 The Duke of Waltham Posts: 150
12/17/2015
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I did the Spirifer one (I had base Persuasive and Shadowy in the 110s), though rather leisurely because I was helping update the wiki at the same time (another new experience for me), so my actions remained above 30 most of the time. With easy success in all actions I didn't see the need to increase "Up your Sleeve" until the Constable and Door obstacles found me a couple of times; I then got rid of the Constable. In this sense, my run through the Flash Lay was rather straightforward, and I didn't even know about the "corrupted" obstacles until I read about them here (though I understand what this refers to).
an_ocelot wrote:
(Hmm, this may have been fixed already, since one of them has vanished, but I'll leave it in just in case: Is "Make your Move: the Time Draws Near" supposed to (a) be drawable when you have "Make your Move: A Confessional Evening" in your hand, and (b) then just redirect to "Make your Move: A Confessional Evening"? Because that seems confusing and also deck-cluttering.) One of the first three cards I was dealt was the one needed to finish and I kept it all the way to the end, so I knew from the beginning how much progress I needed. Obviously, I didn't have to wait for the card to re-appear, and I ended the scam with 101 progress. I did later find "Make your Move: the Time Draws Near", which similarly puzzled me.
Lisbella Peridot wrote:
There are names in this content! I saw the name Clarence, which is surprising. Isn't characters usually (the adjective + noun)? Normally yes, but Clarence is no more a character than George of Doubt Street. These are just snippets, dialogue taken from life as opposed to the Roman à clef style the rest of the game uses (no doubt to keep things simple and generic for the players rather than to actually hide identities).
-- The Duke of Waltham welcomes requests for assistance from those troubled by menaces, and His Grace's townhouse is always open to visitors who will not attempt to steal the silverware or extract support for yet another ill-advised scheme concerning photographers.
H. Cartwright, secretary.
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 babelfishwars Administrator Posts: 1152
12/17/2015
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The Duke of Waltham wrote:
Normally yes, but Clarence is no more a character than George of Doubt Street. These are just snippets, dialogue taken from life as opposed to the Roman à clef style the rest of the game uses (no doubt to keep things simple and generic for the players rather than to actually hide identities).
Someone hasn't been playing every single Exceptional Friend story with slavish devotion. I'm disappointed in you. edited by babelfishwars on 12/17/2015
-- Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
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+1
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 EdwardLaneUK Posts: 6
12/17/2015
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Suggest unlocking a storylet - rather than a card when progress reaches 100+ as a means to avoid needing to draw a specific card, I'm currently waiting for a result - at 140 progress on my second run through, first time I got a card and hoarded it until I got enough progress.
oh incidentally my stats are just around 110 and I'm only just reaching straightforward on the content that says 'needs 50 in the stats'
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 Estelle Knoht Posts: 1751
12/17/2015
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babelfishwars wrote:
The Duke of Waltham wrote:
Normally yes, but Clarence is no more a character than George of Doubt Street. These are just snippets, dialogue taken from life as opposed to the Roman à clef style the rest of the game uses (no doubt to keep things simple and generic for the players rather than to actually hide identities).
Someone hasn't been playing every single Exceptional Friend story with slavish devotion. I'm disappointed in you.
Hi, Clarence's Aunt!
-- Estelle Knoht, a juvenile, unreliable and respectable lady. I currently do not accept any catbox, cider, suppers, calling cards or proteges.
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 The Duke of Waltham Posts: 150
12/17/2015
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EdwardLaneUK wrote:
oh incidentally my stats are just around 110 and I'm only just reaching straightforward on the content that says 'needs 50 in the stats' Heh, mine were just a few levels higher and I found only a couple of low-risk challenges in the entire Lay (and that probably depended on the outfit I was wearing at the time); were it not for them, I'd have assumed that straightforward challenges had begun at much lower stats.
babelfishwars wrote:
Someone hasn't been playing every single Exceptional Friend story with slavish devotion. I'm disappointed in you.  Now I am disappointed in myself. And sad. You may be winking, but I'm sad.
