The Honey-Addled Detective: Difference between revisions
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== It's Elementary, My Dear == | == It's Elementary, My Dear == | ||
He resides in solitude on [[Moloch Street]], though his exact address is kept secret<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Set_out_to_track_him_down Set out to track him down, ''Fallen London''] ''"He's known to keep apartments somewhere in Moloch Street – but he also keeps to himself, and has taken some pains to hide his whereabouts."''</ref> thanks to well-paid neighbours sworn to silence.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Making_Your_Name_%E2%80%93_Closing_the_Case:_the_Honey-Addled_Detective Making Your Name – Closing the Case: the Honey-Addled Detective, ''Fallen London''] ''"The inhabitants of Moloch Street are reticent. The Detective must have paid them for their silence. But you're certain that's his apartment – there on the top floor, where the candle-flame swims behind the window in a green glass lobster-pot."''</ref> His apartment is immaculate, yet always tinged with the unmistakable scent of honey.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Approach_him_boastfully Approach him boastfully, ''Fallen London''] ''"His rooms are scrupulously clean, but the sweetish fug of prisoner's honey hangs in the air, and his eyes are hooded with dreams. "No doubt," he says. "I'm honoured to make your acquaintance." It's difficult to read his tone."''</ref> More often than not, he is honey-mazed: his mind wandering [[Parabola]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Dreams:_A_Choice_of_Reverie Dreams: A Choice of Reverie, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Detective's body is elsewhere – back in a flat in Moloch Street, most likely. But his mind is here, as present in Parabola as any dream-shade. He is kneeling on the jungle floor, measuring the pawprint of a panther."''</ref> chasing phantoms of unsolved cases<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_charge_of_the_Honey-Addled_Detective Take charge of the Honey-Addled Detective, ''Fallen London''] ''"His body isn't here, but his mind is: lost, and tracking the villain's footprints through the Parabolan mud."''</ref> or endlessly reliving old victories.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reconnecting_to_Reality Reconnecting to Reality, ''Fallen London''] ''"When you next visit the Honey-Addled Detective, he's threatening his hat stand with a cane. "The chase is at its end. Surrender her Ladyship's jewels and come with me." […] An empty jar of honey lies by his chair."''</ref> He has | The Detective is a man with a thin,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stripes_of_Wrath Stripes of Wrath, ''Fallen London''] ''"The man straightens and turns. Your lamp picks out a thin, pale face that used to grace newspapers. Old newspapers; from many years ago."''</ref> sallow, and honey-slack face.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stripes_of_Wrath Stripes of Wrath, ''Fallen London''] ''"Although the Detective is semi-retired, his sallow, honey-slack features are still capable of an occasional flash of animation when the brain is stimulated by a complex problem. You're seeing that now."''</ref> He resides in solitude on [[Moloch Street]], though his exact address is kept secret<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Set_out_to_track_him_down Set out to track him down, ''Fallen London''] ''"He's known to keep apartments somewhere in Moloch Street – but he also keeps to himself, and has taken some pains to hide his whereabouts."''</ref> thanks to well-paid neighbours sworn to silence.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Making_Your_Name_%E2%80%93_Closing_the_Case:_the_Honey-Addled_Detective Making Your Name – Closing the Case: the Honey-Addled Detective, ''Fallen London''] ''"The inhabitants of Moloch Street are reticent. The Detective must have paid them for their silence. But you're certain that's his apartment – there on the top floor, where the candle-flame swims behind the window in a green glass lobster-pot."''</ref> His apartment is immaculate, yet always tinged with the unmistakable scent of honey.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Approach_him_boastfully Approach him boastfully, ''Fallen London''] ''"His rooms are scrupulously clean, but the sweetish fug of prisoner's honey hangs in the air, and his eyes are hooded with dreams. "No doubt," he says. "I'm honoured to make your acquaintance." It's difficult to read his tone."''</ref> He's almost always at home,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Ceremony_(Story) The Ceremony, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Honey-Addled Detective is, as ever, at home. His mouth gleams gold in the candle-glow of his lowly lit abode, an attic thick with new velvet and the smell of old books. His head lolls as you enter. [...]"''