Editing Cover Identities (Guide)

{{GuideFor|Concept=Concept:Cover Identities}}{{Audience|LateRailway|Evergreen=true}}[[File:Bazaardoor copper.png|right]]
{{ActivitySummary
|Activity=Cover Identities
|Length=Variable
|Starting Actions=1
|Progress Actions=0
|Ending Actions=1
|Progress Details={{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Appearance=Build}} {{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|Appearance=out}} {{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Appearance=your}} {{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|Appearance=cover}} {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|Appearance=identity.}}

Max 10:{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Appearance=}}, Max 6:{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|Appearance=}}{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Appearance=}}{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|Appearance=}}, Unlimited:{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|Appearance=}}
|Output Items=*{{IL|Railway Steel}}
*{{IL|Favours: Revolutionaries}}
*{{IL|Favours: Urchins}}
*{{IL|Favours: Constables}}
*{{IL|Hinterland Scrip}}
*{{IL|Favours: Hell}}
*{{IL|Reported Location of a One-Time Prince of Hell}}
*{{IL|Rumourmonger's Network}}
*{{IL|Edicts of the First City}}
*{{IL|Dreadful Surmise}}
*{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self}}
*{{IL|Magnificent Diamond}}
*{{IL|Bottle of Broken Giant 1844}}
*{{IL|Thirsty Bombazine Scrap}}
*{{IL|Touching Love Story}}
*{{IL|Sworn Statement}}
*{{IL|Nodule of Fecund Amber}}
*{{IL|Fabulous Diamond}}
*{{IL|Scrap of Ivory Organza}}
*{{IL|Prismatic Frame}}
*{{IL|Legenda Cosmogone}}
|Raw EPA = 3.60
|EPA Notes = Assuming parabola casing and grand larcenies, and ratmarket
|Raw SPA = 5.68
|SPA Notes = Selling Diamond from larcenies.
|Starting Items=*Free (No Ties)
*{{IL|Favours: The Great Game}}
*''{{IL|A Palatial Holiday Home in the Arctic Circle}}''
*''{{IL|Society of the Three-Fingered Hand}}''
*{{TableList|{{IL|Cryptic Clue|250 x}}|''{{IL|Canny Cuttlefish}}''}}
*{{IL|Favours: Society}}
*{{TableList|{{IL|Cryptic Clue|250 x}}|''{{IL|Surveilling Spindlewolf}}''}}
*{{IL|Favours: Urchins}}
*''{{IL|The Marvellous}}''
|Input Items=*{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn}}
*{{IL|Final Breath}}
*{{IL|Moves in the Great Game}}
*{{IL|Unusual Love Story}}
*{{IL|Mortification of a Great Power}}
}}
== Mechanics ==
=== Cabinet Noir ===
In order to construct a Cover Identity, you need at least {{IL|Cabinet Noir|2}}. Higher values of {{IL|Cabinet Noir}} enable more advanced Identities with more available Cover Identity Qualities. The {{IL|Cabinet Noir}} can be built and upgraded in {{IL|Offices of the Tracklayer's Union: Balmoral Branch|Image=Railsteel.png}} for the usual scaling cost of {{IL|Hinterland Scrip|(50 x ({{Use|Balmoral Development|Type=Math}} + 1)) x}} (Grand total of 500 Scrip if built from 0 development) in addition to the other listed requirements.

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%"
!Level
!Requirements
!Qualities Enabled
|-
|2
|{{IL|Disappearing...}} 3
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials}}
|-
|3
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration}} 2
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory}}
|-
|4
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration}} 3<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials}} 1
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties}}
|-
|}

=== Constructing an Identity ===

==== Starting a New Identity ====

A new Cover Identity always starts with {{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration}} 1. With {{IL|Cabinet Noir}} 4 and either Favours to spend, Ambition items to show, or Whitsun beasties to enclue, it is possible to also set {{IL|Cover Identity: Ties}} when creating a new Cover Identity. It is not possible to later add or change {{IL|Cover Identity: Ties}} until you lose your current Cover Identity and start a new one.

