Fallen London where BG3, Dishonored, and Stellaris writers gather
There is a hidden nexus, a deep subterranean chamber where the narrative architects behind some of gaming’s most beloved epics gather. These are the minds who crafted the perfect endings for expansive worlds like Destiny in The Final Shape, who made sense of the complex strategy and story of Stellaris, and who spun up the irresistible, sardonic charm of a character like Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3. They all find their collective canvas in Fallen London, a magnificent and sprawling text-based RPG born from the creative minds behind Sunless Sea.
This isn’t just a game you play; it’s a living, breathing world that operates as a near-bottomless brunch of comic and cosmic horror. Set beneath the waves, the game weaves an intricate network of choice-driven, literary stories that have been meticulously woven together over more than a decade and a half. It is a constantly evolving environment, riddled with intriguing mysteries set against the backdrop of a sunken Victorian capital city.
While players are often engrossed in pursuing overarching main quests that transform them into gadabouts and magnates, the true magic of Fallen London lies in its exceptional, bite-sized content. These are the Exceptional Stories—premium, entry-level quests that arrive monthly, as regular as a ratwork watch. Crucially, these narratives are not developed in-house, but are handed off to freelance contributors, giving them an unpredictable, anthology feel that perfectly reflects the unique tastes and personalities of the writers.
These episodic tales introduce new characters whose fates are decided by the story’s end, creating a tapestry of bizarre and brilliant human (and non-human) drama. One such piece plunges the reader into the sinister realm of The Goblin Poet, a story that follows a cult of BDSM bohemians as they seek the beauty of the Red-Handed Queen, using their own lifeblood as paint in the horrific Reddest Keep. The attitudes of the infatuated artists, obsessed with impossible ideals of womanhood, ultimately unravel the queen, exposing the fatal flaws in their own devotion.
Other exceptional tales demonstrate the sheer breadth of creativity flowing through the system. Giada Zavarise’s piece, Tired of London, channels the atmosphere of the game’s roguelike roots, taking the reader on a steamer journey to the Tomb-Colonies, culminating in a breathtaking spectacle of mummified living on a final, doomed cruise. Another contribution brings a lethal love story rooted in the deep-zee court of the Fathomking, while another introduces a romanceable rodent with three heads, navigating the treacherous politics of The Tower.
The depth of talent is undeniable. AAA writers are finally taking the reins to unleash their wildest ideas within a universe that has the capacity to accommodate them. This collaborative environment allows individual voices to shine clearly, rather than being muffled by a larger product. Contributors like Jim Rossignol bring a dark whimsy, exploring themes of malevolent architecture and illness as art, while Anthropy delves into the tension between power and perception in a Cold War thriller setting. This diverse collection, spanning years and drawing from the foundations of titles like Nighthawks, proves that the world of Fallen London is not just a game, but a richly rewarding literary universe.
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