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|relationships=Agnes (wife)}}<blockquote>''"The Regretful Soldier is usually weeping and often drunk. His lodgings in Watchmaker's Hill were a coaching inn until a tree fell through the roof, and the breeze whistles eerily through the rag-stuffed cracks in the windows. He's a useful ally in a fight, though."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_your_acquaintance,_the_Regretful_Soldier|Visit your acquaintance, the Regretful Soldier|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>The '''Regretful Soldier''' is a veteran of the ill-fated [[The Campaign of '68|Campaign of ’68]], [[London]]'s disastrous attempt to invade [[Hell]]. Once a proud cavalryman,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/He%27s_not_alone_1 He's not alone, ''Fallen London''] ''"A scarred old brute with mutton-chop whiskers tells a rambling story of ambush and swamp warfare. His face brightens with recognition when he sees you."''</ref> he now carries the weight of regret and loss alongside his physical scars. | |relationships=Agnes (wife)}}<blockquote>''"The Regretful Soldier is usually weeping and often drunk. His lodgings in Watchmaker's Hill were a coaching inn until a tree fell through the roof, and the breeze whistles eerily through the rag-stuffed cracks in the windows. He's a useful ally in a fight, though."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_your_acquaintance,_the_Regretful_Soldier|Visit your acquaintance, the Regretful Soldier|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>The '''Regretful Soldier''' is a veteran of the ill-fated [[The Campaign of '68|Campaign of ’68]], [[London]]'s disastrous attempt to invade [[Hell]]. Once a proud cavalryman,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/He%27s_not_alone_1 He's not alone, ''Fallen London''] ''"A scarred old brute with mutton-chop whiskers tells a rambling story of ambush and swamp warfare. His face brightens with recognition when he sees you."''</ref> he now carries the weight of regret and loss alongside his physical scars. | ||
In 1868, a mere six years after the [[The Fall of London|Fall of London]], the British Cavalry was tasked with mapping the vast new landscape of the [[Neath]]. The Regretful Soldier was assigned to go on this mission, and though his wife Agnes begged him not to go, his loyalty outweighed his love.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"In '69, once the city had settled and the dashed bats had cleared off, we in the Cavalry were detailed to map out the Neath. Agnes didn't want me to go, of course. Begged me to resign my Commission. I loved her, but I loved my country too. Traitor or not, I had sworn to serve the Empress." [Editor's note: The date noted here is likely a typo or the Soldier misremembering the year, since it's known as the Campaign of '68 everywhere else.]''</ref> As they explored, the British forces found [[Rubbery Men]], [[devils]], and more excitingly, news of the lands beyond London's borders. True to both imperial and Christian ambition, they decided upon an invasion of Hell.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"Soon we came across the rubbery chaps, devils and so on, and learned that there were lands beyond London's borders. [...] So we mounted up, loaded the pistols and set out to conquer Hell for Her Majesty..."''</ref> | |||
However, it was the devils who struck first after learning of the British war plans. They invaded London through the ruined [[The Forgotten Quarter|Forgotten Quarter]], and the Soldier was among the forces defending the city.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"Well, the Devils got wind of our expedition to Hell, and decided to invade London first. They came in over the Forgotten Quarter and we drew up our battle lines. [...]"''</ref> His unit charged straight into untold horrors and total catastrophe, and the remnants of the [[The Empress|Empress]]’ cavalry were captured.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"[...] When the bugler sounded the charge I felt my insides turn to liquid, I don't mind telling you. We lowered our lances and spurred into the fog. [...] The voices on either side of us... eyes in the mist... Led us deep into the marshes [...] The last thing I saw was a face..."''</ref> The Soldier was forced to work on one of Hell's slave ships (helmed by a certain [[Feducci|bandaged gentleman]]<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Choose_a_Target:_Feducci%27s_Campaign Choose a Target: Feducci's Campaign, ''Fallen London''] ''"Most of the leaflets are utterly soaked, but you can make out a few fragments. 'Testimony of the Regretful Soldier...denouncing the hated slaver...Feducci aboard Hell's triremes.'"''</ref>), rowing endlessly on a dark river.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"When I awoke, I was in a boat on a dark river. [...] It was a great shining brass-clad trireme, and I was chained to an oar, along with the ragged remnants of the Empress' cavalry. [...] At the helm was a fellow with a bandaged face."''</ref> After an eternity of torment, the Regretful Soldier's ransom was paid,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"I seemed to row for an eternity on that accursed boat. Always thirsty, always aching, never allowed to rest for a second. And then one day my ransom was paid, and I awoke in my own bed."''</ref> but it was not the Empress who saved him; it was Agnes, who had followed the devils' terms<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"A Devil in a velvet suit sauntered up to me. 'Ah, you're awake,' he said. 'So glad you could join our little cruise. You'll be our guest until the Traitor Empress agrees to pay a ransom. One soul for each of you. Until then, you row.' And he pointed to the North."''</ref> and given up her soul to buy his freedom.<ref name=":0">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Caught_Up_in_a_Soldier%27s_Heartbreaking_Tale_(Story) Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, ''Fallen London''] ''"Agnes was waiting for me," he says at last. "I gazed into her empty eyes, and the happiest day of my life turned into the saddest. Agnes had given her soul to buy me back, you see. I still love her, of course. And she loves me. In her own way..."''</ref> When the Soldier returned home, she was a shell of herself. He still loves Agnes, but she cannot reciprocate the way she once could.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
