James StAnthony
Administrator
Posts: 28
7/25/2019
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The Exceptional Story for August is here!
A sensitive Ministry operation gone wrong. A secretive Revolutionary cell blown open. Journey to a farther shore to discover a secret lost beyond retrieve? Will you take up the Boatman's oar?
The Shallows is the third story in the Season of Bargains, and was written by Gavin Inglis. In this season you will experience three stories of desperate deals, precarious alliances and prices that must be paid.
Begin with the Season of Bargains card, available throughout London.
Editing and QA: James Chew and Olivia Wood
Art by: Tobias Cook
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 members’ 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 Bargains will make you eligible for an additional opportunity, to follow.
If you want to keep an Exceptional Story beyond its release month, you must complete the related storylet in the current Season’s card. This will save it for you to return to another time.
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Azothi
Posts: 586
7/26/2019
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It's also worth noting that Gavin Inglis, the writer for this story, also wrote "The Calendar Code", furthering this connection.
[spoiler]I suspect that October is a new character who we haven't met before, but if she were to be someone we've met in the past, I would suggest Carrywell, a Permanent Surgeon at Venderbight encountered in Nemesis, as a candidate. The Grand Sanatorium is described as being something "between an insane asylum and a crypt", and for those with knowledge of the Red-Handed Queen via dreams, a Tomb-Colonist in Venderbight outright refers to Carrywell (who you are looking for) as the Red-Handed Queen.
We know that Carrywell is ruthless bordering on cruel, and she is extracting vital information from the Grand Sanatorium for something; her purpose is not revealed in Nemesis, but the Calendar Council is a possibility. With her status in the Tomb-Colonies, permanent death - the route taken by the revolutionaries here - would be one of the only escapes from her in the Neath.
Furthermore, considering her connections to the Red-Handed Queen (parallels that exist even if she herself is not an avatar), it would explain just how she was able to kill Mirrors: the Red-Handed Queen exists in dreams, and "She can slay as easily as cholera" - that kind of foe just might be enough to bring down a Curator. Furthermore, this makes narrative sense, as I suspect October, whoever she is, will be appearing in the final chapter of Nemesis. Of all the Ambitions, Nemesis is the only one with a hook that doesn't lead to Parabola: October killing Mirrors is precisely the hook that sets up how the PC can exact revenge on Cups/Mirrors and have the finale set in Parabola without treading on the feet of Bag a Legend.
[/spoiler]
--
Azoth I, the Emissary of Cardinals - A Paramount Presence (not currently accepting new Proteges)
Away to where the Chain cannot bind us.
 Hesperidean.
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Lorelai
Posts: 59
7/26/2019
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oooooookay so I WASN'T creeped out by this ES, just delighted by the wonderful story telling
[spoiler]...until I started getting dream cards from the controller in places I SHOULD NOT BE GETTING THEM. Like in my "Polite Invitation" deck. What the crap guys that's terrifying.[/spoiler]
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Mythlore
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Azothi
Posts: 586
7/26/2019
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Wait, that can happen? That's brilliant. There's nothing quite like the dissonance that comes from intentionally subverting game mechanics.
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Azoth I, the Emissary of Cardinals - A Paramount Presence (not currently accepting new Proteges)
Away to where the Chain cannot bind us.
Hesperidean.
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
7/26/2019
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loredeluxe wrote:
Here's the big revelation from this month's Exceptional Story. Be warned it will likely change how you look at certain characters.
-snip-
Please discuss below.
[spoiler]Given the mysterious figure is controlling a group of revolutionaries, and given information from The Calendar Code, it seems likely that she is October. This is the first time we've gotten a story about her, but her book in The Calendar Code was about using nightmares to control the population, so it seems to fit.[/spoiler]
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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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0bsidian Fire
Posts: 117
7/25/2019
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Well, this is convenient! The starting decision gave me my last Constable Favor needed to get the Constable 40 Renown Item (The Place Where They Bury the Bodies) and the story then sent me right to the River where I would need to go to get the item anyway!
