Curators: Difference between revisions
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<blockquote>''"The Masters wouldn't care for you saying so. But the wings, the arms and legs, all fit."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Declare_your_(Skeleton_Type)_a_completed_Curator|Declare your (Skeleton Type) a completed Curator|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>''"The Masters wouldn't care for you saying so. But the wings, the arms and legs, all fit."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Declare_your_(Skeleton_Type)_a_completed_Curator|Declare your (Skeleton Type) a completed Curator|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
While Curators have many things in common with their earthly counterparts, their wings | While Curators have many things in common with their earthly counterparts, their wings function as arms,<ref name="fallenlondon.wiki">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Declare_your_(Skeleton_Type)_a_completed_Curator|Declare your (Skeleton Type) a completed Curator|Fallen London}}''"The Masters wouldn't care for you saying so. But the wings, the arms and legs, all fit."''</ref> with clawed fingers at the ends<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Curator|Take a trophy|Sunless Skies|}} ''"You settle instead for a long-fingered claw."''</ref> that are articulated enough to hold and manipulate even delicate objects.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_prize|Ask about the prize|Fallen London|}} ''"Mr Pages has overwhelmed your favourite armchair, and is reading your newspaper, paying particular attention to the opinions of the salaried political columnists. When you ask your question, it folds the paper carefully, and thinks."''</ref> Some Curators are also known to possess horns,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/wiki/Abbey_Rock|Watch|Sunless Sea}}''"Its wings are the sky. Its horns and vanes blaze with scars."''</ref> or even semi-sentient teeth which can move independently from their owner.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Bite_like_Mr_Veils|Bite like Mr Veils|Fallen London}}''"Are your teeth sharp like a Vake's teeth? Are they free-moving? Do they seek hearts?"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Enter_the_compartment_-_with_the_Hideous_Promissory_Note|Enter the compartment - with the Hideous Promissory Note|Fallen London}}''"Mr Stones unhinges its jaws – and the bloody teeth that climb into the carriage proceed to climb into those jaws, re-inserting themselves into the Master's gums."''</ref> While they are typically massive, Curators can shrink in size to interact more properly with humans, but may also lose control of this ability when upset.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Light_Fingers:_Mr_Fires%27_Ultimatum_4|Light Fingers: Mr Fires' Ultimatum 4|Fallen London|}} ''"Mr Fires turns to you, its robes rippling as the body underneath unfolds. "Are we agreed?" It waits for your answer. Its shadow stretches up the sides of the pit, jagged and towering."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Refuse_its_offer|Refuse its offer|Fallen London|}} ''"For a moment, Mr Fires looms larger still. It twitches spasmodically. But then it masters itself."''</ref> | ||
Curators possess something called the '''Dual Nature''', the precise meaning of which is unclear. "Beasts" are not diminished by the lack of the Dual Nature, but "Trees" and Curators are.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/No_map_knows_the_place_you_go|No map knows the place you go|Fallen London}} ''"A Tree which lacks the Dual Nature is less. A Beast which lacks the Dual Nature is no less. This kind are not Trees, nor are they Beasts. Each Clutch has sometimes its Runt, who lacketh part of the Nature. Even the Runt has uses. Consider the Owl." [Editor's note: The runt of a clutch of owl chicks may be killed and eaten by its siblings if resources are scarce. This phenomenon occurs in a variety of other birds as well as mammals.]''</ref> Sometimes a clutch (litter) of Curators includes one that lacks a part of the Dual Nature, called a '''Runt'''.<ref name=":0" /> Runts are preyed upon by other Curators,<ref name=":0" /> who view them as weak,<ref name="seal">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_House_of_Rods_and_Chains#Mr_Barleycorn's_Belfry|Give Mr Barleycorn the Seal of Mr Menagerie|Sunless Skies}} ''"The Runt [...] "I confess, I am amazed it has survived. My master was not tolerant of its various weaknesses. Its single-mindedness; its cleaving to antiquated custom. How it chafed at its chains." Mr Barleycorn dips the seal in ink and presses it to paper. "Still. I am glad it has found new purpose. I'm pleased to hear it's doing well.""''</ref> and even the very notion of "runtery" is a crime in Curator society.<ref>{{Citation|https://www.failbettergames.com/news/a-secret-about-the-masters|A secret about the Masters|Failbetter Games|}} ''"Thirdly, we have an inkling about the reasons for their ignoble conditions, although no indication which applies to which Master. The circumstances given in A Rhyming Revelry are: [...] runtery, aberration [...]"''</ref> While it may be the case that Curator runts are physically smaller than their siblings,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Force_the_Convocation_tell_you_how_to_reach_the_Grave_of_Mirrors|Force the Convocation tell you how to reach the Grave of Mirrors|Fallen London|}} ''"The Convocation shrink back. "LET'S NOT BE HASTY," says the smallest one (which still towers above you)." [Editor's note: It is unclear whether this Master is Candles, but we have no reason to assume it isn't.]''</ref> a Curator's status as a runt does not appear to have any connection with gender or assigned sex: while [[Mr Candles]] uses he/him pronouns,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Tell_them_what_became_of_him|Tell them what became of him|Fallen London}} ''"They will find each mote of Candles. He is a wound, an absence, a decay [...] They look upon the remnants of the Runt; they grieve; they will not forget."''