The Masters' Gallery of Singular Equipment

Fallen London
181

Originally, I was writing ideas for equipment for the recent complete sets thread, but I realized that these ideas fit much better here. They aren’t personal for my character, but instead ideas for items to be created in-game.

Cloak of a Phantom
(Clothing)
They say this cloak once sheltered an orphan who now sings at Mahogany Hall. They say it was weaved by a mad conjurer in Mazandaran or Constantinople. They say it was once sold at auction in the Opera de Paris after an unsolved murder. They say it is blessed by angels of darkness, who take wearers into dreams of night and song. No one has to know it’s just an old cloak from Gottery’s. That would ruin the fantasy.

Unlocked with [b]x1 Shabby Opera Cloak, x1 Parabola-Linen Scraps, x25 Thirsty Bombazine Scraps, x25 Whisper-Satin Scraps, x10 Appalling Secrets

[/b](+6 Shadowy, +6 Watchful, +1 Bizarre, +1 Nightmares)

A Vault of Surface-Treasures
(Home Comfort)
Jade and porcelain stolen from the Forbidden City, amphorae from Greek antiquity, Byzantine icons looted in the Sack of Constantinople, a replica of one of Versailles’s great salons - the treasury you’ve amassed would be the envy of any Empress. It cost you a fortune to bring it all to the Neath, and not a few bribes, but now it’s all yours. It’s very [i]popular with the dinner guests.

[/i]Unlocked with x10,000 Fistfuls of Surface Currency, x10 Comprehensive Bribes, x5 Favours: Society, x5 Favours: The Docks, x5 Favours: Constables

(+10 Persuasive, +3 Respectable)

182

A complete outfit for the lovely Hierophant. ^_^

Jeweled Exigua (Hat)
It’s so much more beautiful than your tongue. It asks for so little in return. How could you refuse?
Persuasive +5; Bizarre +1; Wounds +2

A Melliferous Habit (Clothing)
Embroidered in crimson and gold. The gloves are carefully waxed, the veil thick.
Dangerous +5; Watchful +2; Bizarre +1

[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporotrichosis]Exile’s Misfortune /url
At this stage, the infection resembles the tangled stems of the Exile’s Rose, creeping sinuously up your arms. As it sinks deeper, you’ll feel the jungle heat of Parabola beneath your skin.
Watchful +3; Wounds +1; Memory of Light +1

[url=https://www.homestuck.com/story/777]A Set of Reminders /url
Colored strings around your fingers, to keep your patchwork self stitched up.
Nightmares -2; Steadfast +3

The Eightfold Step (Shoes)
Performed correctly, it communicates deference without supplication, gratitude without submission. Performed incorrectly, it is a fatal insult.
Renown: Hell +5; Baroque! +10

The Heart-Taker (Companion)
Her spores intoxicate and enthrall. Her thorns pierce like a surgeon’s scalpel. She recalls your kindness.
Persuasive +5; Dangerous +5; Secret Miracles -10; Approaching the Gates of the Garden +7[li][/li]

183

This is so very evocative!

184

Thank you so much! (≡^∇^≡)[li]

185

Flitbound Velocipede
Category: Transportation
They say you’re crazy. You say they’re scared. They say you’re going to kill yourself – for good this time. You say the risk makes it fun!
+4 Dangerous, +1 Suspicion, +1 Scandal, +1 Bizarre, +1 Dreaded

Brassiere Bunting
Category: Home Comfort
It’s not exclusively brassieres. There’s a nice assortment of lingerie and smallclothers flapping gaily in the wind. You know precisely where each came from, not that you’d ever tell. There are gaps where the more daring have managed to reclaim their garments, or where enterprising urchins filched a particularly appealing piece for their own uses. You’ve noted a proper fad of bloomer hats worn by the Noughts and the Knotted Sock this past season. These gaps will grow as time passes, until the start of the next election.
+2 Scandal, +1 Dreaded, +1 Agitator (election career)
+N Persuasive, where N = 13 - (number of months since the last election)