Though the Regretful Soldier is still a skilled fighter<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Goad_him_into_a_fight Goad him into a fight, ''Fallen London''] ''"He won't teach you fencing, but if you get him good and drunk he'll fight you. He's a master: you'll probably learn something if you live."''</ref> and combat medic<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_visit_from_the_Regretful_Soldier A visit from the Regretful Soldier, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Soldier learnt his doctoring in the swamps of Hell. His skills are rough-and-ready. But his hands are deft and surprisingly gentle."''</ref> who longs to return to his glory days,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_for_help_with_a_fight Ask for help with a fight, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Regretful Soldier wishes nothing more than to revisit his glory days. He will surely help you in fighting your battles. He might need a little Dutch courage to get him going, though."''</ref> he was ultimately dishonorably discharged.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Talk_him_down Talk him down, ''Fallen London''] ''"The old soldier recognises a new friend […] He leans on you […] and tells you of his misfortunes: being cashiered out of his regiment long ago, losing his fortune, this business with his wife. He blearily invites you to visit him at Watchmaker's Hill […]"''</ref> He now lives in a meager cottage on the outskirts of the city<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_your_acquaintance,_the_Regretful_Soldier|Visit your acquaintance, the Regretful Soldier|Fallen London|}}''"The Regretful Soldier is usually weeping and often drunk. His lodgings in Watchmaker's Hill were a coaching inn until a tree fell through the roof, and the breeze whistles eerily through the rag-stuffed cracks in the windows. He's a useful ally in a fight, though."''</ref> with the now-soulless Agnes.<ref name=":0" /> He drowns his sorrows in boasts,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/He%27s_not_alone_1 He's not alone, ''Fallen London''] ''"The stories get more outrageous with every turn. You're pretty certain the Soldier never beat a gorilla at mumblety-peg […] What foolhardy daredevil would attempt such a thing? But you learn by listening. It's a pleasant, if hair-raising, evening."''</ref> brawls, and booze,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Deal_with_a_drunk_old_soldier Deal with a drunk old soldier, ''Fallen London''] ''"He's swinging an antique sabre and screaming that he'll take on all comers."''</ref> although alcohol will never allow him to forget the pain. | Though the Regretful Soldier is still a skilled fighter<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Goad_him_into_a_fight Goad him into a fight, ''Fallen London''] ''"He won't teach you fencing, but if you get him good and drunk he'll fight you. He's a master: you'll probably learn something if you live."''</ref> and combat medic<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_visit_from_the_Regretful_Soldier A visit from the Regretful Soldier, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Soldier learnt his doctoring in the swamps of Hell. His skills are rough-and-ready. But his hands are deft and surprisingly gentle."''</ref> who longs to return to his glory days,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_for_help_with_a_fight Ask for help with a fight, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Regretful Soldier wishes nothing more than to revisit his glory days. He will surely help you in fighting your battles. He might need a little Dutch courage to get him going, though."''</ref> he was ultimately dishonorably discharged.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Talk_him_down Talk him down, ''Fallen London''] ''"The old soldier recognises a new friend […] He leans on you […] and tells you of his misfortunes: being cashiered out of his regiment long ago, losing his fortune, this business with his wife. He blearily invites you to visit him at Watchmaker's Hill […]"''</ref> He now lives in a meager cottage on the outskirts of the city<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_your_acquaintance,_the_Regretful_Soldier|Visit your acquaintance, the Regretful Soldier|Fallen London|}}''"The Regretful Soldier is usually weeping and often drunk. His lodgings in Watchmaker's Hill were a coaching inn until a tree fell through the roof, and the breeze whistles eerily through the rag-stuffed cracks in the windows. He's a useful ally in a fight, though."''</ref> with the now-soulless Agnes.<ref name=":0" /> He drowns his sorrows in boasts,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/He%27s_not_alone_1 He's not alone, ''Fallen London''] ''"The stories get more outrageous with every turn. You're pretty certain the Soldier never beat a gorilla at mumblety-peg […] What foolhardy daredevil would attempt such a thing? But you learn by listening. It's a pleasant, if hair-raising, evening."''</ref> brawls, and booze,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Deal_with_a_drunk_old_soldier Deal with a drunk old soldier, ''Fallen London''] ''"He's swinging an antique sabre and screaming that he'll take on all comers."''</ref> although alcohol will never allow him to forget the pain. | ||