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Kharagal Mierqid - Bohemian Correspondent who is obsessed with the Language of Stars...
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JaneAnkhVeos
Posts: 132
7/25/2019
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The Boatman’s holiday report is perfect. I’m almost envious.
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|| the Nocturnal Nostalgist, pawnbroker of dreams and memories ||
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Blaine Davidson
Posts: 388
7/28/2019
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loredeluxe wrote:
I always find it interesting when people are so devoted to RP that they will cast aside the primary Exceptional Friendship benefit of guaranteed monthly stories just so their character does die in game. I can respect people who have a certain level of devotion, but, as much as I love Fallen London lore, it boggles the mind why someone would choose not to do something that they pay real life money for. I personally could never see myself willfully not doing content I basically paid five dollars for the sake of roleplaying, but I nonetheless still respect people willing to go that far.
I refuse to get a spouse despite the huge number of benefits I'd get (namely, BDR) because my character is asexual.
Same thing with tattoos. God, grinding up Notability would have been so much easier over the years.
--
Blaine Davidson, a reserved and sensible woman with a fondness of collecting rarities.
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elderfleur
Posts: 77
7/30/2019
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Very pleased (as ever) with the Airs snippets, which definitely help set the mood, especially [spoiler] the "Thin Airs" during the Chess Match. [/spoiler]
Special mention to this piece of work:
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—Elderfleur
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babelfishwars
Administrator
Posts: 1152
7/28/2019
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xKiv wrote:
OK, so the storylet for approaching the boatman requires exactly 40 dark ripples, and going in after declining to kill myself apparently gives exactly 41, so there must be something else to do, perhaps in the opportunity deck?
At least I am a hopsidirean and can hop back to the world of living in a single action ...
Hello, this was my fault! I fixed a bug and ah broke something else. If you die again, you'll be able to progress. (Now there's a sentence to take out of context.) Sorry about that!
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Mars, God of Fish; Leaning Tower of Fish
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loredeluxe
Posts: 106
7/28/2019
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I always find it interesting when people are so devoted to RP that they will cast aside the primary Exceptional Friendship benefit of guaranteed monthly stories just so their character does die in game. I can respect people who have a certain level of devotion, but, as much as I love Fallen London lore, it boggles the mind why someone would choose not to do something that they pay real life money for. I personally could never see myself willfully not doing content I basically paid five dollars for the sake of roleplaying, but I nonetheless still respect people willing to go that far.
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
7/25/2019
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Content warning for suicide in this one, folks!
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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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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1783
7/25/2019
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Beautiful opening! Possibly helpful hint: make sure your favors aren't topped up.
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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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Severinus
Posts: 23
7/31/2019
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I just became an exceptional friend and just wanted to pop in to say that i'm excited for my first of these free stories .
Have not read the rest of the thread and just wanted to express my joy at the moment.
I hope to gain as much joy from these as the rest of you gain 
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Severinus
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NNNnobody
Posts: 103
8/6/2019
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I must admit, my favourite moment from this ES was when I decided to die by leaping from one of the Bazaar's spires... and got an Aeolian Scream out of it!
I could imagine it very vividly!
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/NNNnobody
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Cadwyn Knivlove
Posts: 37
8/1/2019
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Sir Joseph Marlen wrote:
Oh boy, ambiguous choices! Both terrifying and exciting! I could use some help, if you don't mind.
[spoiler]Would anyone mind telling me the outcome or effect between the choices of taking your passengers back vs leaving them on the Far Shore? I'd like to ruminate on my options a bit, both in how things will turn out for me and these poor souls.[/spoiler]
It didn't have any story consequences for me, but doing something the boatman wouldn't imposes a very minor and easily removed disadvantage on something you'll need to do, later. It just determines the fates of your passengers, so I'd say pick whatever your character would!
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Meradine Heidenreich
Posts: 468
8/3/2019
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olicole wrote:
I'm a paid up Exceptional Friend, but my Season of Bargains only contains 'Consult the Nervous Lawyer'. Am I doing something wrong?