</ref> [[Mr Menagerie]] uses it/its pronouns.<ref name="seal" /> According to [[Mr Pages]], elderly Curators are more likely to bear only one child rather than a litter, and if a Curator only has one baby, that baby will be a Runt.<ref>{{Citation|https://maskoftherose.miraheze.org/wiki/Mr_Pages#Matchmaking|Mr Pages: Matchmaking|Mask of the Rose|}} ''"I am not yet so decrepitated as to have only one. A litter of one has only the runt! [...] If there were time for such distractions, and if I were disposed, and if it were the day appointed for the forming of families, I am still polyfructant!"''</ref> It is possible that Mr Candles was not the only Runt among the Masters, but the only source for this assertion is unreliable.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Convocation_of_Runts|The Convocation of Runts|Fallen London|}} ''"There are eleven; ten together, one alone. [...] Behind them, something massive looms in the dark of this high wilderness. It is too vast for you to make out its shape, this close. Spires hang in the gloom. Sigils flare on its skin." [Editor's note: This is within Mr Mirrors' dreams, showing the Masters making their deal with the Bazaar. Mirrors seems to be stepping into the shoes of Mr Candles in this dream, but the existence of more than one runt is nonetheless of interest.]''</ref> | Curators possess something called the '''Dual Nature''', the precise meaning of which is unclear. "Beasts" are not diminished by the lack of the Dual Nature, but "Trees" and Curators are.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/No_map_knows_the_place_you_go|No map knows the place you go|Fallen London}} ''"A Tree which lacks the Dual Nature is less. A Beast which lacks the Dual Nature is no less. This kind are not Trees, nor are they Beasts. Each Clutch has sometimes its Runt, who lacketh part of the Nature. Even the Runt has uses. Consider the Owl." [Editor's note: The runt of a clutch of owl chicks may be killed and eaten by its siblings if resources are scarce. This phenomenon occurs in a variety of other birds as well as mammals.]''</ref> Sometimes a clutch (litter) of Curators includes one that lacks a part of the Dual Nature, called a '''Runt'''.<ref name=":0" /> Runts are preyed upon by other Curators,<ref name=":0" /> who view them as weak,<ref name="seal">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_House_of_Rods_and_Chains#Mr_Barleycorn's_Belfry|Give Mr Barleycorn the Seal of Mr Menagerie|Sunless Skies}} ''"The Runt [...] "I confess, I am amazed it has survived. My master was not tolerant of its various weaknesses. Its single-mindedness; its cleaving to antiquated custom. How it chafed at its chains." Mr Barleycorn dips the seal in ink and presses it to paper. "Still. I am glad it has found new purpose. I'm pleased to hear it's doing well.""''</ref> and even the very notion of "runtery" is a crime in Curator society.<ref>{{Citation|https://www.failbettergames.com/news/a-secret-about-the-masters|A secret about the Masters|Failbetter Games|}} ''"Thirdly, we have an inkling about the reasons for their ignoble conditions, although no indication which applies to which Master. The circumstances given in A Rhyming Revelry are: [...] runtery, aberration [...]"''</ref> While it may be the case that Curator runts are physically smaller than their siblings,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Force_the_Convocation_tell_you_how_to_reach_the_Grave_of_Mirrors|Force the Convocation tell you how to reach the Grave of Mirrors|Fallen London|}} ''"The Convocation shrink back. "LET'S NOT BE HASTY," says the smallest one (which still towers above you)." [Editor's note: It is unclear whether this Master is Candles, but we have no reason to assume it isn't.]''</ref> a Curator's status as a runt does not appear to have any connection with gender or assigned sex: while [[Mr Candles]] uses he/him pronouns,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Tell_them_what_became_of_him|Tell them what became of him|Fallen London}} ''"They will find each mote of Candles. He is a wound, an absence, a decay [...] They look upon the remnants of the Runt; they grieve; they will not forget."''</ref> [[Mr Menagerie]] uses it/its pronouns.<ref name="seal" /> According to [[Mr Pages]], elderly Curators are more likely to bear only one child rather than a litter, and if a Curator only has one baby, that baby will be a Runt.<ref>{{Citation|https://maskoftherose.miraheze.org/wiki/Mr_Pages#Matchmaking|Mr Pages: Matchmaking|Mask of the Rose|}} ''"I am not yet so decrepitated as to have only one. A litter of one has only the runt! [...] If there were time for such distractions, and if I were disposed, and if it were the day appointed for the forming of families, I am still polyfructant!"''</ref> It is possible that Mr Candles was not the only Runt among the Masters, but the only source for this assertion is unreliable.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Convocation_of_Runts|The Convocation of Runts|Fallen London|}} ''"There are eleven; ten together, one alone. [...] Behind them, something massive looms in the dark of this high wilderness. It is too vast for you to make out its shape, this close. Spires hang in the gloom. Sigils flare on its skin." [Editor's note: This is within Mr Mirrors' dreams, showing the Masters making their deal with the Bazaar. Mirrors seems to be stepping into the shoes of Mr Candles in this dream, but the existence of more than one runt is nonetheless of interest.]''</ref> |
Revision as of 06:11, 25 February 2025
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"Intelligent, locomotive-sized chiroptera, able to pry an engine apart with their claws, or pummel it with their hellish shrieks. Curators accumulate hoards, which they guard violently. Each hoard collects artefacts or creatures themed to the Curator’s particular obsession."[1]
Curators are a race of space bats that hoard treasures in the High Wilderness.
