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| {{Character|image1 = | | {{Character|image1 = Bohemian.png|caption1 = Well. Hello. Art from FL.|location = [[Veilgarden]]|allegiance = The Pursuit of Art|notable_members = The Bohemian Sculptress<br> |
| <gallery>
| | The Repentant Forger<br>The Sardonic Music-Hall Singer<br>Silas the Showman}}''"Writers, actors, musicians, painters and other reprobates. There is a certain glamour in attic and gutter, but surely there are better ways to make a living."'' |
| Bohemian.png|Model | |
| Genrepainter.png|Painter
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| Bohonb.png|Sketch Artist
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| </gallery>
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| |allegiance = The Pursuit of Art|notable_members = [[The Repentant Forger]]<br>[[The Sardonic Music-Hall Singer]]<br>[[Silas the Showman]]}}<blockquote>''"Writers, actors, musicians, painters and other reprobates. There is a certain glamour in attic and gutter, but surely there are better ways to make a living."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Demi-Monde:_Bohemians|The Demi-Monde: Bohemians|Fallen London}}</ref></blockquote> | |
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| '''Bohemians''' are all manner of artists in [[London]] and the [[Neath]], and in the ''Sunless Skies'' timeline, the [[High Wilderness]].__FORCETOC__ | | '''Bohemians''' are [[London]]'s artists of all kinds. |
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| ==Culture and Counterculture== | | ==Let the Honey Flow== |
| <blockquote>''"To get ahead in the world, one must perform great deeds. Sometimes this includes proving your poetical prowess by ennobling the mushroom."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Make_Your_Name:_A_Commissioned_Epic|Make Your Name: A Commissioned Epic|Fallen London}}</ref></blockquote>
| | They often have to live modestly; until one writes, paints, or performs a masterwork, it's hard to make a living as an artist. It's also hard to fund the [[Prisoner's Honey|honey]] habit that many artists have, they use it extensively to inspire their work. Many of them are famous for their eccentricity, which can lead to some hilarious situations, but many of them just want some wine and candles for all their trouble. A lot of them hang around [[Veilgarden]] and its honey-dens, which are quite notorious for their debauchery. |
| [[File:Veilgarden-header.png|alt=A woman in a pillared hallway reciting a poem.|thumb|130x130px|[[Veilgarden]]]]
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| The people described as bohemians include writers,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Buy_drinks_for_writers|Buy drinks for writers|Fallen London}} ''"Buy drinks for writers"''</ref> painters,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Genre_Painter|The Genre Painter|Fallen London}} ''"The Genre Painter is renowned by London's bohemians [...]"''</ref> musicians,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_your_acquaintance,_the_Sardonic_Music-Hall_Singer|Visit your acquaintance, the Sardonic Music-Hall Singer|Fallen London}} ''"Visit your acquaintance, the Sardonic Music-Hall Singer"''</ref> actors,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_evening_with_a_Regal_Actress|An evening with a Regal Actress|Fallen London}} ''"An evening with a Regal Actress"''</ref> sculptors,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Bohemian_Sculptress|Bohemian Sculptress|Fallen London}} ''"Bohemian Sculptress"''</ref> models,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_Admirer_of_Beauty_-|An Admirer of Beauty -|Fallen London}} ''"You've enjoyed a close and cherished friendship with a Struggling Artist's Model"''</ref> and other artists and performers.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Demi-Monde:_Bohemians|The Demi-Monde: Bohemians|Fallen London}} ''"[...] other reprobates."''</ref> They typically live modestly; after all, making a living as an artist can be difficult, even if the "starving artist" archetype carries its own romance.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Demi-Monde:_Bohemians|The Demi-Monde: Bohemians|Fallen London}} ''"Writers, actors, musicians, painters and other reprobates. There is a certain glamour in attic and gutter, but surely there are better ways to make a living."''</ref> They are also often pigeonholed as eccentric,<ref name = "drunk">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Renown:_Bohemians|Renown: Bohemians|Fallen London}} ''"If London's artists don't recognise you, they may not be drunk enough."''