Editing The Veteran Privy Counsellor

{{Character
|image1 = Favour.png
|caption1 = 
|location = [[The Shuttered Palace]]
|allegiance = [[The Shuttered Palace]]
|relationships=Many, many illegitimate children}}<blockquote>''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor would like you to come this way. He's a Duke, isn't he? You should probably pop along."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_polite_tap_on_the_shoulder|A polite tap on the shoulder|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>'''The Veteran Privy Counsellor''' is a highly influential nobleman in [[London]].

==The Duke of Drama==
<blockquote>
''"The Court lacks for an Imperial Artist-in-Residence. The last one… well, we won't see them for some time. My point is that the Court wishes to be entertained with original compositions. Your early works impressed the Empress, and she doesn't even like mushrooms. So get to it, would you? We can't wait to see what you come up with."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_polite_tap_on_the_shoulder|A polite tap on the shoulder|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
The Veteran Privy Counsellor is a duke<ref name=":0">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_polite_tap_on_the_shoulder A polite tap on the shoulder, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor would like you to come this way. He's a Duke, isn't he? You should probably pop along."''</ref> with a significant amount of social sway over the [[Shuttered Palace]]. Per his title, he is a longtime member of the Privy Council, a formal body of advisors to the [[Empress]]. He has resided at the Empress' Court for sixty years,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Try_to_discover_his_reasons Try to discover his reasons, ''Fallen London''] ''"This man is a veteran of sixty years of palace intrigue."''</ref> and thus has amassed extensive connections. He possesses enough blackmail to threaten all of London’s Ministers;<ref name=":12">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_port_with_the_Veteran_Privy_Counsellor Take port with the Veteran Privy Counsellor, ''Fallen London''] ''"The current crop of Ministers all went to Summerset college within a few years of each other, y'see? They're Stoats one and all. If you need a favour, just mention the stuffed weasels, or the custard game, and they'll be brought to heel […]"''</ref> unsurprisingly, he is in turn surveilled by [[Rattus Faber]], who are more than happy to sell incriminating evidence about him''.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sell_a_Corresponding_Sounder_for_4000_Rat-Shillings Sell a Corresponding Sounder for 4000 Rat-Shillings, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] "Funny, we nicked — sorry, acquired, one just like this the other day." […] She […] produces a thin paper of deciphered code. […] It seems the sounder was connected to the Veteran Privy Counsellor's private residence. The compensation is generous."''</ref>'' Decades ago, likely prior to the [[Fall of London]], he governed a "considerable portion" of Africa.<ref name=":2">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_polite_tap_on_the_shoulder|A polite tap on the shoulder|Fallen London|}} ''"Any of these chairs would sell for more than your lodgings. The wallpaper is made of zebras. There are paintings dating from the time when your host governed a considerable portion of Africa. The office is far enough from the Throne that you may speak above a whisper."''</ref> His office, located far from the Empress' throne, is decorated with opulent furniture, old paintings, and wallpaper made of zebra hide.<ref name=":2" />

