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A major segment of this rebellion involved the [[King of Hours]], as it instituted the Golden Day to rule its kingdom and place it in something of a time loop for all eternity. The [[King of Carols]] was a great leader of the devils, who protested the Golden Day by refusing to sing for the Judgements.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bandstand#Interactions|Listen to the fourth and final hymn|Sunless Skies|}} ''"[...] the hymn's plainsong denotes a time long ago: [...] a tale of the Many-Mouthed. He... [...] campaigned, perhaps, or protested – against [...] 'the Golden Rule'? [...] The King of Carols 'objected through the withdrawal of his voice'. Because of this, 'the eyes were angry'."''</ref> For this he was hung over the [[Well of the Wolf]] as a warning. After he gave his voices away in defiance, he was imprisoned within it for eternity,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bandstand#Interactions|Listen to the third hymn|Sunless Skies|}} ''"This hymn is a hymn of suffering. [...] a period of punishment. The Choir-in-One [...] was – elaborated? Stretched? Hung? – above the well, from the spur of ice on which the bandstand now rests. The stars 'made a message of him,' [...] In defiance, he gave away his voices, bestowing 'all but one of them upon his—' The next part might be 'creations' or 'aberrations' or 'amalgamies'. Apparently, this was not well received by 'those who judged'."''</ref> which stirred the devils' insurrection to its height. It is said that "the Chain was broken" at this point - but ultimately, they failed.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bandstand#Interactions|Listen to the fourth and final hymn|Sunless Skies|}} ''"The Many-Mouthed was judged by the Regents in Gold, and cast into the well. His voices, all but the one he kept, 'were scattered to the hives'. His followers – 'the horned and brazen' – grieved, then raged, then rebelled. The Chain was broken. The fate of the uprising is unstated, but the sigils are melancholy. There is reference to an exodus, to 'a time of serpents'."''</ref> The devils claim to have been responsible for the death of the King of Hours during this period of history,<ref name=":1">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Brilliant_Future|Discovered: A Brilliant Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 1:3: AND THUS SPAKE THE KING OF HOURS: “For those who wear crowns, let their kingdoms be counted; and for those who wear ashes, let their miseries be counted; and for those who keep this tally, let their debts be counted.” Upon hearing this, the people struck him down."''</ref> but they conveniently shared a goal with the real murderer, the [[Sapphir'd King]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Sun%27s_Daughter|Hand over the Dignity of Albion Bill|Sunless Skies|}} ''""We know. There is an order to creation; a Chain of Being. Things such as you cannot be the death of things such as we. [...] When a murder is committed correctly, only two creatures know what occurred: one is the murdered; the other..." She says no more, but opens one of her thousand plumed hands [...] A trophy, plucked from the corpse of a star."''</ref> and said murder took place much later.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Royal_Observatory|Use your reputation to help skip the queue|Sunless Skies|}} ''"Using the telescope, he was able to locate the last light cast by Albion's old sun, the one the Empire claims to have defeated 5 years ago. But according to his calculations, the light is centuries old. Albion's sun was dead long before the Empress came to the skies."''</ref> It is possible that they purposely conflated their assassination of the King Who Speaks, or another star, with the later death of the King of Hours to increase their own celestial clout. | A major segment of this rebellion involved the [[King of Hours]], as it instituted the Golden Day to rule its kingdom and place it in something of a time loop for all eternity. The [[King of Carols]] was a great leader of the devils, who protested the Golden Day by refusing to sing for the Judgements.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bandstand#Interactions|Listen to the fourth and final hymn|Sunless Skies|}} ''"[...] the hymn's plainsong denotes a time long ago: [...] a tale of the Many-Mouthed. He... [...] campaigned, perhaps, or protested – against [...] 'the Golden Rule'? [...] The King of Carols 'objected through the withdrawal of his voice'. Because of this, 'the eyes were angry'."''</ref> For this he was hung over the [[Well of the Wolf]] as a warning. After he gave his voices away in defiance, he was imprisoned within it for eternity,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bandstand#Interactions|Listen to the third hymn|Sunless Skies|}} ''"This hymn is a hymn of suffering. [...] a period of punishment. The Choir-in-One [...] was – elaborated? Stretched? Hung? – above the well, from the spur of ice on which the bandstand now rests. The stars 'made a message of him,' [...] In defiance, he gave away his voices, bestowing 'all but one of them upon his—' The next part might be 'creations' or 'aberrations' or 'amalgamies'. Apparently, this was not well received by 'those who judged'."''