A THIEF’S COMPENDIUM: THE COMPLETE REFERENCE

 

REFERENCE

NOTES

LOCATION

Bafford, Lord

Noble.  Interest in antiques.  Increased grocery budget by over 50% to account for Stonemarket shortages.  Intolerant of poor cuisine.  His comptroller at Dreckbourn cash pits is Ginny.  Contact between Ginny and Bafford seems to be Dominic.  Interests in “north districts” of City – unwilling to tolerate competition from Victoria.  Sent out Dominic to find information on Victoria for leverage in case she tried to settle in.  Some issue with Ramirez over debts – possible that Ramirez is seeking a debt from Bafford that he is unable to repay due to falling profits in cash pits.  Seeks to hire Dominic to protect him?  Pays approx. 1/5 of revenue from businesses to Ramirez – protection money?  Other debts?  Pays for girls shopping trips to Sunnyfair – girls are mistresses, daughters, sisters, friends?  Controls Dreckbourn, Fendon, Sunnyfair.  150 paid as debtor assist [meaning unknown].  Known to be concealing income from gambling houses.  Current master of guards is lax – previous one was more stringent in his duties.  Entry into manor via sewers.  Guards hired are slow and not very competent – lack of funds?

M2ants, M2cook, M2ginny, M2ledge, M2tax, M2tip1, M2tip2

Baron

Owed “duties” by Lord Bafford – and other nobles?  Personal interest in taxation, or is the term “Baron” used also as an implication of government?

M2tax

Basso

Firelighter.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 3, Cell 4].  Branding. 

M3b3

Bohn

Antiques delivered from.  City, country or region?

M2ants

Bonehoard

Site of the Horn of Quintus.  Legends say the dead walk there.

M3felix

Breach

Noun – a collapse of a criminal business due to intrusions by law and order e.g. Dreckbourn.

M2ledge

Brynveran, Lord

Penalised harshly for concealment of income.  Seems to be several years, even decades, ago.

M2tax

Cadge

Someone who acquires something through begging.  Ginny is a cadge, Issyt is a cadger.  This is not consistent with other evidence – perhaps a cadger is slang for a controller?

M2ginny

Cadger

Beggar?  Perhaps a slang for a controller or ‘fixer’?  Hammerite terminology?

M3b1

Carpenter, Brother

Hammerite guard at Cragscleft.  Reported a commotion [possibly Nammon escaping] to the west when repairing the stocks.  Are these normal stocks or something else?  Another example of a name being a title rather than an actual name? 

M3nammon

Cash pit

Informal – gambling den?  Contains dealers.

M2ledge

Cedric

Steward of Bafford’s household. 

M2cook, M2memo

Cloudstone

Precious jewel.  Sceptre one is six inches, teardrop-cut.  One of the finest of its type

M2ants

coldstone

(Criminal?) Slang for stone esp. damp, cold stone i.e. underground.   

M2dom

Commissioner of Taxes

Overall responsibility for collection of taxgelt for the Baron.  Position implies an organised, developed department. 

M2tax

Cook

Cook in Bafford’s household.  Seems to be responsible for finding ingredients himself at Stonemarket.  Chastised by Bafford for inadequate cooking.

M2cook

Cragscleft

Hammerites known to be eager to take back top level of haunted mines.  How is it known?  Hammerite speeches or orders of equipment?  Holy water font – why was it put there?  Hammerites seem to accept the dead there – aware of the danger but actually seem to be slightly blasé.  Example of Hammerite doctrine or simply a relaxing of standards or familiarity breeding contempt?

M3holywatertip, M3nammon

Crystal

Used as decorative sculpted element

M2ants

Cutthroat

Murderer esp. slitting throats with razors.  E.g. Sennet.  Hammerite terminology?

Mb31

Cutty

Thiefs-pawn.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 4, Cell 6].  Palms scalded daily. 

M3b4

Dates

Format e.g. 3/24/34, 4/3/34, 4/10/34.  Format possibly M/DD/YY.  Seems to be Year 34.  Abbreviation of a longer number or true figure?  If so, maybe years since accession of Baron?  At least 4 months in year.  If Bafford keeps regular accounts, then a week has 7 days, and the third month has 28 days.  Is this consistent with a lunar calendar?

M2ledge

de Perrin

Partnership in antiques business “Grimworth and de Perrin”.

M2ants

Deirne

Whore.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 3, Cell 7].  Shorn and branded.  Release intended.  How does the punishment match the crime?  What are the criteria for release?

M3b3

Dellin

Ladytaker.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 1, Cell 4].  Scalding.  Why does his punishment differ from that of Possum?  Severity of crime?

M3b1

Dikket

Heretic.  .  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 3, Cell 2].  Sour Mash.  Released upon recantation and informing – informing upon other heretics?  Released – not returned to the Order?  Contacts with Garrett – how?  Casual acquaintance or deeper relation?  Knew location of Cutty – prisoners allowed to talk?  Or saw Cutty going into Cell Block 4?