If you haven't got the gold framed storylet "The Shallows" -- two people playing chess? And there is no option on the Season of Bargains card to trigger the story, you should drop a line to support and ask them to fix it. They won't be around until Monday, but they are always very quick to respond and unfailingly helpful.
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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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Vavakx Nonexus
Posts: 892
7/25/2019
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Immediate shout-out to Tobias Cook for the art - the Boatman looks delectably grisly in the dim candlelight, and all the little cracks and scratches and other details are a delight!
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Amets Estibariz, the Moulting Eidolon: Cradled by a sun all their own.
Blabbing, the Hobo Everyone Knows: The One Who Pulls The Strings. A Clarity In The Darkness.
Charlotte and the Caretaker: A family?
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loredeluxe
Posts: 106
7/26/2019
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[spoiler]Considering all the evidence that's compiled here, I would say it all adds up to October being the mystery woman from the Exceptional Story and that she is in fact the Red Handed Queen. Her being Carrywell is also a very likely outcome as well.[/spoiler]
Stuff like this is a testament to how complicated the lore for the game can get. This conclusion was reached with information spanning dreams, multiple Exceptional Stories, and even an Ambition.
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MidnightVoyager
Posts: 858
7/30/2019
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Jolanda Swan wrote:
I doubt they will force it. This is, after all, a game about choices. Still, losing an ES is probably frustrating. Perhaps they didn't realise that so many people made not dying a part of their RP?
And maybe it can be fixed by that death NOT going into your record? Not dying per se but rather finding your way to the Boatman?
There is no record of death. Dying doesn't change anything in the game.
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Midnight Voyager - A blood-cousin to predators. Collector of beasts. Affably mad.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
7/29/2019
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A lot of people avoid dying for understandable RP reasons - the desire to avoid cross a threshold that definitely condemns them to the Netherworld. For me that's not a huge deal. Even without dying, prolonged stay in the Neath in itself implants an aspect of illegality into ones body (the Empress's Shadow established that even too long of a vacation can be fatal). My character has visited Hell, has eaten a ton of zee monsters, and has consumed enough honey to float Death's boat, so it would probably be suicidal to return to the Surface at this point for anything but a quick sneak and peak (and even that would be extremely risky). Though dying would probably make that even more dangerous than it already is...
It's just...not dying feels like an accomplishment, and not one I'm inclined to just throw away, you know? If death resulted from failing a challenge, bungling my menaces, or choosing a sacrificial trade off, that's totally fair, that's the game mechanics. But to be made to actively choose death after so long and successfully avoided? There's a strong feeling of hesitation there.
This doesn't mean there's something wrong with the story requiring this for its continuation. If anything I really applaud the innovation being displayed here on multiple levels (seriously, it sounds great!). It's just...the prospect of forever staring at a leering skull at the top of my menu is a little annoying and it would be nice to have an active opt out of the story (an early conclusion) for those of us who haven't met the boatman and and have no wish to.
.
edited by Anne Auclair on 7/29/2019
--
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Lorelai
Posts: 59
7/26/2019
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Apparently it can now! I was extremely disturbed so A+ job devs
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Mythlore
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xKiv
Posts: 846
7/28/2019
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Anne Auclair wrote:
xKiv wrote:
Anne Auclair wrote:
In the story, out of curiosity, can you choose not to kill yourself? And if so, what happens then?
Is suppose this is not much of a spoiler, since it makes sense: it is the end of this exceptional story ... until you die.
Wait, wha?
That's literaly what the game says.
Nothing else is different. In both cases, you can do whatever, and the story won't continue until you die. But it will still be there, waiting for you, pouncing on you as soon as you show up at the slow river. Pouncing with a storylet you can ignore.
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https://www.fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/xKiv - a witchful, percussive, dangermous and shadowry scholar of coexplodence, hopsidirean, and walker of fallen kitties.
