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{{Neath_Location|title1 = Mount Palmerston|image1 = Locations Mount Palmerston.png|caption1 = Mt Palmerston. Volcanology not recommended.|location = [[The Unterzee|Palmerston's Reach]]|allegiance = The Brimstone Convention|notable_inhabitants = [[Grand Devils]]<br>
{{Neath_Location|title1 = Mount Palmerston|image1 =  
[[The Wistful Deviless]]|music = [https://failbettergames.bandcamp.com/track/infernal Infernal]|port=Port Palmerston}}<blockquote>''"Tangles of thorned scrub climb the rocky slopes of the volcano. There are ruins here and there, of houses destroyed by fire."''<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Explore the island|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>
<gallery>
Locations Mount Palmerston.png|Main
Crater gaz.png|Crater
</gallery>
|location = [[The Unterzee|Palmerston's Reach]]|allegiance = The Brimstone Convention|notable_inhabitants = [[Grand Devils]]<br>
[[The Wistful Deviless]]|music = [https://failbettergames.bandcamp.com/track/infernal Infernal]|port=Port Palmerston}}<blockquote>''"Sullen lights glow green at the jetty's edge. Behind the port buildings, the island is is knee-deep in ash. There are ruins here and there, of houses destroyed by fire. Far above, the mountain's top flickers red: just for an instant."''<ref name="palmerston location description">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Mount_Palmerston#Location_description|Location description|Sunless Sea}}</ref></blockquote>


'''Mount Palmerston''' is a large volcanic island to the north of the [[Unterzee]].__FORCETOC__
''"Brimstone. Always brimstone."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Mount_Palmerston#Port_description|Port description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote>'''Mount Palmerston''' is a large volcanic island to the north of the [[Unterzee]].__forcetoc__


== A Hell Away From Home ==
== A Hell Away From Home ==
<blockquote>''"Brimstone. Always brimstone."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Mount_Palmerston#Port_description|Port description|Sunless Sea}}</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>''"Far above, the mountain's top flickers red: just for an instant."''<ref name="palmerston location description">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Mount_Palmerston#Location_description|Location description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote>Mt Palmerston is a sparsely populated island near a presumably active volcano. As would be expected of such a location, the surrounding area is completely covered in ash, rising up to one's knees in the island's loneliest corners.<ref name = "palmerston location description"/>
[[File:Faustic corsair.png|alt=An evil looking ship.|thumb|A Faustic Corsair.]]
Mt Palmerston is a sparsely populated volcanic island whose landscape is largely marked by burned ruins.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Mount_Palmerston#Location_description|Location description|Sunless Sea}} ''"Behind the port buildings, the island is is knee-deep in ash. There are ruins here and there, of houses destroyed by fire. [...] the mountain's top flickers red: just for an instant."''</ref> Many farmers have attempted to settle here, but their ventures were ended by past eruptions that scorched their fields<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Find your contact|Sunless Sea|}} ''"[...] the ruined granary up on the headland, where the last generation of farmers died in the volcano's flames."''</ref> and left the ground covered in a thick layer of ash.<ref name=":0" /> The island bears traces of ventures other than failed settlements: for instance, a ruin containing graffiti of the [[Dawn Machine]] written in a language of [[Hell]], and an ossuary containing a bent cross carved of bone.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Dig among the ruins|Sunless Sea|}} ''"One wall of a barn [...] Someone has gouged words into it, in one of the lesser alphabets of Hell - an account of a dream of the Usurper Sun, of its gear-teeth [...] How many of them died down here? [...] Three grinning skulls and a carven crooked-cross."''</ref> There is also a hidden oasis, full of unnatural trees covered in strange fungi<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/An_Oasis_of_Sorts|Event description|Sunless Sea|}} ''"A quiet hollow. A stream of sweet dark water. A grove of parasynthetic fruit trees, boughs heavy with symbiotic fungus."''</ref> — and aquatic monstrosities that no wise zailor should meet head-on.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/An_Oasis_of_Sorts|Fish in the stream|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Fish in the stream [...] lazy, menacing ripples disturb the surface. There's more in there than sticklebacks. [...] The strangling horror that emerges from the water [...] the screaming seaman in whom it embeds its many mouths. [...] too late for him [...] You return to the ship with gall-fruit, gloam-carp and freshly filled water-casks. This has been a good day."''</ref> The waters near Palmerston are prowled by '''Faustic Corsairs''', a unique brand of corsair ship only found near this location.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/wiki/Faustic_Corsair|Faustic Corsair|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Faustic Corsairs are frequently visible near Mount Palmerston."''</ref> Little else is known about these vessels, their crews, or their employers, but the name implies the influence of [[devils]].


