Editing Persuade the Wry Functionary/Tables

<noinclude>[[Category:Tables]]</noinclude>
==Difficulty==
{{Variant table
|Condition = Question before the Board |Condition alias = Question
|Condition type = <noinclude>Raw</noinclude><includeonly>Math</includeonly>
|Effect = [[Persuade the Wry Functionary/Tables|Base Difficulty]]
|Value 1 = 1 - [[Plan the next route through occupied buildings, alongside the Moloch Line|Recommending a Route through Occupied Buildings]]
|Effect 1 = 100
|Value 2 = 2 - [[Plan the next route through abandoned buildings|Proposing the Demolition of Unused Houses]]
|Effect 2 = 100
|Value 3 = 3 - [[Plan the next route through the Pitiless Bog|Recommending a Route over Marshland]]
|Effect 3 = 160
|Value 4 = 4 - [[Plan the next route across the Plain of Thirsty Grasses|Recommending a Route through Plainsland]]
|Effect 4 = 180
|Value 5 = 5 - [[Plan the next route over the Monkprince Hills|Route through Hills]]
|Effect 5 = 220
|Value 7 = 7 - [[Plan the next route across a ravine|Recommending a Route across a Ravine]]
|Effect 7 = 220
|Value 9 = 9 - [[Plan the next route through Wasteland|Recommending a Route through Wasteland]]
|Effect 9 = 100
|Value 10 = 10 - [[Vote His Amused Lordship off the Board|Proposing the Removal of His Amused Lordship]]
|Effect 10 = 360
|Value 11 = 11 - [[Vote the Efficient Commissioner off the board|Proposing the Removal of the Efficient Commissioner]]
|Effect 11 = 400
|Value 12 = 12 - [[Vote the Jovial Contrarian off the board|Proposing the Removal of the Jovial Contrarian]]
|Effect 12 = 300
|Value 13 = 13 - [[Vote Sinning Jenny off the board|Proposing the Removal of Sinning Jenny]]
|Effect 13 = 300
|Value 14 = 14 - [[Vote Feducci off the board|Proposing the Removal of Feducci]]
|Effect 14 = 400
|Value 15 = 15 - [[Vote Virginia off the board|Proposing the Removal of Virginia]]
|Effect 15 = 300
|Value 16 = 16 - [[Vote Furnace off the board|Proposing the Removal of Furnace Ancona]]
|Effect 16 = 100
|Value 17 = 17 - [[Vote the Dean of Xenotheology off the board|Proposing the Removal of the Dean of Xenotheology]]
|Effect 17 = 300
|Value 18 = 18 - [[Vote the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's off the board|Proposing the Removal of the Bishop of Saint Fiacre's]]
|Effect 18 = 500
|Value 19 = 19 - [[Vote the Bishop of Southwark off the board|Proposing the Removal of the Bishop of Southwark]]
|Effect 19 = 300
|Value 20 = 20 - [[Vote the Tentacled Entrepreneur off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Tentacled Entrepreneur]]
|Effect 20 = 300
|Value 21 = 21 - [[Vote the Gracious Widow off the board|Proposing the Removal of the Gracious Widow]]
|Effect 21 = 300
|Value 22 = 22 - [[Vote April off the Board|Proposing the Removal of April]]
|Effect 22 = 100
|Value 23 = 23 - [[Vote the Wandering Gondolier off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Wandering Gondolier]]
|Effect 23 = 300
|Value 24 = 24 - [[Vote September off the Board|Proposing the Removal of September]]
|Effect 24 = 200
|Value 26 = 26 - [[Vote the Viscountess off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Viscountess of the Viric Jungle]]
|Effect 26 = 500
|Value 27 = 27 - [[Vote the Rubbery Yes-Man off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Rubbery Yes-Man]]
|Effect 27 = 300
|Value 28 = 28 - [[Vote the Hell-Scarred Gondolier off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Hell-Scarred Gondolier]]
|Effect 28 = 200
|Value 29 = 29 - [[Vote Cornelius off the Board|Proposing the Removal of Cornelius, the Bandaged Prehistoricist]]
|Effect 29 = 300
|Value 30 = 30 - [[Vote January off the Board|Proposing the Removal of January]]
|Effect 30 = 160
|Value 32 = 32 - [[Vote the Delightful Reverend off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Delightful Reverend]]
|Effect 32 = 300
|Value 33 = 33 - [[Vote the Drummer off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Drummer]]
|Effect 33 = 300
|Value 35 = 35 - [[Vote the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Dauntless Temperance Campaigner]]