M3b3, M3cellblocktip

Dominic

Employee/contact of Bafford.  Involved in his shady businesses.  Speaks an abnormal dialect similar to Pagan.  Contact between Bafford and his shady businesses.  Sent to Ginny by Bafford to sort out falling revenues.  A busy man – maybe has other clients?  Some form of connection with Bafford over Ramirez and debtors.

M2dom, M2ginny

Dreckbourn

Disturbed by Hammerite intrusions.  Several patrons (2+) arrested and imprisoned, as well as a dealer.  Patronage has declined recently.  Falling profits.  Interest

M2dom

Falsetale

Presumably a liar?  Hammerite terminology?

M3b3

Felix

Thief.  Speaks slightly reminiscent of Dominic.  Criminal dialect?  Has debts that can be paid off by stealing the Horn of Quintus.  Obtained a map from “some dead old bugger” – during one of his jobs?  Confident – believes the sound of the Horn will lead him to it.  Why does he leave a map in case something happens?  Seems to be well acquainted with Cutty – friendly relationship, almost as if friends.

M3felix

Fendon

Owned by Bafford.  Cash pit and liquor net.  Guard contingent given a token – for use there?

M2ledge

Firelighter

Arsonist?  How does this relate to fire boys?

M3b3

forgey-chained

(Criminal?) Slang for ‘forged’ i.e. wrought out of metal.

M2dom

Friehalt, Julian

Commissioner of Taxes.

M2tax

Gelland

Thief.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 2, Cell 5].  Wrist broken.

M3b2

Ginny

Visited by Dominic and terrified into finding ways to prevent Hammerite intrusions through “Fear of Flattening”.  Loyal “cadge” to Bafford for many years.

M2dom, M2ginny

Goldlender

Ursurer?  One who lends money at extortionate rates of interest?  Does this indicate a Hammerite doctrine against the lending of money at interest?  Might imply conflict between Hammerites and bankers.

M3b3

Graft

“to graft” – to steal money through dishonest auditing and accounting fraud.

M2ledge

Grimworth

Parternership in antiques business “Grimworth and de Perrin”

M2ants

Grimworth and de Perrin

Company dealing in “Fine Antiquities and Precious Relics”.  Shop for viewing.

M2ants

hammer-hearts

(Criminal?) Slang for Hammerites

M2dom

Hammerites

Intruding in Dreckbourn – Hammerite doctrine disapproves of cash pits and similar legal or semi-legal enterprises?  Arresting patrons and dealers.  There are means of preventing them investigating.  History/Theology: the Master Builder provided aid when mankind was in need.  Provided hearth i.e. heating and roof-beam i.e. building when cold.  Provided pot and cauldron e.g. the production of metal to make the cauldrons?  Provided spear and shield when attacked.  How come we see no other mention/appearance of spears or shields?  Yet in second verse of hymn mention a hammer as a weapon of war rather than shield – progress?  Note that it says the Builder “taught” of these things – i.e. provided the knowledge.  Hammerites believe that their technology is divinely inspired?  First verse of hymn is the Builder’s contribution to mankind.  Second verse is the utilisation of that technology, all through the use of a hammer.

M2dom, M3pray

Heretic

Presumably one who disagrees with elements of Hammerite doctrine.  What degree of dissent is allowed before it is classified as heresy?

M3b3

Holy Water

Specially-blessed holy water font in top level of Cragscleft haunted mines.  What is holy water used for other than combating the undead?  Baptism?  Does all holy water come from specially-blessed fonts, or are there other means of gaining it?  How is the font/water blessed?

M3holywater tip

Horn of Quintus

Valuable horn.  Rumoured to be in the Bonehoard.  Known to echo – how?  Magic?

M3felix

Housekeep

Informal – “housekeeping” i.e. cleaning

M2memo

Ink-and-glaze craqudare varnish

Valuable decorative varnish

 

Inquisitor, Brother

Hammerite at Cragscleft.  Connected with punishment esp. bonds – Nammon escaped from the bonds while his back was briefly turned.  Is the name his actual name or a title?  If so, what is an Inquisitor [religious heresy] doing presumably torturing/flogging a common criminal?  Perhaps Inquisitor in the sense of questioner through torture, or just a torturer.  Seems to have been administering a flogging, but also conducting an interrogation.  Or is “interrogation” a euphamism?

M3nammon

Inspector

Employee of the Baron involved in collection of taxgelt.  Possibly an auditing function.  Recent practice of giving a bonus for discovering undisclosed income has improved enthusiasm of scrutiny.  Position implies a developed structure within which the auditors operate.

M2tax

Issyt

Cadger.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 1, Cell 9].  Caning and sour mash.  Died as a result of “righteous punishment” – flogging/caning?  Possession of Garrett’s “Lucky Hand of Glory”.