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible" width="100%"
!width="16%"|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Appearance=Ties}}
!Action
!width="33%"|Requirement
|-
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|0 (None)|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Begin to construct a cover identity|Image=Mask.png}}
| -
|-
| rowspan="4" |{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|1 (Surface)|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Begin a cover identity with a background on the Surface|Image=Clouds.png}}
|{{IL|Favours: The Great Game|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Use your Surface address to establish a background for a new cover identity|Image=Cloudsbright.png}}
|{{IL|A Palatial Holiday Home in the Arctic Circle|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Make the Society of the Three-Fingered Hand support your lies|Image=Master2.png}}
|{{IL|Society of the Three-Fingered Hand|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Employ your Canny Cuttlefish to forge a life on the Surface|Image=Cuttlefish_canny.png}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Cryptic Clue|250 x}}|{{IL|Canny Cuttlefish|1 x}} }}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|2 (Bazaar)|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Begin a cover identity tied to Society and the Bazaar|Image=Coingold.png}}
|{{IL|Favours: Society|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Incorporate your Surveilling Spindlewolf's surveillance into a cover identity|Image=Surveillingspindlewolf.png}}
|{{IL|Surveilling Spindlewolf|1 x}}<br/>{{IL|Cryptic Clue|250 x}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|3 (Dispossessed)|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Begin a cover identity tied to the less powerful classes|Image=Urchincricket.png}}
|{{IL|Favours: Urchins|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Start a cover identity with a reputation among gamblers|Image=Cardfan.png}}
|{{IL|The Marvellous|1 x}}
|-
|}

==== Building Up an Identity ====

{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties}} cannot be changed after the Cover Identity is started.

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible" width="100%"
!Quality
!Limit
!Challenge
!Gain
|-
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration}}
|10
|{{IL|A Player of Chess}} (3)<br>{{IL|Shadowy}} (150 + 10 x {{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Appearance=}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|1 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance}}
|6
|{{IL|A Player of Chess}} (3 + {{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|Appearance=}})<br>{{IL|Bizarre}} (5 + {{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|Appearance=}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|1 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses}}
|6
|{{IL|A Player of Chess}} (3 + {{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|Appearance=}})<br>{{IL|Dreaded}} (5 + {{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|Appearance=}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|1 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials}}
|6
|{{IL|A Player of Chess}} (3 + {{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|Appearance=}})<br>{{IL|Respectable}} (5 + {{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|Appearance=}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|1 x|Appearance=}}
|-
!colspan="2"|Quality
!Cost
!Gain
|-
| rowspan="7" colspan="2"|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory}}
|{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|25 x}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|2 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|250 x}} (2 actions)
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|12 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Vienna Opening|5 x}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|6 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Final Breath|50 x}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|11 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Moves in the Great Game|50 x}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|11 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Unusual Love Story|100 x}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|22 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Mortification of a Great Power|1 x}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|26 x|Appearance=}}
|-
|}

