The Shroud: Difference between revisions
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The Shroud specializes in sabotaging the Glass,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sabotaging_an_illusion Sabotaging an illusion, Fallen London] ''"It is a Saturday night. You are backstage at Mahogany Hall. Henry Peppercorn is about to unveil a new illusion, one that's been months in the making. […] He's due on stage shortly, and you'll be ready to ruin his act."''</ref> frequently disrupting their rivals' performances by unraveling illusions and exposing deceptions.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sabotage_tonight%27s_show Sabotage tonight's show ''Fallen London''] ''"The magician relies on a Fingerking. [...] Pounce on it behind the mirror, when it is distracted, and it offers no contest. The illusion fails [...]. Tonight, he will sever his association with the Glass, and in the morning befriend the Shroud – or take up the profession of accounting. [...] The cats are even more than usually smug as you stalk back across the rooftops of London."''</ref> However, they face a constant struggle, operating at a disadvantage in both funding and security.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Magician%27s_Dream The Magician's Dream, ''Fallen London''] ''"As you know, we cannot compete with the compensation and protection that the Glass offers you. If you were to work with us against your former colleagues, we could not guarantee the safety of you or your sister. All we can offer is the knowledge that you would be contributing – if only slightly – towards righting perhaps the Neath's greatest wrong."''</ref> | The Shroud specializes in sabotaging the Glass,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sabotaging_an_illusion Sabotaging an illusion, Fallen London] ''"It is a Saturday night. You are backstage at Mahogany Hall. Henry Peppercorn is about to unveil a new illusion, one that's been months in the making. […] He's due on stage shortly, and you'll be ready to ruin his act."''</ref> frequently disrupting their rivals' performances by unraveling illusions and exposing deceptions.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sabotage_tonight%27s_show Sabotage tonight's show ''Fallen London''] ''"The magician relies on a Fingerking. [...] Pounce on it behind the mirror, when it is distracted, and it offers no contest. The illusion fails [...]. Tonight, he will sever his association with the Glass, and in the morning befriend the Shroud – or take up the profession of accounting. [...] The cats are even more than usually smug as you stalk back across the rooftops of London."''</ref> However, they face a constant struggle, operating at a disadvantage in both funding and security.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Magician%27s_Dream The Magician's Dream, ''Fallen London''] ''"As you know, we cannot compete with the compensation and protection that the Glass offers you. If you were to work with us against your former colleagues, we could not guarantee the safety of you or your sister. All we can offer is the knowledge that you would be contributing – if only slightly – towards righting perhaps the Neath's greatest wrong."''</ref> | ||
Within the Shroud, séances are intricate productions blending special effects with finely honed psychological techniques.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_grand_s%C3%A9ance! The grand séance!, ''Fallen London''] ''"You are ready to take the role of medium. You have a spirit cabinet full of trickery. You have urchin assistants. You have an audience of dyspeptic types, gloomily awaiting messages from the Surface. Light the candles and begin."''</ref> These performances claim to commune with the dead, channel messages from the [[The Surface|Surface]], and reveal uncanny truths.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_theft_of_trust A theft of trust, ''Fallen London''] ''"These people believe you can bring them messages from the Surface. They believe you can manipulate natural science to do so. Elemental forces, magnetic fields, spirits manifesting in ectoplasm. And what you actually have are cheap, mechanical tricks."''</ref> The organization is managed in part by a rat who oversees tools, personnel, and procedural instructions for each trick.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_well-stocked_spirit_cabinet A well-stocked spirit cabinet, ''Fallen London''] ''"The rat that handles this sort of thing for the Shroud is confident he's thought of everything. Trap-doors for urchin helpers, outlets for phosphorescent substances - it's all there. He gives you an extremely thorough lesson in how to work it all […]"''</ref> | Within the Shroud, séances are intricate productions blending special effects with finely honed psychological techniques.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_grand_s%C3%A9ance! The grand séance!, ''Fallen London''] ''"You are ready to take the role of medium. You have a spirit cabinet full of trickery. You have urchin assistants. You have an audience of dyspeptic types, gloomily awaiting messages from the Surface. Light the candles and begin."''</ref> These performances claim to commune with the dead, channel messages from the [[The Surface|Surface]], and reveal uncanny truths.