Absintheuse
Posts: 348
11/30/2017
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Delicious friends, the Exceptional Story for December is here!
Investigate Veilgarden's most exclusive Honey Den, infiltrate a house of charity, and venture among reprobates at Watchmaker's Hill. Join us in a cup of red honey and burrow through the lost memories of the woman with the bee-stung eyes.
Steeped in Honey is the first story in the Season of Silver, and was written by Mary Goodden. This season, experience three stories that delve into debts, obligations, and contracts gone wrong. You can begin each from the Season of Silver card.
Editing and QA: Cash DeCuir, Olivia Wood and Caolain Porter.
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!
Finishing all three stories in the Season of Silver 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 current Season’s card throughout London. This will save it for you to return to another time.
edited by Absintheuse on 2/23/2018
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Plynkes
Posts: 631
11/30/2017
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Is that Helena Bonham Carter? 
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"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop, but don't tell me."
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+8
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Omega8520
Posts: 102
11/30/2017
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This story is amazing. The way it's all laid out, the plot, the fact that there's a use for the Cat's chiefest claw, the choices, it's great. Only problem is that some of the storylets, despite having titles, didn't put the title in when I echoed them, meaning I had to do some copy and paste. And when that's the biggest flaw with a story, it means the story is pretty damn good. Kudos.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Omega8520
A Correspondent of measure and restraint, not-withstanding a tendancy to rush into things.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Menacing%20Seeker
Northwards with Noman. At least they'll have company.
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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
11/30/2017
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Plynkes wrote:
Is that Helena Bonham Carter?
Hahahaha, my thought exactly! Really wonder if this ES will have some implications/requirements/rewards related to dream qualities!
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ESs items and quality requirements sheet. Please check if there are errors or if something is missing
Achievement list if you're feeling bored!
I am accepting Plant battles, Neath's Mysteries card, Starveling Cats and boxed cats.
No suppers, no second chances gain and no need to cure my menaces!
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Mr Sables
Posts: 597
11/30/2017
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Plynkes wrote:
Is that Helena Bonham Carter?
Thanks, now I keep reading the Vagabond's voice as Helena Bonham Carter's XD
* * *
I'm in two minds about this story.
I absolutely love the writing, with the characters very well written, and the mechanics were good, too. I will admit that exploring the House frustrated me initially, but - with trial and error - I uncovered I could repair my disguise by doing some work, and it became much more enjoyable and also a rather quirky/fun mechanic that didn't detract and only added to the gameplay and plot. Not too keen on some action sinks, though, such as moving from location to location, but otherwise no complaints.
I just feel something is off, and I can't place my finger on why. I think I'm investing a lot on gameplay, but I'm just not investing emotionally in the Vagabond . . . her story is interesting, so I'm having fun uncovering it, but I don't think enough time was spent on her initially to invest in her, so I feel I'm coming at this cognitively and not emotively (like a detached detective, not a concerned citizen).
Of course, that may be the intent.
In any case, I also adore the length, as it's longer than most EF stories and I still only seem halfway through, despite being out of actions. It doesn't feel padded or drawn out, but well-paced and with a good focus on each part. I do look forward to playing onward later.
So a very good story, but perhaps could have done with a longer intro?
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Barse
Posts: 706
11/30/2017
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Oooh I'm with Omega here, I thought it was fantastic. The plotting and pacing was great, the way that the PC uncovers facts & draws conclusions feels natural and it's always fun to see unexpected items/qualities used. The Withered Vagabond was superbly well realised and I thought this was one of the more touching stories in the game, period. Reining myself in here to avoid gushing/spoiling, but play it - and if you don't love the Vagabond then I'm not sure we can be friends.
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 The Scorched Sailor, up for most social actions and RP. Not as scary as he looks.
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Giuliano Pereira
Posts: 1
11/30/2017
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Loved this one! Recently I was pleasantly surprised by the story, and the final choice was pretty tough... The mechanics were also really good and I felt like I was playing an adventure game. One of my favourites!
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Anchovies
Posts: 421
11/30/2017
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The result text for asking the Vagabond about her locket seems to be missing a first paragraph. I had to infer that it contained a photograph of a man, when it really feels like it was meant to be stated outright.
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Perhaps our role on this planet is not to worship God — but to create Him.
