THE TRUTH ABOUT FEDUCCI

(1) Feducci makes grand promises to bring about a fairer London, but his character and past actions cast grave doubts as to whether he actually believes what he says.

Feducci is a false-Tomb Colonist, an invincible immortal man wrapped in stolen bandages who feigns a limp and a cough. He presents himself in such a way so he can lure people into his private fighting club and slaughter them in a duel to the permanent death. Duels to the death where the reigning champion cannot possibly be harmed, let alone killed, are hardly fair by any definition of the word. And of course Feducci is not content the advantages granted by his invincibility, he also goes to his duels proudly astride a warhorse in order to face opponents who fight on foot.

Feducci has had so many of these dishonest duels and has slaughtered so many unsuspecting opponents that he goes into battle with his arms wrapped in black ribbons:

“If that were not bad enough, his arms are swathed in enough black ribbons to hide his bandages. There are dozens of them: how many of his own society has he killed?”

Each of those ribbons taken from a man or woman who Feducci permanently murdered in an unfair, thoroughly one-sided duel.


(2) When not permanently killing lesser mortals for sport, Feducci serves as the Presbyters Agent in London. Feducci’s clandestine activities are whispered about in the Flit and is regularly seen delivering reports and relics to Presbyter zailors. But the strongest testimony comes from one of his former associates in Venderbight’s Grand Sanatorium, which was uncovered by a gentleman seeking his Nemeses:

http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/434443/EventConclusion?contentKey=15023

Feducci, in his capacity as the Presbyter’s Agent in London, regularly commissions the murder of London citizens, particularly those whose existence is condemned by Holy Presbyterate Law.

http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/7099710/EventConclusion?contentKey=13494

As the recent election campaign has established, Feducci is being paid by the Presbyter for these services. These payments are laundered through under-zee commercial transactions. Feducci invests in a speculative venture that a London company is hoping to make with the government controlled Licensed Exchange at Adam’s Way. The Presbyterate government then agrees to and insures that this venture is profitable. There was never any possibility of Feducci losing his investment.


(3) Just as he has clothed himself in an aura of unearned courage, fighting duels that cannot possibly hurt him, Feducci has cultivated a reputation as a winner by repeatedly gambling with loaded dice. And yet this man promises to even the odds in London?

The Presbyter is getting something for all this money – that is obvious. If Feducci becomes Mayor he will be indebted for his success to an unfriendly foreign power that lays claim to territories held by London!

Lastly, Feducci has a terrible record when it comes to the people who put their trust in him. We’ve already documented how he treats his fellow duelists in the Black Ribbon – as pawns and disposable amusements! But this goes back a long way. When he still resided on the Elder Continent, Feducci went on a pilgrimage to the brambled city of Arbour:

“Feducci was a celebrated figure, attended by lovers, well-wishers and flatterers. Many begged to accompany him, and a company of seventy-seven embarked with pennants, wine, and song.

…One by one, Feducci’s companions fell, but he refused to turn back. When he reached the rosebrick gate, he was alone.”

So ask yourself, would a false gambler like Feducci wager on the odds he has given you – that electing a cheater and schemer would somehow make London a fairer place? We both know the answer to that.

Oh, I am very chill ^_^ Chill and competitive.

Oh, I am very chill ^_^ Chill and competitive.[/quote]
I mean, the all-caps Info-Wars-esque title of this thread suggests otherwise.[/quote]
Someone has never read a 19th century pamphlet. They were big on the melodrama.

Also, the information contained within is 100% true, so the title is completely accurate.

Lady Auclair, if I were to post a response to your so-called “Truth”, where would you prefer I post it? Here, in the Honey Well or in the general Feducci thread?

I don’t think anyone is saying you’re not within your rights, Anne.

But you’d think temperance campaigners of all people might recognize the value of moderation.

I think the meta-complaints have more to do with how forceful you’ve been with your truth pamphlets. Sending them out to Feducci supporters, posting frequently in Feducci threads. Your enthusiasm is to be commended, but it can come across as very pushy, or stressful, especially when it’s the same long post multiple times.

You’re absolutely within your rights to make this thread- it’s the constant repetition of the same long post in multiple threads that has people at arms. It’s a fun read, and it adds flavor to the campaign, but not when it’s the fourth time in the fourth thread in one day.

Indeed, wasn’t this already posted in another thread? Are you going to repost every clever remark you make in its own thread, to make absolutely certain no-one in Fallen London misses it?

