theodor_gylden | Become better acquainted with a Bespectacled Folklorist

You often see the Bespectacled Folklorist with a cup of tea and his head down over his notes. What secrets might a man like him keep?

Draw him into a debate
Find out what his passions are.
(Persuasive challenge)

Success: Passion indeed
He lacerates you. You may learn to enjoy being lacerated. His pale face flushes, his voice goes low and rapid. He strips you of every rhetorical flourish, down to the bare flesh of argument, and there lingers on your fallacies. That would be pleasure enough.

But when you come to an agreement ... His eyes gleam. He leans back in his chair like a king upon his throne. 'Indeed,' he says. That is all he says.

Fascinating ... increase

Failure: How smart a lash
He lacerates you. When were you last so publicly shamed? Why does he dwell so much on your misspeakings? You fear he is not impressed with you.

Fascinating ... decrease
Scandal increase

Tell him of your dreams
He's constructing a concordance, they say, on dreams and dream-lore in the Neath.
(Watchful challenged, unlocked with any Recurring Dreams)

Success: All shall be well
He listens with perfect attention. Do you flatter yourself, or does concern wrinkle his brow? When he offers no judgment, you continue your account and unburden yourself of nightmares you would reveal to no one else.

Swift, but firm, he clasps your hand across the table. 'All manner of thing shall be well.' He lets you go and returns to his notes.

Fascinating ... increase
Nightmares decrease

Failure: Like a patient etherized
He listens with perfect attention. Flattering though it may be, you squirm like a fly fixed under a microscope. You ramble and forget yourself. You stare at his hands. What is he writing?

Later, you dream he lays you flat upon an operating table; those hands, you realise, are surgeon's hands. A wicked tool whirs within his grip and he presses its point to your head.

Fascinating ... decrease
Nightmares increase

Skim his notes while he refills his tea
You must be quick and subtle.
(Shadowy challenge)

Success: Love stories
You meet with a labyrinth of languages: English, Danish, Latin, Greek, Hebrew. But what's this? 'Love,' 'kærlighed,' 'amor,' 'αγάπη,' 'אהבה'.

Does your Folklorist have a romantic bent? Can you use this?

Fascinating ... increase
You've gained 5 x Cryptic Clue

Failure: The Correspondence?
You meet with a labyrinth of languages: English, Danish, Latin ... Blood clouds your vision and splatters the page.

A scarred patron sees you and screams. 'The Correspondence!' From the rest you receive only silent stares of disapproval.

Fascinating ... decrease
Suspicion increase