Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
3/12/2018
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Here's this week's thread for short Fallen London questions!
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Sir Frederick, the Libertarian Esotericist. Lord Hubris, the Bloody Baron.
Juniper Brown, the Ill-Fated Orphan. Esther Ellis-Hall, the Fashionable Fabian.
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
3/12/2018
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Happy Treachery of Clocks day to all of you in the US!
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
3/14/2018
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Iona Dre'emt wrote:
Ok, if so then you know the sidebar snippet about the brisk songbird trade and the Foreign Office? Am I allowed to know why that is without Fate?
You can gain access to the Foreign Office without Fate, although it's fairly late-game content (you have to get kicked out of Court). There is additional content in the Foreign Office that you have to pay Fate to access. I'm not entirely sure the issue of songbirds is definitely answered in either the free or Fate-locked content inside the Foreign Office itself, but there are hints.
There is also the Exceptional Story "HOJOTOHO!" which answers this question more directly and is generally ranked highly among Exceptional Stories. As with all Exceptional Stories, you must pay Fate to play it if you didn't have a subscription when it was active.
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
3/15/2018
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Subscribing gives you 31 days of subscription. Some months, if you subscribe the day before the story changes, you can unlock that story, unlock the next one when it changes, and you'll still have a day or two left when the story changes again.
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Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
 Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
3/16/2018
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Waterpls wrote:
Is there a point in Rob a drunk or better wait for Gift card to spend Someone is Coming?
In my situation
Rob a Drunk: 4.02E for 6 CP = 0.67 E/SiC (w/o rare success)
Gift card: 13E for 21 CP = 0.61 E/SiC (souls converted with Spirifage)
So in terms of E/SiC Rob a drunk better but i cant figure out is it better in terms of EpA and/or opportunity cost?
My basic grind is Spirifage ~1.75 EpA
edited by Waterpls on 3/16/2018
I've ran the numbers before, including the action costs of acquiring & turning in SiC. I don't have the full numbers on hand, but the short version is... Robbing a Rat is most profitable, only because of rare successes. I don't know the exact drop rate, but even if it's as low as 2%, that more-than-doubles your expected earnings.
The following is a rough reconstruction of how I came to this conclusion, using numbers from your post or from memory rather than checking everything. From what I remember, the differences are big enough that estimated values are good enough.
If you are a Spirifer than your "Replacement-level Action" is worth 1.74 EPA (I think?). One way of thinking of things is that any time you spend an action, that "costs" you 1.74 Echoes, since that's what you could have used that action for instead. So an action that nets 4.02 Echoes really nets you a 'profit' of 2.28 Echoes, after you discount the Echo value of the Action you spend. So, ignoring the rare success, robbing a rat converts a point of SiC into a profit of 38 pence.
Meanwhile the Capering Relicker gives you 13ish echoes for a single action, for a net profit of 11.25 or so. Even if you play things suboptimally and spend 21 points of SiC instead of the minimum of 10, you convert at 58 pence per point of SiC. The fact that it takes fewer actions is a big differentiator.
But, as noted previously, the Rare Success from the rat is actually a big freaking deal. The Wiki seems to think it's a 1% drop rate, but that one drop is worth 230 Echoes. This increases the expected value of your earnings by a whopping 2.3 echoes per robbery (minus 4 pence). At an average return of 6.3 Echoes per Robbery, minus 1.74 echoes for the action, you get a net profit of 4.56 echoes, which is 76 pence per point of SiC.
In summary... the optimal choice depends on your personal, subjective relationship with the RNG. The rat is technically more profitable, but literally half of your profit depends on how often you hit a 1% rare success. Personally I think of it as like the Fidgeting Writer but more humane: I'm staking profit on the mercy of the RNG, but on a bad day instead of walking away with nothing, I get a consolation prize that's actually good. Technically suboptimal, but still better than even spirifage. Still, if you're averse to banking on rare successes for money, accept the gift from the Capering Relicker instead.
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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Plynkes
Posts: 631
3/14/2018
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Don't quite understand what the problem is there.
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"Then tell Wind and Fire where to stop, but don't tell me."
