Absintheuse
Posts: 348
4/27/2017
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Delicious friends, the Exceptional Story for May is here!
London's street musicians sing of a child Valkyrie, who roams the winding streets with her broom-spear, setting right the wrongs of the world. Join her crusade and mentor the abandoned children she has taken under her wing. But take heed: she has declared herself against a singularly dangerous enemy - Mister Songbird, the whistler in the night.
HOJOTOHO! is the third and final story in the Season of Stones, and was written by Cash Decuir. This Season involves three linked stories delving into the hardships and injustices at the heart of London. Players will be able begin each story from the Season of Stones card.
At the end of the season, players who played all three will unlock bonus content allowing them to address – or profit from – London's inequity.
Editing and QA: Olivia Wood, Chris Gardner and Jenny Yang.
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 Stones 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 the current Season’s card throughout London. This will save it for you to return to another time.
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Barse
Posts: 706
4/27/2017
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I knew from the minute I met the Valkyrie and saw the name of the urchin's home that I'd love this story, and I did. The characters, like suinicide said, were distinct and well fleshed out (and adorable) and quite to the contrary (sorry Robin) I felt extremely invested in keeping these lil tykes safe - I thought the writing did a fantastic job of making me care & feel protective for the fierce little band of warriors.
I was also extremely pleased to see each quest section using different mechanics - it kept things feeling fresh in a way that would have been lost with, say, overuse of the detective case carousel. I do agree that the "This may take a while" warning was a little odd given that almost all of the content behind it was 0-action conversation stuff. I used coffee as well, which ended up being entirely unnecessary.
Gorgeous art, fierce precious little urchins, a story that strikes a great balance between being important and being personal, many chances to play hunt-the-reference: I'm a big fan.
edited by Barselaar on 4/27/2017
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 The Scorched Sailor, up for most social actions and RP. Not as scary as he looks.
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Hattington
Posts: 210
4/27/2017
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...why couldn't I adopt THE VALKYRIE as my daughter instead of that treacherous shadow?!
Seriously, Don Quixote orphan gang is best orphan gang. For a long, long time I thought "Mr. Songbird" was the Vake. I still hope I can recruit these guys for the bombing to help me blow up the Vake somehow at the tail end of bagging a legend.
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The Dawnburnt Vake-Rider: https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Hattington
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Scienceandponies
Posts: 247
4/30/2017
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Fantastic story. Definitely going down as one of my favorites. Aside from the well individualized characters, the variety in mechanics between missions and zero action cost for conversation were welcome reliefs (I really can't stress too much the zero cost conversation). It's also shockingly positive and idealistic for the Fallen London setting in which it seems every story is dark grey vs. darker gray. Amid all the intrigue and pursuit of eldritch knowledge at all cost, it's refreshing to find a character just trying to make the world a better places in any way they can by simply helping people wherever possible, and without any shadowy ulterior motive.
My character would sorely like to offer some funding to this band of heroes, if not adopt all of them outright.
edited by Scienceandponies on 4/30/2017
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Manu Traveler
Posts: 29
4/28/2017
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What a wonderful story! I guess part of the reason for me is that I have a huge soft spot for urchins and everything related to them (for instance, I refuse to move from my handsome townhouse to better lodgings, because if it is good enough for my orphanage, it must be good enough for me), but this story has been one of my favourite things in Fallen London so far.
The characters were great, both intriguing and relatable. The Valkyrie reminded me from the start of Tamika Flynn -from Welcome To Night Vale-, only with opera instead of books as her theme, but she turned out to be a more idealistic and warm, less hardened character. And I also liked the mechanics: the three small sidequests were similar on their goals, but the fact that you took a different approach to each one (brute force, stealth and investigation) kept them from feeling monotone. And the little conversations during watches with the Valkyrie also created a good atmosphere.
The ending was also excellent. Maybe a bit short, but it made sense the way it was presented. The twist in the end both surprised me and felt logical.
And, as others hve said, I just wish I could help the new gang more. If not adopt them all, at least serve as a sort of sponsor, helping them when they need. A resourceful, dedicated and idealistic group like that could do lots of good for londoners, on a street level.
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Manu Traveler, the inquisitive professor
Red Christine, the conflicted revolutionary
Tyler Glen, God's mad disciple - GONE NORTH
A Morel, the unrepentant heartbreaker
Omphale the Magnificent, the titanic crossdresser
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
4/27/2017
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I think this is one of my favorite ES! I liked each character you went on an adventure with, especially the trickster. I felt he was fleshed out more than the average npc.
And as Robin Stated, The Songbird looks absolutely amazing!
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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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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/3/2017
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This was a very charming little slice of life story. The characters were well written and the three quests further fleshed out the city. I especially liked the hilarious lack of gratitude we received while trying to help those toffs over on Ladybones Road :P And that battle in that Veilgarden gallery has given me some rather serious second thoughts about maintaining my Singular Plant. I mean, yikes, do I really want that monstrosity running around my pantry?!
Another thing that gave this story its charm was the fact we had only two happy endings to choose from. They were a bittersweet sort of happy, but happy nonetheless. This is pretty unheard of situation in Fallen London, to say the least. Mister Songbird sounded so menacing and the Valkyrie was so adorably idealistic that I was convinced something horrible and traumatizing was going to happen. It was an awfully nice surprise when everything turned out relatively all right. And whichever ending we chose our characters made a friend, awwwww ^_^ Normally a two choice ending would have felt limited, but in this case it worked.
Lastly, HOJOTOHO! and The Heart, The Devil And The Zee both had some interesting experimental features that I thought worked very well. At various points in both stories we were given conversations or moral dilemmas that didn't really have a mechanical outcome and which solely existed to flesh out the characters and allow greater RP. This added additional depth to the stories - and in the case of The Heart, The Devil And The Zee, helped the city feel more alive with its surprise Ladybones encounters.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/3/2017
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Rackenhammer
Posts: 354
4/29/2017
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Gotta say, this one was my favorite too. I think like a lot of late-game players, I've had trouble with actually role-playing, what with the desire to actually see all the text I can. And, of course, the grind.
So, imagine how I felt in an ES where every action I took, every decision I made, actually was something that I could see myself doing in-character! This hit me right where it needed to.
On other aspects as well, this was fantastic. An idealistic breath of fresh air in London, hanging about permanently (at least in my branch). Well-written characters, just... Fantastic!
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"DO NOT TRUST HAPPY ENDINGS. DO NOT FEAR SAD ENDINGS... NEITHER ARE ENDINGS."
~
Mathieu Psmith: The Bard of Lost Children, loving husband, and a fixture of the artistic set. Can never resist making a show of things...
Irene Psmith: Adopted Daughter of Mathieu. Specializes in Information, Acquisitions, and the Acquisition of Information.
Vaughan Montblanc: Once a frontiersman of Western Canada, he now practices medicine in London. His discretion may be absolutely trusted.
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
5/1/2017
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PSGarak wrote:
Akernis wrote:
Scienceandponies wrote:
The reveal behind the Songbird and the general connectedness of any late game player does make me question how my character has never been approached with an offer of serving as a Songbird.
Assuming that your character is connected to the Face then presumably because they have not demonstrated a wonderful singing voice.
Out-of-game wise of course because the whole songbird thing is a new concept.
Even in-game-wise, the Songbird might be a new concept. I can't find the exact echo, but I was under the impression this is a more recent refinement of previous practices.