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_theft_of_trust A theft of trust, ''Fallen London''] ''"These people believe you can bring them messages from the Surface. They believe you can manipulate natural science to do so. Elemental forces, magnetic fields, spirits manifesting in ectoplasm. And what you actually have are cheap, mechanical tricks."''</ref> The organization is managed in part by a [[Rattus Faber|rat]] who oversees tools, personnel, and procedural instructions for each trick.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_well-stocked_spirit_cabinet A well-stocked spirit cabinet, ''Fallen London''] ''"The rat that handles this sort of thing for the Shroud is confident he's thought of everything. Trap-doors for urchin helpers, outlets for phosphorescent substances - it's all there. He gives you an extremely thorough lesson in how to work it all […]"''</ref> | ||
New recruits must design and perform their own séances, proving their worth by drawing in clients through charm and showmanship.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hold_your_own_s%C3%A9ance%3F Hold your own séance?, ''Fallen London''] ''"If you want to be influential in the Shroud, you will need to design a séance yourself. Preferably one that the upper classes will patronise."''</ref> Members regularly share techniques and assist one another in refining their craft.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Design_your_own_s%C3%A9ance Design your own séance, ''Fallen London''] ''"You have taken the first steps towards becoming a recognised medium. Many of the Shroud will be delighted to teach you their secrets in exchange for your help with their acts."''</ref> | New recruits must design and perform their own séances, proving their worth by drawing in clients through charm and showmanship.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hold_your_own_s%C3%A9ance%3F Hold your own séance?, ''Fallen London''] ''"If you want to be influential in the Shroud, you will need to design a séance yourself. Preferably one that the upper classes will patronise."''</ref> Members regularly share techniques and assist one another in refining their craft.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Design_your_own_s%C3%A9ance Design your own séance, ''Fallen London''] ''"You have taken the first steps towards becoming a recognised medium. Many of the Shroud will be delighted to teach you their secrets in exchange for your help with their acts."''</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 06:10, 5 April 2025
"Involved with the parlour magic of Spiritualists and clairvoyantes."[1]
The Shroud is a secret organisation of parlour spiritualists, fortune-tellers, and mediums that operate out of Mahogany Hall.[2] Their symbol is a crystal ball.[3]
Backed by the cats of London, they serve as a counterweight to their Fingerking-controlled rivals, the Glass,[4] in the ongoing Wars of Illusion. The cats safeguard the Shroud’s secret routes through Parabola, hidden within the mirrors of Mahogany Hall.[5] They also provide costumes and props essential to the Shroud's spectral displays.[6]
The Shroud specializes in sabotaging the Glass,[7] frequently disrupting their rivals' performances by unraveling illusions and exposing deceptions.[8] However, they face a constant struggle, operating at a disadvantage in both funding and security.[9]
Within the Shroud, séances are intricate productions blending special effects with finely honed psychological techniques.[10] These performances claim to commune with the dead, channel messages from the Surface, and reveal uncanny truths.[11] The organization is managed in part by a rat who oversees tools, personnel, and procedural instructions for each trick.[12]
New recruits must design and perform their own séances, proving their worth by drawing in clients through charm and showmanship.[13] Members regularly share techniques and assist one another in refining their craft.[14]
Historical Inspirations[edit]
In the 19th century, Londoners exhibited a keen interest in diverse forms of divination. Practices such as crystal gazing, palmistry, and tarot card reading were not only popular entertainment at social gatherings, but also deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of the time. These activities ranged from lighthearted parlor games to serious consultations with professional fortune-tellers. The allure of uncovering one's destiny or seeking guidance from the supernatural led many to explore these mystical arts as part of the spiritualist movement.
The era witnessed the rise of notable mediums and spiritualists who captivated the public's imagination. Figures like Florence Cook gained fame for conducting séances and claiming to materialize spirits, such as the renowned "Katie King." These mediums often performed in dimly lit rooms, using various techniques to convince attendees of their connection to the spirit world. The author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, better known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was one of the most famous proponents of spiritualist practices.
References[edit]
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