Editing The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner

|alias = The Stalwart Lady<br>Guardian of London<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/You_have_pledged_your_support_to_-|You have pledged your support to -|Fallen London|}}</ref><br>Her Upstairs

|relationships = John Cassell, (former [[March]]) (friends prior to his death)<br>Chuffy McAvoy-Dauntless (grandson)

}}<blockquote>''"She has an agenda for London, and all the lands around London, for that matter: clean living, virtue, and tea."''<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Invite_the_Dauntless_Temperance_Campaigner_to_the_Board Invite the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner to the Board, ''Fallen London'']</ref></blockquote>'''The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner''' is a fierce but grandmotherly activists, who advocates for social causes and moral improvements for [[London]].

== Description ==

The Campaigner is a member of [[Sophia]]'s club. Though she isn't a [[Monster-Hunters|Monster-Hunter]] herself, she attends for the tea and conversation.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_an_old_acquaintance_to_introduce_you Ask an old acquaintance to introduce you, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner is a member – not so much for the monster stories as for the tea, and the club's other, quieter works."''</ref> She leads the club's relief efforts.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Contribute_to_another_member%27s_charitable_effort Contribute to another member's charitable effort, ''Fallen London''] ''""What would they do without us?" remarks the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner.[…] "Survive some way or other," replies her companion[…]"''</ref> She has strong moral convictions and has the chops to back it up. She can hold her own in an arm-wrestling match against [[The Bishop of Southwark]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Persuade_the_Bishop_of_Southwark Persuade the Bishop of Southwark, ''Fallen London''] ''""Now there is a fearless woman," […] He may be referring to the time he challenged the Campaigner to an arm-wrestling session […] A pot of tea was spilled […] but it did teach the other board members not to make certain assumptions about the lady."''</ref>

She has a deep  affinity for animals,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Find_him_a_new_home Find him a new home, ''Fallen London''] ''"There's an elderly lady of your acquaintance who campaigns for Temperance. […] she can no longer manage her […] fighting weasel and your […] dog will make an excellent companion for her. […] He's going to a good home where he won't be allowed to drink."''</ref> particularly [[Cats]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Persuade_the_Viscountess Persuade the Viscountess, ''Fallen London''] ''""She is highly regarded among cats," says the Viscountess stiffly. She is frequently to be found sitting on the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner's lap during meetings, but as this is undignified, no one is ever allowed to allude to the fact."''</ref> and dislikes seeing them in captivity. She is known to purchase caged animals simply to free them.<ref>[https://sunlesssea.fandom.com/wiki/Roser%27s_Wharf A Dauntless Temperance Campaigner is cooing at your Live Specimen. ''Sunless Sea''] ''"I never did like to see anything locked up." She searches her purse for payment, as two of her burlier supporters heft the cage. The thing inside is remarkably still. The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner hands over the fee, and pats the cage. "Come now, dearie. Let's get you out of here."''</ref> She also passionately opposes “Pass the Cat,” a game where creatures—often cats—are boxed up and passed around.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_elaborate_strategy An elaborate strategy, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] Dauntless Temperance Campaigner has been leading the campaign against you. You label the box 'TEAPOT' and have it posted to a church jumble sale, marked with her return address.[…] Public opinion shifts […] your reputation recovers a little."''</ref>  

She also lends her respectable image to promoting products from reputable producers—provided they align with her moral standards.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Dauntless_Temperance_Campaigner_(Spokesperson) The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner (Spokesperson), ''Fallen London''] ''"The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner agrees to meet with you because of your reputation. She trusts you would do nothing to erode the scaffolding that upholds London's moral character."''</ref> If an advertiser or product falls short, they will be met with swift condemnation. Her activism extends to staging protests outside establishments she believes harm the moral health of London.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_Exceptional_Story:_The_Devil%27s_Ginnery An Exceptional Story: The Devil's Ginnery, ''Fallen London'']</ref>

 

She visits the sick throughout the city, offering them hearty potato soup for their convalescence.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_succession_of_visitors A succession of visitors, ''Fallen London''] ''"First, a Dauntless Temperance Campaigner with a hearty potato-soup for the convalescent. Next, an acquaintance with a bottle of decent wine. Finally, some lout with a bill, but you hide under the covers until they're gone."''

</ref> On occasion, she attends poetry readings in [[Veilgarden]], where she loudly voices her opinions.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Mock_an_Insufferable_Poseur Mock an Insufferable Poseur, ''Fallen London''] ''"You hadn't noticed the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner listening appreciatively at the back. As soon as you begin, she turns on you. Her arguments aren't, frankly, compelling, but dear God her voice is loud. You withdraw from the field."''

</ref> She is particularly critical of poetry that includes pagan elements, excessive alcohol references, or poor rhyming.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_quick_commission:_Hymns_to_Sobriety A quick commission: Hymns to Sobriety, ''Fallen London''] ''"I'm sorry, I don't consider these pagan allusions appropriate for a properly Christian city. Nor can I commend this 'water of life' business. Alcohol is both sin and death! Furthermore, [...] 'satin' has never rhymed with 'pattern' in any English'' I ''speak."''</ref>

 

Despite her commitment to rehabilitating criminals, she faces personal conflicts. She was friends with a Tomb-Colonist, only to discover he had once been a notorious hedonist who led others—her niece included—astray. Though he had reformed, she could not bring herself to forgive him.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Speak_with_the_Temperance_Campaigner Speak with the Temperance Campaigner, ''Fallen London''] ''"I dine regularly with a Tomb-Colonist. We talk long into the evenings, trying to solve London's problems. But we are not always serious; I enjoy the time I spend with him. He makes me laugh."''

