Lore for (Relative) Newcomers ...

Hello, delicious friends!
I’m still fairly new to Fallen London - only my Watchful is past 70, if that helps - but I’ve had my fair share of adventures.
However, I do hear whispers … of the Bazaar, of the Unterzee, of the Empress … will I uncover more than whispers and dread mutterings by happenstance - or should I be making judicious narrative decisions?
I’m not looking for hints per se, more like reassurances that I’ll get to grips with the world eventually … unless I’m not meant to. Which is equally fine and dandy.
Oh, and I’m new to the forums - hello and apologies if I’ve said something I shouldn’t have. Just don’t set the Sorrow Spiders on me …

Hi there and welcome, soon to be delicious friend!
Don’t worry about this, all with be unveiled to you depending on how fast you advance. My advice is to take it slow and enjoy the bits of text, the lovely stories and the elderly stories. They are really worth reading; some are very funny, some throw some dark humor, some deepen your wonder of the great roles &quotsome&quot play, some are eerie and some are great!
In the mean time here’s a fan made wiki about the lore, but, I won’t go reading it that much from the beginning:

Another advice is to go to this thread and find yourself a patron that will help you improve your skills faster:
http://community.failbettergames.com/topic6084-protgs-seeking-patrons-only-protgs-need-post.aspx
And, of course, the gold page, Wiki:
http://fallenlondon.wikia.com/wiki/Echo_Bazaar_Wiki
With it’s covering courses everyone should read:
http://fallenlondon.wikia.com/wiki/Beginner’s_Guide
http://fallenlondon.wikia.com/wiki/Money-Making
http://fallenlondon.wikia.com/wiki/Raising_Connections
Cheers and enjoy your eternal stay!
EDIT: Forgot about this page which gives you some nice rewards:

My advice is to keep your coffee, no matter how tempting it may be. At the moment the Moods (hats that give a a hour stat bonus) are disabled, but, once they come back, they will be very useful with your coffee. Probably after playing a month or two you’ll find out yourself where it’s best to use coffee+mood. An example, for something very distant is this.
EDIT #2: As I already &quothijacked&quot the thread (sorry, but I got carried away) I might add some extras as well. Don’t forget The Young Turks Club (and The Janissary Guard once you’re a PoSI) and to check the forum as there are people willing to help you with menaces (Ex.: nightmares, but it’s best to ask first if the thread is old).
edited by Skinnyman on 4/29/2016

Thank you, both of you! This is most edifying to be getting on with - hopefully we’ll meet again, under more thrilling circumstances :D

Saint Arthur’s whiskered wick whispers wisdom without witholding. If you’d like more opaque hints about the lore, I’m happy to imitate the game. It can take a very long time to figure out the lore through normal gameplay.

There is nothing stopping a relatively new player from befriending a more experienced one and chatting about lore. I.e., "Hey, I just saw a reference to [thing]. Do you have any idea what that’s about?
If you don’t want any spoilers, don’t do this. But if you want some context so when you hear something you can see how it fits in to a bigger puzzle, you can learn a great deal simply by talking to other players. I found it much easier to enjoy new pieces with some background. I could see where they fit, and remember them better, as a result.

[quote=Appolonia]There is nothing stopping a relatively new player from befriending a more experienced one and chatting about lore. I.e., &quotHey, I just saw a reference to [thing]. Do you have any idea what that’s about?
If you don’t want any spoilers, don’t do this. But if you want some context so when you hear something you can see how it fits in to a bigger puzzle, you can learn a great deal simply by talking to other players. I found it much easier to enjoy new pieces with some background. I could see where they fit, and remember them better, as a result.[/quote]

Most players I’ve interacted with have been very good about explaining just enough lore. Teasing it out in character, providing what the common Londoner might suspect, without spoiling the revelation of major stories. So it’s not entirely bad to ask questions of other players, provided that you ask the right people.

A good tactic might be to invite someone over for chess or coffee, and tell them you’ve been curious in X subject and ask where they suggest you investigate further to learn more about it.
edited by Harlocke on 4/30/2016

I am gladly open to in-character lore questions posed by newcomers:

http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Bertrand~Poole

Bertrand will be happy to answer any questions you may have, especially about the various creatures of the neath. That’s a specialty.

As another new player, I also thank all of you!

I will answer question in character, but regrettably, life is too busy for a sustained RP relationship here.

I’m a fairly new player, with just a few months under my belt, and only half-understand much of the lore. So I’m happy to answer questions if you want a less expert vaguer but still informative answer.