Editing Arbor
From The Fifth City Wiki
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
<blockquote>{{Neath_Location|image1 = rose.png|caption1 = A city of roses and dreams.|location = [[Parabola]]<br> | <blockquote>{{Neath_Location|image1 = rose.png|caption1 = A city of roses and dreams.|location = [[Parabola]]<br> | ||
[[The Elder Continent]]|alias = The City of Roses<br> | [[The Elder Continent]]|alias = The City of Roses<br> | ||
'Hidden'|allegiance = [[The Roseate Queen | 'Hidden'|allegiance = [[The Roseate Queen]]|notable_inhabitants = The Roseate Queen<br>The Herald of Three Promises<br>The Queen's Peace}}''"That night you go to bed in your usual fashion. Sleep comes easy – the moment you pass into dream is the hesitation between one heartbeat and the next. There is a long road before you, paved with white stones. They bake beneath a dual sunlight: a queasy orange glow in the sky, and a brighter more insistent light from the south."''<ref name="dream of arbor jovial contrarian">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Dream_of_Arbor_in_the_company_of_the_Jovial_Contrarian|Dream of Arbor in the company of the Jovial Contrarian|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>'''Arbor''' is a hidden city that lies within both [[Parabola]] and the [[Elder Continent]]. It is ruled by the '''[[Roseate Queen]]'''.__forcetoc__ | ||
==Et in Arbor Ego== | ==Et in Arbor Ego== | ||
Line 14: | Line 13: | ||
Time in Arbor is determined by the hourly chiming of bells,<ref name = "walk north near arbor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Walk_North_(Near_Arbor)|Walk North (Near Arbor)|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Spy_on_London's_Embassy|Spy on London's Embassy|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wile_away_your_time|Wile away your time|Fallen London|}} ''"As the midnight chimes sound, [...]"''</ref> determining the openings and closings of certain facilities.<ref name = "edifice">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Browse_the_Edifice_of_the_Unveiled_Lie|Browse the Edifice of the Unveiled Lie|Fallen London|}}</ref> Arbor is regularly patrolled by the '''Huzzite Guard''', human soldiers who hail from the faraway city of [[Huz]]. They monitor Arbor's borders, eject visitors when their stays have expired,<ref name="walk the walls">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Walk_the_walls|Walk the walls|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref name="near arbor center" /> enforce the city's laws, and conduct internal affairs.<ref name="light candles near" /><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ambition:_Petition_the_Roseate_Queen_to_host_the_Marvellous|Ambition: Petition the Roseate Queen to host the Marvellous|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he nods, and gestures to a nearby Huzzite Guard, who picks up your gifts with golden implements."''</ref> | Time in Arbor is determined by the hourly chiming of bells,<ref name = "walk north near arbor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Walk_North_(Near_Arbor)|Walk North (Near Arbor)|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Spy_on_London's_Embassy|Spy on London's Embassy|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wile_away_your_time|Wile away your time|Fallen London|}} ''"As the midnight chimes sound, [...]"''</ref> determining the openings and closings of certain facilities.<ref name = "edifice">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Browse_the_Edifice_of_the_Unveiled_Lie|Browse the Edifice of the Unveiled Lie|Fallen London|}}</ref> Arbor is regularly patrolled by the '''Huzzite Guard''', human soldiers who hail from the faraway city of [[Huz]]. They monitor Arbor's borders, eject visitors when their stays have expired,<ref name="walk the walls">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Walk_the_walls|Walk the walls|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref name="near arbor center" /> enforce the city's laws, and conduct internal affairs.<ref name="light candles near" /><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ambition:_Petition_the_Roseate_Queen_to_host_the_Marvellous|Ambition: Petition the Roseate Queen to host the Marvellous|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he nods, and gestures to a nearby Huzzite Guard, who picks up your gifts with golden implements."''</ref> | ||
