Hannah Flynn
Administrator
Posts: 491
12/29/2016
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Moloch Street Station, where the soulless depart London. Board the train to Hell, intercept an infernal agent, and solve a murder in which all the suspects are already damned. All aboard!
The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street is the second story in the Season of Skies, and was written by James Chew. The Season of Skies involves three linked stories wherein you investigate outlandish outbreaks of crime, in pursuit of a hitherto undetected criminal mastermind.
All players will be able to explore a web of conspiracies inside their studies. Exceptional Friends may, over the coming months, uncover a plot that could forever change London. Each month's story stands alone, but playing all three will unlock the season's bonus content.
Look for An Exceptional Story: An Infernal Interview to begin, available throughout London.
Editing and QA: Olivia Wood, Cash Decuir, and Chris Gardner.
Art by Paul Arendt.
EXCEPTIONAL FRIENDSHIP
In addition to a new, substantial, stand-alone story every month, Exceptional Friends enjoy:
- Access to the House of Chimes: an exclusive private member's club on the Stolen River, packed with content
- An expanded opportunity deck: of ten cards instead of six!
- A second candle: Twice the actions! 40 at once!
Finishing all three stories in the Season of Skies will make you eligible for an additional opportunity, to follow.
If you want to keep an Exceptional Story beyond the month it’s for, you must complete the related storylet in your Study. This will save it for you to return to another time.
edited by h4nchan on 12/29/2016
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Wields the news canon, aboard the hype train.
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Addis Rook
Posts: 125
12/30/2016
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this image should be a running gag/FL meme from now on
edited by Addis Rook on 12/30/2016
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Barse
Posts: 706
12/29/2016
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That was fabulous! I'll use the spoiler tag liberally here because everyone should experience it blind (especially seeing as it is, for the most part, relatively linear).
[spoiler] It's great to finally see FL get deep into the classic detective story! That the characters were, by and large, detective story cliches (or at least reducible to a few words: the wife pushed to the brink, the embittered ex-colleague, etc.) didn't bother me in the slightest, their familiarity grounding the story in the uncertain territory between homage and parody (this time to Christie) that FL seems to occupy so well. The weaving in of the narrative hook with the main meat of the story was artfully done and the interactions of the two plots - the Lily and the Earl - made a lot of sense, which sounds like very faint praise but it's great to watch the stories get consistently better with regard to engaging the player and justifying why the player character is doing a lot of these things (i.e. here, even if you play your character as someone who doesn't give two hoots about the Earl's death, only through working out everyone's connections to him can you find your true target). I was thinking similar thoughts last month with the Persona Engine's exploration section as well, which has by far the most engaging exploration section I've encountered in the game both mechanically and narratively - I love seeing new things get tried and changed up in every story, watching the mechanics and frameworks, on the whole, slowly improving each time something new is tried. I hope some of the new and very cool ways in which FBG tell stories and structure things in recent ESs bleed out into any future free content! [/spoiler]
Oh, and Hell and its hinterlands! Finally a peek in the only direction we've never been able to go; Westwards. In the last few months I've been saying "This is one of my favourite ESs" a lot, and this month is no exception.
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 The Scorched Sailor, up for most social actions and RP. Not as scary as he looks.
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Akernis
Posts: 255
12/31/2016
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John Moose wrote:
Criticism: I wish we would have gotten a chance to point out the killer, and be punished for getting it wrong.
edited by John Moose on 12/31/2016
That seems to be a shared sentiment from many, but for those of us who may not be the best at the intricate guessing and deduction game that is detective work it was quite a relief I didn't have to be punished for something I as a player just may not have been the most suited for.
I would suggest an "All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well." Option, like in the Seven-Day-Reign and Flint. So those who wanted to try their hand at the detective work with more 'real' consequences can do that, and those who would just enjoy the story don't have to stress about having forgotten some obscure detail.
.
edited by Akernis on 12/31/2016
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Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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Indigo Clardmond
Posts: 60
12/30/2016
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Just thought I'd say it since I don't think anyone else has yet...
Next time I tell someone to go to Hell, I can recommend the bl__dy sights!
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Indigo Clardmond - A kind-hearted Notary that is also a member of the C.V.R. And good friend to the Rubberies. And close to the Urchins. A gentleman of many talents. He is most definitely not secretly an imp of an existential nature. That would just be silly.
Vazio Solus - A broken, bitter Correspondent with a sick relationship to the Truth. Defiant to all, even in the end, as the Gate was opened.
The Luminous Orphan - A dazzling young Doctor of legendary charisma, weaving powerful Celestial imagery while she studies the form...'a star' would certainly be an appropriate way to describe her.
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Hotshot Blackburn
Posts: 110
12/30/2016
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This was a highly enjoyable Exceptional Story, with some spooky yet amazing lore and implications for the setting! It's so good I'm actually kinda sad it's locked behind the Fate-Gate, but it's kinda like Sunless Sea I guess - you have to pay money to get the text of Sunless Sea that adds to the lore of Fallen London, and there are ways for people to reveal it.
The imagery and little details were great. One in particular I haven't seen people bring up is the [spoiler]imagery of the Conductor whistling a tune where "the melody suggests a saxophone ought to be involved". Beautiful reference to the devil's aesthetic being loosely thirty years in the future or so.[/spoiler] Its the little things that really round out the Big Imagery and Literary References in my opinion and that keeps it from getting a little too abstract and impressionist.
edited by Hotshot Blackburn on 12/30/2016
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Hotshot Blackburn: Messidor, Aspirant to the Calendar Council. Paramount Presence. Seeker of the Name. A firm believer in kindness, solidarity, and sufficient use of force and firepower.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
1/15/2017
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I held off playing this until Sacksmas was mostly over, hence why my review is a little late. I really enjoyed this story. The writing was very good, the mechanics were fun, and it told me everything I ever needed to know about Moloch Street Station and why people actually take the train to Hell (it was as I suspected, Hell wanting a certain number of physical bodies as well as souls). I liked all the characters and even felt sympathy for the Conductor, who was very polite and professional and oh so dignified at the end…
Generally I liked the story for the same reasons everyone else liked it. So I think I’ll devote most of my review to the question of whether the sabotage/descend mechanic somehow “cheated” players.
In the past the criticism has been made that playing an absolutely awful person generally gets you a greater profit than playing someone who generally the decent thing. I don’t know how true this is, but to the extent that it is true it could be detrimental to role playing as people are somewhat penalized for playing their characters as they imagine them.