Mr Songbird's been around for years, it seems. There's a very obscure reference in one of the Literary Ambitions options in Veilgarden. Speaking of which, there's now a new option that replaces it if you choose the Ringbreaker ending (not sure about the Songbird ending yet). It gives an Airs reroll, a Romantic Notion, and a Nightmares reduction.
Anyone know the HOJOTOHO! value for the Songbird ending?
edited by Optimatum on 5/1/2017
--
Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
 Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Ginneon Thursday
Posts: 265
4/27/2017
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Loved this story! I agree with the desire to have sees the moral quandary choices come to a head at some point.
Other than that, I did *not* get misty-eyed at the end ("Hojohoto!"). Definitely no desire to shed tears here. Nope.
--
Ginneon Thursday: Revelrous Professor of Benthic
Departments of Mycoenology, Lepidoptery
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Saklad
Posts: 528
4/29/2017
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maleclypse wrote:
I chose to convince her to keep her Wagnerian party together but I didn't see any story end item for it? Of the 62 echo variety. Did I miss something? I've yet to pull the urchins card since then either so I'm at a total loss lol. Great story and they don't have to have a payoff I'm just curious if I'm waiting for an epilogue card or not?
You are mistaken. Look up the sale price of a Rookery Password. While it isn’t technically 62.5 Echoes, it is very close.
Also, I honestly don’t care about rewards. If it doesn’t make narrative sense to hand something out, in fact, I’d rather they forgo items entirely. There are plenty of ways to grind in Fallen London. Exceptional Stories are not one of them.
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Saklad5, a man of many talents
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Saklad
Posts: 528
4/29/2017
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This Exceptional Story was utterly spectacular. I think this is definitely one of my favorites.
[spoiler]I was so convinced it was the Vake, although I suspect there is still a strong connection there.[/spoiler]
By the way, could you let us give the Nobodies all of the Echoes? Thanks. Seriously, I’d give them £500 in a heartbeat for nothing more than a quality tracking that I did. Without a quality, of course, it is guaranteed to have no effect. Even if a quality never gets used, I like the possibility of it.
edited by Saklad5 on 4/29/2017
edited by Saklad5 on 4/29/2017
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Saklad5, a man of many talents
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Saklad
Posts: 528
4/29/2017
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To be honest, I was a sucker for this story the instant I saw the art of the Valkyrie. As I told a friend of mine, “Failbetter Games appears to have mixed Norse mythology with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I expect glorious things.”
I was not disappointed.
edited by Saklad5 on 4/29/2017
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Saklad5, a man of many talents
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Edward Warren
Posts: 120
4/28/2017
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This, by far, was my favorite Exceptional Story. Really outdid themselves with this one, it's second only to Flint for me.
Each of the characters had personalities and backstories that made them feel unique and memorable. The right balance has finally been achieved between character interaction and action sequences. I don't feel like the story tried too hard to make me care for the characters, and nothing happens too quickly for me to not get invested in what's going on. Running around London doing all those different heroic deeds really felt like I was playing multiple mini exceptional stories at once.
The Valkyrie was a legitimately endearing character, and after getting to learn about my charges while adventuring with them I became genuinely invested in keeping them safe. The subtle buildup for the encounter with Mr. Songbird was well-executed and made me genuinely unnerved when the time came to finally face him. The final twist was legitimately surprising, yet made lots of sense considering what I already knew from my experiences in certain part of the Neath.
My one complaint about this story is a common one: the rather abrupt ending. The warning the final confrontation could "take a while" made me consume a Darkdrop in advance, only for it to go by rather quickly. Other than that, I'm quite satisfied with my final choice and ended the story feeling rather fulfilled.
4.5/5 Well done!
edited by Edward Warren on 4/28/2017
edited by Edward Warren on 4/28/2017
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WHAT IS BELOW CANNOT ESCAPE WHAT IS ABOVE
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Plynkes
Posts: 631
4/28/2017
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Like "The Waltz that moved the World", this is one where the experience is very much enhanced by having the pertinent music playing in the background as you play, especially for the climax (at least, the climax I played).
"I love the smell of Darkdrop in the morning."
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"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop, but don't tell me."
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Crater
Posts: 11
4/30/2017
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Delightful characters, the Nobodies. London will be a little bit brighter with them roaming the roofs and the streets.
Cash Decuir, I tip my hat to you for a truly Exceptional Story and a rollicking good time, as well as some reflection on what it is to truly try to help London become a better place (for a given value of better, anyway). And thank you, fine Failbetter Folks, for letting us have conversations that don't burn candles down to a nub.
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Enigmas burn, but truth flares. One day, a truth shall flare upon us all.
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dov
Posts: 2580
5/4/2017
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This was delightful.
I must confess that given the premise I did not expect the story to be *this* good.
Things I particularly liked:
- Characters - all of them fleshed out just enough. I really liked them all. The choice to break the story up into segments so we can spend time with only a couple of the urchins at a time worked really well. I also liked how each story segment ended with a small moral choice which helped define both our character and the children's.
- All the new art. Just lovely.
- Great humour (e.g. Marsh Wolf hunt twist at the end, getting 1 x Penny as a reward, etc.)
- Mechanics - enough variation from segment to segment, and the pause for conversation with the Valkyrie between them were just the right length. I also liked how we could repeat options for new results (e.g. during the Marsh-Wolf hunt), and checking out locations after resolving the menace, to see our impact.
- 0-action conversations, with more topics being added over time.
- Unlike the previous story, this was a good fit for the season's theme, while still being an excellent standalone story.
Things I would have liked to be improved:
- Not being able to experience all options - especially when dealing with the spiders, since the options were luck dependent. Since we only had a finite number of actions to resolve the menace, it was impossible to try out all success/failure branches (and I failed most of them...).
All in all - an excellent story. Looking over my ranked list of all Exceptional Stories, I feel that it must be placed really high, almost at the very top of the list:
[spoiler]Excellent:
- Lost in Reflections
- Cut with Moonlight
- Hojotoho!
- The Frequently Deceased
- The Waltz that Moved the World
- Flint
- The Century Exhibition
- 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
- The Heart, the Devil and the Zee
- Our Lady of Pyres
- The Clay Man's Arm
- 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]
edited by dov on 5/4/2017
--
 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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Anchovies
Posts: 421
5/12/2017
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HOJOTOUHOU!
Larger version here, source for Reimu Hakurei here. I'm not sorry.
I've not played the story (holding off on becoming Exceptional until the start of the next Season), but Touhou comes to mind every time I see the name so it had to be done.
The mug-shot view is unusual in character art, finding a base image which worked with the Valkyrie's portrait was tricky.
--
Perhaps our role on this planet is not to worship God — but to create Him.
—Sir Arthur C Clarke
Lionel Anchovies. Character on indefinite hiatus.
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Finnegan
Posts: 7
5/24/2017
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Hello! This was my first ES for my first week in the game and what a great way to start! It was already exciting enough to learn my way around this new world, but doing that while adventuring with these wonderful characters added an emotional investment I didn't expect to find so soon. It even softened my scoundrel's heart just the slightest bit. I enjoyed the structure of the story and played it through in "real-time" over several days, mixing my regular activities with each of the quests, sitting on the roof with the Valkyrie before logging off each night, then rushing through to the finale this morning. Great stuff, and I'm very much looking forward to the next one.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Finnegan%20Doyle
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
5/12/2017
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You can actually get your plant fully grown without feeding it people or spending fate. Yeah, you'll have to sacrifice some cute critters, but I always just bought extra ones and assured my own pets that these were just "feeder weasels" :P
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dov
Posts: 2580
6/26/2017
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Optimatum wrote:
Why is this still pinned?