|Effect 35 = 360
|Value 37 = 37 - [[Vote the Implacable Detective off the Board|Proposing the Removal of the Implacable Detective]]
|Effect 37 = 400
|Value 100 = 100 - [[Propose a plan for the next Station building and for the train engines to go there|Proposing a Station Plan]]
|Effect 100 = 100
|Value 105 = 105 - [[Propose a station that is a defiance to All|Proposing a Station Plan more like a Fortress]]
|Effect 105 = 100
|Value 115 = 115 - [[Propose a daringly-built station in brass and rose, tribute to Hell|Proposing a Station Plan styled in the Manner of Hell]]
|Effect 115 = 100
|Value 120 = 120 - [[Propose a station building proclaiming the Bazaar's great reach|Proposing a Station Plan that Honours the Bazaar]]
|Effect 120 = 0
|Value 130 = 130 - [[Propose a station building unmistakably of the Empress' realm|Proposing a Station Plan that Speaks to the Glory of London and the Empress]]
|Effect 130 = 0
|Value 140 = 140 - [[Propose a station fit for the wilderness|Proposing a Station Plan Suited to Wasteland]]
|Effect 140 = 100
|Value 150 = 150 - [[Propose the kind of station one might find in a sleepy village in Oxfordshire|Proposing a Station Plan Suited to a Surface Summer]]
|Effect 150 = 380
|Value 160 = 160 - [[Plan for an icy route to the Hurlers|Proposing an ice-resistant route and a well-insulated station]]
|Effect 160 = 100
|Value 170 = 170 - [[Put forward the last plans for the last station|Proposing the connection to the final station at Marigold]]
|Effect 170 = 100
|Value 181 = 181 - [[Plan your last route, and set aside land for a tracklayers' city near Ealing Gardens|Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Ealing Gardens]]
|Effect 181 = 100
|Value 182 = 182 - [[Plan your last route, and set aside land for a tracklayers' city near the Magistracy of the Evenlode|Proposing a Tracklayers' City near the Magistracy of the Evenlode]]
|Effect 182 = 100
|Value 183 = 183 - [[Plan your last route, and set aside land for a tracklayers' city near Balmoral|Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Balmoral]]
|Effect 183 = 440
|Value 184 = 184 - [[Plan your last route, and set aside land for a tracklayers' city near Station VIII|Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Station VIII]]
|Effect 184 = 0
|Value 185 = 185 - [[Plan your last route, and set aside land for a tracklayers' city near Burrow-infra-Mump|Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Burrow-infra-Mump]]
|Effect 185 = 100
|Value 186 = 186 - [[Plan your last route, and set aside land for a tracklayers' city between Moulin and Hurlers|Proposing a Tracklayers' City somewhere between Moulin and Hurlers, as no one sensible wants that land at all]]
|Effect 186 = 300
|Value 187 = 187 - [[Plan your last route, and set aside land for a tracklayers' city at the outskirts of Hell|Proposing a Tracklayers' City near Marigold Station, under the walls of Hell]]
|Effect 187 = 100
|Value 200 = 200 - [[Add Train Defences|Recommending Better Defences for Each Train]]
|Effect 200 = 0
|Value 205 = 205 - [[Build more room for baggage on the train|Recommending More Baggage Accommodations for Each Train]]
|Effect 205 = 260
|Value 210 = 210 - [[Add Train Luxuries|Recommending More Luxurious Fittings for Each Train]]
|Effect 210 = 0
|Value 220 = 220 - [[Advocate paying off the striking workers|Recommending More Worker Compensation]]
|Effect 220 = 300
|Value 230 = 230 - [[Recommend giving the workers a share of the company|Recommending Worker Co-ownership]]
|Effect 230 = 420
|Value 250 = 250 - [[Free up the funds to excavate whatever the Tracklayers found|Requesting Funds to Excavate the Remains of a Prehistoric Creature]]
|Effect 250 = 100
|Value 260 = 260 - [[Pave over whatever the Tracklayers found|Suggesting the Union Pave Over a Prehistoric Creature]]
|Effect 260 = 100
|Value 270 = 270 - [[Vote extra funds to build around the anomalous block|Requesting Funds to Route Around an Anomalous Section of London]]
|Effect 270 = 100