The [[The Soul Trade|soul trade]] has a strong foothold at Palmerston, with mysterious hooded figures serving as contacts for smugglers.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Deliver your smuggled souls|Sunless Sea|}} ''"Deliver your smuggled souls [...] A hooded figure with a lantern waits at the far end of the quay."''</ref> One such character is the '''Buzzing Beggar''', who despite its title ''does'' pay for smuggled souls.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/A_Buzzing_Beggar|Event description|Sunless Sea|}} ''" [...] Zzouls, my friend," a masked figure entreats you. "Zzouls. Do you have zzouls? [...] Let me pay you for them."''</ref>
The island was once home to many generations of agrarian settlements, all of which were completely destroyed in past volcanic eruptions, leaving behind only scorched fields and ruined structures.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Find your contact|Sunless Sea|}}</ref><ref name = "palmerston location description"/> These ruins may have more to them than meets the eye: they are dotted with strange relics of the [[New Sequence]] written in the languages of [[Hell]], and mysterious, bent crosses.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Dig among the ruins|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> There is also an oasis near Mt Palmerston, full of unnatural trees and strange fungi.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/An_Oasis_of_Sorts|Event description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> The trees provide useful bounties of gall-fruits, and the streams are filled with edible gloam-carp, but the oasis may also be home to other monstrosities that no wise zailor would meet head-on.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/An_Oasis_of_Sorts|Fish in the stream|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>
 
The [[The Soul Trade|soul trade]] has a strong foothold in Mt Palmerston, with mysterious hooded figures serving as patrons and contacts for smugglers.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Deliver your smuggled souls|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> One of these figures is the '''Buzzing Beggar''', who, despite its title, does in fact pay for smuggled souls; it also wears an odd mask, and has hard, wood-like flesh.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/A_Buzzing_Beggar|Event description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref><ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/A_Buzzing_Beggar|No zouls for you!|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>


==The Brimstone Convention==
==The Brimstone Convention==
<blockquote>''"There was a revolution in Hell: and the aristocracy of devils fled here. Here, they plot in exile."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/wiki/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention|Sunless Sea}}</ref></blockquote>
{{Spoiler}}
<blockquote>''"They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. But the road to the Brimstone Convention is paved with cinders."''<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Go_up_to_the_crater|Story description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>