Because the Valkyrie is just that awesome?
--
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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Akernis
Posts: 255
5/4/2017
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heavensdark wrote:
As a first time subscriber to get the new story, I have to say I was a little disappointed. I finished it all in one sitting and was left with nothing else to do. The story itself was wonderful and fun with some interesting characters sprinkled in but I was left lacking. Now I wonder what the point of being a subscriber is if the story ends up being so short.
That is unlikely to be something that is going to change. Baring Flint (which is technically two stories) all ES have been that length, more or less. They only have a month to make each new Exceptional Story so it is limiting how much content they have time to make. To be frank that they manage to make a new story every single month, plus a free bonus story every season, of this kind of length and quality is pretty impressive.
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Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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Harlocke
Posts: 506
5/1/2017
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I absolutely love the new option on the urchins card. Aside from being mechanically better, the text is beautiful. It's great to be able to hang out with this gang of urchins forever.
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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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PSGarak
Posts: 834
5/2/2017
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Harlocke wrote:
I absolutely love the new option on the urchins card. Aside from being mechanically better, the text is beautiful. It's great to be able to hang out with this gang of urchins forever.
But now what am I supposed to do with all these weasels?
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
5/2/2017
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If you have an excess of weasels, perhaps some time spent in Mahogany Hall will rid you of your troubles.
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Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Ivica
Posts: 67
5/5/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
Akernis wrote:
heavensdark wrote:
As a first time subscriber to get the new story, I have to say I was a little disappointed. I finished it all in one sitting and was left with nothing else to do. The story itself was wonderful and fun with some interesting characters sprinkled in but I was left lacking. Now I wonder what the point of being a subscriber is if the story ends up being so short.
That is unlikely to be something that is going to change. Baring Flint (which is technically two stories) all ES have been that length, more or less. They only have a month to make each new Exceptional Story so it is limiting how much content they have time to make. To be frank that they manage to make a new story every single month, plus a free bonus story every season, of this kind of length and quality is pretty impressive.
I actually think this story was a little shorter than the average. Not complaining, just noting that it felt a little shorter.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/4/2017
In terms of written text, this ES is one of the biggest
The Clay Man's Arm +Season opening: 24,935 characters - 5,066 words
The Heart, The Devil and the Ze : 27,344 characters - 5,691 words
HOJOTOHO! : 36,202 characters - 7,397 words
edited by Ivica on 5/5/2017
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Sincityster
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Azothi
Posts: 586
5/5/2017
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Ivica wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
I actually think this story was a little shorter than the average. Not complaining, just noting that it felt a little shorter.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/4/2017
In terms of written text, this ES is one of the biggest
The Clay Man's Arm +Season opening: 24,935 characters - 5,066 words
The Heart, The Devil and the Ze : 27,344 characters - 5,691 words
HOJOTOHO! : 36,202 characters - 7,397 words
If I had to guess, the disparity was caused by the 0-action conversations. There were a good fifteen or so actions saved by that, which isn't much in the grand scheme of things but fairly substantial for the story.
Plus, the general plot was very structured in the middle: you accomplished a task, then you sat vigil with the Valkyrie and talked about the day, and so on so forth until the end. The action is meant to engage and suck you in, and so the story felt much faster paced, I think.
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Azoth I, the Emissary of Cardinals - A Paramount Presence (not currently accepting new Proteges)
Away to where the Chain cannot bind us.
 Hesperidean.
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
5/10/2017
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I loved this story so much. Wonderful cast of characters (well, except for that prankster kid. Can we give him to the Songbird? Nah, on second thought, not even the Songbird deserves that :P ), fun story, feel-good ending, actual in-game consequences...and I DIDN'T have to kill the bad guy with the awesome artwork in order to do the right thing! Thank you writers. You've made both Fleshy and his RPer very happy with this story. Bravo!
Also, lol at that old lady paying me a penny for helping her out. Had me in stitches :P
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Faedran
Posts: 7
4/27/2017
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I have to say, I loved this story. Small stories about making a difference make me very very very happy. And I love the Urchins, so put those all together and I'm a happy camper today. I also got the "London will be different for your actions" result and I can't wait to see what is different.
Also, why can't I adopt all of these Urchins? Or like... help them out continuously somehow. Give them a house? I have a bunch of extra houses they could have! I just want to take care of an entire gang of law-breaking children.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Faedran
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
4/27/2017
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Another great story! I've been rather busy and not posted by thoughts in full, but these last two have been amazing.
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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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suinicide
Posts: 2409
4/27/2017
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There is a new option on an opportunity card.
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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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BlabberingMat
Posts: 385
4/27/2017
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I assume it is Urchin card? That aside, what a way to end the Season! Due to financial reasons, I will have to cancel the Exceptional Friendship for time being, but I am glad that I got to play this one! It had such a lovely array of characters, with motives that are truly idealistic, which is something you rarely see in Fallen London. It is truly a breath of fresh air! And mechanic was fun, too. I think hunting for Wolf was my favourite part of this one, definitely.
--
Alt-Lana Loter
Main-Always Drunk Slav
"To see a world in a grain of sand, and Heaven in wild flowers.
To hold an infinity in palm of hand and Eternity in an hour”
Finally, I am Crooked Cross! Feel free to send invitations for Salon!
As of June 5th, 1895, I am London's newest Legendary Charisma!
The current progress in Mega Soul Grind: 53727/1 639 121 Souls
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Mercury
Posts: 3
4/27/2017
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I started playing the exceptional stories in August last year. I think so far (the gallery and the sorrow spiders sorted, about to deal with the marsh-wolf) this has been one of my favourites. I plan to write more once I'm finished, but I'm out of actions for now, and I want to gush a bit; if it gets better, I want to be able to emphasise that, and if I start enjoying it less, I want to be able to contrast that with my initial thoughts.
Edit: Yeah, I absolutely adored the characters. The plot itself didn't seem hugely stand-out, but the way the Nobodies were written was great. I just wish I'd get to see more of them.
edited by Mercury on 4/27/2017
--
Mercury Achtzig - Who keeps most of her radical opinions to herself, excepting when she does not. (Available for any social actions, including selfishness for the affluent photographer and, within reason, scandal-reduction)
Persephone Cloudwatch - Who would be best left unmentioned and ignored. (Open to anything other than the aforementioned selfishness. You can trust her. You should not.)
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Gul al-Ahlaam
Posts: 225
4/27/2017
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A fun and interesting story! I love how detailed and well-developed the characters were. My only quibble is that I wish there were multiple possible resolutions to the 'quests.' I would have loved to have smuggled the Thing back home in a box, or convinced the innkeeper to throw in his lot with the spiders.
Also, was Mister Songbird supposed to look like the Phantom of the Paradise? Because he really does, and it's amazing.
--
The Uncanny Hierophant.
The Jewel-Eyed Prince.
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Blaine Davidson
Posts: 388
4/27/2017
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I disagree with being uninvested in the plot as my character has gained a tendency to take on motherly traits especially with urchins. Which lean towards safer and more secure life choices. I have an Orphanage for goodness sakes, how much safer can a child be than under the watchful eyes of myself and my staff?
