February's Exceptional Story: Cricket Anyone?

Fallen London
121

Echoing everyone else’s praise for the story. I don’t have much opinion on the rewards of the Cricket card, but perhaps a lower frequency would be better?

122

This is the first time I have delayed playing an ES, as I don’t like cricket. Silly of me to think it would really be about cricket. This story was exceptional.

123

I think I might have somehow gotten stuck. After asking the Benthic Captain about bats, I experimented with a Sulky Bat twice at the Department of Chiropterchromancy, which advanced Reason to Suspect the Benthic Captain to 5 (&quotYou have confronted the Benthic Captain&quot), even though I never actually confronted him, and it did not end the inning. Now I’ve finished the third inning, but I don’t see a way to get a &quotFirst Stroke&quot to make an accusation.

Am I missing something here, or have I run afoul of a bug? I mean a bug would be appropriate, considering that it’s a story about cricket…

124

[quote=James Sinclair]I think I might have somehow gotten stuck. After asking the Benthic Captain about bats, I experimented with a Sulky Bat twice at the Department of Chiropterchromancy, which advanced Reason to Suspect the Benthic Captain to 5 (&quotYou have confronted the Benthic Captain&quot), even though I never actually confronted him, and it did not end the inning. Now I’ve finished the third inning, but I don’t see a way to get a &quotFirst Stroke&quot to make an accusation.

Am I missing something here, or have I run afoul of a bug? I mean a bug would be appropriate, considering that it’s a story about cricket…[/quote] That’s almost definitely a bug. I’d recommend reporting it.

125

[quote=Azothi][quote=James Sinclair]I think I might have somehow gotten stuck. After asking the Benthic Captain about bats, I experimented with a Sulky Bat twice at the Department of Chiropterchromancy, which advanced Reason to Suspect the Benthic Captain to 5 (&quotYou have confronted the Benthic Captain&quot), even though I never actually confronted him, and it did not end the inning. Now I’ve finished the third inning, but I don’t see a way to get a &quotFirst Stroke&quot to make an accusation.

Am I missing something here, or have I run afoul of a bug? I mean a bug would be appropriate, considering that it’s a story about cricket…[/quote] That’s almost definitely a bug. I’d recommend reporting it.[/quote]Thanks, that’s what I figured. I’ll go ahead and report it.

126

Don’t forget to unlock this story until tomorrow!

127

Can anyone help me? I can’t seem to find the first strike, even though I already acquire the 2nd and the 3rd. :\

128

[quote=Barbra Ann]Can anyone help me? I can’t seem to find the first strike, even though I already acquire the 2nd and the 3rd. :[/quote]Try exploring the bell-tower, after confronting the Benthic Captain with your suspicions.

However, you may have hit the same glitch as I did, if you experimented twice with a Sulky Bat at the Department of Chiropterochronometry (see my previous comments in this thread, above). Check to see if the quality &quotReason to Suspect the Benthic Captain&quot is already at 5, which will prevent you from confronting the Benthic Captain and proceeding any further in the story. If so, then you’ll need to contact support like I did.

I can confirm that as of this morning, the bug has been fixed by Failbetter support (thanks, James Chew!).

129

Cryptic Cricket rewards were, shall I say, improved a bit.

130

1.5 Echoes to 2.5/3.0 Echoes is a very nice improvement! Thank you for updating the card, very appreciated.

131

Oh my! I just noticed that.
I was already happy with the card, as it will make Neathmass a bit easier. This is even better.

132

I was under the impression that I would be able to unlock this story today as it is still February - is it not the case any more that ES have overlaps?

133

You could’ve unlocked it today - until noon (London time).
Exceptional Stories have never overlapped. Not at any point. Changeover is always the last Thursday of each month, more-or-less exactly noon London time - the moment the new story appears, the old disappears. Anything else would be a bug.

134

You could’ve unlocked it today - until noon (London time).
Exceptional Stories have never overlapped. Not at any point. Changeover is always the last Thursday of each month, more-or-less exactly noon London time - the moment the new story appears, the old disappears. Anything else would be a bug.[/quote]

Ah. Darn, thought I had the evening. My mistake, thanks!

135

[quote=Optimatum]Here are the echoes for having the Sceptre and Crown; I don’t have the ones without but they should be easy to find.
[/quote]

Wow. Those are actually significantly different. More sinister.

I’m pretty convinced that Wines was a Judgement, size of the crown and scepter aside. It shrunk when it fell, I don’t see why those might not shrink with it. It sat on a sunrise. Its kingdom was a great circle with gates it could open. The scale of all of this. It fell among stars. It likes the Seventh Letter and bribes Pages to have it acted out on occasion. It manifests fire in dreams. Any thoughts?