But this in turn gets us also the conundrum that you’re not really doing the decent thing within the story if there’s potentially no cost. If good and evil profit you equally then you’re just taking a different, more palatable path to profit. If you do a good deed for the reward, you’re not really doing a good deed for its own sake, so it’s not really a good deed now, is it? And if wickedness doesn’t pay more than good then the only reason for the player to commit wicked acts is their character’s ideology or sadism. This would also be detrimental to role playing.
There’s also the question of how to make Exceptional Stories a bit more challenging given that they involve characters of all different skill levels and so skill checks are necessarily low and pretty much a joke for higher characters, while puzzles that fully advertise themselves can generally be figured out.
I suspect that the hidden content that only revealed itself once the player had committed themselves concerning the fate of the passengers was an attempt to address these issues. And I think this was very successful.
The setup made players choose what was more important to them and/or their characters: selfishly experiencing a revelation or saving the passengers from damnation. There was also the third option of helping repair or sabotaging the train and getting the hell out of there, skipping the revelation entirely. The third option was thus the safe option, choosing to avoid something that might go badly.
As it happened, those who choose to save the passengers also got to experience the revelation and the revelation increased your nightmares a bit but didn’t do anything else to you. But the situation could easily have been reversed, with players who sacrificed the passengers getting a valuable item or something. Or, alternatively, instead of a revelation something really horrible might have happened to you had you lingered too long, just like what happened in the Lifeburg story. The atmosphere at the gorge got increasingly foreboding the longer you tarried, I was half afraid lingering there was going to backfire big time. To be honest, I was more afraid of hanging around the gorge than I was of entering Hell, and Hell had one of FB’s trademark warning labels!
Clearly some people don’t like being taken unawares and felt cheated, but there was really no other way to introduce this mechanic as doing so would spoil the story. Now it has been clearly established that there can be unexpected benefits or detriments to your choices and that going forward not every choice will be completely upfront in its consequences or finality, so we know what to expect. This introduces a nice element of chance into future stories. In playing your characters you don’t quite know what you’ll get, so you roll the dice and hope your decision is better than it seems. Or you can play it safe and focus on minimizing risks (in this case helping repair the train and getting the hell out of there). Whatever you feel is best for your character.
Those who aren’t interested in playing their characters and solely want the most content or greatest profit can always wait for people to post hints, reminisces and reviews on the forums and such. So in the long run everyone wins.
Helga von Lichtenstein wrote:
I enjoyed the story but I found it difficult to piece things together. I feel like I missed quite a bit of investigating as when it was time to point out the murderer the conclusions and reasoning my character (automatically) stated were surprising due to containing information I was unaware of. I had started writing notes (because I like mysteries though I am not too good) and ended up feeling that I had missed crucial bits of information at the end.
Same here. I wonder if this was very much intentional and they were going the whole “Murder by Death” route, where the cheap detective book trick of the detective semi-concealing information from the reader is exaggerated to the point that the detectives reach conclusions that the viewer could not possibly have come to. Anyway, an actual player determined murder mystery would either be so easy that everyone would solve it or so difficult that most of us wouldn’t, so I think having our characters handle it was better.
My one criticism is that entering Hell didn’t increase Hellfarer at all. That seems to have been a genuine oversight.
edited by Anne Auclair on 1/16/2017
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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John Moose
Posts: 276
12/31/2016
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I loved this story. The pacing was well done, and unlike some ES'es it didn't feel like it was over too soon (partially because of all the time spent re-reading my own echoes.) It's lovely to finally get some insight into Moloch Street and Hell, and I aprreciated having an obscure bit of lore dangled in front of me at the price of saving souls from damnation. Of course, like a good little lore hamster, I ran down the gorge at the first chance.
The writing was great, and I'd really like to congratulate the writer for it. All the characters felt interesting and I felt personally invested in their outcomes, wishing the murderer good riddance on their way and getting quite the satisfaction from denying Hell their little plaything. I'm very tempted to join the chorus of "best ES", admittedly partly because I'm currently having a bit of a Hell-mania which this ES coincided with very well.
Criticism: I wish we would have gotten a chance to point out the killer, and be punished for getting it wrong. I had a page of scribbled notes to make sure i'd get it right, so it was a bit disappointing to just be railroaded through the reveal. Not that I didn't still enjoy the scene.
PS: My stats barely changed, and I'm relatively sure any change was downwards. You lucky devils.
PPS: Am I the only one who suspected the conductor? I mean, that announcement still seems ridiculously suspicious to me.
edited by John Moose on 12/31/2016
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
1/2/2017
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Cthonius wrote:
Iirc it was originally art for the Iron Republic, and fit with the Hell stuff here to be reused
Oh, I haven't been to the Iron Republic yet, so I didn't know it was used there. I spent the first part of the trip wondering what an angry mob had to do with the story, until the pit stop, when
[spoiler] I talked to the Dignitary and she revealed she had to flee a mob at some point in her past, which caused me to assume that the artwork was in reference to that incident and therefore, the Dignitary had to be a character who was important to the story. And since she couldn't be the Lily because it had been established that the Lily was a man, that left her being the murderer as the most likely reason she was deemed important enough to be referenced by the background artwork [/spoiler]
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Frederick Metzengerstein
Posts: 69
1/2/2017
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I have always assumed the mob artwork reflects (a) the Iron Republic's founding in the revolution which overthrew the Infernal aristocracy (b) the anarchic nature of Hell, where physical laws and time itself is mutable (c) the violence and hostility of its demonic citizenry.
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Silverias
Posts: 123
12/30/2016
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I went into Hell. It was fun. We had tea, it had weird honey on it.
It didn't increase my hellfarer though. 7/10, would recommend with caveats.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Silverias
Stop by and say hello, I'm a correspondent if you need someone to teach your kids.
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DeserterKalak
Posts: 94
12/29/2016
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I did not read the requirements specifically enough, so the train made it on time -even though I'd sabotaged the engine three times- because I spent one more turn exploring rather than leaving.
Like, I had the option to leave, and be late. But I waited. And therefore could only be on time.
.
I really, really want to have delayed the train, and hope there will be a option to reset this story with fate 
edited by DeserterKalak on 12/29/2016
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/DeserterKalak
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
12/29/2016
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Robin Alexander wrote:
suinicide wrote:
I have it echoed, robin.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/10614364/EventConclusion?contentKey=265415
edited by suinicide on 12/29/2016
Thank you so much!
Kind of makes me wish I took that option, as it doesn't seem like anything bad happened, despite the warning . . . I was too worried about maybe losing my soul or something or the kind. Still, fascinating to read and great to know what may have happened 
I do want to point out the typo on 'lovers', though; pretty sure the apostrophe should come after the 's' XD
edited by Robin Alexander on 12/29/2016
Oh, it does...things...to your stats. Very strange things.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
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Cthonius
Posts: 362
12/29/2016
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I missed out on sabotage anyway, wanting to descend. Should be finishing soon.