Arbor's primary commodity and currency is '''[[attar]]''', a red, perfumed powder that accumulates on a dreamer's eyelids when they witness the wonders of Arbor.<ref name="intro to attar" | Arbor's primary commodity and currency is '''[[attar]]''', a red, perfumed powder that accumulates on a dreamer's eyelids when they witness the wonders of Arbor.<ref name="intro to attar" /> Accumulating enough of it allows an individual to glimpse or even visit Far Arbor,<ref name="temple labor" /><ref name="enter far arbor" /> but Far Arbor will quickly fade away if one loses their attar.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_city_washes_away|The city washes away|Fallen London|}}</ref> Thus, Far Arbori often have their eyes steeped in attar, granting the appearance of red-colored kohl or mascara and keeping their access to the city intact.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Near_Arbor_(North)|Near Arbor (North)|Fallen London|}} ''"Richly decorated Far-Arbori [...] identifieable [...] Attar-ringed eyes."''</ref> | ||
==Near Arbor== | ==Near Arbor== | ||
Line 42: | Line 41: | ||
==The Third Arbor== | ==The Third Arbor== | ||
{{major spoiler small}} | {{major spoiler small}} | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote>''"That was an error. We do not speak of the third Arbor. It is lost. It never was."''<ref name="third arbor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_third_Arbor|Ask about the third Arbor|Fallen London|}} | ||
''"That was an error. We do not speak of the third Arbor. It is lost. It never was."''<ref name="third arbor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_third_Arbor|Ask about the third Arbor|Fallen London|}} | |||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
''"You are the only one brave enough to break my edict. To light the candles in mourning. For home. For the third Arbor. Audacity must be rewarded."''<ref name="queen's favor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Queen's_Favour|The Queen's Favour|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>[[File:Mountainglow.png|alt=A glowing mountain.|thumb|The other side?]] | ''"You are the only one brave enough to break my edict. To light the candles in mourning. For home. For the third Arbor. Audacity must be rewarded."''<ref name="queen's favor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Queen's_Favour|The Queen's Favour|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>[[File:Mountainglow.png|alt=A glowing mountain.|thumb|The other side?]] | ||
The | The currently unnamed '''third Arbor''' is mysterious and inaccessible. The Herald refuses to speak of it, only calling it an "error",<ref name="third arbor" /> and a passage in the Edifice of the Unveiled Lie says that the third Arbor is currently held "captive".<ref name="edifice" /> | ||
The third Arbor is lit solely by the light of [[Stone]], and is almost completely empty and in disarray;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Peer_into_a_mirror|Peer into a mirror|Fallen London|}}</ref> occasionally, huddled groups of people are seen moving through the city's ruins. Certain Near-Arbori peer into the mirrors of dream-Arbor to search for their relatives in the third Arbor, but these activities are always done in secret.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Investigate_the_Near-Arbori|Investigate the Near-Arbori|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] you see movement from the ruins: huddled figures, crawling through the debris. [...] As you hurry out, the old woman removes a little Attar from here eyes and passes it to you. For your discretion."''</ref> | |||
There is a forbidden rite in Arbor, where seventy-seven foxfire candles are lit: for mourning, for remembrance, and for the original | There is a forbidden rite in Arbor, where seventy-seven foxfire candles are lit: for mourning, for remembrance, and for the original Arbor, once the home of the [[Arbor#The Roseate Queen|Roseate Queen]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Light_your_candles_(Far_Arbor)|Light your candles (Far Arbor)|Fallen London|}}</ref><ref name="queen's favor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Queen's_Favour|The Queen's Favour|Fallen London|}}</ref> | ||
==History and Diplomacy == | ==History and Diplomacy == | ||