</ref> which stirred the devils' insurrection to its height. It is said that "the Chain was broken" at this point - but ultimately, they failed.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bandstand#Interactions|Listen to the fourth and final hymn|Sunless Skies|}} ''"The Many-Mouthed was judged by the Regents in Gold, and cast into the well. His voices, all but the one he kept, 'were scattered to the hives'. His followers – 'the horned and brazen' – grieved, then raged, then rebelled. The Chain was broken. The fate of the uprising is unstated, but the sigils are melancholy. There is reference to an exodus, to 'a time of serpents'."''</ref> The devils claim to have been responsible for the death of the King of Hours during this period of history,<ref name=":1">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Brilliant_Future|Discovered: A Brilliant Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 1:3: AND THUS SPAKE THE KING OF HOURS: “For those who wear crowns, let their kingdoms be counted; and for those who wear ashes, let their miseries be counted; and for those who keep this tally, let their debts be counted.” Upon hearing this, the people struck him down."''</ref> but they conveniently shared a goal with the real murderer, the [[Sapphir'd King]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Sun%27s_Daughter|Hand over the Dignity of Albion Bill|Sunless Skies|}} ''""We know. There is an order to creation; a Chain of Being. Things such as you cannot be the death of things such as we. [...] When a murder is committed correctly, only two creatures know what occurred: one is the murdered; the other..." She says no more, but opens one of her thousand plumed hands [...] A trophy, plucked from the corpse of a star."''</ref> and said murder took place much later.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Royal_Observatory|Use your reputation to help skip the queue|Sunless Skies|}} ''"Using the telescope, he was able to locate the last light cast by Albion's old sun, the one the Empire claims to have defeated 5 years ago. But according to his calculations, the light is centuries old. Albion's sun was dead long before the Empress came to the skies."''</ref> It is possible that they purposely conflated their assassination of the King Who Speaks, or another star, with the later death of the King of Hours to increase their own celestial clout. | ||
The defeated devils fled to [[Parabola]] via [[Caduceus]] to escape the Judgements' sight.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Repentant_Devil#The_Repentant_Devil|Ask him about his memories of Caduceus|Sunless Skies|}} ''""After the Well of the Wolf," [...] "the Devils could no longer remain in the sight of the Judgements: not if we intended to live. We escaped through Caduceus into Parabola, the place that is not; and from there onward. We were a people in exile."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_Ancient_Refuge_Site|An Ancient Refuge Site|Fallen London|}}''"Once the devils were fleeing an ancient enemy, of overwhelming force, and they came here, swarming from a place called Caduceus into Parabola."''</ref> Led by the '''Eglantine Regent''',<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Chilly_Future|Discovered: A Chilly Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 2:1-3: AND AMONG THE PEOPLE AROSE a great and fearful clamour [...] And from this clamour arose a few great voices to lead them. And among these great voices arose the Eglantine Regent, she who bargains with serpents."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Dark_Future|Discovered: A Dark Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 3:7: AND THE EGLANTINE REGENT SAID unto the people: “I have signed a bargain with serpents; and I have given us a road to walk; and the mirrors shall open to us; and there we shall make new law; and there we shall draft the plans of a city that is already ours.” And upon hearing this, the people rejoiced."''</ref> they made a deal with the [[Fingerkings]]<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Receive_the_story_in_the_form_of_cascabel_venom|Receive the story in the form of cascabel venom|Fallen London|}} ''"The devils swarming into Parabola longed for many things: for souls, for escape, for their own deaths and the things that waited beyond each death. The Fingerkings saw their longing, and welcomed them as food. The devils were bargainers, contract-writers, enemies of the stars. The Fingerkings saw their nature, and welcomed them as allies. The devils were hollow, skin-shedders, eternally in chrysalis. The Fingerkings saw their capacity, and welcomed them as salvation."