Hinterland Scrip

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"The Ministry of the Upper River asserts the right to assign land to applicants under suitable conditions. It claims to have mapped all the territory between London and Hell. It will not, however, exhibit or sell its maps; and you know from experience that the land itself does not lie down long enough to be easily surveyed. And the back of each piece of Scrip depicts just a fragment of the landscape, none alike."[1]

During her tenure as Lord Mayor of London, Virginia created the Ministry of Upper River Development to oversee London's development of the Hinterlands. This Ministry issued Hinterland Scrip as a new currency,[2] representing the right to build on Hinterland soil.[3]

While Scrip may appear to be mere paper,[4] there is more to this currency than meets the eye. Each bill depicts a part of the Hinterlands' landscape; no two are alike.[5] When placed together like a puzzle, they do not produce a meaningful map, but rather a distorted, seemingly Parabolan one.[6] When arranged in certain ways, however, they may depict images meant to entice the bearer.[7] In fact, Hinterland Scrip has an almost hypnotic effect on those who obtain it, compelling them to explore and develop the Hinterlands in whichever way they may prefer.[8][9] This property appears to be the design of the Ministry's owners; namely, one or more of the Masters of the Bazaar.[10]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Explore the cartographical meaning of Hinterland Scrip, Fallen London
  2. ↑ Advertisements of a New Venture, Fallen London "[...] Virginia became Lord Mayor. [...] announced a new initiative: a deal brokered with Hell, a whole stretch of land opened to London development. She founded the Ministry of Upper River Development, [...] Constables and other worthies started handing out Hinterland scrip in place of Echoes."
  3. ↑ Hinterland Scrip, Fallen London "Issued by the Ministry of Upper River Development. [...] represents the right to develop new buildings on a portion of the land."
  4. ↑ Explore the cartographical meaning of Hinterland Scrip, Fallen London "Are these bills anything but scrap paper [...]"
  5. ↑ Explore the cartographical meaning of Hinterland Scrip, Fallen London "[...] the back of each piece of Scrip depicts just a fragment of the landscape, none alike."
  6. ↑ Conclude your study of Hinterland Scrip, Fallen London "Laid edge to edge, they do not make up a whole map, and certainly not one with [...] meaning. [...] the representation is distorted, Parabolan."
  7. ↑ Laboratory Services from the Percipient Cricketer, Fallen London "She lays out [...] Scrip on the table like the pieces of a puzzle. [...] the configurations do change what they mean. [...] this arrangement is promising adventure to monster-hunters. [...] if I switch these two bills, [...] Escape from London." It all sounds fanciful. You can't quite see it yourself."
  8. ↑ Get her opinion on your research, Fallen London ""These do have some effect on the owner," [...] I find myself wanting to build a satellite lab in Jericho. Take it away, please.""
  9. ↑ Ask for her special expertise on this project 250, Fallen London "[...] "An effect on the owner, resulting from its substance and design. It's meant to lure you into the Hinterland. [...] the longer you handle it, [...] the more you have, the more land you want up river?" [...] the Numismatrix has started to talk about getting an estate up somewhere past the Evenlode. "Something small, of course," [...]"
  10. ↑ Conclude your study of Hinterland Scrip, Fallen London "A lure, [...] and likely not made by an ordinary human bureaucrat. There's a Master behind the Ministry of the Upper River; perhaps more than one."
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