A egg from the festival of Whitsun. Probably not from a bunny.
"Welcome to Whitsun! That's my name for the phenomenon. No, no, it's nothing to do with the church – as far as I know. But, it's the right time of the year."[1]
Whitsun is a festival celebrated yearly during the month of May, marked by the sudden appearance of bizarre eggs scattered throughout Fallen London.
Whitsun (called Pentecost in other Christian spheres) was always a commonly celebrated holiday in London. Recently, however, the day has begun to be marked by large eggs appearing in inconvenient locations around London.[2] They can manifest in places as high as chimneys, or as low as the holds of docked ships.[2] As is typical, citizens have elected to take advantage of this phenomenon. The Effervescent Charcutier, and his son, the Reliable Eggmonger, have made a fortune selling eggs to Londoners;[3] unfortunately, their business must remain discreet, as the Special Constables also seek to confiscate eggs left and right.[4]
During the festival itself, many Londoners tend to go, for lack of a better term, egg-mad. The festivities are often marked by egg-smuggling attempts, terrible egg puns resulting in violence, and unpopular egg-themed restaurants. Mysteriously, several urchins have fervently attempted to acquire eggs as well, for purposes that remain unclear.[5]
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"A speaker near Hangman's Arch has drawn the ire of a crowd. They are using chicken's eggs to express their opinion of his thoughts on larger eggs."[5]
Whitsun's phenomenon spawns several different varieties of egg. They come in a variety of different colors (perhaps bright red or deep blue_, appearances, and sizes,[6] and many citizens eagerly try to hatch them. To influence the creatures gestating within the eggs, some Londoners subject their eggs to strange "augmentations",[7] which may consist of "invigorating" the egg with secrets,[8] "enlightening" them with truths,[9] or other, more esoteric methods.[10]
The most notable varieties of egg seen during Whitsun include:
"Look! Look at its, ah, ruby glow! The sure sign of a good egg!"[11]
Scarlet Eggs are large eggs with a striking red color, the color of something that seeks to be noticed, and to be seen.[12] These eggs were modified by a mysterious power to move them from their place in the chain of being,[13] by using amber to strengthen their shells, expand their size, and modify the creatures gestating within.[14]
"This is not an 'old' egg, but a sophisticated egg. It comes highly recommended by those who... are experts in, ah, eggs!"[15]
Aged Eggs are large eggs with a cracked, fossilized appearance, which yield creatures who apparently originate from an older era.[16] These eggs were modified by a mysterious power, leaving almost no trace of tampering,[17] and when left near other living things such as plants, they may cause the object to wither and devolve into a more primitive form.[18]
"Look at the fur on this one. I hear it's the sign of a fresh one. Makes you think, doesn't it?"[19]
Percipient Eggs are large eggs with a furry texture, and they hatch creatures known for their extreme curiosity.[20] Unlike many other eggs seen during Whitsun, these eggs are apparently completely unmodified.[21]
"Good god! Is that girl's hair on fire? Quick! Get some wat— Ah, no. It's just the pet perched upon her shoulder. Although – the pet is on fire! Quick, get some—"[5]
The festival of Whitsun is also notable for the creatures that hatch from its mysterious eggs. These creatures are influenced by the augmentations applied to their eggs before they hatched, undergoing significant changes, and gaining strengths and potentially supernatural powers in the process.[7] Several of these creatures actually make fine pets, if one is particularly daring of course.[5]
"Its vast appetites demand vast portions. You endure on the good graces of your local butcher, and learn quickly never to feed it by hand."[22]
Aurochs are ancient, bull-like creatures with a typically vegetarian diet, known for their large sizes and appetites.[23]
Carnivorous Aurochs are aurochs with a uniquely meat-based diet.[22] When in Parabola, they're apparently capable of conveying sigils of the mysterious Discordance.[24]
Dream-Dwelling Carnivorous Aurochs are carnivorous aurochs that largely reside within Parabola.[25] Their appetites, and activities, are as mysterious as their choice in habitat.[26]
The Reflected Minotaur is a mysterious, humanoid aurochs that resides entirely within Parabola. Its appetites and the extent of its powers are unknown.[27]
When the old bones of an aurochs are scattered in Parabola, they may grow into Flourishing Aurochs, powerful beasts of war with bodies composed of newly-grown plant life.[28]
"He sits on your stove to get a better view from the kitchen window. The gaslight passes through his skin, dappling your kitchen floor with a warm, orange glow."[29]
Suspicious Iguanas are known for their careful and observant nature.[30] This makes them surprisingly skilled investigators, even in hectic places like the Flit.[31]
Amber Iguanas are iguanas with translucent skin, an orange coloration, and a fondness for open flames.[29] They also enjoy eating lit candles. Due to their exposure to the Shapeling Arts, their skeletons have several strange features, such as spike-covered spinal columns or strangely textured skulls.[32]
