Mereid
"A city lies shattered around you; strewn across the zee-bed. Heavy spires and sunken sepulchres, tumbled domes and fractured mosaics: the grave of a nation."[1] "Mereid was condemned to sink by the Prester for breaking one of his sacred laws. The queen staved off the Prester's justice for a while - longer than many thought possible - but not forever. Even now, risen again, it bears the peligin signatures of almost-death and almost-dream."[2]
In the far-off zee, where the stench of blood is strong, there was a city called Mereid.[3] The city was populated by outcasts, those who were exiled from their homes for Coveting that Which Was Not Theirs to Covet, and they made it beautiful in the face of their losses. But it was surrounded by enemies; the Lady in Black - the manifestation of death in the Zee - wanted the city for herself as a palace, and the Presbyterate condemned it to sink beneath the waves for breaking one of its laws. Slowly, Mereid drowned.[4]
The Meridians could not stave off the Presbyterate alone, though they put up an honorable fight, and this is probably why they made a bargain with Lady Black. The city would stay afloat, and in return, Lady Black would take a newborn from Mereid to raise as her own. As long as the boy remained under the surface, the city would be safe. But he did not - he grew up and left, and the city submerged completely.[5] He still wanders the Neath, known as the Persistent Traveler.
As of 1899 (the second), the Persistent Traveler has returned to Mereid, causing the resurfacing of the city. London and Presbyterate forces are both incredibly alarmed by this, and have kept the news quiet to the public; after all, Mereid once held its own against the Presbyterate, and they would not appreciate the return of an old threat.
- ↑ The Season of Propinquity, Fallen London
- ↑ The Exile's Chalice, Fallen London
- ↑ The Season of Propinquity, Fallen London "As you head farther south still, where night-blue bats cry over the advancing cliffs and the air smells of salt and blood, the Traveller comes to your cabin. He has a story to tell."
- ↑ The Season of Propinquity, Fallen London "Its name was Mereid. Its people were cast-outs. They were exiled for the crime of Coveting that Which Was Not Theirs to Covet. They made their city beautiful in defiance [...] The island was always sinking. Something else wanted the city more"
- ↑ The Season of Propinquity, Fallen London "They say there's a woman below the zee. [...] She wanted the city to be her palace. The Meridians bargained [...] She was to have a newborn boy from the [...] So long as he dwelt with her beneath the waves, the city would stand above. But, the boy grew into a curious child and one day —""
