Absintheuse
Posts: 348
2/22/2018
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Delicious friends, the Exceptional Story for March is here!
A rogue artist has been spreading incandescent graffiti. Join a secret society in pursuit of the mysterious vandal and help them chase down the culprit—if their own secrets don't catch up to them first.
The Pursuit of Moths is the first story in the Season of Adorations, and was written by Harry Tuffs. This season, experience three stories that delve into love of all kinds from friendship to worship. You can begin each from the Season of Adorations card
Editing and QA: James Chew and Caolain Porter.
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 Adorations 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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Griccus
Posts: 3
2/22/2018
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I think this is my favorite Exceptional Story in a long time. It had choices I was actually invested in, challenged my character (what's a strongly Magnanimous and Steadfast revolutionary to do?) and had some fascinating lore behind it. I'm super curious as to how the Vandal discovered the Judgements. Does it imply that even if it's not common knowledge, it's written down in Saint Cyriac's somewhere?
I did have one complaint however.
[spoiler] If you take the Scoundrel to meet the Vandal with you and they get into a fight, the choices are a bit vague as to what the consequences will be. My character naturally took the option to Side With the Vandal, which was described as "defending" her. I pictured my character jumping in between the two, fighting the Scoundrel to a halt, and perhaps threatening him with the Ministry of Public Decency if he didn't go away. Instead, my choice to defend/side with the daughter resulted in me stabbing a living being in the back, which isn't really in line with my character. I would have appreciated clearer signposting of the lethal consequences of that choice.
[/spoiler]
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+9
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Glaucus92
Posts: 11
2/22/2018
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I loved this story, even with the horrible ending I got.
[spoiler] I took the Scoundrel/Snuffer with me, hoping for a renunion, or at least be able to convine the Vandal that she didn't have to die. And then she attacked him, and I tried to intervene. Intervene! Not murder! And then she died, in a wharehouse. And then the Scoundrel left, and died as well according to the text. AND THEN I went back to the society, and recieved my """"reward"""" for murdering the Vandal. It was a whole Flawed Diamond I tell you. Totally worth it. Definflty. Oh, of course the other part of the reward is the finding out that the Collecter's collection is dead, stuffed, taxidermed people, which now includes the Vandal. Great. I feel great. Definitly glad with the choices I made. And I didn't even get to stop/kill/otherwise destroy the Collecter and her 'collection' after finding out. [/spoiler]
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Glaucus92
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+8
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
2/22/2018
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Oh hell yes Art Crime. I am on board.
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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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Absintheuse
Posts: 348
2/22/2018
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Panzerrus wrote:
But what about conclusion of previous season? Did i missed it somehow?
edited by Panzerrus on 2/22/2018
Don't worry, you haven't missed it. It'll be coming soon!
And oops, sorry Panzerrus I accidentally clicked the wrong button, I've not changed anything in your original post!
edited by Absintheuse on 2/22/2018
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Kaigen
Posts: 530
2/22/2018
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I'm reading the echo from taking the Conspiracist with you and this bit...
[spoiler]"You fall upon her like a sunbeam, your knife a glittering star. She dies fitfully, hidden from the light.
'Stellar work,' says the Conspiracist."[/spoiler]
I swear these puns are going to be the death of me.
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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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Elaina Schill
Posts: 191
2/22/2018
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Ok, I haven't actually played it, but I love how to feed the bats it's two pence like in the Mary Poppins "Feed the Birds" song. Knowing Failbetter, this is definitely intentional.
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Main, Phiri Ulfur, the Cunning Shadow. Their heart belongs to a Pirate-Poet across the Zee.
Alt Vermillion Liminate, the Tragic Scholar.
Alt #2,Lady Jacqueline Blackwood, the Savage Beauty.
Alt #3, Veracity Taylor, the Dame of the Docks.
The Dogged Seeker, self explanatory.
I will accept any social actions on Fallen London(unless its a box of live rats. I already got rid of the d---ned things once and am not eager to repeat the endeavor).
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+6
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loredeluxe
Posts: 106
2/22/2018
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It was a great story, but the epilogue where you see the Vandal's journal has terrifying implications.
[spoiler]The Vandal was worshiping the Judgments and wanted to embrace their light. In her journal, she was keeping track of the stars and discovered they "were not aligned" and further wrote out a message: "Blaze upon Blaze: War in Procinct." I had to look up what procinct meant because Failbetter loves their obsolete words, and it means ready or prepared. My interpretation of that statement as with everything else in the journal is that the stars are prepared for war, but with who and what? That is a terrifying question.
[/spoiler]
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Phèdre Delaunay
Posts: 25
2/23/2018
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This story made me like - actually _like_ - a Snuffer. I didn't think that was even possible.
I was sorry to see him die at the end, but I really felt those two needed to settle things between themselves, and all in all, I don't regret my choices. The ending felt bittersweet, but not downright wrong - and the blooming romance between the cop and the anarchist in the last scene made me smile.
My only regret is that I never got to discover what the Collector was truly up to, as I distrusted the crazy b***h from the start and hoped to have her arrested. Oh well!
