Editing The Grand Clearing-Out

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{{Event
|image1 = Clearout-poster.jpg
|date = Summer of 1899 (2021)
|location = [[London]]
|alias = Mr Chimes' Grand Clearing-Out
|notable_figures = [[The Viscountess of the Viric Jungle]]
|related = [[Stone Pigs]]
|title1 = The Grand Clearing-Out
}}<blockquote>''"THE BENENIMOUS MASTER OF THE BAZAAR, Mr. CHIMES, graciously invites YOU to take part in a NEW CELEBRATION of SUBTERRANEAN PURSUITS – the GRAND CLEARING-OUT!"''<ref name=":0">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Grand_Clearing-Out:_An_Announcement_is_Made The Grand Clearing-Out: An Announcement is Made, ''Fallen London'']</ref></blockquote>The '''Grand Clearing-Out''' was a significant event of the (first year of) 1899, in which the collapse of [[London]] was narrowly averted.

== Background ==
<blockquote>''"The Viscountess engages in the favourite pastime of all cats: Going where she shouldn't."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_sand-choked_dream|Ask about the sand-choked dream|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>In her campaign to combat the [[Fingerkings]], the [[Viscountess of the Viric Jungle]], London's [[Lord Mayor of London|Lord Mayor]] at the time, witnessed the dream-snakes infiltrating the subconscious of the [[Stone Pigs]]: the slumbering, city-devouring engines of the [[Echo Bazaar]].<ref name=":12">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offer_an_explanation Offer an explanation, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Fingerkings have [...] Slithered in and stolen weapons from those dreams. I thought that I could follow them and take something, too. A weapon to use against them. [...] It did not work, of course. I should have realised that." [...] the Viric Jungle seems darker than usual; foreboding, almost. Something is awake within it, and it's not done stirring."''</ref> In an attempt to imitate the dream-snakes' actions by stealing what ''appeared'' to be a weapon,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_sand-choked_dream Ask about the sand-choked dream, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Ophidian Gentleman grimaces. "The Viscountess engages in the favourite pastime of all cats: Going where she shouldn't. [...]" And what of the weapons the Fingerkings retrieved from the dreams of the Stone Pigs? Is what the Viscountess claims true? "'Weapon' is a very... feline way of thinking about things.""''</ref> with the intent of using it against her rivals, she inadvertently stirred the Pigs from their slumber.<ref name=":12" /> Although this would only become evident later, the Viscountess's disturbance was the direct cause of the Grand Clearing-Out.

The [[Masters of the Bazaar]], seeing the likely ramifications, were far from pleased with the Lord Mayor's actions; they responded by abolishing her office entirely, and issuing an ominous summons demanding her appearance before them.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_(Former)_Lord-Mayor_of_London The (Former) Lord-Mayor of London, ''Fallen London''] ''"This morning's Gazette announces the departure of the […] Mayor […] By determination of the Masters, the election of a replacement has been indefinitely suspended, 'to prevent a Further Tragedy'. […] The Viscountess […] is reportedly taking an extended holiday […]'<nowiki/>'''"'''''</ref>

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==The Great Excavation==
<blockquote>''"The MASTERS call on ALL LONDONERS to EMPTY OUT YOUR ATTICS and RECLAIM BURIED TREASURES from beneath LONDON'S OWN STREETS. Participants will be rewarded handsomely with THE SPOILS OF EXCAVATION."''<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>In the false-summer of 1899, a dramatic announcement from [[Mr Chimes]] and the other Masters appeared in the ''Gazette'', urging Londoners to empty out their attics and reclaim hidden treasures from beneath the city's streets under the supervision of the [[Ministry of Public Decency]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Grand_Clearing-Out:_An_Announcement_is_Made The Grand Clearing-Out: An Announcement is Made, ''Fallen London''] ''"As you pick up today's edition of the Gazette, you are struck by a garish advertisement. It takes up nearly the entire front page. Everything else is squeezed into one sickly column, with a single surviving headline ('MAN-EATING CHASM OPENS UNDER MOCKING HILL'). The advertisement reads:''