=== Selling an Identity ===

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%"
|+Repeatable Sales
!Action
!Storylet/Card (Location)
! width="16%" | Cover Identity Qualities
! width="27%" | Reward
|-
|{{IL|Involve the Clay Highwayman's gang in industrial steel robbery (Non-Marauder)|Appearance=Clay Highwayman's gang|Image=Maskpurple.png}} (Non-Marauder)
|{{IL|The Next Stretch of Track|Image=Railsteel.png}}<br>({{IL|Moloch Street}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Disposs.|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|4|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|4|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|4|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|10|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Railway Steel|10 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Involve the Clay Highwayman's gang in industrial steel robbery (Marauder)|Appearance=Clay Highwayman's gang|Image=Maskpurple.png}} (Marauder)
|{{IL|The Next Stretch of Track|Image=Railsteel.png}}<br>({{IL|Moloch Street}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Bazaar|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|4|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|4|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|4|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|10|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Railway Steel|11 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Sell a socially plausible cover identity to a Veteran Revolutionary|Appearance=A Veteran Revolutionary|Image=Mask.png}}
|{{IL|Which meeting?|Image=Flag.png}}<br>{{IL|Upper River}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Surface|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|4|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Favours: Revolutionaries|2 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Provide an Urchin with evidence that she's a long lost heir|Appearance=An Urchin|Image=Mask.png}}
|{{IL|Engage in Unobserved Charity|Image=Rookery.png}}<br>({{IL|Ealing Gardens}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Bazaar|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|4|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Favours: Urchins|2 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Sell an undercover identity to a constable|Appearance=A constable|Image=Mask.png}}
|{{IL|The Constabulary of the Evenlode|Image=Porticolight.png}}<br>({{IL|The Magistracy of the Evenlode}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Disposs.|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|4|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Favours: Constables|2 x}}<br>{{IL|Hinterland Scrip|1-4(?) x}}
|-
|{{IL|Sell a socially plausible cover identity to a Devil|Appearance=A Devil|Image=Mask.png}}
|{{IL|Halfway to Hell|Image=Devil.png}}<br>({{IL|Upper River}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Bazaar|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|4|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Favours: Hell|2 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Sell a very advanced identity to Devils|Appearance=Devils|Image=Maskpurple.png}}
|{{IL|Halfway to Hell|Image=Devil.png}}<br>({{IL|Upper River}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|500|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Intercepted Document|21|Appearance=}}<br>(leads to {{IL|Reported Location of a One-Time Prince of Hell|1 x}})
|-
|{{IL|Sell a very advanced identity to Spies|Appearance=Spies|Image=Maskpurple.png}}
|{{IL|The Railway and the Great Game|Image=chesspiece.png}}<br>({{IL|Upper River}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Surface|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|500|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Intercepted Document|22|Appearance=}} <br>(leads to {{IL|Rumourmonger's Network|1 x}})
|-
|{{IL|Provide cover to a Chilly Legal Scholar|Appearance=A Legal Scholar|Image=tablet.png}}
|{{IL|Respectable Passengers|Image=judge.png}}<br>({{IL|Upper River}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|100|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Edicts of the First City|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Sell the Academic a very elaborate cover identity|Appearance=Academic|Image=mask.png}}
|{{IL|The Nonspecific Academic|Image=chesspiece.png}}<br>({{IL|The University}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|4|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|6|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|100|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Dreadful Surmise|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Realise your Cover Identity reveals the person you were|Appearance=The person you were|Image=Gleam.png}}
|{{IL|Your Cabinet Noir: The Back Room|Image=Maskpurple.png}}<br>({{IL|Balmoral}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|1+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|0+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|0+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|0+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|0+|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Memory of a Much Lesser Self|({{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Appearance=}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|Appearance=}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|Appearance=}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|Appearance=}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|Appearance=}}) x}}
|-
|{{IL|Fence this identity|Image=Handstop.png}}
|{{IL|Your Cabinet Noir: The Back Room|Image=Maskpurple.png}}<br>({{IL|Balmoral}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|0+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|5+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|0+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|0+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|0+|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|0+|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Magnificent Diamond|({{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|Appearance=}} / 5) x|Appearance=}}<br>(N = {{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Appearance=}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|Appearance=}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|Appearance=}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|Appearance=}})<br>(No {{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Appearance=}}) {{IL|Bottle of Broken Giant 1844|N x|Appearance=}}<br>({{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Surface|Appearance=}}) {{IL|Thirsty Bombazine Scrap|N x|Appearance=}}<br>({{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Bazaar|Appearance=}}) {{IL|Touching Love Story|N x|Appearance=}}<br>({{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Disposs.|Appearance=}}) {{IL|Sworn Statement|N x|Appearance=}}
|}

==== Clay Highwayman Grand Larcenies ====
When you are part of the Clay Highwayman's gang, you have the opportunity to perform larcenies across the Hinterlands. The highest level larcenies require Casing 10 and moderately advanced Cover Identities and reward you with 312.50 Echo items.

