Spending Secrets and Counting the Days (Guide)
Early MYN Content |
Starting out with Spending Secrets
There are two ways to meet the Numismatrix:
- Wait to draw the The Numismatrix card
- At your lodgings, chat with the local gossip about The Numismatrix
This will set to 1. Progressing to 3 unlocks the Choosing a Side card, where you choose one of all the factions in London to be aligned with. Spending Secrets increases to 4.
The quickest way to get Counting the Days (CtD) to level 14
This is best done if you are closest to the Bohemians or The Great Game, you've opened up Wolfstack Docks, The Shuttered Palace, The Forgotten Quarter and The University, you're still in possession of your soul, and you have at least one point of Master Thief.
Characters that don't meet some of those requirements will need to use opportunity cards to account for the CtD that they're missing.
Any CtD level
All characters can use their faction-specific cards to get 5 CtD and 2 Loose Change. Since this gives more Loose Change than other actions this may be preferable to characters with low Loose Change. These factions are:
- Bohemians: In passing
- Church: An unusual hat for a church official
- Constables: The list of stolen goods
- Criminals: Penny for your thoughts
- Hell: A quiet chat over sherry and souls
- Revolutionaries: Taking a walk down gin lane
- The Docks: Loaded down
- The Great Game: Just borrowing a shovel
- Tomb Colonists: Attend a very private lecture
- Society: Coffee and exclamation
- Urchins: Listen to a song the Fisher Kings sing in the high places
In addition you may get 2 CP of Loose Change (but no CtD) from a smaller bazaar on The Awful Temptation of Money card.
A smaller bazaar
- Spoiler Unlocked with no more than 13
Success
Pleasingly venerable
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+2 CP)
- You've gained 1 x First City Coin
You may also get 5 CP of CtD (but no Loose Change) from Watch from a distance on A day at the races card.
Watch from a distance
- Spoiler Unlocked with 4
Locked with 14
Success
A diversion
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- You've gained ( Base Persuasive) x Jade Fragment
CtD under level 6 (5 x 5 CP)
If you're Closest To: Bohemians, Criminals, Hell, Revolutionaries, Rubbery Men, The Docks, The Great Game, Tomb Colonists, or Urchins you can dice for secrets and coins at the docks. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
Dicing for secrets and coins
- Spoiler Unlocked with 4, Bohemians, The Great Game, The Docks, Urchins, Criminals, Hell, Revolutionaries, Tomb-Colonists or Rubbery Men
Locked with 6
Success
Deep words spoken freely
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
Urchins can also listen to the Fisher-Kings in the Flit.
Listen to them
- Spoiler Unlocked with : Urchins, 4
Locked with 6
Success
Little eyes wide open
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+2 CP)
If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:
If you've met the Regretful Soldier you can wait for A Visit and take him to the theatre:
Take him to the theatre
- Spoiler Unlocked with 4
Locked with 6
Success
Curtains of faded red velvet
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
- Acquaintance: the Regretful Soldier is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 9)
If your are level 3 or above you can read a calming book or take some honey with a friend from A Moment's Peace.
Read a calming book
- Spoiler Unlocked with 4
Locked with 6
Success
Let's hope you can sleep this time
- Watchful is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 200 + )
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Nightmares is dropping… (-3 CP)
Take some honey with a friend
- Spoiler Unlocked with , 4
Locked with 6
When Sent
In Veilgarden The honey-den is crowded tonight. The fading-couches are filling quickly. Is that fellow over there a journalist? Never mind. You need this, and quickly. Let us hope your friend comes soon.
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- You've lost 50 x Drop of Prisoner's Honey
- Approaching the Gates of the Garden is increasing… (+5 CP)
Your friend will receive: [Friend] wants you to share a honey-dream with them. This will help with Nightmares, but oh, the Scandal!
Once Accepted
You will receive:
A sea of black feathers. The weeping rose. The dreams are beautiful, but end all too soon.
- Nightmares is dropping… (-3 CP)
- Scandal is increasing… (+1 CP)
Your friend will receive:
A sea of black feathers. The weeping rose. The dreams are beautiful, but end all too soon.
- Nightmares is dropping… (-3 CP)
- Scandal is increasing… (+1 CP)
If you have level 2 you can ensure a moral afternoon is appreciated from An Afternoon of Good Deeds?.
Quite a moral afternoon. Let's make sure it's appreciated.
- Spoiler Unlocked with 4, 4
Locked with 6
Success
Your name is praised!
- You've gained 1 x Confident Smile (up to 21)
- Scandal is dropping… (-3 CP)
- Suspicion is dropping… (-1 CP)
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
If you have level 2 and 10 Infernal Contracts you can unleash Baseborn & Fowlingpiece from The Law's Long Arm.
