Persuade the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's

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From: Debating Matters of Business with the Board


His opinion does not always show in his expression.

Game Instructions: He is ripe for bribery. Other branches in this storylet may help to persuade him.

Unlocked with Board Member: The Bishop of Saint Fiacre's

Locked with The Bishop of Saint Fiacre's Vote


Challenge information

Broad, Persuasive 100

  • 69 - very chancy (41%)
  • 85 - chancy (51%)
  • 102 - modest (61%)
  • 119 - very modest (71%)
  • 135 - low-risk (81%)
  • 152 - straightforward (91%)
  • 167 - straightforward (100%)

Base difficulty is probably 100, increasing by 40 per point of Board against the Status Quo, and 20 per point of Board against the Church, Board against Urchin Interests, Board against the Bazaar, Board against the Interests of Society, and Board for the Fingerkings. Every point of Corruption of the Board reduces the initial base difficulty by 40 points.

QuestionBase Difficulty
1 - Recommending a Route through Occupied Buildings240
2 - Proposing the Demolition of Unused Houses240
3 - Recommending a Route over Marshland160
4 - Recommending a Route through Plainsland180
5 - Route through Hills220
7 - Recommending a Route across a Ravine220
9 - Recommending a Route through Wasteland100
10 - Proposing the Removal of His Amused Lordship560
11 - Proposing the Removal of the Efficient Commissioner600
12 - Proposing the Removal of the Jovial Contrarian500
13 - Proposing the Removal of Sinning Jenny600
14 - Proposing the Removal of Feducci600
15 - Proposing the Removal of Virginia500
16 - Proposing the Removal of Furnace Ancona500
17 - Proposing the Removal of the Dean of Xenotheology640
19 - Proposing the Removal of the Bishop of Southwark700
20 - Proposing the Removal of the Tentacled Entrepreneur500
21 - Proposing the Removal of the Gracious Widow500
22 - Proposing the Removal of April500
23 - Proposing the Removal of the Wandering Gondolier500
24 - Proposing the Removal of September500
26 - Proposing the Removal of the Viscountess of the Viric Jungle700
27 - Proposing the Removal of the Rubbery Yes-Man500
28 - Proposing the Removal of the Hell-Scarred Gondolier500
29 - Proposing the Removal of Cornelius, the Bandaged Prehistoricist500
30 - Proposing the Removal of January500
31 - Proposing the Removal of the Wry Functionary500
32 - Proposing the Removal of the Delightful Reverend700
33 - Proposing the Removal of the Drummer500
35 - Proposing the Removal of the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner540
37 - Proposing the Removal of the Implacable Detective500
100 - Proposing a Station Plan100
105 - Proposing a Station Plan more like a Fortress100
115 - Proposing a Station Plan styled in the Manner of Hell300
120 - Proposing a Station Plan that Honours the Bazaar100
130 - Proposing a Station Plan that Speaks to the Glory of London and the Empress100
140 - Proposing a Station Plan Suited to Wasteland100
150 - Proposing a Station Plan Suited to a Surface Summer380
160 - Proposing an ice-resistant route and a well-insulated station100
170 - Proposing the connection to the final station at Marigold100
181 - Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Ealing Gardens100
182 - Proposing a Tracklayers' City near the Magistracy of the Evenlode100
183 - Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Balmoral100
184 - Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Station VIII100
185 - Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Burrow-infra-Mump100
186 - Proposing a Tracklayers' City somewhere between Moulin and Hurlers, as no one sensible wants that land at all500
187 - Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Marigold Station, under the walls of Hell300
200 - Recommending Better Defences for Each Train100
205 - Recommending More Baggage Accommodations for Each Train260
210 - Recommending More Luxurious Fittings for Each Train200
220 - Recommending More Worker Compensation300
230 - Recommending Worker Co-ownership420
240 - Recommending the Strike be Broken100
250 - Requesting Funds to Excavate the Remains of a Prehistoric Creature100
260 - Suggesting the Union Pave Over a Prehistoric Creature100
270 - Requesting Funds to Route Around an Anomalous Section of London100
280 - Proposing to Drive the Track through the Zone260
340 - Proposing a Charter engaging in the Work of the Church100
400 - Proposing to Pay Dividends to Shareholders200
500 - Proposing a Bypass through Parabola500
510 - Proposing the Rental of Hellworms240
520 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell520
521 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following Feducci's Guidance520
522 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following April's Guidance300
523 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following Virginia's Guidance180
525 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following the Bishop of Southwark's Guidance380
526 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following His Amused Lordship's Guidance100
527 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following the Wandering Gondolier's Guidance520
528 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following Cornelius' Guidance100
529 - Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following the Viscountess' Guidance240
700 - Proposing that the Unyielding Highlander become Castellan of Balmoral100
710 - Proposing that September become Castellan of Balmoral540
720 - Proposing that the Fervent Widow become Castellan of Balmoral400
800 - Proposing a tracklayer aligned with Mr Fires100
850 - Proposing Cornelius to lead500
905 - Proposing the Dean of Xenotheology as Patron of the Burrow Church300
931 - Resuming Normal Operations with Furnace in Charge580
932 - Supporting Cornelius' Prehistoricist Building Approach420
933 - Supporting a Brightly-Lit Building Approach100
934 - Proposing a Package of Measures to Resume Normal Operations100
940 - Proposing special consideration to certain charitable groups240
941 - Proposing a dividend be paid out to the poor of the Hinterlands240
1000 - Proposing an expensive tribute to the Hillchanger Tower700
1020 - Proposing a calendrical tribute to the Hillchanger Tower620
1030 - Proposing a legalistic tribute to the Hillchanger Tower660
1100 - Proposing to send your train to war in Parabola
(Cats, FKs, Gent, Visc., Other)
500 (Cats)
440 (FKs, Gent)
700 (Visc.)
740 (Other)
1110 - Proposing to build a spur line into Parabola so that you can send in a war-train700