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Lorelai
Posts: 59
7/28/2019
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[spoiler] I also have yet to see a second controller dream card since the first one. Shame, I wish I'd thought to grab a screenie.
What happened for me was, I jumped right into the Polite Invitation card after finishing the ES, and when I drew from the deck there was a gold rimmed card with a Carnival style mask. When I clicked on it, the resulting text was me getting visited by the controller in a dream, and her telling me she knew what I was doing and that I'd better quit while I was ahead, basically.
It was creepy as ****, I wish I'd gotten into the habit of echoing things. [/spoiler]
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Mythlore
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
7/29/2019
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[spoiler]Incidentally, does this story support the theory that each Month of the Calendar Council has a Master they particularly oppose? If the unnamed controller is indeed October, and she is indeed the dedicated opponent of Mr Mirrors, that puts her alongside February for Mr Iron and the old March for Mr Wines.[/spoiler]
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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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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1783
7/26/2019
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...and I just got a little surprise. The story keeps gtting better and better.
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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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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
7/26/2019
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[spoiler]Oh, man, there's a hat? I'm almost sorry I won![/spoiler]
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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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Burly_Jim
Posts: 6
7/25/2019
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This was a really excellent ES, with some great lore about what follows the river. I do wonder if it's possible to win the match at the end, and if it changes your reward. (Apologies for no spoiler text, I'm new enough I don't know how to do it. Although I've been vague enough, I hope.)
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loredeluxe
Posts: 106
7/25/2019
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Here's the big revelation from this month's Exceptional Story. Be warned it will likely change how you look at certain characters.
[spoiler]It turns out that Mr Mirrors has been dead all along. A mysterious woman, I presume to be the Red Handed Queen from the chess dreams, has gained great power over dream and uses nightmares as her weapons. She used this power to lure in Mr Mirrors and destroy him, gaining greater dominion over mirrors in the Neath. For anyone who's played the Nemesis Ambition, you will know Mr Mirrors are Mr Cups are supposed to be the same being. This heavily implies that there were two separate Masters but Cup took over the role of Mirrors after the real Mirrors died.[/spoiler]
Please discuss below.
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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1783
7/25/2019
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This was easily the scariest Fallen London story I ever played. I loved it. The writing, the locations, the new characters, the flow, the lore, everything. It was also relatively straightforward -full of decisions and deliberations, but there was no danger of losing something because you forgot to turn one corner in a storylet. Congratulations!
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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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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1783
7/27/2019
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MaxCaulfield wrote:
Damn it, it requires for you to die in order to continue the story, but for sake of rp I can't continue story, as my character avoids death (not a single death so far) in order to be able return to the surface. There kinda should be more clear cut warning, than paying a "price" because price could mean many things.
Max, I had the same issue a year ago, and then I died accidentally in the Carnival. So I decided to grind a cider, which took a year and a half but ended up being lots of fun. I imagine with the new Heists, expeditions etc it must be quicker still. So perhaps, save the story and go for it after the Cider?
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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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Azothi
Posts: 586
7/31/2019
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Cadwyn Knivlove wrote:
Speculation on the reveal below. My reply is entirely under the spoiler.
[spoiler]Cadwyn Knivlove wrote:
I don't think Mr Mirrors is actually destroyed, since we know just how hard it is to kill a Master in the Neath. We haven't gotten another You-Know-Who situation, but who knows, Parabola has different rules and maybe being killed there just destroys you? I seem to recall Mr Cup's connection to dreams being something that helped what remain... remain. Anyways, it seems more likely to me that it's just banished from London/locked in Parabola. For what it's worth, the weapon designed to kill the Vake can only be used in Parabola, where reality is a little less restrictive. As a note, though, the Jolly Anchorite in Sunless Skies also offers evidence for both Mirrors being truly dead and Mirrors being trapped in Parabola.
