Absintheuse
Posts: 348
5/25/2017
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Delicious friends, the Exceptional Story for June is here!
Relics of a mysterious Fourth City Cult have disappeared, sparking a desperate scramble to reclaim them. A scarred Khaganian competes with a one-eyed, spidery Seamstress. Choose your alliances carefully, and be ready for a confrontation in the Forgotten Quarter.
Web of the Motherlings is the first story in the Season of Ruins, and was written by Graham Robertson. This season, experience three stories involving the cities that fell before London. You can begin each from the Season of Ruins: Tormented Dreams card.
At the end of the season, players who have completed all three will take a step further, unlocking bonus content concerning the Manager of the Royal Bethlehem Hotel, and the thing that has taken roost in his oldest dreams.
Editing and QA: Olivia Wood, Chris Gardner and James Chew.
Art by Paul Arendt and Toby Cook.
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 Ruins 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.
edited by Absintheuse on 5/25/2017
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
5/25/2017
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What?? The Manager of the Royal Beth wants me to help him with his dreams??
Is there an "F you and the horse you rode in on" button? :P
Well, hopefully at the end of the season there'll be an option to take the three items he needs and burn them. Preferably right in front of him :P
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Finnegan
Posts: 7
5/25/2017
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Plynkes wrote:
Barely dipped my toe in (just enough to make sure I don't lose it), but the new artwork is very different, almost jarringly so, to what I've become accustomed to in FL. I do like it, though. I almost wish all the little pics we get had been done by this artist. Some of them are quite rough and cartoony by comparison.
Toby Cook is a new artist at Failbetter. I agree, I like the new artwork a lot. Very striking.
I've only unlocked the new story and I play slowly so I don't have much to say yet, but it's off to a good start. I get the feeling as a new player that a lot of details are going to whoosh right over my head, but most of the regular game is like that already so business as usual I guess, heh.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Finnegan%20Doyle
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Blaine Davidson
Posts: 388
5/25/2017
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The relics are mine, if the two want, they can fight me for them. The relics belong to the strong.
[spoiler]So I'm uncertain as to why I took pity on the Envoy and gave her half of my hard-earned relics. Guess I'm still a softie. [/spoiler]
Story-wise it was excellent, I like the fact that the Envoy had electricity in her lodgings and wish the same upgrades we're purchasable for my own.
And very, very, excited to see what is keeping The Manager awake, what new monstrosity are we facing in a few months? Can't wait.
edited by Blaine Davidson on 5/25/2017
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Blaine Davidson, a reserved and sensible woman with a fondness of collecting rarities.
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phryne
Posts: 1351
5/26/2017
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I'm intrigued by the prospect of a whole Season focusing on the Fallen Cities, and I liked this story a lot.
The fight scene was very enjoyable, especially since you could forgo any real fighting: after all my character Eva May Canning's abilities lie elsewhere, so I picked only the shadowy options with pitfalls and tripwires and whatnot. Watching the Envoy blundering through them was fun 
I will definitely play this one again on my other, more martial-arts-competent character Lady Orosenn, to experience the story in a different light - which is something I rarely do!
Also, I hope there'll be a Spider-Senate in Sunless Skies! 
edited by phryne on 5/26/2017
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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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Saklad
Posts: 528
5/28/2017
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One of my favorite things about the Fallen London universe is that no side is truly monolithic. Londoners, Khanagians, alien sea urchins, devils, carnivorous fungi, cloaked space-bats, face-stealing candle-eaters… they all have their own internal conflicts and motives, without exception.
It was wonderfully intriguing to see this play out with the spider-cultists, too.
edited by Saklad5 on 5/28/2017
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Saklad5, a man of many talents
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Akernis
Posts: 255
5/29/2017
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Saklad wrote:
Finally, the Seamstress actually had a plan to use the relics. Best of all, that plan doesn't seem to involve harming anyone (unlike the Emissary of Spiders and his Tomb-Colonists). I also respect her mindset, so that's a plus. Oh, and she didn't try stealing the relics.
Eh, I am pretty sure she wants to use those relics as the start of a plan to birth a vast spider-monster amalgamation with the intent to further control and propagate a race of monsters who wants to steal people's eyes and create 'beautiful sorrow'. I'd say that qualifies as harming people. If anything, her plan is the only one of the three that will result in people being harmed, the other two simply wants the relics for cultural or academic purposes.