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---
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Phèdre%20Delaunay
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Sir Joseph Marlen
Posts: 575
3/7/2018
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Part of me wants to put this ES among some of my favorite ES storylines. The mystery surrounding the Vandal was an interesting one that pulled on a few more heartstrings than expected, and the story up to that point already had be invested with silly and eccentric characters. I'm always a fan for tasty chunks of lore, and seeing how far the weirdness of the Neath and the forces around it is a main part of why I keep coming back to this game.
That said, the ending keeps me from calling this one of my favorites. To be honest, it nearly does the opposite. I'll fill in my reasoning in a spoiler tag, but it boils down to the ending for such a lovely story being disappointing if not infuriating, and that bad payoff paints the rest of the story in a bad light. Oh well, suppose I'll wait until the season's out to redo it.
[spoiler]It's not that I'm expecting a "happy ending" out of all of this. A woman is determined that suicide is the only option to atone for her life and all the side characters have caused or wish to cause harm to her for their own purposes. Tragedy would be an understatement for this story's set-up, so it's not that the ending's sad that upsets me, but how we came to that conclusion. As someone who brought along the Vandal's dad, likes others have mentioned, how your actions will result in the ending are far too vague. Why do I HAVE to kill the Vandal or her father, assuming I don't just let them murder each other? The PC can wrestle zee beasts and capture spider councils alive, but I can't disarm the situation or subdue one party without killing one off? If, say, she held the blade to her throat and threatened suicide in front of her own dad were you or him to come closer, I could understand the situation being a one-or-the-other scenario. But this was a far simpler scene with a far simpler solution that didn't require such a final outcome. I was prepared to kidnap her kicking and screaming Cheesemonger-style if it meant she wouldn't kill herself over uncaring gods because she thought her birth was a sin. It's fine if I couldn't do such a thing (although I'd argue that itself could make for some good moral questions), I just wish the justification for why I couldn't was warranted.
This story also has a similar issue to that of the ES Steeped in Honey, where there is an evil character that has either done terrible things or continues to do said terrible acts, yet even when giving control in other parts of the story, we can't act where it matters and murder the SOB. I'm all for the Collector's shocking twist for collecting bodies of Neath oddities and wanting the Vandal stuffed, but assuming that I'd even let her near the body of someone I'd have given a limb to protect (I'm a snuffer sympathizer, after all), the sheer fact that I'd be present to see it would drive Marlen to permanently murder her right in that room if not do worse. There's no good reason in-character why an offended player (who is presumed to be horrified by this revelation they've unknowingly taken part in) couldn't add another homicide to the list, but unlike Steeped in Honey's fault in this department, the rest of this story's ending doesn't have the concrete quality to support it and the rest of the story's payoff.
If it seems I'm being too harsh, as I'm willing to admit, it's because the rest of the story was just that damn good. It would be one thing if an unsatisfying ending came from something on par with The Rubbery Murders or the Velocipede's Spinning of the Wheels, but this story was something of a gem up until this point, and it stings to see all that promise end up flat. I honesty look forward to the writer's later work for FL, because they have talent that clearly shows throughout their writing. I only hope that later works have better polished endings with tragedies that cause sympathy and loss rather than annoyance.[/spoiler]
edited by Sir Joseph Marlen on 3/7/2018
--
Sir Joseph Marlen - The Romantic Sophist
Alexus Harven - The Defiant Fatalist
Rose Reinhelm - The Respectful Revolutionary
Cappuccino - The Perfidious Spycraft
Available for any and all social actions.
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Lavaeolus
Posts: 23
2/22/2018
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Great story. A sad one for my character, but a fun one nonetheless.
[spoiler]In the end, my attempt to find an alternative to either turning the Vandal in or letting her destroy herself in sunlight led to the death of her father. After that I let her go, buying her comfortable tickets, on the condition she not burn the moths with her.[/spoiler]
Reward was 5 Uncanny Incunabula, by the way, for anyone who's interested. I think in this case that reward is universal, right?
edited by Lavaeolus on 2/22/2018
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My profile: http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Lavaeolus
Happy to help with any menaces or whatever else you need. Can serve as a Correspondent for Orphanages. Currently a Person of Legendary Charisma, accepting Protégés.
Currently challenging everyone in London to chess.
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millea
Posts: 45
2/22/2018
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I thoroughly enjoyed this month's ES, from the very premise - chasing down the Neath's equivalent to Banksy - through the interesting and likable characters to the rather emotional conclusion. Unlike Factory of Favours, I felt extremely involved from the get-go and agonised over every decision, trying to give those characters the best ending possible. Another thing I was really happy about was just how relevant some of the plot was to my own character - I truly felt like the resolution would haunt doctor Elvira for a long time.
I went with the Mackintoshed Scoundrel.
[spoiler]
The scene where he reveals himself to be a Snuffer by trying to share a candle with you was absolutely adorable! I loved your character's reaction to him too, noting that instead of a dangerous monster he looks just kind of awkward. This is definitely the way I enjoy seeing Snuffers like - just waxen creatures trying to live their life somehow.