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%"
|+Grand Larcenies
!Action
!Card
!Cover Identity Qualities
!Reward
|-
|{{IL|Con an Eccentric Philosopher|Appearance=Eccentric Philosopher|Image=Bohoman2a.png}}
|{{IL|Larceny at Ealing Gardens|Image=River2.png}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|80|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Nodule of Fecund Amber|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Con a Seasoned Smuggler|Appearance=Seasoned Smuggler|Image=Oldman2.png}}
|{{IL|Larceny at Jericho Locks|Image=River.png}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|80|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Fabulous Diamond|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Con an Inconvenient Royal|Appearance=Inconvenient Royal|Image=Crown2.png}}
|{{IL|Larceny at the Magistracy|Image=Ruinssecond.png}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Bazaar|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|80|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Scrap of Ivory Organza|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Con a Palaeontological Yank|Appearance=Palaeontological Yank|Image=Boneknife.png}}
|{{IL|Larceny at Balmoral|Image=Moonparliament.png}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|80|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Prismatic Frame|1 x}}
|-
|{{IL|Steal a precious manuscript|Appearance=Precious manuscript|Image=Bookpurple.png}}
|{{IL|Larceny at Burrow-Infra-Mump|Image=Church.png}}
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|10|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|80|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Legenda Cosmogone|1 x}}
|}


==== One-Time Uses ====
There are also a few one-off opportunities to use Cover Identities, such as erecting statues or advancing storylines.

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%"
|+One-Time Uses
!Action
!Storylet/Card (Location)
!Cover Identity Qualities
!Reward
|-
|{{IL|Put up a statue in honour of your Cover Identity (which is to say, yourself)|Appearance=Put up a statue (Balmoral)|Image=Maskpurple.png}}
|{{IL|Offices of the Tracklayer's Union: Balmoral Branch|Image=Railsteel.png}}<br>({{IL|Balmoral}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Bazaar|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|1|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|1|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|1|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|5|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Balmoral Commemorative Development|20|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Put up a statue honouring London's Ambassador to the Khanate, that is, Yourself|Appearance=Put up a statue (Moulin)|Image=Khanatearmourembossed.png}}
|{{IL|Offices of the Tracklayer's Union: Moulin Branch|Image=Railsteel.png}}<br>({{IL|Moulin}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|5|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|50|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|Moulin Commemorative Development|21|Appearance=}}
|-
|{{IL|Identify yourself to the pilot as a fellow worker|Appearance=Identify yourself...|Image=Mask.png}}
|{{IL|A Conversation with Mr Fires|Image=Master.png}}<br>({{IL|Station VIII}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Dispossessed|Appearance=}}<br>
{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|2|Appearance=}}
|[[Hillchanger Tower, Changed]]
|-
|{{IL|Join the Clay Highwayman's gang, with an assumed identity|Appearance=Join the gang|Image=Maskpurple.png}}
|{{IL|The Clay Highwayman's Camp|Image=Clayman2.png}}<br>({{IL|Balmoral}})
|{{IL|Cover Identity: Ties|Surface|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|7|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|3|Appearance=}}<br>{{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|3|Appearance=}}
|{{IL|A Marauder of the Clay Highwayman|1|Appearance=}}
|}

== Strategy ==

Assuming all checks are 100%, the baseline cost of a constructing a Cover Identity is ({{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Type=Math}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials|Type=Math}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance|Type=Math}} + {{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses|Type=Math}}) actions. You may also have a cost of 1 Favour for adding {{IL|Cover Identity: Ties}}. The cost in both items and actions of {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory}} depends on the options used to raise it, but can also be fairly approximated as 1 action per Backstory with some exceptions.