And yet, come the final decision I couldn't bring myself to push her to the "safe" option. A small band of do-gooders not unlike myself? I couldn't break that up!
Each individual quest was unique with the individual characteristics of every urchin shining through. Though I admit, I wish the moral choices given at the end of each had some consequences.
Easily my favourite Exceptional Story of this batch. I only wish I could provide more aid to the group, physically or financially.
edited by Blaine Davidson on 4/27/2017
--
Blaine Davidson, a reserved and sensible woman with a fondness of collecting rarities.
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/1/2017
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Noah%20Rache?fromEchoId=11618177
There you go! (It rewards a storm threnody and a few other odds and ends)
--
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
5/1/2017
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Its at the end of the carousel, and comes out to about 1.3 epa I believe.
--
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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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
5/10/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
Got rid of my Singular Plant. Decided it was bad news :P
You only decided that now? Eating vicars and coalmen wasn't enough? :P
--
Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/10/2017
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Optimatum wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Got rid of my Singular Plant. Decided it was bad news :P
You only decided that now? Eating vicars and coalmen wasn't enough? :P
Oh, come! What's a Coalman or a vicar or two among friends? :-)
That being riposted, that particular story line is a firm reminder that the morality of Fallen London is not really our morality. A person, no matter how menial his job, should not be sacrificed to make a plant more strong, beautiful, imaginative, capable of ingesting secrets, etc.
--
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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Sam Stephens
Posts: 73
5/10/2017
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This was the first Exceptional Story I experienced, and I loved every minute of it. The conversations with the Valkyrie, the twist near the end, and the ending I chose were all great. I genuinely got a little case of goosebumps reading the Valkyrie's final speech. I love the Urchins in general, but this was an extra jolly good time. Thanks for the fun. 
--
Hello, delicious friends! I can be found here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Sam%20Stephens
I'm open to all non-menacing social actions. I particularly enjoy a good mystery. I'm also a Corespondent who can teach at your Orphanage.
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
5/3/2017
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Catherine Raymond wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a very charming little slice of life story. The characters were well written and the three quests further fleshed out the city. I especially liked the hilarious lack of gratitude we received while trying to help those toffs over on Ladybones Road :P And that battle in that Veilgarden gallery has given me some rather serious second thoughts about maintaining my Singular Plant. I mean, yikes, do I really want that monstrosity running around my pantry?!
<rest snipped>
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/3/2017
What I want to know is how one of those Plants managed to free itself from the grip of the soil, and run around menacing humans!
The story said, iirc: a particularly foolish artist dug it up from the earth of the Elder Continent and brought it home.
--
Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Artful
Posts: 48
5/2/2017
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PSGarak wrote:
But now what am I supposed to do with all these weasels?
A funnier question has nary been asked.
--
A Penultimate Paramount Presence waiting for the ability to overcap stats before crossing the threshold.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Artful
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GeorgeEarlslight
Posts: 27
4/28/2017
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Great story!
It came to me as a warm fairy tale, with a sinister underlying if one knows the truth behind the Foreign Office.
Really happy with this one!
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George Earlslight, Advocate
Available for Salon orations.
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Barse
Posts: 706
5/2/2017
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There's only two - the other option at the ending doesn't do anything.
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The Scorched Sailor, up for most social actions and RP. Not as scary as he looks.
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
5/24/2017
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Rather, you have through tomorrow to *begin* the story. As long as you play the opening option of the story (not the global teaser), you'll unlock it. You then have as long as you need to play through.
--
Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/11/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Optimatum wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Got rid of my Singular Plant. Decided it was bad news :P
You only decided that now? Eating vicars and coalmen wasn't enough? :P
Oh, come! What's a Coalman or a vicar or two among friends? :-)
That being riposted, that particular story line is a firm reminder that the morality of Fallen London is not really our morality. A person, no matter how menial his job, should not be sacrificed to make a plant more strong, beautiful, imaginative, capable of ingesting secrets, etc.
My plant was stuck between levels 12 or 13 because I didn't want to feed it my goldfish, bats or weasels. I like my goldfish, bats and weasels, they're really cute.
You mean later you start feeding the plant people?! Now I'm doubly glad I had it removed!
They are NPCs, but yes, they are people. I originally was going to demur at that point, but this *is* a game, after all. Lines of text in a browser. In my opinion, demurring would have been akin to refusing to read the murder scene in a murder mystery because a character is being killed. However, I respect your feelings; you have a right to spurn such decisions. I myself regretted the one time I sacrificed furry creatures to get free of the Boatman, and I do not do so anymore.
And if you had/were willing to spend enough Fate, you might be able to develop a St. John's Lily sufficiently by buying doses of Verdant Stimulator (at 5 Fate each).
--
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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James Sinclair
Posts: 253
5/11/2017
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This story was fantastic, easily one of my favourites since the Exceptional Stories began (...good lord, has it been almost two years now?! I know time is strange in the Neath, but damn...).
I particularly liked the experience of getting to know each member of the Nobodies, both during the missions and by discussing them with the Valkyrie. The conclusion of the story brought a genuine tear to my eye.
I also like how this ES worked mechanically: although it did not have skill checks, it nonetheless rewarded more experienced/endgame players who, having progressed farther in Fallen London, will likely know more about [spoiler]the Foreign Office, the Face, and the Choir.[/spoiler] This information, found outside of the ES, can potentially influence the way one approaches the final choice. Additionally and as others have said, zero-action storylets in extended conversations are always appreciated.
Another fantastic piece of work by Failbetter, and a fitting final story in the Season of Stones.
edited by James Sinclair on 5/11/2017
--
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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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/11/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Optimatum wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Got rid of my Singular Plant. Decided it was bad news :P
You only decided that now? Eating vicars and coalmen wasn't enough? :P
Oh, come! What's a Coalman or a vicar or two among friends? :-)
That being riposted, that particular story line is a firm reminder that the morality of Fallen London is not really our morality. A person, no matter how menial his job, should not be sacrificed to make a plant more strong, beautiful, imaginative, capable of ingesting secrets, etc.
My plant was stuck between levels 12 or 13 because I didn't want to feed it my goldfish, bats or weasels. I like my goldfish, bats and weasels, they're really cute.
You mean later you start feeding the plant people?! Now I'm doubly glad I had it removed!
They are NPCs, but yes, they are people. I originally was going to demur at that point, but this *is* a game, after all. Lines of text in a browser. In my opinion, demurring would have been akin to refusing to read the murder scene in a murder mystery because a character is being killed. However, I respect your feelings; you have a right to spurn such decisions.
Like a lot of players, I roleplay my character.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/11/2017
And like a lot of players, I roleplay my character/s inconsistently. :-)
Enjoy your roleplay as you see fit; I meant no offense. I was simply setting forth my own approach and views.
edited by cathyr19355 on 5/11/2017
--
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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MidnightVoyager
Posts: 858
5/12/2017
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xKiv wrote:
Robin Alexander wrote:
The bigger problem is why vicars keep on visiting you, despite knowing your penchant for feeding them to plants 
It's the same vicar, who actually enjoys the experience, moge.
It's a vicar, not a vorecar.
--
Midnight Voyager - A blood-cousin to predators. Collector of beasts. Affably mad.