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dov
Posts: 2580
3/14/2018
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Skinnyman wrote:
Notability has not changed from 9 because it's lower than 10.
Your 'Making Waves' Quality is now 4!
This is what my TtH brought, but I'm 99% certain that my MW was level 9. Hit back Nota 9 on Monday night and didn't bother with any more MW nor did I attended any parties.
I know I read that someone had a similar issue where the text didn't mention the MW level, but MW+1.
Any one else experiencing something similar?
The phrasing has always been confusing, but it's describing the expected behaviour:
You had both Notability and Making Waves at 9:
- First: "Notability has not changed from 9 because it's lower than 10": i.e. had your Notability been 10 or higher, it would have dropped (since your MW is only 9).
- And then: "Your 'Making Waves' Quality is now 4": MW is halved from 9 -> 4 (rounded).
EDIT: rounding rule when halving an odd MW number to be determined. Probably rounds to nearest even number.
edited by dov on 3/15/2018
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Kaijyuu
Posts: 1047
3/14/2018
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The rare success is roughly 5%.
Other easy magnificent diamond options include: Beating up a Minister, from the Implausible Penance card, costing 7 criminals favors. And the Wooden Mask treasure from forgotten quarter expeditions (reasonably common outcome when seeking thieves' caches).
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Be of good cheer. Our contacts have assured us that your sins are forgiven.
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dov
Posts: 2580
3/14/2018
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Skinnyman wrote:
Plynkes wrote:
Don't quite understand what the problem is there. My MW was equal to Notability which caused some confusion. 
Oh, probably that happens when MW = Notability. Went through multiple old TtH mails and seems to be the case.
But if MW > Nota the message is clear: Notability has not changed from 9 because it's lower than 16. Your 'Making Waves' Quality is now 8!
It's always the same message.
Notability drops only if it's higher than MW, so it doesn't drop when it's lower than MW+1:
- "Notability has not changed from (current Notability) because it's lower than (MW+1)"
- "Your 'Making Waves' Quality is now (MW / 2, rounded to nearest even number)"
So, when Notability = 9, MW = 9, you get:
- "Notability has not changed from 9 because it's lower than 10"
- "Your 'Making Waves' Quality is now 4"
When Notability = 9, MW = 15, you get:
- "Notability has not changed from 9 because it's lower than 16"
- "Your 'Making Waves' Quality is now 8"
(I'm guessing about the rounding rule, but it seems to fit).
--
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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suinicide
Posts: 2409
3/13/2018
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curtistruffle wrote:
Hello friends! I'm going to spend a little Fate soon and looking for a choice. A question: Does a Fate-locked option on a Decomissioned Steamer card worth unlocking? What is there? A single storybox or something more? Are there any interesing lore? And/or a handsome reward? I do not demand a copy of texts and a list of rewards, slight clues would be enough! If such clues are unapproved in public place, you may PM me, either here on forum or in-game (if so, mr. Priest is in charge). Thanks in forward!
Its generally considered worth seeing once, with interesting text hinting towards the masters and east. You get some connected masters and a bazaar permit.
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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.
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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1789
3/13/2018
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I had no idea I got Connected: Masters from the option, when I played it.
Perhaps a better choice would be the Fate-locked conversation with the Wry Functionary. Most actions cost nothing, his story is VERY interesting, and it plays out first in his card, and then in a series of opportunity cards. I really recommend it.
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Lover of all things beautiful, secret admirer of ugly truths, fond of the Parabola Sun... and always delighted to role play.
http://fallenlondon.com/profile/Jolanda%20Swan
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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
3/16/2018
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RNG can be a curse or a blessing. On that SiC run I got my first rare success after 102 attempts, the second after a whopping 226, but 3rd was after only 19.
Most certain the rare success is 1% as it stands up after 598 attempts so, long term, each point of SiC is worth ~1.02E while robbing a rat. Taking the rough E value of the card, you can safely use it while on SiC 4+2 if you can't hold it for too long.
Not sure, but I think 300 Souls are worth around 9E for a Spirifer so you can go for the card at 4+3 easily if you manage to "lose" your soul! 