From this, we can determine that [[Provide an Urchin with evidence that she's a long lost heir]], [[Sell an undercover identity to a constable]], [[Sell a socially plausible cover identity to a Devil]] each cost 5 actions (not including travel) + 1 Favour to receive 2 Favours. We can also approximate that [[Put up a statue in honour of your Cover Identity (which is to say, yourself)]] costs 14 actions + 1 Favour. 

[[Involve the Clay Highwayman's gang in industrial steel robbery]] costs 32 actions + 1 Favour to receive 10 (non-marauder) or 11 (marauder) {{IL|Railway Steel}}. In order to get 10 railway steel from other sources, it takes 2 actions, 230 BSI and 2 Justificande coins. Assuming 2 actions for the coins, and 1 action for the favour, one would have to get more than roughly 7.9 or 8.7 BSI/action to make it more efficiently through other sources. This is in line with the best sources of Steel.

Selling a very advanced identity [[Sell a very advanced identity to Devils|to Devils]] or to [[Sell a very advanced identity to Spies|to Spies]] costs around 530 actions to receive an {{IL|Intercepted Document}} that results in a {{IL|Reported Location of a One-Time Prince of Hell}} or {{IL|Rumourmonger's Network}}, respectively.

We can also approximate that [[Fence this identity]] is upper-bounded at 2.50 EPA. Each point of {{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration}}, {{IL|Cover Identity: Credentials}}, {{IL|Cover Identity: Nuance}}, or {{IL|Cover Identity: Witnesses}} adds one 2.50 E item to the reward and each 5 points of {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory}} adds one 12.50 E item. Spending a Favour to add {{IL|Cover Identity: Ties}} when starting the identity does not increase the reward at all, but merely changes which 2.50 E items you receive. That said, while it does not compare favourably to other options as an Echo grind, this is a good source for some of the possible rewards. If you do grand larcenies, you can push this up to a 3.60 echo grind, if you get ivory organzas and use the rat market.

===Elaboration===
The scaling difficulty check for increasing {{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Short=yes}} means even top-level characters will not be able to guarantee success when building an Identity that require high level of Elaboration. The challenge to add a 10th point of Elaboration has a difficulty of 240, which would take {{IL|Shadowy}} 400 to guarantee success. A realistic value of {{IL|Shadowy}} 300 gives only a 75% chance of success. On average it will take <math>1/0.75=1.33</math> attempts to achieve success.

The table below summarizes the scaling challenge, success chance, and cumulative action cost for a character with {{IL|Shadowy}} 300. The scaling is not exactly proportional, but is somewhat close. A character with 280 Shadowy would take 11.78 actions on average to reach Elaboration 10, while a character with 320 Shadowy would need 10.74 actions on average.
{|class="article-table"
!{{IL|Cover Identity: Elaboration|Short=yes}}
!Challenge
!Success %
!Attempts Needed
!Cumulative Actions
|-
|1
|150
|100%
|1
|1
|-
|2
|160
|100%
|1
|2
|-
|3
|170
|100%
|1
|3
|-
|4
|180
|100%
|1
|4
|-
|5
|190
|95%
|1.05
|5.05
|-
|6
|200
|90%
|1.11
|6.16
|-
|7
|210
|86%
|1.16
|7.32
|-
|8
|220
|82%
|1.22
|8.54
|-
|9
|230
|78%
|1.28
|9.82
|-
|10
|250
|75%
|1.33
|11.16
|}
===Backstory===
There are several items which can be spent to gain backstory.

{{IL|Well-Placed Pawn}}: It's hard to get these reliably. For 10 backstory, it is always more efficient to [[Make your Pawns follow your cover identity]] unless you can get 45 pawns/action. Relative efficiency for larger quantities of backstory varies.