</ref> but on the occasions he goes outside he wears an Inverness cape<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stripes_of_Wrath Stripes of Wrath, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Honey-Addled Detective approaches, Inverness cape around his shoulders. His eyes have become a little glazed since you saw him last."''</ref> and sports a walking stick.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stripes_of_Wrath Stripes of Wrath, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Honey-Addled Detective, energised by the thrill of the chase, waves his stick to stop a growler cab. After courteously allowing the Implacable Detective to board first, he squeezes in. You and the Urchin Detective follow."''</ref> He consumes honey to help him solve cases; the more difficult the case the higher the dosage.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stripes_of_Wrath Stripes of Wrath, ''Fallen London''] ''"You, of course, are familiar with [...] Prisoner's Honey. Popular among a Bohemian set for its inspiring and sensual qualities. It induces a dreamlike state. I myself use it to reach clarity on difficult cases. It has been a while since my last three-spoon problem."''</ref> More often than not, he is honey-mazed: his mind wandering [[Parabola]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Dreams:_A_Choice_of_Reverie Dreams: A Choice of Reverie, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Detective's body is elsewhere – back in a flat in Moloch Street, most likely. But his mind is here, as present in Parabola as any dream-shade. He is kneeling on the jungle floor, measuring the pawprint of a panther."''</ref> chasing phantoms of unsolved cases<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_charge_of_the_Honey-Addled_Detective Take charge of the Honey-Addled Detective, ''Fallen London''] ''"His body isn't here, but his mind is: lost, and tracking the villain's footprints through the Parabolan mud."''</ref> or endlessly reliving old victories.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reconnecting_to_Reality Reconnecting to Reality, ''Fallen London''] ''"When you next visit the Honey-Addled Detective, he's threatening his hat stand with a cane. "The chase is at its end. Surrender her Ladyship's jewels and come with me." […] An empty jar of honey lies by his chair."''</ref> He has partaken of nearly every honey blend available in [[London]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Analyse_the_honey_on_the_stolen_watch Analyse the honey on the stolen watch, ''Fallen London''] ''"A blend unknown to the Detective – a feat unto itself! – the nature of which may help you catch your locked-room assailant."''</ref> including [[Cardinal's Honey|black honey]], but he has stayed away from [[Gaoler's Honey|red honey]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Case_of_the_Empty_Belfry The Case of the Empty Belfry, ''Fallen London''] ''"Honey, you say?" The Honey-Added Detective rouses in his chair, almost knocking over an empty glass of port. "I never touched the scarlet myself, however tempted by its stygian fancies. But once, long ago, I dabbled in the midnight..."''</ref> Aside from his honey habit, he also has a smoking pipe.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Case_of_the_Missing_Comb:_Meeting_your_Client The Case of the Missing Comb: Meeting your Client, ''Fallen London''] ''"[...] A little roof-drip has fallen while you were inside, slicking the cobbles. The Honey-Addled Detective fills his pipe."''</ref> He sympathizes with the [[Flukes]] in their melancholy and regret due to his own tragic circumstances.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Ceremony_(Story) The Ceremony, ''Fallen London''] ''""I have always felt a sympathy for those monstrosities. I suspect they might be vastly wiser than we are. Anything so melancholy must be so. When you have lived long enough, when you have suffered enough, you grow... bitter." mumbles the Honey-Addled Detective, his face ashen. [...]"''</ref> | ||
The Detective is extremely attentive to minute details<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Improve_the_statistical_rigour_of_this_investigation Improve the statistical rigour of this investigation, ''Fallen London''] ''"All the botanical character recedes […] In their place is a regimented space, mathematically perfect[…] The density of the mud at […] the Stolen River; the proportion of coal dust in Ealing fireplaces; the frequency of arrest for friends of the Gracious Widow."''</ref> and can draw clues from the most minor of evidence.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Introduce_your_own_evidence Introduce your own evidence, ''Fallen London''] ''"Your mind is thickly furnished with evidence – evidence of every kind. Gossip read […], names whispered […] At the Honey-Addled Detective's feet, you cause a pile of distinctly recognisable cigar ash. He sinks his hands in it to the wrists, delighted."