<blockquote>''"I am in two minds. This place is a clearly a refuge. Its walls are unscarred – it has never seen battle. It is a sanctuary for dreamers and visionaries. And it is an impossible idea – so it exists only in impossibility. But they owe fealty to the Prester and the College. They labour under a monarchy. Is this not a surrender, a defeat? They hide from the problems of our world in something that cannot be."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Speak_to_the_Jovial_Contrarian_(Arbor)|Speak to the Jovial Contrarian (Arbor)|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>[[File:Adamsway.png|alt=The port of Adam's Way.|thumb|[[Adam's Way]]]] | <blockquote>''"I am in two minds. This place is a clearly a refuge. Its walls are unscarred – it has never seen battle. It is a sanctuary for dreamers and visionaries. And it is an impossible idea – so it exists only in impossibility. But they owe fealty to the Prester and the College. They labour under a monarchy. Is this not a surrender, a defeat? They hide from the problems of our world in something that cannot be."''<ref name="speak to the jovial contrarian arbor">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Speak_to_the_Jovial_Contrarian_(Arbor)|Speak to the Jovial Contrarian (Arbor)|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>[[File:Adamsway.png|alt=The port of Adam's Way.|thumb|[[Adam's Way]]]] | ||
For thousands of years, there were only two Arbors: one real, and one in dream. The real Arbor was permitted to remain sovereign, independent from the ruling of the [[Presbyterate]], while the dream-Arbor was vassalized.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_a_set_of_wax_tablets,_inscribed_with_ancient_treaties|Take a set of wax tablets, inscribed with ancient treaties|Fallen London|}} | For thousands of years, there were only two Arbors: one real, and one in dream. The real Arbor was permitted to remain sovereign, independent from the ruling of the [[Presbyterate]], while the dream-Arbor was vassalized.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_a_set_of_wax_tablets,_inscribed_with_ancient_treaties|Take a set of wax tablets, inscribed with ancient treaties|Fallen London|}}</ref> This dream-Arbor was ruled by several heirs and ancient monarchs, chosen from a complex web of intrigue and familial connections,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_a_series_on_the_succession_laws_of_Arbor|Take a series on the succession laws of Arbor|Fallen London|}} ''"A quick flick through reveals thousands of years of history, precedent and complex family trees."''</ref> and was presumably built and maintained with the aid of the [[Fingerkings]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Speak_to_the_Duchess|Speak to the Duchess|Fallen London|}} ''""I am sorry. I was remembering—" [...] "We were careful in our bargaining, but achieved so much less than here. I wonder what cost they paid." Near by, serpents twine about the roses that garland the stones of the walls."''</ref> | ||
The [[Roseate Queen]] recently severed Arbor's ties with the Fingerkings,<ref name="enter forbidden embassy" /><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wrack_your_brains|Wrack your brains|Fallen London|}} ''"A city mired in dream on the Elder Continent, [...] walled against the Fingerkings [...]"''</ref> however, possibly due to a deal gone sour.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Trade_your_documents_with_London%27s_Ambassador_4|Trade your documents with London's Ambassador 4|Fallen London|}} ''"I see. [...] I feel a sudden kinship with that Cassandra."''</ref> In turn, Arbor nominally pledged its fealty to the [[Presbyterate]],<ref name="speak to the jovial contrarian arbor" | The [[Roseate Queen]] recently severed Arbor's ties with the Fingerkings,<ref name="enter forbidden embassy" /><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Wrack_your_brains|Wrack your brains|Fallen London|}} ''"A city mired in dream on the Elder Continent, [...] walled against the Fingerkings [...]"''</ref> however, possibly due to a deal gone sour.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Trade_your_documents_with_London%27s_Ambassador_4|Trade your documents with London's Ambassador 4|Fallen London|}} ''"I see. [...] I feel a sudden kinship with that Cassandra."''</ref> In turn, Arbor nominally pledged its fealty to the [[Presbyterate]],<ref name="speak to the jovial contrarian arbor" /> but the two governments are still at odds with each other, and spies from the Presbyterate are punished if caught.<ref name="witness a trial" /> Arbor also has an interest in [[Vesture]], with some spymasters already developing strategies to burn it to the ground,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_a_collection_of_scrolls_about_the_Kingdom_of_Vesture|Take a collection of scrolls about the Kingdom of Vesture|Fallen London|}}</ref> and presumably has a strong alliance with the city of [[Huz]].<ref name="near arbor center" /> | ||