It was super interesting to learn that snuffer/human hybrids are indeed possible, and appear to be much more successful than full-blooded snuffers - the Vandal was able to mold her face the same way that regular snuffers can only mold their bodies. It was sad to see how she saw her heritage as blasphemy and something that should not exist. (I think she might've enjoyed a talk with the Bishop of Fiacre's, as he has much of the same views!) All of this definitely has some serious implications for Elvira, given that her husband is also of the more... waxen sort. She tried so hard to make the Vandal accept her heritage and reconcile with her father, but sadly things are rarely this easy, and Elvira's attempts ended in the Vandal dying from her hand... and even worse, being displayed as a disgusting taxidermy exhibit by the aptly-named Artist Collector. Oh yes, Elvira is not forgetting that sight (and the guilt) anytime soon.
One thing that I have to complain about is the vagueness of the choices during the confrontation between Scoundrel and Vandal - I did not expect that trying to aid one side would mean gleefully jumping to stab the other party. Had I known, I'd probably have chosen not to intervene.
[/spoiler]
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 Elvira Blake, the Pariah's Doctor. ༺⚜️༻ Anne Meredith, the Disfigured Captain. 
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
2/23/2018
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[spoiler]Turns out the solution to the whole Man Who Was Thursday problem was just to ship all the police with all the anarchists. Like the end of an operetta. Perhaps Gillibrand & Searle could put something on at the Antimacassar.[/spoiler]
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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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+5
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Estelle Knoht
Posts: 1751
2/23/2018
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[spoiler]If I read correctly, you actually go to the Surface in person with the Vandal if you bought her tickets, are close enough to watch her die in sunlight and suffer no side effects yourself. Odd.[/spoiler]
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Estelle Knoht, a juvenile, unreliable and respectable lady.
I currently do not accept any catbox, cider, suppers, calling cards or proteges.
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Dune
Posts: 2
2/22/2018
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The last note from the Vandal is... disconcerting. Also... [spoiler]once again the Neath reinforces my belief that it has the innate property to separate and alienate fathers from their daughters.[/spoiler]
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+4
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0bsidian Fire
Posts: 117
2/22/2018
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Great story. The end made me tear up.
[spoiler]I like how everyone had their own agendas. That made picking who to "side" with a lot more fun.
Decided to take the Scoundrel with me when seeing the Vandal. Then sided with the Vandal when it turned out the Scoundrel was lying about the whole thing.
Finding out that the reason the Vandal wanted to go topside wasn't really to kill herself but so she could see sunlight for the first (and last) time was very sad. I did save her moths though, it's not their fault they exist.[/spoiler]
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Kharagal Mierqid - Bohemian Correspondent who is obsessed with the Language of Stars...
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+4
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
2/22/2018
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I really like that this story's item is a piece of equipment. Having all the useless Curiosity items was a bit boring, so the variety is nice.
[spoiler]It's a pity the Scoundrel has to die if you bring him along; I wouldn't have invited him if I knew.[/spoiler]
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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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Reused NPC
Posts: 259
2/22/2018
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[spoiler] Can nobody in this society just say what they mean?!? I mean I can't blame them individually but this is getting ridiculous.[/spoiler]
Anyways, I very much liked this story, especially piecing together the Vandal's backstory. I'm a bit sad I can't keep this Greatcoat as a memento past the season conclusion, though.
It's also interesting how everyone has a (mutually exclusive) agenda in this whole business. God forbid that someone just want to appreciate the art, though...
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ReusedNPC, a d__ned lunatic.
Edmund Viric, a rather dreamy sort.
"I won't stay long, I shan't stay long! Tell me a secret."
--the Baldomerian
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Saklad
Posts: 528
2/25/2018
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I absolutely loved this story. It has everything I want in an Exceptional Story: fascinating characters, interesting and well-developed factions, intriguing takes on existing lore, plenty of references to other characters and groups that really make the Neath feel real, tough moral choices to navigate, and even unique items as a memento. I really hope that doesn’t end up getting traded in, by the way.
I chose to take the Scoundrel with me, since he had a right to see his daughter and try to persuade her. He did not, however, have a right to force his daughter to see things his way, so at that point I intervened on her behalf. It’s a shame that Snuffers are so fragile, but I stand by my decisions. I wish choosing to defend the Vandal didn’t mean stabbing the Scoundrel in the back, though: I think it’d be more fitting to kill him by accident from a less intentionally lethal blow.
I loved the Vandal’s art and perspective, from the sculptures of the Great Chain to the significance given to the frost-moths and what they come from. And the ties to Sunless Skies are great.
I know this is yet another young female polymath fascinated by the Judgements and desperate for sunlight, but quite frankly I’m fine with that.
edited by Saklad5 on 2/25/2018
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Saklad5, a man of many talents
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Spitfire Youngster
Posts: 32
2/24/2018
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This is my first Exceptional Story, and I've got to say, it was a thrill. The twists! The implications! [spoiler]And increase in "Advancing the Liberation of Night" is always welcome[/spoiler]
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Spitfire%20Youngster
Professional troublemaker, not a single regret since [REDACTED]
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+3
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millea
Posts: 45
2/23/2018
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Phèdre Delaunay wrote:
This story made me like - actually _like_ - a Snuffer. I didn't think that was even possible!