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Kaijyuu
Posts: 1047
5/12/2017
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I would never sacrifice animals!
Vicars are less than animals though.
--
Be of good cheer. Our contacts have assured us that your sins are forgiven.
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Ragnar Degenhand
Posts: 197
5/12/2017
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Is the plant discussion in the right thread? Is this a hijack?
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Ragnar%20Degenhand
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
5/12/2017
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Ragnar Degenhand wrote:
Is the plant discussion in the right thread? Is this a hijack?
Well, seeing as we're already way off-topic . . .
I never understood why feeding the plant vicars was such a big deal.
Don't we all just come back to life in the Neath? XD
The bigger problem is why vicars keep on visiting you, despite knowing your penchant for feeding them to plants
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xKiv
Posts: 846
5/12/2017
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Robin Alexander wrote:
The bigger problem is why vicars keep on visiting you, despite knowing your penchant for feeding them to plants
It's the same vicar, who actually enjoys the experience, moge.
--
https://www.fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/xKiv - a witchful, percussive, dangermous and shadowry scholar of coexplodence, hopsidirean, and walker of fallen kitties.
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Anchovies
Posts: 421
5/24/2017
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Finnegan wrote:
sitting on the roof with the Valkyrie before logging off each night Okay, this is enough to convince me, I'm gonna start my Exceptional Friendship before the month's up. How much time have I got left at this point?
Also, tangential question about Exceptional Stories in general: how do they account for differences in character progress? Finnegan just started this week and I just reached POSI this week; will I find it easier, less action-costly, or more profitable, due to my more advanced position in the game?
--
Perhaps our role on this planet is not to worship God — but to create Him.
—Sir Arthur C Clarke
Lionel Anchovies. Character on indefinite hiatus.
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xKiv
Posts: 846
5/23/2017
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Catherine Raymond wrote:
Robin Alexander wrote:
Ragnar Degenhand wrote:
Is the plant discussion in the right thread? Is this a hijack?
Well, seeing as we're already way off-topic . . .
I never understood why feeding the plant vicars was such a big deal.
Don't we all just come back to life in the Neath? XD
The bigger problem is why vicars keep on visiting you, despite knowing your penchant for feeding them to plants
I agree. If I were a vicar, I would not visit ANYONE who is competing in the Tournament of Lilies. :-)
However, I doubt that anyone who is actually consumed and eaten ever comes back. Unless that person is a god, that is.
You are what you eat (especially when eating something higher up on the Chain) - so the plant *becomes* the vicar
--
https://www.fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/xKiv - a witchful, percussive, dangermous and shadowry scholar of coexplodence, hopsidirean, and walker of fallen kitties.
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Lallinka
Posts: 138
7/17/2017
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Oh, I was in love with the story! Either I am very easily pleased or these stories just have been /that/ good, but man, did I like this!
I care about the well-being of all the Urchins and as I was going around London, doing my quests (which I loved! Even the spiders one!), I completely forgot who I was looking for in the first place.
All the harder was my choice at the end...I wanted to reunite Valkyrie with her brother and give her a chance at a better life, but...how could I let her leave all her friends behind? I couldn't.
And so now the gang is merrily together, the Foreign office is getting her kid spies someplace else and I don't need to sacrifice my weasels anymore! Victory! \o/
--
Lallinka is accepting any social interactions as soon as my actions allow it. No Loitering and no Photographer, please. Available for interviews about Nemesis and a Midnighter for Orphanages.
Ragish is accepting everything, including Loitering and Photographer. Available for interviews about Heart's Desire and a Crooked-cross for Salons.
Pienkava is freshly out of prison and will need charity to survive in the harsh streets of London. Have pity, she is only fifteen.
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TheThirdPolice
Posts: 609
5/25/2017
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Good story. At first I was disappointed in the Songbird's mundane explanation, but I was convinced when the story's theme crystallized for me. And nothing is completely mundane in Fallen London, of course. I am slightly confused about the three "moral lessons to orphans", since they didn't see to have any mechanical effect and they weren't especially deep choices, but I suppose it was fine as another vehicle for human interactions with orphans.
Now on to some lore discussion!
1. The murderous plant, unless someone has a better guess, may have been inspired by the Zaqqum, which the Qur'an describes as a tree in Hell with fruit like devil's heads. Although someone upstream in this thread knows more about St. John's Lilies than I do, so I may be totally off base.
2. One of the Nobody's parents were (Menace) "Eradicators" lost in some "old chapel in Watchmaker's". Someone refresh my memory — was my character potentially present for their deaths when I charged the sorrow-spider council or somesuch, years ago?
3. Any guesses for which actual Victorian opera house was renamed the Coloratura? It is in or near Veilgarden (Covent Gardens) and opposite a market with a glass roof.
--
Excessive Corpse & Tender to Irreal Ravens
Lover of Flawed Souls
And with especial pride, Worst Screwup of the Decade!
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Azothi
Posts: 586
5/26/2017
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TheThirdPolice wrote:
3. Any guesses for which actual Victorian opera house was renamed the Coloratura? It is in or near Veilgarden (Covent Gardens) and opposite a market with a glass roof. The most likely would probably be the Royal Opera House (a.k.a. Theatre Royal, Covent Garden). The location fits and the venue is certainly enough for the Ring Cycle.
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Azoth I, the Emissary of Cardinals - A Paramount Presence (not currently accepting new Proteges)
Away to where the Chain cannot bind us.
Hesperidean.
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Akernis
Posts: 255
4/29/2017
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suinicide wrote:
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Noah%20Rache?fromEchoId=11618177
That's actually really sweet. Now I'm a little torn. Ah, the Exceptional stories where more than one ending seems right to you are great.
--
Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/2/2017
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Artful wrote:
PSGarak wrote:
But now what am I supposed to do with all these weasels?
A funnier question has nary been asked.
I think there's a plant that eats them?
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Nicole Charade
Posts: 29
5/4/2017
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I really enjoyed this story, and last month's too. The art was great, and the RP choices were fantastic. I also loved just sitting on the rooftop and talking (as my character is being more and more drawn away from The Game, it felt right to encourage the Valkyrie in her idealism). I also really like the new option on the Urchin card (but I'm curious about what I'd have got from siding with The Songbird).
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/NicoleSPACESYMBOLCharade
Professor Nicole Charde, at your service. Correspondent, lady of adventure and professional solver of problems. Always happy to exchange research, give lectures on the correspondence and help with reducing Suspicion
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Harlocke
Posts: 506
5/3/2017
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Pnakotic wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Artful wrote:
PSGarak wrote:
But now what am I supposed to do with all these weasels?
A funnier question has nary been asked.
I think there's a plant that eats them?
Or possibly some kind of bird.
Or a certain boatman...
--
I welcome social actions, and can visit your salon as an author.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Harlocke
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/3/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a very charming little slice of life story. The characters were well written and the three quests further fleshed out the city. I especially liked the hilarious lack of gratitude we received while trying to help those toffs over on Ladybones Road :P And that battle in that Veilgarden gallery has given me some rather serious second thoughts about maintaining my Singular Plant. I mean, yikes, do I really want that monstrosity running around my pantry?!
<rest snipped>
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/3/2017
What I want to know is how one of those Plants managed to free itself from the grip of the soil, and run around menacing humans!
