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''' | {{Character | ||
[[ | |image1 = Misterhuffam.png | ||
|caption1 = There is ''always'' a story. | |||
|location = [[Doubt Street]] | |||
|allegiance = ''The Unexpurgated London Gazette'' | |||
}}Mr. Huffam is a distinguished figure in [[London]]'s journalistic landscape,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%27Rattus_Faber:_Threat_or_Menace%3F%27 'Rattus Faber: Threat or Menace?'], ''Fallen London "The respected journalist, Mr Huffam, is writing an article on London's rats. "They have become of matter of public concern," he says, licking his pencil. "What is your expert opinion?""''</ref> serving as the editor of '''''The Unexpurgated London Gazette'''''.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Recall_what_you_know_of_the_coils_(Associating) Recall what you know of the coils (Associating), ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam, editor of the Unexpurgated London Gazette"''</ref> His office is located in a townhouse between [[Doubt Street]] and [[Veilgarden]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_the_personal_offices_of_Mr_Huffam Visit the personal offices of Mr Huffam, ''Fallen London''] ''"The ink has started to run on his impromptu business card, but the address is clear. An unassuming townhouse a convenient distance from both Doubt Street and Veilgarden."''</ref> His skills as a journalist are so well-regarded that even [[The Foreign Office]] occasionally seeks him out for information<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Off_to_see_a_gentleman_of_the_press Off to see a gentleman of the press, ''Fallen London''] ''""Fearful little unbred oik! I shouldn't have to deal with people like that. Anyway, I have a little something for you. See what Huffam knows about the Dutch. His sources are, alas, often better than ours...""''</ref>—an arrangement that makes him acutely aware of their workings.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_particularly_foreign_office A particularly foreign office, ''Fallen London''] ''""[…] The Face furnishes diplomats, mediates foreign travel and looks after dignitaries […] The Teeth […] with matters of intelligence and the resolution of diplomatic incidents. […] Let's go upstairs. If you hear a strange noise up there,'' don't look''.""''</ref> | |||
A dedicated journalist, Huffam is relentless in his pursuit of the truth, hunting down the subjects of his stories with determination.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Season_of_Stones The Season of Stones, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] Mr Huffam, editor of the Unexpurgated London Gazette[…] spies the Parliamentarian, his eyes narrow. He advances, drawing out a pen and notebook."''</ref> However, he also knows his limits<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Attempt_to_force_your_way_into_the_Sixth_Coil Attempt to force your way into the Sixth Coil, ''Fallen London''] ''"Alone. Against two dozen tigers. "Don't," say Huffam and the Officiant together."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Nominate_Mr_Huffam_in_your_stead Nominate Mr Huffam in your stead, ''Fallen London''] ''"The old man startles and falls into a fit of coughing. "I think not [...]. I may be a journalist, but I am not an idiot." He pauses. "Although I am certain that you shall […] survive and thrive. I'm banking on you to give me the whole story afterwards.""''</ref> and when to withhold or redact elements of a story to protect those involved.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Turn_in_the_Veteran_Privy_Councillor%27s_Confession Turn in the Veteran Privy Councillor's Confession, ''Fallen London''] "Scandal can touch all in Fallen London, but some are too powerful to be unseated by it. Were this confession to become public, it is not the Councillor who would suffer most. | |||
It seems Huffam agrees. There is not a breath of it in the next Gazette"</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Turn_in_the_Jovial_Contrarian%27s_Confession Turn in the Jovial Contrarian's Confession, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Contrarian is hardly the only member of Society with a less-than-illustrious past. Huffam has maintained their privacy; he'll protect the Contrarian too."''</ref> He is known to publish editorials that criticize both the criminal underworld<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Turn_in_the_Cheery_Man%27s_Confession Turn in the Cheery Man's Confession, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam has published many tirades against the criminals who feel they run parts of London."''</ref> and law enforcement.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Have_a_Legal_Document_drawn_up Have a Legal Document drawn up, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam tells his readers that the law is an ass."''</ref> Despite his sharp critiques, he is a man of moral character who steps in to help during disasters.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Get_yourself_to_safety Get yourself to safety, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam […] helping an old dame leap across a splintering chasm in the third-tier seating."''</ref> | |||
