Editing Amelia Charity Whitlock

{{Character
|title1 = Amelia Charity Whitlock
|image1 = Ameliawhitlock.png
|caption1 = 
|location = 
|allegiance = Independent<br>
[[The Admiralty]] (former)|name=Captain Amelia Charity Whitlock, DCM}}<blockquote>"''A pragmatic idealist, the best Admiral the navy ever had, and the undefeated champion of the Blind Helmsman's twelve-whisky tango. She's hard up right now, but you can't keep a good captain down."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Captain_Amelia_Whitlock|Captain Amelia Whitlock|Fallen London}}</ref></blockquote>The late '''Amelia Whitlock''' was a celebrated Admiral in [[London]]'s navy - or what was left of it, anyway<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Captain_Amelia_Whitlock|Captain Amelia Whitlock|Fallen London}} ''"A pragmatic idealist, the best Admiral the navy ever had, and the undefeated champion of the Blind Helmsman's twelve-whisky tango."''</ref> - but eventually resigned from the [[Admiralty]] out of outrage and disgust over an unknown event.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Bright-Burning_Captain|A Bright-Burning Captain|Fallen London}}''"A once-bright star of the Admiralty, who resigned in disgust and high dudgeon. Her reputation is in tatters, not that she cares."''</ref> She kept herself busy afterward with copious quantities of alcohol.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Bright-Burning_Captain|A Bright-Burning Captain|Fallen London}} ''"Keeping up with the Captain adds at least seven years to your liver, and she's not through when the bell calls for last orders."''</ref>
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==A Thousand Corpses==
<blockquote>"''Log of Her Majesty's Locomotive The Orphean; March 14th, 1905.''

"''Our expedition to the [[The Blue Kingdom|domains of the dead]] has been eventful. The Orphean is damaged, and in grievous need of repairs and supplies. We are returning – in haste! – to the [[Reach]], where I hope to make port at [[New Winchester]].''

"''May God be with us, for a thousand deaths wait in the sky."''

''-Final entry of Captain Amelia Charity Whitlock, DCM, written shortly before her death''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/|Sunless Skies|Sunless Skies}}Introductory cutscene, not documented on the wiki.</ref></blockquote>When [[Victoria]] brought London to the [[High Wilderness]], Whitlock followed, longing for the light of the stars.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Bright-Burning_Captain|A Bright-Burning Captain|Fallen London}} ''"Nestled together in the stern, she tells you about her dreams. She means to sail again one day, on another sea, under real stars"''</ref> She captained a locomotive, named the ''Orphean ''after her beloved rowboat in the [[Neath]]'',<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Bright-Burning_Captain|A Bright-Burning Captain|Fallen London}} ''"There's a small rowboat moored there, hidden under leather coverings. When those are lifted you can see a single name, carved into the humble wood of the little craft: The Orphean."''</ref> ''until her demise in 1905.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Summoned_by_Captain_Whitlock|Listen to the end|Sunless Skies}} ''""In a final codicil," the notary announces, "Captain Whitlock confirmed that possession of the Orphean was to pass to its first officer. [...] This includes a certain black box contained in the Orphean's hold. "''</ref>

Whitlock rebuilt her reputation after coming to the Wilderness and became a seasoned and wealthy captain, but used up all of her fortune before making one last trip to the [[Blue Kingdom]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/New_Winchester#The_Reading_of_the_Will|The Reading of the Will|Sunless Skies}} ''"The Captain was wealthy, once, but squandered her capital on mysterious expenses before her expedition to the Blue Kingdom."''</ref> Whatever she did there, it involved a black box. But more importantly, it angered the Blue Kingdom and caused a fiery [[Logoi|Logos]] to burn her from within and brand her with [[The Correspondence|Correspondence]] sigils.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Summoned_by_Captain_Whitlock|Enquire after the captain's injuries|Sunless Skies}} ''"A word of living fire pursued the Orphean across the Blue Kingdom. It caught you just before you passed through the transit relay to the Reach, and set its brand upon the captain.  "It's burned itself right through her," the doctor whispers. "When I closed the worst of her wounds, I could see the sign is seared into her bones and her organs. Judging from her symptoms, it's on the inside of her lungs, too." "''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Summoned_by_Captain_Whitlock|Summoned by Captain Whitlock|Sunless Skies}}''"Her mouth is blistered from the blue fires that dance on her tongue. Her hand grips your arm; her skin is hot as a kettle."''</ref> She died in agony after barely escaping to [[New Winchester]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Summoned_by_Captain_Whitlock|Approach the bedside|Sunless Skies}} ''"[...] "Be a better—" she breaks off as the sigils burned into her bones flare, glowing cherry-red through her flesh and skin. "—better captain than I." The effort exhausts her. She sinks back into the scorched pillows and a twisting, frantic fever."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/New_Winchester#Arrival_at_New_Winchester|Look to the Orphean's doctor|Sunless Skies}} ''"You inform him that unfortunately, Captain Whitlock has just passed."''</ref>

==The Affair of the Black Box==
{{spoiler}}<blockquote>''"Captain Whitlock ensured that this was left to you along with the Orphean, her locomotive. Her last wish was that you take it to a certain address in [[New London|London]], at your convenience."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Black_Box|Black Box|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote>[[File:Blackbox.png|thumb|Captain Whitlock's Legacy]]
According to Captain Whitlock's will, her first officer received the ''Orphean'', along with the black box contained within it.<ref name=":0" /> They were instructed to carry the black box to a house in New London with no windows.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_House_without_Windows|The House without Windows|Sunless Skies}}"''To find the address given in Captain Whitlock's will, you make your way through little-used streets [...] On a secluded courtyard [...] stands a tall grey house with one door and no windows."''</ref>

Inside the box is a mute shade from the Blue Kingdom, named '''Jacob''',<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Solemn_Spirit|Ask the shade who it is|Sunless Skies}} ''"Hesitantly, the shade takes your hand and, with one cold finger, spells out 'JACOB' on your palm."''</ref> who was related to Amelia (possibly her younger brother).<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Solemn_Spirit|Ask about the shade's connection to Captain Whitlock|Sunless Skies}} ''"Opening the locket, it shows you the miniature painting within. The picture is of two children: a younger boy and older girl, both with dark hair and grey eyes. There is a strong family resemblance."''</ref> The black box is in fact a container perfectly designed to protect its contents from the light of the [[Judgements|stars]]; without it, Jacob would turn to salt under starlight.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Solemn_Spirit|Ask what it's doing in this box|Sunless Skies}} ''" It doesn't want to see the stars? It doesn't want the stars to see it?"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/The_Solemn_Spirit|Ask what is happening to it|Sunless Skies}} ''"It is turning into salt before your eyes."''</ref>

== Historical Inspirations ==
DCM denotes the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distinguished_Conduct_Medal Distinguished Conduct Medal], an award for gallantry established by Queen Victoria in 1854. The medal was discontinued in 1993. It was not a particularly rare distinction; over 3,500 soldiers and veterans received it between 1854 and 1914. 

==References==
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