Mr Huffam
"The respected journalist, Mr Huffam, is writing an article on London's rats. 'They have become of matter of public concern,' he says, licking his pencil. 'What is your expert opinion?'"[1]
Mr. Huffam is the editor of The Unexpurgated London Gazette, London's foremost newspaper.
Extra! Extra! Read All About It![edit | edit source]
"The Unexpurgated London Gazette is the source of information on all things about London. Its ubiquity ensures everyone has an opinion on it, and everyone reads it to have that opinion confirmed. But if one wishes to keep abreast of developments in London, one must contend with Mr Huffam's hoary old journalism."[2]
As the man behind the Gazette,[3] Huffam is a distinguished figure in London's journalistic landscape.[4] His office is located in a townhouse between Doubt Street and Veilgarden.[5] His skills as a journalist are so well-regarded that even the Foreign Office occasionally seeks him out for information[6] — an arrangement that has made him acutely aware of their inner workings.[7]
A dedicated journalist, Huffam is relentless in his pursuit of the truth, hunting down the subjects of his stories with determination.[8] However, he also knows his limits[9][10] and when to withhold or redact elements of a story to protect those involved.[11][12] He is known to publish editorials that criticize both the criminal underworld[13] and law enforcement;[14] when not at work, he is a man of moral character who steps in to help during disasters.[15]
Though he takes care to remain neutral in political matters, Mr. Huffam’s true opinions sometimes bleed through in his writing.[16] Huffam is an ardent patron of the arts, such as theater, as long as it is “improving” in nature.[17] He is progressive on some fronts, particularly in advocating for rats to be granted human rights[18] and for the overall betterment of ratkind.[19][20] He respects the Khanate despite his admitted patriotism,[21] but is notably distrustful of scientists[22] and disgusted by Rubbery Men.[23][24] In past mayoral elections, Huffam conducted polls[25] and published periodic results that shaped public discourse.[26]
Unparalleled Coverage of Current Events![edit | edit source]
"The offices of the Unexpurgated London Gazette are a whirlwind. Journalists, sub-editors and printers orbit the vast mahogany desk of Mr Huffam, upon which a sea of papers – handwritten and printed – shifts like the tide. Huffam spears a new note on one of the seven iron spikes around the desk's circumference."[27]
Mr. Huffam's work extends to major events like Hallowmas, where he investigates confessional rites and seeks insights from those involved.[28] Huffam despises interviewing certain figures, particularly the Jovial Contrarian[29] and those educated in his methods of debate.[30] Nevertheless, he has conducted personal interviews with a staggering variety of individuals (and creatures), including cats, dogs, spiders, rats, fish, weasels, monkeys, bats, tigers, mandrakes, criminals, priests, nuns, judges, mayors, ambassadors... et cetera.[31][32][33]
Huffam also played a key role in uncovering the secrets of the Coilheart Games. When word spread that the Sixth Coil would open, he called upon Londoners to report any information they had;[34] the sheer volume of leads exceeded his expectations.[35] Once he pieced together the truth behind the Tigers’ plans for the games and the nature of the Sixth Coil, Huffam wrote a damning exposé.[36] He even accompanied the winners of the competition to confront the Wakeful Eye delegation at the Labyrinth of Tigers.[37] In the aftermath, Huffam was issued an injunction by the Empress and the Banded Prince, but bypassed it by publishing the story as fiction, changing the names and details to evade censorship.[38]
Historical and Cultural Inspirations[edit | edit source]
Mr Huffam is a direct homage to the renowned Victorian author Charles John Huffam Dickens. While in our world, Dickens passed away in 1870, Fallen London’s Huffam has outlived him by over 30 years and is thus roughly 90 years old.
Dickens embodied a progressive spirit: campaigning for social reform, advocating for better conditions for London’s working class, denouncing child labor, and criticizing the powerful elite. His compassion was exemplified in the Staplehurst rail crash, where he spent three hours tending to the survivors of the accident, offering comfort and aid until rescuers arrived. However, any historical figure is naturally a product of their time; Dickens also expressed sentiments in his writings that modern readers could interpret as racist and xenophobic. Though he never advocated for scientific racism, he harbored a deep antipathy toward non-European peoples and staunchly believed in their assimilation into Western culture. His progressivism was largely domestically focused.
Mr Huffam reflects all of these qualities: progressive in some areas, deeply conservative in others.
References[edit | edit source]
|