Huffam is an ardent patron of the arts—provided they are “improving” in nature, such as theatre.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Turn_in_the_Kashmiri_Princess%27_Confession Turn in the Kashmiri Princess' Confession, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam is a notorious patron of the arts he deems to be 'improving'."''</ref> He has progressive leanings in some areas, particularly in advocating for rats to be granted human rights and for the betterment of ratkind.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_best_form_of_defence The best form of defence, ''Fallen London''] ''"'Certain […] presses are under the impression that rats deserve the rights of humans, and that we should accept with open arms any foreigner who swaggers off a ship at Wolfstack...'"''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Arrange_an_interview_with_your_Scuttering_Scoundrels Arrange an interview with your Scuttering Scoundrels, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Gazette article is curious: Mr Huffam advocates for the formation of a Ratty Regiment. […]"''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Arrange_an_interview_with_your_Scuttering_Palace_Guard Arrange an interview with your Scuttering Palace Guard, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Gazette article is fulsome with praise […] Why, it opines, do more rats not follow their noble example?"''</ref> However, his worldview is not without contradictions. He is dismissive of foreigners—particularly [[Rubbery Men]]<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Tentacled_Entrepreneur_(Poll_3) The Tentacled Entrepreneur (Poll 3), ''Fallen London''] ''"It is unclear whether the Pollster is laughing at your choice, or the image that you presented to him[…] I'm looking forward to telling Mr Huffam that. He'll hate it." He thrusts out a bottle. "Don't let him know I said that, please!""''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Tentacled_Entrepreneur_(Poll_5) The Tentacled Entrepreneur (Poll 5), ''Fallen London''] ''"You'd trust a Rubbery Man to make you a drink? Have you seen what they eat and drink? […] His face has turned an unusual pink. […] Huffam's distress extends, perhaps, to more than just the Rubbery Man's tea-habits."''</ref>—and holds nationalist tendencies.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Arrange_an_interview_with_the_Ambassador_to_Arbor_(Injurious_Princess) Arrange an interview with the Ambassador to Arbor (Injurious Princess), ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam is condescending; the Princess is difficult. […]'' | |||
''The subsequent Gazette article argues London must make a stronger case for itself in international affairs."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Report_the_disclosures_of_the_Tortoise_Clan Report the disclosures of the Tortoise Clan, ''Fallen London''] ''"Patriotism aside, I always found the Khanate admirable."''</ref> Additionally, he harbors a deep distrust of scientists.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/F.F._Gebrandt_(Poll_5) F.F. Gebrandt (Poll 5), ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam is silent for a long moment. Then, "She's certainly the most obvious choice. But […]" He shakes his head. "Scientists. I can't bring myself to trust them. Those who mix work with business? Even more suspicious.""''</ref> | |||
His work extends to major events like [[Hallowmas]], where he investigates confessional rites and seeks insights from those involved.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Hallowmas_Edition The Hallowmas Edition, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam, editor of the'' Unexpurgated London Gazette'', has dusted off his old notebook to interview Hallowmas revellers. He's planning a special seasonal supplement. Surely he'd be honoured to interview someone of your calibre!"''</ref> Huffam despises interviewing certain figures, particularly [[The Jovial Contrarian]]<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Arrange_an_interview_with_the_Ambassador_to_Arbor_(Jovial_Contrarian) Arrange an interview with the Ambassador to Arbor (Yourself)], ''Fallen London "Mr Huffam lets out a long sigh. "I had managed to forget how much I hate this," he says as the Contrarian makes a case for and against greater involvement in Arbor's affairs."''</ref> and those taught his debating ways.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Arrange_an_interview_about_your_Debating_Lessons Arrange an interview about your Debating Lessons, ''Fallen London''] ''""A rather nice day, isn't it?" Mr Huffam begins the interview. […] You ask him to qualify what he means by 'nice' and 'rather' and 'day' and 'it'. Mr Huffam slumps into a seat with an expression of harassed horror."''