|Value 280 = 280 - [[Propose a Red Science solution that would remove the anomalous block|Proposing to Drive the Track through the Zone]]
|Effect 280 = 260
|Value 340 = 340 - [[Accept the Bishop of Southwark's argument for an emphatically mission-oriented charter|Proposing a Charter engaging in the Work of the Church]]
|Effect 340 = 100
|Value 400 = 400 - [[Vote a dividend to the shareholders|Proposing to Pay Dividends to Shareholders]]
|Effect 400 = 100
|Value 500 = 500 - [[Suggest a detour through Parabola|Proposing a Bypass through Parabola]]
|Effect 500 = 500
|Value 510 = 510 - [[Plan to hire Hellworms and drill through rock that way|Proposing the Rental of Hellworms]]
|Effect 510 = 100
|Value 520 = 520 - [[Plan the next route through former battlefields|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell]]
|Effect 520 = 240
|Value 521 = 521 - [[Support Feducci's motion regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following Feducci's Guidance]]
|Effect 521 = 240
|Value 522 = 522 - [[Support April's motion regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following April's Guidance]]
|Effect 522 = 400
|Value 523 = 523 - [[Support Virginia's motion regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following Virginia's Guidance]]
|Effect 523 = 0
|Value 525 = 525 - [[Support the motion of the Bishop of Southwark regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following the Bishop of Southwark's Guidance]]
|Effect 525 = 240
|Value 526 = 526 - [[Support His Amused Lordship's motion regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following His Amused Lordship's Guidance]]
|Effect 526 = 0
|Value 527 = 527 - [[Support the motion of the Wandering Gondolier regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following the Wandering Gondolier's Guidance]]
|Effect 527 = 380
|Value 528 = 528 - [[Support Cornelius' motion regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following Cornelius' Guidance]]
|Effect 528 = 100
|Value 529 = 529 - [[Support the Viscountess' motion regarding a route to Moulin|Proposing to Venture into the Former Battlefields Around Hell, following the Viscountess' Guidance]]
|Effect 529 = 100
|Value 700 = 700 - [[Propose that the Unyielding Highlander become Castellan of Balmoral|Proposing that the Unyielding Highlander become Castellan of Balmoral]]
|Effect 700 = 0
|Value 710 = 710 - [[Propose September become Castellan of Balmoral|Proposing that September become Castellan of Balmoral]]
|Effect 710 = 440
|Value 720 = 720 - [[Propose the Fervent Widow become Castellan of Balmoral|Proposing that the Fervent Widow become Castellan of Balmoral]]
|Effect 720 = 400
|Value 800 = 800 - [[Appoint (a Tracklayer) in Furnace's place|Proposing a tracklayer aligned with Mr Fires]]
|Effect 800 = 0
|Value 850 = 850 - [[Appoint Cornelius in Furnace's place|Proposing Cornelius to lead]]
|Effect 850 = 500
|Value 905 = 905 - [[Propose that the Dean of Xenotheology become Patron of the Burrow Church|Proposing the Dean of Xenotheology as Patron of the Burrow Church]]
|Effect 905 = 100
|Value 910 = 910 - [[Propose that the Bishop of St Fiacre's become Patron of the Burrow Church|Proposing the Bishop of St Fiacre's as Patron of the Burrow Church]]
|Effect 910 = 100
|Value 931 = 931 - [[Vote a new set of concessions to the Union|Resuming Normal Operations with Furnace in Charge]]
|Effect 931 = 420
|Value 932 = 932 - [[Vote on Cornelius' plan to build a Tracklaying Beast|Supporting Cornelius' Prehistoricist Building Approach]]
|Effect 932 = 260
|Value 933 = 933 - [[Vote on new illumination for the stations|Supporting a Brightly-Lit Building Approach]]
|Effect 933 = 100
|Value 934 = 934 - [[Vote a package of measures intended to get work to resume|Proposing a Package of Measures to Resume Normal Operations]]
|Effect 934 = 100
|Value 940 = 940 - [[Propose special consideration to certain charitable groups|Proposing special consideration to certain charitable groups]]
|Effect 940 = 240