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Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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Dameon Grey
Posts: 23
5/25/2017
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Oh shiiiiiiiit Hey there Nitebrite didn't expect to see you in an exceptional story!
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Mad, Bad, Dangerous to know.
POSI. Correspondent. Social actions besides the affluent photographer are welcomed.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Dameon~Grey
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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1789
5/26/2017
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I shared with the Envoy and his Lordship. In the end, it was the Envoy's dignity that swayed me - that, and being from a place IRL that people have looted for antiquities one time too many.
I did not echo the fight, but I did use all manners of tactics, both honorable and underhanded, and had no difficulty winning the fight in the end.
I liked the story overall, but I have to say I am looking forward to the rest of the ES so I can converse at length with the Manager. By the way, I reside in a suite at his hotel; I wonder if those of us that live there will have any extra options in the cards.
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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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Lady Sapho Byron
Posts: 770
5/25/2017
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Kukapetal wrote:
What?? The Manager of the Royal Beth wants me to help him with his dreams??
Is there an "F you and the horse you rode in on" button? :P
Well, hopefully at the end of the season there'll be an option to take the three items he needs and burn them. Preferably right in front of him :P
At least we get to lie to him at the start of it.
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Lady%20Sapho%20L%20Byron
Fighting the Menace of Corsetry Since 1892.
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Akernis
Posts: 255
5/25/2017
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Of all the seasons we have had so far, this sounds like most intriguing yet. Up there with Heartsblood and Skies for me. And this story sound immensely fascinating. The art looks awesome and the premise of the story even more so!
I can barely wait until my actions have refilled enough for me to play it 
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Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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Gallmarch
Posts: 111
5/25/2017
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Why did I decide to head to Flute Street to grind Rubbery Favours on the morning the new ES drops? Truly, I am an idiot.
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My profile: https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Gallmarch
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Hotshot Blackburn
Posts: 110
5/25/2017
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Overall, this was a very good/even great Exceptional Story. The mechanics for advancing didn't feel as though they were grindy even if they were, the writing made explicit some of the connections between different parts of the lore for players who hadn't made/hadn't found out the connections on their own, there was more than a binary choice between the two characters at the end (and more than a few choices in general), and the lore was refreshing. I chose the Seamstress ending, so I would love it if anyone could link me the endings to the other choices: you can read the Seamstress ending on my profile as well.
Two questions remain afterward though...
[spoiler] 1. I'm not knocking the end choices because I thought they gave a good range of choices, but there's no option for my character to keep the crates for himself! How do you expect to advance through the ranks of the Observatory cult if you have to hand over valuable information to other cultists?
2. Why is the Seamstress not a companion yet pro-active spider-cultist hell yes it could be a beautiful friendship raiding dig sites and hatching councils and plotting to darken the skies with spiders together. [/spoiler]
edited by Hotshot Blackburn on 5/25/2017
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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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OctaviaCrowe
Posts: 138
5/25/2017
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Just meat the Seamstress, and my gods she is pretty. The art is AMAZING.
Out of idle curiosity, is there a high res version of her character portrait available? The small size makes spotting details tricky.
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Ms. Octavia Crowe, the Hellfaring Mystic, former keeper of the Books of Brass. The Seeking... the Name... it has devoured... everything.
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Vavakx Nonexus
Posts: 892
5/26/2017
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Loved this story, mostly for the reasons already stated.
It's also worth mentioning how wonderful the amount of choices for the fight was. I expected to get a single storylet or 2 options total, not a chain of events during which I could freely alternate between honourable melee and underhanded trappings.
It was a pleasant surprise.
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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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Harlocke
Posts: 506
5/26/2017
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I'd be sympathetic towards the seamstress' desire to actually use the relics, if she was trying to do something other than make an unspeakable spider monster. With that option ruled out, despite my curiosity, I decided to take the diplomatic approach and split the relics. Nobody was really happy, but that's the cost of compromise.
Does anyone have a journal entry of what happens if you give them to the envoy?
I read the journal entry if you side with the seamstress. If I understand the cultists' objective correctly, [spoiler]are they trying to fertilize the sun into being an egg to hatch a galactic space spider?[/spoiler]
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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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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/25/2017
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You need all 3 I'm afraid, but the others should be available for purchase eventually.
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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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Hattington
Posts: 210
5/26/2017
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I supported the Seamstress mostly because I wanted to know what a proper spider cult looks like.