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Discordant_Future|Discovered: A Discordant Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 4:6-7: AND THE PEOPLE SHED THEIR SKINS to squeeze through mirrors. And the people wandered a wasted sky beyond the glass. It was a time of famine and bitter cold, and the people faltered and regretted their flight. And the Eglantine Regent said unto them: "This place Is Not; and what Is Not may not harm us. For we do exist, and we exist more than anything in existence.""''</ref> and spent "aeons"<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hold_steady|Hold steady|Fallen London|}} ''"Aeons passed [...] They searched the mirrors endlessly for a suitable destination in which to hide themselves, but always that goal remained out of reach – until they found the Neath. Until the first person brought the first looking-glass below."''</ref> in Parabola,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Jewelled_Future|Discovered: A Jewelled Future|Fallen London|}} ''"The Book of Roses 5:4-5: [...] Thus spake the Parlous Knot: "This is the dream of a giant, that we have set aside for you to dwell within." And the people set down their baggage and were still. And said the Eglantine Regent: "Here we shall make camp, but we shall not build our city; for our city has always lain elsewhere.""''</ref> mapping and planning.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Nearby_Future|Discovered: A Nearby Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 6:5-7: AND THE PEOPLE BUILT FURNACES and made maps. They devised new numbers with which to calculate the position of their home. And the Parlous Knot looked upon these works, and saw that they were good. And so said the Eglantine Regent: “Soon we will arrive in Hell.” And the Parlous Knot rejoiced, for it believed that it would accompany them."''</ref> When the devils finally discovered the [[Neath]], the Fingerkings thought they had found their ticket to existence - but it was a poisoned bargain,<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Neon_Future|Discovered: A Neon Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 7:7-9: AND WHEN THE TIME CAME for the people to depart the Is-Not, they made their passage through Irem. [...] And so said the Eglantine Regent: “For the future to arrive one must have a present.” And the Parlous Knot cursed the name of the Eglantine Regent. And the Parlous Knot perished."''</ref> since the devils' bodies corroded anything that tried to possess them.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Neutralise_the_poison;_the_antidote_is_already_in_you|Neutralise the poison; the antidote is already in you|Fallen London|}} ''"Aeons passed. The Fingerkings waited. The devils built furnaces in Parabola, and laid down trade routes; looked out of mirrors, and considered new homes; and for generations searched for their new Hell. When they discovered the Neath at last, the Fingerkings proved unable to possess them. To be swallowed by a devil was death and dissolution. A Fingerking lives on desire, and a devil cannot sustain it. It was the death of the Parlous Knot."''</ref> The devils passed through mirrors back into reality, and proceeded westward from [[Irem]]<ref name=":0" /> until they settled at the current location of [[Hell]], bargaining with the [[Creditor]] for safe settlement.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_An_Abyssal_Future|Discovered: An Abyssal Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 10:2-3: WHEN THE PEOPLE CAME TO THE END of their voyage west, they set down their baggage and began the work of building a new city. And there they made petition to the powers of the Earth, who might set the boundaries of their city."''</ref> The founding of Hell was promptly celebrated by the deposition of the Eglantine Regent, who had proclaimed herself sole ruler.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_An_Altered_Future|Discovered: An Altered Future|Fallen London|}} ''"AND WHEN THE LAST BRICK WAS LAID on the last wall of Hell, there arose a great and joyful clamour among the people. And there the Eglantine Regent lit the furnaces once again, so that those great voices among the people might devise new laws. And there the Eglantine Regent made a proclamation of her rulership. Upon hearing this, the people struck her down."''</ref> (At least if the Book of Roses is to be believed; it is possible, given subsequent events, that this last segment was added much later.) | The defeated devils fled to [[Parabola]] via [[Caduceus]] to escape the Judgements' sight.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Repentant_Devil#The_Repentant_Devil|Ask him about his memories of Caduceus|Sunless Skies|}} ''""After the Well of the Wolf," [...] "the Devils could no longer remain in the sight of the Judgements: not if we intended to live. We escaped through Caduceus into Parabola, the place that is not; and from there onward. We were a people in exile. Not strong enough to take a place and hold it for our own. Not weak enough to be welcomed as refugees. It was an intolerable time and I take no pleasure in remembering it."