The Committee for Vital Restitution

A Shepherd's Timepiece.

*"You know it at once. Your soul, which was taken from you! A note simply reads: BE MORE CAREFUL NEXT TIME. Beneath it, a crudely drawn shepherd's crook."*

The **Committee for Vital Restitution** is an organization in London dedicated to the return of lost souls.

## A Good Deed Never Goes Unpunished

Given the moral dubiousness of the soul trade, it makes sense that certain groups and individuals would try to campaign against it. One of these groups is the **Committee for Vital Restitution**, or **C.V.R.**, who seek to return souls to their rightful owners regardless of the costs or risks. However, interfering in the soul trade in this manner is illegal, enforced by the Constables and the Masters, and the Church does not publicly approve of such activities either. Thus the C.V.R. often has to meet in secret, wearing masks and hoods, in a different location every time. As part of their work, the C.V.R. collects both souls and infernal contracts in an effort to ensure that the souls are matched correctly with their original owners. Interestingly, some members of the C.V.R. may be reformed spirifers themselves.

Despite the C.V.R.'s lack of public support, many powerful individuals in certain circles support the C.V.R. and covertly fund its members' efforts.

New recruits of the C.V.R. receive a unique pocket watch called a **Shepherd's Timepiece** that serves as a symbol of membership. Apparently, a Shepherd's Timepiece can also be a useful tool in the process of soul restoration itself, but its exact capabilities are unknown.

## References

1. ↑ Something unexpected, *Fallen London*
2. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* *"He speaks at length on the evils of the soul trade..."*
3. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* *"If you are to return souls to their rightful owners you will require allies. [...] They are looking for a group called the Committee for Vital Restitution. [...] a meeting of the 'C.V.R.' will take place [...] the savers of souls you are looking for?."*
4. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* *"The Church will not publicly intervene: [...] The Masters of the Bazaar look harshly on interference with the soul trade. Those who would restore souls are persecuted by the Constables."*
5. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* *"You have heard rumours of odd sects [...] around Watchmaker's Hill [...] a meeting of the 'C.V.R.' will take place in [...] Tyrant's Gardens [...] You observe the small meeting: masked, hooded and otherwise obscured figures [...]"*
6. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* "*recovering souls is essential, returning them to their correct owners is actually the most difficult part of the C.V.R.'s work [...] Have you any souls for restoration or infernal contracts to help the process along?"*
7. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* *"He speaks [...] with such detailed knowledge that you suspect him of once having been a spirifer himself."*
8. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* "Both souls and contracts together! [...] The more influential members of the Committee will no doubt sing your praises in certain circles."
9. ↑ The Soul Trade (Story), *Fallen London* *"He hands you a beautiful little pocket watch. [...] the secret sign of members of the Committee of Vital Restitution...*
10. ↑ Caught Up in a Soldier's Heartbreaking Tale, *Fallen London* *"Your duty as a Shepherd of Souls is clear! [...] You do something complicated with your watch and a spare soul jar..."*