''THE BENENIMOUS MASTER OF THE BAZAAR, Mr. CHIMES, graciously invites YOU to take part in a NEW CELEBRATION of SUBTERRANEAN PURSUITS – the GRAND CLEARING-OUT! The MASTERS call on ALL LONDONERS to EMPTY OUT YOUR ATTICS and RECLAIM BURIED TREASURES from beneath LONDON'S OWN STREETS. Participants will be rewarded handsomely with THE SPOILS OF EXCAVATION. And then, at the very bottom, in minuscule print: The Ministry of Public Decency reserves the right to inspect, confiscate, destroy, censor, censure, or condemn any items retrieved from Beneath London's Streets."''</ref> This proclamation quickly developed into a city-wide excavation frenzy.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_a_passing_urchin_for_more_information Ask a passing urchin for more information, ''Fallen London''] ''""You don' 'ave a pickaxe? E'ryone's got a pickaxe." It seems this new fashion has taken London overnight."''</ref> [[Mr Stones]] set up a shop near Moloch Street Station, where it sold items recovered from the dig-sites and confiscated by the Ministry to fund further excavations;<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Mr_Stones%27_Pavilion_of_Subterranean_Delights Mr Stones' Pavilion of Subterranean Delights, ''Fallen London''] ''"'THE WONDERS OF THE EARTH, UNCOVERED,' proclaims a banner. The attendant tending the stall seems rather less enthusiastic as she explains its contents to you. "All these items were recovered from beneath London's streets and surrendered – er, donated to the Ministry of Public Decency, to aid in funding further excavation.""''</ref> Londoners were encouraged to donate their unwanted items from their attics and basements to a Ministry collector,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Clearing_Out_your_Attic Clearing Out your Attic, ''Fallen London''] ''"A Ministry Auditor is impatiently standing outside your door, asking for you to throw out all of your unwanted knick-knacks."''</ref> which were then delivered to a shop owned by [[Mr Mirrors]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_the_Marquee_of_Mystification Visit the Marquee of Mystification, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Mirrors has once again put up a large pavilion near the sunken tower of the House of Chimes. Some of the items reclaimed from Londoners' attics and basements are for sale within."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Shopkeeper%27s_Marquee_of_Mystification The Shopkeeper's Marquee of Mystification, ''Fallen London''] ''"As the Masters are preoccupied with the treasures being extracted from the ground, the Shopkeeper in Viric has taken over the Marquee. "By the request of Mr Mirrors," they claim. "What are you buying?""''</ref> The Masters also hired diggers of their own (including a Hellworm!),<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Fuel_the_excavation_with_hellworm_food Fuel the excavation with hellworm food, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Masters have obtained the services of a Hellworm to aid in excavation. Its appetites are specific."''</ref> and promised investors a share of the recovered treasures.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Investing_in_Excavation Investing in Excavation, ''Fallen London''] ''"Not all workers are volunteers – some have been hired. And there are other costs: tools and materials. The Masters are selling shares of whatever is found below."''</ref>