<blockquote>''"You bend your head closer. Closer. You feel the sounds tingling in your teeth and bones now. You can make out words: Judgements. Dream. Zalt. Alliance. Ecstasy. The sound overcomes you, and your vision blurs to red and grey."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/wiki/Go_up_to_the_crater#Interactions|Independent verification|Sunless Sea}}</ref></blockquote>
''"They don't do us any harm. They stay up there, and we stay down here. If Hell's fighting itself, that's good for us all, isn't it?"''<ref name="chat to port folk">{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention|Sunless Sea|}}</ref></blockquote>[[File:Palmerstoncrater.png|alt=A volcano's crater, filled with lava and flames.|thumb|The crater of Mt Palmerston.]]
[[File:Hellgate.png|alt=A massive gate inscribed with wings.|thumb|The Gates of [[Hell]].]]
Once, there was a revolution in [[Hell]]. Those on the losing side of the revolution, the aristocratic [[Grand Devils]], have taken up shelter at Mt Palmerston, establishing the '''Brimstone Convention'''. They tend to remain near the summit of the island, very rarely interfering with the port's activities,<ref name = "chat to port folk"/> but their powerful droning, like millions and millions of bees, permeates throughout the mountain's higher slopes, and is loud enough to rattle a person's teeth from their skull.<ref name = "independent verification">{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/Go_up_to_the_crater|Independent verification|Sunless Sea|}}</ref> These Grand Devils also possess massive crowns made of garish, searing metals, which they have worn since the founding of Hell. One of these crowns is ''larger than a horse''.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Forsaken_Crown_of_a_Prince_of_Hell|The Forsaken Crown of a Prince of Hell|Fallen London|}}</ref>
Centuries ago, [[Hell]] underwent a [[Season of Revolutions]], in which it overthrew its princes. The aristocrats on the losing side took up shelter at Mt Palmerston, where they formed the '''Brimstone Convention'''. They reside near the summit of the island and rarely interfere with the port below,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/wiki/Mount_Palmerston#Interactions|Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention|Sunless Sea}} ''"Chat to the port-folk about the Brimstone Convention [...] There was a revolution in Hell: and the aristocracy of devils fled here. Here, they plot in exile. [...] “They don't do us any harm. They stay up there, and we stay down here."''</ref> but their droning - like billions of bees - permeates through the mountain's upper slopes, loud enough to rattle a person's teeth from their skull.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Go_up_to_the_crater|Independent verification|Sunless Sea|}} ''"You scramble up the stones. Before you are more than half-way up [...] There is a sound in the earth - a profound, complex, overwhelming drone, like the buzzing of a billion billion bees."''</ref> It is not known whether the Convention's membership currently includes [[Grand Devils]]; it ''is'' confirmed that at least one prince of Hell resided here at some point,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Forsaken_Crown_of_a_Prince_of_Hell|The Forsaken Crown of a Prince of Hell|Fallen London}} ''"The gargantuan horned headpiece of a one-time Prince of Devils. [...] The zee must have brought it all the way from Mount Palmerston."''</ref> but according to a [[Marigold Station#The Knights of the Marigold|Marigold Knight]], the Convention believes all of Hell's former princes are slain.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_her_mission|Ask about her mission|Fallen London}} ''"Mt Palmerston believes all of the princes are dead, [...]"''</ref> Either way, the [[Brass Embassy]] is ''hellbent'' on hunting down these renegades, and will pay large indulgences for information.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Upgrade_your_guest_room_to_a_Sanctum|Upgrade your guest room to a Sanctum|Fallen London}} ''"We'll root them out. Have you heard of the Brimstone Convention?"''</ref> In turn, the Palmerston exiles are plotting their own counter-revolution; while their plans appear desperate and impractical,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Pulling_of_a_Thread:_(Opportunity)|The Pulling of a Thread: (Opportunity)|Fallen London}} ''"The plans for a new warship were indeed stolen by devils, though not devils from Hell. The culprit [...] anti-Republican sympathies – secretly an agent for the exiles of Mt. Palmerston. The whole plan seems like a bit of a stretch: even if they had the plans [...] they couldn't build it. And even if they could, it wouldn't do much against Hell's forces. But counter-revolution is a desperate business."''</ref> they may involve [[Parabola]], the [[Judgements]], [[Salt]], and perhaps even an ''alliance'' with any one of these influential powers.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/Go_up_to_the_crater|Independent verification|Sunless Sea|}} ''"There is a sound in the earth - a profound, complex, overwhelming drone, like the buzzing of a billion billion bees. [...] You bend your head closer. [...] You can make out words: Judgements. Dream. Zalt. Alliance. Ecstasy. The sound overcomes you, and your vision blurs to red and grey."''</ref>
 