The Jolly Anchorite wrote:
The Saint of Tapers and the Saint in the Glass. We never speak their names. One we have hope of seeking, the other is gone. Wherever Mirrors has gone, it's apparently a place that humans cannot follow. Given that we have a decent track record for exploring Parabola, if Mirrors is trapped there, it'd have to have more layers of defense to keep us out (a labyrinth of nightmares, perhaps) - but that might as well be death for all it's worth. And, of course, Mirrors is named the Saint in the Glass: in Parabola, perhaps.
[/spoiler]
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Azoth I, the Emissary of Cardinals - A Paramount Presence (not currently accepting new Proteges)
Away to where the Chain cannot bind us.
Hesperidean.
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Lady Karnstein
Posts: 278
7/31/2019
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Wow that was...dark. A good, well written story, but pretty dark. I'm impressed though.
Caroline does not want to give up what she got at the end though, extra story bit or not.
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Lady Caroline Karnstein, The Moral Hedonist (Description)
Infamous writer, artist, and courtesan. Unrepentant Invert. Hesperidean.
Paramount Presence, Correspondent, Nocturnal. Poet Laureate of the Neath, Ambassador to Arbor
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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
7/31/2019
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Azothi wrote:
Cadwyn Knivlove wrote:
Speculation on the reveal below. My reply is entirely under the spoiler. I remember reading on reddit few days ago
[spoiler]that any Master can be killed and the fuss about Mr. is only because the way it happened[/spoiler]
It was a user quoting someone from FBG. Hope I remember correctly!
--
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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Pnakotic
Posts: 266
7/31/2019
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The Curious Watcher wrote:
If anyone is Closest to the Revolutionaries, can they please show the echoes associated with those options?
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/J.%20Ward%20Dunn/16555134
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/J.%20Ward%20Dunn/16559328
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J. Ward Dunn, Glassman
Book of All Hours 9:99: Journey's end in lover's meeting. Progress is ascendancy.
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theonie
Posts: 77
8/1/2019
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MidnightVoyager wrote:
Jolanda Swan wrote:
The two possible items you get from chess will be surrendered at the season epilogue, correct?
I really don't know why they'd do that? I mean, if they wanted nobody to do the season epilogue, sure, they'd have the useful items surrendered in the epilogue.
But didn't that just happen with last season's epilogue? One of the items was useful, as I recall, and I'd rather have kept it, except the Toymaker epilogue story was so adorable.
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theonie, an inescapable, midnight, terrifying, and irresistible lady. All social actions except Affluent Photographer welcome. As a Midnighter, will gladly accept all invitations to Orphanages.
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Sir Joseph Marlen
Posts: 575
8/1/2019
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Oh boy, ambiguous choices! Both terrifying and exciting! I could use some help, if you don't mind.
[spoiler]Would anyone mind telling me the outcome or effect between the choices of taking your passengers back vs leaving them on the Far Shore? I'd like to ruminate on my options a bit, both in how things will turn out for me and these poor souls.[/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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Cadwyn Knivlove
Posts: 37
7/31/2019
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Speculation on the reveal below.
[spoiler] So, as of now, it seems we have an answer to a few questions! Namely, "are Mr Cups and Mr Mirrors really the same person?" and "if so, why is there an extra crime on "A secret about the Masters?".
The implication seems to be that Mr Cups and Mr Mirrors were separate entities until recently, when Mr Mirrors vanished and Mr Cups took up its mantle. This makes sense as to why Mr Mirrors is so removed from the game, and adds some cool complications to a certain Ambition.
I don't think Mr Mirrors is actually destroyed, since we know just how hard it is to kill a Master in the Neath. We haven't gotten another You-Know-Who situation, but who knows, Parabola has different rules and maybe being killed there just destroys you? I seem to recall Mr Candles' connection to dreams being something that helped what remain... remain. Anyways, it seems more likely to me that it's just banished from London/locked in Parabola.