So far my thoughts are thus: surprised by the seemingly higher amount of Shakespeare, amused by the more traditionally Christian stuff put forward (it almost feels out of place, being so used to neathy church talk, but it's welcome to see), and most importantly it's a murder mystery, on a train, to Hell! Right up my alley! More info on hell and the Moloch St Train, plus more Hell Royalty are always a plus
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Cthonius, gone North. Gone.
Oneiropompus, a Scarlet Saint, eager to help make your dreams realities. Accepting all social requests for now.
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Hannah Flynn
Administrator
Posts: 491
12/29/2016
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suinicide wrote:
The moloch station..doesn't seem to be in ladybones road.
Fixed!
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Wields the news canon, aboard the hype train.
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
12/29/2016
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Absolutely adoring the art used throughout :')
It's positively beautiful; I also think this is my first time coming across this particular writer, but the writing style is so lovely and flows like poetry, it feels natural and really engrossing, and I adore that from a writer. I really hope to see more from this writer in future
I'll comment more on the story itself when done; will say for now it's a little confusing how to get the 'pipers' quality, so did miss out a little due to mechanics, but the story itself is interesting.
Feels like this is the story about Hell we've been waiting for; it's adding to lore, is very compelling, and is so far an enjoyable read/play.
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Hark DeGaul
Posts: 208
12/29/2016
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It may be just me, but I think some of the options in the Henlys have multiple responses.
[spoiler] When going to the circle with five Piper's Call as Hebediah I got the following:
The climb to the stones is considerable. There are withered, leafless trees here, amongst the stony grass. Fog cloaks the stones on the hill in an eery mantle.
A figure waits by the circle, recognisable only by the plume of smoke emerging from his cigar. The Louche Bohemian gestures down at the gaping gorge. "Monstrous thing, isn't it? Don't get too close. Hell has caged one of their own below. These were once the gates to her realm."
However, when going to the circle with no Piper's Call with Hark I got this:
Off for a stroll? I think I'm in the mood for some light exercise myself." The Louche Bohemian falls into step beside you. He offers a few congenial sips from his hip-flask. "Can't trust the water here. Brackish – or worse – I'd hazard."
The terrain is rough-going. The higher one climbs, the thicker the fog, and the steeper the incline.
The stones emerge from the shroud suddenly. They stand in a circle, leaning against each other for support. On one is inscribed drums, on another a pipe. The Louche Bohemian insists you do not linger long. [/spoiler]
Edit: On further experimentation the gorge also has multiple flavour texts. I'd be interested in knowing if the writing and the moor do to, as I didn't come across any.
edited by Hark DeGaul on 12/29/2016
edited by Hark DeGaul on 12/29/2016
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The Dawn-Eyed Optician: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hark%20DeGaul
That Vicar Who Ruined the Royal Wedding for Everyone (including himself): http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hebediah%20Fix
The Dreaded Relative: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Your%20Aunt
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Dima Lazarev
Posts: 172
12/29/2016
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My unmodified stats now are W228, S202, D218, and P248 (!). I know that this is a bug which will be fixed (mailed support already), but I wanted to share this anyway.
edited by ropewalker on 12/29/2016
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Dima Lazarev
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babelfishwars
Administrator
Posts: 1152
12/29/2016
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Hello! The stats above cap is a glitch - please drop me a ticket: support@failbettergames.com and I'll get this resolved.
edited by babelfishwars on 12/29/2016
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Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
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Harlocke
Posts: 506
1/5/2017
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I enjoyed the story a lot. I'm a little surprised that entering hell doesn't add a new quality to your character though. It seems the kind of thing that might be relevant in a future story. For example, if there's ever an exceptional story involving the Bishop of Southwark, and he's railing against the evils of hell, it could have unlocked an option like saying "I've been there! It wasn't half bad."
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I welcome social actions, and can visit your salon as an author.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Harlocke
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Scienceandponies
Posts: 247
12/30/2016
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Sir Joseph Marlen wrote:
I'm finding that many people are having issues with both descending and successfully sabotaging the train while in Henlys, while a few have mentioned doing both easily. For anyone in the latter category, would you mind educating us on how you were able to do both? I've just arrived there myself and would like to do both, but this time-limited system feels a bit intimidating and I'd rather not screw something up with an unlucky click of the mouse.
edited by Sir Joseph Marlen on 12/30/2016
Though the option to descend originally had requirement of at most 2 sabotage, when I reached 3 sabotage, the option was replaced by a near identical option with a requirement of 3 or more. When I descended (having missed the exact number of sabotage and repair values to pick the specific delayed departure option), I was automatically notified that the train had been successfully delayed.
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Indigo Clardmond
Posts: 60
12/30/2016
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Scienceandponies wrote:
Sir Joseph Marlen wrote:
I'm finding that many people are having issues with both descending and successfully sabotaging the train while in Henlys, while a few have mentioned doing both easily. For anyone in the latter category, would you mind educating us on how you were able to do both? I've just arrived there myself and would like to do both, but this time-limited system feels a bit intimidating and I'd rather not screw something up with an unlucky click of the mouse.
edited by Sir Joseph Marlen on 12/30/2016
Though the option to descend originally had requirement of at most 2 sabotage, when I reached 3 sabotage, the option was replaced by a near identical option with a requirement of 3 or more. When I descended (having missed the exact number of sabotage and repair values to pick the specific delayed departure option), I was automatically notified that the train had been successfully delayed.
That makes a lot more sense now and I wish that was made clearer, since I'd been under the impression descending locked you out of successfully sabotaging the train, only achievable by getting exact values in all three qualities. This would also have made my goal of seeing as much possible flavour text about Henlys and such...erm....possible, given that I wouldn't have needed to worry about getting anything but sabotage values up before the Drums reached 8.
For me the frustration with the mechanic was a matter of feeling forced out of character when there was a way to be in character, and seeing all my efforts being negated. After all, I can just read other people's echoes of the content I missed. It just really disrupted the narrative of the moment and took away from my enjoyment of some of my favourite subject matter that I will always enjoy exploring regardless of who ends up writing it really. Demons + Hell Lore + Murder Mystery (is being murdered on the way to Hell even more redundant than being regularly murdered in Fallen London? These are the questions that need answers!) spells out an instant recipe for my personal enjoyment, particularly in a setting and world I've come to love and invest so heavily in since I discovered it earlier this year.
edited by Indigo Clardmond on 12/30/2016
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Indigo Clardmond - A kind-hearted Notary that is also a member of the C.V.R. And good friend to the Rubberies. And close to the Urchins. A gentleman of many talents. He is most definitely not secretly an imp of an existential nature. That would just be silly.
