"He's trying to make an honest living as a painter these days. He's staying on the straight and narrow path for the most part."[1]
The Repentant Forger is a former counterfeiter who now deeply regrets his criminal past. Polite and refined, he is a handsome, dark-skinned man[2] with an air of melancholy.[3] Recently released from prison,[4] he has chosen to walk a more honest path, using his artistic talents for legitimate commissions.[5] While he charges money for his work from art collectors, he is more relaxed with friends, accepting payment in the form of fine wine.[6] His studio, nestled in Veilgarden,[7] is shabby and run-down.[8] The Forger is often found stooped over a canvas,[9] paint-stained sleeves[10] rolled up, completely absorbed in his work.
Although he has renounced his life of crime, the Forger maintains a quiet awareness of London’s criminal underbelly.[11] Ne’er-do-wells and former associates still seek him out, hoping to convince him to take up forgery once again.[12] But he is firm in his refusal; unless the visitor is someone he likes,[13][14] or the threat is compelling enough to leave him little choice. He has a fondness for the Sardonic Music-Hall Singer,[15] and occasionally drinks coffee with the Last Constable, with whom he shares a near-fatherly bond.[16] He also has something to do with both the Ministry of Public Decency and the Dawn Machine.[17]
The Forger misses the life he had on the Surface. He misses the bright and warm light of the sun particularly. He can no longer return above however.[18]
↑A visit from the Repentant Forger, Fallen London"He's sketched a caricature of you on a slab of jade. He leaves it by your bedside as you chat. He's a little melancholy, and he doesn't do much to lift your spirits, but you sense he's glad of the company."
↑The Repentant Forger, Fallen London"You are sharing a cell with a Repentant Forger whose sentence is nearly done. You strike up a friendship, and the time passes a little more comfortably."
↑Pose nude for a painting, Fallen London"You agree to pose nude for a painting. The work is completed quickly, and is bought immediately by an anonymous collector. You just hope nothing untoward is going on."
↑Drop by for a chat, Fallen London"The Repentant Forger's studio is run-down and shabby, but he has the oddest visitors. The Forger himself knows surprising things."
↑Drop by for a chat, Fallen London"[...] Although he's sorry about his previous life of crime, he certainly seems to know a lot about what's going on in the shadier parts of the Neath."
↑Old habits, Fallen London"You hear raised, angry voices[…] The Repentant Forger is refusing to admit the two gentlemen. You […] see him waving […] banknotes at the two ne'er-do-wells. No, he will not return to his forging ways. Coins and paper currency will have to see to themselves."
↑Sell forged tickets, Fallen London"You have contacts with expertise; arranging the use of an underground printing-press for an evening is a trifling matter. Soon, you have rolls of fresh, crisp tickets for Odin's Horse. You sell several dozen to the hopefuls..."
↑Call on the Repentant Forger to produce some banknotes, Fallen London"The Repentant Forger is fond of the Sardonic Music-Hall Singer, but he's fonder of remaining out of prison. You have to resort to mentioning one of the Forger's darkest secrets before he agrees to supply the Echoes the lady needs."
↑She's not alone, Fallen London"You join the Repentant Forger and the Last Constable. He's teasing her: asking to paint her portrait. She smiles more than usual. When he pats her shoulder, he's avuncular, almost fatherly. You spend a pleasant half-hour with them both."
↑Your Salon: invite the Repentant Forger as a guest of honour, Fallen London"A curiously worded note with the censorship stamp of the Ministry of Public Decency. Words have been blocked out, but the sense appears to be that he is helping them with their enquiries, and will be indisposed for a little while. The cause is '__ the of the __ in my paintings; the pigments __ __ __ ___.' The last two blockings out are a little hasty. You can just make out the words 'Dawn Machine' underneath."
↑Flint, Fallen London"I miss the Sun. I had a life on the Surface. I'm a painter; and I'm a child of daylight. To live without sunlight is very hard. But I can't go back."