Londoners of all walks of life engaged in the digging with great enthusiasm,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Help_with_the_digging Help with the digging, ''Fallen London''] ''"Londoners of all stripes have brought shovels and pickaxes beneath the streets. Join them."''</ref> unearthing treasures, trinkets and objects of dubious value buried beneath the city.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Help_with_the_digging Help with the digging, ''Fallen London''] ''"Every so often, excitement mounts when something is unveiled: a fossil, a buried treasure, a limb still attached to its partially-deceased owner. Someone tries to start a rousing work song, and is promptly embarrassed when no one joins in."''</ref> Others assisted the excavation efforts by providing them with sustenance and supplies.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Opening_of_a_Chamber The Opening of a Chamber, ''Fallen London''] ''"Another wall falls; another abandoned sub-cellar or buried Fourth City building is revealed. As thanks for your help in keeping the crews of volunteer excavators fed, the Ministry will let you take first pick of the spoils."''</ref> Occasionally, the digging reached the veins and lacre chambers<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Something_vile Something vile, ''Fallen London''] ''"You choke and cough – this chamber is filled with harsh fumes. You have to hurry out of the tunnels, retching. It will only be hours later, when you taste ammonia on your tongue and feel a deep longing that you can't place, that you realise what you have breathed in."''</ref> of the [[Bazaar]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/In_Their_Wake In Their Wake, ''Fallen London''] ''"Your digging has uncovered a strange tunnel beneath the earth. The wall at the very end seems to... breathe, softly pulsating."''</ref> causing some Londoners to encounter strange phenomena.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Reach_out_and_touch_it Reach out and touch it, ''Fallen London''] ''"It's warm, blood-warm, a living thing. The tunnel is terribly dark; darkness encroaches the edges of your vision. [...] No – there's nothing there. It's just a wall of stone and earth. But there's a lingering scent of ammonia that makes you dizzy; best move on."''</ref> There were five primary dig sites across London, each of which unearthed a landmark:<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_about_the_dig_sites Ask about the dig sites, ''Fallen London''] ''"From speaking to the packs of Londoners with digging implements, it seems that there are five major excavations: near the Brass Embassy on Moloch Street; behind the Blind Helmsman; beneath the Singing Mandrake; at the University; and in Spite."''</ref> 

