Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
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"Factory VIII is a monstrosity of brick and glass, its towering walls and high up windows lending it the air of a prison. The factory does not produce the foul coal stench of those in London, instead it emits bright clouds of pungent scents – which occasionally bring passers-by to tears."[2]
The Station for Factory VIII, or Station VIII, is a large chemical factory located in the Hinterlands. It serves as the fifth station of the Great Hellbound Railway, rather than the eighth.
"Station VIII may not be a place to linger, unless you have a particular interest in industrial manufacturing."[3]
Station VIII, also known as Factory VIII, is a Masters-run facility contained within a massive brick building. Its well-protected workers use specialized chemical equipment[4] and heavy machinery[5] to manufacture a variety of emotion-inducing substances.[6][7] The factory's smokestacks spew colorful smog,[8] which also has the capacity to affect bystanders,[9][10] but the fact that the chemicals produced within are capable of influencing emotions is kept a well-guarded secret.[11] In the courtyard, there is a huge dirigible mast rigged with alarms;[12][13] the Masters dock here to visit and check on the factory.[14] The surrounding area is sparsely populated, with only a single pub and scattered housing for workers.[15]
Factory VIII ships its products to London, so the Masters are perfectly comfortable with the arrival of the Great Hellbound Railway, as it will expedite the process.[16] However, the factory's couriers formerly relied on carts,[17] and are now on strike because they are afraid of losing their jobs.[18]
The factory is run by the Blithesome Overseer,[19] a jovial but high-strung man[20][21] with close ties to the Masters.[20]
The Secrets of Factory VIII
"The Overseer keeps his desk locked, but that presents little obstacle. You do almost miss the second concealed drawer, however, in which you find his diary. The entries are terse. Either he has a subscription to a cellar, or he meets Mr Wines on a monthly basis. 'Iron' appears once, several months ago. Yesterday, 'Fires' is crossed out."[22]
The Overseer regularly meets with the Masters;[22] he is responsible for documenting the viability of Factory VIII's products, and to whom they might be marketed.[23] He even samples some of the chemicals himself.[24] He has a private office full of geography books and newspapers discussing world events, such as the ongoing women's suffrage movement.[25] It is strongly implied that Factory VIII's chemicals are being used to influence Surface politics,[25] and the Masters are likely involved in this scheme.[26]
A small, cupboard-sized room within the factory, marked "Communications," contains a brass console filled with many levers and buttons that enables contact with any of London'sotherspecializedStations.[27] Curiously, the folder of codes that enables contact with Station I appears to have been stolen, which has prompted the Overseer to chain the other folders to the desk.[27] There is also a periscope in this room that seems to allow its user to observe London's skyline from afar.[28]
Station VIII was originally only a single room; this space is now disused and boarded up, and the factory may have been built around it.[29] Within the room is a desk that has been heavily damaged by... something: "a giant bird," or perhaps not a bird at all?[30] A nearby workbench has a liquid suspended between two pieces of metal, which induces the feeling of tearing out someone's throat.[31] Notes found within indicate that the room was used to develop "purified vindictiveness," with limited success;[32] whoever conducted these experiments considered consulting Mr Wines for improvements.[33]
Imports and Exports
"'How about this one?' Pinnock digs his nose into a pile of scraps. 'Interested in 'startled and overjoyed to have returned from death'? Getting rare, that is.'"[34]
A door marked "Special Extracts" leads to a secret laboratory within Factory VIII.[35] Here, scientists experiment to create new extracts of emotion[...] an experiment [...] you catch a whiff: [...] fills your stomach with anxious yearning, sets your pulse racing, brings a lump to your throat. [...] from items sourced by Pinnock, a Rattus Faber otherwise known as the Shivering Relicker's rat.[36] These items carry sentimental ties to an emotional event; for instance, a dress bought to celebrate catching a murderer,[37] or a variety of trinkets associated with experiencing Neathy phenomena for the first time.[38][39][40] Unfortunately, now that it has been forty years since the Fall, some of these feelings of novelty are becoming rather rare.[38][39]
The following are examples of Factory VIII's products.
