Powered by Jitbit .Net Forum free trial version.

Failbetter Games Community

Home ▶ Fallen London » The Bazaar

This is the place to discuss playing the game. Find tips, debate the best places to find certain items and share advice.

May Exceptional Story: The Pentecost Predicament Messages in this topic - RSS

babelfishwars
babelfishwars
Administrator
Posts: 1152

4/28/2016 		The Exceptional Story for May is here!



You are invited to a marvellous party!

Be served by trained Pentecost Apes whose aspirations of humanity will amuse and repel. Discover the dark culinary secrets of the Empire of Hands. Just keep a tight grip on your soul.

Treachery. Revenge. Canapés. RSVP for a night you'll never forget.

Play An Exceptional Story: Tea and Sympathy to begin, available throughout London.

The Pentecost Predicament was written by Richard Cobbett. Editing, QA and special thanks: Chandler Groover, Chris Gardiner, James Chew and Olivia Wood. Art by Paul Arendt.



EXCEPTIONAL FRIENDSHIP

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!
This is the final story in the Family Ties season. If you've played The Frequently Deceased and The Seven-Day Reign, finishing this story will make you eligible for an additional opportunity, to follow.

If you want to keep an Exceptional Story beyond the month it’s for, you must complete the related storylet in the House of Chimes. This will save it for you to return to another time.


AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE!

Exceptional Stories usually change over on the last Thursday of the month, with the new story replacing the previous one. Unusually, The Seven-Day Reign is going to be available to play for a further week! This serves as a welcome to the new Exceptional Friends who’ve joined us since we launched in the App Store. (Hello!)

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.
edited by babelfishwars on 4/28/2016

--
Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
+8 link
Kylestien
Kylestien
Posts: 749

4/28/2016 		Kalix wrote:
Hmm. I just saw the description of this story on the Fate page, and scared a cat off the sofa by wailing "Oh no, please not cannibalism again!". And it started so well...


Prehaps that's exactly what they WANT you to think, and the real dark culinary secret of the Empire of Hands is that they don't use knifes and forks. The horror!

--
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.
+9 link
Diptych
Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493

5/2/2016 		The Apes' scheme was foiled by the one factor they never accounted for... mortgage repayments.

--
Sir Frederick, the Libertarian Esotericist. Lord Hubris, the Bloody Baron.
Juniper Brown, the Ill-Fated Orphan. Esther Ellis-Hall, the Fashionable Fabian.
+9 link
The Duke of Waltham
The Duke of Waltham
Posts: 150

4/28/2016 		And thus the Seven-Day Reign becomes the Seven-Day Regency...

--
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.
+6 link
Rackenhammer
Rackenhammer
Posts: 354

4/28/2016 		Just finished the story! Short review: Another excellent story, fleshing out one of the many intriguing snippets of lore in the game. I've always kind of wanted to know what the deal was behind Pentecost Apes. Detailed thoughts below!

[spoiler]
Another use of the Flash Lay system! I may be wrong, but didn't the last Exceptional Story to use this have a couple of unique cards in the deck? I think it might be a good idea to put in a unique obstacle, opportunity, or opening card for Exceptional Stories to differentiate them from the "regular" flash lays. As it was, that was the least interesting part of the story, though it made sense for it to be there.

The timed mechanic was actually one I enjoyed. It gave a higher sense of realism, but still allowed enough wiggle room to do everything I needed/wanted to in one go.

I appreciated the way I could use my Pentecostal Ape in the story; nice to see a Feast Companion actually find love!

I liked the range of choices in how one could end the story; in the end, I was able to pick one that suited my character very well. The conclusion and rewards satisfied me very much. Now, if only there could be a Favors and Renown for the apes...[/spoiler]

--
"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.
+6 link
absimiliard
absimiliard
Posts: 759

5/28/2016 		Just finished this.

I don't really have anything to say others have not said better already so I'll simply note: I'm in the camp that really enjoyed the bits in the house and especially the clock, but I also stand with those who found the flash lay uninspiring due to it's rather generic feel. But damn, loved the bits in the house.

--
"Because, Parabola!" -- the Curious Captain
Eating nightmares from friends -- and I'm easy to befriend.
Absimiliard: the Black Rose of Wolfstack Docks
+6 link
M. Cinder
M. Cinder
Posts: 25

4/28/2016 		I do hope it's not cannibalism. They are already apes. They really don't need any more savagery.

My guess right now is something to do with souls and spirifage, but I might just be biased due to the apes being receptacles for the souls of the damned.

I am slow with these stories intentionally, so hopefully the discussion don't die out before I finish it.
+5 link
Kilrathi
Kilrathi
Posts: 24

4/29/2016
  • I'm only partway through, but... another use of the Flash Lay? Really? That mechanic is tedious and uninteresting at best and mostly seems to serve as a way to burn off actions I'd rather be using for something (anything) that's either challenging, interesting or profitable. I don't find the process fun in and of itself, but the worst part is when you get to the requisite amount of Progress and end up sitting around waiting to draw the right card. Last time I did one, I got my Progress to 150+ and ended up losing out because my menaces got high before I drew the right card. I'm not there yet in this one, but I really hope FBG will keep Flash Lays out of Exceptional Stories going forward since they really feel more like filler than anything I want as part of my monthly "bonus" content.
    • +5 link
    Lamia Lawless
    Lamia Lawless
    Posts: 604

    4/29/2016     		Overview of how I played the story under the cut

    [spoiler]
    -I beat up Livia and Domitian.

    -I was going to help the merchant-captain and his family, and I got all set up to do that, but in the end I didn't need his help with the trap because my Dangerous was high enough to duel the Boss Monkey and beat him without any risk of losing. I might have wanted to speak to the merchant-captain and see what happened to his family. I figure I did save them, just by de-monkeying his house, but it would have been nice to have that part wrapped up "on-screen," too.

    -I didn't let Boss Monkey finish his book. You can't trust a Pentecost ape. Did anyone let him finish those last two pages?

    -They all got put in the Labyrinth of Tigers and I got ten common souls and one unique soul, Vespasian's Prize. Also a Primaeval Hint, of course. Did anyone get something else?

    -I still don't understand what the happy child was about.

    I was amused to see what happened to the Delightful Adventuress post-Sunless Sea. It looks like the experience did nothing to humble her whatsoever.[/spoiler]

    I wanted to mention that I really liked the introduction of a way to avoid graphic gross-out text if the player wants to. That was a really nice touch and I don't think I've seen it before in this game.

    --
    The Harmonic Hellfarer
    +5 link
    Ember
    Ember
    Posts: 52

    4/30/2016     		Pros
    -The mechanic for exploring the house was really fun! I liked that new things could happen at different times, but also that it didn't cost time just to enter and then leave a room to see if there was anything new going on. The time limit hit the sweet spot where I felt pressured but not seriously stressed, especially since between the key and the better sense of where everything was, I felt confident that the worst case scenario would be spending one more night - and a part of me was interested to see what would happen if that became necessary, too!