Unleash Baseborn & Fowlingpiece
- Spoiler Unlocked with , 4
Locked with 6
Success
Expensive, but worth it
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- You've lost 10 x Infernal Contract
- Suspicion is dropping… (-6-7 CP)
All others may look at those coins from An unusual wager card.
Look at those coins
- Spoiler Unlocked with 4
Locked with 10
Challenge information
A matter of luck: It could go either way (success chance: 50%)
Success
Counting to one
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+4 CP)
- You've gained 1 x First City Coin
Failure
Ow!
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Wounds is increasing… (+1 CP)
CtD level 6 to 9 (6 x 5 CP)
If you're Closest To: Bohemians, The Church, The Constables, The Duchess, The Great Game, The Masters, The University, or Society you can speak to an Aristocratic Academic inside The Forgotten Quarter. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
Speak to an Aristocratic Academic
- Spoiler Unlocked with 6-9, 4, one of these Factions:, The Masters of the Bazaar, The Constables, Society, The Church, The University, The Duchess, Bohemians, The Great Game, None
Success
Buried treasure
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:
If you've met the Repentant Forger you can wait for A Visit and mind his old habits.
Old habits
- Spoiler Unlocked with 6-9, 4
Success
A narrow path
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
- Acquaintance: the Repentant Forger is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 9)
If your are level 3 or above you can indulge in mysticism and mesmerism from A Moment's Peace.
Mysticism and mesmerism
- Spoiler Unlocked with 6–9, 4
Success
Uncomfortable postures and exotic theology
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Nightmares is dropping… (-4 CP)
- Scandal is increasing… (+1 CP)
- Touched by Fingerwork is increasing… (+5 CP)
If you have level 2 you can lay a false trail from The Law's Long Arm.
Lay a false trail
- Spoiler Unlocked with 6-9, 4
Success
He he he
- Suspicion is dropping… (-3 CP)
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
If you have level 2 and are Closest To: Bohemians, The Church, The Constables, The Duchess, The Masters, The University, or Society you can join an exclusive dinner party on the A Restorative card.
An exclusive dinner party
- Spoiler Unlocked with 6–9, 4, Any of the following:, The Masters of the Bazaar, The Constables, Society, The Church, The University, The Duchess, Bohemians, None
Success
"...and what do you think, Your Excellency?"
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Wounds is dropping… (-3 CP)
All others may look at those coins from An unusual wager card.
Look at those coins
- Spoiler Unlocked with 4
Locked with 10
Challenge information
A matter of luck: It could go either way (success chance: 50%)
Success
Counting to one
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+4 CP)
- You've gained 1 x First City Coin
Failure
Ow!
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Wounds is increasing… (+1 CP)
CtD level 10 to 11 (5 x 5 CP)
Unless you've lost your soul, you can talk about something else at The Shuttered Palace. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
Talk about something else
- Spoiler Unlocked with 10-11, 4
Locked with
Success
Back when
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:
If you've met the Sardonic Music-Hall Singer you can wait for A Visit and go with her to a gambling-house.
Go with her to a gambling-house
- Spoiler Unlocked with 10, 4
Success
A lucky night out
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
- Acquaintance: the Sardonic Music-Hall Singer is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 9)
If you have level 1 and level 10 CtD you ask someone else what they saw from the City Vices: Orthographic Infection card. This action always gives 5 CtD and either 1 or 2 Loose Change.
Ask someone else what they saw
- Spoiler Unlocked with 10-13, 4
Challenge information
A matter of luck: It could go either way (success chance: 50%)
Success
Who is that?
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+2 CP)
Failure
What don't?
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
If your are level 3 or above (you may wear Nightmares raising equipment) you can do some physical exercise and exertion from A Moment's Peace. This action gives 5 CtD and no Loose Change.
Physical exercise and exertion
- Spoiler Unlocked with 10–11, 4
Success
THEY'RE COMING! THEY'RE COMING!
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Nightmares is dropping… (-3 CP)
If you have level 2 , hiding from those who would hound you on An Afternoon of Good Deeds? gives 5 CtD and no Loose Change.
Hide from those who would hound you
- Spoiler Unlocked with 10–11, 4
Success
Nobody knows I'm here
- Subtle is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 5)
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Scandal is dropping… (-3 CP)
- Hedonist is dropping… (-1 CP)
If you have level 2 , the Itinerant Physician from the A Restorative card will give you 5 CtD and no loose change in exchange for 75 Shard of Glim.
The Itinerant Physician
- Spoiler Unlocked with 10–11, 4,
Success
A certain amount of discomfort later
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Wounds is dropping… (-3 CP)
- You've lost 75 x Shard of Glim
CtD level 12 to 13 (5 x 5 CP)
Master thieves can visit the University and talk about robbery. You may still do this storylet if you're Unwelcome at the University -. Each action will give you 5 CtD and 1 Loose Change.
