"You know 'er? Face like a prune and mind like a knife. She's giving a lecture of sorts, if you've got some good secrets. I only mention 'cos I do know you like money summat fierce."[3]
The Numismatrix is an expert in numismatics (the study of coins) and a powerful, if eccentric, figure in the Great Game.
Mrs Coins
"When she isn't working, she is forever trying to show you a coin from the reign of Augustus, or something similarly tedious."[4]
The Numismatrix is an elderly lady with a sing-song cadence to her speech and beady blue-green eyes.[5] She is extremely knowledgeable about her field,[6] and is a font of information on the esoteric currencies of the Neath[7] and the Bazaar.[8] She often gives out lectures on coinage[9] and seizes every opportunity to expound upon the subject.[10] Her Parabolan reflection is a nonexistent Master of the Bazaar called Mr Coins.[11]
The Numismatrix runs a well-secured shop from which she brokers both currency and information.[12] She can obtain any coin from around the world or under it, but she never sells more than one at a time,[13] at a high but honest price.[14] As a self-described neutral observer of the Great Game (although inaction is a decision in itself),[15] she is also interested in secrets and intelligence, as they are a form of currency in the Game.[16]
Little Coins
"Are you quite sure you want to know this?"
Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
You can find out more about our spoiler policy here.
"They say that the Numismatrix knows her coins better than her children. Well, who could blame her? Coins never make untoward noise; coins never forget your birthday."[17]
The Numismatrix has at least one child, the acclaimed Great Game spy known as the Civet.[18] The Civet holds some affection for their mother, but they note with disappointment that her approach to parenting involved about as much effort[19] as her neutrality in the Great Game.[15]
References
↑The Season of Silver, Fallen London"The Numismatrix? One of the fabled players of the Great Game, the Keeper of Currencies, has lost treasures from her vault? What an opportunity!"
↑Do a spot of bird watching, Fallen London"Seen any coins?" [...] "The folks up stairs say everyone's lookin' for 'em! The Numi-- Nusi-- the Nuisancematrix lost her special ones. [...]"
↑Apply her particular expertise in a novel way, Fallen London"She's actually very helpful, once given a section of the problem that fits her particular interests. Until she launches into an explanation of the differences between Yuan coinage and earlier Mongolian currency systems. A masterclass on the subject, no doubt, but useless to your current project."
↑A lovely place for a lecture, Fallen London"Coins. You wish me to discuss coins. Very well. Echoes first. The ones you have in your purse are indeed echoes. Reflections of the first currency ever used by the Bazaar. Before it even thought about buying cities. You'll probably never see any of the underlying fundamental Coins. I never have. There's only around a dozen of them, I've heard, and the Masters won't touch them. Fascinating, no? [...]"
↑Speak with the Numismatrix, Fallen London"When she isn't working, she is forever trying to show you a coin from the reign of Augustus, or something similarly tedious."
↑Employ the Reflection of the Numismatrix, Fallen London"The would-be Master is smaller and less deep-voiced than most of its kind. Sometimes its hood slips and you see a familiar profile; and a robe, clinking, lined with a thousand thousand pockets, a different coin tucked into each one."
↑Tracking down the Numismatrix, Fallen London"Grasping your secrets in your hand, you approach the sternly secure shop of the Numismatrix. "Secrets-already-known," she says in her sing-song cadence. "One-has gone-off-already.""
↑Visit the Numismatrix, Fallen London"The Numismatrix can obtain any coin in the world or under it, but her prices are eccentric and she never sells more than a single coin. [...]"
↑ 15.015.1The Season of Silver, Fallen London"The Numismatrix thinks she is a neutral observer in the Great Game, but if you choose not to make a move, you pass your turn. A choice has still been made, and the game goes on. [...]"
↑Tracking down the Numismatrix, Fallen London"Secrets-are-a-currency, all-to-themselves," says the Numismatrix in her sing-song voice. She tucks yours away behind the counter. "I-will-make-arrangements. Others-will-hear-my-lecture. I-will-contact-you-shortly."
↑The Season of Silver, Fallen London"A scrap of cloak tore away in your hand. It has a copper-thread decoration in the corner, showing some kind of feline. Or maybe it's a weasel? No. A civet."
↑The Season of Silver, Fallen London"There are many other pieces I could have moved. But I care enough to be disappointed in her. The Numismatrix is said to know her coins better than she knows her children. That is certainly true, although I must say she made little effort in my case."