The [[Brass Embassy]] is ''hellbent'' on hunting down the renegade Grand Devils that escaped to Palmerston, to the extent that they will provide huge favors in return for information of their activities.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Upgrade_your_guest_room_to_a_Sanctum|Upgrade your guest room to a Sanctum|Fallen London|}} ''"We'll root them out. Have you heard of the Brimstone Convention?"''</ref> Thanks to the bounties on the Grand Devils' heads, the Brimstone Convention believes that the Grand Devils who could not find refuge at Mt Palmerston are forever lost.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_her_mission|Ask about her mission|Fallen London|}} ''"Mt Palmerston believes all of the princes are dead, [...]"''</ref>
[[File:Roseyellow.png|alt=A yellow flower.|thumb|A marigold.]]
However, a devil exiled to [[Marigold Station]] received an assignment from Hell to arrange the '''Annulment''' of an alliance between the Convention and a Grand Devil residing near Hell; in exchange, she would receive clemency.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_her_mission|Ask about her mission|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Annulment is [...] used to terminate the alliances of its former rulers. This devil has been tasked with ending [...] one, between the monarchists of Mt Palmerston and the Chandler Saint, who resides a little close to Hell for its comfort. Mt Palmerston believes all of the princes are dead, [...]"''</ref> When signed by multiple parties, the Annulment would comprehensively void all the information and obligations exchanged between them.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Speak_to_the_Dauntless_Knight_(Knight%27s_Dilemma)|Speak to the Dauntless Knight (Knight's Dilemma)|Fallen London|}} ''"It would render all prior contracts, and the information gleaned as a result of them, void [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discharge_your_duty_(Starshine)|Discharge your duty (Starshine)|Fallen London|}} ''"The devils at Mt Palmerston shall know a grand devil still resides in Hell, but not where – and all obligations between the two shall be void."''</ref> The Convention provisionally signed the Annulment; while they do not expect any monarch of Hell to sign in return, they remain hopeful for any confirmation that one may still be alive out there.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_what_happened_in_Mt_Palmerston|Ask about what happened in Mt Palmerston|Fallen London|}} ''"I suggested that if I could get the seal of one of their princes [...] that would be a sign of their consent to break the alliance, [...] They signed provisionally, assuming this would never happen. [...] They'll be overjoyed to learn that one of their princes lives."''</ref>
[[File:Deviless wistful.png|alt=A deviless with red eyes.|thumb|[[The Wistful Deviless]]]]
[[File:Deviless wistful.png|alt=A deviless with red eyes.|thumb|[[The Wistful Deviless]]]]
A certain [[Wistful Deviless]] resides in a cozy cottage near Palmerston, acting as a guardian of the crater.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/The_Wistful_Deviless|Story description|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The road to the crater ends at a brass gate in the crater wall. Beside it stands an oddly charming [...] cottage. [...] An equally charming deviless [...] leans against the cottage wall, [...] “I am the guardian of this place,” [...]"''</ref> Despite her station, she misses Hell, and seeks to feed intelligence about the Convention to the Brass Embassy so that they may allow her return.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.miraheze.org/The_Wistful_Deviless|The Deviless disconsolate|Sunless Sea|}} ''"The lights, the agonies, the scalding mists of lead. I miss them so. I long to return from exile. [...] There's no future with the Convention." [...] I overhear things, [...] the Convention's plans. Take them back to London for me. The officialdom of Hell will show gratitude to me, [...]"''</ref>
Incidentally, a certain [[Wistful Deviless]] resides in a cozy cottage near Mt Palmerston, acting as a guardian of the crater and preventing unauthorized access and eavesdropping from visitors.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/The_Wistful_Deviless|Story description|Sunless Sea|}}</ref><ref name = "independent verification"/> Despite her station, she misses Hell, and she seeks to feed intelligence about the Brimstone Convention to the Brass Embassy so that they may allow her to return.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://sunlesssea.gamepedia.com/The_Wistful_Deviless|The Deviless disconsolate|Sunless Sea|}}</ref>
 
What exactly the Grand Devils of the Brimstone Convention are plotting remains unclear, but it appears that their schemes may involve [[Parabola|dreams]], [[Judgements]], [[Salt]], and even a potential ''alliance'' with any one of those influential powers...<ref name = "independent verification"/>


== Historical and Cultural Inspirations ==
== Real-Life Inspirations ==
Many real-life locations called "Palmerston" existed throughout history, named after the famous Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston. Temple was the Prime Minister of the UK from 1859-1865, and had a long and famed career as a politician throughout the Victorian Era; due to his reputation, diplomacy, and political activity, explorers named many sites after him. One such site is the Palmerston Atoll in the Cook Islands of Polynesia, a chain of 15 small islands which in fact rest on top of a volcano.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atoll|Atoll|Wikipedia|}}</ref> Of these islands, the island of Palmerston is the only one currently populated.<ref name = "henry john temple">{{FLCitation|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_John_Temple,_3rd_Viscount_Palmerston#Places_named_for_Palmerston|Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston|Wikipedia|}}</ref>
Many real-life locations called "Palmerston" existed throughout history, named after the famous Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston. Temple was the Prime Minister of the UK from 1859-1865, and had a long and famed career as a politician throughout the Victorian Era; due to his reputation, diplomacy, and political activity, explorers named many sites after him. One such site in particular is the Palmerston Atoll in the Cook Islands of Polynesia, a chain of 15 small islands which are in fact the top of a volcano.<ref>{{FLCitation|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atoll|Atoll|Wikipedia|}}</ref> Of these islands, the island of Palmerston is the only one currently populated.<ref name = "henry john temple">{{FLCitation|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_John_Temple,_3rd_Viscount_Palmerston#Places_named_for_Palmerston|Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston|Wikipedia|}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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