The London Horticultural Show

From The Fifth City Wiki
Revision as of 03:49, 21 August 2023 by KestrelGirl (talk | contribs) (Whew.)


The London Horticultural Show was a significant event of the third year of 1899.

Little City of Horrors

In the third year of 1899, the London Horticultural Show was held for the first time since the Fall,[2] inviting all Londoners to show off their plants in a great competition.[3] A mansion in Watchmaker's Hill with a large glasshouse was provided for the show by one Lady ______.[4][5] Notable plants cultivated for the event included:[6]

  • ‘Purple Maiden’ lily-caps (Lactarius pseudomurex): A violet mushroom worn in hats and accessories, used to signify forgiveness or a willingness to resume a romantic relationship.[7]
  • 'Marigold Madness' lily-caps (Agaricus xanthos): A rare yellow mushroom recently introduced for commercial purposes. Unrelated to other lily-caps, this mushroom is considered a pest that may appear in attics or basements. It grows on damp paper, especially "impersonal correspondence." Not safe for ingestion.[8]
  • 'Golden screamer' mandrakes (Mandragora officinalis lacrimosum): A mandrake that may scream, sing, or cry. Unrelated to mandrakes of the Surface.[9]
  • 'Violant wing' lily-caps (Lactarius rhizomaticus): A violant mushroom that may grow in unexpected nooks and crannies, including within a careless mycologist's throat.[10]
  • Cautionary Orchids: said to originate from the Regent of Caution’s very own gardens. Properties unknown.[11]

The Horticultural Show began on a fine afternoon;[12] attendance was middling,[13] but drinks were plentiful.[14] His Amused Lordship raised his glass for a toast, and began his opening speech.[15]

Don't Look Up

Unfortunately, His Lordship's speech was interrupted - first by a few falling pebbles, then larger stones.[16] An enormous stalactite from the Roof of the Neath,[17] larger than a cathedral, fell upon the glasshouse,[18] devastating both the building and the crowd in attendance.[19] The stalactite then broke open,[20] and hordes of Starved Men emerged from its hollow interior.[21] Six smaller stalactites also fell across London, each transporting more Starved, and even more denizens of the Roof descended upon the city from above.[22]

The invading Starved immediately began reshaping the infrastructure of London:[23] they turned buildings into flesh and bone,[24][25] among other materials,[26] and cut its roads with rivers of fat.[27] Many buildings collapsed in the assault, trapping anyone inside.[25] One Starved Man even turned Wolfstack Docks into its personal alchemic vat, transmuting water into ice, stone, and even cesium.[28] Crowds choked the rail station at Moloch Street, making travel out of London extremely hazardous.[29] The Starved did not deliberately target civilians,[30] but they were uncaring of civilian casualties and willing to repel with force any Londoners who interrupted their work,[31][32] resulting in brutal street fights.[33]

The War for London

As the conflict in London continued, its citizens looked to authority for help. The Masters were busy considering whether the Sixth City was due to fall;[34] the Empress took shelter within the Shuttered Palace, and her staff refused to offer assistance.[35] In the end, it was Sinning Jenny who took matters into her own hands and led the relief effort.[36] She set up field hospitals for the wounded,[37] ensured citizens received food, medical supplies and safety,[38] and acted as a leader for volunteers to rescue the wounded and repair London’s damaged structures.[38][39][40] While the Admiralty was initially caught unawares by the attack,[41] they soon mobilized cannons and crew to strike back against the Starved threat.[42][43] To mitigate tensions between the two assisting parties, Jenny and the Admiralty's representative, the Overworked Commodore, convened a war council in the HMS Vaunted[44] to discuss strategy and gather intelligence.[45]

While the Starved Men possessed superhuman durability and were able to survive seemingly fatal wounds,[46] London was still able to mount a counterattack. The city restricted its amber supply,[47] repelled any incoming Starved Men from the Roof, and inflicted upon them grievous wounds,[46] all the while keeping its citizens relatively protected.[48] Many Starved were forced to retreat from London entirely, but one group remained, still intent on their work to reshape London.[49] However, they soon surrendered and were captured by the Admiralty.[50][51]