...I don't know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn't a possible backstory to Ungoliant.
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The Dawnburnt Vake-Rider: https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Hattington
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Pnakotic
Posts: 266
5/26/2017
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Is there a large image for the Lugubrious Seamstress as well? Loving the art for this one again...
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J. Ward Dunn, Glassman
Book of All Hours 9:99: Journey's end in lover's meeting. Progress is ascendancy.
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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1789
5/26/2017
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Some of the issues players have with the Manager have been expressed here: http://community.failbettergames.com/topic24232-why-i-fell-out-of-love-with-the-game.aspx?Page=2
If you are not aware of this piece of lore, check it out: it will make the upcoming ES much better.
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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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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/29/2017
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The end plan of the spiders in sunless sea was literally the spider apocalypse. Very nasty stuff.
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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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Saklad
Posts: 528
5/28/2017
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I sided with the Seamstress.
The Khanate left the Fourth City of their own volition and anything they left behind was by choice. They have no special claim to it insofar as that goes. Also, the Attentive Envoy stole the relics instead of buying them from the people who actually financed the expedition.
While I sympathize with His Amused Lordship, he only wanted the relics to study them and show up the Bishop of St. Fiacre. If anything, that should be easier in cooperation with the Observatory. They managed to assemble it, after all. I wish there was an option to only give the relics to the Seamstress if they would allow His Amused Lordship to study it too, but there's enough precedent for arrangements like that to make me think it will happen anyway.
Finally, the Seamstress actually had a plan to use the relics. Best of all, that plan doesn't seem to involve harming anyone (unlike the Emissary of Spiders and his Tomb-Colonists). I also respect her mindset, so that's a plus. Oh, and she didn't try stealing the relics.
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Saklad5, a man of many talents
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Finnegan
Posts: 7
5/28/2017
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That was a fun caper, a nice mix of investigation, sneaking, and combat. The final choice was easy as can be. As a thief, property ownership is a low priority but I always fulfill my contracts, so I beat them both with underhanded means and delivered the relics to His Amused Lordship. Of the two I admired the Envoy and would enjoy sparring with her again. I didn't like the Seamstress one bit; aside from her motives and the spiders, I thought she was a clumsy amateur.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Finnegan%20Doyle
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Bashir Vassar
Posts: 9
6/3/2017
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Speaking as a relatively new player... I think this month will be my first exceptional story. The plot sounds interesting, but really it's the artwork that's got my attention. The team at FBG should definitely keep Tobias around and consider having him revamp some of the more prominent portraits in the game.
Speaking as an art director... FBG, please abuse Tobias as much as possible, so that he'll quit and we can hire him. No really. Tobias, if you're being held hostage blink twice and we'll come save you!
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"Do not try and bend the Spirifer's fork, that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth... there is no fork. Then you will see it is not the fork that bends, it is only your soul." ―Bashir Vassar, Infernal Meditations
Social Savant & Dilettante. Purveyor of Souls. Wiki Archivist. Former protégé of the romantic egotist, Nigel Overstreet. Requests are welcome, gifts are titillating.
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
6/3/2017
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He'd better keep his hands off the portraits of all my favorite Fallen London boys! They're perfect as they are :P
*adores Mr. Arendt's cute artwork*
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Gul al-Ahlaam
Posts: 225
6/3/2017
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I adored this story! One of my favorites without a doubt. I'm a sucker for adventure stories and archaeological capers. ^_~
The 'pragmatic' answer to the Envoy's final question was especially welcome, since it fit my character quite perfectly! The art was lovely, and the characters were deep and very enjoyable to interact with. I do hope I get to see a spider senate in Sunless Skies, or have the opportunity to help breed one! I love the sorrow spiders so much! My FL character is almost an honorary spider-cultist by now. ^o^ This story was great for their development too, and really helped me pin down where I want to go with them from an RP perspective, which I was struggling with a little bit recently! All in all, an exceptional Exceptional Story! ^_^
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The Uncanny Hierophant.
The Jewel-Eyed Prince.
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
5/28/2017
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This one was pretty fun. Fleshy spent most of the story scared to death of the Envoy, because the artwork kind of made her look like someone who could rip out his heart and then make him eat it (he even forced himself to drink some tea rather than refuse her offer. He promptly threw up afterward :P ), but in the end found his courage and kicked both her and the seamtress's butts. The final battle was definitely the highlight, and I loved how there were different options available throughout the battle. Fleshy's the kind of idiot who would fall into his own traps, so he took the combat route, but the traps option looked like (potentially hilarious) fun too.
