The social commentary that drives the plot.
The Gold-Tier: Homes in Mayfair have “Perfect Resonance.” The lights never flicker, and the tea-urn never whispers.
The Gutter-Tier: Council houses in Croydon share a “Communal Ward Stone.” If your neighbor uses too much magic to dry their laundry, your heating goes out.
The Ninth Knot’s Offer: They offer “Free Signal Boosters” to the Gutter-Tier. In reality, these boosters are Packet-Sniffers that let the Syndicate see everything you do behind closed doors.