Success

He is convinced!

"You've convinced me," says the Bishop. He so rarely explains how you've convinced him, or why he agrees. Perhaps it would give too much away.

Description summary:
The text varies with the Question before the Board. The text above is the generic result[1]; questions with more specific results are listed below.

[Find the rest of the story at https://www.fallenlondon.com]

  1. Used for questions 10 - 16, 20 - 24, 26 - 33, 35, 37, 220 - 280
QuestionSuccess Description
1 - 3, 9, 310 - 320, 800, 850, 932"I see," he says, as you lay out your arguments. "You have a point."
4"Better the grass than the hills," he says. "We'll find fewer things to alarm us, by that route."
5"If we have to go through the hills," he says, "then we should cut the path quickly and make sure the work is well lit. Don't let the explosions be too big, and never cut too deeply into any hillside."
7The first time you ask his opinion, he shares some thoughts about The Abyss and the Darkness of the Soul. The second time, he agrees that a bridge is a fine thing.
17"If she was invited as a representative of the Church's views, she was poorly chosen," says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre. "Her theology is syncretistic and her interest largely theoretical. I have heard her actively advising a student against prayer."
19"He'll ask me why, later," says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre, in a weary tone. "But I suppose he can go."
100, 105, 115 - 160"Oh, very well," says the Bishop. "I had hoped for something more uplifting – a station that also carried the glory of the church – carved saints over the door? But I see that the mood of the company does not tend in that direction."
170"Our tracks running alongside the tracks of Hell. May I vote for the proposal but against the metaphor?"
181 - 187"If we must indulge the Tracklayers one last time, one place is as good as another."
200"A reputation for danger on the line would be most deleterious to the business," says the Bishop. "We should do all in our power to protect our customers, as a matter of financial prudence."
205"The better class of clientele do like to bring along luggage. And expeditionary equipment."
210"If we hope to attract the right sort of rider, this is exactly the sort of thing we ought to undertake […] The better families of the Neath do remember […] that they used to take the Grand Tour. They used to engage in Excursions. […]"
300"It hardly seems worth memorialising in a charter," remarks the Bishop. "But if it pleases you to write it down..."
340"Excellent," says the Bishop. "I expected something far less uplifting. And I do have several young priests […]" you get the impression that the Church is […] not having enough postings to go round. Older rectors live much longer […] so they don't retire.
400"Ready payment of dividends will make future investors more eager to join us," says the Bishop. "It is a fine recommendation."
500, 510, 931 - 934"There may not be a better way," admits the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's. "That is the only reason it is worth considering."
520 - 523, 525 - 529"There would be worse ways," says the Bishop. "Probably many worse ways."
600"Very well!" The Bishop of Saint Fiacre looks more than usually ruffled. Perhaps even 'harassed.' "I see I will not be allowed any peace unless I agree. But […] People will be mentioning it at my clubs, asking what on earth we were thinking."
610"A cat for Mayor is a little peculiar," admits the Bishop of Saint Fiacre. "It deserves comment. But her lineage is impeccable. The Salesperson in Viric may be an unknown, but the Viscountess is not."
620"A tolerable choice," says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre. "Certainly when one considers some of the alternatives."
700, 720"Their 'Kirk' out there needs some attention," he says. "And the whole business should be made more regular."
710"Oh, very well!" says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's. "Very few folk find their way out there anyhow."
905"She wouldn't be my choice," the Bishop sniffs. "But I can't see why we should hold the Burrow Church back."
940 - 941"I suppose I cannot argue against a charitable mission," Fiacre says, raising an eyebrow a little too high.
1000, 1020, 1030"A power of this kind could be a powerful ally," says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's. "It may have existing contracts with devils, but that does not put it at Hell's disposal."
1100, 1110"A test run, perhaps." The Bishop says, steepling his fingers. He does not elaborate on a test run for what.