In the end, I gave the relics to His Amused Lordship because he was the one who actually had them dug up, and the two buzzards who showed up after the fact screeching "MINE!" got nothing :P
My only regret was that the Seamstress and her cult felt underdeveloped. The focus seemed t be more on the Envoy, which I thought was a shame because the Khanate has shown up a lot in the game but this is the first I've heard of the Motherlings, so I definitely would have liked more lore on them. I think having the story focus just on them vs. His Amused Lordship would have made it stronger, because we could have learned more about them if they didn't have to share time with the Khanate. Not a huge gripe though. Just hope maybe we'll see more of them in the future.
Also, that spider tile we got at the end? Fleshy's going to use it as a drink coaster. Sorry Manager!
(I'm not actually sorry :P )
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/30/2017
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You keep one of the relics to give to the manager, no matter your ending.
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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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OctaviaCrowe
Posts: 138
5/31/2017
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Anchovies wrote:
Prior to my conversation with the Seamstress at the tavern, I don't recall hearing anything, anywhere, about Watchmaker's Hill being a gathering-place for spider-lovers. Is this supposed to be new information, or did I just miss all the clues I maybe stumbled on when I was spending time there earlier in the game?
Watchmakers hill has the Observatory, which is home to an order of priests who worship sorrow spiders and give them bith their eyes.
There's a story in the House of Chimes about it.
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Ms. Octavia Crowe, the Hellfaring Mystic, former keeper of the Books of Brass. The Seeking... the Name... it has devoured... everything.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/31/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a fun story. I ended up giving the relics to His Amused Lordship because the Khaganians were being too pushy and needed reminding that the Forgotten Quarter is far closer to London than it is to Khan's Glory.
btw, I noticed that there wasn't any special quality given to my character upon the completion of this story. You know, a little icon under "Story" with a description like "You have resolved X for better or for worse, usually worse." I'm wondering if this was the case for everyone else or just me and whether the lack of a completion quality is intended or if its some sort of bug?
Edit
I sent an email to support asking if the lack of a Story quality is a bug. It probably isn't, but there's no harm in making sure.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/27/2017
It wasn't a bug, it was a simple oversight, and it has since been corrected. This story now has an Ending Quality you can show on your mantel.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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TheThirdPolice
Posts: 609
6/1/2017
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Good stuff!
Most importantly, I'll second phryne's suggestion and ask may we please get a Spider-Senate in Sunless Skies? >: D The lore and backstory here was lovely and dark, my favourite part. I wish I knew why they were called the Motherlings, and I'm wondering how the "spider knotting" relates to the quite different tale you hear if you give the relics to the Seamstress. But it wouldn't be Fallen London if you gave us all the answers! (Does anyone know where else to read about Motherlings? It sounds vaguely familiar from the Irrigo cavern, maybe?)
For something set up as a mystery, the investigation was quite straightforward and the conclusion quite definite. I was expecting more alternative theories or uncertainty, but the conversations were well-written enough that I enjoyed most of it anyway.
The fight was light-hearted fun, which I think is always a nice breather between the tense or difficult decisions in these stories. Small, weird nitpick that I wish I could have seen some failure text after dropping my Watchful to 90. I can understand everything being easy when you're at max stats, but I was hoping my recently blackened mind would stop me from breezing through yet another ES challenge.
The competing characters and the array of ending options were among the best I've seen, I thought, covering most of what a player would want and meshing a new combination of London's factions and moral dilemmas. The Khaganian position would probably be more interesting if the Envoy were less guarded (it seemed impossible to ally with her in advance of the dig site). I'm sure some players wanted a "hoard all the relics" option, too, which could have led to a spidery dream as the epilogue, perhaps. But overall, this part was really well done.
edited by TheThirdPolice on 6/1/2017
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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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SeveredJoke
Posts: 171
5/26/2017
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Jolanda Swan wrote:
Some of the issues players have with the Manager have been expressed here: http://community.failbettergames.com/topic24232-why-i-fell-out-of-love-with-the-game.aspx?Page=2
If you are not aware of this piece of lore, check it out: it will make the upcoming ES much better.
Thanks for the tip.
