"They truly do not understand why you resist, as we did not. Resisting a change that is already happening leads to... Misshaping. They are used to overcoming that resistance. They will do so, instinctually."[1]
"They do not deal with you. They deal with the city and its change, as we did. It does not occur to them to negotiate with the blood in its veins, the cells that make it up. We were incorrect, of course. Our perspective has changed. Theirs is yet to."[1]
The Starved Lithologer is a Starved Man who played a key role in the events surrounding the London Horticultural Show.
Initial Conflicts[]
"We watch. I watch. The rock. The lights. Patterns and signs and warnings. Always reshaping. Patterns reveal. What shape things will be. What shape things might be."[2]
"We wished to prevent a painful rebirth. The city's next great change, in a long line of them. How many has it been now? Four? Some of you fought us. But there was no time – we had to act, before..."[3]
During the catastrophe that interrupted the London Horticultural Show, the Lithologer was one of the many Starved Men who invaded London[4] and attempted to reshape its infrastructure.[5] Unlike their compatriots, however, the Lithologer has a similar physique and appearance to the average Londoner, barring a few eccentric qualities.[6] Their most distinguishing feature is their left eye, which resembles a multifaceted "organic telescope"[7][8] and possesses enhanced vision.[9] Their view of the world is expressed in biological and evolutionary terms,[10][11] describing London as a "body,"[12] its citizens as "cells,"[13] and the Neath itself as a living thing.[14]
A Starved Man clutching amber.
As London's defenders forced many of the Starved into retreat,[15] the Lithologer's group frantically tried to complete their work[16] before surrendering to the Admiralty.[17] After their capture,[18] the Lithologer was able to reshape their vocal cords to speak English with clarity.[19] They revealed that they had studied the Roof of the Neath for signs of the future,[20] and it was foretold that the Sixth City was due to Fall. Thus, their group sought to reshape London to stave off its destruction; the Lithologer expressed shame for the deaths and chaos the Starved had caused.[21]
The Starved Weapon and Aftermath[]
"Our way was the kinder way. We saw the signs, and sought to change them. To prevent catastrophic change. Others among us believe in catastrophic change. They saw the signs, and seek to hasten it."[22]
"We... truly thought we were helping. I don't think that means much, but it is — unchanging. True. The city is changing back to what it was before. That is... something I would like to understand."[23]
However, London's troubles were not over, as the Lithologer also revealed that another faction of Starved was building a weapon to bore through the Roof and burn London with sunlight.[24][25] The Lithologer explained that these Starved did not consider individual citizens in their plans, and saw their actions as a mercy, but also acknowledged the fallacy of this view.[26][27] Consequently, they pledged to help save London,[28] and their group assisted in constructing London's airfleet to destroy the Starved weapon.[29][30]
After the conclusion of the crisis, the Lithologer appeared at the reprise of the Horticultural Show, in an attempt to understand why the city sought a return to normalcy.[31] They also organized the Starved Embassy to facilitate cultural exchanges and prevent future conflicts between London and the Starved.[32][33] Additionally, they appeared at the third year of 1899's (2023's) Fruits of the Zee Festival, acting as the unofficial representative of the Roof.[34] They took a great interest in understanding the traditions of Mutton Island, though some practices, such as cooking fish, seemed perplexing to them.[35]
References[]
|