It’s gonna get a little spammy around here if everyone starts doing that.

(Post moved here from another thread, since the arguments I’m attempting to refute are found here as well and it seems a more suitable thread than the old one.)

It’s nice to see all the lively debate and people of course disagree on candidates, but I simply must speak up! This manner of dishonest slander against the future mayor is not to be tolerated!

The duels are fair. At no point does Feducci deny where he’s from, and he even hints at not being in the habit of dying easily by disguising himself as a Tomb-Colonist. Besides, he can be killed. Best him in combat, hack him into pieces, sink all those pieces in the zee and let the beasts feast on him. He’s not coming back. It’s hardly his fault if no one ever takes him seriously. More to the point, a person who thinks it’ll be fun to join a duelling society and challenges the leader - a long time leader of a duelling society, if you’ll allow a moment for that to sink in - and doesn’t expect the leader to have a contingency plan against getting stabbed in the gut is an idiot and the world is better off without them. Crying about an unfair fight to the true death just shows everyone you didn’t realise just how balls-deep you were in your dangerous hobbies.

On the second point: London citizens? London citizens? We are talking about the same serial-killing face-stealing monsters here, aren’t we? Feducci kills killers that have agreed to a deathmatch, a Snuffer kills whoever’s convenient. That Snuffer you really like? The one who you think is a decent fellow, really? Jump on a boat and ask what the face’s former owner, or their family, think of the matter. Snuffers will kill people as a fox kills chickens and there’s no point to wallow about it endlessly, such is nature’s way - but they are not citizens any more than a particularly big and mean sewer rat is, and no Londoner who cares about their fellow humans will be able to keep a straight face while condemning their eradication.

The last point truly shows how little the writer of this hit piece understands the soul of our future leader. For shame!

Feducci understands that the most important quality of a leader is not that they use their followers like chess pieces, or that they go around giving individual hugs and blankets to each and every one. No, a leader is an example, an ideal the masses may follow! Feducci shows that courage to act and seize the moment opens to us every door in this life, and he WILL NOT BE BARRED! Feducci is a brazen, charming and unimaginably skilled man, one we could all but hope to emulate! All those followers of his died to be a part of his legacy, to go to the shining new day he himself chases. I ask you, dear readers, what would those that died on the journey have thought of it if he quit halfway, to spare those remaining? What would the survivors have thought? That their friends all died for nothing?

No! Feducci never lost sight of his goal, carrying the memories of his beloved followers on his back, and reached the end of the journey! Every dreamer that has died to put Feducci where he is today will not have died in vain, but to create a legend! One that will echo down the aeons and bring new meaning and hope to the hearts of us wretched mortals as we strive to do our best every day, that we may be ever so slightly closer to that shining summit he chases! To the Mountain! To the Wilderness! TO THE FUTURE!

Found a new target, did you? :P

Anyway, I’ve never found Feducci’s duels unfair. He dies the same as everyone else so he’s not actually unfairly advantaged during the actual duel. He just comes back later. But if you kill him, you’re still considered the winner of the duel. He doesn’t get up and come after you immediately like he’s the Terminator :P

I agree it’s hypocritical and cowardly that he isn’t actually risking what he asks everyone else in his society to risk, but it doesn’t give him unfair advantage or put anyone who duels him at greater risk.

Still not voting for him though :P

An open response to Lady Anne Auclair’s letter campaign titled &quotThe Truth About Feducci&quot. I apologise for the incoming lengthy reply but your points about my candidate have been circling around my mind all day, and I feel I have no choice but to respond. There are spoilers below, but unfortunately I cannot spoiler tag and quote, so use your discretion.

I also apologise for any offence in the following post, I realise that I may have gotten a bit passionate in my defence of my candidate.

This first point feels misleading. Feducci does not approach people to join the Black Ribbon until they have proven themselves victorious in his three fighting rings. (Now, the fact that the man runs three illegal fighting rings, that I can see as a point of contention and a problem. Of course, I’m sure that Feducci would shut them all down immediately upon becoming Mayor). People interested in joining the Black Ribbon are given every opportunity to reject the offer. Feducci is, repeatedly, very clear on the terms. He does not “lure them” as you so gently put it, but offers an informed choice.