Arbor has | Meanwhile, Arbor has begun to develop diplomatic ties with [[Fallen London|London]], formalizing an alliance of sorts during the festival of [[Hallowmas]] in 1896.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Speak_with_the_Roseate_Queen|Speak with the Roseate Queen|Fallen London|}}</ref> The [[Mahogany Hall#The Glass|Glass]] of [[Mahogany Hall]] has also developed an interest in Arbor,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Deliver_the_documents_to_the_Glass|Deliver the documents to the Glass|Fallen London|}}</ref> but [[Hell]] has no interest at all. At least, that's what they'll say as they indirectly offer rewards for information.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Deliver_the_documents_to_the_Brass_Embassy|Deliver the documents to the Brass Embassy|Fallen London|}}</ref> | ||
===Hallowmas, 1896=== | ===Hallowmas, 1896=== | ||
<blockquote>''"In the small, mean days before Hallowmas, London finds itself plagued with dreams of falling roses. Citizens wake in their beds gasping, remembering a petal-fall of floral suffocation."''<ref name="dreams">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hallowmas_1896:_An_Envoy_from_the_Elder_Continent|Hallowmas 1896: An Envoy from the Elder Continent|Fallen London|}} | <blockquote>''"In the small, mean days before Hallowmas, London finds itself plagued with dreams of falling roses. Citizens wake in their beds gasping, remembering a petal-fall of floral suffocation."''<ref name="dreams">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hallowmas_1896:_An_Envoy_from_the_Elder_Continent|Hallowmas 1896: An Envoy from the Elder Continent|Fallen London|}} | ||
</ref></ | </ref></blockquote>''"In the waking world, 'The Envoy' is sending out invitations to visit. She has recently arrived in London from the Elder Continent, and has a question that must be answered. When asked, where exactly, she's from, she answers that her city is 'Hidden.'"''<ref name="dreams" /> | ||
[[File:Rosepetals.png|alt=Falling rose petals.|thumb|A dream of roses.]] | |||
In 1896 during the festival of [[Hallowmas]], [[London]]ers were plagued by mysterious dreams of roses and petals. Meanwhile, a woman known only as the '''Envoy''' arrived from the [[Elder Continent]] and sent out invitations to the citizenry to answer her mysterious question: ''"Where did the Rosers go?"''<ref name="dreams" /><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_a_Wretched_Mog|Take a Wretched Mog|Fallen London|}}</ref> | |||
The [[Rosers]] were a sect of artists and [[Revolutionaries]] from the [[Fourth City]] who taught the rose-rites to the city's inhabitants, and played a role in its end. They sought asylum in the hidden city of Arbor,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Solve_the_Mystery_of_the_Rosers|Solve the Mystery of the Rosers|Fallen London|}} | The [[Rosers]] were a sect of artists and [[Revolutionaries]] from the [[Fourth City]] who taught the rose-rites to the city's inhabitants, and played a role in its end. They sought asylum in the hidden city of Arbor,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Solve_the_Mystery_of_the_Rosers|Solve the Mystery of the Rosers|Fallen London|}} | ||
Line 75: | Line 71: | ||
== Politics and Intrigue == | == Politics and Intrigue == | ||
''"They have no standing army. They commingle with serpents. They have a senate. They charged me money! A dream drink should not cost anything."''<ref name = "speak to injurious princess">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Speak_to_the_Injurious_Princess|Speak to the Injurious Princess|Fallen London|}}</ref> | |||
Arbor may be a sanctuary in dream, but even a city as idealized as this one has its fair share of politics and intrigue. | Arbor may be a sanctuary in dream, but even a city as idealized as this one has its fair share of politics and intrigue. | ||
===The Sequestration=== | ===The Sequestration=== | ||
''"The only things you need to remember are that labour is prized and will be rewarded with Attar. The artists must be kept in their cages. The serpents must sleep and only in the appointed places. They are not to be woken. Oh, and do not speak to other foreigners here. There are diplomatic sensitivities."''<ref name="ask about laws">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_laws_of_Arbor|Ask about the laws of Arbor|Fallen London|}}</ref> | |||
In recent years, the ruler of Arbor implemented a strict set of new laws and reforms called the '''Sequestration'''.<ref name = "queen reforms">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_laws_of_Arbor|Ask about the laws of Arbor|Fallen London|}} ''"We do not have so many since Her Roseate Majesty's reforms."''</ref> The Sequestration requires that Arbor's resident [[Fingerkings|serpents]] remain asleep | [[File:Document.png|alt=A legal document.|thumb|As written in the books.]] | ||