Boots with a Spring-loaded Knife in the Toe
Category: Footwear
A quick stomp, and your kicks will draw blood. Why settle for hiding a weapon in your boot when a clever rat could turn the boot itself into a weapon?
+6 Dangerous, +3 Stealthy, +1 Dreaded

Upstairs Parlor with Roof Access
Category: Home Comfort
The Urchins come and go as they please, and so do you. The mat under the window needs frequent cleaning and the entire tea set is chipped. But the secrets they hear! The things they will say to someone they trust!
+6 Shadowy, +1 Bizarre, +2 Renown: Urchins

Not Actually a Cape
Category: Clothes
My, what lovely fabric, warm and leathery and – oh. Oh dear!
+4 Stealthy, +1 Dangerous, +1 Bizarre, +1 Scandal

Strange Winter Cloak
Category: Clothes
Who would even make a cloak with a slit all the way down the back? How is this even functional? It’s certainly not stylish!
+6 Stealthy, -1 Persuasive, +1 Bizarre, +1 Scandal

Bare Arms to the Shoulder
Category: Clothes
Outside? During the day? What’s next, ankles?!
+3 Dangerous, +1 Bizarre, +1 Scandal

Nook Atop St. Fiacre’s Spire
Category: Home Comfort
The stars – such as they are – seem closer here. On clear days, you have the best view in London.
-1 Nightmares, +1 Scandal, +1 Bizarre
Gives Remote Address if you do not already have it.

Heart on Your Sleeve
Category: Weapon
It’s not really useful, to be so openly sincere, but you can’t help it. And it does mean people trust you who might not otherwise. But for each of those there’s three more that question everything from your motives and machinations to your medical degree. Do you really not have some greater goal in mind? No, no you do not. But admirable as that is, you can’t go around saying so outright.
-10 Dangerous, -10 Stealthy, +5 Persuasive, +1 Respectable, +1 Bizarre, +1 to all Menaces

Custom Sharpshooter Rifle
Category: Weapon
The parts of the original were made by devils, but you hired a pair of clever rats to have a go at it and now it’s something else entirely. The little lenses allow for accurate aim much farther than with your naked eye alone. There’s a name for the unusual layout, but you’ve forgotten what it is. Something about dogs.
+12 Dangerous, +6 Shadowy, +2 Dreaded
edited by shylarah on 7/23/2018
edited by shylarah on 7/23/2018

186

And a few more for the Debonair Sharpshooter here as well!

A Quicksilver Tongue
Category: Hat
Everybody has a dream inside of them. You merely reach inside and coax it out, so they may themselves realize what they are willing to fight for.
+8 Dangerous, +5 Persuasive, +1 Respectable

Demagogue’s Duds
Category: Clothing
Fine enough to mingle with society, rugged enough to appeal to the masses. And armored underneath, in case of stray bullets.
+8 Persuasive, +4 Dangerous, +1 Respectable

Knuckle-Derringers
Category: Gloves
Be careful not to shake hands too firmly, lest they go off by accident.
+8 Dangerous, +3 Shadowy, -3 Persuasive, +1 Dreaded

Infernal Automatic Rifle
Category: Weapon
These will be the nightmares of soldiers everywhere during the next great war, the devils proclaim. When you ask which great war, they just smile and say that you’ll see.
+12 Dangerous, +1 Nightmares

Pair of Bright Blue Moon-Chitin Stockings
Category: Boots
Despite the material, they are wonderfully soft and form-fitting on your legs. People find it hard to look away from them. They find it hard to look away from you.
+8 Persuasive, -3 Shadowy, +1 Bizarre

The Tree of Liberty
Category: Companion
Hatched from your very own eye. Remember to refresh from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
+20 Dangerous, +8 Watchful, -8 Persuasive, +2 Dreaded, +2 Bizarre

187

Shrieking Scrutinizer
Category: Weapon
Gives helpful advice at a disquieting volume. No self-respecting detective would be without one, if there were a way to make it stop. Or at least advise more quietly when you’re trying to sleep.
+10 Watchful, -3 Shadowy, -3 Persuasive, -1 Dangerous, +2 Nightmares

And just for fun, let’s give statistics to my trademark blue cloak.