    -The range of choices for the conclusion was fantastic! I always enjoy having interesting choices to make, but in this case it was especially satisfying because in non-interactive media, it seems like this sort of story (marginalized villain commits atrocities in the name of fighting marginalization, questions whether the status quo is any better when called on it) only ever has one type of ending, and I HATE IT SO MUCH! There was a lot about what the apes were doing that I did not like at all, but I respected what they were trying to accomplish, and I'm glad that I was able to reach a sort of compromise with them.

    Con
    -Why in the world would you decide to pad it with a Flash Lay that doesn't even have any customized cards? If you were worried that it was too short without the padding... well, this "solution" did nothing but draw attention to that. I loved the story and mechanics of the mansion exploration enough that I doubt I would have felt ripped off because it was short. The padding signals to me that I SHOULD feel ripped off, because apparently someone felt it wasn't long enough to be a good value and yet was too lacking in time or creativity to actually fix that.

    All in all: four stars!
    edited by Ember on 4/30/2016

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Ember~Keelty
    +5 link
    Natan
    Natan
    Posts: 10

    5/8/2016     		Aw geez, I waited too long AGAIN, and now I don't remember most of what I wanted to say. Oh well.

    There is at least one thing I have to add that may interest some people. For those who were wondering, or for those who 'just got lucky' when choosing which wine to poison, there is a way that you can tell which one to poison for that ending.

    Here's how you can deduce which one to poison:
    [spoiler] OK, so there are three options, three choices of wine, and naturally you can only poison one of the three. We're trying to figure out which wine Vespesian prefers, right? Which one is his favorite, and therefore, which one he would likely request for a special occasion. Well, if you do the action that searches the wine cellar or whatever, you are rewarded with two different types of wine, which are also two of the three options. Why wouldn't we also be rewarded with the third option when searching the cellar? Because there isn't as much, or there is barely any left of that type of wine in the cellar- most of it has been consumed already. See where I'm going with this? The third wine, that is, the wine that we don't get from searching, probably because most of it is gone, is the wine that is Vespesian's favorite, which is why he has consumed most of it! Vespesian probably doesn't let the other apes take whatever they want from the cellar either.[/spoiler]

    I can't remember which one it was specifically, but that's how I figured out which one to poison.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/nbean64
    +5 link
    Gilphon
    Gilphon
    Posts: 93

    5/8/2016     		[spoiler] There's also the fact that you can spy on the child bringing Vespasian wine, and notice what kind he's taking. [/spoiler]

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Gilphon
    +5 link
    Dungerson
    Dungerson
    Posts: 44

    5/3/2016     		This is either totally obvious or totally reaching, but

    [spoiler]The apes are named after Roman personalities, so this is all a reference to Caesar from Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, right?[/spoiler]

    I just have to bring it up.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/Dungerson
    +5 link
    Snowskeeper
    Snowskeeper
    Posts: 575

    5/6/2016     		[spoiler]Took Vespesian's souls, took the souls of the other Pentecost Apes, sold them to devils. We're not unsympathetic to their predicament, but we're not fond of being drugged, assaulted, locked up, poisoned, threatened and preached at. And, frankly, an alliance with the Pentecost Apes would not serve us as well as, say, our arrangement with a certain large 'rodent.' No practical reason to leave them alone, and plenty of moral and practical reasons to remove them.[/spoiler]

    --
    S.F., a midnight midnighter and invisible eminence. Impossible to locate them, personally, but there are dead drops and agents.
    +4 link
    MidnightVoyager
    MidnightVoyager
    Posts: 858

    5/12/2016     		Kittenpox wrote:
    It was also sadly amusing being threatened by a Pentecost Ape wielding a Spirifer's Fork, considering I have my Very Own Infernal Contract, AND am carrying a Spirifer's Fork of my own. Given that his fork is thoroughly useless against me, it would have been nice to have an option to intimidate him (or at least have my soullessness acknowledged in some way.)

    I was about to say the same thing except about a stained soul, but then I remembered I lost my stains in Flint. If they didn't account for soullessness though, I doubt they accounted for that.

    (NGL, would love an in-character way to lose other trappings of Seeking in Exceptional stories.)

    --
    Midnight Voyager - A blood-cousin to predators. Collector of beasts. Affably mad.
    +4 link
    CALLNXW
    CALLNXW
    Posts: 116

    5/14/2016     		Remember to play this ES tomorrow, on real world Pentecost, for maximum enjoyment

    --
    https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Call%20Now
    +4 link
    Kade Carrion (an_ocelot)
    Kade Carrion (an_ocelot)
    Posts: 1372

    5/2/2016     		Tiny critique: I would like it if the storylets that take you to deal with characters in the Mansion were zero-action.

    --
    Social Actions: send them to Kade Carrion (she/her; no Tournament of Lilies, please). an_ocelot has gone NORTH and cannot benefit from social actions!

    Possibly-Useful Things: Spreadsheets and hints and link collections, oh my.
    +4 link
    Kade Carrion (an_ocelot)
    Kade Carrion (an_ocelot)
    Posts: 1372

    5/3/2016     		My echoes start here, and are collected in the link in my signature.

    Sir Joseph, here's the echo you're looking for, though there's not much to it.

    General thoughts:

    [spoiler]Like many, I didn't feel that the Flash Lay was an interesting component of the story, but I quite liked the exploration of the house and the increasing moral complexity of the situation, also that as far as I can tell, it was eminently possible to explore everything within the allotted time. And I definitely want to know more about the Apes and what they're planning. [/spoiler]

    --
    Social Actions: send them to Kade Carrion (she/her; no Tournament of Lilies, please). an_ocelot has gone NORTH and cannot benefit from social actions!

    Possibly-Useful Things: Spreadsheets and hints and link collections, oh my.
    +4 link
    Master Polarimini
    Master Polarimini
    Posts: 310

    5/3/2016     		Dungerson wrote:
    This is either totally obvious or totally reaching, but

    [spoiler]The apes are named after Roman personalities, so this is all a reference to Caesar from Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, right?[/spoiler]

    I just have to bring it up.

    I actually thought it referred to the fact we're dealing with products of an Empire (the Empire of Hands), so for association the apes named themselves after roman emperors (and a very famous wife of one of them).

    --
    Devices workshop opening soon...

    Follow my story at http://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Master~Polarimini
    +4 link
    MidnightVoyager
    MidnightVoyager
    Posts: 858

    4/30/2016     		I was disappointed that there wasn't anything special about the Flash Lay. I didn't mind it being there per se, but I was disappointed by it being generic.

    --
    Midnight Voyager - A blood-cousin to predators. Collector of beasts. Affably mad.
    +4 link
    NiteBrite
    NiteBrite
    Posts: 1019

    5/1/2016     		Flint had a flash lay in it, but the difference was it was a custom area. All the flash lays in london are exactly the same, and that grows old pretty fast especially if you've done a bunch of flash lays already. I don't mind them as a mechanic, but the lack of diversity is rather wearisome.