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_Ancient_Refuge_Site|An Ancient Refuge Site|Fallen London|}}''"Once the devils were fleeing an ancient enemy, of overwhelming force, and they came here, swarming from a place called Caduceus into Parabola."''</ref> Led by the '''Eglantine Regent''',<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Chilly_Future|Discovered: A Chilly Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 2:1-3: AND AMONG THE PEOPLE AROSE a great and fearful clamour [...] And from this clamour arose a few great voices to lead them. And among these great voices arose the Eglantine Regent, she who bargains with serpents."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Dark_Future|Discovered: A Dark Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 3:7: AND THE EGLANTINE REGENT SAID unto the people: “I have signed a bargain with serpents; and I have given us a road to walk; and the mirrors shall open to us; and there we shall make new law; and there we shall draft the plans of a city that is already ours.” And upon hearing this, the people rejoiced."''</ref> they made a deal with the [[Fingerkings]]<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Receive_the_story_in_the_form_of_cascabel_venom|Receive the story in the form of cascabel venom|Fallen London|}} ''"The devils swarming into Parabola longed for many things: for souls, for escape, for their own deaths and the things that waited beyond each death. The Fingerkings saw their longing, and welcomed them as food. The devils were bargainers, contract-writers, enemies of the stars. The Fingerkings saw their nature, and welcomed them as allies. The devils were hollow, skin-shedders, eternally in chrysalis. The Fingerkings saw their capacity, and welcomed them as salvation."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Discordant_Future|Discovered: A Discordant Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 4:6-7: AND THE PEOPLE SHED THEIR SKINS to squeeze through mirrors. And the people wandered a wasted sky beyond the glass. It was a time of famine and bitter cold, and the people faltered and regretted their flight. And the Eglantine Regent said unto them: "This place Is Not; and what Is Not may not harm us. For we do exist, and we exist more than anything in existence.""''</ref> and spent "aeons"<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hold_steady|Hold steady|Fallen London|}} ''"Aeons passed [...] They searched the mirrors endlessly for a suitable destination in which to hide themselves, but always that goal remained out of reach – until they found the Neath. Until the first person brought the first looking-glass below."''</ref> in Parabola,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Jewelled_Future|Discovered: A Jewelled Future|Fallen London|}} ''"The Book of Roses 5:4-5: [...] Thus spake the Parlous Knot: "This is the dream of a giant, that we have set aside for you to dwell within." And the people set down their baggage and were still. And said the Eglantine Regent: "Here we shall make camp, but we shall not build our city; for our city has always lain elsewhere.""''</ref> mapping and planning.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Nearby_Future|Discovered: A Nearby Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 6:5-7: AND THE PEOPLE BUILT FURNACES and made maps. They devised new numbers with which to calculate the position of their home. And the Parlous Knot looked upon these works, and saw that they were good. And so said the Eglantine Regent: “Soon we will arrive in Hell.” And the Parlous Knot rejoiced, for it believed that it would accompany them."''</ref> When the devils finally discovered the [[Neath]], the Fingerkings thought they had found their ticket to existence - but it was a poisoned bargain,<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_A_Neon_Future|Discovered: A Neon Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 7:7-9: AND WHEN THE TIME CAME for the people to depart the Is-Not, they made their passage through Irem. [...] And so said the Eglantine Regent: “For the future to arrive one must have a present.” And the Parlous Knot cursed the name of the Eglantine Regent. And the Parlous Knot perished."''</ref> since the devils' bodies corroded anything that tried to possess them.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Neutralise_the_poison;_the_antidote_is_already_in_you|Neutralise the poison; the antidote is already in you|Fallen London|}} ''"Aeons passed. The Fingerkings waited. The devils built furnaces in Parabola, and laid down trade routes; looked out of mirrors, and considered new homes; and for generations searched for their new Hell. When they discovered the Neath at last, the Fingerkings proved unable to possess them. To be swallowed by a devil was death and dissolution. A Fingerking lives on desire, and a devil cannot sustain it. It was the death of the Parlous Knot."''