</ref> Nevertheless, he has conducted personal interviews with a staggering variety of individuals (and creatures), including cats, dogs, spiders, rats, fish, weasels, monkeys, bats, tigers, mandrakes, criminals, priests, nuns, judges, mayors, and ambassadors, etc.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Unexpurgated_Gazette:_Hallowmas_Edition_of_1894 The Unexpurgated Gazette: Hallowmas Edition of 1894, ''Fallen London'']</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Unexpurgated_Gazette:_Hallowmas_Edition_of_1895 The Unexpurgated Gazette: Hallowmas Edition of 1895, ''Fallen London'']</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Unexpurgated_Gazette:_Hallowmas_Edition_of_1896 The Unexpurgated Gazette: Hallowmas Edition of 1896, ''Fallen London'']</ref> | |||
Though he takes care to remain neutral in political matters, Mr. Huffam’s true opinions sometimes bleed through his writing.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Turn_in_Sinning_Jenny%27s_Confession Turn in Sinning Jenny's Confession, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam is always neutral in political matters. This does not mean he does not have Views."''</ref> In past [[Lord Mayor of London|mayoral elections]], he conducted polls<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Pollster_Approaches! A Pollster Approaches!, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Huffam's legion of pollsters […] race through London, harrying honest passers-by with Election-related questions.'' | |||
''[…] "Hello! Just a simple question […] Which candidate would you most like to go for a drink down the Medusa's Head with?""''</ref> and published periodic results that shaped public discourse.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Read_the_dailies Read the dailies, ''Fallen London''] ''"This year, Mr Huffam is polling the public not on their voting intentions but on more personal matters regarding the Election.'' | |||
''Pollsters patrol London, looking to acquire views for Mr Huffam to express in his pages."''</ref> | |||
Beyond journalism, Mr. Huffam played a key role in uncovering the secrets of the '''Coilheart Games'''. When the '''Sixth Coil''' was purported to be opening, he called upon Londoners to report any information they had.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_the_card Examine the card, ''Fallen London''] ''"'INFORMATION WANTED: What's in the SIXTH COIL?''' | |||
''Good MONEY Paid for SOLID & PUBLISHABLE Leads!'' | |||
''Report EXCLUSIVELY to the Offices of the GAZETTE.'"''</ref> The sheer volume of leads exceeded his expectations.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discuss_your_recent_scramble_for_leads Discuss your recent scramble for leads, ''Fallen London''] ''""When I said 'do your worst'," says Huffam, "this isn't quite what I imagined." […]'' | |||
''"I believe in a free and vigorous press, and you were quite terrifyingly vigorous.""''</ref> | |||
Once he pieced together the truth behind the ''Tigers’'' plans for the games and the nature of the ''Sixth Coil'', Huffam wrote a damning exposé.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Read_the_front_page_(Good_Graces) Read the front page (Good Graces), ''Fallen London''] ''"'The Gazette can report [...] the truth of the [...] Sixth Coil [...]''' | |||
''[...] The Sixth Coil does not contain treasures, but [...] A union of enemies, royal tiger and serpent-of-the-glass [...] It requires sacrifice. And so [...] tributes are offered to the glass: the victors of the Coilheart Games."''</ref> He even accompanied the winners of the competition to confront the [[Tigers|Wakeful Eye]] delegation at the [[The Labyrinth of Tigers]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Conclude_the_front_page_story Conclude the front page story, ''Fallen London''] ''""Let's see them refute this," he cries. He is almost skipping as he leads his unlikely international investigation [...] towards the Labyrinth of Tigers."''</ref> In the aftermath, he was issued an injunction, but bypassed it by publishing the story as fiction, changing the names and details to evade censorship.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Mr_Huffam%27s_unpublished_expos%C3%A9 Mr Huffam's unpublished exposé, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Banded Prince and the Traitor Empress may have placed an injunction upon the Gazette, but you doubt Huffam will rest there. There's more than one way to break a story."''</ref> | |||
==A Historical Domain Character== | |||
Mr Huffam is a direct homage to the renowned Victorian author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens Charles John Huffam Dickens]. While the real Dickens passed away in 1870, Fallen London’s Huffam has outlived him by over 20 years, placing him well into his 80s. | |||