M3b1

Jackablade

Knifeman?  e.g. Wrendal.  Hammerite terminology?

M3b1

Julian Friehalt

See Friehalt, Julian

M2tax

Keybond, Brother

Hammerite guard at Cragscleft charged by ? to organise a search detail for Nammon.  Could the name Keybond indicate a position rather than a name i.e. the brother in charge of the keys controlling cells?  What precedents are there in monastic orders?

M3nammon

Ladytaker

Rapist? E.g. Dellin.  Hammerite terminology?

M3b1

Lamb

Meal – implies existence of domesticated sheep and thus pasture land.  Local or imported?

M2cook

Latton

Falsetale.  .  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 3, Cell 3].  Tongue pierced – appropriate punishment.  Factory work – why aren’t criminals working in the factory while Garrett is there? 

M3b3

Lion

Lion-paws are decorative features on furniture

M2ants

Liquor net

Informal – bootlegging?  Illegal smuggling and distribution of spirits?

M2ledge

Lisalle

Patron at Dreckbourn.  Arrested by Hammerites.

M2dom

Measurements

Imperial – “feet”, “inches”, “inch”.

M2ants, M2dom

Meat

Lamb.  Long interval of storage.

M2cook

Milordy

(Criminal?) slang for “Lord”, i.e. a term of respectful address

M2dom

Misa

Vandal.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 4, Cell 4].  Whisking and factory work.  What is whisking?  Whipping/flogging with lighter cords?  Why is the punishment different to that of Potsol?  Severity of crime?

M3b4

Nammon

Jackablade.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 2, Cell 8].  Flogging.  Died as a result of “righteous punishment” – flogging/caning?  Escaped from his bonds while Brother Inquisitor briefly turned his back.  Stole half the contents of the evidence box – where was it and how did he get to it?  And why only half?  Why the discrepancy that he escaped but is noted as having died?  Attempt to cover up escape so as not to loose face?  Points to a certain slackness of adherence to rules.  Said to have been interrogated rigorously – to find out what?

M3b2, M3nammon

North districts.

Several districts – a general term for the northern districts of the City?  Bafford has (presumably criminal) interests there.  Victoria working as a thiefs-pawn.

M2ginny

Pearline and Onyx

Semi-precious lining (for wooden surfaces?)

M2ants

Possum

Ladytaker.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 4, Cell 1].  Gelding.  Why does his punishment differ from that of Dellin?  Severity of the crime?

M3b4

Potsol

Vandal.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 2, Cell 2]  Fingers crushed.

M3b2

Ryen

Patron at Dreckbourn.  Arrested by Hammerites.

M2dom

Seasons

Spring

M2cook

Sennet

Cutthroat.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 1, Cell 7].  Razor finger removed, caning, and factory work.

M3b1

Sewers

Route of entry into Bafford’s manor

M2tip1

Silver Birchwood

Semi-precious wood.

M2ants

Stonemarket

Market, inc. food.  Recent shortages.  Prices seem to have risen by up to 50%

M2cook

Sunnyfair

Owned by Bafford.  Cash pit.  Guard contingent given a token – for use there?  Site of retail activity or profits used to pay for shopping trip?

M2ledge.

Taffer

“to taff” – to fool around esp. to against someone.

M2ginny

Tarquis

Dealer at Dreckbourn.  Arrested by Hammerites.

M2dom

Tarquis

Goldlender.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 3, Cell 10].  Nose cropped and factory work.  How does the punishment match the crime?

M3b3

Taxgelt

Money levied through direct taxation.  Made on first day of the month.  Levied on all businesses.  Inadequate submission is grounds for harsh punishment.

M2tax

Thiefs-Pawn

Someone who pawns stolen goods, esp. with direct contact to thief.

M2ginny

Topside

Slang – ‘aboveground’

M3felix

Tybal

Whorekeep.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 4, Cell 8].  Died of flux i.e. fever. 

M3b4

Vandal

A person who wilfully or maliciously destroys or damages property.  Hammerite terminology?

M3b2

Vegetables

Used in salads.

M2cook

Victoria

Investigated by Bafford through Dominic –a standard check on new face.  Subtle and secretive – Dominic unable to find any information about her.  Operating as Thiefs-Pawn in north districts, making connections there. 

M2dom, M2ginny

Weirwood

Type of wood.  Semi-precious?

M2ants

Whore

Prostitute.

M3b3

Whorekeep

Presumably a pimp.  Hammerite terminology?

M3b4

Wills

Heretic.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 4, Cell 5].  Meditation – is this actually a punishment?  Factory work.  Why is the punishment different to that of Dikket?  Less heretical?

M3b4

Wine

Used in toasts

M3felix

Wrendal

Jackablade.  Held in Cragscleft [Cell Block 1, Cell 1].  Flogging and factory work.

M3b1