Vazio Solus - A broken, bitter Correspondent with a sick relationship to the Truth. Defiant to all, even in the end, as the Gate was opened.
The Luminous Orphan - A dazzling young Doctor of legendary charisma, weaving powerful Celestial imagery while she studies the form...'a star' would certainly be an appropriate way to describe her.
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
12/31/2016
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Akernis wrote:
John Moose wrote:
Criticism: I wish we would have gotten a chance to point out the killer, and be punished for getting it wrong.
edited by John Moose on 12/31/2016
That seems to be a shared sentiment from many, but for those of us who may not be the best at the intricate guessing and deduction game that is detective work it was quite a relief I didn't have to be punished for something I as a player just may not have been the most suited for.
I would suggest an &quotAll shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.&quot Option, like in the Seven-Day-Reign and Flint. So those who wanted to try their hand at the detective work with more 'real' consequences can do that, and those who would just enjoy the story don't have to stress about having forgotten some obscure detail.
.
edited by Akernis on 12/31/2016
edited by Akernis on 12/31/2016
We also could have done the "guess who did it" but if you guessed wrong your character would add on why the person couldn't have done it, like it already does, but giving the player control.
edited by suinicide on 12/31/2016
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
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Barse
Posts: 706
12/30/2016
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During the stop at Hemly's it's certainly possible to do all of the exploration options more than once (each exploration option has a different passenger lurking near it, if memory serves). I did each of them twice and ran into alternate text for the Stairs (with the Reverend) and the Circle of Stones (with the Bohemian) options, but there may have been other alternate successes I didn't run into.
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The Scorched Sailor, up for most social actions and RP. Not as scary as he looks.
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
12/30/2016
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Wait, you could get alternate text during the pitstop? Well, I guess that explains why I had plenty of time then. I only talked to each person once.
Darn it! :P
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Hark DeGaul
Posts: 208
12/30/2016
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For those interested in alternate options at the Gates of Hell:
[spoiler]You can find the option for consigning the Hawker to Hell here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hark%20DeGaul?fromEchoId=10641937
And for consigning the reverend here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hebediah%20Fix?fromEchoId=10641898
I would not recommend either of them to anybody. I chose both out of a desire to be a completionist, reasoning that in the first case I had doomed everyone anyway by not sabotaging the train so the least guilty shoul benefit from her master's spoils and that in the second I could perhaps argue that putting a reverend in Hell was a victory for the Church. I regret everything and I think that's the point.[/spoiler]
edited by Hark DeGaul on 12/30/2016
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The Dawn-Eyed Optician: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hark%20DeGaul
That Vicar Who Ruined the Royal Wedding for Everyone (including himself): http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hebediah%20Fix
The Dreaded Relative: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Your%20Aunt
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MidnightVoyager
Posts: 858
1/3/2017
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Really, I don't mind being told that I figured out who the murderer was. The journal system is messed up enough that I'd have easily been able to forget something important while waiting for an action refresh and have no way to look back and remind myself.
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Midnight Voyager - A blood-cousin to predators. Collector of beasts. Affably mad.
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Cthonius
Posts: 362
1/1/2017
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Kukapetal wrote:
Speaking of figuring out the mystery ourselves, did anyone else guess who the murderer was because of
[spoiler] that awesome artwork of an angry mob in the background :P [/spoiler]
Iirc it was originally art for the Iron Republic, and fit with the Hell stuff here to be reused
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Cthonius, gone North. Gone.
Oneiropompus, a Scarlet Saint, eager to help make your dreams realities. Accepting all social requests for now.
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
12/30/2016
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I admit to being confused by people getting such different results during the emergency stop, because in my playthrough, I had plenty of time to do everything. I sabatoged the train 3 times, talked to everybody, sabatoged it one more time to use up an extra action, and then Descended. I wonder how we all ended up with such different results.
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DeserterKalak
Posts: 94
12/29/2016
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Also, this story is so atmospheric and utterly chilling. The slow build of menace is terrific. No wonder FBG have been saving Moloch Station in a back pocket...
edited by DeserterKalak on 12/29/2016
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/DeserterKalak
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surreyjack
Posts: 105
12/30/2016
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A wonderful story, I enjoyed the trip. Though the lack of choice in the mystery's resolution was moderately disappointing.
[spoiler] For those wishing to see what happened in hell or how the descent went, I have both echoed in my journal [/spoiler]
edited by surreyjack on 12/30/2016
--
My paramount presence, poet laurate, correspondent, main : http://fallenlondon.com/profile/surreyjack
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Hattington
Posts: 210
12/30/2016
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Mr. Sails wrote:
Err, so is the interaction when entering *that place* bugged? I believe I gained something like 30+ levels shadowy, bringing me up to a slick 138
Also, any thoughts about the relevance of the [spoiler] greek imagery when descending, especially so Dionysus' Thyrsus and Zeuz's adamantium throne? Mentions of fallen princesses also point in the direction of our dear Traitor Empress Victoria[/spoiler]
edited by Cantankerous Captain on 12/29/2016
I find that especially intriguing in light of a certain Bloody-Handed Queen which can be rescued from a Destiny based the chess dreams. Except, I'm not sure if this is her when upon descending, she recognises you as not one of her own.
I'm more alarmed at the fact that Hell can apparently smith Law. Also, in light of what process earthly bees are involved in to collect honey I find the idea that Devils feed on the red honey-distilled SELFHOOD convincing.
Either way, between this, the Museum and a certain encounter in the Sunless Sea I'm beginning to see the Liberation of Night, like many revolutions, is just another proxy war that uses ideology to advance the hand of greater powers.
edited by Hattington on 12/30/2016
edited by Hattington on 12/30/2016
--
The Dawnburnt Vake-Rider: https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Hattington
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Mjonir
Posts: 2
12/30/2016
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I really enjoyed this story. I think it's probably one of my all-time favorites. It was really well written, the rhythm was excellent and the setting extremely interesting.
