The Committee for Vital Restitution

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"You know it at once. Your soul, which was taken from you! A note simply reads: BE MORE CAREFUL NEXT TIME. Beneath it, a crudely drawn shepherd's crook."[1]

The Committee for Vital Restitution is an organization in London dedicated to the return of lost souls.

A Good Deed Never Goes Unpunished[edit | edit source]

Given the moral dubiousness of the soul trade, it makes sense that certain groups and individuals would try to campaign against it.[2] One of these groups is the Committee for Vital Restitution, or C.V.R., who seek to return souls to their rightful owners regardless of the costs or risks.[3] However, interfering in the soul trade in this manner is illegal, enforced by the Constables and the Masters, and the Church does not publicly approve of such activities either.[4] Thus the C.V.R. often has to meet in secret, wearing masks and hoods, in a different location every time.[5] As part of their work, the C.V.R. collects both souls and infernal contracts in an effort to ensure that the souls are matched correctly with their original owners.[6] Interestingly, some members of the C.V.R. may be reformed spirifers themselves.[7]


Despite the C.V.R.'s lack of public support, many powerful individuals in certain circles support the C.V.R. and covertly fund its members' efforts.[8]

New recruits of the C.V.R. receive a unique pocket watch called a Shepherd's Timepiece that serves as a symbol of membership.[9] Apparently, a Shepherd's Timepiece can also be a useful tool in the process of soul restoration itself, but its exact capabilities are unknown.[10]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Something unexpected, Fallen London
  2. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "He speaks at length on the evils of the soul trade..."
  3. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "If you are to return souls to their rightful owners you will require allies. [...] They are looking for a group called the Committee for Vital Restitution. [...] a meeting of the 'C.V.R.' will take place [...] the savers of souls you are looking for?."
  4. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "The Church will not publicly intervene: [...] The Masters of the Bazaar look harshly on interference with the soul trade. Those who would restore souls are persecuted by the Constables."
  5. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "You have heard rumours of odd sects [...] around Watchmaker's Hill [...] a meeting of the 'C.V.R.' will take place in [...] Tyrant's Gardens [...] You observe the small meeting: masked, hooded and otherwise obscured figures [...]"
  6. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "recovering souls is essential, returning them to their correct owners is actually the most difficult part of the C.V.R.'s work [...] Have you any souls for restoration or infernal contracts to help the process along?"
  7. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "He speaks [...] with such detailed knowledge that you suspect him of once having been a spirifer himself."
  8. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "Both souls and contracts together! [...] The more influential members of the Committee will no doubt sing your praises in certain circles."
  9. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), Fallen London "He hands you a beautiful little pocket watch. [...] the secret sign of members of the Committee of Vital Restitution...
  10. ↑ Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, Fallen London "Your duty as a Shepherd of Souls is clear! [...] You do something complicated with your watch and a spare soul jar..."
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