Clay Man who's gone sharp is a Clay Man you can trust. Respectable, solid boned, patient. Incapable of rage or bad manners. That is why they come here: to be certified trustworthy, to show that they're suitable for better jobs and better treatment. The Travertine Vault is full of such men [...]"''</ref> [[Rosina]] of the [[Seven Against Nidah]] has taken refuge here seeking treatment for her [[animescence]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Rosina%27s_Chambers#Interactions|Meet Rosina|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Rosina is dying of animescence, the disease of the Elder Continent. Any passion speeds the disease. She must, [...] lie very still in an ice bath and think of things that do not interest her. Going sharp in the spleen protects her against the passion of anger, but other passions are still a danger."''</ref> as have other sufferers of the disease.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offer_to_help_a_Sharp_Hunter|Offer to help a Sharp Hunter|Fallen London|}} ''"Anthe, it is called [...] where crystalline flowers grow and sufferers of Animescence seek a cold respite."''</ref> | ||
[[File:Polythreme port.png|alt=A man of stone overlooking a strange city.|thumb|[[Polythreme]]]] | |||
While Anthe's blessings are alluring to visitors,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Sharpness|Cultivate the capacity for sharpness|Sunless Sea|}} ''"It isn't easy to go sharp as the Antheans do. But most who come here find themselves desiring the condition, sooner or later."''</ref> going sharp is addictive, and many Antheans leave their old lives behind forever to pursue further "development."<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Listen in on the nearest group of people|Sunless Sea|}}''""Once you've gone sharp, you might not have a use for corsairs any more. I was going to be a horologist, but..." She waves a translucent hand. "I'd rather stay here and continue my... development.""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Mingle with Hurriers, Getters and Thrusters|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Are you planning to leave Anthe? Are you sure? Most people don't... but you may have the fuel if you need it. The only thing is, if you do go fully sharp, they'll take it back to offer to someone else that can use it."''</ref> It is also possible for sharpening to fail or have nasty side effects. Clay Men have difficulty going sharp and may end up with distorted crystalline patterns,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Anthe|Chase down a Polythreme Exile|Sunless Sea|}} ''"He shows you the palms of his hands, where triclinic crystals grow every which way, ragged and disorganised. It is difficult for clay to go sharp. Sometimes it succeeds, but the failures are awkward."''</ref> and one unlucky visitor to Anthe emerged with an unusually "delicate" sharpened hand, and a partially or improperly crystallized lung that left him coughing up shards.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offer_to_help_a_Sharp_Hunter|Offer to help a Sharp Hunter|Fallen London|}} ''"Anthe, it is called [...] The Sharp Hunter was dragged into it by a zee-current while diving for pearls, a foolish mistake [...] His left hand is now delicate and crystalline, white as bone and sharp as a knife. But what frightens away lesser surgeons are the quartz flowers blooming on his chest; every so often, he lets out a soft cough, hacking shards of rock from his slowly crystallizing lung. [...] You […] cleave his body into two: One warm and alive; another, cold and sharp. […] The Hunter, no longer Sharp, will be short one hand and a little short of breath."''</ref> Sharpness can be cured by visiting the living city of [[Polythreme]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Polythreme#Polythreme|Cure the sharpness you gained in Anthe|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Enough time in Polythreme, and your sharpness will dissolve back to flesh."''</ref> though it can also be surgically excised.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offer_to_help_a_Sharp_Hunter|Offer to help a Sharp Hunter|Fallen London|}} ''"He tells the tale of how he acquired a cold sharpness in a place of flowers beneath the waves. You have the skill to excise it."''</ref> | |||
According to a historical tale in the archives of [[Scrimshander]], a flower bloomed on the floor of the [[Unterzee]], described as one that "any true lover would pluck for their beloved." Many dove below to retrieve this flower for their significant other, but either they died, or they were transfixed by its beauty and never returned.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Discoveries_in_the_Ivory_Archives|Unearth a portrait of a time|Sunless Sea|}} ''"It was said that a flower in the zee grew within the zee, one that any true lover would pluck for their beloved. If nothing else, it was a proof of bravery, devotion, and diving talent - all conventionally attractive qualities. Many dived, most died: but a few found the flower, and found that it was not what they expected. It was beautiful beyond their imagining. And though a pretty poetic conceit had send them below, it was not enough to bring them back up. They abandoned their old lovers, in death or for beauty."''</ref> It is not confirmed whether or how this story relates to Anthe. | According to a historical tale in the archives of [[Scrimshander]], a flower bloomed on the floor of the [[Unterzee]], described as one that "any true lover would pluck for their beloved." Many dove below to retrieve this flower for their significant other, but either they died, or they were transfixed by its beauty and never returned.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Discoveries_in_the_Ivory_Archives|Unearth a portrait of a time|Sunless Sea|}} ''"It was said that a flower in the zee grew within the zee, one that any true lover would pluck for their beloved. If nothing else, it was a proof of bravery, devotion, and diving talent - all conventionally attractive qualities. Many dived, most died: but a few found the flower, and found that it was not what they expected. It was beautiful beyond their imagining. And though a pretty poetic conceit had send them below, it was not enough to bring them back up. They abandoned their old lovers, in death or for beauty."''</ref> It is not confirmed whether or how this story relates to Anthe. |
Revision as of 21:33, 15 July 2024
"They call it the city of flowers, but the flowers are crystals, spiral matrices grown on the walls of Anthean caves. The inhabitants of Anthe are at least partly crystal too: they call it "going sharp." Becoming more perfect, and clearer, and colder."[2]
Anthe is a city of crystal located under the Unterzee.
Sharp
"I'm going sharp in the lungs next. They say you can smoke all day long and never develop a cough."[3]
Anthe is perhaps best described as a city in a cave-garden, except the vines, leaves, fruits, and flowers here are all made of crystal.[4][5] The inhabitants here are partially crystal as well; the process of crystalizing oneself is known as "going sharp."[6][7] Going sharp is possible thanks to Anthe's environment, but also requires significant mental fortitude,[8] or doses of certain chemicals.[9] Sharpened body parts are usually more skillful and disciplined than their fleshy equivalents, but also suffer from dulled sensation and desire.[10]