    --
    I AM currently accepting calling cards.
    Stats loss counter: reset, irrigo equivalent: none
    [00:34] <@ortab> NiteBrite's laugh is that of a condemned soul gazing into the abyss.
    Merciless Modiste avatar by Paul Arendt (based on an original image by Joe England)
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/TheBriteModiste
    +4 link
    Diptych
    Diptych
    Administrator
    Posts: 3493

    5/2/2016     		I don't mind the Flash Lays, but I certainly wouldn't object to seeing some more variety in the mechanics used - perhaps a Case, or Heist, or Pickpocket's Promenade. But, I suppose, the question of making Exceptional Stories accessible at all stat levels does make a difference there...

    (Incidentally, if you're having trouble reaching certain rooms, you might want to submit a bug report, with as much detail as possible.)

    --
    Sir Frederick, the Libertarian Esotericist. Lord Hubris, the Bloody Baron.
    Juniper Brown, the Ill-Fated Orphan. Esther Ellis-Hall, the Fashionable Fabian.
    +4 link
    Mordaine Barimen
    Mordaine Barimen
    Posts: 670

    4/28/2016     		I really hope that FBG becomes unenamoured with Flash Lays in Exceptional Stories soon, or at least gives an alternate route for those of us who detest them.

    --
    I'm sorry, but due to policy clarifications, I will no longer be giving detailed mechanics advice on the forums.

    If you still need help, try the IRC channel.
    +4 link
    Bertrand Leonidas Poole
    Bertrand Leonidas Poole
    Posts: 335

    4/28/2016     		Even though we don't really know much of the Cardsharp Moneky's origins or intentions, and really have no clue as to whether it is even a Pentecost variety at all, or just an unusually intelligent monkey, there is one thing rather bugging me.
    What did it bet in the Marvellous? What did that other pious fellow with the burning eyes bet, while we are on the subject?
    What does that monkey even hope to win?
    +4 link
    Mr Sables
    Mr Sables
    Posts: 597

    5/29/2016     		Wicker wrote:
    But then why not make it so it lasts longer, and starts earlier, make it so the story of the month is actually tied to it's month? What does this accomplish other than being confusing?



    No clue, I don't work for FBG to know, lol.

    My guess would be consistency: if you started a story on the 1st and finished on the last of the month, you'd have some stories available for 28 days, others for 31, and - when you're paying for a service - you like to have some idea of 'worth'. £5 is 30 days subscription, so people might get a bit miffed if that went up-and-down (bearing in mind EF subscription is tied to the EF stories). You'd probably have issues with some dates falling on bank holidays (which is an issue for Mondays and Fridays, at least in the UK) . . . weekends are a problem for some, as banks are closed Sundays and half-closed Saturdays . . . this way - every Thursday - people have access to their bank accounts, it's unlikely to be a holiday, and you know exactly how long your money/subscription will last.

    Plus, I'm half-sure the FBG don't work weekends, so - again - a Thursday gives them two days to fix bugs, take in feedback, make adjustments, answer queries, etc. - as you can't always guarantee things will go without a hitch, and people expect fast customer service when money is involved, so they need to be around to sort things out.

    To be fair, a lot of companies do the same thing . . .

    A magazine I read often uses the following month's name in its title, as it's release mid-month . . . so this month's would be June's, and the one release in June would be July's . . . it's just a thing people do.
    +4 link
    babelfishwars
    babelfishwars
    Administrator
    Posts: 1152

    5/13/2016     		TeslaWalker wrote:
    Has anyone been able to trigger anything after the manor?

    I assumed that there would have been an epilogue story with this being the third story in the cycle.



    All things come to those who... etc. We're still doing the 3-story bonus storyette, but they don't come at the same time as we publish the third story, but a little while after. It's intended as a bonus tied to the season, rather than a continuation of the story, if that makes sense.

    --
    Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
    +3 link
    Kylestien
    Kylestien
    Posts: 749

    4/28/2016     		I just keep failing the luck check. It's now 11:15 and I'm still stuck in this cage.

    ...How am I even sending this message anyway? 0-0
    edited by Kylestien on 4/28/2016

    --
    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.
    +3 link
    Kalix
    Kalix
    Posts: 50

    4/28/2016     		Hmm. I just saw the description of this story on the Fate page, and scared a cat off the sofa by wailing "Oh no, please not cannibalism again!". And it started so well...
    +3 link
    Gilphon
    Gilphon
    Posts: 93

    4/29/2016     		Lamea Lawless wrote:

    -I still don't understand what the happy child was about.

    [spoiler] That was the youngest child of Merchant-Captain. He didn't mistreat the Apes, so they treated him well in return once they took over. Hearing about that- and the fact that Vespasian agreed to let the rest of the family go out of compassion to the boy- made me confident that I made the right choice at the end.

  • [/spoiler]
    And @Anne Auclair: There are not any options in either of those places.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Gilphon
    • +3 link
    Mr Sables
    Mr Sables
    Posts: 597

    4/29/2016     		Kilrathi wrote:
    Thanks - I just noticed that. I think I'd seen something that said it needed to be 75 and when I hit that and didn't get the end-game card, I thought I needed to keep going. That's a start, at least, but I'm still tired of Flash Lays, particularly in Exceptional Stories.


    Personally, I don't mind them . . .

    I do think they need to be a bit more customised for EF content, though.

    I'm half-sure it was customised for the "Recently Deceased", as I don't recall anyone having any problems with it there, but - in this case - it did feel a little frustrating . . . I loved it as a mechanic, as it provides a difference and can be a lot of fun, but I was also clicking on auto-pilot without reading anything, because it was all the same o' same o'. It felt like I was wasting action points, in that sense, which is why it frustrated me. If the content were more personalised to the story, I wouldn't have a complaint about it at all.

    So, I'm all for flash lays in EF stories, but I do think they need to at least have a few unique cards.
    +3 link
    Harlocke
    Harlocke
    Posts: 506

    5/2/2016     		Say, since we acquired the captain's debt and still have it at the end of the story... what prevents us from foreclosing on his mansion? I could use a nice upgrade from my townhouse. :p

    --
    I welcome social actions, and can visit your salon as an author.

    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Harlocke
    +3 link
    Gilphon
    Gilphon
    Posts: 93

    5/3/2016     		And it was at an unexpected time- typically the Structure of the Exceptional Stories is: A few actions start the story, then we travel all around London gathering information, and then travel to a new location to end the story.

    Here we had the start, and then the Flash Lay almost right away, and then everything else was in Merchant Captain's mansion.

    So the Flash Lay comes across as out of place because it's in a place we didn't expect it to be.

    But, I mean, it didn't feel like padding to me- there was a lot of stuff to do in the Merchant Captain's mansion, so even without the Flash Lay it would've been a decently long story.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Gilphon
    +3 link
    genesis
    genesis
    Posts: 924

    5/3/2016     		Wow. This story was *huge*. I can see that it's possible to finish it very quickly and then feel dissatisfied with the length but that's only if you approach it linearly. Exploring all the nooks and crannies too me quite a significant amount of time!

    --
    http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/mikey_thinkin

    Keeping track of incomplete content and loose ends in Fallen London
    +3 link
    MadmanAtW
    MadmanAtW
    Posts: 231

    5/4/2016     		I agree that the flash lay was largely forgettable, but oh man I just wanted to say that I loved loved loved the mansion, with the time passing and various events happening at various times. It called back to some of my favorite old text adventure games. Overall this was a great story.

