F.F. Gebrandt: Difference between revisions
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Gebrandt is very confident in her ability to overcome her own biases and act against her own self-interest, and claims that her election opponents would not even admit to theirs.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_F.F._Gebrandt_if_the_Mayorship_wouldn't_be_a_conflict_of_interest|Ask F.F. Gebrandt if the Mayorship wouldn't be a conflict of interest|Fallen London|}} ''""I can't deny that I could use it to advance my personal work. Indeed, my belief in what would benefit the town is certainly influenced by my own interests. But I think you'll find the other candidates haven't the introspection even to realise this. Which means that they cannot resist their biases. I can, and will.""''</ref> She views [[Parabola]] as antithetical to scientific principles; thanks to her refusal to engage with it, her Parabolan reflection remains identical to her real self.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Employ_the_Reflection_of_F.F._Gebrandt Employ the Reflection of F.F. Gebrandt, ''Fallen London''] ''"F.F. Gebrandt – You can't for the life of you tell how her reflection is unlike herself; it is uncanny – vibrates with impatience. She doesn't like Parabola one bit.''"</ref> | Gebrandt is very confident in her ability to overcome her own biases and act against her own self-interest, and claims that her election opponents would not even admit to theirs.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_F.F._Gebrandt_if_the_Mayorship_wouldn't_be_a_conflict_of_interest|Ask F.F. Gebrandt if the Mayorship wouldn't be a conflict of interest|Fallen London|}} ''""I can't deny that I could use it to advance my personal work. Indeed, my belief in what would benefit the town is certainly influenced by my own interests. But I think you'll find the other candidates haven't the introspection even to realise this. Which means that they cannot resist their biases. I can, and will.""''</ref> She views [[Parabola]] as antithetical to scientific principles; thanks to her refusal to engage with it, her Parabolan reflection remains identical to her real self.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Employ_the_Reflection_of_F.F._Gebrandt Employ the Reflection of F.F. Gebrandt, ''Fallen London''] ''"F.F. Gebrandt – You can't for the life of you tell how her reflection is unlike herself; it is uncanny – vibrates with impatience. She doesn't like Parabola one bit.''"</ref> | ||
== Paleontological Prominence == | == Paleontological Prominence == | ||
<blockquote>''"I'm going to nurture the flame of London's imagination. Provide palaeontological education – to start with, a museum to learn from and contribute to. Encourage explorations, help Londoners discover things that have never been seen before. As they grow addicted to the joy of discovery, London shall learn, and rise up on its newfound knowledge."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discover_her_plans_for_London_(F.F._Gebrandt)|Discover her plans for London (F.F. Gebrandt)|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>In addition to her passion for chemistry, Gebrandt's keen interest in paleontology<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Get_her_opinion_on_your_research Get her opinion on your research, ''Fallen London''] ''"F.F. Gebrandt is keenly interested in palaeontology, and is not afraid to bring her many hypotheses to bear on your present study."''</ref> became a significant focus of her 1898 campaign for [[Lord Mayor of London]]. Running under the slogan "Science Serving Society," her platform emphasized the use of scientific advancements to benefit the city's populace.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_F.F._Gebrandt%27s_platform Learn more about F.F. Gebrandt's platform, ''Fallen London''] ''"London is on the cusp of a breakthrough, and, as Mayor, I can ensure that it happens. [...] I cannot currently reveal it – I'm in the process of applying for a patent. But I'm aware of a recent enthusiasm in London for palaeontology. I couldn't miss the possibilities of combining my discovery with those of the palaeontologists."''</ref> She proposed the establishment of a museum dedicated to paleontology, in order to encourage curiosity and discovery<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discover_her_plans_for_London_(F.F._Gebrandt) Discover her plans for London (F.F. Gebrandt), ''Fallen London''] ''"I'm going to nurture the flame of London's imagination. Provide palaeontological education – to start with, a museum to learn from and contribute to. Encourage explorations, help Londoners discover things that have never been seen before. As they grow addicted to the joy of discovery, London shall learn, and rise up on its newfound knowledge."''