|Value 941 = 941 - [[Propose paying a dividend to the poor of the Hinterlands|Proposing a dividend be paid out to the poor of the Hinterlands]]
|Effect 941 = 240
|Value 1000 = 1000 - [[Propose a costly but effective tribute to Hillchanger Tower|Proposing an expensive tribute to the Hillchanger Tower]]
|Effect 1000 = 500
|Value 1010 = 1010 - [[Accept a proposal from those board members with a non-human perspective|Proposing an inhuman tribute to the Hillchanger Tower]]
|Effect 1010 = 480
|Value 1020 = 1020 - [[Accept a proposal from those board members aligned with a month|Proposing a calendrical tribute to the Hillchanger Tower]]
|Effect 1020 = 620
|Value 1100 = 1100 - Proposing to send your train to war in Parabola<br/>([[Propose you deploy your train in the Parabolan War on behalf of Cats|Cats]], [[Propose you deploy your train in the Parabolan War on behalf of Fingerkings|FKs]], [[Propose you deploy your train in your Parabolan War campaign for the Ophidian Gentleman|Gent]], [[Propose you deploy your train in the Parabolan War for the Viscountess|Visc.]], [[Propose you deploy your train in the Parabolan War|Other]])
|Effect 1100 = 400 (Cats)<br>500 (Visc.)<br>540 (Other)
|Value 1110 = 1110 - [[Suggest building a spur line into Parabola|Proposing to build a spur line into Parabola so that you can send in a war-train]]
|Effect 1110 = 500
}}
==Success Text==
{{Variant table
|Condition = Question before the Board |Condition alias = Question|Compact = yes
<noinclude>|Condition type = Raw</noinclude>
|Effect = [[Persuade the Wry Functionary/Tables|Success Description]]
|Value 1 = "A costly but possibly sensible endeavour," says the Wry Functionary. "Her Majesty's government might approach the problem along much the same lines." This constitutes, you know, as close as you'll get to approbation from the Functionary.
|Value 2 = "An insalubrious neighbourhood," observes the Wry Functionary. "I doubt it will be missed."
|Value 3 = "The dampness of the territory cannot be considered a merit," remarks the Wry Functionary. "But there may be a dearth of suitable alternatives."
|Value 4 = "The terrain presents a suitably level surface," remarks the Wry Functionary. "Any hill or gradient adds substantially, I believe, to the costs of construction."
|Value 5 = "It is a shame to have to expend so much effort on steep terrain," says the Wry Functionary. "But perhaps we have no choice."
|Value 7 = "I have the gravest misgivings," […] "Consider the dangers of construction, and the further dangers should the bridge give way […]! Our fellow governments on the Surface have seen some terrible disasters in terrains such as this […]
|Value 9 = "It is dangerous ground, but there is no ground that is not dangerous, […] He has become increasingly sanguine about risks as the tracks are more and more remote from London, and word of any disaster less and less likely to come back to the […] Palace.
|Value 10 = "Perhaps someone with a more serious cast of mind […] would be better suited […]"

At the last board meeting, His Amused Lordship asked the Wry Functionary to please stop droning on […] this […] has formed […] a mild but persistent resentment.
|Value 11 = "The Commissioner. Yes." […] an admirable and devoted public servant, with […] a long experience in dealing with the Masters.

[…]

"In recent times, however, […] she is unable to consider any proposal except through the lens of a very particular concern."
|Value 12 = "Yes," says the Wry Functionary tersely. He does not expand on the vote. He does not need to. He has a number of grievances with the Contrarian: his flippancy, his arguments, his disregard for the rules of order.
|Value 13 = "Our former Mayor does bring a unusual and valued perspective […] However, she has a plethora of personal political opponents, and […] her controversial reputation […] Our way might be smoother if fewer of our directors engaged in public brangling."
|Value 14 = "The boardroom," says the Wry Functionary austerely, "is no place for a lance."
