Howdy, lovelies, and sorry for the bother. I stopped playing in full FL a couple years ag, after more than a half decade of it (For context, the last thing I remember interacting with in here was the discussions about the newly released Ambition Endings). I dabbled on and off in the past years (mostly when Sovereign and Mask of Roses came around) and, after quite a spell, I am back for the long haul.
I was in the early…endgame?..back then (finishing grinding Paramount and going through the middle stages of the ending of the Ambition).
My question would be: what is new, and what should be done? I have seen many changes I have not yet fully grasped, and feel quite lost.
And also, if there be still any old players around, or new ones: how is you all?
Thank you for the time and the kindness.
(A courteous nod to Swoosh, if they still around).
Welcome back! I’m not sure we ever interacted in game, but we have certainly overlapped as players.
The game has opened up major new areas since you took your break. From what you say, the Railway and the Hinterlands ought to be an area you can unlock. There is also a great deal more to do at Zee, if that is what tickles your fancy. You’ll have a ship, and the window for acquiring a new vessel will open again shortly.
Was Parabola a thing when you were last here? That’s also been expanded. Of course, you may want to carry on where you left off with finishing your Ambition. And I’ll not even mention the roof or airships.
Anyway: enjoy your new lease of Life in the Neath!
In terms of story, the two-or-three major developments are the Railway, Evolution, and then Firmament which is still in-progress. Evolution is targeted at mid-POSI and involves a lot of zailing, and will happen to introduce you to a number of new Zee locations. The Railway is more or less the beginning of the “endgame” now as it requires reaching the standard Watchful cap and is required to unlock several new stats and increase the caps of other stats, and also has tie-in with Ambition endings.
There are also a number of significant historical events that have happened. If/when you have access to Parabola, you can revisit them in the Waswood on a rotating schedule. Also there’s like 2 new Festivals and they’ve redone several others, you just missed Whitsun but next up is Estival which is completely redone from scratch each year.
Mechanically, there’s a lot going on. New slots! New stats! New currencies! Two different markets with their own currencies and qualities that vary weekly! Agents came out literally last month, now you can have henchman do your work!
If you’re looking for a place to start, then start with Evolution, and the Lab + Parabola. Those two should give you direction and other stuff should come naturally.
The tie ins are minor, but they are there. Helicon House has a snippet and while founding the City in Silver it can be relevant.
Nonetheless, focusing on finishing ones Ambition should probably still be high on the list. I’d put it right behind starting the railway, just because railway development is somewhat time gated and cannot be binged like most other content, when one feels like it. And railway progression gates several other goals like stat gains and access to profitable late game activities like the City in Silver and Risen Burgundy.