Warm-Hearted Amber Iguanas are gold-colored iguanas with a high body temperature and a fondness for warming the laps or feet of their owners.[33][34] These iguanas generate heat from the center of their bodies, and they grow hotter when their heart rate increases.[35]
The Rubbery Dragon is a powerful creature capable of emitting large amounts of steam or even fire when excited.[36] Its body is luminescent and quite flexible, and it is also highly omnivorous.[37][38]
"A voice as sweet as a Neathy raven, but with the vocal power of His Amused Lordship."[39]
Untrained Lyrebirds are dull-feathered birds that are capable of imitating sounds in their environment. However, they lack the ability to sing without proper training.[40]
Operatic Lyrebirds are strikingly-colored birds with extremely loud voices.[39] They're extremely capable as singers, and even possess a keen understanding of musical nuances.[41]
Lyrebirds Educated in Three Schools are even louder than their Operatic counterparts, and have brighter feathers to boot.[42] These birds are educated in the popular schools of the Bazaarines, Celestials, and... Mycologenes? Fittingly for that last school, these birds also enjoy duets with Blemmigans.[43]
The Unquenchable Firebird is a bird that emits tremendous amounts of fiery light, but inexplicably does not burn its surroundings. Even one feather from its body can light up an entire room.[44]
"Its legs give the beast a turn of speed to match a horse. Does the excessively long nose aid the wolf in smelling? Certainly, it's at your feet tripping over you the moment you even consider preparing a meal."[45]
Spindlewolves are lovable, fox-like creatures with unusually long and slightly chitinous legs.[46] As endearing as they are, they're also capable eavesdroppers when given the right disguise.[47]
Elongated Spindlewolves have a canine appearance, but have more than four legs. They also possess much longer limbs and noses than their unaugmented counterparts, gifting them with tremendous amounts of speed. Not that this affects their amiable personalities, however.[48]
Surveilling Spindlewolves are canine creatures with chitinous legs that resemble that of a scorpion, and an armored tail, several extra eyes, and the ability to climb walls.[49] They also move extremely quietly, and are skilled observers.[50][51] Despite their appearences, however, they retain the friendly behavior of all other Spindlewolves.[52]
The Brachiating Spindlewolf is a canine creature with an uncountable number of armored legs, many pairs of eyes, and a fondness for hanging upside down. They're just as nice as other Spindlewolves, of course.[53]
A Spindlewolf.
An Elongated Spindlewolf.
A Surveilling Spindlewolf.
The Brachiating Spindlewolf
The Brachiating Spindlewolf, seen in its preferred resting position.
"The creature can squeeze through the smallest of gaps, and climb and leap as if it had wings. It is a natural explorer – you never know when you'll glance up to see the light catch on its beady eyes, its glinting tail."[54]
Quizzical Squirrels are unique squirrels with venomous stingers in their tails. These creatures are fortunately immune to their own poison,[55] and possess excellent jumping ability.[56] When fed attar, the mysterious currency of Arbor, the sting of these squirrels may convey extremely bizarre dreams and visions. However, they cannot produce attar of their own.[57]
Acute Squirrels are squirrels with needle-sharp ears, shell-covered fingers, and a articulated, venomous stinger for a tail.[58] The potency and type of venom these creatures produce is dependent on their diet, which is surprisingly varied.[59]
Acicular Squirrels are squirrels with razor-sharp, venomous tails, multiple eyes, and clawed paws.[60] Their sharp claws give them an unparalleled climbing ability,[61] and they rely on their sense of smell to locate food easily.[62]
The Transfixing Squirrel is a squirrel-like creature with soft fur, a venomous tail, chitinous skin, multiple pairs of eyes, and an almost hypnotic gaze. Notably, it has a fondness for eating candles, and its tail glows greenish-purple when it consumes one.[63]
"Fortunately flightless: your most prized possessions can be protected by hiding on tall wardrobes. Anything below shoulder height is at risk of exploratory savaging."[64]
Terror Birds are ancient, flightless birds with a fondness for chewing on anything they can reach.[64] Chicks have fuzzy down and fluffy tails,[65] and enjoy being given head scratches;[66] adults stand as tall as an adult human, and possess a strong curiosity.[67] Unfortunately, Terror Birds are unpopular as pets in Fallen London,[68] despite their friendly demeanor,[69] and rejected Terror Birds often inhabit the suburbs of the city, continuing their usual habits of biting everything in sight.[68]
Iron-Toothed Terror Birds are terror birds that even taller than their unaugmented counterparts,[70] and possess extremely sharp beaks, capable of ripping apart even metal.[71] Their beaks are so sharp that their teeth appear to be a redundancy,[72] not that this helps any poor home appliances within chewing distance, of course.
