Ligeian Presence

"I don't know precisely what the Ligeia Club is; but all reckoners do know that its members are older and hungrier than any of our mobs. We've learnt to avoid them."

is an Aspect of six unique Distraction Opportunities in the Exile legacy, representing members of the Ligeia Club. They can be found on arrival in some cities, or by Reconnoitre. It is possible to communicate with them, but dangerous. Ligeians are useful for multiple purposes, including defending against Reckoners and the Foe, revealing Weaknesses, and providing unique Assets. Two of the Ligeians, What-Is-Not-Seen and Mme Matutine, have unique interactions that are revealed by Communicating with them. Each is Unique and can only be encountered once.

Reserve
Like other Distractions, Employing a Ligeian Presence will renew the timer on the card without consuming it.

Ligeian Interference
"Even my Foe is wary of the Ligeians. He's hesitating. My Foe tangled with a member of the Ligeia Club, and now regrets it."

Providing a Ligeian as a defense against an attack by your Foe will consume the Ligeian opportunity, but prevent the Foe's attack and produce Foe's Wound.

My Pursuers, Stymied
"A rapacity moves here - one that reckoners especially fear."

Providing a Ligeian as a defense against a Reckoner attack will stymie the Reckoner and consume the Ligeian opportunity. No Pursuer's Wound will be produced.

Seek out a Ligeian
"Like me, the Ligeians are criminals and fugitives. Unlike me, they've been cursed eternally because they devoured their children fresh from the womb. Still, perhaps we can find some common ground. If I seek out a Ligeian without bringing a gift, I'd better hope she's in a good mood."

Communicating with a Ligeian is dangerous. Without providing a gift, there is a 70% chance that she will be in a bad mood. Providing a gift guarantees her good humour. Suitable gifts for Ligeians include reckoner corpses, human corpses, allies or associates, or Stolen Decades.

"A flapping nightmare of teeth and webbed skin! I'm trying to struggle free - Back into the safety of the streets. But I haven't escaped unscathed. Bystanders turn to look as I stagger past."

If the Ligeian is in a bad mood, she will inflict an Unstanchable Wound. You will not get another opportunity to communicate with the Ligeian.

Intelligence
"‘Of course I remember him. I knew your mother, too. I had high hopes of her, once...’"

Providing a Ligeian in a good mood an Unknown Weakness of your Foe will cause her to reveal the Weakness.

Down in One
"‘I have registered my objections with your reckoner friend.’"

If there is a Reckoner on the board when you talk to a Ligeian, she will consume the Reckoner without leaving a Trace.

A Gift from a Ligeian
"‘Here you are, dear.’"

If there is no Reckoner and no Unknown Weakness is provided, the Ligeian will give you a gift. This may be a Labhitic Memento from Echidna, Stranger's Water from Frau Schlüssel, Stained Gloves from Our Lady of Wires, or three Connections from Sulochana (Connection: Radicals, Connection: Holy Man, and Official Connection).

Medusa's Riddle
"Medusa, the Ligeian. Peel said to me once, 'She might be the oldest of her kind still living; and she is dead.' It was the kind of thing Peel said. But now, in the rainy half-visible streets of Buda beneath the blind eyes of the statues, I remember the other thing he said, that Medusa's riddle is 'What is Not Seen?' and my skin prickles."

Communicating with What-Is-Not-Seen will make her present you with a riddle. To answer the riddle, provide any card with the aspect. The card will be consumed, and in return, she will "give" you the Pentiment My Unhealing Wound.

An Audience With Mme Matutine?
"Mme Matutine comes laughing down the gangway. Her laughter is like birdsong and her eyes, too, are like something of a bird's - shining beads of black. ‘Interesting,’ she purrs. ‘Is there any more?’"

Offering a Pentiment will get her attention. Offering 7 Pentiments will produce a black and glinting jewel. If you offer fewer she will demand a higher price, return the offerings for now, and give a flute which can be used once by with a Sea Opportunity. to call her again.