Azure Veil
Category: Clothing
Keeps attention away so you can focus on what’s important.
+2 Watchful, +2 Shadowy, -1 Suspicion

EDIT: Forgot that Patent Scrutinizers are fragile. -1 Dangerous seems fitting.
edited by asinineFlatfoot on 8/2/2018

188

A few mundane items to fill perceived gaps in the equipment ladders:

Malleable Wire
Category: Weapon
A good hook can be used for a thousand purposes. This one, maybe a dozen or so. Still.
+1 Shadowy

Insightful Pamphlet
Category: Weapon
&quotHow to avoid having your pocket picked.&quot Useful, unfortunately.
+1 Watchful

Sturdy Sneakers
Category: Shoes
Shoes you can trust in a race, an expedition, or a brawl.
+2 Dangerous

Pair of Chrome-Plated Shoes
Category: Shoes
All things are reflected. Even some things not currently present.
+5 Watchful -2 Shadowy

Deep Scarlet Gown
Category: Clothing
&quotYou know what they say about a lady in red, don’t you? No? You will soon enough.&quot
+5 Persuasive, +3 Dangerous, +1 Dreaded

Sanguine Tailcoat
Category: Clothing
&quotThis was white 15 minutes ago. Ha! Only joking. Or am I?&quot
+5 Persuasive, +3 Dangerous, +1 Dreaded

(flavour text is hard.)
edited by asinineFlatfoot on 8/4/2018

189

Head Cannon
Category: Hat
Has science gone too far? No. No, it has not. It has definitely resulted in a hell of a crick in your neck, though.
+4 Dangerous, -6 Shadowy, -4 Persuasive, +1 Dreaded, +1 Bizarre

Eyeball-Mounted Daggers
Category: Hat
They usually point outwards.
+1 Dangerous, -10 Persuasive, -20 Watchful, +2 Wounds

Newspaper-Stuffed Boots
Category: Boots
The crinkling is rather distracting, and you need to be sure to never get them wet, but at least they’re warm enough.
-1 Shadowy

Card-Counting Ring
Category: Gloves
The good: It’s excellent for winning at cards. The bad: Everyone else knows it’s excellent for winning at cards, too.
+1 Luck, +3 Suspicion (although given how the Luck quality works internally, what I want is more like +0.2 Luck)

A Thousand Belts Sewn Into The Vague Shape Of A Dress
Category: Clothing
Really? Seriously?
+3 Bizarre

Eleven-Book Series on Ampelography
Category: Curiosity
The first three volumes are entirely taken up by a list of every wine that has ever been made, indexed by grape cultivar used in its making. The next two are about microclimates and terroir. And then another about grapevine diseases and pests…
(All options on the A Presumptuous Little Opportunity card now cost double the number of actions, but give you double results for the same amount of input.)

At Least Three Dozen Anarchists In Identical Black Masks, Cloaks, And Footwear
Category: Affiliation
Neither you nor the Constables can tell them apart from each other. This is probably a good thing.
+8 Dangerous, +3 Dreaded
edited by hesperidia on 1/24/2019
edited by hesperidia on 1/24/2019

190

A Stationery, with dark plans written.
Home Comfort
Your stationery has few letters. Most are from the surface. Just not from your Aunt. Also, how is that theft coming along? Will it be as great as you expect?
Persuasive +8
Shadowy +8
Suspicion +1
Respectable +1
Dreaded +1
edited by Sir Wensleydale of Hardwick on 1/27/2019

191

My character is both not very smart and thinks he’s untouchable, so he would definitely wear something like this:
Mirror-Lensed Glasses
Category: Hat
Occasionally their reflection changes from your surroundings to a strange, overgrown jungle. Whoever thought making these was a good idea?
+5 Watchful, +3 Nightmares, +2 Bizarre, +2 Dreaded

192

One of the Knives of Jack-of-Smiles
Weapon
Few people would dare pick this up, if they knew what it was. It always ends terribly wrong.
Dangerous +15
Shadowy +5
Dreaded +4
Nightmares +6
Suspicion +7
Wounds +7

