Perdurance

 is a port in the outer circle of Albion, located in the same segment as Worlebury-juxta-Mare.

=Log Entries= An artificial glow in your windows: carefully-engineered hues of dawn and afternoon and dusk. ''You approach Perdurance, where the brightest and most beautiful of London's youth are conserved like jewels in a glass case.  "I've heard no one grows old in Perdurance," a crewman says. "Nor hungers, nor sorrows," says another. "Nor leaves," your signaller adds.''

''A stoker explains Perdurance to the Eccentric. She is horrified. "They never grow old? They never change? Dazzled by the acoustics of the ship, the useless cat is serving as the soundtrack to your adventures. Perdurance. The Rat Brigade groom in anticipation of an encounter with nobility. Repentant Devil: "Nobles sell their souls to send their progeny here. What will they pay to leave?" The crew stand at the windows cooing at Perdurance's luxury. Only the Incautious Driver is unimpressed. The Fortunate Navigator sighs. "It reminds me of before we came to the Skies. Altan loved the spectacle. Never my thing, though." The Incognito Princess looks smug. "My mother chooses who comes here. And who stays." The Inconvenient Aunt sniffs. "Everyone: be on your best behaviour in Perdurance. Or there'll be Trouble." The Rat Brigade groom each other carefully, preparing to enter high society. The Signalman peers from the window at Perdurance. "Nice for them as can afford it, I suppose."''

=The Antechamber= ''Perdurance is a jewel in the Empire's crown. Here, time is mastered and the flower of the Empire's youth disport in eternal opulence. The dock gleams, continually polished by an array of dock hands-cum-butlers.''

Arriving at Perdurance
''On approach, Perdurance looks like an opulent mansion caught partway through a genteel explosion: each constituent set of rooms accounted for but separate and out of place. Each is connected in a rough circle by narrow, winding passages. The steep roofs are topped with shingled turrets and precarious towers. The elegantly disassembled country house perches on top of a soot-stained, windowless factory whose chimneys belch gouts of smoke and fire. ''

Trigger conditions

Acquainted with Perdurance ≤ 0,

Interactions

A Party Below Stairs
''Tonight, the service bells from above stairs go ignored. The staff has a couple of hours to itself; to dance, to sing, to trade stories of their 'betters'. The candlelit party lasts until the clock strikes midnight, and the butlers, maids and other staff intend to make the most of it.''

Trigger conditions

Date ≥ An Opportunity in Perdurance, An Opportunity in Perdurance ≥ 1

Interactions

The Parlour
''The windows in the parlour are shuttered, the light stained with pale yellows, blushing pinks and bruised violets. Lit with the illusion of dawn – or perhaps, dusk – you see: a room cluttered with stiff-backed armchairs and decorative chaises, set against savagely floral wallpaper in shades of burgundy, violet and brunswick green. A portrait of the Empress, unsmiling, hangs in an ornate gilt frame. A few visitors mill about, casting speculative glances at the Exasperated Butler while they pretend to examine the decor.''

Interactions

The Half-Light Masque: Morning
"Attended the Half-Light Masque(Morning) Dowagers of varying stateliness and aplomb take tea and converse in low tones. Other debutantes reply to correspondence, writing notes in elegant script and affixing them with sealing wax. Meanwhile, chaperones give orders to the servants and see to Perdurance's household accounts. "

Trigger conditions

Time Passing in Perdurance ≥ 10 ≤ 15,

Interactions

The Half-Light Masque: Afternoon
''Here, the curtains are pulled back with tasselled ropes, allowing the Clockwork Sun to spill its stark gold into the dining room. The long table is set with rows of gleaming china dinner plates, patterned with delicate florals. Silver cutlery, polished to a high shine, gleams atop a pristine tablecloth. Servants pour endless glasses of watered wine, or carry in the next in a stream of elaborate dishes.''

Trigger conditions

Time Passing in Perdurance ≥ 20 ≤ 25,

Interactions

The Half-Light Masque: Evening
''Hanging from the grand ballroom's ceiling is a vast ormolu gasolier, its spidery arms decked with cut-crystal drops. It casts soft yellow brightness onto the masqued dancers below, as they whirl across the polished parquet floor. Music blends with the hum of genteel conversation and the stiff swish of starched crinolines. The Half-Light Masque is in full swing: there is barely room to stand, much less move.''

Trigger conditions

Time Passing in Perdurance ≥ 30 ≤ 35,

Interactions

The End of the Day
"The procession emerges from the dark passageway into the dusky (or perhaps dawny) light of the parlour. Somewhere below, Perdurance's hour-looms labour to re-weave its perfect day. Soon, the sleepless debutantes will begin its morning anew. But first, someone approaches... " ''Game note: Spending the day at Perdurance reduces your Terror and – depending who you pleased and how much – may grant other rewards. ''

Trigger conditions

Time Passing in Perdurance ≥ 40 ≤ 40,

Interactions

Your Aunt is here!
''"Dear God. Somehow, she has found her way to the High Wilderness. She is trying to get your attention with the frantic waving of her horrible hat. "I know you've seen me. Listen – I've quite exhausted my possibilities here. I am a serviceable quartermaster, I have friends everywhere, and my scones are to die for. How's that for a curriculum vitae? Now, let me aboard." Is she even your real Aunt? Either way, you will have to deal with her. "'' ''Game note: Officers require a sign-on fee. ''

Trigger conditions

Learning about an Inconvenient Aunt ≤ 0, Your Aunt, the Revolutionary ≤ 0, Your Aunt, the Conspirator ≤ 0,

Interactions

=Shops=