Editing The Clay Highwayman

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{{Character|image1=highwayman.png|caption1=|location=[[Balmoral]]|allegiance=Independent|alias = The Clay Laird<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Attempt_to_mount_the_Beast|Attempt to mount the Beast|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] ye could be mistaken for the Clay Laird 'imself."''</ref>|relationships=[[Polythreme]]}}<blockquote>''"The Clay Highwayman is a menace to railway traffic (and boat traffic, and foot traffic) around the upper river. But just who ''is'' he? And can he be found at all?"''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Who_is_the_Clay_Highwayman%3F|Who is the Clay Highwayman?|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

The '''Clay Highwayman''' is a well-known bandit leader whose gang roams the [[Hinterlands]].__forcetoc__

== No Noon Here ==
<blockquote>''"Surely the stories about his exploits can't be true."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/On_the_Trail_of_the_Clay_Highwayman|On the Trail of the Clay Highwayman|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Genericmale2.png|alt=A man with an eye-patch and mustache.|thumb|The Burly Lieutenant]]
The Clay Highwayman's gang robs traffic throughout the [[Hinterlands]], whether by foot, boat, or rail.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Who_is_the_Clay_Highwayman%3F|Who is the Clay Highwayman?|Fallen London|}} ''"The Clay Highwayman is a menace to railway traffic [...] boat traffic, [...] foot traffic) around the upper river."''</ref> He is a figure of legend, and rumors of his heists are whispered even in [[London]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Investigate_the_Clay_Highwayman:_Ask_criminal_contacts|Investigate the Clay Highwayman: Ask criminal contacts|Fallen London|}}''"The rumours that circulate there will tell you that the Clay Highwayman is a prolific bandit..."''</ref> His camp is hidden in the woods of [[Balmoral]], but he raids far away to confound anyone searching for his location.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Larceny_at_Balmoral|Larceny at Balmoral|Fallen London|}}''"The Clay Highwayman's doorstep, though he ranges further afield to make sure there is confusion about his point of origin."''</ref> The Highwayman's followers are orderly and well-supplied,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/What_does_he_want%3F_(Clay_Highwayman)|What does he want? (Clay Highwayman)|Fallen London|}} ''[...] the well-fed and [...] polite-yet-forceful Scots [...]"''</ref> resembling an army rather than a band of scoundrels.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Search_the_camp|Search the camp|Fallen London|}} ''"This bandit gang could pass for a small army [...]"''</ref> Their numbers are predominantly Scottish.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/What_does_he_want%3F_(Clay_Highwayman)|What does he want? (Clay Highwayman)|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the [...] competent-looking band of polite-yet-forceful Scots [...]"''</ref> Their camp is sprawling and stocked with supplies, and stolen treasures are displayed throughout.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Search_the_camp|Search the camp|Fallen London|}} ''"Stolen jewellery and art are put on display. [...] The camp is large and well-supplied [...]"''</ref> The Highwayman's second-in-command, the '''Burly Lieutenant''', was once a member of the [[Admiralty]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Chat_to_the_Burly_Lieutenant|Chat to the Burly Lieutenant|Fallen London|}} ''"He was a Royal Marine, zailed with the Admiralty [...] Discharged for a petty offence [...]"''</ref>

The '''Beast'''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Attempt_to_dissuade_the_Clay_Highwayman|Attempt to dissuade the Clay Highwayman|Fallen London|}} ''"Keep an eye on the Beast for me."''</ref> is the Highwayman's famous mount.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Who_is_the_Clay_Highwayman%3F|Who is the Clay Highwayman?|Fallen London|}} ''"The Clay Highwayman [...] remains at large [...] he roams the land on an elephant-sized clay-beast [...]"''</ref> It is an elephantine creature forged from iron, with lanterns for eyes and massive tusks to stop rail cars.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Clay_Beast|The Clay Beast|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Beast is [...] made of iron, bent and forged [...] into a shape not unlike an elephant. Huge metal tusks, [...] to tear open train cars [...] lanterns for eyes [...]"''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Mount_the_beast_and_lead_a_raid|Mount the beast and lead a raid|Fallen London|}} ''"The Clay Beast drives its iron tusks into [...] a train car, and the [...] thing grinds to a halt."''</ref> Its body is inscribed with the [[Correspondence]], as well as hidden sigils of the [[Discordance]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Read_the_inscriptions|Read the inscriptions|Fallen London|}} ''"Most of the writing covering the Beast is the Correspondence. But in one place, [...] only half-visible [...] A law is enacted: [...] Each dancer unfurls an extra arm; [...] You catch yourself before reading the whole thing.</ref>

== Appearance and Personality ==
<blockquote>''"He's seven feet tall, but you can see why rumours have him at eight; those broad shoulders make him a looming presence. This is softened by the congenial grin on his face. He's wearing Highland garb, which must have been custom made for his huge frame."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_First_Impression_of_the_Clay_Highwayman|A First Impression of the Clay Highwayman|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Correspondence4.png|alt=Strange writing.|thumb|[[The Correspondence]]]]
The Clay Highwayman broadly resembles a [[Clay Men|Clay Man]]. He is seven feet tall, and typically wears Scottish Highland attire. His body is inscribed with writing in various languages, including the [[Correspondence]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_First_Impression_of_the_Clay_Highwayman|A First Impression of the Clay Highwayman|Fallen London|}} ''"He's seven feet tall, [...] He's wearing Highland garb, [...] Writing curls all around his body [...] there's Arabic around his neck, Khanate script on his hands, and even a sigil of the Correspondence upon his head [...]"''</ref> and his footsteps are silent.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_what_you_can_about_him|Learn what you can about him|Fallen London|}} ''"His footfalls never make a sound. Perhaps that, [...] is something missing."''</ref>