The Counsellor has been assigned the responsibility of appointing the Imperial Artist-in-Residence,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_polite_tap_on_the_shoulder|A polite tap on the shoulder|Fallen London|}} ''"The Court lacks for an Imperial Artist-in-Residence. The last one… well, we won't see them for some time. My point is that the Court wishes to be entertained with original compositions. Your early works impressed the Empress [...] We can't wait to see what you come up with."''</ref> and while such a duty sounds rather droll, he has in fact been using this privilege as a popularity mill for an unknown amount of time. He has a penchant for pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, often encouraging artists to create works that offend the sensibilities of the Court,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Complete_a_novel Complete a novel, ''Fallen London''] ''""You should be aware that the Court disapproves of supernatural themes, racy passages and tales of usurpation." The Veteran Privy Counsellor raises a conspiratorial eyebrow. What's he playing at?"''</ref> and eventually instigating them to get themselves banished from the court through an exceptional degree of scandal.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_weighty_decision A weighty decision, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor wants you to compose an opera so audacious that it will get you banished from the Empress' Court: permanently, perhaps."''</ref> He uses the ensuing chaos to grant the banished artists government positions at home and abroad,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Head_in_as_a_guest Head in as a guest, ''Fallen London''] ''"If you can impress them, I'm sure we can get your appointment confirmed eventually."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Face_of_London The Face of London, ''Fallen London''] ''""What a pleasure it is to see you again […] And how happy I am to grant you this honour: the governorship of Port Carnelian.""''</ref> allowing them to rebuild their reputation enough to return to the Court as celebrities.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Look_for_the_Veteran_Privy_Counsellor Look for the Veteran Privy Counsellor, ''Fallen London''] ''""[...] We've been following your prog— [...] you should know that London's most captivating princess has an interest in visiting Port Carnelian. [...] if a notably successful governor invited her [...] she would [...] invite them to Court.""''</ref> His motivations remain unclear, but he is known to hold clandestine meetings on the Palace roof with something that can fly, and he has a [[The Correspondence|Correspondence]] tattoo meaning "faith kept, aeons" — suggesting an oath or allegiance.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Try_to_discover_his_reasons Try to discover his reasons, ''Fallen London''] ''"You sniff out rumours […] He has taken a few discreet coach trips to the University […] He attends meetings on the palace roof […] No-one else ascends the stairs. […] a tattoo from Clathermont's, identified only as 'C. special, 1: faith kept, aeons.'"''</ref> The [[Masters of the Bazaar]] may be involved, as they have an interest in shaping notable Londoners.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Insist_on_Favourable_Circumstances Insist on Favourable Circumstances, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Bazaar takes a special interest in the Notable."''</ref>

== But Not the Most Dramatic Man ==
<blockquote>''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor smiles thinly, but does not permit any mention of the w_r, and certainly not of the S____d M_n, within these walls. 'The Palace knows well enough how to function in times of— Well, at all times.'"''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Appeal_to_the_Court|Appeal to the Court|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>The Counsellor has political duties that extend beyond the arts, of course. When the [[Great Hellbound Railway]] reached [[Balmoral]] and fell back under the Crown’s jurisdiction,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Attend_dinner Attend dinner, ''Fallen London''] ''""Your railway is causing me a difficulty now that it stops at Balmoral. Technically, Balmoral is property of the Bazaar, but the Masters had no wish to travel so far west to manage it – so that duty fell back to the Crown.""''</ref> he appointed the Unyielding Highlander as the settlement's Castellan.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Meet_the_Unyielding_Highlander Meet the Unyielding Highlander, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor […] hands the Unyielding Highlander a silver seal."''</ref> During the [[Starved Men|Starved]] attack that followed the [[London Horticultural Show]], he went so far as to restrict any mention of the matter within the Palace, turning away any pleas for help from the city.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Plead_for_assistance Plead for assistance, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor smiles thinly, but does not permit any mention of the w_r, and certainly not of the S____d M_n, within these walls. "The Palace knows well enough how to function in times of— Well, at all times."''''"''</ref>