|Value 15 = "Our former Lord Mayor did a great deal for the GHR […] she could not transform London's souls overnight […] the Wry Functionary does not admire those who are popularly elected nearly as much as those who run an efficient administration […]
|Value 16 = "Furnace is an impressive person," admits the Wry Functionary. "But her natural environment, one cannot help feeling, is out on the Neath alongside the tracklayers, just as an Admiral's natural place might be aboard ship and not in an office."
|Value 17 = "The Dean's intelligence is beyond question, but she is focused on impractical matters," says the Wry Functionary. "She might be better placed where she can continue work on her manuscripts."
|Value 18 = […] I don't see the Railway's mission is primarily ecclesiastical […] Are there any great theological debates in laying down track? Do we find any saints in the wilderness?" […] a very likely contingency, but it does not stop the Wry Functionary […]
|Value 19 = "The Bishop of Southwark is a very volatile person," […] "London's relationship to Hell is in a delicate state just at the moment – in fact, when is it ever in any other state? – and Southwark's influence might complicate matters."
|Value 20 = The Wry Functionary frowns […]. "Can we be sure we are even properly understanding our tentacled friend's contributions […]? Are we really able to make the most of his eccentric perspective? […] is it right of us to take up so much of his valuable time?"
|Value 21 = "The Shuttered Palace takes a dim view of the Widow and her activities," says the Wry Functionary. "She is a menace to London, and should not be entertained here."
|Value 22 = […] Her Enduring Majesty takes a personal interest in the work of this board member – by reputation, if not through any direct communication. Those considerations do not mean that we need to continue employing her on the board, however."
|Value 23 = "The members of this board really should possess a certain gravitas and level of seniority," says the Wry Functionary. "And in that respect, I do not feel our young colleague is ready for the position to which he was so unexpectedly elevated."
|Value 24 = "It seems to me that the young man has a distractingly large number of duties already," says the Wry Functionary. "His ability to concentrate on the board must be very limited."
|Value 26 = "Her title," says the Wry Functionary fastidiously, "was not bestowed on her by Her Enduring Majesty."
|Value 27 = "I shall do just as our Rubbery friend would do, and vote yes," says the Wry Functionary.
|Value 28 = "His contributions to any given debate are certainly more alarming than illuminating," admits the Wry Functionary.
|Value 29 = "Cornelius is a trouble-maker," […] "Questionable learning, a great deal of misplaced daring, and a number of romantic notions that are wholly incorrect. If it were in my power, I would return him to the Tomb Colonies on a permanent basis."
|Value 30 = "Throw her out," […] "I don't know who let her in […] but they cannot have properly investigated her views. Have you seen the publications she wrote, while she was still in […] Benthic?" At this, he produces from his case a dossier fully two inches thick.
|Value 32 = "She's pleasant, but a bit unusual," acknowledges the Wry Functionary. "Her views may cause us some difficulty."
|Value 33 = The Functionary shudders, and gives his vote. It is obvious he would rather say as little as possible about the Drummer. Perhaps he would be happiest not acknowledging that such a thing even exists.
|Value 35 = "If it means we're allowed a glass of something at meetings, it will make the entire business of the board much more pleasant," says the Wry Functionary.
|Value 37 = "One always has the feeling that she is in the act of gathering blackmail material," says the Wry Functionary. "It is an uncomfortable sensation to have on the board."
|Value 100 = "It appears adequate to its function. Not handsome, but we wouldn't expect it to compete with the buildings in London."
|Value 105 = "There is much to be said for being properly defended," says the Wry Functionary. "Or so the Admiralty insists every time it orders more cannon."
|Value 115 = "It certainly makes an admirable attempt to conform to the local customs," says the Functionary. He plainly considers it to be in wretched taste.
|Value 120 = "It does speak to a certain, ah, commercial vitality. A bit like a covered market." The Wry Functionary pushes the plans away, but he is willing to vote Yes.
|Value 130 = "Now this is a more appropriate expression of London's presence in the distant Neath," says the Functionary, scrutinising the plans for the lion and unicorn escutcheon, and permitting himself the approximation of a smile.
|Value 140 = "A very disciplined and efficient design," says the Wry Functionary. "My compliments to the architect. It lacks grandeur, perhaps, but..."
|Value 150 = "A somewhat populist notion […] It should appeal to the nostalgic, the elderly, and those who have only imagined the Surface but hold it in high regard. But there are worse things than attracting that audience to the purchase of expedition tickets."