</ref> The devils passed through mirrors back into reality, and proceeded westward from [[Irem]]<ref name=":0" /> until they settled at the current location of [[Hell]], bargaining with the [[Creditor]] for safe settlement.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_An_Abyssal_Future|Discovered: An Abyssal Future|Fallen London|}} ''"Book of Roses 10:2-3: WHEN THE PEOPLE CAME TO THE END of their voyage west, they set down their baggage and began the work of building a new city. And there they made petition to the powers of the Earth, who might set the boundaries of their city."''</ref> The founding of Hell was promptly celebrated by the deposition of the Eglantine Regent, who had proclaimed herself sole ruler.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_An_Altered_Future|Discovered: An Altered Future|Fallen London|}} ''"AND WHEN THE LAST BRICK WAS LAID on the last wall of Hell, there arose a great and joyful clamour among the people. And there the Eglantine Regent lit the furnaces once again, so that those great voices among the people might devise new laws. And there the Eglantine Regent made a proclamation of her rulership. Upon hearing this, the people struck her down."''</ref> (At least if the Book of Roses is to be believed; it is possible, given subsequent events, that this last segment was added much later.) | ||
After establishing the government of Hell, the devils began to be ruled by Princes ([[Grand Devils]]), but these were all overthrown in one '''[[Season of Revolutions]]'''. While it is unknown whether any Grand Devils still roam free in the [[Neath]], their supporters live in exile in the crater of [[Mount Palmerston]]<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention [...] There was a revolution in Hell: and the aristocracy of devils fled here. Here, they plot in exile. [...] “They don't do us any harm. They stay up there, and we stay down here."''</ref> and among the [[Brazen Brigade]] of the [[Hinterlands]]. The [[Brass Embassy]] will now pay a fortune for the whereabouts of just one of their former overlords.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reported_Location_of_a_One-Time_Prince_of_Hell|Reported Location of a One-Time Prince of Hell|Fallen London|}} ''"The season of revolutions brought an end to thrones in Hell. Where did their nobility take refuge? And what will Hell pay to find them out?"''</ref> | After establishing the government of Hell, the devils began to be ruled by Princes ([[Grand Devils]]), but these were all overthrown in one '''[[Season of Revolutions]]'''. While it is unknown whether any Grand Devils still roam free in the [[Neath]], their supporters live in exile in the crater of [[Mount Palmerston]]<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention [...] There was a revolution in Hell: and the aristocracy of devils fled here. Here, they plot in exile. [...] “They don't do us any harm. They stay up there, and we stay down here."''</ref> and among the [[Brazen Brigade]] of the [[Hinterlands]]. The [[Brass Embassy]] will now pay a fortune for the whereabouts of just one of their former overlords.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reported_Location_of_a_One-Time_Prince_of_Hell|Reported Location of a One-Time Prince of Hell|Fallen London|}} ''"The season of revolutions brought an end to thrones in Hell. Where did their nobility take refuge? And what will Hell pay to find them out?"''</ref> | ||
Revision as of 07:42, 16 October 2024
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The following page is not properly cited as per our revamped content policy. Therefore, the article may contain information from speculative or non-canon sources. You can find out more about our citation policy here. |
"The Bazaar's conveniently located for Hell, and Hell's envoys keep stalls and warehouses here. Which is great if you want to buy brass, obsidian, sulphur, hydrogen, devilbone or any of Hell's other well-known exports. Or if you want to sell souls. But you shouldn't do that."
Courteous, rapacious, merciless, beguiling: devils, the emissaries of Hell, have come west to London for one purpose: souls. And perhaps the company, the sights, and a little chamber-music. They run and patronize several establishments in the vicinity of Ladybones Road; for example, Dante's Grill, the Long Spoon, Abbadon and Bael Trading Co., and their London headquarters, the Brass Embassy.
Characteristics
Devils are generally humanlike, but with fangs and golden or brassy eyes to set them apart. They appear to have a rather strange relationship with time; Fallen London is set in the 1890s, but the devils seem to have become well-acquainted with 1920s fashion and technology, so their style of dress also distinguishes them easily.
In the Sunless Skies timeline, devils also reside in the High Wilderness. Many can be found in the soul-spa of Carillon, as well as in Caduceus, the Well of the Wolf, and Pan.