Halcyonic Tonic induces joy and optimism;[41][42] this sweet substance[43][44] has become a valuable commodity for several Surface powers seeking to placate their restless citizens.[45]
The name of Crystallised Euphoria suggests its effects;[46] it is extracted from the joy and relief associated with a person's first return from death.[47][48]
Oil of Companionship induces delight and camaraderie when applied to the skin, acting as a panacea for loneliness.[49][50] It has become scarce over time, however, since the emotion behind it is the joy of hearing one's cat speak for the first time upon arrival in the Neath.[51]
Salve of Righteousness inspires a roaring confidence when applied to the skin;[52][53] it is synthesized from the vindication of one's faith by witnessing certain Neathy phenomena, such as devils, for the first time.[54]
Distillation of Retribution is a heady mixture associated with the thrilling feeling of finally achieving vengeance.[55][56] It may be distilled further into Discriminating Aconite, a delicate poison harmful only to those who deserve to feel its effects; the label of every bottle of Aconite simply reads "You know what you did".[57]
↑Factory VIII, Fallen London"Workers wear leather aprons, [...] thick cloth covering their mouths and noses. They hover over flasks and flames, beakers [...]"
↑ 20.020.1Accept an invitation to dine, Fallen London"[...] "Being able to use your railway [...] an inspired idea. [...] Everyone's happy, eh?" He shoves the port in your direction. "Have another glass! [...] how good terms would you say you were on with the Masters?" His eye starts twitching."
↑Accept an invitation to dine, Fallen London"[...] the Overseer asks for news from London. "We didn't used to get much out here, [...] Unless it came with the dirigible." He winces. "Better no news than that, eh?""
↑Make your way to the Overseer's office, Fallen London"[...] product notes: Halcyonic Tonic – Market to those with sweet tooth. [...] Fillip of Effervescence – advise marketing to adventurers, [...] Loses potency when heated. Number 18 [...] Pleasing [...] if they can't vote, pointless. Counterproductive with wrong audience. [...]"
↑ 25.025.1Enter the mahogany door marked 'PRIVATE', Fallen London"It leads to an [...] office. [...] appears that the owner has an interest in Surface geography. From the books piled on his desk, his current focus is Argentina. [...] you discover a book stuffed with newspaper clippings. [...] an article on the rise of democracy and the probability that suffrage is likely to broaden. Written [...] across the top: Assume requires mass persuasion. See V's work? Jenny volunteered: success. Impact if unknowing? [...] 'Only suitable to those not prone to [...] self-reflection. [...] thrill of easy discovery and public recognition will satisfy only briefly. Timing critical.'"
↑ 27.027.1Enter the door marked 'Communications', Fallen London"[...] a [...] seat before a [...] console covered in buttons and levers. [...] several folders – filled with encryption keys and messaging protocols. The spines are marked with [...] II, III, IV, V, VI, VII. [...] folders are chained to the desk; [...] The absence of Folder I suggests the rationale behind the security."
↑Prise away the boards blocking the door covered in warnings, Fallen London"[...] the room looks older than the rest of the factory – perhaps the factory was built around it. [...] a hulking desk – the wood is clawed and gouged, as if it has endured the tantrum of a giant bird. Everything is covered in [...] dust."
↑Prise away the boards blocking the door covered in warnings, Fallen London"The workbenches have been cleared, save one. [...] a thimble of [...] liquid [...] suspended in the air, between two metal prongs. The prongs vibrate [...] you touch one, [...] you feel [...] a throat tearing [...] between your jaws."
↑Acquire some 'Exhilaration from Achieving Justice', Fallen London"[...] Pinnock is holding a [...] ribbon. [...] a woman was wearing it the day she [...] 'anded over a Jack to the constables. The very Jack that 'ad previously murdered 'er." [...] "She purchased a new dress in celebration. [...] she tore it on the way home. [...]"
↑Acquire an 'Obliviscere Mori', Fallen London"[...] the owner took up chess after they came back from their first visit to the Boatman. An' lost the piece before they died again. [...] for the best [...] would have dulled the potency of the sentiment.""
Fillip of Effervescence
Halcyonic Tonic
Crystallised Euphoria
Powder of Renewal
Concentrate of Self
Oil of Companionship
Salve of Righteousness
Distillation of Retribution