Talk about robbery
- Spoiler Unlocked with , 12-13, 4
Success
Perhaps another time
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
If you don't meet those requirements, there are several opportunity cards that are open to you:
If you've met the Wry Functionary you can wait for A Visit and pop in while you're passing.
Pop in while you're passing
- Spoiler Unlocked with 12-13, 4
Success
And he's off
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- A Pocketful of Loose Change is increasing… (+1 CP)
- Acquaintance: the Wry Functionary is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 9)
If you have level 2 you can blame someone else for your sins from An Afternoon of Good Deeds?. This action gives 5 CtD no Loose Change.
Blame someone else for your sins
- Spoiler Unlocked with 12–13, 4
Success
Tee hee
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Scandal is dropping… (-3 CP)
If you have level 2 and are Closest To: Bohemians, Criminals, Hell, Revolutionaries, Rubbery Men, The Docks, The Great Game, Tomb Colonists, or Urchins you can make sure nobody is telling tales from The Law's Long Arm.
Make sure nobody is telling tales
- Spoiler Unlocked with 12-13, 4, : Bohemians, The Great Game, The Docks, Urchins, Criminals, Hell, Revolutionaries, Tomb-Colonists, or Rubbery Men
Success
An inconvenient fad
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Suspicion is dropping… (-5 to -9 CP)
- Wounds is increasing… (+1 CP)
If you have 2 and are Closest To: Criminals, Hell, Revolutionaries, Rubbery Men, Tomb Colonists, or Urchins you can be unwise from A Restorative card. This action gives 5 CtD no Loose Change.
Can you be so unwise?
- Spoiler Unlocked with 12–13, 4, any of the following:, Criminals, Hell, Revolutionaries, Tomb-Colonists, Rubbery Men, Urchins
Success
Feeling better, but...
- Counting the Days is increasing… (+5 CP)
- Wounds is dropping… (-4 CP)
- Nightmares is increasing… (+1 CP)
Conclusion
If you didn't use opportunity cards in any of the above steps, you'd need to spend 21 actions to get to level 14 CtD. This will also give you 21 CP of Loose Change, bringing you to level 6 (if you started at level 0).
Buying a Mark of Credit Page from the Numismatrix costs only 7 CP of Loose Change, but is only available at level 7. This means that unless you already have some points of Loose Change, or are willing to chance a Mark, or simply need the CtD for something else, you'll need to use opportunity cards.
Rewards
Reaching Counting the Days 14 unlocks the Secrets and Spending card, which allows you to choose one of the following, all resetting CtD:
Action | Requirements | Cost | Reward | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
A sack of coins | - | |||
Fencing certain coins | ||||
Buy a Mark of Credit Page | Loose Change 7 | 7 CP Loose Change | used to get the advanced rewards | |
Chancing a Mark | Loose Change 4 | all Loose Change | 70% chance of a | -10 CP Loose Change and on failure |
Find a decent home | [1] | Approximately 13.20 in value, plus the Benthic/Summerset connections | ||
Find a hard-working home | [1] | Approximately 28 in value | ||
Find an unusual home | [1][2] | Approximately 41 in value | ||
Obtain an Iron Republic Safe-Conduct[3] | , 10 | Required for travelling to the Iron Republic | ||
Spend a Mark of Credit on something for yourself | The only Respectable weapon freely available year-round; only obtainable once |
Strategy
Every player will at some point want to engage in Counting the Days at least as far as acquiring a Safe-Conduct, which requires three passes through the carousel (the fourth pass can be avoided by acquiring the Safe-Conduct via the Local Gossip, forgoing the additional reward of Antique Mysteries and Aeolian Screams). With no opportunity cards used, three cycles would total accumulated and spent - but the first pass would end slightly too low, at PoLC 6 rather than 7, so the actual net is +49. A fourth pass to purchase an Iron Republic Safe-Conduct results in an additional . Using opportunity cards to advance PoLC increases this surplus even further. Therefore it appears that PoLC is low-value, opportunities to advance CtD without PoLC are to be preferred, and in particular is a junk card which should never be used after the player has reached level 7 of PoLC.
The most profitable use of Marks of Credit is to find an unusual home. In the long run, this averages slightly less than 1 EPA - 22 actions to acquire a Mark, 22 actions to return to and redeem it for rewards. This is not competitive with available grinds. It can be improved somewhat by relying on opportunity cards - the Menace-reducing opportunity cards often have options that advance CtD and reduce Menaces, which increases the effective EPA. However, even if PoLC is considered free (likely, as described above), this is unlikely to surpass 1.5 EPA and so is not economically efficient for . The only reason to do it is an aversion to having a large quantity of useless currency.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Only available if you're Closest To - any of the factions the Favours this option provides belong to.
- ↑ Also available when closest to Rubbery Men.
- ↑ Can also be acquired in your Lodgings. This option doesn't reset Counting the Days, but also doesn't provide the economical rewards.