* Behind the [[Brass Embassy]], on [[Moloch Street]]:<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Digging_Behind_the_Brass_Embassy Digging Behind the Brass Embassy, ''Fallen London''] ''"A large pit has been opened in the street behind the Brass Embassy. A few Devils mill around the hole, unhappily monitoring the progress of the excavation."''</ref> the ruins of the [[Fourth City]]'s<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Find_out_what%27s_below_(Moloch_Street) Find out what's below (Moloch Street), ''Fallen London''] ''"The newly opened passage leads into a tilted doorway: an entry into a ruin that sank unevenly beneath Moloch Street. Inside is an antechamber with lacquered walls. This is a ruin from the Fourth City! But its construction is unmistakeably infernal, with brass accents and crimson colours."''</ref> [[Celestial Embassy]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Seeking_Documents_in_the_Sunken_Embassy Seeking Documents in the Sunken Embassy, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Celestial Embassy was once a grand pagoda, looming above the rooftops of the Fourth City. When London fell, the Embassy was buried deep below the earth. Its many levels now descend far underground."''</ref> the Brass Embassy's precursor.
* Under the backyard of a derelict house in [[Spite]]:<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Digging_in_Spite Digging in Spite, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Ministry of Public Decency have claimed a derelict house. From this makeshift headquarters, they are coordinating a large excavation in its back yard."''</ref> While ruins of a previous [[The Fallen Cities|Fallen City]] were discovered,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Look_into_these_tunnels Look into these tunnels, ''Fallen London''] ''"The tunnels here have delved deep into the Earth, and they have uncovered remnants of a previous Falling City: Stone blocks and clay bricks of unfamiliar make; the odd fragment of a stone tablet or potsherd."''</ref> the more important finding was an ancient tunnel system once used by [[Clay Men]]<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Look_into_these_tunnels Look into these tunnels, ''Fallen London''] ''"No – this is an older place. A tunnel excavated by Clay Men long before London fell. Monolithic architecture; the scent of loam and dust."''</ref> called the Underclay Quarter.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Descend_to_the_Underclay_Quarter Descend to the Underclay Quarter, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Clay Men have always dug tunnels beneath London, and the Cities which fell before it. Many have been abandoned; many more forgotten. This one is old indeed, but still in use."''</ref> 
* Under the cellars of the Singing Mandrake in [[Veilgarden]]:<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Look_into_these_tunnels Look into these tunnels, ''Fallen London''] ''"The tunnels beneath the Singing Mandrake have yielded relatively few artefacts of note. But they do have a recurring problem with cobwebs, and more than one digging Londoner has reported a chittering noise from below."''</ref> the lair of an enormous and endlessly debating Spider Symposium.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Look_into_these_tunnels Head Into the Cellars, Then Further Down, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mr Chimes' grand clearing out broke the earth beneath the Singing Mandrake (narrowly sending it teetering into the depths). The pub has been shored up, and a permanent – if narrow – entrance remains at the back of its cellar. Will you descend beneath, to the Spider Symposium? Perhaps you wish to check that it is in no danger of finishing its debates. Or perhaps you want to participate."''</ref> 
* Beneath the [[Blind Helmsman]] in [[Wolfstack Docks]]:<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Beneath_the_Blind_Helmsman Beneath the Blind Helmsman, ''Fallen London''] ''"A shaft of light shines down from above – gas lamps and false-stars. But the tunnels leading off in all directions are dark. Many zailors, lured by a promise of underground riches, have come down into the tunnels to try their luck. Most of them seem comically unfamiliar with how to use a shovel."''</ref> [[L.B. Industries]], an old factory that had been buried in the [[Fall of London]] and was now being run by [[Rattus Faber]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Head_Far_Beneath_the_Blind_Helmsman Head Far Beneath the Blind Helmsman, ''Fallen London''] ''"Following the tunnel leads to an old London factory – one that fell deeper than the rest of the city when it was pulled into the Neath. In the dust and chaos, it was forgotten by all but the Rattus Faber. They claim that, under the legal principle of adverse possession, it is now theirs."''</ref> 
* Between two [[University]] buildings:<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Digging_Behind_the_University Digging Behind the University, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Ministry of Public Decency has commandeered a square lodged between two Benthic College buildings. The square is now a hole in the ground, surrounded by removed dirt and cobbles."''</ref> a segment of Old Newgate,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Find_out_what%27s_below_(The_University) Find out what's below (The University), Fallen London] ''"Fragments of London's old prison complex have been found before, of course. But this section seems to have detached and sank during the Fall, becoming an underground maze of tunnels lying somewhere west of the University, towards the Shuttered Palace."''</ref> briefly used as London's main correctional facility before [[New Newgate]] was built. The abandoned tunnels became a refuge for inmates playing their own version of [[Knife-and-Candle]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Hunt_Bees_in_Old_Newgate Hunt Bees in Old Newgate, ''Fallen London''] ''"What was once a house of correction is now a home to chaos. Old Newgate, sealed away in 1875, has been left to its own devices. Its usage as a prison in the Neath was brief. Bees haunt the ruined tunnels now, a relic of some practice that took place in the prison; it is said Hell will pay handsomely for their recovery. In Old Newgate, the inmates rule the prison, where they compete in an ancient game: Dagger, or Flint? Mr Iron's prohibition was not heard here. The prisoners play for bees; to catch them, you will need to join the game."''</ref>