--
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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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/4/2017
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Optimatum wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a very charming little slice of life story. The characters were well written and the three quests further fleshed out the city. I especially liked the hilarious lack of gratitude we received while trying to help those toffs over on Ladybones Road :P And that battle in that Veilgarden gallery has given me some rather serious second thoughts about maintaining my Singular Plant. I mean, yikes, do I really want that monstrosity running around my pantry?!
<rest snipped>
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/3/2017
What I want to know is how one of those Plants managed to free itself from the grip of the soil, and run around menacing humans!
The story said, iirc: a particularly foolish artist dug it up from the earth of the Elder Continent and brought it home.
I missed that, possibly because I read the storylets over my husband's shoulder (I can't afford ES this month). Thanks.
Why that artist would not re-pot the damned thing to keep it In One Place for the display is hard for me to imagine. But I can't deny that that fight made for a really great scene!
--
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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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
5/4/2017
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heavensdark wrote:
As a first time subscriber to get the new story, I have to say I was a little disappointed. I finished it all in one sitting and was left with nothing else to do. The story itself was wonderful and fun with some interesting characters sprinkled in but I was left lacking. Now I wonder what the point of being a subscriber is if the story ends up being so short.
The point of being a subscriber is a month of doubled action storage and a ten-card opportunity deck. The story is a bonus - Failbetter only even started the Exceptional Stories in (iirc) April 2015, and Exceptional Friendship was available for years before that.
(Plus you can actually get two stories for one month's worth of subscription, or even three stories some months if you time it right. After all, the only requirement to play a story is being a subscriber during the month it's available so you can play the intro storylet...)
--
Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/7/2017
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Menace eradicators, they hunt a variety of monsters around London.
--
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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Silverias
Posts: 123
5/10/2017
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I loved this so much. I really hope there's more ways to interact with the ring-breakers if we took that path in the future.
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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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theonie
Posts: 77
5/10/2017
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Silverias wrote:
I loved this so much. I really hope there's more ways to interact with the ring-breakers if we took that path in the future.
As well as the Airs-dependent option under Literary Ambitions in Veilgarden, which was mentioned upthread, the Urchins card has a lovely action that also gives 1 Favour. I see it as a delightful epilogue to the story.
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theonie, an inescapable, midnight, terrifying, and irresistible lady. All social actions except Affluent Photographer welcome. As a Midnighter, will gladly accept all invitations to Orphanages.
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Akernis
Posts: 255
5/1/2017
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Scienceandponies wrote:
The reveal behind the Songbird and the general connectedness of any late game player does make me question how my character has never been approached with an offer of serving as a Songbird.
Assuming that your character is connected to the Face then presumably because they have not demonstrated a wonderful singing voice.
Out-of-game wise of course because the whole songbird thing is a new concept.
--
Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
5/1/2017
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Akernis wrote:
Scienceandponies wrote:
The reveal behind the Songbird and the general connectedness of any late game player does make me question how my character has never been approached with an offer of serving as a Songbird.
Assuming that your character is connected to the Face then presumably because they have not demonstrated a wonderful singing voice.
Out-of-game wise of course because the whole songbird thing is a new concept.
Even in-game-wise, the Songbird might be a new concept. I can't find the exact echo, but I was under the impression this is a more recent refinement of previous practices.
--
http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
4/30/2017
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The songbird one opens a new option in the foreign office instead.
--
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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Scienceandponies
Posts: 247
4/30/2017
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The reveal behind the Songbird and the general connectedness of any late game player does make me question how my character has never been approached with an offer of serving as a Songbird.
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Artful
Posts: 48
5/1/2017
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A delightful little story.
In a bit of unfortunate timing, I finished getting Renown: Urchins 40 last week. Would have been mildly cheaper for me after this story. Oh well. Future Urchin favor usage will be more profitable now.
And HOJOTOHO! Valkyrie for Mayor!
--
A Penultimate Paramount Presence waiting for the ability to overcap stats before crossing the threshold.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Artful
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Akernis
Posts: 255
4/28/2017
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Oh this was absolutely delightful!
Since the previous two Exceptional Stories of this Season has been very unfitting and uninteresting for my character, it was great to get back to something I could thoroughly enjoy playing.
As others have said I loved how well-developed the characters were and found them very interesting to work with. This is especially telling as my character is normally ruthlessly ambitious and manipulative generally indifferent toward the urchins. And yet, she was so taken with these little guys and girls that she helped them stay together without any thought for payoff or personal gain down the line.
I also loved the whole mystery with Mister Songbird.
[spoiler]My sole disappointment was that the whole Songbird thing was just related to the foreign office. I know that this fit well in with the existing lore and made for a more emotional choice at the end. But I liked the superstitious elements and had hoped it would have been a more mystical explanation for Mister Songbird.[/spoiler]
But overall I am very happy with the story, and it earns a spot amongst my five other top fate stories.
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Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
4/29/2017
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There is a new option in the foreign office.
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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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Kaigen
Posts: 530
4/29/2017
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I'm curious about the new Foreign Office option if you side with the Songbird, if anyone would care to PM me details. I've already sided with the Valkyrie and nothing in the world would make me change that, but curiosity cries out for satisfaction.
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Just a simple doctor with a chess habit. Publisher of The Flit Dispatch.
"One must remember that the impossible is, alas, always possible."
-Jacques Derrida
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Shadowcthuhlu
Posts: 1557
4/27/2017
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Dirae Erinyes is proud of their work today - saving london one crazy urchin gang at a time.
I honestly loved this one - once again the focus on the ordinary lives of people in this setting really won it for me, along with it being more lighthearted compared to previous stories. Excellent work.
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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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Art Shrival
Posts: 51
4/27/2017
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HOJOTOHO was a fun story with game mechanics that were easy to follow. I was grateful for the conversation arcs that didn't consume actions, as it made them seem more casual, as one would feel if they were talking freely.
In terms of the narrative, I loved the characters and the story tie-in with some existing lore in an unlockable place I won't spoil. However, I do feel the story was stretched a bit thin at times to cover this larger ensemble cast. The smaller tasks were fun to engage in, but it did give me the impression that I was mechanically sampling each character rather than learning how they contributed to the overarching plot. I think if this story would benefit from either being elaborated over several Exceptional Stories or condensed so as to narrow its focus upon less people. Consider the Chimney Pot Wars, which was July's ES featuring an enormous cast of urchins. Despite the large number of people, the story avoided overcrowding by hemming itself into a unified plot that elaborated upon only a select number of characters.
Regardless, HOJOTOHO was a delightful look into some of my favorite people in the Neath, and even included one of my absolute favorite story options: an opportunity for my character to purchase edible goods.
edited by Art Shrival on 4/27/2017
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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1789
4/28/2017
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Loved it, loved the Wagnerian connection, the characters, the vigils, the idea of a grown up dragging her skirts along the roofs with Quixotic urchins. I chose to let them all stay together and make London a better place, of course. Still haven't gotten a card to show how things changed, though. Is it a new card or a new option on a card?
edited by Jolanda Swan on 4/28/2017
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Lover of all things beautiful, secret admirer of ugly truths, fond of the Parabola Sun... and always delighted to role play.
http://fallenlondon.com/profile/Jolanda%20Swan
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
4/28/2017
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So uh... did anyone take the other ending? I'm really curious what the results of that choice were.
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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Kindelwyrm
Posts: 21
4/27/2017
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I usually haven't cared much for the Exceptional Stories (Except the 12:15 from Moloch Street, and the one about the Wind).