Also, now that Mr Apples/Mr Hearts/The-Wings-Of-Thunder-Bat/The Chiropterous Hoarder is the only Master actually using alter egos, like, from the beginning (unless there's another secret Master, of course), "impersonation, and the delivering of false testimony" is starting to look like its crime. As for Mr Cups... "glass-whispering. And worse: charity"? It does seem to have a running theme of charity, and the first part implies some interesting stuff about the whole situation we now know about. I have no idea what Mr Mirror's is... "idleness, and the dwelling-on of dreams" works, but then again, it could be about Mr Spices? Hmmmmmmm.
[/spoiler]
edited by cadwynknivlove on 8/1/2019
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MidnightVoyager
Posts: 858
7/31/2019
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Anne Auclair wrote:
MidnightVoyager wrote:
Jolanda Swan wrote:
I doubt they will force it. This is, after all, a game about choices. Still, losing an ES is probably frustrating. Perhaps they didn't realise that so many people made not dying a part of their RP?
And maybe it can be fixed by that death NOT going into your record? Not dying per se but rather finding your way to the Boatman?
There is no record of death. Dying doesn't change anything in the game.
The story itself is a record of dying.
EDIT: And there's the Boatman of course. Your meetings with him are definitely tracked.
.
edited by Anne Auclair on 7/30/2019
You're being really obtuse here. I was merely saying that the game does not specifically record death at all in any way like a criminal record. It may even just assume you have died if it ever needs to be referred to. There is no Death Counter.
Also you can easily die without any reference to meeting the Boatman. The only quality I have related to him is all the chess I played with him. It doesn't track anything but chess.
edited by MidnightVoyager on 7/31/2019
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Midnight Voyager - A blood-cousin to predators. Collector of beasts. Affably mad.
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Gul al-Ahlaam
Posts: 225
8/7/2019
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Absolutely spectacular. I adored My Kingdom for a Pig, though I wasn't really around enough to mention it at the time, but this is just spectacular.
[spoiler]And if October really is Dr. Carrywell, and this is hinting at more Carrywell content to come, then I am EXTREMELY EXCITED. The best character! Back at last! And you know Gul will be working with her, other affiliations be damned. >:3 [/spoiler]
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The Uncanny Hierophant.
The Jewel-Eyed Prince.
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Flyingfly
Posts: 5
8/7/2019
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Agree that the fall from the spire of Bazaar gives a rather breathtaking beginning and I can't believe I didn't take a note... It seems that I only started taking notes after I met the Boatman. Sigh. The design of climbing up to something significantly high just to seek a dramatic death is fascinating. Even the death is not permanent. It reminds me the movie City of Angels in which the angels have to fall to become human. Although my character would be more likely to describe herself as a devil, I guess.
A fall in the fallen-city? Sarcastic.
(By the way, I wonder if it's possible to make it a repeatable challenge at Bazaar Side Streets or somewhere else to ensure a convenient death, just like what we have now in the House of Mirrors. God that place HURTS.)
I don't know much about FL background knowledge so I mainly enjoyed it as a story. And it is a good one. The building of the three characters are common but touching. I kept telling myself "the next one is definitely going to the far shore" but still let all of them go. The first two, at least. Particularly I like the lore of the Explorer in Waswood. Can she literally stay there if I always remember her? Or do I really?
Also, this is the first time I know that the items I gained from ES might be taken back... I've only played five ES and it never happened, though maybe it's because they didn't gave any equipable items. I really hope I can keep my lovable lantern, even without the Dreaded or Bizarre thing. Please, I've beat the Boatman to make the fellow get back to his work, at least something to put on the mantelpiece for a memorial.
Anyway, good story. Can't wait to play the next ES.
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PSGarak
Posts: 834
8/14/2019
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I was a bit late coming to this story, but I have to say that I am a big fan. Aside from the one BIG LORE DROP, there is a lot to appreciate. The three (four? five?) primary characters have limited screen time, but each make themselves characters that are more than just game obstacles. It was interesting to see the different personalities, and how the player-character had to take very different approaches to convince each. Even with the help of mystic/cosmic/whatever powers, the characters will still people.
