"There are some things we were not meant to know, they say. But you wouldn't be down here if you took that seriously."
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"The Clay Highwayman is a menace to railway traffic (and boat traffic, and foot traffic) around the upper river. But just who is he? And can he be found at all?"[2]
The Clay Highwayman is a well-known bandit leader whose gang roams the Hinterlands.
"Surely the stories about his exploits can't be true."[3]
The Clay Highwayman's gang robs traffic throughout the Hinterlands, whether by foot, boat, or rail.[4] He is a figure of legend, and rumors of his heists are whispered even in London.[5] His camp is hidden in the woods of Balmoral, but he raids far away to confound anyone searching for his location.[6]
The Burly Lieutenant
The Highwayman's followers are orderly and well-supplied,[7] resembling an army rather than a band of scoundrels.[8] Their numbers are predominantly Scottish.[9] Their camp is sprawling and stocked with supplies, and stolen treasures are displayed throughout.[10] The Highwayman's second-in-command, the Burly Lieutenant, was once a member of the Admiralty.[11]
The Beast[12] is the Highwayman's famous mount.[13] It is an elephantine creature forged from iron, with lanterns for eyes and massive tusks to stop rail cars.[14][15] Its body is inscribed with the Correspondence, as well as hidden sigils of the Discordance.[16]
Appearance and Personality[]
"He's seven feet tall, but you can see why rumours have him at eight; those broad shoulders make him a looming presence. This is softened by the congenial grin on his face. He's wearing Highland garb, which must have been custom made for his huge frame."[17]
The Clay Highwayman broadly resembles a Clay Man. He is seven feet tall, and typically wears Scottish Highland attire. His body is inscribed with writing in various languages, including the Correspondence,[18] and his footsteps are silent.[19]
The Highwayman is a solitary and melancholy figure,[20] yet soft-spoken and polite.[21] He is fond of artwork and books,[22] and is well-liked and friendly with his subordinates.[23]
The Highwayman's Epic[]
"Are you quite sure you want to know this?"
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You can find out more about our spoiler policy here.
"His heart went into the zee last, and then I went into the zee after it. I could not remake them; they were gone. But I took the heart into myself."[24]
"I like to think I made him more beautiful than the King made me. He had the most wonderful voice. It was like no other Clay Man. He was like no other in most ways. Well, he wasn't really a Clay Man. He was something else entirely. I'm no longer Clay either. And so I am no longer welcome in Polythreme."[25]
Unfortunately, the King with a Hundred Hearts heard of this act, and forced the Highwayman to dismember his love. The pieces were scattered to the Unterzee, but the Highwayman retrieved the Mountain-Sherd and imbued it within his own heart.[29] He was exiled from Polythreme,[30] and would inscribe his tragic story onto his body.[31]
According to the Highwayman, neither he nor his deceased companion can be considered "Clay;" rather, they are something else entirely, free from the King's influence.[32][33] To celebrate his independence, the Highwayman's followers gave him the title of the Clay Laird.[34]
↑Larceny at Balmoral, Fallen London"The Clay Highwayman's doorstep, though he ranges further afield to make sure there is confusion about his point of origin."
↑The Clay Beast, Fallen London"[...] the Beast is [...] made of iron, bent and forged [...] into a shape not unlike an elephant. Huge metal tusks, [...] to tear open train cars [...] lanterns for eyes [...]"
↑Read the inscriptions, Fallen London"Most of the writing covering the Beast is the Correspondence. But in one place, [...] only half-visible [...] A law is enacted: [...] Each dancer unfurls an extra arm; [...] You catch yourself before reading the whole thing.
↑A First Impression of the Clay Highwayman, Fallen London"He's seven feet tall, [...] He's wearing Highland garb, [...] Writing curls all around his body [...] there's Arabic around his neck, Khanate script on his hands, and even a sigil of the Correspondence upon his head [...]"
↑Learn what you can about him, Fallen London"The Clay Highwayman is indeed Unfinished. There is nothing physically lacking, that you can see. [...] His footfalls never make a sound. Perhaps that, [...] is something missing."
↑Join him outside as he addresses his men, Fallen London"He was indeed born Unfinished in Polythreme, and became a thief and a pirate. With a living ship, he zailed up the Nameless River, [...] to [...] the Mountain of Light. With a shard of the Mountain [...] he returned [...]"
↑The Clay Highwayman, in his own words, Fallen London"[...] with the Mountain-Sherd, he used it to fashion a companion; [...] with a heart of their own – a lover [...] free of the King with a Hundred Hearts' influence."
↑The Clay Highwayman, in his own words, Fallen London"When the King learned of this, he made the Highwayman unmake his companion and cast the pieces [...] into the sea. [...] "His heart went into the zee [...] I went into the zee after it." He points to [...] his chest [...] I took the heart into myself.""
↑Ask about them, Fallen London"[...] he wasn't really a Clay Man. He was something else entirely." [...] pointing to the spot on his chest [...] "I'm no longer Clay either."
↑Take tea with the Burly Lieutenant, Fallen London"[...] you inquire about the Mountain-Sherd. [...] 'e's put it into hisself. That's why we call 'im the Clay Laird – 'e's no subject of the King with a Hundred Hearts any longer.""