|Value 160 = The Wry Functionary tilts his head this way and that, staring at the proposed station plans. "Somewhat spartan," he finally opines. "But fitting for its environs."
|Value 170 = "A very proper, fitting, and suitable outcome," declares the Wry Functionary, inspecting the plans with evident satisfaction. That is to say, the line ends where it must, neither sooner nor later.
|Value 181 = "A subordinate city, in fact, to London," says the Wry Functionary. "This will certainly cause the smallest amount of administrative difficulty."
|Value 182 = "An admirable location," agrees the Wry Functionary. "The Magistracy will help them maintain law and order, and they'll have all the benefits of a ready water supply."
|Value 183 = "The handsome sight of Balmoral castle will be cheering to them," muses the Wry Functionary. "Otherwise, being so far out in the Neath, and so distant from any sign of civilisation, they might be prone to melancholy."
|Value 184 = […] There is paperwork involved in getting close to Station VIII; and yet it is paperwork not issued by the Wry Functionary's department, or by the Shuttered Palace at all. […] But after a little reflection, he appears to conclude that it will suit.
|Value 185 - 187 = "It is very far out," says the Wry Functionary, […]. "But not so far that Her Majesty's influence and patronage cannot extend there." This way of looking at things has surely not occurred to the tracklayers, and would not be welcome to them if it had.
|Value 200 = "The Neath is a dangerous place," says the Wry Functionary. "It's wise to be prepared for it."
|Value 205 = "Anything of an ''illegal'' nature, of course, we wouldn't want to encourage," says the Wry Functionary, tapping his upper lip […] "But even legitimate organisations now and then have reasons to transport things without drawing undue attention to them."
|Value 210 = "These are costly upgrades, but they will pay for themselves […] The Wry Functionary caps his argument with an anecdote about being seated next to a Baron at the opera. […] would certainly not have taken place if the opera offered only wooden seats […]
|Value 220, 230 = "I suppose we have no good alternative," says the Functionary morosely.
|Value 240 = "It is unfortunate.[…] But there is an order to things, and we take a serious risk with the fabric of society when we ignore it. Some of us are old enough to remember, a little, the chaos just after the Fall. One cannot resume such a situation as that!"
|Value 250 = "I suppose it is not so much money, after all," says the Functionary, obviously straining himself to see your side of the matter.
|Value 260 = "Better not to distract ourselves from the work of building the railway," says the Functionary. "What good would it do us, anyhow?"
|Value 270, 280 = The Functionary votes yes, though with some dark comments on the Admiralty and the problems it sometimes causes for hard-working civil servants.
|Value 400 = "It is best to do these things on a regular schedule," the Wry Functionary remarks, without enquiring into when they were last issued.
|Value 500 = […] "The land beyond the mirrors […] should be treated with due caution […] though in saying this, I would not wish to […] place a negative or adversarial construction upon […] the court of Her Enduring Majesty […]"<p>The Board Secretary writes this down as a Yes.
|Value 510 = "I will vote in favour on the condition that trained and competent hellworm handlers are provided," […] "With affidavits and sufficient insurance to cover the loss of the tracks with all the workers."
The Board Secretary makes a note of these clauses […]
|Value 700 = "A wise choice," he says. "Indeed, likely the only one that the Shuttered Palace wishes to see."
|Value 710 - 720 = "If we must," he says. But it is clear he would prefer the Unyielding Highlander for the position, and is going along now only for calculated motives of his own.
|Value 800 = "He'll do, for the present," says the Wry Functionary. "Perhaps we could regard it merely as an 'acting' appointment."
|Value 850 = "I can only suppose that my colleagues have proposed him out of rank curiosity as to what he will do," says the Wry Functionary. "It is clear that calm heads will not prevail here. So I vote yes, if I must."
|Value 905, 910 = The Wry Functionary waves this through without comment. The theological and parish-political nuances of the affair do not concern him.
|Value 1000 = "This arrangement has the benefit of being easily understood and framed in human terms," […] "It is not a good idea to enter into contracts based on other forms of Neathy law and culture." From his tone, he has encountered such cases before […]
|Value 1010 = "I will vote yes, though with some reluctance and concern," says the Wry Functionary. "I cannot help feeling that we are entering into an arrangement without perfectly understanding either the bargain or the bargain-makers."