Antheans typically congregate exclusively with those who share their brand of sharpness,[11][12] and many travel here to improve their skills and pursue their ambitions.[13] Anthe also has a population of sharp Drownies, who reside away from the other citizens.[14] The city is additionally visited by Clay Men, who reside in a chamber called the Travertine Vault; these Clay Men seek to use sharpness to appear more trustworthy and desirable to employers in London.[15] Rosina of the Seven Against Nidah has taken refuge here seeking treatment for her animescence,[16] as have other sufferers of the disease.[17]

While Anthe's blessings are alluring to visitors,[18] going sharp is addictive, and many Antheans leave their old lives behind forever to pursue further "development."[19][20] It is also possible for sharpening to fail or have nasty side effects. Clay Men have difficulty going sharp and may end up with distorted crystalline patterns,[21] and one unlucky visitor to Anthe emerged with an unusually "delicate" sharpened hand, and a partially or improperly crystallized lung that left him coughing up shards.[22] Sharpness can be cured by visiting the living city of Polythreme,[23] though it can also be surgically excised.[24]
According to a historical tale in the archives of Scrimshander, a flower bloomed on the floor of the Unterzee, described as one that "any true lover would pluck for their beloved." Many dove below to retrieve this flower for their significant other, but either they died, or they were transfixed by its beauty and never returned.[25] It is not confirmed whether or how this story relates to Anthe.
Types of Sharpness
"A woman gives advice to new Antheans: her eyes are cubes of salt. She speaks of going sharp as a numbness, and as an awakening; as the loss of sensation and the beginning of insight. Some Antheans use other metaphors. Clarity. Dryness. Regularity and structure."[26]
"Your spleen is a hexagonal crystal."[27]
The many flavors of sharpness include, but are not limited to:

