To me, the storylines that give you a constant companion didn’t really have the heft that I’d give to having a spouse in Fallen London. They always struck me as more long-term significant other-ish, the sort of the thing where you might live together or have joint bank accounts (or otherwise get entangled in each other’s lives in a way that takes a bit of doing to untangle), but you haven’t actually made a permanent commitment like marriage.
I was a little disappointed when the game unceremoniously changed the slot to ‘Spouse’, as I had always had in the back of my mind that we’d one day get a storyline (no doubt costly) in which we’d get to take that next step, and felt somewhat robbed of that opportunity, as odd as it seems.
All of this despite the fact that I don’t even currently have a constant companion, since I’m still hoping that the Canny Costermonger will one day return my affections…
Courting the Celebrated Artist’s Model does culminate in a wedding - or, at least, a big party about how you’re a couple now, which, well, I’d call that a wedding. Perhaps the other Spouses don’t have so much build-up and ceremony, but the Model feels very spouse-y and romantic.
Doesn’t feel the same way for the Devout Intriguer, the text seemed to indicate my character and her were dating. Or maybe ‘it’ - I can’t really tell. Honestly don’t care.
By the by, did anyone notice the update to the Celebrated Artist’s Model strolling in the park card? Now it gives 1 Extraordinary Implication and 2 Confident Smiles. Maybe they will look at the other Spouses as well and add interesting cards with flavor text.
From what I’ve heard, the Fate-locked Spouses have a much briefer courtship process - I guess because instead of earning them through game-time, we’re earning them through work-time and money-pay!
I basically second everything you said, as Constant Companion seemed to seem more in keeping with FL lore about love and the Bazaar and such, as well as allowing for wider player interpretations.[li]
[quote=Owen Wulf]Doesn’t feel the same way for the Devout Intriguer, the text seemed to indicate my character and her were dating. Or maybe ‘it’ - I can’t really tell. Honestly don’t care.
[/quote]
This doesn’t seem that out-of-character. ;)[li]
I feel meh about my “spouse” from the Face. Courting results in a card coming up occasionally, but the spouses from Wilmot’s End just are placeholders. I took it just because it fit better than anything else.
I, too, want to keep it “Constant Companion”. I think that keeps the story malleable to whatever each character would do.
And here’s voting for Struggling Artist and Honey Sipping Heiress as Constant Companions.
I didn’t like spouse at first, since I sort of accidentally got married by not understanding a bit of card text. But, well, the idea grew on me over time, and now I miss the term spouse.
I understand both viewpoints. I kind of wish there was a happy medium where the player could set a title of their own choosing, much like how the name a pet feature works. Let the individual decide if a spouse is a husband, a wife, a constant companion, or other title within taste and reason.
I suggested the idea somewhere else (a derailment of the Fate-Locked Thread, perhaps) that multiple Spouses/CCs could work if for each spouse obtained bumped Committed up a point, and at 2+ undiscardable opportunities for each spouse can be drawn in the style of the Eyeless Skull or high Nightmares. Bonus points if Committed gets filed under Menaces.
I agree with everything the OP said, I do prefer “Constant Companion” to “Spouse”, with perhaps the option to “upgrade” to spouse once they are your companion?
[quote=Inky Petrel]@Alexandergiggling You are a delightful person.
I agree with everything the OP said, I do prefer "Constant Companion" to "Spouse", with perhaps the option to "upgrade" to spouse once they are your companion?[/quote] blushes
Um, anyway, I agree that Constant Companion has more of the characteristic Fallen London ambiguity about it. It leaves more room for the player to interpret what the nature of the relationship is.
I don’t have one (still waiting for the Deviless to become available). But I agree that “Constant Companion” is better. Want some form of dating to be in the game. Don’t want to get married.