I enjoyed the story and like many of you here genuinely had to pause at the decisions. I'm annoyed at myself for my loyalty to an Amused Lordship and merely adding a meagre collection of trinkets to his collection but...I would very much like to progress the Dilmun Club storyline and read that it will be part of the new update so didn't want to harm my chances to progress.
I split with the envoy because I love the lore of the Khanate and its depiction in Sunless Seas. Really evocative imagery.
I wanted to side with the seamstress because I like mysterious cults but I don't like spiders and have too many spider council corpses to my name to make that a safe alliance.
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Annabelle McAllister - Nemesis
Marlon JD - Bag a Legend
Suzi Bapsthwaite - Light Fingers
Delilah Moreo - Heart's Desire
Alexei Totkinder - Nemesis
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menaulon
Posts: 112
5/26/2017
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An amazing story! Astonishing art, fun storylets, and I was very glad to learn something more about the Motherlings. Definitely wondering what we will find out about the other Cities.
I chose His Amused Lordship and got 5 Vital Intelligences. I like spiders, but somewhat less than people's eyes. Additionally, Londoners have a right to know of the history of their predecessors as much as Khanate does. Doesn't hurt that I know His Lordship from some meetings and trust him not to start a spider conspiracy.
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Menaulon
Open to social actions, but would prefer to be betrayed in the search for Photographer.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/26/2017
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Rasvarmo wrote:
Kukapetal wrote:
What?? The Manager of the Royal Beth wants me to help him with his dreams??
Is there an "F you and the horse you rode in on" button? :P
Well, hopefully at the end of the season there'll be an option to take the three items he needs and burn them. Preferably right in front of him :P Forgive me for going slightly off-topic (and please delete if it's not appropriate here), but - your comment made me laugh so much! Why do you dislike the Manager so much? I'm genuinely curious here, not trying to pick a fight. I'm wondering if I missed something the Manager has done...
Speaking for myself, one often gets the sense that the Manager enjoys his job a little too much. I hope get gets locked up in his own hotel for a while :P Maybe that will teach him to clean out the d___ bathtubs and do something about that annoying coffee drinking cat!
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Pnakotic
Posts: 266
5/27/2017
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I chose to split them with the envoy.
[spoiler]Reward was 5 Vital Intelligence; not too shabby.[/spoiler]
Overall, it was a decent story, some interesting characters. Over a little too quick. I also didn't feel like I got a great understanding of what could be set in motion by siding with either faction... which made me less inclined to side with anyone besides H.A.L. (who I am fond of anyway). The disposition of the combat was rather innovative, though. I enjoyed that.
edited by Pnakotic on 5/27/2017
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J. Ward Dunn, Glassman
Book of All Hours 9:99: Journey's end in lover's meeting. Progress is ascendancy.
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maleclypse
Posts: 259
5/27/2017
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I had really hoped I'd be able to talk to his amused lordship after splitting them with the Envoy.
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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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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
5/25/2017
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Just want to say that I'm absolutely adoring this so far
The story feels a very decent length with a lot of lore to explore. I've already used around 40 actions, but not a single one was wasted; the story progressed with every single action, the gameplay itself was interesting and provided something new with each move, and the characters are fascinating and fleshed out. I think I'm just a few clicks from the end; I missed the beginning a little, I'll admit, so I thought this story would have all three relics, but it seems like it'll be a relic per story (which makes a lot more sense and is a great thematic link, making it one large story overall).
The art is beautiful, too, and I'm loving the writing style. I'm actually mostly frustrated that I've ran out of actions and coffee, as I can't wait to see how this progresses. I'll leave more thoughts at the end, but - so far - this is one of my absolute favourites of the year
Edit: Just the minute finished. Absolute perfection! I loved every aspect of the story
edited by Robin Alexander on 5/25/2017
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babelfishwars
Administrator
Posts: 1152
5/25/2017
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As a general FYI, support is: support@failbettergames.com
edited by babelfishwars on 5/25/2017
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Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
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Plynkes
Posts: 631
5/25/2017
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Barely dipped my toe in (just enough to make sure I don't lose it), but the new artwork is very different, almost jarringly so, to what I've become accustomed to in FL. I do like it, though. I almost wish all the little pics we get had been done by this artist. Some of them are quite rough and cartoony by comparison.
Edited for appalling spelling mistakes.
edited by Plynkes on 5/25/2017
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"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop, but don't tell me."
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/25/2017
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It does not seem to be out yet. But I expect it will be soon.