Oh ho ho ho. It always starts with just one, my friend.  Soon you, too, will be fighting for #snufferrights1896.
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Elvira Blake, the Pariah's Doctor. ༺⚜️༻ Anne Meredith, the Disfigured Captain.
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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1789
2/23/2018
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I loved the story, same reservation about having to kill when you could easily disarm. Even though I read the spoilers, bringing that particular person alone felt like the only logical -and compassionate- thing to do. On the other hand... do Snuffers die permanently? Aren't we supposed to assume he will rise up after a long boat trip?
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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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apotheosizing
Posts: 8
2/22/2018
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I was really excited for this ES, as I'm a big fan of A House of Many Doors, and it did not disappoint! The Pursuit of Moths was a fantastic story and it's definitely one where I'll be interested to hear how it turned out in other paths.
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John Faustus, Benthic University Guest Lecturer and Intimate of Devils.
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millea
Posts: 45
2/22/2018
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Gallmarch wrote:
I'm not going to click the spoiler, just in case, but just to confirm: is the epilogue an opportunity card?
Nope, it's a regular storylet.
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Elvira Blake, the Pariah's Doctor. ༺⚜️༻ Anne Meredith, the Disfigured Captain.
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Hattington
Posts: 210
2/22/2018
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Griccus wrote:
I think this is my favorite Exceptional Story in a long time. It had choices I was actually invested in, challenged my character (what's a strongly Magnanimous and Steadfast revolutionary to do?) and had some fascinating lore behind it. I'm super curious as to how the Vandal discovered the Judgements. Does it imply that even if it's not common knowledge, it's written down in Saint Cyriac's somewhere?
I did have one complaint however.
[spoiler] If you take the Scoundrel to meet the Vandal with you and they get into a fight, the choices are a bit vague as to what the consequences will be. My character naturally took the option to Side With the Vandal, which was described as "defending" her. I pictured my character jumping in between the two, fighting the Scoundrel to a halt, and perhaps threatening him with the Ministry of Public Decency if he didn't go away. Instead, my choice to defend/side with the daughter resulted in me stabbing a living being in the back, which isn't really in line with my character. I would have appreciated clearer signposting of the lethal consequences of that choice.
[/spoiler]
I'm in the same boat as a lot of other people who thought the options were awfully vague, and it was precisely because I suspected something like what you encountered would happen that I didn't even tip off the Society before going to run off with the Vandal into the sun. I'm also disappointed I didn't have the option to help her simply out of respect as another celestial celebrant, after helping her paint the last set of Correspondence-graffiti too.
In light of the epilogue, the most peaceable option being extorting her life's work from her does seem like railroading.
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The Dawnburnt Vake-Rider: https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Hattington
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Addis Rook
Posts: 125
2/22/2018
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I feel betrayed
[spoiler]1 flawed diamond? ONE?????? I may as well just put on a dunce cap and sell my soul for a corn chip while im at it.
Anyways, that aside, I liked this story. I especially liked how it started carefree and lighthearted, but then took on a much darker tone, especially if you acquiesce to certain...requests... and do them at very affordable prices, apparently. (1 FLAWED DIAMOND!? RRR-)
But I digress, the only real problem I have with this story is that the deeper plot seemed to have revealed itself too easily. Voluntarily, even. 3 strangers with dangerous secrets that could get them harmed or killed rubbing elbows regularly in the same club? Better tell the new guy! With the Scoundrel it was somewhat understandable, but the other two feel very careless to me.
But I'm most curious about the Collector herself. She seemed to have had this situation on lockdown from the moment I walked in the door. It seemed she knew what was going on in the story at all times. A very well-connected lady indeed. Who is she? I'm kind of sad I didn't get that answer.[/spoiler]
I feel like I went quite a bit out of character on this one, but I was too curious about everything to not try to get the bits of lore (To which I think they added a few substantial additions this time around) that I wanted. This is a very good sign to me that the story was interesting. A very strong start to this season! Lots of choices, all of which seem to meaningfully change the outcome of the story. Seems they really listened to the feedback on the previous exceptional story!
edited by Addis Rook on 2/22/2018
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Reused NPC
Posts: 259
2/22/2018
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Amalgamate wrote:
Anyone have the echos for what happens if you allow the Vandal to complete her last graffiti? Being an anarchist to the core I tried to tackle her as soon as I realized she was worshipping the Judgements, but I'm curious as to what she was planning on drawing.
Right here.
It's nothing that different from the other ones, sadly. Not even much detail is gone into. I kind of wish these illustrations were detailed a little better. Or if some willing artist would attempt an illustration of a scene.
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ReusedNPC, a d__ned lunatic.
Edmund Viric, a rather dreamy sort.
"I won't stay long, I shan't stay long! Tell me a secret."
--the Baldomerian
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0bsidian Fire
Posts: 117
2/23/2018
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millea wrote:
Also there's something I'm curious about. [spoiler]If you learn of the Conoscente's secret before you learn of the Constabulary spy, do you have the option of betraying him to her?[/spoiler]
Yes, you do. Apparently she suspected he was one before. However, their ending is more on the humorous side.
edited by 0bsidian Fire on 2/23/2018
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Kharagal Mierqid - Bohemian Correspondent who is obsessed with the Language of Stars...