</ref> and while some do live up to this reputation, many others simply want wine and payment for their time and trouble.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Arrange_a_particularly_Neathy_tableau|Arrange a particularly Neathy tableau|Fallen London}} ''"The Indecisive Painter wishes to sketch London life at its eeriest. He has an infamous reputation for being difficult to work with however; you'll need to bribe the models."''</ref> The bohemians of [[London]] typically congregate at [[Veilgarden]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Veilgarden|Veilgarden|Fallen London}} ''"A haunt of poets [...]"''</ref> while the more famous perform at [[Mahogany Hall]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Mahogany_Hall_(Gaining_Access)|Mahogany Hall (Gaining Access)|Fallen London}} ''"The mesmeric marvels of Mahogany Hall are famed throughout Fallen London. [...] Boasting one of the most prestigious stages in all the city, Mahogany Hall is home to seances, illusions, acrobatics and even, on occasion, vaudeville."''</ref> The most accomplished artists may be invited to present at the [[Shuttered Palace]] itself:<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/With_unmitigated_joy|With unmitigated joy|Fallen London}} ''" Your talents have been imperially recognized! Hold nothing of your delight back."''</ref> staging a play for the [[Empress]] is the apex of many artists' careers,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Enforce_a_respect_for_matters_of_the_heart|Enforce a respect for matters of the heart|Fallen London}} ''""I could not bear someone other than myself becoming Imperial Artist-in-Residence. But even in this, your talent is obvious.""''</ref> though they dare not displease her lest they earn a free a trip to the [[Tomb-Colonies]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_heavyweight_epic_mocking_the_Empress|A heavyweight epic mocking the Empress|Fallen London}} ''"[...] A cannibalistic fiend, who sold her divine lands and now feasts on her children. [...] All eyes turn to the Empress. Offended? [...] She is in a beetroot-tinted, pop-eyed apoplexy. [...] the mob bays for your blood."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Before_you_go|Before you go|Fallen London}} ''"I'm sure I can secure a position for you in the colonies [...]"''</ref> The artists of the Neath are not restricted to London: they also form communities in places like [[Helicon House]]<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Gain_entry_as_an_old_friend_to_the_Bohemians|Gain entry as an old friend to the Bohemians|Fallen London}} ''"Gain entry as an old friend to the Bohemians"''</ref> and the town of Crathie near [[Balmoral]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Crathie|Crathie|Fallen London}} ''"[...] the distillery, now converted into a centre for crafts and the arts."''</ref>
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| [[File:Bloodstain.png|alt=A bloodstain.|thumb|Bleed for art.]]
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| The [[Neath]] opens up all sorts of avenues for artistic expression and innovation. Many artists pursue responsible projects, such as incorporating the [[Neathbow]] in one's art,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_Vu|Déjà Vu|Fallen London}} ''""Perhaps I have neglected the Neathbow," [...] "In certain salons, people do talk about it. Anything new on the palette would be refreshing. I understand it's possible, with the right contacts, to obtain violant ink or viric dyes. [...]"''</ref> painting Neathy subjects,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Upper_River_Artistry|Upper River Artistry|Fallen London}} ''"The more Nocturnalist Bohemians have taken a liking to Ealing Gardens. [...] some indulge in lifelike portraiture of Rubbery subjects; some simply paint landscapes of the vista from Aescwine Hill."''</ref> or engaging with the Neath's flora and fauna.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Make_Your_Name:_A_Commissioned_Epic|Make Your Name: A Commissioned Epic|Fallen London}} ''"Sometimes this includes proving your poetical prowess by ennobling the mushroom."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Begin_'The_Blemmigan_Affair'_–_a_substantial_story_(30_FATE)|Begin 'The Blemmigan Affair' – a substantial story (30 FATE)|Fallen London}} ''"The Blemmigan Affair is a mischievous story of inappropriate poetry and fungal fads, featuring a perilous expedition into Bugsby's Marsh!"''