The Truth and the Roof

Communication with the captured Starved Men was initially difficult,[52] and some members of the war council refused negotiation entirely.[53] This was ameliorated after one of the captive party, the Starved Lithologer, reshaped their vocal cords to speak more clearly.[54] The Lithologer revealed that they had watched the Roof for signs of the future, and it was foretold that the Sixth City was due to fall.[55] The Starved Men of the Roof consist of many separate factions,[56] and as it turned out, the one that invaded London was trying to save the city.[57] This faction viewed London not as a city, but as a vast organism; thus, they sought to reshape London’s “body” to survive the fall of the next city.[57] The Lithologer showed regret for the destruction and injuries this incursion had caused.[57]

While this faction's attempt had ended in failure, the Lithologer warned the council that another group of Starved was taking a different approach.[56] This second faction, still on the Roof, wanted to accelerate London’s cataclysmic change.[58] The citizens’ survival was a secondary concern, and they viewed their actions as a mercy.[59] To this end, they were building a weapon: a massive cornea of shaped flesh[60] that would drill a hole in the Roof, and focus the resulting sunlight directly onto London.[61][62]

After receiving this new information,[63] the Admiralty called for an air fleet to locate the Starved weapon.[64][65][66] They converted the University’s cricket pitch into an airfield, which was declared Station IX (Provisional).[67] The remaining Starved Men in London pledged to provide their assistance to help stop the weapon;[68] additionally, to help bolster the air fleet,[69] London commissioned the assistance of the Khanate, Polythreme, the pirates of Gaider's Mourn, and the monks of Godfall.[70] Even Hell came to the city's aid, after being told that the dangers to London involved sunlight.[71]

Once the Starved weapon was located,[72] the diverse airfleet[73] departed for the Roof to destroy it before it could be completed.[74][75] Mr Iron, Mr Fires, and Mr Pages also accompanied the airfleet in Fires’ personal vessel, the Industry.[76] As the airships neared the Roof, the Starved Men behind the weapon attacked with debris and amber,[77][78] and attempted to board ships among the approaching fleet.[79] They also deployed their own massive airship of shaped flesh.[80] The London-led fleet fought back,[81][82] and the Masters themselves engaged in hand-to-hand (wing-to-hand?) combat with the Starved,[83] but many airships were damaged and destroyed.[84]

Eventually, the airfleet reached the weapon itself.[60] The Starved Men attending to the weapon immediately acted in its defense, attacking the remnants of the fleet.[85][86] Meanwhile, the weapon’s eye was directed toward London,[87] primed with sunlight and ready to fire[88][89] - until a single airship sacrificed itself to ram and destroy the eye, saving the city.[90][91]

The Aftermath

After this great ordeal concluded, London began to recover, and decommissioned the air fleet.[92] The Horticultural Show was reopened, as Londoners considered it a relief from all the recent stress.[93] Citizens also banded together to build an informal community garden using scraps from the air fleet and contributions of their own flora and fungi.[94][95] The Starved Lithologer was in attendance, seeking to understand why London sought a return to normalcy;[96] they were soon accompanied by another Starved Man, who sought to contribute a Starved Rose[97] as a peace offering.[98] An award ceremony was held to judge whatever botanical marvels (or evidence thereof) remained from the Horticultural Show.[99] And where the stalactite fell, at the original venue of the show, the Lithologer organized the Starved Embassy to prevent future conflicts between the Starved and London.[5] To this end, the two parties would also exchange gifts, providing opportunities to learn of one another’s culture.[100]

After all, life must carry on.[99]