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stripes_of_Wrath Stripes of Wrath, ''Fallen London''] ''"Moonlight leaves a temporary phosphorescence in the eye. Barely perceptible unless one has trained themselves to see it. The edge of your sole still bears faint white marks from chalk, with a texture only found in the Scottish deposits. And the fibres of your clothing are worn just above the pocket. As if you were accustomed to extracting a railway ticket from there each time the conductor arrives."''</ref> He takes great joy in solving cases<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_pursuit_of_knowledge_is_the_finest_entertainment The pursuit of knowledge is the finest entertainment, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] The Honey-Addled Detective chuckles […] "I... appreciate spending time with someone who understands. […]""''</ref> and foiling villains.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Knowledge_is_power Knowledge is power, ''Fallen London''] ''[…] "Ah, yes – pitting wits against thieves and murderers. Tossing them up into New Newgate with your intellect alone. […] I... appreciate spending time with someone who understands. […] You may have surpassed me. Don't squander it."''</ref> He believed that the search for knowledge would help his fellow man,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Knowledge_should_serve_humanity Knowledge should serve humanity, ''Fallen London''] ''"I believed the same […] Your work has reassured me that I was not all wrong."''</ref> but that same relentless pursuit led him into addiction.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/You_pursue_knowledge_because_you_must You pursue knowledge because you must, ''Fallen London''] ''"I fear I understand the sentiment all too well." […] "If only I'd been more careful where I sought understanding." He pauses […] "Search for knowledge we would never find above. You may have surpassed me. Don't squander it."''</ref> There are entire books to be formed from the cases the Honey-Addled Detective has solved without knowing it. The constabulary has only heard a quarter of his solutions. His own clients rarely get the whole story.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Extract_clues_from_his_thoughts Extract clues from his thoughts, ''Fallen London''] ''"There are entire books to be formed from the cases the Honey-Addled Detective has solved without knowing it. The constabulary has only heard a quarter of his solutions. His own clients rarely get the whole story."''</ref> The Detective is also a master of disguise, able to fool even fellow detectives.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stripes_of_Wrath Stripes of Wrath, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Banded Sleuth tilts his head to one side. "No," he rumbles. "I was meeting with a Ladybones matron. She wished me to conduct surveillance of…" "… her husband," the Honey-Addled Detective says. "Her husband, the honey importer." "No." The Banded Sleuth recoils. "That woman was not you." "I'm afraid it was." The Implacable Detective gives a rueful shake of the head. "Once he disguised himself as a Khaganian artist, just to paint a dreadful portrait of me. He charged me five Echoes before he took off the beard.""''</ref> | |||
Despite his affliction, his intellect has not wholly dimmed, being able to deduce someone's residence and employment from just one look.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Test_the_man%27s_skills Test the man's skills, ''Fallen London''] ''"Why [...], it's not difficult to get the measure of you." He takes a deep breath. "Mmm. Books. You keep many at your home? Ah, but surely even you wouldn't keep that many. A shop, then?" He turns his attention to your hands. "Are those ink-stains I see? The pen must never be far from your hand."''</ref> His counsel is sought by young detectives and seasoned professionals alike.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/She%27s_not_alone_1|She's not alone|Fallen London|}}''"A gaunt, languid man sips coffee sweetened with cream in the Viennese manner..."''</ref> He occasionally takes on a case himself, though more often, he delegates the work to rising talents.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Working_with_the_Honey-Addled_Detective Working with the Honey-Addled Detective, ''Fallen London''] ''"He was a great mind once. Now he haunts his cavernous rooms on Moloch Street, half out of his mind on prisoner's honey. He still take clients, but he passes the work on to promising outsiders. Lucky for you."''</ref> He is a member of the Candlefinder Society, a group of investigators who occasionally meet up to discuss and collaborate on cases. | |||