In recent years, the ruler of Arbor implemented a strict set of new laws and reforms called the '''Sequestration'''.<ref name = "queen reforms">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_laws_of_Arbor|Ask about the laws of Arbor|Fallen London|}} ''"We do not have so many since Her Roseate Majesty's reforms."''</ref> The Sequestration requires that Arbor's resident [[Fingerkings|serpents]] remain asleep only in certain areas, mandates that the artists of Arbor remain in cages, and restricts communication between different foreign parties.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_laws_of_Arbor|Ask about the laws of Arbor|Fallen London|}} ''"The artists must be kept in their cages. The serpents must sleep and only in the appointed places. [...] Oh, and do not speak to other foreigners here."''</ref> Violating the Sequestration is one of Arbor's highest crimes, and is punishable by exile and the confiscation of attar.<ref name="witness a trial" /> | |||
Other known laws in Arbor forbid the breaching of Near-Arbor's boundaries and ban invading the dreams of serpents.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Witness_a_trial|Witness a trial|Fallen London|}} ''"These encompass breaching of the Sequestration, breaching the dreams of serpents and breaching the boundaries of the nearest Arbor."''</ref> | Other known laws in Arbor forbid the breaching of Near-Arbor's boundaries and ban invading the dreams of serpents.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Witness_a_trial|Witness a trial|Fallen London|}} ''"These encompass breaching of the Sequestration, breaching the dreams of serpents and breaching the boundaries of the nearest Arbor."''</ref> | ||
===Serpents that Sleep=== | ===Serpents that Sleep=== | ||
''"In the course of your labours, you unearth a knot of young snakes sleeping within a rosebush. Attar puddles around them, sticking their scales to the petals."''<ref name = "become serpent tender"/> | |||
[[File:Snakehead2.png|alt=A green snake.|thumb|A dream-snake?]] | |||
Serpents are a common sight in Arbor, but the populace does not think highly of them.<ref name="serpent shepherd"/> '''Serpent-tenders''' and '''Serpent-Shepherds''' are individuals tasked with managing Arbor's snake population; the serpent-tenders work by pulling knotted snakes apart,<ref name = "become serpent tender"/> while Serpent-Shepherds perform their duties with a bronze crook and grey cloaks.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Serve_as_a_Serpent-Shepherd|Serve as a Serpent-Shepherd|Fallen London|}} ''"You are given a bronze crook and a grey cloak to perfom your duties."''</ref> | Serpents are a common sight in Arbor, but the populace does not think highly of them.<ref name="serpent shepherd"/> '''Serpent-tenders''' and '''Serpent-Shepherds''' are individuals tasked with managing Arbor's snake population; the serpent-tenders work by pulling knotted snakes apart,<ref name = "become serpent tender"/> while Serpent-Shepherds perform their duties with a bronze crook and grey cloaks.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Serve_as_a_Serpent-Shepherd|Serve as a Serpent-Shepherd|Fallen London|}} ''"You are given a bronze crook and a grey cloak to perfom your duties."''</ref> | ||
Line 94: | Line 92: | ||
=== The Company of the Exiled Rose === | === The Company of the Exiled Rose === | ||
''"A legion of exiled Arbori, who call its queen a usurper and traitor. They wear a white rose as their emblem though their hands are often red."''<ref name = "the company exiled rose">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Company_of_the_Exiled_Rose|The Company of the Exiled Rose|Fallen London|}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Rose TC.png|alt=A black and white image of a rose.|thumb|A white rose.]] | |||
The '''Company of the Exiled Rose''' are a group of exiled Arbori who have accused the [[Roseate Queen]] of usurpation and treason, and declared war on her forces as a result. They are led by an individual known as the '''White Rose''', whose body is heavily armored and whose eyes run with unique white attar.<ref name = "the company exiled rose"/> | The '''Company of the Exiled Rose''' are a group of exiled Arbori who have accused the [[Roseate Queen]] of usurpation and treason, and declared war on her forces as a result. They are led by an individual known as the '''White Rose''', whose body is heavily armored and whose eyes run with unique white attar.<ref name = "the company exiled rose"/> | ||