    --
    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.
    +3 link
    PJ
    PJ
    Posts: 210

    5/22/2016     		I was disappointed that I didn't get to keep the berries. I really liked the description of how they came by their name.

    --
    https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Peter%20James
    +3 link
    Kittenpox
    Kittenpox
    Posts: 869

    5/12/2016     		Sir Joseph Marlen wrote:
    Kind of sad that I didn't get the chance to help my Pentacost Ape find love for a night. Don't know if that's a glitch or if it was on a specific time on the clock. Does anyone have a link to their profile using the action?

    I can go one better than that. I used my Pentecost Ape to deal with Lydia. wink
    (Tumblr post is still in my queue, but the image is: https://66.media.tumblr.com/ed87ba8093263a290b2375f1453527ce/tumblr_o71ofpzGnJ1sxed1ko1_540.png )
    I particularly like the choice of reward item. :-p

    NiteBrite wrote:
    Flint had a flash lay in it, but the difference was it was a custom area. All the flash lays in london are exactly the same, and that grows old pretty fast especially if you've done a bunch of flash lays already. I don't mind them as a mechanic, but the lack of diversity is rather wearisome.

    Gonna get this bit out of the way and say I definitely agree with many of the people here. I saw two options, the latter being the Flash Lay, and so it took me a few days before all of my menaces were sufficiently low - only for me to find it was just a generic Flash Lay, with all the same text as last time around. Like, I don't expect them to custom-design a separate flash lay every single time, but it was a bit of a let-down especially when I didn't get to see what the result of the other action would have been.

    lady ciel wrote:
    [spoiler] I wish we could have seen more of the Devastating Zoologist. At the end of the soiree she was talking to The Delightful Adventuress and as I managed to meet the Adventuress later so I presumed that the zoologist was also in the house somewhere but I didn't manage to find her before I dealt with Vespasian. [/spoiler]

    Yeah, I thought the same. I wanted to help the Adventuress escape, but she just sat there shrieking about monkeys. Which I think is a little bit poignant, really, once you think about it. :-p Didn't see the Zoologist again at all. Or the banker friend who got me started on this whole thing.

    Also, I convinced the other ape to return to the Empire of Hands, but the epilogue had him captured and caged in the Labyrinth of Tigers. Considering I spent a bit of effort grinding actions to get my Knowledge of the Empire of Hands quality high enough to discuss it with him rather than punching him in the face, it was disappointing to see that my efforts were all for naught.
    Also, one of the actions increased that quality by 3 instead of by 1. I assume it was a rare success, but I didn't get to read the text because I was grinding that quality up to 25 and clicked too quickly. :-(

    Overall, I really enjoyed this story - and the 'Apes in Love' result was perfect. The time mechanic not making me feel rushed was also very welcome (although I'm sure I missed a bunch of stuff, as I hadn't considered that some events were time-specific), as was the ability to use my Pentecost Ape on two occasions.
    But there were a lot of loose ends that never really got tidied up, and it went straight from me poisoning Vespasian & recovering 10 (regular) souls, to being immediately over. No going back and rescuing the family, no saving the banker, zoologist or adventuress, and even the Merchant Captain himself was entirely forgotten about. It just ended with Mr Inch showing up like some Deus Ex Machina to tidy it all up as he saw fit, and none of my choices felt like they mattered (aside from the one to NOT burn down the building, though it's entirely possible the end result would have been similar.) :-(
    It was also sadly amusing being threatened by a Pentecost Ape wielding a Spirifer's Fork, considering I have my Very Own Infernal Contract, AND am carrying a Spirifer's Fork of my own. Given that his fork is thoroughly useless against me, it would have been nice to have an option to intimidate him (or at least have my soullessness acknowledged in some way.)

    --
    Kittenpox
    Current [Fabulous Diamond] count: Twenty-Five (of 50). Halfway there! ^_^
    Metaphysical Caprice: 11.
    -
    Currently: Returned to the Neath, and regaining my footing in this place. :-)
    NO PLANT BATTLES PLEASE.
    +3 link
    Darkroot
    Darkroot
    Posts: 48

    5/22/2016     		Alfred_Bloodwine wrote:
    I'm currently pumping my Knowledge: The Empire of Hands up (at 33atm) before the final confrontation, just wanted to know if there is any point to doing so (and if so what is the appropriate level), would also be good to know if you retain the quality after leaving the mansion. Thanks!


    You don't keep the quality, and I can confirm that having 1000+ Knowledge gives no additional benefit.

    --
    Me!
    +2 link
    Gonen
    Gonen
    Posts: 817

    5/22/2016     		Thank you for another special story.
    The Pentecost apes, the Empire of Hands and the exciting thought of collecting many souls and putting inside ones body - this lore from beyond the zee is indeed delicious and disturbing. A well made choice. Would glad to play more EF stories of lore beyond the zee (Mutton Island!).
    As many said before, Flash lay is getting quite exhausting and it feels like artificial story bulking.
    I myself did not quite like the clock mechanics. I had stress to try and find it all, fearing I might miss chances and stories. I believe, that in the end, I managed to unlock every opportunity to end the story. So that means I had a lot of spare time - thank you for acknowledging the need to investigate back and froth and give spare time for that. Still, I did not like that kind of pressure. Knowing one could miss several actions on a Fate locked story is more distressing. I see many others DID enjoy this mechanism, so I guess I'm a minority on this issue.

    Thank you for the Sunless Sea reference on Mistress A. Treadgold's journal/book.

    All in all - a satisfying and delicious story that was dampen by the stress mechanics.
    Thank you for you time and effort!

    --
    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
    +2 link
    Goldkin
    Goldkin
    Posts: 1

    5/2/2016     		Veggieleezy wrote:
    Sorry to bother everyone with such ramblings. I'm just not sure what else to try.
    edited by Veggieleezy on 5/2/2016

    The story is, indeed, bugged. Confirmation with mild spoiler here: https://twitter.com/echobazaar/status/726820437225803776

    Since it seems it's presently not possible to complete the story in this state without taking a certain pyrrhic option, I'm using it to grind useful items in the meantime. The Masters are aware, and shall hopefully fix it soon.
    +2 link
    Veggieleezy
    Veggieleezy
    Posts: 4

    5/2/2016     		Sorry to seem like a complete fool, but I am having an absolutely confusing time trying to navigate this story. I've been playing on my phone for about two weeks now, and thoroughly enjoying the game, but this story is just keeping me stuck in the cage, so to speak. And I apparently have some Rats waiting on my doorstep at home, so I would like to not keep them waiting.

    From what I've read on this thread so far, I think I've deduced how to solve at least part of my problem, but in order to solve that problem, I need to access a room that for some reason I can't find. I've played through this story quite a few times only to restart either due to running out of time or resetting because I was certain I'd run out.

