technically, if you count bandages as type of "rope", then all tomb-colonists are wearing kinbaku[/quote]
There’s an argument in here that it’s not the presence of rope but the presentation that makes it kinbaku, but arguing about how presentation factors into art is how you get Branca-esque installations, and I simply am not prepared for the kinbaku equivalent of this.
edited by SpectralDragon on 12/28/2017
I’m assuming the lucrative “news of the royal couple” aftermath storylet will disappear after a while. For successfully pulling off the wedding. It provides 15 romantic notions per action. Anyone know what a ‘failed wedding’ aftermath storylet provides?
I’m glad I finally came here to read this thread, because I too have dumped 30+ actions into gadding about in the library looking for the actual success. I can continue now.
Three Incendiary Gossip. Presumably the storylet will stick around as the reward for completing the story.
Perhaps it would have been better if the storylet only appeared in the palace though? It clutters the page a bit.
It’d be neat if we could interview them for our own newspaper.
Until when will this story be available – when is the festive season considered to end? After the tweleve days of Mr Sacks are over? I don’t want to miss it by accident…[/quote]
[color=#cc0099]It’ll be available up until 15th January (so before 14th to be safe). After that it’ll be taken down for a short time before becoming available on the Fate page. [/color]
I’ve seldom been so conflicted about which ending to choose. I’d like to take over the Elder Continent and expand the Empire, but I also don’t trust Feducci and despise Hell. What to do, what to do.
btw, what happens if you only beg one of them to reconsider?
Speaking of those two, I was very much surprised to see them at odds with Hell. Based on their names and their careers, I would have thought them natural allies! But no, Hell doesn’t like human lawyers, apparently - they probably don’t appreciate the competition.
[quote=Anne Auclair]I’ve seldom been so conflicted about which ending to choose. I’d like to take over the Elder Continent and expand the Empire, but I also don’t trust Feducci and despise Hell. What to do, what to do.
btw, what happens if you only beg one of them to reconsider?[/quote]
How much do you care about mechanics? Making sure everything goes smoothly ensures a good source of Romantic Notions, and a much better MW grind, while interfering isn’t as helpful for grinding.
Begging them to reconsider does nothing as far as I can tell, so I assume only begging one wouldn’t matter.
Speaking of those two, I was very much surprised to see them at odds with Hell. Based on their names and their careers, I would have thought them natural allies! But no, Hell doesn’t like human lawyers, apparently - they probably don’t appreciate the competition.[/quote]
Hell isn’t a fan of static laws. They prefer to make their own as it suits them.
Congratulations to the writers. Feducci and the Captivating Princess being absolutely perfect for each other was the last thing I was expecting…and they pulled it off perfectly. Bravo.
You know, whether the wedding succeeds or fails, the Bazaar is no doubt happy with the result (though she’d probably prefer a success, all things considered).
What were the possible objections during the wedding ceremony? Naturally I missed those as I spoiled things behind the scenes.
Until when will this story be available – when is the festive season considered to end? After the tweleve days of Mr Sacks are over? I don’t want to miss it by accident…[/quote]
[color=#cc0099]It’ll be available up until 15th January (so before 14th to be safe). After that it’ll be taken down for a short time before becoming available on the Fate page. [/color][/quote]
Thanks very much! I’ve a small mania about doing things in order, so wanted to conclude the 12 Days of Mr Sacks first. Just started The Marriage, it looks great!
I really enjoyed this story - in fact I probably enjoyed it more than The Empresses Shadow (and I really enjoyed that one). I just didn’t finish it until last night owing to Christmas stuff, making waves, inbox clearing, and my desire to collect all the Wedding-Airs descriptions. Speaking of which, here’s the full list of every background event at the Wedding, organized by category:
[spoiler]
Disappointed Lovers
A youth of tremendous beauty struggles to remain a glacial composure; he brushes aside all questions. But when someone mentions the Princess, he bursts into tears.
Suitors wait by the palace gates in tears. Even a few servants cry in privately. Any hope of marrying above their station has ended, just like that.