That said, I deplore a bit its linearity. I think this month's author wrote it as a single fiction, instead of the branching stories we are used to in FL, and its adaptation was only an afterthought. I first noticed it when some excerpts were felt "out of order", not remembering events that already happened order the way I chose to play them. The conclusion of the murder was also a bit of a letdown, I would have like to take a jab at finding the culprit myself and had already happily prepared a full page of notes (by the way, why does the contract reference its servantS when there is only the Nervous Hawker? That got me pretty confused as I had momentarily concluded that the Louche Bohemian also had to be a servant of his). But comparing with a friend, I feel that the choice of *not* sabotaging the train is there more as an illusion than as a real choice. It brings no content, and instead rushed past other interesting content. Even worse, I felt that the sabotage that *didn't occur* was referenced in the following snippets. I would have liked to see an epilogue similar to the sabotage ending, where we'd learn the pain the poor souls will have to go through when entering Hell. This would have given weight to the "evil" decision of not sabotaging the train and leading everybody to their planned doom instead of the "business as usual, nothing to see" ending I felt I got.
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
12/30/2016
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[spoiler]I wasn't sure if we'd have to solve the mystery ourselves or if our characters would do it for us, so I drew up a timeline and started researching poisons. I had pretty much the right answer anyway, though I was led astray by a false clue - that the apparently genuine man of the cloth did not know his saints. An effect of soullessness? A lapse in his studies?[/spoiler]
--
Sir Frederick, the Libertarian Esotericist. Lord Hubris, the Bloody Baron.
Juniper Brown, the Ill-Fated Orphan. Esther Ellis-Hall, the Fashionable Fabian.
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phryne
Posts: 1351
12/29/2016
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Is this in any way related to the Sallow Spirifer/Blind Pianist story?
(... one can always hope) 
--
Accounts: Bag a Legend • Light Fingers • Heart's Desire • Nemesis • no ambition
Exceptional Stories, sorted by Season and by writer ― Favours & Renown Guide
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Plynkes
Posts: 631
12/29/2016
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Ulp!
As one of the Soulless myself, I'm really not sure getting on the train and heading in that direction is such a good idea. Never had a use for the thing, and don't miss it, but even so... I can get a return ticket, right?
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"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop, but don't tell me."
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
12/29/2016
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Uh oh writers, you broke poor Fleshy again. And right when he was celebrating his victory, too! :P
[spoiler] The poor conductor. Looks like Fleshy will have another addition to the Sad drawing [/spoiler]
That said, wow was this story fun! A murder mystery, a sightseeing tour in a place we've never been to before, AND a chance to p*ss off Hell! We have a winner! Too bad I had to end it RPing as Mopey Fleshy, but he'll get over it eventually. He always does :P
edited by Kukapetal on 12/29/2016
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Will It Work
Posts: 3
12/29/2016
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My, my. Highly admiring, in many ways. A slightly different Express, and well done.
Personally, I found time management difficult, but suppose those are the wares of the unwary. I'd caution others here not to fear retracing their steps, nor to fear the drums.
In all, I found this a rather safe story — and while I'm not complaining, one would think murder and Hell would bring more peril.
My only complaint is that I would have liked to keep the pocketwatch — being a collector of timepieces, of a sort.
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dov
Posts: 2580
1/9/2017
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I enjoyed this story quite a bit. It was indeed very linear, but that doesn't mean it's not a good story. I liked the style of the story and the Agatha Christie feel of it.
I would have liked some more time at the stop to explore some more (especially once I realized there are multiple results from talking with the same people).
I also appreciated the choice of having our character find out the real killer (because even if our character is smart, there's no guarantee that the *player* will figure it out). I agree with others who wrote here that it would have been really cool to have a "all shall be well?" choice that would allow taking the risk of solving the mystery ourselves, while accepting consequences for getting it wrong.
And I absolutely *love* the hints at a larger conspiracy when reviewing the case in our study. Suddenly it's not all fun and games - there are some serious implications to all of this and we've only started to scratch the surface.
Updated subjective ranking of all Exceptional Stories so far:
[spoiler]Excellent:
Lost in Reflections
Cut with Moonlight
The Frequently Deceased
The Waltz that Moved the World
Flint
The Twelve-Fifteen From Moloch Street
The Persona Engine
Where You and I Must Go
Good:
The Pentecost Predicament
The Calendar Code
The Art of Murder
The Chimney Pot Wars
The Final Curtain
Our Lady of Pyres
Five Minutes to Midday
Discernment
The Haunting at the Marsh House
Meh:
The Last Dog Society
The Seven-Day Reign
The Court of Cats
[/spoiler]
--
 Want a sip of Hesperidean Cider? Send me a request in-game. Here's an_ocelot's guide how.
(Most social actions are welcome. Please no requests to Loiter Suspiciously and no investigations of the Affluent Photographer)
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James Sinclair
Posts: 253
1/11/2017
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I finished this story a couple of days ago, and really enjoyed it -- easily one of the best Exceptional Stories so far, and I've finished them all. I particularly liked the diverse cast of characters, not just the passengers but the Hell-train crew as well. For added ambiance, I had a looping youtube video of train sounds playing the background while I played through this story.
I didn't mind that the investigation was a bit railroaded (if you'll pardon the pun) -- the StoryNexus format of Fallen London is not, in my opinion, very well-suited to the sort of deductive investigations that some players on this thread seem to want (i.e. The Rubbery Murders, which frustrated many). And as others have noted, it's not entirely fitting in with the spirit of the game to have a player unable to solve a mystery when their character is a highly Watchful individual.
The best part was, like in Flint, getting to visit new areas outside of London. Descending into the gorge in Helnys and then going on a tour of Hell were great! Where is that blasted Affluent Photographer when you need her to take some pictures, anyway? Regardless, I do hope we'll be seeing more Infernal politics and machinations (not to mention machines) in the future...
--
James Sinclair
Curator of the Sanguine Ribbon Society 🗡
 A fully-fledged rêveur of The Night Circus.
Wines is red
Spices is yellow
But old Jack-of-Smiles
Is a murderous fellow
☠
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NotaWalrus
Posts: 221
1/11/2017
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The option to descend with 3+ sabotage shouldn't be hidden. My character agonized over descending or sabotaging because I thought the options would be mutually exclusive. I chose descending and left the train unsabotagued, which left a very bad taste in my mouth and made me enjoy the story much, much less.
--
http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/NotaWalrus
Ignacious, the Fluid Professor, he will accept most social invitations, including boxed cats and affluent photographers (but only betrayals), though he is absent-minded and might take more time than entirely necessary. He apologizes.
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Jasper
Posts: 8
12/29/2016
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Really enjoyed this!!! The murder mystery was different and a lot of fun, and the devils have always been my favourite faction so learning more about Hell (!!) and what they get up to was exciting. I only became an Exceptional Friend last month and I'm so glad it was for this season, love where it's headed and looking forward to next month's story!
