Editing Spending Secrets and Counting the Days (Guide)

{{GuideFor|Pages = Secrets and Spending#Counting the Days#A Pocketful of Loose Change#Mark of Credit Page#}}
{{Audience|EarlyMYN}}[[File:Clock.png|right]]
{{ActivitySummary
|Activity=Counting the Days
|Length=Fixed
|Starting Actions=0
|Progress Actions=21
|Ending Actions=1
|Progress Details=Raise {{IL|Counting the Days}} to 14 and {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change}} to 0/4/7, depending on the target reward. Must be done multiple times to obtain more complex rewards.
|Output Items=*{{IL|Fistful of Surface Currency}}
*{{IL|First City Coin}}
*{{IL|Mark of Credit Page}}
*'''1 Mark:'''
**{{IL|Favours: Constables}}
**{{IL|Favours: The Church}}
**{{IL|Favours: Society}}
**{{IL|Connected: Benthic}}
**{{IL|Connected: Summerset}}
**{{IL|Intriguing Snippet}}
**{{IL|Favours: The Docks}}
**{{IL|Favours: Urchins}}
**{{IL|Favours: The Great Game}}
**{{IL|Favours: Bohemians}}
**{{IL|Compromising Document}}
**{{IL|Favours: Criminals}}
**{{IL|Favours: Tomb-Colonies}}
**{{IL|Favours: Hell}}
**{{IL|Favours: Revolutionaries}}
|Raw EPA = 1.50
}}


==Starting out with Spending Secrets==
There are two ways to meet the Numismatrix:
*Wait to draw the [[The Numismatrix 2|The Numismatrix]] card 
*At your [[Your Lodgings|lodgings]], [[FIND NEW STORIES: Chat with the Local Gossip|chat with the local gossip]] about [[The Numismatrix]]
This will set {{IL|Spending Secrets}} to 1. Progressing to {{IL|Spending Secrets}} 3 unlocks the [[Choosing a Side]] card, where you choose one of all the factions in London to be aligned with. Spending Secrets increases to 4.
==The quickest way to get Counting the Days (CtD) to level 14==
This is best done if you are [[Closest To -|closest to]] the Bohemians or The Great Game, you've opened up [[Wolfstack Docks]], [[The Shuttered Palace]], [[The Forgotten Quarter]] and [[The University]], you're still in possession of your soul, and you have at least one point of [[Master Thief]].

Characters that don't meet some of those requirements will need to use opportunity cards to account for the [[Counting the Days|CtD]] that they're missing.


==='''Any CtD level'''===
All characters can use their faction-specific cards to get 5 CtD and 2 [[A Pocketful of Loose Change|Loose Change]]. Since this gives more Loose Change than other actions this may be preferable to characters with low Loose Change. These factions are:
*[[The Demi-Monde: Bohemians|Bohemians]]: [[In passing]]
*[[Altars and Alms-Houses: the Church|Church]]: [[An unusual hat for a church official]]
*[[Court and Cell: the Constables|Constables]]: [[The list of stolen goods]]
*[[The Alleys of London: the Criminals|Criminals]]: [[Penny for your thoughts]]
*[[Burning Shadows: the Devils of London|Hell]]: [[A quiet chat over sherry and souls]]
*[[Gunpowder and Zeal: the Revolutionaries|Revolutionaries]]: [[Taking a walk down gin lane]]
*[[By the River's Side: the Docks|The Docks]]: [[Loaded down]]
*[[Whispers from the Surface: The Great Game|The Great Game]]: [[Just borrowing a shovel]]
*[[Bandages and Dust: The Tomb-Colonies|Tomb Colonists]]: [[Attend a very private lecture]]
*[[Park and Palace: Society|Society]]: [[Coffee and exclamation]]
*[[The Roof-Tops: Urchins|Urchins]]: [[Listen to a song the Fisher Kings sing in the high places]]
In addition you may get 2 CP of Loose Change (but no CtD) from '''a smaller bazaar''' on [[The Awful Temptation of Money]] card.
{{Options|A smaller bazaar}}
You may also get 5 CP of CtD (but no Loose Change) from '''Watch from a distance''' on [[A day at the races]] card.
{{Options|Watch from a distance}}