...I really, really loved this one.
I imagined that the now-jaded Alice started talking to the Valkyrie, and felt inspired by her courage. She couldn't help but encourage those kids!
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Alison Wright - An Occasionally Ridiculous Artist
Rosetta Byrd - The Fatally Inquisitive Enquirer
A Drawing Room - Fallen London fan art blog. The misadventures of Alison "Alice" Wright in trying to get portraits of the Masters.
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MartzelDePamplona
Posts: 49
4/27/2017
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So, I chose to encourage her to stay with her friends, and I liked the result.
Two things, I didn't get any special item like I have with previous stories (Did get a 60.00E item, but it's a rather common one), and it told me that "London will be different for your actions". Does that mean there's going to be a permanent change, like an opportunity card, or different options going forward?
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Martzel De Pamplona an inescapable, sagacious and magnificent gentleman. All social actions welcome.
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
4/29/2017
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Kaigen wrote:
I'm curious about the new Foreign Office option if you side with the Songbird, if anyone would care to PM me details. I've already sided with the Valkyrie and nothing in the world would make me change that, but curiosity cries out for satisfaction.
I would like to make the same request.
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
4/29/2017
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Noah%20Rache?fromEchoId=11618177
There you go! (It rewards a storm threnodie and a few other odds and ends)
edited by suinicide on 4/29/2017
--
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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maleclypse
Posts: 259
4/28/2017
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I chose to convince her to keep her Wagnerian party together but I didn't see any story end item for it? Of the 62 echo variety. Did I miss something? I've yet to pull the urchins card since then either so I'm at a total loss lol. Great story and they don't have to have a payoff I'm just curious if I'm waiting for an epilogue card or not?
--
Maintaining a controlling interest in my soul requires a pretty constant negotiation between the various shareholder interests. Thankfully the Fingerkings 23% control makes a pretty good foil to unite the other factions enough to get to 51%.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Maleclypse
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mzingalwa
Posts: 15
4/28/2017
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This is probably one of my favourite exceptional stories. They did a great job making this little gang of warriors endearing, and the conclusion was probably one of the most satisfying conclusions of any of the exceptional stories I've read.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Mzingalwa
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Ivica
Posts: 67
5/1/2017
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PSGarak wrote:
Kaigen wrote:
I'm curious about the new Foreign Office option if you side with the Songbird, if anyone would care to PM me details. I've already sided with the Valkyrie and nothing in the world would make me change that, but curiosity cries out for satisfaction.
I would like to make the same request.
double that
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Sincityster
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/10/2017
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Got rid of my Singular Plant. Decided it was bad news :P
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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ochrasy
Posts: 169
5/11/2017
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I took my time before starting this story, as I was so disappointed with last month's ES. I wish I hadn't. this one was amazing!
one of my favorites, already.
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Ochrasy. Monster-Hunter. Dangerous and Watchful, favors the Constables.
Robitaille. Persuasive and Shadowy, fond of the Devils.
Herr Horst. Seeker of Revenge.
Open to all social actions on all accounts. Preferably, send any MW-providing actions to Ochrasy.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/11/2017
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Catherine Raymond wrote:
Optimatum wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Got rid of my Singular Plant. Decided it was bad news :P
You only decided that now? Eating vicars and coalmen wasn't enough? :P
Oh, come! What's a Coalman or a vicar or two among friends? :-)
That being riposted, that particular story line is a firm reminder that the morality of Fallen London is not really our morality. A person, no matter how menial his job, should not be sacrificed to make a plant more strong, beautiful, imaginative, capable of ingesting secrets, etc.
My plant was stuck between levels 12 or 13 because I didn't want to feed it my goldfish, bats or weasels. I like my goldfish, bats and weasels, they're really cute.
You mean later you start feeding the plant people?! Now I'm doubly glad I had it removed!
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Ragnar Degenhand
Posts: 197
5/8/2017
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Ah, it was the lack of "Menace" before "Eradicators" that threw me off! (How sad is that...)
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Ragnar%20Degenhand
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Waterpls
Posts: 326
5/8/2017
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>>>The Season of Stones: the People Awakening
So... what about stones(Stones?)? And who is awakened?
edited by Waterpls on 5/8/2017
--
Long grinds: Heptagoat 100/180; Cider Done; Correspondence 21/21; Paramount 4/4.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/4/2017
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Optimatum wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a very charming little slice of life story. The characters were well written and the three quests further fleshed out the city. I especially liked the hilarious lack of gratitude we received while trying to help those toffs over on Ladybones Road :P And that battle in that Veilgarden gallery has given me some rather serious second thoughts about maintaining my Singular Plant. I mean, yikes, do I really want that monstrosity running around my pantry?!
<rest snipped>
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/3/2017
What I want to know is how one of those Plants managed to free itself from the grip of the soil, and run around menacing humans!
The story said, iirc: a particularly foolish artist dug it up from the earth of the Elder Continent and brought it home.
Actually we don't know whether he dug it up or captured it while it was mobile. We only know that he "brought [it] back from the Elder Continent." I can only imagine how much the shipping fee was.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Pnakotic
Posts: 266
5/3/2017
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Optimatum wrote:
PSGarak wrote:
Akernis wrote:
Scienceandponies wrote:
The reveal behind the Songbird and the general connectedness of any late game player does make me question how my character has never been approached with an offer of serving as a Songbird.
Assuming that your character is connected to the Face then presumably because they have not demonstrated a wonderful singing voice.
Out-of-game wise of course because the whole songbird thing is a new concept.
Even in-game-wise, the Songbird might be a new concept. I can't find the exact echo, but I was under the impression this is a more recent refinement of previous practices.
Mr Songbird's been around for years, it seems. There's a very obscure reference in one of the Literary Ambitions options in Veilgarden. Speaking of which, there's now a new option that replaces it if you choose the Ringbreaker ending (not sure about the Songbird ending yet). It gives an Airs reroll, a Romantic Notion, and a Nightmares reduction.
Anyone know the HOJOTOHO! value for the Songbird ending?
edited by Optimatum on 5/1/2017
Oh, that is delightful! But they got the Wolf-Skin's name wrong!
--
J. Ward Dunn, Glassman
Book of All Hours 9:99: Journey's end in lover's meeting. Progress is ascendancy.
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Pnakotic
Posts: 266
5/3/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
Artful wrote:
PSGarak wrote:
But now what am I supposed to do with all these weasels?
A funnier question has nary been asked.
I think there's a plant that eats them?
Or possibly some kind of bird.
--
J. Ward Dunn, Glassman
Book of All Hours 9:99: Journey's end in lover's meeting. Progress is ascendancy.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/4/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
Optimatum wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a very charming little slice of life story. The characters were well written and the three quests further fleshed out the city. I especially liked the hilarious lack of gratitude we received while trying to help those toffs over on Ladybones Road :P And that battle in that Veilgarden gallery has given me some rather serious second thoughts about maintaining my Singular Plant. I mean, yikes, do I really want that monstrosity running around my pantry?!
<rest snipped>
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/3/2017
What I want to know is how one of those Plants managed to free itself from the grip of the soil, and run around menacing humans!
The story said, iirc: a particularly foolish artist dug it up from the earth of the Elder Continent and brought it home.