==Duck and Cover==
<blockquote>''"The light of the gas-lamps and false-stars doesn't reach deep into the newfound canyon, but at the very bottom, something stirs: something large and serpentine, like a great worm slithering beneath the earth. As it moves, the earth under your feet moves."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stare_into_this_newfound_abyss|Stare into this newfound abyss|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>Amidst the digging, [[London]] suddenly experienced an earthquake.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Steady_yourself Steady yourself, ''Fallen London''] ''"The building itself shakes with you. Londoners scurry towards the nearest fixed object; a gangly urchin falls on the ground in a practised roll; a gentleman in an oversized top hat clings to a lamp-post for dear life. And then, just as suddenly, it's over. Busy pedestrians resume their walks, carriages move again. All appears to be well."''</ref> While initially the impact seemed minimal, the city was soon split by fissures in every direction.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Stone_Pigs_Awaken The Stone Pigs Awaken, ''Fallen London''] ''"This is not a localized disaster. All of London is riven with cracks and gaps in the earth. Something stirs below."''</ref> The [[Stone Pigs]] were stirring,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Stare_into_this_newfound_abyss Stare into this newfound abyss, ''Fallen London''] ''"The light of the gas-lamps and false-stars doesn't reach deep into the newfound canyon, but at the very bottom, something stirs: something large and serpentine, like a great worm slithering beneath the earth. As it moves, the earth under your feet moves."''</ref> and panic spread among the citizenry. As rescue efforts commenced to save anyone who had been trapped, the [[Masters of the Bazaar]] organized a meeting with important Londoners to explain the situation and determine what to do.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/London_in_Disarray London in Disarray, ''Fallen London''] ''"''''But all around the Fifth City, ingenuity and grit is on display: Londoners cross the fissures on bridges improvised from long wooden slats or old horse carts. Volunteers descend into the sinkholes to look for survivors (and the motile deceased). Enterprising sorts sell lengths of rope and climbing pitons out of wheelbarrows. Rumours circulate of a meeting between the Masters and prominent Londoners – where they will announce a plan to fend off whatever newfound disaster this is."''</ref> The famished Pigs were en route to destroy the [[Bazaar]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Conclave_of_the_Masters,_Hastily_Assembled A Conclave of the Masters, Hastily Assembled, ''Fallen London''] ''""There will not be a next city!," bellows Fires. "The Bazaar is being torn apart by the Stone Pigs' imminent escape." A pile of paper, stone slabs, and copper tablets have been laid on a table made of pockmarked rock: the Tragedy Procedures, assembled in their entirety."''</ref> and while [[Mr Pages]] had suggested the Clearing-Out as a diversion to prevent the Pigs from accomplishing their goal, that effort failed.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Inquire_about_the_Clearing-Out Inquire about the Clearing-Out, ''Fallen London''] ''"Fires: "The Procedures provide for excavating the earth around the Bazaar in this eventuality, to keep the Stone Pigs from finding what they seek. The festival was Pages' harebrained idea." "By my calculations, Londoners sped up the rate of excavation by several orders of magnitude", mutters Pages, sullenly. [...]"''</ref> The Masters were forced to blame the festival for the ensuing earthquake, as they could not admit that the Stone Pigs' dreams were so easily disturbed.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Inquire_about_the_Stone_Pigs Inquire about the Stone Pigs, ''Fallen London''] ''""They have been roused from their sleep for some time. Their dreams were disturbed", adds Spices. "Though it may be useful to let London think that their awakening was caused by the Clearing-Out." Pages seems unsettled at this suggestion."''</ref>

Eventually, the Masters came to an agreement that the Fifth City was not yet ready for dissolution,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Conclave_of_the_Masters,_Hastily_Assembled A Conclave of the Masters, Hastily Assembled, ''Fallen London''] ''"There will not be a next city!," bellows Fires. "The Bazaar is being torn apart by the Stone Pigs' imminent escape." A pile of paper, stone slabs, and copper tablets have been laid on a table made of pockmarked rock: the Tragedy Procedures, assembled in their entirety. "The timetable was accelerated considerably, outside of our control," says Pages. "There is no time to prepare London for dissolution." It reacts to a piercing stare from Fires. "...even if we were all agreed to move forward with such a plan."''</ref> and decided that their best chance involved creating a "Device to Preserve London."<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Inquire_about_a_solution Inquire about a solution, ''Fallen London''] ''"'I HAVE MADE PLANS FOR A DEVICE,' writes Iron, flipping the blackboard over to display a diagram that makes your eyes itch. "We will need London's help," says Fires, "if the city will even show us that gratitude." Spices: "To repair the damage in Parabola is... outside our abilities, for the moment." It seems vaguely embarrassed to admit this. "Hence this... Device to Preserve London.""''</ref> Half of the device would act as a resonator atop the Bazaar, and the other half would communicate with the Stone Pigs deep within the earth.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_the_plans_for_the_device Examine the plans for the device, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Device is a two-pronged thing. One part, high up in the Bazaar's highest spire, resembles – in function, but not in shape – either a windmill meant to harness the wind, or a tuning fork meant to resonate with a vibration. The other half resides deep below the bazaar. That part is meant to convey something to the lacre; and through it, hopefully, to the Stone Pigs."''</ref> The Masters worked independently from each other to create this Device,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Building_a_Device Building a Device, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Masters have cleared a space in one of the lower floors of the Bazaar for their feverish work: tables have been pushed against the walls and covered in optical instruments, machine tools, or vials of toxic liquids. As they work, the Masters don't speak – in fact, they hardly acknowledge one another."''</ref> with the help of wealthy Londoners.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Supply_Mr_Iron_with_a_Breath_of_the_Void Supply Mr Iron with a Breath of the Void, ''Fallen London''] ''"After you make your delivery, the Masters bid you to stay and help with the device's construction. It is difficult, complex work – fitting machine parts, helping distill noxious concoctions, working out eye-watering equations. Singing to the machine as it grows, sometimes."''</ref> They also received assistance from [[Jervaise]] and [[Penstock]], who descended toward the lacre-vats to ensure the Device was working.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Descend_through_Penstock%27s_Wicket Descend through Penstock's Wicket, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Masters will throw the switch at the highest level of the Bazaar. You meet Jervaise at the door to Penstock's Land Agency. "Someone had to verify that all was well downstairs," he says, halfway embarrassed. "Wouldn't you rather be upstairs with them?" Penstock meets the two of you inside. The elevator ride down is long, slow, and silent."''</ref> 

