The Grand Geode: Difference between revisions

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The Bright-Eyed Sequencer
The Bright-Eyed Sequencer
|music = [https://failbettergames.bandcamp.com/track/elegiac Elegiac]
|music = [https://failbettergames.bandcamp.com/track/elegiac Elegiac]
|port=Zelo's Town}}<blockquote>''"A naval base, with the Royal Navy's emblems, curiously amended. Efficient, bright-eyed women and men work briskly, everywhere you look. They are singing: hymns with unfamiliar words. Hard-faced Royal Marines watch you carefully, barring entry to the Geode's heart."<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|The Grand Geode|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>''</blockquote>The '''Grand Geode''', located to the very south of London, is, ''de jure'', one of the eight known [[:Category:Stations|stations]] maintained by the [[The Admiralty|Admiralty]], and in this regard is sometimes referred to as '''Station V'''. In practice, however, it headquarters the [[The New Sequence|New Sequence]]: a large fraction of the Navy who, openly or in secret, now serve [[The Dawn Machine|another master]].<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Sell the Memento Mori to the servants of the Dawn Machine|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}</ref>
|port=Zelo's Town}}<blockquote>''"A naval base, with the Royal Navy's emblems, curiously amended. Efficient, bright-eyed women and men work briskly, everywhere you look. They are singing: hymns with unfamiliar words. Hard-faced Royal Marines watch you carefully, barring entry to the Geode's heart."<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|The Grand Geode|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>''</blockquote>The '''Grand Geode''', located far south of London, is officially designated as '''Station V''' - one of the eight known [[:Category:Stations|stations]] maintained by the [[The Admiralty|Admiralty]].  
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==Station V...?==
==Station V...?==
<blockquote>''"A plaque by the docks has been defaced with orange paint, but you can still make out the original inscription: 'STATION V (ADJUNCT)'."''<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Overseen by one of the Navy's Commodores<ref name=":1">{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Ask to speak with someone in authority|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}</ref>, the Grand Geode is officially the Admiralty's Station V--or part of it, at least. However, it operates, like a good chunk of the bright-eyed Navy, mostly independently. Conversation about the purpose of the installation is casually deflected.
<blockquote>''"A plaque by the docks has been defaced with orange paint, but you can still make out the original inscription: 'STATION V (ADJUNCT)'."''<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>While the Grand Geode is still overseen by one of the Navy's Commodores,<ref name=":1">{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Ask to speak with someone in authority|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}</ref> this Station has become the headquarters of the [[The New Sequence|New Sequence]], a large splinter faction of the Royal Navy who have chosen to serve [[The Dawn Machine|another master]].<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Sell the Memento Mori to the servants of the Dawn Machine|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"Our Light will grow stronger. Not only as our fleet grows stronger."''</ref> Any questions about the true purpose of the Station are casually deflected.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|Ask to speak with someone in authority|Sunless Sea|}} ''"He deflects questions about the purpose of this installation - "classified, you know" - but smilingly offers you tea, biscuits and mineralogical anecdotes."''</ref>


In fact, the Geode seems to opposes the influence of the Admiralty and of the [[The Echo Bazaar|Echo Bazaar]].<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Deliver the Sphinxstone|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"The Bazaar is the enemy of our Light. [...] Well, our Light will sort it out, you'll see."''</ref> As a renegade faction, the Geode poses a degree of threat to London even if their means are not necessarily violent. The latter party, therefore, is very weary of the Grand Geode, with the subject seeming to make Admiralty officials visibly nervous.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Admiralty_Survey_Office?so=search|2=Grand Geode|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"The Admiralty official takes notes scrupulously, but with an expression of mild terror, like a novice vivisector wincing with a scalpel. The rest of the office studiously busy themselves with other tasks."''</ref>
The New Sequence opposes the influence of the [[Echo Bazaar]];<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Deliver the Sphinxstone|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"The Bazaar is the enemy of our Light. [...] Well, our Light will sort it out, you'll see."''</ref> as a renegade faction with significant influence in the military,<ref name=":2">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|Ask to speak with someone in authority|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The Commodore shakes your hand warmly. He's a handsome, open-faced fellow in an immaculate Navy uniform."''</ref><ref name=":3">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|Grand Geode|Sunless Sea|}} ''"A naval base, with the Royal Navy's emblems, curiously amended. Efficient, bright-eyed women and men work briskly, everywhere you look. [...] Hard-faced Royal Marines watch you carefully, barring entry to the Geode's heart."''</ref> they pose a threat to [[London]]'s powers that be, even if their means are typically nonviolent.<ref name=":4">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|Ask to speak with someone in authority|Sunless Sea|}} ''"You find yourself nodding, and then jerk suddenly awake. The Commodore is smiling. Your cup is empty. You feel well: very well. A little euphoric, even. "Come back soon," he says softly."''</ref><ref name="false memories">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Icarian_Cup_(Story)|The Icarian Cup (Story)|Fallen London|}} ''"After that, your memories are awash with warmth and light. [...] Something is wrong. Those thoughts weren't yours!"''</ref> The Admiralty is well-informed on the Sequence's activities at the Grand Geode because many of its members are their former comrades;<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> it is little wonder that mention of the Geode appears to make Admiralty officials visibly nervous.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Admiralty_Survey_Office?so=search|2=Grand Geode|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"The Admiralty official takes notes scrupulously, but with an expression of mild terror, like a novice vivisector wincing with a scalpel. The rest of the office studiously busy themselves with other tasks."''</ref>


