You say there's a lore reason why the devils don't get involved? I must have missed that. Can you tell me why?

I'm wondering, does going through with the plan delete your Connected: Hell?

So, is that why - having gained his trust - I was locked into the ending, unable to tell the devil's? I'm guessing this author hasn't heard of 'betrayal' or 'double-agent', then, which would have made more sense than the devils totally ignoring what I told them in the start . . . and - that being the case - I'd expect bigger ramifications for having betrayed the guy.

I'm going to have to start remembering the authors' names and only buying those I generally like.

I think what's going on is some people are having the opposite problem from the previously-criticized "unmarked quirk loss" storylets -- that the telegraphs feel too on-the-nose, so much so that it seems difficult to disbelieve that the Protestor wouldn't immediately catch on, or at least that they're presented in such a way. This is probably exacerbated by the fact that you do have to make the toasts out loud, so it seems odd that he wouldn't catch on to what "a toast to intrigue" means.

I don't necessarily love 'what are you actually thinking here' options but that would have felt a lot more preferable to me than 'slyly toast to something that suggests you're not on board here'.
edited by neongrey on 5/27/2016

well, I have to say one thing I didn't like:

[spoiler]An Account of the Souls Aboard Hell's Triremes[/spoiler]

is a quality and not an item. unless it will be used again (it has a number following it), I hope it gets changed to an item soon.

also, can someone send me what rewards are at the end and how it affects things? I very much have a desre to blow some devils to kingdom come, but I also take some lodgeings there and I dount I would be popular if caught.
edited by Kylestien on 5/26/2016

I would assume the difference is whether you're sincere when drinking with him, yes. I got a Searing Enigma from bombing so I'd assume you got something similarly valuable. Practically every story has had a 62.5 echo item as the final reward.

If there's a not too spoiler heavy way to do it, can anyone explain how the whole "embassy in repair" thing works? Can you still get lodgings at the embassy if you blow it up? No other devil related opportunities get closed off either? And is it worth getting quarters at the embassy before playing the story, for additional options or lore?

[spoiler]I am beginning to worry there is simply a glitch or bug. I have tried to confirm how to prevent the bombing, talking to folks off-line and am told just pick the stop him option on both toasts. That is exactly what I did. I picked 'perhaps you want to stop him'. Twice! And then, for me, the embassy blew up. Others tell me they did the same thing and prevented the bombing. It sounds like folks are picking the same option, but getting different endings. Is there some other factor? I think the issue is that if you tip off the Embassy (which you have no reason to think would not lead them to partner with you in stopping it) that it doesn't then matter that you pick 'you want to stop him' every time. Is there a third variable? Does it matter how much trust you build up, for reasons obscure? Again, I thought building trust helped prevent it, but maybe not?[/spoiler]

Had there been 3 toast options, labeled "toast sincerely and look forward to setting the bomb off" "toast him knowing you intend to betray him even as you let the bomb explode" "toast him hiding the fact that you intend to prevent the bombing", it would prevent the issues flagged.

Can anyone see a reason that level of clarity about your own intentions would not improve the experience?

Robin Mask wrote:

You say there's a lore reason why the devils don't get involved? I must have missed that. Can you tell me why?

From what I understand, it's

[spoiler]insurance fraud writ large. If the Embassy gets bombed on Masters' watch, they can extract a lot of concessions in return.

That's why the Constables' branch warns you not to let the plan succeed: the devils "can't be allowed that kind of leverage". [/spoiler]

Personally, I loved this ES. I really liked the lore tidbit about

{SPOILERS}
edited by Natan on 5/28/2016

Sure, just <spoiler tag>

Would be nice to know what the Protester are up to after this, though. Saying thank you and disappearing seems oddly underdeveloped given his prominence.

edited by Optimatum on 5/31/2016

--
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.

I would also appreciate a PM about that route.
(Also I can't find the season item with this story. Any help there?)
edited by suinicide on 5/26/2016

Kylestien wrote:

also, can someone send me what rewards are at the end and how it affects things? I very much have a desre to blow some devils to kingdom come, but I also take some lodgeings there and I dount I would be popular if caught.
edited by Kylestien on 5/26/2016

Unless someone has much better luck than me, it may take a long while . . .

I thought there was just one opportunity card to wait for, but it seems like there's three. I got a really lousy item, if that was the final one, but it took 10 from some quality or other, leaving me with 20 . . . so I have to wait for the same card to appear twice more, in an already full deck, and so I am less than amused. It peeves me off no end when EF stories make use of opportunity cards, let alone when the epilogue relies on three.

If I get a card to rate this story, I'm tempted to knock a point off for such an infuriating feature.