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Deathjack999
Posts: 140
2/22/2018
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Is it weird that I only like this because you can grind RN by Feeding the Bats?
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Send me anything social, My FL account has the same username as this one.
Ambition Status: Waiting for new content in Bag A Legend.
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Rubbered Ginny
Posts: 6
2/22/2018
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Hello! Finally decided to register on these forums so I could talk about the Exceptional Story.
Just wanted to say that I regretfully skipped one potential step as a character choice, and I think I deprived myself of a satisfying conclusion because of it.
/SPOILERS/ After my second meeting with the Vandal, I decided not to go back to the society and instead go straight to the docks to meet up with her. I felt like I had a bond with the Vandal after helping her with her art, and going to the society to tell those chuckleheads about her would feel like selling her out. So I made her take off her coat, paid for our tickets and took her to the surface. Unfortunately, that left me with a pretty unsatisfying ending for the Society, and it felt like all those characters ended up not getting a proper conclusion to their side of the story. I guess I just have myself to blame for that, but still, feels kinda bad, and I especially regret not helping her father now. /SPOILERS/
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millea
Posts: 45
2/23/2018
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Jolanda Swan wrote:
On the other hand... do Snuffers die permanently? Aren't we supposed to assume he will rise up after a long boat trip?
Nope, Snuffers don't return from death. They, however, can live very long if not killed.
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Elvira Blake, the Pariah's Doctor. ༺⚜️༻ Anne Meredith, the Disfigured Captain.
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Lazarus
Posts: 4
2/23/2018
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Phèdre Delaunay wrote:
My only regret is that I never got to discover what the Collector was truly up to, as I distrusted the crazy b***h from the start and hoped to have her arrested. Oh well!
Well, given the level of precision we have come to expect from the writing in Fallen London, and given the fact that she is not called the Art Collector, I'd say you can easily guess. The only thing left to the imagination is the state in which the collection is kept, but she makes it clear before the final confrontation.
I really enjoyed this ES! It's not very long, but that suits the story, and all the characters are interesting and with enough personality that you're able to care about them by the end.
Pretty good storytelling if you ask me!
edited by Lazarus on 2/23/2018
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phryne
Posts: 1351
2/24/2018
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Yay, I liked this one! Far better than the whole Season of Silver taken together. 
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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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Harlocke
Posts: 506
2/24/2018
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Yeah, like other people here I didn't expect that [spoiler] assisting the Vandal meant I'd immediately and lethally stab the scoundrel in the back. I was planning to prevent her from being kidnapped out of London against her will, not commit murder. I thought I'd leap between them and tell him to back off, something along those lines. Clearing wording that I was going to stab him while he's distracted or a warning that "This will kill the scoundrel" would have been nice there.
Is there an ending where the Vandal lives without being imprisoned? I was trying to figure out how to reach a happy ending for her where she doesn't die. I'm not upset if there isn't one though. Sometimes stories only have tragic options, and her death in the sun had a poetic beauty. [/spoiler]
Do people have journal links to the various endings they can share?
And can anyone explain what the Collector's motivation was in all this?
edited by Harlocke on 2/24/2018
edited by Harlocke on 2/24/2018
--
I welcome social actions, and can visit your salon as an author.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Harlocke
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maleclypse
Posts: 259
2/27/2018
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Were there any other unique items than the Moth-Woven Greatcoat? Was that item available to all endings?
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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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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
3/28/2018
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Don't forget to get this story in less than 21h if you didn't!
--
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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Lavaeolus
Posts: 23
2/24/2018
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Honestly, I'm fine enough [spoiler]with choosing to defend someone ending with the other party dead. Even if you went for a disarm there's no guarantee of de-escalation on the other party's side. Or on your own party's side, for that matter.
But I think there's still a problem that the choice presented seems to feel like 'intervene' or 'stand back coldly', and then the result text has you jump up and immediately fatally stab whoever. Side with the Vandal and you outright 'plunge your knife into the Scoundrel's back' -- which is a bit hard to see as defensive, especially given how he hasn't even pulled a weapon (at least not explicitly) by the time you strike.
I think there could be a better way to preserve this dilemma without overriding people's sense of character.[/spoiler]
edited by Lavaeolus on 2/24/2018
--
My profile: http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Lavaeolus
Happy to help with any menaces or whatever else you need. Can serve as a Correspondent for Orphanages. Currently a Person of Legendary Charisma, accepting Protégés.
Currently challenging everyone in London to chess.