I also appreciate that the mechanics were different for each character. This was a subtle thing, but it reinforced the story aspect that you were taking different approaches to convincing them. It also helped the pacing of the story--several ES's use the same mechanic for two or three segments. While perfectly fine on its own (and the mirrored repetition can be used for great effect, e.g. The Century Exhibition), I felt it helped greatly ensure that the gameplay was not monotonous. Each character has a mechanical period where you have to say "ok, what am I trying to do this time," which is great symmetry for what the player-character is doing.
So.
Lore question, that have not seem anyone else bring up in this thread.
[spoiler]
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/PSGarak/16618150
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/PSGarak/16566862
THE DEPARTMENT OF RESTFUL SLEEP WAS AN INSIDE JOB
[/spoiler]
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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The Curious Watcher
Posts: 263
8/14/2019
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Like Mr Mirror's room (https://www.fallenlondon.com/Profile/ashdenej/10449720), the Dept. of Restful Sleep also remove pieces from mirrors to remove some of their power.
July also mentions this in "Lost in Reflections" that making the mirror whole restores its full power (https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Den%20Blackwell/14724582). Given that the Dept. manages crimes within dreams, it makes sense for them to collect a hallway of broken mirrors.
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The Thirteenth Master of the Bazaar:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Thirteenth%20Master%20of%20the%20Bazaar
The Silent Vake Hunter: GONE NORTH
The Ravenous Wanderer:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Ravenous%20Wanderer
The Melancholic End-Bringer:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Melancholic%20End-Bringer
The Lethal Nightmare:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Lethal%20Nightmare
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
8/14/2019
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Personally, I interpreted that tidbit as implying that the Department might be under the purview of Mr Mirrors.
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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
8/15/2019
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Optimatum wrote:
Personally, I interpreted that tidbit as implying that the Department might be under the purview of Mr Mirrors.
Which, y'know, given the other thing... what does that mean about it now?
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http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/PSGarak
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silurica
Posts: 210
10/10/2019
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I just got the chance to play this, it's one of my favorites now. Straightforward mechanics, good characterization, and intriguing lore. My Nemesis character has a lot to ponder about after this, and I surely hope the masked woman will make a reappearance in the future.
Now, I got a few questions: did anyone choose to remain in the boat when the opportunity showed itself? If so, was there any ending unique to having fewer clues? Or would you get the final sixth clue regardless of your choice at that point? I figured from the warnings that you can only get the sixth clue if you choose to get off from the boat, then noticed that the ending choices available to me required six clues.
edited by silurica on 10/10/2019
--
 Meika Osborne, the Reckless Researcher
 Leonard West, the Scarlet Informant
 Chizuru Nishiooji, the Rueful Ex-Diplomat
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
8/1/2019
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Cadwyn Knivlove wrote:
Azothi wrote:
Cadwyn Knivlove wrote:
Speculation on the reveal below. My reply is entirely under the spoiler.
-snip-
[spoiler]While Mr Mirrors seems to be "lost" rather than outright dead, I think the implication for Nemesis is that the player will use Parabola to get revenge on Cups. Since October's banishment of Mirrors seems to have happened a while ago, my guess is that Cups was the real orchestrator of Nemesis, just in its other guise.[/spoiler]
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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
8/2/2019
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Lady Karnstein wrote:
Caroline has gotten (stuff) from Exceptional Stories, so it happens.
Let me add the knapt to that.
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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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Akernis
Posts: 255
7/25/2019
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Wow! That picture is gorgeous! My compliments to the artist for this one.
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Vena's profile - http://fallenlondon.com/Profile/Akernis
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Skinnyman
Posts: 2133
7/25/2019
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I was just blown away by the art and the style! Congratulations to Tobias Cook!
James StAnthony wrote:
Journey to a farther shore to discover a secret lost beyond retrieve? Will you take up the Boatman's oar? I do wonder what kind of shore we are talking about.
Because I am far behind ES, please post here if you find any rare qualities or item requirements for this one!
