Editing The Clay Highwayman

{{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__

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 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>