So sad. edited by The Duke of Waltham on 12/17/2015
-- The Duke of Waltham welcomes requests for assistance from those troubled by menaces, and His Grace's townhouse is always open to visitors who will not attempt to steal the silverware or extract support for yet another ill-advised scheme concerning photographers.
H. Cartwright, secretary.
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 Jarvind Posts: 18
12/17/2015
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I liked the Flash Lay. Whether it's "optimal" in terms of the rewards or not, I enjoyed the content and was pleased with the assortment of goods paid out at the end. I need to try the more difficult one when I have the actions.
I will say that the constant outfit-switching is a real drag and detracts from what is otherwise a fun diversion.
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 EdwardLaneUK Posts: 6
12/17/2015
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The Duke of Waltham wrote:
EdwardLaneUK wrote:
oh incidentally my stats are just around 110 and I'm only just reaching straightforward on the content that says 'needs 50 in the stats' Heh, mine were just a few levels higher and I found only a couple of low-risk challenges in the entire Lay (and that probably depended on the outfit I was wearing at the time); were it not for them, I'd have assumed that straightforward challenges had begun at much lower stats.
Sorry it was only roughly - mostly to say that 'needs stats of about 50' seemed ambitious if at over double that some tasks were still not straightforward.
ps. still stuck waiting for the right card to let me leave, not sure what my progress is now,but I got my suspicion and scandal to zero - think scandal is back up to 1 now (as I'd run out of up the sleeve) and can't use my coffee to get my actions up to churn through the cards faster. Ah well
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 Siana Posts: 26
12/17/2015
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I've just completed my first Flash Lay - the one with the Spirifer. The rewards were lovely and I enjoyed the writing very much in this one (as always!), but at the same time, it felt long for me. Basically, it was lots of twos and threes and occasional sevens until the very end, where I lucked out and drew one card that had the substantial opening and bumped me up just enough to complete the Flash Lay. I think altogether it around 40 - 50 on my part? Just for the lower-requirement one too!
However, I got the card that let me leave in the first few draws, so I kept it in my hand until I'd built up the progress, and as a result could leave when I had obtained the progress I needed. I think I'll try the Auditor one next, after I've refilled my actions and had a good night's sleep, but definitely agreeing that the amount of progress needs to be reduced. edited by Siana on 12/20/2015
-- Siana, the reckless and inquisitive Author.
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 Rackenhammer Posts: 354
12/17/2015
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Notes from my first flash lay (the spirifer one):
I approve whole-heartedly of the idea; I always liked taking the more Persuasive options in dealing with... less than legal operations, so this inherently held my interest.
It took a surprising amount of actions, I will agree. I suspect that this initial value was set so that testers would be able to see (and comment) upon most of the cards and features in the flash lay, and that it will be re-adjusted in the future.
Turning obstacles into opportunities is a neat idea, but given the amount of "up your sleeve" that you'd need to accumulate beforehand to do so, its highly likely that you're already so far into the con that you may never draw the opening card before you're done, which happened to me (even though I ended up accruing 70 more progress before actually finishing.)
-- "DO NOT TRUST HAPPY ENDINGS. DO NOT FEAR SAD ENDINGS... NEITHER ARE ENDINGS." ~ Mathieu Psmith: The Bard of Lost Children, loving husband, and a fixture of the artistic set. Can never resist making a show of things...
Irene Psmith: Adopted Daughter of Mathieu. Specializes in Information, Acquisitions, and the Acquisition of Information.
Vaughan Montblanc: Once a frontiersman of Western Canada, he now practices medicine in London. His discretion may be absolutely trusted.
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 Sara Hysaro Moderator Posts: 4514
12/17/2015
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Oh, I think this location shouldn't remember what cards you left with. At least I think that's what happened - I entered for another round and saw a Make your Move card already in my hand.