--
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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The Curious Watcher
Posts: 263
7/25/2019
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If anyone is Closest to the Revolutionaries, can they please show the echoes associated with those options?
--
The Thirteenth Master of the Bazaar:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Thirteenth%20Master%20of%20the%20Bazaar
The Silent Vake Hunter: GONE NORTH
The Ravenous Wanderer:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Ravenous%20Wanderer
The Melancholic End-Bringer:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Melancholic%20End-Bringer
The Lethal Nightmare:
https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/The%20Lethal%20Nightmare
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Diptych
Administrator
Posts: 3493
7/25/2019
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[spoiler]The Boatman appears to have briefly considered becoming the protagonist of Where the Water Tastes Like Wine. Which is, I grant you, a good way to meet interesting people.[/spoiler]
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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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Arcanuse
Posts: 89
7/25/2019
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Win? Yes. Though I couldn't say if the reward was any different.
Quite enjoyed the story. Might have to drop by the boatman a bit more often, after this.
Although... [spoiler] The story doesn't quite seem to be over. Strange dreams ahead.[/spoiler]
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Arcanuse
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Optimatum
Posts: 3666
7/25/2019
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Burly_Jim wrote:
This was a really excellent ES, with some great lore about what follows the river. I do wonder if it's possible to win the match at the end, and if it changes your reward. (Apologies for no spoiler text, I'm new enough I don't know how to do it. Although I've been vague enough, I hope.)
[spoiler]Winning the match gives the Boatman's Lantern instead of the hat. As both are 2 BDR the hat is probably better, since there's no free hats that match it.
It does look like it may be possible to tie the game though! We'll have to wait and see what that does.[/spoiler]
--
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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Calliope
Posts: 99
7/29/2019
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Goshdarn it. Calliope has like one boundary she refuses to cross if she can well help it, and that is the boundary of Death. Well that and the integrity of her soul, point being she does not want to lose her control of either of those. She's seen what happens to those that die again and again, and while she remains achingly far from Immortal Cider, she's not willing to loosen that barrier. That one ministry guy might be waiting for a long, long time...
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Calliope%20Rannis
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Magpie Dandy
Posts: 13
7/29/2019
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The same as others, Lady Magpie would not like to give in to death so readily.
Well I have something to look forward to one day.
Based on the ominous text, I was worried they would force the matter with a surprise opportunity card.
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/profile/Magpie_Dandy
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Ixc
Posts: 365
7/30/2019
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[spoiler]
As far as I can tell, dying is not actually recorded with a quality. However, I agree that we could have done the story without actually dying, like in one of the Season Epilogues. I thought by the story’s title we wouldn’t be exploring the River proper, but ‘the shallows’ or some part that is closer to our world.
It was fun to smack people into the river with a paddle, though.
[/spoiler]
--
Pleased to meet you. Ixc, spy and detective. Inventor of the Correspondence Cannon.
Are you a Paramount Presence? Record your name here. For posterity, of course.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
7/30/2019
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MidnightVoyager wrote:
Jolanda Swan wrote:
I doubt they will force it. This is, after all, a game about choices. Still, losing an ES is probably frustrating. Perhaps they didn't realise that so many people made not dying a part of their RP?
And maybe it can be fixed by that death NOT going into your record? Not dying per se but rather finding your way to the Boatman?
There is no record of death. Dying doesn't change anything in the game.
The story itself is a record of dying.
EDIT: And there's the Boatman of course. Your meetings with him are definitely tracked.
.
edited by Anne Auclair on 7/30/2019
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Anne Auclair
Posts: 2215
7/28/2019
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In the story, out of curiosity, can you choose not to kill yourself? And if so, what happens then?
I've also managed to avoid Death so far and I'm in no hurry to meet him.
.
edited by Anne Auclair on 7/28/2019
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http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Anne%20Auclair
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Jolanda Swan
Posts: 1783
7/26/2019
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Damn! Now I want them too! Come on, RNG, be nice.
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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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