The Thirsty Croupier

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"Are you quite sure you want to know this?"

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"The Thirsty Croupier lays out a tarot card. "Sometimes the cards are esoteric. Sometimes they're not. Looks like you, doesn't it? And here you are.""[1]

The Thirsty Croupier is a mystic who specializes in tarot reading, and is considered the greatest at his craft bar none.[2] It certainly helps that he has a network of spies at his disposal,[3] and a deck that shifts between readings[4] — not to mention his near-endless supply of Hesperidean Cider[5][6] to grant him visions of the Garden.[7] His use of the immortality-granting drink has reached the point of addiction.[8]

The Croupier amassed his enormous quantity of cider[9] on the Elder Continent, while serving as a dealer for the game that inspired the Marvellous.[10] Since the Masters' game borrows heavily from the original game as designed by the College of Mortality, the Croupier has a deep knowledge of the Marvellous,[11] even if his strategies may no longer be applicable.[12]

The Thirsty Croupier resides in London, in a small but luxurious[13] townhouse on Ladybones Road,[14] where he hosts card games with fellow mystics and cardsharps.[15][16] In addition to his fortune-telling and gambling circles, he is the accountant and risk assessor of the Dilmun Club;[17] when the club gambles — on anything — they consult him.[18]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London
  2. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Amongst the Fifth City's discerning mystics, only one gentleman has a reputation for 'getting it right' with anything resembling consistency, and that gentleman doesn't entertain the public."
  3. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Jumping to conclusions is my specialty," says the Croupier. "I typically land on two feet. But I'll admit I have other sources. The cards are just confirmation. The Year of the Serpent is legendary. At least, it was – until this week. Communiqués intercepted by the Khaganian Ambassador's mistress confirm that the vintage is real. [...] The Khanate is starting to move. She's indebted, by the way. His mistress. Can't bluff. Shouldn't gamble. I tell her every Thursday. Good thing she doesn't listen."
  4. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Not every deck's the same," says the Thirsty Croupier. "My deck isn't always the same. [...]"
  5. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Never without a beverage at his elbow, the Thirsty Croupier shuffles and cuts cards."
  6. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "He takes another sip, swirling the golden liquid in his glass. It's not champagne. Now you can smell it too: nectar, honey, ambrosia. A fragrant wind blows through the room. The flames in the fireplace leap higher, lively and bright."
  7. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Look around. Life is preposterous. But I should explain: I only see so clearly because the Garden is involved. It fills my thoughts. It runs through my veins. The world is always tinged with gold. I smell it, hear it, taste it all the time."
  8. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Cider doesn't last forever. Only as long as your liver permits. Then you have to drink more. Keep it up, and a person can develop a dependence." He pours himself another glass. "Trust me, the withdrawal isn't fun."
  9. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Cheers. Aren't many like us, eh? The Bazaar is too pricey. After two or three firkins, believe me, it starts to add up. But I've got a deep cellar – if you run out. Always happy to supply a fellow member of the Dilmun Club. We've got to help each other, am I right?"
  10. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "There's a little game you might've heard about. The Marvellous. Did you know it was invented in the Presbyterate? Listen to the Masters, and you'd think they created it. Here's some advice: don't trust the Masters. They'll never admit that they stole its bones from a much older game. Seven players. Bluff and chance. The College of Mortality didn't call it The Marvellous or host tournaments, but the stakes were high. So were the tips."
  11. ↑ Consult the Thirsty Croupier, Fallen London "His knowledge of The Marvellous is deep, subtle, secret. He would be happy to discuss its origins over a game of poker – if you'll contribute to the pot."
  12. ↑ Consult the Thirsty Croupier, Fallen London "Strategies from Nidah don't apply to the game anymore," the Thirsty Croupier continues, ignoring the traditional outburst. "Too many rules have changed. But I wouldn't invite Death to place a wager again. That's just me."
  13. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "What a charming façade! The windows glow warmly. Smoke puffs from a stout brick chimney. The pavement is well-swept, the hedges neatly trimmed (and green), and the doorknocker polished to an impeccable brass sheen. Despite its modest size, this townhouse must be worth a small fortune – or perhaps a large one."
  14. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Scrawled on the reverse side, there's a note: Found you in a reading. You'll want to hear about this. There's also an address on Ladybones Road. Quite a respectable address."
  15. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "Surrounded by mounted skulls and crossed sabres, other guests are playing poker as they drink champagne. Is that Madame Petrovsky? None other. The False Prophet of Lacewhisper Street folds. An Enlightened Glazier ups the ante while a Card-Counting Tabby licks a paw."
  16. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London ""Just a friendly game of poker. We play every week," says the Croupier."
  17. ↑ Upstairs at the Bridge Without (Evolution), Fallen London "[…] here […] the […] Club is more reserved. His […] Lordship dismisses his valet with an uncharacteristically gruff monosyllable. The […] Detective watches the street […] The Thirsty Croupier is dealing cards to the Bishop […] but nobody else is present. Not even Feducci […]"
  18. ↑ Arcana, Fallen London "[...] I prefer to sit back and watch. Leave the grand plan to other members. But if they want help, I provide. Ledgers, for example? Liabilities. I keep the club's accounts right here." He taps his skull with a finger. "I'm good with numbers. Statistics. Odds. [...] The Dilmun Club likes to gamble. Someone needs to weigh the risk," the Croupier replies. "If the stakes are high, they consult me – and I consult the cards."
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