The Royal Housekeeper scolds a maid, while her friends watch. As their superior leaves, a butler jokes: "Still dreaming of our captivating Ladyship?" The maid blushes furiously.
A butler dreamily twines his handkerchief around his fingers. But wait a minute; that isn’t a handkerchief. Is that one of Feducci’s bandages? He hides it before you can be certain.
The palace guards are an awfully chatty bunch when you catch them off-duty. "He’s awful funny," one says, regarding the Veteran Privy Counsellor. His companions agree. Each takes it in turn to demonstrate their impression of the man. The captain’s impression is devastatingly ribald, and entirely accurate.
Feducci and the Princess
You never catch sight of the Royal Couple, but you certainly hear about them. Just little moments between the pair: wild games of cards, where they trade fortunes; holding hands as they watch duels; dreams of everlasting love, shared between them.
As carvers leave shavings, so too do poets leave discarded notes. You collect them around the Palace. Though many berate and bemoan the romance between Feducci and the Captivating Princess, no one seems to question the sincerity of their affection.
A certain Gnomic Gallivant is being escorted from the Palace again. "Truth is an arrow!" he says, smiling. "I struck too true!" Once outside the gates, the guards tell you the story. Evidently, he offended the Captivating Princess. "Some rot about liberty, equality, and another one. Very high-minded."
A conversation overhead from two maids scrubbing the floor: "He sent her away!" "I need another sponge." "She came from Paris, just to meet Feducci. Can you believe it?" "Yes, you’ve told me every chance you’ve had. Now can I have the bl__dy sponge?"
The Captivating Princess’ tailor, a long suffering man, is near the end of his wits. "Nothing is fast enough or good enough for her! One minute silk, the next taffeta, and then silk again! She is entirely —" A bell sounds. The tailor pales, and races off.
Talk of War
Blustery generals are, to everyone’s distress, attempting hushed conversations. Lengthy discussions on immortality come booming from their private rooms. Blissful silence only comes when one of Feducci or the Captivating Princess pays them a visit.
"But think about it," a butler with a basketful of laundry tells you. "I may as well sign up now, before they conscript me. Feducci’s proven himself to be nothing more than a brigand, and the Princess is up day and night with generals. We’ll be in the Elder Continent before you know it."
A vintner, pockets jingling with coin, is (badly) improvising a song about Baseborn and Fowlingpiece. "Who knew," he says, in his hoarse voice, "Lawyers do have a sense of humour. If I keep this up, might be I’ll be supplying London’s armies soon enough."
A cat and a rat have formed a temporary truce on the skullery stair. They scatter when they see you, but not before you hear them discussing a list of prospective Elder Continent titles that might suit the Princess.
The Royal Housekeeper confides, with no uncertain gladness, that she has been tasked by the Princess to prepare a new hall for dedication. "Something’s coming," she says, "I can sense it. And I’ll be here to see it. Are we taking back the Surface? Or claiming the Elder Continent at last?" Her face is alight at the bloody prospect.
A chef is enjoying a cigarette and the sound of his own voice as he takes a moment to rest. "War, boys. That’s where we’re headed. With her temperament and his blinkin’ ambition?"
Ancient scullery maids discuss the Elder Continent question over the dishes. They reminisce of Imperial Glory, when London held more than just Port Carnelian.
Other Wedding Details
A pair of florists are gossiping. "— that last shipment that was delayed all week. Suppose if it’s what he really wants, he’ll wait."
A distraught seamstress leans against a wall. "I cannot convince him," she says, "to consider changing out his stained, old bandages for any kind of delicate lace, or embroidered delight." Feducci? "No, the Baron he’s brought in as his best man. ‘I can’t oblige myself into his service any more!’ is all he says when I ask him. It is too much for a heart to bear!"[/spoiler]
One thing I rather liked was how these Airs didn’t just set the scene. They also provided some pretty heavy foreshadowing of the various paths the wedding could take (right down to the more masochistic players taking up the standard of every disappointed suitor and declaring their love for the royal couple, come what may). The combination of this background gossip with the preparations battle, the geopolitical intrigue, and the wedding countdown was very nice. Something was going on! What is going on? Oh, you get to decide what that is.