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James Sinclair
Posts: 253
3/5/2018
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This Exceptional Story was superb (and written by the creator of A House of Many Doors, no less!). I loved meeting all the bizarre and memorable characters, especially after their secret identities and motives were revealed. In the end, I [spoiler]took the Scoundrel to visit his daughter, and didn't feel particularly bad about stabbing him the back, since the text implies that he wants to force her to go with him to the zee "whether she wants to or not". The Vandal's suicidal decision to go to the Surface was sad, but understandable given her beliefs. As someone who has recently partaken of the Cider, I also enjoyed the chance to visit the Surface and see some sunlight.[/spoiler] This story was a dark reflection of "The Heart, the Devil, and the Zee", which for me was about people learning to make their own choices and free themselves from burdensome obligations. The equippable Moth-Eaten Greatcoat and the disturbing implications of the Vandal's journal were, as others have noted, particularly delicious.
edited by James Sinclair on 3/5/2018
--
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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dov
Posts: 2580
5/3/2018
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A bit late to the party, but better late than never.
I found this story a bit underwhelming, though the writing was fine (loved the puns), and the characters had potential. What really drew me out of the story was how easily all these characters suddenly trusted me with their secret identities/agendas (which are life and death revelations for them).
The setup was fine, but I would have like it much better had the story built upon the whole "secret agenda" thing, by giving us ways to play different Society members against each other. As it was, it was too short, and didn't give the more interesting aspects room to grow.
Personal ranking of all Exceptional Stories:
[spoiler]
Excellent:
- Lost in Reflections
- Cut with Moonlight
- Hojotoho!
- The Frequently Deceased
- The Waltz that Moved the World
- Steeped in Honey
- Flint
- All Things Must End
- The Century Exhibition
- The Twelve-Fifteen From Moloch Street
- The Persona Engine
- Where You and I Must Go
- The Sinking Synod
- The Attendants
Good:
- Lamentation Lock
- The Web of the Motherlings
- 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
- The Pursuit of Moths
- Factory of Favours
Meh:
- Trial and Error
- The Last Dog Society
- The Seven-Day Reign
- The Court of Cats
Terrible:
[/spoiler]
--
 Want a sip of Hesperidean Cider? Send me a request in-game. Here's an_ocelot's guide how.
(Most social actions are welcome. Please no requests to Loiter Suspiciously and no investigations of the Affluent Photographer)
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Snowskeeper
Posts: 575
2/27/2018
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Probably my favourite exceptional story barring Lost in Reflections.
[spoiler]S.F. brought the Scoundrel with them, allowed the Vandal to kill him, then killed the Vandal. They didn't betray the anarchist (though they were sorely tempted) or the constable, and were mildly disgusted by the Collector. They were motivated mostly by curiosity in this whole thing, as always, but for once their curiosity was more or less satisfied. They've transcribed and encrypted the Vandal's journal, and added it to their wall. In their version of events, the Collector's house probably ends up burning down in a tragic cake-baking-related incident. Why the Collector was in bed with a cake in the oven is a mystery that will, perhaps, never be solved.[/spoiler]
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S.F., a midnight midnighter and invisible eminence. Impossible to locate them, personally, but there are dead drops and agents.
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suinicide
Posts: 2409
2/25/2018
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Catherine Raymond wrote:
Lavaeolus wrote:
Looking back through my echoes, it seems I misremembered; though I could've sworn reading "You work together in near-silence", etc.. It's possible I'm just going senile, which is a bit of concern given I've yet to reach my 30s.
I still don't think the actual choice has any consequences. [spoiler]It sort of changes the context, if not the actual text, behind you meeting her at the Docks, but you're still ultimately chasing the Vandal down to either stop her or see her off.[/spoiler]
edited by Lavaeolus on 2/25/2018
I cannot find the text I thought I remembered in my journal, and the text that *is* there is consistent with standing by and watching. So I may be having a senior moment myself--much more explicable at my age. ;-) But in any event the result is much the same--stop her or help her.
They probably fixed their mistake, which also affects all the journal entries.
--
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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Hummingbelle
Posts: 2
2/26/2018
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This was far and away the best Exceptional Story I've ever played through (and that number is pretty high). All of the characters were really interesting, and the choices my character made actually had weight. The different paths the story could take felt very natural, and I would replay it in a heartbeat to see the different outcomes. The minor subplots were fun too, they were engaging; more than just a mechanic to move the story along. The writing was beautifully done. Although the ending choices were vague and not terribly clear on their consequences it added to the story, even if it didn't exactly fit with my character's motivations. All in all a phenomenal story, I hope to see more like this in the future!
edited by Hummingbelle on 2/26/2018
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Lavaeolus
Posts: 23
2/24/2018
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@above: You'll find the Collector's motive if you take her side, so to speak.
[spoiler]You may recall that she asks you to ensure the Vandal dies here, not on the surface. This is because, quite cheerfully, she collects dead artists and keeps them as part of a taxidermy collection. I didn't take this path but here's an echo of talking to her at the end, after you've disposed of the Vandal. It is, in short, a bit creepy.
As you suspect there's no unambiguously happy ending here. You can give her her final wish, you can arrest her and hope that a lifetime in Newgate eventually erodes her worship, but that's as happy as it can end for the Vandal.
If you had stood back, the Vandal would've just killed the Scoundrel herself. There's my ending, by the way, though it's probably nigh-identical to yours.[/spoiler]
edited by Lavaeolus on 2/24/2018
--
My profile: http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Lavaeolus
Happy to help with any menaces or whatever else you need. Can serve as a Correspondent for Orphanages. Currently a Person of Legendary Charisma, accepting Protégés.