References

  1. ↑ A Cultural Exchange, Fallen London "Many Londoners refer to the incident with the stalactite [...] 'the Horticultural Show'. Others, [...] however inaccurately, the 'Starved War'."
  2. ↑ The London Horticultural Show!, Fallen London "A mild buzz spreads throughout London. [...] for the first time since the Fall, the London Horticultural Show has returned. The event promises showcases, awards [...]"
  3. ↑ In the Glasshouse, Fallen London "All of London is invited to nurture and grow plants for the Horticultural Show [...]"
  4. ↑ Perambulate to Watchmaker's Hill, Fallen London "Lady ______ has [...] volunteered the use of her false-summer home, along with its magnificent glasshouse."
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Inveigle your way onto the delegation, Fallen London "... Lady ______'s Watchmaker's Hill estate."
  6. ↑ In the Glasshouse, Fallen London "Game Instructions: Grow plants for rewards, prizes [...]"
  7. ↑ 'Purple Maiden' lily-caps, Fallen London "'Lactarius pseudomurex, the purple lily-cap. [...] used in hats and decorative corsages. [...] often given to signify forgiveness; [...] suggests that one is open to resuming a broken-off romantic entanglement...'"
  8. ↑ 'Marigold Madness' lily-caps, Fallen London "A rare decorative mushroom, newly introduced to deliberate cultivation. [...] 'Agaricus xanthos, the common yellow cap. [...] recently introduced as a commercial mushroom, now sold under the name 'lily-cap'. Unrelated to other [...] 'lily-caps'. Long known as a rare [...] pest. Encountered primarily in basements and attics, [...] Likes to grow on damp paper; prefers impersonal correspondence (such as a bill or legal notice) [...] known symptoms of ingestion include nausea, vomiting, rashes, violent migraines...'"
  9. ↑ 'Golden screamer' mandrakes, Fallen London "'Mandragora officinalis lacrimosum: the screaming, singing, or crying mandrake. Possibly a misnamed species unrelated to Surface mandrakes."
  10. ↑ 'Violant wing' lily-caps, Fallen London "'Lactarius rhizomaticus, the violant lily-cap. Known for [...] developing mushrooms in unexpected places, such as the underside of chairs, the interior of teapots, and the throats of unprepared mycologists...'"
  11. ↑ Cautionary Orchids, Fallen London "Taken, at great expense, from the very gardens of the Regent of Caution."
  12. ↑ The Opening Ceremony, Fallen London "Seating has been prepared [...] It's a fine afternoon for it – the false-stars are noticeably bright. "
  13. ↑ Find a seat, Fallen London "The organisers have rather overestimated enthusiasm for the event [...] many more chairs than people. "
  14. ↑ Charging Up, Fallen London "[...] attendants step forward, brandishing trays of drinks. "I fear we've rather over-catered, so do drink up.""
  15. ↑ Charging Up, Fallen London "His Amused Lordship takes the stage with a broad smile. "Well then!" He regards the meagre crowd. "Not the finest showing, but still, everyone who matters is here, what?" [...] His Lordship clears his throat. "Welcome," he says, "to the re-inaugural London Horticultural Show. [...]"
  16. ↑ An Interruption, Fallen London "His Amused Lordship [...] toasts Roofward. "To Lon—" [...] Something lands in his glass. [...] The pattering of something like hail. [...] A shower of pebbles, pelting the crowd, [...] the larger rocks come. [...] Glasshouse panes erupting."
  17. ↑ Stalactite, Fallen London "Stalactite [...] A plunging eclipse. [...] Piercing pillar of rock. [...] A vasty knife to pierce London's skin."
  18. ↑ Rise, Fallen London "The stalactite has torn through the great glasshouse and now stands [...] stabbed deep into the earth. [...] cathedrals wish they could command such stature."
  19. ↑ Fall, Fallen London "You're not alone. Others fall with you – one of them is still holding a potted rose. So many others. [...] Slipping deeper into darkness. "
  20. ↑ Rise, Fallen London "[...] the stalactite peels open."
  21. ↑ State of Emergence, Fallen London "The inside of the stalactite drips with amber. A hand emerges [...] Another hand [...] A gangly figure [...] Another follows, then another [...] more figures extrude themselves from fissures in the rock. [...] Starved Men. You've seen them [...] on your expeditions to the roof."