(Apologies, I’m not sure what I’m getting wrong with the tags. Edit-Thank you, Siankan!)
edited by Lemonadeon on 3/1/2019

136

There’s an extra -s. It should be [ spoiler ], not [ spoilers ].
edited by Siankan on 3/1/2019

137

[quote=silurica]1.5 Echoes to 2.5/3.0 Echoes is a very nice improvement! Thank you for updating the card, very appreciated.[/quote]Wait, the card just got better? Damn, neat!

138

Just dropping in to say just how much I enjoyed this story, interesting decisions, cool lore, strong rewards; couldn’t ask for more

139

I am late to this match, but having recently finished the epilogue I came here to exalt this entire story.

I have not yet left reviews for any of the Exceptional Stories, but I felt compelled to gush for this one. It is truly exceptional. Truly. From a narrative standpoint it had everything I crave: compelling characters (with a bit of a love story to boot), an intriguing mystery, and a dip into the cosmic lore of the setting. From a gameplay standpoint, this story was also amazing: Many chances to explore (and receive new flavor text each time), permitting some zero-cost actions (which kept me engaged instead of annoyed), clear indicators for your actions, and a fun way to investigate and mull over the mystery. And acknowledgment of achievements! Never have I been so happy to be a Scholar of the Correspondence, or to own a Wings of Thunder Bat; never have I so longed to have a scepter or gain a crown.

Moreover, I absolutely ADORED the word play abundant in this tale. The many meanings of &quotstroke,&quot the humorous touches (&quotswing the other bat&quot, dear lord), and the use of ALL CAPS versus… not. I was reminded of the works of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman in the very best way. I aspire to such in my own writing.

All together, I believe this story rivals - and perhaps even surpasses - some of the most well-regarded exceptional tales, like Lost in Reflections or the 12:15 to Moloch Street. My mind has not dwelt on a story like this since The Gift; from the cricket field to the heavens, this story elicited such emotion from me - suspicion, profound curiosity, even compassion and pity.

What a wonderful, unexpected surprise. Kudos!

1 Like
140

How time flies when you’re playing cricket.

I got to this one late, but what an experience.

With very few exceptions, I’ve played almost all Fate content over the years. This story is, by far, the best written one I’ve experienced. The writing and the mastery of the language rivals the Mr Eaten storyline in quality. The scope of the story is amazing - mechanics, lore, homour, characters, lasting impact, using important-but-usually-useless qualities - this has it all. And such attention to detail - some of the best word plays were in the text snippets displayed for quality changes.

I liked it from the beginning (because of the characters and the amazing writing, word play, and humour), and as it progressed I was more and more in awe of the experience. The ending was perfect - surprising, huge in scope and implications, and also very human and heartfelt. And a sweet epilogue to wrap things up both narratively and emotionally.

You stagger away, and that, too, is a law.

Personal ranking of all Exceptional Stories:

Masterpiece:

  • Cricket, Anyone?

Excellent:

  • Lost in Reflections[/li][li]Cut with Moonlight[/li][li]Hojotoho![/li][li]For All The Saints[/li][li]The Frequently Deceased[/li][li]The Waltz that Moved the World[/li][li]Steeped in Honey[/li][li]Flint[/li][li]All Things Must End[/li][li]Written In The Glim[/li][li]The Century Exhibition[/li][li]The Twelve-Fifteen From Moloch Street[/li][li]The Persona Engine[/li][li]Where You and I Must Go[/li][li]The Sinking Synod[/li][li]A Little Pandemonium[/li][li]The Attendants

Good:

  • The Murgatroyd Formula[/li][li]Lamentation Lock[/li][li]The Web of the Motherlings[/li][li]The Pentecost Predicament[/li][li]The Calendar Code[/li][li]Daylight[/li][li]The Rat-Catcher[/li][li]The Art of Murder[/li][li]The Chimney Pot Wars[/li][li]The Final Curtain[/li][li]The Magician’s Dream[/li][li]The Bones of London[/li][li]The Heart, the Devil and the Zee[/li][li]The Price of Loss

OK:

  • Our Lady of Pyres[/li][li]Required Repairs[/li][li]The Clay Man’s Arm[/li][li]Five Minutes to Midday[/li][li]Discernment[/li][li]The Haunting at the Marsh House[/li][li]The Pursuit of Moths[/li][li]Factory of Favours

Meh:

  • Trial and Error[/li][li]The Last Dog Society[/li][li]The Seven-Day Reign[/li][li]The Court of Cats

Terrible:

  • The Stone Guest