</ref> — but her grander ambitions involved reviving extinct creatures (though not "bringing dinosaurs back"<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_F.F._Gebrandt%27s_platform Learn more about F.F. Gebrandt's platform, ''Fallen London''] ''"Will she really bring dinosaurs to London? Wouldn't that be hugely dangerous? "That's getting a little ahead. [...] I do promise that I'd enable advances in the palaeontological field. And I'll raise the influence of scientists in society. At the expense of traditionalists, some of whom hold far too much sway over all of us.""''</ref>) to ease the burdens of the working class, a distinctly [[The Tracklayer's Union#The Prehistoricists|Prehistoricist]] ideal.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/F.F._Gebrandt_(Election_Candidate) F.F. Gebrandt (Election Candidate), ''Fallen London''] ''""We will start with a museum, but that's only the beginning. I am in the process of developing a new formula." She has been inspired by the new passion for palaeontology and believes that she will, eventually, be able to supplement skeletons with living muscles. "It will revolutionise industry! Relieve the working classes!" [...] living extinct beasts will 'surely be the next step'."''</ref> Gebrandt's campaign was managed by a notable Aunt and a formidable squad of spinsters.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Choose_F.F._Gebrandt_as_your_candidate Choose F.F. Gebrandt as your candidate, ''Fallen London''] ''"Your Aunt is managing F.F. Gebrandt's campaign. She marshals a squad of spinsters […] Even constables quail before them, letting them stick posters up in entirely illegal places.'' | <blockquote>''"I'm going to nurture the flame of London's imagination. Provide palaeontological education – to start with, a museum to learn from and contribute to. Encourage explorations, help Londoners discover things that have never been seen before. As they grow addicted to the joy of discovery, London shall learn, and rise up on its newfound knowledge."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discover_her_plans_for_London_(F.F._Gebrandt)|Discover her plans for London (F.F. Gebrandt)|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
[[File:Dinosaurskull.png|thumb|An enormous dinosaur skull.]] | |||
In addition to her passion for chemistry, Gebrandt's keen interest in paleontology<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Get_her_opinion_on_your_research Get her opinion on your research, ''Fallen London''] ''"F.F. Gebrandt is keenly interested in palaeontology, and is not afraid to bring her many hypotheses to bear on your present study."''</ref> became a significant focus of her 1898 campaign for [[Lord Mayor of London]]. Running under the slogan "Science Serving Society," her platform emphasized the use of scientific advancements to benefit the city's populace.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_F.F._Gebrandt%27s_platform Learn more about F.F. Gebrandt's platform, ''Fallen London''] ''"London is on the cusp of a breakthrough, and, as Mayor, I can ensure that it happens. [...] I cannot currently reveal it – I'm in the process of applying for a patent. But I'm aware of a recent enthusiasm in London for palaeontology. I couldn't miss the possibilities of combining my discovery with those of the palaeontologists."''</ref> She proposed the establishment of a museum dedicated to paleontology, in order to encourage curiosity and discovery<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discover_her_plans_for_London_(F.F._Gebrandt) Discover her plans for London (F.F. Gebrandt), ''Fallen London''] ''"I'm going to nurture the flame of London's imagination. Provide palaeontological education – to start with, a museum to learn from and contribute to. Encourage explorations, help Londoners discover things that have never been seen before. As they grow addicted to the joy of discovery, London shall learn, and rise up on its newfound knowledge."''</ref> — but her grander ambitions involved reviving extinct creatures (though not "bringing dinosaurs back"<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_F.F._Gebrandt%27s_platform Learn more about F.F. Gebrandt's platform, ''Fallen London''] ''"Will she really bring dinosaurs to London? Wouldn't that be hugely dangerous? "That's getting a little ahead. [...] I do promise that I'd enable advances in the palaeontological field. And I'll raise the influence of scientists in society. At the expense of traditionalists, some of whom hold far too much sway over all of us.""''