    I know that you gain access to the different rooms in the house based on... reasons, I guess, I can't tell what triggers that. And I know that there is a certain room in which a certain ape may appear at a certain time. However, every single time I've run through this story, that room never appears. I don't know how to get there. I don't know if I'm just not in the right place at the right time, or if I'm not unlocking it, or if it disappears, or if my game is bugged, or what. But I can't seem to find what is apparently the one room I need to access in order to finish the story properly. So I keep looping back to the cages again.

    I know that there are rules about spoilers and such, but I've been trying this story for about two days in real time, and several storyline "days" now. I don't know how to do the spoilers marker here (just signed up for the forums to ask this), so I guess I'm probably just asking for help blind here.

    Sorry to bother everyone with such ramblings. I'm just not sure what else to try.
    edited by Veggieleezy on 5/2/2016

    --
    With a smile and a chuckle, he departs...
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Veggieleezy
    +2 link
    Mr Sables
    Mr Sables
    Posts: 597

    4/28/2016     		Just finished the story smile

    Excellent work! I was so glad that the time-mechanic allowed enough space for me to do what I needed to do, as that was what terrified me when I first saw it pop up! XD The choices were amazingly inclusive of everything any potential player could want to pick, and the outcomes were fascinating and very well written. It was perfect length and had a lovely variety of game mechanics smile

    It's one I'd love to replay one day, as there were so many variations that seem they could lead to different outcomes . . . some massively so, some more subtler . . . can't say enough how much I enjoyed this one smile

    [spoiler]Anyone know what happens if you pick to end early by burning a certain thing?[/spoiler]
    +2 link
    Mr Sables
    Mr Sables
    Posts: 597

    4/28/2016     		Kalix wrote:
    Hmm. I just saw the description of this story on the Fate page, and scared a cat off the sofa by wailing "Oh no, please not cannibalism again!". And it started so well...



    I don't think there's any cannibalism? At least so far . . .

    Then again, I totally missed the cannibalism aspect of the last story, so don't take my word XD

    [spoiler]I'm loving the story itself so far; disliking the timed mechanic, as it places a huge amount of stress on the player, and timed levels are things I've always despised in games . . . it's just way too much, especially when one likes to explore and read the stories at hand, as I'm living in total fear my first two failures (luck might not have been a great requirement for that check) will stop me from doing all I need. The fact needing to go back to my cage erases all progress also is frustrating. So - yeah - I'm loathing that side of it.

    I love the variety of mechanics, though, as the flash lay was unexpected but fun to play. I do tend to play those on auto-pilot though, without reading, so it can feel more of a grind (as the content isn't personalised to the story), but it was a nice break and gave a nice change to usual mechanics. The story is also fun and different. Adoring what it brings to the soul trade, the addition to new lore, and the new characters that seem very unique and quite interesting, even for brief cameos smile

    I'll leave more thoughts when I'm finished; the length is excellent, too, as it doesn't feel over too quickly and has a well-paced narrative smile I'd say four stars so far, but . . . yeah, this part is insanely stressful XD[/spoiler]
    +2 link
    suinicide
    suinicide
    Posts: 2409

    4/28/2016     		You can grab the key in a bit. I think its just so you don't have to do the luck check again if you fail during the first night.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
    A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
    RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
    +2 link
    Dinjoralo
    Dinjoralo
    Posts: 9

    4/28/2016     		Well, this looks like it'll be fun...
    Wait, I need three of my menaces lowered before I can even get into the good stuff? What? Come on, now...

    --
    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.
    +2 link
    The Duke of Waltham
    The Duke of Waltham
    Posts: 150

    5/28/2016     		I finished this story last night, later than most people as is my wont. I loved it! The mansion was a very rich and complex self-contained environment and I spent a couple of days in there, exploring the various options. I'd never even heard of Pentecost Apes, so this aspect of the story was lost on me, but I didn't sense something was missing from the narrative on those grounds. I assume the emphasis on itching is not a carry-over from previous content, but merely one of those universally understood horrors that make a story feel more visceral. I found it effective here.

    I'll agree with some fellow players that, although the Flash Lay fit the story in theory, it didn't in practice. It certainly felt like padding for me at the time it came up, not only because it was generic but because there wasn't much of an introduction to the mark. In "The Frequently Deceased" there was extensive set-up woven throughout the story that prepared us for the establishment we were meant to target, thus making the Flash Lay feel like something of a culmination of one's efforts; here, on the other hand, the Flash Lay was close to the beginning and there was perplexingly little content before it. When I reached the mansion and felt the story come into its own I began to enjoy myself more, though, and at that point I thought of the Flash Lay more charitably as something of a pacing mechanism, to stop people from going through the story too fast. In any case, I actually found the Flash Lay enjoyable in and of itself because I hadn't played many of them lately and I thought it greatly improved since its introduction last year.

    Generic spoilers follow.

    I also appreciated the way that the body of the story, with content more or less common to all players, set up such an explosion of options and strategies at the endgame. I ended up having all of them open to me, so I was spoiled for choice (and was actually a tiny bit disappointed that I didn't get to use the weapons I'd readied), but there were options for many types of player character that covered all sorts of discoveries in the game. The number of alternatives also mitigated what might otherwise have taken away from the narrative's power: that important challenges seemed meaningless to me because they were geared towards players with low stats. The final conversation did strike me as being too short; we'd already learned a lot about the Empire of Hands, but I liked the character of Vespasian and might have preferred to spend some extra time with him.

    Although all players saw the same content in the mansion, the experimentation with interactive storylet text continues. I found it very novel that the text now incorporated a quality (the clock); I think it was only with archaeological expeditions in the Forgotten Quarter that something similar was attempted before, and not nearly as elegantly. The problem from "The Seven-Day Reign" hasn't been solved, but it doesn't actually matter here that the clock isn't visible in the journal, and only in the Study's recorded echo does a false time appear, which is also a clue in its way (Hark DeGaul got it right on page 2 of this thread). By the way, the choice to incorporate the time at the beginning of the text in the Study was brilliant, because it allows the time to be seen even in the mansion's hallway (the general view), which is where the clock is supposed to be. Very effective use of the new mechanic.

    And the clock really was put to good use. Although I was apprehensive in the soirée as far as the available time was concerned, I really liked how the time mechanic functioned at night, and how new options opened up occasionally. The overall atmosphere was beautiful, and the information about the apes and their origins was nicely spread around. (I even found two rare successes, which in itself is rare in Exceptional Stories; did anyone find more than two of them?) This attention to detail extended all the way to the little bits of colourful content given through the "Trespassing" quality. I understand it was an "Airs-style" quality that dictated when the two main threats in the mansion would appear; I kept checking it in the Myself page, though its purpose would have been clearer (at first, anyway) if it were placed under "Randomizer" rather than "Story". (Even if it didn't seem to be completely random, in that only certain numbers appeared to be available.)

    Specific spoilers:

    [spoiler]Playing a story four weeks late means one is being spared the occasional crippling bug, and the problem with the smoking room was therefore something I only read about. However, there were a few elements that didn't make sense. For example, the mansion's keys were always taken away from me when I returned to the cage and there was no apparent way to hold on to a key and use it to open my cage at the beginning of a night. The branch was there, but perfectly useless as far as I can tell. It didn't matter to me because I was unlucky with the cage only once or twice in total, but others were not so fortunate and would have had more use for the key. Also, I was not forced into a loop after trying to talk to the child-butler, but I still had the option to "try again", which didn't feel right.