|Value 1020 = "I will vote yes […] But I am deeply troubled by the tone and spirit in which this document was drawn up. It seems to reveal a reforming zeal – or worse – and I would be very sorry indeed to see any further arrangements […] formulated in such terms."
|Value 1030 = "It is a complex but understandable arrangement," says the Wry Functionary. "I applaud the parties who helped to draw it up." {{Wiki Note|Retired}}
|Value 1100 - 1110 = "Traditionally matters of outright war are left to another department," […] "But one might interpret the present question as more a matter of logistics and supply, placing it properly within the duties of a civil servant. I will vote Yes on that basis."
}}
==Failure Text==
{{Variant table
|Condition = Question before the Board |Condition alias = Question|Compact = yes
<noinclude>|Condition type = Raw</noinclude>
|Effect = [[Persuade the Wry Functionary/Tables|Failure Description]]
|Value 1 = "A costly approach, but there are times when circumstances justify the outlay. We might undertake an independent commission, if there are any doubts about the practicalities; it would not extend the project, I imagine, by more than a year or two..."
|Value 2, 3, 9 = "I am no expert in rails, although of course I was called upon to investigate the state of some building from the earliest days just before the Fall. On the basis of that question, I must ask whether the proposed terrain is sufficiently ''level'' […]"
|Value 4 = "It might be a plain," admits the Wry Functionary, unable on this occasion to draw any very dire conclusions from a […] map. "On the other hand, one has heard dismaying things about the grasses there, and their effect on the health of the tracklayers."
|Value 5 = "Hills," says the Wry Functionary, "are expensive to build over, and even more expensive to remove."
|Value 7 = "That is not ''Henlys Gorge'' we are proposing to build over, I hope," says the Wry Functionary, voice lowered. When he is assured that this ravine is not Henlys Gorge, however, he does not look very much more comfortable than he did before.
|Value 10 = "His Amused Lordship has impeccable social credentials," observes the Wry Functionary. "It would be a great pain to lose him and the access that he represents."
|Value 11 = "She was placed with us by the Masters and the Bazaar," says the Wry Functionary. "That is a relationship which is best not overly strained."
|Value 12 = "For board stability, we should keep him," says the Wry Functionary in a strangulated voice. He obviously does not relish the prospect, but he can be high-minded at need.
|Value 13 - 19, 21, 23, 37 = "Maintaining a consistent vision on the board is important," says the Wry Functionary. "No serious civil service project ever takes on anyone for a period of less than five years. We would be well-advised to place a similar premium on stability."
|Value 20 = "Maintaining a consistent vision on the board is important," says the Wry Functionary. "As is keeping one's investors in a positive frame of mind."
|Value 22 = "There are reasons," says the Wry Functionary slowly, "why Her Enduring Majesty takes a personal interest in the work of this board member – by reputation, if not through any direct communication."
|Value 24 = "His turns of speech do enliven the meetings," says the Wry Functionary. "One savours his unusual mode of expression."
|Value 26 = "There are powerful forces within the Palace who would be displeased […] better not to go into detail – the affairs of the Duchess should not be too casually revealed. But while I sympathise […] I would very likely be taken to task over her dismissal."
|Value 27 = "It requires a little janitorial attention whenever it vacates its seat," says the Wry Functionary. "But otherwise it is no burden to this board. Let's allow it to stay, and turn our attention to more serious concerns."
|Value 28 = "Nonsense," […] "It's plain that the boy is scarred – perhaps even somewhat disturbed. But I can't help thinking these meetings are a help to him. Calm, regular, human presence, and a plate of tea-cakes. Does him a world of good."
|Value 29 = "I don't care for him," […] "But I do pity him. He was badly broken; it is one of those affairs of the heart that never ends well in London. As for his actions, it might be easier to keep an eye on him if we are in regular contact."
|Value 30 = "Keep your enemies close," says the Wry Functionary. "She is a danger, and I would prefer not to be involved with her in any respect. But if she is here, then we know where she is."
|Value 32, 35 = "She is not doing any harm," says the Wry Functionary. "And we should not be in a hurry to make changes unless there is some positive reason to do so."
|Value 33 = The Wry Functionary's face goes entirely still. "I do not wish to vote for this," he says. "Please leave me out of it."