</ref> However, some artists pursue riskier endeavors, like wielding the [[Correspondence]] through their music,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Somewhat_challenging_music|Somewhat challenging music|Fallen London}} ''"The Correspondence is not meant for human voices. Neither is it meant for musical instruments, but that's not going to stop you."''</ref> or using the fact that [[death]] is impermanent to achieve ''visceral'' realism for their plays.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Find_volunteers_willing_to_suffer_for_art|Find volunteers willing to suffer for art|Fallen London}} ''"A Morbid Playwright has founded a movement to examine realism in theatre by staging actual deaths. The players recover after, of course; but most don't make it through rehearsals."''</ref> Other artists take matters ''even further'' and may be considered dangerous; one such group are the [[The Set|Set]], who pilot the deadly zubmarine known as the ''[[The Irrepressible|Irrepressible]]'' near the [[Gant Pole]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/wiki/A_Zubmarine_surfaces!#Story_description|A Zubmarine surfaces!#Story description|Sunless Sea}} ''"The Irrepressible! The legendary vessel of the Pianolist! [...] a musical voice echoes in the dark [...] You have betrayers on board, of a Set untimely scattered. We would witness our betrayers taste betrayal. [...] Will you yield them to us?" The breezy musical voice shifts to the minor key. "Your immediate response is politely demanded.""''</ref>
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| ===Bohemians and Parabola=== | | ==Notable Artists== |
| <blockquote>''"Prisoner's Honey might help with your ideas, but not reliably. And it doesn't encourage you to be productive."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Honey!|Honey!|Fallen London}}</ref></blockquote>
| | New Londoners can always seek the tutelage of '''the Bohemian Sculptress''', a well-connected artist who knows her way around London's more cultured society. |
| | ===The Repentant Forger=== |
| | ''"He's trying to make an honest living as a painter these days. He's staying on the straight and narrow path for the most part."'' |
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| <blockquote>''"Without fail, each of these bores credit a muse: a friend who pulled them out of dreams, and thrust them into the limelight. You, of course, have no need of such assistance. But what could such a friend do with your already prodigious talents?"''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Gifts_from_your_Friends|Gifts from your Friends|Fallen London}}</ref></blockquote>
| | [[File:Forger.png|thumb|The Repentant Forger]]'''The Repentant Forger '''is a former forger of paintings who regrets his past criminal life and is now putting his skills as an artist to more honest use. |
| [[File:Bohemiansculptress.png|alt=A woman wearing a unique hat made of mushrooms.|thumb|The Bohemian Sculptress]] | |
| In addition to more familiar substances like laudanum and alcohol,<ref name="drunk" /><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Laudanum!|Laudanum!|Fallen London}} ''"You will probably write nonsense under the influence of laudanum. At least it may be saleable nonsense."''</ref> London's bohemians are infamous for their use of [[Prisoner's Honey]], as honey-dreams are an excellent source of inspiration.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Honey!|Honey!|Fallen London}} ''"Prisoner's Honey might help with your ideas, [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Outshine_them_all|Outshine them all|Fallen London}} ''""Prisoner's Honey," he shouts. "The poet's finest friend. You should try it.""''</ref> Some select artists delve deeper into the world's mysteries and draw inspiration from [[Parabola]] itself. These include the '''Bohemian Sculptress''', who uses the dream-energies of the [[Viric Jungle]] to find inspiration for her work,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Inspire_the_Bohemian_Sculptress|Inspire the Bohemian Sculptress|Fallen London}} ''"She has a commission that is causing her trouble. She has retreated to Parabola for inspiration."''</ref> and the performers of the Mirrored Salon at [[Helicon House]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discovered:_the_Mirrored_Salon|Discovered: the Mirrored Salon|Fallen London}} ''"You have learned of another place inside Helicon House where the Bohemians seek the inspiration of Parabola."''