Watchful is increasing…

Cats and snakes Place a snake within sight of a cat, and you'll be rewarded with a vigorous hissing contest. The cat will loathe the snake, even more than they'll now loathe you.

The Parlour is Mr Wines’ most notorious establishment for sating the appetites of flesh. The place is well regarded, although it is still scandalous to be caught visiting. The Parlour caters to those of very particular appetites: many wealthy potential customers have been turned away with very little in the way of explanation.

What is the Vake? They say it's not a monster at all. It's a man who dresses up as a bat. To, ah, prowl the city by night. But that would just be stupid.

How should you dispose of an aunt? 'Even Death is no deterrent to the determined aunt. The best defence is distraction: the more exotic and perilous, the better.' - from the anonymously published 'Troubles With my Aunt'.

Who names the Relickers' rats? The Relickers do without the encumbrance of names, but their pets (or bodyguards or watchers, depending what you believe) enjoy the grander sort of name. Dulcibella. Charlemagne. Cordimost. Never laugh.

The Fisher Kings are a gang of urchins who keep to the roofs and gutters. They specialise in a particular larceny: relieving passers-by below of their fine hats and wigs by means of a line, a hook, and the deft flick of a wrist. They are a superstitious crew: you can only be a member if you bear the scar of an old wound that never fully healed, and they consider it bad luck to ever set foot upon the ground.

Churches still hold services, London still has its bishops, the Traitor Empress is still the head of the Church of England. Theology has become more flexible, of course. People are more polite about Hell. A few of the saints seem to have had a change of name.

An occurrence! Your ‘Ascending the Reliables List of Mr Pages’ Quality is now 4 - Another theft from Mr Pages’ library. A green petal was found at the scene; witnesses saw a figure limping away!

The LABYRINTH OF TIGERS is open under the patronage of the LONDON ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY to CAUTIOUS VISITORS for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. Here you may see the DEVIL-APES of FAR MANDELAY. The THING IN THE MIRROR. The CANTIGASTER’S CHILDREN. The gargantuan CAVE-SNAKE. The INHABITER OF WOLVES. The HYBRID FIEND. N.B. The MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS that you arrange your exit WELL BEFORE CLOSING TIME.