    On another note, I expected a little more from the estimable Agatha Treadgold once I realised she was in the house. Her book did most of her talking for her, though, and perhaps it makes sense that she would be useless in person. I met her in Apis Meet for the first time, but I understand she has featured in another story before that. By the way, it is a common complaint that there is no more interconnection between different stories, and characters we've met before seem not to recognise us. I'm sure it's a lot of work for the benefit of relatively few players, but it is very satisfying when it happens (as it did for the players who came into this story with a Pentecost Ape). The Delightful Adventuress didn't recognise me at all here, and although this may actually be in-character for her (I don't know), there have been similar cases in previous stories.

    As for the ending, I went with persuading Vespasian to return to his homeland. I disliked the Captain and hadn't wanted to give him the satisfaction of beating the apes, so I was pleased that he would suffer for his choices at the end, and it was also plausible on a character level that his family would turn away from him (though he clearly cared for them).
    [/spoiler]

    --
    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.
    +2 link
    suinicide
    suinicide
    Posts: 2409

    5/30/2016     		Yes, at a cheaper price than just buying it.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
    A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
    RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
    +2 link
    Anne Auclair
    Anne Auclair
    Posts: 2215

    6/25/2016     		Something I only just realized from playing Sunless Sea, but Vespasian is [spoiler]actively recreating the Wildweald Court in the merchant's house. In the Wildweald Court you have a really high souled ape served by an aristocracy of somewhat lesser souled apes, who are in turn surrounded by a motley army of low souled apes. The result is a bubble of carefully cultivated civilization surrounded by dirt, noise, and animal behavior. Not surprising, as this is the only sort of civilization Vespasian knows.[/spoiler]

    This subtle continuity between the two games is pretty cool.
    edited by Anne Auclair on 6/26/2016

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
    +1 link
    Absintheuse
    Absintheuse
    Posts: 348

    9/7/2016     		Hello delicious friends! Just dropping in to say that this story is now available for Fate. Enjoy!
    +1 link
    Wicker
    Wicker
    Posts: 14

    5/29/2016     		I just want their to be a timer, or an indication of how long it will be available, right on the page. Sorry if that's there already...
    +1 link
    Kittenpox
    Kittenpox
    Posts: 869

    5/30/2016     		I'm on mobile so I haven't scoured the forums for this first (sorry in advance for the ignorance - I'm certain I've read the answer before), but a friend of mine played through this one but had a rather unsatisfying ending (building burnt down) as well as not managing to notice clues about which bottle to spike.

    When this Exceptional Story becomes purchasable for Fate, will it be available to be re-played by those of us who have already done so? :-)

    --
    Kittenpox
    Current [Fabulous Diamond] count: Twenty-Five (of 50). Halfway there! ^_^
    Metaphysical Caprice: 11.
    -
    Currently: Returned to the Neath, and regaining my footing in this place. :-)
    NO PLANT BATTLES PLEASE.
    +1 link
    Optimatum
    Optimatum
    Posts: 3666

    4/28/2016     		When I first remembered this was for Family Ties I wondered whether my aunt was getting back into spirifage with a new group of buyers.

    --
    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.
    +1 link
    Blaine Davidson
    Blaine Davidson
    Posts: 388

    4/29/2016     		I chose to [spoiler]duel Vaspasian and I won[/spoiler] which gave the same rewards as Optimatum.

    I would have liked to interact with the apes diplomatically more frequently.

    Despite both parties supposedly being exceedingly intelligent, we did most of our talking with our fists.

    --
    Blaine Davidson, a reserved and sensible woman with a fondness of collecting rarities.
    +1 link
    Emain Ablach
    Emain Ablach
    Posts: 348

    4/29/2016     		[spoiler]I chose to welcome the Pentecost Apes. The text is on my mantelpiece, for those interested in the matter. I doubt Vespanian is honest, and I guess he has another agenda for human Londoners, but I found the idea quite funny and my character has a habit of doing whetever is unexpected, just because he likes to see the astonished expression on his interlocutor's face. It worked this time as well, hahaha ![/spoiler]

    Thank you deeply for this story, I liked it very much.

    First of all, it reminded me of an old horror movie (which tile is "Link"), in which the butler is a very smart chimpazee wearing a suit, who decides to take control of the mansion. Very alike, so I felt nostalgic.

    I also liked the characters (Livia and Vespasian especially, even though the Exploress is entertaining).

    The story itself is cliché, but that's exactly what I liked, it had this distinctive taste of stories built on old foundations. The taste of weird light, of uneasy discussions, of people whose lies are not so hidden, of weirdness.

    The writing is good, as always, the atmosphere well depicted, the bits of lore are welcome and some characters are fleshed out in a way that makes them interesting.

    I really appreciated the many choices we have to end the story in the way we want, thank you a lot for that !

    What I didn't really like so much was that the characters could have been a bit more deepened, and even the ones who I liked (Livia, Vespasian) felt a bit shallow or superficial.

    I'd like to be able to deal with some obstacles in a more diplomatic way, instead of paving my path with violence or discretion. I mean... there is a subtle way, a forceful way, I'd like to see a "social" way.

    Finally, I'd love to see more about the lore. What we have is only a teasing and felt really frustrating (but intriguing !).

    Anyway, a big thank you for this story ! It was a very good one !

    --
    Went NORTH. Got salted. Never came back. We won't remember him.

    https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Emain%20Ablach
    +1 link
    Kalix
    Kalix
    Posts: 50

    4/28/2016     		I am relieved Stick Out Tongue

    I actually really liked this one, especially after the Young Stags- it was still a bit dark, but it didn't leave me sad :-)
    +1 link
    absimiliard
    absimiliard
    Posts: 759

    4/28/2016     		They know what they did....

    --
    "Because, Parabola!" -- the Curious Captain
    Eating nightmares from friends -- and I'm easy to befriend.
    Absimiliard: the Black Rose of Wolfstack Docks
    +1 link
    Veggieleezy
    Veggieleezy
    Posts: 4

    5/2/2016     		Goldkin wrote:
    Since it seems it's presently not possible to complete the story in this state without taking a certain pyrrhic option, I'm using it to grind useful items in the meantime. The Masters are aware, and shall hopefully fix it soon.



    Many thanks, this was precisely what I was wondering. Sadly, I shall remain stuck, but at least I can work up some stats! If those don't reset as well with each new "day", that is. Thanks again!

    --
    With a smile and a chuckle, he departs...
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Veggieleezy
    +1 link
    Harlocke
    Harlocke
    Posts: 506

    4/30/2016     		This may be an odd question, and a minor spoiler, but do you get to keep the berries or acquire another set of berries if you use them? I want to use them, but if I can permanently keep the berries in my inventory as an added memento I'd like to hang onto them, unless there's a good reason not to... If anyone knows, no other spoilers beyond that please.
    edited by Harlocke on 4/30/2016
    edited by Harlocke on 4/30/2016

    --
    I welcome social actions, and can visit your salon as an author.