</ref> Artists sometimes cross paths with the [[Fingerkings]], and may end up possessed either inadvertently<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Your_Salon:_invite_Silas_the_Showman_as_a_guest_of_honour|Your Salon: invite Silas the Showman as a guest of honour|Fallen London}} ''"Silas is a surprise. He arrives gravely sober, in immaculate evening-dress. He conducts an hour-long lecture on the wars of the Fourth City [...] The next day, he calls on you to apologise for missing the Salon. You are confused. He is confused."''</ref> or for seeking knowledge and status.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Serpent_Muralist_(10_FATE)|The Serpent Muralist (10 FATE)|Fallen London}} ''"This person must have sought Parabolan insight, hoping for some way to distinguish themselves in a scene already crowded by would-be Cartographers. They came back with a Fingerking behind their eyes."''</ref> Notably, many artists credit the [[The Ophidian Gentleman|Ophidian Gentleman]] for their success.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Gifts_from_your_Friends|Gifts from your Friends|Fallen London}} ''"Without fail, each of these bores credit a muse [...] You, of course, have no need of such assistance. But what could such a friend do with your already prodigious talents?"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Accept_an_invitation|Accept an invitation|Fallen London}} ''"It is from the 'friend' who made so many artists great. He wishes to meet you."''</ref> Members of the [[The Glass|Glass]] at [[Mahogany Hall]] work with the Fingerkings regularly, relying on their power for their performances,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Most_Daring_Feat_of_Illusion_and_Escapology!|The Most Daring Feat of Illusion and Escapology!|Fallen London}} ''"You have your illusion planned; [...] The Fingerkings, whatever they are, will control most of the illusion, but you've been assured you can trust them."''</ref> all while warring with the [[The Shroud|Shroud]] in a perpetual conflict of magic and illusion.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Join_the_Cats_in_support_of_the_Shroud|Join the Cats in support of the Shroud|Fallen London}} ''"Mahogany Hall has long been the heart of a battle between the Glass and the Shroud. Accompany the cats in their business, and see how they battle back the influence of the Fingerkings."''</ref>
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| === Sunless Skies === | | ''More details on the Forger can be found in the Fate story "Secrets Framed in Gold," but Failbetter has asked that we players not spoil it, even in a TL;DR, and I'll respect that. -KestrelGirl'' |
| <blockquote>''"In Old London, they wrote nostalgically of the Surface and the Sun. Now, they write of the Stars, and the Treasures of Heaven. The Celestials revere the complexities of the natural order. All things have a place – from highest to high, from lower to least. They favour the intricate; the tranquil; the reflective."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Origin:_Poet|The Celestials|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote>
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| | ===The Sardonic Music-Hall Singer=== |
| | ''"The Music-Hall singer has gained a lot of terribly dull friends, recently. But they're all so d__ned useful. Your evening drags on. The few pieces of truly entertaining gossip are almost enough to save it."'' |
| | [[File:Sardonicmusichallsinger.png|thumb|The Sardonic Music-Hall Singer]] |
| | '''The Sardonic Music-Hall Singer''' is an abrasive but well-connected woman who may occasionally be considered a celebrity. She once tried to abscond with a devil; it didn't work out too well. She seems to be friends with [[His Amused Lordship]]. |
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| <blockquote>''"A new tradition, born in the Empress' Court. Their works are patriotic, bombastic, and occupied with the iconography of time: clocks and seasons and sand and so forth. Members of the Sovereign School can find wealthy patrons. The dream is to catch the attention of the Empress herself. Some of her own children are luminaries of the school."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Origin:_Poet|The Sovereign School|Sunless Skies}}</ref></blockquote>
| | ===Silas the Showman=== |
| [[File:Titania ambience.png|alt=A settlement atop a flower.|thumb|[[Titania]]|130x130px]]
| | ''"Silas is not the blazing star he was. But he has a fund of anecdotes laid down like cannon-shot in a deep cellar. He will demolish your guests' defences. Perhaps."'' |
