Cash DeCuir
Posts: 22
1/28/2016
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Twenty-five years ago, the Duke abandoned his family in Vienna.
Twenty years ago, the Duchess sought him in London. He blinded her. She died in Vienna.
Today, their daughter descends to the Neath. She has her mother's bloodied bandages, three leads to her father, and a knife.
Play An Exceptional Story: A Battle by the Stolen River to begin.
The Waltz that Moved the World is the final story in the Heart’s Blood season. If you've played Art of Murder and Flint, finishing this story will make you eligible for an additional, delicious opportunity, to follow in February.
Please remember to be liberal with your use of spoiler tags when discussing this story. If you're unsure whether something is a spoiler, use the tag! Here's a reminder of our position on spoilers and guidance.
In addition to a new, substantial, stand-alone story every month, Exceptional Friends enjoy:
- Access to the House of Chimes: an exclusive private member's club on the Stolen River, packed with content!
- An expanded opportunity deck: of ten cards instead of six!
- A second candle: Twice the actions! 40 at once!
(To retain this story for playing at a later date, you must play through the related storylet in the House of Chimes. This will save it from the monthly changeover, on the last Thursday of the month.)
edited by Cash DeCuir on 1/28/2016
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Failbetter Writer! @CashDeCuir on Twitter.
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Docteur
Posts: 101
1/28/2016
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Grr, tough decisions! I really like the theme so far, the story is a bit cryptic but then I'm not done yet!
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The Viric Voice! A beautiful instrument.
Docteur - And so it ends.
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
1/28/2016
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I was so happy to see this!
I'm enjoying the story so far; it's one that probably doesn't appeal too much to me in terms of genre, but it is wonderfully written with so much insight into some NPCs and FL lore, which is making it a lot of fun to play  Strangely, I'm at a point where I'm given a seemingly innocuous choice, but there's something so ominous about it . . . I'm really feeling for the characters, who are fleshed out so well, and I think it's adding a lot of emotional impact and tension to the choices made.
Can't wait to see where it all leads!
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dov
Posts: 2580
1/28/2016
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Very initial thoughts: I think this is my favourite Exceptional Story start - very engaging and intriguing from the very beginnning.
Most other Exceptional stories (even those I rank as my overall favourites) took a while to get really interesting for me. This story got me hooked immediately.
--
 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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Michael7050
Posts: 10
1/28/2016
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For posterities sake, here is a permalink to an echo to one of the endings. (and reward)
[spoiler]Echo from reuniting the Aesthete and the Duke: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/michael7050?fromEchoId=7671035
Reward included one Vital Intelligence. [/spoiler]
edited by Michael7050 on 1/28/2016
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Michael7050
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malthaussen
Posts: 1060
1/28/2016
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Blame it on the Bossa Nova. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XpWOBEZLEs
-- Mal
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"Of two choices, I always take the third."
Will do all socials except Loitering or Private Evenings (all my Free Evenings are accounted for), and Affluent Photographer Betrayals only, please. I am not currently accepting calling cards.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/malthaussen
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[1].png)
Emain Ablach
Posts: 348
1/28/2016
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There it is. I finished the story.
I really liked it. The characters had enough depth to feel for them, and the choices made me hesitate quite a bit. I guess I regret my final choice, and whould have regretted it as well if I chose another ending anyway. Which proves that the story was immersive enough for me to think that way.
Two things seemed a bit weak to me. The beginning, how it is set in motion [spoiler]The Daughter doesn't know anything about you but ask you for help in finding a dangerous murderer... it's quite quick, I'd like more time to get to know her and then being asked this. And the way she knew who to talk to because a ghost told her "ask him, her and them" was... I don't know, it's kind of a deus ex machina to me. PS : sinning jenny was, as always, sweet and moving, this story made me realise how I like this character.
And for once, I found that the ending is a bit... tasteless. I feel like it lacks something, maybe a bit of intensity.
I didn't quite get the whole thing and how it's related to the thief, it is linked to the story but feel quite far and distant. Maybe my level of english is to blame and I missed some clues.[/spoiler]
But anyway, it was a great time, well written, like all monthly stories ! A big thank you !
edited by Emain Ablach on 1/28/2016
edited by Emain Ablach on 1/28/2016
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Went NORTH. Got salted. Never came back. We won't remember him.
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Emain%20Ablach
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
1/28/2016
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I'm a bit confused by one thing . . .
[spoiler] I chose an option to go after him, without telling the daughter . . . now - as I await actions to refresh - she just followed him into his cab. The only option I have to pick is 'reunion', even though I never intended (and never picked) to reunite them . . . I don't think I even mentioned her to him! Is this intentional?[/spoiler]
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wraith
Posts: 136
1/28/2016
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Robin Mask wrote:
I'm a bit confused by one thing . . .
[spoiler] I chose an option to go after him, without telling the daughter . . . now - as I await actions to refresh - she just followed him into his cab. The only option I have to pick is 'reunion', even though I never intended (and never picked) to reunite them . . . I don't think I even mentioned her to him! Is this intentional?[/spoiler]
don't worry, it's intentional, wait and see, you will have choices, though choices
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a scholar who is ready to do anything for knowledge http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/madwraith
please send boxed cat
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Docteur
Posts: 101
1/28/2016
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Robin Mask wrote:
I'm a bit confused by one thing . . .
[spoiler]She had you followed.[/spoiler]
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The Viric Voice! A beautiful instrument.
Docteur - And so it ends.