== That Hypnotic Dawn ==
==That Hypnotic Dawn==
<blockquote>''"You find yourself nodding, and then jerk suddenly awake. The Commodore is smiling. Your cup is empty. You feel well: very well. A little euphoric, even. 'Come back soon,' he says softly."''<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Memory seems to be fuzzy amidst the magnificence of the reflected dawn, especially when one takes tea with the Commodore.<ref name=":1" /> In keeping with the expansionist nature of [[The New Sequence|New Sequence]] and the mind-altering light of the [[The Dawn Machine|Dawn Machine]], the Geode works to secure new members--or rather, the Machine's light draws people in.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Ask to speak with someone in authority|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"Teasing clues linger in your memory. A zailor asked to stay behind, and you permitted it, because - because - "''</ref> It even goes so far as to accept, in some cases, 'willing' recruits in lieu of payment.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Admiralty_Survey_Office?so=search|2=Purchase an Element of Dawn from the Commodore|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"No no - your seven youths and maidens, ahahaha, I mean your seven crew, are not 'expenses'. They will live rich, satisfied, glorious lives."''</ref>
<blockquote>''"You find yourself nodding, and then jerk suddenly awake. The Commodore is smiling. Your cup is empty. You feel well: very well. A little euphoric, even. 'Come back soon,' he says softly."''<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>The magnificence of the reflected dawn throughout the Geode leaves visitors' memories rather fuzzy, especially after prolonged periods of time.<ref name=":4" /> The [[New Sequence]] works to secure new members by simply letting the [[Dawn Machine]]'s mind-altering light draw in new converts.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Geode|2=Ask to speak with someone in authority|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"Teasing clues linger in your memory. A zailor asked to stay behind, and you permitted it, because - because - "''</ref> They will even go so far as to accept "willing" recruits in lieu of payment.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Admiralty_Survey_Office?so=search|2=Purchase an Element of Dawn from the Commodore|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"No no - your seven youths and maidens, ahahaha, I mean your seven crew, are not 'expenses'. They will live rich, satisfied, glorious lives."''</ref> The Sequence is still testing the capabilities of the Dawn Machine, and may be able to use its light and influence toward goals that reach further than persuasion.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Admiralty_Survey_Office?so=search|2=Ask the Commodore for a defence against sunlight for Aestival|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"The skull which once adorned the Eater of Names now lies within, its forehead marked with a glyph of furious power. [...] This will drink the danger of the sunlight."''</ref>


There is no doubt that the Dawn Machine's light and influence enables the Grand Geode to wield strange and mysterious abilities--and not only those pertaining to the matter of recollection.<ref>{{Citation|1=https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/The_Admiralty_Survey_Office?so=search|2=Ask the Commodore for a defence against sunlight for Aestival|3=Sunless Sea|4=}}''"The skull which once adorned the Eater of Names now lies within, its forehead marked with a glyph of furious power. [...] This will drink the danger of the sunlight."''</ref> In any case, one should not quite expect to remember every detail about their stay at Zelo's Town.
==References==
 
== References ==
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:The Unterzee]]
[[Category:The Unterzee]]
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[[Category:The Neath]]
[[Category:The Neath]]
[[Category:Stations]]
[[Category:Stations]]
<references />

Revision as of 21:45, 29 November 2024

"A light grows in the far south-west. It begins like a distant bonfire, but very rapidly, it becomes brighter, brighter. It looks remarkably like sunrise."