  22. ↑ Spilling Out, Fallen London "[...] you see what has befallen the rest of London. A half-dozen smaller stalactites have fallen, each spilling Starved Men [...] More descend in small balloons, or [...] through patagia and air sacs. They are all over the city."
  23. ↑ State of Emergence, Fallen London "The first to hit the ground make for the main house, laying their hands [...] upon its walls. Stone warps and shifts, and the building bows in on itself [...]"
  24. ↑ The War in London 2, Fallen London "London is overrun. Buildings, their quoins and cornice stones made flesh, ripped open and left to bleed."
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 The Collapsed Corner, Fallen London "The building has half-collapsed. The Starved Men have turned wooden beams into bone, which snapped [...] You can hear the voices of those still trapped within."
  26. ↑ Marbled Flank, Fallen London "The streetside wall [...] an umbra of flesh spreading from its centre. [...] You've seen sand, mud, and salt, but flesh seems to be their favoured transubstantiation."
  27. ↑ Sinuous Streets, Fallen London "A scissure severs the street ahead – a wound in the fabric of the city. Viscous strands of sinew span the two halves, [...] something liquid flows, a [...] river of stone rendered to fat."
  28. ↑ Put to Zee: Hazardous Materials, Fallen London "A Starved Man bigger than a cargo hoist wades through the waters of the harbour. [...] The harbour is littered with his experiments. Water turned to ice. Water turned to stone. Water turned to acrid, bilious slime. Water turned to basalt, [...] Water turned to caesium – although not for very long. [...] The dockers and Admiralty staff have temporarily restricted dockside access."
  29. ↑ Go alone and by night, Fallen London "The Starved Men have not taken particular interest in Moloch Street station. [...] traversing the streets around the station requires running a gauntlet of falling masonry, scared citizens, and opportunistic robbers."
  30. ↑ Trail of Destruction, Fallen London "They do not like to be slowed, and they do not take kindly to attempts to slow them down. But nor is the aggression directed towards the citizenry. The wounded are mostly those swept up in the Starved Men's path – or those who tried to impede them. "
  31. ↑ Watch and learn (So Are They Shaped), Fallen London "Their motives are unclear, but they are not mindless, and this is not random. They are intent on reaching certain places [...] They are slow to harm Londoners – though the people left with wooden skin and liquid bones would disagree. "
  32. ↑ The Tenderising Ministrations of the Starved, Fallen London "The Starved Men pay no attention as the wounded are carted away. But when Jenny's crew lays hands to the buildings, their heads snap up. [...] they turn and converge on the gathered helpers."
  33. ↑ Unfolding Violence, Fallen London "Two Londoners [...] the Starved Man pays them no attention as they shout obscenities at it. Until one of them takes a cricket bat and brings it down over its head [...] The Starved Man blinks as blood runs into its eyes. [...] The woman hefts the bat again. The Starved Man catches her arms and flings her bodily into the wall."
  34. ↑ Demand admission as a Master of the Bazaar, Fallen London "Mr Pages glowers [...] Wines waves [...] Mr Fires does not break its flow. [...] "—not be allowed to happen. It is too soon." [...] "Irrelequential. We have all observed the sympdicators. The city's duratinuance is coming to a end. We should hasten our preparations for its successor." [...] Are they speaking of the Starved Men's attack? [...] Mr Irons [...] 'A DISTRACTION' [...] "We are focused on a more exurgent matter," agrees Pages. [...] 'THIS IS WHY WE DID NOT CALL ON YOU. YOU LACK THE NECESSARY PERSPECTIVE.' [...] The debate continues, circular, endless."
  35. ↑ Plead for assistance, Fallen London "The Veteran Privy Counsellor [...] does not permit any mention of the w_r, and certainly not of the S____d M_n [...] "The Palace knows well enough how to function in times of— Well, at all times." [...] where is Her Enduring Majesty? "She is safe, have no fear on that front.""
  36. ↑ Plead with Sinning Jenny for aid, Fallen London ""London is bleeding. But people are also bleeding. [...] "I'm needed." [...] "No one is doing anything." [...] "There are those that have a duty to London, and they are doing nothing." [...]"