| In the ''Sunless Skies'' timeline, artists have continued to form communities in places like [[Titania]]<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Titania#Valentine_Square|Valentine Square|Sunless Skies}} ''"An enclave of Bohemians have made it their home, seeking inspiration in the wildness of the Reach."''</ref> and [[Caduceus]].<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Caduceus#The_Place_of_the_Rose|Write a Port Report|Sunless Skies}} ''"Poets and musicians write rhapsodies on roses that never appear. [...] Poets whisper to you of rites performed by the Thorn Maiden, of sunlight somehow brought into Eleutheria, of revels done when the roses fall."''</ref> Artistic tastes have shifted to account for the new environment of the [[High Wilderness]],<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Origin:_Poet#Obtaining|The Celestials|Sunless Skies}} ''"In Old London, they wrote nostalgically of the Surface and the Sun. Now, they write of the Stars, and the Treasures of Heaven."''</ref> and the '''Sovereign School''' was recently founded in the courts of [[Her Renewed Majesty]]. This school of art is patriotic and draws inspiration from the passage of time, such as clocks, hourglasses, and seasons. Its artists have wealthy sponsors and hope to impress the Empress herself; some of her issue are "luminaries" of this school themselves.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.miraheze.org/wiki/Origin:_Poet|The Sovereign School|Sunless Skies}} ''"A new tradition, born in the Empress' Court. Their works are patriotic, bombastic, and occupied with the iconography of time: clocks and seasons and sand and so forth. Members of the Sovereign School can find wealthy patrons. The dream is to catch the attention of the Empress herself. Some of her own children are luminaries of the school."''</ref>
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| ==Schools of Art in the Neath==
| | [[File:Silas.png|frame|Silas the Showman]] |
| <blockquote>''"Fallen London has its own artistic movements. Perhaps you ignore them, but they don't ignore you."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Identified_with_a_School:|Identified with a School:|Fallen London}}</ref></blockquote>
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| [[File:Blemmigan hat.png|alt=A person wearing a mushroom.|thumb|A Blemmigan Hat.]] | |
| *[[The Nocturnals]], who prefer shades of midnight and the freedom of the dark
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| *[[The Celestials]], who prefer the blue skies and joys of the [[Surface]]
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| *[[The Bazaarines]], who draw inspiration from the [[Echo Bazaar]]
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| *[[The Mycologenes]], who draw inspiration from [[Blemmigans]]
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| *[[The Terpsichoreans]], who draw inspiration from the dances of [[devils]]
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| ==Historical and Cultural Inspirations==
| | '''Silas the Showman''' is quite a character: an excellent actor who performs in [[Mahogany Hall]], but also a drunk, and rather down on his luck. He dresses up as Mr Sacks and parades around [[London]] collecting gifts for one day each Sacksmas. He may be recognized by his distinct lisp. |
| The bohemians of the ''Fallen London'' universe draw inspiration from the social movement of the 19th century known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemianism bohemianism]. The name "bohemian" does not refer to the region of Bohemia in what is now the Czech Republic. Rather, the nomadic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_people Romani people] were called ''bohémiens'' in French due to a misconception about where they came from, and the name stuck across languages.
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| | ====Silas Goes Sober!==== |
| | {{spoiler}}''"This evening, Silas is a surprise. He arrives gravely sober, in immaculate evening-dress. He conducts an hour-long lecture on the wars of the Fourth City: the battles they conducted against the Motherlings who worshipped spiders, the Rosers and their patrons in [[Parabola]], and the Copper with their black knives and butterfly-gods. He is well-informed and witty and he has all the performer's skills you might expect. The audience is entertained and informed. He leaves before you have a chance to thank him. '' |
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| ==References==
| | ''The next day, he calls on you to apologise for missing the Salon. You are confused. He is confused. Confusion reigns. He swears he never crossed your threshold..."'' |
| {{Scroll box|text = <references/>}}
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| [[Category:Factions]] | | [[Category:Factions]] |
| | [[Category:Formatted]] |