Redirects to: Debating Matters of Business with the Board


Failure

Unconvinced

[varies]
QuestionFailure Description
1 - 3, 9The Bishop of Saint Fiacre's reviews the map with the eye of an experienced explorer, and raises several questions about the surveying accuracy. Could these be in error? Are you certain enough to commit to this course?
4"The grass would be better than the hills, but I wish there were some way that would take less from the workers."
5"The hills are very old and very dangerous," says the Bishop.
7"That sounds expensive," says the Bishop. "And dangerous. And are you entirely sure that the Station will reward the bother of going there?"
10 - 16, 20 - 24, 26 - 33, 35, 37The Bishop says some eloquent words on the value of continuity. A Board, collectively, has a personality and a will. It would be misguided to change its composition too frequently, or the company will be likewise erratic.
17The Bishop says some eloquent words on the value of continuity. "She is perhaps not exactly what I would have chosen, but now that she is a member of the board, we have much to gain from retaining her."
19"No," says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre. "Reginald has his exasperating moments, to be sure, and he proposed a liturgical adaptation for Whitsun Sundays that verged on the heretical. But he is a true servant of the Church, and we do not have many."
100, 105, 120 - 150The Bishop of Saint Fiacre's finds the building distressingly secular. He points out that the station does not set aside any room for a chapel, and that there's nothing about possible frescoes for the ceiling.
115Ah," says the Bishop, frowning. "Surely any passengers seeking this sort of thing would be more disposed to ride the Moloch Line?"
160, 170The Bishop examines the station plans with a raised eyebrow. "Bit of a dismal place, isn't it," he says. "I suppose the views from the train windows won't improve further West, either."
181 - 187"This seems like an entirely unreasonable use of company resources," says Fiacre.
200"Perhaps we would do better to ask why our trains so frequently come under attack," begins the Bishop.
205The Bishop frowns at the compartments. "What precisely are we bringing into London in such quantities, I wonder?"
210"We have other purposes for our money than lavishly appointing our trains," says the Bishop.
220 - 280"There are undoubtedly methods of diplomacy that would be less expensive." He doesn't elaborate, however.
300 - 320, 340"I would prefer that we not declare our intentions so openly," says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's. "To take a stand inevitably invites criticism and charges of hypocrisy. Our acts can speak for us more effectively."
400The Bishop brings out the account books and reviews a few […] lines. In his view, the company cannot afford to grant dividends at the moment, and any impression to the contrary can only be the result of tragic innumeracy among the voting members.
500It is rare for the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's to become so exercised about anything, but the prospect of diverting the train through Parabola offends him almost past speech.

[…]

510"Even in ordinary circumstances one has doubts about compacts with Devils," says the Bishop. "The contract to rent a living animal will certainly be full of alarming caveats. And then the creature itself! There must be an alternative."
520 - 523, 525 - 529"There might be approaches to this matter that would be more congruent with the aims of church and society," says the Bishop slowly.
610"I admire the Viscountess. Her lineage is impeccable and her human allies include nobility at the highest levels. Nonetheless, a cat may face certain difficulties. The Lord Mayor's robes, for instance, would need to be resized."
700, 720"It isn't a bad idea," says the Bishop […] You have the sense he rather likes the Board being so important that it can weigh in on this matters of Neathy politics. "But I wonder whether another even more suitable candidate might not be found."
710, 800, 850"An idiosyncratic choice," says the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's. "And he's no ally to the Church."
905"Perhaps if you had picked me," the Bishop says with a frown, "I might have a different view."
931, 933 - 934You can't get the Bishop to agree. "Surely we can find a better course of action?"
932The Bishop of Saint Fiacre's offers a rather grumpy refusal.
940The Bishop of Saint Fiacre is no stranger to Neathy phillanthropy – he asks to see the accounts of those organisations that will benefit, know who their donors are, understand how the trains will be used.
941The Bishop of Saint Fiacre frowns. "I'd agree, but... can we truly afford it?"
1000, 1020, 1030"We should be cautious in dealings with this power. I don't share the alarmist tendencies of our well-known friend the Commissioner. Nonetheless..." His argument against appears to boil down to "you never know."
1100, 1110The Bishop gives you a weary look. "Is this really the best use of our resources you can think of?"
Other VotesSecond paragraph of Failure Description
(none)The Board Secretary dutifully minutes the objection.
VirginiaVirginia makes an acid remark about the Church's opposition to Progress. The Bishop of Saint Fiacre's replies – in the soft voice that completely faileth to turn away wrath – that the sort of Progress endorsed by Hell is not worth having.

Redirects to: Debating Matters of Business with the Board