==='''CtD under level 6''' (5 x 5 CP)===
If you're Closest To: [[Closest To: Bohemians|Bohemians]], [[Closest To: Criminals|Criminals]], [[Closest To: Hell|Hell]], [[Closest To: Revolutionaries|Revolutionaries]], [[Closest To: Rubbery Men|Rubbery Men]], [[Closest To: The Docks|The Docks]], [[Closest To: The Great Game|The Great Game]], [[Closest To: Tomb-Colonists|Tomb Colonists]], or [[Closest To: Urchins|Urchins]] you can '''dice for secrets and coins''' at the [[Dice games on the quayside|docks]]. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
{{Options|Dicing for secrets and coins}}
[[Closest To: Urchins|Urchins]] can also '''listen to the Fisher-Kings''' in [[Fun with the Fisher-Kings|the Flit]].
{{Options|Listen to them}}


If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:<br />
If you've met the {{IL|Acquaintance: the Regretful Soldier|Appearance=Regretful Soldier}} you can wait for [[A Visit]] and '''take him to the theatre''':
{{Options|Take him to the theatre}}
If your {{IL|Nightmares}} are level 3 or above you can '''read a calming book''' or '''take some honey with a friend''' from [[A Moment's Peace]].
{{Options|Read a calming book}}
{{Options|Take some honey with a friend}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Scandal}} you can '''ensure a moral afternoon is appreciated''' from [[An Afternoon of Good Deeds?]].
{{Options|Quite a moral afternoon. Let's make sure it's appreciated.}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Suspicion}} and 10 [[Infernal Contract]]s you can '''unleash Baseborn & Fowlingpiece''' from [[The Law's Long Arm]].
{{Options|Unleash Baseborn & Fowlingpiece}}
All others may '''look at those coins''' from [[An unusual wager]] card.
{{Options|Look at those coins}}

==='''CtD level 6 to 9''' (6 x 5 CP)===
If you're Closest To: [[Closest To: Bohemians|Bohemians]], [[Closest To: The Church|The Church]], [[Closest To: The Constables|The Constables]], [[Closest To: The Duchess|The Duchess]], [[Closest To: The Great Game|The Great Game]], [[Closest To: The Masters of the Bazaar|The Masters]], [[Closest To: The University|The University]], or [[Closest To: Society|Society]] you can {{IL|Seeking Curios and Secrets in the Forgotten Quarter|Appearance=speak to an Aristocratic Academic}} inside [[Seeking Curios and Secrets in the Forgotten Quarter|The Forgotten Quarter]]. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
{{Options|Speak to an Aristocratic Academic}}

If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:<br />
If you've met the {{IL|Acquaintance: the Repentant Forger|Appearance=Repentant Forger}} you can wait for [[A Visit]] and mind his '''old habits'''.
{{Options|Old habits}}
If your {{IL|Nightmares}} are level 3 or above you can indulge in '''mysticism and mesmerism''' from [[A Moment's Peace]].
{{Options|Mysticism and mesmerism}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Suspicion}} you can '''lay a false trail''' from [[The Law's Long Arm]].
{{Options|Lay a false trail}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Wounds}} and are Closest To: [[Closest To: Bohemians|Bohemians]], [[Closest To: The Church|The Church]], [[Closest To: The Constables|The Constables]], [[Closest To: The Duchess|The Duchess]], [[Closest To: The Masters of the Bazaar|The Masters]], [[Closest To: The University|The University]], or [[Closest To: Society|Society]] you can join '''an exclusive dinner party''' on the [[A Restorative]] card.
{{Options|An exclusive dinner party}}
All others may '''look at those coins''' from [[An unusual wager]] card.
{{Options|Look at those coins}}

==='''CtD level 10 to 11''' (5 x 5 CP)===
Unless you've [[Your very own Infernal Contract|lost your soul]], you can {{IL|An unusual competition|Appearance=talk about something else}} at [[An unusual competition|The Shuttered Palace]]. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
{{Options|Talk about something else}}

If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:<br />
If you've met the {{IL|Acquaintance: the Sardonic Music-Hall Singer|Appearance=Sardonic Music-Hall Singer}} you can wait for [[A Visit]] and '''go with her to a gambling-house'''.
{{Options|Go with her to a gambling-house}}
If you have level 1 {{IL|Nightmares}} and level 10 CtD you '''ask someone else what they saw''' from the [[City Vices: Orthographic Infection]] card. This action always gives 5 CtD and either 1 or 2 Loose Change.
{{Options|Ask someone else what they saw}}
If your {{IL|Nightmares}} are level 3 or above (you may wear Nightmares raising equipment) you can do some '''physical exercise and exertion''' from [[A Moment's Peace]]. This action gives 5 CtD and no Loose Change.
{{Options|Physical exercise and exertion}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Scandal}}, '''hiding from those who would hound you''' on [[An Afternoon of Good Deeds?]] gives 5 CtD and no Loose Change.
{{Options|Hide from those who would hound you}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Wounds}}, '''the Itinerant Physician''' from the [[A Restorative]] card will give you 5 CtD and no loose change in exchange for 75 [[Shard of Glim]].
{{Options|The Itinerant Physician}}