193

Netae’s Equipment:
Sorrow-Eyes
Constant Hat
These eyes have been permanently damaged by Parabola. A mad hunger seizes you, always. All shall be well, for that was the promise.
+50 Watchful
-40 Shadowy
-40 Dangerous
-35 Persuasive
+1 The Stench of Betrayal
+5 Unaccountably Peckish
+1 Weeping Scar
+77 Dreaded

194

[quote=Sir Wensleydale of Hardwick]Netae’s Equipment:
Sorrow-Eyes
Constant Hat
These eyes have been permanently damaged by Parabola. A mad hunger seizes you, always. All shall be well, for that was the promise.
+50 Watchful
-40 Shadowy
-40 Dangerous
-35 Persuasive
+1 The Stench of Betrayal
+5 Unaccountably Peckish
+1 Weeping Scar
+77 Dreaded[/quote]

The funny thing is, this would certainly make thing go quicker. I’ve been grinding Memories of Light and Nightmares so I can grind Unaccountably Peckish in Parabola.

195

[quote=Sir Wensleydale of Hardwick]
The funny thing is, this would certainly make thing go quicker. I’ve been grinding Memories of Light and Nightmares so I can grind Unaccountably Peckish in Parabola.[/quote]A few suggestions, since this way of regulating Unaccountably Peckish seems inefficient:

The most efficient way to raise UP is with a Starveling Cat in the Flit. Since you only have about eight weeks or so left and this requires beginning the War of Illusions, I doubt Netae could reach this point soon enough for it to be truly useful. In lieu of that, I would suggest this:

  • You can take advantage of evenings at the Duchess’ salon. This is much more painful, and it will substantially raise Scandal (4 CP) for relatively little gain (1 UP), but you can much more easily suppress this, and even a trip to the Tomb Colonies may prove helpful - the Favours can be traded for Primordial Shrieks, then up-and-side-converted to the Brilliant Souls you’ll need.

That would require a Name Signed with a Flourish 4, though - Netae’s bribe of wine won’t cut it. The first few stages of Making Your Name move relatively quickly, and Netae needs to become a Person of Some Importance anyway, so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Alternatively, you can send the Starveling Cat back and forth between Netae and Sir Wensleydale. Whereas Netae’s not in much of a position to regulate UP, Sir Wensleydale can do so far more easily because of his access to the Labyrinth’s first coil and Mahogany Hall.

–

EDIT: To avoid being too off-topic, I’ve appended a singular Seeking-related piece of equipment.

The Stigmata
(Gloves)
Gant eyes blink, weeping tears of blood as the flesh tears and reconstitutes itself, an eternal cycle of healing and decay. There are wounds that cannot be healed - there are chains that cannot be forgotten.

edited by Azothi on 3/24/2019

196

Wait. What do you mean I only have eight weeks left?

197

Wait. What do you mean I only have eight weeks left?[/quote]I’m assuming you’re advancing SMEN by one each week when Marsh-Mired is cleared. Since Netae’s at SMEN 13 right now, that would be about eight weeks (rounding up) to SMEN 21 and Winking Isle. If you choose to manufacture your own calling card as opposed to receiving one, it’d take another four weeks to do so, of course.

198

Wait. What do you mean I only have eight weeks left?[/quote]I’m assuming you’re advancing SMEN by one each week when Marsh-Mired is cleared. Since Netae’s at SMEN 13 right now, that would be about eight weeks (rounding up) to SMEN 21 and Winking Isle. If you choose to manufacture your own calling card as opposed to receiving one, it’d take another four weeks to do so, of course.[/quote]

Ah.

199

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200

An idea of mine to make the two least powerful Wreaker’s Cove items useful for later-game players. I wanted to balance it as strong, but not overly so. How’d I do?



A Reforged Scrimshander Knife.
Weapon
This weapon may have taken your Drownie Effluvia to quench, and a small fortune in ale to persuade the Blind Smith to allow you the use of his forge, but it is now the finest instrument of it’s kind.
+8 Watchful
+8 Persuasive
-3 Dangerous