  37. ↑ Plead with Sinning Jenny for aid, Fallen London "She looks around the field hospital. "If I'm helping out there, I'm not helping in here. [...]"
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Join a search party, Fallen London "Jenny assigns you to a [...] group. Urchins [...] report back when people need help – or when they spot a choice stash of food or materiel (and don't want to keep it to themselves). You walk the streets [...] shepherding people away from the unfolding violence and towards [...] safety [...]"
  39. ↑ Join a search party, Fallen London "All over London, people need help. And Jenny is making that happen."
  40. ↑ London's Heart, Fallen London "Sinning Jenny marches at the head of the crowd [...] starts issuing orders. People move [...] tending to the wounded and getting them to safety. [...] clearing and rebuilding."
  41. ↑ Plead with the Admiralty for aid, Fallen London ""Themselves are inside, figuring what to do. We weren't exactly prepared for a threat of this nature." [...] "It's going to take some time for orders to come down the line, and until they do, no one is getting inside. No one.""
  42. ↑ London's Fist, Fallen London "There's a boom [...] "Por— ah, left, thirty degrees!" [...] a woman throws up a frantic series of flag signals. There's the report of a naval gun, [...] This shell lands true, catching the Starved Men in its blast."
  43. ↑ Press the advantage, Fallen London "[...] the Admiralty spotters signal another barrage, but only succeed in blowing a hole in the street behind the retreating Starved."
  44. ↑ Council of War, Fallen London ""This isn't working," say Sinning Jenny. [...] Admiralty leadership [...] is meeting in the operations room of the HMS Vaunted. Jenny has dragged you [...] along so that [...] "Those wretched shell-shovers don't dominate the agenda." [...] "We're prosecuting a war – using primarily naval materiel – inside of our own city," says the Overworked Commodore. "I'd say it's working as well as it can.""
  45. ↑ Marshalling Intelligence, Fallen London "The Overworked Commodore looks up [...] What intelligence do you have for the Admiralty's resistance efforts?"
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Call in gunnery support, Fallen London "The Starved Men do not enjoy cannon fire. It seems [...] possible for them to recover from even direct hits, but it invokes significant distress [...]"
  47. ↑ Clear the city of amber, Fallen London "Any amber that falls into the enemy's [...] hands is fuel for [...] transformation. The Admiralty has ordered it to be stockpiled out of Starved reach."
  48. ↑ The Amber Tide, Turned, Fallen London "Victory is a matter of degrees. London has proven itself adaptable [...] amber supply is tightly controlled. Guns are trained roofwards to intercept any descending stalactites or balloons. [...] the Starved Men have been made [...] to bleed in ways they cannot endure. [...] London has tended her wounds – has protected her people as best it can. "
  49. ↑ Contemplate the disposition of the Starved forces, Fallen London "The Starved Men are scattered. Half of them have abandoned the attack, either vanishing off into the fringes of the Neath, or ascending once more [...] Those that remain are clustered [...] still desperately engaged in their work. Fervid, like they know that their time is running out. "
  50. ↑ Give the order, Fallen London "There. Walking out of the shadows. Six of them, [...] "Hold," says your gruff second. "I think... I think they're surrendering." [...] They cooperate as the monks of Godfall bind their many hands at the wrists. [...] they do their best to show willing, the hairy one generally guiding the others. "
  51. ↑ Carnate, Incarcerate, Fallen London "The Starved Men prisoners are enjoying a stint in the belly of the HMS Vaunted, chained and weighted, and with the whole ship lined with charges. They have offered no further resistance. "
  52. ↑ Enquire about communication with the Starved Men, Fallen London "Jenny moues. "I think it's clear enough from the manner of their capture that they are trying to communicate." [...] "It's just meaningless noise," chuffs the Commodore. "Enough to give you nightmares.""
  53. ↑ Carnate, Incarcerate, Fallen London ""We should just scuttle her and be done with it," grouses the Overworked Commodore."