    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Harlocke
    +1 link
    suinicide
    suinicide
    Posts: 2409

    4/30/2016     		I am certain you lose the berries.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
    A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
    RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
    +1 link
    Harlocke
    Harlocke
    Posts: 506

    4/30/2016     		suinicide wrote:
    I am certain you lose the berries.


    Whether or not you use them?

    If so, it's a shame. I would love to keep a rare exotic fruit from across the zee in my collection. I was hoping I could use them, then scoop up a second handful from the garden as a keepsake. But if they're going to get removed from my inventory either way...

    --
    I welcome social actions, and can visit your salon as an author.

    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Harlocke
    +1 link
    Saklad
    Saklad
    Posts: 528

    5/1/2016     		I actually like Flash-Lays, although custom cards would be nice. Some of the cards don’t make sense here. Perhaps you could customize it like Heists, adding and removing some cards for each one.

    --
    Saklad5, a man of many talents
    +1 link
    suinicide
    suinicide
    Posts: 2409

    4/29/2016     		Professor Strix wrote:
    I enjoyed the time mechanics of the story very much. And the ending was one that clearly separated me from my character. I would be diplomatic and at least hear the apes' side of story. Professor Strix saw

    [spoiler]an ape with a spirifer fork and well. Things got a bit violent. She doesn't react well to those forks, I'm afraid.
    My only regret is that, by choosing this end, I never heard what the apes were doing in London. Now I'm curious.
    [/spoiler]


    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/suinicide?fromEchoId=8443128
    Here you go

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/sunnytime
    A gentleman seeking the liberation of knowledge, with a penchant for violence.
    RIP suinicide, stuck in a well. Still has it under control.
    +1 link
    Kilrathi
    Kilrathi
    Posts: 24

    4/29/2016     		Hark DeGaul wrote:
    Kilrathi wrote:
  • I'm only partway through, but... another use of the Flash Lay? Really? That mechanic is tedious and uninteresting at best and mostly seems to serve as a way to burn off actions I'd rather be using for something (anything) that's either challenging, interesting or profitable. I don't find the process fun in and of itself, but the worst part is when you get to the requisite amount of Progress and end up sitting around waiting to draw the right card. Last time I did one, I got my Progress to 150+ and ended up losing out because my menaces got high before I drew the right card. I'm not there yet in this one, but I really hope FBG will keep Flash Lays out of Exceptional Stories going forward since they really feel more like filler than anything I want as part of my monthly "bonus" content.

    • You now can't raise it above 100 I think. I got my progress up there and it took me straight there (which was a shame because I wanted to see what the accomplice card would do for once.)
  • Thanks - I just noticed that. I think I'd seen something that said it needed to be 75 and when I hit that and didn't get the end-game card, I thought I needed to keep going. That's a start, at least, but I'm still tired of Flash Lays, particularly in Exceptional Stories.


    		•
    +1 link
    Professor Strix
    Professor Strix
    Posts: 616

    4/29/2016     		Thank you, suinicide!

    [spoiler]It really wouldn't have made any difference in my choices after what I saw in that house, and I knew it. I was just curious.

    Jesus, Vespasian, you are either so cynical that you deserved each of the punches the Professor gave you or you are even more clueless than the Rubbery Men.

    My route was very similar to Lamea's. I poisoned wines, opened the family's cage and then... Straightfoward dangerous challenge, so I just punched the monkey. It didn't made me mad simply because, as I said, my character would have gone bersek on Vespasian anyway. She has a short fuse and a deep distate for souls being displaced.
    [/spoiler]

    Oh, forgot to add: I second Lamea, not seeing graphic content was nice. I'm very empathetic to those things and would have had a hard time. I'm still queasy after reading a graphic description of a hit-and-run scenario some years ago.
    edited by Professor Strix on 4/29/2016

    --
    The Inescapable Professor, London's Most Academic Detective. Open to consultation from Mondays to Fridays, above the Silver Binding bookshop, Veilgarden. Half the payment in advance, half after closing the case. No refunds.

    "THIS SATURDAY, in MAHOGANY HALL, delight your eyes with the DARING FEATS of the DAPPER ESCAPIST. Gape at his CHARM and WIT and his CLEVER TRICKS OF ILLUSIONISM. No mirrors used."
    ---------
    Social actions welcomed. Will take menaces if not currently grinding that one stat. Send them and cross your fingers.
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Professor%20Strix
    My alt loiters suspiciously if you want to:
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Derek%20Davis
    +1 link
    Saklad
    Saklad
    Posts: 528

    4/30/2016     		I really enjoyed this one. I combed the area, poisoned Vespasian’s drink, and listened to his explanation. I wish I could have entreated him to see the error of his ways (two wrongs do not make a right, etc.), but that wasn’t an option.

    In light of what happened to the banker, I could not possibly let him be. I took him out with the spirifer’s fork after he finished his book.

    --
    Saklad5, a man of many talents
    +1 link
    Passionario
    Passionario
    Posts: 777

    5/23/2016     		I do not regret buying this story, but I don't think I'll ever replay it.

    --
    Passionario: Profile, Story, Ending
    Passion: Profile, Appearance
    +1 link
    Mr Sables
    Mr Sables
    Posts: 597

    5/26/2016     		Kharsirr Lynx wrote:
    babelfishwars wrote:

    All things come to those who... etc. We're still doing the 3-story bonus storyette, but they don't come at the same time as we publish the third story, but a little while after. It's intended as a bonus tied to the season, rather than a continuation of the story, if that makes sense.


    I hadn't missed it yet, had I? Apparently, Summer Season 1st story starts today...



    I haven't spotted any announcements or seen the storylette myself, yet.

    I think the staff have probably just been incredibly busy, so it's been delayed more than they expected. Although, weirdly, I still haven't gotten the card asking me to rate the story either (which is a shame, as I would have rated it quite highly). I guess it's just a matter of waiting a little longer, and hopefully the bonus will come out sometime soon when things are calmer for them smile
    +1 link
    Alfred_Bloodwine
    Alfred_Bloodwine
    Posts: 59

    5/17/2016
  • I'm currently pumping my Knowledge: The Empire of Hands up (at 33atm) before the final confrontation, just wanted to know if there is any point to doing so (and if so what is the appropriate level), would also be good to know if you retain the quality after leaving the mansion.
  • Thanks!

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Alfred~Bloodwine
    • +1 link
    Shadowcthuhlu
    Shadowcthuhlu
    Posts: 1557

    5/12/2016     		I just assumed that the ape was going to be very disappointed when he saw my stained soul. (I worked hard for those stains, I'm gonna keep them for now.)

    --
    https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Dirae%20Erinyes. Closed to calling cards, but open for all other social action. I also love to roleplay.
    +1 link
    Master Polarimini
    Master Polarimini
    Posts: 310

    5/3/2016     		Did anyone [spoiler]take Vespasian's side and let him stay in London[/spoiler]?
    I'd be curious to see the text! (I suppose it doesn't give any special reward as for the other choices)

    --
    Devices workshop opening soon...