-- http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Sara%20Hysaro Please do not send SMEN, cat boxes, or Affluent Reporter requests. All other social actions are welcome.
Are you a Scarlet Saint? Send a message my way to be added to the list.
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 Gonen Posts: 817
12/17/2015
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Thank you for this new content!
I have done the spirifer and find myself waiting for tomorrow morning for the auditor run. That may indicate the trouble with being locked out from other activities around London, for so many actions. It does deter from spontaneously embarking on another Flash run, making us wait for full candles. Wonder how hard would it be to implement a function to temporary exit the Flash Lay and return at own leisure (like the FQ expeditions which don't lock us out permanently from actions at London while running that). Would be a great improvement, in my opinion, and allow me to enter that content more often (you invested time [=money] in that, shame to let it gather dust in the corner after 2 runs). In my opinion, if that mechanism WILL be implemented, the length of the Flash Lay (100 progress) would not be a problem. I am really glad to find out the Queer soul as a prize. It was a bit of disappointment to find out that prize was out of my reach at the EF's monthly story just because I chose the "wrong" fate path on the soul trade, long time ago. Thank you for making Queer Soul available to all. edited by Gonen on 12/17/2015
--
The Ashen Anesthesiologist - Paramount Londoner
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.
The long journey to eccentricity: On March 10th, 2018, reached 15 on all quirks, simultaneously. The Quirky Anesthesiologist
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 Johnny Felix Posts: 180
12/17/2015
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I do like the new content, a fun story and an interesting mechanic. Absolutely replayable!
Some thoughts: My first impression was that a goal of 100 progress makes it too long, but on second thought, I believe that the duration gives you more opportunity to make use of the various qualities available. Perhaps it's possible to make a choice between a loner and a shorter route (50/100 progress maybe?), with the reward value adjusted proportionally. Another option would be to offer a choice mid-route (50 progress) to end the story or to continue for an extended time, with higher risks and rewards (double or nothing). The auto-fire obstacles are confusing. Since all cards are non-disposable, the player is forced to play an obstacle card after the third draw the latest. I don't see a reason for the different mechanic here.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Johnny~Felix
-- https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Johnny%20Felix
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 dov Posts: 2580
12/17/2015
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Since I've only tried this new content once, can someone please clarify what path can provide the Queer Soul? Is the final reward random, or is this available for specific paths or for high enough level of Progress?
--
Want a sip of Hesperidean Cider? Send me a request in-game. Here's an_ocelot's guide how. (Most social actions are welcome. Please no requests to Loiter Suspiciously and no investigations of the Affluent Photographer)
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 Gonen Posts: 817
12/17/2015
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dov wrote:
Since I've only tried this new content once, can someone please clarify what path can provide the Queer Soul? Is the final reward random, or is this available for specific paths or for high enough level of Progress?
The prize of the spirifer run
--
The Ashen Anesthesiologist - Paramount Londoner
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.
The long journey to eccentricity: On March 10th, 2018, reached 15 on all quirks, simultaneously. The Quirky Anesthesiologist
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 Optimatum Posts: 3666
12/17/2015
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It seems a bit strange to me that some of the options giving "more" progress still only give the same seven as options on other cards. Having two different cards that lead to the same completion option also seems strange. I've only done the spirifer so far so I'll have to do the solicitor tomorrow.
-- Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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 Kolanowski Posts: 148
12/17/2015
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Just completed both Flash Lays. Personally I have no issue whatsoever with their length, but something bothers me about the rewards. Although I think that the prize for the low-level Lay is okay, the rewards for the advanced lay should be a bit more copious, so to speak. It's significantly harder, but I daresay that the low-level one has a tiny bit better risk-to-prize ratio.
-- Kazimierz Kolanowski, gentleman, scholar, humble servant of the Maw. Chaotic Evil. Open to all social actions & accepting almost all requests. Might sell you to Satan for a single corn chip.