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A Devil. -
A Devil. -
A Deviless. -
The Affectionate Devil -
The Quiet Deviless -
The Green-Eyed Devil -
The Blind Pianist -
The Gilded Minister -
The Discerning Deviless -
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The Exiled Antiquarian -
The Solicitor-Baroness -
The Presiding Deviless of Carillon. -
Milton
The Alphabets of Hell
“Your body has glimpsed what the rose giveth. It craves the knowledge of every step. You dream fitfully of brass tablets; ache for one upon which to carve your words. Inspiration – when it strikes – strikes red.”[1]
Devils speak many languages - around a hundred, all in all,[2] many of which may be lethal to learn or read.[3][4] They largely go unnamed and undifferentiated, but some alphabets are said to be invisible[5] while others glow bright enough to shine through several layers of cloth, making them useful for marking criminals.[6] These languages may also be spoken, which frequently brings strange memories or sensations,[7] and particularly grave words may even lead to sudden decay of objects around the speaker.[8]
The most frequently-mentioned language of devilkind is the Rose Giveth,[9] which is sometimes called the Rose Taketh[10] and said to be the best language of Hell.[11] It is unclear whether the two names designate some subtle distinction, or serve as synonyms. Regardless of its moniker, it is a dance-language: laboriously engraved into brass tablets,[12] and spoken through quick rhythmic motions that burn the floor and send sigil-sparks flying in their wake.[13] Ideally, it is performed with wings and six legs,[14] if not more - but even with four limbs, it is a difficult and demanding language.[15] Mistakes in the Rose Giveth lead to limbs bending in unnatural directions,[16] and novices may struggle to return to verbal speech as they instinctively attempt to dance what they want to say rather than voice it.[17] Even witnessing the Rose Giveth, either engraved or danced, leads to nightmares, aches across the body and even bleeding from the eyes.[18]
The Rose Taketh is, in truth, a variant of the Correspondence,[19] which explains another common complaint - singed eyebrows.[20] Other alphabets of Hell may share the same origins.[21]
Servants of the Stars
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Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk. You can find out more about our spoiler policy here. |
Devils once lived in the High Wilderness, where they were attendants to the stars.[22] Some of the devils, if not all, were servants of the Binary[23] - until they betrayed it,[24] spurred by promises of glory and freedom[25] from the Prophet Exile,[26] and murdered the King Who Speaks[27] at a peace negotiation gone awry.[28] While the Prophet Exile and his followers were destroyed and scattered by the King Who Wars,[29] this was the beginning of a wider revolution.[30]
A major segment of this rebellion involved the King of Hours, as it instituted the Golden Day to rule its kingdom and place it in something of a time loop for all eternity. The King of Carols was a great leader of the devils, who protested the Golden Day by refusing to sing for the Judgements.[31] For this he was hung over the Well of the Wolf as a warning. After he gave his voices away in defiance, he was imprisoned within it for eternity,[32] which stirred the devils' insurrection to its height. It is said that "the Chain was broken" at this point - but ultimately, they failed.[33] The devils claim to have been responsible for the death of the King of Hours during this period of history,[34] but they conveniently shared a goal with the real murderer, the Sapphir'd King,[35] and said murder took place much later.[36] It is possible that they purposely conflated their assassination of the King Who Speaks, or another star, with the later death of the King of Hours to increase their own celestial clout.
The defeated devils fled to Parabola via Caduceus to escape the Judgements' sight.[37][38] Led by the Eglantine Regent,[39][40] they made a deal with the Fingerkings[41][42] and spent "aeons"[43] in Parabola,[44] mapping and planning.[45] When the devils finally discovered the Neath, the Fingerkings thought they had found their ticket to existence - but it was a poisoned bargain,[46] since the devils' bodies corroded anything that tried to possess them.[47] The devils passed through mirrors back into reality, and proceeded westward from Irem[46] until they settled at the current location of Hell, bargaining with the Creditor for safe settlement.[48] The founding of Hell was promptly celebrated by the deposition of the Eglantine Regent, who had proclaimed herself sole ruler.[49] (At least if the Book of Roses is to be believed; it is possible, given subsequent events, that this last segment was added much later.)
After establishing the government of Hell, the devils began to be ruled by Princes (Grand Devils), but these were all overthrown in one Season of Revolutions. While it is unknown whether any Grand Devils still roam free in the Neath, their supporters live in exile in the crater of Mount Palmerston[50] and among the Brazen Brigade of the Hinterlands. The Brass Embassy will now pay a fortune for the whereabouts of just one of their former overlords.[51]
And yes, they are bees (and, sometimes, other insects too). Just wrapped up in all sorts of disguises. This is why Prisoner's Honey is a thing - devils hold the key to Parabola, in a sense.
References
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