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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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Chris Gardiner
Administrator
Posts: 539
5/25/2017
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Robin Alexander wrote:
I've encountered a bug
Support ticket, please. Forums aren't a medium by which we can efficiently diagnose and fix bugs.
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Nomicakes
Posts: 2
5/25/2017
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Similar to the previous Exceptional Story, has anyone encountered any new options in opportunity cards or otherwise after their choice?
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Nomicakes
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Kindelwyrm
Posts: 21
5/25/2017
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I'll just be over here, being horribly, terribly jealous of Paul and Toby's artistic skills.
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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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suinicide
Posts: 2409
5/25/2017
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Nomicakes wrote:
Similar to the previous Exceptional Story, has anyone encountered any new options in opportunity cards or otherwise after their choice?
If there's new options it usually says "London has changed for your efforts" or something.
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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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Rasvarmo
Posts: 54
5/26/2017
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Kukapetal wrote:
What?? The Manager of the Royal Beth wants me to help him with his dreams??
Is there an "F you and the horse you rode in on" button? :P
Well, hopefully at the end of the season there'll be an option to take the three items he needs and burn them. Preferably right in front of him :P Forgive me for going slightly off-topic (and please delete if it's not appropriate here), but - your comment made me laugh so much! Why do you dislike the Manager so much? I'm genuinely curious here, not trying to pick a fight. I'm wondering if I missed something the Manager has done...
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Rasvarmo - a lady of distinction and ambition. Open to social exchanges.
"No records. No writings. Words can be treacherous. If a story is important, it will be remembered."
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
5/28/2017
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Rasvarmo wrote:
Kukapetal wrote:
What?? The Manager of the Royal Beth wants me to help him with his dreams??
Is there an "F you and the horse you rode in on" button? :P
Well, hopefully at the end of the season there'll be an option to take the three items he needs and burn them. Preferably right in front of him :P Forgive me for going slightly off-topic (and please delete if it's not appropriate here), but - your comment made me laugh so much! Why do you dislike the Manager so much? I'm genuinely curious here, not trying to pick a fight. I'm wondering if I missed something the Manager has done...
I hate him for several reasons, both story and gameplay related, but in this case, my vitriol stems purely from the fact that I've often struggled with Nightmares in the game, which means I've had to put up with his constant annoying harassment via the opportunity cards, which usually makes my nightmares worse, which means I'm stuck with him even longer. It's like the guy who's mugged me several times coming to me and asking me to help him capture the guy who robbed his house. Doesn't go over too well :P
If it was just about him being a bad person, I'd probably be fine with helping him. My character has helped out plenty of jerks before. This time it's personal :P
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Scienceandponies
Posts: 247
5/27/2017
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Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a fun story. I ended up giving the relics to His Amused Lordship because the Khaganians were being too pushy and needed reminding that the Forgotten Quarter is far closer to London than it is to Khan's Glory.
btw, I noticed that there wasn't any special quality given to my character upon the completion of this story. You know, a little icon under "Story" with a description like "You have resolved X for better or for worse, usually worse." I'm wondering if this was the case for everyone else or just me and whether the lack of a completion quality is intended or if its some sort of bug?
Edit
I sent an email to support asking if the lack of a Story quality is a bug. It probably isn't, but there's no harm in making sure.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/27/2017
I think the story quality in this case is the relic we took from the top of the crate as a momento. The one that counts as one of the the three turn ins for the season.
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OctaviaCrowe
Posts: 138
5/26/2017
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Jolanda Swan wrote:
Some of the issues players have with the Manager have been expressed here: http://community.failbettergames.com/topic24232-why-i-fell-out-of-love-with-the-game.aspx?Page=2
If you are not aware of this piece of lore, check it out: it will make the upcoming ES much better.
Also, the b---ard demands all your recurring dreams as a price for proceeding in the Hearts Desire ambition. Lost a whole year of What The Thunder Said that way.
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Ms. Octavia Crowe, the Hellfaring Mystic, former keeper of the Books of Brass. The Seeking... the Name... it has devoured... everything.
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heavensdark
Posts: 60
5/25/2017
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I do love this new art. Even in the smaller images, the details are still very clear.
The story itself is interesting. My lady is facing some tough decisions throughout and it's enjoyable.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/heavensdark
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Nomicakes
Posts: 2
5/25/2017
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Finished it up, sided with the Seamstress because of my affinity and preference for pets and companions.