The Illuminated Archivist at [[Avid Horizon]], a historian of old [[London]], identified the Detective as the '''"honey-wrecked detective"'''.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/The_Illuminated_Archivist|Request another reading of the Word|Sunless Skies|}} ''"And here, the address of a honey-wrecked detective is on the mend."''</ref> This unfortunately implies he did not recover from his addiction in the ''Sunless Skies ''timeline, and possibly succumbed to it. | The Illuminated Archivist at [[Avid Horizon]], a historian of old [[London]], identified the Detective as the '''"honey-wrecked detective"'''.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.gamepedia.com/The_Illuminated_Archivist|Request another reading of the Word|Sunless Skies|}} ''"And here, the address of a honey-wrecked detective is on the mend."''</ref> This unfortunately implies he did not recover from his addiction in the ''Sunless Skies ''timeline, and possibly succumbed to it. | ||
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The Honey-Addled Detective can be read as a deconstruction of Sherlock Holmes, a vision of what Holmes might have become had his addiction been allowed to consume him entirely. | The Honey-Addled Detective can be read as a deconstruction of Sherlock Holmes, a vision of what Holmes might have become had his addiction been allowed to consume him entirely. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Scroll box|text = <references/>}} | {{Scroll box|text = <references/>}} | ||
Revision as of 19:04, 10 April 2025
"He was a great mind once. Now he haunts his cavernous rooms on Moloch Street, half out of his mind on prisoner's honey. He still take clients, but he passes the work on to promising outsiders. Lucky for you."[1]
The Honey-Addled Detective was once one of the greatest detectives in London, but has been crippled by his addiction to prisoner's honey, leaving his glory days far behind him.
It's Elementary, My Dear
The Detective is a man with a thin,[2] sallow, and honey-slack face.[3] He resides in solitude on Moloch Street, though his exact address is kept secret[4] thanks to well-paid neighbours sworn to silence.[5] His apartment is immaculate, yet always tinged with the unmistakable scent of honey.[6] He's almost always at home,[7] but on the occasions he goes outside he wears an Inverness cape[8] and sports a walking stick.[9] He consumes honey to help him solve cases; the more difficult the case the higher the dosage.[10] More often than not, he is honey-mazed: his mind wandering Parabola,[11] chasing phantoms of unsolved cases[12] or endlessly reliving old victories.[13] He has partaken of nearly every honey blend available in London,[14] including black honey, but he has stayed away from red honey.[15] Aside from his honey habit, he also has a smoking pipe.[16] He sympathizes with the Flukes in their melancholy and regret due to his own tragic circumstances.[17]
The Detective is extremely attentive to minute details[18] and can draw clues from the most minor of evidence.[19][20] He takes great joy in solving cases[21] and foiling villains.[22] He believed that the search for knowledge would help his fellow man,[23] but that same relentless pursuit led him into addiction.[24] There are entire books to be formed from the cases the Honey-Addled Detective has solved without knowing it. The constabulary has only heard a quarter of his solutions. His own clients rarely get the whole story.[25] The Detective is also a master of disguise, able to fool even fellow detectives.[26]
Despite his affliction, his intellect has not wholly dimmed, being able to deduce someone's residence and employment from just one look.[27] His counsel is sought by young detectives and seasoned professionals alike.[28] He occasionally takes on a case himself, though more often, he delegates the work to rising talents.[29] He is a member of the Candlefinder Society, a group of investigators who occasionally meet up to discuss and collaborate on cases.
The Illuminated Archivist at Avid Horizon, a historian of old London, identified the Detective as the "honey-wrecked detective".[30] This unfortunately implies he did not recover from his addiction in the Sunless Skies timeline, and possibly succumbed to it.
Literary Inspiration
The Honey-Addled Detective is a clear literary allusion to Sherlock Holmes. He resides on Moloch Street, formerly known as Baker Street before the Fall, a deliberate nod to the address of Doyle’s detective. Like Holmes, he smokes a pipe and has a drug addiction.
In Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, Holmes has a drug addiction. It is implied that his extraordinary intellect demands constant stimulation, and in the absence of challenging cases, he turns to narcotics (notably cocaine and morphine) to dull the edge of boredom. These substances serve as a substitute for the mental engagement he craves. While his use is often treated matter-of-factly, it is at times shown to be deeply troubling, with implications that his addiction could become, or already is, a serious and debilitating condition.
The Honey-Addled Detective can be read as a deconstruction of Sherlock Holmes, a vision of what Holmes might have become had his addiction been allowed to consume him entirely.
References
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