Dickens embodied a progressive spirit—campaigning for social reform, advocating for better conditions for London’s working class, denouncing child labor, and criticizing the powerful elite. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens#Later_life His compassion was exemplified in the Staplehurst rail crash], where he spent three hours tending to the survivors of the accident, offering comfort and aid until rescuers arrived. | |||
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_the_work_of_Charles_Dickens However, not all of Dickens’ views would be considered favorable today.] Like many authors of his time, he expressed sentiments in his writings that could be interpreted as racist or xenophobic. Though he never advocated for scientific racism, he harbored a deep antipathy toward non-European peoples and staunchly believed in their assimilation into Western culture. His progressivism was largely domestically focused. | |||
Mr Huffam reflects all of these qualities—progressive in some areas, deeply conservative in others. | |||
==References== | |||
{{Scroll box|text = <references/>}} | |||
Revision as of 07:49, 2 February 2025
Mr. Huffam is a distinguished figure in London's journalistic landscape,[1] serving as the editor of The Unexpurgated London Gazette.[2] His office is located in a townhouse between Doubt Street and Veilgarden.[3] His skills as a journalist are so well-regarded that even The Foreign Office occasionally seeks him out for information[4]—an arrangement that makes him acutely aware of their workings.[5]
A dedicated journalist, Huffam is relentless in his pursuit of the truth, hunting down the subjects of his stories with determination.[6] However, he also knows his limits[7][8] and when to withhold or redact elements of a story to protect those involved.[9][10] He is known to publish editorials that criticize both the criminal underworld[11] and law enforcement.[12] Despite his sharp critiques, he is a man of moral character who steps in to help during disasters.[13]
Huffam is an ardent patron of the arts—provided they are “improving” in nature, such as theatre.[14] He has progressive leanings in some areas, particularly in advocating for rats to be granted human rights and for the betterment of ratkind.[15][16][17] However, his worldview is not without contradictions. He is dismissive of foreigners—particularly Rubbery Men[18][19]—and holds nationalist tendencies.[20][21] Additionally, he harbors a deep distrust of scientists.[22]
His work extends to major events like Hallowmas, where he investigates confessional rites and seeks insights from those involved.[23] Huffam despises interviewing certain figures, particularly The Jovial Contrarian[24] and those taught his debating ways.[25] Nevertheless, he has conducted personal interviews with a staggering variety of individuals (and creatures), including cats, dogs, spiders, rats, fish, weasels, monkeys, bats, tigers, mandrakes, criminals, priests, nuns, judges, mayors, and ambassadors, etc.[26][27][28]
Though he takes care to remain neutral in political matters, Mr. Huffam’s true opinions sometimes bleed through his writing.[29] In past mayoral elections, he conducted polls[30] and published periodic results that shaped public discourse.[31]
Beyond journalism, Mr. Huffam played a key role in uncovering the secrets of the Coilheart Games. When the Sixth Coil was purported to be opening, he called upon Londoners to report any information they had.[32] The sheer volume of leads exceeded his expectations.[33]
Once he pieced together the truth behind the Tigers’ plans for the games and the nature of the Sixth Coil, Huffam wrote a damning exposé.[34] He even accompanied the winners of the competition to confront the Wakeful Eye delegation at the The Labyrinth of Tigers.[35] In the aftermath, he was issued an injunction, but bypassed it by publishing the story as fiction, changing the names and details to evade censorship.[36]
A Historical Domain Character
Mr Huffam is a direct homage to the renowned Victorian author Charles John Huffam Dickens. While the real Dickens passed away in 1870, Fallen London’s Huffam has outlived him by over 20 years, placing him well into his 80s.
Dickens embodied a progressive spirit—campaigning for social reform, advocating for better conditions for London’s working class, denouncing child labor, and criticizing the powerful elite. His compassion was exemplified in the Staplehurst rail crash, where he spent three hours tending to the survivors of the accident, offering comfort and aid until rescuers arrived.
However, not all of Dickens’ views would be considered favorable today. Like many authors of his time, he expressed sentiments in his writings that could be interpreted as racist or xenophobic. Though he never advocated for scientific racism, he harbored a deep antipathy toward non-European peoples and staunchly believed in their assimilation into Western culture. His progressivism was largely domestically focused.
Mr Huffam reflects all of these qualities—progressive in some areas, deeply conservative in others.
References
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