</ref>) to ease the burdens of the working class, a distinctly [[The Tracklayer's Union#The Prehistoricists|Prehistoricist]] ideal.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/F.F._Gebrandt_(Election_Candidate) F.F. Gebrandt (Election Candidate), ''Fallen London''] ''""We will start with a museum, but that's only the beginning. I am in the process of developing a new formula." She has been inspired by the new passion for palaeontology and believes that she will, eventually, be able to supplement skeletons with living muscles. "It will revolutionise industry! Relieve the working classes!" [...] living extinct beasts will 'surely be the next step'."''</ref> Gebrandt's campaign was managed by a notable Aunt and a formidable squad of spinsters.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Choose_F.F._Gebrandt_as_your_candidate Choose F.F. Gebrandt as your candidate, ''Fallen London''] ''"Your Aunt is managing F.F. Gebrandt's campaign. She marshals a squad of spinsters […] Even constables quail before them, letting them stick posters up in entirely illegal places.'' | |||
''[…] Your Aunt herself pins the rosette to your collar […]"''</ref> | ''[…] Your Aunt herself pins the rosette to your collar […]"''</ref> | ||
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''You wonder aloud if she has any regrets. "Regrets? I failed, I suppose. I don't really think of it in those terms. Maybe London failed me. Maybe we failed each other."''</ref> | ''You wonder aloud if she has any regrets. "Regrets? I failed, I suppose. I don't really think of it in those terms. Maybe London failed me. Maybe we failed each other."''</ref> | ||
== The Museum of Prelapsarian History == | == The Museum of Prelapsarian History == | ||
<blockquote>''"F.F. Gebrandt CORDIALLY INVITES All Londoners to participate in the Raising of a New Museum of Prelapsarian History & accompanying Exhibition, to put on Display Curiosities Historical, Palaeontological, & Philosophical."''<ref>{{Citation|https://www.failbettergames.com/news/f-f-gebrandts-prelapsarian-exhibition|F.F. Gebrandt's Prelapsarian Exhibition|Failbetter Games|}}</ref></blockquote>Despite her electoral defeat, Gebrandt fulfilled one of her campaign promises two years later. In the summer of the second year of 1899, she spearheaded the establishment of the '''Museum of Prelapsarian History''' in [[Veilgarden]]. This initiative, known as the '''Prelapsarian Exhibition''', invited Londoners to transform an abandoned estate into a museum and contribute exhibits of historical, paleontological, and philosophical significance.<ref>[https://www.failbettergames.com/news/f-f-gebrandts-prelapsarian-exhibition F.F. Gebrandt's Prelapsarian Exhibition, ''Failbetter Games''] ''"F.F. Gebrandt CORDIALLY INVITES All Londoners to participate in the Raising of a New Museum of Prelapsarian History & accompanying Exhibition, to put on Display Curiosities Historical, Palaeontological, & Philosophical."''</ref>[[File: | <blockquote>''"F.F. Gebrandt CORDIALLY INVITES All Londoners to participate in the Raising of a New Museum of Prelapsarian History & accompanying Exhibition, to put on Display Curiosities Historical, Palaeontological, & Philosophical."''<ref>{{Citation|https://www.failbettergames.com/news/f-f-gebrandts-prelapsarian-exhibition|F.F. Gebrandt's Prelapsarian Exhibition|Failbetter Games|}}</ref></blockquote>Despite her electoral defeat, Gebrandt fulfilled one of her campaign promises two years later. In the summer of the second year of 1899, she spearheaded the establishment of the '''Museum of Prelapsarian History''' in [[Veilgarden]]. This initiative, known as the '''Prelapsarian Exhibition''', invited Londoners to transform an abandoned estate into a museum and contribute exhibits of historical, paleontological, and philosophical significance.<ref>[https://www.failbettergames.com/news/f-f-gebrandts-prelapsarian-exhibition F.F. Gebrandt's Prelapsarian Exhibition, ''Failbetter Games''] ''"F.F. Gebrandt CORDIALLY INVITES All Londoners to participate in the Raising of a New Museum of Prelapsarian History & accompanying Exhibition, to put on Display Curiosities Historical, Palaeontological, & Philosophical."''</ref> | ||
[[File:Exhibition.png|thumb|F.F. Gebrandt's Museum of Prelapsarian History]] | |||