The Highwayman is a solitary and melancholy figure,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Whiling_away_the_hours|Whiling away the hours|Fallen London|}} ''"Their leader is often ranging [...] on long, solitary walks; or simply brooding in his tent."''</ref> yet soft-spoken and polite.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/What_does_he_want%3F_(Clay_Highwayman)|What does he want? (Clay Highwayman)|Fallen London|}} ''""You need not worry for your safety," [...] His voice is [...] soft [...] "Do make yourself comfortable."''</ref> He is fond of artwork and books,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Clay_Highwayman,_alone|The Clay Highwayman, alone|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he is [...] in his tent: a [...] dome of stolen goods too beautiful to fence. [...] well-loved books."''</ref> and is well-liked and friendly with his subordinates.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Join_the_Clay_Highwayman_on_one_of_his_walks|Join the Clay Highwayman on one of his walks|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he is joined by [...] his followers [...] They tell jokes, share stories [...]"''</ref>

== Clay and Not Clay ==
{{Major spoiler small}}
<blockquote>''"His heart went into the zee last, and then I went into the zee after it. I could not remake them; they were gone. But I took the heart into myself."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Clay_Highwayman,_in_his_own_words|The Clay Highwayman, in his own words|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>''"I like to think I made him more beautiful than the King made me. He had the most wonderful voice. It was like no other Clay Man. He was like no other in most ways. Well, he wasn't really a Clay Man. He was something else entirely. I'm no longer Clay either. And so I am no longer welcome in Polythreme."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_them|Ask about them|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Polythreme port.png|alt=A living statue overlooking a city.|thumb|[[Polythreme]]]]
The Clay Highwayman was once an [[Unfinished Men|Unfinished Man]] from [[Polythreme]].<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_what_you_can_about_him|Learn what you can about him|Fallen London|}} ''"The Clay Highwayman is indeed Unfinished. There is nothing physically lacking, that you can see. [...] His footfalls never make a sound. Perhaps that, [...] is something missing."''</ref> He became a pirate and a thief, and later used a living ship to zail up the [[The Nameless River|Nameless River]]. When he reached the [[Mountain of Light]], he chipped off a Mountain-Sherd<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Join_him_outside_as_he_addresses_his_men|Join him outside as he addresses his men|Fallen London|}} ''"He was indeed born Unfinished in Polythreme, and became a thief and a pirate. With a living ship, he zailed up the Nameless River, [...] to [...] the Mountain of Light. With a shard of the Mountain [...] he returned [...]"''</ref> and used it to forge a companion. This being was free from the [[The King with a Hundred Hearts|King with a Hundred Hearts]], and the two fell in love.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Clay_Highwayman,_in_his_own_words|The Clay Highwayman, in his own words|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] with the Mountain-Sherd, he used it to fashion a companion; [...] with a heart of their own – a lover [...] free of the King with a Hundred Hearts' influence."''</ref> Unfortunately, the King with a Hundred Hearts heard of this act, and forced the Highwayman to dismember his love. The pieces were scattered to the [[Unterzee]], but the Highwayman retrieved the Mountain-Sherd and imbued it within his own heart.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Clay_Highwayman,_in_his_own_words|The Clay Highwayman, in his own words|Fallen London|}} ''"When the King learned of this, he made the Highwayman unmake his companion and cast the pieces [...] into the sea. [...] "His heart went into the zee [...] I went into the zee after it." He points to [...] his chest [...] I took the heart into myself.""''</ref> He was exiled from Polythreme,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_them|Ask about them|Fallen London|}} ''"I'm no longer Clay either. [...] I am no longer welcome in Polythreme."''</ref> and would inscribe his tragic story onto his body.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Join_him_outside_as_he_addresses_his_men|Join him outside as he addresses his men|Fallen London|}} ''"The Highwayman [...] likes to tell stories [...] relating his own life, reading from the long poem inscribed on his body. The poem, and the story [...] is a memoir."''</ref>

According to the Highwayman, neither he nor his deceased companion can be considered "Clay;" rather, they are something else entirely, free from the King's influence.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_them|Ask about them|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he wasn't really a Clay Man. He was something else entirely." [...] pointing to the spot on his chest [...] "I'm no longer Clay either."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_the_Lieutenant_what%27s_in_the_box|Ask the Lieutenant what's in the box|Fallen London|}} ''"The mountain-sherd he took into himself, so he'd be no more beholden ta the King."''</ref> To celebrate his independence, the Highwayman's followers gave him the title of the '''Clay Laird'''.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_tea_with_the_Burly_Lieutenant|Take tea with the Burly Lieutenant|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] you inquire about the Mountain-Sherd. [...] 'e's put it into hisself. That's why we call 'im the Clay Laird – 'e's no subject of the King with a Hundred Hearts any longer.""''</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Nonhuman]]
[[Category:Polythreme]]