—Sir Arthur C Clarke
Lionel Anchovies. Character on indefinite hiatus.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
11/30/2017
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Agreed about the artwork! They'd definitely have to get Helena Bonham Carter to play the Vagabond in the film version. :-)
I'm about halfway through the story, and I'm really enjoying the pacing, the mystery, and the language.
[spoiler] Also, because I'm playing the Nemesis ambition, the references to red honey have an extra resonance for me.[/spoiler]
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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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+3
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Kalix
Posts: 50
11/30/2017
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Did anyone echo what the Repentant Rogue said when you asked him to come back with you? My phone died while I was reading it 😞
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Hattington
Posts: 210
11/30/2017
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Plynkes wrote:
Is that Helena Bonham Carter?
Man, I was WONDERING where I'd seen that face before. Certainly can't unsee it as anyone else, now.
That aside, while I wasn't as blown away as some (the House of Charity carousel was a BIG action sink, argh) I definitely appreciate being able to try Red Honey again, and certainly cared more about the Vagabound than just about every other major NPC in the last 3 ESes. And I normally don't even need a reward to ruin an NPC's life.
Also, if anyone has the ending where she was delivered to the Surface I'd be interested to see how what happens there.
Edit: Oh, and @Kalix right here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hattington?fromEcho=20
edited by Hattington on 11/30/2017
edited by Hattington on 11/30/2017
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The Dawnburnt Vake-Rider: https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/Hattington
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Plynkes
Posts: 631
11/30/2017
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Actually, the more I look it, the more I think it looks like a different Harry Potter actress, Shirley Henderson.
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"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop, but don't tell me."
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Kalix
Posts: 50
11/30/2017
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Edit: Oh, and @Kalix right here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hattington?fromEcho=20
edited by Hattington on 11/30/2017
edited by Hattington on 11/30/2017
Thank you ☺
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Sir Joseph Marlen
Posts: 575
11/30/2017
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[spoiler] Does anyone know what sampling the red honey does? I assume it's the alternative method to unlocking the safe, though I'd prefer confirmation along with any other qualities it may provide.[/spoiler]
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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.
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Miss Zhang
Posts: 9
11/30/2017
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I just started playing two weeks ago, and I signed up just now for the forums just so I could comment how much I love this current story. I became an exceptional friend right away because I wanted the two candles, but I have to confess I was very disappointed/uninterested in last month's story (with the Church and all the politicking). This one is way more what I was hoping to see  I can't wait to explore everything but alas, my candle runs short again.
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I am new and speak plainly. I have not yet adopted the fine airs of Londoners.
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
11/30/2017
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Sir Joseph Marlen wrote:
spoilered text...
[spoiler]You relive some of the Vagabond's memories. You are correct that one of those memories gives the safe combination. Each memory also gives a point of one of the Evidence qualities, and a regular item (I think one gave Vision of the Surface, another a Touching Love Story). I do not recall any other unique qualities.
Echoes start here: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/PSGarak?fromEchoId=13050199
[/spoiler]
edited by PSGarak on 11/30/2017
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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Sir Joseph Marlen
Posts: 575
11/30/2017
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PSGarak wrote:
Sir Joseph Marlen wrote:
spoilered text...
snip
[spoiler]Thanks for the information. Does this affect the story in any way? Or does choosing to sample the honey have no bearing on the story or ending save for rp text?[/spoiler]
edited by Sir Joseph Marlen on 11/30/2017
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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.
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
11/30/2017
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Sir Joseph Marlen wrote:
snip
[spoiler]
Beats me! ¯\(°_o)/¯ I ran out of actions right after doing that part.
[/spoiler]
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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Cthonius
Posts: 362
11/30/2017
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There is a later mention about her being in pain from it, but it's one line with no real bearing
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Cthonius, gone North. Gone.
Oneiropompus, a Scarlet Saint, eager to help make your dreams realities. Accepting all social requests for now.
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Catherine Raymond
Posts: 2518
11/30/2017
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Cthonius wrote:
There is a later mention about her being in pain from it, but it's one line with no real bearing
[spoiler]I am at the climax of the story now, and I believe that if you don't sample the honey, certain endings will be foreclosed.
Or... maybe not. I occurs to me that you learn from the Rake, when you find him, enough information to potentially trigger all three endings. The only way to know is to find people who have NOT tasted the honey and chose each one of the possible endings. [/spoiler]
edited by cathyr19355 on 11/30/2017
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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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