--
They say: "Had he as many souls as there be stars, he'd give them all for his infernal friends."
main - http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Jasper%20Sinkia
alt (on a path of self-destruction) - http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Sinkia
any & all social actions welcome!
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Cthonius
Posts: 362
12/29/2016
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So I know it might have been obvious by the Season's name, but it looks like we've enough info to gather what's going on to some extent
[spoiler] we're seeing the setup for how London will join the High Wilderness. Usage of Red Science, protection from Sunlight, and whatever will come from the Gate-Prophet story [/spoiler]
edited by Cthonius on 12/29/2016
edited by Cthonius on 12/29/2016
--
Cthonius, gone North. Gone.
Oneiropompus, a Scarlet Saint, eager to help make your dreams realities. Accepting all social requests for now.
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IHNIWTR
Posts: 346
12/29/2016
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BFW: Bug noted and caught. Thanks.
edited by babelfishwars on 12/29/2016
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Daniel%20Vaise
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
12/29/2016
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Some curious text about the nature of Hell in FL; it's not quite like the conventional Christian Hell, not by a long shot.
Cthonius, I seem to have left my main with no choice *but* to descend; I am echoing as I go, and will post again when I have echoed the Descent. (I'd do that here except I'm out of actions right now.)
edited by cathyr19355 on 12/29/2016
--
Cathy Raymond
http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/cathyr19355
Catherine Raymond aka Mrs. Rykar Malkus http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Catherine%20Raymond (Gone NORTH)
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Omega8520
Posts: 102
12/29/2016
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BFW: Bug noted and caught. Thanks.
edited by babelfishwars on 12/29/2016
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Omega8520
A Correspondent of measure and restraint, not-withstanding a tendancy to rush into things.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Menacing%20Seeker
Northwards with Noman. At least they'll have company.
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
12/29/2016
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suinicide wrote:
I have it echoed, robin.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/ShowMore/10614364/EventConclusion?contentKey=265415
edited by suinicide on 12/29/2016
Thank you so much!
Kind of makes me wish I took that option, as it doesn't seem like anything bad happened, despite the warning . . . I was too worried about maybe losing my soul or something or the kind. Still, fascinating to read and great to know what may have happened
I do want to point out the typo on 'lovers', though; pretty sure the apostrophe should come after the 's' XD
edited by Robin Alexander on 12/29/2016
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
12/29/2016
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Distantly, yes. Similar themes and such. But I haven't finished it yet.
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
12/29/2016
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I am very thankful for this story and everything I've seen so far.
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
12/29/2016
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The moloch station..doesn't seem to be in ladybones road.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
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Shadowcthuhlu
Posts: 1557
12/30/2016
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Partially through it, but I love the Murder on the Orient Express feel to this exceptional story. As someone raised on Masterpiece mystery, it has a special place in my heart.
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Dirae%20Erinyes. Closed to calling cards, but open for all other social action. I also love to roleplay.
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Indigo Clardmond
Posts: 60
12/30/2016
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Kukapetal wrote:
I admit to being confused by people getting such different results during the emergency stop, because in my playthrough, I had plenty of time to do everything. I sabatoged the train 3 times, talked to everybody, sabatoged it one more time to use up an extra action, and then Descended. I wonder how we all ended up with such different results.
It is because sabotaging it result requires EXACTLY 5 repair progress, 3 Sabotage progress and no more than 7 Drum progress. Descend will be locked if repair progress goes above a certain number, forget which.
In my instance, owing to the fact I wanted to see every exploring flavour storylet before I let the sabotaged train go, I ended up accumulating one too many repair points, and then locked myself out of Descend by misunderstanding what had happened, trying to accumulate more repair points thinking Sabotage needed them built up more...and then basically locking myself into the most boring option of the train leaving on time.
In addition to this, when I took up the Emissary's generous invitation, I received the rather irritating and confusing message that my Shadowy stat could not increase past 114, as it was higher than 137. I hope that this is a bug and I did not just miss out on 23 levels of increase on said stat...
All in all a story I would've absolutely loved were it not for the confusing, harshly limiting nature of the emergency stop and the impact that had on the rest of it.
edited by Indigo Clardmond on 12/30/2016
--
Indigo Clardmond - A kind-hearted Notary that is also a member of the C.V.R. And good friend to the Rubberies. And close to the Urchins. A gentleman of many talents. He is most definitely not secretly an imp of an existential nature. That would just be silly.
Vazio Solus - A broken, bitter Correspondent with a sick relationship to the Truth. Defiant to all, even in the end, as the Gate was opened.
The Luminous Orphan - A dazzling young Doctor of legendary charisma, weaving powerful Celestial imagery while she studies the form...'a star' would certainly be an appropriate way to describe her.
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Lamia Lawless
Posts: 604
12/30/2016
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I'm looking for the echoes for [spoiler]successful sabotaging.
Also different results when you choose to turn over the wrong person. The priest, the servant, the wife.
I turned over the Disgraced Dignitary. It seems like most people did. I decided to frolic around exploring Hell's hinterlands while the train was being repaired. I wanted to get enough of that musical quality to go visit the princess of hell, but time ran out for me. I visited every available place at least once and revisited two of them twice, plus helped with the repair work once. That was apparently enough to lock me out of visiting the princess.
Anyway, I loved this story, in a way that I can't actually articulate! It just meant a lot to me to finally be able to see Hell.[/spoiler]
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The Harmonic Hellfarer
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Vavakx Nonexus
Posts: 892
12/30/2016
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I really liked parts of the story, and really disliked others.
The murder mystery, in my opinion was pretty disappointing for me. I was told beforehand that the murderer would be automatically revealed, and so the entire mystery carried very little meaning for me. As someone before me said, it is disappointingly linear at times. No one attempted to bribe me or give me some choice in the mystery beyond 'click buttons to continue examining cool train in hopes of ending this boring investigation'. The stop at Henlys didn't help with the feeling, and served as a distraction from the mystery.
Henlys itself had great writing, but bad mechanics. I greatly enjoyed the Descend text (which I had to find in someone else's echoes), along with exploration. The way you sabotage the train is also hilarious, but the strict predetermination of the ending left me disappointed and unable to do the ending for the stop at Henlys I actually wanted to.
The end choices of the ES are also disappointingly simple. Do you like the Devils/Hell? If yes, just do what they tell you to. If not, do any other option. There was no hard choice here, only knowing basic stuff about your character.
I won't say much about visiting Hell, except that the text there is A+ and you should check it out, along with the fact that I lost 10-30 levels in all of my stats when entering. I suspect this is due to me equipping nothing else but a Talkative Rattus Faber in an attempt to game the system. It seems that Hell checks your modified stats instead of your base stats when deciding the effects Hell will have on them. Due to me having lowered modified stats, the game changed my base ones to very roughly match them.