I agree with you that the reigning champion being unable to die a true death himself is indeed unfair. However, the Black Ribbon as a whole tends to lean towards uneven fights. Mr Inch does not fight himself, but uses his menagerie of creatures. Colonel Pomeroy keeps a rifle hidden on the duelling grounds in case he gets disarmed. And to break character, the player character themselves traps the palace grounds to duel Chi Lan (references available on request, I did not wish to blot out the ceiling with too many links and too much text).

The only rule of the Black Ribbon is to the death. Being prepared for eventualities such as hidden weapons, or the use of an animal are just the price people pay for duelling in the Black Ribbon.

It is my opinion that if an opponent has gone through the entire Black Ribbon (a requirement to face Feducci), and not discovered that Feducci is a duelist beyond compare, then that is less unsuspecting and more wilfully blind.

Fair points, slightly heavily made, but not disagreeable.

[quote=Anne Auclair] But the strongest testimony comes from one of his former associates in Venderbight’s Grand Sanatorium, which was uncovered by a gentleman seeking his Nemeses:

http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/434443/EventConclusion?contentKey=15023 [/quote]
Now here is what I find unbelievable. Whilst I have not had the opportunity to visit the Grand Sanatorium as it does not host the Vake (at least as far as I am aware), I have found a rough description of it’s purpose. (Spoilers for the purpose of the Sanatorium below,

I mean no offence with this statement but I’m not going to take the word of a dying, potentially insane patient as a solid fact that Feducci is the Presbyter’s “spymaster”. One person’s testimony, especially with the above caveats, should not be enough to condemn him.

[quote= Anne Auclair] Feducci, in his capacity as the Presbyter’s Agent in London, regularly commissions the murder of London citizens, particularly those whose existence is condemned by Holy Presbyterate Law.

http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/7099710/EventConclusion?contentKey=13494 [/quote]

London citizens? I’m afraid we must be of different mind on what makes one a citizen of London. If by citizens you mean if by citizens you mean “people” (and I use that word sparingly to refer to those beasts) who commit murder and identity theft on a semi-regular basis, then yes the Snuffers are citizens. However, I will point out that Feducci is not the only one to pay for snuffers. Our very own Department of Menace Eradication puts out a bounty for them.

These payments are only recently coming through and being made. Yes, they may prove that Feducci is performing insider trading, but that in itself is not proof of payment from a foreign power. That’s just proof of business dealings.


The duels can, and do, hurt him. Unless you think the linked does not hurt?
John Moose addresses the last part of this segment better than I could after 3 hours of serious thought, and all credit to him. However, it is your closing remark I wish to comment on.

Some may view what he does as cheating and scheming. Others may view it as pragmatism or planning ahead and ensuring victory at any cost. That is a matter of perspective. And that matter of perspective is what draws the line between those of us willing to support him, and those of us who oppose him.
edited by Conrad Baltar on 6/29/2017

I think you’re missing the point. Just because Feducci is a badass that can return from the dead doesn’t change that it’s not a fair fight. This is a fight to the permanent death, and Feducci never makes it a point to explain just how damnably hard it is to end him. Average people wouldn’t assume you’re a nearly-immortal Presbyterate spy. Yes, it’d be foolish to think the leader of a murder club would be playing on the same level as us, but just because he’s able to convince fools doesn’t make his hidden advantages any less wrong or unfair. Also, hinting at a hidden truth is not the same as it being an openly known fact.

[quote=John Moose]On the second point: London citizens? London citizens? We are talking about the same serial-killing face-stealing monsters here, aren’t we? Feducci kills killers that have agreed to a deathmatch, a Snuffer kills whoever’s convenient. That Snuffer you really like? The one who you think is a decent fellow, really? Jump on a boat and ask what the face’s former owner, or their family, think of the matter. Snuffers will kill people as a fox kills chickens and there’s no point to wallow about it endlessly, such is nature’s way - but they are not citizens any more than a particularly big and mean sewer rat is, and no Londoner who cares about their fellow humans will be able to keep a straight face while condemning their eradication.[/quote]Who are we to judge people who are the victims of a holy war’s genocide simply for their association with their monstrous creator? Many Snuffers are horrid killers that don’t care who they steal from. The same could be said for the ruthless murderers and abusers among London’s human populous. Snuffers vary just as much as humans; some kill randomly, some kill out of fear or survival, some hate their condition and wish to be something different. By your logic, any creature associated with a potential threat is free game. Why not skewer the Rubberies for the potential destruction their deep sea cousins and connections may cause? Pentecost Apes can just be exterminated like pests, regardless of how much they claim to have something akin to humanity in them. And now that I think about it, just how human are some of those Urchin children in the Flit? If there are any more like the one from Sunless Sea’s urchin backstory, their very existence is a threat to future zee captains.
edited by Sir Joseph Marlen on 6/29/2017

It’s kind of hard to take all this seriously when everytime I read “Feducci” I read it as “Feduchini”.