Atop the Bazaar's highest spire,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Highest_Spire The Highest Spire, ''Fallen London''] ''"At the top of the the highest spire of the Bazaar, there is a small chamber [...] it has been filled with crackling, hissing machinery..."''</ref> the Masters activated the Device, provoking a strange storm that caused everyone in London to experience a shared dream.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Dreams_of_London The Dreams of London, ''Fallen London''] ''"Something stirs in the clouds, above. Something stirs within your dreams. How long have you been asleep? You're still staring at the city from the highest spire of the Bazaar. But you can see everything, every detail [...] More than that – you are seen. The people down at street level are looking back at you, and at each other. There is a brief moment of total recognition."''</ref> [[Mr Fires]] declared that it must have worked; after all, "Nothing appears to be on fire, and we’re all still alive."<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Awake Awake, ''Fallen London''] ''"At some point you must have collapsed to the floor; you're lying on your back, staring at the domed ceiling of the spire chamber. "Is it done?" you hear one of the Masters asking. "Did it work?" Fires glances at you, then out through the window at London. "It must have," it says. "Nothing appears to be on fire, and we're all still alive." The chamber soon empties of Masters, and you are left to descend, alone, back to the streets of London."''</ref> By the time the city awoke, the cataclysm had apparently ended, and the Stone Pigs slept once more. London began to rebuild, and life went back to normal;<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Aftermath_of_the_Great_Sink_of_1899 The Aftermath of the Great Sink of 1899, ''Fallen London''] ''"After very nearly being swallowed up by the Earth (again), London slowly recovers. Streets that were riven with cracks are patched over; buildings that collapsed are rebuilt."''</ref> [[Mr Wines]] threw a bevy of revels to celebrate the Fifth City's survival.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Return_to_the_Revels A Return to the Revels, ''Fallen London''] ''"With the resolution of the crisis, Mr Wines has taken it upon itself to organize a new barrage of revels. This one takes place in a townhouse commandeered for the purpose, after the proprietress fell into a sinkhole and crawled out two days later ready for the tomb-colonies."''</ref> Even the [[The Viscountess of the Viric Jungle|Viscountess]] returned, despite having plunged the city into such a mess in the first place; rumor had it that she strong-armed the Masters into dropping her case entirely.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_what_has_happened Learn what has happened, ''Fallen London''] ''"The rumour has spread among the many factors, auditors, neddy-men, commissioners, and other hangers-on of the Bazaar: The Viscountess has brokered some quiet deal with the Masters. What leverage she has remains a mystery – but it presumably relates to her exploits in Parabola. Speculation has it that she came to the Masters not with an offer, but with a threat."''</ref>

==References==
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