|Value 100 = "It looks a bit tumble-down," remarks the Wry Functionary dubiously.
|Value 105 = "It is ill-advised to prepare for a war one does not wish or intend to fight," says the Wry Functionary. "It sends the wrong message."
|Value 115 = "It is garish and distasteful in the extreme," says the Wry Functionary. "Nor can I imagine such imitations to be a welcome form of flattery, from Hell's perspective."
|Value 140, 150 = The Wry Functionary loses no time in pronouncing the proposed plans hideous and unfitting a company with any regard for its own dignity.
|Value 160 = The Wry Functionary is unconvinced of the benefits of laying track through a frozen wasteland, but he won't explicit why.
|Value 170 = "Does it not require a little more review?" asks the Wry Functionary. He sounds like a man playing a part on stage which he has not rehearsed and whose purpose he does not quite understand.
|Value 181 = "Certainly not," […] "It would cause overcrowding, and complicate the administration […] He has a good deal to add […] No one is listening by the time he finishes, but there is an atmosphere of silent respect for the Functionary's staying power.
|Value 182 = "I hate to raise the point," […] "But as that particular region is of special interest to the Creditor, […] I wonder whether it might not be ill-advised to, ah, trespass? I think we could find another locale that might be deemed more suitable."
|Value 183 = "Don't we think it is a trifle disrespectful to put persons of, shall we say, a naturally rebellious character, in a place which still in essence belongs to the Royal Family?"
|Value 185 - 187 = "Much too far from London," pronounces the Wry Functionary. He is willing to admit that someone might, for some reason, wish to visit that district – why else have a railway, after all? But living there? That is certainly beyond contemplation.
|Value 205 = "I have doubts about whether there is any legitimate purpose behind this proposal," says the Wry Functionary. "To me, it looks like the groundwork for a smuggling operation."
|Value 220 = "That would be a highly unorthodox arrangement. No other business in London extends itself so far for its workers."
|Value 230 = "That would be a highly unorthodox arrangement. No other business in London extends itself so far for its workers. And we would not want to be responsible […] by establishing the example that workers should revolt against all their employers […]
|Value 270, 280 = The Wry Functionary raises doubts about the costs and difficulties of the project. You have the sense that the anomalous block displeases him on aesthetic grounds.
|Value 400 = "In the present budgetary conditions, I believe it would be unwise," says the Functionary.
|Value 500 = "There is some light that should not draw us closer," says the Wry Functionary.
|Value 510 = "If there is any truth in names," says the Wry Functionary, "then I strenuously advise against engaging the services of anything entitled 'hellworm'."
|Value 710 - 720 = "One would prefer a Castellan with a stronger sense of allegiance to Her Enduring Majesty," observes the Wry Functionary.
|Value 850 = "I would prefer a more sober-minded individual," says the Wry Functionary. "One less engaged with fantastical theories. What if he halts tracklaying in order to dig up some new creature out in the wastelands?"
|Value 931, 933 - 934 = "Ideally, no such concessions would be required," the Wry Functionary says. "We should not encourage the Tracklayers to indulge in such manipulative tactics."
|Value 932 = "It sets a rather dangerous precedent,"  [...] an anecdote about requisitioning slips [...] Some members [...] object that this is an unrelated matter and that the Prehistoricists are working on a scientific project. The Functionary remarks, "So was the Admiralty," [...]
|Value 1000 = "This will have the very worst effect on out coffers," says the Wry Functionary. "I cannot advocate for it."
|Value 1010 = "I cannot tell what half the clauses here are about," says the Wry Functionary. "And as to the rest, I can only regret having understood them. They are not edifying; they do not reflect a sound scientific understanding, in my view."
|Value 1020 = The Wry Functionary refuses to vote for […] 'the work of a set of anarchists'. There is a passing reference to the Captivating Princess amongst his complaints […] when others […] ask him to expand […] he goes silent, and even more grumpy than before.
|Value 1030 = "Absolutely not," the Wry Functionary says. "This document is an incomprehensible tangle and no one in their right senses would sign it." {{Wiki Note|Retired}}
|Value 1100 - 1110 = "There might be advantages," says the Wry Functionary. "But then again, we might throw off certain delicately balanced alliances."
}}