  54. ↑ Pick up the thread of the argument, Fallen London "After a lengthy span with an overcurious academic, plus some smuggled amber, this particular Starved individual has reshaped their vocal organs enough to speak."
  55. ↑ Hear them out, warily, Fallen London ""I dig nock... intengd thish. We saw the signs, and thott to acht. [...] They clear their throat. [...] The longer they talk, the clearer their voice becomes [...] "We watch. I watch. The rock. The lights. Patterns and signs and warnings. [...] Patterns reveal. What shape things will be. What shape things might be." [...] You are hearing the tale of the Starved Lithologer."
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Direct its attention towards the Starved Men, Fallen London "[...] the Starved Men across the London of your memory is full of fractious factions and warring wants, [...] Even on the Roof, where other forces swarm and muster, there are no outcasts – just two communities, working to different ends."
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 Ask why the Starved Men attacked, Fallen London " "What is seen can be changed. All things can be changed. [...] this body, it has fared ill with past changes." [...] "This is not a body, it's a city," blusters the Commodore. [...] "Yes. We sought to reshape the city, to help it avert a greater change which it could not endure. [...] We were helping—" [...] "You were tearing down our homes and tearing up our people." [...] a flash of a very human expression. Shame. "We wished to prevent [...] The city's next great change, [...] How many has it been now? Four?" [...] there was no time – we had to act, before..." [...]"
  58. ↑ What Lies Above, Fallen London ""Our way was the kinder way," says the Starved Lithologer. "We saw the signs, and sought to change them. [...] Others among us believe in catastrophic change. They saw the signs, and seek to hasten it." "
  59. ↑ Press for more details of the plan, Fallen London ""We expect the Starved to mount heavy resistance. They've seen how London can fight." [...] "They truly do not understand why you resist," rasps the Lithologer, "as we did not. Resisting a change that is already happening leads to..." [...] "Misshaping. They are used to overcoming that resistance. They will do so [...] "God forbid that they take our lives into account." [...] "They do not deal with you. They deal with the city and its change [...] It does not occur to them to negotiate with the blood in its veins, the cells [...]"
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Also Into You, Fallen London "A great ocular mass. A distended cornea the size of the [airship] itself [...] Helping these things hold their strained shape as they prepare to channel inimical sunlight. "
  61. ↑ Look up (What Lies Above), Fallen London ""They are preparing," says the Starved Lithologer. "We were not fast enough. We did not do enough." [...] "They have been digging upwards. They mean to... assist the city in a thorough metamorphosis." [...] "The sun," says the Commodore. "The b____y sun." "
  62. ↑ Rapprochement, Fallen London ""They mean to burn us," [...] "Bathe the city in sunlight. [...] The Starved Lithologer turns their great eye upwards [...] "They truly see it as a kindness. One short, sharp change. From down here... I think the perspective is different.""
  63. ↑ Plan of Attack, Fallen London "The Overworked Commodore stands. [...] A faction of the Starved Men have a weapon through which they mean to direct the sun on London. [...]"
  64. ↑ Consider who might help in London's hour of need, Fallen London ""So unless London is to become the target of an unknown weapon of the Roof, we need airships. And allies.""
  65. ↑ Field Commission, Fallen London ""We have a fleet, of sorts. But that's only half the battle." To stop the other faction of the Starved Men and their weapon, you first must find it. "
  66. ↑ Field Commission, Fallen London ""The Roof is a big place. [...] our Starved, hmm, allies claim they don't know where it is, either.""
  67. ↑ Station IX (Provisional), Fallen London "Previously known as the University's cricket field. Airship mooring posts [...] Eyes ever turn upwards: the skies are not secure. But, perhaps, soon."