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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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Holden
Posts: 22
3/17/2018
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I have two separate accounts, which I flip cards on compulsively, and on neither of them have I seen a single Chess dreams card once this year. Hell: the newer of the two is a PoSI with all stats naturally higher than 130, and it still has Chess Dreams 0. Am I just getting the most utterly bizarre RNG in the world, or is there something wrong with the chess dreams?
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Ophelia Caldecott is probably burgling something from your lodgings as you read this.
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
3/17/2018
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There's very few Chess dreams cards, and iirc they're all rather rare. It was the last dream I maxed by quite a ways.
Skinnyman wrote:
Jolanda Swan wrote:
Well having overcapped my Persuasive, and with max gear on, the reward was better than before the overcap. So I am guessing it scales accordingly!
Talking about Memories. You somehow got 4?
I thought that the Memories just gave a set range, and it was the RN where the upper bound scaled with stats? That's the impression I had with the equivalent option on the Constables card. Of course, I never tried either option with low stats.
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Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Meradine Heidenreich
Posts: 468
3/17/2018
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@ Holden
The RNG hates you. I have chess dreams at the same level as all the others (16) except Burial of the Dead (way ahead at 22) and What the Thunder Said (low due to visiting divine mind).
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Meradine%20Heidenreich
The Starveling kit
Gobbled up the bit
of cheese on my tray ..
"O Weh!"
No plant battles, please.
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
3/18/2018
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Sounds like a question for support.
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Optimatum, a ruthless and merciful gentleman. No plant battles, Affluent Photographer requests, or healing offers; all other social actions welcome.
Want a sip of Cider? Just say hi!
PM me for information enigmatic or Fated. Though the forum please, not FL itself.
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Aniline
Posts: 144
3/18/2018
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Holden wrote:
I have two separate accounts, which I flip cards on compulsively, and on neither of them have I seen a single Chess dreams card once this year. Hell: the newer of the two is a PoSI with all stats naturally higher than 130, and it still has Chess Dreams 0. Am I just getting the most utterly bizarre RNG in the world, or is there something wrong with the chess dreams?
I have the same problem with chess dreams on my alt. She's a POSI now and still Recalling the Surface because I want to see the chess option that requires it. No chess cards whatsoever.
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Melantha Prescott, the Suspicious Statistician. "3% failure chances crop up nine times out of ten."
Francesca Ayers-Kernighan, bat-hunter, cat-whisperer
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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
3/16/2018
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Waterpls wrote:
Is there a point in Rob a drunk or better wait for Gift card to spend Someone is Coming?
In my situation
Rob a Drunk: 4.02E for 6 CP = 0.67 E/SiC (w/o rare success)
Gift card: 13E for 21 CP = 0.61 E/SiC (souls converted with Spirifage)
Relicker card requires level 4 of SiC (10CP), but consumes 20 CP. Best is to keep track of your SiC when above 4; if card pops at 4+2/3 use it otherwise keep in it hand until 5+1, rob a rat and use the card.
It depends on your favour amount, possibility of keeping the Relicker card and probably other factors.
My approach is to always have rubbery favours above 5 as it offers the best constable cashin, but also a solution to revolutionary favours (if too many). If rubbery vs tomb card pops I save the former. Even if tomb vs soc is a nice card you can always gather 6-7 soc favours and cash in those in the court (3 for 5 signs) which is a decent EPA.
--
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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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
3/16/2018
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Speaking of Persuasive, did anyone who has maximum possible level (mood included) got a better result on the Bohemian card using the Blemmi option?
At 250+ the reward is better, but wondered if that changes at 300.
Cheers!
--
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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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1789
3/16/2018
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Well having overcapped my Persuasive, and with max gear on, the reward was better than before the overcap. So I am guessing it scales accordingly!
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Lover of all things beautiful, secret admirer of ugly truths, fond of the Parabola Sun... and always delighted to role play.
http://fallenlondon.com/profile/Jolanda%20Swan
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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
3/16/2018
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Jolanda Swan wrote:
Well having overcapped my Persuasive, and with max gear on, the reward was better than before the overcap. So I am guessing it scales accordingly!
Talking about Memories. You somehow got 4?
--
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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+1
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