Wait, since when did Feducci use loaded dice?!

EDIT: I did not realize that was a clever metaphor. I thought he was literally using loaded dice. And his slogan… ugh.
edited by Tystefy on 6/30/2017

Loaded with gunpowder, presumably.

Have you ever dueled Feducci? When you kill him, even though the death isn’t permanent, he gives you the win anyway! So long as you inflict what would on an ordinary man be the permanent death, he awards you the victory and graciously accepts defeat! That’s the opposite of cheating.

quote=Anne Auclair Feducci makes grand promises to bring about a fairer London, but his character and past actions cast grave doubts as to whether he actually believes what he says.

Feducci is a false-Tomb Colonist, an invincible immortal man wrapped in stolen bandages who feigns a limp and a cough. He presents himself in such a way so he can lure people into his private fighting club and slaughter them in a duel to the permanent death. Duels to the death where the reigning champion cannot possibly be harmed, let alone killed, are hardly fair by any definition of the word. And of course Feducci is not content the advantages granted by his invincibility, he also goes to his duels proudly astride a warhorse in order to face opponents who fight on foot.

Feducci has had so many of these dishonest duels and has slaughtered so many unsuspecting opponents that he goes into battle with his arms wrapped in black ribbons:

“If that were not bad enough, his arms are swathed in enough black ribbons to hide his bandages. There are dozens of them: how many of his own society has he killed?”

Each of those ribbons taken from a man or woman who Feducci permanently murdered in an unfair, thoroughly one-sided duel.


(2) When not permanently killing lesser mortals for sport, Feducci serves as the Presbyters Agent in London. Feducci’s clandestine activities are whispered about in the Flit and is regularly seen delivering reports and relics to Presbyter zailors. But the strongest testimony comes from one of his former associates in Venderbight’s Grand Sanatorium, which was uncovered by a gentleman seeking his Nemeses:

http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/434443/EventConclusion?contentKey=15023

Feducci, in his capacity as the Presbyter’s Agent in London, regularly commissions the murder of London citizens, particularly those whose existence is condemned by Holy Presbyterate Law.

http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/7099710/EventConclusion?contentKey=13494

As the recent election campaign has established, Feducci is being paid by the Presbyter for these services. These payments are laundered through under-zee commercial transactions. Feducci invests in a speculative venture that a London company is hoping to make with the government controlled Licensed Exchange at Adam’s Way. The Presbyterate government then agrees to and insures that this venture is profitable. There was never any possibility of Feducci losing his investment.


(3) Just as he has clothed himself in an aura of unearned courage, fighting duels that cannot possibly hurt him, Feducci has cultivated a reputation as a winner by repeatedly gambling with loaded dice. And yet this man promises to even the odds in London?

The Presbyter is getting something for all this money – that is obvious. If Feducci becomes Mayor he will be indebted for his success to an unfriendly foreign power that lays claim to territories held by London!

Lastly, Feducci has a terrible record when it comes to the people who put their trust in him. We’ve already documented how he treats his fellow duelists in the Black Ribbon – as pawns and disposable amusements! But this goes back a long way. When he still resided on the Elder Continent, Feducci went on a pilgrimage to the brambled city of Arbour:

“Feducci was a celebrated figure, attended by lovers, well-wishers and flatterers. Many begged to accompany him, and a company of seventy-seven embarked with pennants, wine, and song.

…One by one, Feducci’s companions fell, but he refused to turn back. When he reached the rosebrick gate, he was alone.”

So ask yourself, would a false gambler like Feducci wager on the odds he has given you – that electing a cheater and schemer would somehow make London a fairer place? We both know the answer to that.[/quote]

[li]
…here’s what I don’t get about people complaining about Feducci: Have you SEEN the opposition?! And for goodness’ sake-when has London EVER been &quotfair&quot? Even good ol’ Jenny had to makea few compromises with the Masters to pay for all those dockworker/bohemian/urchin education programs!