--
Amets Estibariz, the Moulting Eidolon: Cradled by a sun all their own.
Blabbing, the Hobo Everyone Knows: The One Who Pulls The Strings. A Clarity In The Darkness.
Charlotte and the Caretaker: A family?
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Akernis
Posts: 255
12/30/2016
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Oh this was absolutely delightful. Exceptionally well-written, very atmospheric, and with a lot of memorable moments and and great mystery to solve. I am ecstatic.
[spoiler]I especially enjoyed the little emergency stop in Henlys. I loved the mystery surrounding the Piper, now that is one of Hell's princesses I would most definitely like to see more of.[/spoiler]
So far this has easily been my faovurite season, I can barely wait for the final story and then the thrilling conclusion.
--
Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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Aodyssey
Posts: 43
1/2/2017
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I am curious, how does the character stats gain works from voyaging into Hell? CPs? Flat level gains? [unmodified stat+items] = [new stats]?
My main's were all 200s, so I'm uncertain how nor when to plans my alt's sojourn into the ventral plane.
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Aoditor - a frequently moral upholder of standards, possessing mysterious and indistinct qualities; countenance; loyalties. Promoted from Pawn to Knight piece of the Great Game.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Char_name - a lady from across the Zee, advocate of Khaganian supremacy. Trying to be cruel. Under the generous auspices of the ever estimable Sam Stephens, an Extraordinary Mind.
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Doctor Adventure
Posts: 16
1/3/2017
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I went, but nothing changed. Guess I know myself!
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hamartophilliac
Posts: 7
1/4/2017
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Beautiful writing, very engaging, I loved every step of the story. I delayed the train, figured out the murderer and entered Hell. What else could one possibly wish for? I really hope we'll get more stories from the author.
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Hecate Baudelaire is destruction given form and purpose. Hers is an elegant savagery.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hecate%20Baudelaire
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Helga von Lichtenstein
Posts: 7
1/5/2017
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I enjoyed the story but I found it difficult to piece things together. I feel like I missed quite a bit of investigating as when it was time to point out the murderer the conclusions and reasoning my character (automatically) stated were surprising due to containing information I was unaware of. I had started writing notes (because I like mysteries though I am not too good) and ended up feeling that I had missed crucial bits of information at the end.
Also, could someone share what happens when one turns in the different characters? The actual murderer's echo would be most interesting.
--
Profile: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/HelgaSPACESYMBOLvonSPACESYMBOLLichtenstein
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Frederick Metzengerstein
Posts: 69
1/15/2017
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NotaWalrus wrote:
The option to descend with 3+ sabotage shouldn't be hidden. My character agonized over descending or sabotaging because I thought the options would be mutually exclusive.
My character made his peace with this decision (he chose as yours did) but it annoyed me that others got to experience the revelation after taking the safe option. I thought I made a mistake, rather than a choice.
Anyway, I don't mind too much. As far as my character knew, it was either meet a really special unique entity, or save some people he didn't have any loyalty to who he just met.
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Little Fran
Posts: 15
1/20/2017
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Having just played through the story, I must admit, I'm feeling exceptionally confused, and somewhat dumb. I mean, I do love me a good murder mystery, but this one? I feel like I've managed to miss a large chunk of the story somehow, even though I tried to explore all my options every step of the way, and I read and reread everything along with constantly taking notes. So I come here in search of help. Lots of questions incoming!
[spoiler]Okay, I assume all passengers aboard our train were soulless? What happened to the Hawker's soul then? Did the Earl take it, to condemn her to Hell, so she would serve him there? What happened to the priest's soul? Did the Earl take it as well? The Dignitary's soul - did he take that, too?
Next, what about his wife? Why was she on the same train - did she arrange it to get closer to the Earl so she could kill him? Why was the priest on the same train? If you send him to Hell in the end, he will say "my orders were to investigate not to kill" - investigate what, Hell? The Earl? The Lily?
Why did the Dignitary ask the Hawker to break the train's window? Just to muddle things up? What was the significance of the Earl's watch, why was he clutching it in his hand? (I get that its time was adjusted to reflect the hours of Hell. So in fact he died at 1 pm, not 2 pm. Was that all there was to it?)
Why, in the end, all the passengers, bar two, were allowed to leave? Shouldn't they have been taken to Hell as well? (I played this story on an alt who was a jolly little asshole and wouldn't mind. And yes, the train was late, but it was never brought up - and the Emissary didn't even try to claim anyone else except the Lily and the murderer. Why?)
Okay, and last but certainly not least, why did the Dignitary even kill the Earl? I understand it had something to do with the Earl's contract, but what? Or was it, in fact, a revenge for something that caused her disgrace in Port Carnelian?
Oh dear. Do I feel stupid.
Also - the very-very last now - "I shouldn't worry about the old man. Just see to the levers." What? Who? What?[/spoiler]
Wow, that turned out longer than I expected. I do apologize for the wall of text, but thank you for reading! Any answers are much appreciated.
--
Ms Lyra - Revolutionaries and snakes
The Rhymer - A scandalous and magnificent asshole
Hooded Figure - Too mysterious for this signature
Isabelle Moreau - A lady on a mission
Little Fran - A sacrificial lamb
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phryne
Posts: 1351
1/21/2017
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Okay, this was absolutely delightful, just like last month's! Unless the Gate Prophet turns out to be a disappointment, this will be my favourite Season by far!
Also, it was the perfect story for Eva, just a few days after becoming a Scarlet Saint - going for a visit to Hell, but saving all the souls on the train!
I'm glad for the writer, James Chew, too, since his first ES (Lady of Pyres) didn't push my buttons at all.
My stats changed this way: D 114->120, W 125->120, P 123->127, S 102->106.
Three went up, one went down - can't complain! I'd be interested to know whether there was a formula to it, or were the jumps completely random?
dov wrote:
Updated subjective ranking of all Exceptional Stories so far: OK, let me have a go at this:
[spoiler]5/5
Lost in Reflections
Flint
Frequently Deceased
Chimney Pot Wars
Calendar Code
Where You & I Must Go
Persona Engine
12:15 from Moloch Street
4/5
Haunting at the Marsh-House
Court of Cats
Cut with Moonlight
Waltz that Moved the World
Final Curtain
3/5
Last Dog Society
Art of Murder
Seven-Day Reign
Five Minutes to Midday
2/5
Pentecost Predicament
Our Lady of Pyres
1/5
Discernment[/spoiler]
--
Accounts: Bag a Legend • Light Fingers • Heart's Desire • Nemesis • no ambition
Exceptional Stories, sorted by Season and by writer ― Favours & Renown Guide
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dov
Posts: 2580
1/24/2017
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ochrasy wrote:
my stats went up about 1 level each upon entering hell, except for dangerous (which is above 200, although the text had a typo: it said that the quality couldn't be raised above 209, instead of 200)
Not a typo (I believe). Just the weirdness of Hell. It uses some formula based on your base stat and also on any existing stat bonuses to come up with a new stat level.