As invested as he is into both social and political scheming, the Counsellor is, at the end of the day, a typical old aristocrat. He dislikes poetry<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Write_poetry Write poetry, ''Fallen London''] ''"Poetry," says the Veteran Privy Counsellor. "How very fashionable." He seems only the tiniest bit disappointed.''
</ref> but adores ballet, even dancing spontaneously at the thought — though his skills are as poor as one would expect of an elderly, portly man.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_ballet The ballet, ''Fallen London''] ''""Ballet! Ballet! I can't remember the last time ballet came to the Palace!" The Veteran Privy Counsellor […] performs something that suggests a pirouette, in much the same way that a cockroach suggests a butterfly. He remembers himself and sits down sharply, his eyes daring you to comment on the matter."''</ref> He dismisses modern technology,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Film! A Film!, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor puts down his glass. "A what now?" He waves his hands airily as you attempt to explain. "No, no, don't bother me with details. All over my head, I'm sure. It will be educational, no doubt.""''
</ref> and maintains a private club where he socializes with fellow nobles<ref name=":1">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_port_with_the_Veteran_Privy_Counsellor Take port with the Veteran Privy Counsellor, ''Fallen London''] ''"The current crop of Ministers all went to Summerset college within a few years of each other, y'see? They're Stoats one and all. If you need a favour, just mention the stuffed weasels, or the custard game, and they'll be brought to heel […]"''</ref> over his favorite port wine.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/What%27s_your_next_work%3F_(Pre-Banishment) What's your next work?, ''Fallen London''] ''"The Veteran Privy Counsellor looks expectantly at you. His glass of port quivers dangerously in his hand. What's your next project?"''</ref> And like an untold number of powerful men over the course of history, he has his, shall we say, ''preferences''.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Write_and_stage_a_play Write and stage a play, ''Fallen London''] ''"'The trouble with plays is that one must work with... actors. Actresses are an altogether superior breed, however.' The Privy Counsellor nods, his brow heavy with wisdom."''</ref> He has many illegitimate children scattered throughout London's orphanages and poor-houses,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Expose_the_Veteran_Privy_Counsellor%27s_indiscretions Expose the Veteran Privy Counsellor's indiscretions, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] a toast to three children in orphanages across the city, and their mothers in the House of Disportment, Mrs Murgatroyd's, and the nameless brothel on Takepenny Street. The Counsellor chokes […] You are ejected forcefully from the club […]"''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_for_the_Veteran_Privy_Councillor%27s_Confession_in_exchange_(Barrister) Ask for the Veteran Privy Councillor's Confession in exchange (Barrister), ''Fallen London''] ''""You are more than welcome to this." She takes the […] Confession and hands you another […] "I haven't read it. But I don't know of any of our lots what likes him. […]" She snorts […] "He said: 'Be good to your mother.' What kind of tip is that? […]""''</ref> whom he neither acknowledges nor provides financial assistance.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Confession_of_the_Veteran_Privy_Councillor A Confession of the Veteran Privy Councillor, ''Fallen London''] ''"'Received letter from a girl purporting to be the daughter of 'Broad Church' Sally. Mentioned certain house on Takepenny Street and her mother's 'enduring fondness'. Asked for money. I burned it. Not the first time.'"''</ref> He remains keenly aware of the damage they could inflict on his reputation should the truth come to light,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Refuse_the_request_(Privy_Councillor) Refuse the request (Privy Councillor), ''Fallen London''] ''""No skin off my teeth." He shrugs. "I'm sure the Privy Councillor will send me again, in case you change your mind. He seemed rather'' keen ''to recover the confession." He nods and heads back towards his office."''</ref> but he may also acknowledge that exposure would harm the children and their mothers far more than it would harm him.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Turn_in_the_Veteran_Privy_Councillor%27s_Confession Turn in the Veteran Privy Councillor's Confession, ''Fallen London''] ''"Scandal can touch all in Fallen London, but some are too powerful to be unseated by it. Were this confession to become public, it is not the Councillor who would suffer most."''</ref> Despite the potential consequences, [[Feducci]] has taken an interest in seeking out one of his offspring.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Tell_Feducci_the_Veteran_Privy_Councillor%27s_Confession Tell Feducci the Veteran Privy Councillor's Confession, ''Fallen London''] ''"Feducci's bandages render his expression hard to read at the best of times. But now, he is inscrutable. He sits in contemplation for a long moment. "Well, well." He leaps up. "I'll find her –" [...]"''</ref>

==Historical Inspirations ==
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privy_Council_(United_Kingdom) Privy Council], the formal body of advisors to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, is primarily made up of senior politicians who are current or former MPs. It was created in 1801 as the renamed successor to the Privy Council of Great Britain, which in turn superseded several separate and longstanding councils for each country incorporated into the UK.

== References==
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