Under the directive of the [[Empress]], Gebrandt constructed a time machine of sorts,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch_as_Gebrandt_explains_her_machine|Watch as Gebrandt explains her machine|Fallen London|}} ''"The stone body of the Salt Lions accumulates time like a mortal body accumulates heavy metals. It is a toxicological phenomenon. [...] We are able to separate out the relevant principles through dialysis, making certain segments of the past available to us."''</ref> designed to summon an apparition of the [[The Royal Family|Prince Consort]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch,_yet_more_furtively|Watch, yet more furtively|Fallen London|}} ''"The Consort – whether that is the real man or a shadow conjured up from the fog – has cornered himself against the walls in fear. He pleads with the Empress in ragged German, and she pleads back with him – soothing and begging."''</ref> When the machine overloaded, she attempted to intervene, but was stopped by the lovelorn and grieving Empress.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Watch,_yet_more_furtively Watch, yet more furtively, ''Fallen London''] ''""I am turning the machine off," yells Gebrandt – for the first time you notice the dull hum that has filled the room, making it hard to hear her speak. For the first time, the Empress acknowledges her with a hiss: "We forbid it!""''</ref> The resulting malfunction led to the sudden appearance of [[Second City]] structures in [[London]] and unleashed ushabtiu — animated stone constructs — throughout the city, causing widespread chaos.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Careful_Stroll_Around_the_Neighbourhood A Careful Stroll Around the Neighbourhood, ''Fallen London'']</ref> Gebrandt quickly took control of the situation, manufacturing vast quantities of a specially formulated perfume.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Cover_your_nose Cover your nose, ''Fallen London''] ''"The scent is heady – borne aloft by ethanol. [...] "I've made enough to clear out the immediate vicinity of the museum. But with some help, I could scale up to industrial quantities. Enough to manage all of London.""'' </ref> With the help of the citizenry,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hear_her_call_to_action Hear her call to action, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] one must make the obvious connection to the emergence of prelapsarian architecture around London."'' ''[…] "To fight this new menace, we must understand it. […] I have some ideas. But most of the knowledge we need is out there – I need your help finding it.""''</ref> she used the perfume to lure the ushabtiu through a great mirror into [[Parabola]], before smashing the mirror to prevent their escape.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stay_and_watch_what_happens Stay and watch what happens, ''Fallen London''] ''"Gebrandt is holding a large steel mallet. She counts a few seconds [...] When no more ushabtiu materialize, she swings the hammer. The mirror [...] shatters into a million little pieces. A wave of catharsis washes over the [...] members of the investigation."''</ref> | |||
When questioned at the [[Fruits of the Zee Festival]] about her involvement in the incident, Gebrandt deflected responsibility, blaming the Empress' intervention as discreetly as possible to avoid legal trouble.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Listen_for_F.F.%27s_answer Listen for F.F.'s answer, ''Fallen London''] ''"It is regrettable that the museum's opening has been tarnished in this manner, but the events in question had very little to do with the Exhibition itself, being largely perpetuated by" – she pulls herself back from the brink of treason – "third parties, and solved by science and experimentation. The museum is a successful monument to curiosity and knowledge, and one which I stand behind wholeheartedly."''</ref> | When questioned at the [[Fruits of the Zee Festival]] about her involvement in the incident, Gebrandt deflected responsibility, blaming the Empress' intervention as discreetly as possible to avoid legal trouble.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Listen_for_F.F.%27s_answer Listen for F.F.'s answer, ''Fallen London''] ''"It is regrettable that the museum's opening has been tarnished in this manner, but the events in question had very little to do with the Exhibition itself, being largely perpetuated by" – she pulls herself back from the brink of treason – "third parties, and solved by science and experimentation. The museum is a successful monument to curiosity and knowledge, and one which I stand behind wholeheartedly."''</ref> | ||
Revision as of 05:14, 7 February 2025
"General consensus has it that she is Fallen London's greatest chemist. A substantial minority would say she is the city's most shrewd industrialist."[1]
F.F. Gebrandt is widely regarded as London's greatest chemist and industrialist.