For your Dangerous (based both on the base level and bonuses) it probably came up with 210, hence the message that it can't set it to be higher than 209.
--
Want a sip of Hesperidean Cider? Send me a request in-game. Here's an_ocelot's guide how.
(Most social actions are welcome. Please no requests to Loiter Suspiciously and no investigations of the Affluent Photographer)
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
2/8/2017
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Plynkes wrote:
Was it actually revealed what the murderer's motive was? Perhaps I wasn't paying attention, because I missed it if it was. Without knowing that, I'm left feeling a little unsatisfied about the murder mystery part of the affair.
Edit: I did very much enjoy experiencing this story, though. One of my favourites so far.
edited by Plynkes on 2/5/2017
[spoiler]Her motive seems to have been a combination of spite, vengeance, and "nothing left to lose" desperation. She was counting on the Devils giving her the Saturnine Earl's "reward," as Infernal tradition dictated.[/spoiler]
edited by Anne Auclair on 2/8/2017
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Frenzgyn
Posts: 197
12/5/2018
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I would gladly accept some spoiling in PM to what are the differences in terms of reward between saving (freeing) the passenger or not.
Being a trader of soul i am more inclined to don't interfere with their contract, but not totally sure about it. Of cours i WILL Descend and Enter in Hell, just can't decide if it's better to sabotage the train or not.
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Frenzgyn
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rahv7
Posts: 294
12/7/2018
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IIRC the reward is exactly the same for all choices.
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It's possible people have forgotten that there is an actual devil in the actual Lord Mayor's office. A devil who is promising to look after people's souls. What is wrong with everybody?
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/rahv7
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Frenzgyn
Posts: 197
12/8/2018
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Ha! I like when life is simple! Thanks, Sir!
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Frenzgyn
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Sir Joseph Marlen
Posts: 575
12/30/2016
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I'm finding that many people are having issues with both descending and successfully sabotaging the train while in Henlys, while a few have mentioned doing both easily. For anyone in the latter category, would you mind educating us on how you were able to do both? I've just arrived there myself and would like to do both, but this time-limited system feels a bit intimidating and I'd rather not screw something up with an unlucky click of the mouse.
edited by Sir Joseph Marlen on 12/30/2016
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Sir Joseph Marlen - The Romantic Sophist
Alexus Harven - The Defiant Fatalist
Rose Reinhelm - The Respectful Revolutionary
Cappuccino - The Perfidious Spycraft
Available for any and all social actions.
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Estelle Knoht
Posts: 1751
12/30/2016
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If you have 3+ Sabotage by the time you descent, the game will automatically sabotage the train for you while you descend.
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Estelle Knoht, a juvenile, unreliable and respectable lady.
I currently do not accept any catbox, cider, suppers, calling cards or proteges.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
12/30/2016
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Sir Frederick Tanah-Chook wrote:
[spoiler]Incidentally, for those who freed the Lily... is this the first queer NPC wedding in Fallen London?[/spoiler]
I think it might be, yes. I love it. =D
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
12/30/2016
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First go to your study and activate it, thengo to ladybones road.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
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Shadowcthuhlu
Posts: 1557
12/30/2016
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hamartophilliac wrote:
suinicide wrote:
First go to your study and activate it, thengo to ladybones road.
Thank you, but I only seem to have 'Investigate the Affair of the Danseur's Dressing Room'
and
'Investigate the burglary at the Century Exhibition'
as exceptional stories available which is weird. Am I doing something wrong?
edited by hamartophilliac on 12/30/2016
No, you want the Affair of the Danseur's dressing room to start this story.
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Dirae%20Erinyes. Closed to calling cards, but open for all other social action. I also love to roleplay.
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Shadowcthuhlu
Posts: 1557
12/30/2016
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Trilby wrote:
If I descend can I still solve the murder?
Also, i take it that this part will effect the end reward.
Correct?
edited by Agent 'Trilby' on 12/30/2016
You can still solve the murder and it does not effect the end reward-the conditions that it takes to be able to descend do effect the end reward
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Dirae%20Erinyes. Closed to calling cards, but open for all other social action. I also love to roleplay.
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Trilby
Posts: 290
12/30/2016
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Shadowcthuhlu wrote:
Trilby wrote:
If I descend can I still solve the murder?
Also, i take it that this part will effect the end reward.
Correct?
edited by Agent 'Trilby' on 12/30/2016
You can still solve the murder and it does not effect the end reward-the conditions that it takes to be able to descend do effect the end reward
It was just the descent conditions I was asking about.
And thanks, the clarification was appreciated.
Bit of a shame I couldn't explore all the text from this little pitstop.
The (almost certainly 50% chance of) alternate text, combined with the pipers time limit, really makes it hard for those who prefer to echo in a narratively sensible order.
Well, if there is another deal on the first two story's like with bluejack, I can see myself playing this again.
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
12/30/2016
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Maybe it's not...I can't remember. But if it isn't, where does the alternate text come from?
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Trilby
Posts: 290
12/30/2016
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Barselaar wrote:
During the stop at Hemly's it's certainly possible to do all of the exploration options more than once (each exploration option has a different passenger lurking near it, if memory serves). I did each of them twice and ran into alternate text for the Stairs (with the Reverend) and the Circle of Stones (with the Bohemian) options, but there may have been other alternate successes I didn't run into.
I got both for the carvings:
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Agent%20Trilby?fromEchoId=10648177
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Frederick Metzengerstein
Posts: 69
12/31/2016
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Scienceandponies wrote:
Though the option to descend originally had requirement of at most 2 sabotage, when I reached 3 sabotage, the option was replaced by a near identical option with a requirement of 3 or more.
Ah. I didn't know that would happen. I thought 3 sabotage would lock me out of the ravine.
My character chose not to delay the train (only committed 2 sabotage) because he wanted to see the former aristocrat of hell. Still don't regret that decision (the ends justify the means, especially in hell), although I feel the game cheated me :P
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
12/31/2016
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Speaking of figuring out the mystery ourselves, did anyone else guess who the murderer was because of
[spoiler] that awesome artwork of an angry mob in the background :P [/spoiler]
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