"He stoops like a clerk and coughs like a miner. But that frock-coat is of the finest fabric and the newest cut. “My name is Penstock,” he says."[1]
Penstock is a land agent who manages Penstock’s Land Agency, a modest office situated on the eastern flank of the Bazaar.[2] On the surface, he inspects, purchases, and sells property.[3] But beneath the Agency, beyond Penstock’s Wicket, lies the Sundered Sea—the vast reservoir that serves as the Bazaar’s lacre-vats.[4] Access to this hidden expanse is granted only through Penstock’s Wicket, an entrance guarded by Penstock himself, leading to the depths below via an elevator of sorts.[5]
Every Christmas, he permits select Londoners to descend into the Sea, allowing them a rare opportunity to commune with the Bazaar.[6] Penstock wields absolute control over access to the lacre-vats; even other servants of the Bazaar must seek his permission.[7][8]
A deeply loyal servant, Penstock harbors a love for the Bazaar that borders on devotion. He is intensely concerned for its mental and physical well-being[9] and staunchly opposes its use of sphinxstone, for that would only exacerbate its melancholy.[10][11] His appearance reflects his burdens—tired eyes, a sallow complexion, and a fine yet somewhat worn frock-coat. He walks with a stoop, coughs frequently,[1] and, due to his proximity to the Sea, carries with him the scent of ammonia and despair.[12]
Before entering the Bazaar’s service, Penstock was a zailor with no care for his own being, a past he does not speak of often. He may have once participated in The Marvellous,[13] and it was he who facilitated The Lady in Lilac’s contact with the Bazaar.[14] Yet, despite his devotion, he considers love to be the most terrible burden of all.[15]
References
↑ 1.01.1A dusty gentleman, Sunless Sea"Tired eyes, sallow skin. He stoops like a clerk and coughs like a miner. But that frock-coat is of the finest fabric and the newest cut. “My name is Penstock,” he says."
↑Go with her, Fallen London"Penstock's Land Agency: a modest office in an immodest location, hard against the eastern flank of the Bazaar - that spired fortress of commerce that towers over London. Penstock stoops like a clerk and coughs like a miner, but his eyes are very wise."
↑Sell your Mansion, Sunless SeaPenstock, the land agent, looks over the Mansion with a gloomy eye. “Roof's going,” he suggests. “But it's a good size, I suppose.”
↑Pass the Wicket and descend, Fallen London[…] "This is only the way down," he tells you […] "There are other ways up. At least, you should hope there are." […] There is a scent – the unmistakable ammonia of lacre – and you hear something, too. It sounds very like the sea.
↑Mr Sacks! Take this pail of... snow? 2, Fallen London"The lacre is of the quality I might have expected. Yes, indeed. Not generous, but sufficient. […] I shall commend you to Penstock, should that time come." It snares it […]. What's this it's left behind? Since when does Mr Sacks leave gifts?
↑Confer with Penstock, Fallen London"Penstock is the Bazaar's faithful servant, always concerned for the Bazaar's welfare and its state of mind. He has views on the debt."
↑Did you detect the intrusion of a nautical 'z' into his greeting?, Fallen LondonHe jumps, as if you'd performed some impossible act of witchcraft. "How did you—? Yes. […] I was moved to intercede against this Station IV villainy." Anger blushes […] "They're feeding old memories into the lacre-vats. Go below, and smell for yourself."
↑Penstock's Plea, Sunless Sea“The Bazaar has been feasting on old memories from the Salt Lions. It only makes her more melancholy, and that's worse for all of us... but especially those who love her. So we've found another use for the Sphinxstone. We can set something right.”
↑Reject his plea, Sunless Sea"He smells of ammonia and sadness. You should go somewhere that does not smell of those things."
↑Go with her, Fallen London"There is another sea beneath the Bazaar," Penstock declares. "A paler sea. Yes, I would imagine you might make the bargain your mother made. Yes, I helped her go down there. But she took a terrible chance even then... and the Bazaar is not well. Not now. Are you certain?"
↑Penstock, Fallen London"Nerves still frayed. I miss the zee." He swirls the liquid in his cup pensively. "I was a reckless zailor. Didn't care overmuch if I lived or died. Nothing to care for, not even myself." He hasn't thought to pour you a cup yet. Of either the gin from his hip flask or the slowly cooling teapot on the table. "There's no worse burden than caring for someone. Can't say I recommend it."