Actually we don't know whether he dug it up or captured it while it was mobile. We only know that he "brought [it] back from the Elder Continent." I can only imagine how much the shipping fee was.
It seems to me that if he tried to capture it while it was mobile, it would have eaten him. It must have been secured somehow or he'd never have gotten it to Veilgarden in the first place.
--
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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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/2/2017
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So there's the Ringbreaker ending and the Songbird ending. Um, what's the third possible ending?
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/2/2017
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Barse wrote:
There's only two - the other option at the ending doesn't do anything.
Thanks!
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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TheThirdPolice
Posts: 609
5/26/2017
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And a quick look online confirms that Covent Garden (the building) is a glass-roofed building used as a market in Victorian times. Thanks for the solution!
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Excessive Corpse & Tender to Irreal Ravens
Lover of Flawed Souls
And with especial pride, Worst Screwup of the Decade!
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/31/2017
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It has not, and it will be a storylet, not a card.
--
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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Absintheuse
Posts: 348
6/1/2017
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This Exceptional Story is now available to purchase for Fate!
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
6/26/2017
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Why is this still pinned?
--
Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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xKiv
Posts: 846
5/25/2017
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TheThirdPolice wrote:
2. One of the Nobody's parents were (Menace) "Eradicators" lost in some "old chapel in Watchmaker's". Someone refresh my memory — was my character potentially present for their deaths when I charged the sorrow-spider council or somesuch, years ago?
I don't think there were any actual eradicators in any of the potential mobs.
--
https://www.fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/xKiv - a witchful, percussive, dangermous and shadowry scholar of coexplodence, hopsidirean, and walker of fallen kitties.
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
5/25/2017
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Wasn't the Silken Chapel in Wolfstack, not Watchmaker's?
--
Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/25/2017
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Optimatum wrote:
Wasn't the Silken Chapel in Wolfstack, not Watchmaker's?
There seem to be Sorrow Spider infestations throughout London, though mostly concentrated in Wolfstack, Spite, Watchmakers, and the Forgotten Quarter - anywhere where there are lots of old, abandoned buildings probably has a sorrow spider infestation.
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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TheThirdPolice
Posts: 609
5/25/2017
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Yes, but the text specifically mentions a chapel in Watchmaker's (and nothing about spiders). So either the Valkyrie's memory was faulty, or there was a different incident in another chapel, or Failbetter made a mistake, depending on how cynical you feel today. =)
--
Excessive Corpse & Tender to Irreal Ravens
Lover of Flawed Souls
And with especial pride, Worst Screwup of the Decade!
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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
5/24/2017
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Finnegan wrote:
*snip* sitting on the roof with the Valkyrie before logging off each night, then rushing through to the finale this morning. Great stuff, and I'm very much looking forward to the next one.
Haha, lovely! Really taking the RP very serious!
And, as Opti and Finn mentioned, you have until tomorrow, around 11-12 GMT to start the story; only few AP.
--
ESs items and quality requirements sheet. Please check if there are errors or if something is missing
Achievement list if you're feeling bored!
I am accepting Plant battles, Neath's Mysteries card, Starveling Cats and boxed cats.
No suppers, no second chances gain and no need to cure my menaces!
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/23/2017
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xKiv wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Robin Alexander wrote:
Ragnar Degenhand wrote:
Is the plant discussion in the right thread? Is this a hijack?
Well, seeing as we're already way off-topic . . .
I never understood why feeding the plant vicars was such a big deal.
Don't we all just come back to life in the Neath? XD
The bigger problem is why vicars keep on visiting you, despite knowing your penchant for feeding them to plants
I agree. If I were a vicar, I would not visit ANYONE who is competing in the Tournament of Lilies. :-)
However, I doubt that anyone who is actually consumed and eaten ever comes back. Unless that person is a god, that is.
You are what you eat (especially when eating something higher up on the Chain) - so the plant *becomes* the vicar
[spoiler]True. That is the peculiar attribute of St. John's Lilies--they absorb the memories of the people they eat, and the "heads" they subsequently grow whisper those memories.[/spoiler]
--
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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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/24/2017
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You have tomorrow to finish the story. A few ES have scaling difficulty, but I don't think its that common, and the challenges aren't too hard.
--
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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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
5/15/2017
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Trilby wrote:
I just finished the veilgarden part, and I wanted to know what happens if you dont kill the creature instantly, if there was any way I could have prevented the poet from getting mad, and what would have happened had I chosen the other option.
I don't think you can skip that part. Even if I just played this story 7-9 days ago I kind of forgot the mechanics as this ES truly captured me with it's writing.
Managed to finish April's and after getting these two done I just realized, after 12 (+2) ES, what a favourite looks like! These last two were more than incredible!
--
ESs items and quality requirements sheet. Please check if there are errors or if something is missing
Achievement list if you're feeling bored!
I am accepting Plant battles, Neath's Mysteries card, Starveling Cats and boxed cats.
No suppers, no second chances gain and no need to cure my menaces!
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Barse
Posts: 706
5/22/2017
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maleclypse wrote:
What was the story item from this one? I have the story of clay oppression, and the business dealings of a devil but didn't see a feather (which is what I thought it gave) in my curiosity section
HEADLINE: The Valkyrie Sings, or some such similar name. It has a newspaper icon - I think it's an item now, but when the story first came out it was a quality.
--
The Scorched Sailor, up for most social actions and RP. Not as scary as he looks.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
5/23/2017
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Robin Alexander wrote:
Ragnar Degenhand wrote:
Is the plant discussion in the right thread? Is this a hijack?
Well, seeing as we're already way off-topic . . .
I never understood why feeding the plant vicars was such a big deal.
Don't we all just come back to life in the Neath? XD
The bigger problem is why vicars keep on visiting you, despite knowing your penchant for feeding them to plants
I agree. If I were a vicar, I would not visit ANYONE who is competing in the Tournament of Lilies. :-)
However, I doubt that anyone who is actually consumed and eaten ever comes back. Unless that person is a god, that is.
--
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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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/12/2017
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xKiv wrote:
Robin Alexander wrote:
The bigger problem is why vicars keep on visiting you, despite knowing your penchant for feeding them to plants
It's the same vicar, who actually enjoys the experience, moge.
You know, I don't think people can actually come back from digestion. The real question is why are there so many annoying vicars.
--
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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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/11/2017
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Catherine Raymond wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Catherine Raymond wrote:
Optimatum wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
Got rid of my Singular Plant. Decided it was bad news :P
You only decided that now? Eating vicars and coalmen wasn't enough? :P
Oh, come! What's a Coalman or a vicar or two among friends? :-)
That being riposted, that particular story line is a firm reminder that the morality of Fallen London is not really our morality. A person, no matter how menial his job, should not be sacrificed to make a plant more strong, beautiful, imaginative, capable of ingesting secrets, etc.
My plant was stuck between levels 12 or 13 because I didn't want to feed it my goldfish, bats or weasels. I like my goldfish, bats and weasels, they're really cute.
You mean later you start feeding the plant people?! Now I'm doubly glad I had it removed!
They are NPCs, but yes, they are people. I originally was going to demur at that point, but this *is* a game, after all. Lines of text in a browser. In my opinion, demurring would have been akin to refusing to read the murder scene in a murder mystery because a character is being killed. However, I respect your feelings; you have a right to spurn such decisions.
Like a lot of players, I roleplay my character.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/11/2017
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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