Currently challenging everyone in London to chess.
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Lady Karnstein
Posts: 278
2/24/2018
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I enjoyed the story greatly, even if Caroline got enraged about "Bastards who don't understand ART!!!!" She gave the Vandal what she wanted, if demanding the moths be returned. She did not trust any of them enough to take with her. If she had any idea about the Collector, she would try to kill her. As is. As is she thinks the is detritus of the art scene who just wants art for herself and does not understand it.
I thought the story was amusing, and the constant revelations of true intentions were quite interesting, even if Caroline was annoyed and disappointed.
edited by Lady Karnstein on 2/24/2018
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Lady Caroline Karnstein, The Moral Hedonist (Description)
Infamous writer, artist, and courtesan. Unrepentant Invert. Hesperidean.
Paramount Presence, Correspondent, Nocturnal. Poet Laureate of the Neath, Ambassador to Arbor
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
2/23/2018
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Did anyone side with the Ministry, by the by?
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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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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
2/23/2018
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That's an interesting point, Estelle. However:
[spoiler]it's always possible that you were watching her through a windowed door leading to the deck of the ship or something like that. It seems (and this ES makes it clearer) that it isn't being back on the Surface that dooms Neath dwellers per se--it's being touched by sunlight in particular. [/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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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
2/23/2018
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I was confused by one thing. [spoiler] I expressly chose the option to let the Vandal complete her last artwork, but NOT HELP HER. The storylet I got, though, states that I AM helping the Vandal with the chains that are part of the artwork. Bug?[/spoiler] I don't mind the ending that I got, but it wasn't what I intended to happen as a result of my choice.
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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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Phèdre Delaunay
Posts: 25
2/24/2018
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millea wrote:
Phèdre Delaunay wrote:
This story made me like - actually _like_ - a Snuffer. I didn't think that was even possible!
Oh ho ho ho. It always starts with just one, my friend. Soon you, too, will be fighting for #snufferrights1896.
Also this story made me hate the Judgements a lot. "Aberration", seriously?
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Phèdre%20Delaunay
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Shadowcthuhlu
Posts: 1557
2/24/2018
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Glaucus92 wrote:
I loved this story, even with the horrible ending I got.
[spoiler] I took the Scoundrel/Snuffer with me, hoping for a renunion, or at least be able to convine the Vandal that she didn't have to die. And then she attacked him, and I tried to intervene. Intervene! Not murder! And then she died, in a wharehouse. And then the Scoundrel left, and died as well according to the text. AND THEN I went back to the society, and recieved my """"reward"""" for murdering the Vandal. It was a whole Flawed Diamond I tell you. Totally worth it. Definflty. Oh, of course the other part of the reward is the finding out that the Collecter's collection is dead, stuffed, taxidermed people, which now includes the Vandal. Great. I feel great. Definitly glad with the choices I made. And I didn't even get to stop/kill/otherwise destroy the Collecter and her 'collection' after finding out. [/spoiler]
Dirae Erinyes understands your pain greatly. Who knew that trying to support snuffer family values would be so hard?
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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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Panzerrus
Posts: 4
2/22/2018
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Oh, thank you, i started to doubt myself.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Thomas%20Toyne
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/Panzernord
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The Soft-Hearted Revolutionary
Posts: 26
2/22/2018
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I can't find the ending anywhere, is it an opportunity card?
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Panzerrus
Posts: 4
2/22/2018
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But what about conclusion of previous season? Did i missed it somehow?
edited by Panzerrus on 2/22/2018
edited by Absintheuse on 2/22/2018
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Thomas%20Toyne
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/Panzernord
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Gallmarch
Posts: 111
2/22/2018
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I'm not going to click the spoiler, just in case, but just to confirm: is the epilogue an opportunity card?
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My profile: https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Gallmarch
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Gallmarch
Posts: 111
2/22/2018
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Optimatum wrote:
I really like that this story's item is a piece of equipment. Having all the useless Curiosity items was a bit boring, so the variety is nice.
Oh, nice — I hadn't noticed that!
I also really enjoyed this story. (That said, I enjoy them all, so calibrate accordingly.) It felt a little shorter than usual, but I'm guessing that there are a lot of parallel paths depending on how you deal with the other members of the Society. I'll come back to it when it reaches the Fate page.
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My profile: https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Gallmarch
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
2/22/2018
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The server ate the text for my very last action, I would be most appreciative if someone could hook me up. There were also two options I didn't play because I thought they wouldn't lock until later. Details in spoiler tags.
[spoiler]
Locked myself early from reporting to the Society my results of speaking with the Topsy King, and investigating the smoking crater.
The server ate the result of searching the coat pockets. I had brought the Snuffer, stood back while he died, and stowed away with the Artist, if that makes any difference. I would like to know both the text, as well as the material rewards.
[/spoiler]
That aside, I will repeat what many others have said: Pretty dang good story. Very evocative, and does an excellent job of mixing the personal with the deeper, impersonal mysteries of the Neath. I mean seriously, what would you do if you found out you were a meaningless and unwanted abomination in a universe ruled by Lovecraftian-scale beings? The Artist's choice of how to react is, to me, very honest and very human. This is one of maybe three ES's I would consider replaying.