NOTICE: Beyond this point lie SPOILERS regarding the DAWN MACHINE. There is much here that YOU, YES YOU may want to LEARN. DO PROCEED PROCEED PROCEED PROCEED NOW.

You can find out more about our spoiler policy HERE.


"A naval base, with the Royal Navy's emblems, curiously amended. Efficient, bright-eyed women and men work briskly, everywhere you look. They are singing: hymns with unfamiliar words. Hard-faced Royal Marines watch you carefully, barring entry to the Geode's heart."[1]

The Grand Geode, located far south of London, is officially designated as Station V - one of the eight known stations maintained by the Admiralty.

Station V...?

"A plaque by the docks has been defaced with orange paint, but you can still make out the original inscription: 'STATION V (ADJUNCT)'."[1]

While the Grand Geode is still overseen by one of the Navy's Commodores,[2] this Station has become the headquarters of the New Sequence, a large splinter faction of the Royal Navy who have chosen to serve another master.[3] Any questions about the true purpose of the Station are casually deflected.[4]

The New Sequence opposes the influence of the Echo Bazaar;[5] as a renegade faction with significant influence in the military,[6][7] they pose a threat to London's powers that be, even if their means are typically nonviolent.[8][9] The Admiralty is well-informed on the Sequence's activities at the Grand Geode because many of its members are their former comrades;[6][7] it is little wonder that mention of the Geode appears to make Admiralty officials visibly nervous.[10]

That Hypnotic Dawn

"You find yourself nodding, and then jerk suddenly awake. The Commodore is smiling. Your cup is empty. You feel well: very well. A little euphoric, even. 'Come back soon,' he says softly."[2]

The magnificence of the reflected dawn throughout the Geode leaves visitors' memories rather fuzzy, especially after prolonged periods of time.[8] The New Sequence works to secure new members by simply letting the Dawn Machine's mind-altering light draw in new converts.[11] They will even go so far as to accept "willing" recruits in lieu of payment.[12] The Sequence is still testing the capabilities of the Dawn Machine, and may be able to use its light and influence toward goals that reach further than persuasion.[13]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Grand Geode, Sunless Sea
  2. 2.0 2.1 Ask to speak with someone in authority, Sunless Sea
  3. Sell the Memento Mori to the servants of the Dawn Machine, Sunless Sea "Our Light will grow stronger. Not only as our fleet grows stronger."
  4. Ask to speak with someone in authority, Sunless Sea "He deflects questions about the purpose of this installation - "classified, you know" - but smilingly offers you tea, biscuits and mineralogical anecdotes."
  5. Deliver the Sphinxstone, Sunless Sea "The Bazaar is the enemy of our Light. [...] Well, our Light will sort it out, you'll see."
  6. 6.0 6.1 Ask to speak with someone in authority, Sunless Sea "The Commodore shakes your hand warmly. He's a handsome, open-faced fellow in an immaculate Navy uniform."
  7. 7.0 7.1 Grand Geode, Sunless Sea "A naval base, with the Royal Navy's emblems, curiously amended. Efficient, bright-eyed women and men work briskly, everywhere you look. [...] Hard-faced Royal Marines watch you carefully, barring entry to the Geode's heart."
  8. 8.0 8.1 Ask to speak with someone in authority, Sunless Sea "You find yourself nodding, and then jerk suddenly awake. The Commodore is smiling. Your cup is empty. You feel well: very well. A little euphoric, even. "Come back soon," he says softly."
  9. The Icarian Cup (Story), Fallen London "After that, your memories are awash with warmth and light. [...] Something is wrong. Those thoughts weren't yours!"
  10. Grand Geode, Sunless Sea "The Admiralty official takes notes scrupulously, but with an expression of mild terror, like a novice vivisector wincing with a scalpel. The rest of the office studiously busy themselves with other tasks."
  11. Ask to speak with someone in authority, Sunless Sea "Teasing clues linger in your memory. A zailor asked to stay behind, and you permitted it, because - because - "
  12. Purchase an Element of Dawn from the Commodore, Sunless Sea "No no - your seven youths and maidens, ahahaha, I mean your seven crew, are not 'expenses'. They will live rich, satisfied, glorious lives."
  13. Ask the Commodore for a defence against sunlight for Aestival, Sunless Sea "The skull which once adorned the Eater of Names now lies within, its forehead marked with a glyph of furious power. [...] This will drink the danger of the sunlight."