==='''CtD level 12 to 13''' (5 x 5 CP)===
{{IL|Master Thief|Appearance=Master thieves}} can visit the [[Shadowy dealings at the University|University]] and '''talk about robbery'''. You may still do this storylet if you're [[Unwelcome at the University -]]. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
{{Options|Talk about robbery}}

If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:<br />
If you've met the {{IL|Acquaintance: the Wry Functionary|Appearance=Wry Functionary}} you can wait for [[A Visit]] and '''pop in while you're passing'''.
{{Options|Pop in while you're passing}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Scandal}} you can '''blame someone else for your sins''' from [[An Afternoon of Good Deeds?]]. This action gives 5 CtD no Loose Change.
{{Options|Blame someone else for your sins}}
If you have level 2 {{IL|Suspicion}} and are Closest To: [[Closest To: Bohemians|Bohemians]], [[Closest To: Criminals|Criminals]], [[Closest To: Hell|Hell]], [[Closest To: Revolutionaries|Revolutionaries]], [[Closest To: Rubbery Men|Rubbery Men]], [[Closest To: The Docks|The Docks]], [[Closest To: The Great Game|The Great Game]], [[Closest To: Tomb-Colonists|Tomb Colonists]], or [[Closest To: Urchins|Urchins]] you can '''make sure nobody is telling tales''' from [[The Law's Long Arm]].
{{Options|Make sure nobody is telling tales}}
If you have 2 {{IL|Wounds}} and are Closest To: [[Closest To: Criminals|Criminals]], [[Closest To: Hell|Hell]], [[Closest To: Revolutionaries|Revolutionaries]], [[Closest To: Rubbery Men|Rubbery Men]], [[Closest To: Tomb-Colonists|Tomb Colonists]], or [[Closest To: Urchins|Urchins]] you '''can be unwise''' from [[A Restorative]] card. This action gives 5 CtD no Loose Change.
{{Options|Can you be so unwise?}}

==='''Conclusion'''===
If you didn't use opportunity cards in any of the above steps, you'd need to spend 21 actions to get to level 14 {{IL|Counting the Days|Appearance=CtD}}. This will also give you 21 CP of {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|Appearance=Loose Change}}, bringing you to level 6 (if you started at level 0).

[[Buy a Mark of Credit Page from the Numismatrix|Buying a Mark of Credit Page from the Numismatrix]] costs only 7 CP of [[A Pocketful of Loose Change|Loose Change]], but is only available at level 7. This means that unless you already have some points of [[A Pocketful of Loose Change|Loose Change]], or are willing to [[Chancing a Mark|chance a Mark]], or simply need the [[Counting the Days|CtD]] for [[Secrets and Spending|something else]], you'll need to use opportunity cards.