In one corner, we have an allegedly prim and proper society dame who’s secretly stockpiling massive amounts of honey instead of destroying it like the chaste platform she professes to support, privately admits in a list of potential allies to being willing to compromise on a great many of her principles and has former associations with Revolutionaries. Who, we’ve established, are ultimately the pawns of a very eldritch black sun for all their claptrap about fighting the Judgements. Remember what happened last year when the Bishop was running for Mayor? You NEVER bring personal things that can be compromised into the political arena, and expect to come out smelling like, hah, roses.

In the OTHER corner, we have a detective who wants to enact a Grand Prosecution upon London’s legal system. This is, realistically speaking, doomed when said system is a farce managed by a giant crab and space bats. More worryingly, there are accounts of her being enough of a sore loser to stoop to FIngerking associate assistence to win a case. And it’s also concerning that she seems to have very little to say on domestic policy outside of wanting to reform and investigate everything; considering what a low opinion much of London’s populace has for the constables, I somehow don’t see their most down-on-their-luck members being given a second chance ending optimistically.

So we’ve either got two hypocrites, or one hypocrite and one doomed knight templar whose proclitivies respectively make their rhetoric seem empty or worryingly ominous. And again-supporting either is tacitly supporting either REALITY TERRORISTS, or MIND EATING DREAM SNAKES.

Now, I’ll put aside the fact Feducci’s very real financial strategising, contacts in the Presbyterate and Devillish associates (they have vacuum cleaner! WE NEED THOSE!) because from your point of view those are all downsides. Yes, I am making the case Hell is the lesser evil here considering taking souls doesn’t result in incendiary property damage or possesion by snakes. He’s an untrustworthy villain, I get that. But at least he has ambition, dammit; if I can’t find a candidate I can believe in this year, I’ll damn well settle for backing a candidate whose villainy has flair.

And one last thing: I judge my candidates a lot by how they operate under crisis, because let’s face it-London is one long, eldritch crisis with some very pretty facades thrown over it. The Detective? Got somewhat shaken from her high horse from one irate heckler. The Temperance Campaigner? Either her or one of her associates freaked out hard when I found the aforementioned documents concerning compromise. Feducci? He’s a damn good sport.

I fully expect whichever candidate gets chosen to disappoint us all, somewhere down the lane. I’m simply siding with the one who seems like he’ll provide the best honeymoon period, do the least harm in office and be the most graceful loser.[/li][li]
edited by Hattington on 6/30/2017

A few things…

  • How can you actually destroy honey? (Serious question.) Given the more unusual properties of Prisoner’s Honey I doubt there are many safe ways.[/li][li]In politics, willingness to compromise on less important goals to accomplish something is a good trait. Insisting on idealogical purity and no compromise is often a great way to get none of what you want.[/li][li]Iirc her only association with Revolutionaries was being friends with the now-dead March, who - outside the very few in the know - presented as a typical upper-class person. In fact, if you tell the DTC at Hallowmas that he was murdered by the Calendar Council, she vows to begin a campaign against the Council. That doesn’t sound like Revolutionary support to me.

Have you ever dueled Feducci? When you kill him, even though the death isn’t permanent, he gives you the win anyway! So long as you inflict what would on an ordinary man be the permanent death, he awards you the victory and graciously accepts defeat! That’s the opposite of cheating.[/quote]
The problem is that he isn’t risking the same thing as the other duelists. He’s immortal dealing in a game that involves permanent death of the challenger. The only reason the other duels in the game aren’t permanent is because of wacky circumstances in the way of writing, save for the ironically only actual permadeath in the duels. With Feducci, it’s not circumstance that prevents his death, it’s the fact that he cannot die (well, unless the Presbyterate wills it). Sure, he pays you after the duel, but that doesn’t change that he’s playing a wager in which he isn’t at risk. The gamble of the battle is one-sided, and many people in-lore don’t know what they’re getting into.[/li]

The easiest way to dispose of honey you don’t want any more in actual beekeeping is to give it back to the bees. Which involves…well, leaving it out for them to take.

It is not at all beyond the realm of possibility that the bees who patiently collected all the prisoner’s honey in the first place will be able to resolve the issue. Is that honey-well in a bee-proof place, I wonder?

You know, it occurs to me that even if Feducci wins, someone will just challenge him for mayorship…

Also, Feducci is a massive liar. He wears the best examples of his lies upon his flesh, after all.