  68. ↑ Rapprochement, Fallen London "The Starved Lithologer raises their arms [...] "We will help. Those of my faction who remain. We can sculpt away the error.""
  69. ↑ Rapprochement, Fallen London ""London needs all the allies it can get. [...] "You were good for intelligence gathering. How do you feel about international relations?" "
  70. ↑ Station IX (Provisional), Fallen London "The airfield is busier with every passing hour. The Starved Lithologer directs long-limbed compatriots around to help with construction. [...] Dockhands mill about, [...] Monks of Saint Stalactite's brotherhood can be heard singing [...] Corsairs bare golden teeth at any Admiralty engineers who come too close to their airships. [...] Clay Men lift chassis with useful, if unsettling, ease. [...] The Khaganian contingent stand out. [...] their ships fully illuminated with bright, white bulbs. [...] The devils, whose craft buzz uneasily, do whatever they please."
  71. ↑ Beseech Hell for aid, Fallen London "[...] the citizen of London [...] The weight of London's need was weighed against the requirements of the white city. [...] they revealed a morsel of interest. Sunlight, they said. [...] Hell prepared itself for war."
  72. ↑ The Board is Set, Fallen London "Word is spreading: the Starved weapon has been located. All airship captains have been summoned. The fleet stands ready. "
  73. ↑ Join the briefing, Fallen London "Your fellow captains hail from all across the Neath. Members of the Admiralty, plus those Londoners conscripted [...] Devils [...] Polythremian ships, [...] Khanate pilots [...]"
  74. ↑ Plan of Attack, Fallen London "The Overworked Commodore stands. [...] A faction of the Starved Men have a weapon through which they mean to direct the sun on London. [...] "It has taken time for them to finish constructing—" [...] The Commodore grinds his teeth. "They are ready. Our reconnaissance flights have located the weapon. The fleet will move to destroy it. [...]"
  75. ↑ Give the order (Into the Cold, Black Yonder), Fallen London "Lines are cast off, ballast loosed. The [airship] drifts Roofwards. [...] You join the steady throng of air ships threading their way upwards."
  76. ↑ Plan of Attack, Fallen London "A thought occurs to him. He fixes his eyes on [...] Mr Pages' [...] Will you require a ship, or do you intend to..." [...] the searchlight glare of Mr Fires. [...] the silent Mr Iron [...] scrawls a reply. 'INDUSTRY SHALL BEAR US.' A talon flicks out to indicate Fires' personal airship [...]"
  77. ↑ Roof, Rocks, Ruin, Fallen London "[...] the first stalactite falls. [...] even those vessels quick enough to break up the larger rocks with cannon fire must contend with the resulting stony rain. "
  78. ↑ Opening Salvoes, Fallen London "The sudden changes in buoyancy cause vessels to sink towards London, or rise to pierce themselves on pointed rock. "
  79. ↑ Opening Salvoes, Fallen London "A shout goes up [...] Starved Men are descending, in balloons and under their own power. They strike at the hulls and the crew, or hurl handfuls of amber that dissolve or remake. "
  80. ↑ Reach and Grasp, Fallen London "A large mass [...] you could mistake it for an errant member of the fleet – it has the size and approximate shape of an airship. [...] you see the knots of flesh that make up its hull. The great lungs that form its air envelope. The [...] Starved that have formed themselves into this thing. "
  81. ↑ Bring your guns to bear, Fallen London "[...] the St Stalactites Saison ploughs through the lot of them at speed. The battle-brigade of Godfall's monks [...] grab hold of any Starved craft in range and assault them with gleeful cheer. "
  82. ↑ Proceed, unmolested, Fallen London "The Lifeship has been lying in wait. [...] it drags it down. The Starved craft, at least, talks back. The Lifeship rumbles happily as it ploughs towards the earth. "
  83. ↑ This Wild Highness, Fallen London "Three dark shapes plummet from the bottom of Industry. [...] The first of the shapes spreads vast, membranous wings, [...] Claws gut the first Starved Man before it has seen the creature coming. The other two shapes unfurl, and the heights are quickly awash in blood. [...] One is brutal [...] carving each into bloody, bubbling chunks. Another pauses at each of its marks, [...] while a clawed hand simply brushes the skin. Those Starved scream as they fall. The last [...] the air shimmers around it, [...] the Starved whose blood boils within them, who find themselves indebted to the ground, [...] the air simply betrays and will allow no further passage."