I also enjoyed how subtle the action was. You had a lot of influence over what happened, but it wasn’t direct influence. Instead, your influence came from being in close contact with important people and choosing how to do your job (well or badly). It was a lot like being at Versailles, actually. The sort of influence you wielded was the type that had French nobles viciously competing to hold the King’s bedtime candle or accompany him to the toilet. In a royal court, physical proximity to the powerful is power and the story captures this sort of atmosphere perfectly.
I might just really like Cash DeCuir’s work. The Waltz that Moved the World and Five Minutes to Midday are also among my favorite stories. He’s really good at describing locations and building tension (the Carnival, the Embassy, the Albion Wing - the Waltz, the Countdown, the Wedding). All three of these stories had me at the edge of my seat as the conclusion approached. The bride and groom advancing on the alter was incredibly exciting!
I only have one constructive criticism regarding the mechanics - it might have been better had players been informed, somehow, that they would have two mutually exclusive opportunities to disrupt the wedding in close secession. People who wanted to stop the wedding probably did what I did: throw everything at the wall to see what would stick. So those who would have freely chosen, say, a more theatrical ending over a face saving one could easily have missed the chance (I’m perfectly happy with the ending I got btw - this is just an observation). I think this was the only real shortcoming in an otherwise flawless work.
.
edited by Anne Auclair on 1/6/2018
Oh dear… Does one know when it will be re purchasable to fix something? … I clicked on an option that I did not wish to, and ended up getting quite the sudden end and missed out on some of the stuff I was hoping to see!
So, I’m finally playing this story and I’m at the “speak now or forever hold your peace” part.
If I choose the option to give a reason they should not be wed, can I “perhaps not” if I don’t like any of the reasons presented?
Or, if not, can someone please mention what reasons should I expect to see?
(I’m all for disrupting the wedding for reasons I can stand behind, but if I dislike all the offered reasons then I prefer to let them continue with the ceremony as they intend, without interruptions from me).
[quote=dov]So, I’m finally playing this story and I’m at the "speak now or forever hold your peace" part.
If I choose the option to give a reason they should not be wed, can I "perhaps not" if I don’t like any of the reasons presented?[/quote]
You can back out if you don’t select a reason, and even if you do select a reason you need a certain number before the wedding is sufficiently disrupted (I believe two). If you’ve disrupted the wedding to the point they won’t marry you can still have the characters marry by
declaring your love for both of them, which will end the story immediately without the option to play the after party, give you around 40cp of scandal and send you to the tomb-colonies (like it did to me!) but if you’re planning on disrupting you probably don’t want them married anyway.
I would not recommend suggesting a threesome with the mayor and the princess. I did it to spare the rest of you!
[quote=Hark DeGaul][quote=dov]So, I’m finally playing this story and I’m at the "speak now or forever hold your peace" part.
If I choose the option to give a reason they should not be wed, can I "perhaps not" if I don’t like any of the reasons presented?[/quote]
You can back out if you don’t select a reason, and even if you do select a reason you need a certain number before the wedding is sufficiently disrupted (I believe two).[/quote]
Thanks for the confirmation.
I’m not against the marriage at all costs. I just prefer to pick a reason that makes sense for my character, or else to let them go through with it.
[quote=Hark DeGaul][quote=dov]So, I’m finally playing this story and I’m at the "speak now or forever hold your peace" part.
If I choose the option to give a reason they should not be wed, can I "perhaps not" if I don’t like any of the reasons presented?[/quote]
You can back out if you don’t select a reason, and even if you do select a reason you need a certain number before the wedding is sufficiently disrupted (I believe two).[/quote]
I’ve just tried this and in fact you can’t back out without selecting a reason.
That’s very disappointing. Had I known what the possible reasons are I would not have chosen to interfere with the ceremony. (Which is why I asked here in the first place).
Oh, well…
What are the reasons anyway?