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| ==References== | | ==References== |
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The Shopkeeper in Viric, as the epithet suggests, wears a Viric suit—an attire that allows them to blend into any social situation and smooth over any irregularities someone might notice about them[1]—and is in the business of crafting and selling dreams of marriages.[2]
Every year, during the Feast of the Exceptional Rose, they set up shop in Veilgarden, offering bespoke trance-dreams of marriage with a selection of individuals who have consented to their image being used in this way: Mr Wines, Sinning Jenny, The Cheery Man, The Gracious Widow, The Bishop of Southwark. [2]
These dreams construct an illusion of what it would be like to have these figures as spouses. Customers can even specify the nature of their dream-marriage—whether it be harmonious or strained, homelife or business.[3] To partake in these experiences, customers receive three green tablets and a green pendant. To induce the trance, they must place a tablet under their tongue and gaze at the pendant before sleep.[4]
At any other time of year, the Shopkeeper’s business is hidden away in The Viric Jungle,[5] where they gather ingredients[6] and go about doing market research[1] in preparation for the next Feast. They are coy about their financial backers,[1] but signs point toward The Masters of the Bazaar.[7][5]
They live with the Viscountess in London,[8] and the two share a long history. The Shopkeeper managed the Viscountess’ mayoral campaign in 1898[9] and acted as her amanuensis.[10]
Their bond runs deep. When the Viscountess was a kitten, she was captured by the Fingerkings and imprisoned within the Entanglement of Glass, a prison of mirrors. The Shopkeeper found her and won her trust, convincing her that escape was possible. However, there was one obstacle: her captor, the Fingerking that trapped her in the first place, known as The Sliver of Treaties.[11]
To free her, the Shopkeeper devised a daring plan. Using their knowledge of Parabola, they strengthened their own reflection, feeding it until it became independent. The intent was to lure the Fingerking into the glass, tricking it into capturing the reflection instead of the real Shopkeeper. The plan worked—but too well. The Fingerking was drawn in, but the Shopkeeper’s reflection had become too strong. Instead of being trapped, it escaped into the world, while the real Shopkeeper was left behind, imprisoned somewhere in the Neath.[12]
With the real Shopkeeper lost, their reflection took action. It traveled to the Viric Jungle, shattered one of the mirrors that held the Viscountess captive, and helped her escape.[13] Since then, this reflection has remained her ally and friend.
The Shopkeeper was taught the Glasswork arts by the Ophidian Gentleman[12] and further still by the Viscountess after she was rescued.[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 See what gossip you can get out of the Shopkeeper in Viric, Fallen London "They move easily from one room to the next; every kind of partygoer acts as though they entirely belong here."
"The Shopkeeper politely explains their business: they create dreams of lasting love, for sale during the Feast of the Exceptional Rose. "Not the same as a true wedding, of course. But a comfort to some."
"In fact, that is why I am here tonight," they say. "It is common for people to come here with a companion. I observe the ones who are disappointed, disgruntled, lonely; those for whom there is no ideal companion, or those whose current companion has not grown alongside them. A matter of investigating the market."
But if you try to press them about their other plans, their associations with the Fingerkings, or their sources of financial backing, they prove always to have their mouth full of chanterelle puff, and tragically unable to reply."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 An Arranger of Nuptial Phantasies, Fallen London
- ↑ Customisation of your viric dream, Fallen London
- ↑ Require a happy home life, Fallen London
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ask the Shopkeeper in Viric about the purpose of these stories, Fallen London ""Viric is the colour of the outskirts of Parabola[…] where I keep this shop, when it cannot […] be in London." […]
"A viric trance is more than a daydream, less than sleep. Safer than honey. […] Both Mr Wines and Mr Spices wanted to superintend. […]"
- ↑ Greet an old acquaintance, Fallen London "They recognise you, and straighten up. "A pleasure!" […] "Just gathering a few ingredients in advance of the next feast. You understand."
They look a little uncomfortable […] they are wearing a tiny snake as a tie.
"I'll see you back in London," they say […]"
- ↑ The Shopkeeper's Marquee of Mystification, Fallen London "As the Masters are preoccupied with the treasures being extracted from the ground, the Shopkeeper in Viric has taken over the Marquee. "By the request of Mr Mirrors," they claim. "What are you buying?""
- ↑ The Viscountess of the Viric Jungle (Learn more about the Candidates 1898), Fallen London "In London, she domiciles with a certain Shopkeeper. In Parabola, she claims she guards the battlefields. What draws her from that sacred duty to enter the political fray?"
- ↑ The Viscountess of the Viric Jungle (Choose your Candidate 1898), Fallen London "The Shopkeeper in Viric bursts out […] "Sorry for the delay. Attaching one of these to a tiger is, ah... tricky." They pin the rosette onto your lapel."
- ↑ Arrange for the Lord Mayor to send a Christmas Card to an Acquaintance 2 (50 FATE), Fallen London "A simple cat in London, feline aristocracy in Parabola, the Viscountess is 'Defending Your Dreams'. She will lead Londoners to war in Parabola, enabling them to finally get a good night's sleep."
- ↑ Approach the reflection, Fallen London "A child looks out at you […] Their hair is grey, their clothing green […]
"The Shopkeeper found me in my captivity here […] I think they dreamed too far […]
[…] the Shopkeeper […] won my trust. Convinced me that rescue was possible. Only my captor stood between us.""
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Ask about the child's reflection, Fallen London "A sacrifice, a shame," the Viscountess says, her voice small. "They found their way here aided by another. Who taught them the arts of reflection and of entrapment in the Galleries, in exchange for a promise of assistance in the future. A debt that has yet to be called."
"Seeing my captivity, the Shopkeeper was overcome with the injustice of it. Using their learning, they fed their reflection well, so that it was strong. They meant to use it as a lure, an enticement to my captor. It worked: the Fingerking entered the glass as planned, intent upon the reflection."
"Only, the reflection was too strong. The reflection went free. The Shopkeeper did not. They remain locked away, in a sealed place in the Neath. I know not where. The Shopkeeper's Reflection helped me escape, and has been my friend ever since."
- ↑ Ask how she escaped, Fallen London ""The Shopkeeper found their way here through the Viric Jungle. They shattered one of the mirrors. Freed of my reflections, clarity returned. I effected my escape, with the Shopkeeper at my side." The Viscountess sighs. "Or part of them, at least.""
- ↑ Ask about the Shopkeeper in Viric, Fallen London "The Viscountess does not pretend to misunderstand your meaning. "The Shopkeeper rescued me from torment when I was a kitten. Their heart is good, and they have been justly repaid. Who do you think taught them the way through the mirror?"
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