* [[Pit one Varchaasi against another]] from [[Varchas from Behind the Glass]] at {{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|x 25|Appearance=}} an action. (Requires [[Shadowy Gains]] 18).
* [[Consult the Stewards of the Discordance]] (Adulterine Castle): {{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|x 21–27|Appearance=}} or {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x ~1|Appearance=}} per action
* At the [[The Chessboard (Guide)|Chessboard]]: [[Offer a draw]], or '''fail''' at [[Choose a queen mate]] or [[Choose an epaulette mate]]. At most {{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|x 18|Appearance=}} per action.
* [[Direct your network]] in the Khanate for {{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|x 10|Appearance=}} per action.
* Buy from [[Nightclaw's Paw-Brokers]] at [[The Rat Market]] for 2{{r}}. Efficiency depends on your source of {{IL|Rat-Shilling|Appearance=Rat-Shillings}}.
** Selling {{IL|Night-Whisper|Appearance=Night-Whispers}} from Favour-based Tribute gives {{IL|Well-Placed Pawn|x ~35|Appearance=}} per action, or {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x ~1.32|Appearance=}} per action

{{IL|Vienna Opening}}: Overall, this ends up at {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x ~1|Appearance=}} per action.

* At the [[The Chessboard (Guide)|Chessboard]]: [[Recognise an opening because of your professional affiliations|free for Midnighters]] or {{IL|Vital Intelligence|1 x}} for [[Recognise an opening|anyone else]]
* [[Attend a Sermon]] at the Septemberists' Kirk in Balmoral (takes two actions and {{IL|Favours: Revolutionaries|1 x}} for {{IL|Vienna Opening|x 2|Appearance=}})
* [[Raise a glass to (You Make Your Toasts To)|Raise a glass to]] someone at The Fiddler's Scarlet in [[Canal Cruising in Jericho Locks (Guide)|Jericho Locks]] for {{IL|Vienna Opening|Appearance=x 5–9}}; may be okay if you have good sources for {{IL|Esteem of the Guild}}
* [[Manoeuvre the Counter-Church]] in Burrow if you have a Counter Church; needs {{IL|A Player of Chess}} 10 to 100% the check
* [[Explore the walls]] in Marigold Station

{{IL|Final Breath}}

* These can most efficiently be gained by:
** [[Writing a Monograph (Guide)|Writing a monograph]] in Moulin for [[The Exiled Antiquarian (Monograph)|The Exiled Antiquarian]]: based on Cautionary
** [[Sell to the Tentacled Entrepreneur (Skeleton)|Selling to the Tentacled Entrepreneur]]: based on Amalgamy (see [[Assembling a Skeleton (Guide)|Assembling a Skeleton guide]]) 
** [[Hold your breath underwater|Holding your breath underwater]] in the Hurlers: {{IL|Final Breath|x 23|Appearance=}} at [[Hurlers: Darkness|Darkness]] 0; a loop [[Money-Making/Sources#Holding your breath in the Hurlers|detailed here]] gives {{IL|Final Breath|x ~7.2|Appearance=}} per action depending on your {{IL|Dangerous}}, which works out to {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x ~1.38|Appearance=}} per action.
* [[Sell him Surveys of the Neath's Bones|Sell Surveys of the Neath's Bones]] to the Enthusiast of the Ancient World: {{IL|Final Breath|x 10|Appearance=}} for 5 Surveys. If you can efficiently [[Publish an Expose of Palaeontology|publish a newspaper]] (see [[Publishing a Newspaper (Guide)|guide]]) or [[Assemble your conclusions|perform lab research]] (see [[University Laboratory (Guide)|guide]]), this works out to about ~4.2 or ~4.5 Final Breaths respectively per action.