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 Sabyk Posts: 1
12/18/2015
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I'm working through the higher level one, and while it seems interesting, it's a bit distressing that the only way out of it is to complete it, especially since it takes so many actions.
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+1
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 James Sinclair Posts: 253
12/18/2015
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I just finished both of the available Flash Lays, and enjoyed them immensely. Here are my thoughts:
The Good: 
- I particularly liked that there was a more challenging path for late-game players; I had several highly amusing failures on the Auditor route.
- The unique reward gained from the Spirifer route was also a pleasant surprise.
- My favorite part of this is all the new opportunity cards in a brand-new deck. What fun!
- The auto-firing Obstacle and Menace cards introduce a new element of suspense and danger, and how you could remove or convert cards under if the correct requirements were met.
The Less Good: 
- Being restricted to a three-card hand while in a Flash Lay; as with the new zee-travel three-card hand, it makes getting the four- and five-card lodgings less useful. The Flash Lay deck in particular auto-draws Obstacles, so having a larger hand wouldn't provide an overwhelming advantage anyway.
- Also, as Sara Hysaro noted above, it would make more sense to have the hand clear between Flash Lays (and between zee voyages, for that matter).
- There are two 'Make Your Move' cards ('The Time Draws Near' and 'A Confessional Evening'). As far as I can tell, they are identical except that 'The Time Draws Near' has an additional zero-action choice that has no other effects.
Thanks very much to FBG for all the exciting new content.
-- James Sinclair
Curator of the Sanguine Ribbon Society 🗡
A fully-fledged rêveur of The Night Circus.
Wines is red Spices is yellow But old Jack-of-Smiles Is a murderous fellow ☠
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 MadmanAtW Posts: 231
12/18/2015
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RandomWalker wrote:
There's a curious bug, which I'm sure will be squashed post-haste, where the lay refreshes your deck when it's done. So if you clear your deck and do the lay, the deck will be replenished when you're done, even if you've only taken a few real-time minutes. I'll report it as a bug after work.
I've reported this already, as it happens to me consistently when I come back from Zee (I went on a run to get a Plated Seal, got back to London about 4 minutes later, and had 10 new cards in my deck), and it happens sometimes when I emerge from parties. When I reported it about Zee, I was told it was intended behavior, surprising as that is.
I encourage you to also make a report if you have not already, though, if nothing else to add weight to be it being unexpected behavior.
As for the Lays, my main went into the harder one with about 30 actions, and has run out at 55 or so Progress, so... going to echo the feeling that it's too long for something you must complete before you can return to London.
-- http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Madman~Across~the~Water http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Xoricco Accepting any social actions except the Affluent Photographer. Would appreciate warning of dupings/betrayals/rats.
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 annalibertas Posts: 161
12/18/2015
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MadmanAtW wrote:
RandomWalker wrote:
There's a curious bug, which I'm sure will be squashed post-haste, where the lay refreshes your deck when it's done. So if you clear your deck and do the lay, the deck will be replenished when you're done, even if you've only taken a few real-time minutes. I'll report it as a bug after work.
I've reported this already, as it happens to me consistently when I come back from Zee (I went on a run to get a Plated Seal, got back to London about 4 minutes later, and had 10 new cards in my deck), and it happens sometimes when I emerge from parties. When I reported it about Zee, I was told it was intended behavior, surprising as that is.
I encourage you to also make a report if you have not already, though, if nothing else to add weight to be it being unexpected behavior.
As for the Lays, my main went into the harder one with about 30 actions, and has run out at 55 or so Progress, so... going to echo the feeling that it's too long for something you must complete before you can return to London. I happen to especially appreciate this particular quark & wouldn't mind it being added to some of the other mainly card based areas. The reverse, having your hand refilled when you enter, would be far more useful though. It can be frustrating to not be able to embark on a heist even though you have sixteen actions because your hand is empty
-- https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Anna%20Libertas Accepting all social actions & boxed cats
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Julliah%20Randolph Alt, will accept all social actions whenever I log on
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