 

''She shakes her head, smiling sadly. "One evening, I thought I recognised his voice. I had to know. I persuaded him to unravel the bandages from his face. I recognised him. Before they'd been to the Colonies, he had been a notorious louche. He'd led many astray; including my niece. I had despised him. He is clearly reformed, but I cannot forgive him. I have been declining requests to dine since. I haven't told him why. His last message sounded deeply lonely, but... I can't bring myself."''</ref>

 

She was also a close friend of the late [[March]], a member of [[The Calendar Council]], before they ordered his assasination. It was she who found his body.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Betray_the_Haunted_Doctor%27s_trust|Betray the Haunted Doctor's trust|Fallen London|}} ''"John was one of my dearest friends. I was the one who found him – collapsed in his Blackfinger office, lying on a pile of tracts. Thank you, [...] I see I have another campaign to mount. I'll rally the troops. I'll see the Council brought to justice."''</ref>

''"A fixture among London's social reformers, she has a plethora of worthy causes, all of which she is passionately devoted to. Her slogan is 'Teatime for London.'"<ref name=":0">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Choose_the_Dauntless_Temperance_Campaigner_as_your_candidate Choose the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner as your candidate, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner […] cares for animals, the poor, the reformed criminals and honey addicts […] against wicked landlords and spirifiers […] Her campaign is bolstered by staunch Society matrons, Criminals […] and the Church. […]"''</ref>''</blockquote>In the year 1895, the Campaigner announced her candidacy for the Mayoral election of London. Her platform included: improved conditions and greater rights for London’s workers, debtors, and tenants, establishment of "houses of respite and healing" to aid addicts and the impoverished, advocacy for London's assorted animals, crackdown on [[Spirifage]], and finally increased tea drinking.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_the_Dauntless_Temperance_Campaigner%27s_campaign Learn more about the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner's campaign, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner tears herself away from a brisk conversation with a member of Humble Order of Mudlarkers and Steeplejacks to answer your questions. "I have dedicated my life to fighting exploitation. Yes, I've fought the honey-pushers, who addict dreamers, and the drink-dealers who poison mothers and fathers. But I'm here to fight the factory-owners, the landlords, the bankers who drive our citizens into such harmful escapes. We must help the addled and afflicted, provide houses of respite and healing. And tea. I am in favour of tea." She smiles and gives you a firm handshake, before marching away to menace a notoriously unscrupulous landlord."''</ref> Her campaign was supported by reformed poets, well-meaning members of Society, and deacons and deaconesses of the Church, all rallying under her emerald banners.<ref name=":0" /> Claymen also rallied behind her, recognizing her past advocacy on their behalf.<ref name=":1">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Read_about_the_Dauntless_Temperance_Campaigner%27s_Campaign Read about the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner's Campaign, ''Fallen London''] ''"'The Dauntless Campaign is visibly struggling. Rumours of a 'honey-well' circulate in the taverns and low houses of Veilgarden, to general amusement. Her supporters are thinning, and her name has been heard uttered in a variety of unkind contexts by various luminaries of high society, in various exclusive teahouses.'''

 

''<nowiki/>'Despite – or perhaps because of this – the Campaigner herself is unbowed. She has been seen marching with her head held high through Hastings Square, Spite, and Veilgarden. Rumour has it that there are rumblings in the Clay Quarters: that the Clay Men have begun to talk politics, and are remembering old kindnesses the Stalwart Lady has done for them.'"''</ref> Supporters received a bearskin hat that they later wore as statement pieces at the theatre.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/An_Indignant_Bearskin_(20_Estival_Tokens) An Indignant Bearskin (20 Estival Tokens), ''Fallen London'']</ref>

 

However, her campaign also revealed tensions. Revolutionaries sought favors from her, only to be rebuffed. She still held a grudge against them for the murder of her friend and fellow temperance advocate, John Cassell.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Choose_a_Target:_The_Dauntless_Temperance_Campaigner%27s_Campaign|Choose a Target: The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner's Campaign|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the Revolutionaries take two step back. She speaks like thunder: "I've seen how you treat your friends. You think I'd ever forget John? I campaign against all injustice, great and small. Now go!""''</ref>

 

 

 

As the election progressed, she gradually lost influence—losing elite support and facing scrutiny over the honey-well incident. Still, she marched through London’s streets with her head held high, determined to bring about change.<ref name=":1" />

Ultimately, she and [[The Implacable Detective]] lost the Election to [[Feducci]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/1895:_The_Victor_is_Announced! 1895: The Victor is Announced!, ''Fallen London'']</ref> Yet, undeterred by defeat, the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner immediately set out on a new campaign.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Have_a_word_with_the_Dauntless_Temperance_Campaigner Have a word with the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] "Not quite what we hoped, was it?" […] "I didn't compromise though. I do have that. If this is what the people want, well. We keep fighting. […]" She stands, draining her cup in one. She takes your hand. She smiles with proud weariness[…]."''</ref>

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperance_movement_in_the_United_Kingdom The temperance movement in the United Kingdom] emerged in the early 19th century as a response to widespread alcohol consumption and its associated social problems, including poverty, domestic violence, and public disorder. Initially, the movement promoted moderation, but over time, many advocates pushed for total abstinence, or "teetotalism." Organizations such as the National Temperance League, established in 1856, played a pivotal role in promoting these ideals.  

Women were instrumental in the temperance movement, often linking the fight against alcohol to broader social reforms. Figures like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Henry_Somerset Lady Henry Somerset] championed both temperance and women's rights. The Dauntless Temperance Campaigner's friend and fellow activist, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cassell John Cassell], was a prominent temperance advocate and publisher. Cassell used his platform to promote temperance and educate the working class. Additionally, the Campaigner's focus on animal welfare aligns with the broader humanitarian concerns of the period, paralleling activists like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bywater_Smithies Thomas Bywater Smithies], who campaigned for both temperance and animal welfare.