- Sharpness of the spleen: Dulls a person's ability to feel anger.[28] Desired by diplomats and others who prefer a cool head.[29]
- Sharpness of the liver: Provides an immunity to poisons. Desired by those who work with toxins, such as assassins.[30]
- Sharpness of the lungs: Slows the need for breath and provides an immunity to poisonous gases. Desired by coal miners, smokers, singers, and divers.[31][32]
- Sharpness of the groin: Enhances sexual performance at the cost of diminishing passion. Sought out by the celibate and those who provide sexual company.[33]
- Sharpness of the tongue: Improves clarity and articulation of speech, at the cost of tact. Desired by poets and other wordsmiths, as well as liars and secret agents.[34][35]
- Sharpness of the skeleton: Improves bone durability, but may lead to injuries in scenarios where one's bones do anything other than break.[36] Desired by laborers and those seeking endurance.[37]
- Sharpness of the skin: Improves the resistance of skin, at the cost of turning it transparent.[38][39] Desired by fighters and those who live dangerously honest lives.[40] Those with sharp skin often wear disguises to conceal their strange appearances, and do not typically leave Anthe.[41][42]
Other body parts may be sharpened, including one's ears,[43] teeth,[44] hands,[19] or bowels.[45] It is mentioned that sharp hands and fingers are a boon for the dexterous (like nurses and watchmakers)[46][19] and sharp bowels reduce or remove the need for food,[45] but the full effects of these are unknown.
Anthe has numerous chambers in which the sharp gather to test their abilities.[47] These include, but are not limited to:

- The Venous Salon, where the sharp-spleened show off by reading offensive literature while remaining stoic.[48]
- The Salon of Silver Salts, where those with crystal livers consume dangerous poisons and substances.[49]
- The Salon of Incense, where the barb-lunged languish in a cloud of thick incense.[50]
- The Chamber of Pillow-Cut Rock, a room of soft-looking stone where the bristle-groined gather.[51]
- Tongue-Point Pinnacle, where the hard-tongued converse in crystal-clear language.[52]
- The Bone-Barrow, where those with crystal skeletons show off their strength by holding up a slowly collapsing ceiling.[53]
- The Blistering Abyss, where those with transparent skin expose themselves to danger for amusement.[54]
- The Shell, a concert hall made out of a giant oyster used by the sharp-lunged and sharp-tongued singers of Anthe.[55]
- The Granite Corridor, reserved for intriguers and assassins with crystal tongues and other sharpnesses.[56][57]
- The Smokehouse, where those with sharp livers and lungs indulge in drinks and smokables without limit.[58]
- The Dauntless Palate, a challenge-club for those immune to nearly every single manner of poison thanks to their sharp skin, livers, and tongues.[59]
The Sharpest
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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. |
"As for the inhabitants who are sharp throughout their full bodies, they don't circulate much. There is said to be a cavern, broad and shallow-floored, where the perfectly sharp grow old together. They aren't capable of anyone else's company any more — at least, that's what you're told, and you can hardly go and ask. At any rate they are more like growing crystals than like people, slowly expanding and bonding with the rock."[60]
"It is a cavern of giants. They were all at one time men or women or other creatures you might meet familiarly on a London street. But they are larger now, grown like oaks into the cavern floor. Their bodies are clear as lens-glass. Their faces are past the necessity of expression. They are your superiors, but you have come far enough that they are willing to help you if you wish."[61]

The Sharpest are Antheans whose bodies have fully crystallized. They live in a cavern away from the other citizens,[62] and can no longer be called human: they have grown to a gigantic size, their faces are rigid and inexpressive, and they are fused to the floor like crystallized trees.[63] However, they are still capable of moving and interacting with others, though they may come off as distant.[64] If approached by a sufficiently advanced student,[65] they will provide instruction on turning the most difficult parts of the body sharp, at the expense of all other sharpnesses.[66]
- Sharpness of the eyes: Requires the drying of the eyes and turns them into cubes. Improves perception.[67][68]
- Sharpness of the brain: Improves wit, intellect, and comprehension of both truths and untruths.[69] Grants a crystal-clad will against mental manipulation.[70]
- Sharpness of the muscles: Improves strength and durability.[71]
- Sharpness of the heart: Bolsters emotional intelligence and resilience from heartbreak. Enables a perfect balance between care and wisdom.[72]
References
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