The London Horticultural Show

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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 with a large glasshouse was provided for the show by one Lady ______.[4] Notable plants cultivated for the event included:[5]

  • ‘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.[6]
  • '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.[7]
  • 'Golden screamer' mandrakes (Mandragora officinalis lacrimosum): A mandrake that may scream, sing, or cry. Unrelated to mandrakes of the Surface.[8]
  • 'Violant wing' lily-caps (Lactarius rhizomaticus): A violant mushroom that may grow in unexpected nooks and crannies, including within a careless mycologist's throat.[9]
  • Cautionary Orchids: said to originate from the Regent of Caution’s very own gardens. Properties unknown.[10]

The Horticultural Show began on a fine afternoon;[11] attendance was middling,[12] but drinks were plentiful.[13] His Amused Lordship raised his glass for a toast, and began his opening speech.[14]

Don't Look Up

Unfortunately, His Lordship's speech was interrupted - first by a few falling pebbles, then larger stones.[15] An enormous stalactite from the Roof of the Neath,[16] larger than a cathedral, fell upon the glasshouse,[17] devastating both the building and the crowd in attendance.[18] The stalactite then broke open,[19] and hordes of Starved Men emerged from its hollow interior.[20] Six smaller stalactites also fell across London, each transporting more Starved, and even more denizens of the Roof descended upon the city from above.[21]

The invading Starved immediately began reshaping the infrastructure of London:[22] they turned buildings into flesh and bone,[23][24] among other materials,[25] and cut its roads with rivers of fat.[26] Many buildings collapsed in the assault, trapping anyone inside.[24] One Starved Man even turned Wolfstack Docks into its personal alchemic vat, transmuting water into ice, stone, and even cesium.[27] Crowds choked the rail station at Moloch Street, making travel out of London extremely hazardous.[28] The Starved did not deliberately target civilians,[29] but they were uncaring of civilian casualties and willing to repel with force any Londoners who interrupted their work,[30][31] resulting in brutal street fights.[32]

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;[33] the Empress took shelter within the Shuttered Palace, and her staff refused to offer assistance.[34] In the end, it was Sinning Jenny who took matters into her own hands and led the relief effort.[35] She set up field hospitals for the wounded,[36] ensured citizens received food, medical supplies and safety,[37] and acted as a leader for volunteers to rescue the wounded and repair London’s damaged structures.[37][38][39] While the Admiralty was initially caught unawares by the attack,[40] they soon mobilized cannons and crew to strike back against the Starved threat.[41][42] 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[43] to discuss strategy and gather intelligence.[44]

While the Starved Men possessed superhuman durability and were able to survive seemingly fatal wounds,[45] London was still able to mount a counterattack. The city restricted its amber supply,[46] repelled any incoming Starved Men from the Roof, and inflicted upon them grievous wounds,[45] all the while keeping its citizens relatively protected.[47] Many Starved were forced to retreat from London entirely, but one group remained, still intent on their work to reshape London.[48] However, they soon surrendered and were captured by the Admiralty.[49][50]

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. ↑ In the Glasshouse, Fallen London "Game Instructions: Grow plants for rewards, prizes [...]"
  6. ↑ '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...'"
  7. ↑ '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...'"
  8. ↑ 'Golden screamer' mandrakes, Fallen London "'Mandragora officinalis lacrimosum: the screaming, singing, or crying mandrake. Possibly a misnamed species unrelated to Surface mandrakes."
  9. ↑ '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...'"
  10. ↑ Cautionary Orchids, Fallen London "Taken, at great expense, from the very gardens of the Regent of Caution."
  11. ↑ The Opening Ceremony, Fallen London "Seating has been prepared [...] It's a fine afternoon for it – the false-stars are noticeably bright. "
  12. ↑ Find a seat, Fallen London "The organisers have rather overestimated enthusiasm for the event [...] many more chairs than people. "
  13. ↑ Charging Up, Fallen London "[...] attendants step forward, brandishing trays of drinks. "I fear we've rather over-catered, so do drink up.""
  14. ↑ 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. [...]"
  15. ↑ 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."
  16. ↑ Stalactite, Fallen London "Stalactite [...] A plunging eclipse. [...] Piercing pillar of rock. [...] A vasty knife to pierce London's skin."
  17. ↑ 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."
  18. ↑ 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. "
  19. ↑ Rise, Fallen London "[...] the stalactite peels open."
  20. ↑ 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."
  21. ↑ 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."
  22. ↑ 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 [...]"
  23. ↑ The War in London 2, Fallen London "London is overrun. Buildings, their quoins and cornice stones made flesh, ripped open and left to bleed."
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 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."
  25. ↑ 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."
  26. ↑ 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."
  27. ↑ 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."
  28. ↑ 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."
  29. ↑ 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. "
  30. ↑ 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. "
  31. ↑ 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."
  32. ↑ 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."
  33. ↑ 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."
  34. ↑ 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.""
  35. ↑ 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." [...]"
  36. ↑ 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. [...]"
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 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 [...]"
  38. ↑ Join a search party, Fallen London "All over London, people need help. And Jenny is making that happen."
  39. ↑ 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."
  40. ↑ 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.""
  41. ↑ 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."
  42. ↑ 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."
  43. ↑ 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.""
  44. ↑ Marshalling Intelligence, Fallen London "The Overworked Commodore looks up [...] What intelligence do you have for the Admiralty's resistance efforts?"
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 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 [...]"
  46. ↑ 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."
  47. ↑ 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. "
  48. ↑ 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. "
  49. ↑ 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. "
  50. ↑ 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. "
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