"Whatever you think you remember, the first step is to remember that you don't."
WARNING: Beyond this point lie spoilers for the Discordant Studies storyline from Fallen London. Do not proceed forward.
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"When the Masters bought London, the Hurlers weren't part of the deal. That's why the Hurlers are here. If they are. What is and is not here isn't so easy to confirm."[1]
"Nothing is out here but you, the darkness, and the cold. Close your eyes, and you can imagine you're nowhere at all. Open them, and you can see the crystals within crystals, the fractals within fractals, that radiate across the lake. Their exact delineations, their perfectly formed patterns, express a mathematical precision as frigid as it is flawless."[4]
The plain of the Hurlers is one of the coldest places in the Neath;[2] its frigid conditions can smother flames[5] and will very quickly kill anyone without a dependable source of heat.[6] As such, the region is incredibly hazardous to develop[7] and has minimal infrastructure.[8] However, Mr Stones has an interest in this place,[9] as it seeks "a stone that unmakes boundaries."[10] As a whole, there is very little life present; goat-demons graze on the myriad bones strewn across the land, as well as what little vegetation can survive in these conditions.[11]
Hell attempted to excavate the Hurlers several times; every attempt failed, and the survivors were left unable to recall the details of each expedition.[12] The only notes that remain describe what the archaeologists "did not find."[13] During their last attempt, Hell also tried to make a deal of unknown terms with Mr Stones.[14]
Landmarks
The nearest inhabited structure in the vicinity is a ruined encampment from Hell's most recent expedition.[15][16] It is inhabited by the Caprine Vagabond, an exceptionally large goat-demon.[17][18] The Vagabond claims to have "no reason" to reside here,[19] and insists it is not a spy.[20] It directs anyone seeking knowledge of the Discordance toward a nearby ruin.[21][22]
The Adulterine Ruins are located near a frozen lake.[22] The only living being here is a single Steward of the Discordance;[23] she tries to direct wanderers away from the dangers of the Hurlers,[24] but she is also chatty and fond of card games and gossip.[24] One foolhardy enough to stay a while may be ordained as a new Steward in her presence, though the price to pay is high.[25][26]
The Hurlers themselves, located on the hilltop overlooking most of it, are a set of giant standing stones arranged in two circles. They are covered in letters of the Discordance, which emanate powerful frost all around them.[30][31] Properly counting the number of stones that form each circle isn't possible, as the Hurlers are actually two teams of goat-demons that constantly move while they don't play numerous games of Hurly-Burly. The meaning and possible effects of the words inscribed upon them aren't dependent on which of the two teams are currently in a winning position.[32][33]
Real-Life Inspirations
The Hurlers are a group of stone circles located in Cornwall, England.[34] Legend has it that the stones were once men who played the Cornish game of hurling on a Sunday, and were transformed as punishment. Some also say it is impossible to accurately count the number of stones.
Given the location of the real-life Hurlers and lack of connection to the Traitor Empress, it is unclear how or why they (or something like them) would be transported to the Neath.
↑The Hurlers (Storylet), Fallen London"Beyond the station's huddled warmth, there is only darkness and ice. Beyond the darkness and ice, there are the standing stones [...]"
↑Establish a trading post, Fallen London"There are practically no marketable goods [...] but rocks, crystals, and rocks with crystals [...] the most obscenely wealthy Master of the Bazaar is interested in precisely such commodities."
↑Enter the private compartment, Fallen London""Interesting, these," says Mr Stones, toying with a Crystallised Curio. [...] "What wouldst thou pay, [...] for a stone that unmakes boundaries?" [...] "More," says Mr Stones. "Find more.""
↑Grazing Goat-Demons, Fallen London"Beside the tracks, goat-demons are munching on straggling briar patches. And on numerous bones protruding from the ground, which are vastly more pervasive [...] than any plant. "
↑Speak with the Disembarking Deviless, Fallen London"[...] At one point, Hell had an interest in excavating this region. But all their expeditions were called back. Those that survived couldn't even remember what they had discovered. [...] "
↑Speak with the Disembarked Deviless (Breaking 2), Fallen London""I've managed to acquire a few notes from previous excavations [...] the Deviless tells [...] "They aren't terribly informative. Rather than writing about what they found, the archaeologists seemed to write more about what they did not find. [...]"
↑Find the Caprine Vagabond in the herd 4, Fallen London"It's probably to do with Hell's last excavation. They did more damage than anyone else [...] Whatever deal they tried to cut with Mr Stones, I'm not sure it's worked out to their advantage. [...]"
↑Around the Embers, Fallen London"Shattered bricks enclose a shallow fire-pit, [...] an enormous goat-demon rakes the ashes with a cloven hoof."
↑The Caprine Vagabond, Fallen London"Even the goatiest goat-demons aren't this gargantuan. It's as if the Caprine Vagabond has grown as mountains grow [...]"
↑Discuss the encampment, Fallen London"There must be a reason that the Vagabond is camped alone out here. [...] "No reason," it finally says. "Nothing has a reason in this place. [...]"
↑The Adulterine Ruins, Fallen London"The Adulterine Ruins [...] someone lives here amongst the rubble. In a room less collapsed than the rest, [...] you find a single woman in monastic robes."
↑ 24.024.1Approach the Steward, Fallen London"A Steward of the Discordance [...] This area is dangerous. It's my job to keep people away. [...] tell me everything. It's been so long since I've heard any news! Then I'll have to drive you out, [...] Unless you'd care to play cards?"
↑Open your eyes, Fallen London"Stare into the lake's frozen surface. [...] You don't pass through the ice, and the ice doesn't lock overhead. [...] You haven't opened a doorway that cannot be closed. You haven't entered a castle that hasn't been built."