    Follow my story at http://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Master~Polarimini
    +1 link
    Catherine Raymond
    Catherine Raymond
    Posts: 2518

    5/8/2016     		Found the Dining Room.
    [spoiler] Met the Delightful Adventuress. Her text was not all that interesting, to me. I think this is it though it isn't labeled "Dining Room" in my Journal. Apologies if I've got the wrong bit.

    "The Delightful Adventuress crawls out from under a table, soaked in the splatter of thrown food and drink. 'The b___dy monkeys!' she screeches, almost as high-pitched as their most painful screeches. 'That is it! I will make it my life's work to see that cursed place burned to the ground! Then the ground salted!'

    She begins tugging at one of the heavy metal bars holding the windows shut, swearing under her breath as it refuses to give way. "    [/spoiler]
    edited by cathyr19355 on 5/8/2016

    --
    Cathy Raymond
    http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/cathyr19355

    Catherine Raymond aka Mrs. Rykar Malkus http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Catherine%20Raymond (Gone NORTH)
    +1 link
    genesis
    genesis
    Posts: 924

    5/9/2016     		My personal observation on the glitches were like this.

    1. I am having no issues whatsoever; some people are discussing the general feedback on this thread but no reports of the Smoking Room glitch

    2. Some days later Smoking Room glitch reports start coming up; nothing wrong on my end

    3. A few days later FBG seem to have rejigged the Smoking Room storylet, presumably in attempting to fix the reported glitch. The Domitian storylet is now pinned rather than redirected to.

    4. Simultaneously or very shortly afterwards, the Dining Room stops appearing for me and, according to this thread, for other people too.

    So I don't know what the original Smoking Room bug was but it wasn't universal as it didn't affect me. But whatever the fix for it was that seems to have triggered the new Dining Room bug.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/mikey_thinkin

    Keeping track of incomplete content and loose ends in Fallen London
    +1 link
    Trodgmey
    Trodgmey
    Posts: 164

    5/5/2016     		Just a quick note of response -- I just finished the story and absolutely loved it. None of my frustrations with the April story were there.

    [spoiler]
    In the end I poisoned him. I did think about letting them alone, but Trodgmey is a real stickler about souls.
    [/spoiler]

    --
    Trodgmey -- an otherwise pleasant chap with a peculiar obsession with the first four cities.
    http://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Trodgmey
    +1 link
    genesis
    genesis
    Posts: 924

    5/5/2016     		Yes it should. Definitely one for support@failbettergames.com

    I wonder why this specific story has been more bug prone than the previous ones... Personally, I've not had any bug issues and content-wise this is possibly my favourite ES since Flint but I can imagine it would be a less positive experience for the player hit by all these bugs...
    edited by genesis on 5/5/2016

    --
    http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/mikey_thinkin

    Keeping track of incomplete content and loose ends in Fallen London
    +1 link
    Emain Ablach
    Emain Ablach
    Posts: 348

    5/5/2016     		Mr Inch had some options ? Oh. It didn't appear for me. If anyone have the texts, I'm interested ! smile

    --
    Went NORTH. Got salted. Never came back. We won't remember him.

    https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Emain%20Ablach
    +1 link
    Ruddertail
    Ruddertail
    Posts: 36

    5/4/2016     		Anyone have an echo for what happens if you (at the very end) [spoiler]let Vesparian finish his book?[/spoiler]

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Ruddertail
    +1 link
    Kyria
    Kyria
    Posts: 22

    5/4/2016     		Ruddertail wrote:
    Anyone have an echo for what happens if you (at the very end) [spoiler]let Vesparian finish his book?[/spoiler]

    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Kyria?fromEchoId=8490174

    --
    Kyria
    +1 link
    Master Polarimini
    Master Polarimini
    Posts: 310

    5/4/2016     		Anne Auclair wrote:
    Catherine Raymond wrote:
    I thought the Flash Lay mechanic worked well with the Governess story, but it seems out of place here. Which is odd, because in the Governess's story the character is only seeking information and admittance to the Parthenaeum, but in this one the character really is trying to take valuable property by deceit--i.e., the Merchant Captain's debt. Still, for some reason the Flash Lay felt out of place to me.

    Maybe it felt too generic?

    I think that's it.
    I am at the end of the story that I started this weekend, and I almost forgot there was a flash lay at the beginning! That's not a good sign.
    On the other side, I enjoyed quite a lot the part inside the house, the atmosphere of tension and manacing weirdness was conveyed very well.

    --
    Devices workshop opening soon...

    Follow my story at http://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Master~Polarimini
    +1 link
    Sir Joseph Marlen
    Sir Joseph Marlen
    Posts: 575

    5/2/2016     		Kind of sad that I didn't get the chance to help my Pentacost Ape find love for a night. Don't know if that's a glitch or if it was on a specific time on the clock. Does anyone have a link to their profile using the action?

    Also, I suppose that's the end of this trio of Exceptional Stories. Anyone have any ideas for when Failbetter will come out with an option to use the three special items?

    --
    Sir Joseph Marlen - The Romantic Sophist
    Alexus Harven - The Defiant Fatalist
    Rose Reinhelm - The Respectful Revolutionary
    Cappuccino - The Perfidious Spycraft


    Available for any and all social actions.
    +1 link
    Katistrophe
    Katistrophe
    Posts: 29

    5/3/2016     		Is there a risk of stat loss in this? I'm planning to do save this for after I've overcapped Dangerous because I've found a good pace for getting there right now, and I don't want to see my painstakingly raised stats disappear straightaway...
    +1 link
    Gilphon
    Gilphon
    Posts: 93

    5/3/2016     		I don't believe so. I mean, I wasn't exactly watching for it, but I don't recall any.

    But I'm pretty sure I'd remember if I lost a significant amount of stats, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Gilphon
    +1 link
    Catherine Raymond
    Catherine Raymond
    Posts: 2518

    5/3/2016     		I thought the Flash Lay mechanic worked well with the Governess story, but it seems out of place here. Which is odd, because in the Governess's story the character is only seeking information and admittance to the Parthenaeum, but in this one the character really is trying to take valuable property by deceit--i.e., the Merchant Captain's debt. Still, for some reason the Flash Lay felt out of place to me.

    --
    Cathy Raymond
    http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/cathyr19355

    Catherine Raymond aka Mrs. Rykar Malkus http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Catherine%20Raymond (Gone NORTH)
    +1 link
    Anne Auclair
    Anne Auclair
    Posts: 2215

    5/3/2016     		Catherine Raymond wrote:
    I thought the Flash Lay mechanic worked well with the Governess story, but it seems out of place here. Which is odd, because in the Governess's story the character is only seeking information and admittance to the Parthenaeum, but in this one the character really is trying to take valuable property by deceit--i.e., the Merchant Captain's debt. Still, for some reason the Flash Lay felt out of place to me.

    Maybe it felt too generic?

    --
    http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
    +1 link



    Powered by Jitbit Forum 8.0.2.0 © 2006-2013 Jitbit Software