==Rewards==
Reaching Counting the Days 14 unlocks the [[Secrets and Spending]] card, which allows you to choose one of the following, all resetting {{IL|Counting the Days|Appearance = CtD}}:
<div class="table-container">
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Action
!Requirements
!Cost
!Reward
!Note
|-
|[[A sack of coins]]
|
| -
|{{IL|Fistful of Surface Currency|Size=30px|333 x}}
|
|-
|[[Fencing certain coins]]
|
|{{IL|Favours: Criminals|Size=30px|3 x}}
|{{IL|First City Coin|Size=30px|20 x}} 
|
|-
|[[Buy a Mark of Credit Page from the Numismatrix|Buy a Mark of Credit Page]]
|{{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|Size=30px|Appearance=Loose Change}} 7
|7 CP {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|Size=30px|Appearance=Loose Change}}
|{{IL|Mark of Credit Page|Size=30px|1 x}} 
|used to get the advanced rewards
|-
|[[Chancing a Mark]]
| {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|Size=30px|Appearance=Loose Change}} 4 
| all {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|Size=30px|Appearance=Loose Change}}
| 70% {{IL|Luck|Size=30px|Appearance=chance}} of a {{IL|Mark of Credit Page|Size=30px|1 x}}
| -10 CP {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|Size=30px|Appearance=Loose Change}} and {{IL|Proscribed Material|Size=30px|40 x}} on failure
|-
|[[Find a decent home for your Mark of Credit Page|Find a decent home]]
|<ref name=":0">Only available if you're [[Closest To -]] any of the factions the Favours this option provides belong to.</ref>
|{{IL|Mark of Credit Page|Size=30px|1 x}} 
|{{TableList
| {{IL|Bottle of Morelways 1872|Size=30px|120 x}} 
| {{IL|Favours: Constables|Size=30px|1 x}}
| {{IL|Favours: The Church|Size=30px|1 x}}
| {{IL|Favours: Society|Size=30px|1 x}}
| {{IL|Connected: Benthic|Size=30px|Appearance=Benthic}} (+10 CP)
| {{IL|Connected: Summerset|Size=30px|Appearance=Summerset}} (+10 CP)
}}
|Approximately {{E}}13.20 in value, plus the Benthic/Summerset connections
|-
|[[Find a hard-working home for your Mark of Credit Page|Find a hard-working home]]
| <ref name=":0" />
|{{IL|Mark of Credit Page|Size=30px|1 x}} 
|{{TableList
| {{IL|Intriguing Snippet|Size=30px|60 x}}
| {{IL|Favours: The Docks|Size=30px|1 x}}
| {{IL|Favours: Urchins|Size=30px|1 x}}
| {{IL|Favours: The Great Game|Size=30px|1 x}}
| {{IL|Favours: Bohemians|Size=30px|1 x}}
}}
|Approximately {{E}}28 in value
|-
|[[Find an unusual home for your Mark of Credit Page|Find an unusual home]]
|<ref name=":0" /><ref>Also available when closest to Rubbery Men.</ref>
| {{IL|Mark of Credit Page|Size=30px|1 x}} 
|{{TableList
| {{IL|Compromising Document|Size=30px|50 x}}
| {{IL|Favours: Criminals|1 x|Size=30px}}
| {{IL|Favours: Tomb-Colonies|1 x|Size=30px}}
| {{IL|Favours: Hell|1 x|Size=30px}}
| {{IL|Favours: Revolutionaries|1 x|Size=30px}}
}}
|Approximately {{E}}41 in value
|-
|[[Obtain an Iron Republic Safe-Conduct 1|Obtain an Iron Republic Safe-Conduct]]<ref>Can also be [[Obtain an Iron Republic Safe-Conduct 2|aquired in your Lodgings]]. This option doesn't reset [[Counting the Days]], but also doesn't provide the economical rewards.</ref>
| {{IL|Brass Ring|Size=30px|1 x}}, {{IL|Renown: Hell|Size=30px}} 10
| {{IL|Mark of Credit Page|Size=30px|3 x}} 
| {{TableList|{{IL|Iron Republic Safe-Conduct|Size=30px}}
|{{IL|Antique Mystery|2 x}}
|{{IL|Aeolian Scream|2 x}}
}}
| Required for traveling to the [[Iron Republic Streets|Iron Republic]]
|-
|[[Spend a Mark of Credit on something for yourself]]
|
|{{IL|Mark of Credit Page|Size=30px|5 x}} 
|{{IL|Consonant Violin|Size=30px}} 
|One of two [[Respectable]] weapons freely available year-round <ref>[[The Weighty Postlapsarian Romance]], available by trading a [[Bright Brass Skull]] to [[The Unsanctioned Relicker]], being the other. 5 Marks of Credit may or may not be easier to obtain than a {{e}}60 skull.</ref>; only obtainable once
|}

=== Strategy ===
Every player will at some point want to engage in Counting the Days at least as far as acquiring a [[Iron Republic Safe-Conduct|Safe-Conduct]], which requires at least four passes through the carousel. With no opportunity cards used, four cycles would total {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|+84 CP}} accumulated and {{IL|A Pocketful of Loose Change|-28 CP}} spent - the first pass would end slightly too low, at PoLC 6 rather than 7, so the actual net is +63 if done naively. Using opportunity cards to advance PoLC increases this surplus even further. Therefore it appears that PoLC is low-value, opportunities to advance CtD without PoLC are to be preferred, and in particular {{IL|The Awful Temptation of Money}} is a junk card which should never be used after the player has reached level 7 of PoLC.

The most profitable use of Marks of Credit is to {{IL|Find an unusual home for your Mark of Credit Page|Appearance=find an unusual home}}. In the long run, this averages slightly less than 1 EPA - 22 actions to acquire a Mark, 22 actions to return to {{IL|Secrets and Spending}} and redeem it for rewards. This is not competitive with available grinds. It can be improved somewhat by relying on opportunity cards - the Menace-reducing opportunity cards often have options that advance CtD and reduce Menaces, which increases the effective EPA. However, even if PoLC is considered free (likely, as described above), this is unlikely to surpass 1.5 EPA and so is not economically efficient for {{IL|PoSI}}. The only reason to do it is an aversion to having a large quantity of useless currency.
</div>
<references />[[Category:Guides]]