An Anatomy Lesson
"The Masters wouldn't care for you saying so. But the wings, the arms and legs, all fit."[2]
While Curators have many things in common with their earthly counterparts, their wings function as arms,[3] with clawed fingers at the ends[4] that are articulated enough to hold and manipulate even delicate objects.[5] Some Curators are also known to possess horns,[6] or even semi-sentient teeth which can move independently from their owner.[7][8] While they are typically massive, Curators can shrink in size to interact more properly with humans, but may also lose control of this ability when upset.[9][10]
Curators possess something called the Dual Nature, the precise meaning of which is unclear. "Beasts" are not diminished by the lack of the Dual Nature, but "Trees" and Curators are.[11] Sometimes a clutch (litter) of Curators includes one that lacks a part of the Dual Nature, called a Runt.[11] Runts are preyed upon by other Curators,[11] who view them as weak,[12] and even the very notion of "runtery" is a crime in Curator society.[13] While it may be the case that Curator runts are physically smaller than their siblings,[14] a Curator's status as a runt does not appear to have any connection with gender or assigned sex: while Mr Candles uses he/him pronouns,[15] Mr Menagerie uses it/its pronouns.[12] According to Mr Pages, elderly Curators are more likely to bear only one child rather than a litter, and if a Curator only has one baby, that baby will be a Runt.[16] It is possible that Mr Candles was not the only Runt among the Masters, but the only source for this assertion is unreliable.[17]
Like other bats, Curators are sensitive to sound; they can even enter a state of intoxication when exposed to music.[18][19]
Merciless Pedlar-Magnates
"Once, we gathered here. We held our bargains and boasted of our chiefs. Our bands displayed the finest of goods. Our magnanimity was sharp as knives. All knew our worth. Then the light came. They made of our grounds sport. A dancing place. A laughing place. They made bargains of their own."[20]

Each Curator possesses an inherent desire to acquire and hoard a given thing.[21] This obsession is present even before birth; in fact, an expecting parent Curator can experience its child's obsession as a unique form of pregnancy cravings.[22]
Curators spend much of their time alone or in small groups called flocks,[23] traveling and hunting in the High Wilderness, but occasionally they congregate in large numbers to trade and socialize.[24] During these gatherings, they follow a strict calendar called the Order of Days that determines their activities:
- The Day of the Hunt, a time for killing lesser creatures and showing off trophies.[25]
- The Day of the Feast, a time for eating and socializing.[26]
- The Day of Council, a time for discussions and debates.[27]
- The Day of Bargain, a time for trading.[28]
- The Day of Slaughter, a time for murder between Curators.[29]
Some Curators become very successful during their long lives, achieving the ranks of band leaders and magnates amongst their comrades.[24][30]
Crimes and Messengers
"Charity is a crime. The punishment severe."[20]
Curator society is harsh, and there are many actions and situations which can result in ostracism of an individual.[31] Some of these include:
- Hoarding
- Light-bringing
- "Impersonation, and the delivery of false testimony"
- "Perpetration of the crimes of knife and of candle"
- "Idleness, and the dwelling-on of dreams"
- "Runtery, aberration"
- Pursuit of a Treachery
- "Failure and defeat; a fall from king to beggar"
- Glass-whispering
- Charity[32]
- Truth-strangling
- "Violation of the Order of Days, 'which determines the hour of the hunt, the feast, the council, the bargain, and the slaughter'"
Outcast Curators sometimes enter into servitude to Messengers, for protection and a chance to escape their previous misfortune.[33][34] One such group can be found serving the Echo Bazaar in the Neath.[33] A different flock once served the House of Rods and Chains, although they have been disbanded since its death.[35]
References
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