Not sure if this has any far-reaching effects on any aspects of everyday Fallen London life, but we'll see.
It was... very unusual.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Nomicakes
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
6/1/2017
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Anchovies wrote:
Is it standard practice for Exceptional Stories to not affect Quirks? The choice of how to distribute the relics was prime real estate for some Quirk modifications, e.g. Steadfast for sticking with His Amused Lordship, Magnanimous for splitting the relics, Melancholy for favoring the Seamstress, and perhaps Austere for siding with the Emissary.
Anyways, I've now finished the story, and it was quite a bit of fun. The end rewards were nice, at least for honoring my agreement with His Amused Lordship, although I'm surprised it didn't come with a boost to his Cultivating an Acquaintance quality. Story-wise it was very fun to participate in some Forgotten Quarter archaeological intrigue, and I now find myself wishing there were a bit more of that in the core game - expeditions seem a bit lonely compared to what I got up to this time.
edited by Anchovies on 6/1/2017
ES often effect quirks, but not every single time. Or maybe they overlooked it with the massive amount of changes they were pushing out
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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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Saklad
Posts: 528
5/28/2017
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suinicide wrote:
Nomicakes wrote:
Similar to the previous Exceptional Story, has anyone encountered any new options in opportunity cards or otherwise after their choice?
If there's new options it usually says "London has changed for your efforts" or something.
No it doesn't. Any quality can theoretically be used to unlock or change anything in the game, including the quality showing what side you chose here. If that hasn't changed anything now, it could in the future.
In fact, overt hints like that are pretty rare outside of continuing the story (like an epilogue).
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Saklad5, a man of many talents
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
5/28/2017
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Scienceandponies wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
This was a fun story. I ended up giving the relics to His Amused Lordship because the Khaganians were being too pushy and needed reminding that the Forgotten Quarter is far closer to London than it is to Khan's Glory.
btw, I noticed that there wasn't any special quality given to my character upon the completion of this story. You know, a little icon under "Story" with a description like "You have resolved X for better or for worse, usually worse." I'm wondering if this was the case for everyone else or just me and whether the lack of a completion quality is intended or if its some sort of bug?
Edit
I sent an email to support asking if the lack of a Story quality is a bug. It probably isn't, but there's no harm in making sure.
edited by Anne Auclair on 5/27/2017
I think the story quality in this case is the relic we took from the top of the crate as a momento. The one that counts as one of the the three turn ins for the season.
The relic is the end of season item trade-in.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Rhysdux
Posts: 19
5/30/2017
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So I'm at the point where I have to decide whether to fight the Envoy, the Seamstress, or both of them. Now, the Envoy seems inclined to bury the info about the Motherlings, while the Seamstress worships SPIDERS THAT HATCH FROM PEOPLE'S EYES, so I'm really inclined to side with the Envoy. But my question is...don't I need the relics so that the Manager of the Royal Bethlehem will stop having nightmares? I'm torn.
edited by Rhysdux on 5/30/2017
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Teklogikal
Posts: 5
6/8/2017
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Hey, now that I've finished this story up, is there anyone who chose the seamstress? I'm dying to know what I missed, lol.
edited by Teklogikal on 6/8/2017
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TheThirdPolice
Posts: 609
6/8/2017
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I sent you the text for that result.
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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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Deathwatch101
Posts: 7
6/14/2017
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I find it a shame we can't split it between the Seamstress and the Khanate. After all as a monster hunter id like to see the mega spider to get a chance to slay such a creature.
In addition, recovering artifacts and sending some "home" would also be making a mark as a legendary fighter.
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Fadewalker
Posts: 136
6/18/2017
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Sorry for that betrayal, His Amused Lordship. I was in dire need of information and too few of us could fail both you and NiteBrite.
[spoiler]Give the relics to the Attentive Envoy only:
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Fadewalker?fromEchoId=11905078
[/spoiler]
edited by Fadewalker on 6/18/2017
--
A fervent supporter of the Council and the Masters.
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Lallinka
Posts: 138
7/28/2017
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A belated review of another season! I've liked this story very much. Enough time was spend on fleshing out the characters of both the Seamstress and the Envoy, the mystery of the missing relics and it made the choice in the end very difficult.
I wish there had been an option to split the relics between the two women, but since there was not, I chose to split between the Envoy and the Lordship instead.
A great story and I'm looking forward to more!
--
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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