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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Hattington
Posts: 210
2/22/2018
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loredeluxe wrote:
It was a great story, but the epilogue where you see the Vandal's journal has terrifying implications.
[spoiler]The Vandal was worshiping the Judgments and wanted to embrace their light. In her journal, she was keeping track of the stars and discovered they "were not aligned" and further wrote out a message: "Blaze upon Blaze: War in Procinct." I had to look up what procinct meant because Failbetter loves their obsolete words, and it means ready or prepared. My interpretation of that statement as with everything else in the journal is that the stars are prepared for war, but with who and what? That is a terrifying question.
[/spoiler]
I have a good idea. In a nutshell: Each other. In the Museum of Mistakes, February refers to a gigantic eye as the Liberation of Night's ally in the High Wilderness.
And in the Zubmariner DLC for Sunless Sea, if you go undersea to where the giant eye is you can pass through to meet a black, hissing sun and it's mishapen servant in their domain. The sun wants you to carry an eye on an unobtrusive part of your body-apparently a symbol of the Liberation of Night.
edited by Hattington on 2/22/2018
edited by Hattington on 2/22/2018
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The Dawnburnt Vake-Rider: https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Hattington
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Amalgamate
Posts: 435
2/22/2018
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Griccus wrote:
I think this is my favorite Exceptional Story in a long time. It had choices I was actually invested in, challenged my character (what's a strongly Magnanimous and Steadfast revolutionary to do?) and had some fascinating lore behind it. I'm super curious as to how the Vandal discovered the Judgements. Does it imply that even if it's not common knowledge, it's written down in Saint Cyriac's somewhere?
Answer in echo here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/amalgamate?fromEchoId=13689513
Anyone have the echos for what happens if you allow the Vandal to complete her last graffiti? Being an anarchist to the core I tried to tackle her as soon as I realized she was worshipping the Judgements, but I'm curious as to what she was planning on drawing.
I sided with the anarchists and killed her, echoes on my profile. Curious as to the other endings.
edited by Amalgamate on 2/22/2018
edited by Amalgamate on 2/22/2018
--
http://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/amalgamate
Social invitations of all kinds welcome, especially games of chess and deadly sparring!
Also happy to help with nightmares, send sips of Cider, and plant battle.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
2/22/2018
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Dune wrote:
The last note from the Vandal is... disconcerting. Also... [spoiler]once again the Neath reinforces my belief that it has the innate property to separate and alienate fathers from their daughters.[/spoiler]
The Masters' interference with the course of beings' lives where love of any kind is concerned shows an indifference to human suffering and a bent toward causing tragedy--in part because they don't understand humans very well. I suspect the Bazaar does not either, and all those lacre tears she cries at Christmas are largely for herself and her own troubles.
--
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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Griccus
Posts: 3
2/22/2018
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Amalgamate wrote:
Griccus wrote:
I think this is my favorite Exceptional Story in a long time. It had choices I was actually invested in, challenged my character (what's a strongly Magnanimous and Steadfast revolutionary to do?) and had some fascinating lore behind it. I'm super curious as to how the Vandal discovered the Judgements. Does it imply that even if it's not common knowledge, it's written down in Saint Cyriac's somewhere?
Answer in echo here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/amalgamate?fromEchoId=13689513
Anyone have the echos for what happens if you allow the Vandal to complete her last graffiti? Being an anarchist to the core I tried to tackle her as soon as I realized she was worshipping the Judgements, but I'm curious as to what she was planning on drawing.
I sided with the anarchists and killed her, echoes on my profile. Curious as to the other endings.
edited by Amalgamate on 2/22/2018
edited by Amalgamate on 2/22/2018
I think this may be the one you're looking for? http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Griccus?fromEchoId=13686080 It's what you get when you encounter her for the first time, and choose to stand by instead of helping or halting her.
And thanks for your echo, that makes me wonder just how high ranking the Cognoscente was if he's aware of the Judgements as well.
Also, this little exchange is making me realize how much choices in this story actually matter! My biggest complaint about past stories is that there's always an objectively best way to play them (the little subareas with raisable qualities always seem to encourage just spending actions til you unlock the storylet with the highest requirement, and best outcomes) until the very last choice, whereas two people can have totally different experiences with this one. It's nice that you couldn't keep everyone alive and happy just by pumping enough actions into it.
Edit: While I'm here, does anyone have the echo/a summary of what happens if you don't demand the frostmoth coat from her? I've seen some people mention it's the story's item and mention feeling railroaded, so I'm curious what the other options do. My character, being pretty strongly sympathetic to the Tomb-Colonists, wasn't willing to let them burn along with her.
edited by Griccus on 2/22/2018
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The Revered Abolitionist
Posts: 23
2/22/2018
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Just thought I'd add that this is yet another fantastic ES but like other people have said the options at the end are a little vague. Perhaps I rushed into it but I felt like it wasn't clear that going to the docks meant neglecting the option to bring an ally, I am not sure that I would have but I didn't think I even had to consider it.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/The%20Revered%20Abolitionist
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