  84. ↑ In Sight, Fallen London "London's fleet is in disarray behind you."
  85. ↑ Take aim!, Fallen London "Bring every gun on the [airship] to bear on the Starved oculus. [...] Starved Men are vaulting from the roof onto the [airship] and clambering down to the deck. You have boarders. "
  86. ↑ In Sight, Fallen London "Starved Men swarm the deck of the [airship]. London's fleet is in disarray behind you. Rock pours from the Roof like rain. "
  87. ↑ In Sight, Fallen London "Ahead, the eye turns, slowly, haltingly, out to gaze upon London."
  88. ↑ In Sight, Fallen London "Something moves upon the Roof above the oculus. [...] The sound of stone on stone. Above the eye, the Roof is coming apart."
  89. ↑ Last Orders, Fallen London "The skin on the ceiling parts, [...] a core of stone – falls from the roof. And what follows [...] Sunlight. A tiny beam [...] The light touches the rock [...] From being magnified and projected down, even as it burns out its channel. "
  90. ↑ Fly the (Airship) straight into the Starved weapon, Fallen London "You hold the course. You make yourself a dart. A missile of wood and flesh and fabric. A spear, thrown from London, to put one in the eye of those who would unmake it. "
  91. ↑ An End, at Last, Fallen London ""I know what it looks like when a city ends. It looks worse than this from here." A rictus is neither a smile nor a leer. "And better.""
  92. ↑ Catch the eye of the Overworked Commodore, Fallen London "Who will command the airfleet [...] "No fleet to command. The craft that made it back are being stripped down and reconverted. Those that Fires didn't lay its claim to first," [...]"
  93. ↑ The London Horticultural Show (Reprise), Fallen London "The city has become exceptionally invested in the Horticultural Show. Londoners have spent weeks sweeping broken glass [...] filling in insurance forms, knocking down [...] those buildings too unsafe to let stand. After that ordeal, fungi, uncomfortable chairs, [...] are a blessed relief. "
  94. ↑ The London Horticultural Show (Reprise), Fallen London "Amid the the bedraggled-but-proud displays of flora, a nascent garden has emerged. No one decision was made. No one declared it should be what it is. Londoners just started planting. "
  95. ↑ Visit the community garden, Fallen London "The 'garden' for now consists largely of a single raised bed. The sides are fashioned from discarded airship hull pieces. People wait patiently to lay in a spreading motley of plants and fungi."
  96. ↑ Approach the Starved Lithologer, Fallen London "They're the only one of their number that dared to come here. [...] "We... truly thought we were helping. I don't think that means much, but it is—" [...] "Unchanging. True." [...] "The city is changing back to what it was before. That is..." [...] "...something I would like to understand.""
  97. ↑ A Scion of a Starved Rose, Fallen London "Pale, flexile, and aromatic. Keep it in a vase of amber, and prepare to be surprised."
  98. ↑ The Peace Garden, Fallen London "A commotion goes up from the entrance – a Starved Man [...] is walking in. [...] He sweeps clear a knot of soil, places something inside, and steps back. [...] The 'rose' is grey [...] The folds of its petals put you more in mind of skin than leaves. [...] the Starved Man bows to the assembled Londoners. Some return the gesture. Others mutter ungraciously [...] Still others tighten their grip on their makeshift weapons. "
  99. ↑ 99.0 99.1 The London Horticultural Show Awards Ceremony, Fallen London "The London Horticultural Show Awards Ceremony is being held [...] whichever plants could be salvaged (or photographs of plants; or verifiable eyewitness reports of plants) have been recovered. Judgement must be exercised upon them. Life must carry on."
  100. ↑ A Cultural Exchange, Fallen London "[...] the events of that summer arose from a poor understanding of each others' existential idiom. In a bid to ensure that it cannot happen again, the Starved Lithologer has facilitated a cultural program where the two sides exchange gifts. "
Retrieved from "https://thefifthcity.wiki/w/index.php?title=The_London_Horticultural_Show&oldid=15459"