The Polymath
"F.F. Gebrandt is a valuable sounding-board, gently pushing and pulling on you until you reach your conclusions. Even if this is not her field of study, she has an ease for recalling facts and making connections."[2]
F.F. Gebrandt is a pioneer of scientific progress who constantly strives to refine her products and formulas.[3] She believes that "science is a team pursuit" and rejects the notion of the lone genius, advocating instead for collaboration as the means of advancing society.[4] She manages numerous business ventures, including her recent enterprise offering airship tours to the Roof of the Neath,[5] and maintains extensive connections.[6][7]
An active public figure, Gebrandt is the inventor of several renowned products which often bear her name. These include medicines like Tincture of Vigour and Superior Laudanum, food and drinks,[8][9] industrial products and gear,[10][11] and esoteric novelties like her Patent Neathoscope: a prism that displays the colors of the Neathbow.[12] She is an occasional guest at the University[13] and runs an advice column, though she sometimes uses the latter to self-promote[14][15] and sometimes hires ghostwriters.[16] She has also founded a "church," though it functions more as a gathering place for academics rather than a site of worship.[17]
Her laboratory on the outskirts of the city is her home base for experiments and a meeting point with those who pique her interest.[18] Gebrandt once had a business partnership with Mr Wines,[19] and is familiar with Mr Spices' health status.[20] The Masters of the Bazaar still bother her for her expertise,[21] but she dislikes them greatly[22] and has no qualms about divulging their trade secrets.[19] It is implied that the Masters backed her rapid rise to prominence, but their coercion — particularly in forcing her to develop a love potion, which she deliberately sabotaged — led to her departure.[23]
Gebrandt is in a platonic marriage of convenience with her best friend, ensuring that societal expectations do not hinder her scientific pursuits.[24] As a result, she is unbothered by dalliances outside of marriage.[25] She implies fond remembrance of the Regretful Soldier; they may have had a relationship at one point.[26]
Gebrandt is very confident in her ability to overcome her own biases and act against her own self-interest, and claims that her election opponents would not even admit to theirs.[27] She views Parabola as antithetical to scientific principles; thanks to her refusal to engage with it, her Parabolan reflection remains identical to her real self.[28]
Paleontological Prominence
"I'm going to nurture the flame of London's imagination. Provide palaeontological education – to start with, a museum to learn from and contribute to. Encourage explorations, help Londoners discover things that have never been seen before. As they grow addicted to the joy of discovery, London shall learn, and rise up on its newfound knowledge."[29]
In addition to her passion for chemistry, Gebrandt's keen interest in paleontology[30] became a significant focus of her 1898 campaign for Lord Mayor of London. Running under the slogan "Science Serving Society," her platform emphasized the use of scientific advancements to benefit the city's populace.[31] She proposed the establishment of a museum dedicated to paleontology, in order to encourage curiosity and discovery[32] — but her grander ambitions involved reviving extinct creatures (though not "bringing dinosaurs back"[33]) to ease the burdens of the working class, a distinctly Prehistoricist ideal.[34] Gebrandt's campaign was managed by a notable Aunt and a formidable squad of spinsters.[35]
In a bid to rally support, she campaigned at the Bone Market[36] and distributed electrostatic machines to her supporters.[37] She ultimately lost to the Viscountess of the Viric Jungle,[38] which she considered a failure on both her part and London's.[39]
The Museum of Prelapsarian History
"F.F. Gebrandt CORDIALLY INVITES All Londoners to participate in the Raising of a New Museum of Prelapsarian History & accompanying Exhibition, to put on Display Curiosities Historical, Palaeontological, & Philosophical."[40]
Despite her electoral defeat, Gebrandt fulfilled one of her campaign promises two years later. In the summer of the second year of 1899, she spearheaded the establishment of the Museum of Prelapsarian History in Veilgarden. This initiative, known as the Prelapsarian Exhibition, invited Londoners to transform an abandoned estate into a museum and contribute exhibits of historical, paleontological, and philosophical significance.[41]
Under the directive of the Empress, Gebrandt constructed a time machine of sorts,[42] designed to summon an apparition of the Prince Consort.[43] When the machine overloaded, she attempted to intervene, but was stopped by the lovelorn and grieving Empress.[44] The resulting malfunction led to the sudden appearance of Second City structures in London and unleashed ushabtiu — animated stone constructs — throughout the city, causing widespread chaos.[45] Gebrandt quickly took control of the situation, manufacturing vast quantities of a specially formulated perfume.[46] With the help of the citizenry,[47] she used the perfume to lure the ushabtiu through a great mirror into Parabola, before smashing the mirror to prevent their escape.[48]
When questioned at the Fruits of the Zee Festival about her involvement in the incident, Gebrandt deflected responsibility, blaming the Empress' intervention as discreetly as possible to avoid legal trouble.[49]
References
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