{{IL|Moves in the Great Game}}

* If you have access to it, [[Enter the house (Red)|the Red epilogue of the Chessboard campaign]] works out to {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 1|Appearance=}} per action. This option disappears when you start any new campaign (even the Chessboard).
* [[Take tea with the Diplomat]] in the Khanate: average of {{IL|Moves in the Great Game|x 7.5}} for {{IL|Incendiary Gossip|x 5}}. Not very good. Efficiency depends on source of {{IL|Incendiary Gossip|Appearance=}}:
** From [[An edition brimming with truth and wisdom|newspapers]] (including side conversion and up conversion of Journals): {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 0.26|Appearance=}} per action
** From twice upconverted {{IL|Inkling of Identity}} bought at the [[The Rat Market (Guide)|Rat Market]] for 1{{r}}, efficiency depends on the source of {{IL|Rat-Shilling|Appearance=Rat-Shillings}}. At best about {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 0.42|Appearance=}} per action with Tribute-sourced Night-Whispers.
* [[Writing a Monograph (Guide)|Writing monographs]] in Moulin for [[The Disgraced Diplomat]] (requires {{IL|Moulin Archaeological Institute}} 3+): based on Ironic
* [[Exchange some knowledge of the Eversmoulder]] on the card [[Halfway to Hell]] (requires {{IL|Discovered: The Eversmoulder}} and {{IL|Hellish Hymn}}). Difficult {{IL|Watchful}} 210 check for {{IL|Moves in the Great Game|x 10}}.
* [[For the Game]], spending Corresponding. Requires {{IL|The Great Game (Affiliation)|Appearance=The Great Game}}.

{{IL|Unusual Love Story}}

* [[Read the graffiti on the Statue to (subject)|Read the graffiti on the Statue]] on its Station VIII opportunity card, for 5–7 stories per action, or {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x ~1.3|Appearance=}} per action. [[Station VIII: Darkness|Darkness]] increases the difficulty, so this is not very compatible with [[Break in to the factory|breaking into Station VIII]].
* [[An Exemplary Work of Lapsarian Theological Art]]; 4 stories per action, and hence {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 0.88|Appearance=}} per action

{{IL|Mortification of a Great Power}}

* [[Await a verdict on Gondoliers v Society Matron (Prosecution)]] in the [[Barristering at Evenlode (Guide)|Evenlode Courts]]: 6 actions each, plus the replacement cost of the {{IL|Preserved Surface Blooms|x 20}} to start each case. Buying Surface Blooms at [[The Rat Market (Area)|The Rat Market]] at 5.0 EPA takes 10 actions to get 20 Surface Blooms. Alongside 1 action to turn in the Mortification, this takes 17 actions in total. This gives about {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 1.53|Appearance=}} per action.
* [[Expanding your Network]] in the [[Khaganian Intrigue (Guide)|Khanate]] with the Bandaged Naval Officer, Shapeless Aristocrat, or Idle Soldier: 15 actions each, plus an expected 2.2 actions shuffling to the appropriate [[Airs of the Khanate|Airs]], for an approximate {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 1.43|Appearance=}} per action. Does not include travel time
* [[Send an inordinately enormous stack of documents to Mount Palmerston]] from [[Spelunking in the Sunken Embassy]]: 18 actions per item, {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 1.37|Appearance=}} per action
* [[Breathe an ancient air]] while [[Diving in the Magistracy (Guide)|Diving in the Magistracy]]: 8 actions, plus a chance to gain 6 CP of menaces on failing a {{IL|Dangerous}} 220 check, which is impossible to 100% pass. Costs {{IL|Final Breath|75 x}}, which would convert to {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 16.5|Appearance=}}, so a net increase of {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 9.5|Appearance=}}. Assuming 200 {{IL|Dangerous}} and clearing menaces at 6 CP per action, that's equivalent to {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 1.12|Appearance=}} per action (300 {{IL|Dangerous}} is only a little better, at {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 1.16|Appearance=}} per action)
* [[Enforce your demands]] at the end of the [[Parabolan War (Guide)|Parabolan War]] campaign [[A Second City Vengeance|A Dreaming Priest of the Second City]], for 3 Mortifications; no analysis has been made on the efficiency of this.
* Getting [[An illicit secret]] as a reward in [[Hearts' Game (Guide)|Hearts' Game]] gives a Morfitication in 19 actions, which means {{IL|Cover Identity: Backstory|x 1.3|Appearance=}} per action.
[[Category:Guides]]