The Double-Headed Terror Bird is a Iron-Toothed Terror Bird with two independent heads. These heads have a tendency to argue and even attack one another, but this impediment may be for the best given this beast's ferocious power.[73]
"An old crone shuffles past. Her hat whistles jauntily in your direction. She makes eye contact with you – and maintains a mischievously neutral expression."[5]
Whitsun is also notable for its unique fashion trends and articles of clothing that rose in popularity during the festival. It's quite telling that these are harvested from the creatures that hatch from the season's eggs.[5]
The Aurochs-Fur Coat, a soft and comfortable fur coat; useful for sleepless nights.[74]
Birdskin Gloves, gloves coated in feathery fuzz that are impervious to sharp objects and severe heat, making them useful tools for handling Terror Birds.[75][76]
Honed Ushanka, a piece of headwear with a venomous stinger nestled within itself.[77] An unpopular item.[78]
Iguana-Skin Boots, good for cold feet, but poor for slippery floors.[79]
Tuneful Hat, a hat that refuses to stop singing.[80] Charming at dawn, a menace at dusk.[81]
Vigilant Chitin-Fur Boots, warm boots that may or may not stare at onlookers.[82]
"Where does one keep creatures of such extraordinary size?"[83]
Mr Hearts has, like many Londoners been experimenting with the various eggs spawned during Whitsun for many years now. In fact this Master is responsible for the clandestine trade in Iron & Misery devices used to augment these eggs necesarry to the highest levels of augmentation possible.[84] Despite using all the known methods for augmenting the eggs (and inventing a few new ones) Mr Hearts wasn't satisfied with the results for a long while as this Master aimed to make the Witsun beasts much larger - large enough to serve as beasts of burden or riding animals.[85] Luckily Mr Hearts seems to have had succeded in this endeavour recently as new beasts are appearing across London as riding mounts.
"A shiver. The egg contains you. Your house. The egg holds London, the Neath, the — No. The egg is just an egg. But, for a moment, what was growing on the inside was entirely outside, was everything beyond this world."[86]
It goes without saying that there's much more to Whitsun than meets the eye. After all, aren't all mysteries just really tough eggs to crack? Not really; they're usually nuts.
"Tiny, sticky, and stamped with the image of a breaking chain."[87]
Amber Ha'pennies
A unique currency is discreetly exchanged during the festivities of Whitsun: coins known as Amber Ha'pennies,[88] which are small, sticky to the touch, and are stamped with an imprint of a breaking chain on one side[87] and a chain being reforged on the other.[89] These coins are notably hard to come by;[90] they are actually one of the "great currencies," and are used to buy a moment's inattention from a great shame or transgression. According to rumor, the creation of the Neath actually cost a "roll" of them.[91]
"An urchin – you know, the bright one, with the thing on his face – he said they are from the Bazaar itself. And nothing to do with the Masters. Can you imagine? The Bazaar, broody? And these its children? No, that must be wrong. It's too horrific to contemplate."[92]
There are several rumors and gossip surrounding the mystery of eggfall, the formal term for the egg-related occurrences that happen during Whitsun. In fact, this phenomenon is important enough that it has a page dedicated to it in the Tragedy Procedures, although the contents of the passage remain unclear.[93] Some say the eggs are manmade, or perhaps devil-made. Others say that it's a grand marketing scheme for all the egg-related clothes seen during Whitsun. The most likely rumor, however, seems to suggest that the eggs were laid by the Echo Bazaar itself,[92] as some kind of scheme to replace the Masters of the Bazaar, who have become untrustworthy and unreliable in its eyes.[94][95]
↑ 2.02.1"Welcome to Whitsun!", Fallen London"Eggs have abruptly appeared [...] balanced on chimneys [...] in the holds of docked ships. [...] size of a beer barrel [...] "
↑Nurture the creature that bounds from your egg (Thrice-Augmented), Fallen London"soft-furred body [...] chitinous tail is that of an scorpion [...] eye pairs blink [...] you cannot tear your own gaze away [...] first meal [...] living room candle. As it chews [...] flame's gleam [...] reflected in the [...] tail, [...] green-purple glow [...]
↑Enquire as to Hearts' methods, Fallen London"Augmentations. Unique ones." The Fretful Butcher shudders. "It's been experimenting all these years. During the first year of Whitsun, after it started to... use my premises, it commissioned Mr Iron for some kind of device." The Butcher wipes his forehead with a spotted rag. "It didn't work the way Hearts wanted. It was furious." The Butcher's huge hands flex. "I was cleaning yolk off my walls for weeks." (...)He resumes speaking, much more quietly. "I understand it is responsible for the black market trade in those Iron & Misery devices, as some kind of vengeance."
↑Dare to ask the question 'why', Fallen LondonThe Fretful Butcher's brow crumples into a parody of worry. "Not to eat. Or, not only to eat. It keeps talking about beasts of burden, and promises and duties. Oxen and mules and boars and the like, although I don't know any farms that use pigs like donkeys."
An Aurochs-Fur Coat.
A pair of Birdskin Gloves.
A Honed Ushanka.
A pair of Iguana-Skin Boots.
A Tuneful Hat.
A pair of Vigilant Chitin-Fur Boots.
Vagrant Oneirotaur
Terror Bird Warmount
Seven-League Spindlewolf
Chitinscale Squirrelbeast
Obstreperous Boar
