The Tale of the Clay Highwayman (Guide)

Late Railroad Content

The Clay Highwayman and his merry band of Scottish outlaws are part of the Railway storyline. The first part of meeting them is becoming invested in the Great Hellbound Railway Company.

The story of the Clay Highwayman is structured as a "side quest" to the Railway storyline. Progress in his story happens in parallel to the main storyline, but is not essential to completing it. The amount of story content is comparable to the largest Railway stations, and the mechanical rewards include permanent access to a new and rewarding location.

Progress in this storyline revolves around several qualities with the words "Clay Highwayman" in their name. Searching for that phrase in your Qualities tab should tell you of your current progress.

On The Trail of the Clay Highwayman

You may seen vague allusions to the Clay Highwayman earlier in the Railway, especially riding between stations with high levels of . The first chapter of his story begins in earnest at .

Requirements

( 70)

Tracking Qualities

- Up to 5.

Content

Who is the Clay Highwayman? - A new Opportunity Card.

Once you reach the Magistracy, the new card may be drawn anywhere in the Upper River. Playing it increases On the Trail... by +1 CP each time, up to level 5. The text on the card and each of the options changes as you increase this quality, so be sure to pay attention as you play. After reaching level 5, new options become available that can adjust Banditry levels in the Upper River.

Meeting the Clay Highwayman

The next step is to meet the Clay Highwayman personally.

Requirements

( 80)

up to 5

8

less than 7

Spoilers: I recommend finding out for yourself.

You become Captured by the Clay Highwayman!.

If you want to raise Banditry in a hurry, Invite the Gracious Widow to the Board and then use a Board Meeting to propose special consideration to certain charitable groups.

NOTE: Increasing Banditry to 8 without satisfying all other requirements (e.g., before On the Trail has reached 5) will not attract the Clay Highwayman. It will only trigger the usual menace card, which sets Banditry back down to 3--a decidedly suboptimal strategy.

The Clay Highwayman's Camp, Part I

Try to learn more about the Clay Highwayman.

Requirements

SPOILERS, above

Tracking Qualities

up to 3

Content

The quality acts as timer limiting how long you spend in the Clay Highwayman's camp. During that time, play cards to increase or . Spend those qualities to increase The Tale..., ideally reaching level 3 before exiting, or else you will need to return to continue the story. It is possible to build it up to level 4 by progressing only Investigating until level 3 and then switching to Fascinating. DO NOT DO THIS. That will block you from learning part of the story.

Players who wish to play optimally may wish to have 5 levels each of and before entering. Excess levels will be wasted.

You may also begin your acquaintance with the best girl. She will stay your friend even when everything else becomes different.

The Clay Highwayman's Camp, Part II

Try to become close to the Clay Highwayman and his crew.

Requirements

3

A Cover Identity with Surface , 7 , 3 , and 3

Tracking Qualities

up to 6

up to 5

or

Content

, but different

You may now enter and exit the camp freely, at the cost of only an action. You have also gained access to the most important mechanical reward of the Clay Highwayman story: CRIMES! Specifically, larcenies (action overview, reward overview). Larcenies require , which is best acquired elsewhere.

The story continues by raising The Tale... to 6 in one of two ways: becoming close to the Clay Highwayman himself, or by becoming close to the Burly Lieutenant.

In both cases, each level of Tale tells you a new part of the Clay Highwayman's background from a different perspective. It is possible to advance partway through the Lieutenant's telling and switch to becoming close to the Clay Highwayman himself, but not vice-versa. Choosing the Clay Highwayman unlocks one set of endings to his story.

The Burly Lieutenant

Raise by performing Larcenies. Take tea with the Burly Lieutenant to spend two levels of Marauder for each level of Tale.

The Clay Highwayman

Raise via cards in the Camp, or elsewhere. Talk with the Clay Highwayman, alone to trade for , and then talk further to raise Tale.

Denouement

Requirements

6

Tracking Qualities

, up to 11 and beyond.

Content

A new Storylet in the Clay Highwayman's camp.

The Clay Highwayman's camp will be temporarily unavailable until you continue the story in . Depending on your choices there, the next step may be a Living Story. Don't zail to Polythreme, you won't find him there.

Spoilers:

If you wish to accompany the Clay Highwayman on his journey, make sure to make a confession to him, rather than any other option you can take at the docks.

Conclusion

Conclude the story at the Camp. There are no further ramifications of the story.

If you find yourself wishing to play the story over again, you can always Reset the Clay Highwayman's Tale for 20 FATE at .