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
1/28/2016
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Thanks Wraith and Docteur
I must have missed that part. I'm getting close to the end now, so I've found the new choices and enjoy the story. I'm little upset one option is missing: [spoiler] to tell him to get away from her, as opposing to just killing him or reconciling them, as I don't think reconcile is a good thing to do and I don't think killing him is right.[/spoiler] Who knows, maybe that'll be an option coming up, but I feel as if it probably won't be . . .
Edit: The story was excellent, very well paced and a perfect length, but I felt the ending was a little too abrupt . . . there was so much emotional investment of both characters, but so little closure regarding them (no explanation why they did/felt as they did, what happened to them after they did what they did, just a sort of: "they did this, the end"). I would have liked to have seen a little more. That being said, I thought the reward was quite generous and well appreciated
edited by RobinMask on 1/28/2016
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wraith
Posts: 136
1/28/2016
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what have you chosen robin?
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a scholar who is ready to do anything for knowledge http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/madwraith
please send boxed cat
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Kylestien
Posts: 749
1/28/2016
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Okay so I have a bug now:
[spoiler]]I picked the try and get her to dance with him option and the talk to her to reconciliate, but I hit try again rather then onwards and now my ONLY options are stab or prevent. I can't go back to talk to him, I can't pick the option again. I'm stuck ubale to reconcilate the two[/spoiler]
--
I will accept all actions, though I hold the right to refuse for my own reasons. However, if you explain WHY you send me a harmful action like Loitering or Dantes,And I feel the reason good, I will consider it more. http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Kylestien
Persuasive patron. You want a lesson, send me a message asking for one.
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Dinjoralo
Posts: 9
1/28/2016
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Ah, the conclusion to the Flint arc! Wonderful, I'll enjoy this when I have time!
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Dinjoralo, a secretive gentleman who does whatever he fancies. Particularly loves the warmth of Hell's finest. Finds entertainment in watching flawed people live their banal, meaningless lives, while bizarre things happen around them.
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
1/28/2016
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wraith wrote:
what have you chosen robin?
[spoiler] I chose to reconcile, as it felt the better of the two [/spoiler]
It took a bit more work than the other option, but I found it worth it, at least in terms of rewards.
I just felt the ending for it fell . . . flat. The story until that point was amazing, but I disliked the inability to choose to save him without reconciling them, and wasn't too keen on the lack of detail and hasty resolution . . . I'd still rate this story very highly, though, as I loved almost all of it I just wish that final 5% matched the other 95%
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Kylestien
Posts: 749
1/28/2016
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So, question: what is the third item for the thing later on? I have the blood vial, and the essenses, but I don't think I got anything from this story.
[spoiler]id reconciling them lock me ot of it? Did I need his secret?[/spoiler]
--
I will accept all actions, though I hold the right to refuse for my own reasons. However, if you explain WHY you send me a harmful action like Loitering or Dantes,And I feel the reason good, I will consider it more. http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Kylestien
Persuasive patron. You want a lesson, send me a message asking for one.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
1/28/2016
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I have just reached the series of storylets one must choose from to achieve the climax of the story.
[spoiler] I am torn. Morally, I think it would be most moral to encourage father and daughter to reconcile. My character (I am only playing this Story with my main character), I am certain, would allow the Aesthete to have her revenge. But the player in me burns to know what secret the Duke holds--or whether, indeed, the Nadir has stolen it from him despite his words. What to do? [/spoiler]
I do think the choices posed are the most difficult I've seen in FL since the non-Fate-locked story of the Contessa that I encountered so many years ago. Bravo, Failbetter!
edited by cathyr19355 on 1/28/2016
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Cathy Raymond
http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/cathyr19355
Catherine Raymond aka Mrs. Rykar Malkus http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Catherine%20Raymond (Gone NORTH)
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
1/28/2016
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Robin Mask wrote:
Kylestien wrote:
So, question: what is the third item for the thing later on? I have the blood vial, and the essenses, but I don't think I got anything from this story.
[spoiler]id reconciling them lock me ot of it? Did I need his secret?[/spoiler]
Blood-soaked handkerchief . . . should be in your inventory with the others
(Am I the only one with Griswine left?) XD
No, indeed, I still have my cup of Griswine. I am wondering how one gets to use it.
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Cathy Raymond
http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/cathyr19355
Catherine Raymond aka Mrs. Rykar Malkus http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Catherine%20Raymond (Gone NORTH)
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JimmyTMalice
Posts: 237
1/28/2016
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Catherine Raymond wrote:
No, indeed, I still have my cup of Griswine. I am wondering how one gets to use it.
If you didn't drink it in the garden of statues and become a statue, there's no use for it now. The item from Flint that goes towards the reward for completing all three Heart's Blood stories is the Collection of Essences from a Prison of Flint, as far as I know.
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 Gideon Stormstrider, the Esoteric Gadgeteer
 Jimmy T. Malice, gone.
A Tale of Two Suns - Meeting Your Maker - A Squid in the Polls
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Dinjoralo
Posts: 9
1/28/2016
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Catherine Raymond wrote:
Blood-soaked handkerchief . . . should be in your inventory with the others
No, indeed, I still have my cup of Griswine. I am wondering how one gets to use it.
So do I... was there an opportunity to use it in Flint? I'm afraid I wasn't paying much attention when I played through it. :v
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Dinjoralo, a secretive gentleman who does whatever he fancies. Particularly loves the warmth of Hell's finest. Finds entertainment in watching flawed people live their banal, meaningless lives, while bizarre things happen around them.
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